Indigo Robe

2010-01-07T17:03:00.001-07:00

Terrible blogger. That is me.

Weathermen lie.

2009-12-08T21:29:00.001-07:00

Just sayin'.

Gradually remembering to write...

2009-11-21T07:55:00.002-07:00

While I breathe in the last remaining moments of autumn before the turn of seasons to all thoughts Christmas, I was thinking about how I am living for weekends. Although that makes me sad, because I want to live IN THE MOMENT, at least I have weekends to look forward to.

It's not that I don't love my job. It just happens to be draining right now. Not due to the work, but the energy it requires in terms of people. They need to vent, they are stressed... I am there for them and they sense that so they stop by my office and dump a little stress... but when you have 30 teachers and many more paras and other staff, each time they stop by to drop off some stress, it seems to just fill up my tiny office. I seem to take it off their shoulders and place it on mine. For some reason, I absorb the negative energy, the problems seem to be MINE to fix, even though they are not and truly, I am usually powerless to fix them anyway. But one of my strengths and weaknesses is empathy. So I truly FEEL for these people. I completely understand what they are going through and I feel it too.

And my energy level gets drained and I have to go home and plug into my loving husband to recharge... but I wonder if I am draining him? He gave me some great advice this week about pulling my own energy back into myself - my creative energy, my loving energy, my own energy - so that I can save some for myself. I'm trying to be more mindful of that and kind of let the stress swirl around but not let it land on ME. Just let the wind take it way, not store it in my head or on my shoulders. (The source of pain for the last few weeks)

Today is a beautiful autumnal day (I LOVE THAT WORD and YES, I INTENTIONALLY found a way to include it in this sentence!) and I am going to spend more time with family this weekend - shopping, playing, visiting, laughing, loving - LIVING.

I am ready to come back to writing again...

2009-11-11T16:33:00.002-07:00

Andrew doing his Harry Potter impression...

I've spent a long time using Facebook. Various reasons... the most of which is that it's the fast food of blogging. I can type a line or two, upload a photo MUCH quicker and easier than on blogger, and still satisfy my need to connect with family and friends about life.

But I do miss having the floor, so to speak, that comes with blogs. With facebook, you are limited in who, how, what, etc. (My own self-editing, I am sure) But I do miss putting a special poem or quote here with photos that I've taken. There is the notes feature on facebook which is good but still... I spent many years creating and maintaining my blog and I don't think I'm ready to give it up yet. Who knows, a week from now I may change my mind. That's the beauty of freedom. Ironically - on Veteran's Day.

So I'm going to test the waters... I'm going to see if Blogger is going to be kind and not take 20 minutes to upload a photo and let me change fonts, etc. and make this thing pretty, like I imagine.

Here we go....

bring blogger back...

2009-07-02T08:57:00.002-07:00

I think... I am not sure why I stopped writing. I looked at the date of my last entry and it was the near end of the school year and all of that frenzy that makes me crazy and sleepless... so maybe that's it. Or I am just lazy.

I've also been using facebook a lot but it really is like fast food of blogging. One line and you are done. Quick and easy but not as fulfilling as a full meal or blog entry....

I do like that photos are much, much easier to upload on facebook and all of the most recent photos are there. I guess I should load some here as well. If only it were quicker and easier to log in and upload here as it is on facebook, I might get back into regular blogging.

I have a ton to get done today... cleaning, really, as well as grocery shopping, cleaning out the fridge, etc.

We just got back from Vegas... 5 days, 4 nights and it was a blast....

Altered appearances...

2009-05-18T11:09:00.004-07:00

This was the headline....

Mariah Carey radically altered her appearance for the critically acclaimed film "Precious," which got its international premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2009.

Under this photo...

Which was funny because I actually think it's more like she alters her appearance when she looks like this...

but whatever...

Speaking of altering appearances... we are still working on the dining room. Here are some photos of the now finished chair rail and picture frame moulding. There is so much more to do yet (hang lights, beadboard is still not up, finish the edges of the floor, etc, etc) but it's looking good.

Kitchen Redo

2009-05-03T18:04:00.008-07:00

The kitchen in the photos looks much better than it did in person. I was sick of the orange-y oak cabinets. I had some inspiration photos from the decorating blogs I visit and a vision. We took off Friday to have a three day weekend to work on it all. Thanks to remodelingguy.net, I was inspired to finally try my hand at the kitchen. We removed the glass rack under one of the cabinets. We always felt compelled to use it although the glasses hanging there were always in the way! We also demolished the "appliance garage", freeing up more counter space. It was a good day on Friday!

Then we got to work. We used spray paint, auto primer first! Yep, it seemed pretty easy! But then we thought, hey! Let's spray paint the vent over the stove! That was a disaster! So we decided to take it down and get another one. It was over 15 years old. We ran back to the store. They wanted $200 for a stainless one. For another $50 I could have an over the oven microwave! I kept telling Sparky, "I believe in you!!!"

Then we pulled down the ugly southwest inspired tiles that I had super cemented to the wall more than 10 years ago. We had to use a crowbar and hammer to remove the tiles. This resulted in a LARGE hole in the wall! In fact, several holes. Oops. Ok, back to the store for a patch and spackle. Bob did a grand job fixing that up. Hanging the microwave would prove to be a difficult task...

Bob tried to escape out the window at one point but I just kept saying, "I believe in you!" After he used painter's tape to shut my mouth, he was inspired to become Bob the Electrician. He did it!!!!! He made me take a close up of the electrical box thingy he installed for the microwave. I was actually quite impressed!!!! We may appear to be seasoned DIY's but we are not so this was most impressive. THANK YOU SPARKY!!!

There is still more to do. The diningroom needs another coat on top and bottom, the chair rail needs nailed in and the picture frame moulding will go below that. The lighting in the kitchen will be replaced as will the curtains and possibly the blinds (sshhh, I haven't mentioned the blinds to Sparky yet!). We are also going to place beadboard along the sides of the cabinets and under the cabinets as the backsplash.

But it's almost done!

The Great Foam Block War of 2009

2009-04-28T19:17:00.001-07:00

my favorite part is from 1:21 - 1:28

I don't get it...

2009-04-21T18:14:00.002-07:00

I don't get all the hulabaloo over Miss USA and her remarks.

First, did anyone notice the some of the other questions?

How did you get your nickname, Daddy Long Legs?

Such substance!

But I don't get why she can't state her opinion about gay marriage.

I heard it's because she is supposed to represent us... us being America? or women? or ?

Well , when my body, and my friends bodies, and the majority of people I see in America look like this:

Then I will say that Miss USA is a representation of US and shouldn't give her personal opinion about gay marriage.

And on another note, I hate that the media says she hates gays, she simply stated her personal belief about gay marriage. Get a grip, Perez.

She displayed the perfect representation of America - she used freedom of speech and thought.

2009-04-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

2009-04-17T07:51:00.001-07:00

To See My Mother
It was like witnessing the earth being formed,
to see my mother die, like seeing
the dry lands be separated
from the oceans, and all the mists bear up
on one side, and all the solids
be borne down, on the other, until
the body was all there, all bronze and
petrified redwood opal, and the soul all
gone. If she hadn't looked so exalted, so
beast-exalted and refreshed and suddenly
hopeful, more than hopeful—beyond
hope, relieved—if she had not been suffering so
much, since I had met her, I do not
know how I would have stood it, without
fighting someone, though no one was there
to fight, death was not there except
as her, my task was to hold her tiny
crown in one cupped hand, and her near
birdbone shoulder. Lakes, clouds,
nests. Winds, stems, tongues.
Embryo, zygote, blastocele, atom,
my mother's dying was like an end
of life on earth, some end of water
and moisture salt and sweet, and vapor,
till only that still, ocher moon
shone, in the room, mouth open, no song.

~Sharon Olds

Easter Photos of Andrew...

2009-04-13T20:04:00.004-07:00

These were taken by Don's family... I, obviously,would have put bunny ears on him all day long. I'll see him next Easter for his first Easter Basket from his Mum Mum!

FOX NEWS, I HATE YOU.

2009-04-11T11:11:00.004-07:00

Here's the headline on the website:

But when you click on the story, you find out it was a....

THAT IS SO MISLEADING. A TEACHER is NOT, I repeat NOT a SUNDAY SCHOOL teacher. This makes me so angry. Let's stir up a nation that already doesn't respect or pay for teachers. Let's continue to use subliminal messages to make the public see what cruel, evil devils educators are. Let's keep paying millions and millions to men who can get a ball in a little basket, let's keep showering money on gangsters who rap about beating bitches and cops while thousands upon thousands of teachers are being cut from budgets all across our nation, forcing class sizes to 30 +...

I hate you, Fox News.

And yes, I am aware that a little girl was murdered and that is what I am most angry about. Because really, it all boils down to what we care about most (or rather LEAST) in our nation - children. If we had tougher laws and actually weren't afraid of offending someone's so called civil rights, KNOWN and PROVEN child molesters and killers would be killed within 30 days of committing their crime.

Work = No Blogging

2009-04-08T20:37:00.002-07:00

Sorry... I am smack dab in the middle of a two week testing window for the state of Az. so ...

I'll be back soon....

I just don't have the time or energy right now but will after next week!

Just concentrate on the cute baby until I get back....

THANK YOU LITTLE L!!!!!

2009-03-21T16:04:00.001-07:00

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new look of my blog! You spent hours on it and I truly appreciate you taking the time to help my vision come alive! You are the best!!!!

Love you!
xo,
Mama

Irish Jig

2009-03-20T23:33:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

The Power of Words

2009-03-19T20:05:00.010-07:00

I get this little food magazine from Kraft. I actually get great ideas for dinners, etc. out of it, although all of it is using prepared and packaged foods. But let's be real - sometimes that is all you have time for when you are working full time, maintaining a house, and your grandson lives 3 hours away because his mother abandoned the family and moved to Phoenix. simply because she married a man who happened to also live in Phoenix. Whatever.

Anyway, I digress. The point is, the foods, as I have mentioned, are completely just prepared foods put together, and given a really cool name.

For example - Creamy mediterranean Bites. Doesn't that sound delicious and time consuming?

Yeah - it's cream cheese on a Ritz cracker with an olive plopped on top.

But all day long now I have been craving these "creamy mediterranean bites" like mad. So it got me thinking.

Everyone knows I don't cook. And when I do cook, I don't cook well. And when I don't cook well, I am also very unimaginative. So I am going to re-name my few meals that I can make and see if they go over a little better ~~at the dinner table~~ in front of the tv.

Menu for the Week:

Monday - *angel hair strands of thinly slice dough with a smooth, ruby sauce. Tender shoots of emerald green elliptic leaves in a creamy, rich bath.

(* Spaghetti with sauce, salad with ranch dressing. )

Tuesday - *edible grain in crescent shapes, brimming with ground sirloin and fresh shredded cheddar

( * tacos )

Wednesday - *tender, freshly roasted on rotisserie, poultry with just a hint of citrus, sprinkled with herbs & pommes frites, bursting with steam

( *I'm picking up a chicken from the store and some of those thick french fries from the deli counter )

Thursday - *Four mini burgers topped with applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, sautéed onions and Ranch dressing on sesame seed buns. Served with crispy onion strings and jalapeño-ranch dressing.

(*I've called Sparky at work and asked him to pick up some take-out from Chili's. )

Friday - *Something expedient and hot that will be eaten in a small, cozy space. I GOTTA GO TO THE STATE CAPITOL!!!

(* McDonald's eaten in the car because my daughter abandoned her family to go marry some guy in Phoenix!!!)

X Marks the Spot... A Meme (put an X next to the things that apply to you)

2009-03-18T20:10:00.002-07:00

1. Started your own blog X
2. Slept under the stars X
3. Played in a band X
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower X
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world X
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo X
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch X
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning X
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty X
18. Grown your own vegetables X
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight X
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill X
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset X
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person X
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community X
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant X
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight X
46. Been transported in an ambulance X
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain X
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater X
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen X
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason X
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial X
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square X
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person X
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car X
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper X
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury X
91. Met someone famous X
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one X
94. Had a baby XX
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit X
98. Owned a cell phone X
99. Been stung by a bee

All this photo needs is a rainbow and some lollipops...

2009-03-17T19:58:00.002-07:00

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO VIEW THIS PHOTO IF YOU HAVE DIABETES.

Happy Green Day! :-)

2009-03-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

My Mad Editing Skills....

2009-03-12T09:40:00.002-07:00

From TIME.COM

***********Jorge and Jasmine are going home—no big surprise in either one, though I expected Jasmine to hang on a bit longer. The big news out of last night's Idol was the "new rule" affecting eliminations, and let me take a deep breath and get it all out:
Each week, the lowest vote-getter will continue to be eliminated—with one exception. The judges will have the power to spare one bottom-finisher form going home per season. ************

Form instead of from! TIME.com HIRE ME!!! :-)

So what if I am supposed to be scanning science benchmark tests and cleaning my office.

44 Odd Things... or how you are sorry that I came back to blogging.

2009-03-11T17:05:00.004-07:00

44 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 44 things about your friends, and let them learn 44 things about you! Tag the person that sent it plus others.

1. Do you like blue cheese? No.

2. Have you ever been drunk? No.

3. Do you own a gun? No.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite?No. I mean, I don't like Kool-Aid and don't remember having it as a kid.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Nasty.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Say it with me... National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Hot Tea, brought to me by my darling husband.

9. Can you do push ups? Cute.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My heart necklace from Sparky.

11. Favorite hobby? reading decorating blogs.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No ... I don't believe in it. I think that it's just a behavioral problem that paren.... oh look! a bunny!!!

13. What's your favorite shoe? the left one? What kind of question is this?

14. Middle name? Let's not go there.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? 1. I wish I had a soft pretzel with cheese from the mall. 2, I was late putting the pork chops in the oven so dinner will be late. 3, I don't even like pork chops that much.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Iced tea, water, Diet Dr. Pepper

17. Current worry? student loans

18. Current hate right now? that I live in Tucson when my grandson lives in Phx.

19. If you could meet someone, anyone who ever lived, who would it be? Hmmm, I have many choices. Top 3 would be Abe Lincoln, Princess Diana, and my grandmother on my father's side.

20. How did you bring in the New Year?At home, falling asleep, trying to stay awake to watch the ball drop.

21. Where would you like to go? PARIS!

22. Name three people who will complete this form? haha.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes.

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now?Navy blue with red lettering "Arizona WIldcats"

25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? Ewww. No. Love flannel in winter and clean, crisp cotton at other times.

26. Can you whistle? Barely.

27. Favorite color? Depends on mood and where the color is. I love green and greens like the sea. I love black and white a lot too!

28. Would you be a pirate? Yes, Johnny Depp.
(Oh! I thought it said, "Would you do a pirate?") - Um, no, I would not be a real pirate.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I hum, rarely sing.

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Well my girls have beautiful names but if I could pick one for myself it would be Emma, Emily or Catherine.

31. Favorite boy's name? ANDREW ( smile!)

32. What's in your pocket right now? nothing.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Little L. She CRACKS. ME. UP.

34. Best bed sheets as a child? I had a cot. Don't remember sheets.

35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? Crashing on my bike. Having to go to the hospital for stitches and cleaning. BUT before we could go, my mom made me change from my shorts into a dress. (????) 4 people held me down to get the needles into my knee for the numbing. My knee still hurts!!!

36. Do you love where you live? No. But I love that I am healthy and have Andrew fairly close by.(3 hours is still far away though)

38. Who is your loudest friend? Cristela

39. How many dogs do you have? None.

40. Does someone have a crush on you? I know some teachers that want to crush me but having a crush on me? I hope my husband still does!

41. What is your favorite book? Madeline - the original

42. What is your favorite candy? Hershey's chocolate bar with almonds.

43. Favorite Sports Team? Ummmm, uhhhhhh, hmmmm.... gosh. I love em all! (HAHAHAHAHA)

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Shenandoah & Moon River

"Interesting Observation"

2009-03-10T11:06:00.004-07:00

We have teaching (small group or one on one instruction) for students during the spring break. The students who miss three or more objectives on the benchmark test are required to attend this spring break teaching time. It's 4 days and I coordinate it and actually get quite a lot caught up from my own desk. I don't actually teach, I just coordinate getting the teachers to teach, the student data, etc. Today, after the morning math class, a teacher came into my office:

Teacher: I have an interesting observation. (puzzled look on teacher's face)

Me: Yes?

Teacher: I have a student who did poorly on the formatives I gave this morning but she does really well on the math fact fluency.

Me: (waiting for the interesting observation)

Me: (realizing that was IT)

Me: Why do you think that is? (trying to pull it out of him, like the skilled dentist that I am)

Teacher: I don't know! That's why I am coming to you!

Me: Is the skill on the formative the same skill on the math fact fluency probe? (I know that it is NOT the same skill)

Teacher: No.

Me: (blink, blink)

Me: (waiting.....)

Me: So what do you make of this? (pulling some more - hand me the pliers, please)

Teacher: I don't know!! That's why I am asking you!

Me: It's not the same skill. Just because she did well on one skill, doesn't mean she will do well on another skill. She needs to be re-taught the objectives - the ones you just tested her on, on the formative.

Teacher: Ohhh, yes!

Me: (Looking into dental schools)

Me: Is there some connection that you see between these two very different math skills?

Teacher: No.

Me: So are you all good?

Teacher: Yeah, I just thought it was interesting that she did well on one math skill and not the other.

Me: (Fake smile.) Well, I am glad we were able to talk about it. Have a good afternoon!

Maybe this is just a teacher thing - but wow... I was floored. Seriously?

MIA... I know, I know

2009-03-09T18:37:00.002-07:00

What can I say? Sometimes you just aren't inspired to write or you are too, I am talking TOO busy to write. Sometimes you are filled with worry and other times you are just plain tired. There are many reasons that I haven't blogged in the past several months. But I feel good about the break I had from writing and am ready (and was requested) to get back into writing here again.

As all two of you know who read my blog, Little L was accepted into the Disneyland College Program. The good news out of thousands of applicants, only 200 around the country are chosen. The bad news is that, like anything the poor girl has tried to pursue, it was something we just couldn't afford anymore.

The program is supposed to be a way for them to get their foot in the door. Unfortunately with the economy the way it is, Disneyland is effectively shutting down the program (DisneyWorld is still good - so far) and the way they do that is to not give enough hours to the kids working there on the program. After draining her savings the first month to make rent and buy food, she was once again about $400.00 short for rent and groceries at the end of February. She and two of her roommates could no longer afford to stay and had to leave. It was utterly depressing not only to see Little L's dream go down the drain, but to even watch two friends she had made in the program, lose theirs as well. These girls just happened to be here at the wrong time. With park attendance down, they just cannot justify paying these girls and trying to keep the regular cast members, who are union, happy as well. So she is home now but of of course, resigned her job with my school district to take this "internship" so we are back to square one. Luckily, we love having her around and I told her that being 19 means that it might take a few tries before she can officially launch into the real world.

Speaking of the real world, I know that DIsneyland is trying to get the remaining kids to leave because they sent them an email to let them know that their rent in April would be $790 instead of $640 because there are 5 weeks in April, not 4. I had to explain to Little L that that is NOT how the real world works... when you pay rent monthly - it does not matter how many weeks are in a month, the rent is the same!!! And these young girls were making $8.00 an hour and sharing a 2 bedroom apt. and EACH share of rent was $640.00. Was the apartment they were in worth over $2500.00 a month?? Hardly.... This is the first time Disney offered housing and I think they really messed up. Anyway -- that's been heavy on my mind but now that she is home, I am resting a little easier knowing she is not in Anaheim (the neighborhood was scary) and riding the bus with the AA guys and the crazies.

Speaking of crazies, I will save the crazy story of our visit to her, the man that was attacked in front of us, calling 911 and eventually having Sweet Pea supoened to California!!! Ah yes, the fun never ends.

Now my sweet Boo Bear turned one year old and I took no photos of him in his birthday hat. I am thinking I need to take care of that this weekend. I am working this week (even though it's spring break) so that I can pay the tax man this year. But I only work Mon. - Thurs. and then I get to see Boo Bear and I simply cannot wait.

The other person that inspired me to write again was a comment from my sweet sister, Edna , who commented on how gorgeous Boo Bear is (Yes, sis, we call him Andrew) -- she inspired me because she loves to see photos of him and that made me want to post more photos. So here you go!

Andrew Turned One Yesterday!

2009-03-05T19:20:00.005-07:00

I didn't get to see him on his first birthday. Luckily, the kids put him on the computer for me after his birthday party.

But still - I would have rather watched him play and mess with his cake.

Is there a reason I live in Tucson and he in Phoenix?

This post will explain my absence....

2009-02-24T08:03:00.002-07:00

The news, depressing as it may be, has caused my brain to explode from the constant misuse of the word LOOSE vs. LOSE

I copied it straight from FOX NEWS.COM this morning.....

eBay.comSleeper family's cave house.FOX NEWS VIDEOS

TOP VIDEOS

Raising Arizona

Human Price Tag

Across America
US
Chandra Levy murder case close to end?
Man attempts 50 jobs in 50 states
Tips to help you avoid loosing your home <------LOOSING your home?!?!? How about LOSING your job as editor?!?! ARGH!!!
Church publishes collection totals

Dimple on the Chin, Mischief Within...

2009-01-29T20:12:00.002-07:00

A little old lady at the mall came up to us and uttered these words.

Whenever we take Andrew to the mall, people literally stop us in our tracks ALL THE TIME to comment on Andrew's beautiful eyes or his smile. His mother was the same way - she was just a BEAUTIFUL baby and people couldn't help but comment about her beautiful, big eyes.

The chin poem was the first time I ever heard that one and I thought it was an adorable saying...

So I found one of Sweet Pea's photos from Disney that shows that gorgeous chin!

Click to enlarge to really see!

Lots O' Disney Photos

2009-01-27T21:24:00.004-07:00

From Sweet Pea and Mr. Sweet Pea's visit to Disneyland last week to visit Lauren. Andrew loved the characters! Little L loved seeing Andrew! Sweet Pea, thanks for visiting your sister. I know it was a much needed and appreciated visit! xo

Living on the Edge...

2009-01-22T20:05:00.004-07:00

Cause that's how I roll....

I actually bought this to send to Little L in a care package -- cause nothing says I love ya, like a case of salmonella.....

I am not sure about this Great Peanut Butter Scare of '09. It seems that media needs a disease/sickness with which to scare the public and this is the best they could come up with, what with being busy with the coverage of the new president.

Come to think of it -- I think this whole peanut butter panic was the nutty (laugh with me!) idea of some republican! Oh yes, yes, I see the connection. Peanut butter - peanuts- Georgia - George W. was a republican - Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer democrat - we have a democrat in the office - thus...

Democrats = Peanuts

Peanuts = Scary!!!

Deduce: Democrats are scary!!!

Sure, it may seem like a cracked (hahaha) idea but I think it has some salt (I'm killing myself here! hahaha) to it.

Can salmonella go to your brain?

Maybe I shouldn't have eaten the king size Reese's afterall.

LOSE vs. LOOSE

2009-01-19T20:34:00.003-07:00

I have seen these two words used incorrectly so many times, that I often think about making a section on the side of my blog to prove how OFTEN these words are missused. But I always figure it will correct itself and I will see it less and less. Instead, I see it more and more!!!!!!! It drives me nuts. I cannot explain it but it does.

So from now on -- whenever I see it used wrongly, I will post it here. Imagine the millions of posts I have missed already but this will cleanse my anal mind each time I post it from now on.

I bring you...

THE WRONG WAY #1

The "Double Diet" I used to loose all my weight for good!
When I had my idea to combine these two methods, I needed to find a way to test it without spending a fortune on it. I wanted to find them cheap, and I ended up finding free trials for both products the Acai Berry Supplement and Colon Cleanser Supplement.
~ From nichollesweightloss.com

Sorry, Ray.

2009-01-18T14:30:00.006-07:00

Little L just had her first celebrity encounter at Disneyland! They happen fairly often. I mean think about it, celebrities live in LA.

Anyway, she just texted us that RAY ROMANO was just at her window -- and she messed up his order!!!!!! She gave him two drinks instead of four. She said she just gave him the other drinks for free. HAHAHAHAHA.

We love, love, love to watch reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond so she knew who he was.

Sorry, Ray. Just because she messed up your order doesn't mean she doesn't love you! She's just starstuck!!!

To quote: "I was a wee bit distracted by his star status! Give me a break!"

We asked if Ray Romano was nice about it?

Her reply: "Yeah, LOL, he said, no big deal!"

Yesterday, she said one of Miley Cyrus's backup dancers was at the window but she didn't know who it was at the time.

I think the magic is being sprinkled on Little L in a wonderful way!!! Now if Johhny Depp shows up at her window ... I'll be on the first plane out there!!!!!!!

Almost Famous

2009-01-16T17:23:00.002-07:00

Sweet Pea's brother in law tried out for American Idol in Phx. He has a fabulous voice but is WAY too normal. He didn't make it but here is a photo of him in line. Mike is the one on the left.

Look to the left of him. If you watched American Idol the first night, you saw the dude with the striped shirt on the show! Mike said he stood in line with him for quite awhile.

Dear Abby...

2009-01-15T21:02:00.002-07:00

Little L called me at work this am....

Little L: Mom, what kind of ketchup should I buy?

(perfectly valid question)

Me: Always buy Heinz. You cannot buy the store brand when it comes to ketchup.

Little L: Ok, what about syrup?

Me: You still need a name brand but can get whatever one is one sale.

Little L: Which inserts should I buy for my shoes?

Me: blah, blah, blah....

Then she called her Daddy for advice on doing the laundry.

I am so proud of her and happy that she calls for advice!

My sweet sister wrote her a lovely letter, giving fantastic advice about being on your own for the first time.

What advice would YOU give to her, first time on her own?! Hmmm?

Photos from Little L

2009-01-14T19:54:00.006-07:00

Lauren with her BOSS and her roommates!! :-)
(Little L is the one with the pink and black jacket and the sunglasses on her head - the cute one!!!) :-)

Lauren goes shopping at the park on her day off and comes home with a few new goodies!!!

Enjoying a day off from work AT work?! Haha....

Little L seems to be settling into life in Disneyland rather well! The adrenaline has worn off and reality has set in and she is still smiling. No - she is GLOWING!!!! I was so excited to see these photos. She is enjoying her job and today was her first day off. Her roommates (in the photos) are wonderful and they have bonded very well.

Today, they had an apt. inspection by Disney and they passed. Little L has a High School Musical obsession and her room SHOWS it with all of her posters, etc. The lady doing the inspection was talking to Little L's roommate (Little L wasn't there for the inspection) and the Disney employee mentioned that Little L must really love HSM!!! Her roommate said, "OH yes, she really does!" Well, the Disney employee asked for Little L's name and told her that the stars are at Disney often and she will arrange for her to meet them!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!??! Little L is on CLOUD 9999999999!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine meeting the star(s) you idolize most?!?! I am so happy for her. Disney is just truly magic for her! It's a real dream come true!!!!

She already seems to have grown up so much in just one week! I know she is looking forward to her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew coming to visit her this coming week. I will post photos when I get them!

I miss you already, Little L...

2009-01-07T06:05:00.003-07:00

I Woke up got my lazy ass out of bed
I Watered all the rocks growing in my head
I Had a thought...and fell asleep on you...

There I was somewhere West of Tomorrow Land
Flying through the stars just like Peter Pan
I said...Damn this looks too good to be true...

There she goes... my heart again (would you mind rolling over)
I can feel it in the air (something's coming down)
I don't know and I don't care that it's a small world

It's a nice day if you wake up in Disneyland...
It's a nice day when you wake up in Disneyland...

In my dream everybody's got a little house
A dog, a bank account managed by Mickey Mouse
And the only thing we fight about is the Lakers...

In my dream all the pirates down in Neverland
Never get the Hook... they just get a hand
While the crocs sing Superman till we just can't take it...

There she goes... my heart again (do you mind rolling over)
I can feel it in the air (something's coming down)
I don't know and I don't care if it's a small world

It's a nice day when you wake up in Disneyland...
It's a nice day if you wake up in Disneyland...

We can fly away...

I Woke up got my lazy ass out of bed
I Watered all the rocks growing in my head
I Had a thought... and I looked up to see

The sign read the park she's closed today
E-tickets don't work here no more anyway
Where every day's a magic day to be free You see...

It's a nice day when you wake up in Disneyland...
It's a nice day should you wake up in Disneyland...
It's your L.U.C.K.Y. day should you wake up in Disneyland...
It's a nice day should you wake up in Disneyland...

Little L - sister, aunt, daughter, friend...

2009-01-05T07:57:00.008-07:00

SO I am sitting in the dark, in a hotel room across from Disneyland. I should be at work. But I am here. I took 3 days of personal time because my littlest bird is flying the coop.

Little L mentioned last night that she was surprised that I didn't write about it. I explained that I didn't want to upset her. I have always been most protective of her, she is the youngest after all.

But it's early and I am awake so if she wants to know what I would write, I will write...

I cannot believe the moment is here. I have tried not to think about it because I am a complete mess. I don't like being a complete mess. I like being in control of my emotions which is pretty funny because I don't think I am ever in control of my emotions when it comes to my family. But I am really good at not thinking about something I have to face... and this is by far the hardest thing I have to face right now. How incredibly blessed am I that THIS is the hardest thing for me to face?

I'm rambling... it's avoidance... rambling will not remind me of the way she makes me laugh. No... I mean LAUGH. She is sooo funny. Not that she tells jokes -- she just sees things in a humorous way and then will comment on it. Her view of life and her DELIVERY is what makes me fall down laughing every single day!

She is compassionate and highly forgiving. It's been really hard lately due to my menopausal moments and her "not still a girl/not yet a woman" growth spurts and yet SHE is the one who will apologize and give me a hug which melts my heart completely.

Little L is ready to embark on a great adventure. She is here for a months but I have told her -- HOME IS HOME and being 19 is all about finding yourself. Enjoy -- like it or don't like it. But she can ALWAYS come home. ALWAYS. And in fact, the only reason I am not a blubbering mess is because I just pretend that she will be coming home this fall and everything will be back to the way it was before this crazy Disney Co. offered her in an internship and stole her away from the nest. :-)

My heart cannot hold all of the love and pride I feel for her. She has been, and continues to be, the one who tries the hardest, sees the best in situations, and loves unconditionally. She is the friend that I love and fight with, that I shop and gossip with, that I plan and scheme with. She is the daughter that makes me see the good in people and situations when I am in a hormonal rage, the daughter who asks, "Can I get you anything, Mama?", the girl who uses humor to bring me out of a foul mood.

The fact that she is about to embark on this great journey is scary and exciting for both of us. She already has made friends with a roommate, a guardian angel if you ask me. She is packed and ready, paperwork filled out, clothes bought. During the day, we are excited, at night we are scared. More rambling...

Little L --

I love you more than life itself. I am so proud of you. I think you are going to be just fine. Just know that I am here for you ANYTIME - a phone call, an email, webcam, car ride, or airplane.

Remember that you are STRONGER THAN YOU THINK... and while I am at it... I'm going to remind myself of that when I hug you and say "see you soon!" tomorrow when I dtop you off...

I love you, Little L... I hope you know how much.

Love and Kisses,
Mama

Continuation of Post...

2009-01-01T20:03:00.005-07:00

Another tradition is choosing which stand to buy Indian Frybread from... we watched the cook pull a piece of dough from her cooler, smack it like a tortilla between both hands, and then deep fry the dough in oil in a cast iron skillet. Sprinkled with powder sugar, it is a treat that is best enjoyed outside where you can brush off the flecks of sugar that fly everywhere!

After we share a frybread, we feel like we should do something to help our hearts due to the digesting of the fried dough! Haha... so we walk up this hill that is adjacent to the mission. Once we walk up the hill, there is a beautiful view of Tucson. At the middle of the hill is a another hill made purely of rocks. There is a white cross at the top. Little L wanted to climb that part. We have never climbed that and I felt it was my job to commemorate the event by staying at the bottom of the hill to photograph the moment. I COULD have climbed the rocks if I wanted to but hey, I AM the family photographer! :-)

Lastly, some photos of the drive on the way out of the mission. There is a cemetary that is quite colorful. White crosses dot the landscape, bright hues adorn the graves, which are maintained daily by loved ones.

White Dove of the Desert

2009-01-01T19:22:00.007-07:00

One of our Christmas traditions is to drive out the the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation (no, not the casino!) to visit the mission, San Xavier. It is called the White Dove of the Desert because of the beautiful white mission (just look at how it contrasts against that magnificent Arizona azure sky!

Going inside, you will see that it is decorated for Christmas...

More of the inside of San Xavier...

I have more photos to post but Blogger is being finicky right now. I will try to finish this post later tonight to show you the delicious fry bread, HANDMADE! and the walk up the rocky hill to a beautiful white cross.

Happy New Year!

Why I Won't Sing in Public...

2008-12-31T11:18:00.001-07:00

FOXNEWS.COM HOME > U.S.
5 Pistol-Whipped at Florida Karaoke Bar

Christmas 2008

2008-12-30T22:51:00.006-07:00

“Life itself is the proper binge.”... Julia Child

In between cleaning the kitchen...

2008-12-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

* Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.

* Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.

* Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.

* Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.

* Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

* my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level

* my ability to establish warm connections with people

* admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life

* my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor

* being unique and being seen as unique by others

* having aesthetic sensibilities

* being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

* experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair

* feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved

* feeling guilty when I disappoint people

* feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me

* expecting too much from myself and life

* fearing being abandoned

* obsessing over resentments

* longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

* have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games

* are very sensitive

* feel that they don't fit in

* believe they are missing something that other people have

* attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.

* become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood

* feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

* help their children become who they really are

* support their children's creativity and originality

* are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings

* are sometimes overly critical or overly protective

* are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

T, U, V, oh stop... who are we kidding!

2008-12-29T08:51:00.003-07:00

Does anyone else feel like this when Christmas ends?! I love Christmas and think we should have 2 - 3 months of it. Who's with me?

R is for RATS!!!!!!

2008-12-26T17:16:00.002-07:00

I cannot believe it. It is SNOWING in Tucson. yes, SNOWING. Snow... as in once in a blue moon SNOW on cactus and stuff.

And we are in Phoenix. The sun is shining and it's chilly - in the 50's. But did I mention...

it is SNOWING in Tucson.

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT IT SNOWED THERE AND I AM HERE IN THE SUNSHINE?!?!?!

The only saving grace is that it RAINED all day on Christmas here in Phx. and I didn't see one ounce of sunshine (that is a GOOD thing!) so it felt very cozy and was the perfect Christmas day!

But....

it's snowing in Tucson....

Oh well.... we are enjoying Boo Bear. He's a little sick -- maybe an ear infection? but we are babysitting. We wanted the kids to get out for a bit sans baby and enjoy the post Christmas sales. Boo Bear is being a doll. Sleeping alot but still pleasant as always.

I love Christmas break!!! Santa was very good to me, as usual. I will get around to getting my stuffed self off the comfy couch and get my camera on the other side of the room soon so I can upload some Christmas photos!

By the way... did you hear? IT'S SNOWING IN TUCSON!!!!!! Waaaaahhhhh!!!!!!

A Forgotten Letter...

2008-12-24T08:29:00.003-07:00

Sweet Pea commented that I forgot the letter F... (snicker) and I really was thinking that was a good letter to forget because it's been a rough month. The holidays just kind of overtook us all, along with the launching of our youngest bird from the nest so to say things have been more high strung than the lights on the Rockefeller Christmas tree would be an understatement.

However, I will give you F is for FAVORITE...

Everyone knows that TODAY is my favorite day of the year. The anticipation, the quiet mood that overcomes the world at dusk, the slower pace of the Christmas music on the radio as the night goes on, the tracking of Santa on NORAD, watching midnight mass or carolers on tv in the dark (I always outlast Sparky on this night), the peaceful feeling that envelopes the world -- no more hustle and bustle -- just the quiet excitement of surprises to come in the morning.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!
M~

Q is for Questions...

2008-12-23T08:42:00.003-07:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I just spent $30.00 on half price bags at the party store so bags all the way. There are some beautiful ones out there with frills, details, sparkly stuff, etc. All you need is tissue paper. No scissors, no tape and they usually include a gift tag.
.
2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial due to living in the desert.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Thanksgiving afternoon.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually New Year's Day

5. Do you like eggnog?
Eww.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
tough one... #1 Suzie Homemaker Grill but a close 2nd would be my Dawn's Fashion Show.
(My best present ever - my Flying Nun doll was a birthday present.)

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Everyone. I agonize over every gift - I want it to be perfect for them.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
see above.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes with the fallen angel and beheaded wiseman in all his glory, god love him.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I suck. I don't send cards anymore.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A really ugly teal/brown/white robe from Sparky. I've gotten plenty of other lousy gifts from others but that is the one we laugh about.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, duh.

13. Better to give or receive?
Give.

14. Favorite Christmas Food?
baguette, cold spinach dip

15. Favorite Christmas tradition?
All of them.

16. Colored lights on the tree or all clear?
clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
O Come Emmanuel

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
With a grandson, we are back to traveling!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
Morning. We can open one stocking stuffer and our Christmas jammies on Eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The traffic - crowds.

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color?
Don't have a "theme" - we just use all the ornaments collected over the years.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
I bake a ham but I hate ham so I love all the trimmings (lima beans! yum and the sweet potatoes and rolls and I am good to go)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Peace, grace, more peace, Joy

GHIJKLMNO.... P

2008-12-21T10:40:00.003-07:00

Yeah, um... a few letters got away from me....

P is for photos...
.. these are from the photo shoot I did with Andrew right before Thanksgiving....

E is for Elf...

2008-12-12T12:00:00.001-07:00

This photo reminds me of a little Christmas Elf. It is Little Lamb's favorite photo of the santa photos with Andrew. I can just see him in a little Elf suit but he sure looks pretty adorable in the santa outfit, don't you agree?!?!

We interrupt this ABC's of Christmas blog to bring you a very important weather alert!

2008-12-11T21:03:00.003-07:00

No, I am serious! This is taken directly from the front page of the weather on my internet provider! DON'T READ IF YOU SCARE EASILY. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

...STRONG STORM SYSTEM TO BRING SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CHANGES TO
SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND...

WEAK HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE WEST COAST WILL GIVE WAY TO A WEAK UPPER
LEVEL DISTURBANCE THAT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN AND NORTHERN
ARIZONA LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE FRIDAY.

A DEVELOPING UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MAKE ITS WAY OVER
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST LATE FRIDAY WHICH WILL EVOLVE INTO A LARGE
SCALE TROUGH OVER MUCH OF THE WESTERN STATES. WEAK DISTURBANCES
ROTATING AROUND THE CENTER OF THE LOW...WHICH WILL STILL BE OVER THE
PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILL SLIDE EASTWARD ACROSS THE CENTRAL ROCKIES AND
INTO THE CENTRAL PLAINS THIS WEEKEND. AHEAD OF THIS SYSTEM...ABOVE
NORMAL DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED THROUGH SATURDAY ALONG
WITH MOSTLY DRY CONDITIONS...ALTHOUGH A FEW SPRINKLES MAY OCCUR
SATURDAY AFTERNOON. SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE
INTO THE 15 TO 30 MPH RANGE WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 40 MPH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON RESULTING IN BREEZY TO WINDY CONDITIONS.

MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE ACROSS SOUTHEAST ARIZONA SATURDAY
NIGHT AND SUNDAY. THIS WILL RESULT IN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS FOR
MOST LOCATIONS SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY WITH SLIGHTLY HIGHER
CHANCES FOR THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. BY MONDAY...INCREASING MOISTURE
WILL JUSTIFY A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AREA WIDE.

THE UPPER LOW IS EXPECTED TO MOVE CLOSER TO THE DESERT SOUTHWEST
DURING THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK FOR PERHAPS AN EVEN BETTER THREAT FOR
SHOWERS AND MOUNTAIN SNOW.

LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL TELEVISION OR RADIO
STATIONS...OR YOUR CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE PROVIDER FOR ADDITIONAL
STATEMENTS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER EVENT.
WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON

Behold the scary weather map that accompanied the WARNING!!!

Basically, I think that 1000 word ~~essay~~ weather warning meant it will get a slight bit chilly and we will have to wear socks with our flipflops.

D is for...

2008-12-11T20:31:00.007-07:00

Drew Bear! (his mommy's nickname for him)

and I already warned you that this might be the ABC's of Christmas with my precious grandson so stop rolling your eyes!!!!

Classic photos... I look at this all day long and laugh! His Uncle Mike, of course, took these for us!

First look at Santa...

Classic realization that you are sitting on a stranger's, fat, fuzzy lap....

Reassurance from mommy!

Is Santa sporting a Rolex there?

C is for...

2008-12-09T20:34:00.003-07:00

Christmas Crud...

I went home early from work sick. I can't remember the last time I did that. Well, actually, I do... it was about 10 years ago when I was teaching 4th grade. It was the last day before Christmas break and I was having a party with the class. My principal walked in and took one look at me and sent me home. She stayed with the class for the last hour. I will never forget her kindness!

Every Christmas, I get Christmas Crud. I guess it comes with the territory of working in a school. Some of my Christmas memories are of my young girls shopping and me in the parking lot of the Toys R Us, throwing up next to the car. Ah, the wonder of Christmas Eve!

Other times, we have gone to the ER on Christmas Eve night. And sometimes, I am just in bed, missing my favorite night of the year. There is something about your body just letting down when it knows it's safe too. I have to get through those last few weeks of Dec. at school and then BAM! it hits me like a mac truck.

This year, I don't have a classroom. I have a beautiful office with new, polished wood furniture that not one tiny child has touched with their hands that have just rubbed their noses. But...

Little L is working in 1st grade this year. Ahhhhh yes... and boy is she getting initiated! She has never been so sick as many times before. Sweet thing that she is , she is really sick with it and decided for old time's sake, to let me experience the joys of Christmas Crud.

The bad new is I have a fever and will have to miss work tomorrow. (I HAD to go in today to work on my list of 18 things on my to-do list and was able to get through 9 of them by 12:30 pm and come home) The good news is I probably won't be sick for the actual Christmas now that I am getting it out of the way early!!!!

B is for...

2008-12-07T09:39:00.006-07:00

I am reminded by the little voice in my head that this great endeavor of mine to fill up the blog with the ABC's of Christmas is shadowed by the failure of my attempt to post just 12 ornaments of the season last year. Failing miserably at that, I am undertaking this bigger task of 24 posts anyway. However, I fear that it may be the ABC's of Andrew at Chistmas at the rate I am going. My dear son in law's brother, Mike, a sweet man who loves his nephew dearly, has taken more photos of Boo Bear that I must share.

B is for Boo Bear!

This photo is magnificent. The lighting, the capture at floor level -- we are in the moment of wonder and discovery right along with Andrew. This photo reminds me of my favorite painting by Mary Cassatt - Children Playing on the Beach. That painting captures the essence of children being children - engulfed in their imaginative play, blissfully ignorant of camera and audience, they are able to just BE -- without worry of social acceptance or pleasantries.

Andrew exudes discovery and wonderment with this tiny ornament that has been, for several years, placed on a tree without hardly a thought by the adults who have seen it dozens of times. In the hands of a baby, it becomes brand new to all of us enjoying this journey of Christmas anew -- through the eyes of a child.

ABC's of Christmas

2008-12-05T22:17:00.004-07:00

A IS FOR ANDREW

I saw the idea to post the ABC's of Christmas on another blog and thought it would be a great way to document what I love about the holidays and to motivate me to blog more often now that it's so busy.

So I will begin with the letter A... and DUH! What do YOU think I will use for the letter A? Take a guess. Come on! Fine... YOU ALL KNOW WHAT I WILL USE FOR THE LETTER A. You are all such smarty pants, aren't you?

A is for Andrew -- that adorable, chunky, gorgeous, blonde haired, blue-eyed, sweet angel faced, beautiful, precious grandson of mine!

I shot about 300 photos for Christmas. One weekend while the kids had to work, we stayed to watch Andrew. I bought a little santa outfit at Ross for $5.99 and knew immediately what I would do. While the kids slept the next day, Pop Pop and I made sure that Baby Boo was well rested, fed, and changed. I put a while blanket on the floor and piled pillow behind it. I got on the floor while Pop Pop stood above me at times, making Andrew laugh for the camera. He was his normal, cheerful self and took the most beautiful photos although I am saving many of them for family members presents and will have to post those later. In the meantime, this was one of my favorites!

Thanksgiving Weekend!

2008-11-30T20:18:00.007-07:00

Holding onto Pop Pop at the park...

Mother and Son...

Mommy Kisses!!!

It was my brilliant idea to put on his sunglasses!

Andrew didn't like my brilliant idea...

Bear Down, Arizona!

Another wonderful weekend with family in Phoenix. We had such a great time recreating T day on Saturday! We made a turkey with all the trimmings, we took Andrew to the park (he was not thrilled because it was nap time -- we didn't time it well -- but he was still a sweetheart!) and we played games. The evening ended with the traditional seasonal viewing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. On Sunday, Sweet Pea and I got to do a little shopping and then it was back to Tucson for us. It was the greatest weekend and I can't wait for our next visit!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T22:56:00.001-07:00

A Day at Cabela's with Andrew

2008-11-21T17:33:00.008-07:00

I love to go to Cabela's. How odd is that? It reminds me of Pa. for some reason, all the hunting stuff. Can't explain it. But one day a few weeks ago when we were in Phx. we took Andrew to Cabela's. This grandparenthing thing is THE BEST! We had a blast.

Andrew just LOVED the white goat above this stuffed moose. You can see his little body is twisted around trying to look up at the white goat!

Pop Pop was so good about carrying him all around Cabela's...

href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1etwqLuvdPU/SSdWW8gUcnI/AAAAAAAACOs/2U8y8Qom-YI/s1600-h/looking+up.JPG">

In fact, Pop Pop was MUCH more interesting than the deer heads on the wall!

And the greenery wrapped around the banister was sooooo much more interesting than the other dead stuffed animals!

And Pop Pop's shoulder made the perfect teething toy!

He tried on a raccoon cap...

href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1etwqLuvdPU/SSdWVx9WryI/AAAAAAAACOU/s10XpH41FW8/s1600-h/daniel+boone.JPG">

Where's Andrew?!?!?

href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1etwqLuvdPU/SSdVzyb1aQI/AAAAAAAACN0/S-_NmeW7RxQ/s1600-h/where%27s+andrew.JPG">

Goodbye Cabela's!

2008-11-20T20:21:00.001-07:00

Your Native American Name Is...

Onawa Wauna

Your name means: Wide Awake Singing Snow Goose

What's Your Native American Name?

Mean GrandPa Will Not Share His Wendy's Chicken Sandwich!

2008-11-18T19:28:00.002-07:00

Or... how many hints do grandparents need that they should feed their grandson?!?!

I Broke the Code...

2008-11-11T11:34:00.004-07:00

SO I am cleaning the house...

(shut up! I am!)

and I sat for a moment in the bedroom (cause it's the only tv I can turn on, it requirs only ONE remote, how 1960's is that?!?!)

and I never changed the channel because I am just sitting for a moment...

(shut up! I really am!)

and I hear Entertainment Tonight tell the world that the Secret Service has already issued code names to the Obama family.

They are:

President -Elect Obama ~ Renegade
Michelle - Renaissance
Two young daughters: Radiant and Rosebud

Love it, sooo cute. But....I don't get it. How are they code names if you just told the world? Can someone explain this to me? Cause if I had a ham radio (and I don't) and I heard "kkkssskkksss.... this is Bluebird speaking, I have Radiant and Rosebud sighted at the Peter Pan ride, can I get a location on Renegade and Renaissance?" I would figure out they were at Disneyland. Ya know?

Things that make you go hmmmm.

And now I am going to finish cleaning.

(shut up! I am!)

Fox News, You are adorable!

2008-11-07T09:37:00.003-07:00

Here's a headline for today...

Enemies Could See Opening for Peace, or Violence, With Obama Presidency

Barack Obama's election raises questions about whether America's enemies in the Middle East will see an opportunity to attack and test his mettle -- or to negotiate with a leader who has said he's willing to talk with them.

So I am applying for a job to write for Fox News. Here are some of my ideas!

Weather Today Could Be Hot but it also Could Be Cold

My Mood Today Could Be Happy, or Sad, Depending on My Mood

School Children Across America May Learn, or Not Learn, With Their Teachers

Flipped Coin Could Be Heads, or Tails!

Boo Bear's Halloween Costume....

2008-11-06T20:58:00.002-07:00

What do you wear when your daddy is an X-RAY Technician?

Little L is a part of history...

2008-11-05T16:32:00.003-07:00

So this year, Little L got to vote for the very first time. She was quite excited and I wished I had my camera with me. In the early morning, before the sun even peeked over the horizon, I saw the most amazing thing. I was heading outside, past a window of the school library, and as I exited the door, I turned just in time to see her casting her vote into the electronic box. It was incredible to see her being a part of this historic day. I'll never forget it. I'll just never forget it.

History in the Making

2008-11-04T11:54:00.001-07:00

No Matter How You Vote... VOTE!

2008-11-03T19:37:00.005-07:00

We Predict You Voted For Obama

We're 70% sure you voted for Obama.

You seem to fit the profile of a typical Obama voter.

We're not saying you should have (or shouldn't have) voted for him.

But if we had to place a bet, we'd guess you voted Obama this year.

Did You Vote for Obama or McCain?

An actual email from Sparky...

2008-11-03T16:25:00.001-07:00

From: (Sparky)
Subject: PENN STATE
Date: November 3, 2008 4:15:20 PM MST
To: (Mrs. Sparky)

Still no. 3?!?!?!? Texas Tech jumps to No. 2?!?!?!? From No. 7 to No. 2?!?!?!? Ahead of Penn State!!!!!!
You know it’s a texas thing and that it’s the one last thing that ^%$#&^$$%^&^% Bush did just to piss me off!!!!!

(Sparky)
Supervisor CBO

Because (HOPEFULLY) I only have one more day to make Sarah Palin posts!

2008-11-03T12:21:00.001-07:00

Sarah Palin's parents displaying their obvious fondness for wildlife...

The Associated Press
Published: May 22nd, 2008 01:26 AM

The State of Alaska will sue to challenge the recent listing of polar bears as a threatened species, Gov. Sarah Palin said Wednesday.

She and other Alaska elected officials fear a listing will cripple oil and gas development in prime polar bear habitat off the state's northern and northwestern coasts.

Palin argued there is not enough evidence to support a listing. (<----- Supermom, Governor and now she's a scientist, too!) Polar bears are well-managed and their population has dramatically increased over 30 years as a result of conservation, she said.

Climate models that predict continued loss of sea ice, the main habitat of polar bears, during summers are unreliable, (<--- pesky scientists and their climate models!! ) Palin said.

The announcement drew a strong response from the primary author of the listing petition.

"She's either grossly misinformed or intentionally misleading, and both are unbecoming," said Kassie Siegel of the Center for Biological Diversity. "Alaska deserves better."

Wow... that quote was just about climate models and polar bears, right? It sure fits in with the V.P. or, God forbid, the Presidency though too..... America deserves better!

Sarah Palin ~ The Cloris Leachman of Politics

2008-10-30T12:04:00.004-07:00

Sarah wearing a polar bear pin - I heart irony!

FOXNews.com
Thursday, October 30, 2008

Win or Lose, Palin Is Not Going Away
In a candid response to a reporter's question about her future, Sarah Palin says she's not packing it in and returning to Alaska, regardless of Tuesday's Election Day outcome.

Sarah Palin said Thursday she is motivated by voters who underestimate her, she's not withering under the perceived double standard of sexism on the campaign trail, and she won't tuck tail and run back to Alaska if she and John McCain lose on Tuesday.

*******************************

Hotel rooms are pretty expensive in D.C., Sarah. You might want to rethink this whole "I'm not leaving!" thing.

Meme

2008-10-29T19:29:00.003-07:00

Go to urban dictionary and search for your answers to the following questions;
Post your answers;

** Please note: I am not changing the grammar or anything else...just posting it straight from the Urban dictionary cause then it's got street cred. (yo)

1) Your name?

Margie
The most beautiful thing found on Earth
Also see angel

2) Your age?

47
A tall, bald, intimidating individual with a barcode tatooed on the back of his head. Usually wears a suit, tie and black gloves and is a hired killer. When not murdering people for money, he enjoys gardening.

3) One of your friends?

Debbie
a white girl that has a "ghetto booty" possibly from eating alot of little debbies

4) What should you be doing?

Cleaning
The act of shoving everything in a closet and calling it decent.
"I'm cleaning my closet."
"Where are you shoving all your stuff then?"
"My room."
"Ah."

5) Favorite color?

Green
yes... it is most definitely referring to the marijuana... and also, upon occassion, any substance with similar uses. too, properly, of course, it is a golfing term, but that;s really not very much fun, now is it?
'yo, where da green at?'

6) Hometown?

Chester
one of the poorest & grossist cities on the East Coast of the US. Also known as Cheddah.
"let's go down to Chester & buy some crack rocks..."

7) Month of your birthday?

July
A month when mostly the hottest girls are born
That girls so hot she must be born in July

8) Last person you talked to?

Lauren
a beautiful girl whom makes you go crazy .
ahhh, look at her , she's such a lauren . . .

9) What did you last eat?

Chinese Food
If you're referring to the fast food you bought at your local restaurant, Most of that is actually American food. Including the fortune cookie. If you don't believe me, check your history books.
I bought Chinese food from the Golden Panda restaurant by the mall.

10) Your nickname?

Snow
A certain beauty that's going to be gone if we keep polluting our earth.
100 YEARS FROM NOW....
Kid: "Hey grandpa, can you tell me that story about snow again?"
Grandpa: "Once upon a time, there was a thing that fell from the sky. It was white, soft, and beautiful. Running through it was like jumping on clouds. Then, one day, humans did a terrible thing. They created automobiles. These machines emitted terrible gases that made snow stop falling!"
Kid: "But grandpa, why did they decide to make automobiles then?"
Grandpa: "Good question, son. It's because back in 2008, people were ignorant and stupid."

more photos from the weekend getaway...

2008-10-28T21:26:00.003-07:00

Weekend Getaway...

2008-10-27T20:01:00.006-07:00

Last weekend we had a little getaway to northern Arizona. I am always chasing cooler weather. Unfortunately, it seems that the hot weather chases me.

But it was lovely. We stopped in Sedona for a little drive by the red rocks and then lunch at one of our favorite silly restaurants, The Red Planet. Afterwards, we took the long way to Flagstaff, enjoying the magnificent pine trees and landscape that is so totally foreign to Tucson. Arriving in Flagstaff, we checked into our room, a 2 room suite with a fireplace. ONLY in Arizona will you pay for a fireplace, turn it on (it was gas) and then open the windows and run the air conditioner because it's TOO HOT! :-) But the ambience is what we wanted and we got it!

We got into the car and ran to the NAU bookstore so I could buy some Alumni items (I came home with a great new T-shirt and a snuggly jacket and hope to wear the jacket at least ONE day this winter! Then we went to a pizza place that we have been trying for years to get to -- Roma Pizza. It was hands down THE BEST (what we call "sleaze") pizza in the world! It actually was not greasy but very fresh and tasty. We watched College Road Trip with Little L on the DVD that was in the room, and then to bed.

Early in the morning, we drove to Sunset Crater, a relatively recently active (just over 1000 years ago) :-) volcano. It's one of Little L's favorite places on the "rock" vacations. We spent a few hours there, taking photos and hiking. It was then time to head to the Grand Canyon. We keep forgetting that there is NOTHING, I mean NADA between there and the Grand Canyon and once again, we were starving by the time we arrived at 3 ish, having hiked quite a bit earlier in the day at Sunset Crater. Fortunately, there is a small cafe at the rim and we eagerly ate a snack (hot dogs for Sparky and Little L, a cup of chili for me) and then began our drive along the south rim.

We wanted Little L to experience the trail a little bit as we had never had her down one. So we took a few minutes to walk the Bright Angel Trail. It has been about 10 years since I first attempted a little walk down it with Sparky and had to stop as I got very scared at how close to the edge it is! People often think there is a fence or something around the Canyon. Um... no! It's a drop, baby. Straight down to the bottom! And people often go over the edge. (and die) so you can see why I am a chicken!

Anyway, it was a lovely day. As the sun was setting and the last rays were kissing the northern rim, we got in the car, only to see some deer grazing on the grass by the train station. Ahhhh, life is good. But we were still very, very hungry. It would be another 20 minutes before we hit civilization again and what did we find? The home of "two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun! Yes, we found a McDonald's and though normally that discovery of the only place to eat would be met with moans, we were THRILLED. FOOD would be OURS soon! It was now about 8 ish. We stuffed our faces silly on the most expensive McDonald's meal we've every eaten. The prices, it is explained in writing on the walls of the fast food chain, are reflecting the fact that it's difficult for them to find workers in such a remote area, and therefore, they pay not only the workers wages, but they also provide housing for their employees. Not a bad deal, indeed.

We crashed at Sweet Pea's house, enjoyed a good night of sleep and then woke up early and got in the car for the final leg of the trip back home. It was a perfect little getway!

Not all of the photos are loading tonight so I'll post more tomorrow...

stealing great photos

2008-10-26T21:39:00.004-07:00

My son-in-law took these when he and Sweet Pea recently visited family back in Indiana. You have to see these photos so I have to steal them to place them here! :-)

Andrew's First Piano Recital

2008-10-25T08:35:00.002-07:00

Andrew is fortunate enough to have an Uncle Mike who is a piano player. He bought Andrew a cute, colorful "first" piano that Andrew just adores. Then he busted out the big guns ~ Andrew's first baby grand.... I am so excited that Andrew is going to be a musical baby! I know his Uncle Mike will teach him well. These are photos that his were taken at Sweet Pea's in-laws house as Uncle Mike introduced his love of music to Andrew.

Click to enlarge to read

2008-10-20T20:47:00.001-07:00

Amy Grant/Lead Me On Tour ~ Phoenix

2008-10-19T15:32:00.002-07:00

4th concert to see Amy Grant ~ wonderful trip down memory lane. These songs are the ones I would sing on the back roads of Pa. while driving an 18 passenger van with Sweet Pea while we took care of errands. Sweet Pea had a family visit come up in Indiana and couldn't go so we used her ticket to go back out the the car and get the camera. Yeah! I was warmed by the memories, inspired by the words, and enjoyed time with Sparky and Little L. I took some video as well but will need Little L to help me get that loaded!

HSM 3

2008-10-13T20:50:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

scared!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-10T12:32:00.002-07:00

I was ~~wasting time~~ watching the news when I see this --

WARNING!!!! : A STRONG FALL STORM WILL CLASH WITH TROPICAL MOISTURE OVER ARIZONA.

Desert Rats can't handle anything but SUNNY and HOT.

I'm going to go stock up on essentials (Hershey's kisses, Lay's chips, Sparkling Cranberry Juice from Trader Joe's)

If I don't post for a few days, it's because of the STRONG! FALL! STORM!

One Word

2008-10-09T10:17:00.002-07:00

Your hair? dark (shut up)
Your mother? tried
Your father? hero
Your favorite thing? family
Your dream last night? Sparky
Your dream/goal? time
Your favorite drink? tea
The room you're in? bedroom
Your ex? none
Your hobby? reading
Your fear? death
Where do you want to be in 6 years? content
Where were you last night? desert
What you're not? organized
Muffins? no
One of your wish list items? debtless
Time? precious
Where you grew up? ghetto
The last thing you did? typed
Favorite weather? thunderstorm
What are you wearing? shirt
Your favorite book? journal
Your TV? funny
Your pet? none
Your computer? macbook
Your mood? relaxed
Missing someone? Andrew
Your car? Saturn
Something you're not wearing? pants
Favorite store? HomeGoods
Love someone? YES!!!
Your favorite color/shade? black
Last thing you ate? salad
Your life? fulfilling
Your friends? patchy
What are you thinking right now? list
What are you doing at this moment? reading
Your summer:HOT
Your relationship status: MARRIED!
What do you do when you can't sleep? plan
When is the last time you laughed? recently
Last time you cried? recently

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-08T22:56:00.003-07:00

I wish EVERY SINGLE BLOGGER would copy this and put it on their blog because EVERY SINGLE American needs to know this!!!

2008-10-07T18:51:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, October 07, 2008
AIG Executives Blow $440,000 After Getting Bailout

If you'd just gotten a government bailout, you might be tempted to hold a retreat at a nice California hotel -- and that's exactly what American International Group (AIG: 3.51, -0.36, -9.30%) executives did.

The committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. to address and examine downfall of AIG, the world’s largest insurance company. The committee planned to discuss the financial excesses and regulatory mistakes that led to AIG’s government bailout.

One of the items discussed was AIG’s expenditure of $440,000 for a corporate retreat at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort in Los Angeles, Calif. These funds were spent on Sept. 22, a week after the Federal Reserve extended an $85 billion emergency loan to AIG to keep it from going bankrupt due to insurance liabilities.

According to the receipt from the St. Regis, the eight-day company retreat was a lavish one -- $139,000 was spent on hotel rooms, while even more money -- $147,301 -- was spent on banquets. Another $23,380 was spent on undisclosed spa treatments and another $6,939 was spent on golf. A full $9,980 was spent on room service and food and cocktails at the hotel lounge.

The St. Regis Monarch Beach resort is described on its Web site as “a landmark resort of legendary proportions.”

Legendary, indeed.

It's Just A Lazy Sunday...

2008-10-05T19:13:00.002-07:00

They're Just Like YOU!

2008-10-03T17:17:00.008-07:00

So the abiding theme for the McCain/Palin ticket is that they are JUST LIKE YOU! You know, "average Joes"...

So lemme see how they are just like me:

HOMES:

John McCain owns at least 4 properties but most likely 7, according to Newsweek and the house they raised their children in --in Arizona is 15,000 sq. ft. and sits on 2.7 acres. It has 13 bedrooms and 14.5 bathrooms.(They sold that one though for 3 million dollars in 2006.

My house: 1 home, 1561 sq. ft. and has a mortgage, 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths.

SARAH'S EYEWEAR:

Kawasaki's 704 series, and the color is 34 gray, made of titanium, rimless and retail for between $375 without lenses and about $700, with lenses. The best part? The lenses are made in Japan.

My eyewear: Frame and lenses, with insurance cost me $70.00 from Pearl Vision Center at the mall.

CARS: The senior senator from Arizona counts a 2005 VW convertible among his 13 cars, and his running mate from the great state of Alaska drives a fire-engine-red Jetta diesel.

My cars: Sparky and I each have a Saturn Ion, 4 door. (2004 & 2006)

CLOTHES:
The Alaska governor bought a $2,500 jacket from Saks Fifth Avenue designed by Valentino Garavani to wear for her acceptance as the nominee for V.P.

For the debate: Palin paired her extremely expensive looking (I think it was shining!) black suit with a saucy French braid, fresh highlights, AND red heels!

My clothes: I have a beautiful pantsuit from JcPenney that I splurged on several years ago for a grand total of $80.00. I will plead the 5th on the subject of stilettos. :-)

There you have it. They are just like the average American, as you can clearly see.

And now, I believe I will stop talking about this nonsense and return this blog to it's normal subjects of life, decorating, and my beautiful baby grandson! In fact, here is a photo as a down payment on my promise!

Happy Friday!!! xoxo

Stop Winking at Mah Man...Doggone it!

2008-10-02T20:24:00.004-07:00

I thought the debate was civil. I'm glad. But she DOES get increasingly adorable as she goes on (how many times did she wink?) I just want to address one thing that was discussed by Sparky and me during the debate:

PALIN: That is not so, but because that's just a quick answer, I want to talk about, again, my record on energy versus your ticket's energy ticket, also.

I think that this is important to come back to, with that energy policy plan again that was voted for in '05.

When we talk about energy, we have to consider the need to do all that we can to allow this nation to become energy independent.

It's a nonsensical position that we are in when we have domestic supplies of energy all over this great land. And East Coast politicians who don't allow energy-producing states like Alaska to produce these, to tap into them, and instead we're relying on foreign countries to produce for us.

*******************

Sparky: Well, then why doesn't she talk to Sen. McCain about solar energy? We live in his state -- where we get 2 freakin days of rain and year and 363 days of SUNSHINE... why not solar energy as an alternative?

Hmmm, good point! She went on and on and on and on about her energy state but our state, Arizona should be the energy state with all of the solar power we could be harnessing. Why aren't we doing that, Sen. McCain?

I'll stop the Sarah Palin posts when she stops with the B.S.

2008-10-02T15:16:00.006-07:00

(CBS) Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin have put in some very long days preparing for their Thursday night debate. To give voters a better sense of who these candidate are, and where they stand on a number of issues, CBS News anchor Katie Couric asked Biden and Palin some "Vice Presidential Questions." This installment tackles Roe v. Wade and Supreme Court decisions.

Katie Couric: Why do you think Roe v. Wade was a good decision?

Joe Biden: Because it's as close to a consensus that can exist in a society as heterogeneous as ours. What does it say? It says in the first three months that decision should be left to the woman. And the second three months, where Roe v. Wade says, well then the state, the government has a role, along with the women's health, they have a right to have some impact on that. And the third three months they say the weight of the government's input is on the fetus being carried.

And so that's sort of reflected as close as anybody is ever going to get in this heterogeneous, this multicultural society of religious people as to some sort of, not consensus, but as close it gets.

I think the liberty clause of the 14th Amendment … offers a right to privacy. Now that's one of the big debates that I have with my conservative scholar friends, that they say, you know, unless a right is enumerated - unless it's actually, unless [it] uses the word "privacy" in the Constitution - then no such "constitutional right" exists. Well, I think people have an inherent right.

Couric: Are there Supreme Court decisions you disagree with?

Biden: You know, I'm the guy who wrote the Violence Against Women Act. And I said that every woman in America, if they are beaten and abused by a man, should be able to take that person to court - meaning you should be able to go to federal court and sue in federal court the man who abused you if you can prove that abuse. But they said, "No, that a woman, there's no federal jurisdiction." And I held, they acknowledged, I held about 1,000 hours of hearings proving that there's an effect in interstate commerce.
Women who are abused and beaten and beaten are women who are not able to be in the work force. And the Supreme Court said, "Well, there is an impact on commerce, but this is federalizing a private crime and we're not going to allow it." I think the Supreme Court was wrong about that decision. <---- dang, closing sentence and all! Give him an A+

Couric: Why, in your view, is Roe v. Wade a bad decision?

Sarah Palin: I think it should be a states' issue not a federal government-mandated, mandating yes or no on such an important issue. I'm, in that sense, a federalist, where I believe that states should have more say in the laws of their lands and individual areas. Now, foundationally, also, though, it's no secret that I'm pro-life that I believe in a culture of life is very important for this country. Personally that's what I would like to see, um, further embraced by America. <---- really, Sarah? You were quoted as saying that you believe the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT is working and yet THAT is a federal mandate, forced upon states in ways that states had NO SAY over and NONE of the promised funding from Washington.

Couric: Do you think there's an inherent right to privacy in the Constitution? <--- this is "gotcha journalism" to republicans

Palin: I do. Yeah, I do.

Couric: The cornerstone of Roe v. Wade. <----- haha! Go Katie!

Palin: I do. And I believe that individual states can best handle what the people within the different constituencies in the 50 states would like to see their will ushered in an issue like that.

Couric: What other Supreme Court decisions do you disagree with?

Palin: Well, let's see. There's, of course in the great history of America there have been rulings, that's never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade, where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but …

Couric: Can you think of any?

Palin: Well, I could think of … any again, that could be best dealt with on a more local level. Maybe I would take issue with. But, you know, as mayor, and then as governor and even as a vice president, if I'm so privileged to serve, wouldn't be in a position of changing those things but in supporting the law of the land as it reads today.

*****************

Where to begin?!

I remember taking a law class for my masters and the professor said to everyone on the very first minute of class:
"If you can name every single justice on the supreme court, I will give you and A and dismiss you this very moment." He went on the explain the importance of these men and how their decisions affect how you live your life each and every day. It was a most profound moment and he insisted that we not only learn their names, but important decisions that had been made. And a potential V.P. cannot name one?!

Seriously, if you can print these answers out and paste them next to each other, you will see why I cringe when I hear her answer a question. She never has an answer. She beats around the bush ( or what we learned in college, known as B.S. 101) and doesn't even have the courtesy to say she can't think of one at the moment. The closest she got to saying that was when she told Katie Couric "I'll try to think of some and get back to ya!".

If you are not registered to vote, go here : http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?
moduleurl=http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/mapplets/elections/2008/us-voter-info/us-voter-info.xml

And if you are registered to vote, go here:

I just heard it put this way:

1 out of 3 vice presidents, becomes PRESIDENT.

Think. about. that!

And watch the debates tonight. I have heard it spun that she is stupid like a fox and is actually a great debator. I'm looking forward to tonight. How else will I know when to laugh when Tina Fey is on SNL this Saturday?

Beer, It Does A Christian Woman's Body Good...

2008-10-02T13:56:00.003-07:00

"It's time that normal Joe Six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency."

- Six-pack swigging American Sarah Palin

Oh Yea Baby

2008-10-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

In Palin Language

2008-09-29T08:47:00.003-07:00

I found the most recent interview with Sarah Palin and Katie Couric to be scholarly and cerebral so I am going to water down the interview's important parts to help YOU make an educated decision on November 4th.

Katie Couric: The lobbying firm of Sen. John McCain's campaign manager received payments from the controversial mortgage giant Freddie Mac until last month.

Sarah Palin: Did not!

Katie Couric: Did too!

Sarah Palin: Did not!

****************** ****************** ******************* ***********************

Couric: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and to understand the world?

Palin: I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.

Couric: What, specifically?

Palin: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.

Couric: Can you name a few?

Palin: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where it's kind of suggested, "Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?" Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

****************** ****************** ******************* ***********************

Oops, the above was NOT written by me but the ACTUAL words that vomited out of Sarah Palin's mouth. I don't think it can get much more simple than that....

For goodness sake, Sarah! Newsweek! Time! The Enquirer! Goodnight, Moon! Just name something you've read!!!!

And this whole idea of "gotcha" journalism... since when is a voter asking a question and you speaking the first thought in your head "gotcha" journalism? It wasn't Katie Couric that asked that! And if it was, that is EXACTLY what the media is SUPPOSED to be doing -- asking questions so that we, the voters, know what YOU, the running VP, believe in.

I can't wait to see the debate on Thursday night.

'nother quiz

2008-09-28T23:03:00.001-07:00

You Are An Exclamation Point

You are a bundle of... well, something.

You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama.

You're loud, brash, and outgoing. If you think it, you say it.

Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself.

You're lively and inspiring. People love to be around your energy.

(But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.)

You excel in: Public speaking

You get along best with: the Dash

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

quizzes...

2008-09-28T22:52:00.000-07:00

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions.

When you're happiest, you are outgoing and expressive . You love celebrations, and you enjoy showing off a little.

You tend to be afraid of change. You are never ready for things to be different.

You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones.

Your ideal day is spontaneous and surprising. You like to play things by ear, and you always end up doing something interesting.

You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

So I guess the debate is still on?

2008-09-25T11:39:00.002-07:00

Now I know this is simplistic but let me see if I get this:

Corporations mismanaged money by giving it to people who mismanage their money thereby causing the government to have to come in and give corporations MORE money to mismanage so that we can continue to give money to people who mismanage their money?

That was clear as mud!

I don't get it.

So the Corporations gave out loans to people who normally wouldn't qualify (like people who have bad credit because they don't pay their bills on time) but now the corporations need bailing out because President Bush says if we don's bail them out, then only people with excellent credit will be able to get loans.

Isn't that what the credit score is all about? Aren't we only supposed to get money from banks if we qualify because we pay our bills on time?

Why do we need to ensure EVERYONE can get a loan when only certain people should be able to get loans (those that PAY THEIR BILLS?)

A MOOSE DIES EVERYTIME YOU FORGET THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR AND YOU'RE...

2008-09-24T10:56:00.006-07:00

It's National Punctuation Day. I barely got to celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day!
http://www.nationalpunctuationday.com/

Go there. Here's a peek at the site!

How punctuation
changes the meaning
of a sentence

Let’s eat, mommy.
Let’s eat mommy.

Don’t use commas, which are not necessary.
Don’t use commas which are not necessary.

Punctuate this paragraph:

That that is is that that is not is not thats it that is.

Why punctuation is important to one’s sex life:
Pre-marital sex: What some people have before marriage.
Extra marital sex: What some people have in a happy marriage.
Extra-marital sex: What people have in a not-so-happy marriage.
If you’re having a lot of #3, you’re probably not having a lot of #2. It all depends where you place the hyphen.

NOW IF YOU'VE GOTTEN THIS FAR -- HERE IS WHERE I GET TO RANT!

I am over (cough) and JUST BARELY (cough, cough) over 40 and I completely and totally remember that you did NOT place a comma before the word AND. But my daughters came home from school INSISTING that you do indeed place a comma before the word AND. So I looked it up and it seems that I AM NOT NUTS. (cough, cough, cough )

This answer from yahoo.com explains it all:

Resolved QuestionShow me another »
Who learned the rule of no comma before the "and" in a list of three or more items?
I've been second guessing myself and have found that after all these years, there is a comma BEFORE the "and" in a list of three or more items. I swear I learned the rule differently (absolutely no comma before the "and") and I don't know why we were taught that. An English friend remembers the same rule (I'm American). Is this generational? We're both in our 30s. What's the deal with that rule? Why does the comma before the "and" look so wrong to me?
2 months ago
Report Abuse

dusty
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

The comma before the "and" looks wrong... BECAUSE IT IS!
HaHa - just kidding. Had to get that out of my system. I feel better now.

I was taught, 'waaaay back when, that the comma takes the place of (in this case) the word "and". So, instead of saying, "Apples and oranges and peaches.", you could say, "Apples, oranges and peaches". You didn't need the final comma because you already had an "and". That makes perfect sense to me. When my husband went back to college a few years ago and took an English course, my hackles went up when I saw the new rule in his grammar handbook. I think it's largely a matter of style - and you know how styles change.

At a grammar and proofing seminar recently, the teacher said that there was a court case where an heir (one of three) got more than he probably should have because of that final missing comma. The money was to be disbursed among Bill, Helen and Paul - that's how it was written. He sued saying that since there was no comma after Helen, it meant half should go to Bill and the other half to Helen and Paul. And he won!

I haven't been able to verify the story, but, just to be on the safe side, if I write up a legal document, I'll include that final comma. Other than that, in my world, there shall be no comma after "and".

7 Things

2008-09-22T14:21:00.004-07:00

7 Things I love:

1. MY FAMILY

2. the word : autumnal

3. anything and everything to do with fall, especially pumpkins

4. weekends away with Sparky, doesn't matter where

5. watching my grandson grow and develop the cutest personality

6. my breaks at school - fall and spring, as well as summer

7. a good facial from Gadabout

7 Pet Peeves:

1. Doing things over again because of someone else's fault.

2. People who walk by my office and either : stand there staring, not saying a word, when I look up give me a thumbs up and a dopey smile, tell me they are just trying to make me smile (leave me alone to get my work done and then I will show you a smile!), or make weird, strange noises as they walk by my office. WHY?!! Doesn't anyone work anymore!??!

3. Cutting me off with a grocery cart and then standing there while it's obvious I am headed in that direction so now I have to stop and wait for them to pick out their cherry flavored popsicles.

4. That my cell phone rings and I can NEVER answer it before it goes to voicemail, no matter HOW FAST I am!

5. People who mumble and then when you ask them what they said, they say "Nevermind!" Argh!

6. Cars that see you are waiting to turn right and they are coming from the left and don't put on their turn signal so as to indicate that they will not be crossing your path.

7. Having to have 349 different remotes to turn on ONE TV!!!!!!

7 Things I can't do:

1. Keep the gas tank filled. I fill up the gas tank but I wait till the last possible minute EVERY SINGLE TIME.

2. Drive a stick shift.

3. Wear a bikini. (it's that gallbladder surgery scar -- yeah, that's the reason!) :-)

4. decorate well with Toile although I try, try, try!

5. Cook very well. No really, I am not a good cook. It has nothing to do with my self esteem and everything to do with my lack of cooking skills and hating to read directions.

6. Keep plants alive.

7. look at fish.

7 Things I can do:

1. Teach

2. Make a great lasagna. It's pretty much the only thing I can cook.

3. Speak in front of people if I am properly prepared.

4. Listen well.

5. Write when I am inspired.

6. watch videos of my grandson sneezing or laughing over and over and over.

7. empathize with people

7 Characteristics I want to have:

1. patience

2. brave

3. kind

4. balanced

5. gracious

6. joyful

7. serene when needed

7 Things I can't live without:

1. My Family - Sparky, my girls and son in law, and my grandson

2. Baguettes

3. My eyelash curler and mascara

4. My moisturizer

5. My floss

6. My camera

7. My blowdryer

7 Things you might hear me say:

1. Can we stop at Starbucks?

2. Where's my Boo Bear?!!

3. I hate this heat. I wish it would rain!!!!!

4. Let's start walking again! Tomorrow!

5. Dinner's ready (as the smoke alarm goes off OR (in reply to what's for dinner) I DON'T KNOW! :-)

6. I miss my Baby Roo.

7. I love you.

Water Play

2008-09-18T21:10:00.005-07:00

So Little L and I were at the store that Sparky refuses to step foot in (It begins with a W and ends with an almart) buying something or other and we saw this clearance section with an ELMO sprinkler mat. We both knew we had to buy it for Andrew. It was only $1.00!!! So we couldn't wait to get to Phx. to try it out. Here are some photos... and one of him in his bouncer in which I need a spoon to eat those thighs!!!!

Dear God,

2008-09-15T19:08:00.004-07:00

Please help the Eagles to beat the crap out of the ~~Cowgirls~~Cowboys and please let T.O. bite into a wormy apple and please make mommy stop feeding me those strained green beans.

AMEN.

you're welcome.

2008-09-14T15:41:00.002-07:00

I guess I wasn't the only one who thought Sarah Palin looks like Tina Fey!

2008-09-13T22:45:00.001-07:00

"I can see Russia from my house." hahahahaha!

Elton John --- Eat your heart out! You've got competition on those ivories!

2008-09-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

I want to like her... I mean she's got really cool hair and glasses!

2008-09-04T20:36:00.008-07:00

Moose in way of Alaskan Pipeline.....

Sarah Palin with daughter and moose
Photo from LA Times

So I thought... well let me listen and see what she has to say about things that matter to me. Let me see what her stance is on education, the economy, the energy crisis looming, ending the war and health care.

Here's what I heard about education...
Sarah Palin: "I signed up for the PTA."

On ending the war...
Sarah Palin: "He would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war."

And...
'This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting and yet never use the word victory except when he is talking about his own campaign."
(Gimme a W! Gimme an A! Gimme an R!)

On saving our energy resources...
Sarah Palin: " When the stadium lights go out...
(I guess shutting off lights is part of her energy plan?)

On health care:
Sarah Palin: "

(crickets chirping)

On seeking alternative sources for energy...
'We need to produce more of our own oil and gas."
(rather than seek and fund alternatives... hmmmm)

Russia -- bad.... bad....

Oil in Alaska -- good... good...

Peace -- bad.... bad...

War -- good... good...

Great speaker... but it felt like I was watching a movie starring Tina Fey.

Sarah with her baby....

I mean Sarah's daughter with her baby.

Here...

ok.... Sarah with baby....

Darn it....

Wait... Sarah with baby....

Oops... that was Tina Fey again...

Babies...

I kid, I kid....

But seriously... am I the only one who sees Tina Fey in her???!!!

Tina Fey.....

Not Tina Fey...

Now if you'll excuse her, she's got a shotgun wedding to plan.

Don't get me wrong... I haven't decided completely yet. She might just get my vote based on her cool black pumps. I know that's what Sparky will be voting for!

:-)

Sparky's Haircut

2008-09-03T20:39:00.002-07:00

I got a request to post photo's of Sparky's new haircut. He's "thinning" on the top (I happen to think he looks gorgeous and ages so beautifully) but he got sick of the hair laying funny and got a short, short cut. I absolutely love it!

Here are the photos from tonight! Enjoy!

Long Weekend/Happy Anniversary

2008-09-01T19:41:00.009-07:00

Sparky and I met 34 years ago this weekend.

At church camp.

That's why we never let the girls go to church camp.

:-)

Anyway -- what a great weekend it's been. We spent Saturday cleaning and setting up fall at our house. Labor Day is fall. I'm from Pa. Deal.

Then we had some friends over for dinner. I made hamburgers, baked beans, and potato salad. They brought cherry pie and vanilla ice cream. It was soooo yummy!

Sunday we went one of my favorite neighborhoods for a little walk, Civano. The homes are small, energy hugatree ones and I love them. Later, we went to Tanque Verde Guest Ranch to say hi to the horses. We went to lunch before the ranch and then we were supposed to go to afternoon tea but the heat was doing me in. We stayed home and puttered around the house, relaxing, enjoying an unexpected evening rainstorm! Probably the last one of the season. :-(

Monday was shopping with Little L. I found a cute white pumpkin at Home Goods for $3.99 and a cute little white pumpkin for $1.00 at Michael's. I am reading too many decorating blogs where everyone has white pumpkins and I am trying to keep up with the whitepimpkinsjoneses. :-) I bought, what I thought, was black polka dot ribbon but turned out to be brown when I got home. The old eyes ain't what they used to be. When Little L and I go shopping, she runs the card and pushes the buttons and points to where I sign as those little screen are too, well, little -- and dark!

We had fun and then came home where I made homemade pasta with cream sauce (what is up with me?!) and now I am enjoying the U.S. Open with Sparky. Life is good.

But it will be better next weekend when I am with ALL of my loved ones. As much as I miss rain, there is no way I can leave because Andrew is in Phx. and I love him more than rain!!!

Sorry for the disjointed post... here are some Baby Roo pics to make up for it!

Dedication and Incredible Storm...

2008-08-28T21:08:00.005-07:00

So this is really weird but every single time I have gone to a school dedication with my current principal, there is always this incredible monsoon storm that follows it. The last time -- about 8 years ago -- when they had the dedication ceremony, we were leaving and everyone was standing around a dead gila monster. Now gila monsters are just not as common as one might think. And it was freaky because the school's mascot happened to be a gila monster! So seeing a dead one on the night of the dedication was not a good omen. I've never seen one since -- alive or dead!

This evening we celebrated my current school's dedication. We had a picnic planned and luckily, the heaven's waited to open up until we were all safely in the MPR for the ceremony. It was rather comical though because as they were introducing the design team and the architect and the builders of the school, there were 5 teachers walking down the sides with buckets and various mops. Our school floods like crazy when it rains. Something is not right when a brand new school leaks not only in the ceiling but through walls and windows!!!

It dried up long enough for us to get home. And then the hail hit! And lightning galore. I got a couple of shots.... not as good as in years past but for my little camera, not bad. I didn't have a tripod -- I just go out and shoot. And of course, I had to add a picture of Andrew just because he is CUTE!!!!!!!

This is at 9pm......

This is also at 9 pm!!!

"Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits"

2008-08-26T20:10:00.002-07:00

I really, really enjoyed Senator Hillary Clinton's speech tonight. She makes me think that maybe, just maybe, our country has a chance to make it back from the last 8 years. I am so sad that she is not going to be president.