Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thankful
I am thankful that in this tough economy I have a stable job and a roof over my head.
I am thankful that I live in Arizona and there it's not snowing outside. This will make my hike much more enjoyable.
I am thankful for nonfat lattes from Starbucks and the cool festive cups they are served in at this time of year. Makes me want to drink three of those babies a day!!!
I am thankful for the Michaels 30% off coupon I have in my hot little hands for Early Bird shopping tonight!!! I have my eye on some Vanna yarn and some storage cubicles :)
I am thankful for Octomom, John and Kate, and whatever other controversial figures there were out there in the last year...makes me so thankful for my very boring life!!!
I am thankful for Lucy and Lindsay and SarahX2 and Stephanie and NieNie....Mind you, I have never met any of them (well that's not technically true....I've taken classes from both Lindsay and Sarah1) but it has been a pleasure getting to know them through their blogs and getting fabulously creative ideas from them!!
I am thankful for a 97% score on my tax preparation final. Woo Hoo!!!! I am now qualified to prepare taxes....well, some taxes......
I am thankful for a healthy body (or somewhat healthy body) that allowed me to hike 24 miles across the Grand Canyon earlier this year. The right ankle didn't really comply but I still made it! I am also thankful that I got to spend time with my old friend, Carol, the night before the hike.
I am thankful that Arizona finally has a winning football team.....and Kurt Warner.
I am thankful for football on Thanksgiving.
I am thankful Brandon Webb will be back next year. I just hope he is healthy!
I am thankful that my husband's shoulder is finally feeling better.
I am thankful that for ten months I had the most awesome cubicle neighbor at work. I have recently realized how cool it is to work with someone you have so much in common with.
I am thankful for Sunday mornings. Going to church and being able to worship freely as I choose.
I am thankful that Oprah is calling it a day. (I did post this on Facebook.) It won't be long, thank goodness, that I will not have to listen to "Well Oprah said" , "Did you see what was on Oprah today" or "Have you heard what Oprah is reading". No.....because I'm capable of finding happiness and well being on my own!! (My apologies to all the Oprah lovers out there!!)
I am thankful for all the police officers and fire fighters working out on the street, today and everyday, to keep us safe. Do me a favor....say a prayer for all of them as you sit down for your Thanksgiving feast.
Also, for the men and women in the military. So very thankful for these young people who give so much that I sometimes think that we don't realize just how much. I believe Winston Churchill said it best...."Never have so few given so much for so many." Still holds true today.
I am thankful for my children and the fact that they are healthy and (finally) happy!!! I am also thankful, that as adults, they still have four living grandparents that they have gotten the opportunity to know. Not many people can say this....I know my husband and I couldn't.
I am thankful for my other children too!!! The four legged and furry ones. It's so nice to come home to the scruffy little things that are always happy to see me. (Not that my husband isn't ;)
I am thankful for the Scentsy thingy I have currently bringing a nice aroma to my house!!! That thing is friggin' cool!! Thanks Denise!
I am thankful for the opportunity I had this year to take a trip to the past when I attended my 30 year high school reunion. It was so cool to hook up with old friends, both at the reunion and on Facebook. It has seriously been the highlight of my year and I'm so glad I found all of them.
I am also thankful for all the friends I have made since then. In the military, on the police department, and through all my crazy interests and hobbies. I don't have hundreds of friends that I can list on facebook but I have a nice gaggle of people who have truly enriched my life.
I am thankful for 25 years of marriage :) Happy years....enough said!!!
Lastly, I am thankful for all of my family....near and far.
My husband who does do dishes and laundry....and also pushes my fat butt on the ellipical (hee!)....
A mother who nags me to call her more often.
A father who doesn't nag me to call him at all :)
A son who calls me at 7:00 in the morning to tell me about his night...I'm just always glad when he's coming home safe!!
And a daughter who texts me asking for recipes (and I text them back to her!!).
I am thankful for all of this and so much more. Really way too much to list.....
And for those of you who read my blog ....all three of you....I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving day!!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Ruby Slippers
Um....yeah, the ruby slipper correlation did not occur to me when
I bought them. But I don't care....I still love them even if I do look
like a dork wearing them. That didn't keep me from wearing them to
work yesterday. And as I was preparing to leave, my husband
reminded me....."If I was having a bad day, just click my heels and
wish I was home."
I don't think he realizes that I do that everyday....even without a pair
of red shoes on!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
California Day 4: Pizza Port
When we go over to California, we hit the same beaches, same restaurants, same hotels....
Pretty much the same everything.
I think we just find what we like and we stick to it.
So...one day, about nine years ago we were doing a little coastal drive and
decided that it was time to look for some grub.
This was a little tough because, as I mentioned before,
we really aren't very adventurous about trying new places (or at least I'm not!).
Well, it was that day that we stumbled across this place.....
and have continued to return every year!!!
Now it was not the fact that it was a pizza place that cause me to pull over rather abruptly.
No....it was the term "beer" that drew my attention.
Since I am a good wife I know that any place that prominently promotes
itself as a place where there is beer, and lots of it, is going to be a hit.
The fact that there is handcrafted beer got me extra bonus points!!
So, anyways, after a day at Torrey Pines beach,
we headed up to Solana Beach and feasted on this...
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A day (or two) at the Races
"Where the surf meets the turf....."
Anyways, here I am posing
in the first weekend of May looking pretty much the same
We spent only a half day there on Saturday
We also learned he makes a pretty good margarita!!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Back to Reality
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Latest Obsession
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I Love the Smell of Rain (and Dust) in the Evening.....
Friday, July 10, 2009
Two Weeks
Saturday, June 27, 2009
A Myriad of Thoughts and Emotions
Monday, June 15, 2009
30 Years Ago.....
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Just a Little Something.......
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Grand Adventure...AKA Not for the Faint of Heart
He said that if you fall they don't bother looking for you because you'll be in pieces anyway.
After stopping at Phantom, soaking my foot in the stream and refilling my water, we headed off. This was really my favorite part. I had done a lot of studying prior to this hike and read that this section could be torture due to the sweltering heat inside the canyon. But we were very fortunate. The weather was very pleasant. Overcast and mild. We got rained on a bit for the next seven miles. It was very nice!! I loved this portion though because it was like walking through a peaceful valley. Very green with the stream running along the trail.
Anyways, I think the last two miles were the hardest. I don't know if it was just because I knew we were so close. Or if I was just tired from my lack of sleep. Or maybe, it was the mule trail we were stuck behind stopping every 100 feet or so, and leaving deposits along the way. YUCK!! Whatever it was......it took forever!!!! It made getting to the end so much sweeter!!!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Making of a Hero
My husband and I were watching TV when we heard this blood curling scream. You know, it's the kind of scream that sends the stomaches of all mothers right down into their toes. Makes their hearts stop. Where they are certain that they are going to find their children (or at least one of their children) in the most horrifying of conditions.
In this particular situation, the scream came from my son. We both ran to the bathroom to find him cowered in a corner and pointing at the floor. There we saw the dreaded scorpion. You know....those things that roam around all Arizona homes and wreak havoc and terror on all inhabitants!!!!
"I STEPPED ON THE SCORPION!!!!!!" he yelled.
As a mother, I did the best I could to comfort him. I carried him upstairs with big sister lingering not far behind. I washed the bottom of his foot and inspected it for any sign of injury. I then called Poison Control. I did all of this while he continuously wailed.
While I was on the phone with Poison Control, he wailed at the top of his lungs and yelled "I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!!" The lady at poison control chuckled in the background and said, "Tell him he's not going to die".
Why do I write of this.....well possibly, because, eighteen years later, this is what I think of when he calls me at 7:30 on a Friday morning to tell me of how he worked to give aid to a dying man the night before. He tried to save a life he couldn't save.
Wow....how quickly time goes by and how fast things change.
He couldn't slay scorpions when he was 4....but as an adult, he is facing bigger obstacles everyday.
I am so proud of my son.....I am so proud of both of my children.
They constantly amaze me.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A New 'Do and Dental Humor (If there is such a thing)
Well that brings be to the most exciting thing (in my boring life) of the past couple of weeks. I finally went to my hair girl and got a new 'do. Oh, and some coloring too. The gray was becoming too dominant on my head!! So, here is the new me.....
The new look past the most important test.....my husband really liked it. He said (and I quote), "You look younger." This made me chuckle. When I pointed out the picture of this haircut to the younger hair girl, her response was...."That's an old lady cut." Misty, my young friend, it's just a matter of perspective. :)
In other news, I have a dental appointment in , oh, about 40 minutes. My crown came out this weekend while eating my share of a brownie sundae (yeah I thought I'd bit on something a little too hard!). I went in this morning and the dentist decided he was going to have to do more than just replace the crown :( UGH!! So I'm going back for a longer appt. I did get a chuckle this morning as he was looking at the displaced crown. I had looked at it earlier in the week and noticed the inside was dark. I thought, wow, that's a lot of cement. Well, it wasn't cement....
The doc was looking at it and said "What is that in there?" He said it with that lilt that made me think "Uh oh!" My mind started racing...what did I do? Then it dawned on me....I little piece of brownie was inside the crown....and it's been there for the last six days!!!! GROSS!! I'm betting my dentist just loved that!! Glad that crown is not going back on my tooth.
Well got to head out to see the torturer...i mean...the dentist. Smiles everyone!!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Horse, Paper, Scissors
I will don my cute little hat and head to north Phoenix where I will close my eyes and pretend there are steeples around. I will surround myself with the strains of "My Old Kentucky Home" and mint juleps. Yep, I will gather with a few thousand others in the Valley of the Sun at Turf Paradise and celebrate what the second Saturday in May has meant for 135 years. It's Derby Saturday!!!! So I won't be scrapbooking. Instead I'll just tick off all the PETA people in the world.
For the last couple of weeks, my husband has been analyzing the field. Making up charts and everything! Seriously! Me....well I have a more scientific way of determining the winner.
Him: Who are you going with for the Derby?
Me: The gray horse.
Him: Why?
Me: Because it's gray. ;)
Now my husband has assured me that the gray horse, otherwise known as Dunkirk, is a very good pick. So I'm going to pair him up in an exacta with a horse that I was destined to wager on. I mean, for the love of all things chocolate, how can I pass up on a horse named Chocolate Candy. Really!
So I'm ready to head watch the most exciting two minutes in sports....(well, kinda.....it's going to be on TV) and maybe I'll even sip on a Mint Julep :0.
Wish me Luck!!!!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
R.I.P. Bird
Every now and then a news story breaks that instantly takes me back to happy memories of simple times. Unfortunately the news is usually not good. Today is one such day. As I was watching the Cubs doing a pretty good job handling the Rockies on a very damp Chicago day, the announcers brought sad news that instantly brought to mind the All Star game, 1976, Philadelphia.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
"LENT.....SPRING TRAINING FOR CHRISTIANS."
I chuckled and wished I had a camera ready to take a picture. The saying is so true though. It really is like spring training. Those six weeks of preparation before Easter are sometimes the toughest time of the year. I struggle to stay away from all those things I love most and right now I am exercising unbelievable restraint in keeping myself from wanting to soak in a big tub of chocolate even though I now can.
When I think of the sacrifice made by Christ....I know that giving up chocolate, lattes, and wine pale in comparison. And it was all worth the sacrifice come Easter morning in celebrating the resurrection of the Savior.
Not if you'll excuse me....I'm going to go sink my mouth into a lovely See's scotchmallow egg. YUM!
Happy Easter!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
22
My first thoughts were of how devastating a loss to his family and teammates. As a baseball fan, I also thought of what could have been. This young man was probably on top of the world at that very moment realizing the fulfillment of a dream when it was all taken away. As a mother, I thought of my own son, only two months younger that Nick Adenhart.
Which brings me to the other reason that the number 22 has been so prevalent in my mind.
On Thursday night, my son came over to the house. It was just the two of us and we engaged in a conversation about our individual life philosophies. This should make anyone chuckle who remembers a brooding teenager who responded to questions with grunts. Now, well....he's a bit of a chatterbox and I wouldn't have it any other way. Anyways, our conversation wasn't one of those deep conversations. It was just pretty matter-a-fact. But he did surprise me with one comment. If my recollection serves me right, the comment went like this "My generation is made up of a bunch of pansies". Huh??? I asked him to elaborate and he told me that many (not all) of the kids from his generation did not have a whole lot of strength to deal with the things life throws their way. And they don't like it when they don't get their way.
I think I was thunderstuck. Wow!!! My husband's response when I told him of this was "So he was listening to me all along."
I know it is more popular at this time to believe that if we have just positive thoughts the world with be wonderful. My thought is that life is full of ups and downs, magnificent highs and unsettling lows, and triumphs and tragedies. And we have to approach both with the same vigor.
At the tender age of 22, my son has figured out (and accepted) that sometimes life is not fair.
If it was, Nick Adenhart would be pitching next Wednesday against the Mariners.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Just A Bunch of Random Stuff!
**My March Madness brackets were totally shot to hell this weekend, no thanks to Louisville. Although I was glad to see Arizona get to the Sweet Sixteen, I didn't have them getting past the first round (My husband had more faith). Yep, I had Louisville winning the whole thing and up until yesterday, I was at least smoking the Prez in the brackets. It felt really good while it lasted :).
**Any last (and most importantly.....) there are officially 6 days, 23 hours and 4 minutes to Opening Day!! Yeah! GO D-BACKS!!!!!!!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Training Day
Today was a training day.
Training, you say?
Yep, I am in training.
For a roughly 22 mile hike through a "big hole in the ground" (aka, the Grand Canyon)
If it wasn't so beautiful, I'd say I was preparing for a hike from hell!!!
So right now I am aware of every moment I have to prepare for it.
Have done a couple of ten milers in the past month.
I wanted to do another one on Saturday
but my body (and my sinus passages) said no.
So, since I felt better on Monday I decided Piestewa Peak was on my itinerary for the day.
We did the summit trial and then the circumference trail.
Probably not a good idea.
I felt really pretty good.....that is, until I started up the mountain.
It was evident that I was still fighting off whatever gunk was trying to attack. NOT FUN!!
But I did make it. And was fast asleep by 7 p.m.
Here's hoping my future training endeavours feel a lot better!!
I need them to.....or 22 miles is going to suck!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
This Morning....
It did ruin my Saturday plans though.
I had a wonderful 10-mile stroll through the desert planned.
Then I was going to have some fresh squeezed oj afterwards (yum!!).
But, instead, I laid there in bed wondering if I should push the envelope and go anyway.
I decided not to go which is a good thing since I got progressively worse through the day.
So I just soothed myself with a jamba juice and scrolled through my 100s of e-mails.
I really feel bad for anyone who legitimately sends me an e-mail.
I hate even looking through my e-mails because 99% is spam.
I think I only got two e-mails from anyone who matters.
So I'm thinking it's time for a new address....only for those who truly matter (A.K.A. No Spammies!).
Time to drag my aching body to the bed for a good rest......
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Week and (A Half).....In Photo Review
One of my co-workers sent me this very..ahem....
enticing birthday greeting.
I wonder how they got Patrick to put this together for me :)
This made me sad.......
Last Monday was the last day for this place.
A sign of the bad times.
No more "Mary Margaritas".
I spent many a happy birthday at this place.
I know....it's a chain....but I frequent places
more for the people (and right now low prices!)
These were yummy........
I made some of these for a friend's fundraiser.
And I bought these......
Right now I am on sugar overload!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wishful Thinking.....
"What do you want for your birthday?"
My inside voice is saying..."ooo....a Canon Power Shot SD 880 would be nice :)"
But my outside voice says......
I don't need anything we really don't have the money.
The reply to that...."How 'bout a Starbucks Card?"
"Perfect!!" I say.
A Starbucks Card can take my mind away from anything.
Well....almost anything!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wear Suncreen
again and again at graduations everywhere....
this is the best piece of advice there is.
The ode begins and ends with the phrase
"Wear Sunscreen" while in between there is
a speckling of uncertain advice about all the
highs and lows of life.
The only certain advice.....
The one that has been proven time and again.....
"Wear Sunscreen"
This week if I were to give a random piece of
advice to anyone it would be exactly these words....
"Wear Sunscreen"
Our family has recently learned
just how important this advice is.
I believe everything will be fine
but it is a scary thing.
So as I sign off I'll say it again
For Pete's sake.....WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Treasures Found
binges. When I do this I always find something I thought
was long gone....something I had kissed goodbye long ago.
It is always a treat when I unmask these treasures.
This time the treasure was this......these really cute magenta
colored reading glasses. I purchased them on a whim.
Well actually, I was somewhere that I desperately needed
reading glasses.
So I ran to a Walgreens next door....and came away with
my soon to be favorite reading glasses.
Then I lost them. I thought I left them somewhere at a restaurant
or something. And that someone else, who would not appreciate
them as much, got their hands on them.
But I found them....hidden away in an old purse.
So glad I had them all along.
Of course I had to get a picture donning these
fabulous specs. Hmmm.....but as I look at the picture
I realize I in desperate need of a haircut :0!
Well off to work I go.
Happy Tuesday!!!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Whirlwind Weekend
As much as I like being busy I really don't like busy weekends. They just go too fast.
And this weekend ended on a low note. Unfortunately, our team did not win the big game :(
But it was a good game....and very exciting at the end.
For two minutes and 10 seconds I thought they were going to pull it off.
But....oh well....what can you do.
My son came over to watch the game with us.
Which was very cool.
That he came over to watch the game with his loser parents (who couldn't score a party invite) when he could have gone to a party instead. It was nice to spend time with him. Even though he is just like his mother....he gets a little nervous watching when the going gets rough.
Well that's all for now.
Happy Monday!!!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
I Read Obituaries......
Every Sunday morning after I look at the sales, read the local news, and see what E.J. Montini has written that will send my blood pressure into the rafters, I look at the obits.
I have done it for as long as I can remember and I really couldn't tell you exactly why. I don't know.....I guess I just wonder about the people and about the lives they led. Every now and then their will be a special extended feature about one of those people which does give more insight into their lives. I love reading those features. Odd, I know.
Anyways....this morning as I was perusing through the obits there was one that caught my eye. This 39 year old woman apparently died of breast cancer (at least that is what I gathered from the entry) and she wrote her own obituary. It was really quite sweet and touching. She spoke not only of her love for her family and friends but also about her journey. Her journey through life and her journey on through the fight that would ultimately take her life.
I sometimes think we forget about the journey. Everyone wants everything right now and without hassle. Perhaps now is the time to embrace (and go back to) the simpler things. Now, when everything seems so hard for many in this country. Take pleasure in the sweetness of life rather than wonder why it isn't better.
I have a strange feeling that is exactly what this woman did.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Happy Birthday, Lori!!!
This is actually a very pathetic post. I can never remember exactly what day is Lori's birthday. I know it's either the 24th, 25th, or 26th of January. Or maybe it's the 27th or 28th. Uh.....You see I suck as a friend! Anyways.....I just thought I'd post this greeting on the first day I think it is. And hopefully, I'm not late!
Anyways....Happy Birthday, my friend. No matter what day it is.....I hope it is fabulous. Love Ya!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Quiet Conversation Between Empty Nesters
Her: Honey, I love you....
Him (sigh): What do you want?
Her: Nothing. I just wanted to tell you I like hanging out with you.
Him: You know, I was thinking the about the same thing when I was hiking today. You are my best friend.
Hmmmm.....who needs comfort food when you have this comfort everyday......
Monday, January 19, 2009
Projects
I actually began a new project at the beginning of the year (like I needed another!). I've been really yearning to crochet so I started a granny square blanket. I call my "light rail" project since I have been working on it while riding the light rail to work. So far I have completed 20 squares in the past two weeks.... not too bad.
This second project has been in progress for a while. Like two years!!! Well I decided that this needlepoint project is going to be completed THIS YEAR!! Come hell or high water I am getting it done. I've made a great deal of progress already working on it a few hours in the evenings during the week. So I am well on my way.