*All things A Ro

Weekend Wrap Up

2012-02-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

This blog post is mostly for my family who live far away...so you know it is going to be full of my kids. Not sure why I needed to put in that disclaimer. You all might just enjoy them too.

Friday night was one of those nights that happen every once in a while. Both kids had to be somewhere doing something cool at almost the exact same time. Bella had her Sixth Grade Cotillion Dance and Andrew was performing at Viewpoint's Coffee House. He was the bassist in the house band and his band performed an acoustic version of one of the songs they wrote and he played cello and sang a little harmony. I got to see a bit of his house band performing after I dropped Bella off at her dance, but missed his band's performance.

Here are some pictures of my beautiful girl.

She even makes me look good.

Andrew really enjoyed his evening. I really think he loves performing and getting to do it with some of his best friends make it all the more sweet.

The first video is him and the house band. The house band plays in-between acts. They got one whole song by themselves towards the end, but I was already gone.

This video is his band performing a song they wrote. One of my students video taped it for me because I had to leave before he got to perform. I am so proud of him. I think the song is amazing. I'll apologize for the video being flipped because it is something that I would totally do. He does fix it so just give it a minute.

I'll leave you with the other thing we did this weekend...Valentine's Day cookies!!!

More Later

- A Ro

The Loveable Hodgepodge

2012-02-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

I am joining up with Joyce this week for her hodgepodge. I am on time this week so I am able to spur you on to head on over to her blog and do the same. I am sure that you will enjoy it as much as I do. Go on...try it.
1. What is something you are loving right now?
I know that I am a broken record right now, but I love my Kindle Fire. I have a journal ap, a menu planning and recipe ap, free book and video check out at my library and through Amazon, e-subscriptions to Better Homes and Gardens, and Cooking light, and not to mention Words With Friends.
Yeah...loving that Kindle.
2. Paris, Venice, New York, and Rome are considered four of the most romantic cities in the world. Which one would you most like to visit?
I have been to New York and absolutely love it. I have never been to any of the other cities, but the opera singer in me is dying to go to Italy. Have studied its culture so much and loved Da Vinci Code. I think that says it all.

3. Are you a romantic?
I love being loved and adored. I love being taken care of and taking care of. I love sharing beautiful moments with the man I love. I love art, music, and poetry.

Don't love getting flowers...does that disqualify me?

4. What's your favorite love story made for the Big Screen?
I love Officer and a Gentleman. That last scene is great.

5. Everyone loves Pooh bear and friends...which character are you most like and why? Click here for help in answering this question.
That is so funny...when I was little I loved Eeyore. So not like me, but I just loved loving the character that needed my love the most. I think if I had to pick a character who I was most like I would have to pick Tigger, for obvious reasons.

6. What's the best chocolate something you've ever eaten?
OK I am a simple girl...best chocolate is Reeses Peanut Butters Cups. I enjoy Godiva but only because it spells GoDiva.

7. Share a favorite quote about love.
"And in the end the love you get is equal to the love you give" - Lennon/McCartney

8. In Summary: Love is a gift one has to give. I love things, like Kindle Fires, and beautiful cities. I love loving the man who loves me back, sappy movies and loveable characters, peanut butter cups and Beatles songs. I mean really when you think about it...all you need is love.

More Later

- A Ro

I Could Write a Book, or At Least Read One All the Time

2012-02-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was lazy. I read my book, on my new Kindle I might add, for about an hour and a half. Every time I looked at the clock I felt guilty for just sitting on my bed all snuggled up in a blanket reading. Now mind you I had just had one of my busiest teaching days in our rotation, came home after Bella's soccer game, cooked an amazing dinner, cleaned up an entire kitchen, helped Bella make Spanish flashcards, and regretted that I chose to take French in High School.
Granted I had an amazing man helped me cook and clean up dinner, in fact, I don't think I could have done either without him. See sometimes I feel like a short order cook in my own kitchen. Justin is on a low sodium diet, Rich and I try to steer clear of animal protein, Andrew and Sarah are pretty picky eaters, but not in the same way, then there is my Bella who will eat anything I put in front of her. I know what you are thinking...I should just cook one meal and to heck with those who wont' eat it. Yeah, great in theory, not so great in actual practice.

Back to my guilty pleasure of reading a book. I am not sure why I feel so guilty taking some time for myself. It must be one of those emotions put upon us by ourselves once we become a mom. Well it's crap. I felt great just sitting there reading. Everyone was just fine without me. I might just have to do that every night....yeah right.

Other exciting news in our house is that Sarah is taking clarinet lessons. She has been relentlessly asking us for lessons. She played clarinet in Iowa but stopped, so she has a little background. She wants to take band in High School out here so she wants to catch back up. We are currently getting no financial support from her mom, so coming up with money for weekly lessons was a little hard, but we decided she really needed them and so I took on a couple of voice lessons to help with the cost. She has had two lessons and is on seventh heaven. I am so happy to see her enjoying it so much. She is pretty good and loves to practice...yeah I know crazy. She is a very special girl and it doesn't surprise me that she is taking to it.

Tomorrow should be a little less stressful of a day, PLUS it is jeans day at school...YIPEE. However, it is supposed to rain all day tomorrow...sounds like good book reading weather if you ask me.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend (or lack thereof) Update

2012-02-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

I am a putzer. I love to putz around my house. I love weekends where there is absolutely nothing going on, so I can putz. I use the weekend to regroup my house and its contents from the chaotic week that just past. You know, get everything back in order, restock the pantry, restock the dressers, and just get everyone and everything ready for the next week of chaos.

I sometimes also just need a breather, kick my feet up and be still.

This weekend was one of those weekends where I got to witness and share with my students a very cool event. It was our independent school's honors music festival. We host this event every year. About 200 of the best music students in band, chorus, and orchestra come to our campus to work with a conductor and put together a concert of music with only about 8 1/2 hours of rehearsal. See we rehearse Friday night until about 9:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 - 3:00 with a concert Saturday at 4:00.

So yours truly got to be there too, which means only one day of putzing, which means I am exhausted, which means that tomorrow's alarm clock is going to really tick me off, which means I am going to have a hard time getting up to exercise.

But you know what they say, it only takes 10 seconds of courage to get something done. 10 seconds of getting my butt out of bed and getting it done, easy right?

Not sure who the "they" are who said that.

Actually, I think I know who they are, I think that was in the movie We Bought a Zoo.

So Matt Damon probably said it.

But he is Matt Damon, a probably doesn't have to deal with too many alarm clocks.

Since I was gone most of the weekend, Rich had the kids all to himself, I heard a rumor that slave labor was used to get the house clean in my absence, but they wouldn't confirm or deny anything. All I know is pasta was fixed for dinner, a birthday present was purchased, and the neighbor's dog was watched. I also got a small glimpse of what it is like when I am gone because Rich butt dialed me and I had a 10 minute message on my phone.

Andrew was with me for the weekend participating in the honors choir. He even sat with me at dinner, well, I sat with him and he didn't get up and leave, that's something right??

I enjoyed the event. It is fun hanging out with my students and watching them have a great learning experience with another conductor. Afterwards Andrew went his own way, surprise surprise. Bella went to a friends house for a birthday sleepover, and Rich, Justin, Sarah, and I went to grab dinner. We couldn't decide where to go, we never can. Sarah wanted Mexican, but our go to Mexican restaurant was closed...as in forever. So we ended up with pizza, you can't go wrong with pizza.

Finally Sunday came and I got to putz, and now I must start to gear myself up for that alarm clock.

If only Matt Damon were here.

More Later

- A Ro

Photo Friday

2012-02-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday!!

So here are my few photos this week...

First of all today is Bella's half birthday. Now I know that half birthday's aren't that important in the grand scope of things. However, if you do the math you'll notice that her full birthday is in August. In fact, we are both summer birthday girls and know what it is like to have no friends around for your birthday AND not be able to bring treats to school. So we brought donuts and made a Starbucks trip this morning.

Her friends decorated her locker, she really has some great friends.

This week at dinner we played truth or dare, of course my girl asked for a dare and Rich dared her to put underwear on her head and parade outside. She did it happily. Goofy girl.

My last picture for the week just cracked me up. This is in the Nordstroms window at our mall. Really??

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and we will catch up on Monday!!

More Later

- A Ro

The Better Late Than Never Hodgepodge

2012-02-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

I am joining Joyce for this weeks hodgepodge. However, I am a very late in doing this. My usual advice would be to head on over to her blog and link up your answers, but in this case I am just going to tell you to forget that, read my answers, and forgive my tardiness.

1. It's that most wonderful time of the year...tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals?
Oh, I definitely farm it out. Too confusing especially with all the other stuff. Plus those guys who do numbers and taxes for a living deserve to make a living too.

2. This next question comes from Kansas Bob...he posed it in his response to something I asked in an earlier Wednesday post and I asked him if I could add it to the Hodgepodge some day. Today's the day....

Which do you think has changed you more-love or pain?
I really believe that love has a lot more power than pain. I know that trials in your live really define who you are, but it is the love of people that get you through those trials that change someone. I know in my own life love has certainly trumped pain in the change for the better factor.

3. Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in some way in 2012? If you're not sure what tangerine tango looks like click here.
I really like shades of orange. I have a couple of orange things in my closet, but not so much in my house. I'll get on adding some into my life just as soon as I get few other things off of my to do list, like getting my kid into college.

4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly?
It is hard to be a collector when you are an everything-must-have-it's-place/clutter phobic kind of person. I do collect children's picture books that are musical in nature. I also have a small collection of pigs (long story not relating in any way with me being from Iowa). I had quite a cow collection (very much relating to being from Iowa) but gave it up a couple of moves ago. Again hate clutter.

5. February is National Heart Month...besides a green salad what is one tasty heart healthy dish you like to prepare?
I love to prepare healthy food and that is pretty much all I prepare. I love baked fish with couscous and green beans. Gotta take care of that ticker if I want to live to be 100.

6. When was the last time you had car trouble?
I had the kind of car trouble that really gets you steamed. Went in for a dead battery came out all "fixed" only to stall down the street from the auto shop because the tech didn't know how to reset the computer system. Trouble with that was the battery fix was real quick, the added problem not so much. Had to get a ride to school with the auto shop receptionist so that I wouldn't miss my sixth grade class. My accompanist would not have appreciated the no show...48 sixth graders really needs the zone defense.

7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Is that a good trend?
I have tried to be more demanding on myself to get things in gear for second semester and so far it is a good trend. I am tired of just being complacent with status-quo. Need to up it a notch.

8. In Summary: The good news is I don't do my own taxes, the bad news is I have to pay someone to do it. The good news we have a new color to add to the palette, the bad news is Tango Tangerine probably isn't very slimming. The good news is I am a lover not a fighter, the bad news is, oh wait no bad news on that front. The good news is I am not a collector, the bad news is sometimes I might accidentally throw away that cotton ball duck from preschool that my daughter wanted to keep. The good news is I am a great healthy cook, the bad news is Sarah has to eat green beans with her nose plugged. The good news is that I have had very little major car trouble, the bad news is now I must find a piece of wood to knock on. The good news is I have been very demanding on myself, the bad news is not nearly enough to get this post posted on time.

More Later

- A Ro

The One Where She Roof Tests the Computers

2012-01-30T20:47:00.000-08:00

Computers stink. OK maybe they don't stink all the time, I mean how could I ever find the recipe for Moo Shu Tofu Wraps, or keep in touch with my extended family.

Oh...you mean I could look in a cookbook and call them on the phone??

But what about when you need to know how old Betty White is or how many lead singers the band Chicago went through before Peter Cetera joined up or what your blogger friends are up to.

See, a little more important than once thought.

Well, my love/hate relationship with computers these days stems from none of the ones in my possession working lately. I had all these great blog posts to write...like my doomed from the start, Photo Friday, and my Weekend Update. So now that I am on a working computer, for the moment, I will try to combine a few posts.

So my photos for last week are a little unrelated.

OK, these two...crazy girls. Bella got these stick on moustaches at the bowling alley and she couldn't wait to wear them with Sarah. They went to the park and rode their bicycles and played on the swings. I can only imagine the looks they got. Love these guys!!

This was a lovely sight as I was going to work. I love the sunrises here.

Then we have Bella's latest oil painting. I hung it in my room at school, and I think it is just wonderful. She told me that it was Rich and me walking together. So sweet.

This Friday Bella got to spend the night on the gym floor in her sleeping bag for a Math Mentor's sleep over. Our school pairs middle school girls with high school girls for math help and support, and Friday was their annual sleepover. Sad to say Bella was one of the only one that didn't have an air mattress, I told her that sleeping on the floor was what made women women. She was a trooper and did what any middle school girl would do in her case, stayed up until midnight, jacked up on Sprite, and slept it off the next day.

Saturday Sarah, Rich and I picked up Bella and went to get breakfast together. Sarah ate a huge plate of Eggs Benedict.

cue sound effect of a record needle scratching over a record

Yes, this girl who was the pickiest eater on the planet loves Egg Benedict, runny egg and all.

We then went to the mall to shop for Bella's cotillion dress. It was fun to watch my sorta tom boy try on dresses and actually like them.

one tear

Rich and I went back to the mall that night and ate at our favorite Italian restaurant, and walked around the mall yet again. The mall in the evening gets a little weird. We saw a woman huddled on the ground with her family crying, a very elderly man stare for a few minutes at a poster in the GNC of a very buff man, and a pair of $495.00 white Prada shoes at Nordstroms...crazy I tell you.

Now mind you I don't usually shop at Nordstroms, maybe Nordstrom Rack, but never the actual Nordstroms. However, I had a gift certificate and it is the only place in the mall that sells Spanx. Considering I wept when I put my thumb through my last pair, I needed a new pair.

Sunday was the usual. Except Rich grilled steak and salmon, and oh my goodness the salmon was melt in your mouth delicious. After dishes, homework, and laundry was done we all sat down to watch our Tivo'd Modern Family episodes. I laughed so hard I could barely breath. Andrew came home from orchestra and we ended up watching one episode almost twice. I love that show.

So I have a few pictures of the weekend. Namely Bella's cotillion dress, and a bridal window display at Nordstroms where the mannequins had wedding cakes on their heads...yeah, only at Nordstroms.

So hopefully Photo Friday is a go this week...

...unless I do decide to roof test my computers.

More Later

- A Ro

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

This week has been very busy. College night at school, rehearsals, kidlets at home stuff. I am proud, however, that I have been able to blog this week AND still get some shut-eye. I am also proud that I have taken 2 pictures for my photo Friday post tomorrow.

OK...not so proud that I have only taken two pictures, but it is better than the 0 pictures I took last week by almost 200%.

Did I do that math right?

Anyway, I have a lot to be thankful for and I am going to share with you. Maybe my blog will inspire you to be thankful today too, or at least to review your percentages.

1. I am thankful that I have a cast of Pink Ladies who can learn a song in three part harmony in under an half an hour. Did I mention that we are doing Grease this spring for our high school musical?

2. I am thankful that Rich nudged me out of bed this morning to go work out because it was faculty food day and the moms of our school put together a big brunch for us. Yeah...if you remember my brunch question from yesterday's hodgepodge you will understand why I needed as many kettleball swings as possible.

3. I am thankful that I get to help Bella study Greek mythology. I like Greek mythology.

4. I am thankful that I don't have to help Andrew study Pre-Algebra. I hate Pre-Algebra.

5. I am thankful that Sarah asks me "Guess what?" and when I answer "What?" she says "Chicken Butt".

6. I am thankful that Sarah also tells me she loves me.

7. I am thankful that my school has an amazing college counseling department.

8. I am thankful that my school's college counseling department offered practice SAT and ACT tests free of charge.

9. I am thankful that Andrew took advantage of those tests.

10. I am thankful that Andrew scored a 27 on his first practice ACT test.

11. I am thankful that the SAT was only a practice one.

12. I am thankful that Bella and Andrew are 5 years apart, because 5 years might just be enough time for me to recover.

13. I am thankful that I am done applying for college because let me tell you...it ain't what it used to be.

More Later

- A Ro

The Super Hodgepodge

2012-01-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

It is time for Joyce's weekly hodgepodge. Head on over and answer her well thought out, thought provoking, and amusing questions then link up to your blog.

Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'?
Someone who loves America and is willing to fight and self sacrifice for her good.

Right?

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?

Starting the college finding process for my son. Woah...big time worry.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?
I turned 18 the summer before I started college so when I think back to that time I think about starting college and feeling like my life was just beginning. I was nervous and excited at the same time. Wow, what an amazing time.

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?
Well, I hate coconut, and really don't eat much mayonnaise, and ice cream is ice cream so I could give up Vanilla easily. So that leaves mashed potatoes, and I think that would be hard to give up. I love those spuds!!

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced?
I went to college in Iowa City. (Go Hawkeyes!!) Anyway, I was a music major and to be cruel (or weed out the wimps) we had an 8:00 am music theory class everyday. University of Iowa has a river that runs right through it, the music building was on the opposite side of the river from my dorm and every morning I walked that walk, rain or shine. This one particular morning I remember walking across that river and it being SO cold and windy that I thought my forehead was going to explode. I just remember taking off in a run because I thought I was going to pass out from the pain of that cold wind on my forehead.

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?
Well besides the mimosas, of course, I love a good breakfast casserole. I also love coffee cake, and croissants, and bagels, and quiche, and fruit salad, and good warm coffee, and muffins...I love muffins.

Well, there you go.

7. How do you combat negative thinking?
You just gotta push it out. I also love the mantra "I think I can I think I can" or "just keep swimming just keep swimming" I also believe that just like in the movie We Bought a Zoo that anyone can be brave for 20 seconds. Just get through the 20 seconds and then move on.

Yeah...you gotta have a lot of options when the negative ninnies come a calling.

8. In Summary:
I I'd like to believe that I am a true patriot but in any case I am a Patriot because the school that I teach at are the Patriots. I'd like to believe that I can tackle Giants, so we will see when next year comes around. I'd like to think that 18 was the best year of my life, but I think that was just the start of the best years. I'd like to think I could get rid of white foods altogether, but then you have to add whipped cream to the list and I would crumble. I'd like to think that i could go back to living in the mid west, but I have to say that my forehead has never hurt here in CA. But I know for a fact that 20 seconds of bravery wouldn't work with a brunch laid out in front of me.

More Later

- A Ro

It's Raining It's Pouring

2012-01-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

It has been pouring rain and just miserable today. Here in Southern California when it starts to rain, or rain is predicted, certain things happen.

1. I start singing "It's Raining Men". Now I know that particular song isn't really about raining, but for some reason it is the song that sticks in my head and I sing it all day.

2. The local news stations send every possible reporter out in the field to report on the "Winter Storm". OK people calling this a "Winter Storm" is like calling Theresa Giudice from Housewives of New Jersey Mother Theresa. Technically it is winter and it is a storm and her name is Theresa and she is a mother, but ...yeah. I always feel like we are insulting every mid-westerner who knows what a winter storm is really like and it isn't what is happening outside. Not even close.

3. My room turns into a place for a gaggle of giggling sixth graders to eat lunch, who leave a wake of crumbled Doritos and Naked Juice bottles behind. We have an ouside campus so when it rains there really isn't anywhere for the kids to eat. I am more than happy to give up a quiet lunch to keep them dry. I must admit I kind of enjoy it.

4. Drivers here go to the extreme. Either they drive way too fast for the road conditions and end up bugging up traffic for hours, or they drive way to slow and end up bugging up traffic for hours. Just drive like you have a head on your shoulders people.

5. I get to wear my cute Target rain boots and my outlet mall Columbia rain coat. The very rain coat that I held in my hand and debated the $15.00 price tag much too long for it being a $15.00 Columbia rain coat. I really had a hard time justifiying buying a rain coat period, I live in Southern California for pete's sake. However, each time it rains I look at that coat like it is gold...$15.00 gold.

Luckily I had this video to keep the sunshine in my room. I swear I watched it 50 times. It is a video of my neice Abby, you know that adorable red head that I can't get enough of. She is reading a book to her mom and she has the teacher thing down. You can hear the animal names pretty clearly, but the rest of the words she says are all her own, and I am certain that she knows EXACTLY what she is saying, but her mom has no idea.

I'm telling you, you will be so much happier after watching this so please enjoy and save it for a rainy day.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

OK...things are looking good right at the moment. It is an hour before my bedtime, brownies are cooling on on the counter, last load of laundry is almost done drying, the rest of the laundry is put away, and I am starting on my blog. It looks like I just might get everything done on my Sunday to do list!!

I am also planning ahead. I have already taken two pictures for my Photo Friday blog, so look forward to that. My sister also uploaded an amazingly cute video of Abby reading a book like she is a teacher to Facebook. I was going to save that for Friday too, but I think that as soon as she uploads it to YouTube so I can put it on my blog, I will share. I'm telling you that video alone is worth the visit back here.

This weekend had a couple of firsts. The first one being I stayed up until 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday night watching movies. The second one was that I stayed up until 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday night watching action movies, that didn't even star Chevy Chase.

I know...who are you and what have you done with A-Ro.

We watched Green Hornet, and Captain America. Now here is the deal. These action movies violent scenes were very comic-book-esque. Not very realistic at all. They both had a romantic element and they both ended relatively happy. Plus, I am kinda looking forward to The Avengers movie that is coming out. It combines the characters of Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, and Iron Man. It looks really good.

No, no, don't worry I'm OK, no fever or delirium.

I didn't have my kidlets this weekend so it was nice to do something with Sarah and Justin, we all usually just sit around and miss Bella and Andrew. Sarah fell asleep halfway through the movie on Friday night, and I wish I would have taken a picture because she puts her sweatshirt hood over her eyes and falls asleep sitting up. It is so cute. On Saturday night she was so proud when she made it past 9:00, but shortly after that the hood went on and she was sound asleep. When Rich woke her up to go upstairs she was so happy that she made it through ALMOST the whole movie. We must really wear her out because she goes to be SO much earlier than when she lived in Iowa.

Rich and I got away a few times for some alone time. We went to breakfast Saturday morning and got coffee together before the movie on Friday night. I really enjoy those few moments together.

Regular cleaning, super cleaning the bathrooms, and grocery shopping rounded out our days off.

Overall a very wonderful weekend and it didn't even involve Chevy Chase.

More Later

- A Ro

Photo Friday

2012-01-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

Well one of the reasons I blog is to share my life and my kids lives with those family members who live far away. I also thought Sarah's Mom might like to see some pictures too. So I decided that on Fridays I would do some photos of the week.

Great idea...right?

Yes fabulous idea, except I didn't take any pictures this week.

So much for Photo Friday.

Well I took some pictures earlier this month...

Wolf Camp Departure

Soccer girl, goalie no less...YIKES! (they won it was all good)

OK two pictures.

And none of Sarah, Andrew, or Justin.

I suck at Photo Friday.

I'm sorry, I'll try better next week.

More Later

- A Ro

Optmistic Thankful Thursday

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have had a surprisingly good day today. I really expected this new week and semester to really kick my boo-hiney. I realize that I only finished day 2 of my new semester and this week is only a 4 day week.

OK I guess my optimism is a little premature, but I am going to go with it as long as I can, or at least until Friday when I can't move from exhaustion.

In honor of my premature optimism I am going with a Thankful Thursday theme.

1. I am so very thankful for Andrew tonight. He was upstairs plugging away on homework, but I kept seeing him come downstairs to help Sarah with her math. It was so cute, she would leave the table walk upstairs and a few seconds they would appear together and he would help her. He was so patient and kind. He also, later on, helped Justin with the math section of his ASVAB.

2. I am thankful Andrew is good at math.

3. I am thankful that my husband just loves to be with me. He rarely leaves my side when we are home. I know that sounds kinda annoying, but we truly just love being near each other. Whether doing chores, shopping, cooking dinner, or just laying in bed as we are right now, me blogging and him watching his Kindle, and every once in awhile just reaching out and touching my arm...sigh.

4. I am thankful that I decided to completely fill my tank with gas this morning. I am the girl who runs on fumes and HATES to mess with filling my car with gas. I know that sounds so stupid, I mean I do realize that I need gas in my car to function, but with the prices and the fact that I am always in a hurry, I just hate messing with it. So this morning, as I was starring at the gas light blaring at me, I was tempted to just put a couple of bucks into it just to get me to work, but my more logical side decided that if I was going to go through all the trouble of stopping for gas I might as well fill it up. Now I don't have to mess with it for another week, unless my newly licensed son decides to tool all over the valley this weekend....oh well.

5. I am thankful that my logical side wins sometimes.

6. I am thankful for my 7:00 am class this morning. Even though the entire getting gas debate was due to the fact that I didn't want to be late for that class, and the entire way to work all I wanted to do was go back to bed, I was so glad THAT class was the first thing on my agenda. Those kids, with their millions of AP and honors classes, get up so early just to spend some time making music with little old me. They are all such happy and talented kids and work so hard. I walked away from that class this morning just to happy and on cloud nine.

7. I am thankful that sometimes you get just what you need at the very moment you need it.

8. I am so thankful for the girls that live under my roof. Sarah texts me every morning when she gets to school and I look forward to hearing from that happy-go-lucky girl each morning even if I am teaching when she sends it. She absolutely loves school and her excitement each day is invigorating. And Bella always finds time to come say hi to me during the day, and I just love seeing her sweet smile during my day. Both of those girls just make me so happy.

9. I am thankful that Billy Joel's River of Dreams shuffled on my ipod right now, what a great song. A few minutes ago I was struggling to stay awake ready fall into the pillow, and now I feel like dancing.

10. I am thankful that sometimes you get just what you need at the very moment you need it.

More Later\

- A Ro

Here She Is Miss Hodgepodge

2012-01-17T21:15:00.000-08:00

It is that time again to join Joyce and answer some hodgepodge-y questions. C'mon you know you want to join in. Everyone's doing it!

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

Yeah...no I didn't watch, but I heard that Miss Iowa made it to the final 12 or so. The talent portions would be the least of my problems...it's easy, I'd sing. It's the looking good in high heels and a bikini, being able to walk down stairs and not look at the floor, and answering the world peace questions that I would find hard. Talent, piece of cake.

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

None and if I did they would be fake, and I'd probably kill those too.
3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?

Oh, please. My teachers hid and avoided eye contact with me and prayed that I didn't raise my hand. I thought I had all the answers and no fear. Yeah, not a great combo for a teacher.
4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

Oh, my goodness I love Chinese food. I love egg rolls, fried wontons, and egg drop soup. My main dish is really anything, but my favorite is shrimp with lobster sauce. Expensive taste huh?
5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?

I really believe that everyday and every breath is a miracle. The birth of my children, the sunrise, the sunset, the fact that I found the love of my life again after 20 years, the fact that I was diagnosed with no-doubt-about-it cancer and having it turn out to be cysts. The fact that Rich's daughter chose to live with us. I have so many miracles in my life that it would take a miracle to get them all down on paper.
6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

Colors of the Wind. I cannot listen to that without shedding a tear. Love that song and the message. I mean, c'mon "how high does the Sycamore grow if you cut it down you'll never know"...where is my hankie.
7. I should have _____________ yesterday.

hugged my family more
8. In Summary: I am a big old sap. I cry at Disney songs, find miracles in the mundane, and need more hugs. It is very obvious, however, that I do know my limitations. I can't walk in a bikini and heels, I kill plants, have a lot to say, and can't say no to some crab meat rangoons and saki. It is a well-rounded life.

More Later

- A Ro

The Good Life

2012-01-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

Well, believe it or not I am actually ready to go back to school tomorrow and start the new semester. My choirs will be starting to rehearse for a new concert, the musical will start rehearsals, and I will have a new section of Middle School Chorus to get to know. How could one not be excited??

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my LONG weekend very much. I loved hanging out with my kids and bonus kids. Well...most of them. My sixteen year old had a busy social life and wasn't home much, but I hear that is the way it goes. I am sure it is just a normal thing. A professor once said that really in order for the world to survive our children must swim away from the small gene pool of the family and go to the larger gene pool of the world. Now I liken this to knowing that going to the dentist is important, but dreading the thought. Yeah...that gene pool of the world has a lot of pain too.

I enjoyed seeing A Joyful Noise with Bella. It was nice to get out just the two of us and hang out. Sarah and Rich made a date for mid February when the new Nick Cage movie Ghost Rider 2 comes out...yeah no thanks. Give me Queen Latifa, Dolly Parton and gospel music over ghosts and skulls from the underworld whose sole purpose is to stop the human race,any day.

Do I hear an Amen Sistah??

I enjoyed the opportunity to have the time to cook some great meals.

I enjoyed sneaking away for a few hours to grab coffee with my hubby.

I enjoyed taking a long walk to Starbucks with the girls only to have to call Andrew to come get us after we couldn't bear the long walk home. (Thanks Andrew)

I enjoyed watching free TV shows and reading free books on my new Kindle.

I ~~enjoyed~~ tolerated getting my boo-hiney kicked by BOTH of my brothers on Words With Friends.

I enjoyed finally knitting some more of my blanket.

I even enjoyed working around the house and organizing the heck out of it. Yeah...those who really know me know that I REALLY enjoyed having the time to do that. Don't believe me I'll show you my Tupperware cupboard.

I enjoyed playing a new game with the family last night, (and winning).

I know hard to believe that I would want to give up all that for the stress of the new semester. I know that all sounds great but I've got work to do, kids to teach, and music to make.

Yeah...I really do have it all don't I?

More Later

- A Ro

The Creepy Clowns are the Least of My Worries

2012-01-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have always hated the circus. I know that you must be thinking it is the clowns, because most people have this idea that clowns are creepy. I used to have that idea, when I was little, but now the clowns are actually the only part that I can handle. What I really hate, besides the whole cruelty to animals part, is the fact that most of the circus is comprised of acts that "defy death". Could someone please explain to me how something that is death defying could possibly be entertaining? Do people really enjoy watching someone do something that could potentially result in witnessing someone die?

I do not enjoy such activities.

People tell me that they "know what they are doing". They tell me that "everything will be OK". They tell me that the "chances of something going wrong are next to none"

Tell that to Sigmund or Roy (I can't remember which one)

Tell that to the passengers of The Hindenburg.

Tell that to the lady that bungee jumped over the crocodile infested waters only to have the rope break forcing her to swim with her feet tied together.

Tell that to Russell Brand and Katy Perry.

No.thank.you.

So you can imagine my horror when I was told that our last assembly before finals would be the Peking acrobats.

Yup. I had to face my fears and watch, in my own auditorium, ten feet away from me, on the floor in front of the stage no less, this: (This isn't the actual performance, but this is what the guy did.)

By this point I was begging him to stop. I was trying to convince him that I knew he was talented, and he didn't need to do anything else, but no, he did this:

Needless to say I was completely out of my mind.

My students told me later that my behavior was more entertaining than the acrobat.

Andrew told me afterwards that he had no more nervous left in him for finals.

My colleague who was standing next to me told me he was needing to go home and take a nap due to my assembly behavior.

I was excused from attending all further "death defying" assemblies.

Amen.

More Later

- A Ro

The Limited Edition Hodgepodge

2012-01-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

Joining Joyce this Wednesday for the Hodgepodge which means two things. You get to know me a little better and my blog post on my traumatic morning with the Beijing Acrobats will have to wait until tomorrow. Click on the link above and head on over to participate too...its OK your normal post can wait another day.

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance. Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.

OK I have to admit that I haven't heard of most of those phrases. Is that a good thing?? I really hate thank you in advance as it is very presumptuous. I love ginormous as it is an Elf reference. But win the future and pet parent??? What the heck do those mean? Must poll my high schoolers immediately...OK after finals, but very soon.

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

This is a hard question. I am more embarrassed when other people make a fool of themselves more so than when I do. I hate watching people be pranked like Punked or Candid Camera. I hate being around someone who is being an idiot and doing foolish things. Me on the other hand, I am known for saying silly things and tripping over my own feet, so I am used to that.

3. What is your go-to snack?

I love dried fruit and nuts. I also love whole edamame. I got Rich some whole walnuts and a nutcracker for Christmas so I have been into those lately. I usually snack healthy, but would love to be able to grab a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, but they don't agree with my hips.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?

Timely question as I just paid the final deposit to send my son to the Model UN conference in Washington DC this February. He was invited to attend to represent our school, and he is really excited, as a matter of fact this is the most excitedt I think he has been over anything. I, on the other hand, will keep wishing to see the sights. The Second Night at the Museum movie makes me want to see all of the Smithsonian museums, and the Lincoln Memorial. The Dan Brown book Lost Symbols makes me want to see the Capital Rotunda and Washington Monument. Maybe I'll just stow away...nah he'd kill me.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

hmmm hate the least, I think sit ups would be the thing I hate the least although I am very bad at them. After I had my spleen taken out I never really rehabilitated my ab muscles so they are a struggle. However, you do them laying down...that is a good enough reason to be better, right??

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

These questions are hard as it makes me have to REMEMBER things. OK...nothing comes to mind, but one time Rich motioned a lady to turn right in front of him in a long line of cars and as she was waving frantically at him thanking him for his kindness she plowed into the car in front of her. Yeah...random acts of kindness sometimes backfire. I do love the pay it forward adage and I am sure I have been on the receiving end of some of that.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?

I would like to say that my medication I take for thyroid disease is the reason I don't donate, but in reality it is my big aversion to needles. I am, however, on the Be the Match register. I have had bone marrow taken from my hip and at one point in my life was reminded of the importance of bone marrow.

8. In Summary: It is obvious that I am only as hip as Elf, Night at the Museum and The Lost Symbol. I am only get embarrassed because the guy in line next to me knocks over the entire display of candy. I am only interested in exercises that I associate with sleeping. I have a weakness for Cool Ranch Doritos and an aversion to needles. Yep my limitations are really well rounded.

More Later

- A Ro

And Then I Set the Chicken on Fire

2012-01-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

The only reason that Blogger is not dead to me is that I got our crummy old laptop to finally connect to the internet. You see we have one computer in the family room that is shared by two adults and two pre-teens. (I'll give you three guesses as to who gets more computer time and the first two don't count) AND to add to the problem when I finally found the window of opportunity between watching youtube of videos of Glee and Club Penguin, Blogger decided to not cooperate. So thankfully our laptop decided to cooperate or you would have started to wonder where the heck A-Ro went to (not that you haven't thought that a hunderd times in the past month)

But enough of the excuses.

This weekend started out great only after we spent a trillion dollars to get the water pump fixed on my car. Thankfully Rich had the day off and it didn't pull the driving-on-the-101-break-down-in-the-carpool-lane-at-rush-hour breakdown, it gave me some warning. So besides the fact We're back to eating college dinner menus, it wasn't so painful. The great weekend truly started that night at dinner. Rich and I had a date night at our favorite shee shee fru fru restaurant, that if not for the cheap happy hour and gift certificate from a faboulous student, we would never go. It was so nice to sit and chat and do a little gazing and cooing...ok not really all that much gazing and cooing but a lot of chatting. We did a little shoping and coffee drinking and got home by 9:00 and in bed by 10:00. We are such the party animals.

Saturday morning was full of errands and picking up the golden car. Rich had been complaining of his eye hurting and quite frankly I just added it to the elbow, knees, and back aches that my fabulous husband has been complaining about. No big deal, just a sty or an eyelash. So by the time I had started de-Christmas-ing our house Rich decided he needed to go to urgent care. He clearly understood my manic need to finally put our Christmas decorations away because he didn't even ask me to go with him. I figured that the doctor would take one look at his eye tell him to go put a warm compress on it, give him a lollypop, pat him on the head and demand that he go home and help his wife take down the tree and get the chicken on the grill. However, after taking down all the decorations, breaking two ornaments, and wrestling our big tree out to the garage I realize there is no sign of Rich. So, I decide to text him, see if he is sporting an eyepatch, and find out how to start the grill. He tells me he is still waiting and gave me the instructions on how to start the grill. I do EXACTLY what he says, start the potatoes and the lentil salad and go out to put the chicken on the grill as it has been 20 minutes since I lit the grill and the coals needed to be spread out the the chicken put on.

Next thing I know the chicken is full-out on fire. I yelled something (probably R rated) and out comes Justin to find me standing next to the grill which is now completely ablaze. I grab the hose and turn it on only to realize that the nozzle is locked in the "on" position and by realize I mean squirt me straight in the face. I threw the hose down and said some more R rated words. Justin calmly un-locked the hose and I proceeded to douse the chicken. We both stood their for a few seconds and just stared at the drenched grill not knowing whether to laugh or cry when he said something to the effect of "well I guess that solved the problem".

As I was driving off to the store to get some more meat Rich called, which instantly started the waterworks. I couldn't get a coherent word out of my mouth through all the tears. Thankfully he is an air traffic controller and had the necessary skills to talk me down.

As it turns out he had a small round object on his pupil.

Not that I would wish pain on the man I love, but it is a good thing something was seriously wrong.

...enough said.

More Later

- A Ro

Ring in the Hodgepodge!!

2012-01-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

Going to join the Hodgepodge this week to keep my streak of 2 posts, plus I love the Hodgepodge. Head on over to Joyce's and link up, and pat me on the back for my streak!!

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?

roller-coaster (one word right?) speedy and blessed.

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?

LOVE shrimp when I don't think about what kind of bottom feeder creature it is. I love it in a shrimp cocktail, scampi, grilled, salads, and any other way you can prepare it.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

Oh how you mock me with this question. No my house is not de-Christmased. I had one day turn around from leaving for Iowa on Christmas day to starting work. It will drive me nutsoid until I do, which will probably be this weekend.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?

Is Chevy Chase in scary movies? I didn't think so. So the answer would be no. As a matter of fact the answer would be a huge NO. I am not paying $11.50 for the ticket, $25.00 for popcorn and soda, and $9.50 for Junior Mints to have the beegeezus scared out of me. no.thank.you.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?

I would have to say sledding, however, I do not like to be cold so I try to stay away from all of the above activities.

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.

There was a corner of my yard where the way the hedges came together made a small triangular space. I had many dreams of how I would decorate it, if I had the means and the opportunity...none of which I had. So it consisted of a wooden stool and some toys.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
hmmm...My Mom's house in Iowa makes me motivated to provide for my family the way she does. My classroom motivates me to be the best educator I can be.

8. In Summary:
2011 was an amazing year, but 2012 is the year for me to be all I can be. It will more than likely not have any sort of winter sports, or scary movies in it, but hopefully a lot of shrimp!! It is obvious that I was thinking about my house and how it would be even when the walls were green and leafy, but my current house is a place or space that is definitely motivating me to take down my Christmas decorations.

More Later

- A Ro

Happy New Year (Sorta)

2012-01-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Returned to work today. Spent an amazing week with my family. Spent the first Christmas with my new family. Rang in the New Year with most of my family both old and new. Would like to include in my New Year's resolutions a vow to blog everyday because a) I miss you all and b) I would like to stop my family from asking "Why haven't you blogged, we miss seeing what you are up to everyday?" but, I fear that expectation would go by the wayside along with my vow to never eat sugar again. At least, these goals are lofty and will more than likely make me "better" at said vows.

That being said I can't wait to show off a few pictures from my hiatus.

Finally a picture of all of us. What a good looking group!!

Oh my goodness how they all grow up...especially that tall one in the middle...sigh.

Yep...she just got cuter...

...has found a new best friend...

...and loves to love. She loved Zona our very old dog. This picture is so very speical to me because Zona was with my Dad when he died and I would like to think that he is watching this scene with a very happy soul.

Finally my new Kindle. Thanks honey!! I love it. I may or may not now be able to play Words With Friends at work...watch out!!

I hope your Holidays were wonderful and you are well on your way to a Happy New Year!!

Now if you'll excuse me I have a few blogs to catch up on.

More Later

- A Ro

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

I know that I am stealing this from about a dozen blogs but I really am feeling very thankful lately and I need to share.

1. I am thankful that I realized that when I typed my title I didn't put the 'r' in Thursday. How stupid would I have looked entitling this post Thankful Thusday. Yeah.

2. I am so very thankful that I have an artistic daughter. But mostly that she is a very giving generous daughter. She painted this picture and made me scan right away so that she could give it to one of her favorite teachers who is Italian.

I really hope he doesn't think that WE think that all Italians eat pasta, drink wine, and are grossly overweight. It's the thought that counts...right?

3. I am thankful for this...

It makes me smile each and every time I see it.

4. I am ESPECIALLY thankful for these two.

They also make me smile each time I see them. They saw me taking the picture of the tree and begged for me to take one of them. It could be that they were both doing homework and wanted any excuse to put the pencil down, but I would like to think that it is because they just LOVE being in pictures. Yeah...that's it.

5. I am thankful for my blog friends who care about me even when I disappear for a few weeks. I am trying to be better.

6. I am thankful for good health and a great doctor who tests just one more thing...just to be sure.

7. I am thankful for an amazing husband who I can't imagine life without.

8. I am thankful for cheesy (but true) thankful statements.

More Later

- A Ro

A Ro Who? Hodgepodge

2011-11-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is I, the mysterious and elusive A Ro back to participate in Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge. I write this before I actually look at the questions so I am also brave.

Here goes nothing:

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)

Yikes!! I have to get on this...

Yes I send Christmas cards and I do the picture cards. I am very excited because this year my family is much larger, and I get to include all of us in some way or another on that card. I'll be sure to post it when it is finished.

I have a garland on my banister that I put the cards on. I usually leave the picture ones up all year, in some way or another. They make me happy all year 'round.

2. When do kids become adults?

Well my son, when he was younger, told my sister that she wasn't an adult until she got married. When she got married he didn't think she was an adult until she had a baby...now that she has a baby maybe he will finally admit that his cool Aunt Kate is an adult.

It is all relative.

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?

Nah...wash face in shower, sometimes moisturize, only wear make-up when I absolutely have to. My climate is really the same all yearlong (living in CA) so I just keep it the same...and very simple!!

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?

I love raw sushi?? Other than that I am usually the one turning up my nose at crazy delicacies.

5. Gloves or mittens?

I love mittens...everything about them, but mostly I love them because when I wear them more than likely I am in Iowa.

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer?

Rich and I did Black Friday, once (and that was one time too many). The queue was long, but the problem was that the queue we were in was the wrong queue. Yeah that sucks. We did get an i pod touch very cheap with a gift card bonus, so I guess it was worth it. And yes the word queue is very sophisticated!!

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?

hmmmm Going to Iowa to see my family is sorta related to Christmas but I am SO looking forward to it too. We all just love being at my mom's house.

8. In Summary:

OK...gotta get going on that Christmas card so...Shutterfly here I come. I hope that I never become an adult because I will have to stop turning my nose up at yucky food, start worrying about my beauty regimen, and start looking forward to Black Friday. But most of all I better hunt down those mittens because, IOWA HERE I COME!!!

More Later

- A Ro

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-11-29T04:00:00.000-08:00

I love this time of the year. Really from Halloween through New Year's Day makes me oh so very happy. I love everything about it. With the exception of having a horrible cold a few weeks ago the past weeks have not let me down.

I have had many beverages from the Starbucks holiday cups

Got to work with some wonderful kids (especially Woodstock) in our Middle School musical.

Got to watch Bella serve bread to needy people at Manna house.

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Complete with everyone's favorite...Scalloped Pineapple.

And shared it with two very special girls (and a few camera shy guys).

And to top it off I got a very sweet card from Sarah and it really brought a tear to my eye. Especially thinking back to the Thanksgivings without her in our lives. I really took it all in and was very thankful of all my blessings this year.

My Thanksgiving weekend ended with an ink pen in the dryer and a very special accidentally adorned pancake...

...I choose to dwell on the pancake.

More Later

- A Ro

A Purge

2011-11-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

OK people....this isn't going to be pretty. I have been knee deep in middle schoolers due to tech week for our middle school musical. However, that doesn't mean that life in the A Ro household has stood still, oh no, life keeps on trucking with or with sleep or sanity.

So this is just a purge of some of the hot topics around here lately. No wit, no nonsense, no glamour just the facts ma'am.

Sarah wanted to go to the haunted house down the street. As you know, unless Chevy Chase is running a haunted house I am not going in. BUT I love a good family outing so decided that I would just walk down with them and wait outside. Little did I know that a guy with a chainsaw would come out to "warm the crowd up" before they went inside. Well I made the big mistake of looking completely freaked out, which I was, and started to walk, very quickly, away. Yeah, you all know what happened next...he started following me. I am telling you people the rage grew within me and I almost punched his lights out.

note to self...it is just pretend.

My daughter is Woodstock in the aforementioned middle school musical. She is second from the left in the front with all of her Beagle Scout birds, oh my stinkin' heart.

Andrew met a girl last summer at summer camp and, unfortunately, she lives about 10 hours away. However, her mom and I love our kids and we arranged for her to fly down for a weekend. She is lovely, smart, kind, funny, athletic, mature, and absolutely wonderful. They both are just so perfect together. He also passed his driving test the morning she came, so it was an all around great weekend.

Yes, Halloween came last night in the midst of it all, but look at these cute girls. They crack me up!!

My first, failed, attempt at taking our picture during trick or treating...

Much better...look how handsome he is!!

Nerds in action.

The loot. We had so much fun.

And finally....

My favorite time of the year has arrived.

smile.

More Later

A Ro

Happy Halloween I Mean BIRTHDAY Ryan!!!

2011-10-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yes my brother was born on Halloween and I would like to say that it suits him, but it really doesn't. He is a very non spooky guy, but he does love to have fun so maybe it suits him...just a little.

So once again you are subjected to a very bad acrostic poem, but it is the last one...for October :)

Ryan is a fun guy and always a real treat.

You all know he has a wonderful wife which makes him complete.

And a fabulous family you just can't beat.

Now thankfully they don't rely on his fishing skills to eat.

I love you little brother, have a Happy Birthday and a Happy Halloween!!

More Later

A Ro

Happy Birthday JoJo!!

2011-10-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

I've got good news and bad news.

Here is the bad news first...

It is time for another very bad acrostic poem.

The good news...

It is for my very adorable nephew JoJo which means cute pictures to follow!!

Joseph Gregory, my nephew, is five years old.

and Obviously he always does what he is told.

So very cute with eyes that just look like trouble.

Especially when Abby is near the cuteness just doubles.

People say he is his dad at least at first glance

but His mama certainly taught him how to sing and dance

We love you JoJo!! Have a happy day.

More Later

A Ro

Happy Birthday Papa!!

2011-10-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

I told you that October would be filled with very bad acrostic poems to celebrate various birthdays...here is one to celebrate my step-dad John's birthday. He is known as Grandpa John to my kids, however, I don't think anyone wants to see what I come up with as a poem with 11 letters. Thankfully all the other grand kids call him Papa a much more do-able poem for this non-poet.

I hope you have a happy day Papa!!

Papa brings to all a tremendous amount of joy.

And especially to this once little boy.

a Perfect caregiver and wonderful grand-dad

And just be assured, Grandpa Mike would be so glad.

Happy Birthday Papa, we love you!!

More Later

A-Ro

Weekend Blur

2011-10-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, Monday already??? Where does the time go? This weekend, however, many many minutes were enjoyed and appreciated, so it wasn't AS bad as usual. Although getting my butt out of bed this morning was rough especially knowing Rich had the day off today...Columbus Day...don't even get me started on that one.

Friday was a very relaxing day. Rich had the day off so I came home to a squeeky clean house and baseball on TV so Rich and I cuddled up and even though I love baseball I very quickly fell asleep and slept for about an hour. Oh my goodness did that feel SO good. Got up and managed to sleepily get a wonderful dinner on the table. We had my kids this weekend so it was so nice to have everyone around the dinner table. Make your own pizzas are always a hit with these kiddos. More baseball (which included watching my Phillies lose..boo), grocery lists, and happy girls because they both were home, rounded out our Friday night.

Saturday was our usual pancake breakfast followed by bribing the girls to not go to the grocery stores with us so Rich and I could have some quality alone time. We sat at Starbucks and stolled the aisles hand in hand. Hey...we get that quality time when we can these days.

We grilled, had a fire pit, and roasted some marshmallows Saturday night and decided to try out a new church the next day. We have been going to a few here and there to try to find the right one and we had another one on our list so we decided to give it a try Sunday morning.

So Sunday morning Justin and Andrew (of course) didn't want to join us so Rich and I and the girls went. It was a contemporary service complete with a band and singers. Isabella ended up with a friend there so they went off to Sunday School. She really loved it, and I did too. It was a very nice way to start our Sunday. Of course, Sunday continued with laundry, baking, and homework.

Really a very boring weekend...

...aren't those the best???

More Later

A Ro

Thankful Thursday

2011-10-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

A couple of the blogs I follow do a Thankful Thursday post, so I am not exactly sure who to credit, but I thought I'd follow suit this week.

So here goes:

1. I am so very thankful that the temps today are in the 70's. I feel like I pay way to much money to live in California for the temps to be anything BUT 70's but today I am getting my money's worth and I love it.

2. I am thankful today that I have this amazing Sixth Grade Chorus. There are some really great voices and enough silly boys to keep things interesting. Also my Bella is in there and she is quite the singer.

3. I am thankful that I remembered enough of my middle school science classes to be able to help Bella study for her minerals and rocks test. However, it was a little discouraging to realize that as a parent we really start over again and learn everything one (or two) more times. Except after last night and the studying of Spanish I am regretting the decision to take French.

4. I am so thankful to be Sarah's step mom. She is really showing the love. Her Dad and I got a nice letter from her as part of an English assignment and it nearly brought me to tears. She told us how thankful she is to be here and how much she loves us...awww. Then she posted a picture of the two of us on her Facebook page and the caption told me how much she appreciated all I did for her this summer and how much she loves me as a step mom. Coming full circle is a very nice thing.

5. Rich has Friday and Monday off!!! This means that I might actually get a relaxing weekend as he usually gets a lot of stuff done (if he has a list) so I can sit on the couch and eat bon bons all weekend. Well at least dairy free bon bons.

6. The Bug asked me in a comment how I am going to be getting protein and iron on my new semi vegan diet. So I thought I'd answer her in this section and be thankful for the internet which is providing me with a plethora of information about getting the nutrients I need. This site for vegetarians with a special section for vegans goes into great detail about all the nutrients. And I am finding out SO much information that makes me OK with going this route. The four areas of concern for vegans are calcium, B12, iron, and protein and the only one that I found that cannot be replaced with plants is B12 so I take a supplement. I am planning to start incorporating some vegan recipes on my blog and some more information about it. Don't worry I won't get my soapbox out.

7. I am thankful that in about 10 minutes a big group of my middle school singers will join me for lunch in my room for our Day 6 Lunch Bunch.

Yikes...gotta go.

More Later

A Ro

Cuddle on Up With the Hodgepodge

2011-10-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Since it is raining here and in the 60's (about 30 degrees cooler than yesterday) I decided it is the perfect day to join the Hodgepodge over at Joyce's. So head on over and join us.

1. What's your favorite meal to serve on a chilly autumn evening?

My Dad's chili. I know that chili is such a cop out chilly autumn evening dinner, but since my dad passed away it always makes me think of him and it really warms me up, body and soul. Here is the recipe, and a post about it.

2. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.
Hmmmmm....I think I am a creature of habit as I like the routines in my life, having said that I really am a very flexible roll with the flow kind of girl when my routines are shaken up.

3. What food product (no longer readily available) do you remember and miss from days gone by?
Wow...I see that this Hodgepodge isn't going to be one of those whip off kind, I'm gonna have to think. OK I think I got one. I miss Happy Joe's taco pizza. I am not even sure that there is a Happy Joes still in my home town, but I LOVED their taco pizza.

4. What's something you've lost that you've never been able to find? Any theories as to what happened?
My mind...yeah no theories yet.

5. Zoo~circus~ carnival...your favorite?
Oh my goodness. I would have to say zoo. I hate the circus for so many reasons. I don't like to see animals doing stupid tricks, I don't like to see death defying acts, I mean c'mon they are death defying because someone COULD die doing it, do you REALLY want to see that. As I child I hated clowns and really as an adult that has a HUGE aversion to scary horror movies I still hate clowns. So the circus has NOTHING to offer me. And carnivals...don't get me started on the entire watch a crew of people set up a ride in about an hour and assure me it's safe, I think not. Then there are all those steal your money games for which you win a cheesy prize that has to find a home in your already cramped house only to have to steal it away from behind your kids back to give to Good Will and feign stupidity when said kid asks where it went.

So zoo it is.

6. What song makes you feel instantly happy?
Wow this is another hard one...geez Joyce. I am a music teacher so songs are such a big part of my life. The first song that comes to mind is the song Gettin' Jiggy With It by Will Smith. I love this song because my quiet little sister knew every word and turned into Will Smith everytime it came on. So it reminds me of a very happy time in my life. Also any Hewy Lewis and the News song brings me back to dating Rich in high school so those are always a good smile bringer.

I just know that when I visit other blogs I'm gonna say..."oh yeah, I forgot about THAT song"

7. To what extent are you an argumentative person?
I have to say that when I think I am right (think being the operative word) I will argue to the death. I would have been a good lawyer execpt for the law school part. I will, however, admit when I am wrong, but only when I realize I am wrong and not a minute before. But usually I am never wrong...

Right honey??

8. In summary:
The best day ever would be Happy Joe's pizza for lunch with my sister Kate and she is chanelling Will Smith. We then go eat Grandpa Mike's chili for dinner after a trip to the zoo. Then miraculously we find my mind. That would be the perfect day...and you know I'm right.

More Later

A Ro

So Dead to Me

2011-10-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mc Donalds you are dead to me.

Well, actually you were dead to me after I watched the movie Super Size Me and realized that your oh so yummy french fries would be the only thing the cockroaches would be eating after a nuclear war, that and the one pickle and three freeze dried onions on my hamburger.

Truthfully there are so many other reasons

but I digress.

My son still partakes of the mass produced hamburgers and did so after our baseball game on Sunday in a mad rush to get him to his orchestra practice.

Wow that sentance made it seem that I have a very well rounded son.

Again, I digress.

So I had about a 90 minute drive ahead of me so I decided that I would order a Diet Coke for the road and the more I thought about that fountain drink Diet Coke the more I wanted it.

Did you ever notice how much better a fountain drink soda tastes than out of a can or bottle?

I know, I know...just get on with it.

So we drive up Andrew orders his food which consists of two double cheeseburgers a medium fry and a medium Coke, and I ordered a medium Diet Coke.

I wonder since it is a double cheeseburger if it has two pickles and three freeze dried onions??

Anyhoo...

Well the guy taking my order decided to try super size me into buying the large combo for ONLY $.30 more cents, and when I politely declined he told me that for only $.30 more I would get 4 Monopoly game pieces.

I suddenly wondered if this man was getting a commission on my super sizing and the $.30 and almost asked that question and really at that point I would have paid it to get on with it so I could get my hands on that Diet Coke a couple of seconds faster.

So we pull around and the nice lady hands me two medium drinks neither on punched "diet". So I ask her which one is the diet and she said that the first one she handed me was the diet.

I know that at this point you can probably guess where this story is headed.

We pull away and continue on our journey of a million miles and I take a sip of the coveted Diet Coke to realize that the one she told me was diet was in fact NOT.

Oh...I laughed...she must have meant the FIRST one she handed me becuase surely SHE would know that one of them was diet because she used that fancy schmancy machine to fill those cups.

However, I couldn't be more wrong. The Diet Coke which was now crack to me was not Diet but REGULAR!!!! Both flipping drinks were regular COKE.

Now my first reaction after the cussing was that she blatently lied to me but I really should have blamed myself for not checking before we left the drive through considering my accuracy rate with getting the right order at drive throughs is about .05%

Then I realized it was the cold hard fact that I shouldn't be putting that crap into my body slapping me in the face. To that I say...well good, because I didn't.

So who has the last laugh now McDonalds???

Yeah...you do.

More Later

A- Ro

The Weekend Blur

2011-10-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

First I need to give you some I-haven't-been-a-very-good-blogger-and-you-need-some-info background information. So Rich and I have decided to become basically vegan vegetarians. We have done this for three reasons: 1. Rich watched the movie Forks Over Knives and 2. I was reading the book Food Rules by Michael Pollan which caused me to 3. remember when I was diagnosed with cancer many years ago I researched cancer fighting diets and ALL of them were vegan. So long story short...I'd like to live to be at least 90 and cancer and heart disease runs rampant in my family so this is what I am going to try for now. I am not going completely vegan as my philosophy is eating whole foods and to to eat mostly a plant based diet and add fish every now and then.

SOOOO Friday night Rich and I decided to cash in on one of my teacher gifts. It was a gift card to a fancy schmancy...wait for it...steakhouse!!! So I called ahead and told the nice, young, and I am sure very, er... pretty hostess my explanation of being a vegetarian and questions of items on their menu that I could eat, and she preceded to tell me that they had plenty of chicken dishes. OK...maybe she thought I said that I was a veterinarian.

We had a lovely dinner at the bar complete with a very good glass of Merlot, ahi tuna burgers (our fish for the week) and mushroom ravioli. We really enjoyed each others company and the atmosphere was really nice. We then went and saw Moneyball. What a great movie. I really loved it. I am smiling right now thinking about our evening, just really nice.

Saturday was a day that really just went by in a blur. A birthday party, a driving lesson, grocery shopping, and finally a nice relaxing fire in the fire pit. When I finally sat down at the fire I couldn't believe that Saturday was over. It was such a blur that I thought it was October 2nd and wished my niece a happy birthday but her birthday wasn't until Sunday because Saturday was October 1st. She will catch on pretty quickly that her Aunt Amy is too busy and muddled for her own good.

Sunday was our chore, baking, laundry, and baseball day. I made chocolate chip cookies for lunches, my homemade hummus, and a crock pot full of chili to have when we got home from baseball. We did all the laundry and had so much fun with our family folding event. We all stand around our bed and fold clothes together, it usually ends up in some sort of clothes fight and a lot of laughter. Sarah and Bella did their chores and for some reason Sarah always ends up going above and beyond her chores. She completely cleaned and organized their room, and vacuumed the entire upstairs. Andrew pitched an amazing 3 innings with 8 strikeouts, and although it was kinda warm we had a lovely afternoon at the ballpark.

So now I look forward to the beginning of this next week and I am pretty sure it will also go by in a great big blur.

More Later

A Ro

Happy Birthday Abby!!

2011-10-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, the fall is a VERY busy month for birthdays in my family, so you'll have to forgive all of my VERY bad acrostic poems.

This one is celebrating my niece Abby's second birthday, so thankfully she is too young to really appreciate how bad of a poet I am...phew.

Here goes:

Abby is my niece and oh so very sweet

Being around her is such a special treat

I can't believe she is already two

Gosh, it seems just yesterday she was brand new

she's Amazing, smart, cute, and fun, I've always said

I get sad when I can't see her and get pictures instead

Luckily, she is my very favorite little red head

I love and miss you Abby!!!

More Later

A Ro

Happy Birthday MICHELLE!!!

2011-09-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday and I wanted to do another very bad acrostic poem in celebration.

Michelle please forgive my poetry skills and know it comes from the heart!!

My sister-in-law Michelle is wonderful and oh so sweet.

In my opnion to be around her is such a big treat.

Cheerful and kind describe her to a T.

Her family, I'm sure, would totally agree.

Every one of her nephews and neices...

Love her to bits and pieces.

Love for his mama Jo Jo cannot hide.

Even though we have no idea where he gets his silly side.

Happy Birthday Michelle!! We miss you and love you oh so much!!

More Later (hopefully)

A Ro

Weekend Update

2011-09-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

Well if last week felt like a month, this weekend felt like minute. Phew it went by super fast, and here I am facing the second week of school. This week is full of middle school musical auditions. So far we have about 40 kids signed up and we take them all and find a spot for each and everyone of them. This year we are doing You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. So if you want to see what Snoopy's siblings and Woodstocks second cousins look like just come to our production. Bella is auditioning tomorrow and I am not sure who is more nervous, oh wait yes I do...ME!! She really has a very nice voice and an excellent ear. She will do great, but I just hate seeing my kids in positions where they are uncomfortable, no matter how character building they are.

In my "oh my goodness where did the weekend go" weekend I discovered a few things so I thought I'd share.

1. I cannot make pot roast to save my life. I am a very good cook, if I do say so myself, but pot roast has always eluded me. I follow the recipe to a T and still it turns out dry. I so badly want to make a good pot roast so I keep doing it hoping that "this time" it will turn out tasty and moist and melt in your mouth good. Yeah I need some help.

2. I cannot keep score, watch baseball, work my crossword AND take a picture of my son on the mound. I wanted Bella to make an artist rendering of him pitching, but she was too busy writing a 4 page story about time travel, working on PEDMAS (parenthesis, exponents, division, multiplication, addition and subtraction, for those of you not hip to the terms of sixth grade math), and studying which rocks have fractal something or other. I can't count on her for anything. However, Andrew pitched a no hitter for 4 innings and made an amazing play at second base. I just love baseball!!

3. I can count on her and Sarah to make me laugh. So Rich and I went to run an errand and came home to find Bella and Sarah playing Ninja hide and seek.

So if you are keeping score at home...pictures of Andrew pitching a no hitter - 0 Sarah and Bella as ninjas - 1. Yeah that about sums it up. No wonder I quit doing the 365 picture meme.

4. Having 4 kids in the house means a lot of fighting over the flicker and who gets to ride in the front seat, arguing about who drank who's soda, and who used whos towel, but it also means always having enough people to play UNO to make it intersting. We had two fun nights of UNO playing this weekend and oddly enough the heads of the household came away victorious.

5. Sarah is EXCELLENT about doing her weekend chores and even helping out with ones that aren't hers. And Bella is not liking her toilet cleaning chore as she proclaimed that Andrew doesn't pee in the kids toilet, to which I replied, "yes he does, that is the bathroom he uses" to which she exclaimed "no he doesn't pee IN our toliet he pees ON our toilet."

yeah, I know, too much information, but it was really funny.

6. I enjoy weekends. Now if I could just enjoy eating my pot roast all would be good.

More Later

- A Ro

Back to School

2011-09-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

I am telling you this week has seemed like a month. I wake up too early, I get home completely bushed, and I wouldn't have it any other way. However, this week has really gotten its money worth.

Bella is adjusting nicely to Sixth Grade, and Sixth Grade Science has only kicked my butt once. Don't worry, I am sure I will get PLENTY of chances to seek revenge as she has science homework most every night. She is studying rocks and minerals and it is taking me back to my college geology class "rocks for jocks" as it was lovingly called. Let me tell you it isn't a good memory.

Andrew is loving our new high school building and is doing quite well keeping up with all his homework especially his two AP classes. Now granted he isn't the usual 5 AP taking kid, and I am more than happy that he isn't.

Sarah had her back to school night last night and it was so nice to be able to go visit her classes and teachers and hear about how wonderful she is. I really like her public middle school. The teachers are great and full of energy, the classes are small, and the amount of technology in the classroom is amazing. Rich and I came away with a sigh of relief, she is adjusting nicely and doing some really good work. She was bummed because one of the projects she did in English class had to do with me, but her teacher didn't give it out as all the students didn't get to finish it. She is making friends and we got to meet a couple last night.

I am telling you she is just the greatest. She is always happy and so willing to help out with fixing dinner, feeding Maggie, and cleaning up. She is adjusting so well to the newness of it all, new school, new siblings, and new step mom. She is has no trouble following all of our rules. She doesn't give us any trouble about getting to bed by 9:30 and getting up at 7:00. I am so happy and blessed that she is a permenant part of our household.

Now I am well aware that I soon will have two teenage girls two years apart which might be a little...ahem...challenging.

But for now life it great.

So I leave you to your weekend with this:

Jo Jo and Abby say "Have a great weekend everyone!!!"

More Later

- A Ro

Hodgepodge Pie

2011-09-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

So I decided to join Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond for her weekly Hodgepodge. It has been awhile since I joined up so I might be a bit rusty but here goes:

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?
I start making deals with God that go something like this "Please don't let me get sick right now, if you save me from getting sick I promise I'll never eat cheesecake, I'll always floss my teeth, and I'll use Purell after each class."

Yeah...then I start popping the Vitimin C like nobody's business.

Yes I do get a flu shot, but I am pretty lucky with getting sick. I think since I've been a teacher for so long my immune system is top notch, even though I don't have a spleen and I am SUPPOSED to get everything that comes my way.

Maybe God is keeping up his end of the deal after all.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?
They say that being brave means being fearful but doing it anyway (or something like that). I tell my students that when they are fearful they just need to take a deep breath and go for it.

3. Share two good things about your life right now.
Having physical custody of Rich's daughter. It is a dream come true and an answer to a lot of prayers. The second thing would be being back into routine and back at school WITH students!!

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?

I like the more classy styles of the 60's, like pencil skirts with cardigans and flats and shift dresses. Not a big fan of high necklines or cinched waists.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?
I was a Bluebird (which was the younger Campfire Girl) when I was in third grade. All I remember about that was we used to go around saying "bluebirds eat brownies" (the younger Girl Scouts) I am pretty sure that wasn't the message that scouting was trying to promote.

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor?
Yes. Mostly apple and pumpkin though.
7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?
Compassion and having the ability to teach their students more than just their subject matter. They also need to be a little bit silly and not take themselves too seriously. Yeah I got those last two down pat.
8. In summary: I am a take a deep breath and dive right in sort of gal with compassion and a love of teaching. Even though I am missing a part of my immune system I hardly ever get sick (knock on wood). I would have looked very unstylish in the 60's mostly because pencil skirts don't look very good on women who love the fall flavors of apple and pumpkin because usually that involves pie.

More Later

- A Ro

Finally

2011-09-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school for Andrew and Bella. Which means Sunday night was a whirl wind of emotions ranging from "oh my gosh...what if I can't get my locker open" to "what if all my friends suddenly hate me". Then there was Sarah who was just glad that SOMEBODY else in the house had to go to school and do homework. We celebrated our last weekend of freedom with our usual celebration; firepit and s'mores. The girls were SO funny dancing and singing and putting on shows. Rich took this video and all my dancer friends and former students who know me will be shocked that I was acting choreographer...yeah don't tell Ms. Brown.

We woke up and got out the door on time this morning due mostly to the nervous excitement that had us all moving in overdrive. We even had time for pictures.

Even Andrew joined in the picture fun.

So cute, even Maggie wanted to be included.

The day was a great success. Our school opened the new building, my choirs seem very promising, and it was perfect weather.

The girls did homework together at the table with a little smile of satisfaction on Sarah's face. They even had time for a quick bike ride around the park and we had time to watch a tivo'd episode of Chuck (getting ready for the new and final (one tear) season.

And yes Bella got her locker open and all her friends still liked her.

Phew...

More Later

- A Ro

"Working From Home"

2011-09-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

We are doing construction on our campus this summer. So we are, of course, trying frantically to get everything ready for Monday. This is causing some parking issues as we still have a lot of construction workers on campus and some of the paths to various parking lots are not traversable (is that a word??) So this morning was the elementary school's parent visitation so they asked the Middle and High School teachers to "work from home" this morning. As I told you yesterday Andrew has morning AP classes so yeah do the math...Andrew had to be at school this morning, but I couldn't. So by the time I wanted to be at work Andrew didn't want to be there. Can you say extra miles on the old mom taxi?? It did work out "sorta" because when I went to pick him up I bribed him with lunch if he would help me put up my bulletin boards, and he did. (They look SO good too) Yes, food does it everytime. It also gave us a chance to talk and we had a great conversation. I love my alone time with my boy. So after lunch I went back home and "worked from home".

OK when I got the email that I couldn't come into work this morning I was all like "yeah...I TOTALLY can work from home" I have all my syllibi, seating charts, lesson plans, and labels, so much compter work. So I packed up my computer, loaded my bag with my warm up books, and planner and marched home ready to "work from home". I even set it all up at the table.

Well you can probably tell where this is going. I did practically nothing. It took me longer to get everything out and put everything away than the amount of work I did. Granted I did play mom taxi and had lunch with my kid and helped Bella with her math packet and worked on my crossword, and read a few blogs.

Crap.

Well, it is all going to get done, but just not today.

We also had our back to school BBQ for the High Schoolers tonight. So that was another trip to school with Andrew. It was well worth it. I got lots of hugs from my students and they all had that excited look in their eyes, just like me.

If I wasn't chomping at the bit to go back to school yesterday...I am today.

Tomorrow night is the Middle School BBQ...Lord help me!!

More Later

- A Ro

Enough is Enough

2011-09-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

I need school to start NOW. I am so tired of being half back at school half not. Andrew is back for morning AP classes this week so he is even half back half not. This morning we were up early for our workout because Rich is finally back to his "normal" schedule, but I am not so I got up early to work out with him and had an extra hour before Sarah and Andrew needed to be at school. That just made me lollygag around and get ready at my own leisure. However, once next Monday morning hits it will be morning routine timed to the minute. I am learning these bad habits. I am learning how to be slow when I really need to be running time trials.

I NEED MY ROUTINE BACK!!!

I am also very tired of PLANNING for kids to come back I want kids back in my classroom. I have so much to do, but all that stuff is just not fun. It is the real work of my job. When the kids get back I really feel so much better. This year is going to be so new for me. I have really big groups with a lot of new kids and the possibilities are endless. Thankfully, the development book I had to read this summer was VERY good and it was all about motivation. It really challenged the way I look at motivation and I highly recommend this book for any educator or parent wanting to tap into your kids natural motivation...and maybe even your own.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

But reading it really just made me want to be back in the classroom with those kids even more so...

LET ME AT 'EM!!!

OK so the countdown continues. I have 3 more "work days" then the weekend and we start. I just need to keep plugging away at my "to do" list and hopefully not lose my mind in the meantime.

Now I am also completely aware that in about 2 months I will be begging for Winter Break. Slowly counting down the days until I can sleep in and not have to worry about concerts and deadlines.

I know...I am such a diva.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Update in 30 minutes

2011-09-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

So I am trying to get my blog posting done in under 30 minutes. Yeah...it never seems to work out that way, but tomorrow is an up early day so this time it needs to be a very quick post. Considering it takes me 30 minutes just to get pictures uploaded it might just be a very short post, but with pictures!!

OK here goes:

Now this is very sad, I cannot for the life of me remember what we did Friday night. Justin and Rich went to the beach in the afternoon and my kids were with their dad. Rich was able to pick Sarah up from school and so we met at home. The rest is a blur so here is a picture Rich took of Justin at the beach. He has lost about 43 pounds since he has been here and he looks really good. I'll be sure to do a before and after picture when he is at his goal weight.

Yep, can't even remember what we had for dinner. Very very sad. Ok Rich just reminded me what we had for dinner, pork tenderloin sliders. Ok now I remember that but the rest seriously is not anywhere to be found.

Saturday was a great day. We did just normal stuff in the morning and then went down to Santa Monica. We went to Third Street Promenade and to the pier. We ate at a place called Barney's Beanery and watched some college football. Both my Arizona Wildcats and my Iowa Hawkeyes won. But the best part of the evening is that Rich was taking my picture and Sarah jumped in and wanted to be in it too. Yeah, she's cool like that. Now if I could just get Andrew to do the same life would be complete. She looks so good in pictures, I hope this is a good trend!!

What a happy girl.

Look at THOSE handsome men.

It was a lovely evening and Justin didn't even almost sit on a homeless man. **wink wink Justin**

Sunday was full of our weekly chores. Sarah did her vacuuming and counters. Andrew did his mirrors and room. Justin mopped the floors and cleaned the downstairs bathroom, and Bella cleaned the toilets and dusted. Rich and I did the laundry and our usual stuff, and we all stood around our bed and folded. EVEN Andrew...wow. It was a very long day. BUT we all knew we didn't have to go to school/work the next day so that made it bearable.

Monday was a great day off. We slowly moved through the morning and then went to our friends birthday bash for their son. It was a pool party BBQ and we had a blast.

Here are our two boys. Brandon is a month younger than Andrew but a grade below. Their daughter is a couple of months older than Bella and they but in the same grade. Just as I took this picture Brandon stood on his tippy toes. He is about a half a head shorter than Andrew. The funny thing is that they have been friends since the third grade and we have watched them grow up together sometimes Brandon was taller sometimes Andrew. Either way they both are scrawny bony butt boys that need to eat a little more!!

We love hanging out with these friends and Sarah and Justin fit right in. It was a great evening.

On the way home I get this picture of my Abby sent to my phone via Facebook.

Now if you will excuse me I must go pick up the pieces of my broken heart and get my not so bony butt to bed.

More Later

- A Ro

Friday Fun

2011-09-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

So it's Friday, and since I am very glad and happy that it is Friday, I thought I would just share some fun and wonderful things with you all.

1. I came home to find Andrew helping Sarah with her English homework. This is fun and wonderful for two reasons. 1) Andrew helping Sarah (it was very cute to see him do this) and 2) Andrew being able to help anyone with English (not his best subject)

2. My little neice Sami had her first day of school yesterday and I got this cute picture sent to me.

Now we can't seem to figure out where she gets all that sass from, but needless to say I am pretty sure I know who I am going to leave my tiaras and Diva card too when I leave this earth.

3. This video was taken by one of Andrew's friends from camp. It ended up getting about 60,000 hits and Fox TV station used it. It is very cute and I just love these monkeys.

4. This video was sent to my by one of my administrators. It truly shows how amazing Bobby McFarrin is and really how amazing the brain is when it comes to music and impulses. I really enjoyed watching this demonstration.

Have a wonderful and fun Friday and I hope your weekend shapes up to be a long and enjoyable one.

More Later

- A Ro

Inspiration

2011-08-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

I know that most teachers sorta dread the first days of back-to-school meetings. Most of the time it is just a bunch of housekeeping information and watch watching.

Not me.

I love the first big meeting of the year, for many many reasons. First I love routine and housekeeping items. I love hearing about the new teachers, and about the exciting new programs and plans. I am just that kind of girl I love getting my planner, class lists, and grade book. I love opening my box of ordered school supplies and organizing my supply drawer.

I know...just odd.

Secondly, I truly am a diva and love getting my semi annual hair cut, picking out a cute outfit, and seeing everyone that I have missed over the summer. Catching up with my fellow teachers and getting back into that community of people really excite me.

I also love the idea that this is the first real day of my new year and I love teaching so it is really like I am at the gate ready to go.

Mostly, however, my administrators always pump me up, make me realize that I am the kind of teacher that kids need, and reaffirm all that I do. My assistant headmaster showed us this video this morning. He is a big music supporter and he is constantly reading books about music and composers and listening to as much music as he can get his hands on, and is very in the "know" when it comes to music. (Sometimes I feel nervous talking to him about music because I really am afraid he is going to stump me.) So it really didn't surprise me that he uses a famous conductor and musician to drive a very important point home.

This video really moved me. It combined my love of my subject area, my love of teaching, and really inspired me to do my best everyday.

It is kind of a long video, but really worth it. I hope if you have the time you might watch it and let me know what you think.

My father always taught me that every time you interact with a person you make that person feel better after the encounter than before. It is our responsibility as teachers, and quite frankly parents, to use our power for good and really make a difference in our children's lives.

I am inspired to do great things and really make my students (and kids) eyes shine.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

2011-08-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

After an unofficial week back at work and Sarah's first three day week of school we needed a really nice weekend. And even though it went all too fast, it did turn out pretty nice.

However, man was it hot...phew...it hit the 100's here and I believe it was even a little humid (not to complain too much as my mid-west friends and family truly know what the word humid means)

Bella wins the busiest weekend award. In fact, as I am sitting here, her and Sarah are catching up and I am surprised that she hasn't just dropped. Friday, she went to Magic Mountain with a friend and didn't get back until 9:30. I woke her up Saturday morning to go over to her friend's house and they swam in a lake all day and ended up spending the night. Sunday I picked her up at her friend's house early and her dad took her and Andrew to the beach and to a BBQ.

Wow, is she trying to squeeze in all she can into the last few weeks of summer vaca, or what.

My weekend was full of a little less fun and I lot more laundry and cleaning, but I do remember those days of trying to get the most out of the summer that flew by too quickly. But if anyone wants one last play date give me a call.

I officially start back to work this week and Andrew starts his 2 early AP classes as well, so we are easing back into things.

One wonderful thing I got to do this weekend was getting to go see one of my former students Zach in a show Saturday night. So Rich and I left the boys in charge of fixing corn dogs and lasagna and we went to dinner and saw Zach's show. We even snuck in some frozen yogurt...shhhh.

Sunday - Cleaning, laundry, grilling out, and scene.

Yeah...the usual.

I thought in keeping with the weekend mood I would share some of our pictures from the Iowa State Fair.

You know our state fair is a great state fair...

Yes...I only saw the Deep Fried Twinkies and Deep Fried Oreos, the Deep Fried Butter (no joke) was elsewhere, probably near the defibulator station.

Andrew eating, yes you are seeing correctly, a large cup of chocolate chip cookies. What you don't see is the second cup that he "shared" with Bella. Ah to have the metabolism of a boy.

An entire farm scene made out of cans for the local food bank. I like the piggy, and in the background is the cow.

And no trip to the Iowa State Fair would be complete without a trip to see the butter cow. I love the butter cow.

Just not a fried butter cow.

More later

- A Ro

Happy Birthday Mom

2011-08-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday and as I sit here trying to adequately write a tribute to my amazing Mom I am realizing that my usual silly old acrostic poem post is just not going to do it. First of all do I do Mom, or Nana, or Susan...you see even in the inital planning stages needed for such a post, I am running into problems. So I am going to a plain old "I love you Mom" blog post and hope its good enough.

My Mom is one of the most generous people I know always taking care of everyone and putting everyone elses needs before her own. She loves her Grandchildren more than anything else in the world and they love her too. Her house is always the place they want to be, even my 16 year old couldn't imagine a summer or Christmas not spent at Nana's house.

I am so blessed to have her as a Mom and only wish we lived closer to each other. But now that she is retired and she does love beaches, maybe we will see her a little more on our end.

Oh one other thing...doesn't she look so good...

...even when being upstaged by a little silly Bella.

I love you Mom, and I hope you have a wonderful day. You can open your present now!!

More Later

- A Ro

Friday Fun

2011-08-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to send you all off to a fabulous weekend!! I thought I'd post a couple of pictures that just melt my heart and make me glad to be alive.

Oh my stinkin' heck.

And Rich...could you please hurry home.

More Later

- A Ro

First Days and Car Batteries

2011-08-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Well the big news of the day is that Sarah's first day was a success. And the bigger news is she let me take a picture and didn't give me too much trouble. In fact she asked me if we could take some more. Wow, she needs to have a conversation with Andrew and rub a little of that attitude off onto him.

She met a few new kids, survived P.E.and lunch, AND only had one piece of Science homework.  Wow!! However, she declared that she will never buy lunch there again because the lines are so long. I am perfectly fine making her lunch everyday, I feel that I can give her a healthier lunch option. I hate long lines too, so I don't blame her at all.

After I dropped off Sarah I went to off to work in my classroom, however, the classroom was less than friendly. All of the stuff in the room was piled around my desk as they were cleaning the carpet. So I worked on a few boxes and went off to have lunch with my good friend Adam.

I would say hi to Adam but I hope to heck that he doesn't read this blog because he is such a talented writer and I can't even put a cohererent thought together let alone match my verb tenses, heck I don't even know what that means.

I also got to play with his twin 20 month old boys and his dog Henry.  Oh boy, twins are a fun chaotic crazy-filled bundles of love. Oh.my.goodness how I loved every minute of it.

I ran a few errands before I picked up Sarah.

She wanted a scrapbook for her 8th grade year so I picked her up a journal like scrapbook, some cool gel pens, a glue stick, and of course some M&M's. She was so surprised with her gift and went to work on her cover. She brought home some paper for Bella to decorate for each of her subject's binder and so after dinner the table quickly turned into art central. They had a blast.

They day ended with the kids going to get frozen yogurt while I unsuccesfully went off to jump start my ex's car. Yeah...we couldn't figure out the battery on my car. Boy batteries have changed over the years.

Rich...Rich...are you out there??? Please come home soon.

More Later

- A Ro

Last Days of Summer for Sarah

2011-08-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Before I ease you into my first summer pictures by showing off my Bella's birthday party. I will fill you in on my exciting day. First, I sent off my husband on his first mandated business trip. He never travels but he has to travel this week. Quite frankly it sucks (pardon my language). It wasn't his choice and the timing sucks (again...sorry) as Sarah starts school tomorrow. To top it all off he is headed to Fort Hood in Kilene Texas. If the past shootings and bombings weren't enough to make it a ~~sucky~~ aweful trip it was 109 degrees there today.

Due to the impending end of Sarah's summer we celebrated by standing in line for an hour to get her books, trying numerous times to work her new locker combo, and meeting some very nice school teachers. This is hard for me because usually I am on faculty of my kids schools but this time I was just a plain old parent (step parent). But this public school was very nice and I think she is excited to start. We also did a little last minute shopping and one more visit to the school to make sure we were OK with finding classes and that darned locker. Thankfully all is good and some of the nerves are gone.

I am hoping for a couple of first day pictures to share tomorrow.

So...the following pictures are from my Bella's birthday party. I know, she is so cute!!

We had an art themed party, so I made an artist pallet cake and we had different art stations the girls could go to.

We were so happy that all but two of her friends could come. We were worried that summer vacations would interefere but it was a great turn out.

Of course, her BFF Hannah was there and these two are all silly.

We ended the day with a birthday dinner with our Sabrina at BJ's. It wouldn't be a birthday without a Pizookie.

It was a great day. We are usually are travelling to Iowa for her birthday and spend it either on an airplane or in Iowa. Although family birthdays are really great it is nice to have one with friends every now and then.

But boy this mama was tired after this day, but the smile on her face was worth it all. Not sure Justin (Rich' son) would agree, as he spent the afternoon with 10 silly 11 year olds. He was great though and thankfully he knew how to run a helium tank AND tie the balloons. That is a really great skill to have and I am trying to get him to put it on his resume.

Well that's all for now. Keep your fingers crossed that Sarah will allow some pics tomorrow. You know that I'll try my best!!

More Later

- A Ro

Phew

2011-08-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Well I realize it has been over a month since I have blogged, but there has been a lot going on and it was just best that I keep quiet for some of it.

We have been up the coast of California to pick up Andrew from camp, and to Iowa and back (Rich numerous times). We went to the Iowa State Fair and ALMOST ate a fried twinkie (but not fried butter on a stick, because that would be gross). We celebrated 5 birthdays and 1 anniversary. We worked and played at summer camp and went to Arkansas to visit a certain red head.

More pictures to come from those adventures.

But on of the most important thing that happened to us was that Rich's daughter Sarah decided to come live with us!!!!!

As I stated in my last post Justin is here and he is doing great. He is getting in shape, and looking for a job. Ultimately he wants to join the Air Force or the Coast Guart. Sarah deciding to live with us was such an unexpected blessing, and it took some doing, but due to the ability of her parents to work with each other it finally happened, and she is doing great. It has been a crazy few days with trying to get her registered for school (she starts on Wednesday) and getting all of her stuff in order, but we are there. We are so excited to have her here, and it gives me more reason to get this exciting time in our family's life down on paper (or up on the web).

So my goal is to take as many pictures of these kids for all of our families (Sarah is just going to have to get used to having her beautiful face photographed) and only spend about 30 minutes a night on this blog. If you want to read along and enjoy the crazy new adventures of all 6 of us here in CA come visit and leave a comment or two.

I promise I won't use as many parenthesis as I did tonight.

More Later
- A Ro

Happy Birthday Tyler!!!

2011-07-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the birthday of my oldest nephew Tyler. His Aunt Amy has come up with a very bad acrostic poem just for him (don't worry Ty your real present is in the mail).

I love you and can't wait to see you soon. I hope you had a wonderful day.

T - Y Ty is a very cool guy

Y ou can see he loves everyone even this small fry

L ucky for him inherited a really great smile.

E ight years old (right??) is just his style.

R eally just a perfect kid, that T-Y Ty.

Happy Birthday Big Bud!!

More Later

- A Ro

Please Tell Me I'm Not the Only One

2011-07-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Now if you have been reading my blog and paying attention you would know that I don't really watch a lot of T.V. The only show I watch religiously is Chuck and the only show that I Tivo is Modern Family. I just don't have the consistent time to watch a series T.V. show.

However, since it is summer and I find myself with a little more time I now have a couple of shows that I have watched a little more religiously...and I am ashamed to say that they are sorta guilty pleasure shows.

The first one is Bridzilla and man does this show make me crazy!! I used to think that the show was about normal people who turn a liitle crazy when they are planning a wedding, but now I am pretty sure most of those brides swallowed the crazy pill WAY before they got engaged. This one episode had this bride yelling and putting guilty trips on EVERYONE. Her parents, sisters, best friends, and her future husband to be. Her husband went out in the pouring rain to go get her some lunch and had the audacity to come back without her tea. Well you know where this one is going. She yelled at him and said that if he loved her he would go back to get her her tea. He wouldn't budge and went upstairs to get away from her. She yelled up that she wouldn't marry him unless he went back to get the tea...and sure enough 10 minutes later you hear him coming down the stairs and the door open and shut.

He went and got that dumb woman her tea!!

Now what lesson did this immature brat learn?? That all she has to do is threaten and manipulation and she will get what she wants.

So here is my advice. If someone who is supposed to love you says they won't marry you if you don't go back out in the rain and get her tea. You tell her...OK. Because one of two things will happen a) they will go through with their threat and you won't have to marry the cukoo bird or b) she will learn that you can't do that to the one you love. See win-win. But no so many of these "loved ones" give in to her and she just continues her messed up ways.

I will now coin the term the Bridzilla tactic to refer to someone using bullying and manipulation to get what they want. You can use it to if you want.

The other show I have started watching in the morning as I get ready for camp is Tabitha's Salon Makeover. I wish I had ONE of the cahones this chick obviously has. She does not take any crap from anyone. She tells it like it is and looks really good in a pixie haircut. She is my kind of girl. However, those people on that show are also a taco short of a combo platter. Seriously, you need to stop being a doormat and let people know that you are the boss.

If all it took was wearing all black, platinum hair, and a thick accent I would so do it.

OK I am glad summer is only a couple of months long as my mind would certainly turn to mush otherwise.

Do you have guilty pleasure shows?

Please say yes.

More Later

- A Ro

The Hodgepodge...and I'm Not Lyin'

2011-07-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am joining up this week with Joyce over at This Side of the Pond for her weekly Hodgepodge. Head on over answer the questions on your blog and link up.

1. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid? What has changed most about the neighborhood you grew up in?

Oh my gosh has it changed. We used to walk a dirt path to and from school and now that dirt path is a major road through town. The area behind my elementary school was just a big field and now our town had doubled that way. It is crazy when I go back and am in the new section I get so turned around that I don't know where I am.

2. What song makes you laugh?

Any song that my husband tries to sing to me...ha!! He is really a brave man. His wife is a professionally trained opera singer and yet he has the guts to sing to me often. I love it!! And to answer your burning question...no he can't really sing. But I don't care sing away honey. I know that was sort of avoiding the question but the only song that comes to mind is a song that is called "Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goal Posts of Life"

3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world?

Love Harry Potter. Read all the books. Saw all the movies, except for the last one which I need to see before I see the current one (obviously). I didn't see it because I couldn't find anyone to go with...sad I know.

4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever?

That is a tough question. I believe that some little white lies are just necessary. If we told nothing but the truth all the time we would end up offending lots of people. I always tell my kids that you might not like everyone you meet, but you need to keep those opinions inside your head and always be respectful. We really don't want everyone to tell us our butts look big in these jeans now do we.

5. What is your favorite 'sauteed in garlic and butter' food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better.

Shrimp Scampi...Woh Nelly.

6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread?

Nah...just the normal family visits. I went to my 10 year high school reunion and really didn't really socialize with anyone that I didn't already hang out with. I would love to go to one now but they seem to always fall on the weekend before I have to start teaching again.

7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony...pick one.

I was just talking about lilac's with one of my friends. I don't see them here in CA but we had a line of bushes in my backyard in Iowa growing up and I just loved those purple flowers and that smell. It always brings me back to that time and place.

8. In Summary: I would love to go to a high school reunion however, I might not be able to get you around my town anymore, (and as long as Rich is singing to me in the car I would drive around all day) but let me smell those lilacs and I can close my eyes and be right back on my backyard porch...and that's no lie.

More Later

- A Ro

Simple Things

2011-07-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

A simple haircut made this beautiful young girl so happy.

She looks good and only gave me a little trouble in taking this picture.

At least she didn't talk the nice hairdresser into putting in the purple extensions she was eyeing...

Gotta love it.

More Later

- A Ro

The Weekend in a Nutshell

2011-07-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

First of all I must thank the weather people for making it an absolutely might-be-worth-the-property-taxes weather we had this weekend. It was in the mid to upper 70's with a cool breeze...ahhhhh. I sit here now with my sliding glass door open and a cool breeze blowing in. It is truly perfection.

OK so I need to back up a little before I get to this weekend's festivities. Rich's kids are here with us. Sarah is leaving on Thursday and she is not happy about it. Justin is going to be with us for the forseeable future trying to get in shape to join the Air Force. He is doing such an amazing job and I am so proud of how hard he is working. I don't think I have ever seen him so happy and starting to be at peace. Sarah really wants to stay and go to school out here as she feels she has been taken away from her dad for so many years that she just aches for a real relationship with him, more than the few weeks here and there. She does so good out here. She is eating healthy and getting a lot of exercise and has had only two headaches. We are so happy to have her here and would love to have her back. I know it would do everybody some good.

My kidlets are in New York with their dad having an amazing time.

They got to go to a Yankee game. Something they have done since they were little. They are huge Yankee fans. They went with their Dad and their Grandpa. What a cool day....but it got even better.

Bella got a ball at batting practice...

...and they got to see Derek Jeter get his 3,000th hit. Wow. He just so happened to go on the disabled list, the game the night before theirs got rained out, so they got the winning ticket and got to see history. What an amazing thing for them. Andrew and John took some video of the homerun and I'll try to figure out how to upload the darn thing, it is pretty amazing.

So while my kids are off seeing history Sarah and I were off to California Adventure with camp. It really was a very nice time and we had fun.

I adore this very silly Sarah

Saturday was Rich's birthday so we went down to the L.A. Farmer's Market and walked around and had dinner at his favorite restaurant...Maggianos. Again, it was such a gorgeous evening and we really enjoyed each other's company and had such a good time.

Darn good-lookin' people if you ask me!!

Sunday was our normal get stuff done day. Sarah vacuumed the upstairs and Justin did the bathrooms a true family event. We went to the market and grilled out. I love Sunday's.

I also got these bad boys in my inbox and wow did they make my day...thanks Michelle.

Be still my ever loving heart. I think I might need serious help, if I dont' see these people very soon. I'll be there in August but I'm thinking that might just not be soon enough.
Well a very important UNO game is about to start. Last night Rich beat all of us by about 100 points. It is no longer his birthday so it is no mercy tonight.

Wish me luck!!

More Later

- A Ro

Happy Birthday Rich

2011-07-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

Today, 43 years ago,the love of my life was born.

I am so thankful for that event.

Because that day led to this day.

Which in turn led to this day. The most wonderful day of my life.

I love you more than I could ever express.

Happy Birthday.

More Later

Amy

Happy Birthday Greg!!

2011-06-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Yet another really bad acrostic poem to attempt to wish my fabulous brother a happy birthday.

Greg, my brother is a real GQ kind of guy.

a Real family man, that's no lie

He Especially loves to be a goofball.

and Getting his son to love baseball.

Or chillin' on a bench with one so small.

Really all his life he has loved the bears.

but You'll notice, now he does it with a lot less hair.

I love you Greg, Happy Birthday!!!

More Later

- A Ro

I Like to Go Bowling With My Friend Bert

2011-06-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

So I really loved the movie Grease and of course the Broadway musical. In fact we are doing Grease this spring as our high school musical and I am very excited about it. I, however, also really enjoyed the movie Grease 2. Now I know that it can be a lot corny and cheesy but it is the kind of movie that is craptastic. Craptastic is a word that was coined by my student Zach and it is used to describe something that is so crappy that it is fantastic. Now before you go and judge me for my lack of taste you will have to admit that some of the songs from Grease 2 are very catchy and I can sing a number of them right now and I haven't seen the movie in over a decade. Plus the British guy (Sandy's cousin) was very hunky to me as a 13 year old in that he-has-a-cool-accent-and-is-a-really-nice-guy sort of way.

I realize that was a very long set up for the fact that the Bowling Song from Grease 2 was stuck in my head all day to day because today at camp we went BOWLING!!

Now if you took the time to watch that 3 minute video you would HAVE to agree with me that it is a craptastic song. Other craptastic songs from Grease 2 that you might want to go have a peek at are Cool Rider, Reproduction, and Back to School. Classics.

Now let me tell you bowling was the perfect way to spend a 98 degree day. I sat indoors with my Diet Coke ALL ding dong day. Perfect.

My C.I.T.'s (Counselors In Training) got to go to the bowling alley first so they could bowl and eat lunch as a group. Now when I say MY C.I.T.'s that means that I am in charge of that group of about thirty one 11-15 year olds. I love this age group and I have a lot of fun with them. It is really a great way to spend the summer. Sarah and Andrew are C.I.T.'s and next year my Bella will be able to be one of them too.

So after we bowled we set up all the lanes and got all the shoes so the rest of the camp didn't have to mess with all that stuff when they got there. They also formed a tunnel for the rest of the camp to enter the bowling alley from the busses.

I got to snap a pic of my Bella and her BFF Hannah.

I have to admit that bowling at camp also reminds me of another song very near and dear to my music teacher heart.

It really brings me back.

More Later

- A Ro

The One Where I Complain About the Heat

2011-06-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well, for the first day of summer California sure didn't go easy on us all. It was 100 degrees here in sunny Cali. That makes for a very hot summer camp. We were a bakin'. The funny thing is that when I ran this morning it was really foggy and about 50 degrees.

I really like to complain about the weather. Too hot...too cold...too rainy...not rainy enough...I know that I live in a place where the weather is near perfect all the time.

At least I realize the errors in my complaining ways.

We had puppy petting on campus today and man were they cute. Andrew took my camera and took some pictures.

Yeah these are just a few of the 10 or just like them...note to self give him a few more guidelines when giving him my camera for the day.

We ended our wonderful, but hot day, celebrating Sarah's birthday at our favorite Red's BBQ with a nice cool Sundae.

What a great smile, and a beautiful girl.

More Later

- A Ro

The Post that Includes a Bunch of Nonsense

2011-06-20T19:31:00.000-07:00

As I write this I have just finished my first day of Summer Camp, manicotti is in the oven, and my house is full. All of this makes me very very happy.

This past weekend was very easy going and I enjoyed it very much.

I really like easy going.

At the moment I cannot for the life of me remember what we did on Friday night...like I said easy going.

My kids were with their dad on Saturday night so Rich and I had dinner and went to see the movie Bridesmaids. I like Kristin Wigg, and the previews looked very funny. I thought there were very funny moments of this movie and there were moments that embarrassed the heck out of me. I can't really explain why I was embarrassed, as I was sitting with Rich, the one person on this earth that I am most comfortable with, yet there were scenes I wished no one was watching with me. So there...watch at your own risk.

I really wanted to go see Super 8, which is the movie that Rich wanted to see. When I say that it was the movie I "wanted" to see I mean I really wanted to be ABLE to see it, but I know myself all too well. I know that since it doesn't have Chevy Chase and doesn't involve people falling down and probably includes people meeting their demise at the hand of a big ugly creature that I probably couldn't handle it. I almost did it anyway, but at the last minute begged for Rich's forgivness and picked Bridesmaids.

Sunday was Father's Day and we were busy preparing for the arrival of Rich's kids. Now they are really easy going kids and we really didn't need to do TOO much preparing. But there were sheets to wash, a few drawers to clean out and a few birthday presents to shop for, so I didn't do my usual post, but I do want to say that, once again, I thought a great deal about the dads in my life.

The one who loved me when I was younger. He was an amazing dad, and I miss him terribly.

And the one who loves me now. He also is an amazing dad (and step dad), and we are lucky to have him in my life.

Well, the manicotti is done and everyone is home so we are going to sit down and have a relaxing dinner and enjoy being all together.

Ahhh...

More Later

- A Ro

Grillin' Up the Hodgepodge

2011-06-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

It is time once again for the weekly Hodgepodge. Click on the button above and head on over to Joyce's blog and link up your answers. Here is a peek into my brain.

1. What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a bucket list let's pretend you do.
I want to go to Italy. There are so many things I studied when I did my master's degree that centered around Italy. I need to go to Italy.

2. What makes a good dad?
Being a good dad takes patience, kindness, understanding, and most of all a willingness to be a good dad. Wanting to be a good dad enough to figure out how, and go do it is really all it takes.

3. Are you afraid of insects? Which ones?
Yes. Yes. and Yes. I can handle ladybugs...maybe. Now I don't scream and run from MOST insects, but I really don't like to be near them.

At all.

4. We're barbecuing...what's on the grill at your house?
Chicken, rib eye steaks, or tri tip. I love to grill...er...I love it when Rich grills!!

5. Do you believe that playing is more important than winning?
I believe that playing is more important than winning unless I am playing or my kids are...ha ha. It is a good theory to believe in but hard to implement.

6. Do you tan? Use self tanners? Visit tanning salons? See your dermatologist at least once a year?
I do not tan, use self tanners or visit tanning salons. I am Swedish so I am either white or red, no brown. I really am not that into being tan, but I don't see a dermatologist just my PCP...something to think about.

7. Five years ago I would never imagine that today I would_______________.
Be happily married to my high school sweetheart. A lot can happen in five years.

8. In Summary: Voglio andare in Italia...un sacco. (I want to go to Italy...a lot) I love to eat BBQ but don't challenge me to a BBQ cooking contest because even though I think playing is better than winning I'll cheer Rich on with all I have. Thankfully, I am married to my high school sweetheart who just happens to be a great dad!!

More Later

- A Ro

Happy Birthday Kate

2011-06-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my wonderful sister Kate's birthday. Enjoy my very bad acrostic poem in her honor.

Katy was once her name, a long long time ago.

Andrew called her Aunt Cake but she didn't mind, you know.

They know her as Aunt Kate, and boy is she larger than life.

and He gets to boast and brag that she is his lovely wife.

Red calls her mama, and she just loves her so.

Yep, getting to call her sister is a very special thing.

No matter what she is to you, Kate's a true blessing.

I love you Kate. Happy Birthday!!

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 24

2011-06-12T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well our summer is officially here. Last week was our last week of school. I have a couple of meetings on Monday but only a half day!!

Here is a peek at my week. Head on over to Sara's blog and check out all the other participants weeks. Go on...it will be fun!

Sunday June 5:

Bella's Beads

Bella went to a beading birthday party today. She made a baseball necklace. She is so lucky to have such good friends who have such cool birthday parties.

Monday June 6:

Sandy the Squirrel

This morning I heard a commotion outside on my balcony. I see this french roll fall from the sky and land on my balcony. Suddenly a squirrel jumps on top of it and carries it into my planter and starts to eat it. This picture is taken through my window so it is a little cloudy, but that squirrel is lovin' that loaf.

Tuesday June 7:

Last Day of School

It is my "little" girl's last day of Elementary School. She will be a big Sixth Grader. Yikes. It seems like only yesterday...yeah you guys know the drill.

Wednesday June 8:

Baseball Banquet

Sorry it is so small...I left my camera at home and had to snap this with my phone. Andrew's coach said a lot of nice things about him and it was a very nice party.

Thursday June 9:

Talent Abounds

Today was our High School talent show and, WOW, was it good. Here are two of my seniors Thomas and Isabel singing together. It was such a touching moment. I love these guys.

Friday June 10:

Middle School Shoes?

Here are one of the many crazy high heeled shoes at this year's Middle School graduation. She didn't fall, thank goodness. It was a nice ceremony and my kids performed so great. I was very proud.

Saturday June 11:

S'mores with Nana

My mom came to visit on Wednesday and we are having such a great time. After a busy morning with High School graduation we came home and had a great relaxing time by the fire. And yes she knows that her granddaughter is a little kooky, and loves her for it.

In Summary: This week was kind of busy, but it was the good kind of busy. Showing off talented kids and starting new beginnings. And I apologize that my only picture of Andrew is one that you need a magnifying glass, but I am fearing that might be all I get for awhile. Bring on summer!!!

More Later

- A Ro

Fun in the Sun and the Hodgepodge

2011-06-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

It is time once again to pick my brain and see what makes me tick.

Good luck with that.
1. Do you and your family enjoy camping? What do you enjoy most/like the least when it comes to family camping? When was the last time you camped?
My current family and I have never been camping. My ex husband hated it so that was 13 years I didn't camp. My family when I was younger didn't do much camping. Some things I think I would love about camping...I mean I love the outdoors, I love campfires, and roasting marshmallows, and I love the thought of spending some quality time with my family. So I think I would like it. However, I hate bugs, and I need things uber organized so I am fearful that camping might be too much for this self diagnosed OCD. Rich REALLY wants to go camping and if there is anyone I would venture forth with the idea it is him, so I'll keep you updated.

2. Did you attend a summer camp when you were a kid? Is that a happy or not so happy memory?

I attended summer vocal music camps and I use the word camp loosely...keep in mind it was for divas in training so a lot of campy not a lot of camping. LOVED IT!!! Maybe I need to rethink my answer to number 1...

3. Over the course of your life, what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else?

Wow...I think I need to come back to this one.

OK, I'm back. I think sadly the thing I have pondered most of my life is...am I on the right path? Instead of just enjoying the path that I have chosen. It brings me back to my favorite quote "Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It's just the way it is. The way you look at it is what makes the difference"

yeah, now you tell me.

4. Which of the seven natural wonders of the world would you most like to see? There are many lists of 'wonders' but this is the standard natural wonder list-Mount Everest, The Great Barrier Reef, The Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, The Harbor of Rio de Janerio, Paricutan Volcano and The Northern Lights.

I have seen only one...The Grand Canyon.

Clearly I need to get out more

I think the one I would most like to see are The Northern Lights. That absolutely fascinates me. I think it would be the ultimate thunder storm. If any of the 5.5 people who read this have seen them...please do tell!!

5. What was your first real job?

Well I, of course, babysat and I taught beginning piano all through high school. My jobs at college were working at the music library. I had great jobs. No waiting tables, or flipping burgers.

6. Lemonade or Sweet tea...which do you prefer on a hot summer day?

I, acutally, prefer non sweet tea. However, I just found out (as I was steeping my first jug of sun tea of the "summer") that you aren't supposed to do sun tea...bacteria...growing...make you sick...yada yada yada.

7. What is something that always brings a smile to your face?

Kids in general make me smile. Old kids, young kids, middle kids. They just make me happy.

8. In Summary: In my life right now I am going to enjoy the path...camping, kids, and a tall glass of iced tea...just not sun tea.

More Later

- A Ro

What Happened??

2011-06-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

No seriously, what happened?? How is it that this is the last day for my girl to be in elementary school??

It seemed like only yesterday that this little Kindergartener cut her hair so that she could put it on her self portrait...

...wore the wrong tie on the first day of school because her mama didn't know any better, but still looked cute in her little knee socks and Mary Janes...

...and was the most adorable Little Engine that Could in her Kindergarten play.

However, now she has grown into such an amazing girl. She is smart, articulate, tenatious, and a friend to everyone. I am so proud of her accomplishments and her work ethic and can't wait to see what Middle School has in store for her.

I can promise you it will be great!!

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

2011-06-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

So Monday is here and it is the last week of school!!! Even though I absolutely LOVE my job I am so stick-a-fork-in-me done that I can hardly take it. This week consists of proctoring finals, graduation rehearsals, and graduations. I haven't had any rehearsals since last week and I really have a hard time coming to work knowing that I am not going to get any student time, only housekeeping work.

This weekend was really great. Nothing too special but nice and relaxing especially after last weekend when we were travelling up until the point I had to get up for work. Yeah...I needed this weekend.

Friday we hung out at home, and I made a grocery list that I actually took to the store on Saturday. I checked things off as I bought them and only forgot a couple of things, frozen yogurt for a promised strawberry pineapple smoothie, and doggie treats. This meant another trip to the market. During the first trip to Trader Joe's they were sampling this Lentil Salad that Bella tried, yes I know my 10 year old has no food fear whatsoever. She loved it and begged me to get it and make it at home. So I did and it was quite tasty.

The recipe is:

1 bag Trader Joe's steamed lentils
1 bag Trader Joe's chopped onions
1/2 bottle Trader Joe's Italian Vinaigrette
1 chopped tomato (we hate tomatoes so I used 1 red pepper)
1 block Trader Joe's smoked mozzarella chopped up

Combine and let sit in refrigerator.

Super easy if you have a Trader Joe's in your neck of the woods...if you don't, well I feel sorry for you. No, I really do. I love Trader Joe's.

So the second time we went to Trader Joe's (dog treats and frozen yogurt) they were sampling Trader Joe's mushroom ravioli in a truffle sauce and again Bella (the fearless food kid of mine) sampled it and LOVED it so we bought a bag for her to have for lunch. It is so nice to have a girl that really eats anything, and she loves things that are good for her. Wow, now Andrew on the other hand...mac and cheese bites and beef-a-roni are his favorite meals. Yikes.

We also found out that the little coffee shop next to Trader Joe's is no longer. I am very sad. I had made a pact to try to frequent that coffee shop because a) their coffee is really good and b) they are a small business and need support. I really did try to give up Starbucks but to no avail. I mean c'mon how can you expect me to give up overpriced, mega corporate, bad coffee...I am not a saint mind you.

Saturday also included a trip to Target. We needed to buy a birthday gift, dog toe nail clippers (because I think when I can safely paint Maggie's nails without too much mess it is time to trim them), a sun tea jar, and a replacement 4 cup Pyrex glass measuring cup because I smashed my original one into a bajillion pieces when it fell out of the cupboard while trying to get out my mixer...sigh. We left with a sun tea jar and birthday gift and forgot all about the dog toe nail clippers (and they didn't have my measuring cup), this is where, again, a list might be handy.

I think I was distracted by the Starbucks in the Target even though I have sworn off in store Starbucks because usually their drinks are really bad, I mean more really bad than the regular Starbucks. This one didn't disappoint. My drink was bitter and the milk tasted sour...gotta love consistency.

We also stopped by an ATM to deposit some checks which turned into an hour long phone call with Bank of America because the ATM decided to take my checks and shut down shortly after. Thankfully it returned my card, but didn't register the deposit. This was only after a 2 hour long phone conversation with Bank of America AND Discover Card on Friday because...well I accidentally paid Discover Card twice.

That is a bigger problem in that I pay that balance off each month, and we try to make all our purchases with our Discover card because we get good cash back...so it was a pretty large amount of snafu. You see in anticipation of our trip last week I set up an auto bill pay with my bank and then Monday evening paid it on line from my phone sitting at the airport because I panicked that it was due...so you see me being smarter than I remember actually got me into trouble. So the internet payment was "processing" which means it is in limbo essentially Discover card couldn't stop it and the Bank couldn't stop it because neither entity had my actual money, which isn't actual money anyway if you think about it. Yeah...still fighting that one. Hopefully it will all be resolved today or I'm going to "process" some guy in India (na). Guess which customer service rep was the most helpful: the one in "Atlanta"? the one was in "New Jersey"? or the one who was in "Utah"? Yep the nice guy from Utah was the nicest and most helpful. I am not going there, but he was.

On Sunday Rich and I witnessed a melt down by a three year old because his Mom took him out of his stroller. I remember my kids turning into a super strength stiff boards when trying to get them INTO the stroller. How I wish now I could be pushed around all day long...I also can't believe I ever fought my parents when it was time to go to bed.

silly silly silly me.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 23

2011-06-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

Oh, My Gosh!! Oh, My Gosh!! A-Ro is posting a week in pictures!! I know it has been awhile, but it is about time gol-darn-it.

It was a very good week and it is a week that is leading up to the last week of school...phew.

Head on over to Sara's and look at everyone else's week. I guarantee you they are a little more consistent than me...but hey, everyone can't be perfect.

Enjoy mine!!

Sunday May 29:

A Proud Day

Rich's son graduated from high school today. He graduated from the same high school Rich and I graduated from so it was really neat to attend this graduation. Rich was very proud and emotional today. I was honored to be there too.

Monday May 30:

Cute Couple

Sarah took this picture as we were saying goodbye. We had a great visit.

Tuesday May 31:

Maggie's Going Home

We picked up Maggie from the kennel tonight, she gets so excited when in the car. We missed her.

Wednesday June 1:

Congratulations Nana!!

My Mom had her retirement party today. She is retiring from the Des Moines Public School system. She is a music teacher. Everyone (except for us...sigh) went to her party. Thanks Mom for being such a great role model for me and all your students, we are very lucky!! Thanks Stacia for posting this picture, next time remind Greg that he shouldn't look at the kids, but at the camera. Ha Ha.

Thursday June 2:

Face Painting in Choir?

It was our last day of Middle School Chorus so we had a fun class. Camden brought his face painting stuff and painted some faces. I just love these kids.

Friday June 3:

My Little Soloist

Today was Bella's final assembly. The fifth graders were honored and she got a little duet part in their song We Are the World. Needless to say I was SO proud.

Saturday June 4:

Trader Joe's Recipe

Disregard the fact that Blogger kept trying to "fix" the orientation of my picture...This is Lentil Salad. Trader Joe's sampled this today while we were there and it was tasty (and easy), so we made it. I'll post the recipe in tomorrow's weekend highlight reel.

In Summary: I had a very special week full of witnessed milestones and non-witnessed milestones. We got some normal family time with both families and are headed into the final week of school full speed. Check back for some more!!

More Later

- A Ro

Lets Back Up a Bit

2011-06-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

If chorus kids are anything, they are social. Sometimes that drives me bonkers, but I know the type...I am one. So this year they decided that they wanted to have a choir banquet to celebrate the end of the year. So the evening before I left on a 6:00 am flight to Iowa we had our banquet...great planning huh?

Bella and I decorated the tables on our stage, and the food was BBQ and yummy deserts and Dina-Mac!! Kaley and Allie brought 5 pounds of macaroni and cheese and no one left hungry.

I love these guys...

...and these guys...

...and these guys.

We did paper plate awards, where the kids give out silly awards to each other. Emceed by Allie and Nicole two seniors who just crack me up.

I gave out The Piggies which included Chorus MVP, The chorus unsung hero, and The chorus teacher pet, among others. I also gave out my best attendance award (which was written on the cover of my actual attendance book), the honorary choir member award, and the longevity award. Each choir member got their yearly choir pin and I had a few teary notes for my 15 seniors.

Then we sang.

Karaoke style.

There was a line.

If chorus kids are anything, they are divas.

Even the shy ones.

My favorite kind of kids.

More Later

- A Ro

I Need a Vacation From My Vacation

2011-06-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Not too sure how it was decided that coming back from our trip to Iowa last weekend on a flight that got into LAX at midnight when both of us had to work the next day (that day) was a good idea. I am hoping that when the tickets were purchased we really didn't have a choice to come back at that time. I hope it wasn't that we thought that we were young and hip enough to not need a full 7 hours of sleep before going to work and that taking a almost red-eye would be fun.

yeah...not fun.

It is now Wednesday morning and I am still trying to get my body to function. It might also have something to do with the fact that I stayed at my Mom's who is a VERY good cook and baker, didn't get up to run once, and drank two beers while I was home.

I know...wild and crazy. My body clearly isn't used to all the chaos.

It is really hard to take a vacation these days. We have so much "routine" to try to deal with when one wants to escape for a few days. There is the dog, the mail, the laundry, and not to mention getting people to help you out at work. I thrive on guilt so I was especially worried that not matter how much I prepare for my being away from school for - two whole days - that someone might need something and I won't be able to help them.

Now add on to that the fact that my kidlets didn't come and stayed with their Dad for five days, two of them being school days. This means that I had to TRY to think of everything they might need between now and then. School uniforms, baseball gear, lunch money or tickets, assembly dress, not to mention that Bella was under the weather when I left.

ahhh...the guilt.

Now mind you they did just fine, I took Bella to the doctor the day before I left and it was just a virus, however, the pink eye came when I was away. Thankfully their Dad figured it out and took her to urgent care and the drops were administered soon enough so that no more school was missed. Phew.

The trip to Iowa was such a great time. Rich spent a lot of time with his kids, I got to kiss on my neice and nephews, and spend some time with my Mom, and of course my brothers and their wives...we just had a great time.

Rich's son graduated from the high school Rich and I graduated from so it was really nice to go to that graduation and hear the choir I sang in sing the same song we sang at graduation. Some traditions are really cool.

I will have some pictures to follow, but now I need to figure out how to lift the bags under my eyes and try to function.

It isn't pretty.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

2011-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Well my school year is slowly wrapping up and things are getting checked off one by one. The only performances I have left are a lunchtime concert with my Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, Middle School Graduation, and Upper School Graduation.

So this weekend was a normal and not so busy. Thank goodness...I needed some not so busy.

Friday started out as a normal day until we got an email from our principal who told us about one of our parents, Jon Krawczyk, who was going to be at school showing us a sculpture he was commissioned to create that will be placed outside of St. Peter's church in New York City next to ground zero. It is made out of some fragments of the rubble from the world trade center. He is making several stops on the way to New York and we were one of the first. He told us that the shiny surface of the cross is to reflect all the faces that look at it, so as you look at it you will see yourself as part of the tragedy and the healing of that day.

Some of our students are place notes into the cross. If you want more information here is an article about the cross.http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2011/05/19/malibu_life/art1.txt It truly was a sight to see.

This year I was a mentor teacher to our film teacher and Friday night was his big film symposium and premiere of the Film IV's film. We were all excited to go and we went to our favorite sushi place before hand. The night was a success and I got to see many of my old students, and many of my students were involved with the movie too. It was a wonderful evening.

As we were driving home we were stopped at a stoplight. Our windows were rolled up but Bella noticed the the car just to our right, but slightly ahead of us had her window down and she was smoking. Now Bella hates it when people smoke so she said to me "Mom that woman should really stop her smoking"...well just as she said that the woman looked right at her and gave her a look. My girl was mortified. It cracked me up.

Saturday was the usual. Cleaning going to the market. I also got my hair cut and Bella got to swim in a lake. She was not sure she wanted to, because she is just like me and the thought of slimy water and slimy living things swimming with you just doesn't appeal to us.

Until she did.

I guess the difference between us is obvious...she is brave, I am not.

She did enjoy it. I still would not.

Sunday was a really cool day as the Amgen Tour of California was in our town, not just in our town but right in front of our street. We all went outside with our lawn chairs and watched the bicyclers. It was SO cool. Even Andrew was impressed, and you know something is cool when the teenager in the group is impressed.

I shot a video of them riding by us with my phone...It was an amazing 14 seconds.

Andrew told me that it would be cool if he could do that.

I guess he is braver than his old mom too.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 21

2011-05-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

I am joining Sara this week for Project 365.

This week was a busy week, but I got to watch and celebrate my talented kids!!

Take a look:

Sunday May 15:

My Cellist

Andrew had his big Gala Youth Orchestra concert today. I love watching him play an instrument that he says he really doesn't like to play. Let me just say...he fools me.

Monday May 16:

My New Friend

My colleague and friend Kim had her Middle School Jazz on the Terrace concert tonight. She asked me if I would sit with her little boy Josh. He was so cute and loved just being one of the kids. We made him a badge, like we all have to wear. He was so good.

Tuesday May 17:

A Love Note

I found this note on my desk at school. It took me a little while to find it because it was all folded up. My girl is just the sweetest thing.

Wednesday May 18:

Pajama Volleyball

Here is a picture of my girl's volleyball assembly, it also was pajama day. She was praised for her go getter attitude, and her fun spirit. Yep...that's my girl.

Thursday May 19:

Baseball...Again

We made it to the playoffs and had our first game tonight...which we won. I kept the book, which I am really enjoying. It was a close game with many errors on both teams part. We get to go again on Tuesday.

Friday May 20:

An Amazing Sculpture

Today at our school one of our parents brought this sculpture to show us. He was commissioned to build this cross to be hung at St. Peter's church in New York City and it was made entirely out of steel girders of the fallen World Trade Center. It was an amazing story and piece of art. Our students got to write notes and drop them into the cross. He told us that the shiny-ness was a way to reflect all the faces that look at it and to really show that this tragedy was about all of us. I was very humbled at that moment.

Saturday May 21:

Swimming??

Bella went to her friend Marcella's house today and she lives on a little lake. Bella wasn't sure if she would get in or not, but Marcella's mom sent me this picture and told me that she got in. She said it wasn't as cold as she originally thought. She is such a brave girl!!

In Summary: I was shown lots of love this week. Love that comes from my kids. Love that comes from good friends. Love of an instrument that might not be admitted. Love of playing hard and winning. And even love from tragedy. It was a very good week.

More Later

- A Ro

Some Facts

2011-05-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

Fact: I have been missing in action from the blog world.

Fact: I am missing the blog world.

Fact: I am not a writer.

Fact: I am just a sort of funny, daughter, mother, wife, and sister who wishes to put her life into print.

Fact: I sometimes don't blog because I feel that my mundane life isn't very funny.

Fact: I sometimes wish I was as witty and as good of a writer as some of the blogs I read.

Fact: I am not.

Fact: I am going to try to put my blog into perspective and just do it for me and my far away family so I can share my far away life with them. If others want to read too great.

Just keep your expectations in check.

More Later

- A Ro

Star Wars Day

2011-05-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

It is Star Wars day because it is May the fourth as in May the fourth be with you...get it...get it...

I realize that you won't be reading this until May the fifth and heavy into your Cinco de Mayo celebrations, but just tuck it away until next year...or forget about it like it did until this moment late in the day.

Here at the A Ro ranch things have been trucking along. However, I seriously need to paint my toenails, because it has been in the upper 80's lower 90's and my sandals have made an apperance out of necessity. I HATE feet so really don't get pedicures, in fact the thought of getting one makes my skin crawl and I am fairly certain if I ever got one I would end up face down in that germ laden foot pool that you soak your feet in because I would totally pass out. So my toes never look as good as the rest of the ladies in CA, but I really do the best I can.

I have been gearing up for the last month of school festivites which includes a concerts, assembly performances, singing at graduation for both High School and Middle School, and a choir banquet. I am feeling overwhelmed by a lot of this but am trying to get ahead of the large boulder rolling towards me so hopefully I will make it to the end unscathed. I get a small break at the end of May to go to Iowa, but then it is hard and fast until the end...phew.

Andrew has been driving a lot lately. He is fearless and just wants to drive as much as possible. Not to make this post turn into things I hate, but I really hate driving. So I love the fact that I am not driving but talk about jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. He really is a good driver, but man does it make me nervous when he is behind the wheel. Keep in mind that we live in Los Angeles and the freeways, and drivers for that matter, are less than tame. Ahhh...how I long for the days of the 2 am feeding and reruns of Taxi.

Seriously folks...May the fourth be with ME!!

More Later

- A Ro

Hodgepodge Has A Thinking Cap On

2011-05-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

I really had to put on my thinking cap for this week's hodgepodge...that's OK my thinking cap fits just fine and is quite comfy...

Enjoy

1. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Do you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?
Honestly, I don't like lounging around in bed and eating in bed seems wrong to me as well. The bed serves its purpose and then you get up. Now I wouldn't mind a breakfast served to me at the table in the kitchen, and my favorite would be pancakes with real maple syrup. I also love cooking breakfast so I might enjoy that too.

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?
Wow. My advice really should be...ignore all advice. But really I would tell her that if you don't like a particular phase of child rearing don't worry another one will be on it's way shortly. In other words this too shall pass.
3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain.
I really can't think of a particular time when I wanted to scream, but in general I really cannot stand arrogance and people not admitting when they are wrong. I like to call it...crazy making. They will go to any legnth to be right even if that means making you think that you are crazy.

4. Can you hula hoop?
Briefly.

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?
My kids and my husband would say that my answer to this one should be...everything. I would say that isn'a all that true...rude and selfish behavior behind the wheel drives me nuts.

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong?
Ha Ha...see question #3
Here is the deal. If you truly feel that you are right and don't admit you are wrong then I think you are strong. If you know that you are wrong and don't admit you are wrong then I think you are weak. It takes a strong person to know they are wrong and admit it. You have to be willing to not be perfect.

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'?
The very first thing that came to my mind would be rollercoasters and board games. If I had to pick one I would say sitting around with my big extended family and playing board games. I am totally my father's daughter.

8. In Summary: Wow I feel like my 41 year old wisdom really got a workout this hodgepodge. I am certainly not a perfect mother, driver, human being, or hula hooper, but I certainly keep trying to improve. I am very forgiving when someone is strong enough to admit he or she is wrong. Thankfully, I am a lot like my father and I am married to a very strong man.

More Later

- A Ro

Oh Weekend How You Tease

2011-05-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

How is it that the weekend holds so much promise on Friday afternoon, on the drive home, but by Monday morning, on the drive in, you wonder where it all went.

This weekend was no different. As I am driving home with Bella in tow just back from her trip all a glow with all the fun she had, Rich at home grilling, and an entire weekend ahead of me with "not much to do", I was blissfully happy. I was especially happy because my wonderful husband had Friday off and did most of our weekly cleaning while I was at work.

This was a great for me because I would much rather teach middle schoolers all day than clean the toilets or vacuum.   Truth be told he probably would rather talk to airplanes than the above mentioned chores, but alas he was off!!

Well my weekend promise bliss quickly ended when I told Bella that we would have to go to Andrew's baseball game the next morning.

Here is the deal...I LOVE baseball...I really do. Going to a baseball game, for me is just so much fun. For Bella not so much.  However, here is one of the main reasons why I adore my daughter. She is visually upset because she has to go to the game but this is what she says with a very whiny voice: "I don't want to go the game tomorrow, I know that I should be appreciateive that you spent all that money so that I could go to Astro Camp and I should just not complain about going to the game, but I really don't want to go. I know that I am just grouchy and a little tired so I am just going to hope that by morning I'll be better"

Yeah...she pretty much parents herself.

By the time we got to the game on Saturday morning, after a trip to Starbucks and Western Bagel, she was just fine to be at the game. I knew she would be. It was pretty windy, but she grabbed Rich's Navy jacket from the car bundled up and worked all game on her new Ninja-corn comic strip. Before you jump to the conclusion that a Ninja-corn is super hero Ninja who's super hero costume consists of denim overalls and a pitchfork realize that my daughter's mind works more like a unicorn with Ninja powers. Now seeing her come up with and draw the idea of a Ninja and a unicorn getting married and having a baby without all the social stigma that would come with such a union warmed my heart and, quite frankly, scared me a little. But she was enjoying the comic strip process and I was enjoying a complaint free game, so all was good.
I decided that I would try to keep score at the game. I got myself a baseball score book and re-read all the ins and outs of keeping score quickly realizing that it was very different than what I remembered from my early days of keeping score.  Thich consisted of going to AAA Cubs games in Iowa purchasing the score book and pencil and quickly giving it up when the cotton candy guy came around. I did pretty good, but started regretting doing it when guys started getting picked off, double plays were happening, and a ground rule double came into play. Overall, I did pretty good and had fun.

After the game Bella and Andrew went home with their dad and Rich was at work so my Saturday afternoon was a quiet one filled with grocery list making and looking forward to a quiet evening with Rich. We did dinner, grocery shopping and some couch time.

Sunday started out with a very nice long walk to our favorite breakfast place and some chores. It was such a gorgeous day that we decided to go put out a blanket and eat lunch at the park across from our house. When we first started dating we would meet for lunch at a little park in Camarillo and do the very same thing, it was nice to go back to that time once again.

Sunday evening ended with me baking cookies and watching my Phillies come back and a holler upstairs from Rich telling me I might want to switch to a news station and me whining that my Phillies are coming back to which he replied "you might want to see this".

I did want to see that.

To which Bella said "Who is Osama Bin Laden?"

Yeah...she might parent herself, but I think we might just need to fill in some gaps.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 18

2011-05-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

It is Week 18 here at the ranch and my week was very nice indeed.

Head on over to Sara's blog and take a peek into all the other 365-ers weeks. Heck just make a plan to join us next week with a photo a day. It is never too late to start.

Here is my week:

Sunday April 24:

We Love Our Mama...er Easter Bunny

It is Easter Sunday and my 15 year old and 10 year old still LOVE the scavenger hunts for their Easter baskets. I hide clues around the house and they go off and search. But what they loved the most this year was the puppy chow I put in their baskets. Don't worry it isn't ACTUAL puppy chow...just chocolate peanut butter heaven, in my opinion. We didn't go to church today because we started going to a new church and didn't want to be one of THOSE people who only go to church on Easter Sunday. It was a truly blessed day.

Monday April 25:

Guess Who's Camera is on the Counter??

Yep...mine. This is a poster I did for our Middle School elective fair tomorrow. It has a bunch of celebs and athletes who sang in choir when they were younger. The kids got a kick out of looking at all the people who sang in choir. Hopefully, it will make a few of them choose to sing in mine!! Sorry that the picture is so small I have NO idea how to make these pictures any better off my phone.

Tuesday April 26:

Guess Who Left Her Camera on the Counter AGAIN??

Yep it's me...The Fifth Graders had their Year at a Glance festival today. They all get assigned booths and present all the things they did in Fifth Grade this year. Bella was one of three that were in charge of the Global Studies booth. She dressed up like a tourist...she was, needless to say, a very cute tourist.

Wednesday April 27:

ASTRO CAMP!!

The Fifth Graders went to Astro Camp today. They will get back on Friday. It is Bella's first overnight camp trip away from home. She had a great time and her BFF Chloe was in her dorm. I missed her but am so glad her first trip away from home was a success!!

Thursday April 28:

Yep...Another Baseball Game

Actually you are lucky because This was Andrew's fourth game of the week. He looks like a ball player...don't you think??

Friday April 29:

Bella's Back

We celebrated her successful trip with frozen yogurt at Menchies. They have these new spoons and Bella is making the face of the little guy on the spoon. She wanted me to make sure you knew that so you didn't think she was just making a stupid face...

Saturday April 30:

Birthday Baseball

Another baseball game today. It was also one of my student's and teammate of Andrew's birthday. It was a nice but windy day for baseball. Happy Birthday Alex!!

In Summary: Lots of baseball this week...as usual. My girl grew up right before my eyes and we had a good time celebrating God's grace.

More Later

- A Ro

Happy Birthday Dustin!!!

2011-05-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

Once again you are subjected to a very bad acrostic poem in honor of my wonderful brother-in-law Dustin.

Enjoy...

...or at least try.

Dustin is my brother-in-law and a very lucky man...

Unless you count having to be a part of our crazy crazy clan...

She gets to call him daddy so that makes her lucky too...

butThe amount of love that they will one day feel, neither one has much of a clue...

I know his family loves him so, even those adopted dogs...

Never mind the fact he taught my Abby to call those dang-blasted Hogs.

We love you Dustin!! Have a Happy Day!!

More Later

- A Ro

Can't Dodge the Hodgepodge

2011-04-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's Hodgepodge Wednesday!!! Head on over to Joyce's and get the questions, answer them on your blog, and then link up. Then check out everyone elses's answers and get to know them a little better.

Here is a peek into my head this week:

1. What is something that bothers you if it is not done perfectly?

Oh Nelly...Rich is laughing at this question right now. I don't think I am bitchy about wanting things a certain way I just do it myself if it isn't done a certain way (hopefully he would agree). I need my tupperware cabinet to be organized a certain way. Things in the refridgerator and freezer have a certain spot and they need to be put there. The dishwasher needs to be loaded in a certain way.

So I guess the answer to this question is just a yes.

2. What is one of your best childhood memories?
Anything involving my grandparents. Being at their house and doing things with them from playing Bingo to eating popcorn in the driveway on summer evenings. In general I had a pretty good childhood...with the exception of having crooked glasses on in every single picture.

3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?
This Royal Wedding coverage is driving me nuts as well as the fact that you could feed a small nation or pay the salaries of a school district for a very long time with the amount they are spending for a one day event. The last time I wore a hat would be a baseball hat on a sunny day run. Hats that need to be fitted like (and cost as much) as an entire outfit can stay off of my unworthy head.

4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality?
I am the oldest and I am most definately the oldest. I married an oldest too but I think I act more like the oldest than he does. So it all works out. A perfectionist who doesn't like surprises pretty much describes me to a tee. (See #1)

5. Where do you think you spend most of your money?
At the moment the only thing that co mes to mind is TAXES!!! We live in California so housing is right up there. But if I had to say one thing that is a luxery it would have to be going out to eat...which we are currently trying to cut back on, however, we are a busy family with lots going on so sometimes it is necessary. That being said keep in mind I love to cook and am pretty good at it.

6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, on the phone, by email or by letter? Why?
I do better when I can organize my thoughts and be articulate so an email is usually the way I go. I do realize that somethings are better said face to face, but I tend to ramble and I also cry easily so I need to really have my ducks in a row before I confront someone in person.

7. Dodge ball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one.
Kickball all the way...I love a competitive sport and a team sport. I have never been good at dodge ball or freeze tag and in fact the stress level rises in me when I have had to play those types of sports, I just feel that everyone is out to get me and I feel very vulerable and un protected.

8. In Summary:
It really all boils down to being lucky I found Rich. He complements (and compliments) me perfectly. I am crazy obsessive he is easy going and relaxed. He is a big part of memories from my youth. We both could care less about the Royal Wedding and in fact our wedding was SO simple and beautiful without all the expense. He accepts and helps me work through my perfectionist attitude and knows to lay off on April 1st. We both agree on money matters and he has no problems with confrontation. As far as dodge ball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope I would be happy if he had my back in any of those activities.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 17

2011-04-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

I don't need to be reminded that I have missed week 15 and week 16. I have the pictures I just don't have the stamina to post them at the moment.

I will.

Someday.

Maybe.

However, here is this past week. We had a great week without so much afterschool activity...phew. I got to see a little more of my hubby...thank goodness, and I was a lot less stressed...amen.

Sunday April 17:

Yep That's Me

Did I mention in the midst of my crazy week I ran a 10K? Well I did. It was a nice day for a run and I finished in 1:09. Slower than my first race but faster than my last one. I didn't run at all the week prior (at school until super dark o'clock)...so I was happy that I finished and in a pretty good time. Up next a half marathon in October if I can just keep my left pinkie toe from falling apart on all my long runs. Any pediotrists read my blog??

Monday April 18:

Pretty!!

I finally got my flowers that I got from one of the Narrators in Joseph put into a vase today. They are so beautiful. I just get sad when they die...but right now they are a bright addition to my kitchen..

Tuesday April 19:

Drop Tuck and Hold

We had an earthquake drill and my students Katharine and Sara were chatting with me in my room as the alarm went off. My room isn't equipped with anything too heavy to hide under so the chairs will have to do.

Wednesday April 20:

FORE!!

I feel like I have to duck and cover each time I watch a 5th grade volleyball game. Let's just say that they aren't as accurate as they will be and they sometimes don't know their own strength. Still I love watching my girl do just about anything so I was happy.

Thursday April 21:

A Performance

Bella's Lower School Chorus performed today at the Earth Day assembly. My girl is in the front row second from the right. They sang Big Yellow Taxi and sounded wonderful.

Friday April 22:

Boredom

This is what Bella does when she is bored. She paints beautiful pictures.

Saturday April 23:

Heaven Help Me

There are so many things that upset me about this pictures. All fail in comparison to the fact that my little boy is growing up right before my eyes. All in all he is a pretty good driver for only being behind the wheel a couple of times. Maybe he'll be like me. I have only been in one accident and it wasn't my fault, and have only received one ticket in my entire life and it wasn't even speeding, it was for pulling into a turn lane too soon. Yeah lame I know.

In Summary:

Oh, Lord I am feeling old this week. Creaky bones from my 10K, my son is driving, and my daughter is growing up too. I guess I could look at it as me being young...right??? I am still able to run a 10K, teach my son to drive, and enjoy every bit of my daughters talent. Yeah...that's how I am going to look at it too!!

More Later

- A Ro

Happy Birthday Stacia

2011-04-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Easter, and when I usually post my Project 365 (which I will post later today), but most importantly it is my sister-in-law Stacia's birthday.

In honor of her birthday I have written an acrostic poem.

Stacia, my sister-in-law, is a really great friend

The way she is loved by those around her knows no end

Although she is known to have some fun

Caring for these two is her favorite thing to do under the sun

I know for a fact her family loves her so

And I don't care what all the signs say, she isn't a...well you know

Happy Birthday Stacia!!! We love you!!!

More Later

- A Ro

Hoppin' on into the Hodgepodge

2011-04-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Wow...I feel like I haven't done this meme for...oh say, three weeks. Yeah that is about right. Well I am back and I am sure my compelling answers will be worth the wait.

or not...

1. What are your plans for Easter Day/weekend?

I have nothing big planned at all. The usual Easter basket scavenger hunt and maybe I'll cook a ham...maybe. We just started going to a new church so I think we might pass on this Easter service. Not sure I want to deal with the new craziness of Easter Sunday.

see...we are off to a rip roaring start huh?

2. Besides Jesus, what one person from The Bible would you most like to meet and why?

I would like to meet Job and hug his neck...and ask him just how he went through all that. Sometimes I need a little perspective.

3. What is one modern day convenience you didn't have as a child that was easy to live without?

Totally the cell phone. I cannot believe how attached I am to that little device. If I forget it at home I will actually go back for it. That and that new fangled thing called the internet.

4. Are you more right brained or left brained? If you don't know what that means there is an interesting little quiz here.
Well being a musician puts me in the right brained category, but I am a very organized and meticulous person which is conducive to left brained people. I am going to have to go with right brained.

5. What is something you intended to do today but didn't? Why?

Upload my pictures from the past two weeks of Project 365. Why didn't I do it?? hmmmm too right brained??

6. Cadbury Creme Eggs or Reeses peanut butter?

Reeses peanut butter all the way baby!!

7. Who was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?

I was a big Scooby Doo fan...rooby rooby roo!! As an adult I love a good mystery/who done it so that cartoon was right up my ally...instead

8. In Summary:
My summary will be fashioned after a scene in the movie "The Jerk"..."All I need is my cell phone, the internet, Reeses Peanut Butter cups...that's all I need...and some anti procrastionation pills, and 8 more hours in the day"

More Later

- A Ro

She's Back

2011-04-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

I am trying not to feel bad about my blog absence...but I am very much a pleaser person so if I feel I have let anyone down at all I feel bad. Not that I have grandiose beliefs that someone's day is runied because he/she can't go to my blog and read about the mundane that is my world, but when I don't blog it usually means I haven't read any blogs either and well that might make some of you think that I just don't care anymore, which is far from true. I do care, but I not as much as sleeping and showering.

This past week has been filled to the brim with my High School production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. That translates to me being here at school last Monday - Thursday until 9:00 pm, Friday until 10:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday performances that just took over my weekend. But don't worry I had help as they have a stepdad (who happened to be stuck working nights most of the week) and a father (who was out of town from Wednesday on.)

Oh wait...that means I didn't have much help.

Thankfully, Andrew played cello and bass in the show so it was just Bella having to sit through most of the rehearsals. However, she was ready to go if someone was sick, and was quick to point out when a lighting cue was missed or a prop was not placed in the right location.

This does not even go into the the baseball games, volleyball games, and after show get togethers. I would have loved nothing more to have jumped into bed each night after the performances but alas my son cannot yet drive so I was mama -taxi when I should have mama-in-bed. Nothing says relaxing like sitting in a booth at Johnny Rockets while my son and most of my students suck down shakes, eat burgers, sing show tunes, and tick off the employees. Yeah...fun.

So while I am asking for forgiveness, not lamenting the two followers I have lost, and trying to play catch up with my life I will still be thankful that I have a job I love, wonderful kids, a supportive generous husband, and only 8 more weeks of school

More Later

- A Ro

Oh My Goodness Does Time Fly By

2011-04-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

It is Thursday as I type this. I have only one day left of my spring break. Then the normal weekend. I have enjoyed my spring break but am very happy to get back to routine...I think. The week I get back we are teching our high school musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat so normal routine may have to take a back seat to long days and evenings of rehearsals. I am also running a 10K that weekend too...what am I crazy???

Again, don't answer that...

Tomorrow Bella and I are headed to our friends house to make cake pops. We are going to make puppy pops and I can't wait. I love Marian and her family and we are going to have so much fun.

In remembering my spring break I would like to list some of the things we have done. This is to remind myself that I didn't spend my entire two weeks lounging around in my yoga pants watching Tivo'd Phineas and Ferb episodes.

1. I give entirely too much of my money to Uncle Sam so that he can pay lawmakers a lot of money to shut down the government so that my husband can take a non paid vacation...well at least if he isn't getting paid Uncle Sam doesn't get any of his money. Sounds like a vicious circle to me, but I do know that it is much more complicated than Donald Trump makes it out to be.

2. I should have been a CPA. They really clean up this time of year.

3. I am glad that I am NOT a CPA because most of the time they have to deliver bad news.

4. I read two books during my spring break. Technically the first one I finished before spring break even started.

The second one I finished yesterday.

I would recommend the first one over the second one, but both served their purpose of keeping me up at night trying to finish them.

5. Taking a road trip with Bella to Palm Springs to watch Andrew play baseball means a few things: a) I have to drive the entire way by myself b) I get to spend quality time in the car with my girl listening to only songs WE want to hear. This includes many Glee songs, a couple of Veggie Tale favorites, and a few Phineas and Ferb songs too. c) I have to spend a few days away from my husband, this is rough as we are still technically newlyweds, this means a lot of I miss you texts. d) I get to watch my son play baseball although he is on a very good team so this means he doesn't play all the time in fact I asked Bella what position he was playing as I couldn't see him on the field to which she responded "He is playing left bench".

yeah she's a hoot

6. I have big dreams of catching up on my scrapbooks, blogging everyday, reading all the blogs I have been neglecting, running 3 miles everyday, and cooking spectacular dinners every night. Did I mention we had Phineas and Ferb episodes Tivo'd??? I kid. I did a few pages on our scrapbooks, I blogged once or twice, read a few blogs, ran almost everyday, and did cook a fish dish that Rich is still talking about. Moderation is the key to life.

7. I managed to infect my work laptop with some sort of virus within the first 4 days of being home. The walk of shame to the IT department on Monday morning will not be a fun one. Hopefully it won't turn into an episode of Nick Burns Company Computer Guy

Here is to about 9 more weeks of school and being blessed with a job that allows me to lounge around in my yoga pants every now and then.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 14

2011-04-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a wonderful first week of Spring Break at the A-Ro household. It has gone by so fast, but I have enjoyed every dull normal minute.

Here is a peek:

Sunday March 27:

Lazy Maggie

So this is what she does all day when I am at work...such a lazy doggie.

Monday March 28:

Perry the Platupus

Bella worked on her Benderoos and made her favorite Phineas and Ferb character Perry (and quite frankly mine too). He turned out so good!!

Tuesday March 29:

Winner Winner

I FINALLY sent off my little giveaway to the host of this here Project, Sara. I hope she enjoys it.

Wednesday March 30:

They're Back

Bella had to have some Peeps today. I am not really a fan, however, I do like them when they are a little stale and crunchy...am I wierd?? (Don't answer that)

Thursday March 31:

I Know It's Sideways

I couldn't get this picture to load correctly...odd. Bella and I made cupcakes from scratch today. I love to bake and decorate and she is such the artist. The cupcakes are vanilla the icing is buttercream and the decorations are made out of fondant. Such fun!!

Friday April 1:

Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be...Drivers

Andrew got his permit today and his Dad let him drive around the neighborhood. Lord help me this is not an April Fools Joke.

Saturday April 2:

3 Down 3 To Go

I finished my third strip in my blanket today. It is starting to look like a blanket!! Lots of baseball and basketball on TV today so I got quite a bit done!!

In Summary: Did I mention how much I like Spring Break?? I get to bake with my girl, play with my doggie, get errands done, and knit!! Not to mention watching my boy grow up right before my eyes. Well this week was ALMOST perfect.

More Later

- A Ro

Foolish Hodgepodge

2011-03-30T06:29:00.000-07:00

1. April rolls in at the end of this week and in celebration of that infamous date (April 1st) answer this question-What is something foolish you've done?
First of all I must say that I absolutely abhor anything that has to do with pranks on April 1st. I hate being pranked. I hate watching other people be pranked. My family and friends know that I am ABSOLUTELY off limits, with threats of groundings and silent treatment, from any sort of April 1st tom foolery.

So there...

Back to the question. Me do something foolish...psh...Ok I am usualy a very sage person, but don't get me wrong I have been known to drive a little faster than the speed limit, or eat more Peanut Butter Cups than I should. But something outright foolish that would make a good story to this answer...not so much.

2. With April comes Easter and that classic edible treat known as Peeps...so tell me...what's your favorite way to fix/eat chicken? I love plain old grilled chicken on our charcoal BBQ with a little olive oil and seasonings. I like this for two reasons 1) I don't have to cook it as Rich is our resident griller and 2) BOTH of my kids love chicken cooked this way. I'm telling you win-win.

3. What's the best museum you've ever visited? Or your favorite? Or the one you'd most like to visit?
I REALLY want to visit the Smithsonian. It is most definately on my bucket list. I got to visit The Hermitage museum in St. Petersberg (Leningrad at the time) Russia. Oh.My.Word. What an amazing place. I know that there are somethings that you really can't appreciate until you get older, but I think that museums aren't one of those things. I went when I was in college and I think my youth really caused me to pause and really enjoy that museum. Now I think I would be so rushed to get on to the next thing. Just a theory.

4. You know what they say about April showers...what's your preference-a shower or a bath?
I prefer a shower. I love a good bubble bath, but I really never have time for one. I have this really nice huge bathtub in my bathroom and my son Andrew has used it more times than I have. Maybe someday.

5. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...fact or fiction? Why?
Nah...absence just sucks. Maybe you might take that person for granted less and appreciate them more when you are away, but if it actually makes your heart grow fonder you might want to find a different partner.
6. What's your favorite product made/grown in your home state/province?
I would have to say avocados. I love avocados in just about everything and don't even get me started on guacamole. My knees grow weak at the just the mention. But just for the record I don't consider California my "home" state. I will always be an Iowan...and that means fried twinkies and pulled pork sandwiches...I kid...sort of.

7. What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?
What freaks me out the most living on the San Andreas Fault is this whole earthquake business in Japan. I have never really felt an earthquake before and really can't imagine what they must have gone through. It just caused me to think a whole lot more about where I live and the potential for that happening here. Now I know that we aren't able to have as big of an earthquake due to the size of our fault, but we could get close. Yikes.
8. In Summary: It seems like I am a very easy person to please. Give me avocados, Peanut Butter Cups, chicken on the grill and maybe a pulled pork sandwich every now and then. Take me to the Smithsonian preferrably when "the big one" decides to hit California. Don't prank me and never leave me. Simple huh.

More Later

- A Ro

Things That Make You Go Ahhhh...

2011-03-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

I could really get used to this spring break stuff. That is until my yoga pants (that I can see myself wearing everyday) start to get a little too comfortable and my kids start saying "I'm bored"...yeah maybe it is good that it is only two weeks.

However there are things that I NEVER get to do unless I am on break and...yep you guessed it...I am going to list them for you now.

1. Run outside at the perfect time 7:00 am. It is the perfect amount of light and the perfect temperature.

2. Cuddle on the couch with my girl under her big fleece blanket (that I made her for Christmas) and watch our taped All-Star Chopped...while knitting.

3. Make homemade mini pizzas and calzones from scratch...yummy.

4. Take the dog to the park, sit under a tree, read a book, and watch Bella play at the playground.

5. Casually stroll around the mall with...yes you heard it...both of my children. (Andrew did have an ulterior motive, needing new shoes, and Bella did have $20 burning a hole in her pocket, but none-the-less we all were together at the mall.)

6. Take a nap, even though it ended up being only 30 minutes.

And that was only the first day.

I have 9 left.

Jealous?

More Later

- A Ro