Just an Ordinary Day...Except with Gifts!!

First things first. A couple of comments have asked me questions and if these questions were yours here are the links to answer them...if not...well then...carry on.


Cake pop recipe


The Rich and Amy story one left out detail...our brothers ran into each other in Iowa while we were, unbeknown'st to each other, divorcing in California.


I had a very nice Valentine's Day. Except, really, each and everyday with Rich is like Valentine's Day. He is always attentive, loving, kind, and adores me. Today was no different, except I got gifts!!! Rich got me some pajamas from Victoria's Secret...and no I am talking about real every night pajamas, but I just love VS pajamas. The kids (aka Rich) got me a beautiful heart necklace. My daughter made me a great card. On the front and inside there were the usual cut out hearts, lots of "we love you's" but one of the inside parts was this:



Some explanation:

1. Rich is the "bad man" Bella has named him this. She says he is a great person, but a bad man. This comes from anytime he would do something she didn't like or would tease her, she would say Rich you are a baaad maaan.


2. Maggie is "goose"...I could try to explain how Maggie got that nickname, but it would be easier to explain quantum physics...so


3. Bella is booty bongo girl. We watch Phineas and Ferb and they had a show that had a song called Betty Bongos in it. Well one morning I was getting her up and her little booty was sticking up in the air so I started singing and playing the booty bongos....yeah that explanation was a little better than the quantum physics attempt but not much...we are a weird family.


4. Andrew is Mr. "I need a haircut" He ALWAYS kept his hair buzzed. I was so happy that I didn't have to deal with a hippy boy like all the other boys with their surfer dude looks. Alas he has decided he wants to "grow it out". I am only hoping that he gets sick of it before I do. Clearly Bella has reached her threshold.


5. But did you notice that they love me so so so so so plus infinity??? That's a lot, I'm telling you.

We had our first open house today, so Rich and I had to vacate the premises. We had a nice lunch at TGIFriday's while watching the Daytona 500. He is not feeling well, I mean to say he is SICK!! Poor guy. Yet he still opened the door for me to get in the car, and anywhere else we went, he still told me how beautiful I was at every turn and I got a couple of whistles, or as Bella would day "Mom, Rich just woot wooed you." Yes even sick the man makes me feel adored.

I will leave you with this picture. This is my niece Abby.

I love this picture for the following reasons a) she is smiling that great big smile b) she has red hair c) she is my niece d) she has her heart footy pajamas on e) she is the cutest thing on the face of this earth.

I hope you had a great Valentine's Day, even if it was just an ordinary day with gifts!!

More later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 7

It is time once again to take a peek into the lives of fellow bloggers with Sara at Make Music With Your Heart's Project 365.



Here is what my week looked like:


Sunday:

Under One Roof
With the return of Bella and Andrew and Rich being home, I went to bed Sunday night with my family back under one roof...it was really comforting, and I am sure short lived. I will enjoy it while I can.

Monday:

Ill Prepared

Here are three of my students auditioning for our school's Coffee House. It is an evening with poetry, theater, and music. We decorate our Black Box Theater like a small coffee shop with live entertainment. These three failed to copy the music they needed so they all crowded around the piano with one teeny, tiny, fake book...too funny.


Tuesday:

Why I Love My Job
Musical theater rehearsal, with very very crazy kids. It really makes the long afternoons bareable. Carly and Chelsea are making their chipmunk faces...not really sure why.


Wednesday:

Invention Convention
Today was the Fourth Grade Invention Convention. My daughter's invention was called Lazy Bella's Ball Thrower. It is a device that throws the ball for our dog Maggie so we don't have to get up off the couch. She looks so very cute in her unifom. Don't you think??

Thursday:

Life Changes

It would be nice if all of the pictures of 365 could be happy ones, but you know what that isn't life. Today's picture has been one of a few that will really capture this day. We are losing our house. The divorce, the state budget cuts, and the bottomed out market has caused us to have to short sell our house, hopefully. Today when we got home from school the sign was in the yard. Now before you are too sad for me, to me a house is just a shell, it is what's inside that makes it a home, and I am certain that God has a plan for us. Everything will be just fine, I know that in my heart.

Friday:

Valentine Cake Pops

Bella and I made cake pops for her teachers last night. I forgot to take a picture last night but remembered before we boxed them up today...phew. We had "fun" making them and ALL of her teachers are so glad to get a pop for the holidays.

Sunday:

Running Shoes

This picture is a sad one. I got up to run today. I have not exercised for a week because I hurt my knee and today I took this picture as I got dressed so I could document my first day back on the street. However, I never got my run in. I was a little nervous about doing it as I didn't want to re-injure my knee but I was just gonna do it. Until I went downstairs and my ipod was out of battery...it was an omen. So here is my picture of what didn't not happen today...ha ha.

In summary: I love my job (I know you are all getting tired of hearing that). My daughter is the cutest little inventor there is and hopefully her invention will be the next Snuggie. I need to get my lazy butt out of bed tomorrow morning and hit the pavement...those shoes look awfully lonely!! Most of all I need to start collecting boxes (and ben gay) for the move ahead and thank God each night for the peace I feel.

More Later

- A Ro

I Think I Need an Intervention

Why is Valentine's Day on a Sunday?

Why is Bella's Valentine's Day party on the Friday BEFORE Valentine's Day, when clearly MONDAY would be CLOSER to the ACTUAL Valentine's Day?

Why do I have to be the kind of Mom that HAS to BAKE and CREATE and make people HAPPY?

Why does writing in capital letters indicate emphasis?

Clearly the many questions in my mind just had to be pushed into the mental file folder along with "Why drivers drive slow in the fast lane?" and "Why does it rain the day after you get your car washed?"

Because yesterday when I got home from working, and putting gas in my car (because I can't seem to do it before the gas light goes on), feeding my children, and running an important errand AS I helped with homework and the Valentine's Day cards Bella needed to prepare WITH Rich being gone having had to work the late shift I made:

VALENTINE'S DAY CAKE POPS

As I was putting the last of the dirty dishes in the dishwasher at 10:15 pm absolutely warn out I wondered why the heck did I do all of that??

Then I realize that making myself crazy...it is just what I do.

More Later

- A Ro

Laziness Not Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Today was the Fourth Grade Invention Convention. It is like a Science fair, but instead of vinegar and baking soda volcanoes they made up inventions.

Now as I am pondering my daughters invention I am realizing that the apple did not fall far from the I-hate-to-get-off-my-butt tree. Then I thought about most inventions these days, all are about feeding our lazy sides. I mean after you invent all the necessities of life like electricity, central heat and air, indoor plumbing and the Snuggie, what's left except items that allow us to work less. You've got remote controls, power steering, elevators, microwaves, and the Clapper. We are a society looking to sit on our butts.

These fourth graders really had their finger on the pulse of society.

One Fourth Grader invented the dog bed that has everything a dog would need at a paws reach. Don't think I didn't get ideas on how to set up my bed to look like this. Mini fridge, water cooler, box of books, i-touch, and laptop. Only problem is I would end up just like this poor pooch...as big as my bed.

Another invented this Sick Shirt. It has all the things you would need if you were ill stuck to your shirt. Kleenex, cough drops, Tylenol, even a tooth brush and hair brush. I am thinking to myself why stop at items you need when you are sick. I need a shirt that Velcros my car keys, phone, lip gloss, and wallet to me. It isn't laziness it is just being prepared.

Now Bella was no different. In fact the word Lazy is even in her title.

Bella's invention is a catapult meant to throw the ball for your dog. When you are sitting on your butt watching TV and the dog wants to play with you all you have to do is train your dog to put the ball in the bowl and you stomp on one end to send the ball flying. So now we can add playing with your dog to the list of things we can sit on our booty to do. The only work you have to do is put your foot down on the one side...oh and train your dog to put a ball in a bowl. Obviously lots of people are looking for an easy way out too. She was totally swamped with visitors. She expressed to me afterwards that being an inventor takes a lot of energy. Standing there giving her pitch to customer after customer was really tiring. I told her that once she makes it big we have an invention that sells your stuff without you even breaking a sweat.

It is called telemarketing. Sign her up she said...

....that's my girl.

More Later

- A Ro

Ahh Love to Love the Dozen...

It is that time once again!! Head over to Linda at 2nd Cup. Tell her to get better, answer her random dozen, enter her giveaway, and link up...in that order!!

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?
I am very pleasant. I think in general moms have to be...I mean the saying "If Mama ain't happy no one is happy" is very true. I just keep on truckin'...I might have a little less steam, but I am happy darn it.

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?
YIPEE YIPEE YIPEE YIPEE

am I making myself clear??

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?
I am constantly trying to make myself stay on top of my domestic engineering skills. If I would just learn that 15 minutes a day would make a BIG difference I'd be OK. But this would require my procrastination self to take a much needed vacation...then again that just might solve all of my problems...hmmmm...

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?
I have a few things that I put out sometimes. I always have a traveling coffee mug that I use to celebrate the season, but mostly it is a few towels, a couple of little knick knack-y things, not too much, but it makes me happy!!

5. What song is on your mind today?
My job is one non stop play list of all the things my students are singing. Today it was a french folk song called "Ton The"...It just spun around and around all day.

6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?
Unfortunately I am the girl who only likes movies with the word "vacation" in the title and starring Chevy Chase...

ok I am not THAT bad

I would say mostly contemporary, but I do love the old movie musicals...sorry Linda...

7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.
It all depends. If the other task is teaching, I can put anything aside, in fact my teaching and job really got me through my divorce. I just bucked it up and got it done. Any other task doesn't seem to have the same effect.

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)
He was tall, handsome, kind, and very attentive. He was very very mature for his young age of 17. I was totally taken...and still am 25 years later!!

9. When was the last time your heart raced?
Probably the very first time I was ever on stage. It still gets my heart a racing.

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?
OK this is going to sound VERY pathetic. I always remember that I NEVER got a "special" valentine from someone like some of my friends did. I was a late bloomer...and I am thankful for that.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?
CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!!

am I making myself clear??

12. Red or pink?
I would have to say pink, I am a girly girl at heart. Power red has never done anything for me, but give me something pink and frilly and I am all a flutter!!

In Summary: Judging from my reaction to school cancellations I need to live somewhere other than we-never-miss-school-California. I really need to get my procrastination side a one way ticket to Justdoitville...and I think I need to expand my Netflix queue. I really need my doc to understand my absolute love for all things chocolate and peanut butter. But mostly I really need to thank God for my students, they are such a distraction...not to mention distracted too...ha ha.

More later

- A Ro

Ah To Be A Teenager Again...NOT

C'mon you must remember what it felt like to be a teenager. You know that time of your life where you think that your heart will never stop breaking, and at the same time worried more about what your outfit of the day will be more than that looming Algebra test.



Yeah I thought you might remember those things.



Do you remember what it was like to make a mistake? An innocent juevenile mistake. Not the malicious I know-what-I-am-doing-is-wrong-but-am-deciding-to-do-it-anyway mistake...cause those kind of mistakes, I don't have a lot of patience for. The kind of mistake I am talking about is the kind of mistake that you really made accidently, but still really shakes you up. You fear what your parents are going to say, and how this is going to affect you. In fact moments after the mistake you feel like you want to dig a hole and crawl in.



I remember those feelings too.



I felt those feelings once again having looked into the face of a teenager moments after she made that kind of mistake...



moments after she...



...rear ended me on the way to school.



...in the pouring rain.



...in her new car.



Her face when we got out of our cars to assess the damage almost brought tears to my eyes. She was so sorry, and so completely frazzled.



Now to be totally honest, I don't know what it is like to get into a car accident as a teenager, because that kind of mistake was not one I made, but before you think that I am trying to sound perfect...I could literally write a book about all the rest of the mistakes I made.



I felt for her.



I really hope that my reaction and kind words helped her to at least get through her day with some ease before...





...she has to tell her parents.





More Later



- A Ro

Project 365 Week 6

It is time once again to let you peek into my week. Go on over to Sara's blog and take a some peeks into other people's weeks too.

Sunday:

Messy Marvin

This is the state of my kitchen after I cook a big meal. I actually closed the refrigerator before I took this...yeah I am horrible.

Monday:

Poor Baby

My girl is good at math, but she hates it so. Tonight she had to multiply three numbers and she was not happy. I just love the look on her face...really not posed, she was a sad girl.

Tuesday:

Hurry Home

Rich is an air traffic controller who just started a new job. It gives him weekends off, but sometimes he has to work weird shifts. On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week he worked 4:00 pm to 1:00 am. So I didn't get to see him for about 64 hours, as he was asleep when I went to work, and I was asleep when he got home. It was hard, I felt all out of whack.

Wednesday:

Cuddle Bug

Bella and I had some much needed cuddle time on Wednesday (see next picture). She is just so cuddly, I hope that never changes...yeah I know...good luck with that.

Thursday:

Empty Nest...a Preview

Bella and Andrew went with their dad to visit relatives in Los Vegas on Thursday night until Sunday afternoon. I don't like having an empty nest. Thankfully I have a few more years, but they do go by oh so fast.

Friday:

Don't Leave Me

My School hosted a honors choir festival this weekend. Here are two of my students who participated. They both are Seniors this year...one tear. I have known and sung with Lucy (girl on right) since her sixth grade year. She is one of those gals who listens to everything you say and implements it. I am going to miss her. Rachella has had me for four years and is quiet and mighty. They both are very talented and I will miss them very much.

Saturday:

Samba Guru

Last night Rich and I went to see one of my good friend's band Samba Guru. He is the one at the keyboard. They are an amazing Brazilian band with such talented and generous people. It was a very fun night. You all should go check them out, just click on the link above and be prepared for some fun music.

In summary: I need my peeps all under one roof, this being gone doesn't sit well with me. I need someone to follow me around the kitchen when I cook and just keep me from whacking my head on cabinets. I will miss my seniors very much...I wonder if could just keep them under my roof too?? Who needs college??

More Later

- A Ro