Bob Barker's Random Dozen

It is once again time to delve into the world of the Random Dozen. We are ready to informally shoot at our Random Dozen target questions or in the words of Linda "LET'S PLINKO" I know you'll have to head over to her site to really understand that...

Anyhoo...here we go!!

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?
I was just showing off my Lands Ends Duck Shoes this weekend at the soccer game that never should have been I have had those shoes since I was in high school. That doesn't really surprise me. I have always been told that I collect shoes like some people collect Beanie Babies. I guess in every good collection you have to have some antiques.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety?
I bought Thin Mints, but didn't eat a one. I cannot have chocolate so this was an easy one. Not to say I didn't curse my doctor every time I opened the freezer and saw the round, chocolaty, disks of heaven. Nope...not a one.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? If not, would you like to?
This one cracks me up. The only reason I would want to ballroom dance would be the shoes and the outfits. I guess that is kind of like wanting to be a doctor so you can legitimately wear scrubs. Not quite a good enough reason.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager?
Yes. I left my 14 year old VERY responsible son to babysit my 9 year old and was worried, until I realized I babysat MUCH younger kids when I was about 12. I hope that my son got those particular genes.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see?
Well, this was a good year. But when you nominate ten movies and one of them was an animated flick the chances are that I will have seen at least one. Otherwise, not so much. However, this year I saw Up, Up in the Air, and Blind Side. I was so glad that Sandra Bullock won, I just love her. Secretly, I was glad that the big hype Avatar didn't win as many as expected. I just love underdogs!!

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself?
That is like asking me which finger I would like to break. No good answer. I cannot stand to have procedures done, and I REALLY can't watch someone else. If I had to say I would say that I would rather have it done...I guess.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?
I like Saturdays. I get to sleep in a little, and I have an entire day to squeeze in all the stuff I need to do AND get to stay up a little late too. It is a perfect day.

8. Do you miss anyone right now?
My guy is an air traffic controller having to work a late shift tonight...so yes...(one tear)

9. Do hospitals make you queasy?
Yes...something about the way they smell. I know that is crazy.

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card. Not that you ever would, you responsible person, you.
I would have to reference question number 1 and say DSW shoe warehouse. Even though I need a chaperone and an oxygen mask to even walk through the doors...I could seriously do some damage to my credit history. Not that this responsible person WOULD, I'm just sayin' I COULD.

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items?
Nope, whatever is on sale is good for me.

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?
That is a really good question. I feel that eye contact is really important, but it really is hard to do. I think it is harder for me to look at someone when they are telling me how they feel. I get embarrassed really easy.

In Summary: A-Ro would love to dress up like a doctor, but hates hospitals and medical procedures, not such a good mix. She was a very responsible teenager, doesn't attach herself to any one brand or product, but collects shoes. Finally I know it sounds crazy, but she gets embarrassed AND loves to talk in third person. Aren't there are so many things that just don't seem like they would be the way they are, but then lo and behold they are...go figure.


More Later

- A Ro

Karma is Alive and Well

I am guilty. I admit it. I paid for it...kinda.

Every week I see pictures and hear stories from other bloggers about snow. Snow here, snow there, look at all the snow, snow, snow, snow. I make my comments:

"Wow, look at all that snow"

"Boy that snow sure looks pretty"

"I sometimes miss the snow"

When in actuality I am thinking: Thank goodness I live in California and don't have to deal with all that sasinfrassin snow.

Well on Saturday the weather gods got me back, and I can assure you for one hour I was miserable, cold, wet but mostly miserable.Bella had her first soccer game of the season.

We are wimps here in California. Pretty much everything stops for rain. We have even closed school for rain. People here with their convertibles, Gucci umbrellas, and high heels don't do rain.

So when it was raining on Saturday morning I thought there is no way in heck we were playing soccer today.
I was wrong.

We played.

We got wet.Bella's impression of the Hamburger Helper Guy only made me smile a little.
Until I realized...No wait...those are GOALIE GLOVES...OK I am going to be going now, call me when it is over.Because of all my worrying she did not give up one goal...she didn't get any balls anywhere near her, but no goals were scored on her.

What is is about kids? She could have cared less if it was raining. She was a happy little soccer player.

I was cold.

Not as cold as all of you snowed in folks.

But I was cold.

I am sorry.

I swear.
This will be me the next game. Tarp. Umbrella. Blanket. Hat. and Video games.

Especially if Bella is in the goal again.


More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 10

Sunday:

Gottcha!!

Andrew had his big youth orchestra concert. He couldn't duck out of this picture, now could he?? HA! He is an amazing cellist. He sits in the middle of the cello section in the top orchestra in the program. He is younger than most in the group.
Monday:

The Headless Cellist

Andrew got a brand new cello today. We have been renting up to this point and now he has his very own. Notice two things: a) he is wearing his baseball pants, gotta love a multi-talented kid and b) he would only allow me to take this picture if his head was not in it...sigh

Tuesday:

Little Miss Manners

Bella needed to call her friend for homework help. I took this picture to remind me of a) how polite she was when talking to her friends mother and b) how weird she knows her mother is for taking a picture of her on the phone.

Wednesday:

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Bella finally decided on the Newberry book she would read for her book report. It was suggested to her by one of her teachers because it is quirky and has the same sense of humor that Bella has. I can't wait to dig in.


Thursday:

Have I Told You I Hate Speaking In Front of People?

We have a regional independent school conference coming up and I am giving one of the presentations. YIKES!! This is me preparing, and if you could only see the panic on my face. I would MUCH rather sing in front of people than speak.

Friday:

Me and My Girl

Rich, Bella, and I went to Famous Dave's BBQ for dinner on Friday night. We were bored so we took pictures while we waited. I love this one.

Saturday:

Rain Rain Go Away

It was Bella's first spring soccer game. Here she is before the game. She is lamenting the fact that the game is probably going to be canceled because it is POURING down rain. However, they didn't cancel it (yip.ee.). So we sat in the nasty, cold, rain and watched the Purple Penguins win!!

In summary: Boy do I have talented and oh so cute kids, if I do say so myself. I do, however, wonder where her manners come from. I didn't "teach" it to her, but modeling good behavior must go along way. I feel by getting a headless shot of Andrew I am slowly working my way into his picture taking heart. Mostly, I am reminded that I have this HUGE talk coming up and now I cannot focus on anything else...must go take chill pill!!


More Later

-A Ro

Inner Struggle

The me-wanting-to-be-thinner side ate Greek yogurt and blueberries this morning for breakfast. However, the I-should-be-happy-with-my-weight-because-I-am-beautiful-just-the-way-I-am side ate a maple scone from Starbucks this afternoon.

The I-am-strong-and-invincible side thought she might just extend her run to 4.5 miles this morning. However, the I-am-old-and-my-hips-ache side stopped at 4 miles.

The I-am-self-confident-and-don't-mess-with-me side responded to a complaint e-mail from a parent with all the I am right fire it deserved. However, the maybe-I-should-let-it-go side didn't send it...yet.

The I-haven't-met-a-child-who-doesn't-adore-me side is trying to ignore hurtful e-mails from Rich's ex. However, the maybe-I-am-not-as-great-as-I-think-I-am side is taking over.

The I-can-handle-my-rehearsal-without-an-accompanist side sat down at the piano with my Sixth Graders to play for them. However, my-I-can't-really-play-the-piano-very-well side was happy when my accompanist got done with her other gig early and showed up.

The I-am-happy-living-in-California side enjoyed the warm sunny weather today. The I-want-to-move-back-to-Iowa side got pictures of my niece today.The I-feel-guilty-when-I-don't-cook-for-my-family side was very upset that I was getting home so late. However, the I-am-hungry side was glad that Rich had dinner prepared when I got home.

The I-am-self-reliant-don't-need-help side is starting to lean towards the I-need-to-call-my-therapist side.


What do you think??


More later

- A Ro

My Talented Boy

I am oh so very blessed. My son Andrew can play the cello. Not only can he play the cello, he plays the cello very well. He is in the top youth orchestra in Northridge California. His dad happens to be the conductor, but if anything it makes him have to work harder to prove himself. He is up for the challenge. He sits in the middle of the section. He sits higher than players much older than him.
His Dad says he is one of the smartest cellists in his section. He always is on top of things and doesn't miss a mistake...by anyone.
I love watching him play in an orchestra. It makes me so proud.
I also love going to his orchestra concerts because I can actually take a picture of him without any headache.
Uh. Oh. Busted.


More Later

- A Ro

Random Dozen Comes In Like a Lion

It is that time of the week again, yes sirree bob!! Head on over to Lidna's at A Second Cup and link up your dozen, OR just check out all the randomness that will occur at other bloggers blogs.

Here is my offering:

1. Do you prefer even or odd numbers? Any particular reason?

I prefer even numbers because my birthday is on the 28th day of July...that's a good reason...right??

2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being "not at all" and 10 being Carly Simon-worthy, how vain are you?

Well I am a self professed diva so technically that probably makes me really vain. However, in reality I am the opposite of vain almost to a fault. On the list of things I need to work on, self esteem is right up there with taking care of my road rage. So my answer is 0 and I'm sticking to it.

3. Among these Irish stereotypes, with which do you identify most closely? Talkative, Proud, Inquisitive, Love to party, Hot-tempered

Talkative...check
Proud...uh...check
Inquisitive...hmmm I wonder
Love to Party...double check
Hot-tempered...and check

Who knew I was Irish...uh MOM???

4. How lucky do you consider yourself?

In the grand scheme of things like health, great family, good friends, wonderful mate, great kids, I would have to say very lucky.

In the not-so-grand scheme of things like winning lotto tickets, bingo cards, great parking spots, or winning a kitchen aid mixer on Pioneer Woman Cooks...not so much. But I did win one of Linda's apron giveaways...

5. What is the subject of your favorite post that you've written?

My very most favorite post is about my morning run. However one person visited that page and commented. I thought it was a great post - High-larious if I do say so myself...here it is if you are interested.

6. Describe March weather where you live in three words.

warm, sunny, and perfect

jealous??

7. How apt are you at detecting blarney when you hear it? (Smooth talk, flattery)

I am pretty good at knowing when I am being snowed. I think being a teacher and remembering what it was like to be a teenager makes my blarney-o-meter pretty accurate. Been there done that seems appropriate.

8. How "green" are you, environmentally speaking?

I am not very good at it. I recycle and try to reuse. I stay away from sack lunches and plastic baggies, but I haven't gone the route of hybrid car and solar panels on my house. I am not opposed to it, but it is low on my things to do list.

9. What is your favorite song this week?

My Contemporary Vocal Ensemble is singing this at next weeks concert...I have been wanting to do it for years and years and finally found a good arrangement. Love this song!!

10. You are walking along and see a coin on the ground. What denomination does it have to be before you will stop to pick it up?

I am of the "See a penny pick it up all day long you'll have good luck" vain, so if it is money and on the ground I pick it up.

11. Complete the sentence: "Every time I look outside my window ...."

I love the place I live...then I go outside battle traffic and smog and think again, but at my window it is a great view.

12. What was the #1 song on the day you were born? See this site to find out.

In the Year 2525 by Zager & Evans



C'mon people are you serious?!?!? OK this is really depressing. I am sorry, this is the stupidest song I have ever heard. I need a better song, gosh darn it. hrmmpphh


In Summary: I wish I was a little more vain, a little more green, a little luckier, but definitely a little less Irish. I do live in a pretty nice place, just wish I was closer to family. I really need to lie about my birthday it is a very nice round number, but GOODNESS I need to shake the trail of that horrid song...geez. However, keep your blarney to yourself 'cause it won't fly with me sistah.

More Later

- A Ro

Sami Turns THREE!!!

I must warn you if you can't handle cute little girls, and adorable babies you must avert your eyes now.

Because today my niece Sami turns three!!


Don't say I didn't warn you!! Look at those eyes and that smile...watch out!!She sure has changed a lot since this picture. She looks oh so very little.But look at that face she grew some cute chubby cheeks...(her brother is pretty cute too)She is a GOOD eater...

...and a social butterfly...look at those teeth...the better to munch you with!!

She has lots of favorite aunts. There is Aunt Kate...Her Titi Michelle, who gets to see her a whole lot cause she lives nearby. She loves her Titi.Then there is ME, her favorite California Aunt.

She loves her UG (Uncle Greg), and I am pretty sure he loves her too!!
And I know her Nana can't get enough of her...(did I mention her cute chubby cheeks?)
She has an amazing family, who love her tons and tons and more tons.

It is because...
...Sami is sweet...

...she is oh so lovable...

...and look at that smile, her mama has a great one too!!

...did I mention her smile??? She sure does love her big brother and daddy.

But man, oh man, oh man....
...she loves to keep her Mama busy.



Happy Birthday Sami...we love and miss you very very much.


P.S. Your present is on its way...


More Later

- A Ro