My Favorite Things Hodgepodge

Before I give you my fascinating rendition of the hodgepodge I want to give you a heads up.  Tomorrow on the ol' blog I will have a give away.  I was lucky enough to win a CSN gift card from H-Mama over at Family Team, and I got my stuff this week.  I decided when shopping, using someone else's money, that I would pick something out and have a sort of a pay it forward give away.  I won something so you get to too!!  Tune in tomorrow for the ker-prize and how you can win.  Thanks H-Mama!!

Hodgepodge...forward-ho!!

1. Your favorite chocolate treat?
Funny you should ask (as my cupboard is now full of chocolate from my kids goody bags which will probably stay there until either a)Rich and I finish it off or if we are feeling particularly strong willed b)next Valentines day.  My kids like candy but never eat it...try to grasp that one) 

Back to the question at hand...I LOVE chocolate and peanut butter.  I also like dark chocolate and treat myself to a small piece of dark chocolate everyday.  The bad news is that most of the candy in said cupboard is made by Recess...sigh.

2. What more than anything else makes you feel loved?
This seems like an easy question at first glance because my husband makes me feel absolutely loved every minute of every day.  But since I have typed something and deleted it about 4 times now it must be harder than  I thought to answer.  He calls me beautiful everytime he sees or talks to me.  He always is concerned about how I feel and my happiness is important to him (not the be all end all, but important).  I catch him staring at me with such loving looks.  Most importantly, however, is how he makes me feel when we argue.  He could be very upset with me or disagree with me, but he treats me with respect and never degrades me when we argue, and he isn't afraid to admit he is wrong and apologize.  The way he treats me when we disagree makes me feel loved above all that other stuff (which is nice too :) )

awwwww

3. Cherries or blueberries?
On my pocketbook...blueberries.  Fresh...cherries.  In oatmeal...blueberries.  In protein shakes...blueberries.  In cough syrup...cherries.  In an Icee...cherry.  In a pie...cherry. 

Looks like cherries win this one, but that is counting cough syrup...so I guess it is a tie!!

4. What is the one trait you most want the leader of your country to posess?
Compassion

5. Are you a saver or a spender?
I am a good balance.  I very rarely compulsively buy.  I love having money in savings, but I also realize that you can't take it with you and I love shoes.

6. If you gave a party for all of your friends would they already know each other?
Very few of my friends know each other.  This comes from moving around so much.  But they all have a lot in common so it wouldn't take long for them to know each other.

7. Are you interested in antiques?
Not really.  I really have no desire to "collect" things.  So I like some pieces but they really have to have a special meaning to me or be from a family member.  I can pass by an antique shop and really don't understand the motivation behind the guys from American Pickers...they get REALLY excited over some really not so interesting stuff.

8.  In summary:  I really need to have a party, but I better save up for it.  Having compassion and the ability to fight fair are two traits that I find very important.  But if you are going to pick a fight with me you better have a peace offering of peanut butter cups and not some hand me down bottle cap collection or forgiveness is out of of the question.

More Later

- A Ro

My Valentine

Valentine's Day can be a hard holiday to contend with.  It can turn into a day where you feel obligated to do something nice for your loved one.  It can turn into a day where guys rush around and try to find their sweetheart a gift and if you are a gal you bang your head against the wall because you can't figure out what to get that special guy.  It can turn into a pressure filled day that ends up being disappointing because you are trying to pour all your love into one day.

It really doesn't have to be that way.  If you truly show your love for your special someone everyday then Valentine's Day can simply be one day where you just bump up your love game just a notch.

My family has figured it out.  My family shows each other love every single day and we just enjoy treating each other to something a little more special on Valentine's Day, as I always say it is just an ordinary day, but with GIFTS!!

Now all 3.5 of you that read my blog regularly are wondering what I got Rich.  Well...I was going through the usual kvetching about what to get him besides a BMW Z-something-or-other or an airplane, which are really the only two things he talks about wanting.  So I decided to think of other things he likes.  For one thing, he likes me. For another, he always talks about how he has lived in California for quite a bit of his adult life and has never really explored any other of the locations around our beautiful state besides San Diego and really wants to travel the state a bit.  So....

We are going on Saturday to Pasedena for an Old Town Pasedena Food Tour.  It is a 3.5 hour walking tour of Old Pasedena where you stop at various restaurants for a sampling of food.  I can't wait...and I may or may not be in denial that rain is in the forecast.

Now for the biggest news...what I got today.

My girl sent me on a scavenger hunt this morning...and at the end of the hunt was a beautiful flower.  I may or may not have been putting on makeup, brushing my hair, getting lunches packed, and yelling at Andrew to hurry up while on said scavenger hunt.

She is just the most thoughtful, creative, and loving girl I have ever met.

The kids (with a little help from Rich) got me an old fashioned popcorn popper.  I am assuming that they remembered how much I like "real" popped popcorn and how my table is now permanently scared due to me trying to pop popcorn on the stove...yeah didn't turn out so well.  Bella made me a sweet card and I can't wait to break this bad boy out.

Rich got me a beautiful heart necklace and a very sweet card.  I was so thankful, and very much adored.

Overall a very beautiful, easy going, Valentine's Day with my very loving family.

No stress, no kvetching, no pressure and no need to start purchasing jet fuel...phew.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

First of all Happy Valentines' Day aka Single Awareness Day, (as my students pointed out to me).  I was very busy most of yesterday preparing for today...which means mostly I was baking...which also means I didn't get to anyone's Project 365 posts...I promise I will come by and visit soon!!

I got this make-my-heart-melt photo via text this morning from my sister in law.  We tried to get it to email, but it wouldn't so I took a picture of the picture.  It lost none of the cuteness in the translation.  He is wearing my favorite love song shirt, and I love him!!!

Friday Night was our school's coffee house and my cute make-my-hear-melt-son got to play in the house band. 

He is playing the bass.  They decorated our black box theater in 60's style coffee house, but didn't serve coffee only hot chocolate :)  Rich and I sat in the back, held  hands and sipped our pre-purchased Starbucks.  Bella snagged a beanbag up front and got to watch with her dad who came and sat with her on the floor...now that is love for a daughter and son!!

Saturday was our normal errands along with a trip to the valley to drop Andrew off for his first baseball practice of the year.  Bella Rich and I then went to the mall and had some lunch and did a little shopping.  We had take out for dinner, watched the NASCAR race (the "we" doesn't really apply to that last part as I sat on the couch and knitted)

Sunday was a blaze with laundry, the gym, and baking.

Bella had some nice treats for her teachers and we had fun making them together. 

Hopefully my hands will someday loose their pink tinge, and regain their muscle tone and be able to grip again.  Squeezing bottles full of hot pink icing really takes its toll.

I hope your weekend was spectacular!!

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 7

It is week 7 of Project 365 and we are fast approaching the half way mark of February.  This means two things to me at the moment 1)Valentine's Day is around the corner...woohoo and 2) my spring concert is creeping up on me...YIKES.

For now I am happy to post the pictures of my week...enjoy!!


Sunday February 6:

Costco for Lunch

Bella was complaining because we were dragging her to Costco.  She had never been before and, well, lets just say now she would like to buy a tent and camp out right next to the 10 gallon jugs of pickles.  It was the endless supply of free samples that got her hooked.  She was at 11 samples by the time we left.  She had a blast.

Monday February 7:

My New Obsession

OK, I am such a word nerd, (or at leas a fan of 3 and 4 letter words...ha ha.)  Words with Friends AND Boggle...wow.  Each itouch obsession can be squarely blamed on Andrew...all his fault.

Tuesday February 8:

Cutie Bella

Forgot to take a picture today so tonight I was looking around and this picture of Bella when she was 3 years old and it just struck me...so I snapped this one for today.  She is holding a heart that says "I Love You".  Break my heart!!

Wednesday February 9:

Bella Got Her Some 10 Bucks!!

Nana's Valentine's box came today (sorry Mom I thought we got it Friday but then I looked back at my pictures)...Bella loves getting surprises from Nana and she can't wait to give out the cute Valentines to her classmates.  She will more than likely save the money...that is just the way she rolls.  Andrew got some money too.  Thanks Nana!!!

Thursday February 10:

Hello Old Friends

I broke these bad boys out today for my workout.  I really like to spin, but for some reason I haven't done it for awhile...maybe too busy running.  It felt good and I got a good workout.

Friday February 11:

Coffee House

Tonight was our school's Coffee House.  It is sort of an open mic night.  They set up tables, bean bag chairs and lava lamps and we get to hear all sorts of talent, from singers to poets.  My wonderful student Katharine (hi Katharine) took this picture and I love it.  Andrew played bass in the "house band" which provided music between the acts.  I actually got a picture of him so I'll post that tomorrow on my weekend wrap up post.  We had a great time.

Saturday February 12:

Beauty Salon

Bella wanted her nails painted for Valentine's Day so mama did her best impression of a beautician and Bella got some blue nails with pink hearts. 

In Summary:  It seems like this week was a lot of object pictures.  We worked out, got some surprises, had a wonderful night out supporting my amazing students, and Bella found a new hang out spot in Costco.  In my book this was a great week!!

More Later

- A Ro

Friday Fun

So I had this big post all ready to go about the problem with buying men things for Valentine's Day.  We women folk are SO easy to buy for, especially me.  Give me a cooking gadget, jewlery, Victoria Secret stuff, Bath and Body Works, or really just nice heartfelt cold hard cash...just kidding.

I am very easy to please when it comes to gifts.  For me it really is the thought that counts.
But that only gets you so far when you are trying to buy something for the man in your life.  Valentine's day is not really a testosterone filled holiday, as pink and red hearts does not scream masculinity.  So the guy gift giving is hard.

So anyway I was going to kvetch about my lack of gift for Rich.

However, I no longer need to do that because I found have the PERFECT gift for him.

I'll tell you later.

So back to Friday Fun.

I found this video and laughed my butt off...I love Josh Groban.  He has an amazing voice but is also very funny, down to earth, and can laugh at himself.  This is from the Jimmy Kimmel Live show.



Fast forward through the bodysuited cupid in the opening "commercial" if you can. There is only one beeped word at the beginning otherwise there is no bad language...odd for Kanye West tweets.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

More Later

- A Ro

The One Where I Tell You 25 Pieces of Meaningless Information

So here at the A Ro blog it is my 400th post.  In honor of that major feat (as I really didn't think I'd last this long) I am going to give you some tidbits of information about ME!!! 

I am sure some of you thought that it would be a giveaway...but nope not this time but I have some inside information that there MIGHT be a giveaway sometime early next week...oooooohhhhh

Now some of you (3.5 to be exact) might know some of these things already so just skip over the ones you already know about and take note of the ones you don't as there will be a quiz sometime next week.

not really

1. I have a dog named Maggie...see an easy right off the bat tidbit of information.
2. My favorite color is purple not sure why we as a society feel like we really know someone as long as we know their favorite color...need to find out where that came from.
3. I have no spleen...as evidenced by the rather large scar across my belly which prohibits me from ever wearing a bikini that and the fact that I like donuts.
4. I have the overwhelming urge to make my bed everyday...
5. I hate to drive...thankfully my husband humors me and will drive anytime we are together and will even go with me places just I don't have to drive.  It isn't that I DREAD to drive, just don't have fun doing it.
6. I wish I knew how to pop my gum...I realize that some of you think that is a disgusting habit, but I think it is totally cool.
7. My Tupperware cabinet is so organized that I am the only one allowed to put anything in it or take anything out of it.
8. My first rock concert was to go see Rick Springfield with my neighbor friend...and my dad...fun times.
9. I have had glasses or contacts since I was three years old, and they were NEVER straight on my face in any of my childhood pictures.
10. My Bath and Body Works flavor is Warm Vanilla Sugar...oddly enough it is Rich's favorite flavor too :)
11. I hate to backtrack...I am always thinking about how to get somewhere in the most direct way.
12. I was a vegan vegetarian for 2 years...the key word is WAS.
13. I am the oldest of my siblings and the shortest...by about 6.5 inches.
14. I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my mouth...as long as it is a rather long cherry stem.
15. I am a classically trained opera singer, turned mother, turned teacher...thank goodness I am a better mother and teacher than opera singer.
16. My Starbucks drink of choice is a iced skinny cinnamon dolce latte decaf, I like to call it the hardly-worth-it-latte
17. I secretly like Katy Perry...although I guess it isn't really a secret anymore.
18. I need to hit snooze exactly 2 times before I can get up.  This makes knowing what time I need to set the alarm a math lesson every night.
19. I hate dog hair even though it is the secret ingredient in most everything I cook.
20. If you are facing the bed I have to sleep on the left side.
21. I am an early to bed early to rise kind of girl...yep even on the weekend.
22. I hate public speaking but have no trouble at all singing in front of large crowds.
23. I love shoes and if you ask my kids they will tell you that I have a million pairs.
24. I don't like anyone to touch my feet therefore I have never had a pedicure...I know that I am missing out on a heavenly event, but it would cause me to pass out.
25. I married my high school sweetheart after 20 years and thankfully he loves me because and in spite of all these things.

More Later

- A Ro

Don't You Just LOVE the Hodgepodge

Joining in again this week for Joyce's weekly hodgepodge.  If you don't want to think too much about what to blog about then you to can go on over and answer these questions, link up and play along.

Here are my thoughts to this week's questions:

1. What is more important-doing what you love or loving what you do?
I really think it is more important to do what you love.  It makes for a happier life.  If that isn't possible then you should really try your hardest to love what you do.  One of my favorite quotes is "Life is not the way it is supposed to be.  It's just the way it is.  The way you cope with it is what makes all the difference"

2. Do you like bleu cheese?
I think I would like the taste of bleu cheese if it wasn't full of mold.  Yeah...that's the way I roll.  I won't eat escargot because they are SNAILS.  I won't eat caviar because it's FISH EGGS.  I won't eat eel because its EEL.  It might have something to do with texture, but mostly it is because it is MOLD.

3. What is the most difficult emotion for you to handle?
I think fear is the most difficult emotion for me to handle. In fact it can be gripping at times.

4. Fresh flowers or a box of chocolate?
I really don't like either.  If you are going to drop $50 bucks on me for Valentines Day, then I would prefer a piece of jewlery or a silicone muffin tin (or two)...hint hint.

I am totally serious.


5. What's a song you love that has the word 'love' in its title? It doesn't have to be a 'love song'.

This has always been one of my favorite "love" songs.  John Lennon decided to base the song around a word that was known by most people around the world...love.



6. Are you the person you wanted to be when you grew up?
Yes. Exactly.  I wanted to be a high school choir director and direct musical theater.  As far as who I have become as a person...I have very few regrets.

7. Any special Valentines Day plans?
C'mon we are practically newlyweds...psh...of course we have plans for a Valentine's Day that falls on a school/work day with two kids.  I am sure it will involve us cooking dinner, lots of homework, and an episode of Chuck.  AND if I am lucky enough to get above mentioned silicone muffin tin it might include me baking some Valentine's day muffins!!!

truthfully I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing

In Summary:  If fear is the one emotion I have the most difficulty with...love is the easiest.  It is something that I do easily and with my whole heart.  I am lucky to have a man in my live and a family who do so as well.  I am very excited for Valentines Day and as long as I don't have to eat eel, or blue cheese AND I get some silicone muffin tins...it will be a great day!!


More Later

- A Ro