Movie Night...alone.

So tonight no kids, GS at work, so I decided to go see a movie...by myself. There are two types of people in the world...those who don't like to go to movies by themselves, and those who LOVE to go to movies by themselves. I am one of those people who don't like to go to movies by themselves or for that matter, eat at a restaurant by myself...am I wierd? If I do eat by myself I have to bring something to do...so I am not just sitting there staring into space...eating. I have wierd thing about watching people eat and people watching me eat. Eating is just a weird kind of primal thing...i don't know...

...I know I should call my therapist.


Anyway I went to see a movie by myself...and no it didn't have Chevy Chase in it or even the word "vacation" in the title, but it WAS an Amy movie...Confessions of a Shopaholic.

I just LOVED that book...now I know it wasn't War and Peace or anything but a very entertaining chick book...as a matter of fact I loved the whole series. But this movie couldn't have been any more different than the book...with the exception of the character names (and even a few were added), the shopping problem of our heroine (and her problem was way more serious in the movie), and the...oh wait that was it...

this movie should have been titled...

"Confessions of a Shopaholic: Loosely based on the book Confessions of a Shopaholic...and people I mean loosly based...so don't get your hopes up"

I enjoyed the movie anyway...eating my popcorn...by myself...feeling very primal...

Things I Noticed:

1. When your school has a faculty party never agree to lip sync for prizes...

2. When your school has a faculty party and you randomly pick the song "I Kissed a Girl" fein the stomach flu and run for the bathroom.

3. When your school has a faculty party and do decide to go ahead and play along and agree to lip sync "I Kissed a Girl" make sure you don't do it completely sober...never mind that I don't drink.

4. When your school has a faculty party and it is your turn to lip sync "I Kissed a Girl" try not to look at your headmaster, principal, or your dean of academic affairs.

5. It is funny how people change with the addition of an open bar...and I don't necessarily mean funny ha-ha.

6. My dog doesn't do walks very calmly...

7. My dog doesn't mind wearing a bicycle helmet...picture to come later.

8. I am not looking forward to adding a half of a mile to my run tomorrow...5 miles YIKES...

9. I think it is important to constantly turn over new leaves.

10. I am not ready to take my trip...

Things I am Grateful For:

1. A fabulous job.

2. GS who also thinks it is important to constantly turn over new leaves.

3. My daughter who calls me up to tell me that she misses me...aawww.

4. My son who calls me...sometimes.

5. My mom who calls me...just because.

More Later

-A Ro

Lying

Like the old children's saying: Liar, liar pants on fire, or as Patrick on Sponge Bob says "Liar, liar plants for hire" no one likes a liar...


...or do they??


Now I know you are wondering why am on this particular soap box today...well it started with me trying to lie to myself this morning...I know that sounds crazy but this is how it went:


Alarm goes off 3:45 am (I know...stupid)

Me: Well it is time to get up and go run

Liar me: Well if I just say that I have a headache I could go back to bed.

Me: What are you crazy you don't have a headache?? Get your lazy butt out of bed and go run.

Liar Me: ...well since you put it that way...OK

Now realize that I was sleepy and irrational but that is how it went down. I actually tried to lie to myself. This made me think about lying. I have had some situations lately where I have been the victim of lying...and it makes me so mad.


...but I got to thinking...do I really want the truth all of the time? Think about what the world would be like if we only told the truth...


First: "Do these jeans make my butt look big?"

C'mon...why do I ask the question...I know these jeans make my butt look big...because my butt is big... I guess if my loved ones say "no of course not" it would be like me lying to myself about having a headache this morning...makes us feel better. I would be really upset if they said "As a matter of fact they do make your butt look big...because your butt is big." moral of that story...lie like a rug.


Secondly: "How are you?"

Finally: How many times do we ask someone "How are you?" Now we would all like to think that we really want to know how people are. But think about how many times you ask that question and how many times do you really have time to find out. I have made it a personal goal to not ask this question unless I am ready for the whole truth...


Lastly: "Do you want fries with that?"

I mean really if we had to tell the truth always...this would would get me everytime...Of course I want fries with that....the more the merrier...duh. But if i had to be honest about this one...


...then my family might not be able to lie when I ask them about my butt looking big...


More later
-A Ro

Going Out of Town

My school is very generous about sending its teachers to professional development events. This is my 6th year working for this school and I have only gone to one professional development conference. For some reason the organizations that I belong to seem to not have my schedule in mind when planning their conferences because each time I wanted to go to one I had a major school conflict.

Not this year...

This year there is a national conference that falls right before my spring choral concert...YIPEE...I get to go to Oklahoma City for three days...no kids, no cooking, no making the bed, networking with people who understand ME...I did a major happy dance with my rose colored glasses on...

Then reality set in...

Here are the top 10 reasons going to this conference is turning into a headache:

10. I am going to miss my daughter's third grade play...I know...how could a mother not have that in red letters on her calendar...I don't need your guilt...my daughter is giving me enough.

9. Trying to find somewhere to put the dog...now maybe I procrastinated...maybe I should have thought of this more than 2 weeks out...but in my defense I had GS all lined up to take care of the dog until he suddenly has to go out of town...alright...alright 2 months is not necessarily "suddenly"...don't think I can't hear those lectures about why it isn't a good idea to procrastinate...you just need to stop it already.

8. Trying to find somewhere to put my kids...now I know that sounded sorta harsh...but when you are a mother, this is a very tough task. Now I know that they have a father, and trust me he will be doing his part, but he is a very busy man...so I arranged a few play dates with friends. Moms you know what I am talking about...I know you do...and dads...you just need to accept your limitations.

7. Packing...I really hate to pack...I am a horrible packer I end up packing so much more than I need...I am the "what if" person...what if Oklahoma gets a snow storm and I need a parka...what if I suddenly lose 25 pounds and want to wear my bikini...ok that was just plain stupid. BUT not only do I have to pack for me I have to pack for my kids...and this is where it gets tricky. Trying to predict what they will need while I am gone is just next to impossible.

6. Missing classes and lesson plans...Now this shouldn't be too tough. I have a great accompanist that is going to take most of my classes...but we have a concert the week I get back...and I just get so worried.

5. Being away from my kids for that long...I know that it is a mother's dream to have some alone time, and I will tell you that I will be looking forward to that hotel room without kids. But I am a worrier, I am not sure you know that about me...(if you don't you haven't been paying attention). I just need to trust in the plan...Ok now I'm really worried.

4. Running and diet plans...now I know that it is really easy to lose weight and diet when you are out of town...and the hotel DOES have a fitness center...ok I'll try stop laughing now...

3. Meeting new people...I am a very social person...and I think that I get along with everyone I meet, and I am a very personable kinda gal. But man that takes hard work...it isn't easy. I really hate meeting new people, I hate small talking and chit chatting...most would say that I am good at it but it takes work and isn't something that I look forward to...maybe I'll just make a card with my blog address and hand it to them and walk away.

2. Driving and dealing with LAX...I know that this sounds fun to most...and I can feel that green monster coming out...ok really. The thought of dealing with the nightmare of driving to LAX, using the self serve kiosk...(which never seems to work for me), checking baggage, and finally security. Now I know that I should just not check baggage and just carry on a suitcase, but I'll refer you to #7 above. PLUS when I don't check baggage I worry about not finding a place to put my carry-on...I know very silly.

1. Getting to the airport in Oklahoma and having to get a taxi...now I know this seems silly to all of you "normal" people. I have never ridden in a taxi, and it scares me to death...so much that it is the number one reason that going to this conference is turning into a headache.

...I know I need to call my therapist.


More later
- A-Ro

Bad Day Gone Good

I don't want to seem like a complainer...and I really do make lemonade out of lemons most of the time, but sometimes things build up and even the best lemonade, after awhile, just doesn't taste so good.


I have been sailing in kinda rough waters lately...nothing life changing just annoying stuff. Anyway, last night was sort of the straw that broke the camel's back. I went to bed sort of early, but then Andrew couldn't find his cup...and I'm not talking coffee cup...so I woke up to try to brainstorm where it could be...and it wasn't in the cupboard...now mind you I didn't GET up, but was awake none-the-less. So I was off my sleep schedule already (and you know what being off my schedule does to me). Then our dog Maggie, my precious pup, decided that she would channel a newborn and wake me up every 3 hours scratching at the door. So I hauled my tired butt out of bed to walk her down and put her outside...to which she sat on the patio and stared at me...go figure. The silly thing is that I did it again a few hours later...but I tried to yell at her and get her to lay down...no avail.



So I was tired and grouchy and didn't get up for my run...which made me even more tired and grouchy, and I had to deal with some really annoying situations, and was at work from 7:00 am to 5:45 p.m. so...recap...I was tired and grouchy.



But GS, once again comes to the rescue, he suggested that we go to our favorite BBQ place for dinner...OK twist my arm. And when we got there these were sitting on the table:



Daisies...my favorite, always have been my favorite...just something about the simplicity of daisies.



...he remembered that little tidbit of information...what a guy.


Things I Noticed Today:
1. When my students listen to me and have an open mind they really can accomplish some pretty amazing things.

2. When my students don't listen to me and give up they can really have a tough time of things.

3. The hard part about being a teacher is more of the second and less of the first.

4. People do actually read my blog...that is really cool...cause I like to write.

5. My day sucks when I don't run...really sucks.

Things I am Thankful For:
1. GS and beautiful daisies.

2. My friend Mandy...she is such a great distraction, and a good listener.

3. The Sharks, the Jets, Anita, Maria, Tony...they really kicked butt on "Tonight"

4. Did I mention GS and beautiful daisies?

5. Phone calls...


More Later

-A Ro

Midday Post - Movies

I am doing a quick mid-day post because I was reading another blog I follow (Second Cup of Coffee) and she did a review on the movie Slumdog Millionaire. She was not able to sit through the whole movie because of some of the violent scenes...and boy do I know where she is coming from.

As I commented on her blog, my family likes to say that if Chevy Chase is not in the movie and it doesn't have the word "Vacation" in it mom doesn't go see it. I am really not that bad...

Ok...maybe I am.

Here is my thing: If I pluck down $10.50 for a movie I want to be entertained...not horrified. I am a very sensitive person you know...now my ex used to wonder how I could be such a big opera fan (not Oprah as some of my student mistaken)...I mean opera, you know lady with horns singing "kill the wabbit"...no that isn't it either.

but...I digress.

Opera is full of violence and death and betrayal, and I love it so...but it is just different not "real"...I mean how real can it seem some lady is dying after being stabbed, but she seems to be able to sing another 45 minute aria...just isn't real.

My son saw Slumdog...and loved it, I mean said it was the best movie he ever saw. He bugs me daily telling me that I need to see it. I am SO surprised that he could handle it. He is like me in the sensitive department, but he could do it. I think he has a better skills in separating make believe and reality. I am not sure...I'll have to ask him about that.

Anyway...I really want to be that kind of movie goer, the one that goes to a movie is moved and works to be a better person...I really do.

C'mon though, I did learn some lessons from my kind of movies.... Here are a few:
1. If you want to go to Wally World you better make sure it is open.
2. Never eat yellow sandwiches.
3. If Christie Brinkley is naked in a pool run the other way.
4. Make sure the squirrels are out of the Christmas tree before you put it up in your living room. 5. More Christmas lights is not necessarily better.
6. Never let your crazy relatives park outside your home in their RV.
7. Don't let your crazy aunt bring the jello to the Christmas dinner.

...thanks Chevy Chase.


More later
-A Ro

Last Minute Project/Sportsmanship

Two part er today...an Isabella story and an Andrew story and I need reader comment so all 3 of you get ready to comment...

Part I:
First of all I am sure that I am not the only parent who hears "Oh my gosh I forgot to do this project" as the first thing that comes out of their child's mouth first thing in the morning...ok maybe first thing in the morning is unusual but I am not sure...as this is the first time I have heard it and I heard it from my daughter's mouth...the girl who doesn't forget ANYTHING...

Anyway she needed to make a fish puppet...and she remembered 20 minutes before we had to walk out the door...Isabella cut scales out of an old Mylar balloon.

I promise I will stop cursing her for wanting to save everything...

I put glue on the paper bag....this is what it turned out to look like:


This is me trying to take the picture at a red light and Isabella yelling at me that the light turned green...to funny.

So the first question is: Do you think I should have helped her this morning or let her not turn in the assignment? It is so hard to not want to save your daughter, but is it the right thing to do?


Part II:

Andrew had his basketball game...now I know what you are thinking...baseball, football, basketball...I know I am quite sick of it all too, but what is a mother of an athletic kid to do. Anyway it was a quarter final game...The team had two things stacked up against them 1) their star player broke his hand this weekend and 2) the team they were playing had a kid that was 6'7"...now I know that you are saying "Amy...c'mon you can't really believe there is a 6'7" eighth grader". I know this because when Andrew told me I said "Andrew...c'mon you can't really believe that there is a 6'7" eighth grader"

They have a 6'7" eighth grader...

Now as you can see by the huddle of our team that my son (#50) is one of the shortest kid on the team...
Here is Andrew standing next to their 6'7" player...geez he's tall...someone check his driver license.
And these are the fans of the other team. And here is my dilemma...These fans were the most ugly, rude, obnoxious fans I have seen. Now I didn't point out yet that the final score of the game was 37 - 11...yes we scored only 11 points...and my son was mostly a bench player, but he has a good heart and works hard and plays smart. Those fans the ones in that picture...(and if you recognize yourself...shame on you) when my son came on to the court yelled "Hey #50 is in...he can't dribble so stay on him"...The heat in my face slowly rose and my ears started burning and I am pretty sure smoke was coming out of my ears...I couldn't believe that someone would say something so hurtful...

So my second question is: How does this happen? Now I know that it isn't excusable, and I am pretty sure that those people are probably nice on the inside...but how do sporting events turn fans into those kind of horrible creatures??? I mean you hear about it all the time...I just want to know Why?

and I'd take some winning lottery numbers while you're at it...

Things I'm Grateful For:
1. My son's basketball team for not ever giving up.
2. Old Mylar balloons...and knowing where the glue stick was.
3. Isabella once again being gracious and running around to another of Andrew's things.
4. Dinner out
5. Our fans

More later

- A Ro

Ordinary Day

Sitting here trying to think about what to blog and realizing that it was just an ordinary day. Busy but ordinary...so I decided to think about the ordinary and how it becomes extra-ordinary if you just take another look at it.

7:45 - Gym...4.5 mile run...usual, but when I really think about where I started 7 weeks ago with 2 miles and now I am running 4.5 miles...really extraordinary.

9:00 - Grocery Shopping - the ordinary, but enjoying the company of GS and having someone push my cart, load my groceries, and help me put them away. Sharing responsibility for this chore was never a part of my normal routine...

11:30 - Andrew haircut...buzz cut to be exact...normal event, but sitting watching my teenager get his haircut next to a 1 year old blond blue eyed boy and remembering my boo that age...heartwarming.

12:30 - Picture day for baseball...normal event. The lined up the boys by height and I watched all 12 of them waiting to go...my boy being the smallest. The other boys were just goofy...silly...obniouxous...and my boy was quietly chatting with his good friend (the next shortest one) being respectful member of this team. I was proud to have witnessed this part of my boy.

1:00 - Lunch at the mall...an ordinary event, but Andrew also did something that made me think. There was this guy that went around to all the tables and put little key chains/pens with a note saying that he was deaf and that for a $2.00 donation we could keep the pen. Andrew watched this guy walk around the food court. He couldn't concentrate on anything else. He was worried about this guy and he hurried us through lunch because he was getting upset that this guy had to do this to survive...extraordinary look at lunch at the mall.

3:15 - Andrew's Football game...ordinary Sunday event...this one when I looked back on it tonight could only think of Bella. She was drug around to all these events today for Andrew, but she was gracious, and brought things to do without complaint...it reminded me of something her friends mom said yesterday...she said that she just loved my daughter...that she was such a gracious child who was so flexible and a joy to be around...that mom is absolutely right...she is such a joy to be around...I'm so lucky that I get to call her my own.

5:00 - Rushing Andrew to orchestra...ordinary event. I am so lucky to have this son who is so talented at playing the cello. Last week sitting at his concert I realized that I have this boy that when I watched him play I thought my heart was going to explode with pride...I am such a lucky mom.

6:00 - Hanging out with Bella and getting chores done...Ok nothing extraordinary about chores...I mean I could say how lucky I am to have home to do chores in, food to cook for dinner, clothes to wash (even though I hate all my clothes), and a beautiful daughter to hang out with...ok enough said.

My ordinary day was filled with extraordinary things...I hope to put new perspective on other ordinary days. Because I think the true meaning of living life is just that living the ordinary days as if they were extraordinary...I have a big job ahead of me.


Things I am Thankful For:
read the above list...thank you

More later

-A Ro

"Both" is now a bad word in our household

It was a busy day in our household. It started out with a baseball scrimmage at 8:00 am...that is way too early to cheer baseball players...Thank goodness for bagels and Starbucks.

Isabella with her favorite breakfast food...toasted onion bagel with a ton of cream cheese... (would you like some bagel with your cream cheese)

Doesn't he just look like a baseball player...the kid playing first base played with Andrew in "A" ball in 3rd grade...now they are both teenagers...boy that slapped me back into reality.

Then we got to do my favorite thing ever...take my kid to a "bee". Had to go watch my son compete in our school's Geography Bee...thankfully he won...but geez I thought I was gonna die...I hated each question and sweat like I was the one up there...thankfully I wasn't. So my daughter decided last week that she wanted to do the local spelling bee. I tried everything I could think of to talk her out of it...mostly so I wouldn't have to deal with it all...she was so excited and she had such a great attitude about it. I just knew, however, that she would probably be disappointed and I would have to feel her heartache as if it were my own, but I signed the sheet and hoped for the best. Well today was the day.

At least one of her good friends was there to keep her company while we waited and moral support...oh wait I needed the moral support...where was my good friend???

The time came for her to go in...if they missed one word they were out...one word...do you know how many words I have misspelled just while typing this post...so one word and she goes home. Well needless to say I didn't settle down into a comfy spot and pull out my book...then i thought I was jinxing her by waiting by the door so Andrew and I went and sat by the fountain and I did pull out my crossword puzzle (tomorrow is Sunday and the new one comes out and I haven't finished last weeks...it is hard...what kind of clue is "mo"...but I digress). Soon after I sat down her friend's mom came up to me and said that Isabella was about ready to come out. So as she gets sent out the entire crowd starts to cheer...which was a little overwhelming...

She was a trooper though...with her certificate...

Andrew had a big hug for her.

As we are walking to the parking lot we asked her what word she missed. The word was "both". She started out with B-O...but then couldn't decided if there was a U or just T-H. She went with the U...and missed the word. But we promised her ice cream so off to baskin robins.

As you can see she lost some of her "little trooper"attitude. On the way to ice cream she asked me if she could cry...I said of course...and the tears came, and my heart proceeded to break. We need to watch "Akeelah and the Bee" to get our spirits back up.

She informed me that now we are no longer allowed to use the word "both" in our house. I'll try my best.

Things I Noticed Today:

1. I feel crappy when I don't get my run.

2. I just adore my children...even though that means my heart gets wrenched every now and then.

3. Doing my taxes as a single woman isn't so bad. One W-2 is ok with me.

4. I own stock in a company I had no idea I owned stock in...crazy...

5. I had a great Saturday...I could use another.

Things I am Thankful For:

1. Hot tea on a cool morning.

2. Fun baseball...and winning isn't so bad either.

3. Two healthy smart kids.

4. Old friends...love facebook

5. GS...

More later

-A Ro

Friendly Hellos or Crazy Obsession

Now I am trying to decide if I am crazy or just more friendly than most. I really like to say hello to people and consider myself friendly. I realize that I was born and raised in Iowa so that might have something to do with it because in Iowa everyone is friendly. Maybe too much sometimes as my dad could not go out without having half a dozen conversations with people he might or might not know. The neighbor, the postman, the gym coach, the Home Depot worker, the cart collector at the grocery store, the solicitor people you try to ignore...

my dad didn't know the word stranger...and I guess I got that gene.

Well the issue I have at the moment is when I pass someone in the hall way, if I know them, I smile and say hello...at the very least I make eye contact and smile...and most of the time the prerequisite of knowing them is not even valid...I just say hello to anyone who will make eye contact with me. I guess I might be alone in that way of being except I have this former student who is now 13 who goes out of his way to say hello to me...that just makes my day!!!...For instance today I was walking in the hallway at school (our hallways are outside...) and a fellow faculty member was walking the opposite way, now I know her, I have taught her children, we have many conversations often...I wouldn't say that we are friends, but very good acquaintances. Now we were alone in the hallway and she was looking straight ahead...she didn't make eye contact...I was looking at her the entire time waiting for the eye contact so that I could smile and say hello.

Now what I don't understand is who wouldn't want a friendly smile and a friendly hello...I mean really in this day and age of numerous stressors who wouldn't want a moment of...friendly. Now this moment of friendly takes absolutely no effort...all you have to do is glance my way and I will do all the work. I love saying hello to my students and ask them how they are doing...it makes them realize that I care...which I really do...I really try to live by my father's words "Make sure that everyone you come in contact with leaves that encounter happier than when they came."

Try me sometime...

Things I Noticed Today:
1. I get so much more done when I am in front of my choir instead of behind the piano.

2. There are certain people who just lie...not sure if it is a habit or malicious...but nonetheless it is annoying and just not right.

3. "Sleeping in" (getting up at 5:00 instead of 4:00) is not all its cracked up to be...I am still tired.

4. When my student sang "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" at today's Black History Month assembly I was the only one with tears in my eyes...music does really move me...or I am just a sap...could be both.

5. I am really going to miss my seniors.

6. It feels good to fight for what you want.

7. It feels good to win a hard fought basketball game...well at least I think it does...I didn't actually play...thank goodness.

8. Boys change a lot between 3rd grade and 8th grade.

9. Homework with my third grader sometimes is a pain in the butt...geez

10. I really like facebook...is that a bad thing?

Things I am Grateful For:
1. An ex-husband who doesn't mind running kids here and there even when it isn't "his" day.

2. GS who cleaned up the dishes and took out the garbage...woah

3. The 8th grade varsity basketball team who gave me quite a show this afternoon.

4. My dad for instilling all kinds of great things in me.

5. For the ability to see my strengths and weaknesses.

More later

-A Ro

Looky - Loos and Just Plain Rude People.

Today was another adventure in driving on those three digit paths to hell. I had to go to Andrew's basketball game. Now I use the words "had to" lightly...I didn't "have to", but the other option was to sit at my school until 6:30 ish waiting for the bus to come back because his game was the first and there was another team playing after...so I didn't have rehearsal so I decided to grab Bella and go. Now I knew that I was going to have to get on the 101 at around 3:30...but I thought to myself...self...1) it is earlier than before maybe it won't be so crowded...and 2) I can do this. If I can get up and run 4.5 miles this morning at 4:00 am...I can certainly sit in my temperature controlled car, with my radio on, in the company of my sweet daughter, sipping my Starbucks iced venti passion tea with sugar free vanilla...C'MON AMY be rational. Well being rational up until it actually happens is one thing but...

Well to my defense it all started bad...I must say before I even got on the 101. I was pulling into the Von's parking lot to get the post-game snack. I knew it would be rushing it to try to get it after school before the game, but I went to leave in the middle of the day to run this errand and realized that I would be leaving in the middle of a fire drill...a big no-no. So it was going to have to wait...So I pull in get my snack (and my Starbucks iced venti passion tea with sugar free vanilla) and as I was leaving the busy parking lot right next to the 101 some lady in a fancy lexus was making a left hand turn where it was a right hand turn only sign...and no she didn't just not see the sign it was HUGE. So what does she think, that the big sign does not apply to people who drive gas guzzling cars that cost more than Oprah's shoe collection??? I don't get it...it is just rude to leave a huge line of people behind you wanting to turn right just so you don't have to drive a little more in the parking lot to an exit that actually has a stop light...GEEZZZ. So admittedly I was off to a rough start. Even GS talking in my ear telling me nice calming things didn't work...Got on the 101 and of course instant parking lot. I was doing all right...sipping on my iced tea...listening to the radio...until I realized a bit further along that the reason I was in stand still traffic was because there was an accident ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY...do you hear me NOT EVEN ON MY SIDE...IT WAS GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. Which means that the people on my side were SLOWING down to look at the accident - a Looky - Loo as they say. Now the accident was really only a fender bender...how do I know that you ask without being a Looky Loo myself...because by the time I got to the accident I WAS GOING 10 MILES AN HOUR. So how does this phenomenon work...does it take one person looking...you know the first person...to cause this problem...how in the heck does this happen??? Civil Engineers please fill me in because it is bad enough being stuck in traffic but to know that there was NO GOOD REASON FOR IT!!! Makes me crazy...crazy I tell you.

Things I Noticed Today:
1. Boy does some information travel fast...whoosh.

2. Portuguese is very hard to sing in.

3. There is a difference between Vocal Jazz and Jazz Choir.

4. I dislike passive aggressive people...just let me have it already.

5. I love double blocks of High School Chorus.

6. Alex and Aaron need to leave Alynne (girl) alone...those A names...ha that includes me too!!

7. It takes more than 2:00 minutes to come back from a 20 point deficit.

8. But my son's team played like they thought they could.

9. I like it when our musical accompanist is out of town...I get to go see my son's basketball games.

10. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Things I am Grateful For:
1. Starbucks iced venti passion tea with sugar free vanilla.
2. Pork chops on the grill waiting for me when I get home. (Thanks GS)
3. Not having to run tomorrow...day off
4. Patient girl
5. Basketball boy.

More later

- A Ro

Why?

Why is it after a really long stressful day I don't want to come home and cook? I love to cook, I really do, but today on my way home after a very hard day I just didn't want to cook. I had fish in the fridge yummy ahi ahi tuna, and was planning on fixing yummy fettuccine and broccoli, one of my favorite dishes. I just couldn't do it. I needed to just sit and let someone else wait on me, cook my meal, and then clean up after me....hmmm maybe I really don't like to cook??

Why is it that being asked to sing at my beautiful sister's wedding gives me such a worried feeling? I am a professional singer...it is what I do...I love to sing at weddings...it's what I do...I would do anything for my sister...it is what I do. So when she asked me to sing my first reaction was...of course...what else would I do...sing...it is what I do, but then I got all nervous. How would I find the right song...it is hard to pick something so special for someone else, also knowing that she doesn't want to hurt my feelings so she might not be honest with me if I pick the wrong song. What if I start to cry in the middle of it...I am a crier...I admit it...it is what I do. Hopefully the professional in me will get me through singing this beautiful song looking at my little sister (14 years younger) pledge her love to this great guy...oh boy I'm in trouble (just kidding Kate, I am honored to sing at your wedding)

Why is it that I can't handle constructive criticism? I know that I am not good at everything...I know it, but when I realize that there is something that I am not good at my first instinct is to self defeat, but thankfully my second instinct is to try to figure out how to get better at it. So that is going to be how I tackle this next hurdle. Do what I can in spite of the diva in me to be perfect...oh boy I'm in trouble.


Things I Noticed Today:
1. My morning sucks when i forget my water bottle...I just need my water.

2. I feel very helpless and guilty when my son wakes up with a sore throat and I am looking at a my busiest teaching day and I say "Get in the shower...it will make you feel better" knowing full well it won't.

3. I love it when my son comes and eats lunch with me...I know he has a hundred kids his own age to eat with and he chooses his mom. What a great kid I have...

4. I love Chuck...the show...I just love it and I think about the episode all the day after and chuckle...get it chuck..le. I make myself crazy.

5. I really hate it when I go to the student store to get some low fat chips and I see a bag that is very reasonable calorie wise...buy it and then realize that there are two servings in the bag thus making it not so reasonable calorie wise...

6. I got my butt out of bed at 4:00 am and ran 4.5 miles...YIPEE.

7. I cannot believe that I got my butt out of bed at 4:00 am and ran 4.5 miles...gotta do it again tomorrow.

8. The quintet "Tonight" from West Side Story is an absolute biotch to sing and teach...really, an absolute biotch.

9. I cannot wait for my head to hit the pillow, all tucked in under the covers...and go to sleep. I'm tired.

10. I love Facebook...I know that many loathe it and what it does to their day, but I am finding all kinds of old friends...it is really fun to reminisce.

Things I am Grateful For:
1. Reds BBQ...the answer to not wanting to cook fish.
2. Eating lunch with my teenager.
3. Having the ability to accept that I am not good at everything...Ok having the ability to maybe admit that I might not be good at everything...come on it's a start.
4. Getting the honor to sing at my sister's wedding.
5. My warm bed...right over there just waiting for me to jump it

More later

- A Ro

Grandpa Mike's (Not for Chili Snobs) Chili

When I say this is not for Chili Snobs I mean that it is so easy...open cans, cut veggies, and put in crock pot...no magic sauce no magic seasoning, no magic nothing...except for the letter you see in front of the ingredients. That is a letter from my dad who we lost suddenly in 2003 to a heart attack...it has this recipe in it and it is one of the things I cherish...isn't it funny what you hold onto when you don't get to say good-bye.

Again nothing but canned stuff, 12 oz precooked chicken...I roasted a chicken yesterday, 1 3/4 cup of chopped red pepper and onion, and the magic letter.

Pour two large cans of marinara sauce and 2 cups water in the crock-pot.

Add the two packets chili seasoning.

Add the chopped onion and red peppers

Rinse the two cans of black beans.

Add the two cans of black beans to the crock pot.

Rinse the two cans of Kidney Beans, and add them to the crock-pot.

Add the 12 oz of chicken and cook on high for 4 hours.

Add 2 oz. red fat cheddar cheese, and 2 T light sour cream to finish it off.

My Dad told us in the letter to keep a bottle of Maalox near by. I just love this low fat chili recipe. It is about 230 calories per cup without the sour cream and cheese. I really love it...the veggies stay a little crunchy and it is not too hot. I don't know if I like it so much because it is from my dad...either way it is one of my favorite recipes.

Grandpa Mike's (Not for chili snobs) Chili:

2 large cans of marinara sauce
2 packets chili seasoning

2 15 oz cans black beans

2 15 oz cans kidney beans

1 3/4 cup chopped onion

1 3/4 cup chopped red peppers

12 oz cooked chicken

Check out my 25 random things entry below.

More later

- A Ro

Twenty Five

One of the blogs I follow did a twenty five list...so I thought I'd do it today. Twenty five random things about me.

1. I sleep with covers on even when it is hot.

2. I love shoes but never pay more than $20 for a pair.

3. I don't have a spleen.

4. I will buy an outfit to go with jewelry that I get as a gift (I am a teacher so I get lots of jewelry gifts).

5. I hate hair off heads even my own, especially my dogs.

6. I always have a craving for chips and salsa.

7. If I won the lottery I would still want to be a music teacher. Just on my own terms.

8. I have a really good story to why I don't have a spleen.

9. I secretly love my eyes...the best thing on my body.

10. In college I loved staying up late on Friday night watching tv and falling asleep on the couch.

11. I dream in color and have some really weird dreams.

12. I am over 4 years behind on my scrapbooking, but won't give it up.

13. I love driving a stick shift.

14. I love doing 500+ piece puzzles.

15. I cry when I am stressed even if I am not sad...used to cry before I went on stage when I was a performer...really clears out the sinus.

16. I LOVE putzing around my house.

17. I hate scary/sad movies...I need to be entertained if I am going to plunk down that kind of money.

18. My favorite movie of all time is Christmas Vacation.

19. I miss my dad...daily.

20. I love to cuddle...nothing more romantic than falling asleep in someone specials arms.

21. Even though I am almost 40 I would love to have another baby...it will never happen but...

22. I hate most of the clothes in my closet...I think I hate clothes period...I need a stylist.

23. Nothing makes me more mad than injustice.

24. I love routine.

25. I have worn glasses or contact since I was three...and I wish that my parents would have at least made sure they were straight on my face before taking a picture.

More later

- A Ro

Siblings

I must say before I enter into this post my kids get along great!!! Even though they are almost exactly 5 years apart, they truly love being around each other. They play together and do most things together. So as a mom I am very lucky. As a girl with two younger brothers about 2 years apart I was the object of many teasings by my brothers, but we would have fought to the death for each other. Like most siblings my two couldn't be more different, my daughter the 8 year old is strong willed, somewhat fearless, but very sweet, and my son the 13 year old is a very typical teenager. Lately, however, they have been getting on each others nerves...well mostly my son is getting on my daughter's nerves. He teases her and she just gets her feelings hurt and sometimes when he is in the typical teenage mood she sometimes bugs him too. But the one thing I love about my daughter is she just never gives up on him. He likes to scare her, you know startle her...but today my Bella got her revenge. He was in the bathroom and she waited patiently by the door and when he came out she jumped out. His face was priceless...she really got him good. Finally she got her revenge, knowing full well he would give her heck for it...that's my girl.

Today was my son's orchestra concert. He plays in the top orchestra in the youth orchestra system at the college in town. He is a very good cellist. I am so proud of him.

He is the blond boy
There's my good girl...sitting so quietly for the entire concert...even though she would have rather been at home.

Things I Noticed Today:
1. We went to eat at the mall food court and I love to people watch. As I was watching people I noticed that moms can buy 2 combo meals feed 3 people making sure nothing goes to waste and you don't spend one cent more than you have to. Having done this before, I know exactly what to order so that each kid gets what they want and I spend the least amount of money...for example If we get the combo meal from the sandwich shop which includes a sandwich chips and a drink...and we get the combo meal from the Mongolian bbq which includes the noodle dish and a side of white rice and a drink...and a water bottle. So I eat the sandwich from the sub shop and drink from the bbq place because the bbq place has a caffeine/sugar free option. My daughter eats the chips from the sub shop and the white rice from the bbq place with the extra water bottle because the water bottle from the bbq place is the cheapest. Finally my son eats the noodle dish from the bbq place. See how that all works...just one more skill that moms have.

2. I could run 4.5 miles today...didn't think I could do it, but I did YEA!!!

3. I love the idea that I don't have to go to work tomorrow.

4. I hate the idea that since I don't have to go to work tomorrow I get to clean my house.

5. Hot showers after 4.5 miles feels real good.

Things I am Grateful For:
1. A patient little girl.

2. A talented son.

3. Old friends who pop up...thanks to facebook.

4. GS for grocery shopping with me, pushing the cart, unloading the groceries, and just being great.

5. Getting up when my alarm went off.


More later

- A Ro

Vindicated/Valentines

Now I know that Vindication and Valentines don't usually go along but that was my day yesterday. I have been having some issues at work and I now finally feel vindicated. The stuff going on was just plain wrong and I finally got someone to see my side. That is a good feeling. The only struggle I have with those situations is that I cry very easily. I know that it is not a good thing, and I know that it is counterproductive when it happens. I just don't know how to fix it. It isn't that I am sad...I just get so mad that I start to cry. Nothing says strength and conviction than a blubbering idiot. Gotta work on that...let me add it to the list. That list is getting quite long.

Anyway so I have this meeting with my administrator get vindicated, and get to go to my daughter's Valentine's Day party in her classroom a few minutes later.

Now one of the things that I find very interesting...in a curiosity about people sort of way...is the fact that at the school I teach at and my kids go to is that there are quite a few celebrities that send their kids to our school. Those celebs fall into some pretty clear categories: there are the ones that you never see...they send their kids to and from school with nannies and you get to know that nannies really well...those kind I am just not sure about. They just don't seem involved and I just can't understand that mentality. Then there are those that are just as big of a star, but are at EVERYONE of their kids events. One of those kind are in my daughter's class. Brad Garrett (From everybody loves Raymond) is one of those guys. He is at every event that his children are in...goes to every party...and is just the nicest most generous guy there is. I remember the first time I met him. I was teaching at summer camp and his kids were there. His wife told me at carpool in the afternoon that their son left his lunch box in one of the classrooms, I told them that I would get it and make sure it was safe. The next morning Brad shows up to claim the lunch box. As you know he is a big guy and very recognizable. He walked up to me stuck out his hand and introduced himself to me...now I knew who he was the second he walked up to me, but the fact that he didn't presume that I knew him was what impressed me the most. I have to tell you that I do not go gaga over celebrities. I really think that they are just as good as I am, but just happen to make an insane amount of money. I really hate people who kiss their butts and try to get in good with them. I am very polite and say hi and chat when the opportunity presents itself, but mostly I leave them alone. Brad is just such an approachable guy and would do anything for anyone. I must say I am impressed. He was at the party hanging out in the back enjoying watching his daughter and just being a dad.

My daughter Bella

Bella with her yummy rice crispy treat heart.

My sweet girl and her big foreheaded mama...

Things I Noticed:
1. I really wanted to do the Big Mama Fashion Friday link...I had a really great addition but because of all the crazy at my work...I just didn't get to it, maybe next Friday.

2. Teenagers sometimes exaggerate situations...I know isn't that the definition of teenager?? Glad someone else finally realizes that.

3. Valentine's day sucks when you can't eat chocolate...I mean really sucks.

4. I love free dress days...love bein in my jeans and sneakers!!

5. I really look forward to three day weekends...hey wait...this weekend is a three day weekend YES!!!

6. I love tortilla chips, salsa, and bean dip...yes I know that it is bad for you but oh so yummy...and yes I know that eating those things make me feel guilty...but just couldn't help it.

7. You can't run when you are upset...your stomach just churns and that is not conducive to running...and yes it makes me mad when I can't over come it and that someone else's stupidity causes me to not be able to finish my 4 mile run...

8. Teenager's are scatterbrains...I'll need to add that to the definition...but I am sure it already is.

Things I am Grateful For:
1. Three day weekends.
2. Being able to stick up for myself and not cry.
3. Being able to be articulate and get the job done.
4. Generous people.
5. Valentine's Day parties.

More later

- A Ro

It's Been Awhile

Not sure why but it has been awhile since I posted. I have not been particularly busy just haven't gotten around to it. I have been following my favorite blogs and helping a friend start a blog.

My kids had a great time in Vegas...they were kind of dreading it, but they ended up having a great time, I was so happy to hear it. My ex sister in law told my ex that she thought our children were just wonderful, so well behaved, polite, kind and so much fun to be around. That really made my day. It is good that my kids know how to act around other people, now if I could only get them to act that way around me.

So I think that one of the most embarrassing things to do is to fall in front of someone. Nothing is less graceful than or less diva-esque than falling. I LOVE watching Americas Funniest Home Videos of all the falls...they just crack me up. Anyway it was icy and cold here on Monday morning...about 32 degrees...I know crazy!!! Not only that it was an assembly day and I had to dress up...heels nylons skirt. I was going to my 7:00 am class and I noticed the upper deck of our building was very slippery and I was walking very carefully...and then WHAM!!! I fell on my knees. Ripped my nylons and had a very bloody knee...but more embarrassing was the fact that this freshman saw me bite it. She very slowly came up to me and said very slowly and quietly..."are you OK". I said yes I fell so that you wouldn't have to. So embarrassing.


Things I Noticed Today:
1. It is funny how things just sort of take hold of your day and before you know it the day is gone. Today was one of those days. I had some issues at work that kept my mind busy, and my good friend had some issues at work that kept my mind busy too.

2. I do have will power. Even though my knee hurt real bad I got up and ran 4 miles the last mile with up hill repeats. I was SO proud of myself.

3. I have really good friends to help me through the day.

4. That I really hate it when GS is sick...it makes me feel so bad.

5. I fell much better when I get up and run.

Things I am Thankful For:

1. The safe return of my kids.
2. My morning run...did I say how proud I was of myself.
3. A great set of administrators.
4. My puppy Maggie
5. Advil

More Later

- A Ro

People Sometime Make Me Go hmmm

This past weekend my school hosted an honor choir festival. About 70 high school singers from around our area came to rehearse and perform 6 selections. They rehearse about 3 1/2 hours on Friday and 5 hours on Saturday and then the performance. Now I don't know if you know about choirs but there are four sections: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass, and each student knows what part they are before they come to the festival. They sit in their sections for all of the rehearsals, and they even rehearse on the risers for the performance and they know where they stand on the risers...they get to practice that part. I know this sounds very redundant but I am getting somewhere so just bear with me. So ANYWAY it was just about time to line up to go sit in the audience (the band and orchestra performed first) but we needed to be in our riser order before we sat down. So I lined everyone up and we "snaked" our way into the theater so that when it was our time we would "snake" our way up on stage and onto the risers. I worked it out perfectly. The first girl in the theater to sit was the last girl on the risers and everyone else would just fall into place...well almost everyone. 80% of all the students did exactly what they were supposed to. But after the second piece the conductor realized that about 8 people were in the wrong place. Now this is the part that made me go hmmm...Did it really take those 8 people two songs to realize that they were in the wrong place?? Not only were they located on the wrong side of the risers (which they should have noticed after sitting for 8 hours in the same place...but there were people all around them singing a different part??? I really can understand the line getting all screwed up in the transfer, but it is an easy fix...you just walk to the correct place...there was a nice big hole for you because YOU WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE...Now I tell my students if something goes wrong before we start a song ie: you don't get the right pitch, you don't know which song we are singing, you are in the wrong place, I don't care what it is and I don't care if you have to yell MS. R. You sure as heck better tell me before we start the song and certainly not TWO songs into the program. It messed up those two songs...hmmmm I just might have to add another section to my blog. These types of things seem to happen to me often.Notice the large "hole" on the right side of the picture second riser.

Things I Noticed:
1. I enjoy meeting new people.

2. I really enjoyed getting my kids back safe and sound from Vegas and I am sure they grew 2 inches over the weekend. They had a really great time and all my worries were for nothing...but in my own twisted mind I figure that they only reason they didn't happen was because I worried about it.

3. I really need to work on walking Maggie. She is such a crazy walking dog, pulling here and there. I think that if I would just walk her daily she would get so much better.

4. I really like the library...I am not sure if it is leftover from my days of working in the music libraries at the colleges I attended, but they are just quiet peaceful places!!!

5. I am just going to have to live with the fact that I didn't get as much done today as planned...oh well...(sigh)

6. I have so many pictures that I want to post, but I can't find the cord to my camera...dang it.

Things I am Thankful For:
1. Safe car rides that deliver my kids to me.

2. That the library had the books that Andrew needed.

3. Having the gumption to get up and run my 4 miles.

4. A rained out Football game...don't tell Andrew.

5. My wonderful generous mom...I love her sooo much.

More later

- A Ro

Being Late - Yesterday

I know that I have posted before about my craziness with being late. I hate to be late. I hate to be behind schedule, unless of course it doesn't really matter, I mean I can be flexible, but if others are depending on me to be on time I need to be on time. Anyway my kids are not in town. They went out of town with their dad so they were not home this morning so I didn't have to get them ready. As I posted yesterday I forced myself to go run this morning...which I did...4 miles...thank you very much!!! I didn't have my zero block class today so I didn't have to be to work until 7:30. However my plan was to leave my house around 6:40 so I could avoid traffic...now I don't drive the three digit concrete paths to hell on my way to work, but there are two high schools on the way and they can get to be busy. I was actually running a bit off schedule today got to the gym at 4:35 instead of my planned 4:30, but I knew I didn't have kids to get ready so I was not too stressed. Well as it turned out I was sitting ready to head out the door at 6:10...an entire half hour early. Now my kids are 8 and 13 so they don't need much "help" getting ready...so this "extra" half hour was unexplainable...except that my kids need to GET THEIR BUTT IN GEAR in the morning. I am just gonna have to tell them that...that is all their is too it.

Things I noticed:
1. I didn't get this blog done yesterday...so it is really today.

2. I really miss my kids.

3. I really love my job even the days that I have four classes in a row with a 10 minute break to use the bathroom...sometimes I actually use that 10 minutes to use the bathroom, most times I find something else to fill that time.

4. I love eating lunch out. I like leaving school and just recharging, and as crazy as it sounds I like the people I work with.

5. I really like watching men work with men singers. It is hard for me as a woman to really show the guys in my choir how it is done. I like watching men singers work with men singers.

Choral festival at my school...guys sectional

6. Even though it is hard work I like having this choral festival at my work...more on that later.

A few of my students

Things I am Thankful for.
1. My job

2. My colleagues

3. My students

4. Getting my butt out of bed and running

5. Fine singers

More later

- A Ro

A Funk

I think that I have been in a real funk for the past couple of weeks. First I had that nasty head cold...that should be the new biological weapon of the future...just knock um out with that...trust me they won't want to do anything but lie in bed. Then this week was my favorite week of the month...nuff said. However after watching Oprah's show on menopause last week (while I was only wanting to lie in bed) I decided that I shouldn't complain about that favorite week...it is WAY better than what those women were going through...and couple it will all the confusion about hormone replacement and the horrible cancer risks...please I never want to go through that. However, I know it is as avoidable as death and taxes, but I should warn all of the people that I love, work with, know casually, drive on the roads with, pass on the street, buy Starbucks from, etc that it will be a doozie. I fear that I will end up living alone in my bathrobe or bathing suit depending on the hot flashes...just watch out. I know that I am almost 40, but I hope they figure out what to do with me by then...Geez they can put a man on the moon, clone a lamb, impregnate a woman with 8 babies (when she already has 6), make my eggs not stick to a pan, but they cannot figure out menopause give me a break...ANYWAY I am coming out of my funk whether I like it or not...starting with a 4 mile run tomorrow...do you hear that A-RO a 4 mile run tomorrow...Ok there I'm better.

Things I've Noticed:
1. I need to remember my post about driving on the three digit concrete paths to hell before I try to go to my son's basketball game having to drive on two of them during rush hour...wasn't a pretty sight and pretty much ruined me for the rest of the evening.

2. My kids going to Vegas with my ex to see his nephew (I guess that would be my ex-nephew but that just sounds so wrong) compete in a gymnastics even doesn't make me happy. I hope Andrew keeps his phone near.

3. My little sister is growing up.

4. The barista who made my venti iced passion tea with sugar free vanilla got the perfect amount of each ingredient...yummy...not as good as my iced venti sugar free cinnamon dolce non fat latte did, but I'll be ok.

5. Did I mention that I am going to miss my kids this weekend.

6. I really wish I could take away heartbreak from my high schoolers...I remember how much that pain is and in reality how much it really doesn't matter in the scope of real adult life...then again maybe it does...I'll get back to you on that one.

7. I am a very lucky girl.

8. I get to go to a convention for free (thanks to my job) and get to see an old friend too...cool...note to self gotta get those plane tickets bought.

9. Anger, hatred, and misery are just not good emotions to feel...they don't do anyone any good.

10. I will have no time to miss my kids this weekend...as if that is possible...I have a honor choir event at my school...yeah not going to work...I'll still miss them.

Things I'm Grateful For:
1. That week every month...keeps the M word at bay.

2. Again GS for really picking up the slack during my funk.

3. My wonderful kids...really wonderful...despite my road rage, and the after effects.

4. My beautiful sister.

5. Dustin...

More Later

-A Ro

Chuck Something We Can Agree About

My kids and I LOVE Chuck...not really sure why we all like it, but we do. We plan our Monday nights looking forward to this event. It was on hiatus for about 6 weeks, but last night it was back and we were glued to our TV...this is partly why I didn't not post last night. However, it is on a rare occasion that we ALL like anything. You would think that going out to dinner would be a single mothers dream...no cooking, no cleaning, yada yada yada...but I dread going out to dinner. We can't ever find a restaurant that we all like. My son Andrew being the teenage son loves McDonalds, Burger King, you know the usual fast food that I despise and gosh darn it if I am going to pay I better be satisfied. My daughter likes pasta and rice, now that seems all so easy, but it really isn't. My son and daughter both like Chinese, but for me Chinese is so fattening, now they really do choose good for you things but even that for me is not worth the calories, so Chinese is out. My daughter and I love Italian she gets her pasta and I usually get a great salad, but my son doesn't really like Italian, he might eat pizza every now and then and sometimes he likes ravioli, but it isn't consistent enough to say that we all like Italian. Andrew and I like Mexican food, but not Bella...SOMETIMES she likes re fried beans...I know the oddest thing to like...not quesidillas...not chicken tacos...no she likes re fried beans...crazy I know. Now for awhile we all liked Quiznos....and I finally thought we have found our answer to our out to eat problem, but now all of the sudden Bella doesn't like it anymore. But I do have to say at the moment we have one restaurant that we can all agree...California Pizza Kitchen. Andrew loves their sicilian pizza, Bella loves their pasta, and I love their BBQ chicken salad...finally a place we all love...for now.

Things I Noticed Today (Yesterday):
1. I really dislike people who lie...I know that sounds oh so simple and everyone could say that, but so many people do it for whatever reason. Now I am not talking about the little white lie, ya know the "Does this make my butt look big" (but even the simple white lie can get you in trouble).

2. There were NO 3D Chuck glasses anywhere...so bummed.

3. Aunt Flo can come and knock on the door, but then I wish she would just go away. Not that I am welcoming menopause or pregnancy, but I just dislike that visitor.

4. Full faculty meetings can be very informative and scary at the same time.

5. Headaches really take over everything...gotta love Advil.

6. I really have the need for justice...I am so "that is not fair" oriented. Not sure if it is something that I need to change or get used to, but it does cause me a bunch of trouble on a daily basis.

Things I am Grateful For:
1. Advil
2. My warm bed.
3. My kids recognizing the I didn't feel well and getting themselves into bed.
4. Good for you chili cheese fries...I know what you are thinking but they were!!!
5. GS

More Later

- A Ro

Spontaneous

I am not usually a spontaneous person...I'd really like to think that I am, but I'm really not. I like to plan things and have a plan for most everything I do. I make list of what I am going to bring on a trip and even try to plan for the unexpected by packing lots of stuff that I probably won't need...but I just MIGHT need it so in it goes. So today when my friend called and invited me and my daughter to picnic in the park with her and her daughter, my gut instinct was to decline. After all I had a chore list a mile long and I really don't like going to bed on Sunday night with things left to do. But I thought about Isabella being stuck inside all day on a truly beautiful California day and then I thought about me being stuck inside on a truly beautiful California day...and doing chores no less...so I fought my urges and said YES!!! I am so glad I did. It really was a beautiful day so we packed a lunch and hung out at the park, and then went to the mall to run some errands. The girls had so much fun and my friend and I got a chance to chat and bask...in the shade. I truly had a wonderful time.

Isabella and her friend...see what a nice day it was!!

My friend with our two girls

I also got up and ran 4 miles outside. I am still a little sniffly but I got my butt out the door and ran. It was a personal best and I am very proud of myself. I think that I am back on track to my 10K goal.

Things I Noticed Today:
1. Getting myself to walk out the door is sometimes the hardest part.

2. I can play a little and still get chores done. I think that when you have all day to do something it usually takes that long. Work truly does fit into the time allotted.

3. Sometimes the grocery store is good to you...$10 off totally grocery bill coupon...free pizza with purchase of $25 or more...grapes $.88 a pound...bagels $.25 a piece...and some awesome double coupons. I like grocery outings like that.

4. I just love hanging out with my girl.

5. I had a really awesome weekend.

Things I Am Thankful For:
1. A spur of the moment phone call.
2. A beautiful California Day.
3. The ability to put food on my table.
4. Getting things done.
5. A great weekend.

More Later

- A Ro