On the Eighth Day of Pictures My A-Ro Gave to Me...

US!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I hope your day is filled with the magic and joy that God intended...

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A-Ro

On the Ninth Day of Pictures My A-Ro Gave to Me...

Since it is Christmas Eve I give you...

SANTA CLAUS!!!
GS is an Air Traffic Controller and one of the helicopter companies at the airport where he works flies Santa and his sleigh through the night sky on certain Saturdays in the month of December. It is really cool because you can't see the helicopter that is carrying this sleigh...so it really looks like Santa is "flying" through the sky.

Tomorrow I leave my warm California to go to snowy Iowa...and there is no place I'd rather be.

(Watch out Abby, Sami, JoJo, and Tyler...Aunt Amy is coming to give you some sugar!!!)

More Later

- A Ro

On the Tenth Day of Pictures My A-Ro Gave to Me...

A proud mama.
Look at how tall and straight my little singer stands...Her solo jingle bell playing makes my heart swell... But there is something about watching my beautiful daughter dance that makes my heart burst...into tiny little pieces.


Maybe a few tears were shed...

Maybe my son rolled his eyes at me a few times...

Maybe he'll understand this kind of love one day...for his sake.


More later

-A Ro

On the Eleventh Day of Pictures My A-Ro Gave to Me...

As a teacher I get quite a few gifts at the holidays. As a teacher at a private school many of these gifts are very nice. But sometimes I get a gift that cost very little but turns out to be my favorite one. This year was one of those years.

On the last day before break one of my students walked into my classroom and handed me a gift. I usually don't open gifts in front of the students, I just don't want the other students who didn't get me anything to feel bad. However, she insisted that I open it. The look on her face was priceless. This was a girl very excited to see me open her gift. I know that feeling as I am that girl too. I put a lot of thought into people's gifts and I cannot wait to see them open them. In fact I hate to even wait...I don't buy too early in the season for fear that I will slip up and tell people what I got them.

Anyway I open the gift and this is what I got:She made me an ornament. A musical ornament. She worked hard to get the notes correct and even put the ever-so-important paper clip hanger on top.

She put a lot of thought into this gift.

She put a lot of work into this gift.

She made my day.

She made my holiday season.


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-A Ro

12 Days of Pictures

I was having a hard time figuring out what to do about my blog while I was on break. So I decided that I would post a lot of pictures.

Because pictures make me so happy...and this time of year my happiness is most important...oh wait...that isn't quite right.


Today is Monday so here is my offering:

Here is what I gave to colleagues and teachers as gifts this year...

White Chocolate covered pretzels

Reindeer cake pops (tiara winning cake pops I might add)

Buckeyes too, but I didn't take any solo buckeye pictures

I apologize to all the waistlines of all my friends and colleagues...but oooh these things are so good.

Bella also made every girl a pair of earrings...sorry no pics...by that time the Jolly Elf in me was quickly being replaced by Scrooge...


More Later

-A Ro

Cursed Horn Honkers

I am not so naive to think that all of the people I love and care for feel the same way as I do on this subject. In other words I know that many of the people I love and care for are in fact horn honkers. This post is not meant to sway them from being horn honkers, but to vent some of my frustration with horn honkers and drivers in general. I am also fully able to admit my hypocrisy on the subject of road rage.

I know that there are many, many stupid drivers, and not so nice drivers on the road, and I am just as impatient with those kind of drivers as the next guy. However, I prefer to yell and scream and call them names in the comfort of my own vehicle as opposed to laying on the horn. It is my passive aggressive form of road rage. It really does makes me feel better without really making the other person upset...I'm telling you...win win.

I do live in Southern California...I do my share of driving on very crowded roads. I also have a 30 minute commute each way, so I am on the road a lot. But I just cannot bring myself to honk. My son tells me all the time that cars come with horns for a reason, and I tell him, they are for emergency uses only. They are not the audio equivalent of the middle finger.

Last night was the night of my Middle School holiday program, and I had a very stressful afternoon of rehearsals with a lot of middle schoolers who are just days away from winter break. Needless to say my cat herding skills were being tested, as was my patience. That being said, I went to dinner with GS, my kids, and some of my colleagues. We had a nice relaxing dinner. As I got to my car to go back to school I noticed that a car was parked directly behind me making it difficult for me to get out. I was very carefully backing out when a car came around the corner and proceeded to honk at me. Now mind you I wasn't sitting there having my nails done, I was trying to get my car out of an OBVIOUSLY precarious spot. So I looked at GS and (channeling Tyler Perry's Madea)...snapped my fingers and said "Oh, no he deh'ent"

I cannot tell you how badly I wanted to jump out of my car and walk over to this guy and ask him what his problem was with my fist. His honking at me just unnerved me and to say that I wanted to go postal on him would have been an understatement. My only fear was that since we were near my school one of my students would be passing by saying "Hey...isn't that Mrs. Roscigno dragging that man out of his truck by his ear???"


It would make people question my ability to deal with 45 Sixth Graders in one room...


Not good for my job security.


So I did what I usually do...I yelled and screamed at him from the comfort of my own car...


...it's the way I roll...sistah.


More Later

-A Ro

Dashing Through the Random Dozen

Steer your one horse open sleigh over to Linda at 2nd Cup and link up to participate in this week's Random Dozen...she hasn't failed me yet!!

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.
To be honest I felt for that poor, albeit conceited, Gingerbread Man...I mean he was only trying to be spared being eaten. Although, he could have been a little less "in your face" with the taunting of "Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man"...

To answer the question, love the Gingerbread Man, don't like gingerbread

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?
It wasn't always important, but now that I realize how important it is to me I am stuck 1500 miles away.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?
Duh...Santa!! Just think how better the world would be if everyone tried to avoid the naughty list.

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?
I'd have to stick to my good old favorite Christmas Vacation. C'mon who doesn't feel so much better about their life and holiday plans after they watch the Griswolds bumble through Christmas. Every year I am thankful that I a) don't have a squirrel in my Christmas tree b) don't have to eat a jello mold filled with cat food c) and haven't decided to kidnap my boss...see life is good!!

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?
Mostly I love the traditional, old-fashioned songs. However my most favorite song is Mannheim Steamrollers Stille Nacht

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?
I will admit that I really don't do enough. We donate to Toys for Tots and contribute to the Bell Ringers...

Lid must realize that guilt is my motivating factor...OK...I'll go out and find more to do.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"
I don't mind Happy Holidays, but really don't like Xmas. I have a whole rant about how silly it is to make Hanukkah as important as Christmas, but that is for another day...but probably not...

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?
Well I am a music teacher so I have both of my programs, Middle School and Upper School. My daughter's program was last Saturday, and my son's youth orchestra's program was last Sunday. Wow that is a lot of holiday cheer...you'd think that I'd be more "in the spirit"...Obviously, it isn't because of lack of holiday music...

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

We are headed to the Midwest so the chances are good...which makes me very happy...I think.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.
This was an easy one. My mom always tells the story of me being little probably about 3 and wanting a Barbie Country Camper. When I got it I started yelling "A Bawbee Contwee Campwer"...needless to say I have not lost any of my enthusiasm...except for Hobbit books...

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

I will be attending two...the cookie exchange from yesterday's post and my friend's parents Christmas Eve party. The Christmas Eve after my divorce I was going to be alone for the first time. My friend's family took me in and invited me to their party and my family has been on the guest list ever since. I guess we have been behaving ourselves...I am forever grateful for their kindness.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

I have so much to be thankful for and really don't get stressed about this season so it is really easy for me to stay focused on why we do what we do.

In summary: Its obvious that this California-Iowa-wanna-be girl really needs to get a winter coat, and possibly some snow boots. She also needs to be a little more philanthropic, and is thankful for the dictionary sitting next to her. She wishes that getting a Bawbee Contwee Campwer still floated her boat. She really misses her mom and all of Iowa. But is oh so very thankful that her holiday plans do not include the in-laws in an RV parked outside my house...thanks Clark Griswold for keeping my holidays in perspective.

More Later

-A Ro

Dirty Santa Stinks

First let me apologize for my absence from my blog...you will soon realize why.

In a recent post I mentioned how much I disliked cookie exchange parties. Now I realize that nothing sounds better, in theory, than standing around with your friends and eating 240 dozen cookies and then taking a huge tray home to torture you the rest of the month or hours depending on the level of your will power. But we don't live our lives "in theory" now do we and a dozen cookies later feeling like you want to throw up and then take a nap makes your "in theory" about cookie parties less appealing.

However one of my most favorite people invited me to a cookie party less than 24 hours after my post, and I decided to go.

So I read my invitation carefully. It said that I needed to bring 8 dozen cookies and a $40 Dirty Santa gift. As I was wondering what to make I found out from a very good source (my hostess's daughter who is a student of mine) that there was going to be judging going on AND that the winner would win, among other things, a tiara.

Well now it is on...you tell a diva that she has the potential of winning a tiara and you better watch out.

So I pulled out the big guns...albeit guns that take a tremendous amount of time and effort...but the big guns none the less.

Yes...you guessed it...I made 96 reindeer cake pops (see you must now forgive my blog hiatus...it was for a good cause...a tiara.)

Well it worked this diva took home the prize...I won Best in Show...the top prize. I won the Cookie with the Best Holiday Spirit...otherwise known as Queen of the Cookies. I got my tiara.

One of my biggest problem with the entire evening was what kind of Dirty Santa gift to bring. These ladies are the type of people who have everything. So I went to Brighton and bought a very cute bracelet.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to be going to a Dirty Santa exchange with these ladies. I couldn't wait to bring home my gift, cause I knew it was going to be good.

So I watched people open beautiful jewelry, cashmere scarves, Crate and Barrel boxes with awesome hostessware and baking dishes. I saw Sephora make-up and perfume and Coach bags.

So when it was my turn I couldn't wait to tear into my gift. I picked the prettiest gift under the tree. I opened it up...and to my dismay...I found myself staring at...

...a book...I got a hardbound copy of The Hobbit.

Now I know what you are thinking. That is a great intellectual gift, which shows class and refinement. A really classic book that I should have been excited to have.

But you fail to realize that I am the kind of person who makes 96 cake pops so that she can win a tiara. Class and refinement are not in my vocabulary.

Of course no one stole my gift probably because the only one with class and refinement at the party was the person who brought the book. So I went home with my Hobbit book in hand, sad to say, trying to figure out where she bought it so I could return it.

However, the good news is I got my tiara and my pin that says Queen of the Cookies:

The bad news is I also took home a tray of cookies that would make the strongest dieter swoon:

And of course my Dirty Santa gift:

But I didn't eat so much I wanted to throw up, and I got to share a kid free evening with lovely, classy, refined women...

Well at least one.

More Later

-A Ro

A Runner Wanna Be Thanks YOU!!

Dear Third House on the Left on Sycamore Street,

Thank you oh so very much for either a) leaving your holiday lights on all night or b) turning them on early in the morning. It warms my heart to run by your house so early in the morning and see those beautiful lights.

Sincerely
A-Ro
(A woman who appreciates Clark Griswold-esque Christmas lights)


Dear City of Vimi Salley,

Thank you for not fixing the street light on that dark corner of Main and First Street. You must know that I don't have enough money to put my kids through college. Thank you for your foresight.

Sincerely
A-Ro
(Plaintiff in future lawsuit)



Dear driver of the Chevy Malibu,

Thank you for a) not stopping before you turned right on red and b) not looking to your left before you did. You must have known that my heart rate was not high enough and wanted to give it a little push in the right direction.

Sincerely
A-Ro
(The woman waving and cursing at you in your rear view mirror)



Dear fellow early morning runner, I'll call you "speedy"

Thank you for waving at me as you passed me. It really made me feel part of the running "club". I like knowing there are other insane people out so very early on a very cold morning.

Sincerely
A-Ro
(The woman in the too tight running pants with the wiggly butt, I'm sorry)


Dear God it's me A-Ro,

Thank you for getting my butt out of bed this morning, it was all YOU today as I knew it was cold and my bed was warm. Thank you for holding off the rain another day so I could get my run in this morning.
Thank you also for the clear crisp sky this morning...the stars were magnificent.

Sincerely
A-Ro
(The woman who uses lame Judy Blume references in her letter to you)


***names, makes and models of cars, streets, and cities were changed to protect the innocent


More Later

-A Ro

The Random Dozen is Comin' to Town

How much do I love this thing-a-ma-giggy...Thanks Linda...it really makes me happy!!

Go on over and link up to these Random Dozen!!

1. Which physical trait do you now accept--maybe not love, but accept--and no longer feel extremely self-conscious about?

Wow a tough one right off the bat...geez...couldn't you have just eased into it with a question like...say...what is your favorite holiday beverage...

Alright. I am the poster child for self-consciousness. So most of the things that I am self conscious about are still alive and kicking. However that man I have in my life now thinks that I am beautiful, sexy, and gorgeous...all that and a bag of chips.

Hey maybe the bag of chips thing is the problem with my self consciousness...

Anyhoo he really does adore the way I look and tells me many many times a day so if anything has helped me move off of the self conscious kick and on to other counseling needing traits it is him.

Not much of an answer but my favorite holiday beverage is eggnog by far!!!

2. This week Meredith Baxter Birney, best known as the mom on the favorite 80s sitcom "Family Ties" came out of the closet, which led me to formulate this question: Who do you think is/was the best TV mom? ?

GET OUT!!! She did?!??!?!?!? Wow!!

When I got divorced I really want to find a divorced best friend and move in together like Kate and Allie. I just loved Allie. She really had the humor and the single mother thing down pat.

3. Do you speak any foreign languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?
I took French in high school but don't speak it now. Because I was trained as an opera singer I had to learn how to pronounce all the words in French, German, and Italian. So if you show me words in those languages I can tell you how to pronounce them but will have no idea what they mean. I know that doesn't really count but it is a neat trick that cost me a lot of money that I am now paying back in student loans...so I share it as often as I can.

4. Who is your personal hero?
GEEZ another toughie!! I am suddenly have Mariah Carey singing in my head. To me the word hero evokes someone who risks life and limb to save others, or someone who has triumphed over great adversity. I know most people have another definition of that word but...that is the way I look at it. I really have a problem with just everyday people being labeled as a "heroes". I think my personal hero has yet to show himself or herself.

5. What is one holiday food that you find extremely difficult to resist over- indulging in?

One?? Well I'd have to say those iced sugar cookies...I make them and love them!!

6. Tell me about a Christmas decoration that has special meaning or sentimental value.
OK here it the heart wrenching question of the dozen. So get ready to say your collective "aaaaaw".

The angel on my tree was on my Grandparents tree ever since I was born. They named her Amy so that they could have their angel Amy on their tree. I inherited it when they died and now it is on my tree. She holds in her hand an ornament that I got when my dad died with his name engraved on it. Every time I pass my tree I look up and think of all those people.

7. How do you feel about snow?
Love it when I am in California and can look at it on TV and even go so far as to miss it and long for it.

However...

When I am in Iowa I love it for a few minutes and then can't wait to get back to California.

8. On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Not that I'm jealous of any number over three or anything.
Let me tell you this...not nearly enough. The only time I can exercise is early morning...I just won't do it otherwise. So I get at most 7 hours of sleep.

9. Tell me about your first crush.
This is another hard one...I remember really liking a boy in 5th grade...but he would have nothing to do with me so I remember quickly sayin' "screw that I don't need ya" (well I was in 5th grade so I don't think I put it quite like that) In fact most of the boys I had crushes on while young really didn't want anything to do with me...oh well...their loss...

Then there was this boy I saw at my friends pool party the summer before my junior year. He played football and was tall and very handsome. He was so nice and had a great smile. He was such a gentleman and his soft curly hair was to die for...Thankfully he is the same guy who now thinks I have a great butt when it is the one thing I could chop off my body and never miss (see #1 above)

10. You're stuck in a room for 2 hours with only a chalkboard and chalk. What will you write/draw?
I would probably try to write a rhyming poem and corresponding picture...

But c'mon who really who has chalk and a chalkboard anymore...

11. Do you dress for the current temp or for the day's forecast?
In California we layer...because the temperature in the morning can vary by 20 degrees than the temperature in the afternoon. Plus the temp in my room varies by how many middle schoolers I have at one time.

12. Favorite Christmas movie is?
EASY ONE!!! Christmas Vacation!!!

But another one has come to be at the top of my list...Elf



Too funny!!

In summary: I need to put the sugar cookies (and eggnog) down and walk away if I have any chance of not being overly self conscious come Jan.1. I should pull out some reruns of Kate and Allie and take some notes. Watch Christmas Vacation so I'll know what NOT to do this holiday and of course laugh that much hated butt off. It is obvious I need to gear up for some snow and try to get a little more sleep. But most importantly I need to be thankful that one of my real high school crushes loves me back and is in my life again to keep this diva happy.

More later

- A Ro

Oh My Aching Head

Woke up this morning with a horrible headache. It was also pouring down rain. I know there probably isn't any correlation but it just seems odd that the first rain of the season causes me to have a headache. Maybe the neurosurgeon who reads my blog can give me more insight...oh wait...I don't have a neurosurgeon who reads my blog. Anyone else have insight?

Anyone??? Anyone??? Bueller...Bueller...

Anyway the headache continued even with me throwing 2 Advil's at it. But I trudged forward and made it to school. Taught my first class, met with my colleagues to work out the details regarding our upcoming two holiday programs and corresponding assemblies. Now I love my colleagues, but this meeting did nothing to help that throbbing headache I was battling.

Thankfully the only class I had to teach after lunch was a class that I team teach. My team teacher was kind enough to offer to take the class by herself so I could go home. Andrew didn't have any more classes either so I made arrangements for Bella and hit the road. By this time my headache was causing me to start to feel a little nauseous.

I called GS to let him know that I was going home. His voice mail however, cracked me up.

I call and start to leave my message and get cut off half way through with:

I'm sorry, but your message is too short, please try again.

You have got to be kidding me. First of all I had no idea that there were rules regarding minimum length of messages. Second of all I had no patience for a computer lady interrupting me to tell me the message I wasn't even finished leaving was too short. The odd thing was that someone had to record that message in the event that someone left a message that was too short?!?!?

I came home took a three hour nap. That took the edge of my headache, however the downside to that will be that I will be up watching reruns of Taxi on Nick at Night because I cannot sleep. Maybe Disney will have on Phineas and Ferb. That show makes me laugh. They are two cartoon brothers who come up with crazy ideas and inadvertently drive their sister crazy. If you haven't seen it you must give it a try.



Maybe they can figure out why rainy days give me headaches, or at the very least figure out how to avoid being scolded by a pre-recorded message about minimum lengths of voice mails.

One can hope.


More Later

- A Ro

Do You Want the Good News First or the Bad News

Well the good news of the weekend was that the Pink Fuchsia Firecrackers made it into the playoffs. The bad news is they had their pretty pink soccer cleats handed to them. Their three games were a total of 12 - 0.

The bad news was that I could only watch one full game because my students were singing at our school's open house. The good news was that I only had to watch one full game because my students were singing at our school's open house.

The good news was the girls could have cared less about their losses just as long as they got to hair spray their coach Miguel's hair pink. The bad news was Coach Miguel had pink hair for the rest of the day.

The bad news was that Isabella could barely walk that evening. The good news was she was fine when she woke up this morning. Oh to be young again.

The good news is that Isabella got all her weekend homework done. The bad news is I had to hear her play her recorder all evening. Now I know I am a music teacher and I know my poor kid is not getting the attention she needs from me at home with regards to the recorder. I am such a bad music teacher mother.

The bad news was I didn't get my grocery shopping done because of soccer and the open house on Saturday. The good news was I had to shop on Sunday which meant GS got to go with me...I love shopping with him, and it is more than me not having to push the cart or carry the groceries in...it's true...I swear.

OK read this one very carefully. The bad news was we almost got run off the road by a completely camouflaged Jeep Liberty. The good news was Andrew cracked me up by saying "The good news about owning that car is you think you can drive around invisible. The bad news is it's stupid."

The bad news is I didn't finish putting away all my laundry. The good news is that God willing I will have another day tomorrow.

More Later

-A Ro

Happiness Is...

My sister in law sent me this picture this morning. Totally cracked me up. It really made my day. He really has it all covered:

1. No pants...I mean really in the grand scheme of things pants are WAY overrated.
2. Sunglasses in case of bright sun gotta protect those beautiful eyes.
3. Rain boots in case of severe flooding...BTW the no pants thing really helps out in that area as well. Nothing is more uncomfortable in a flood than wet pants...this way of thinking totally solves that problem.
4. A pajama shirt...solves the problem of deciding what shirt to wear. Just roll out of bed and your day has officially begun.
5. A sword in case you need to fight off a dragon...or mom trying to put you down for a nap.
6. The cowboy hat. 'Cause whether sunny or rainy you must look cool when you are slaying dragons.
7. And that smile just might make mom give up on that nap.
   

I love my JoJo...

More Later

-A Ro

If You Don't Like Babies Avert Your Eyes

My heart is breaking into a million pieces.My new neice Abby got to go visit her Nana's house in Iowa over the Thanksgiving break. She got to visit all of her aunts and uncles

...except for me.

...I was stuck in California.

I need to get my hands on that BABY!!!

I need to see that sweet girl with the hair that go so long and now gets to hold a "real" baby instead of her pretend babies

I need to give her a big hug and a kiss
And that little boy...with the beautiful smile...he needs his Aunt Amy.

And this big boy who justs need a high five and someone to be Optimus Prime and play play play.

...Don't worry guys

...I'm coming home

...I've got my plane ticket and am marking off the days on my calendar

...I'm bringing your cousins and GS who need to see you guys too.

I'll even do a midnight feeding and change your diapers...

...anything for you, Abby.

More Later

- A-Ro

Random Dozen

You know I love it!!! Random Dozen from Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee...go link up and have some fun analyzing yourself against a totally random set of questions. Here goes nothin'...

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like?
If you have read my blog in the past few days you know that due to the burnt hole in my kitchen table I am in great need of a brain. However, I would like to say that I am Glenda the Good Witch, cause she really has the good dress, a wand and that awesome tiara, but I must say that being so far away from home I am most like Dorothy. You don't know how many situations this Iowa girl living in California has been in which has caused me to say "Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore" Most of those have occurred on a beach or the highway.

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why?
I pick the bottoms first, cause "Baby Got Back" and I need to analyze the bottoms before I decide on a top. My students would say that I pick my jewelry first. I have been known to get a great piece of jewelry as a present and go out and buy an outfit to go around it. I know so crazy...

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without?
rats...big hairy rats...

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home?
One...and I love it oh so much!!

Do I need to get more??? I thought one was the norm...am I no longer normal??...don't answer that.

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it mean you didn't have to feel a heartbreak?
I have felt such immense heartbreak, but I have also felt such immense love and feeling that love was worth all the heartbreak.

You can now do your collective "aaaaaaw"

6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression?
Yes and I am really sad to say that as soon as the Starbucks cups go back to normal I get really sad. I am a child of consumer economics...sad I know.

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music?
I love Michael Jackson's music. Black and White is my favorite song. I love the morphing section at the end...we all thought that was so "magical"...old hat by today's standards. I have memorized the fun head dance they all do. The end of this video was SOOO controversial it was the video of him in the back alley and he well...grabs his...well...family jewels...



8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma?
Braces as a teenager should not considered cosmetic but a necessary ritual that one must go through. So you can't blame those guys...However, adults with veneers...kind of make me giggle.

9. Enjoy horseback riding?
Love it...wish I could do it more often. But let me tell you when you ride a horse you hurt in places that weren't meant to hurt...I'm just sayin'

10. Shoes--practical or stylish?
Stylish all the way. I wish that I was a practical girl when it comes to shoes, but I am a vain diva and don't care who knows it.

11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic.
Heidi a lovable German Shepard. You can pretend it isn't past my bedtime and I went and hunted down a pic of my dog that I had to give up in 3rd grade, but you could also Google Image German Shepard and that was pretty much her.

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done?
25.5%

In summary: I really need to go get a wand and a tiara, and obviously another Christmas tree. I enjoy having my heart broken as long as there are Starbucks Christmas cups to console me. I am praying I never need veneers. I need to find my elves and get crackin', but mostly I really need to find that yellow brick road, cause Toto I'm not in Kansas anymore!

More Later

- A Ro