Weekend Highlight Reel

Bella said it best today..."Why did this weekend go so fast??"

you said it sistah...
 
I think every weekend goes too fast, but she is right this one went by pretty quickly.  We kept pretty busy and had a lot of fun...here are some highlights.

1.  Went to see Green Hornet, very funny movie.  Bella went too and it was almost too action packed for her...just warnin' you all with 10 year olds.  Andrew even went with us...yeah I know...a 15 year old going out to a movie with his family.  No he was fine...no fever or delirium.  It helped that we went to his favorite restaurant before hand.  The way to a teenage heart is through his stomach...ha ha.

2.  Missed my workout on Wednesday...due to lame-o excuse that my ipod wasn't charged.  I simply cannot do cardio with nothing to listen to.  I know lame-o.  So I decided to do an hour of elliptical on Saturday morning to make up for it...my legs were a little shaky.  Teach me to use a lame-o excuse ever again.

3.  We happened to be following a young couple with three small children around Target.  The conversation went something like this:

Him:  Oooh honey I think we need to get some of these pitchers.
Her:  Well dear we really have a lot of pitchers that we don't really use.
subtext: You wouldn't know where the pitchers were if they all fell on your head.

Him:  Oooh honey I think we need to get some more sponges.
Her:  Not really we have a bunch under the sink
subtext:  Now how the heck would you know if we needed sponges

Him:  Oooh honey this is a really good deal on granola bars.
Her:  Not really I usually get them at the market for much cheaper.
subtext:  Next time...take the kids...leave the husband

Rich and I have it worked out perfectly.  I make list.  I forget list.  He pushes cart. He tries to remind me of what was on the original list.   See perfection.

4.  The Thousand Oaks Library has a puffer fish that is, according to Bella, named Harold.

This fish acutally looked like it was smiling...

5.  The duck pond near the park have attack ducks.

As we walk up...

...they suddenly attack.  I try to explain that I don't have bread crumbs because we weren't planning on stopping to see the ducks, but since Bella loves animals she begged us to stop "just for a minute" even though it was spitting rain.  Clearly they didn't buy my excuses.

6.  Coffee houses in Santa Monica are not for the "older" crowd...and when I mean older I mean Rich and I.  They are very crowded and the workers are a little...lets just say...put out when they need to make your vanilla latte sugar free, non fat, and decaf.  I should have known it was going to be trouble when they were wearing t-shirts that said death before decaf.

7.  When Bella is promised a cinnamon roll at Corner Bakery (as payment for having to spend her Sunday morning in the car carting her brother around),  and they are out of cinnamon rolls, oatmeal is her second choice.  Yeah...oatmeal at Corner Bakery would never even have been in my top ten choices if I were ten and couldn't have a cinnamon roll...I think it falls right behind the double blueberry muffin and right before the grits. 

8.  When Bella is promised a treat for being drug around to all of our Saturday morning errands, she picks Cream of Broccoli soup.  Yeah...Cream of Broccoli Soup would never even have been in my top ten choices
if I were ten and promised a treat...I think it falls right behind the Hershey's with Almonds and right before the grits.

9.  I love having my kids with me for the weekend even if it means being a mom taxi and buying Cream of Broccoli soup...

...oh and don't forget being chased by ducks.


More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 5

It is time to share my week with you.  Another pretty normal week around the Ro. household, but if you look closely you will notice that I managed to get Andrew into 2 of my pictures this week. 

I know...

Head on over to Sara's and check out all the other bloggers who linked up.  It is a large group this year, so lots of fun.  Here is my go:


Sunday January 23:

Protein Shake

Used my new Magic Bullet to whip up this yummy blueberry and banana protein shake.  Had a big muscle workout this morning, and it is the only way I can choke down the protein powder.  It is actually tasty.

Monday January 24:

I'd Like to Introduce My Son Andrew

It was CHUCK night!!!  We all watched and I made chocolate shakes for the kids with...you guessed it...my new Magic Bullet.  I have used that gadget more than my George Foreman Grill, Crock Pot, and Fry Daddy combined...I don't actually have a Fry Daddy...but you get the picture.

Tuesday January 25:

Sick Girl

Bella woke up with a 102 fever this morning.  She, however, got herself dressed and was ready to go to school because she had a soccer game and couldn't miss it.  She must not have noticed that she could hardly stand up let alone kick a soccer ball and run a marathon up and down the field.  Silly girl.

Wednesday January 26:

Band Concert Courtesy of Advil

Bella had her first fifth grade band assembly this morning.  She really couldn't miss it so we threw some Advil in her and got her through it...then took her home.  The percussion bug hasn't quite bit her yet, but she does alright.

Thursday January 27:

Our Patriot Pete

We had a big basketball game tonight.  Bella came home early again from school, but Andrew stayed to watch the game and we went to pick him up.  We got to watch the 4th quarter which was not a great quarter for our guys.  We ended up losing.  Here is our mascot, he is one of my students...I love this guy!!

Friday January 28:

 Another Picture???

Andrew went to see the Green Hornet last weekend with some friends and really loved it.  He thought we all would enjoy it too.  So we talked him into going with us on Friday night.  It takes a lot to get a teenager to go to the movies with his family so we had to bribe him with our favorite BBQ restaurant Red's before hand.  You gotta do what you gotta do.

Saturday January 29:

A Beautiful Songbird

I went to see my former student perform at a coffee house in Santa Monica tonight.  She was absolutely amazing.  She has such stage presence and such a wonderful voice.  She was surprised to see me, and was glad I was there.  Bella, Rich and I really enjoyed ourselves. 

In Summary:  I got some alone time with Bella as I nursed her back to health, and still this spleen-less gal didn't get sick (knock on wood).  I also got some quality time with my Andrew too, AND got to document it (don't hold your breath that you will ever see him again in my pictures).  I got to be a proud teacher and see one of my own use her talent and passion (that is such a wonderful thing).  But most of all I got my money's worth out of that As Seen on TV Magic Bullet.  Wow Andrew in pictures and a As Seen on TV success...I should go buy a lottery ticket.

More Later

- A Ro

Friday Fun

So I have been thinking a lot about what fun thing I can put up on my blog today.  I have had a sorta crazy week due to the fact that I have had a sick girly girl.  She missed school on Tuesday, went for her band concert on Wednesday morning, but then came home, and then today she tried to go to school and made it until about 1:30 came home and slept and I hope she will be OK tomorrow.  One thing about being a music teacher is you usually don't get a sub who can get done what you need to get done.  I have an AMAZING accompanist for my choruses, and she is always more than happy to sub for me, and as much as she does a very good job at reading my mind I can't expect her to throw herself into rehearsing new music.  So needless to say my groups are a little behind.  I see most of them tomorrow so I hope to get back on track as we have a concert in early March.


worry much??

So back to my fun Friday.  I have this alumni student named Hannah DeRemer.  Ever since the first day I met her I knew she was something special.  She had this amazing voice, vivacious spirit, and a general love of life.  She worked hard, never let disappointment get her down, and did everything with graciousness.  When she went to college she joined this a cappella group at Emerson called Noteworthy, fell in love with a boy who arranged songs for her group, lost that boy to cancer, graduated, and is now back in LA working on a singing career.  She has a show tomorrow night and I think I might just surprise her and show up to give her some support. She is also Melissa Manchester's daughter.  She has always tried to build her own life and career outside of her mother's shadow.  She is that kind of girl, doesn't want any handouts.

This video is one of her last performances with this group.  It is one of my favorite songs and always brings a tear to my eye.  Hannah is on the very end on the right side of the screen, it is obvious to me that this song is also special to her and all that she has lost.  In Hannah, loss becomes conviction to move on, and be stronger.

She is the middle soloist at the end.  I know this isn't really all that "fun" of a song, but it was what came to mind for me on this Friday.



She is beautiful.

She is strong.

She is loved.

She is missed.

She will always hold a special place in my heart.


More Later

- A Ro

The One Where I Give You Too Much Information

So I have written about 390 or so posts over the course of two years so if you have heard this one before forgive me.

I have no spleen.

Yep I am spleen-less, not to be confused with spineless which I am definitely not.

About 13 years ago I noticed this huge lump in my abdominal area.  I had Andrew about a year before that and I just assumed that I might have a hernia.  So I went to the doctor and he ordered a cat scan, and they saw that my spleen was the size of a football.  Every doctor I saw just assumed that I had a form of Hodgkin's lymphoma and we went from there.  I had numerous blood tests, employed a new team of doctors, had some bone marrow removed from my hip, completed rounds of immunizations and was scheduled for surgery.

A real fun couple of months. 

I never thought it was cancer...not once.  However, I read lots of books and was prepared to full on fight it.  I turned into a vegan vegetarian and was bound and determined to beat it.

Well, they took my spleen and found out that it wasn't cancer but some cystic disease...basically my spleen had been slowly overtaken by cysts.  The pathologist didn't even know what it was but it most definitely wasn't cancer.

Thank.God.

I always thought that one didn't need his or her spleen as an adult.  Which is sorta true, our bone marrow takes over most of the spleen's immune system jobs (which is why they had to take my marrow to make sure it was healthy...that whole procedure I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy...don't worry I won't go into details).  Even though we can live without it, our spleen still has some role in our immune system.  So now that I didn't have one I had to take some extra precautions with regards to my immune system.  I can't catch a particular strain of pneumonia or I'll die (I know dramatic) so I get immunized for that (which isn't a fun thing either) and I am more susceptible to illness so I need to have a supply of antibiotics on permanent order at the pharmacy in case I get a fever of over 102, and I have to get a flu shot every year too.

Whatever.

OK finally the point of my post.  I am the one person in my house that is supposed to catch every bug that comes around, but oddly I never get sick.

So Bella has been home the last two days being sick.  Andrew was sick last week.  Rich has had a cold this past week too.  Not me.  And I am not even careful.  I need to take care of my kids which in my book means cuddling and holding and getting really close (not so much Andrew), and Rich and I have been married less than a year so daily kisses are still a must.  Still I stand...the strong one.  My doctor is very surprised by all of this.  He says that I am the healthiest person on the edge of disaster.  I have no spleen, I am TB positive, and I have fibrocystic breast disease, but my blood pressure is excellent and my resting pulse rate is about 40.  I exercise regularly and eat basically a healthy diet.  So I must be doing something right, or all these years around middle and high schoolers has really boosted my immune system. 

This isn't, however, all it is cracked up to be.  When every one else around you is sick and you aren't you end up being the permanent care taker with no pay backs.  Now I must say my family handles sickness VERY differently.

Bella wakes up with a fever stumbles to her dresser gets dressed and comes into my room to start her plea to go to school.  "Mom they need me for my soccer game"  "Mom I can't miss math" "What will my friends do without me".  Andrew on the other hand wakes up with a sniffle and can barely lift his head to take an Advil, and you would think he wasn't going to live the 6 hours until he gets his next one.  It isn't that he really wants to stay home I think he really cannot handle being sick.  Rich is usually a healthy person, and his sicknesses are really just a pain in the butt, nothing serious, but he falls into the Andrew camp of being sick.  Just miserable.  As for me on the rare occasion that I do get sick, I just buck it up and get it done.  No moping, no whining, no stopping.

Being spleen-less apparently does not equal ticket to sympathy. 


More Later

- A Ro

Are You Ready for Some Hodgepodge??

It is time for the weekly hodgepodge sent over from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  She comes up with the questions (sometimes with a little help) we answer them on our blog and then link up to share a little bit of ourselves.  It is fun.  So do it.

1. Will you watch the Super Bowl? If so who will you root for? If you are outside the USA what is the 'big deal sporting event' in your own country? 
I will be watching the Super Bowl.  I am usually not a fan of professional sports.  I love Major League Baseball, but really nothing else.  Now I LOVE college sports especially college basketball.  However, my sister in law (Hi Stacia) is a HUGE fan of the Steelers, I'll probably watch and root for them for her sake.  Now don't tell her but I was secretly wishing that the Bears would have made it and would have won it all.  Oh well when you have a wimpy QB like Cutler what do you expect...but don't get me started on the QB for the Steelers...puhlease...it just might make me want them to lose.

2. Is ignorance bliss?
I think ignorance is bliss unless it directly affects your life.  I someone doesn't like me and I really don't care about that person then don't tell me.  If my best friend has an issue with me I want it out on the table.  If I am making a HUGE fashion faux pas...I need to know because it directly affects my life...I mean really who wants to go out in public looking like a freak.  If you are one of my students and don't care for a piece of music we are singing...keep it to yourself.

How's that for straddling the fence??

3. Which of the seven dwarfs are you? (and just in case your Disney is a little bit rusty, here they are-Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy)

I think that I would mostly be Happy.  It takes quite a bit of gloom and doom to get me down.  I have such a blessed life that I am usually happy.  Sometimes I can slip into Doc mode and just want to take care of everybody.  As long as I get to have Snow White clean up around my house...I'll be which ever dwarf you want me to be.

4. When you are riding in the car with another couple how do you organize the seating? (Men up front? Women up front? Couples sit together?) And thanks to Lori at Mountain Woman at Heart for the question! Everyone go say hi to Lori.

hmmm...we in California rarely drive TOGETHER with another couple.  Everyone is so far apart that usually we just meet places.  I would have to say that I think that the ladies should ride in back simply due to the fact that most men have longer legs and would be more comfortable up front...especially in CA when you have to sit in your car for an extended amount of time to go anywhere.

5. What is beauty?

I wish I had some ethereal definition of this word.  Beauty to me has really nothing to do with looks, it isn't only skin deep, it is deep within a person's soul.  It is a basic attitude of kindness, generosity, and graciousness. 

phew...

6. If someone asks you to bring an appetizer or a dessert to a party in their home, which would you choose?

I think I would bring an appetizer.  I have hosted parties that have been just appetizers and I just love all the different kinds you can do. 

7. What is your crowd pleasing go-to appetizer? 
My crowd pleasing go-to appetizer is my homemade guacamole.   I love guacamole and it seems to be something everyone else loves too.

8.  In Summary:
I am ready to party...got the guacamole and am headed over.  I can even join you for a super bowl party and won't be one of those people who doesn't care about the game...I would actually watch, and maybe even cheer for those Steelers.  I, for the most part, feel that ignorance is bliss unless you are my wonderful husband telling me I'm beautiful each and every time he talks to me, and I know he doesn't just mean how I look...I must be doing something right to deserve that honor.

More Later

- A Ro 

The Next Mrs. Universe...Not

So my husband has always been sort of a workout fiend. 

He can seriously lift some weights. 

He takes this part of his overall health very seriously.  He is a retired Navy man and a high school football player (hunky high school football player I might add) so most of his life he has been weight lifting. Ever since we became reacquainted he has tried to get me to do some strength training with him in addition to my running/cardio.  I have always bucked this idea.  I know it sounds crazy that I wouldn't want to go to the gym and a) figure out all those crazy machines that look like torture devices b) work around and with all those crazy muscle men who look like they might torture me if I get in their way and c) walk around and look like an idiot because I don't have one of those belt thingys and matching gloves. 

Basically I have no idea what I am doing AND it isn't the most loving and kind environment to learn in.

Anyway, Rich was on bodybuilding.com (one of his favorite websites) a couple of weeks ago and found this 12 week diet and exercise program he wanted to try and asked me if I wanted to join him.  I really needed to think about it.  The hang up I had was that I don't to diet.  I realize that people do it all the time as witnessed by the billion dollar diet industry, but I can't live my life on a diet.  I hate counting calories, measuring food, and keeping track of everything I put into my mouth.  It makes me live an obsessive food drivin life style and I just can't do it.  I prefer to follow a more humane eating plan.  Eat things that are good for me and make me feel good, eat when I am hungry, and eat until I am full.  I also don't like myself very much when I am in the "I am not happy with my body I need to lose weight mode".   Seriously, I am a very healthy person, my husband thinks I am beautiful and sexy...why do I need to be some certain size, why can't I just be happy with the way I am.  So, whatever. 

I looked into this program and the diet part did NOT include those things that I hate. It was basically the way that I want to be eating; protein, good carbs, fruits and veggies.  The strength training would be something that we did together early in the morning (so no meatheads...at least not as many), and it included some cardio too.  The drawbacks were that you didn't get a day off (you did some sort of weight training and/or cardio every day) and you were supposed to weigh yourself weekly.  Yeah...the scale and I have a love/hate relationship for obvious reasons.

I really wanted to support Rich and do something to help me out too.  So I agreed.  We are on week 3 and so far so good.  I am feeling stronger and healthier and getting up every day at 4:15 to work out has really had a positive affect on my day.  I am less tired (believe it or not) and I feel like my metabolism is in full gear.  I love spending that time with Rich and really working towards living a long life together.

So for some reason all of this "healthy lifestyle" mumbo jumbo has got me thinking about coming up with a new running goal...and a half marathon jumped into my mind.  Actually the New York marathon jumped into my mind first, as Rich has never been to New York City and it is one of my most favorite places...so makes sense huh?!?  Well now that I think about it it doesn't make all that much sense.  I mean I love New York so lets run a marathon...yeah not too much sense.

Anyhoo...I did some research and it is hard to get into the New York Marathon, dang phew.  So I had to rethink my "great idea".  I asked around and one of my colleagues told me about a half marathon that runs through Santa Barbara's wine country. 

Yeah...great poster huh???

This 12 week program has a strict no alcohol rule, and well...I am already a light weight but 12 weeks without a glass of wine.  Let's just say that I am glad that I won't be running this race until next year.  I'll need that much time to...ahem...train.


More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel (List)

Alas the weekend is over and it is back to work tomorrow.  They just seem to fly by.  This weekend was a kidless weekend for me and no work for Rich...woohoo!!  Don't get excited it was a normal weekend...here are the highlights.

1.  Rich has a really cool job.  He is an air traffic controller by trade but works at the local Navy Base as a Range Control Officer.  He controls a range of air space and works ops that include weapons testing.  It is a pretty cool job for a dude as it involves watching things blow up.  Most of what he does is top secret and sometimes it calls for wierd hours.  Well Friday was one of those times.  He had to be into work at 5:00 am so our morning workout routine had to be postponed until after work.  Sooooo.....we drug ourselves to the gym after a long day and got it done.  Truth be told it felt good and we rewarded ourselves with a (healthy) dinner at our favorite BBQ place Bandits (thanks Roger!!).  We ended up at the mall to replace a watch battery and enjoy a cup o joe.  Now a trip to the mall usually means some serious shopping but we were beat and a trip to the Fossil store for a watch battery was all we could handle.

2.  Saturday started off with our workout, breakfast at Corner Bakery, and grocery shopping.  The norm.

3.  As we were out and about I got this Facebook status report from Bella: "I watched the social network. 38% was good 13% was people having parties 11% was the guy talking 48% was confusing" then she commented that she didn't know if her math was right or not. (Probably would not have viewed that movie had she been in my care...but whatever.   

4.  We were going to see a movie Saturday night as I have an AMC gift card burning a hole in my pocket, but neither one of us were in the mood to go anywhere so we cuddled on the couch and watched my Netflixed Modern Family first season episodes, I'm telling you that series cracks me up.  I did a lot of lol-ing.

5.  Trip to the post office to mail a baby gift and a long awaited ker-prize for a special boy.  I live right down the street from the post office so why is it that I can never seem to get anything mailed in a timely manner??? I mean seriously, the post office makes it SO easy with their flat rate boxes AND automated postage machines.  It's so sad.


6.  Cleaning and laundry seem to always appear on my to do list for the weekend...could they just take a break for once???


7.  We got our Sunday workout done early so we had a yummy breakfast together and read the paper.  For Rich this means actually reading the paper.  For me it means I start my Sunday crossword...and maybe peruse the ads.  I know...you wonder how I can be so on top of my current events.  If it isn't on the front page of MSN on-line it isn't a current event.


8. We made Grandpa Mike's chili and some Cooking Light corn muffins.  It wasn't snowing or even cold here, but that chili and corn muffins hit the spot.


So this was a perfect example of a normal easy going weekend.  I really love those.  However, I am sure that weekends will not always look this way, in fact, I foresee busy ones just up ahead. 

But I am sure one thing will always be present...a date with a vacuum.


More Later


- A Ro

Project 365 Week 4

Happy Sunday!!

It has been a great, normal week around here...phew!!  Head on over to Sara's and check out everyone else's week.

Here's mine:

Sunday January 16:

 Christmas Toys

I broke open my new food processor today!!  And as a good daughter of Mike Andrew I read the instructions which included watching the DVD.  Thankfully now I know not to touch the moving parts and I will not be at risk of losing any of my fingers...phew.

Monday January 17th:

Results of Breaking out the Food Processor

Today, on my day off, I made apple spice muffins.  My new food processor made the shredding of the apples so much easier.  Rich's Christmas present is a success!!  They are low fat/low calorie and a Cooking Light recipe.  Hey...I haven't put up any recipes lately...hmmm, might need to get right on that.

Tuesday January 18th:

Red and Yellow and Green....

First rehearsal today for our high school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  (Do you underline or italicize titles??) I am very excited because the music is very good and I love working with these kids!!  Not so fun is the late afternoons, but it is all good.

Wednesday January 19th:

Bento Boat??

We decided to try a new sushi place tonight.  Bella thought this was the coolest thing...a sushi kids meal.  She loves white rice and shrimp almost as much as she likes making silly faces for me...that's my girl!!!

Thursday January 20:

A New Project

Rich decided we needed a new blanket for our cuddle time on the couch.  So we went to Michael's and he helped me pick out some new colors and a pattern.  Now I know that you are thinking this is sort of a small blanket, but you knit 5 long strips and then sew them together.  I am excited to have a new knitting project.

Friday January 21:

Fabulous Students

We had a dance and blocking rehearsal today.  We got a lot done and Scott wanted to take a picture with all his "Dreamgirls"...they are a hoot.  I love my students!!

Saturday January 22:

Another New Toy

I used a gift certificate to purchase a Magic Bullet.  My mom has had one for awhile now and she loves her so I decided I should get one too.  We bought it at Kohls and preceded to take it right back after we opened it and found it to be missing over half the pieces...geez.  Thankfully we now have a complete package!!

In Summary:  A nice and normal week!!  Lots of fun rehearsals and new projects.  Now with that I have some new cooking toys I can't wait to try some new recipes...maybe I'll post some, but don't hold your breath.

More Later

- A Ro

Friday Fun

Since it is Friday and Fiday always means fun...right?? I thought I would share this video with you. This video makes me happy. This video makes me glad to be alive. This video is so much fun. This video makes me want to dance.

My son Andrew told me about this video...he thought I would like it.

Just the fact that he still thinks about me...let alone talks to me...was enough to make me watch it.

Boy I am glad I did...

John Mayer is most known for his solo stuff, but he is also in this trio and it is his work with this group that impresses me the most. It is a Jimi Hendrix cover and it ROCKS!!



Please turn up the volume, shut the door (and the windows) and just DANCE!!!

Have a great weekend. I have a kidless weekend and lots to do, but a great partner to do it all with. I am assured a very good weekend.

More Later

- A Ro

Bella and Chuck

Those two things have nothing in common except that Bella also loves to watch Chuck.  Now if you don't know what Chuck is or have never watched it you can just skip to the Bella part of my post.  It will be noted by big bold letters.  You could also just close your browser and go on with your day.

I love the NBC show Chuck.  I have never missed a show.  This is odd for me because I don't usually have a "show".  The last time I think I had a "show" was when about ten of us got together every Thursday night in college and watched Knots Landing.  We watched that show religiously.  I think I was more fascinated with Donna Mills smokey eye makeup than whether Valene and Gary stayed together or not.  I tried desperately to recreate her look...to no avail I might add.

What is even odder is that I LIKE the show Chuck.  I mean, truth be told it IS a semi-action show.  There are guns, shootings, killings and people hanging perilously from roof tops.  Not a usual list of criteria for an "Amy" show.  However, I love it...like people love train wrecks.  We don't know why we look, but we look.  There are some things that do make my list of criteria...lovable characters (including nerdy but cute Chuck), romance, and comedy.  So for Zachary Levi...I watch.

Monday was the first show after a long hiatus, and all four of us were glued to the TV to see what antics the gang gets into this time.  I just hope NBC keeps it on for awhile longer or they might get bombarded with pocket protectors.

BELLA SECTION:

So I end this post with a few funny things Bella said to me the other day.

Bella says to me when I ask her what a plastic spoon is doing on her floor...to this she says "That is my purple spoon named Charlie"

of course...

I also had about a million things to sign for her from her take home folder and she hands me one and says "please sign at the bottom".  She hands me another one and says "please sign on the line initial on all the x's".  The third one gets a "please sign and date in triplicate".  The last one she says "and this one will need a DNA sample"

She cracks. me. up.

My next post will be Andrew and The Event...

...yeah I watch The Event, to quote Churchill (which I do often) I am a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.


More Later

- A Ro

A Successful Hodgepodge

How I love the hodgepodge!!  You see I am a music teacher and pretend to be a blogger.  Most of the time I have so much to say but not quite sure how to say it that would be all that...enjoyable. 

Maybe I really need to lower my standards of enjoyable.

Anyway...Joyce does all the work for me on Tuesdays, which is why I love the hodgepodge.

Well if you have the same problem as me just answer the questions on your blog and link up over at Joyce's.

Here is my go at it:

1. Do you like your name? Were you named after someone? If you have children how did you settle on their names?
I used to not like my name because it was too short.  When Rich and I first got in touch with each other I used to sign my emails with just the letter A...when we started dating he told me how much he liked my name back in high school...I started signing all my e-mails Amy from then on.

I was not named after anyone, however, I was born in Ames Iowa so many people assume that Amy came from that.  I, for one, think that is a stretch.  My son Andrew has my maiden name as a first name.  His middle name, John, is in honor of my Granpy.  It also happens to be his Dad's name, but my first born son was always going to have the middle name of John ever since I was old enough to realize that one day I might have a son.  Isabella was a great compromise on an Italian name, her middle name, Christina, is a version of my middle name Christine.

aren't you glad you asked??

2. How do you define success?
I am going to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson...because I love, and try to live by, this definition of success.

To laugh often and much;

To earn the respect of intelligent people
and to win the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate the beauty in nature and all that surrounds us;

To seek out and nurture the best in others;

To give the gift of yourself to others
without the slightest thought of return,
for it is in giving that we receive;

To have accomplished a task,
whether it be saving a lost soul,
healing a sick child,
writing a book,
or risking your life for a friend;

To have celebrated and laughed with great joy and enthusiasm
and sung with exaltation;

To have hope even in times of despair,
for as long as you have hope, you have life;

To love and be loved;

To be understood and to understand;

This is the meaning of success

That is better than anything I could have come up with.

3. Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy?
I enjoy watching Jeopardy just to see if I can answer ANY of the questions, but I also like watching Wheel of Fortune.  Now to be a contestant on one or the other is another story. I really don't feel like I am a very lucky person (I am very blessed just not too lucky)...so Wheel of Fortune would be out, and I simply do not trust myself, in a highly tense situation, to remember to form my answers into questions...guess it is Game Show Network for me.


4. If you could own any single object that you don't have now, what would that object be?

This is a very hard one...I think I would love to have a bicycle.  I know I sound like a 5 year old on Santa's lap, but I have always wanted one, but never have been able to justify buying one.

5. What is something that inspires you?

I know this is going to sound very cheesy, but my students, children and Rich inspire me everyday.  Having the privilege to be their teacher, mother and wife causes me to pause everyday.  They make me want to work harder and be a better person.

would you like some wine with that cheese??

6. Meatloaf-yea or nay? If its a yay how do you make yours?
I HATE meatloaf.  I have never liked it. My DVD of my new Cuisine Art food processor had a demo of meatloaf so I am thinking that maybe that I have outgrown my childish dislike for meatloaf, but as I watched,  I am telling you nothing looked appealing.  Smushy meat mixed with ketchup and then baked into a loaf...gross.

7. Which is more admirable-the ability to organize and be methodical or the ability to adapt and make do?
I am uber organized with regards to my house and my job everything must have a place and it must be in that place more than it isn't.  I have many lists, file folders, bins and I keep things very organized.  Having said that I believe that I am a very adapt and make do kind of girl too.  But let me tell you if I have to adapt and make do, making a list is the first thing on that adapt-and-make-do agenda.

8.  In Summary:  Every time Rich says my name I melt just a little.  I am slowly working on being a successful person and can safely say that I am well on my way and have crossed a few of those things off my organized and methodical list, thanks to the people in my life who inspire me.  I would love to own a bicycle but if I have to be on Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy to get one...I am sunk.  However, I'd trade you a bike for some meatloaf...

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

The usual Monday blahs have been averted because I am home.  I am love these kinds of days, I mean who doesn't, an extra day off...I love it.  Now I do realize that the Monday blahs will simply transfer themselves to Tuesday as it will not be a day off, however, it will all be OK because Friday will come all that quicker.

Like my logic??

This weekend was a wonderful one.  So wonderful that it calls for a blog version of a highlight reel otherwise known as a list.  I love lists, I mean who doesn't, lists rock.

1. We had Friday off too.  End of the semester break.  Four day weekend baby!!
2. Rich didn't end up going to Iowa.  Crisis averted and he wasn't needed so he stayed here.  He was a little bummed but now he can save his vacation time for when his daughter comes for Spring Break.  I loved having him around for our extended weekend. (Don't get me wrong I would have been fine if he were to have gone...in fact it was my idea for him to go...but am glad all is OK and back on track there)
3. Broke out the new Cuisine Art food processor and made some Apple Spice muffins.  This was after I watched the hour long "how to" video.  I may or may not have fallen asleep during the demo of Gazpacho, but at least I know not to slide my fingers across the blade or touch anything while it is still spinning, however, I think I figured all that out when I was about 5...so no wonder I fell asleep.
4. Rich had to work late Saturday night so Bella and I cuddled and watched the final Shrek movie that she got for Christmas and...oddly enough...neither one of us saw.  Pretty good movie, if you like predictible character actions, lots of bathroom humor, and good guys winning in the end...yep a true Amy movie.
5. Rich and I had a couple of hours alone Sunday night while Andrew was at orchestra and Bella was at her friends house.  We streamed our favorite Iowa radio station KGGO while we cooked dinner and  got a weather report of -5 degrees and snow...we ate our chicken dinner to an open window and 75 degree breeze...yep nice.
6. Bella and I got to cuddle in bed and watch TV while Rich watched a movie he Netflixed (now a new verb I am pretty sure) downstairs.  The only thing we don't have in common is a love of action movies where guns and macho men do stupid things and live to tell about it.  He always tries to tell me that some action movies are kinda funny.  Yeah funny to me is Chevy Chase falling off a roof because he staples his coat sleeve to the Christmas lights not Bruce Willis hanging off a 100 story building by his belt buckle while shooting bad guys rain bullets down.  Both just as unbelievable...one funny...one not.

Don't think the weekend was all fun and games.  Grocerys were shopped for, toliets cleaned, showers scrubbed, floors vacuumed and mopped, and laundry done.

However, we did all this in 75 degree weather...together.  I love these kinds of weekends!!

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 3

It is time once again to show you all what I have been up to this week.  If you are big fan of my Bella you are in luck...she has turned up in quite a few of the pictures this week, she must love making an apperance on my blog, or it could be that she is the only one who still allows me to take her picture, but I'll take what I can get.

So, head on over to Sara's blog and check out all of the other participants.  It is fun to take a peek.

Here's a peek into mine:

Sunday January 9 2011 :

Dancing Queens

Bella's friend had a hip hop birthday party.  They went to a dance studio and learned how to hip hop dance.  I must say Bella was holding her own and can really pop and lock.  It is very funny to watch 10 year olds do this.

Monday January 10 2011:

Oops

Well we had to wear assembly dress today, and Bella is usually very good at remembering these things.  But it was a Monday, so it isn't a wonder that we forgot.  So we rushed to the hand me down closet at school and found a couple of items that "worked".  As you can see the skirt was kinda long, the shirt kinda big, and her Arizona Wildcat socks weren't exactly up to "code".  She did, however, accent it all with her purple checked Vans...yeah it was quite an outfit.

Tuesday January 11 2011:

Soccer...Again

It was the start of soccer season at school this week.  It was cold.  It rained a little bit.  My girl was so super awesome.  I love watching her play soccer...man she is fast.

Wednesday January 12 2011:

Wow

This was much prettier in person.  I love these kinds of mornings!!

Thursday January 13 2011:

My New Toy

I got a new cookbook, not only that it was a Cooking Light cookbook, not only that it was a 30 minute meals or less Cooking Light cookbook.  It is a very cool thing.  I love cookbooks.

Friday January 14 2011:

Bella's Bagel

Yes this is a 10 year old girl eating an everything bagel.  She loves the unusual.  We didn't have school today so we started our day with a trip to Starbucks and Target...two of my most favorite places.  It was a beautiful day.

Saturday January 15 2011:

She Did it Again

Yep she did it again.  My girl loves those claw machines.  She will spend a dollar now and then and wins almost every time.  She has played about 9 times and I think she has won 7 of those times.  Andrew is the same way, as a matter of fact.  Well today we were at the market and she had a dollar in her pocket so she decided to play. Rich and I went down the other aisle and I told him that one of these days she isn't going to win and she will be sad.  He told me he had a good feeling about this one, and sure enough here comes Bella around the corner with her Tootsie Roll pillow...she won on her first $.50 try.  


In Summary:  It was a Bella and me week.  I just love my girl.  She can play soccer, bust a move, eats crazy things, (and doesn't mind when I break out a new cookbook recipe), remembers assembly dress (almost every time), and I am seriously thinking about letting her pick my lottery numbers.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend at the End of the Tunnel

Wow...this week seems like the LONGEST week ever.

Exaggerate much? 

It could have something to do with the fact that I am looking forward to the four day weekend (we have Friday off and Martin Luther King Day off too).  It might have something to do with the fact that I have proctored two finals in which I have to sit quietly for two hours and watch students fret and worry over AP yada yada

yeah, not my strong suit

It could also have something to do with the fact that I have been doing fun stuff like filing, stamping music, and general housekeeping chores this week in preparation for the new semester

yeah, not my strong suit

It could have something to do with the fact that my Bella is feeling very blue today and I hate seeing her so sad.  Why is she so sad you ask? 

Just pretend you asked...K?

1. Two of her most favorite people are going through a very hard time right now, and she wants to help, but can't.
2. Rich is going back to Iowa and will be gone for a week and even though this means that she gets to have snuggle cuddle time with mama in bed it also means that she will be missing a guy that means a lot to her.
3. She got a bad grade on a math test today due to her inability to tackle word problems with any consistency...join the club sistah.  Now mind you she got 100% on a vocab test, 96% on a noun test, was the star player on her soccer team, and finished an exceptional oil painting.  Perspective does not come easy to a 10 year old.
4. The straw that broke the camels back was the fact that her math homework for today was having to divide fractions...yeah, not my strong suit. But we called in the Calvary (Andrew), shed a few tears, cursed the day fractions were invented, and eventually divided and conquered (ha ha get it DIVIDED and conquered).

tap...tap...tap...is this thing on??

So I think that since Rich is headed out of town this weekend Bella and I might have to go see a movie and have a girls night out.

Maybe we will work on dividing fractions with a box of Junior Mints.

Eating Junior Mints...now that's my strong suit.

More Later

- A Ro

The Blah Beating Hodgepodge

It is time once again for the weekly hodgepodge from Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond.   Answer her thought provoking questions on your blog and link up to hers.  Have some fun!!

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to mis-use, over-use or just general uselessness and they receive over 1000 nominations. Here are the fourteen words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2011-viral, epic, fail, wow factor, a-ha moment, back story, BFF, man up, refudiate, Mama Grizzlies, The American People, facebook/google when used as verbs, I'm just sayin', and Live life to the fullest.




What word or phrase would you like to see banished from our everyday vocabulary in 2011? You can choose one from the 'official list' or you can get creative and come up with your own.
Everyone around here calls each other "boss".  Hey can I help you, boss.  What do you want to order, boss.  I am not your boss...you need to cut that out.

2. Do you consider opportunity something that comes to you or something you create for yourself?
Lets just say if you sit on your couch eating bon bons and wait for opportunity to smack you in the face you will be forever sitting on your couch eating bon bons.  You need to go out and live your life.  Meet people, experience life then opportunities will find you.


3. Since we're all eating healthy this month, ahem, what's included in your favorite salad? Is there dressing?
My favorite salad is this: Good dark lettuce (no iceberg for me) goat cheese, a few wasibi wontons, red onion, and Newman's Own Low Cal Soy Ginger dressing...yum.e.


4. The fourth Monday in January is said to be Blue Monday...aka the most depressing day of the year. The date was calculated using many factors including weather, debt level, time since Christmas, time since we've failed at our new year resolutions, low motivation and feeling a need to take action. Do you get the blues this time of year and if so what is something you do to lift your spirits?
I am definitely a little blue after the holidays, but I quickly become immersed in my new semester and the next project, which at the moment does include focusing on my New Years resolutions.  I also live in sunny CA (which at the moment is rainy CA, but it does turn around quicker than most spots around)


5. Do you wear a watch? Any other everyday jewelry essentials?
I cannot function without a watch.  The only other essential jewelry is my gorgeous engagement ring and wedding band.

6. What is something useful you learned in high school?
Everything I know about teaching high school choir.  I had an amazing choral director who steal from and try to emulate daily.  He showed me how to be a compassionate teacher...all the rest is icing on the cake.


7. Do you use an accountant when completing and filing your income tax returns or do you attempt to muddle through all by yourself?
I WAS a do-it-yourself tax gal until I married Rich...now with all of our crazy stuff we are going to a pro this year.

In Summary:  I have NO time for Blue Monday, none at all, too busy hoping to catch that next opportunity, which soon will be getting busy channeling my high school choir director in how to inspire young minds.  I am a simple jewelry gal with nothing but my keeping me on time aid, and my visual reminder of my husbands love (and good taste), and if you head on over I'll prepare you one might fine salad...just don't call me boss.

More Later

- A Ro

Tell Me Why Tuesdays

I know technically I am writing this and posting it on Monday night, but Tell Me Why Mondays just doesn't have the same ring and tomorrow night, Joyce willing, I will be doing the hodgepodge...so you see.

I did the Tell Me Why posts last year in joining with the #twitterstyleposting...and I had fun...so there.

So...its back, still doesn't have any sort of cute button, or a Mr. Linky but if you have your own "tell me why twitter style" just leave it in the comments.

Here are mine:
1.  Why are there a group of about 10 students in my room during lunch today playing Sorry? #itisn'tfinalsweekaroundhereoranything.

2.  Why do I keep the game Sorry (and Apples to Apples) in my chorus classroom? #iamabigfanofcomicrelief

3.  Why do I love THE BIG YELLOW SALE at Bath and Body Works? #youcan'thavetoomuchwarmvanillasugarhandsanitizer

4.  Why had getting up early to go exercise not been so bad? #cuteworkoutpartnerwholooksGOODweariniggymshorts

5.  Why do people in the south run out to the market and buy milk and bread when there is a THREAT of snow? #musthaveahankeringforfrenchtoasthopeyougoteggs

6.  Why has my next semster middle school chorus grown from 11 students to (as of last count) 18!!! #okmaybeiamagoodteacher

7.  Why do I like proctering finals? #quiettwohoursofuninteruppedworkandfreedress

8. Why do I still have Iowa withdrawal?  #blondbluesbigbrownandred

9.  Why do you still put up with my endless pictures of my nieces and nephews? #causeyoufeelmyheartache

10.  Why am I the happiest woman on the planet? #uhduh

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Wrap Up

I know that title it isn't all that clever, but I need to save all my clever for next semester when my students start showing up again ready to be entertained taught.

This past weekend has been very very quiet.  The kids were with their Dad, and Rich and I are not that loud...actually that really isn't all that true.  We laugh and act more goofy when we are alone, because we don't get the "you guys are really weird" lecture.  I must admit we are pretty weird, but the nice thing is that we are the same kind of weird...needless to say I enjoy my weekends with him.

Friday night we watched the new Gold Rush Alaska on Discovery.

Yes, It was Friday night and I was watching a reality show on the Discovery channel...I know, I know.

For some reason I have really gotten into this show, but I also found myself glued to the new Biggest Loser on Tuesday night...maybe my 40's are all about reality television.

crap 

We also ran to take Andrew his phone charger...yeah we are good like that.  Since we were in the neighborhood we stopped at our favorite restaurant and sat in the bar and got some appetizers and chatted, this was only after we went to Target and I spent some of my gift card from the kids at Bath and Body Works.

See I know what you are thinking, but the thing is it's THE BIG YELLOW sale and I got some kickin' deals.  You would do the same thing too...just admit it.

Saturday morning began with getting my name put on Rich's safe deposit box.

It is what all good married couples wait to do until 5 months after they get married.  

This was only after I bet Rich that he had gone to the wrong bank branch...and I was proven wrong.  Just so you know I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong...sometimes.  We ate breakfast at Denny's and cleaned the house.

Have I lost you yet??  Now is your chance to get out while it isn't too late...cause it just gets better from here.

We ate dinner at our favorite pizza place and made another trip to Target. We also made a risky trip to Off Broadway Shoes to replace my brown boots (who's heel broke as I was heading out the door last Tuesday causing me to have to re think my entire outfit, thankfully it included only having to iron pants.  I didn't have to try to navigate a new shirt, just the pants, needless to say I wasn't happy...at all).  The boots are in the garbage and have been replaced.  The risk was mitigated due to Rich's presence.  I only bought one superfluous pair of shoes.  They were 60% off cute white Converse shoes with a double tongue...I told myself that I would throw away my old pair of white Converse, but they are still in my closet "just in case".  And that ends our Saturday evening...well only after Rich ate his coconut M&M's we found at Target...to that I say YUCK.

Sunday started out with a great work out and a great salmon omelet...to that I say YUM.  I tried to make these yam muffins and ended up calling them YAK muffins...they were disgusting.  Sometimes healthy is good, and sometimes not so much.  Rich liked them (so he says).  Trust me it was the recipe not the cook.  We did laundry and...well that is about it.

Please forgive me, I usually am a little more exciting, and no I am sorry you can't get back the last five minutes of your life.

More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 1 & 2

Here we go again!!  I am so thrilled to be participating once again with Sara and her Project 365.  I can't wait to put last years days into a book and remember what a wonderful year we had.  2011 is shaping up to be a great one too.  Week one only had one day in it so I am including it on this post.  I had a very boring week and my pictures were not too exciting.  But it is what it is.

Head on over to Sara's blog and check out all the other participants week.  I love sharing my life with you all this way.

Enjoy!!

Saturday January 1 2011

Yep...We Start With a Crappy Picture

My new phone is the source of this fantastic picture.  It is my brother Greg and my nephew JoJo just as we toasted Happy New Year.  I love this picture especially since it has the game we were attempting to play, and a guy eating a bagel on TV.  Great shot and what a great way to start this Project.  (Is the sarcasm too obvious??)

Sunday January 2 2011

Back to Homework

Yep, we came home to homework.  Bella just hunkered down and got it done, and managed to give me a goofy look in the process...that's my girl.

Monday January 3 2011

Maggie's Home!!!

Rich went and got Maggie tonight.  We were so glad to have her home and we really liked the kennel that we took her too...she even got a little stocking on Christmas day!!  We are glad to have all of our family members back.

Tuesday January 4 2011

Cheat Picture

OK...Today my sister Kate put this picture that Bella took on Facebook as her profile picture and I LOVE this picture so I stole it as my Tuesday picture.  I miss them!!!

Wednesday January 5 2011

Get to Work

Maggie laid down on the floor just like this.  It looked like she was doing her homework.  Too cute.

Thursday January 6 2011

Nice Surprise

Two of my favorite former students came to see me today.  I love visits from Jacob and Sabrina.  I do have the best job around.

Friday January 7 2011

Huh??

My kids were with their Dad this weekend so Rich and I went to browse Fry's Electronics to look for a GPS mounting clip (I know the excitement is killing you).  This particular Fry's was decorated in an Alice in Wonderland theme.  Totally facinated me, obviously.

Saturday January 8 2011

PIZZA!!

With the kids away Rich and I decided to go to our favorite pizza place.  I got out my camera to take a picture and almost missed the pizza.  Needless to say, adult conversation coupled with a great pizza made me forget that I was a blogger and need a good picture for today.  Silly me.

In Summary:  I think the first weeks of January have been completely normal.  Nice and normal.  We are all back to school, homework and all, and complete with pleasant surprises.  No kids weekend equals quiet dinners and errands, but I still miss my Iowa/Arkansas people.  May is right around the corner!!

More Later

- A Ro

Thankful Thursday

So many of the blogs I read do some kind of a Thankful Thursday.  I want to join in because today I am so very thankful for so many things.

But I have only one simple thank you for today and its for my Mom.

My Mom is one of the most generous people I know.  She would give you the shirt off her back if she thought you needed or wanted it.  However, most importantly, she is a generous soul.  She is someone who you could talk to for hours and makes you feel that she really cares.  She is patient and kind and puts others before herself.  She still takes care of me and is always very concerned about me and my well being.  She always makes us feel welcome in her home and goes out of her way to make everyone comfortable.  She loves her grand kids, kids, and their respective spouses and now that includes Rich and Rich's kids. She treats the newest members of her family with such kindness and respect, and welcomes them into her home and without batting an eye makes them feel like they belong.  Above and beyond all of this is what happens at Christmas.  Her home is so beautiful and welcoming, every year she puts up all the decorations (with the help of John), and makes her home so inviting and has the spirit of Christmas down to a tee.  Her house is the hub of activity during this time and all the gifts she gives are so special and thoughtful.  I love being at my Mom's house during the holidays...heck I love being at my Mom's house any time, it is truly my happy place.

I am so thankful that my mom is...mine.

Thanks Mom...for everything, and I love you.


More Later

- A Ro

A Place for All

The dreaded first day back to school/work from an extended holiday is always rough.  Especially when you only have one day between said holiday and the first day back to reality.  Especially if you are me and you have the overwhelming obsession need to have everything in order before life starts again.  AND especially if you are a little blue due to the fact that you had to leave these faces behind.

Yeah...rough, I know.

So we get home about an hour late on Saturday night and I find the following:

1.  Christmas presents that weren't taken with us all over the coffee table and floor.

2.  Assorted boxes in a pile (that I must break down and save for next year...cause that's the kind of crazy that I am).

3.  Piles of used wrapping paper in garbage bags with other boxes that must be put in the recycle bin. 

4.  A full, but thankfully, clean dishwasher.

5.  Wrapping essentials still out.

6.  An un-made bed.

7.  Clean laundry and towels in baskets left over from the loads we did before we packed.

8.   Dog hair everywhere. 

Now I realize that all those things are very normal things to find in your house when you return from a Christmas vacation, but all those things drive me crazy in and of themselves, but to have them greet me first thing after having to leave this:

...made my crazy seem a little worse.

Thankfully I have Rich...the man who can very easily, with one touch or kind word, talk me down from the ledges and he quickly got me feeling that everything will be OK....eventually.

Now I don't know about you but I feel the unstoppable urge to unpack and go through all the mail as soon as I get home.  I mean as SOON as I get home...as in shut the door, unpack, read mail.  Now Rich was wise to this, I think, because he sneakily stopped the mail while we were gone not to have it delivered until Monday, so the mail thing was not an issue.  But the unpacking was still on the agenda.

I have totally given up on Andrew (my 15 year old son) and the packing/unpacking thing.  He is on his own.  His door can be shut, and I can put my fingers in my ears and pretend it doesn't exist. 

Rich knows me all too well and either unpacks too or just doesn't leave anything out so that I can see it is unpacked.

So that leaves me, Bella, and all the gifts to unpack.  Piles were made, things were sorted and organized, and items were delivered to their respective rooms to be put away.  I don't remember hitting the pillow that night.

Sunday was the day to get everything done before Monday morning rolled around.  We made a grocery list, grocery shopped, paid bills, balanced the checkbook, did laundry (not sure how we still had laundry when I did it at Mom's before we left), cleaned bathrooms, vacuumed, mopped, took down Christmas, and organized closets and drawers.

You see my own kind of crazy involves everything in my house having a place and it being put into its place more often than it is not in its place.  So when you get new things ie Christmas gifts, they must be put into a place.  This means, sometimes, getting rid of things.  So Bella's clothes got a purging to make room for the new stuff, art bins were sorted to be able to assimilate the new stuff, and my kitchen cabinets had to be re-organized to accommodate my new FOOD PROCESSOR!!!

Yes Rich, my loving husband, got me a new food processor.  I love it so much I want to date it on a serious basis.

I must note that I love getting kitchen stuff for gifts.  I know most wives hate it, but not me...gizmos, gadgets, appliances...bring them on.  Now mind you I also get a few romantic things and Victoria Secret bags filled with wonderful things too, but nothing beats silicone tongs, dutch ovens, new knives, and food processors...nothing I tell you.

So Monday and Tuesday were get back to work, school, exercising, and are a total blurr.

So here it is Wednesday and I actually had time last night to go buy a lottery ticket, dream about what we would do with $355 million, and sit on my couch and watch The Biggest Loser.  

Things are back to normal, in their places,...and in perspective.

More Later

- A Ro