The One Where She Roof Tests the Computers

Computers stink.  OK maybe they don't stink all the time, I mean how could I ever find the recipe for Moo Shu Tofu Wraps, or keep in touch with my extended family.

Oh...you mean I could look in a cookbook and call them on the phone??

But what about when you need to know how old Betty White is or how many lead singers the band Chicago went through before Peter Cetera joined up or what your blogger friends are up to.

See, a little more important than once thought.

Well, my love/hate relationship with computers these days stems from none of the ones in my possession working lately.  I had all these great blog posts to write...like my doomed from the start, Photo Friday, and my Weekend Update.  So now that I am on a working computer, for the moment, I will try to combine a few posts.

So my photos for last week are a little unrelated.

OK, these two...crazy girls.  Bella got these stick on moustaches at the bowling alley and she couldn't wait to wear them with Sarah.  They went to the park and rode their bicycles and played on the swings.  I can only imagine the looks they got.  Love these guys!!

This was a lovely sight as I was going to work.  I love the sunrises here.

Then we have Bella's latest oil painting.  I hung it in my room at school, and I think it is just wonderful.  She told me that it was Rich and me walking together.  So sweet.

This Friday Bella got to spend the night on the gym floor in her sleeping bag for a Math Mentor's sleep over.  Our school pairs middle school girls with high school girls for math help and support, and Friday was their annual sleepover.  Sad to say Bella was one of the only one that didn't have an air mattress, I told her that sleeping on the floor was what made women women.  She was a trooper and did what any middle school girl would do in her case, stayed up until midnight, jacked up on Sprite, and slept it off the next day.

Saturday Sarah, Rich and I picked up Bella and went to get breakfast together.  Sarah ate a huge plate of Eggs Benedict. 

cue sound effect of a record needle scratching over a record

Yes, this girl who was the pickiest eater on the planet loves Egg Benedict, runny egg and all. 

We then went to the mall to shop for Bella's cotillion dress.  It was fun to watch my sorta tom boy try on dresses and actually like them. 

one tear

Rich and I went back to the mall that night and ate at our favorite Italian restaurant, and walked around the mall yet again.  The mall in the evening gets a little weird.  We saw a woman huddled on the ground with her family crying, a very elderly man stare for a few minutes at a poster in the GNC of a very buff man, and a pair of $495.00 white Prada shoes at Nordstroms...crazy I tell you.

Now mind you I don't usually shop at Nordstroms, maybe Nordstrom Rack, but never the actual Nordstroms.  However, I had a gift certificate and it is the only place in the mall that sells Spanx.  Considering I wept when I put my thumb through my last pair, I needed a new pair.

Sunday was the usual.  Except Rich grilled steak and salmon, and oh my goodness the salmon was melt in your mouth delicious.  After dishes, homework, and laundry was done we all sat down to watch our Tivo'd Modern Family episodes.  I laughed so hard I could barely breath.  Andrew came home from orchestra and we ended up watching one episode almost twice.  I love that show.

So I have a few pictures of the weekend.  Namely Bella's cotillion dress, and a bridal window display at Nordstroms where the mannequins had wedding cakes on their heads...yeah, only at Nordstroms.

So hopefully Photo Friday is a go this week...

...unless I do decide to roof test my computers.

More Later

- A Ro

Thankful Thursday

This week has been very busy.  College night at school, rehearsals, kidlets at home stuff.  I am proud, however, that I have been able to blog this week AND still get some shut-eye.  I am also proud that I have taken 2 pictures for my photo Friday post tomorrow.

OK...not so proud that I have only taken two pictures, but it is better than the 0 pictures I took last week by almost 200%.

Did I do that math right?

Anyway, I have a lot to be thankful for and I am going to share with you.  Maybe my blog will inspire you to be thankful today too, or at least to review your percentages.

1.  I am thankful that I have a cast of Pink Ladies who can learn a song in three part harmony in under an half an hour.  Did I mention that we are doing Grease this spring for our high school musical?

2.  I am thankful that Rich nudged me out of bed this morning to go work out because it was faculty food day and the moms of our school put together a big brunch for us.  Yeah...if you remember my brunch question from yesterday's hodgepodge you will understand why I needed as many kettleball swings as possible.

3.  I am thankful that I get to help Bella study Greek mythology.  I like Greek mythology.

4.  I am thankful that I don't have to help Andrew study Pre-Algebra.  I hate Pre-Algebra.

5.  I am thankful that Sarah asks me "Guess what?" and when I answer "What?" she says "Chicken Butt".

6.  I am thankful that Sarah also tells me she loves me.

7. I am thankful that my school has an amazing college counseling department.


8. I am thankful that my school's college counseling department offered practice SAT and ACT tests free of charge.

9. I am thankful that Andrew took advantage of those tests.

10. I am thankful that Andrew scored a 27 on his first practice ACT test.

11. I am thankful that the SAT was only a practice one.

12. I am thankful that Bella and Andrew are 5 years apart, because 5 years might just be enough time for me to recover.

13.  I am thankful that I am done applying for college because let me tell you...it ain't what it used to be.

More Later

- A Ro

The Super Hodgepodge

It is time for Joyce's weekly hodgepodge.  Head on over and answer her well thought out, thought provoking, and amusing questions then link up to your blog.

Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'?
Someone who loves America and is willing to fight and self sacrifice for her good.

Right?

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?

Starting the college finding process for my son.  Woah...big time worry.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?
I turned 18 the summer before I started college so when I think back to that time I think about starting college and feeling like my life was just beginning.  I was nervous and excited at the same time.  Wow, what an amazing time.

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?
Well, I hate coconut, and really don't eat much mayonnaise, and ice cream is ice cream so I could give up Vanilla easily.  So that leaves mashed potatoes, and I think that would be hard to give up.  I love those spuds!!

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced?
I went to college in Iowa City. (Go Hawkeyes!!)  Anyway, I was a music major and to be cruel (or weed out the wimps) we had an 8:00 am music theory class everyday.  University of Iowa has a river that runs right through it, the music building was on the opposite side of the river from my dorm and every morning I walked that walk, rain or shine.  This one particular morning I remember walking across that river and it being SO cold and windy that I thought my forehead was going to explode.  I just remember taking off in a run because I thought I was going to pass out from the pain of that cold wind on my forehead.

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?
Well besides the mimosas, of course, I love a good breakfast casserole.  I also love coffee cake, and croissants, and bagels, and quiche, and fruit salad, and good warm coffee, and muffins...I love muffins.

Well, there you go.

7. How do you combat negative thinking?
You just gotta push it out.  I also love the mantra "I think I can I think I can" or "just keep swimming just keep swimming" I also believe that just like in the movie We Bought a Zoo that anyone can be brave for 20 seconds.  Just get through the 20 seconds and then move on.

Yeah...you gotta have a lot of options when the negative ninnies come a calling.


8. In Summary:
I I'd like to believe that I am a true patriot but in any case I am a Patriot because the school that I teach at are the Patriots.  I'd like to believe that I can tackle Giants, so we will see when next year comes around.  I'd like to think that 18 was the best year of my life, but I think that was just the start of the best years.  I'd like to think I could get rid of white foods altogether, but then you have to add whipped cream to the list and I would crumble.  I'd like to think that i could go back to living in the mid west, but I have to say that my forehead has never hurt here in CA.  But I know for a fact that 20 seconds of bravery wouldn't work with a brunch laid out in front of me.

More Later

- A Ro

It's Raining It's Pouring

It has been pouring rain and just miserable today.  Here in Southern California when it starts to rain, or rain is predicted, certain things happen. 

1.  I start singing "It's Raining Men".  Now I know that particular song isn't really about raining, but for some reason it is the song that sticks in my head and I sing it all day. 

2.  The local news stations send every possible reporter out in the field to report on the "Winter Storm".  OK people calling this a "Winter Storm" is like calling Theresa Giudice from Housewives of New Jersey Mother Theresa. Technically it is winter and it is a storm and her name is Theresa and she is a mother, but ...yeah. I always feel like we are insulting every mid-westerner who knows what a winter storm is really like and it isn't what is happening outside.  Not even close.

3.  My room turns into a place for a gaggle of giggling sixth graders to eat lunch, who leave a wake of crumbled Doritos and Naked Juice bottles behind.  We have an ouside campus so when it rains there really isn't anywhere for the kids to eat.  I am more than happy to give up a quiet lunch to keep them dry.  I must admit I kind of enjoy it.

4.  Drivers here go to the extreme.  Either they drive way too fast for the road conditions and end up bugging up traffic for hours, or they drive way to slow and end up bugging up traffic for hours.  Just drive like you have a head on your shoulders people.

5.  I get to wear my cute Target rain boots and my outlet mall Columbia rain coat.  The very rain coat that I held in my hand and debated the $15.00 price tag much too long for it being a $15.00 Columbia rain coat.  I really had a hard time justifiying buying a rain coat period, I live in Southern California for pete's sake.  However, each time it rains I look at that coat like it is gold...$15.00 gold.

Luckily I had this video to keep the sunshine in my room.  I swear I watched it 50 times.  It is a video of my neice Abby, you know that adorable red head that I can't get enough of.  She is reading a book to her mom and she has the teacher thing down.  You can hear the animal names pretty clearly, but the rest of the words she says are all  her own, and  I am certain that she knows EXACTLY what she is saying, but her mom has no idea.

I'm telling you, you will be so much happier after watching this so please enjoy and save it for a rainy day.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

OK...things are looking good right at the moment.  It is an hour before my bedtime, brownies are cooling on on the counter, last load of laundry is almost done drying, the rest of the laundry is put away, and I am starting on my blog.  It looks like I just might get everything done on my Sunday to do list!!

I am also planning ahead.  I have already taken two pictures for my Photo Friday blog, so look forward to that.  My sister also uploaded an amazingly cute video of Abby reading a book like she is a teacher to Facebook.  I was going to save that for Friday too, but I think that as soon as she uploads it to YouTube so I can put it on my blog, I will share.  I'm telling you that video alone is worth the visit back here.

This weekend had a couple of firsts.  The first one being I stayed up until 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday night watching movies.  The second one was that I stayed up until 11:00 pm Friday and Saturday night watching action movies, that didn't even star Chevy Chase.

I know...who are you and what have you done with A-Ro.

We watched Green Hornet, and Captain America.  Now here is the deal.  These action movies violent scenes were very comic-book-esque.  Not very realistic at all.  They both had a romantic element and they both ended relatively happy.  Plus, I am kinda looking forward to The Avengers movie that is coming out.  It combines the characters of Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, and Iron Man.  It looks really good.

No, no, don't worry I'm OK, no fever or delirium.

I didn't have my kidlets this weekend so it was nice to do something with Sarah and Justin, we all usually just sit around and miss Bella and Andrew.  Sarah fell asleep halfway through the movie on Friday night, and I wish I would have taken a picture because she puts her sweatshirt hood over her eyes and falls asleep sitting up.  It is so cute.  On Saturday night she was so proud when she made it past 9:00, but shortly after that the hood went on and she was sound asleep.  When Rich woke her up to go upstairs she was so happy that she made it through ALMOST the whole movie.  We must really wear her out because she goes to be SO much earlier than when she lived in Iowa. 

Rich and I got away a few times for some alone time.  We went to breakfast Saturday morning and got coffee together before the movie on Friday night.  I really enjoy those few moments together.

Regular cleaning, super cleaning the bathrooms, and grocery shopping rounded out our days off.

Overall a very wonderful weekend and it didn't even involve Chevy Chase.

More Later

- A Ro

Photo Friday

Well one of the reasons I blog is to share my life and my kids lives with those family members who live far away.  I also thought Sarah's Mom might like to see some pictures too.  So I decided that on Fridays I would do some photos of the week. 

Great idea...right?

Yes fabulous idea, except I didn't take any pictures this week.

So much for Photo Friday.

Well I took some pictures earlier this month...

Wolf Camp Departure

Soccer girl, goalie no less...YIKES! (they won it was all good)

OK two pictures.

And none of Sarah, Andrew, or Justin.

I suck at Photo Friday.

I'm sorry, I'll try better next week.

More Later

- A Ro



Optmistic Thankful Thursday

I have had a surprisingly good day today.  I really expected this new week and semester to really kick my boo-hiney.  I realize that I only finished day 2 of my new semester and this week is only a 4 day week.

OK I guess my optimism is a little premature, but I am going to go with it as long as I can, or at least until Friday when I can't move from exhaustion.

In honor of my premature optimism I am going with a Thankful Thursday theme.

1.  I am so very thankful for Andrew tonight. He was upstairs plugging away on homework, but I kept seeing him come downstairs to help Sarah with her math.  It was so cute, she would leave the table walk upstairs and a few seconds they would appear together and he would help her.  He was so patient and kind.  He also, later on, helped Justin with the math section of his ASVAB. 

2.  I am thankful Andrew is good at math.

3.  I am thankful that my husband just loves to be with me.  He rarely leaves my side when we are home.  I know that sounds kinda annoying, but we truly just love being near each other.  Whether doing chores, shopping, cooking dinner, or just laying in bed as we are right now, me blogging and him watching his Kindle, and every once in awhile just reaching out and touching my arm...sigh.

4.  I am thankful that I decided to completely fill my tank with gas this morning.  I am the girl who runs on fumes and HATES to mess with filling my car with gas.  I know that sounds so stupid, I mean I do realize that I need gas in my car to function, but with the prices and the fact that I am always in a hurry, I just hate messing with it.  So this morning, as I was starring at the gas light blaring at me, I was tempted to just put a couple of bucks into it just to get me to work, but my more logical side decided that if I was going to go through all the trouble of stopping for gas I might as well fill it up.  Now I don't have to mess with it for another week, unless my newly licensed son decides to tool all over the valley this weekend....oh well.

5.  I am thankful that my logical side wins sometimes.

6.  I am thankful for my 7:00 am class this morning.  Even though the entire getting gas debate was due to the fact that I didn't want to be late for that class, and the entire way to work all I wanted to do was go back to bed, I was so glad THAT class was the first thing on my agenda.  Those kids, with their millions of AP and honors classes, get up so early just to spend some time making music with little old me.  They are all such happy and talented kids and work so hard.  I walked away from that class this morning just to happy and on cloud nine.

7.  I am thankful that sometimes you get just what you need at the very moment you need it.

8.  I am so thankful for the girls that live under my roof.  Sarah texts me every morning when she gets to school and I look forward to hearing from that happy-go-lucky girl each morning even if I am teaching when she sends it.  She absolutely loves school and her excitement each day is invigorating.  And Bella always finds time to come say hi to me during the day, and I just love seeing her sweet smile during my day.  Both of those girls just make me so happy.

9.  I am thankful that Billy Joel's River of Dreams shuffled on my ipod right now, what a great song.  A few minutes ago I was struggling to stay awake ready fall into the pillow, and now I feel like dancing.

10.  I am thankful that sometimes you get just what you need at the very moment you need it.

More Later\

- A Ro

Here She Is Miss Hodgepodge



It is that time again to join Joyce and answer some hodgepodge-y questions. C'mon you know you want to join in.  Everyone's doing it!

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

Yeah...no I didn't watch, but I heard that Miss Iowa made it to the final 12 or so.  The talent portions would be the least of my problems...it's easy, I'd sing.  It's the looking good in high heels and a bikini, being able to walk down stairs and not look at the floor, and answering the world peace questions that I would find hard.  Talent, piece of cake.

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

None and if I did they would be fake, and I'd probably kill those too.
3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?

Oh, please.  My teachers hid and avoided eye contact with me and prayed that I didn't raise my hand.  I thought I had all the answers and no fear.  Yeah, not a great combo for a teacher. 
4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

Oh, my goodness I love Chinese food.  I love egg rolls, fried wontons, and egg drop soup.  My main dish is really anything, but my favorite is shrimp with lobster sauce.  Expensive taste huh?
5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?

I really believe that everyday and every breath is a miracle.  The birth of my children, the sunrise, the sunset, the fact that I found the love of my life again after 20 years, the fact that I was diagnosed with no-doubt-about-it cancer and having it turn out to be cysts.  The fact that Rich's daughter chose to live with us.  I have so many miracles in my life that it would take a miracle to get them all down on paper. 
6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

Colors of the Wind.  I cannot listen to that without shedding a tear.  Love that song and the message.  I mean, c'mon "how high does the Sycamore grow if you cut it down you'll never know"...where is my hankie.
7. I should have _____________ yesterday.

hugged my family more
8. In Summary:  I am a big old sap.  I cry at Disney songs, find miracles in the mundane, and need more hugs.  It is very obvious, however, that I do know my limitations.  I can't walk in a bikini and heels, I kill plants, have a lot to say, and can't say no to some crab meat rangoons and saki.  It is a well-rounded life.

More Later

- A Ro

The Good Life

Well, believe it or not I am actually ready to go back to school tomorrow and start the new semester.  My choirs will be starting to rehearse for a new concert, the musical will start rehearsals, and I will have a new section of Middle School Chorus to get to know.  How could one not be excited??

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my LONG weekend very much.  I loved hanging out with my kids and bonus kids.  Well...most of them.  My sixteen year old had a busy social life and wasn't home much, but I hear that is the way it goes.  I am sure it is just a normal thing.  A professor once said that really in order for the world to survive our children must swim away from the small gene pool of the family and go to the larger gene pool of the world.  Now I liken this to knowing that going to the dentist is important, but dreading the thought.  Yeah...that gene pool of the world has a lot of pain too.

I enjoyed seeing A Joyful Noise with Bella.  It was nice to get out just the two of us and hang out.  Sarah and Rich made a date for mid February when the new Nick Cage movie Ghost Rider 2 comes out...yeah no thanks.  Give me Queen Latifa, Dolly Parton and gospel music over ghosts and skulls from the underworld whose sole purpose is to stop the human race,any day.

Do I hear an Amen Sistah??

I enjoyed the opportunity to have the time to cook some great meals.

I enjoyed sneaking away for a few hours to grab coffee with my hubby.

I enjoyed taking a long walk to Starbucks with the girls only to have to call Andrew to come get us after we couldn't bear the long walk home.  (Thanks Andrew)

I enjoyed watching free TV shows and reading free books on my new Kindle.

I enjoyed tolerated getting my boo-hiney kicked by BOTH of my brothers on Words With Friends.

I enjoyed finally knitting some more of my blanket.

I even enjoyed working around the house and organizing the heck out of it.  Yeah...those who really know me know that I REALLY enjoyed having the time to do that.  Don't believe me I'll show you my Tupperware cupboard.

I enjoyed playing a new game with the family last night, (and winning).

I know hard to believe that I would want to give up all that for the stress of the new semester.  I know that all sounds great but I've got work to do, kids to teach, and music to make.

Yeah...I really do have it all don't I?

More Later

- A Ro

The Creepy Clowns are the Least of My Worries

I have always hated the circus.  I know that you must be thinking it is the clowns, because most people have this idea that clowns are creepy.  I used to have that idea, when I was little, but now the clowns are actually the only part that I can handle.  What I really hate, besides the whole cruelty to animals part, is the fact that most of the circus is comprised of acts that "defy death".  Could someone please explain to me how something that is death defying could possibly be entertaining?  Do people really enjoy watching someone do something that could potentially result in witnessing someone die?

I do not enjoy such activities. 

People tell me that they "know what they are doing".  They tell me that "everything will be OK".  They tell me that the "chances of something going wrong are next to none"

Tell that to Sigmund or Roy (I can't remember which one)

Tell that to the passengers of The Hindenburg.

Tell that to the lady that bungee jumped over the crocodile infested waters only to have the rope break forcing her to swim with her feet tied together.

Tell that to Russell Brand and Katy Perry.

No.thank.you.

So you can imagine my horror when I was told that our last assembly before finals would be the Peking acrobats.

Yup.  I had to face my fears and watch, in my own auditorium, ten feet away from me, on the floor in front of the stage no less, this: (This isn't the actual performance, but this is what the guy did.)


By this point I was begging him to stop.  I was trying to convince him that I knew he was talented, and he didn't need to do anything else, but no, he did this:


Needless to say I was completely out of my mind.

My students told me later that my behavior was more entertaining than the acrobat.


Andrew told me afterwards that he had no more nervous left in him for finals.

My colleague who was standing next to me told me he was needing to go home and take a nap due to my assembly behavior.

I was excused from attending all further "death defying" assemblies.

Amen.

More Later

- A Ro

The Limited Edition Hodgepodge

Joining Joyce this Wednesday for the Hodgepodge which means two things.  You get to know me a little better and my blog post on my traumatic morning with the Beijing Acrobats will have to wait until tomorrow.  Click on the link above and head on over to participate too...its OK your normal post can wait another day.

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance. Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.

OK I have to admit that I haven't heard of most of those phrases.  Is that a good thing??  I really hate thank you in advance as it is very presumptuous.  I love ginormous as it is an Elf reference.  But win the future and pet parent???  What the heck do those mean?  Must poll my high schoolers immediately...OK after finals, but very soon.

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

This is a hard question.  I am more embarrassed when other people make a fool of themselves more so than when I do.  I hate watching people be pranked like Punked or Candid Camera.  I hate being around someone who is being an idiot and doing foolish things.  Me on the other hand, I am known for saying silly things and tripping over my own feet, so I am used to that.

3. What is your go-to snack?

I love dried fruit and nuts.  I also love whole edamame.  I got Rich some whole walnuts and a nutcracker for Christmas so I have been into those lately.  I usually snack healthy, but would love to be able to grab a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, but they don't agree with my hips.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?

Timely question as I just paid the final deposit to send my son to the Model UN conference in Washington DC this February.  He was invited to attend to represent our school, and he is really excited, as a matter of fact this is the most excitedt I think he has been over anything.  I, on the other hand, will keep wishing to see the sights.  The Second Night at the Museum movie makes me want to see all of the Smithsonian museums, and the Lincoln Memorial.  The Dan Brown book Lost Symbols makes me want to see the Capital Rotunda and Washington Monument.  Maybe I'll just stow away...nah he'd kill me.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

hmmm hate the least, I think sit ups would be the thing I hate the least although I am very bad at them.  After I had my spleen taken out I never really rehabilitated my ab muscles so they are a struggle.  However, you do them laying down...that is a good enough reason to be better, right??

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

These questions are hard as it makes me have to REMEMBER things.  OK...nothing comes to mind, but one time Rich motioned a lady to turn right in front of him in a long line of cars and as she was waving frantically at him thanking him for his kindness she plowed into the car in front of her.  Yeah...random acts of kindness sometimes backfire.  I do love the pay it forward adage and I am sure I have been on the receiving end of some of that.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?
 
I would like to say that my medication I take for thyroid disease is the reason I don't donate, but in reality it is my big aversion to needles.  I am, however, on the Be the Match register.  I have had bone marrow taken from my hip and at one point in my life was reminded of the importance of bone marrow. 

8.  In Summary:  It is obvious that I am only as hip as Elf, Night at the Museum and The Lost Symbol.  I am only get embarrassed because the guy in line next to me knocks over the entire display of candy.  I am only interested in exercises that I associate with sleeping.  I have a weakness for Cool Ranch Doritos and an aversion to needles.  Yep my limitations are really well rounded.

More Later

- A Ro

And Then I Set the Chicken on Fire

The only reason that Blogger is not dead to me is that I got our crummy old laptop to finally connect to the internet.  You see we have one computer in the family room that is shared by two adults and two pre-teens.  (I'll give you three guesses as to who gets more computer time and the first two don't count)  AND to add to the problem when I finally found the window of opportunity between watching youtube of videos of Glee and Club Penguin, Blogger decided to not cooperate.  So thankfully our laptop decided to cooperate or you would have started to wonder where the heck A-Ro went to (not that you haven't thought that a hunderd times in the past month)

But enough of the excuses.

This weekend started out great only after we spent a trillion dollars to get the water pump fixed on my car.  Thankfully Rich had the day off and it didn't pull the driving-on-the-101-break-down-in-the-carpool-lane-at-rush-hour breakdown, it gave me some warning.  So besides the fact We're back to eating college dinner menus, it wasn't so painful.  The great weekend truly started that night at dinner. Rich and I had a date night at our favorite shee shee fru fru restaurant, that if not for the cheap happy hour and gift certificate from a faboulous student, we would never go.  It was so nice to sit and chat and do a little gazing and cooing...ok not really all that much gazing and cooing but a lot of chatting.  We did a little shoping and coffee drinking and got home by 9:00 and in bed by 10:00.  We are such the party animals.

Saturday morning was full of errands and picking up the golden car.  Rich had been complaining of his eye hurting and quite frankly I just added it to the elbow, knees, and back aches that my fabulous husband has been complaining about.  No big deal, just a sty or an eyelash.  So by the time I had started de-Christmas-ing our house Rich decided he needed to go to urgent care.  He clearly understood my manic need to finally put our Christmas decorations away because he didn't even ask me to go with him.  I figured that the doctor would take one look at his eye tell him to go put a warm compress on it, give him a lollypop, pat him on the head and demand that he go home and help his wife take down the tree and get the chicken on the grill.  However, after taking down all the decorations, breaking two ornaments, and wrestling our big tree out to the garage I realize there is no sign of Rich.  So, I decide to text him, see if he is sporting an eyepatch, and find out how to start the grill.  He tells me he is still waiting and gave me the instructions on how to start the grill.  I do EXACTLY what he says, start the potatoes and the lentil salad and go out to put the chicken on the grill as it has been 20 minutes since I lit the grill and the coals needed to be spread out the the chicken put on. 

Next thing I know the chicken is full-out on fire.  I yelled something (probably R rated) and out comes Justin to find me standing next to the grill which is now completely ablaze.  I grab the hose and turn it on only to realize that the nozzle is locked in the "on" position and by realize I mean squirt me straight in the face.  I threw the hose down and said some more R rated words.  Justin calmly un-locked the hose and I proceeded to douse the chicken.  We both stood their for a few seconds and just stared at the drenched grill not knowing whether to laugh or cry when he said something to the effect of "well I guess that solved the problem".

As I was driving off to the store to get some more meat Rich called, which instantly started the waterworks.  I couldn't get a coherent word out of my mouth through all the tears.  Thankfully he is an air traffic controller and had the necessary skills to talk me down.

As it turns out he had a small round object on his pupil.

Not that I would wish pain on the man I love, but it is a good thing something was seriously wrong.

...enough said.

More Later

- A Ro

Ring in the Hodgepodge!!

 

Going to join the Hodgepodge this week to keep my streak of 2 posts, plus I love the Hodgepodge.  Head on over to Joyce's and link up, and pat me on the back for my streak!!

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?

roller-coaster (one word right?) speedy and blessed. 

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?

LOVE shrimp when I don't think about what kind of bottom feeder creature it is.  I love it in a shrimp cocktail, scampi, grilled, salads, and any other way you can prepare it.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

Oh how you mock me with this question.  No my house is not de-Christmased.  I had one day turn around from leaving for Iowa on Christmas day to starting work.  It will drive me nutsoid until I do, which will probably be this weekend.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?

Is Chevy Chase in scary movies?  I didn't think so.  So the answer would be no.  As a matter of fact the answer would be a huge NO.  I am not paying $11.50 for the ticket, $25.00 for popcorn and soda, and $9.50 for Junior Mints to have the beegeezus scared out of me.  no.thank.you.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?

I would have to say sledding, however, I do not like to be cold so I try to stay away from all of the above activities.

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.

There was a corner of my yard where the way the hedges came together made a small triangular space.  I had many dreams of how I would decorate it, if I had the means and the opportunity...none of which I had.  So it consisted of a wooden stool and some toys.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
hmmm...My Mom's house in Iowa makes me motivated to provide for my family the way she does.  My classroom motivates me to be the best educator I can be.

8.  In Summary:
2011 was an amazing year, but 2012 is the year for me to be all I can be.  It will more than likely not have any sort of winter sports, or scary movies in it, but hopefully a lot of shrimp!! It is obvious that I was thinking about my house and how it would be even when the walls were green and leafy, but my current house is a place or space that is definitely motivating me to take down my Christmas decorations.

More Later

- A Ro

Happy New Year (Sorta)

Returned to work today.  Spent an amazing week with my family.  Spent the first Christmas with my new family.  Rang in the New Year with most of my family both old and new.  Would like to include in my New Year's resolutions a vow to blog everyday because a) I miss you all and b) I would like to stop my family from asking "Why haven't you blogged, we miss seeing what you are up to everyday?" but, I fear that expectation would go by the wayside along with my vow to never eat sugar again.  At least, these goals are lofty and will more than likely make me "better" at said vows.

That being said I can't wait to show off a few pictures from my hiatus.

Finally a picture of all of us.  What a good looking group!!

Oh my goodness how they all grow up...especially that tall one in the middle...sigh.

Yep...she just got cuter...

...has found a new best friend...

...and loves to love.  She loved Zona our very old dog.  This picture is so very speical to me because Zona was with my Dad when he died and I would like to think that he is watching this scene with a very happy soul.

Finally my new Kindle.  Thanks honey!!  I love it.  I may or may not now be able to play Words With Friends at work...watch out!!

I hope your Holidays were wonderful and you are well on your way to a Happy New Year!!

Now if you'll excuse me I have a few blogs to catch up on.

More Later

- A Ro