Friday, January 31, 2014

Happy Friday!!!

Soooo  I have to get my boasting out of the way first.  I managed to haul my butt out of bed early this morning for my run.  So the 2014 (minus 19) run streak continues.  I usually run in the afternoon, but Rich is meeting me for a date night tonight so I won't be home until really late.  We are celebrating an anniversary of sorts...(Love you honey)  We are going to eat sushi at our favorite place and then coming back to my school for our annual Coffee House.  It is sort of an open mic night of skits, songs, poems and the like.  Andrew was always a big participant of this event playing in some songs and being a member of the house band.  I will miss seeing him play, but I have lots of students performing so it should be a great evening.

My favorite musical group Pentatonix have posted a new video of a favorite of mine.  Now they are not my favorite group just because I met them on a flight into LAX and became BFF's.  I actually LOVE their stuff.   So I thought I'd share this new one with you.   It is an absolutely beautiful A Capella song.  All five of the members of the group are singing even the beat boxer.  Such a musically talented group of kids and they ALL grew up singing in their high school choir.  Love that!!



They published the sheet music to this song and my choir is working on it.  I'll have to post a video when we get it learned.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

More Later

- A Ro

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Happy Happy Hodgepodge

 
 
I am linking up with Joyce today for the weekly hodgepodge.  Click on the button above and join in on the fun.  You'll do the happy dance for sure!!
 


1. It's  been said that one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day. Do you think that's true? Do you find that an easy exercise most mornings? What's something positive you told yourself today? If you missed that boat, what's something positive you could tell yourself tomorrow?

I TOTALLY agree!!  I have even stopped using that blasted alarm and am waking up to a new favorite song.  Pharrell's Happy.  It is from Despicable Me 2.  You really can't go wrong with hearing this song first thing in the morning.  I'll try to attach video:


I do like to exercise in the morning...gets the blood moving!!

2. There will be karaoke at the next party you attend...are you in? Or will you be faking a sore throat?

Totally in...uh, have we met??

3. January 29th is National Puzzle Day...what's something you've found puzzling recently?

Math in general and why people can't just be nice?  I mean seriously situations arise and you can either make it a party or a tragedy either way the situation is going to happen.  Do you get where I am coming from?

4.  Jigsaw, crossword, acrostic, logic, sudoku, word search...what's your favorite kind of puzzle, and when did you last work one?

I LOVE the LA Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle.  Try to do it every Sunday, cancelled the paper so it is harder than usual to get it.

5. Recently a writer by the name of Amy Glass ruffled feathers with a post she wrote saying she looks down on young women with husbands and kids and she's not sorry. Among other things, she says women will be equal with men when we stop saying house work and real work are equally important. You can read the whole piece by clicking here.

What say you? Do you think men and women are equal in the 21st century? Why or why not?

I say to each her own.  We are not equal  I can nurse an infant and they can pee standing up.  Just because we are not equal in all areas doesn't mean we both aren't important.  I am a working woman who brings home a significant chunk of our household income, but I am telling you I also know how to keep a house running too, and I KNOW my family would be significantly worse off if I didn't have both of those skills.  I also have a husband who appreciates me and pulls his own weight in both of those areas too.  There are many MANY people who get paid a lot of money and don't do "real work" and then there are teachers :) (and mothers)

6. What's a product you've noticed in the grocery store that you'd like to try, but haven't yet?

hmmmmm the Chocolate covered Peanut Butter filled pretzels from Trader Joes.  I believe the reason I haven't tried them yet is very obvious!!

7. The author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) was born this week in 1832 (January 27th).  Which character from his celebrated novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, would you most like to meet, and why? Here's a linkto a character list if you need help on this one. 

The Cheshire Cat...a clear headed cat he must have a lot of good advice.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

As long as I have Chocolate and Peanut Butter, an important role in my household, karaoke, the Sunday Times Crossword Puzzle, nice people and Pharrell waking me up in the morning all is good.  I am sure the Cheshire Cat would agree!!

More Later

- A Ro

Two-fer Tuesday

OK so it is Tuesday which usually means that nothing exciting is going on around these parts.  Just the usual school, work, dinner, lunches, homework, you know the drill.

But...

Today is no exception.

Yeah, I sat here trying to think of something exciting to write about but it really is just a normal day.

But.

If I call this post Two-fer Tuesday I only have to think of two exciting things going on and call it good.  I really am still trying to live in the moment and enjoy the everyday life so I am not bummed it is just a normal day, just stating the facts.

1.  Tonight's dinner will be Black Bean Burgers with Sriracha Aioli from Cooking Light.

It is a vegetarian type burger and I love this meal...one of my favorites.  I have fallen in love with Sriracha sauce.  It is a spicy Asian sauce that is really good.  I am not a fan of spicy but I love a little of this.  It is what they use in Spicy Tuna Rolls.  The other reason I love this meal is because Sarah, my picky eater in the house, LOVES this meal.  I have a menu board inside my pantry cupboard and she always looks on it to see if this meal is on the menu for the week.  Super easy and really good.

2.  I have been really on this fitness kick.  I have my fitbit one, myfitnesspal ap, my heart rate monitor, and my digifit ap.  They all link up together and it makes this information junkie happy.  I have been on a running streak known as 2014 (minus 19 days) running streak.  Now, I have found this website it is called Greatist.  They have a workout of the day, recipe of the day, challenge of the day, and all sorts of articles about well being.  Today they have a really great recipe for bread that I am going to check out.  The thing I really love is it doesn't push perfection.  Here is what they promote on the website:

We don't tell you what healthy means. Instead, we celebrate choosing whatever healthy means to you!
We believe you deserve better than what's out there. That's why we're obsessed with writing the highest-quality articles on the Internet. And why we're as obsessed with making them friendly and actionable. Because that’s how health should be.  We know healthy is happy. And that healthy can be fun!  You don't have to be the greatest all the time, just a greatist one healthy choice at a time. So here’s to healthy.

I follow the Twitter feed and it links up to all sorts of good articles.  

So there...two healthy topics of discussion and no mention of that darn CBEST test that is looming.

sigh...

More Later

- A Ro

Monday, January 27, 2014

Monday, Monday (la la la la la)

I really hope that all 6.5 of you that read my blog are getting my reference to the Mama and Papa's song in my Monday title.  It is really the best I can do.

Yeah...OK

So the big weekend news is that I am desperately trying to master all of math before my CBEST test on Thursday afternoon.  Let me tell you this is a very difficult task.  I mean c'mon I did all of this stuff at least 100 years ago.  Here is a sample question:


Now really all I can think of after reading the first two words is man I really need to workout and continuing on I think about juice.

Yeah, I am not a math person...I know this because it says it right in the elementary school section of my baby book.

I wish more questions were like this one:
I mean, seriously.

This weekend I continued on my scrap booking catch up project and we are now up to the summer of 2004. This new focus has only caused me much sorrow as now I have to look at pictures of Andrew at the age of 9 and Bella at the age of 4.  Truly heartbreaking.

Rich and I took our usual Saturday morning walk to Panera Bread for a power sandwich and about a 3 mile round trip walk.  I LOVE our walks. We have known each other a VERY long time and we still find a lot of stuff to talk about.  Love that guy.  And not just because he has TOTALLY picked up the slack while I have been trying to figure out what time the train would get into the station if it had to travel up hill both ways and it was a leap year.

We went to see some student directed One Acts at my school on Saturday night.  I have some very talented students.  Again Rich came along and it was so cute when the director of the program thanked him for coming and he said "Well she is here (pointing to me) where else would I be".  He did get dinner at Chuy's which included an amazing amount of chips and salsa and a Pacifico so...

Sunday was the usual cleaning (studying) baking cookies (studying) grilling (studying) grocery shopping (studying)...no biggie.

I have managed to keep my 2014 (minus 19 days) run streak going.  I actually love it and am getting faster.
I can't believe I actually said that
my brain is mush

I also got a text from my sister-in-law Michelle and she told me that the book I got Joesph for Christmas is a hit so I thought I'd share it here in case you are looking for a good book for a First Grader.  
-

Now mind you they read it together at night, so I am pretty sure he isn't reading it on his own.  I am also pretty sure that he is probably reading a lot of the words, as he is my nephew.

Just don't make him do Math.

More Later

- A Ro

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Project 365 Week 4

Once more I am posting this on the go. But nonetheless this is my week.

Sunday January 19 2014


We had a fire tonight. It was the perfect night. I love sitting out by our fire pit.

Monday January 20 2014

I made a Cooking Light recipe tonight Chicken and Leek Pot Pie.

Tuesday January 21 2014



Another new recipe. Beef Noodle Soup. It resembles Pho.

Wednesday January 22 2014

The 2014 (minus 19 days) run streak continues.

Thursday January 23 2014
This is me studying hard for the math portion of the CBEST test and Bella being cute. Yucky and awsome all in one picture.

Friday January 24 2014


Soccer...again.  She scored the only goal on her team.  She has scored in each of her games so far.  BELLA!!!
 
Saturday January 25 2014


Abby's DeeDee who lives in Arkansas put this picture up on Facebook today. So cute.

Sunday January 26 2014


An accurate picture of my life today. Math. Yuck.

More Later

- A Ro
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone




Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Flashback Hodgepodge

A little late with this weeks Hodgepodge, but I am here now!!

Head on over to Joyce's and link up your answers!!

1. It was decided on Sunday the Denver Broncos will meet the Seattle Seahawks in this year's  Superbowl. So when was the last time you bowled? Not where you thought this question was going is it?  Do you like to bowl? Are you any good?
I remember growing up and going with my dad to his weekly bowling league.  It was a lot of fun to hang out there...probably a very midwestern thing.  Bowling is something that I could take or leave.  Not ever going to own my own shoes or ball or anything like that.

2.   Should sports stars be role models?
OK...yes in theory they should be role models.  Most of them are determined, dedicated, healthy, tenacious, people and those are qualities that I would love to instill in my students and kids.  However, the ones who seem to get all of the attention are overpaid, spoiled, entitled, crybabies that I wouldn't want my students and kids to touch with a ten foot pole (or ten mile pole for that matter).

3. January is National Oatmeal month...are you a fan? How do you like your oats?
Just blogged about my Crockpot oatmeal recipe I got from Skinny Mom.  Put the stuff in on Saturday night and eat it Sunday morning.  I, unfortunately, like my oatmeal on the sweet side which means a lot of added sugar.  I do like oatmeal but it needs to be "just right".

4. What is one book on your reading list for 2014?
I have been obsessed with Bill Bryson.  He is from Iowa and more specifically Des Moines, where I grew up.  He is so super funny and has a neat take on history.  I am currently reading his The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid and look forward to some of his other ones.  He actually lived in London for a good chunk of time from what I understand...maybe Joyce should take a peek too.  However, I am sure her reading list is very long.

5. What would you like your future self to say to your present self?
Thank goodness you figured it all out before it was too late.

 6. When scrolling through the TV guide, what is one movie title that makes you want to stop, grab the popcorn, and watch for a while?
Anything with Chevy Chase...no seriously.

7. What are two style trends you hope never come back into fashion?
All the things that I hoped wouldn't come back into fashion...high waisted shorts and jeans, bell bottoms, big hair, skinny jeans, etc...already have.  Not sure what is left.  Maybe leg warmers.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Growing up in Iowa in the 80's has made me appreciate bowling, Chevy Chase, Bill Bryson, super sweet things and the fact that  I should never wear big hair, skinny jeans or leg warmers again.  Thank goodness I figured that all out before it was too late.

More Later

- A Ro

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Oh to Have a Four Year Old Again

So once again it feels like a Monday but it truly is a Tuesday which just puts me closer to the weekend than I think...yeessss

We were back at it today as it is the first day of the second semester around these parts.  Bella is getting final exams back and that process is not as painful as we anticipated...phew.  I am seeing kids for the first time in weeks and that is a little painful...sigh.  They all have seem to have forgotten how to raise their hands.

I love my job and my students and I am sure by tomorrow we will be back at full steam.

My sister sent me these pictures of what fun she had on her day off yesterday with her daughter Abby.  Abby saw a YouTube video on how to make My Little Pony cupcakes.

probably shot by a woman who has no kids and way too much time on her hands as evidenced by her need to put all of the Ponies "cutie marks" made from fondant on one of the cupcakes

Thankfully Abby was in a compassionate mood and didn't insist on the fondant cutie marks.  I fear that if she did a YouTube ban would be strictly imposed at Kate's house.

Oh...the headache of the prep.
But oh that face, I am fairly certain Kate nailed the color matching.
Yep...nailed it. 

I love how she poses now with her cheek on her shoulder.  I think it is a 4 year old princess fan thing as Bella did the same thing in all of her posed pictures of 2004.


The final product.  A-mazing job Kate and Abby.

Abby sings AND likes to bake.  I think she needs to spend a significant amount of time with Aunt Amy when she grows up (or now)...whatever.

More Later

- A Ro

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, January 20, 2014

Monday, Monday (La la la la la)

It sure doesn't feel like a Monday, tomorrow will feel like a Monday, but that only means that Friday will feel like a Thursday, but it will be a Friday.

That is what I like to call a pleasant surprise.

Today was a very lazy day here are some highlights:

Got up and decided to start a run streak.  Roni over at Roni's Weigh (a blog that I ABSOLUTELY love because of her strength and attitude on health and fitness) started a 2014 run streak.  She runs at least one mile everyday.  Did I mention she lives in a very cold place?  She runs when it is in the negative degrees.  Did I mention I live in CA?  It has been in the low 80's for the past couple of weeks. 

Yeah, I felt like a wimp.  So I decided to start a streak too, only mine is 19 days late.  So this morning I ran a mile and did a TABATA workout.  It felt so good!! 

Last night I put an oatmeal recipe in the crockpot and it was ready this morning.  I really liked it.  I like my oatmeal sweeter (of course) but it was very good.

It was Pumpkin Spice Latte Oatmeal It is on this website a few recipes down.

I took a nice long shower (not something I get to do often) and worked on the math portion of my CBEST test.  (I am trying to get California certified to teach in public school and I have to pass this test)  which includes some math.

yeah. right.

We ran to Target and I cooked a great Cooking Light dinner. 

Chicken, Potato, and Leek Pie

Bella and I danced around Rich and Sarah while we did dishes and put lunches together.

Some of the songs on the playlist were:

Best Song Ever by  One Direction



Wild Wild West by Will Smith



Evolution of Beyoncé by Pentatonix


and of course Love on Top by Beyoncé



I would dare you to watch any of those videos and not want to dance, but most of the videos I embed never make it to the final post.

So I dare you to search our those videos on youtube, watch them, and not want to dance.

But more important each time you think tomorrow is Monday remember how good it will feel on Friday.

More Later

- A Ro

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Project 365 Week 3

Project 365 on the go today. Here is a peek at my week. And as promised more human photos!!

Sunday January 12


Andrew's last night called for a family game of uno. This picture took about 5 takes. Crazy family.

Monday January 13


Bella's selfie right before finals began.

Tuesday January 14


I subscribe to ipsy. It is a company that sends you a pack of beauty products for $10 a month. It is always fun to get a treat once a month. This month was mostly cleanser products.

Wednesday January 15


Came home and danced. This is my fitbit readout.

Thursday January 16


Bella and I went to lunch. She went back to get a soda and got the senior discount. Boy it seems only yesterday she was a teenager.

Friday January 17


Out to eat with my guy. Love him.

Saturday January 18


Bella went to the LA Art Show. Right up her alley!!

What was your week like???

More later

-A Ro
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Dancing Queen

A little backstory...I have a Fitbit One that I ABSOLUTELY love. I am an information junkie and love getting a little extra nudge to move a little more. Now this moving a little more isn't necessarily running more or working out more the Fitbit nudges you to take the stairs more, or park your car a little further out in the parking lot...

...or dance.

Confession time...I have always wanted to learn how to hip hop dance. I took some classes when I was in college, but let's be honest it was Iowa not the hip hop capital of the world.

I now often find myself watching Beyonce in awe of the way she can move and want to dance like that!!

Ok you can pick up your jaw off of the floor now.

I have a new obsession with her song Love on Top. She can really sing!! Bella and I looked up the video and I thought long and hard about my hip hop dancing skills and thought...I can learn that dance.




Well yesterday was the day. I was so sluggish when I came home I felt I needed to get my blood moving.

Then I felt that little fit bit and thought of my girl

Beyonce

So I found a tutorial video.

They are EVERYWHERE on YouTube. You can find a tutorial on every music video out there.

So I closed my blinds and learned the entire dance.  Every hip swirl, pop and lock.

well almost every one

And this was my fit bit jump after the 50 minute "workout" (which was more fun than work)

I actually burned about 250 calories just dancing.

OK People, dance as if no one is watching...it feels so good!!

More Later

- A Ro

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Hodgepodging Down the Slopes

It is once again the day of the Hodgepodge.  I am gonna answer and link up over at Joyce's so I think you should too!!

Here it goes:

1.  Are you a force to be reckoned with? In what way?
Gosh, I have learned over the years not to back down from conflict and sometimes am too much of the little dog behind the fence.  I hate injustice especially when it is in my own back yard.  I love fiercely and if you try to hurt the ones I love I'll jump the fence and go for the jugular.

So yes maybe??

2. What are two things you love about the wintertime? Or, if love feels like too strong a word, what are two things you 'like' about winter? 
I love the snow (as she says sitting in 82 degree weather in sunny CA).  OK I love the snow when I am in Iowa for two weeks.  I think that I would love the snow even if I was there permanently.  Not sure though.  I love scarves and sweaters...oh and we can't forget boots!!

3. Pomegranate, kumquat, persimmon, kiwi, and guava are all fruits said to have health benefits, particularly during the winter months. Do you have a favorite on the list? Are there any on the list you haven't tried? 
I like kiwi and pomegranate.  I am a big fruit fan but haven't tried the others.  Maybe I am big ordinary fruit fan

4. I passed a local church yesterday and noticed they had this on their outdoor sign- 'When all else fails, do the right thing.' Your thoughts?
I LOVE this quote.  I sure wish others would live this kind of life.  However, sometimes there are consequences bigger than us for doing the right thing and I sure respect people who don't feel that they CAN do the right thing.  BUT if everyone did it and stood together things would be very different.

5. Do you ski? According to one list I've seen, the top 5 ski destinations for 2014 are-St. Anton Austria, Whistler Canada, Cortina Italy, Tahoe USA, and Zermatt Switzerland.  Of the five listed, which would you most like to visit? We can make skiing optional if that helps the non-skiers with their answer. 
never skied, and really don't have any desire to try. But if I HAD to go to a ski destination I would have to pick Italy, 'cause...it's Italy.

6.  What's the last thing you looked for online? (Besides my blog!)
I have been getting really into Pinterest.  Lately I've been looking for healthy recipes and TABATA workouts.  Yep...it's the new year!!

7. What saying, slogan, quote, or motto have you seen lately that inspires you for the new year?
I am a big fan of quotes.  They are all over my classroom.  One that is on my wall near my desk right now is: "Only a fool trips on what is behind him" - Unknown.  I also am a big fan of "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission" - Eleanor Roosevelt.  I spout that one often to my students.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
Knowing I am not really a force to be reckoned with on the ski slope I am going to do the right thing and eat kiwi, while searching Pinterest in Italy by the fire place, because only a fool trips on what is behind him unless I am skiing and then I would trip on everything in front of me, but  I am sure I would look good in my scarf and boots falling down that hill of lovely snow.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Wish I Could Think of a Clever Alliteration to Go With Tuesday

Not much going on around here really that blog worthy.  I already waxed woeful yesterday about Andrew leaving and it being finals week.  I will be happy when we can put the study guides and the sad face away this weekend.  I am, however, very good at helping her connect topics of information with funny things to help her remember it all.

For instance:  Amendment 10 has to do with rights of the states.  So I tell her that the University of Iowa is part of the Big 10 so 10 = Iowa (a state)

see...

Well I thought I might post some pictures that I love in hopes of distracting myself from thoughts of sitting down once again at the dinner table and discussing hot topics such as whether or not the civil war could have been avoided, how you say shirt and tie in Spanish, numbers and letters which I can only assume are math, and the characteristic of lead.

Here it goes:
Do you want to build a snowman?  Rich is an amazing snowman builder...who knew?
I miss these two so much.  I kinda like the beards.  Much better than the mullet look of years (many years) past.  My sister Kate was entertaining a sassy (but adorable) 4 year old so she missed our selfie.
If I had a nickel for every picture I had of him on a racing game...he just couldn't help himself.
Yep sassy (but adorable) 4 year old...I miss her and her mama too!!

More Later

- A Ro


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, January 13, 2014

Monday, Monday (la laaaa la la la)

So yeah it is Monday once again and so much of what is happening in my world right now is causing me to fade into the "Mondays stink" funk.

This evening is our last night with Andrew before he heads back to college.  Tomorrow starts finals week for Bella and myself.  (Mostly Bella as she has to actually take the finals all I have to do is proctor a few).  Sarah got spacers this morning so in addition to her pesky headaches (which we are now trying food tigger elimination) she has to deal with a very sore mouth, it is really windy here today, and I didn't get to rehearse any kids today.

BUT

I am not going to succumb to the funk.  I just won't.  I am going to be thankful for all the things I have in my life.

I am thankful that I get to go home and spend the evening with the most wonderful man in the world, that the eggs benedict on the menu tonight will make all five of us happy (even the sore mouth girl), that Bella and I will be in close proximity most of the evening studying me for the pesky CBEST and her for Spanish and Social Studies (not to mention Rich offering to clean up after dinner so we can do just that), AND I am pretty sure that our coffee shop has Vanilla Cupcake flavored iced coffee still on the menu.

See...so much to be thankful for and that is just what I could think of!!

I was off the grid for most of my trip to Iowa.  Not much internet at all and what we did have was limited so I didn't have much of a chance to check out my favorite bloggers Christmas posts.  So I went back and relived my favorite time of the year with them.  It was nice to be reminded of how much I enjoyed spending time with my amazing family.  I really want to try to live in each moment  in this year.

each.one.

The good, the bad, and especially the ones that I normally deem as mundane.

So in the words of Pharell.

Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don't hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don't waste your time
Here's why, because I'm happy

Vanilla Cupcake, here I come!!

More Later

- A Ro

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Project 365 - Week Two

Happy Sunday everyone!!

This weeks pictures seem to be like Oprah's My Favorite Things...except I am not a multi millionaire, they are not extravagant items, and I am not giving them away.

Other than that, just like it.

SUNDAY JANUARY 5th
I got this candle before Christmas knowing that it would make me happy after the holidays are done and I lit today.  It really smells good. (I think I'll go light it now)

MONDAY JANUARY 6th
I finishsed my blanket before Christmas and enjoyed it today.  Now I need a new knitting project.

TUESDAY JANUARY 7th
Bella had her first soccer game.  Her dad captured her right before she kicked it in the goal!!!  (She is 15)

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8th
Dr. Conkey's Candy and Coffee Shop

I know that I seem to be a Starbucks fan, but this is my happy place.  It is a local coffee and candy shop and they have the best flavored coffee either hot or cold.  It is a 1.5 mile walk from my house so once I week I take the walk which is a good 3 mile walk, but on the way home I have a tasty treat to enjoy!!  

THURSDAY JANUARY 9th

Today the Chinese Gymnasts came to do our assembly.  My friend Kristen took this picture and it really captures all that they did for us. I am not going to lie my heart stopped a few times during the show!!

FRIDAY JANUARY 10th


My student Amanda's family is from Iowa too.  Her dad went to the University of Iowa just like I did and we always have lots to talk about.  She recommended this book and this author.  This book is a memoir about growing up in Des Moines in the 50's.  It is laugh out loud hilarious.

SATURDAY JANUARY 11th
 OK so I stole this picture from the interweb but I DID wear this shirt today.  Spending a lot of time in Iowa City and with addresses like the following:
100 Iowa Ave
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
The shirt is totally appropriate.

I got it at a place called Raygun in downtown Des Moines.  I LOVE this store.  The website is here.  If you are from the midwest you need to go peruse their selections they really crack me up.

So there is my week.  Not many human pictures, I'll try better next week!!

More Later

- A Ro


















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Thursday, January 9, 2014

My Stinking Heart

My niece is a girl after my own heart. 

She LOVES to sing.  She sings all the time.

all.the.time.

And she can be somewhat of a ham.   Really nothing like her mother (my sister).  My sister was just the quiet brilliant type.  She sings, is musical, but in a very subdued way.  When is a mood Abby is a performer.  This is just one of about 7 videos I took while we were home. 

She has memorized most of the Frozen soundtrack and Wicked soundtrack.

In this video she is singing Defying Gravity. 

I hope you enjoy it and that you can reassemble your heart when it is over.


Happy Friday!!

More Later

- A Ro

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Happy New Year Hodgepodge

Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh...A Ro is back at the Hodgepodge!!!  

I know wonders never cease.  

So to celebrate the occasion read my answers and then head on over to Joyce's  and read hers then answer them yourself and link up.

Simple.

Here goes nothing:

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 misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen).  Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2014-

selfie, twerk/twerking, hashtag, Twittersphere, Mr. Mom, T-bone, ____on steroids, the suffixes-ageddon, and -pocalypse added to anything and everything, from the world of politics the words-intellectually/morally bankrupt and Obamacare, and from the world of sports the words-adversity and fan base

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I am afraid I do hop on the word-of-the-month bandwagon.   I do get off that wagon pretty quick though and was really getting tired of toats mygoats until James Earl Jones renewed my usage of that word, but only with my teenagers and only at very appropriate times!!

2. What one unfinished project nags at you begging to be completed in this new year?

SCRAPBOOKING.

Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

3. When did you last have a bowl of soup? What kind? Homemade or from a can? What's your favorite soup?
I am on a Trader Joes Organic Split Pea Soup kick
I know that Split Pea Soup gets a bad rap thanks to The Exorcists, but let me tell you it is very tasty.  Throw in a few multi grain pita chips and you have a great lunch.

4. Snowed in, snowed under, snow job...which one most applies to your life in recent days, figuratively speaking.

snow job and that is all I can say

5. What's the funniest movie you've ever seen, or at least one of the funniest?

Uh...duh Christmas Vacation...

and if you agree with me make sure you get yourself something **click** real nice.

6.  In general, would you say you're clumsy?

Oh yes.  I always tell my students that they never have to worry about being the person that trips on stage because I have that job all tied up.

Just call me Grace.

7. Elvis Presley was born on Hodgepodge Day (January 8th) back in 1935.  Are you an Elvis fan?  What's your favorite Elvis tune? If that's too hard, which Elvis tune do you dislike the least?  Click here for a list of his songs.

My sister-in-law will never forgive me as she had dogs named Elvis and Vegas, but I have never been a fan...sorry Michelle.  I would have to say Jailhouse Rock would be my favorite Elvis song though.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Lets see if I can still sum it all up.

I am a stumbling scrapbooking slowpoke, who scorns snow jobs but is stuck on split pea soup...so toats mygoats

More Later

- A Ro

Monday, January 6, 2014

Project 365 - Week One

OK so I did this a few years back and really enjoyed it.  But par for the blogging (or lack there of ) course I didn't finish.  But I love taking pictures and love sharing my life with my fam that is far away so I'll try to keep it up.

However, I didn't know if the Project 365 was even still going, but then I spied Bug's post and saw that at least someone was keeping up the tradition.  She has some really great pics so head on over there and give her some kudos.

Usually this is posted on Saturday, but for lots of reasons Saturday didn't happen for me so this will be posted today.  I'll try to find someone to link this up to so you can go look at everone else's week in pictures.  If not here are mine at least.

OK here goes.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1
Cold Andrew on the porch with cold cows right behind.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2nd.

Making good use of my new Starbucks cup.

FRIDAY JAUARY 3rd

More cold cows...everything was cold this week.

SATURDAY JANUARY 4th

On the way home, very silly girls!!'

More Later

- A Ro
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Back to Reality


(got this as soon as we landed yesterday..love these silly girls)

So funny how things work.  I dreaded this day back on December 20th when I started my vacation.  I knew this day would come when we all had to go back to "reality".  I am sitting here and thinking to myself...it isn't too bad!!  It is all about perspective.  I decided that each day I am going to try to enjoy every moment, vacation or not.

I did that during my vacation to try to make it seem longer, and it really worked.  I can remember many many moments because I chose to focus on them.

However, this attitude was particularly hard yesterday when I faced a house full of Christmas decorations, piles of laundry, empty refrigerator, and finals looming for the Bella girl.  Then I changed my attitude rolled up my sleeves and dug in.  Rich was on board, he knows me all too well, and we got it done.  I didn't relax once yesterday, but most of my house is back in working condition.

This morning I got to ride into school with Andrew at the wheel (he is still back from AZ), Bella looking so cute in her new sweater from my sister Kate, and me looking forward to seeing all of my wonderful students.

Each moment...a true blessing.

Thanks to all of you blogger friends who put smiles on my face and I look forward to catching up with you soon.

I'll leave you with some memorable pictures from our break.

Missing Tyler, but such a cute cousin's picture!!

Happy and delirious might have been worth the hours of vacuuming up the confetti??

More Later

-A Ro


Saturday, January 4, 2014

Headed Home




As you can see we are all excited to be heading home.

This morning started out at a balmy 35 but only a mere 2 hours later it is 20 and dropping. I believe it is 80 in California.

Thank heaven.

I lived here. I lived here for 21 years of my life. I walked to school in college across a frozen river when it was so cold that your forehead hurt. (Not to mention every other exposed bit of flesh). The schools in this area sent an email stating that they might close school on Monday because the wind chill might get as low as 40 below.

40 BELOW!!!!

I know that I, much younger mind you, endured those kind of temperatures...often.

I am a weaker woman now. I can't even imagine it.

Good luck nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in law, mom and John.

This wimp is outah here.

More Later
-A Ro


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, January 3, 2014

Starbucks

I got this cool cup in my stocking this year. It is the cup that you can take to Starbucks each day in January and get a drip coffee for free. I love my morning joe so I am glad to have it.




I am still in Iowa and the Starbucks situation is very different than in CA and it might just be a good thing. They don't have very many and they all close before 8:00 pm. So I have been carrying my cup around because I want to get the best use of my "free" coffee.

We were in downtown Des Moines yesterday at a really cool t-shirt shop (more on that later) and found a Starbucks. The lady who helped us was super nice and noticed I had a rewards card. She asked me if I wanted her to ring up our orders separately so I could get more stars. No one in CA would have ever suggested that. (And if it wasn't 9 degrees at the time I might have had another I-want-to-move-back-here-thought)

Now I realize some of you think that Starbucks is an evil empire and I somewhat tend to agree. In my defense I do frequent my local coffee shop in Simi A LOT so I don't feel too bad.

Headed to the mall on our last day here with said cup in tow hoping to get another days use out of my cup.

I'll leave you with two pictures I love from our trip.


The in laws.


The sibs

Love these guys and will miss them terribly.

More later

- A Ro


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone