Randomness is About All I Can Muster

So it is Wednesday and I don't  have much to show for it.

I love going to conferences for work.  I love seeing what other choral directors are doing.  I love meeting and chatting with people who are as obsessed with daily beauty and sharing that with kids as I am.  I love getting new ideas and learning new things.

That is really one thing about myself that I can certainly hang my hat on.  I love learning new things.  I love reading books and attending seminars and chatting with people who know more than me.

And seriously Santa Barbara is a great place to do all that.

 

And see the harbor

And eat fresh crab cakes

And run on the beach.

The downside to being away from home for 3 days is that I feel like the rest of my life is neglected.  I am such a control freak that it is really hard to delegate responsibility even though the delegat-ee (Rich) is WAY more than happy and willing to pick up my slack.

(Love you honey!!)

Sunday we got up and went down to Long Beach to watch Andrew play baseball!!

Bad news is he didn't get to play at all. (Not too surprising for a freshman pitcher)

Good news is I GOT TO SEE  HIM!!!

And Bella too

And take more selfies

And wonder how in the heck he got so tall.  I must have shrunk

His dad got to see him pitch to a few batters on Saturday while I was still at the conference.  Look at that crazy arm location.  He is a side arm pitcher but sometimes gets to submariner levels.

He comes back to Fullerton in a week or so and I get to see all the games.  And buy him dinner.  And wonder how he got so tall....and grown up.

Gotta love my life

More Later

- A Ro

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Project 365 Week 8

Posting in the go today. Headed home after watching Andrew' s team play baseball. He didn't pitch today.

Here is a peek at my week.

Sunday February 16


Selfie Sunday. Bella decided she wanted to take a selfie each day just for me. Yeah nothing like her brother.

Monday February 17


Tonight's selfie included her Nana who is visiting from Iowa.

Tuesday February 18


A little much needed motivation.

Wednesday February 20.



Amen sistah.

Thursday February 20


Mom and me selfie!!

Friday January 21


View in my run.

Saturday February 22


View on my run in Saturday.

Busy week ahead for me. Keep you posted.

More later

- A Ro

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Fun Friday

Ok this fun Friday will not be fun for you. Just warning you.

I am writing this as I sit on the beach just before sunrise after running and I am listening to the waves. My own real life relaxation machine.

The bad news is I only have a few more minutes to do this as I have a morning round table to attend.

The other bad news is that the sun sets in the direction I am looking.

Awwww poor thing right??


I guess I'll just have to turn around.

More later

- A Ro

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Throwback Thursday

This comes to you from Santa Barbara CA where I am attending a conference. Rough huh??



I was getting ready this morning excited to go spend some time in Santa Barbara but really going to miss Rich. We are not away from each other very much. I kept passing this picture which hangs in our bedroom.

My sister-in-law snapped this candid picture right after the ceremony and it really captures how we were feeling at that moment.

Our road to that day was not always very smooth. Circumstances were thrown at us that made this day not a reality for awhile. But our love for each other was constant and growing. We had faith and commitment on our side. The smiles on our faces and our need to be in each other's arms at that moment was genuine.

That picture says to me "we made it" and the entire world and problems were miles away for that sweet moment.

I love you Rich.

More later

- A Ro

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A True Hodgepodge Hodgepodge

I am up for the challenge of the hodgepodge this week.  Click on the button above and head on over to Joyce's to play too.  Everyone is doing it, c'mon it will be fun!!

1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?

For the record I have never censored what my children listen to.  I fully believe what I have taught them supersedes anything that would hear on the radio.  Having said that I am amazed at what kind of content gets put on the radio.  So I guess the content of what is put on TV and the radio has really changed since my childhood.

2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with either two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?

Being a runner I know what happens to my body when I stop running.  My heart is beating wildly and I am very shaky, and for them to stop skiing, drop and hold a rifle so still to shoot at a small target when their entire body must be pounding out of their skin.  So amazing.  I would think the shooting would stress me out more.

3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most often purchased canned food item?  What was in the last can you opened?

I try to avoid canned things, but there are just some things that I need that convenience of just being able to open a can.  One of those things are beans.  In fact tonight I opened two cans of Trader Joes organic black beans. 

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?

Probably the river Arno in Italy.  I have sung about it and have pictures of it in my room. 

5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do? Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?

I usually just toss and turn.  Rich gets up and goes to watch TV.  I feel that if I do that I am just giving up on sleeping.  Plus you NEVER know when you might fall asleep and if you go watch TV you are forcing yourself to be awake.  Thankfully this RARELY happens to me.

6. How important is keeping your cool?

As a teacher...very important.  Is it always easy...heck no.

7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?

I have been so up in the air regarding a lot of big decisions lately that I just want to wave the white flag and surrender.  I know that so many things that I am worried about are out of my control.  Thus the white flag.

8. Insert your own random thought here:
A thankful heart is always a goal of mine.  Today I am thankful for: really great kids despite what society throws at them on the radio, that cross country skiing didn't stick with me when I took it as a PE elective in 8th grade, Trader Joes organic black beans, a dream of cruising the river Arno, restful nights, my cool, and the ability to wave that damned white flag.

More Later

- A Ro

Tasty Tuesday

I had it all planned out.  I was going to amaze you all with my bread making skills.  I was ABSOLUTELY sure that I had it right this time.  I took pictures of each step...sigh.

I would like to think that I am a very good baker.  There is not a recipe out there that I can't tackle and have it come out pretty darn good.  I bake all sorts of cookies, and scones, and cake, and muffins, and various breads, and cinnamon rolls, and even pretzels.

However, there is one baked good that has got the best of me.

Any sort of bread that needs yeast.

Seriously folks, I am about ready to pull my hair out.

I have tried several recipes, several types of yeast, several types of flours, several rising areas (the stove, the window in the sun, outside in the sun), several rising times, several rising dances, several prayers to the goddess of baking (there is one right?)

I CAN'T GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't tell you how many hours I have put into this only to throw away mounds of un-risen bread dough.

I fear that a little white dough boy is going to knock on my door and put his finger in my chest and tell me to stop it.

My mom is here and she just tells me that she is just going to buy me a bread machine.  I am about ready to give in an do it.  It just feels so much like cheating. 

Mostly I just want to tackle this problem I have.

My name is Amy and I can't bake a loaf of bread.

My Aunt Sara is a bread maker so I might just have to call her and ask her for some help.  I mean the first step is admitting you need help.  Right?

So my Tasty Tuesday is a sad tale of love and loss, of trial and error, of unrequited bread making love, of the battle of good and evil.

Sorry to bum you out on this Tuesday.

Maybe someday I'll have a picture of a real loaf of bread to post.

As Journey says "Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeleheeeayyng"

Will do Steve Perry, will do.

More Later

- A Ro

Monday. Monday (la laaaa la la la)

Today we headed down to LAX to pick up my Mom. She is coming to visit. I am pretty sure it is to see us but I am suspecting that it might be to get a week of 70's and 80's temperatures.  Just yesterday she was driving in heavy snow to a music festival. 

Yeah I'm not thinking this visit is for us.

However, we had to drive during major construction on the 405 lovingly called "jamzilla".

Hey Caltrans, just because you give it a cute name doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

It is all worth it because I get to see my mom.

WARNING. If you live in a state that is experiencing winter weather of any kind you might just want to close your browser and not read any further.

Yesterday we tried to get outside as much as possible and it seems that we also tried to take as many selfies as possible.
Saturday afternoon we had a picnic at the park it was so nice to lay on the blanket and just relax.





Sarah had her big dance Saturday night in Ventura so Rich and I had an opportunity to have a date night. We had one of our first dates in Ventura so we tried to recreate it. We had dinner at the same restaurant.


This time I tried a martini that the waitress recommended. An avocado martini. I really didn't like it.

Don't tell her.

We then headed to a bar by the beach and cuddled by the fire and ate some dessert.


It is amazing to think how many wonderful things have happened to us since that early date. Especially my love for this guy...it just keeps growing and growing.

Love that we have one more day off together.

More Later

- A Ro
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Project 365 Week 7

Hi there.  So this blog is a week in pictures for me.  It seems that me and my family are really into selfies.  In my mind this proves a couple of things:

1.  We love each other and want to be in pictures together.
2.  Bella and Sarah are nothing like Andrew who hated to be in pictures.
3.  We are together a lot.

In fact Rich and I were just talking and it is VERY rare that we all don't sit down and eat dinner together each night.  We are a very lucky family.

I also want to point out that in most of these pictures I have just come back from running (staying with my run streak) so ignore the fancy clothes and the headband.

Enjoy my pictures

Sunday February 9, 2014

Finished my Valentine's cookies.   Whale You Be My Valentine??

Monday February 10, 2014
Me and my girl.

Tuesday February 11, 2014
The Middle School faculty of my school had secret angels this week and this is what mine got me today.  I really love plants.

Wednesday February 12, 2014
I ordered some tea from David's Tea and it came today.  This is their Birthday Cake blend and it is caffeine free.  I also ordered a cinnamon blend.  I really love their tea.

Thursday February 13, 2014
We tried a Maggie included selfie so much fun.  You can see all the outtakes here.

Friday February 14, 2014
Rich and I went to get sushi and the girls hung around the mall.  We all met up just in time to take another selfie!!

Sunday February 15, 2014
Hanging out together at the park.  The temperature has been omitted to protect the innocent.


More Later

- A Ro
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Friday Funnies

Bella was texting Andrew and wanted to send him a family selfie. 

She didn't like this one as it looked like her head was sideways.
This one was much better, but she didn't like the fact that only my head was in the picture.
So Rich came up with the idea in include Maggie...Take 1
Take 2
Take 3
Take 4 aka me trying to get Maggie in my lap
Take 5
Maggie takes out cameraman
Finally
Oh yeah...gotter done.

Have a great weekend!!

More Later

- A Ro

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Throw Back Thursday

You probably think that I have been immensely engrossed with the Olympics since I have been gone for few days from my blog.

You would be wrong.

You see I had to work the night of the opening ceremonies and when I miss the start of something I usually can't get quite all the way on board.  Like missing the audition days of American Idol and trying to watch the Hollywood week.

I usually miss the first parts of TV shows because I don't watch much T.V.  I just don't have time to sit around on my couch and get itchy eye from looking at Bob Costas. 

I am sad that I haven't gotten into it.

Anyway.

Throw back Thursday.

I have been going through pictures and uploading them to Shutterfly and decided that I would pick a very early picture just for fun.  These two pictures really caught my eye tonight.

 This is a picture of my Grandma and my nephew Tyler in 2004.

And a picture of my Grandma and my nephew Joseph in 2006.
 
I love these picture for so many reasons.  Here are a few:

• My Grandma had to move into this very small apartment when my Granpy died, but some traditions stuck.  She put up a tree, albeit a small one, and she had all of her singing Christmas decorations, and her table cloth brings back a lot of memories for me.  She also always baked our favorite treats like fudge, sugar cookies, divinity, and coffee cake.
• I love the smile on her face as she holds Tyler and Joseph.  That smile is very familiar to me.  She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
• Tyler is very intent on something that is on the table, probably one of her singing Christmas toys.  This is the way my nephew is to this day.  Always very intent on something.
• For a very new baby Joseph is looking squarely at her and looks very comfortable.
• My Grandma knew we were coming over to see her so she put on a nicer outfit, and makeup.  Probably used it as an excuse to dress up as she was living a very lonely life without her beloved husband and her only son...my dad.
• Which brings me to the picture of my dad on the lamp shade.  She kept it there because she liked to talk to him. 

I also am thinking about some of the things you can't see. 

• Her piles of coupons that she religiously clipped each week.
• A very large picture of my Granpy...she missed him very much too.
• The rest of us sitting around enjoying our time together.
• An enormous picture collage on the wall behind her.  Maybe that is where I get my love of pictures.
• And a poster size picture of my senior picture behind her.  Don't ask.

I love the fact that my kids knew my Grandma.  She was one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world.

I love the fact that Tyler and Joseph got to know her and even though they don't remember her I know that deep inside there is a small part of them that can still feel the warmth of her loving lap.


More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 6

A lot of very silly people pictures this week...mostly my kids. 

A really great week overall.  Enjoy my pictures!!

Sunday February 2


Sarah and Bella being silly picture 1.


Monday February 3


Mama and Bella selfie. One last study session for my test tomorrow.

Tuesday February 4


Bella's soccer game. She is number 11 and the two goals on the scoreboard are hers.  She is usually number 15 but left her jersey at home, so 11 it is.

Thursday February 5


Silly picture of Bella and Sarah number 2. This is what they do. I had a million pictures to choose from.

Thursday February 6


Andrew at the U of A Oregon basketball. He made it on TV. And yes he is in a purple Telly Tubby costume. 

No he didn't realize that the purple Telly Tubby was at one time accused of being gay. 

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Friday February 7
My school hosted an honor choir festival this week.  This is the choir's first rehearsal.  It was fun to see all my students participate and get so much out of it.

Saturday February 8
I stole the idea of a shadow picture from Roni at Roni's Weigh.  So I got home from being at school all day for the festival and needed to get my run in for my run streak to continue...I did it!!!

There you have it.  I hope you had a wonderful week too.

More Later

- A Ro

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Sporty Hodgepodge

My hodgepodge is late this week.  But I have a very good reason.  I finally took the blasted CBEST test last night.  

Phew

There are three parts: 50 multiple choice reading 50 multiple choice math and 2 essays.  At the end of the test they give you your score for the multiple choice sections.  To pass you have to get a 41 on both of the multiple choice sections.  I got....

drum roll please

70 on the reading and 65 on the math!!!

So if I they think I can write a coherent essay I am in and DONE!!!

WooHoo

So on to the hodgepodge.

1. Are we always responsible for our actions? Are there any exceptions?

Wow this is a tough one.  I believe that we are always responsible for our actions, but there are certain situations where sometimes our actions are nudged by outside forces that cause us not to act as we normally would.

2.  Has anyone from your home town become famous?

hmmmm Casey Blake the retired baseball player is from my home town and his parents are really close with my parents.  My mom was bff's with Kurt Warner's mom.  They heavy metal band Slipknot went to my high school and are friends with my brother.  Gymnast Shawn Johnson went to my high school.  That is about it...I think

3. January was National Slow Cooker month. Do you own a slow cooker/crock pot? Did you use it last month? What's a favorite dish you make using a slow cooker or crock pot?

I have been using my slow cooker each Sunday night to make oatmeal.  So good.  The problem with the slow cooker on the weeknights is that I don't have a lot of time in the morning to prep it for the day, so I have to find recipes that have very little prep.

4. How do you feel about private companies collecting data about you?

I don't really like it but not too shook up about it.  I could be very upset if it gets to a certain point.

5. The Games of the 2014 Winter Olympics kick off with their opening ceremony this coming Friday....will you be watching? Which Winter Olympic event would you most like to see in person? Have you ever been to Russia? Any desire to go, Olympics or otherwise?

I will be working on Friday night so I will miss the opening ceremonies.  I look forward to figure skating, and all the sledding stuff. I have been to Russia on a choir tour in the early nineties  Not the best time to be in Russia.  Loved the place but probably wouldn't go back.

6. Share a good or bad sports related memory from your childhood or teen years.

Didn't even have to think about this one.  My dad made me play softball my Sixth Grade year.  I was NOT sporty and he had two boys that were...anyway to end each practice they put us all out in the outfield and hit us pop flies and we could leave when we caught one.  I know that you can guess where this story is going.  Funny thing is I actually played softball as an adult on church leagues and LOVED it.

7. What's a must have song for you on a work out play list? If you don't work out, run, swim, bike, walk, or anything else that could be construed as 'exercise', then what's a song that movtivates you to at least get up off the couch?

My really go to song is Let's Go by Calvin Harris.  The words are motivating and the beat is great to work out too.  I love good workout music.  Nothing makes all that hard work more bearable than a good song.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Well let's see if those private companies can figure me out.  I have a love hate relationship with softball, wish I could luge, have been to Russia, love my slow cooker, and I love pump it up songs and finally am done studying for the CBEST.  If they figure out all that I might not be able to be held responsible for my actions.

More Later
- A Ro