The Big Garage Cleanout

So last Friday was the day. The day the garage got cleaned out...we paid our $100 for the big dumpster...and by big I mean...not so big. Geez for $100 bucks I expected dumpster valet service...this is what we got...

But as you can see...we know how to stuff junk.

GS and I were totally psyched to clean out this garage...we talked about it for days...couldn't wait for the dumpster to be delivered. Friday came and we were ready...

As you can see I am so ready...no makeup...just ran 4 miles...don't care...

GS with a big ready to go smile.

Big ready to clean up...mess...now the first picture was after I drug a bunch of crap into the middle of the garage...so really not a fair "before" picture but I forgot to take a real "before" picture.

...I know that you are thinking...a true "blogger" would have taken a real "before" picture.

...did I mention how excited I was to get started.

Isabella got all dressed with shoes and a sweatshirt...when she has shoes and a sweatshirt you know she is in for the long haul......she was a huge help, and only a few times did she say...PLEASE don't throw that arch of cows away...it is beautiful...we must keep it. So here it sits...beautiful. At least she didn't pitch a fit when we threw away the Buzz Lightyear sleeping bag, or the bag of stuffed animals...oh wait she doesn't know about those...never mind.

Anyway...I did sit and look at the mess, and the hardest part was deciding where to start. GS started outside where we had shelves...big metal shelves. We (and when I say we I mean my ex husband) got the shelves from a friend who was closing down a store...this was one of those moments when we (he) should have said "no thank you" when our friend asked us if we (he) wanted three tons of metal shelves. But no...we (he) thought...hey they are free, of course we (he) will use them. Well the free shelves went into the $100 dumpster...the moral of the story is my friends...just say no. (Ok, ok...he can't take all the blame...I did sit by and let him do it...)

I started in the garage armed with a broom and new work gloves...started by the door to the house...logical place to start since I was indecisive...threw away at least three old mops...what is it about mops? Why do we keep the old mop when we get a new one?....more importantly why is it so darn hard to find a mop head replacement?

...but I digress...just as I did in the garage. I must have attention deficit disorder. I just kept jumping from area to area...first the sports equipment area...then the laundry area....then the storage area. Reminiscing over every old photo album.

...I know, I know they shouldn't be in the garage...and now they aren't ok...geez

I found Andrew's old school work, my yearbooks. GS, I am sure, got very tired of hearing..."Hey come look at this"... Surprisingly we got it all done. GS came in and worked hard on the tool shed and finally got everything put in its proper place...and let me tell you the world is a better place when things are in their proper place.Is California the only place where people have their washer and dryer in their garage??

There is still quite a bit of stuff in the garage, but now at least I a) know where most everything is, b) can do laundry without having to move a half dozen things first, c) get into the cars in the garage instead of having to pull out first d) don't have to worry about emergency room visits because of black widow spider bites just to get the soccer ball out of the bin, and e) hammer nails into the walls with the heel of my shoe because I can't find a hammer (c'mon ladies you know EXACTLY what I mean)

...life is good, there is harmony in the universe, and only two black widow spiders lost their lives for the good of the cause...ewwww.

More Later

- A Ro

Garage Sales

My Spring Break has been great. I have done a lot of running, cleaning, trying new recipes, Facebooking, and sleeping in. The running has been great ran 5.7 miles yesterday. The cleaning has been boring, but necessary. I'll have a new recipe tomorrow. The Facebooking has been very interesting. The sleeping in has been disturbing...I really have a love/hate relationship with sleeping in. I love it because usually I am up soooo early, but hate it because it just doesn't feel right to sleep in. Too much I am missing by sleeping in.

Don't worry...I am not going to start getting up at 4:00 am during my spring break just because I feel I am missing something...duh I am not that thick in the head.

Tomorrow I have ordered a big ole dumpster and GS and I are gonna go to town on this house. Everything must Go, Go, Go...

well except for this, and except for that...I can just hear it now.

Really I am not a keeper, I really have no problem pitching things or giving things away. The only thing I have a problem with is garage sales. I really hate them. I hate going to them and I hate having them. I realize that many many...many people love them, and plan their lives around them, and love having them, and make a lot of money at them, and find great finds at them, and sometimes even find something they can take to Antique Roadshow and make a mint...

...I see where this is going and I can honestly say "Not for me"

***My son and daughter have been watching Antique Roadshow with their dad and suddenly Andrew is interested in Garage Sales...I am going to have to have a talk with his dad***

So because at this point in my life I should be having a garage sale, I decided to do a Top 10 reasons I hate garage sale:

10. If see one more fondue pot I'm gonna...

9. Other people's shoes...does that not gross you out???

8. Little round neon colored stickers...they never stay on and it just causes confusion.

7. "I'll give you 24 1/2 cents for this" I hate haggling. I hate haggling for cars...and especially for someone else's socks or lava lamp.

6. Having to do math in your head...you really feel stupid having to use a calculator to add denominations of $.25.

5. The garage sale starts at 7:00 am and by 6:00 am you have a yard full of people...geez people

4. One person's trash is sooo not another person's treasure...trash is trash.

3. I have self esteem issues as it is...I don't need someone turning their nose up at my stuff.

2. People...other strange, small talking people...I know I know call my therapist.

and the number one reason I hate garage sales...




1. Other people's underwear...c'mon you know what I am talking about.


I would love to hear from you (all three of you who read my blog) do you like garage sales...I promise I won't judge you either way...

as they say one woman's nightmare is another woman's dream come true

...are we still talking garage sales...or men...oh never mind.


More Later

-A Ro

Sausage Stuffed Shells - Healthy

As you can tell by the amount of posting I am doing (two today). I am on spring break.

Lucky you...

I am on my renewed health kick. I figure that I run now 23 miles a week, but can't lose any more weight...it must be what I put into my pie hole. So from now until 10k race day (April 26th) I am going to work very hard at watching what I eat...and am going to share some new recipes with y'all...did I mention I have been in Arkansas

Sausage Stuffed Shells

24 jumbo pasta shells
1 lb. lean Italian turkey sausage
1 (15 oz) container of light Ricotta cheese
2 c. shredded Italian cheese blend reduced fat
(or Mexican blend if you already have it in the fridge...no one will notice)
1 (9 oz) box frozen spinach
3/4 c. shredded carrots
1 jar spaghetti sauce
(I love my Trader Joe's traditional marinara with a can of tomato sauce)
Italian Seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Then you cook the shells according to the package
3. Remove casings from sausage...sorry...that just doesn't look right

4. Then cook sausage over medium heat breaking up and draining liquid.

5. Thaw and drain spinach.

6. Stir Ricotta cheese, 1 c. shredded cheese blend (Mexican or Italian...or whatever), spinach, carrots, Italian seasoning, and sausage.

(And if you live at my house, with my kids you make a batch with just sausage, cheese blend and Ricotta...)

8. Spray 13 x 9 baking dishes with cooking spray and put 1/4 c. sauce on the bottom of dishes.

7. Then put about 3 T. full of mixture into the cooked shells. (Saving unused shells in case either child doesn't like the stuffed ones...I ain't no dumb guy) I sprinkled more spinach on top of GS and my shells...and place them into the baking dishes. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce on top of shells. Spray foil with cooking spray and cover dishes. Bake 40 minutes, uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered another 5 - 10 minutes.
I forgot to take a picture until we ate some of them...still they look, and are, Delish.

12 servings of 2 shells each=

290 calories
9 g. fat
40 g. cholesterol
720 mg. sodium
33 g. carbs
2 g. fiber
7 g. sugar
19g. protein

My kids kinda liked them...although, no joke, my son after eating two bites said...these have a taco flavoring to them...now mind you the Mexican blend did not have any seasoning just a blend of "Mexican" cheeses (whatever that is). I think Andrew would have liked them better if I just had Ricotta and sausage. GS and I loved them. Isabella ended up just eating the plain shells, very happily I might add.

...see I ain't no dumb guy.

More later.

- A Ro

More Arkansas Fun

Central Avenue, Hot Springs

Sounds very small town doesn't it. It doesn't at all sound like...

405 North, Los Angeles

But let me tell you my friends they are two twin slabs of cement separated at birth.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to be going back to Arkansas, back to down home living, no smog, a slow easy going time, and needless to say no three digit concrete slabs to hell.

...or so I thought.

We were on our way to the rehearsal dinner on Central Avenue, Hot Springs..and my friends we were sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. You know the light turns green and you creep towards it suddenly to have it turn yellow right before you get to it. I could feel my blood pressure start to rise and I felt the cuss words forming on my lips. I couldn't believe it here I am in Hot Springs Arkansas with the road rage that I feel in Los Angeles, and I wasn't even driving.

Then to top it all off Andrew gets a bloody nose, I mean a gusher. We had two Starbucks napkins, it was like waving a Kleenex at a charging bull (said in my best southern accent). Thankfully Dustin was in the truck ahead of us and his brother jumped out of the truck and brought us a handful of heavy duty napkins and we took care of that bloody nose.

...hey I just realized that I probably left those napkins in Kate's car...sorry Kate.

and Kate...thanks for talking me down back there on that concrete slab to hell...otherwise known as...

...Central Avenue, Hot Springs.

Oh and just so things are fair I sat in the parking lot that is your twin 405 N on my way home from the airport...he says hi...

Now I need some happy pictures to get me out of my road rage mood.

hot mess...beautiful hot mess

The dudes

Oh no you didn't catch that bouquet...you are NEVER, I MEAN NEVER getting married.

my heart is melting

OK I feel much better now.

next - Sausage Stuffed Shells...


-A Ro

Arkansas Part 2

First of all I owe some pictures...

My sister in law Michelle and our nephew Tyler

My brother Greg and his wife Michelle.

Good now I haven't slighted anyone...

Anyway...Saturday came...the big day. I went to run with my step dad at a crappy hole in the wall gym that housed the treadmills in the sauna.

Ok not really...but it felt like it...but I got 4.5 miles in before I thought I was going to swim away in my sweat...

...I know too much information.

We hung around the condo, ate Sam's Pizzeria pizza, which by the way was the yummiest pizza around (again diet started today), and got ready to go to the church. Did I mention that it was 37 degrees today...no I didn't...ok IT WAS 37 DEGREES TODAY. I didn't pack our parkas...oh wait we live in CA we don't own parkas...needless to say we froze, and no not the 50 degrees CA freezing...really freezing.

We had to go back to Little Rock that night because our plane left early Sunday morning so we needed to be closer to the airport. So I had to straighten the condo, pack, and get me and the two kidlets ready.

The service was beautiful and I only cried at the end of my song and it was because I looked at Kate...how stupid of me.

The reception was at Hamilton House one of Al Capone's joints. It was a nice small reception with, again, really fattening food. BBQ Chicken, Fried Catfish, mashed potatoes, baked beans, and salad....geez did I gain 10 pounds or what. We shoved all 10 of us into a big booth/table, and were quite cozy...

Did I mention that we travel with two, two-year olds?

I know it is just the way we roll...we are sorry Hamilton House and First Luthern Church of Hot Springs...I am pretty sure we didn't break anything.

Handsome Andrew and Beautiful Bella

Kate and her posse

Isabella was the hostess...she took her job very seriously...I am just glad no one tried to get by her without signing the guest book...she would have hunted them down.

Andrew was constantly taken down by the babies...he loved every minute of it.

He just loves those babies.

Tomorrow...a reciepe Stuffed Shells...yummy, and quite possibly some more pictures...

...I know, I know, but I just love my far away family.

- A Ro

My Trip to Arkansas

Well just got back from my sister's wedding in Arkansas. I know that you are thinking...geez you could have waited to blog...you know sit a bit, unpack, relax, but no...GS's sister (and my good friend) scared the crap out of me all because she was going through Amy blog withdrawals so...Suz this is for you.

Warning...had a busy few days...might be a little long...you can just skip through the pictures if you want.

My beautiful, brilliant, wonderful (I could go on) sister Kate got married this weekend in Hot Springs Arkansas

...and no that isn't the reason I didn't blog...yes Arkansas has internet but I did not have computer.

Anyway, she married a great guy Dustin and I am so happy for her. This blissful event meant that I got to go back to the state that I lived in for 6 years. I really like Arkansas. Now I know what you are thinking...and stop it...all the things you have heard about Arkansas are just not true.

...well most of them aren't.

I had such an amazing time. I got to spend the extended weekend with my brothers, sisters in law, niece, nephews, mom, step dad, my aunt Sara and of course Kate and Dustin. I got to meet really good people in Dustin's family, ate really good food (note to self...diet starts tomorrow), and stayed in a beautiful condo with my sibs and their families...with a PlayStation 3 and Guitar Hero World tour complete with microphone, drums, and two guitars.

Let me introduce the band...my brother Greg on microphone (which he had to rip out of my fingers...does he not realize I am the diva??), my son Andrew on bass guitar, my other brother Ryan on guitar, and my sister in law Stacia on drums...My aunt Sara and mom are in the background in utter amazement (or shame disguised as amazement)...it is noted that they stayed for about another minute or two and left the condo.

...if you live in the Hot Springs area I apologize for the noise level...but it couldn't be helped...we don't see each other that often.

I was also very honored...my sister asked me to sing at her wedding. I now know that emotional people like myself should a) not sing at weddings of people they adore and b) if they choose to ignore a) they should not look at the person they adore while singing...who knew you couldn't sing while weeping.

...oh yeah I knew that.

The plane trips there was great...no events, no delays, lots of sleep (on my part) and got to watch Madagascar II...awesome movie by the way I highly recommend it.

My daughter...loves having her picture taken (or as they say in Arkansas...picture made)
My son...hates having his picture taken...or picture made if you are needing Arkansas sub titles.

Got into Little Rock at about 6:30 pm...hit the Taco Bell...dodged tornado warnings (welcome to the south)...helped Kate pack...and made it to the condo in Hot Springs. Now here is one of the reasons I love the south...

Dustin's mom...whom we had never met...arranged for us to stay at this amazing condo...and she met us at the condo at about 10:30 pm with a homemade bundt cake, a tray of cookies, a meat and cheese platter, bread, fixins (that is also an Arkansas word), soda (caffeine free...you rock Donna), and a case of bottled water. THEN she asked me if she could run to Kroger for us to pick up breakfast foods...yeah like I'm gonna let her do that.

Kate your mother in law is awesome...God love her (another popular Arkansas saying).

My brothers, sisters in law, niece, and nephews all drove overnight from Iowa and got to the condo around 6:30 am...Friday morning. Needless to say I got to babysit my 2 year old niece Sam while everyone else slept...not sure why the only little one who didn't sleep much in the car was wide awake and ready to play.

Oh wait...I know why...it is because she is my niece Sam...the hot mess.

I had fun with her and gave her back to her Mama so Bella and I could go to the salon with the gals. I only went along for the company as I hate having my feet touched...

...I know call the therapist.

Here is Kate and Bella

Bella getting toes done...just watching this about did me in...I just hate feet.

Bella getting finger nails done. The lady was super nice and Bella had a good time. I enjoyed hanging out with the girls...and got Starbucks after...can't complain about that.

That night was the rehearsal dinner...fun, good food, (I know I know diet tomorrow...I have a love hate relationship with southern food), lots of happy tears, (the females in my family really know how to cry...and we do it often...I know this and yet I still agreed to sing at her wedding I really need to work on knowing my limits and sticking within them)...and lots of pictures...here are a few.

Kate and Dustin...awww
Joey...my adorable nephew...oh my gosh...sorry Kate for the butt in the background.
me and the hot mess...Sam
The hot mess's parents my brother Ryan and Stacia...btw they both lost about a 50 pounds between the two of them since last I saw them...a true inspiration for me. My other sister in law lost some too...not sure why I don't have a picture of Greg and Michelle...sorry.
My boy and hot mess's brother Ty...these two were inseparable...I love my guys
Me and my kidlets
Did we mention that we travel with two two year olds???

Again we apologize Hot Springs.

More tomorrow...I am sure you have had enough for tonight.


-A Ro

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Big Mama a few days ago blogged about her 5 year old daughter playing t-ball...her first attempt at an organized sport. Reading this blog gave me some really strong memories.

Oh, ok you talked me into it...I'll share.

The first one was my first attempt at an organized sport. The difference in my story was that it was softball...and I was in the 6th grade. Now I would advise any of you out there with young children please I implore you for the sake of all humanity your daughter's first experience with organized sports should not be in the 6th grade. I am not sure if any of you remember what it was like being in 6th grade...granted I barely remember...but it was NOT the time to don sports shorts, be forced to run fast, hit a ball, catch a ball, and throw with any kind of accuracy...all with other girls...who OF COURSE were judging your every move, and how your body looked in those lime green sport shorts.

Obviously I wasn't athletically inclined or I would have started sports much earlier...at MY request. I was very into music...I loved to sing and play the piano. But for some reason my father thought I needed a sport to enhance my dull and boring life, or he just needed to fulfill a need of his, but had two sons just 3 and 5 years younger than I was who were both HUGE sports kids...so that couldn't be it. My father was an amazingly awesome dad, and I am sure he had the best of intentions and I realize that by being an only child himself, and me being his oldest he had NO idea the trauma associated with being an awkward geeky girl...being put in left field...barely able to hold the glove AND being told that you must catch a pop fly before you can go home...needless to say I was the LAST one EVERY time.

However, and it is not very often that I say this, but looking back I was glad that I was forced to do this. I enjoyed the "team" sport...I had good coaches who cared a lot...I got to bond with my dad on HIS level...and I got some good exercise (again not sure what you were like in 6th grade, but body issues were a big part of mine)

...I still don't recommend it.

The second was remembering my Andrew's first t-ball experience. I went to his Junior's baseball game last night and watching my now 13 year old make a spectacular diving catch in center field and hit a smoking triple to left field makes me forget his younger days.

BUT...he did used to be the little kid who would hit the ball off of the tee and then try to field it himself. I loved watching him play t-ball. He was such a little guy and LOVED baseball. In fact it was just last year some 8 years after his t-ball days that he actually turned into quite the baseball player. He has worked very hard to get where he is today but his passion for the game is no more than it was back then...when the weight of his helmet practically knocked him over.

...I secretly love to go to those fields and watch the, as Big Mama said, the players going after the ball like little ants going after the lone Dorito.

...such a mood lifter.


More later

-A Ro