I'm a Putzer and I Don't Care Who Knows it

I admit it...I love to putz...I love not having an agenda and just doin' what I want. The only problem I have is afterwards I feel like I haven't accomplished much.


...I am getting over that part...


So this weekend was much to do about putzing. I did have some scheduled events but had some free time as well.


Friday Bella, GS, and I putzed to dinner at Macaroni Grill.


BTW - Macaroni Grill has now implemented a new menu complete with portioned controlled meals and nutritional information. I was very impressed. I had a large bottle of San Pelligrino and the Lasagna for about 640 calories...not counting the little bit of bread I ate...c'mon who counts bread.


After Macaroni Grill we putzed around the mall. We happened to be at the mall for the lighting of the Christmas tree and the "snow" (aka a bubble blower showering us with little bubbles...it is how we Californians do "snow") It was really nice even though it was crowded. We then went to Starbucks, as I told you on Saturday.


BTW - As I posted on Saturday morning I was confused why someone would wait in a drive through in a long line when they could just go into the lobby. The Bug pointed out that she likes to wait in the drive through because she can just sit in her car and listen to a book on tape. Then the light bulb when off **ding**. Not everyone in the world has two impatient kids who when in the car can only seem to find the words "are we there yet?"....wow a whole new world has been opened up to me, she says singing Aladdin...a whole new world that I will have to wait about 9 years for.


Saturday morning I got up and leisurely ran 3 miles just to get my blood moving.

BTW - I find that when I get my morning exercise in I eat healthier during the day...coinsidence or carefully divine master plan?

Then off to Bella's last regularly scheduled soccer game, which they won!! I would have pictures but I can't find that pesky camera cord that attaches your camera to your computer. Then registered her for Spring season soccer. I was fully prepared to stand in long line, but YIPEE...no line. The putzing gods were in my favor. The rest of the day...I putzed. I cleaned a little, I went to the market, I started some laundry, I worked on some paperwork that I needed to complete, and I took time for my favorite coffee/tea shop. I also treated to myself to my favorite sushi place before going to my favorite store...TARGET!! All in all a very nice Saturday.

Sunday morning I got up to do my long 6 mile run and I felt like I putzed through that as well. I swear there were 140 knot winds pushing against me (actually I have no idea if 140 knots is very strong...it sounds strong though...) Sunday afternoon was my son's orchestra concert (again I have pictures...but alas!!...see above) He was wonderful and it was nice to sit in the audience and be entertained!!

So you can just call me Arthur Putzerelli, or Putz-de-Leon. I should win a Putz-litzer Prize, or...

...I could just hush up now and go on with my day.

OK...done.

More Later

-A Ro

The Gift of Waiting

Not sure if you knew this and quite frankly not sure if you even give a darn, but the Starbucks Holiday cups are out. I just love this time of year. To me the holiday season starts and ends with these festive Starbucks cups.

...I'll understand if you can't forgive me for feeling this way. Sometimes I can't even forgive myself, but it is just the way I roll...corporate America has its grubby hands all over me.

Now my enjoyment is not nearly as much as it once was since I can no longer have caffeine, but that is a tale for another day...another sad, sad day.

Anyhoo...after running our errands GS, Bella, and I wanted a Starbucks. It is a little chilly here in So. Cal...Alright...I know, I am a disgrace to my Iowan family members when I describe chilly as being in the upper 60's. When chilly to them means...oh...say...low 40's, but this acclimated Californian can't do it anymore...I promise I fought it as long as I could...which, sadly, wasn't very long.

So we went to one Starbucks and the line was out the door. Since there is a Starbucks on every corner we decided to go to another one, 'cause...we just don't like to wait. When we got to another Starbucks down the road it happened to be a drive through Starbucks. I am telling you the line of cars in the drive through was at least 15 deep. We sure as heck weren't going to wait in THAT line, so GS suggested we go in to see if the lobby was any less of a line. Not only did the lobby have less of a line...it had NO line...empty...SCORE!!!

By the way...someone needs to explain this phenomenon. Why in the heck would someone wait in a 15 car line when they could take 2 seconds, park, and come into the lobby??? The comfort of your own vehicle must out weigh getting on with life...I'll take your word for it.

So high-and-mighty-I-ain't-gonna-wait-in-that-crazy-line me went into the EMPTY lobby and ordered our drinks. Then in the now nearly empty lobby I proceeded to wait...and wait...and wait...the people behind us ended up getting their drinks before me, and by the time we left, the line in the drive through was gone.

You see...I just can't win.

Moral of the story: If you see me in any sort of line...go into the other one...even if it is longer. Trust me you'll beat me out of the store.

More Later

-A Ro

Oh Crap...Can I Say That on Blogspot??

**Public Service Announcement...the word Crap is used often in this post...if it is a word that offends you please don't read on...and I hope you don't watch network television...thank you very much**

In the musical Oklahoma when something goes wrong Ado Annie says...Oh Foot!

On that ever so popular TV show That's So Raven when something goes wrong Raven says...Oh Snap!

When something goes wrong in my life my expletive if choice is...Oh Crap!

My kids try to tell me that it is a bad word...to that I say...that's crap...ha ha. Now mind you I don't want my kids to go around saying it, but they must just understand that there are some words that adults have the right to say but kids don't. In my book that word is crap.

Well today was one of those "Oh Crap" days!!

It started with us getting out of the house about 5 minutes late

**Public Service Announcement...if you leave 5 minutes late in the fine town of Los Angeles you'd better be prepared to be hours late...thank you very much**

...Not to worry I thought...the school that we pass that usually slows us up starts late on Thursdays. This means easy sailing through...no traffic. Phew!!

"Oh Crap"
Since yesterday was a no school day...the aforementioned high school DID indeed start on time today...

Then we had a simulated Earthquake Drill and I am on the first aid team.

**Public Service Announcement...if you want anyone at school to survive an earthquake please do not put the music teacher, who cannot even decide which Band-Aid size to use and feels faint in the process, on the first aid team...thank you very much**

...Not to worry I thought...I'll just go to my meeting place and do what everyone else is doing.

"Oh Crap"
In walks a student who is instructed to be "trapped" in my room. Where did I put that pesky what to do in the event of...handbook...

After school we raced to get Isabella to soccer on time. As we were racing I realized that I didn't have American cheese for our cheeseburgers which GS had on the grill.

**Public Service Announcement...to avoid all last minute grocery store trips it is best to do your weekly shopping trip with a detailed list. Not just milk and bread scribbled on a Starbucks napkin...thank you very much**

No prob...the soccer practice is at our little park by our house and there is an Albertsons right next door. I'll just drop her off the park and run to the grocery store.

"Oh Crap"
Why is this security guard with a flashlight directing me and the eleventy million or so cars out of the cute little park's parking lot and to a back dirt lot to park and walk 2 miles to our practice spot? Oh I see...today is the day that our cute little park is host to the Simi Valley free H1N1 flu vaccine...you know the one that people wait 4 hours in line for...Great...no American Cheese for Bella.

The good thing is none of the above did me in. I just rolled with the punches and walked into my house with dinner almost done and my boys waiting for me.

I think today I'll look for the "phews" during my day, you know the times that something could have gone wrong but didn't...

Wait...today is Friday the 13th...


...oh crap!!

More Later

-A Ro

It's All Worth It

If you have been following this blog (all six of you) you know how crazy it has been for me the last week. Our middle school production of Oklahoma! went up last weekend and Tuesday night I had my big middle and high school choral concert.

It was pretty hectic and I was pretty overwhelmed at times. However, when that first group took the stage Tuesday night and started to sing, and I saw joy and passion on their faces it was all worth it. In fact each of my groups that took the stage felt what I felt at that moment. We were a team living and breathing a work of art. It was truly magnificent and worth all the craziness to make it happen.

Including, but not limited to, the fact that I copied, folded AND stuffed 200 concert programs only to realize that the secretary put the wrong date on the front. So yes, 2 hours before the concert I had to do it all over again.

The good news is I didn't fall on stage, usually I trip on SOMETHING a mic stand, a monitor, my own two feet...I know just call me Grace.

Other good news...I had yesterday off!!!

Now I am not sure about you but a day off, especially when the kidlets are with their dad for the morning, brings to mind certain things. Sleeping in, leisurely eating breakfast while reading blogs, taking naps, reading a good book, or maybe even strolling the mall.

Not for this chick, who obviously doesn't know a good day off when she sees one, got up exercised for the longest 45 minutes of her life and then to top off the great morning went to the market.

...and then she gave her new Kitchen Aid mixer a good workout.

What you thought I was going to actually do the great day off justice?? Heck no!!! I needed to take this beauty out for a spin and make a mess.

I baked Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies, and "healthy" oatmeal scotchies. GS loves it when I bake, however, his reward is a few goodies and a big mess to help clean up. God love him!!

We also took our favorite Veteran, GS (retired Navy air traffic controller), to Reds for a beer and some BBQ.

We had a very nice evening and looking back on my day I wouldn't have changed one thing.

So all in all the lesson I learned yesterday is that relaxation is overrated and being busy and sometimes overwhelmed can produce good results.

I guess it's really all worth it!

More Later

- A Ro

Random Dozen aka Psycosis 101

Here we go again...more Randomness...and I LOVE IT!!! If you love it to go on over to 2nd Cup and play along!!!

1. What was the last song you listened to?

Well I am in dress rehearsals for my choral concert at the moment so Bist Du bei Mir by Bach would be my answer...but that sounds so "shee shee foo foo" so the last song I listened to before all of that would be Faint by Linkin Park...it is obvious that my son has control of the radio in the car on our way to school.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything?

The current state of the housing situation is driving this answer today so...my current house would be my answer to this...I won't overwhelm you with the gory details 'cause it would cause you to have to sit down...did I mention I live in California??

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing)

My divorce...I found the love of my life because my ex-husband turned out to be not so good of a husband.

Boy this is another "take a long look in the dressing room mirror" random dozen!! Dare I go on??

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon?

Oh, phew...this one is easy...any large balloon. It is usually so windy that day that I am just waiting for one to break free...I just love a good balloon disaster!!

Alright maybe this question too has caused me to think I need therapy...I can't win

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately.

I have two...on my bulletin board next to my desk for easy reminders:

Being a teacher this is my current favorite: "Fair does not always mean everyone gets the same thing, it means that everyone gets what they need" -Unknown

Being in need of therapy this is another favorite: "Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is just the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes all the difference" - Unknown

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating?

Writing this blog for only six people to read...ha ha...I jest...

McDonald's ice cream cones on our way home for school...I guess it could be worse I am sure I could think of something more "guilty" if I were to take another long look in the dressing room mirror of my life...but I will spare you.

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to?

hmmm...pumpkin pie with more whipped cream than pie...

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book?

My favorite books to read to children involve singing at some level. When I taught elementary music I always had "singing" books to read. But my favorite were any of the "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" take offs. They have "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow" and "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Pie". Very funny without the "...perhaps she'll die..." I don't do those endings...

As a teenager I LOVED the Trixie Belden series...anyone heard or read her stuff?? She had one that was set in Des Moines...my home town...as a teenager I was sure no one had ever heard of Des Moines Iowa!!

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.)

Pigs and Cows...I know the Iowa thing is the obvious reason but pigs are given in the German opera houses on opening night. So being an opera singer trained by a German teacher I love pigs...and started the tradition with my own kids and my students.

Not real pigs mind you...that would be...well just wrong

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper?

I love wrapping presents...until I reach about 10 and then...stick a fork in me I'm done!! And go to gift bags or really crappy wrapping.

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day?
I had this friend in elementary school and she lived down the street and we would go to her house after school and play Monopoly. We would keep the game going for weeks. Very fun...interesting enough we weren't "in school" friends...

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish??
I don't even get that far...I feel for the worm.



So in summary: I am an advocate for divorce...need to get the heck out of California...love a good balloon disaster...and am a sucker for worms, whipped cream with some pumpkin pie, and a good long game of Monopoly.


...oh yeah and I need to call my therapist!!

More Later

-A Ro

Where to Begin?

First I have to say I've missed you all. I have missed visiting your blogs, participating in memes and writing about my mundane and usual life.


I know...good times...good times.


But the good news is I am back and ready to join the blogging world again.


Here are some quick updates:

A wonderful person whom I love very much who shall remain nameless gave me this last Friday...


Was it my birthday?


nope...


Was it an anniversary?


nope...


Did I win it on Pioneer Woman Cooks?


nope...


Even better...this fabulous person gave it to me - just because. Those are the best kind of gifts and...Oh My was I excited!!! I was so excited I baked sugar cookies on Saturday for the crew of our musical.


Now I know what you are thinking..."weren't you awfully busy this weekend to do that?" and the answer to that is -yes I was at school until 9:30 on Friday night for our opening night...then on Saturday I went to my daughter's soccer game...and had to be back at school at 5:00 for our second performance.


But the call of that new mixer was so strong...it whispered to me all day Friday and all night..."use me"..."mix something"..."I am so super cool"..."did you see all my attachments"...


So I succumbed and made these:

Get it...Oklahoma!...cowboy boot and sheriff's star...I know...I know too cute. They were a big hit backstage and now my new mixer has had it's maiden voyage...and I love it more than I thought I could love cold hard steel...

Here are the beautiful flowers that the cast gave me after our show. It was a very busy but rewarding weekend. To see my middle schoolers perform to such a high standard was wonderful. They worked so hard and I am so very proud of them!!

What's next you ask?

Well only my big choral concert tonight...showing off 5 of my choirs.

Yes Sonny and Cher were right...the beat does go on!!

Wish me luck!!

More later

-A Ro

OOOOKAAAALHOOOMAAAA

It probably took you a few times to realize that the title says Oklahoma...oh if only my blog could sing....

Anyway this week is tech week for me for our Middle School Production of Oklahoma!...

Putting the words middle school with anything that involves a week and then add musical numbers, costumes, props...well needless to say I am not going to be around much this week on this here blog.

A dear friend of mine once said that teaching middle school is like herding cats. It is so very true and I love every minute of it.

Here is a commercial that shows exactly what my week will be like:



Wish me luck and hopefully I'll be around a little this week...if nothing else to post a few silly pictures of my cute kids.

If you don't hear from me please send help...or catnip!!

More Later

-A Ro