Tell Me Why Tuesdays

Back by popular demand...OK let me rephrase that:  Back by MY popular demand....

TELL ME WHY TUESDAYS

...and the crowd goes wild ahhhhh...OK let me rephrase that....and the crowd in MY HEAD goes wild ahhhhh

Here it goes:

1.  Why did I feel the need to sign up for the local 10K run, which is only 4 weeks away, just because my school asked us to help promote our 50 year anniversary by getting as many people to run in the event? #suckerforpunishment OR #richthinksrunning10ksaresexy

2.  Why did SO many explorers feel the need to discover a new route to India? #whenindoubtpickvascadegama

3.  Why is Fifth Grade math so dang hard?? #nowwhichisbiggeragainheptameterordecameter??

4.  Why do little girls, even soccer playing little girls, feel the need to have long fake hair?

#scrimmagejerseyssurebeattryingtokeepthetowelonyourhead

5.  Why do I adore my eighth grade chorus girls? #sohardworkingandjustwanttosingsingsing

6.  Why is was Rich's big shoulder to cry on so appreciated last night? #seeabovemathandhistorydrama

7.  Why am I so worried about the city wide power outage? #chickeninthecrockpot

8.  Why am I not worried about the city wide power outage? #threefavoritewordsletseatout

9.  Why am I the luckiest gal in the world? #andrewisabellarich

10.  Why are you the luckiest blog readers in the world?  #iamattheendofmylist

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Purge - Bad News Good News

Bad News:  Weekend without kids
Good News:  Weekend without kids

(those of you who share custody know exactly what I mean)

Good News:  The two of us cooking dinner at home on Friday night, we really enjoy cooking together.
Bad News:  We are out own wait staff...and we aren't good tippers

Bad News:  Having to run out to get sweet sixteen birthday present.
Good News:  Getting to sip coffee outside on a crisp evening, with some wonderful adult conversation.
Bad News:  Dealing with teenage kids "hanging out" screaming and running around.
Good News:  Thankful that my kids aren't like that.
Bad News:   Realizing that the jury might still be out on one of my kids.

Good News:  No where to be Saturday morning.
Bad News:  Had to clean the bathrooms.
Good News:  Two working together got it done quickly

Bad News:  Grocery shopping on the agenda
Good News:  Married to a man that enjoys hanging out with me at the grocery store, pushing the cart, AND carrying the bags.

Bad News:  Rich had to work Saturday night
Good News:  Decided to pull out scrapbooking
Bad News:  Seemed a little unorganized and 5 years behind
Good News:  Had all my CD's in order ready to download to Shutterfly to order pictures
Bad News:  Shutterfly website.
Good News:  Had some pictures to work with
Bad News:  Needed a trip to Michael's
Good News:  Got to go to Michael's
Bad News:  Got distracted at Michael's
Good News:  Actually got started
Bad News:  Only finished one page
Good News:  Got to take a peek back in time and notice how cute and little my kidlets were.
Bad News:  Realized that they are growing up too quickly.

Good News:  Got to see Andrew's baseball game on Sunday.
Bad News:  Andrew pitched.
Good News:  Andrew pitched really good.
Bad News:  They are grooming him to be a pitcher this fall.
Good News:  He loves that idea.
Bad News:  I hate this idea.
Good News:  I have 5 months to stock up on the Pepto

Good News:  Had a wonderful weekend doing nothing extraordinary.
Bad News:  5 more days until I get to do it again.


More later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 42

Sorry this took so long to get out...the uploading of my pictures took FOREVER!!!

Yipee!!! I get to show off my wonderful week. Enjoy!

Side Note - I cannot believe it is already Week 42.


Sunday:

Who's Tall and Grown-up Looking Kid is That??

Oh, wait it is MY tall and grown up looking kid.  Whoa.

Monday:

It's A Hard Knocked Life

Yeah...but it is so rewarding to work with these kids.  Our Middle School production of Annie is coming right along.

Tuesday:

Back to Normal

Rich is home!!!  He had a wonderful trip and I couldn't be happier.  I am glad he is home safe and sound. 

Wednesday:

It Gets Dark Too Quick These Days

Our normal trip to get Fro-Yo is starting to happen in total darkness.  We still enjoy our Wednesday night routine, even if it means bundling up a little.

Thursday:

Maggie What Did You Eat??

Maggie got into Andrew's ravioli bowl that he forgot to put in the dishwasher...and she didn't even use a napkin, maybe she is saving some for later.

Friday:

First Big Test

Bella had her first big reading comprehension test today.  She studied hard.  We shall see.

Saturday:

 Being Creative

Rich had to work late tonight and the kids were with their dad, so I got out my scrapbooking stuff.  I love doing these little paper dolls of Bella.  This one turned out cute...if I do say so myself.

In Summary:  A pretty normal week for all of us.  Dog getting into stuff she isn't supposed to, baseball, musical rehearsals, frozen yogurt night, too much homework, and with Rich back home everything is back to the way it is supposed to be.

Phew!!

More Later

- A Ro

Happy Friday...A List

Many apologies for the double post...just couldn't let all the typos go.  Thank God I am not an English teacher...if you are an English teacher please refrain...

Thank you. 

This post is for myself.  I needed to remind myself of some blessings.

1.  I am so blessed because when I went into Bella's bedroom to wake her up this morning she says in a sleepy voice "Mama...you are the best mama in the whole wide world"

2.  I am so blessed that my Sixth Grade Chorus class acted and sang like little angels...all 40 of them...when my principal came into to observe me yesterday.

3.  I am so blessed to have Rich home after his trip and to see the look of joy and love on his face when he walked in the door.

4.  I am so blessed to know that without a shadow of a doubt that my life with Rich is perfect...even when it isn't.

5. I am so blessed to have the following picture in my in box.

My goodness I miss them.

6.  I am so blessed to have a sister that sends me such a sweet (break your heart) pictures of my Abby.

My goodness how I miss her.

7. I am so blessed that I have a nephew as cute as he is even without most of his teeth!!

My goodness how I miss him.

8.  I am so blessed to have smart, talented kids (and step kids), who sometimes just need to be reminded of how wonderful they are.  They are destined for great things and I hope that they always know that we are always behind them and will support them through anything that comes their way. 

9.  I am so blessed to have a husband who knows me so well, loves me unconditionally, and is truly my partner in everything.  The way it should be.

10.  I am so blessed with knowing the truth, and that justice and the good guys always prevail in the end.  God knows the hearts of men (and women), and his judgment day will come.  Thankfully. 

11.  I am blessed to have blog readers who don't mind a little sap every now and then.  Thanks for indulging me.  Have a Great Weekend.


More Later

- A Ro

Pop Quiz

This weekend past weekend proves that:
a) I really love my kids
b) I am really crazy
c) My kids are very popular
d) All of the above

OK that was so easy...all of the above, of course.

If  you know me at all you'll know that I hate driving in general, but I especially hate driving on the freeways around the Los Angeles area otherwise lovingly known as concrete paths to hell.

I am not sure where I acquired this fiery hatred of being behind the wheel.  I mean my Dad really loved to drive, and was a very good driving teacher.

flashback

Me driving in his HUGE Ford Bronco down a boulevard with houses to my right.  Hugging the curb like all good young drivers who feel like they are driving down the center of the road each time they are in the right lane.  When my father calmly tells me that his HUGE side mirrors are slightly tapping the mailboxes as we drive by.  It goes something like this.

Dad: Amy sweetheart you might want to move...Amy darling you really need to move over...Amy...AMY...AMY, YOU ARE HITTING THE MAILBOXES MOVE LEFT!!!

Good times...good times...

Anyway long story short.

I hate to drive.

This weekend with Rich being gone I did all the driving and all the kvetching and all the whining and bucked it up to taxi my kids according to the following schedule:

Friday:
Home from work 101 freeway (25 minutes)
Back to the work area 101 freeway (25 minutes) to pick up Andrew from friends house.
Back home 101 freeway (25 minutes)

Thank goodness I didn't have to take Rich to the airport that would have been :101 freeway - to the 405 freeway - to early grave with gray hair.

Saturday:
To soccer
To work area 101 freeway (25 minutes) to bring Bella to sleepover birthday party
Back home 101 freeway (25 minutes)
To Culver City 101 freeway - to Pacific Coast Highway - to the 10 freeway (50 minutes) to take Andrew to swanky hard to get invitation, Sweet 16 party (He had a BLAST...)
Home 10 freeway - to PCH - to 101 (50 minutes)

Sunday:
To work area 101 freeway (25 minutes) to pick up Bella from party
Back home 101 freeway (25 minutes)
To Baseball 101 freeway (20 minutes)
To Encino 101 freeway (20 minutes) to take Bella to ANOTHER birthday party
Home 101 freeway (30 minutes)
To Encino 101 freeway (30 minutes) to pick Bella up
Home Encino 101 freeway (30 minutes)

I don't even want to add up all those minute in my unhappy place car.  Of course, none of it was timed so that I could just stay in one place...oh no...that would have been too easy.

Good news...no road rage.
Good news...my kids owe me.
Bad news...my hair is a little thinner.


More Later

- A Ro

Happy Birthday JoJo

I know...I know... my family likes October birthdays!!  It just shows how Spooky we are!!

Today is my nephew Joseph's birthday.  He is four.  He is getting too big.  He needs to stop.

He was just tiny in this picture...seriously, look how tiny he was.

I love this picture of my brother Greg.  You see, Joseph was supposed to be Josephine...this is Greg letting everyone know that we need to repaint the bedroom.  Truth be told...Joseph is still surprising all of us.

They are such a sweet and amazing family.

Joseph is a very sweet and amazing little guy.

He sure does love his Nana.

And has a real soft spot for his Grandpa Frank.

Boy does this cuddle bug love his mama.

...and his daddy.

He does have some favorite Aunts hanging around.

...his Aunt Sasha (Stacia)

Then there is his Aunt Kate (I wonder if he actually calls her Aunt Cake, like my kids did??

...and of course his favorite aunt (in California)

H

He is just a lovable little guy...right Sami!!

We know who he will be rooting for thanks to his daddy...DA BEARS!! (Now if they could only get rid of Jake Cutler...oh nevermind)

He sure does love his puppy...Elvis.  Then again I know a little girl who loved Elvis a lot too!!

Too bad this kid doesn't take any good pictures...geez.

This a rare picture of this guy actually sleeping...and he is still cute.  Don't let him fool you, it is called recharging batteries!!

 He never makes a mess...

...nah...not JoJo.

He knows how to upstage a great picture...notice who's in the background.

And breaks my heart.  TWO cute boys...what are you trying to do to me???

JoJo is a sweet, energetic, loving, cuddly boy who really knows how to put together an outfit.  He keeps some of us on our toes, amazes most of us, and keeps us all laughing.  He is a miracle and I love him oh so much

But just a small piece of advice...

...don't you ever let hm catch you washing his blankie...it isn't pretty.

Happy Birthday Joseph!!


More Later

- A Ro

Mini Post - Doing What is Right

Just a quick post to give a big Hallelujah!!

Rich is coming home today from a very happy and successful visit to Iowa to see his kids.  He got to spend a lot of time with both of his kids and they had an absolutely amazing time.  He took the kids therapists advice and tried to get his daughter more comfortable with my family by taking her to my nephew's birthday party.  She was kind of bored (as the party was mainly for 4 year olds) so they didn't stay long, but she got to see my mom and brothers and start to get more used to being around my family, which her therapist thinks is important.

They also did some clothes shopping and Rich figured out quickly that he really needs to pay attention when she is trying on something and not just get her what she wants, as he didn't make such a wise jeans purchase and Mom made them take them back (rightfully so I might add).  He told me he thought they were a little tight (but she had her shirt un-tucked so he didn't see just how tight they were, first mistake) and didn't like the fact that they had holes, but that the sales clerk told him they were ok...well duh she wanted to make a sale.

Uh, honey, pre-teenage girls in tight jeans with holes...no wonder Mom didn't like them.

They also had a great session with her therapist.  The therapist commented on the fact that since he and Mom were getting along this trip and really communicating that had such a positive impact on the kids.  They don't have stress when the parents are getting along.  He really took that to heart and is determined to make this work.  She also mentioned that sometimes kids are afraid to tell mom how they really feel about certain subjects, namely me, because they know if they admit that they really like me it might hurt her and they love her so much that they don't want to do that.  I can really understand that and can't blame them for throwing me under the bus so they don't hurt mom...I really do care for them and want them to have a happy home life and can put my frustrations aside and really do what I can to minimize stress and help them adjust to having me in their life. I know how they really feel about me and just need to remember that.  I am constantly in awe at what children will do, subconsciously,  to protect the ones they love.  It is obvious they love her so much.

Rich has been so impressed at how well he and Mom have gotten along this trip.  They have had some really great conversations and hopefully have turned the corner.  They really do love their kids and are putting a lot of pain behind them to move forward. 

I hope this post doesn't upset S, my anonymous commenter.  I really just want to express how I am feeling and make a promise to do better on my end.  I am in Rich's life for good and want to do anything I can to make that work for all involved.  I really am a good person who has been caught up in fighting what I thought was the good fight for justice but now I realize that I was fighting the fight for selfish reasons. 

I am glad he had an amazing time, and I hope that someday we can move back there to be closer.  I know how much he is missing them right now, but am glad he is on his way back.

More Later

- A Ro