And Then I Set the Chicken on Fire

The only reason that Blogger is not dead to me is that I got our crummy old laptop to finally connect to the internet.  You see we have one computer in the family room that is shared by two adults and two pre-teens.  (I'll give you three guesses as to who gets more computer time and the first two don't count)  AND to add to the problem when I finally found the window of opportunity between watching youtube of videos of Glee and Club Penguin, Blogger decided to not cooperate.  So thankfully our laptop decided to cooperate or you would have started to wonder where the heck A-Ro went to (not that you haven't thought that a hunderd times in the past month)

But enough of the excuses.

This weekend started out great only after we spent a trillion dollars to get the water pump fixed on my car.  Thankfully Rich had the day off and it didn't pull the driving-on-the-101-break-down-in-the-carpool-lane-at-rush-hour breakdown, it gave me some warning.  So besides the fact We're back to eating college dinner menus, it wasn't so painful.  The great weekend truly started that night at dinner. Rich and I had a date night at our favorite shee shee fru fru restaurant, that if not for the cheap happy hour and gift certificate from a faboulous student, we would never go.  It was so nice to sit and chat and do a little gazing and cooing...ok not really all that much gazing and cooing but a lot of chatting.  We did a little shoping and coffee drinking and got home by 9:00 and in bed by 10:00.  We are such the party animals.

Saturday morning was full of errands and picking up the golden car.  Rich had been complaining of his eye hurting and quite frankly I just added it to the elbow, knees, and back aches that my fabulous husband has been complaining about.  No big deal, just a sty or an eyelash.  So by the time I had started de-Christmas-ing our house Rich decided he needed to go to urgent care.  He clearly understood my manic need to finally put our Christmas decorations away because he didn't even ask me to go with him.  I figured that the doctor would take one look at his eye tell him to go put a warm compress on it, give him a lollypop, pat him on the head and demand that he go home and help his wife take down the tree and get the chicken on the grill.  However, after taking down all the decorations, breaking two ornaments, and wrestling our big tree out to the garage I realize there is no sign of Rich.  So, I decide to text him, see if he is sporting an eyepatch, and find out how to start the grill.  He tells me he is still waiting and gave me the instructions on how to start the grill.  I do EXACTLY what he says, start the potatoes and the lentil salad and go out to put the chicken on the grill as it has been 20 minutes since I lit the grill and the coals needed to be spread out the the chicken put on. 

Next thing I know the chicken is full-out on fire.  I yelled something (probably R rated) and out comes Justin to find me standing next to the grill which is now completely ablaze.  I grab the hose and turn it on only to realize that the nozzle is locked in the "on" position and by realize I mean squirt me straight in the face.  I threw the hose down and said some more R rated words.  Justin calmly un-locked the hose and I proceeded to douse the chicken.  We both stood their for a few seconds and just stared at the drenched grill not knowing whether to laugh or cry when he said something to the effect of "well I guess that solved the problem".

As I was driving off to the store to get some more meat Rich called, which instantly started the waterworks.  I couldn't get a coherent word out of my mouth through all the tears.  Thankfully he is an air traffic controller and had the necessary skills to talk me down.

As it turns out he had a small round object on his pupil.

Not that I would wish pain on the man I love, but it is a good thing something was seriously wrong.

...enough said.

More Later

- A Ro

Ring in the Hodgepodge!!

 

Going to join the Hodgepodge this week to keep my streak of 2 posts, plus I love the Hodgepodge.  Head on over to Joyce's and link up, and pat me on the back for my streak!!

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?

roller-coaster (one word right?) speedy and blessed. 

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?

LOVE shrimp when I don't think about what kind of bottom feeder creature it is.  I love it in a shrimp cocktail, scampi, grilled, salads, and any other way you can prepare it.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

Oh how you mock me with this question.  No my house is not de-Christmased.  I had one day turn around from leaving for Iowa on Christmas day to starting work.  It will drive me nutsoid until I do, which will probably be this weekend.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?

Is Chevy Chase in scary movies?  I didn't think so.  So the answer would be no.  As a matter of fact the answer would be a huge NO.  I am not paying $11.50 for the ticket, $25.00 for popcorn and soda, and $9.50 for Junior Mints to have the beegeezus scared out of me.  no.thank.you.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?

I would have to say sledding, however, I do not like to be cold so I try to stay away from all of the above activities.

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.

There was a corner of my yard where the way the hedges came together made a small triangular space.  I had many dreams of how I would decorate it, if I had the means and the opportunity...none of which I had.  So it consisted of a wooden stool and some toys.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
hmmm...My Mom's house in Iowa makes me motivated to provide for my family the way she does.  My classroom motivates me to be the best educator I can be.

8.  In Summary:
2011 was an amazing year, but 2012 is the year for me to be all I can be.  It will more than likely not have any sort of winter sports, or scary movies in it, but hopefully a lot of shrimp!! It is obvious that I was thinking about my house and how it would be even when the walls were green and leafy, but my current house is a place or space that is definitely motivating me to take down my Christmas decorations.

More Later

- A Ro

Happy New Year (Sorta)

Returned to work today.  Spent an amazing week with my family.  Spent the first Christmas with my new family.  Rang in the New Year with most of my family both old and new.  Would like to include in my New Year's resolutions a vow to blog everyday because a) I miss you all and b) I would like to stop my family from asking "Why haven't you blogged, we miss seeing what you are up to everyday?" but, I fear that expectation would go by the wayside along with my vow to never eat sugar again.  At least, these goals are lofty and will more than likely make me "better" at said vows.

That being said I can't wait to show off a few pictures from my hiatus.

Finally a picture of all of us.  What a good looking group!!

Oh my goodness how they all grow up...especially that tall one in the middle...sigh.

Yep...she just got cuter...

...has found a new best friend...

...and loves to love.  She loved Zona our very old dog.  This picture is so very speical to me because Zona was with my Dad when he died and I would like to think that he is watching this scene with a very happy soul.

Finally my new Kindle.  Thanks honey!!  I love it.  I may or may not now be able to play Words With Friends at work...watch out!!

I hope your Holidays were wonderful and you are well on your way to a Happy New Year!!

Now if you'll excuse me I have a few blogs to catch up on.

More Later

- A Ro

Thankful Thursday

I know that I am stealing this from about a dozen blogs but I really am feeling very thankful lately and I need to share.


1.  I am thankful that I realized that when I typed my title I didn't put the 'r' in Thursday.  How stupid would I have looked entitling this post Thankful Thusday.  Yeah.

2.  I am so very thankful that I have an artistic daughter.  But mostly that she is a very giving generous daughter.  She painted this picture and made me scan right away so that she could give it to one of her favorite teachers who is Italian.  

I really hope he doesn't think that WE think that all Italians eat pasta, drink wine, and are grossly overweight.  It's the thought that counts...right?

3.  I am thankful for this...

  It makes me smile each and every time I see it.

4.  I am ESPECIALLY thankful for these two.

They also make me smile each time I see them.  They saw me taking the picture of the tree and begged for me to take one of them.  It could be that they were both doing homework and wanted any excuse to put the pencil down, but I would like to think that it is because they just LOVE being in pictures.  Yeah...that's it.

5.  I am thankful for my blog friends who care about me even when I disappear for a few weeks.  I am trying to be better.

6.  I am thankful for good health and a great doctor who tests just one more thing...just to be sure.

7.  I am thankful for an amazing husband who I can't imagine life without.

8.  I am thankful for cheesy (but true) thankful statements.

More Later

- A Ro

A Ro Who? Hodgepodge

Yes, it is I, the mysterious and elusive A Ro back to participate in Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge.   I write this before I actually look at the questions so I am also brave.

Here goes nothing:

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)

Yikes!! I have to get on this...

Yes I send Christmas cards and I do the picture cards.  I am very excited because this year my family is much larger, and I get to include all of us in some way or another on that card.  I'll be sure to post it when it is finished.

I have a garland on my banister that I put the cards on.  I usually leave the picture ones up all year, in some way or another.  They make me happy all year 'round. 

2. When do kids become adults? 

Well my son, when he was younger, told my sister that she wasn't an adult until she got married.  When she got married he didn't think she was an adult until she had a baby...now that she has a baby maybe he will finally admit that his cool Aunt Kate is an adult.  

It is all relative.

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?

Nah...wash face in shower, sometimes moisturize, only wear make-up when I absolutely have to.  My climate is really the same all yearlong (living in CA) so I just keep it the same...and very simple!!

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?

I love raw sushi??  Other than that I am usually the one turning up my nose at crazy delicacies.

5. Gloves or mittens?

I love mittens...everything about them, but mostly I love them because when I wear them more than likely I am in Iowa.

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer?

Rich and I did Black Friday, once (and that was one time too many).  The queue was long, but the problem was that the queue we were in was the wrong queue.  Yeah that sucks.  We did get an i pod touch very cheap with a gift card bonus, so I guess it was worth it.  And yes the word queue is very sophisticated!!

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?

hmmmm  Going to Iowa to see my family is sorta related to Christmas but I am SO looking forward to it too.  We all just love being at my mom's house.

8. In Summary:  

OK...gotta get going on that Christmas card so...Shutterfly here I come.  I hope that I never become an adult because I  will have to stop turning my nose up at yucky food, start worrying about my beauty regimen, and start looking forward to Black Friday.  But most of all I better hunt down those mittens because, IOWA HERE I COME!!!

More Later

- A Ro

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I love this time of the year.  Really from Halloween through New Year's Day makes me oh so very happy.  I love everything about it.  With the exception of having a horrible cold a few weeks ago the past weeks have not let me down. 

I have had many beverages from the Starbucks holiday cups

Got to work with some wonderful kids (especially Woodstock) in our Middle School musical.

Got to watch Bella serve bread to needy people at Manna house.

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Complete with everyone's favorite...Scalloped Pineapple.

And shared it with two very special girls (and a few camera shy guys).

And to top it off I got a very sweet card from Sarah and it really brought a tear to my eye.  Especially thinking back to the Thanksgivings without her in our lives.  I really took it all in and was very thankful of all my blessings this year.

My Thanksgiving weekend ended with an ink pen in the dryer and a very special accidentally adorned pancake...

...I choose to dwell on the pancake.

More Later

- A Ro 

A Purge

OK people....this isn't going to be pretty.  I have been knee deep in middle schoolers due to tech week for our middle school musical.  However, that doesn't mean that life in the A Ro household has stood still, oh no, life keeps on trucking with or with sleep or sanity.

So this is just a purge of some of the hot topics around here lately.  No wit, no nonsense, no glamour just the facts ma'am.

Sarah wanted to go to the haunted house down the street.  As you know, unless Chevy Chase  is running a haunted house I am not going in.  BUT I love a good family outing so decided that I would just walk down with them and wait outside.  Little did I know that a guy with a chainsaw would come out to "warm the crowd up" before they went inside.  Well I made the big mistake of looking completely freaked out, which I was, and started to walk, very quickly, away.  Yeah, you all know what happened next...he started following me.  I am telling you people the rage grew within me and I almost punched his lights out. 

note to self...it is just pretend.

My daughter is Woodstock in the aforementioned middle school musical.  She is second from the left in the front with all of her Beagle Scout birds, oh my stinkin' heart.

Andrew met a girl last summer at summer camp and, unfortunately, she lives about 10 hours away.  However, her mom and I love our kids and we arranged for her to fly down for a weekend.  She is lovely, smart, kind, funny, athletic, mature, and absolutely wonderful.  They both are just so perfect together.  He also passed his driving test the morning she came, so it was an all around great weekend.

Yes, Halloween came last night in the midst of it all, but look at these cute girls.  They crack me up!!

My first, failed, attempt at taking our picture during trick or treating...

Much better...look how handsome he is!!

Nerds in action.

The loot.  We had so much fun. 

And finally....

My favorite time of the year has arrived.

smile.

More Later

A Ro