Stuck in the Middle with You

Gumby & Pokey!!!

2011-01-28T05:49:00.001-08:00

Best buds from way back in the day, Gumby & Pokey love to get together and hang.

This is a test. This is only a test.

2011-01-28T05:45:00.001-08:00

Blah, blah, blah, blah. Bladdjfigbi jcjhzch

Fufufivkoargkbo lbovivhxg kbkvkchx
Ccjztsduvk.

ChrweuguXuoh. Cjfugkbtzgogob jcub jiffy molds hxhgph scuff cuxzxvk kb.

Dud hchsa kobl hadji knish kbkv gagging astdu kbk hc.

2/26/10

2010-02-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

***

2009-05-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Devoted Blog Reader;

This Blog has moved. You can now find all the insignificant ramblings here. Please update your bookmarks.

Thank You,
The Management

You Won't Belive This

2009-05-22T07:48:00.001-07:00

It's another rainy day & all I feel like doing is curling up with a good book.

Then maybe watching an old movie.

Or, watch a movie while I clean up my hard drive & back up files.

Multi-tasking is good.

So.

Anyway.

I could strangle my oldest.

Look what she brought home on Wednesday.

She is the ugliest kitten I've seen in a long time. And tiny. Just about half the size of Piper.

One of Savvy's guy friends cat had kittens and she decided to bring one home. They were kept outside & this one was sleeping in a bowl.

The bowl.

Yes. She actually brought the kitten home in the bowl.

Reenactment of kitten brought home in a bowl.

This is not an exact reenactment. The kitten was laying down when Savvy & her friend Julie brought her home.

It can be difficult to photograph a reenactment with a slightly uncooperative kitten.

Piper was feeling left out & had to get into the act.

She's such a brat.

So now the kitten needs a name. Savvy has been calling her ET. 'Cause she looks like an ugly Alien.

I call her Ugg Lee. She looks Asian. And is ugly.

Riley said I was mean.

"How would you like it if someone called you Shorty?"

"Uh. That's true. I am short. And it's not like I haven't been called that before."

Then Savvy said her name is Zong. So I said she can be Ugg Lee Zong.

'Cause she looks Asian. And is ugly.

The kitten doesn't care. As long as we feed & pet her.

And let her sleep in a little patch of sun.

In my computer cords.

Last Day Pics & Rain

2009-05-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

This morning was cloudy with the scent of rain in the air. I was convinced it wasn't really going to rain. Half the time when the weather man says there is going to be rain, we never get it.

Today we did.

But before the rain came down, I made Riley & Darien pose for last day of school pictures.

Idiot me didn't think of this for Savvy.

Anyway, I wanted to see how some pics would look against a cloudy sky, so we went out to the parking lot before I took Riley to school.

They came out OK. Riley died her hair again. Back to dark brown.

For now.

I've created a hair coloring monster. Mwahahahaha!!

As usual, Darien did not want to take pictures.

Punk.

Seriously, I think she's rather have teeth pulled that her picture taken.

While taking Darien to school, the rain started to come down a little harder. Not a down pour, mind you. But just enough to wet everything.

I am a rock. I am an island...{name that song}

Check out my grill, Homz....

And just for the fun of it, a dripping spigot.
'Cause that's how I roll, Baby.

The Ending & The Begining

2009-05-20T07:11:00.001-07:00

It is the end of the school year for the girls.

It doesn't feel like the end of the school year. Usually it's hot & sunny & kids are itching to hangout by the pool.

The kids are still itching to hangout by the pool, but it's cloudy, humid & raining in some areas of the valley.

The humidity is killing my hair. :p

Today, is Savvy's last day. They get out at noon then she and H are going to A's for their last sleep-over. A & her family are moving to OK, so this is their last time together. Savvy made her a cute Memory Box that she decorated then added some mementos of their years together. They've been friends since middle school. :(

Last night was Darien's 5th Grade "Graduation". It wasn't a graduation per se, more of an awards ceremony.

And I forgot my camera.

She received a Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement which included a letter from President Obama. It was so cute to see the kids expressions when looking at the letter. Even though it was a mass produced letter given to many students throughout the US, it was so sweet to see how excited the kids were that they got a letter from the President! Even the students who didn't receive an award were in awe!! She also received her certificate of completion of Elementary school.

We are now done with Elementary School.

Well, almost. They have one more day. So does Riley.

Then we're done.

Until it starts all over again next year.

And so our summer begins.

Who knows what we will be doing.

On to....

Piper

She's like having a puppy.

When anyone heads out the door, she runs towards it. Hoping to get out.

When I come home from dropping the girls off at school, she runs to the door to greet me. She will follow me all over the apartment until I pet her.

While I sit at my desk working on the computer, she has to lay next to me.

But no longer under the chair. I think she's learned her lesson there.

And when she feels the need for some attention, she jumps up on the desk and rubs against my arm.

Until I pet her.

Yesterday she was in a playful mood. My cursor was the source of her entertainment.

For awhile.

I'm sure you've all seen a hundred videos of cats chasing cursors on computer screens.

But you haven't seen Piper.

Morning Sun

2009-05-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

I read on a photography site recently, that the best time to take photos is in the early morning.

Like before 7:30.

So, yesterday, since I was up at 6:30 to do laundry {Because, when you have to use an on-site laundry, it's best to do it early in the morning. Preferably on Sunday} I decided to take my camera along & see what I could come up with.

I think I got some pretty good shots. I won't be winning any photography awards anytime soon, but not bad for an amateur.

You can clearly tell its leaves & a flower!! I just did a wee bit of photo editing. The sun hit the top of the plant just right, making the flower pop.

I even managed to get a decent close-up using the macro mode!

And this one is my favorite. It's at the corner of the building, so the light was stronger. I love how it's very bright near the bottom right. You really can see the sun glow.

And this was just for the heck of it. Why not take a pic of a spigot? I played with this one a little more, making the background a little darker & the spigot brighter.

Ahhh. PhotoShop.

Ya gotta love it.

Weapon of Cat Destruction

2009-05-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

OK. So it won't actually destroy Piper. But it does keep her off the kitchen table.

Although I pretty sure that once we all go to bed, she's up there saying, "Ha!! You won't be hitting me with any water now. And I will walk all over the table!"

Here, I don't mind her laying. My bathroom sink is probably nice & cool.

What a face!!!

She's simply irresistible.
{Name that song}

Cat Naps

2009-05-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

If you hate cats.

Adorable, sleeping cats.

Then look away.

Do not go any further.

Because this post is full of pictures of Piper.

Sleeping.

Finally.

Her favorite spot is in the dining room under the chairs.

I imagine it's because the linoleum is cool.

And when I say cool, I mean not hot.

Because, let's face it, linoleum is rarely, if ever, "cool".

To get this shot, I was on my stomach.

On the floor.

Damn, it's hot by the fridge!

I can hear the collective "awwwww".

Please ignore the crumb.

Right there in the middle of the picture.

At this point, getting an adorable picture took precedent over sweeping.

That's just how I roll, Baby....

The other spot she likes to sleep is under my desk chair.

I've run over her twice already.

Don't worry.

I just caught a bit of fur.

She's fine.

I haven't traumatized her enough to not sleep under my chair.

Last night, Riley & Darien watched TV in our room.

Because it's cool in there.

And by cool, I mean not hot.

Because, let's face it, my room is not "cool".

Piper found our bed very comfortable.

Darien looks so cute here.

And comfortable, too.

I was never allowed to even think about laying on my parents bed.

Much less, hang out there with a cute kitten.

My kids don't know how good they've got it.

Lucky buggers......

Well, Hello Piper

2009-05-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

We'd like you to meet the newest member of our family, Piper. She is an adorable 6 month old with the prettiest blue eyes. Isn't she cute?

Our apartment manager, Chelsea, {who lives in the apt. a few doors down} had a friend who was getting rid of her. {Piper, not Chelsea!!} Chelsea knew Darien really wanted a kitten, so she told her friend she had the perfect family for her kitten.

Darien named her. It would take too long to explain, but she was Minnie for about 5 minutes, then Darien settled on Piper.

It's like having a 2 year old in the house! {Again, Piper. Not Darien. Although some days I wonder!} She is non-stop & into everything. {Piper, not Darien.}

I've had to get after her I don't know how many times for jumping on the kitchen table.

And probably the same amount of times for trying to jump up on the counters.

She is a hyper bundle of fluff that has barely stopped since Chelsea dropped her off at 8:30 last night.

I was emptying the dishwasher this morning, so of course she just had to check it out. By the time I got the camera, she was out & settling on the open door.

I let her rest there for a couple minutes then kicked her out to finish my work.

It's hard to tell, because she won't sit still for 5 minutes for a good pic, but her tail is light brown.

It's so darn adorable. Makes me want to hug her & squeeze her & make her all mine. {Name that movie. Hint, it's by Disney}

For All Moms....

2009-05-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

It. Is. So. Flippin' HOT!!!

2009-05-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the high here was 101!!

The high in our apartment was 93!!!

We all sit around the fans {yes, that's plural} not wanting to move away from them because then that would set off profuse sweating.

Getting up to go to the bathroom is hell.

Hell, I tell you!!

We had the same problem last year & maintenance told us our AC is working fine. How can it be working fine when it gets over 90 degrees in here???

Once the office opens {they're supposed to be open at 10 AM, but apparently someone decided today would be a good day to not go in until noon} I'm heading down there to give them a piece of my mind.

Just a small piece.

I don't think I have a whole lot left to give them.

The heat has melted it away......

Help me. I'm melting......
{name that movie}

Back in the Saddle Again

2009-05-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

At least part time. For now.

Levi & I worked the homeshow all weekend. **Whew**

Naturally, Saturday was the best day. Tons of traffic. Overall it wasn't too bad. Plus I got paid for it!! We had a small booth with just a few pieces that gave the passer-by an idea of what we offer. I also got to work with Greg, who is a rep for both Allied gate & Con-Wear!! I think they're trying to get him mostly into Allied to work on Contractor/Builder accounts.

Anyway, he's a nice guy, divorced with 2 kids & a girlfriend. Easy to talk to & joke around with. I also got to know the owner, Robert & GM Lupe better. Both very nice guys. And fun to joke around with. It's nice to work with a group of people who aren't so uptight. We did alot of joking & goofing around our 3 days at the HS!!

I took some pics of our booth. The first isn't so great. The lightning in the building sucked & there was a glare from the windows behind the booth. But it gives you an idea of how it looked.

Levi designed & built this grand entry door. It's huge ~ 8' wide & nearly 12' high!!

The security doors are typical styles you see with almost every company that sells security doors.

I'm working on changing that!

We shall not conform to the norm!!!

A stair railing, gates & wine room door Levi also designed & built. So pretty much he designed & built all the homeshow display pieces. Except maybe the green gate in the bottom pic. I think Allied had that from before he started.

He also didn't make the wine rack.

He could.

But he didn't.

If you look really close in the top pic, you can see Levi in the background. He's was listening to some music & was doing some rock star moves.

'Cause he thinks he's a rock star.

He has a band.

So that makes him one.

At least in his own head!!

That's why I love him. I could say all that to him.

And he'd laugh & say "yeah, probably".

A Late Night

2009-05-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

This weekend {Friday - Sunday}, I'm working the homeshow for Allied Gate with my buddy & former co-worker, Levi {yes, I get paid for it!!!}.

{We worked together at Distinctive Iron.}

Allied is a fairly new company {they've been in the business for about 4 years} and their backed by a pretty big mining company, Con-Wear. Anyway, Levi's been trying to get me in there full time {I've been doing freelance designing for them} and thought this would help push me further in the door. Plus, I get paid & they get some experienced help other than Levi. The one sales rep they have worked for the mining company, so is new to the custom iron business.

{Shannon, you may recognize some of those SD designs!! LOL}

So, they needed a catalog for the security doors with pricing & options. Levi forgot to get that done before the show. Typical guy. The GM asked me if I would put it together for today & tomorrow's show so we don't look like yahoos & know what we're talking about! {He didn't say the yahoo part} I was getting paid for it, so naturally I said yes. What I thought would be about a 3 hour job, turned into a 6 hour job!! I was up until 12:30 last night getting it finished up.

When you usually go to bed at 9:00, 12:30 is a late night!!

I'm typing all this while I wait for Levi to come pick me up.

I feel like I have a hangover.

And I didn't even have anything to drink last night!!

Except a glass of milk!!

This post is probably full of typos.

I getting to damn old for this....
{name that movie}

You Won't Believe This.....

2009-04-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

Look, Darien got her face grafitti-ed on a wall!!

Riley has her portrait in an art gallery!

And Savvy's on the side of a new building that's going up!!

Just kidding!!! I stumbled across this cool website where you can pick from several scenes, upload your photo & ta-da there you are.

Painted on the side of a wall.

Or on an old billboard.

Or even on an ad in a train depot.

I could go on & on & on & on with pics of the girls.

But I won't bore you.

Go there yourself & have your face tattooed on David Beckham's abs!!

Question of the Night

2009-04-29T18:02:00.001-07:00

Asked by Savvy while scrapbooking ~

You can be overwhelmed & you can be underwhelmed. But can you ever just be whelmed?

{Name that movie}

{Yes, Jan, I know.

I need a job.

Shut up....}

My Kids Are Soooo Weird

2009-04-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

Right now, as I type this, Darien is dancing the Macarena {with no music}, Savvy is finishing her cheer scrapbook for Karli, talking about scavengers & meerkats, dancing & randomly singing.

And Riley is sitting on the couch watching it all.

Where do these kids get it???

Not me, that I can assure you.....

Toughen Up, Baby!

2009-04-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

I got a call a little while ago from the school nurse to come get Darien. Her "gasses reflex" was bothering her & her chest really hurt.

The "gasses reflex" she seems to get only in school.

I hate the school nurses now a days.

Well, I probably can't blame the nurses themselves, but the school district.

Did you know that schools consider it a fever when a child's temp is 99 or above? And they must be sent home?

In my book, if your normal temp is 98.6, 99 is NOT a fever. Really, 100 isn't much of one either.

But I know, they can't take chances.

'Cause kids these days can be such wimps.

Including mine....

Cha, Cha, Cha, Changes....

2009-04-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

Growing up as a middle child, I felt the need to stand out in some way. So I dressed differently than most kids my age.

Especially as a teen.

And as a teen, I desperately wanted to color my hair. And have multiple ear piercings.

And my nose pierced.

{I still want my nose pierced!!}

But Dad would have none of that.

We weren't allowed to color our hair or wear makeup. And could only have one hole in each ear.

And I could just put that idea of a nose piercing outta my twisted little mind!!

The no makeup I was OK with. But the not coloring my hair & not being able to get at least one more hole in only one ear really bugged me.

Oh, how I had visions of pretty colors woven through my hair. And only one ear pierced.

Several times.

But Dad would have none of that.

So that's why, the minute I turned 16, and graduated high school, I bought a box of hair dye & got my right ear pierced again.

And my left ear pierced.

Four more times!

It was my rebellion against Dad's rules.

And my deep seeded need as a middle child to get noticed.

It was odd for anyone in our tiny two bit town to have multiple ear piercings.

In 1986.

Which leads me to my girls.

I have no problem with them wanting to color their hair. I've even tried to get them to put the red or pink I've put in my hair in theirs.

They would have none of that.

But they did want to color their hair. So I let them.

Unfortunately they don't want to do any bright colors. I had such high hopes for one of my girls to want their hair brightly colored like I did.

**sigh**

Last week, Riley wanted to go very blonde.

She bought the color & I applied it. It's not quite as light as she wanted so she'll have to do it again.

She wanted before & after pics, so here they are...

It's not easy to tell the color sense she insisted on wearing her hair up.

She took this picture. When the sun hits it just right it looks strawberry blonde!

I'm still working on one of them coloring their hair burgundy......

Dance, Savvy, Dance

2009-04-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have some videos of Savvy's dance concert we went to last night. And since the may take a little while to load, I will give those who may not know, a little history of her illustrious dance career.

Savvy has always loved to dance & twirl, so when she decided to take dance class when she got into high school it was no surprise. This is her second year in dance & between that, cheer & tumbling, she has become quite good.

I know. I know. I'm her mother. And all mother's think their kid is the best at whatever they do.

And the prettiest/handsomest kid on earth.

But she does dance really well.

I know, I'm no expert. But compared to the other kids in the dance class, I'd say that girls got rhythm!!

You can see how graceful she is. Have no clue where that comes from.

Hell. I fall up the stairs.

And trip over my own feet.

Really.

No joking.

Anyway. Sit back & enjoy Savvy dance her little heart out..

I video taped only the dances she was in. Not the best quality, but gives you an idea. This first dance was my favorite.

Each dance student choreographs a dance & this one was choreographed by her best friend Ayce. {He's such a sweetheart}

If you look real hard, Savvy is the dancer in the front center. {I can always tell which one is her because she moves with a fluidity (is that a real word???) none of the other dancers seem to have.}

In this one she is 4th from the left

And finally, the last dance. You can clearly see her in the back wearing the zebra print dress after "undressing'. I don't think she was as into this dance as she was the others. She looks just a little bored.

It wasn't my favorite of the evening either....

The one & only guy in the dance {over there on the right} is Savvy's BFF Ayce.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you enjoyed the concert...

{Larger video can be seen here. Don't know why I didn't think of this sooner!!}

Idiot Bus Drivers

2009-04-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

We have a fairly new public bus system in town called The Orbit. It's a free shuttle bus that will pick up/drop off riders in the neighborhood.

It's not such a bad thing. Many kids use it to get to & from school. College students use it to get to & from college. Employees use it to get to & from work.

Except the drivers seem to all be idiots.

I've seen a driver pull away from the stop while some poor sap is running up to the bus, hands waving shouting.

Several times.

I've had no less than 3 drivers pull right in front of me after loading/unloading passengers. The dumb ass just had to wait until I was 5 feet from the bus with no one behind me to pull out.

Idiots.

Then, to make me like the drivers even more, here's what one did the other day while I walked D to school ~

As I've done for several years now, whenever we get to an intersection {even though it is on a side street that is not very busy} I pause to make sure no vehicles are coming. And if they are, we stop to be sure they obey the law & come to a complete stop at the sign to let pedestrians cross.

Most drivers are courteous & obey the law.

Except, several years ago, there one weird school bus driver who stopped to tell me I shouldn't stand at the corner because I could get run over!!

Mind you, the kids & I were standing on the other side of the sidewalk furthest from the street. Wasn't stopping better than walking out into the intersection in front of a moving vehicle???

Maybe it was his way of warning me he might run me over. Because he doesn't know enough to drive on the street & not the sidewalk.

I'm just saying. I don't know.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand.

As we walked to school that one fine morning, an Orbit bus driver was coming up a side street we had to cross. Just as we reached the intersection, so had the bus.

I paused before crossing & thought "a public servant is behind the wheel & will obey all traffic laws."

HA!!

That shithead driver slowed down just a bit, letting me think he was stopping. After all, he had the stop sign. And we were pedestrians.

Just as I was going to step off the sidewalk & cross the street, he continued through the intersection!!!

WTF!!!

I wanted to yell "YOU DUMB ASS!! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO STOP! AT THE STOP SIGN!! AND LET PEDESTRIANS CROSS!!!"

But I didn't. I just told D he was stupid & not a very good driver.

I was unusually calm & composed that day.

I'm now convinced that when the city put the add in the paper for bus drivers, it also said "only idiots need apply."

Question

2009-04-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Are those who "tweet" on Twitter called Twits???

Just Wondering....

2009-04-23T11:49:00.001-07:00

Why don't the shoes ever get in the box?

The box that's right next to them????

I Walk to School

2009-04-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me this morning, after taking Darien to school, that for the past 11 years, I have had at least one child in elementary school. The same elementary school they all went to. And out of those 11 years, I have walked the girls to & from for 8 of them. That's a lot of walking.

Although the route has changed only slightly over the years, we can usually find something along the way to talk about. Since day one, when Savvy started kindergarten, we've walked. {Except for the 3 years I was working.} And it never fails ~ someone {or everyone} will complain about having to walk. But in the end, they forget about being mad and enjoy it.

It's sad to think this might be the last year I'll walk a kid to school.

Today, in hopes of maybe finding something a bit out of the ordinary, I took my camera along.

This is one of the sites in front of our apartment complex ~

It's a clock tower on the public library. I've always thought it look so cool. Very modern.

At the corner, by the sign for the library & Historical Museum are some desert plants. I like how tall the stalk is on this little guy...

In front of that wall behind the plant is a large grassy area. Every morning after the sprinklers go off, there are always birds hanging out there pecking around for some grub. {Get it ~ grub??? Birds eat grubs!! OK. I'm not the most humorous this morning.}

I'm still working on getting clearer shots with the zoom. {And my comedy routine!}

The best part of the walk is this tree lined area. Reminds me, just a little, of the roads around the town I grew up in.

Oh, and look. We did see something just a touch outta place ~

But then again, living in suburbia, finding a shopping cart anywhere other than the grocery store isn't all that odd....

The rest of the walk is pretty boring. Nobody has anything cool, interesting, unusual or otherwise photo worthy in their front yards.

Boring Suburbanites.

I, on the other hand, am not a boring Suburbanite...

At least I like to think so....

There was one house that had a bunch of pretty flowers growing along their side fence ~

Not sure what they are. Bougainvillea maybe?? Don't ask me. I love flowers, but unless it's a dandelion, pansy or daisy, I'm pretty much clueless.

So I sent Darien off to school with a hug & a kiss.

It's so nice she still loves a hug & kiss good by. Even if it's at the cost of {gasp!!} having a friend see.

Unlike Princess Savannah.

Who wishes her mother would walk 10 paces behind her.

Which is precisely why I walk right next to her.

In public.

And slip my arm through hers.

Because it bugs the hell outta her....

Heat, Blue Skies & Attitudes

2009-04-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was HOT. It got up to 97 degrees!!! Today is supposed to be hotter ~ 100! Aahhh, living in Arizona....

It wasn't just hot yesterday, it was beautiful. The sky was clear & magnificently blue. When I went to get the younger 2 from school, I was just in awe at how clear & blue the sky looked.

It gave me an idea.

For a photo.

So....

I wanted to go to the little park next to Darien's school, but they flooded it, that idea was out. I was kinda bummed. I really wanted to get some pictures of the girls. {Savannah has dance rehearsal all week, so she gets out of the photo shoots.}

We got home, piled out of the truck, & headed up to the house.

An idea struck me.

I had a clear shot of the incredible blue sky.

From the parking lot.

So, I plopped down in the middle of the parking lot, made the girls stand in a good spot. {So I could get mostly sky behind them.} And shot away.

The pictures came out so cool.

They look like they were taken against a backdrop.

A man made backdrop.

But it isn't. I can assure you. Those trees are really there. At the apartment complex. Where we live. These are straight out of the camera. My cheap point & shoot camera. No 'tweaking' required.

Darien wasn't as co-operative. No surprise there.

I didn't take too many. Darien was being a punk. Quite obvious from her posture in this picture. Can you feel the attitude oozing from your computer screen???

And my butt was burning.

On the hot pavement of the parking lot.

I got in one more shot though...

OK. Not really! I "stitched" the 2 photos together. Pretty cool, huh?

Oh the joys of photo editing programs....

Games People Play

2009-04-19T11:33:00.001-07:00

Like many families, we like to play games. Sometimes they're computer games, sometimes they're board games. One game we occasionally play we like to call "What if We Won the Lottery".

This is fun, because as the ghouls get older, what they would spend money on or what they would do with it changes.

Just the other day we were playing "What If We Won the Lottery". All 3 ghouls would by new clothes. I told them I would give them only a certain amount, like maybe $1000, to buy all new clothes. Savvy, being the oldest, & {sometimes} wiser, said she would go to Buffalo Exchange {a funky 2nd hand shop on Mill} that way she could get a lot more with her $1000. I'm beginning to think some things are sinking in!

She also said I probably wouldn't buy her a car.

"You'd still make me pay for my own car, wouldn't you?" She wisely asked.

"You betcha!" I replied.

Somethings she has learned to accept.

Now, the other 2 weren't all to sure what they would do, other than buy new clothes.

One thing's for sure that they all agreed on ~

A new house would be on the top of our list.

"If We Won the Lottery"

Of course, it'd help to actually play the lottery!!

Shiny, Sparkling, Spotless Saturday

2009-04-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

Today was our 'Spring' cleaning day. Mostly because the livingroom carpet was full of crumbs {with such a small space, they tend to travel from the kitchen} and itty, bitty paper scraps from Savvy's scrapbooking.

My desk also needed a good scrubbing. I've been very good about keeping the clutter off it ~ there was just a small stack of papers to be filed, but man, oh, man those dust bunnies were huge!! Actually, they were no longer dust bunnies ~ they were dust monsters!!!

So, out came the vacuum & those blasted monsters got annihilated by the hose!!

Now my work space is so much nicer to, well, work at. Sadly, though, those dust bunnies will reproduce {again!} & be bugging me again in the next week or two.

The vicious cycle never ends.

I need a hermetically sealed work area.

In case you are curious, here are some pics of my work space. I didn't think of taking some before pictures.

You wouldn't want to see those anyway.

Those dust monsters were scary!

If you'll notice, living in a small space with 3 girls, requires the use of the large space under the desk to be used for storage. And yes, that is my laptop and the girls PC. I occasionally use both when I'm designing.

This is my "J" wall above the desk. Because, duh! My name starts with a J!! They used to be on my office wall at work. Riley & Darien gave me the one in the upper left frame. I think it might've been for a bookmark, but I like it framed. The rest I made with some leftover scrapbook papers I had.

I know, I know. The frames are crooked. I thought about straightening them. But then thought, Most people would straighten their pictures on the wall. I'm not going to. I'm leaving them crooked. They're supposed to be that way.

Like when I used to cut my own hair.

I meant for the left side to be shorter than the right.

Check this out. It is the best desktop picture ever.

I mean it.

EVER!!

{I'm sure Aunt Randi will agree!!}

2009-04-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Another windy day today. Not quite as windy as yesterday, but cold! Fifty degree mornings are not for me. Thank goodness they are few & far between.

My punk ass Ghouls are still being butt heads about me taking their picture. I've had a ton of hands in front of faces, backs of heads, shirts pulled over heads, you name it, on my camera. Anything except an adorable, lovable face.

Thank goodness for digital!! Delete. Delete. Delete....

So, to improve on my photography skills, I've been taking pics of stuff around the house.

Despite what Sean may think of them, I do have some pretty cool things. Most of them have a history to them. Handed down from generation to generation.

Take this for instance ~

It's steeping in history. If only it's bins could talk. Oh, the stories they could tell! It was in the house I grew up in for ever. I think it might've come from Mom's house when she was a kid. There's even an orange plastic scoop for the flour that's always been with it. And is only for the flour. Not to be used for anything else. Never was, never will be.
The lettering is mostly worn off, but the second bin is for tea. It isn't holding any at the moment. It has birthday candles in it!!
The coffee bin doesn't hold coffee either. I hate coffee. It holds my packets of catchup, soy sauce & hot sauce from fast food restaurants.
And the bins must always be in this order ~ coffee, tea, flour, sugar. Always has been, always will be. As long as it's in my house.
I even added my own bit of history to it. Box tape stuck on the sugar bin. In one of our many moves since Mass. we taped it shut. The tape stuck. And I never tried to remove it. Adds character.

Then there is this gem ~

Unfortunately this is not the original.

The original was from Mom. She got it for like a wedding gift. Or something. I love it. I love vintage do dads. Anyway, Sean & the ghouls have always known that they can't break it. I wasn't sure I'd ever find another to replace it. Then one day

Sean broke it!! I told him he had to rummage the antique shops & hope he finds another. Like that ever happened.

What did was a stroke of luck. Several months later, Mom & I were browsing antique shops for kicks. {Antique shops are almost as fun as thrift stores!} That was when & where we found the above gem. My spoon rest!! This one was slightly different, but I no longer remember what the difference was!! I had my "family heirloom" back! Sort of.

Then I have goodies like this ~

This is my best thrift store find yet. A set of vintage Mikasa china. It's not complete though. I have 8 of everything except the dessert/bread plates. That plus a creamer and 2 cereal bowls. One big, one small. All for only $20.00!!

Have I told you lately how much I love thrift stores??

The pattern is called Mediterrania. In what else but avocado green! It's very hard to find. When I first got them I wrote to Mikasa to ask about them. They told me they are no longer in their catalog {Duh!} but they could tell me they're from the 60's or 70's. {Again, Duh!} They told me to check replacements.com.

So I did. The only thing I found was the dinner plate.

It sold for $27.00.

That was for one plate!!

I'd say I got a great deal.

And my latest {from Mom. Thanks Mom} is just starting to make a history of her own.

Meet Cheese Louise ~

Isn't she cool?? I love funky kitchen gadgets.

Almost as much as I love thrift stores.

Next will be a pictorial of my salt & pepper shakers......

Wicked Windy Wednesday

2009-04-15T13:01:00.001-07:00

Say that 3 times fast!!

Go ahead. I'll wait. Not so easy is it?? But it makes for a fun post title!!

The day didn't start off so windy. Actually, the day started with clear skies. You can tell by this picture of the moon I took about 6:00 this morning. At least that's what time I think it was. Didn't pay much attention to the clock.

It's not all that exciting to look at. It's a moon. In the sky. Pretty simple. Some day I will learn how to take really awesome photos of clouds, sunsets, sunrises & full moons with a point and shoot camera. Some day. Maybe. Or I'll just keep taking dull boring pictures like this here moon pic. Ones were the color isn't quite right. But noone will ever know. Except me. Maybe.

The wind didn't stop Darien & I from walking to school today. It was a brisk, refreshing walk. At least that's what I keep telling myself. All the way there. And all the way home. My butt will thank me for it some day.

Later, I stepped out my front door to try and get some photos of the trees blowin' in the wind. And believe me, the wind it was a blowin'. I didn't quite capture the movement the way I'd hoped.

Although the tree does look blurry. Like it was blowin' in the wind. But that has more to do with the photographer than wind. When you use the zoom on a point n' shoot, your photos come out much better if you use a tripod. I don't have a tripod. And the wind it was a blowin'. A lot. It was very hard to hold the camera steady. Leaning against the building helped some. But didn't stop my hands from shaking a bit each time I pushed the shutter button. But I'm learnin'.

While I was out my front door, trying hard to catch wind in the trees {isn't that the name of Pocahontas' friend??} this little sparrow was flitting about on the roof above me. I tried getting a photo of that too. Flitty little bugger kept moving. Every time I'd get it in the frame & the camera focused, off it flew. Or hopped. It finally sat long enough for me to snap it's picture. But I was using my zoom. 'Cause God forbid it help me out some & land near by. So it's blurry.

See how that little bugger was lookin' at me?? Saying to himself "I guess I'll give the human a break & stand here for her. Way over here. So when she uses the zoom on her cheep {get it!! Cheep!!!} point & shoot camera it'll be blurry. Because she doesn' t have a tripod. Or have a clue how to take a good picture using her zoom."

Bugger.

Cali

2009-04-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

We used to have a cat. She was an adorable little thing. Sean found her. Alone. At the disc golf park. So he did what he always does when he finds a stray. He brought her home.

For a while we couldn't think of a name for her, so she was Kitty. Then Savvy, who was obsessed with California at the time, decided to call her Cali. And it stuck.

Here is teeny, tiny Cali when we first got her. Around June of last year.

Isn't she adorable? She was so tiny, she practically fit in the palm of your hand!

Savvy's bed & the bean bag became comfy spots for her to rest.

When the girls would leave her the heck alone!!

Her favorite thing to do {besides sleep on the kitchen tile in the sun} was to try to get the gerbils. She would go back again & again to stare at them, then try to get them. She never had much luck with that!

See that little house to her left? The one that says The Three Little Pigs on the roof? That's a book. I think maybe Cali had been reading it. And was trying to huff & puff & blow the gerbil's house down. Because after a while she looked like this ~

She wore herself out trying to get those little rodents!!

Sadly, we were unable to keep our little Cali. The apartment complex we live at found out & we would've had to pay like a $300 pet deposit. We didn't have that kind of money. As much as we loved having her. And believe me, my girls are pet lovers & were not happy we had to find her a new home.

Lucky for me, {and Cali} I have a wonderful Mom who is a cat lover. She said she would take her. Cali would be happy at Grandmas. She had 3 other cats to play with. And we had visiting rights. Anytime we went to visit Mom, we could visit Cali. If she would ever come out of hiding. It took her a while to adjust to her new home. But now she has. So much so, she is now one big, fat, huge cat.

If I didn't know any better, I'd almost think she was a different cat!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

2009-04-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

Rainy Day & Mis-Behaving Children

2009-04-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

Last night Savvy & Riley decided they would get up in the middle of the night & play around. I woke up about 2:30 when I saw the kitchen light on & heard giggling.

They tried to tell me they got up early.

Right. They never went to bed. They waited until I was asleep then went out to the living room.

To create mayhem.

I sent them {back} to bed.

Had to yell at them 2 more times.

Then they finally quieted down.

About 4 AM.

I was tempted to rattle pots in their room about 7 to rouse them from their beds.

But I didn't. They got lucky.

I did, however, yell for them to get their lazy arsses outta bed at 9.

Then this morning, my camera wasn't on the desk like usual. They had it in their room.

And look at what I found on it ~

Even though I was not happy they were up all night goofing around, I must say, I'm very impresses with her jumps!! She caught some serious height there!! Guess it shows she's a cheerleader!! LOL

Apparently Riley was pretending to be Spiderman {woman? Girl?} Again, not happy she was up on the cabinets & goofing around at all hours of the night {morning}. But kinda cool shot. And she caught some good height, too!

We were going to go to the park. But it was raining this morning. Which is rare here in the desert. The sun did come out, but the park is still soggy. So we stayed home.

I wanted to get some rain pictures. So took a walk to the mail room & took some pics along the way.

It was sprinkling & I tried to get the raindrops in the puddle. Didn't quite work. But, hey, I got a cool shot of the reflections in it!

Some plant at the bottom of the stairs. I liked how I was able to get the rain drops on the leaves.

A close up of the rain dropped leaves. {I know, rain dropped is not grammatically correct. But I like how it sounds.}

Some flowers by the office. See the rain drops on the purple flowers to the left? I like rain drops on flowers. And bright green leaves.

When I got back to the house, I found this outside the door.

Kinda gross.

Especially since it's from a pigeon. Dirty birds.

But it made a cool pic.

See the bubbles in the puddle to the bottom left?

And the one towards the top left?

And the ripples around the {Gross. Gag. Barf.} broken egg shell?

I'm pretty proud of these pictures.

I'll give you my photo tip of the day:

One thing I've learned is NEVER use the flash. It can ruin a good shot. Use natural light as much as possible.

Now if I can only get my 3 Ghouls to cooperate for pictures.....

Grease is the Word

2009-04-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

Why is it that no matter how many times you watch Grease, it never gets old? Even though we do??

VH1 has had it playing the past few days. Riley loves Grease!! She watched it the other night & is watching it again today.

Her favorite part is when Frankie Valli sings Beauty School Dropout. She loves the parts where he sings ~

Beauty school dropout,
No graduation day for you.
Beauty school dropout,
Missed your midterms and flunked shampoo!

And

Well they couldn't teach you anything,
You think you're such a looker,
But no customer would go to you unless she was a hooker!

She & Savannah also love to sing 'We Go Together'.

Still, after 20 some odd years, I have no idea what they're saying besides "we'll always be together".

The girls have the gibberish down pat!

I guess I could always look up the lyrics.

If I really cared to know them.

So far no one has begun dancing in the livingroom!!

Then I did a little Q&A ~

Pretty much knowing the answer {Rizzo}, I asked Savvy if they did Grease for the school musical, who would she like to play.

I was right. She said Rizzo!

Riley on the other hand, does not want to be in any school musical....

Cup Cake

2009-04-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have gotten the email about how to make a cup cake. Rileys been dieing {is that spelled right? Spell check said it is. But it looks weird.} to make it. So last night we gave it a shot.

Not bad. Needed the sweetness of frosting or ice cream though.

That's a vintage 1970's plate. From the thrift store. For pennies. I love vintage china. From the thrift store. For pennies.

Next time we make the cup cake, I'd do a few things differently. First, I'd spray a shot of cooking spray on the bottom of the cup. Ours stuck to the bottom a bit. Second, I would mix it in a separate bowl. Then pour into the cup. It's kinda hard to mix it really well in the cup. And third. Well, there is no third!! Except maybe to add frosting or ice cream. But you already know that. 'Cause I told you that above the pictures.

If you missed the recipe. Or the email got lost, strayed, or stolen, here it is again ~

4 Tbs flour
4Tbs sugar
2 Tbs cocoa
1 egg
3 Tabs milk
3 Tabs oil
3 Tabs chocolate chips {optional}
small splash of vanilla extract
1 lg coffee cup

Add dry ingredients to mug; mix well. {or if you're me, mix in separate bowl & give the bottom, & only the bottom, of the mug a shot of cooking spray}
Add the egg & mix well. Pour in milk & oil; mix until well blended. Add chocolate chips (if using) & vanilla; mix well.

If you mixed in a bowl, now is a good time to pour it into the mug!!

Place mug in microwave & cook for 3 minutes on high. Cake will rise above the top.

This is OK.

Don't freak out.

Better yet, for three minutes run on the tread mill. Or pump iron. Or take a brisk walk around the house. Burn off some of the calories you'll be putting back on after eating the cup cake!!

When cake is done, remove from microwave {otherwise it's going to be very hard to get to it to eat!!!} Let cool for a bit. Tip out on a plate. Add ice cream or frosting if you like it sweeter.

If you're feeling generous, share with a friend.

Or loved one.

Or pig out & eat the whole thing by yourself!!

Then hit the treadmill. Or take a brisk walk around the block.

Or plop on the couch with a good show & enjoy the pleasures of a chocolate cup cake!!

Kids Say the Darndest Things ~ Pt4

2009-04-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Darien came home from school and told me her chest hurt, so her teacher sent her to the nurse.

D: Mom, I went to the nurse today 'cause my chest hurt.

J: And?...

D: She had me drink a glass of water & gave me a peppermint {the schools cure for everything that ails a grade schooler}. She said I have 'gasses reflex'. The peppermint really helped.

It's the Easter Beagle

2009-04-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

Last night Riley, Darien & I watched It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. I haven't watched it in years!!

We figured out Savvy is Lucy. She strikes out in a ball game. But it's not her fault. It was a defective ball. Or a bat that was too light. It's been like that since day one. It's never her fault.

Darien, quite obviously, is Linus. She doesn't carry a blanket around. She does, however, always have one when she's watching TV. And that dang thumb is constantly in her mouth. {The Gods are punishing me!!}

We couldn't figure out who Riley would be. I'm thinking Schroeder. She's artistic. And a thinker.

I think I'm Sally. Laid back. Stubborn. Yet good at heart.

Sean?? Maybe Snoopy. Sometimes thinks he's Joe Cool. Fun. But serious when he needs to be.

Want to know what Peanuts character you are?? Take this fun quiz & find out!!

Which Peanuts Character Are You?

PS
Turns out Riley is Schroeder, Darien is Linus & Savvy, it turns out, is Woodstock. {which she is w/ a little Lucy thrown in!} Turns out, I'm Marcy!! LOL

HOT! HOT! HOT!

2009-04-07T16:36:00.000-07:00

The beginning of April & it's already in the 90's. Today it was 91!! We're gearing up for a very hot summer.

But then, when is it not a very hot summer in Arizona???

Sean & I were watching the news last night & they were reporting on the weather here & on the east coast. In the 30's there!! So glad I moved. LOL I went through a whole winter & wore my jeans only a couple of times!!

Did I mention how much I love Arizona??

Have I mentioned how I soooo glad I moved from Massachusetts?

Not much else happening today. Savvy is at school tonight helping with the set up for the Beginning & Intermediate dance concert. Darien is doing homework & Riley is in her room. Pouting. Because I {gasp!!} asked her to put a pot of water on the stove for spaghetti.

What a horrible mother I am right now.

She'll get over it.

Someday she will thank me for it.

When she has her own apartment.

And gets hungry.

And wants spaghetti for dinner....

Lookin' Out My back Door

2009-04-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

Today is absolutely gorgeous!! It was a warm 52 degrees & windy this morning when I took the girls to school. The sky was a beautiful blue. When I walked home from taking Darien to school, I was walking into the wind. It had picked up some, and I felt like I was getting a hard workout!! LOL

The clouds were wispy white against the clear blue sky. I just had to take a picture. I had Darien {reluctantly} pose for me. Although you can barely see her face, I love the way her silhouette looks against the sky & clouds.

If she had worn her hair down, it would've looked cool blowing in the wind. But, hey, I got her to pose. That was a huge accomplishment!!

I was inspired to take more pictures. And improve on my photography skills.

Across the street, the Public Library had it's flags waving. I love how this picture came out. I did some photo manipulation just to brighten up the colors of the flags a bit.

That blue sky looks so awesome!!

I took a few more photos from my back deck.

A palm tree

And a pine branch that hangs over the back deck

I pretty much like the color of the sky. The palm & pine trees aren't anything that special. But a solid blue picture of sky would be very boring to look at. The wind blew away all the clouds by the time I got home. :(

We get some shade from that pine tree. But we also get a lot of this outside my front door on windy days

And some of this

And a bit of this on the back deck

The pots Savvy painted. They look cool. She had plants in them. In her room. Until she killed them. Poor flowers. They are all dried up & brown.

They asked me to not take their picture.

They were embarrassed.....

Kids Say the Darndest Things ~ Pt3

2009-04-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

Savannah has always had problems with cleaning up. I'm convinced it's hereditary. From her father. They both leave a trail around the house. There's usually no guessing where they've been.

When Savvy was about 4, I was getting after her to clean up her toys. After probably 3 times of going back to her room & telling her to clean, I was getting nowhere. So I told her if the toys aren't cleaned up by the time the timer goes off {in 10 mins} I am packing up all her toys & giving them to charity. Her reply:

"But what if Charity doesn't want them?"

At the time we had a neighbor her age. Her name was Charity!!

Cell Phones Make You Lazy

2009-04-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, when I was a kid, there were no cell phones. We had party lines. {Both these concepts are hard for my kids to understand.} When we went out to play, Mom would stand on the front porch & yell for us to come in.

Now, when my kids go out to play, I tell them to bring their phones. When I want them to come in, I call them. On their cell phone. No yelling in our neighborhood. It's not such a bad thing.

When we were kids, upstairs in our rooms, Mom would stand at the bottom of the stairs & yell up for us.

Now, we live in a 1000 SF, 2 bedroom apartment. If I'm in the livingroom & a kid is in the bedroom, I call her. On her cell phone. To come to the livingroom. Just this morning, Savvy was in her room & I was at the computer. She called me. On the phone. To come to her room. Cell phones have made us lazy.

I could sit in the living room & yell for a kid in the bedroom.

They'd hear me.

My neighbors would hear me.

But there is no yelling in our neighborhood.

I think I need to start standing in the front of the house & yelling for kids.

Then again, maybe not....

I Have Nothing to Say Today

2009-04-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

I know. It's hard to believe. Me. With nothing to say. Prolly 'cause today was a pretty boring day.

Savvy & Riley went to friend's houses after school, so it's just Darien, Sean & I. Darien is loving it. No sisters. Yeah!!!

I want to take pictures of her.

I don't have enough.

She's not cooperating.

Much like her grandmother....

Punk :-P

Stinky Little Sisters

2009-04-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

While I'm waiting for my web program to re-boot & shape up so I can finish my work, I thought I'd tell you a bit about my Stinky Little Sister. You might have read my tiny mention of her here & her comment.

I don't remember a whole lot from when I was a toddler. {Hell, I don't always remember crap from yesterday!!} but I do remember the night Mom brought home a Stinky Little Sister.

It seemed like all we ever heard was how Mom wanted 6 boys. {I used to think she was nuts. But now that I have 3 girls, I think she might've been on to something there.} And how those boys were going to be named Mitchell James, Mikel {'cause she & Dad didn't know how to spell Michael!!} John, and Mark Joseph. What the other 3 were going to be named, she never said. Will have to ask her about that. Anyway, when I was 2, she had Mikel. I don't remember his homecoming, but I liked him well enough. I was after all only 2 & he was just a baby who ate & slept all the time.

Then Mom got pregnant, again, with baby #5. This one was going to be another baby brother for us. Mitchell James. I couldn't wait.

The time finally came for Mom to go to the hospital to have Mitchell James. To bring him home. For me to play with. I remember that night in December when my Stinky Little Sister came home instead. We had the Christmas tree up & lit & Christmas lights in the windows. When Mom came in the door, I was sitting at the kitchen table refusing to eat my {very cold} peas. {You'll be happy to know, Mom, now I rather like eating peas!}
She called me & my 2 older sisters over to meet our new baby sister.

WHAT??? No way!! She was supposed to bring home Mitchell James. NOT another Stinky Sister!!!

I was not happy.

I refused to accept my new Stinky Little Sister. I called her Mitchell James. I would even tell Mom things like "Mitchell James threw his bottle out of the playpen!!"

I don't know how long I called her Mitchell James & insisted I had another little brother, but I eventually got over it.

That does not mean, however, she didn't get tortured on a daily basis.

Which brings me to the red plaid sneakers. {Took me long enough to get here!!}
I've always wanted a pair of red plaid sneaks. Like Keds or Chuck Taylors. {Except back then I didn't know the brand names.} I never got those red plaid sneakers. Still don't have them. But my Stinky Little Sister got them. When she was maybe 2 or 3. That really pi**ed me off!! Not only did I have to put up with a Stinky Little Sister, but also the fact she got my shoes!!!

And she wonders why I tortured her so much.

Punk.

Stinky Little Sister.

And I don't know what happened to the other red plaid sneaker.

I never had it.

You can't prove anything.

PS ~ You'll be happy to know I eventually got over not getting another little brother. And my Stinky Little Sister & I are now the best of friends.

Are You Organized?

2009-04-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

I know my Mom isn't. I also know I am. That's why she enlisted my help with her sewing rooms. Yes. Rooms. She has 2. And they're still not big enough for all her material!! I went over yesterday to give her a hand. Here is what one room looked like before organizing ~

She had most of the bags & boxes cleaned up & material folded to fit the shelves ahead of time. That helped cut down on time. But what she didn't have organized, at all, was her boat load of bias binding, seam tapes & piping. She really needed my help with that. And she really needs to stop buying it! Here are 2 drawers of her stash I organized. The rest were put in plastic shoe boxes to be filed under the cabinets.

She found it tedious to organize them according to color & size. Isn't that how everyone organizes??? Now that room & closet up there. We tackled that as well. Material was stacked on the shelves. According to color. That was pretty easy. Mom had it all separated in boxes & neatly folded to fit on the shelves. Here is how I shelved it ~

Since she is leaving the closet doors off, I think it looks so much nicer with all the same colored materials together. Next visit is to finish up the 1/2 dozen boxes left in this first room. Then it's on to tackle this closet ~

AAAKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!

It's April Fool's Day!!

2009-04-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

But the previous post is not a joke.

There really was a huge teddy bear at the bus stop. {As soon as I dropped Darien off & got back to the apartment, I ran (OK, I don't run. But I did walk as fast as my freakishly short legs would go!) upstairs, grabbed my camera & walked down the street to take the pictures. For your viewing pleasure.

And Riley really did draw those pictures. I saw. With my own 2 eyes. Well, out of the corner of one eye. I was really into watching Chuck....

How Funny Are These???

2009-04-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

I saw this taking Darien to school this morning ~

A bear waiting for the City bus. Who knows why it was there, but I found it pretty darn funny. And what the heck is that on it's leg??? Green pee??? Vomit?? Melted slushy??? I'll let you use your imagination....

Check this out. Riley drew these Monday night

Ain't they just so dang cute?? Having tea & crumpets on the patio. {I have no clue what they're eating. Riley didn't tell me. I made it all up. So that's my story & I'm sticking to it. For now.} They're walking their precious little dog in the park. Shopping together at the Mall. Sitting quietly in the classroom, soaking up all that knowledge. And how sweet, they're flying a kite, taking a stroll together. Riley is such a sweet girl.

Then she draws this ~

Bad Stick Figures???!!! They're streaking in the park. {That's her version of blurring the private parts!} Robbing a store at Mall. Duct taping the teacher to the wall & spitting spit balls {but only if & when they actually go to school!!} And the best ~ getting drunk at the bar!! The bartender looks awfully happy to serve them! I'm not sure if the guy by the car got hit or fell out 'cause he was so inebriated. I'll have to ask the artist.

I'm not sure if I should be worried.

It is after all reality.

She is after all one of my babies....

Kids Say the Darndest Things ~ Pt2

2009-03-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

When the girls were toddlers, I used to sew most of their outfits & dresses. I had a sewing area set up in the livingroom of the house we rented, and spent quite a bit of time in that corner sewing.

One day when Riley was about 3, I was walking from the kitchen to the livingroom. She stops me and asks ~

Can you fix my dress on your sewing-a-seam?

It took her about 6 months to say it right!!

Outfit not made on my sewing-a-seam!

17 Years Ago

2009-03-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

Since I did a 'Then & Now' of the girls, I thought it only fair to do one with Sean & I. We haven't changed much in 17 years. Just your typical weight gain {both} & gray hairs {Sean}. It'll be a long time until I know when I'm going gray!!! {Thank you Miss Clairol!!}

I wanted pictures of us when we were 2, like the girls, but I didn't have one of Sean. I did, however have one of me.

If I don't say so myself, I was pretty darn cute!! And that was my most favorite jumper. I probably wore it just about everyday. I was not happy when I got too big for it & had to give it to my stinky little sister.

I was also not happy when Mom came home from the hospital with her.

She ruined everything.

But that's a whole nother story....

These Girls, They Are a Changin'

2009-03-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Feeling nostalgic today....

She stills mugs for the camera. But only if I'm not holding it!!

OMG!!! Those eyes. Need I say more??

She used to like me taking her picture.
Now she acts like her Grandma.

I'm So Bad

2009-03-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday night, Savannah did laundry, Riley & Darien watched TV, Sean watched {his monster} TV in the bedroom, & I was messing on the computer. Whatever the girls were watching, donuts were mentioned, and shown. Donuts are a treat around here & we hadn't had any in a long time. And the ones on TV looked so yummy.

So I whispered to Riley;

"Go tell Daddy you want donuts for breakfast."

She was happy to oblige. She ran into the bedroom & 30 seconds later comes out;

"Daddy said 'No'."

Bummer. That didn't work. But I persist.

About 30 minutes later, Savvy comes up from the laundry room & I whisper to her;

"Go tell Daddy you want donuts for breakfast."

She happily obliged.

30 seconds later she comes out of the bedroom;

"Dad said 'No'."

Darn.

But I refuse to give up.

Last night Riley & I were watching 'Castle' on the computer & Darien was in the bedroom watching {the monster} TV with Sean. I didn't get to her on Thursday night to beg for donuts. This was my last chance.

She came out to the kitchen for a cup of water & I told her to tell Daddy she wants donuts for breakfast. But being the youngest & not always catching onto the game, I had to tell her "DO NOT say I told you to ask for donuts!"

30 seconds later she comes into the livingroom & says;

"Daddy says dohnuts kinda sound good."

I'm breaking him!! He, he, he.

He then comes out of the bedroom about 20 minutes later saying, "Now I want a dohnut!"

Ah!! I've broken him!! Maybe they'll be donuts for breakfast.

Guess what was on the kitchen table this morning???!!!

Now, this isn't the actual box of donuts we had. Riley & Darien had already grabbed a donut from it, so it wouldn't make a pretty picture. {Thank you Google!!} Plus, I couldn't very well take a picture of it without Sean asking why. Then I'd have to tell him I was Blogging about it. Then he'd ask why the heck I'd do that. Then I'd have to tell him this story. And he'd know I masterminded the whole thing. So I could get a donut.

Good thing he's never on the computer.

And won't be reading this......

Reality. Or Living With 3 Girls

2009-03-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

I remember, years ago, when the girls were toddlers, many people would tell me I was so lucky to have 3 girls. I thought Yeah, I am. They have the most adorable clothes & shoes, and I can 'do up' their hair.

You can't do that with a boy.

And I remember mother's of boys telling me I was lucky because boys are so loud. And always into things. And difficult to potty train. Worst, they were messy & smelly.

Why do parents think that's only boys?? Come to my house any day after school & tell me my sweet little girls are quiet. Yeah, right.

Potty training??? When I first started potty training, Darien refused to use the potty if I told her to. I would get her up in the morning, tell her she need to go on the potty. Put her in there & nothing. Throughout the day {every 1/2 hr to hr, so there would be no "accidents"} I would put her on the potty. And throughout the day ~ nothing. My stubborn youngest would hold it ALL DAY until I got busy cooking dinner, then the flood gates would open. Yeah, girls are so much easier to potty train.

And who says girls do not smell??? Believe me you do not want to be in the house when Savannah or Darien take their shoes off after a day of wearing them. Gasp. Gag. Choke.

Savannah's occasionally stink even though she's wearing flip flops!!!

{Don't tell her I told you. She gets mad about things like that. 'Cause she's 15 1/2. And she thinks I'm a dork. Which I am. Sometimes.}

And let's not even get into 'boys are messier than girls'. Have 3 girls share 1 bathroom then tell me who is messier. Take a look. Does this look like girls are neat? And they tell me "this is clean!"

The counter isn't so bad. They did after all "clean up". It's nice they left the broom in there. It's also pretty obvious they haven't used it. I'm constantly telling them "When you get out of the shower, you're going to your room. Take your clothes with you!!" Want to hear the excuse?? "I can't hold on my towel and pick up my clothes." What?? Are you now handicapped???

All the towels on the floor are a mystery. And will remain a mystery. They belong to Noone. Noone has used them. Noone knows how they got on the floor.

I'm still looking for Noone.

If anyone has seen Noone, will you please tell me.

He/she has some towels in the girls bathroom they need to take care of.....

Dinner & a Movie

2009-03-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well, not quite. But I'm not very good at coming up with titles & today's ramblings do have to do with dinner & a TV.

We love baked pasta & I usually make it a couple times a month. It was "that time of the month" again {no, not that time of the month, baked pasta time!! Come on folks.} & I wanted to do something other than cook up a huge dish of it. So, as I was sitting around yesterday, {remember, I'm unemployed right now} I glanced over at the china cabinet & remembered these ~

I love these little colorful flower bowls. They can be found in thrift stores for pennies. I love thrift store finds. For pennies. Anyway, I thought it'd be fun to make the girls individual pasta bowls and use our pretty colorful flower bowls. So I set to work in my little, not at all gourmet kitchen {my kitchen sounds like me!! LOL} to whip up a batch of pasta bowls. I toiled & toiled for hours & hours to make the perfect dinner for my family. Ok. Not really. Baked pasta takes next to no time to make. And is not at all difficult. After the bowls were done, the garlic bread toasty {now if I was a gourmet cook, the garlic bread would've been made from scratch. Thank you Pepperidge Farms!} I couldn't just set a bowl on the table. That's not very Martha like. Not that I want to be like Martha. Remember, I'm not gourmet. But the bowls just look so sad & lonely, alone on the table. With no one. And nobody. So I did this ~

This is my idea of serving dinner al la Martha. They really needed to be on smaller plates, but I didn't have any that were plain white. And I wanted to "show off" the wonderful colors of the bowls. {Said in my proper Martha voice.}

Enough with the Martha already. Ok?

Now on to the TV section of the post. As I was in the {non-gourmet} kitchen whipping up my spectacular dinner, I hear Darien saying the TV in the livingroom is smaller than the one in our bedroom. I wondered what in tarnation she's talking about, since the TV in the bedroom is a 20" TV & the one in the living room is a 27". Clearly making the livingroom TV the bigger one. So I popped the bowls under the broiler & went to see what was going on. I see Sean measuring the living room TV then walk back to the bedroom. I thought for a minute he lost it. Can he not see that our bedroom TV is most definitely SMALLER than the livingroom TV??? Did he really need to measure them??? Was he loosing his mind??? I walked into the bedroom to see what was going on & yes, he lost his mind!! Here's why ~

I now get to wake up every morning, sit up in bed & see this monster. Now, don't get me wrong. I have no problem with a TV in our room. Many nights the girls & I want to watch one thing & Sean wants to watch another. This solves that issue. But unless you have a big bedroom & an armoire to put it in {the TV not the room!!}, a large TV just doesn't work for me.
We've had a TV in our bedroom since the girls were little. Starting out with a 12", then someone gave us a 14", then we got another TV from someone {Jane, I think} & the 20" from the livingroom went in the bedroom. Now, because Sean has a friend who just happened to have an extra TV, we now have a 27" TV in our room. And the worst of it is, because it's so big & NOT a flat screen, my dresser now sticks out from the wall 6"!!! I hate it when my furniture sticks out from the wall. I hate big TVs in my bedroom. So if any of you have a huge TV you were thinking of getting rid of DO NOT ASK SEAN IF HE WANTS IT!! "Cause he will take it. And put it in our room. And make my dresser stick out 20". I hate it when my dresser sticks out from the wall.....

By the way, the pasta was delicious. And I know you're looking in the reflection of the TV to see how messy my bed is! I would be too. But stop it. My bed is messy.....

I WANT!!! I WANT!!! I WANT!!!

2009-03-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

Mom just sent me an email with a picture of....

wait for it......

wait for it....

this ~

I love this color green, which ironically Birkenstock calls "Peridot Green", and is my birthstone. I love my Birks. My feet love my Birks. My back love my Birks. My kids hate my Birks. Well, Savannah does. She is after all 15 1/2 & thinks her mother is a dork. Which I am. Sometimes.

I wrote Mom back & told her that although she told us {constantly} when we were young no 'I wants'....

I WANT!!! I WANT!!! I WANT!!!

Weird, True & Freaky

2009-03-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

I've been walking Darien to school lately. I should. I have no job. And could really use the exercise. This morning, like I do every morning, I left her at the sidewalk in front of the school, turned on my MP3 player, & turned around to walk back home. A man walking his dog nearly ran into me. He stopped, looked at me, stammers then says to me; "I thought you were a student." Now, I've always had people think I looked younger than I really am, but never that young!! LOL I think what threw him off is I'm the height of the average 4th or 5th grader!!!
Speaking of height, & measurements. Here is some info about our little family you may not know. Riley & I always joke that she has freakishly long arms & legs & I have freakishly short arms & legs. So we pulled out the tape measure last night & here are the weird, true & freaky facts about us ~

*Riley's arms, from shoulder to tip of her middle finger are 1/2" longer than my legs!
*Sean's arms are 1/2" longer than Riley's
*Riley's legs are 1" longer than mine
*Riley is now 1 1/2" taller than I am {she's 5' tall}
*Savannah is now is now 4 1/2" taller than me {she's 5' 3"}
*Darien right now is 1 1/2" shorter than me

At this point I gave up measuring. I don't need a tape measure to prove how freakishly short I am....

Kids Say the Darndest Things ~ Pt1

2009-03-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

Savannah got a ride home from school today & when she walked in the house I was watching Jon & Kate Plus 8. After making a pit stop to the bathroom, she sits down next to me on the couch & we have the following conversation ~

S: Why is Kate in a wedding dress?

J: She & Jon are taking the kids to Hawaii where they are going to renew their wedding vows.

S: Oh. **Pause** Why? Do they run out????

Riley Had a Baby!!

2009-03-23T09:15:00.001-07:00

Meet Will, Riley's baby ~

OK. So, he's not a real baby. She is after all only 12 years old!! He's a "Real Life Baby". For Home Ec {which, by the way is no longer called Home Economics. I forget what the new PC name is} the kids get to take a baby home for the weekend to experience what it's like to care for an infant. All Will did was sleep, eat, and need an occasional diaper change. {By the way, in the above pic, Will is "sleeping". It's kinda creepy 'cause his eyes didn't close} The hardest part for her was waking up every 2-3 hours during the night to feed him. Here she is Sunday morning about 9:30-10:00. She looks pretty exhausted.

I told her it'd be more realistic if the babies pooped & spit up. You really haven't experienced infant care until you've changed a stinky diaper & had spit up on your shoulder!

Here she's changing Will's "soiled" diaper. If you look closely, you can see the pink wrist band she's wearing. This is a chip that identifies her as the "mother". Whenever Will cries she has to rub the chip on her wrist band over his sensor, then "feed" him. Which means she just has to hold the bottle against his lips. Again, the bottle nipple & his lips have a sensor so you know he's suckling.

By Sunday morning, she was bored with Will......

For Your Listening Pleasure...

2009-03-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

or to drive you mad, I've added the Steelers Wheel song "Stuck in the Middle with You" to my media player over in the sidebar. It's a catchy song. It'll stick in your head ALL DAY LONG!!! You can thank me later for that ;p
mmwhhaaaa {that's my evil laugh}
Or you can just turn it off. I'll never know.

Darien's New Glasses

2009-03-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

For the past few months Darien has been complaining of not being able to see the board when her teacher writes on it. I kinda chalked it up to the youngest needing more attention. When they did the annual sight & hearing tests @ her school, they recommended she see an optometrist. So I took her to a very nice doctor, Dr. Pearson, just down the road. Turns out her left eye is perfect, but she is nearsighted in the right. So lenses were ordered. She looks even more like my side of the family now!!