CA Girl

OMG!!! OMG:  What a morning!  I got up like normal.  Got dressed like normal.  And I woke up the kids like normal.  Then while waking up Kristin, Ryan came in the room all smiles and something behind his back.  Rewind to the night before when I had sent Rich to the store to buy milk.  He bought me a dark chocolate Hershey's bar.  I set it on my table.  Fast forward.  Ryan smiles at me and says, "I have some chocolate for you."  It is then I notice the chocolate around his mouth.  "You ate my candy bar?"  Ryan proudly answered back, "No, just half." OMG:  Ryan had chocolate evidence all over his hands so I helped him wash it off.  No towel in the bathroom.  I bent down to find a towel under the sink and then that is when I smelled it.  Stinky poo.  No he wasn't poopy--thank heaven!  But he hasn't quite mastered wiping yet.  Yeah that was fun. OMG:  I went shopping at Wally for mos...

For some curious reason, every year around this time, Harry Potter movies are played along with other holiday movies.  Why?  Well, as Rich would tell you, since Christmas is depicted in each movie, it stands to reason that they would each be a Christmas movie. Movie One:  Shows Hagrid bringing a tree to be decorated in the grand hall of Hogwarts.  We see Harry delight in receiving his first ever, real Christmas presents.  Hermione even wishes them a "Happy Christmas."  On and on in each movie Christmas is depicted in one form or another.  Each movie spans a year of time, so naturally Christmas will show up.  So what am I babbling about anyway???  I finally got to see it!!!  Yeah that one.  Up there!!  **squeal!**  Sadly we didn't get to see it in IMAX.  But we so totally could have!  How?  Welllll See I am a bit of a scatter brain.  I heard the guy say HP on the left.  Forget that this theatre...

It is alphabe-Thursday with Jenny and today's letter is:  K As I pondered this letter, I wondered what in the world I could write about.  Then it came to me.  "Knowledge."  Knowledge is one of those tricky words that start with one letter and uses the letter next it for its sound.  How do we know that?  Because we have that knowledge.  Knowledge is a powerful thing.  It is ours to keep and it is the one thing we can continue to grow and grow.  We won't be taking our money, or our possessions with us after this life.  However, our knowledge is ours to keep forever.  And I am of the belief that we will continue to gain knowledge well beyond this life.  We only know a tiny speck of information. When my girls were little, I used to tell them I knew everything.  Because let's face it, in the mind of a 3 and 6 year old, you have unlimited knowledge and you do in fact have all the answers.  That is only because at 3 an...

It's back to school with Alphabe-Thursday over at Jenny's place.  And today the letter is J.  J just so happens to be the letter of the week in Ryan's class.  J is his middle initial and mine.  Hey, and J is my dad's middle initial too!  And I have a nephew named Jason.  Ryan has a book about the letter J.  It goes like this: The Jeep has wheels. The Jet has wings. The Jacket has pockets. The jungle has animals. The jar has jellybeans.  How many? Each page has a picture to go with it.  He rarely colors them, but he does circle the letter as I am sure he is instructed to do.  Another thing that starts with J is jewelry.  No reason.  Just thought I'd throw that out there! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And now back to two truths and a lie!  Do you remember what mine were?  It was two weeks ago.  I said:  I will not put cranberry sauce on my turkey.  Candied yams ar...

What better way to participate in Alphabe-Thursday than to talk about "I."   ********************************************* When we moved from VA to CA in 2007, we took a huge road trip in the process.  It was long and at times grueling.  Let's face it, after all while McDonald's, Jack in the Box and Wendy's all taste the same.  On this journey we went to Ohio, where I got to see my BFFL.  I had not seen her in 20 years.  It was wonderful.  We also visited family all along the way.  One stop was in Alabama, where we visited Rich's aunt.  But for Wyoming...nope...I have never even passed through. 1.  My favorite Thanksgiving dish is yams 2.  I will not eat cranberries 3.  I always gorge myself on the rolls. Gooble Gobble!!! Powered by Linky Tools Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Headaches are mean. Headaches are cruel. Especially when headaches are MIGRAINES! A headache is one thing, but these migraines are deadly on some days.  I am sure this last one was out to get me.  Despite the headache of death, I went to the Super Wally.  Super Wally is about 10 or 12 miles...maybe more...from home.   I went to Super Wally because I thought that would help.  Speaking of headaches....my van is doing something weird.  I thought it was the shocks, my mom said it might the bushings the mechanic I spoke with on the phone thinks the car is too young and not enough mileage for that.  Though he couldn't make a diagnosis over the phone.  For that, I have to bring the car in and pay $45. Headaches come in all forms! ********************************************************* I am what I like to call...Heinz 57 since I am so full of variety.   My husband enjoys teasing me that I have messed up his perfect bloodline...

Just like the Energizer Bunny, it seems I keep going and going and going.  Let's take a look at my week so far, shall we?  Monday was an easier day:  Physical Therapy, home, shower, pick up Ryan from school, lunch, pick up the girls from school.  Then to the store to pick up some things for dinner.  See, an easy day. Tuesday was Weight Watchers, doctor appointment, pick up the boy, lunch, Walmart, post office, pick up the girls from school.  I was gone almost the whole time the kids were at school here. Wednesday was physical therapy, shower, pick up the boy, lunch at my moms.  Pick up the girls.  Zumba!!! Each day includes the usual, homework, dinner and dishes and trying to fit in laundry and other chores.  It isn't any wonder after all my going that when I get a day where I don't have to go at all that I choose to sit.  So here I sit.  Ooops, I have to go...take a shower!  I guess I am still going after all. H...

When my mom first moved to this area in October of 1994 it was a very different and small town.  There were 3 street lights.  The new McDonald's was like super big news.  It has grown from about 30 thousand to over one hundred thousand.   There is a beautiful greenbelt that winds throughout our neighborhood and we both are backed up to it at different places.   My mom's first winter here, was an unusually wet one.  Her back yard was literally a pond.  There is a picture of her holding a ruler to show the depth of the water.  The water reached up to her patio door.  But what does that have to do with frogs?  Well, I am so glad you asked!  See this was before all those great calling plans came about, and cell phones were a precious thing.  I lived in Northern Ca, and we would send audio letters to each other.  One time, she included the sound of the frogs that had taken up residence in her backyard.  It was ...

Energetic is something I have never been accused of being.  Not even as a child was I told--that I can recall--that I had unending energy.  Maybe I did.  I don't remember being so full of energy that it is exhausting to watch.  Loud is something I have been accused of.  That and verbal diarrhea.  There are energy bars There are Energy Drinks There are even Energy Pills For generations we have been trying to find ways to bottle our childrens energy.  And if we could, oh the money we would make.  I think though, that people are just wired differently.  Some people simply have energy that is unmatched.  And some of us struggle which why there are products like these.  However, I just think it's age and full schedules.  When you are no longer 20 and you are suddenly balancing not just your schedule, but also your families it hard to have the energy to do much of anything.  Even blogging can sometimes be exhausting!! How...

Curiosity by definition means to have the desire to learn or know about anything.  So where did that expression come from?  Or should I even ask?  I mean after all, if curiosity killed the cat, what will it do to me?  Well....you know me and questions.  And I do love Google!  Google is my friend!  Wikipedia gave an abundance of answers.  Which, you can see for yourself.. .here .  What it boils down to is be cautious of being too curious.  Like my brother for instance.  When he was around 11 or 12 he thought it would be fun to ride his bike off the garage roof.  Oh yes he did.  And he did it unscathed!  I, too have had my moments of being overly curious.  However, I never rode a bike off  of a roof.  Curiosity is not a bad thing.  In fact, I think it is a lost art.  Our children are naturally curious and I think we should grow that curiosity.  These beautiful people are the future....

Beauty and the Beast is probably my favorite Disney movie ever.  The Little Mermaid comes in at a very close second.  Beauty and the Beast is presented masterfully.  The ballroom scene is amazing.  Aside from the visual "beauty" this film amply gives, I love the overall feel of the movie.  The grand musical productions.  You almost forget it is a cartoon.  Belle instantly became my favorite princess.   She is strong, smart and fiercely independent.  And of course like any other princess (to be) she is kind and gracious.  And of course she can sing!  Belle does not need saving.  Another shinning quality about her.  In fact, Belle does the saving in this story.  She sacrifices herself to save her father's life.  "Take me instead." she pleads to the beast.  At the end as Gaston is battling against the Beast, it is Belle who comes to his aide.   And that is what I love about her.  She is ...

I was tAgged by Emmy to Answer eight questions!  So here are my Answers.   1) If you could pick one place to live, where would it be? Hawaii or some other tropical type of place. 2)Are you a dog or cat person? Why? I prefer cats simply because they are lower maintenance.  I am lazy.  Like a cat. 3) Close your eyes and reach into your purse; what is the first thing you grabbed? A little black pouch for my phone...my phone is not in it.  It's in the depths of my purse. 4) What was your favorite childhood toy? I played with Barbies a lot, but my go to was my tape recorder. 5) The seasons are about to change; which is your favorite? I love LOVE Fall.  Bestest weather. 6) What side of the bed do you sleep on? And do you like cuddling when you sleep or do you have to have your own space? On the left and I totally want my space. 7) What is your favorite candy? Homemade butterfingers and peanut butter cups. 8) If I gave you $100 right now,...

h On the red carpet is none other than CA Girl to accept her award....Life is Good from Nikki at Simple Living in a Big City!   And now for her acceptance speech... First of all I would like thank Miss Nikki for thinking of me for this award!  It seriously made my day.  In accepting this award, I have agreed to answer 10 questions... 1) If you blog anonymously are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now? I do not blog anonymously, nor do I intend to.  If I can't be straight with you all what's the point? 2) Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side. I'm not stubborn! I'm not! I'm not! I'm not!  3) What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror? Honestly it depends on the day.  Sometimes I see a very tired worn out person, and other times I see someone who knows what she is doing...that day! 4) What is your favorite summer col...

I couldn't help it.  It was just there.  When I saw the color of the rainbow for this week was "violet" the very first thing that popped in my head was:  Gilda Radner's SNL character, Emily Litella.  Poor confused dear.  Why can't we have more "violins" on television? ******************************************************** I am never prompt.  Well that is not true...I was...once.  The day I was born.  I was born on my exact due date.  Which was on a Wednesday.  So, no I was not premature.     And now.... 1.  I was held back in kindergarten 2.  I went to 3 elementary schools 3.  I was interviewed for a controversial piece in the school newspaper.      

I don't know if this picture counts for indigo blue for Jenny's Rainbow Alphabet or not....but it is my birthday, so I guess I get a little slack.  It's the day we are born, it's the day to mark our time here on earth.  Each one comes faster than the last.  I swear I was just doing my Little Middle's birthday.  Soon it will be The teen's birthday, then it will be my anniversary.  September is a busy month at our house!  So is my sign acceptable?  I don't know.  But it is my birthday! \ *********************************************************** Surgery was the topic of discussion last week.  I've had some.  I had a laparoscopy in 1995 to remove some endometriosis.  I remember my then boss telling me that when SHE had it done she was back up and to work in three days.  My thoughts were:  Well big fat hairy deal!  She was a witch.  But let's not darken an otherwise delightful blog post!!  Endoscopies ...

Do you know who The Blue Meanies are?   Or are you thinking I have finally gone off the deep end?  For those of you who know who The Blue Meanies are, I made some "special" brownies for you to feast upon.  But don't eat them all.  I mean the youngsters need to experience The Blue Meanies the right way! The Blue Meanies is an army of sorts of Blue...Blue....well they are blue and they are mean.  They are out to destroy Pepperland! They turn it into an oppressed land with no music.  No peace and no joy.  When the Beatles come back they find their instruments and peace, harmony and MUSIC is restored in Pepperland.  It's a far out crazy trip.  I remember watching it at least once or twice when it was the movie of the weekend.  I am too young to have experienced it.  But I am old enough to know what it is!  So here is a little taste of those Blue Meanies to go with those special brownies. DISCLAIMER:  I have never ma...

Kermit is always getting kicked around by Miss Piggy.  Poor Kemi. Everyone says Oscar is a grouch.  I think Oscar knows what's going on! Besides if green were truly such a bad color, why would we bother to celebrate a day devoted entirely to GREEN!  I remembered this post, and felt it had to have a special encore appearance for this very topic.  Read it and tell me if you agree! Yesterday for Saint Patrick's Day we all wore our traditional green.  Did you know the reason you wear green is so that the leprechauns can't see you?  If you don't wear green, then they can see you and they will pinch you.  Which is where pinching people when they aren't wearing green comes from.  Well none of us wanted to be seen so we all wore green. I felt my food was in danger as well.  So I made us a cake.  green of course.  Then I frosted it...               ...