Crazy Little Psychos

Goals From When I Turned 30 UPDATE!

2012-01-24T11:02:00.001-08:00

In honor of my 30th Birthday, here are 23 things I hope to accomplish before I am 40 years old.

1. Run a mile without stopping. The only reason I am following through with the Couch to 5K program is so that I can cross this off my list.

2. Travel to Hawaii-preferably on my 14 night cruise, but really, anyway I can get there, I will go!

3. Survive having teenagers-eeeek!

4. Find better health coverage.

5. Take the kids to Disney World and on a Disney Cruise.

6. Get some bedroom furniture.

7. ~~Buy a house in my desired neighborhood.~~ Maybe if I make a list for when I turn forty I will be more specific and state "Buy dream house in desired neighborhood!" :-) Kind of excited that I knocked out the most expensive thing on my list!

8. Go skiing.

9. STOP biting my nails.

10. Eat at Elements while Beau MacMillan is the head chef there! I just adore him.

11. Meet The Pioneer Woman or Paula Dean! I will take either lover of butter.

12. Visit Georgia, I think secretly, I was meant to live there. I have this vision of how AMAZING it will be. Might also help me accomplish #11.

13. Own a BIG BIG BIG screen television!

14. I am cheating here because I feel it will happen soon, but go on an adults only vacation with Karissa and Josh-LOVE THEM! Um, what happened here Karissa Miller????

15. Travel outside Arizona with Andrea, Tamara and Shannon-I seriously have never met people I enjoy traveling with so much!

16. Learn to manage my addictive personality.

17. Enroll Tyler in dance and watch her do her thing-SERIOUSLY the girl is INCREDIBLE-self taught!

18. Get organized!

19. Get a suburban.

20. Watch Pat in the courtroom.

21. Kick my dependency on Tylenol PM

22. Somehow get on the Board at Phoenix Children's Hospital-seriously the only place I feel passionately enough about to work for!

23. ~~Gain better control of my jealousy. I would say I have improved since 20, but I have a ways to go. I am way too jealous in many aspects of my life :-(~~
YES, I have seriously accomplished this. Not perfectly, but I know how truly blessed we are. The grass isn't always greener on the other side!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-17T14:46:00.001-08:00

I am sure you all are expecting this super downer post about how I hate The Holidays, and honestly, I have spent the entire week in a funk about how much I absolutely cannot stand The Holidays, but I have decided to change my attitude starting now! No more complaining about how there is too much to do and about how I can't stand being around XYZ. Here's the thing, each year, I will be thankful that I am still here to be around the people I love, and the people I can't really stand. It makes for some funny stories, and when I look back on The Holidays, I never remember hating every single moment of them, so why should I spend the next six weeks dreading every second. The thing is, we are REALLY lucky. How many people can still spend The Holidays with their grandparents?
I dread the day when I can't spend The Holidays with my grandparents. Sure, my Grandpa might be REALLY into finances right now, and he might ask what everyone makes and how much something cost, but that's where he is at in his life. They are retired and trying to make money stretch is tough, so I get it, and I am thankful that Jackson and I inherited all of our math smarts from him. My grandma, oh my gosh, will I be sad when she is gone because it means I am going to have to cook, my mom offered to cook, but no one would want to eat that meal (LOVE YOU MOM!)! She manages to have all of the courses out at the same time, she looks forward to it, loves it, and can't wait for Thanksgiving every year. She makes the best of every situation, has the biggest heart, and would do anything for anyone.
We don't get to see everyone on the Holidays, and I am certain that is soooooooo hard for some of the family because I would like DIE, D.I.E! if I couldn't see my kids on a Holiday, and I now appreciate so much more what certain family members have sacrificed so that we don't have to run around like crazy people on Thanksgiving going from house to house to house and eating from house to house to house. It is just too much, and I hope that when I am older and my kids have their own families I get over my fear of DYING and celebrate The Holidays in a way that is meaningful to us. Thanksgiving is just a day, but any day can really be Thanksgiving.
So, this Thanksgiving, as you sit around the table with some you love, and some you really can't stand and probably wouldn't talk to if they weren't related to you. Think about how lucky you are to be sitting at that table. Think about how blessed you really are, and think each and every day how you are going to make it a great day!

Ten on Tuesday!

2011-11-15T09:11:00.001-08:00

1. Tyler's very last Fun Run was last weekend. She had a blast. She was super excited that Rylee was able to participate in a different division. They have so much fun together, and I am so happy they are growing up to be such great friends.

2. I attempted to take some candid shots of Jackson this morning before he went to school: (1) because I don't want to take the time or money to go see a professional photographer (2) because I have social anxiety and these types of experiences make me sweat (3) because I am lazy and try not to leave the house if at all possible. When you see the photos I took of him below, you will see (1) the time and money may be worth it (2) why I end up sweating because I have to perform circus tricks to get him not to smile like The Joker (3) I would rather stay home and drink wine.

3. What do you guys do if you have a neighbor that has crossed the line? I know I have to live next to them for at least the next ten years, so I can't totally go off on them, but I have to say something (I struggle with this middle ground-I either love everyone or hate them, need to work on my middle ground tolerance). You know how I hate when people ring my doorbell or knock on my door. The fear of that occuring has now multiplied by ten. All I want for Christmas is a security door and my doorbell disconnected.

4. I got Jackson signed up for a soccer team. He is soooooooooo excited. I am hoping that Tyler will play t-ball again this Spring, which will make for an incredibly busy sports season.

5. I am seriously struggling to get past number 4, I feel now that things have settled down for a hot moment, I don't do anything but laundry and dishes while the kids are at school, and nothing really exciting happens each and every day.

6. Jackson's class is going on a Field Trip. There isn't a lot of space, so you had to turn your name in if you wanted to go. I didn't want to go, but I figured I would turn my paper in, not get selected, but Jackson would still believe I wanted to go. UM...what would you know-I got selected. Jackson is super excited, but I struggle being around children I don't have an authority over. When I taught, it was MY CLASS, MY RULES, MY WHATEVER. When I am with my kids, it is the same thing. I can discipline them as I see fit, and for the most part they listen. The kids that go on these Field Trips have a tendency to be ape shit bonkers, and if they don't listen, what am I going to say, "Stop It Right Now, or I am going to tell the teacher!?" I sound like a first grader myself!

7. Made Baked Ziti for dinner tonight, and it is so nice to get it done while the kids are at school. Then, I can answer the first question they both ask when I pick them up, "What's for Dinner?"

8. This is usually followed by cheers or groans.

9. This has taken me over an hour to write because I keep thinking of something, googling it, and finding myself on a different website!

10. Anyone else OBSESSED with Revenge!? Best new show on television for sure!

Fabulous Friday

2011-11-04T08:26:00.001-07:00

OK, here it is, the long awaited blog post. . .sometimes after it has been so long since my last post, I get overwhelmed and keep putting it off, but today, blogging is on my to do list.

1. Tyler is now FIVE! How is she five?? You know that car commercial, where the little girl is in the driver's seat, and she is talking to her dad, and when they flashback it is actually a teenage girl sitting in the driver's seat. Something about Tyler makes me think I will feel this way about her forever! She is such a tiny little thing, and she DESPERATELY wants to be big, but she will always be my baby!

2. We had a little surprise party for Tyler the day before her birthday. She loved it, she was shocked. She kept coming over, giving me hugs and kisses and telling me she loved me! MELT MY HEART!

3. Jackson and Tyler LOVE Halloween. I guess what kid doesn't, but they LOVE IT! We had a little potluck with the neighbors. It was interesting to say the least. I missed our annual potluck with people I have more in common with, but we couldn't be the people on the street that didn't go, AND our house just isn't anywhere near ready for a lot of people or kids to be over! Jackson was Spiderman (thank you half off at the Disney store a week before Halloween-JACKPOT!) and Tyler was whatever the Barbie's name is in Barbie Princess Charm School, and since I don't know her name, I just called her Barbie Princess Charm School.

4. About a week ago, Pat received a LARGE envelope in the mail from Pepperdine Law School. I think I had a momentary panic attack when I saw it. I am VERY familiar with such envelopes, and knew exactly what it was. I tore into it and saw a letter that said, "Dear Mr. Howell, Thank you for your interest in our law program!" My heart damn near stopped. I was like, not only is a law school sending him something- HE REQUESTED IT! I was for certain in was for a doctorate in law, that doesn't even make sense, but there is such a thing. I don't know what to call it, since technically attorneys are doctors, but whatever, it is the next level. I was like, NO WAY IN FREAKING HELL am I surviving through that. And where are we getting the money to move to CALIFORNIA, please dream come true, but does he have an off shore bank account I don't know about. Anyway, turns out all these thoughts were for nothing, Pepperdine offers a one week seminar on becoming a mediator, which Pat would like to be, blah blah blah-I am a drama queen!

5. Jackson has been playing basketball and LOVING IT! It is fun to see how much the kids have improved throughout the season. This Saturday is his last game. While I think watching the games is fun and what not. I will be very happy to have my Saturdays back. Especially now that the weather is nicer, and we can hit up the North Central Farmers' Market! I am obsessed with finding random things and coming home to see what I can find to make with it. THANK YOU PINTEREST!

6. "Pinterest: where a person never has to have an original idea again in their life!" That's my motto for it!

7. Thanksgiving is coming up-it is my favorite holiday! It won't be when my grandparents die, and I have to cook!

8. Went to Z'Tejas 20th Anniversary Party last night-it was lots of fun, but I didn't get home until like 10, and then after talking with Pat for awhile, I couldn't wind down until almost 1. Needless to say I am really tired today!

9. Andrea and I are to make a balloon arch tomorrow morning for the preschool Fun Run. I have to be there at 7:30-it is supposed to be cold, and neither of us have ever made a balloon arch. How do I get myself into these things??? I have gotten so much better at saying no, but somehow. . .STILL A SUCKER!

10. OK seriously, Justin Bieber fathering a child! I still can't even imagine he has the parts needed to father a child, he looks EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's all I am going to say about that.

Calling All the Monsters!

2011-10-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

I might be just a little bit obsessed with this song and video! Thank you Disney Channel! I am so happy it is October. . .here's hoping it cools off soon!

Ten on Tuesday-The Master Bathroom Edition

2011-09-27T15:43:00.001-07:00

1. This house is turning me into a crazy person (well technically I already was, but more so than ever)!

2. Before writing this post I was googling shower heads and sink fixtures. I have NEVER EVER EVER walked into a house and looked at any one's shower head, I have never thought about shower heads, but now I have to choose one from the 80 million styles available, and that is overwhelming to me because I want someone to choose for me, but it doesn't seem that anyone is willing to do that.

3. I haven't actually stepped into a tile store yet BECAUSE I am afraid. I am afraid I will see something I really want, and then it will be too expensive, and then I will be stuck with something for the next 30 years because that's how long it will be until I even think about redoing the shower again. I have tears in my eyes thinking about this because I don't like doing any of this.

4. There is this girl who has a blog I look at occasionally, and she is just SOOOOOO EXCITED about redoing her house, and gets really into things like shower heads and faucets, but I just can't bring myself to do it. How long do people actually spend in their bathroom that they care about it?

5. One of the men who came to give me an estimate looked in the shower and said, "Are you using this?" To which I replied, "No, we haven't used it since we moved in!" What I really wanted to say was, "It doesn't have a freaking shower head and it is covered in mold/mildew, what kind of moron do I look like!" He followed up my answer with, "Good because that is all mold in there." DUH!

6. And can I tell you the range of prices I have received to redo JUST THE SHOWER, anywhere from 1550 plus the cost of all the fixtures, door and tile, 3250 plus the cost of all the fixtures, door and tile, all the way up to 7600 which includes everything.

7. The 7600 shower better shave my legs for me, that's all I am going to say about that!

8. Do you know I don't even know how much tile is? I am sure there is some GIGANTIC range on that too.

9. I remember the days when my life didn't revolve around sitting at home waiting for some 4 hour window to expire and hoping that I don't get stood up. . .again!

10. Pinterest is going to be the death of me regarding shower tile because once I find one I think I really like in the deep dark land of the Internet (so I don't actually have to commit), I decide on a different one, and it is just a terrible cycle. I am loyal, but I have commitment issues, it is weird!

Friday Fiesta

2011-09-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

If I took two recipes away from Texas with me when we lived there, it was Dorito Casserole and "The Punch". I don't know if the punch has a name, if someone else knows about it, whatever, these are my favorite two things, and anytime someone asked me what I wanted (we worked at a school, we were big into pot lucks for baby showers, birthdays, etc.) I would say Dorito Casserole and "The Punch"! They can be made separately, but they are also so good together! The recipes are as follows:

Dorito Casserole

Take one bag of Doritos and crush them along the bottom of a 10x13 casserole dish (or whatever size dish you normally make a casserole in)

Brown 1-1.5 lbs of ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper.

While that is cooking combine one can cream of chicken, one can cream of celery, half a package of taco seasoning, one can of Rotel and a dash or two of PET milk in a saucepan and warm through.

When the beef is done, drain the grease and pour on top of the chips. Take sauce mixture and pour on top of beef. Cover with shredded cheddar. Put in the oven and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, just watch it, you will know when it is done.

Really yummy served with corn casserole and refried beans. Or if you know how to make AUTHENTIC Mexican rice, but I don't like the faux stuff from a bag.

"The Punch"

2L of ginger ale (Do you know in TX, they don't sell 2L, only 3L-EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS!)
1 frozen concentrate of limeade
1 frozen concentrate of fruit punch
1 container of frozen sliced strawberries defrosted.

MIX ALL TOGETHER IN A BOWL OVER ICE! If you want to have a bottle of Bacardi Limon on the side of the bowl, you can, I prefer it that way! :-)

Ten on...What Day Is It?

2011-09-15T15:59:00.001-07:00

1. Seriously, I thought with the kids in school so much I would have so much free time and be bored. I can't even find time to do laundry! I have to say no because I have to do laundry. I am going to start using that as a real excuse for why I can't do things. "Sorry, I have to do laundry might come out of my mouth really soon!"

2. As if I didn't have a million and one other things to buy for our Money Pit. I really think I need a new dryer, and if I get a new dryer, I am getting a whole new set (washer and dryer)! I have to run everything through twice, which might also be contributing to my $657.99 electric bill! *MIGHT*

3. I am pretty sure it is the air conditioning causing me the pain and suffering regarding my electric bill. I want a new one desperately. We were told to wait until Spring because they are cheaper to install BEFORE the 117 degree temperatures hit. Happy Tax Return to me! Y'all want to come over and watch it happen. My kids are probably gonna go ape sh** with the crane and what not!

4. I am in shower planning mode. I have LOTS of fun ideas on pinterest, but I don't know who to show these ideas to. I need an architect or something. I don't know, I am just confused all the time. Here are some of the things I love, obviously not all together, but just a general idea!

THIS Decorative Pebble Shower Floor-SWOON!

We don't have wood floors in there, so it probably wouldn't look as cool, but bricks are my FAVE, as long as they are the right color, the front of my house, NOT THE RIGHT COLOR!

And I love this one!

5. We don't have closet doors, someone was supposed to come give me a quote today, but they stood me up, I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS! Sat here all day for nothing (well, I got a LOT done, but UGH!)

6. Made Buffalo Chicken Wraps for Dinner (buffalo chicken, carrots, celery, spinach, tomatoes, cheese) dip them in Ranch, HEAVENLY! I made them this morning, wrapped them up, put them in the fridge, READY FOR DINNER!

7. I miss my friend, Shannon. We are going to lunch tomorrow! 2 hours will not be enough.

8. We are having sushi for lunch tomorrow. I can't wait.

9. Did I show y'all the cool art I made for the office. It really goes well with our San Antoino FIESTA art, and I may have blown wax all over the freshly painted dining room walls and tile, BUT you know what, it was worth it! SO EASY!

10. Jackson's dead tooth is hanging by a thread, but refusing to fall out. It is pure torture! I want to cry everytime I see it.

2011-09-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

1. How can a mole possibly appear on your face and no one can tell you whether or not it was there before? Does no one ever look at me? :-p

2. My sister has a new weird mole on her BACK, and I can tell her that it wasn't there before. HER BACK people!

3. Tyler started school last week, she is having a great time, it is weird having her gone five days a week. I don't know what I am going to do next year when she is gone ALL DAY!

4. The guest bathroom toilet is running, won't stop, and I have no idea what to do with it because it isn't your traditional toilet where you can jiggle the handle. Toilets have become my WORST freaking nightmare, seriously!

5. Phoenix Cooks! was amazing! Pat was a total lightweight and totally didn't take advantage of all the amazing free food you can stuff your belly with before drinking: wine, beer, gin, vodka, mai tais and pina coladas, so he wasn't feeling so hot in the evening, but it gets better every year. I seriously had the best time!

6. Tyler had this Mean Girl in her class two years ago, and they are in class together again, and she is still a Mean Girl. These are the stories I hear: "So and so isn't my friend because Mean Girl says she can't be!" WTF? "Mean Girl gets cotton candy every day and seven desserts tomorrow!" (That one is just stupid and annoying!) I must say, "Don't listen to the Mean Girl!" about a million and one times a week. Followed by, "Did you tell your teacher!?" OMG!

7. Do you ever think you are so much smarter than everyone you encounter throughout the day!?? I have been having that feeling lately! It is just a phase, something will happen soon that will knock me right off my high horse.

8. I really want a new car, instead tomorrow, I am going to sit at the service station to have an alignment and oil change, GAG! What a waste of time without kids!

9. We are having sandwiches for dinner all week because I refuse to cook.

10. Jackson's dead tooth is loose, I want it out so badly! Not only is it dead, but now it is dead and wiggly and just looks disgusting.

What We Have Been Up To!

2011-08-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

1. Well, if you follow me on twitter or facebook, you know that we have had some DISASTERS occur around the house lately. One morning, over two weeks ago, I woke up, went to the bathroom, flushed the toilet and SH**, literally SH**, started coming up the shower drain. It was the most disgusting thing I have ever dealt with. We called our warranty company, and they sent someone out to fix it around 11 am. The guy took the toilet off, without draining it, and SH** water gushed everywhere, and I was running around collecting towels to clean it up and keep it from going on our brand new carpet. Well, I stopped it from going on the carpet, but the snake that they used to try and get the blockage out caused a great deal of damage to the carpet. It still has not been taken care of, and needless to say, I am not very happy about this. We also had extensive damage to our freshly painted walls and this has not been fixed yet either. The plumber that the warranty company sent was scandalous, ABC PLUMBING tried to tell us that our warranty was not covering the removal and installation of removed toilet and that it would cost us $800 to put in a new clean out, and blah blah blah. They wouldn't tell any of this to me, and they made me call Pat home from work, it was INSANE. They left, and we called out our own plumber, who had the clog unblocked in less than 15 minutes, including set up, and tried to clean up some of the mess the other people had made. He also only charged us $135 dollars for all of this. Why are good people so hard to find these days?

2. The blinds and shutters came in, and they look AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally reasonably priced, Boyds Blinds and Drapes, was FANTASTIC, their service and waiting time, totally reasonable, and I would use them for everything around the home if possible. I called this morning to see if he did closet doors, he doesn't but I wish he did. Class Act and Fast!

3. Tyler starts "Kindergarten" on Wednesday. While it is technically a certified Kindergarten class, she will be going to Kindergarten next year, and hopefully having the lovely Mrs. Rogers as soon as I figure out how to request her. We met Tyler's teachers last week, and they are really lovely, so I hope that my opinion of them continues throughout the year.

4. Curriculum night at Jackson's school was slightly disappointing. But, I am trying to remain optimistic that his teacher was passive aggressive to the point of rude only to get the point across to the idiot parents, and that she is much nicer than that as a whole.

5. If you went to Xavier, most likely you had a Van Sickle, Mr or Mrs, for PE. Their daughter is in Jackson's class. What a small freaking world!

6. I am obsessed with pinterest. And I finally showed it to Patrick, and I think he might be a tiny bit obsessed with it himself, because all the things I have done from it so far are soooooo useful, affordable and fun! Lucky for me his closet and my computer share a room, sooooooo I just sneak in and show him things when he is changing, works out brilliantly!

7. Phoenix Cooks is this weekend, and we are going to brunch at the Phoenician on Sunday. I ate a lot this past weekend in the hopes that I will be able to throw down this coming weekend. I really cannot eat large amounts, otherwise I start to feel really sick, but eating smaller portions at the two above named events seems like a GIGANTIC WASTE!

8. Had a staycation with a few friends Saturday night. Made me realize how much I do miss my kids and husband when they aren't around. Did just what it was supposed to do. Gotta love those little breaks!

9. I hoard magazines, I think it comes from being a teacher, and basically magazines are literature and like books, I can't throw them away. So, Pat told me it was time to do something with them, so I started putting them in storage tubs to put in the shed, to which he looked at me like I was crazy, so last week, I went through every magazine, ripped out all the recipes I wanted and filed them away, followed by throwing away the actual magazines in the recycling bin. Well, while flipping through the magazines, I found two pages that talked about Mai Tais. For those of you that don't know, I often call Tyler Mai Tai, so I ripped them out, framed them and hung them over her bed. My own little project that I didn't need to use pinterest to come up with, I am so proud.

10. Does anyone else think that the pink paint Tyler picked out is ridiculously bright? It glows down the hallway. But she is happy, and you only get to be a four (ALMOST FIVE) year old little girl for a short time!

FIRST GRADE!

2011-08-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

How did this happen? How is it possible that Jackson is in first grade!? I remember my first day of 1st grade like it was yesterday! I was over going to school for a half day and couldn't wait to go all day. My first grade teacher is my friend on facebook! She was the most wonderful, amazing, special woman EVER! Jackson's teacher seems nice enough. I am hesitant about this year because I am not certain whether or not anyone will EVER compare to Mrs. Rogers. I don't think any of the teachers at the school I taught at in San Antonio compared to Mrs Rogers. But, I am trying to remain open minded and love this teacher just as much!

Here's a few pictures from this morning, though I don't know how much longer I will be able to get a picture of him in front of his "class sign" because he rolled his eyes about twelve thousand times before I snapped a quick one. To me, it is pretty amazing that only two other students from his class last year are in his class, and they clung to one another pretty quickly once they were to find a place on the carpet. I was not particularly excited about walking this morning, but we wanted to see his class and walk him in, so this morning we walked, from here on out, I will go back to taking him through the drop off line in my pajamas. The real torture will be pick up when I have to walk to get him every day in the HEAT! I am hoping that the pounds will just shed off from sweating and walking! :-)

Fox Restaurants

2011-08-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

We are a house divided. I LOVE Sam Fox Restaurants. Patrick hates them. He thinks they are pretentious, over priced and not very good. Whenever given a chance, and I get to pick the restaurant, I will usually try to pick a Fox Restaurant. Olive and Ivy, LOVE! True Food, LOVE! Sauce, LOVE! Blanco, NOT A HUGE FAN! Bloom, YUM! The Greene House, HUGE FAN! Granted, Pat isn't as adventerous as I am when it comes to food. I like trendy food, fully admit it. I like sweet and savory combined. I like cupcakes. I like seeing what chefs can come up with!

Today, I met the Fox Restaurant I wouldn't return to! Zinburger was an incredibly overpriced, disgusting experience. The burger I had was flavorless, except for the salt lick bacon they put on top of it. It was SERIOUSLY hurting my mouth it was so salty, and I like salt. Usually Pat is the one that complains about it being too salty. Paired with the Cheddar Cheese, it was disgusting. The zucchini fries I got were soggy. I ate one and didn't touch another. Wouldn't you ask if something was wrong with an item if someone didn't touch it while it was in front of them? The regular home cut fries were burnt, and tasted more like potato chips they were so hard and crunchy. When I took Tyler to the bathroom, we were unable to rinse all the soap off of our hands because the water was SCALDING our hands. Pat said he had the same problem in the men's bathroom. I understand warm, I don't understand BOILING! When I asked for a comment card on the way out, I was told that they don't have those? WHAT????

The only redeeming quality was the Butterfinger milkshake, which was incredible, but I will do without having another one because I have no desire to step foot in there again. This time, Pat wins, Zinburger is overpriced, pretentious and hazardous to my children's hands!

Needless to say, I am now in a terrible mood because nothing bothers me more than a bad restaurant experience.

Random Monday

2011-08-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

1. I really need to bite the bullet and buy a camera. I wouldn't want to read this blog because it is super boring with no pictures.

2. My sister, Katie, had her baby on August 4th. Alexander James (Baby Bud) was 9 lbs 14 oz and 22 inches long. He is precious, and I could hold him all day long! Hopefully this will inspire her to write a new blog so you guys can all see some pictures over there!

3. I have so many thoughts all of the time, and I want to write them down, but I forget, and then when I sit to write a blog, nothing comes out.

4. We watched The Roommate this weekend, I found it mildly entertaining, Pat didn't like it at all.

5. I hate cooking in the summer, nothing sounds good, and it is too hot to eat hot food. I would eat a salad every single day, but my family doesn't really like that idea, soooooooooo we eat out A LOT!

6. When we don't eat out, I am trying out a lot of Deceptively Delicious recipes, by Jessica Seinfeld. As long as the puree is mixed in, I can't tell it is there, but when there is a layer of "hidden" puree on something, it makes me feel like I am eating baby food, and I don't like it.

7. Apparently The Pioneer Woman is coming out with another cookbook, I will not be cooking my way through it, but I will buy it.

8. The Bachelor Pad premeries tonight. This day has been crawling by because I seriously cannot think of anyone else.

9. It is amazing how giddy I get about not having to share the pool with anyone. What would be nice is if it didn't consure a million and one hours of Pat's time throughout the week.

10. I started off thinking we had a lot of cabinet space and there was no way we would fill it all. I was wrong, I am out of space.

11. I think I am going to go into the tree trimming business, those people charge a FORTUNE!

12. Jackson's room is decorated now, and other than a closet door and some electrical outlet covers, it is done. I can't post a picture of his actual room because I don't have a camera, but these are the wall stickers and pillowcases I ordered, and I did an amazing job of putting them up, if I do say so myself.

13. I cannot go to Target without spending over $100, it just is not possible. Speaking of Target, their Champion tennis shoes are buy one get one half off this week, I bought Jackson the same pair in the next two sizes he will need. CLASSY!

14. Pat got me a Diet Coke from McDonalds at 6am, and I am still drinking it. It didn't have enough ice in it, so I didn't really like it, but I need the caffeine today!

15. Pat made me dinner last weekend, and it was a Paris theme. He got music, made French recipes, it was all so wonderful, and we were stuffed. Seriously, he made brie wrapped in puff pastry with apricot jam inside, OMG, that could have been dinner by itself, it was HEAVENLY! He made steak with a cream sauce and these green beans that were to die for. VERY FUN! I am going to go next, and I want to do a Carribean theme!

Season of Life

2011-07-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot lately that I am not in a season of "having fun"! Being an adult is not all that it is cracked up to be. In fact, I tried to explain this to my kids the other day. It is rare that I laugh until my stomach hurts, I have so much to do, and I look around at all the boxes and everything I need to buy to make our house "liveable", and it is overwhelming. Back in the day, I laughed all the time, I laughed and laughed and laughed, people would always comment on my laugh, but I think the times have changed. I miss laughing, but I realize now that my life is much fuller without all the laughter. When I do laugh now, it is a meaningful laugh, one that is brought on by people I love. My kids come up and hug me a million and one times a day, tell me they love me, and give me lots of hugs and kisses. While this doesn't make me laugh, it makes my heart smile for sure. I think my definition of fun has just changed. Being alone in my house, that is fun. Having a pajama party with friends, that is fun. Playing board games or going swimming, taking a road trip, heading to Disneyland, while these may not scream laugh until your stomach hurts fun, they are good for my soul, so instead of focusing on how I don't laugh as much anymore. I am going to focus on the good that I do have, and how it is all just a little bit different. Especially how much more fun I do have in my life because of these two:

Ten on Tuesday

2011-07-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

1. Happy 60th Birthday to my MIL! Hope she is having a wonderful day and eating lots of great food.

2. I have an excruciating headache today, it started as a stomach ache this morning, but has remained in my head and face the rest of the day. I have tried to suck it up and took the kids swimming, but mostly I unpacked my five boxes and tried to lie down as much as possible.

3. My goal is to unpack five boxes a day until they are all unpacked. So far this week I am two for two. YAY!

4. I tried to reimburse my mom for letting us stay with her while we were homeless because I would crank the air down, the water we used was much more than she normally does, etc. What does she do? She took the money and spent it on things we need around here. Some things never change-love my mom!

5. My sister and I took the kids to Cinnabon for a "snack" yesterday. While Tyler may not eat much on a daily basis, that girl will THROW DOWN dessert. She ate a large majority of the regular size cinnamon roll with me sneaking an occasional bite or two.

6. I am contemplating lying my head down on the desk and taking a break while writing this. OMG! It hurts so bad, and if it is a migraine, I will have to go sit in the gross doctor's office to get a prescription. I was holding my ice water cup to my head for awhile, it didn't help much.

7. Pat didn't get home until 10 last night, I love our security system, it makes me feel safe when I hear weird noises alone here at night.

8. I tweeted about how I cannot imagine sleeping with my bedroom door open, but it looks like I will be starting to do just that because I think the air flow will be better, and it will be cooler in there.

9. Fantasy Football will be starting again soon! YAY! So glad the lock out is over!

10. Our thermostat is on the same wall as our oven. Can someone? anyone? explain to me who thought that was a good idea. The second I turn the oven on the temperature spikes about six degrees and continues to go up! UGH!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-07-19T10:46:00.001-07:00

This week's edition is brought to you by some of the things I have spent money on recently.

1. $350 for two new tires.

2. $7.99 for a temporary shower rod at Target.

3. $12 for an in air snack when heading home from Seattle-really worth every penny because it entertained a whiny, crying Tyler for a little bit of time.

4. $40.11 at Macayo's last Sunday. It was seriously the best meal and I scarfed it down. It seemed like it took FOREVER for us to actually GET to the restaurant, BUT once we got there, YUM YUM!

5. Haven't spent the money yet, but I lost my camera in Seattle, so I will have to get a new one, BOO!

6. $1300 for a new refrigerator, and worth every single penny. Once Pat and I figured out we had to put the filter in so that the water would stop tasting like a**, it made every penny worth it.

7. $874 on new carpet for the bedrooms. Shout out to Avilez Carpet and Tile. Seriously the only thing that has gone smoothly in this entire housing fiasco.

8. $55 to repair my leaking toilet so that we can go back to the land of two toilets again because one just isn't cutting it.

9. $480 for a home warranty, best money ever spent.

10. $117 for a new cell phone because the battery on my old one kept dying, not surprising, I don't think it was the phone, I think it is the amount I use it because the new one dies just as quickly!

The Timeline

2011-07-06T09:15:00.001-07:00

I think everyone knows that when someone is given a closing date, it is pretty arbitrary! Yes, you might not close on time. Yes, it may be a week later. Yes, things may go wrong. But, I don't think anyone ever thinks it is going to happen to them.

I was skeptical from the start. I didn't really think we would close on the 28th. The issue with closing on time for us stemmed from the fact that we had to move out of our house on the 30th, AND there was a $100 a day penalty that we incurred if we didn't close on time. These two factors caused me to lose A LOT of sleep over the past two months. Pat wanted to discuss schedules, buy refrigerators, set up deliveries, painters, carpet, etc. I just kept telling him that I would plan for it once we closed on the house, or got some sort of confirmation we were going to close. The Friday before we were set to close (closing was on a Tuesday), we were still waiting on the inspection report to come in. As of Friday evening, the inspection wasn't in, but according to Eddy at compASS bank, if it came in Monday morning, we could still close on Tuesday. BIG FAT LIE!

Once the inspection came in late Monday afternoon, it wasn't reviewed until Tuesday (THE DAY WE WERE SET TO CLOSE!). It was determined that we needed to put additional money down because the house was in a declining market (WHAT HOUSE ISN'T these days), and we had to put money in escrow for carpet, a window and an interior door. ONE the window had already been replaced and documentation had been sent, two the amount they were estimating carpet to be was ludicrous (HELLO Avilez Carpet and Tile), and three we planned on replacing the interior door because it had a hole in it, but isn't that cosmetic and up to me whether or not we want to freaking replace the door?

We agreed to all of these items because let's face it. We didn't have any options, and we needed somewhere to live, and we needed to close FAST! So, it was said by Eddy that we should close Wed or Thursday. On Wednesday, we were still getting no answers, so Pat found a random number on the inspection report and called it. This lady at compASS bank, is seriously the only good thing I can say about the bank. She told Pat that on June 17th she emailed Eddy and told him that we weren't going to be able to close on the 28th, and that our new closing date was to be July 13th. She never heard back from Eddy (WHO PAT CALLED EVERY SINGLE DAY!), and so she assumed the new closing date was fine.

This lady, Margie or Martie, I can't remember her name was an ANGEL! She pushed everything through so quickly, she gave Pat her own personal cell number, she got it done. And her supervisor, equally as helpful. If anyone deserves a gift basket, it is this woman. It was in final review by Thursday, and she got it done.

We are now up to Friday, Pat went to the Title office and sat there ALL DAY. The title company wasn't going to look at it on Friday because they assumed we knew that it would be 48 hours from the time it got to their office. Pat explained to her the situation, and she literally did everything in her power to get it done on Friday. She also deserves a smaller gift basket because she wasn't very nice about all of it, but she still did it. My next post will be about the phone call I got while I was in my bathing suit at the Pointe stating that I needed to get to the title company as fast as possible (picture AMAZING RACE!). We signed the papers on Friday, but the seller didn't sign them in time, so we had to wait to close until Tuesday.

When Pat met the realtor at the home to unload the U-Haul on Tuesday evening, the lock box wasn't working, so they couldn't get the keys out. Once again, the phone calls started and it was a little dramatic. Thankfully Pat's dad, Jim, had some tools in his truck, they CUT the lock box off and smashed it to get into the house. Nothing says, "Welcome Home!" like smashing a box to get the keys. They managed to get everything into the garage before the Haboob hit (a whole other posted is needed about this word too!)

So now, it is all about finding everything that is wrong, getting it painted, carpeted, and unpacking to find the stuff we need for Seattle. But, the kids and I are at my mom's house until Saturday, and we are pretending we are jet setting celebrities that pop in and out and take off on trips on a whim. I bought a whole new wardrobe at Old Navy yesterday because I seriously have NO IDEA where all my clothes are, storage unit or garage? It has been such a disaster, but I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone other than Pat. He has been such a trooper, and he has shown that no matter what happens, he will always take care of us!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-06-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

1. I still haven't taken one picture of anything. So uninspired.

2. If I don't see another box for the rest of my life, I would be thoroughly happy!

3. We are not closing today, maybe tomorrow, maybe Thursday, maybe Friday! Who knows.

4. Mini ice cream cones from Trader Joe's are the perfect size summer time treat!

5. If I hear, "Mommy, can we have a snack?" from either of my children one more time today, I am going to scream. It isn't even 9am yet. I just lost my mind on them.

6. Pat spent two hours yesterday washing his car and cleaning it out because he had to pick up his client today for a mediation, they are then going to dinner and the baseball game. I asked if he was going to open the door for him too because he's never spent any amount of time cleaning his car for me other than tossing the stuff that's on the passenger seat to the back seat! CLASSY!

7. It is so hard not to be bitter right now. I had a much better attitude about it last week, but this week, I am struggling. I was the one last week telling Pat that it would all be fine, but this week, I just don't know.

8. Excited to hang out with Rylee if even just for a little bit tomorrow. She makes me laugh. I don't think I appreciated her age when my own kids were that old because I was either pregnant, tired, or overwhelmed at that time in my life.

9. Did you know Pat thought Alfredo was a type of cheese? I still laugh when I think about this. In one of the cookbooks we have, it has pictures of all the different types of cheeses, and Pat drew in a picture of cheese and labeled it alfredo after I made fun of him and used it as my evidence that alfredo is not a cheese, it is a sauce!

10. I like Olive Garden fettucine alfredo the best. I am certain that it is not authentic in any way, shape or form, but it is my FAVORITE!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-06-21T15:20:00.001-07:00

What's going on?

1. We close in a week on our house, that is IF the bank can get their act together. I feel like every single day it is some new stress, and I can't handle it. My back/stomach pain had been kept to such a minimum lately because I had been trying to just stay calm and not stress out, but the closer it gets the more crippling the pain is. UGH!

2. I am well aware that moving into a new house and going on a week long vacation are luxuries, and I know that I am truly blessed, but it is incredibly overwhelming, and it is my reality right now, and this is MY blog, so I get to vent. Don't like it, don't read it.

3. My sister and I are OBSESSED with reading blogs about moms in the South. I wouldn't fit in there for a hot minute, but they make some of the best food. I am not sure how all the moms weigh 50 pounds soaking wet and eat crap all day (cake pops, sno cones, cake, cookies, cupcakes, etc.), but I made these S'mores Bars for Pat for Father's Day, and they were HEAVENLY!

4. I will happily recommend restaurants for someone, and if they hate it, I take full responsibility because I know I have researched the crap out of it, read all the reviews, etc. BUT ask me to choose a paint color, NO FREAKING CLUE!

5. The day our house is supposed to close Pat has an all day mediation and then has to entertain a client all night. Maybe I will just take the kids over to the house and toast them with Apple Cider or something. Kind of anti-climatic after all the stress and work that Pat has gone through to make sure the house closes on time.

6. Currently we are like two ships passing in the night. When an attorney goes on vacation, he has to make up all his billable hours. So, in my opinion it isn't really a vacation because it is more work before and after we vacation because he works longer and longer hours.

7. I am obsessed with Lifetime Movies. I think it is the only think that is going to get me through the summer.

8. Children's Place at Desert Ridge is having a big shoe sale. Apparently they are getting rid of all their shoes in boxes, so any shoe in a box is $7.99. I don't know what sizes or what not are available, but if you are in need of dress shoes, sandals, etc. It might be worth the trip.

9. I cannot keep food in this house. If it comes in, someone eats it up immediately. The summer grocery bill is killing me.

10. The Bachelorette. Can I just say that I am an evil person who thinks Bentley is HYSTERICAL, and I love that he proved what everyone was thinking all along. . .how do you know these people are telling the truth? He totally pulled the wool over Ashley's eyes, and I think it added a whole new twist to the show. I am a fan. Don't hate!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-06-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorite things. . .

1. Magnum Double Caramel Ice Cream Bars

2. The Pioneer Woman Sux Blog. Seriously, I don't think she is promoting her blog to be any sort of diet blog, so to watch them rip her to shreds is kind of funny. I also like that they think she is always writing drunk, I don't know it makes me laugh! I hope The ACTUAL Pioneer Woman takes it with a grain of salt.

3. Luigi's Deli just recently opened, and they have this sandwich with cream cheese, bacon, avocado, turkey, etc, and it is SOOOOOOOOOO YUMMY!

4. We go through sunscreen like it is water. I love the spray. I am sure it is chalk full of chemicals and horrible for you and what not, but OMG, we recently ran out, and I have been applying lotion-MAKES YOU APPRECIATE THE SPRAY!

5. Wii Bowling. Tyler is kicking every one's butt, and I like that it is a game we can all compete at and have fun!!!!!!!!!!

6. Corn on the cob with lots of butter and salt. Also movie theater popcorn every single Friday. It's really not surprising that I can't lose weight-I love food!

7. POGO! I get sucked into playing when I am stressed out. And I am way beyond stressed right now! Hey, it could be worse!

8. Our soon to be new refrigerator. HONESTLY, Pat and I have never had a brand new fridge, and I am giddy about the water and ice in the door after being without it for soooooooo long!

9. Purex After the Rain Laundry Detergent, I think it smells soooooooooo good!

10. That we will be HERE in less than a month!

In My Favor!

2011-06-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

I don't know what is going on lately, but the stars have aligned, and things seem to work out perfectly. This morning, my car battery died. Usually, it would be a big tragedy, but we just switched the car seats to Pat's car, and headed off to continue on with our plans for the day. We remembered that Pat's dad was in the area, actually he was at OUR new house mapping out the location of the pool fence, and apparently you need some "SPECIAL" tool to get the battery out of my car, and Pat being as "handy" as he is, doesn't have this tool and can't get the battery out. So, he called his dad, asked him to go over to our house and see if he could get it out because Pat's dad IS HANDY (no quotes) and has tools in his car and what not. His dad headed over, not only got the battery out, took it back to the place we got it from two years ago, got one for free because it was under warranty and put it in my car, so that when we arrived back home the car started right up! SERIOUSLY! How awesome is that. Usually it is this big drama, and it was LITERALLY drama free. The kids and I were seriously standing in the drive way cheering with excitement because it started. I am sure we looked ridiculous to our neighbors, but HEY, we won't live here much longer, right!?

After we brought all of our stuff in from the car, Pat says, "Is this what it's like to be rich, you just call someone, they come fix it, and when you get home it is as good as new!?" SERIOUSLY! It was amazing, and so completely WONDERFUL that his dad did this for us. THANK YOU JIM! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I bet Jaclyn could have figured out how to change the battery herself, but that's a whole post for a different day! :-)

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

1. We are under contract on a house. Way too much to think about. I am not FASCINATED by the whole house concept, but it will be nice to have somewhere to call my own that I don't have to worry about leaving or getting kicked out of. I wish I had a decorating gene in my body, but I walk into Jaclyn's house and wonder how she came up with this or that, she is so talented! I need an interior decorator! STAT!

2. Organizing my children's schedule is a full time job. Add in any family plans we might have, and I am pretty dang sure I need a full time assistant!

3. We are going to spend A LOT of time in the pool this month because most of the kid's toys are packed, and they are a bundle of energy the sun and water tire them out nicely, and then when we come back inside and throw them in front of a movie, I don't feel so bad!

4. Meatless Monday is starting to be a REAL DRAG, especially when it falls on a Holiday!

5. I think I need to eat a steak or something. I am so tired all of the time. I took two naps yesterday, went to bed at 9:30, and some how I still woke up tired.

6. Tyler is getting better about moving, she was having a REALLY hard time for awhile. She still has her moments where I think it all just doesn't make sense in her head, but we are working on it.

7. My grocery store bill is going to sky rocket now that the kids are home for the summer, they can really throw down!

8. Drew got a heart. You can continue to follow the journey HERE!

9. I often eat lunch for breakfast and breakfast for lunch.

10. Dropped Jackson off at his Summer School this morning, and I had to laugh because I am so clearly a dork because all the parents of the other "gifted" children were complete and total dorks, and that's so judgmental, I KNOW, so I decided that I couldn't possibly be the only "cool" parent there, so I have accepted the fact that I am a dork. I would rather be a dork than the possessed parent in the parking lot SCREAMING at her child that she was going to give him a spanking. I turned to Jackson and Tyler and quietly said, "Isn't it like 7:30 AM, why is this person already screaming?" GOOD TIMES AT THE SUMMER SCHOOL DROP OFF!

Prayers Please

2011-05-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

It's things like this that remind us all of what is important. Pat's office manager at his old law firm has a darling little boy, Drew, that is in desperate need of your prayers. You can follow along with their journey. . .here! Some of you may know her as Boedie's Boys, if you played Fantasy Football with us.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

1. EIGHT YEARS! The only man I can say I truly trust with my heart (other than my grandpa because I know he would do anything for me)! I don't have a lot of faith in men, but this one is a keeper! Happy Anniversary, Patrick!

2. I would love to write a book. I don't know what I would write about (LIE: Why I Don't Leave the House would be the title, and I would write about all the crazy things I have encountered since becoming the wife of an attorney.)

3. Pat worked until 10 last night, BOO! I slept through him coming home, heating up dinner, etc. That scares me, and that's why I don't really like to be asleep when the kids are here. I could sleep through it, or I could wake up every five minutes, it is TERRIBLE!

4. I am having lunch with a friend tomorrow, and I cannot WAIT!!! It has been a really long time since I had lunch with a friend.

5. I am trying not to eat as much cheese because I don't think my stomach can tolerate it. I do really well, and then I totally fail!

6. Pat and Paul went and fixed my grandparent's roof on Saturday morning. Pat nor Paul know anything about fixing a roof, but they got it done. AND THEN, while they were doing it, the neighbor asked if they would come over and look at her roof. I think they could start up a side business.

7. My little Calli Rose Parise graduated from high school this weekend. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!? She was six months old when I started watching her, and she would cry her little eyes out the entire time her mom was gone. I don't know why I went back. It was torture, but I credit her with allowing me the luxury of having my kids cry it out! It doesn't phase me because she would cry no matter what!

8. Both my kids went to their first "drop off" birthday party this weekend, and it was luxuriouis and stressful at the same time. I hoped and prayed that they were given the tools needed to be polite and wonderful in that situation, and I loved the peace and quiet I was able to have while enjoying Calli's grad party (though Pat and I both scarfed our food down like the kids were still there!)!

9. I hate James Frey on Oprah. I don't like him. Having him on for TWO hours is ridiculous. Unless of course, he wants to publish my novel, then I will love him!

10. At what point would it be beneficial to have Tyler start watching 16 and Pregnant. It never ends well, and it is a horrible situation for EVERYONE, and I want her to realize just how CRAPPY it would be!!!! FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

1. I have started a million and one posts, and they are all me complaining about how we have to move AGAIN! I don't feel anyone wants to listen to that, so I tweet about it and get my frustrations out that way!

2. I would really like to just move into a resort for the summer while Pat and I find a house to buy, but I am afraid my bill at the pool with the pool boys would be excessive.

3. When my dad found out we had to move and didn't have anywhere to go, he said that we could live in his RV on his driveway, as long as we emptied the sewer container. There are so many things wrong with this but mainly, he has like a 3000 square foot house, why can't we sleep in the house and use the bathroom.

4. My mom's friends from Brophy keep delivering boxes to my doorstep. It is so kind and heartwarming.

5. I am so excited for The Good Wife tonight.

6. Jackson's Celebration of Learning is tonight. I have to miss it because Tyler isn't feeling well. Such is life as the parent of two munchkins.

7. We went to Tucson two weekends ago, and I didn't take a single picture. We ate at Eegee's twice. We also ate at El Charro Cafe which was AMAZING! I highly recommend it.

8. I am making Eggs Benedict for my grandma's birthday this weekend, I cannot stop thinking about them. I love that Tyler loves them as much as I do.

9. I made mini meat loaves for dinner this morning when kids were at school. Now, I don't really feel like meat loaf, and I have to lie to the kids and say they are meat balls because otherwise they won't eat them, it is just a whole ordeal, and I am not in the mood for it now!

10. In the end, it doesn't matter where we end up, as long as we are together, memories can be made and magic will happen. We've made the right decisions so far when it comes to the whole entire housing situation, and I hope that we make another good one.

Family Friday

2011-05-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Focusing on what's important!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

1. Field Day with Jackson today was hard for me. I LOVED Field Day. It was my most favorite day at school. There were three of us that would alternate as fastest every year. Niccole Villa, Kim Gwaltney, and I. The fact that Kim isn't here anymore, and that maybe one of the kids racing today wouldn't be here in the future tore at my heart strings.

2. Jackson's class came in 2nd on the relay race. He was one of six boys chosen from his class to race based on speed. I am so proud. He did a great job!

3. Tyler's teacher told me today that she was more animated and confident than she has ever been, almost like she was on drugs. UM, OK!? What does one say to that? Other than. . .I totally know what you mean!

4. I don't ever want to live in Troon North. Pat has been trying to get home from there for over and hour, and I can't imagine what it would be like trying to get there from downtown! SERENITY NOW!

5. My MIL found me a bottle of SkinnyGirl Margaritas. I can't wait to get my hands on it and taste the goodness that is Bethenny! I love her, love the show, love her husband, love her baby, love it all!

6. I have mentioned Joe's Diner before, but we have since gone back, and I love it even more, so I want to give it a shout out again.

7. If you played Fantasy Football with us ever, you may remember Boedie's Boys. Her son is in desperate need of your prayers, so if you are the praying type and could send them, it would be greatly appreciated.

8. I am addicted to Target!

9. Rylee calls Jackson, "Jack-Jean", it is so cute, I don't want to forget it.

10. We were in the Dillard's shoe department getting Jackson some new shoes, and Pat decided to let Tyler try on the display shoes, (something that drives my grandma crazy because I still do it until this day, I pick up the size 5 and shove my size 8.5 foot in there seeing if I "like" it!) well Rylee was watching it all, and we asked her what Tyler was doing, to which she replies, "Dress Up!" Even the two year old knows that the shoes they are trying to pass off as children's shoes look more like dress up shoes!

Drunken Spaghetti

2011-04-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Some of you may or may not know that we do Meatless Monday in our house now, and it is really hard to find REALLY good meatless recipes. I am also not a fan of spaghetti sauce UNLESS your name is Karen Parise, I just don't think it has a lot of flavor, but this recipe was SURPRISINGLY good. SHOCKINGLY GOOD actually. Just thought I would share in case you were looking for a few good ways to incorporate Meatless Monday into your life.

It is a three part sauce from Skinny Italian. . .

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE

1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 28 oz can imported Italian plum tomatoes, broken up, with their juices
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 T chopped fresh basil

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and their juices and the tomato paste. Bring just to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the basil. Simmer to blend the flavors, about 10 minutes.

MILANIA'S MARINARA SAUCE

1 T extra virgin olive oil
12 cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 1/2 cups BASIC TOMATO SAUCE (see above-recipe makes 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup hearty red wine
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper or crushed hot red pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they are beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Move the mushrooms to one side of the saucepan. Add the onion to the empty side of the saucepan and cook, stirring the onion occasionally, until it softens, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, stir everything together and cook until the onion is tender about 2 minutes more.
2. Stir in the tomato sauce, wine, oregano, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and well-flavored, at least 30 minutes and up to four hours, but the longer the better! If the sauce gets too thick, add a little water.

DRUNKEN SPAGHETTI

MILANIA'S MARINARA SAUCE
One 750 ml bottle Chardonnay
1 pound spaghetti
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving

1. Bring the marinara and 1 cup of wine to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, pour the remaining wine into a large pot, and 3 1/2 quarts lightly salted water, and bring to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
3. Drain the spaghetti and return to the pot. Add the sauce and mix well. Serve hot, with the cheese passed on the side.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

1. I want to go back to being blonde. I miss it. Blondes definitely have more fun.

2. I like wine.

3. The kids have not stopped talking about ice blocking. It is funny what they hold on to in their minds. The first thing out of Ty's mouth to her teachers this morning was, "We went ice blocking!" I kind of feel the same as her. So much fun. I want to have everyone I know over to do it with us because it is seriously SO MUCH FUN!

4. Those of you who know me, know I like doing things in the morning during the summer, not as much in the afternoon. So Jackson gets to go to a "special" summer school since he is gifted and all, and it is in the morning. I am already worrying about whether or not Tyler will be gifted because I want her to go to summer school in the morning too. The "other kids" (OMG, how terrible does that sound, but I don't know how else to phrase it) can participate in summer school in the afternoon. I like my afternoons to be free. Mainly so I can have friends over and drink wine (See #2)!

5. Summer school had such a stigma in the past, now summer school is all about fun and games, not so much about remediation and catching up.

6. There are a few houses in my neighborhood I love. I think I am going to start taking pictures as I walk by them so that when I have a house I am interested in remodeling I will know what I want it to look like.

7. I would FREAK OUT if some crazy lady was standing outside of my house taking pictures of my house.

8. I don't carry my credit card in my wallet, it sits on my desk, right next to my computer so that I can buy things online, usually things found on Groupon, Doozy of a Deal, Enamor, Living Social, etc.

9. I NEED A SMALL BLACK PURSE! Ever since Katie took the one back she was letting me borrow, I am at a loss every time I go out. I am seriously considering splurging on a really nice one because I would use it ALL THE TIME!

10. All of us went to a Suns game last week except Tyler. She is going to grow up and have serious issues when she is older unless we take her to a game soon. We try and keep her away from the game because she would probably run on to the court and try to join the Suns Dance Team. They also don't wear very many clothes, and we like to encourage her to wear clothes seeing as how I already call her Striperella behind her back!

Ice Blocking

2011-04-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

Some of my best ideas come from reality television. In one episode of Sister Wives this season, they went ice blocking, and I was convinced this family needed to do it. Over an hour of fun was had participating in this fun event. Surprisingly I was quite skilled at this task, and we all had a great time. I will let the pictures tell the complete story! Please excuse our clothing. Everyone was dressed in clothes that could be completely ruined so that I could join in the fun without worrying about what was getting stained!

Chronic Pain

2011-03-30T01:21:00.000-07:00

For over two years now, I have been dealing with the same back pain, side pain, all around right side of the body pain. Some days are better than others, it is always there, my right side never feels one hundred percent. I don't know what it is going to be like when I wake up, the pain can vary in degrees from moment to moment.

I am not myself anymore. I stray away from having people over or hanging out because I don't know if I will feel alright, and the idea of having to have my house ready for people to come over is exhausting. I don't think I am the best mom I can be to my kids. I am irritable all the time due to (1) the pain (2) not knowing what it is and wondering what it is. I don't think I am the best wife. Some days my mind gets the best of me, and I am convinced that I am slowly dying. I am the first to say yes to a glass or two of wine because it takes the edge off if even just for a moment. I just don't like the person I have become.

I have made a conscious effort to avoid doctors at all costs because of the cost and it's not how I want to spend my days when my kids are at school. I persued many invasive procedures a year ago, and they didn't find anything, so I have decided that I must be insane. I don't talk about the pain often since I don't go to doctors I don't really think I have the right to complain, so I am sure people forget, but I feel like it is five hundred times harder for me to do everything. I am constantly tired, but when people ask me how I am feeling, I just say fine. I mean, do you really want to be friends with someone who complains all the time? I would do just about anything to make the pain go away. I am so very tired.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

1. I could have on a potato sack, but as long as it looks like a dress, Tyler will tell me I look beautiful. Maybe I should invest in some mumus! HA!

2. I cannot believe Jackson will be in first grade next year. That is so old! I feel old.

3. I am a sucker for infomercials. I bought the Kettle Worx, workout program because it is sold as 20 minutes 3 times a week! #1 HARDEST TWENTY MINUTES EVER #2 IN PAIN FOR A WEEK after doing it once #3 doesn't motivate me to want to do it at all. I also purchase Turbo Jam two years ago, I would recommend that over Kettle Worx, seriously it is so hard.

4. What would you eat as your last meal? I can't choose! Seriously, I cannot imagine choosing.

5. I am terrible at returning emails, but I get frustrated when people don't return mine. HYPOCRITE MUCH?

6. DYING FOR A DIET COKE!

7. Kind of think all the hype behind the Royal Wedding is ridiculous, but at the same time it might be jealousy because I will never be royalty.

8. I would like to go on The Biggest Loser. I feel like I have zero motivation to get up and do anything, but with Bob or Jillian screaming in my face, it would be just the motivation I need.

9. Someone come hang some clothes up for me, PLEASE?

10. Did someone say Diet Coke????????????

BONUS-Joe's Diner on 16th Street between Camelback and Indian School is AMAZING. Cutest little place, food is DELICIOUS and INCREDIBLY CHEAP! Hurry there today!

Out Like a Light!

2011-03-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

I am JEALOUS of these people I am related to. Jealous because they have the ability to fall asleep with a live band playing right outside our window.

OK, so right outside is a little dramatic, but let me explain.

Last night we had a family slumber party in our family room. We pulled out all the mattresses and set up camp. As Jaclyn pointed out on Saturday, it's as close to camping as I get.

It was fun, I think we started a little too early in the afternoon, and we were all a little aggravated with one another by about five. We all "went to sleep" around eight, it was a little warm with all four of us in one room, so we opened the back door, and a wonderful breeze was coming through the room. It was FANTASTIC, until the live band started playing at the Country Club, maybe 100 yds away. I am not kidding that we were singing along with the music, and all of a sudden the other three people in the room, OUT LIKE LIGHTS, snoring and all. I am like, "What the heck, there's a BAND playing people?" I stayed in bed for about an hour listening to it, until I heard the band leader say that they were going to take a little break and be right back. I was not sticking around to listen to them cover Journey as they announced they would be doing. I went in our bedroom and sat down on the futon, watched some tv, and eventually ended up falling asleep there. FAR FROM THE LIVE BAND. We woke up this morning and had doughnuts, and the kids had a blast, but Pat told me I need to contact the Country Club next time I suggest a family sleepover.

I am INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY jealous of people who can sleep through noise. As anyone who has been "lucky" enough to live with me knows, I need complete silence to fall asleep, the tiniest noise wakes me up, I rarely sleep through the whole night, and I cannot go to sleep until everyone who is supposed to be at home in bed is at home in bed.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-22T14:23:00.001-07:00

1. I love going to watch Tyler play tball. Seriously, it puts a smile on my face every time, and I think about all the cute and funny things the kids do the entire day.

2. Our street is being repaved this week, apparently they do it every four years. Some streets don't get repaved every fourteen years, but this neighborhood is full of elderly, retired people that have nothing better to do, so we must remove our cars from our house by 7 Thursday morning, and they can't come back until 7 Saturday morning. If you see above, the elderly, retired people probably don't have to leave their homes, so it is not a big deal. I will have to lug my sh** and my kids to and from the house to the Country Club parking lot every time I want to go somewhere. UGH! Frustrated to the max.

3. Ate at Beckett's Table. AMAZING. I love short ribs. His were AMAZING. I can't wait to go back. They also have Bacon Cheddar Biscuits-need I say more. The dessert we had was Chocolate Covered Bacon, Graham Crackers, PEANUT BUTTER MOUSSE, homemade marshmallows, drizzled with caramel-YUM!

4. Also ate at Bobby Q's. I have wanted to go for awhile, but honestly, the location is a little sketchy for me, but we braved it Saturday, and it was delicious. They start you out with these corn bread cakes, and when you are leaving, they give you donuts. Everything in between was wonderful as well: pulled pork, mac and cheese, burger, fries, YUM!

5. After reading the previous two, I should really just be happy that I don't weigh 300 lbs instead of always being so down on myself for my current weight! HA!

6. Tyler had to make a favorite things bag for school, in it she included: a pink ponytail holder because pink is her favorite color, a picture of fruit because that's her favorite food, a picture of Ellie the elephant because she doesn't go anywhere without her, a Hannah Montana necklace, and a picture of James. Jackson says, "Why didn't she put a picture of me in there? I should be one of her favorite things!" My response, "Daddy and I didn't make the cut either dude!"

7. I have been obsessed with House Hunters lately, and seriously I SCREAM at the television when they pick the wrong house. OMG, it frustrates me to the end of the world and back. I would not sacrifice living on a quiet street for a view, and you won't either when you have those kids you want in about two years! OMG!

8. I have only had one amazing massage in my life. It was at a chiropractic office, where I went for a consultation and what not, but I never went back for the recommended treatment, so I am afraid to call and make an appointment just for another massage, but it hurt oh so good. She was amazing.

9. We are going to Tucson in a month, and my mouth is already salivating when I think of Eegee's.

10. Pat LOVES LOVES LOVES his new job, and he is much happier, which in turn makes us all happier.

Jodi Picoult Does It Again!

2011-03-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

Sing You Home, is another FABULOUS novel that addresses the issues at hand today. I don't like knowing anything about a book before I read it, I don't even read the book jacket before reading a book, so I am not going to discuss the book's plot. What I will say is that Picoult is the most forward thinking author of our time. There are references and mentions in the book of things that are happening NOW! I like that if my kids ever decide to read her books in the future they will know what was going on at this very moment.

This book made me incredibly sad! Most of her books make me cry uncontrollably, this one made me ashamed of the human race. One day...one day, people will realize that their prejudice ways and judgmental behavior are not what the Bible is referring to. I don't know when, and I don't know how, but one day. I am certain that if I was alive during slavery or segregation, I wouldn't have been ok with that either. It probably would have been my "cause". I just wish that everyone could get along. Honestly, Pat's job depends on the fact that people won't, and our livelihood depends on the fact that people don't, BUT I would give it all up to live and let live!

"But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force." -Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream 1963

Tball Goddess

2011-03-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

Since the term "goddess" is all the rage these days thanks to a certain Two and a Half Men star. I thought it was only appropriate to describe my daughter as a tball goddess. I don't think I have ever been prouder than Friday night when she took to tball like a miniature Olympian. She paid such close attention to the ball and where it was at all times. I am certain no one ever told her anything about ready position, and she was constantly at the ready. And, her mom has obviously watched A League of Their Own a few too many times because when she wanted to wear a skirt and knee socks, I didn't even blink an eye. She was confident and it showed. Here are a few pictures from her debut performance!

Just Another Manic Monday

2011-02-28T05:39:00.000-08:00

1. I cannot remember the last time I was as sick as I was last week. Pat cannot remember a time I have EVER been that sick. Each and every day, I would be convinced that the next day I would feel better, and I just never got better. It was devastating. Usually I bounce back from an illness or injury pretty quickly. I thought I was going to be heading to the hospital if I couldn't get the shivering under control. I had the flu at the beginning of the week, and then at the end of the week, I had a sinus infection and bronchitis.

2. I was wearing two pair of pajama pants at most times next week because I was SO COLD! So cold, I would take shower after shower after shower trying to warm up, it was the only five minutes of the day I was actually warm.

3. Bless Patrick's heart, he was a lot of help during all this, and he had a lot on his plate as well. I think he is ready to run away for awhile. I don't think he is interested in being a stay at home dad.

4. I need to go replenish my medicine supply at Costco this week. I refuse to buy ibuprofen or Tylenol anywhere else because you get a million and one pills for next to nothing at Costco, compared to other places. I also feel this way about trash bags. I always hate spending like 17 dollars up front for trash bags, but OMG, I don't have to buy them again for MONTHS, and I would spend WAY more than that other places.

5. I am WEAK today. I feel like I was hit by a bus, and I am finally learning to stand up again. I have ZERO energy. I think the small amount of muscle I have atrophied.

6. I watched a lot of Real Housewives of Orange County when I was in bed, a city of Real Housewives that I haven't watched in the past, and OMG, where do these women come from? I have to say I had many feverish thoughts about dumping Patrick and running away to the OC to find one of these men who would lavish me with diamonds and probably have a house cleaner come in to take care of the house (ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM SICK), but none the less, I am still here cleaning up after the madness that was last week. Such is life! :-)

7. The Pioneer Woman didn't tweet me after my success of cooking my way through her cookbook. I am kind of mad at her right now, but it will pass soon!

8. My kids are in a HUGE talking back phase, I think a Costco size bottle of Dial soap needs to make the list. Seriously, how do I break this? It is making Pat and I crazy.

9. I am desperate to see the Charlie Sheen interview this morning on the Today Show. You KNOW it is going to come on when I take Jackson to school. Murphy's Law!

10. Gas-HOLY GAS PRICES PEOPLE! If there was ever a reason to home school, it is that I am sick of paying an arm and a leg to fill up my car! Did that just make you all laugh, me. . .homeschooling!

I DID IT!

2011-02-23T10:52:00.000-08:00

One year ago today, I received The Pioneer Woman Cookbook for my birthday, and I vowed to cook my way through the whole cookbook in one year. It was a challenge, and I don't follow through on many things, but I stuck to it, and I learned so much about myself along the way. While I am not feeling very well today, I am content in knowing that I completed something great during my 30th year of life. Here's my review of all the recipes!

STARTERS
*BBQ Jalapeno Poppers- not a huge fan
*Pico de Gallo-I would use less onion and more than 1/2 of a lime
*Guacamole-Best Guac recipe ever, I always add more salt, taste, add salt, etc.
*PW'S Potato Skins-The most wonderful thing I have ever eaten-BEST Potato Skins EVER!
*Katie's Roasted Corn Salad-Soooooooo much flavor
*Hot Artichoke Dip-Always a Crowd Pleaser

IN THE MORNING
*Cinnamon Rolls-delicious but LOTS of work
*Iny's Prune Cake with Buttermilk Icing-surprisingly good, kids loved, tastes like coffee cake
*Buttermilk Biscuits-would be really good for Biscuits and Gravy
*Egg-In-The-Hole-a staple in this house now
*Basic Breakfast Potatoes-SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!
*PW Breakfast Burritos-a lot of flavor, love the chives
*Breakfast Bowls-a real treat!
*Marmalade Muffins-heavenly!
*Migas-has WAY TOO MANY PEPPERS in my personal opinion, but I am a little sensitive to that!
*French Breakfast Puffs-better than donuts
*Maple Pecan Scones-my sister called them Pancake Scones, so buttery and full of maple flavor, SO GOOD!
*Huevos Hyacinth-I love any excuse to use a ramekin
*Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes-very unique flavor, good change up on the standard pancake

DINNER (Translation:Lunch)
*Simple, Perfect Chili-OK, not a lot of flavor
*Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich-top with mozzarella cheese-wonderful
*Onion Strings-could be a meal alone for me-DELICIOUS
*Spicy Pulled Pork-Not worth spending 6-7 hours cooking, but good
*Macaroni and Cheese-I love her recipe, Pat and the kids didn't, give it a try and let me know what you think
*Beans and Cornbread-beans DELICIOUS, cornbread NOT SO MUCH
*Sherried Tomato Soup-Best Tomato Soup I have ever had that is not from La Madeleine
*Pizza Crust-AMAZING!
*Potato-Leek Pizza-I seriously cannot describe in words how super fantastic this pizza is! You just have to try it yourself.
*Cowboy Calzone-like an enchilada in a pizza pocket-YUM

SUNDAY DINNER
*Perfect Pot Roast-I don't like Pot Roast, I liked this one
*Chicken Pot Pie-totally worth all the work that goes into it
*Perfect Pie Crust-yummy, but I don't think pie crusts are my specialty
*Chicken Spaghetti-this recipe will serve like 20 people, I divide it into two pans and freeze one, reheats beautifully!

SUPPER (Translation:Dinner)
*Chicken Fried Steak-it was ok, but the gravy was really good
*PW's Creamy Mashed Potatoes-BEST MASHED POTATOES ANYWHERE-this woman knows potatoes
*Meatloaf-meatloaf part was good, I didn't care for the bacon and sauce so much, you know it isn't great if I don't like the bacon part :-)
*Twice Baked Potatoes-again, really good potato, these freeze perfectly
*Fried Chicken-I don't fry things in my house, I would fry this again
*Braised Beef Brisket-it was ok, but I lived in TX for quite some time, I like Rudy's brisket
*Cheese Grits-I am a potato girl, I would have potatoes in place of these any day of the week
*Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce-The sauce is the best thing I have ever put on a steak-incredible
*Homemade Ranch with Iceberg Wedge-I didn't even know I liked an iceberg wedge until I got to put this wonderful dressing on it, beats anything from a bottle
*Comfort Meatballs-good
*Simple, Perfect Enchiladas-I like Katie's better
*Linguine With Clam Sauce-not a fan, but others liked
*Lasagna-LOVE
*Penne Alla Betsy-blah

COWGIRL DINNER PARTY
*Sangria-AWESOME
*Roasted Beef Tenderloin-YUM
*Burgundy Mushrooms-anything that simmers in wine for nine hours, will be amazing
*Creamy Rosemary Potatoes-anyone who likes rosemary want to move in with me? so good
*Olive Cheese Bread-if you like olives, really good
*Creme Brulee-I like my recipe better

SWEETS
*Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler-frozen fruit works great
*Flat Apple Pie-hard to make, add caramel sauce
*Chocolate Sheet Cake-great to feed to a large crowd
*Mocha Brownies-really "coffeeish"
*Oatmeal Crispies-add white chocolate chips and cranberries-absolutely fabulous
*Pineapple Upside-Down Cake (In An Iron Skillet)-LOVE
*Peach Crisp With Maple Cream Sauce-heavenly
*Red Velvet Cake-didn't care too much for cake part, LOVED frosting
*Angel Sugar Cookies-delightful

A Look Into the Past Few Days

2011-02-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

****COULD ALSO BE TITLED: MOST DAYS I THINK I AM WAY TOO SELFISH TO HAVE KIDS!****

WEDNESDAY. Jackson gets off the bus, and he isn't really himself. He doesn't have a temperature, but he is just a little off. By 5pm, he is a little warm, and just ready to go to bed.

THURSDAY. Jackson stays home from school. Tyler goes to school. Jackson doesn't move from the couch all morning. Pat decides that Jackson needs to go to the doctor. The doctor gives him a strep test and flu test. The flu test is positive. $60 is spent on Tami Flu. About 10pm he is BURNING up, we give him a cool bath, he screams through the whole thing, I feel like I am up checking on a newborn baby all night long. Around 1 he feels much cooler.

FRIDAY. My mom comes to get Tyler to hang out with her, take her back to her house and keep her occupied while Jackson occupies my couch. Around 7PM, my mom says she starts to feel warm. She sleeps all night and feels better in the morning.

SATURDAY. About 10AM, we go to my mom's house, 35.10 miles away. We all have breakfast together. About noon, Pat and I leave both kids there, Tyler feels a little warm, but nothing serious. 3:30PM my mom calls and says that Tyler is not herself. Pat and I cancel our plans with Lori and John (I cry), we jump in the car to head back to Mesa to meet my mom at a Walgreen's Take Care Clinic, they were so busy they weren't accepting anymore patients. After much calling around, we ended up at a CVS Minute Clinic located at about Power and McKellips. The nurse practitioner there diagnosed her with a sinus infection and gave her an antibiotic. She was jumping around and fine begging me to stay at my mom's house. Finally, against my better judgment I agree. Pat and I drive back home, call Lori and John to see if we can just go out a little later. They agree, we go out. We wait over an hour for a seat at Cibo. When we are finally seated, we get to sit in the Carriage House, so charming and quaint. I am excited. The food is wonderful. I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. I am exhausted. Lori MAKES us go to Lucky Strike which a cross between a Glendale and Scottsdale club on Saturday night. I see more cleavage than I need to see while bowling. My mom calls, Tyler is really warm. We tell her to give her some more medicine. We go play some pool. I call my mom when we get home, she says Tyler was really hot, just kept moaning, finally fell asleep. We set alarm for 2 am so that we can discuss her status again.

SUNDAY. At 2am she is cooler. At 7 when I call she is just sitting on the couch watching Hannah Montana. I say I will just come pick her up after we go to breakfast. My mom says no come after her nap. She says she will keep Jackson until tomorrow. I say no I am just coming to pick them both up because if I have to drive 35.10 miles tomorrow because my mom ends up sick I MIGHT JUST LOSE MY MIND! Plus, I really think my mom deserves a BREAK! It is brutal staying up in the middle of the night with these kids! This family just cannot catch a break! Needless to say Pat and I have spent the entire morning cleaning this house, a far cry from the Phoenician Brunch we had planned, but we did sneak out for a half and hour and had a WONDERFUL burger at Burger Studio (7th St and Mountain View), if you haven't been, must go, the onion rings are HEAVENLY!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-02-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

It's beeen awhile since I did one of these, but here goes.

1. AJ's is definitely my comfort food of choice. Whenever I have a bad day, I crave AJ's. I don't know why. Something about the comfort of that grocery store makes me happy. I always get the Pilgrim's Picnic sandwich with couscous salad as my side. Mmmmmmm!

2. Today is the Spring Tasting for Z'Tejas. It is seriously one of my most favorite days of the year. Something about tasting food before it is released to the public and being able to comment on it.

3. My mom is taking Jackson and Tyler lunch at school today. They are over the moon about it. It is the little things in life really!

4. If you have lived here for awhile, and you frequented Metro Center before it was SCARY, there was wonderful restaurant there, Round the Corner, all the tables had phones on them, when you were ready to order, you would pick up the phone and be connected to a cashier. When the food was ready, your phone would ring. I MISS THAT PLACE! Such fond memories of shopping after school on Fridays with my grandma and mom.

5. We went to Pancho's this weekend. It was as disgusting as I remember it. I will not be returning. It is on my list with Applebee's. I don't plan on stepping foot in either again before I die.

6. Katie's Roasted Corn Salad from the Pioneer Woman cookbook is INCREDIBLE!

7. I have four recipes left before I am done with the entire cookbook.

8. I am sooooooooooooo over cooking.

9. My new favorite obsession is Pretty Little Liars. It is this stupid ABC Family show, and I have no idea why I watch it, but they sucked me in.

10. BYE BYE CRAZY MICHELLE from The Bachelor. SOOOOOOOOOOO glad Brad sent her packing this week. Emily is still hanging in there, and I just love her. My second favorite is the mortuary girl, but it looks like Brad might be a little weirded out by her next week.

How I Know Pat Loves Me!

2011-02-14T06:14:00.000-08:00

1. He believes in me.

2. He is my number one cheerleader.

3. He doesn't think there is one thing that I couldn't do if I set my mind to it.

4. He encourages me.

5. He listens to me talk about the same thing for hours.

6. He always has my back.

7. He knows and openly admits that I am smarter than him.

8. He eats take out even though he would rather go the restaurant and eat it.

9. He cleans up after all my "spills"! SERIOUSLY, I am a KLUTZ people!

10. He encourages me to do things out of my comfort zone.

I saw on one episode of Oprah this season, they talked about loving someone, and how when you love someone you only want them to be the best they can be, even if it means it might interfere with your life a little bit.

He loves me.

He always wants the best for me, and he never stops to consider how my latest or greatest plan might be detrimental to his life. He is always willing to make it work.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love you Patrick, and you are PERFECT for me!

Ronald McDonald House

2011-02-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

What a FANTASTIC and awesome evening Tuesday night was!!! The moms in Tyler's class all got together and organized making dinner for the families at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a LOT of work, but totally and completely worth it all. If you are part of any sort of group, I would totally encourage you to organize a trip there. The people you meet there will change your life. The families are so thankful for what you are doing, so willing to talk and tell anyone who will listen their story, and they are so kind, even in the face of such tragedy.

We did a taco/nacho bar, and it was super easy to make a sign up sheet to tell people what to bring. Everyone was very generous with their donations, and I think the food ended up tasting pretty yummy if I do say so myself. I mean, you really CANNOT beat nacho cheese sauce from a can. You might think you make a better cheese sauce, but if you went to Xavier and grew up eating bagels with nacho cheese twice a day, you know nacho cheese from a can is the best.

If you would like any help organizing your own dinner, or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, it is my new favorite way to spend an evening.

SHOCK!

2011-02-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

I don't know that I have ever truly been in shock before. I can't remember the last time something happened where I felt like I had been one hundred percent surprised. I am usually so inquisitive and nosy, that I feel like I have a "premonition" before something is going to happen. However, last Friday, I received a phone call that I NEVER thought I would receive. I didn't even imagine it ever happening. I didn't think it was even a possibility.

I am crazy. I make up ALL SORTS of scenarios in my head. I mean, seriously people are dead before they are born, I have people hired and fired the same day, I expect the worst. I mean honestly, I am a glass is half empty kind of girl, and I am pleasantly surprised when things turn out a little differently. I don't like this about myself, and I would LOVE to change it, I am certain it would help to alleviate some of the immense stress I feel like I am constantly under.

I don't know if one is supposed to feel more tired than they ever have in their entire life when they are in shock. Yesterday, I considered driving myself to the hospital and committing myself to the loony bin-JUST SO THAT I COULD SLEEP! I think I was more tired yesterday than when I had mono. My mind is constantly racing. I am not certain I am even really paying attention to anyone else who might be talking to me. I feel like I just walk around in a daze! I know I am tired. I am one hundred percent, without a doubt, identical to a toddler when I am tired. I start crying about everything. The thought of making dinner last night was so insurmountable that I just laid in bed and cried at 4 in the afternoon. I was curled up under the covers crying because I didn't want to make dinner. Very similar to a toddler who cries because they don't want to get dressed, don't like the breakfast that was served to them, etc. I fully admit it is completely and totally insane. Leave all the negative comments you want, I know it is crazy.

Almost a week later, and I still can't really wrap my head around it. I don't let my mind go there very often, and I have kept VERY BUSY this week to make sure that my mind doesn't go there. But when it does, it is a deep dark pit of despair, and I don't know how I am going to get out. I am angry, sad, and sick to my stomach all at the same time.

Super Bowl Sunday

2011-02-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember, Super Bowl has always been a "holiday" in our house. My definition of holiday is so much different than other people. Growing up, my parents fought a lot, but on "holidays" they didn't fight. I don't have any bad memories of Super Bowl Sunday. Everyone was always laughing, eating, having a good time. Maybe it was all the food, maybe it was the alcohol, but Super Bowl Sunday is up there with Disneyland and Christmas in my mind of wonderful things/places.

We have a little gambling game we play, and I always remember having to go to bed before the end of the game, and waking up in the morning and wondering if I had won or not?

I remember not understanding what the big deal surrounding commercials was. I didn't get the jokes, didn't really know why we had to suddenly take an interest in commercials when usually that was time for a potty break.

I still love fighting with Katie that a sub sandwich is the only thing one should eat on Super Bowl. And her telling me she only like Subway subs, and that the grocery store ones are gross because there is too much bread. (We are doing a "Soup"er Bowl theme this year to avoid the sub sandwich debate, but now I have to listen to Pat complain that it isn't Super Bowl food!)

AND, I almost forgot. . .every year, my grandma talks about how spicy her chili is, and how your mouth is going to be on fire. Each and every year, it is not spicy at all, but we all laugh as soon as she says it!

Honestly the list of memories and good times goes on and on and on and on!

I am so happy to have Lori and John in town this year to celebrate with us. Have I mentioned how much I love Lori. I need to start doing sit ups to prepare myself for all the laughing I plan on doing!

Anyone else have an Super Bowl traditions? Memories? Or am I the only crazy one who gets all sentimental over the Super Bowl!?

@Oprah

2011-02-03T04:14:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Oprah's show was all about going Vegan. In no way shape or form will I ever be vegan, I would miss eggs and cheese WAY TOO MUCH. OMG, the thought of no eggs seriously sends me over the edge. But, the reason I write this is because it is totally an episode that I would normally delete, but my Brother in Law works for Cargill, an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services, that allowed cameras and Lisa Ling inside their slaughter house in Fort Morgan. I knew that being a Go Vegan type show, that Cargill was not going to be looked upon in a favorable light, but I was PLEASANTLY surprised at what a Class Act the show turned out to be. I think it has to be the best representation of people who are OBVIOUSLY on completely different ends of the spectrum coming together and talking about what are the major concerns, changes that could be made, and etc. If nothing else, watch some of the clips just to see what can happen when people respect one another and their opinions. It is unbelievable.

I think the MOST FASCINATING thing I learned from the show was about Temple Grandin. You may recognize the name because Claire Danes has won numerous awards this very Awards Season for her portrayal of Temple in a movie on HBO, and Temple is at all the Awards Shows, and she always cheers wildly for Claire when she receives the award. Claire always thanks her, it is this beautiful relationship that has formed. Needless to say, I am dying to see it, but they mentioned her name because Cargill has a very "humane and dignified" method of slaughtering the cows as they become the meat many of us eat. APPARENTLY Temple Grandin designed the system and is the absolute authority on livestock, treatment, handling, slaughter, I mean SERIOUSLY! SERIOUSLY, check out this website and see all she has done-UNBELIEVABLE!

Of course what do I do after I watch the show, I tweet @Oprah and ask her if wine is vegan! I don't want all those poor vegans out there being denied!

Something Deep

2011-02-02T06:05:00.000-08:00

Something deep and profound hit me as I was watching the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion show Part 2 last night! By far the BEST city so far to have a Real Housewives recorded there, but that's a story for a different day!

Anyway, if you watch, you know that Kyle and Kim are sisters, their other sister happens to be Kathy Hilton (Paris Hilton's mom), but that's a story for a different day too! Kyle and Kim have a ROCKY relationship, but the love that they have for one another is so deep. It reminds me much of my own relationship with my sister! I think the reason that Kyle and Kim, along with Katie and I, have such a difficult time maintaining this picture perfect relationship is because we are so real with one another. Kyle calls Kim out and vice versa, and I know for for a fact that I have said NUMEROUS things to Katie that I would never say to anyone else. I think this happens for two reasons:

(1) With a sister, you are put in positions to discuss things that you might not have to with other people. I know I have hurt her by wanting to do things without her occasionally. With a friend, they don't know what you are doing virtually every second of the day, my sister and I text about 500 times a week. No one else knows where I am or what I am doing all the time. No one else really cares. So, for this very reason, I think it is hard on the sister.

(2) I know she will love me no matter what. I am BRUTALLY honest with her! BRUTALLY. If I don't like something that someone else does, I just discuss it with Pat and either remove myself from the situation or ignore it. With Katie, the sh** just spews from my mouth. It is like I am taken over by some greater being and the looks of disgust and eye rolling come forth. Again, we spend massive amounts of time together, and I think anyone who spends that much time together will have their issues (See: Pat and I after one or the other being sick for five weeks=divorce court!). I need to be more patient with her and realize that she keeps all my deepest. darkest secrets!

Anyway, my point of this rant is that I do learn things from Reality Television, and I am going to work on not making Katie my whipping girl!

But only if she gets her butt up from the couch every once in awhile!

OK STARTING NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Back in the Day!

2011-02-01T09:39:00.001-08:00

Karissa started yesterday scanning in pictures from college, and I thought I would look through mine this morning, after I cleaned the kitchen of course, I mean, that's what my life has become after all. I didn't want to have to clean the kitchen AFTER looking at how much fun I had back in the day! That would be depressing. OH MY GOSH, I have laughed and smiled all morning. Can anyone tell me just how or why this picture exists? I have absolutely NO IDEA what was going on in it, but it sure made me laugh!

I am pretty sure hours after this picture was taken Al started prank calling our room and had my roommates and I SOOOOOOOOOOO SCARED we were calling security and what not. Then, I think he ran in our room with a faux knife and scared us half to death. BUT, it's a memory, and if it didn't happen that night, it happened a different night! He loved to scare us! I wonder what he is up to these days!

I dare you all to post your craziest picture on your blog. OR, if you can figure out how to leave it as a comment, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT!

Vodka Eyeballing

2011-01-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

SOOOOOOOoooo, I think I have stated before that I love Hoda and Kathie Lee, they are just a babbling bunch, and half of what they say doesn't make sense, but I love that they always seem they are having fun. Much of their show focuses on alcohol because they are quite the drinkers, but today they turned the tables and did a warning story on "Vodka Eyeballing" which I have NEVER heard of, and quite honestly, I wish I never had because it makes me very scared for what the future holds for my kids.

Apparently college students are doing shots of vodka through their eye because they think it will make them get drunk faster. WHAT???? The videos are terrible and make me kind of want to throw up, but I think it is important to be aware of the trends that are out there, whether they be bad or good.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Thanks Hoda and Kathie Lee!

Who Are All These Walkers?

2011-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Being the private school snob that I am, I never lived close to my school, we had to drive, my parents drove me to school every morning until I was old enough to drive myself. (What a glorious day that must have been for my parents!) I never paid an ounce of attention to cross walks, how many people were riding bikes, HOW OLD the children riding bikes were, etc.

Present day. . .I drive my Kindergartener to school EVERY DAY. We go through the drop off line, he gets out, looks back and waves (that is going to end so soon, so I eat it up and wave like a crazy psycho back), and hurries off to class. I watch him go through the gates, and I know other than holding his hand and walking him to his door (which there are some parents who do, but that is teaching ZERO independence) I did the best I could in making sure he got to school safely!

Then I drive back to my house and see OODLES AND OODLES AND OODLES of children (all age ranges) walking and riding their bike. Today I saw a girl who looked like she was in 5th grade carrying this HUGE project, all dressed up in a skirt and dress shoes, walking to school. The other day I saw a girl riding her bike while balancing her violin on her lap. What are the parents doing that they can't drive their kid to school on the day the student has music or a special project due? I would like to think that the answer is working, and for this I am INCREDIBLY thankful that I am able to stay home. I may not like it every day. I may go to bed almost daily thinking I did a terrible job. I may not go on fancy vacations or drive a nice car, but I know that if my kids need a ride to school, I am available. I am pretty sure that if my kids walked to school, I would have to call the office every morning and make sure that they made it.

CONFESSION Wednesday

2011-01-19T15:49:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I HATE green peppers, red peppers, orange peppers, yellow peppers, whatever color, I hate them. I have tried and tried and tried again, but I just don't like them. I give people a really hard time about not liking foods, so I feel a little guilty not liking a food myself, so when I make all the Pioneer Woman recipes from her cookbook, I include ALL of the ingredients, and with the Chicken Spaghetti, it worked out, I couldn't taste them, and they add a lot of flavor to the meal. If you follow me on twitter, you know that last night I felt like I was going to puke. I had to literally go to sleep and stop thinking about all of the peppers I had eaten and included in the Migas. I seriously thought I was going to vomit. There are no more recipes with peppers, THANK GOD, but I do not like them Sam I am.

I am making Fried Chicken and Rosemary Potatoes this weekend. I am planning on going hiking first and not eating all day so that I can seriously ENJOY this meal!

Ten on Tuesday-Birthday Wish List

2011-01-18T13:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know about anyone else who posted a Christmas List, but I had such a Merry Christmas because people were able to pick and choose from the list I posted, and I ended up getting some amazing things, so for those of you interested in getting me a birthday present, here's a list for you!

1. Bike, used to think I wanted a beach cruiser, but those are trendy, so really any bike will do!

2. ~~Brita Water Pitcher~~ Apparently I was wrong, I researched and I would like a Zero Water Pitcher-Thanks Kristy!-I think I would drink much more water if I had some refrigerated cold water that didn't taste like butt.

3. The Pioneer Woman's New Book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, it is being released on Feb 1st, just in time to celebrate me cooking through the ENTIRE cookbook (only about 15 recipes left-I CAN DO IT!)

4. Cooking Light Cookbook to cook my way through during year 31! I had plenty of fun eating butter, heavy cream and shortening this year, it is time to focus on being healthy!

5. Dutch Oven-a really BIG, nice one. Le Crueset apparently has a store at the Anthem Outlets if anyone is dying to get me one, I bet you could get a smoking deal on one there!

6. Emily from The Bachelor to find true love with a wonderful, wonderful man. I am just smitten with her. I love everything about her. Even if she wears shorts while rocking a leather jacket and scarf. I don't care-her story is heartbreaking, and I want nothing but the best for her.

7. A gym membership!

8. The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) also wrote a children's book that will be released in April (I will take a rain check!). I am just in love with this woman, what doesn't she do! You can get a glimpse of it here! I think it may become the staple gift I give for the holidays now. After all, I have already given everyone a copy of her cookbook, next comes the novel and children's book!

9. Spring Training Tickets-I don't care so much about what team, more concerned with the hot dogs and beer!

10. For The Pioneer Woman to tweet me on my birthday, congratulating me on cooking my way through the cookbook! DIE OF HAPPINESS!

On the Tucson Tragedy

2011-01-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to write on the topic, but after I sat and watched the Memorial Service last night, I knew I had to write something to remember how AMAZING and WONDERFUL it was to feel like we really were the United States of America and not so severely divided down the middle! I am sure it was a big show, and things will go back to "normal" really soon, but God I hope not. I think it is time for some fresh candidates, candidates that embraced the "united" mentality. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could just tell everyone they were not welcome back and elect new people for the positions that are not endorsed or labeled a Republican or Democrat. I know it would never happen, and it would be a colossal mess, but it is just such a refreshing thought. I hope the victims didn't die in vain. I hope that this country got the wake up call it really needed. Personally, I don't think anyone on the outside caused the tragedy. I think the shooter was really mentally disturbed, and he had his own agenda, and he was not serving other's needs or desires, he was only thinking of himself. Which brings me to another point. I REALLY hope that this country stops putting such a stigma on psychological disorders. I wish we would embrace those who struggle mentally and get them the help they need instead of being "afraid" to admit that we or our loved ones may need help. This country is in turmoil, and I don't like it. I don't like that it takes a tragedy for us to pull together and help one another, act like we are united, look like we are united. I know that we can do it. I think it is time to stop thinking, "What is best for me?" "How will this affect me?", and it is time to start thinking about what is best for everyone.

Southwest Salsa

2011-01-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

I think I told you awhile ago that Tyler's teacher was selected to have her salsa recipe published in January's issue of Southern Living. Well, it came in the mail, and I can't wait to try it. But FIRST, I thought I would share it with you-WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE TO WORK IN THEIR TEST KITCHEN! Just click on the picture to enlarge it!

"These are a Few of My Favorite Things"

2011-01-07T15:08:00.001-08:00

1. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish-in a word-AMAZING! Seriously, it does what it says, it dries almost instantly. Great for thsoe little toddler fingers and toes that don't want to sit still after their manis and pedis!

2. Umberto Dry Shampoo-in my old age, my hair is getting REALLY greasy, this helps make me able to run my kids to school without having to shower. The grease DISAPPEARS-LOVE IT!

3. Vick's Warm Mist Humidifier-seriously, my kids would have frozen to death without it this week, and it has been working overtime. Tyler's room is relatively small, so with both of them sleeping in there, combined with all the fleece, humidity and stuffed buddies, they have been keeping quite warm at night.

4. Hanes Sweatshirts for the Kids from Target-I think I got them on sale for like $3 at the beginning of the season, they have been washed a million times, and they are still soft as the dad I got them!

Stingray Sushi

2011-01-03T05:41:00.001-08:00

I did it! I went to one of the restaurants off my list of restaurants I was DYING to try, and it did NOT disappoint! I love my list too because when Alissa called and told me to choose a place for lunch, I just went to my list and suddenly had tons of ideas!

I had heard from others that Stingray Sushi was relatively expensive, but I am never really turned off by that because I love the Tootsie Roll (although I am pretty sure that more and more places are calling it the Crab Crunch Roll or Crunch Roll these days), and the Tootsie Roll can range anywhere from 7-12 dollars depending on location, and I am willing to pay anywhere in that range. I don't eat any sort of expensive fish or tons of it, so I am probably not the best judge of sushi, but I LOVED their rolls. We stuck with a Philadelphia Roll, Tootsie Roll (or Crunch Roll), and one amazing roll that was topped with jalapenos and served with a sweet chili sauce. GREAT combination of flavors!

Now, I have to admit my most favorite thing about the Biltmore location was the patio. I am not a huge fan of patios. I don't normally like to eat my food outdoors, but OMG, the over sized couches that served as "booth" like seating for the tables were soooooooooooo comfortable. I felt like I was just lounging at home talking to my friend Alissa. It was amazing. I was just happy we went before the big cool down because in my opinion it was the PERFECT temperature on the patio December 28th!

Hurry over to Stingray Sushi soon!

Starting Off the New Year With a List

2011-01-01T16:56:00.000-08:00

A list of things that apparently I am the only person qualified to do in the house.

1. Flush toilets. It never fails that there is SOMETHING in the toilet every time I go to the bathroom.

2. Change light bulbs. They will be burnt out for months, when I finally do it, Patrick says, "Oh, I was just getting ready to do that!" Sure you were NOT!

3. Put socks in the hamper/laundry. My kids are pretty good about putting their dirty clothes where they belong, but it never fails I find socks strewn about the house.

4. Taking the used washcloths out of the shower/bath. They collect into a gigantic mountain until I wash them and put them away.

5. Grocery shopping. I seriously don't even let Patrick attempt this because I get about fifteen phone calls while he is there, so it is not even worth it. I have to be on my death bed to ask him to go.

6. Throwing away empty bottles of shampoo, body wash, conditioner, face wash, etc. AGAIN, another pile.

7. Doing Tyler's hair. I am sure one day she will want to do her own hair, and I will miss this, so I try to enjoy it, but it would be nice if Pat could do a ponytail every now and then.

8. Remember EVERYTHING!

That's all I can think of right now, although I am sure there are many more. I will fully admit there are things that I absolutely REFUSE to do. Taking out the trash is one of them. REFUSE! I hate trash cans, and I pile it up next to the trash can until a certain someone takes it out. Wouldn't it be fun if Patrick had a blog, how many of you want to hear "his side" of the story! Boo! Mine is the right one anyway!

Best of 2010

2010-12-31T06:51:00.000-08:00

I figure all the Phoenix Magazines and Newspapers have a Best of, so I wanted to do my own version! :-)

BEST BLOG ENTRY
The Spohrs Are Multiplying "Moving Violation" I must think about this blog like fifteen times a week and laugh to myself. I even told Pat about it. He doesn't care about blogs, but he laughed!

BEST FAMILY VACATION
Knott's Berry Farm, although Laughlin was a very very close second.

BEST NIGHT OUT
Lori, Katie, their high school religion teacher (who is now a friend because Lori worked with her) and two sisters Lori knows from soccer all went to the Arcadia Postino one night when Lori was in town over Thanksgiving. I learned that my abdominal muscles are SEVERELY out of shape because the laughter that night KILLED my stomach. I had to make my stop laughing because it hurt so bad.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT I TRIED THIS YEAR
DEFINITELY St. Francis, HANDS DOWN!

BEST HOLIDAY
Easter for sure, always so relaxed and fun.

BEST PICTURE
Pat doing the grass shot at Jamba Juice on Mother's Day!

Gets Better with Age

2010-12-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't hang out with Pat on a regular basis, you probably have not had the pleasure of hearing him talk about how he gets better looking with age. Seriously, he talks about it all the time! It is hysterical, and a constant source of entertainment (except maybe when I look in the mirror and don't share the same sentiment about myself, but I digress!). Since meeting him almost 12 years ago, I have heard about how he thinks he looks like Harrison Ford, that he is the white Denzel Washington, and his latest "twin" is Ryan Reynolds. It must be AMAZING to have the self confidence that Pat has.

Anyway, my grandma ADORES him, and if she happens to be over when he gets home from work, she oohs and aahs and gushes over how great he looks in his suit, shirt, tie, sweater, WHATEVER! It is really quite funny because we all know she will start talking about it the moment he walks in the door. This Christmas Eve, I had the kids in jeans and t-shirts, I was in jeans and a black shirt, and out walks Pat in his shirt, tie, sweater vest and dress slacks.

The moment we arrived at my grandma's house, she starts gushing about his outfit, and it was STILL GOING ON when we were on the dessert course of the meal. Just what Pat's ego needed, a little more hearing about how wonderful he looks.

Homemade Christmas

2010-12-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

I tried REALLY hard to not buy gift cards this Christmas. Sure it is fun going to spend them after the holidays, and TRUST me, I appreciate gift cards, and I love to get them, I just wanted everyone to have a little something to play with or open on Christmas. For two special families in our lives, I made homemade freezer meals and gave it to them to take home and enjoy at their leisure. Some were Pioneer Woman (LASAGNA, MAC AND CHEESE, OATMEAL CRISPIES, PIZZA DOUGH), some were good ole stand bys (CHICKEN IN THE CROCK POT, TACO MEAT, SLOPPY JOE MEAT), and another was a new fav(GREEN CHICKEN)! I know I would love not having to cook for a week or so, so I really embraced giving people what I would want!

Loyalty

2010-12-21T06:19:00.000-08:00

"Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?" Proverbs 20:6

I am loyal to a fault. You know when you go on job interviews and people ask you what your best and worst quality is? I always say that I am loyal as my best quality. However, lately, I am beginning to wonder if it is one of my worst qualities. I only say this because I am loyal to those I love and cherish, and I am not so loyal to those that rub me the wrong way. I need to work on this. I also get very hurt and feel quite sorry for myself when people are not as loyal as I believe they should be to me. Instead, I need focus on my actions and not worry so much about others. It is wonderful that I am so loyal, but who am I to demand it in return. I think I will focus on this as the new year approaches.

After the Party is the After Party!

2010-12-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

When I read in the local newspaper that the hotel down the street from us was hosting a Christmas party for kids, I thought it would be the PERFECT way to get in the holiday spirit. As with most things, Pat was supposed to go with us, he was late, showed up as we were almost done, but I am trying not to let this bother me AS MUCH as it used to. HOWEVER, I will one hundred percent admit that this is one of those events where I could have used about 8 extra hands!!!! It was incredible, and I think I would have been a little more relaxed if I had another set of eyes, ears and HANDS!!!!!!!!

Each department in the hotel had a booth set up. We made the HUGE mistake of going to the culinary department first, and they had GINORMOUS gingerbread cookies to decorate. They had tons of toppings and frosting, and the woman working there was darling, helping me with both of them. LOOK AT THESE COOKIES. . .

I say mistake of going to that booth first because GUESS WHO WAS STUCK CARRYING AROUND SAID CREATIONS!!!!!!!!!! I had no hands left to do anything, and at each booth they got prizes, stickers, reindeer food, etc. They had a Wii set up and a bowling game where you rolled the ball down the alley to elves. SOOOOOO FUN! Secretly I was hoping there would be some Candy Cane Martinis for the moms who were schlepping all the stuff around, but quite honestly, I would have had NO WHERE to put it! :-) They had hot chocolate and eggnog, popcorn, and Santa even made an appearance. All this for the grandiose price of two cans of food. TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY WORTH IT! As we were leaving Jackson told me that the Christmas Party was better than eating!!!! Those of you who know him, know that is saying A LOT!

Afterwards we went to Islands and had a great family dinner. By great I mean, we had dinner and listened to Tyler whine the entire time. She was one tired pup!

Polar Express

2010-12-17T02:25:00.000-08:00

I got one item off my Christmas list for sure this year, and I definitely BELIEVE in Santa. What an AMAZING experience it was to head straight to the North Pole and see where the elves and Santa are hard at work preparing for Christmas.

The kids have talked for weeks about going to the North Pole and telling Santa what they want for Christmas, and would you believe it, you couldn't get a word out of them when they were sitting on his lap. They sat and stared at him in amazement. It was really sweet. I did find out that Jackson wants a clock and the Super Mario game for DS, while Tyler wants a Hannah Montana CD and DVD. Did you know Santa has a limit on how many things you can request? You can tell Santa TWO items you REALLY want, and then after that, Santa gets to pick more things he thinks you might like if you have been REALLY good! (The picture isn't the best because they made me turn off my flash, and my pictures are always so fuzzy without it, why is that?)

The train ride was super fun, though I thought I was going to toss my cookies watching everyone chow down on chocolate chip cookies and a hot chocolate chaser! If you don't know by now, I CANNOT really stand sweets, a Vanilla ice cream cone from McDonald's occasionally, but the sweet and sweet combination was leaving my mouth COATED in a sick film, and I didn't have a taste of either. The kids loved it and were PLENTY sugared up for all the Christmas singing fun that occurred on the ride. I have to admit that it was SUPER fun singing the songs along with the rest of the passengers on the train, and I liked all the hand motions and movements that went along with it. My most favorite part of the ride would DEFINITELY have to be the chefs that were on board leading the singing. None of them had super voices, and I think that was KEY to it being such an amazing success. You didn't have to have a great voice, it was just about having fun.

When Tyler heard Santa was on the train, her eyes didn't deviate from the door that he was going to come through. She was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to see him. She was a far cry from the terrified little girl that was Tyler. She is growing up so quickly and is much more willing to try things as long as mommy,daddy, or Jackson are nearby. I am pretty certain Jackson was in a food coma. He enjoyed himself, but he was much more reserved. He was so cute standing up and singing, "Five Golden Rings" in his "manly" voice with Patrick as requested by the chefs.

My recommendations if you go: bring your own copy of the Polar Express (I CANNOT STAND BEING READ ALOUD TO), DECK YOURSELF OUT (if you are the freakiest of freaky in your pajamas, you still won't be the most decked out), DECK YOURSELF OUT NO MATTER YOUR AGE, and bring ear plugs for when your kids receive their gift of a jingle bell from Santa on the train and ring it until it mysteriously disappears OR in our case is now sitting in a "treasured" spot on a HIGH shelf!

FAVORITE Phoenix Area RESTAURANTS

2010-12-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

After my blog the other day, I am surprised if anyone is still reading my blog-HELLO SCROOGE MUCH!!!!!!! Seriously, it is just the stress of the holiday season. I am dying to have that fresh cut tree smell in my house, snuggling up on the couch to watch some Christmas movies and a fire in the fireplace. I really do like this season!

I thought I would give everyone some restaurants I happen to love because I get texts and emails ALL THE TIME about where my favorite places are. I will also include a list of places I am dying to try in case you are in need of a Christmas gift for me, you can go get a gift card or two!

1. POSTINO-without a doubt my most favorite place in Phoenix to eat.

2. Cibo is a CLOSE second!

3. District Kitchen at the Sheraton in Downtown Phoenix

4. Lolo's Chicken and Waffles-just over all fun-good entertainment, people watching, etc.

5. Dilly's Deli

6. Gallo Blanco

7. Bomberos-I could seriously eat at a wine bar EVERY NIGHT!

8. Matt's Big Breakfast

9. Uncle Sam's

10. Valle Luna and Macayo's come in as a tie because I used to LOVE Valle Luna when they gave you bean dip as an appetizer, then they took that away, and now I chose Macayo's occasionally because I LOVE THEIR chimichangas.

Places I would like to try.

1. Beckett's Table-we saw Justin Beckett, the first year we went to Phoenix Cooks, participate in an Iron Chef like competition, and I have followed him on twitter through the whole opening and what not.

2. AZ88

3. The Mission

4. Culinary Dropout

5. Joe's Farm Grill

6. BLT Steak

7. FnB

8. ~~Stingray Sushi~~

9. Geisha a Go Go

10. Nobuo at Teeter House

I would LOVE it if you would leave me your favorite restaurant or, if you have been to any of the ones that I want to go to, tell me about it!!!!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-12-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

1. I sometimes think about becoming a Jehovah's Witness so that I can stop celebrating holidays and birthdays. I seriously LOVE all the kids in our life, and we are so blessed that Jackson and Tyler have so many friends and are so loved, that being said, we seriously haven't had a weekend without a birthday party since September, most weekends we have two. Now a lot of the parties are only for one child, so it isn't even something Pat and I can split up and benefit from because we are always with a child trying to do something entertaining with them since they weren't invited to the party, instead of taking turns having some time away from the children. Add in the holidays now, and I am about to lose my mind. Plus since we have to celebrate the holidays with different people, on different days, it is just exhausting trying to plan it all. Seriously, does the Jehovah Witness church allow you to drink???

2. I won tickets to The Nutcracker. SOOOOOOOO excited to take Tyler. I think she is going to LOVE IT! These are the types of activities I would like to have time to do throughout the holiday season.

3. I also want to draw names next year for our family Christmas. I think buying everyone something is exhausting and stupid since most of us just do gift cards, so it is pretty much like buying your own gift, blah blah blah! I will happily buy for the kids, but the adults, do we REALLY need that much stuff?

4. I bought a new nail polish at Target today, and it didn't make it home with me. SAD!

5. I want to make tamales. I think I am running out of days and time to do such a daunting task. BUT, instead of feeling like a failure, I will try next year, or maybe in the Spring when I have less to do.

6. I wrote a note to Jackson's teacher about him missing school on Monday because of the Polar Express, and I apologized profusely. I got an email back from him stating that it was fine if he missed school because he is a "stellar student" but that other kids are missing a week and they need it. I SERIOUSLY think Jackson has this woman wrapped around his little finger. She just gushes about him all the time.

7. We were at Borders the other day, Jackson sat down, opened If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, and read the whole thing. I had tears in my eyes. He did a better job than some of my fourth graders did. He never ceases to amaze me.

8. Tyler is currently obsessed with Victorious:Freak the Freak Out, Shake It Up, Hannah Montana, iCarly, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Sonny with a Chance. Please tell me where my little girl went??? How is she already watching shows where the stars are in rehab and posing for Playboy?

9. Holly Robinson Peete and Hugh Hefner tweeted me this week! By far my most famous shout outs so far. Well, Howie Mandel might be a little more famous????

10. I am officially addicted to twitter. ADDICTED!

Ten Eight on Tuesday Wednesday

2010-11-30T09:32:00.000-08:00

*While I began this yesterday, I just ran out of time!*

1. I don't claim to be crafty, but I would like to be. On Thanksgiving, we did a family craft project. I found a new blog I love Tatertots and Jello. Seriously, with a name like that, it can't be bad. She obviously has fantastic photo abilities as well, some people have all the luck, so her wreath looks super bright and lovely, but I think ours turned out pretty darn cute too (picture from my cell phone because I am too lazy to get up and find my camera)!

2. My DVR is just about to send me over the edge. Didn't record any of my shows Monday night while I was watching football. UGH, that is the WORST feeling to me!

3. I am REALLY anxious right now, and I am trying to tell myself that everything happens for a reason, but seriously,I don't know that I believe that! Ha!

4. I have this FANTASTIC opportunity to go to New York with my friend, Alissa, in April. She works for Step Up Women's Network, and they are having an event. A shoe event where designers donate shoes, and you can buy them at a discounted price, but the funds go to her non profit. It is said that there will be celebrities there, celebs I happen to LOVE, but I can't bring myself to buy the ticket because I am SUPER nervous about traveling there by myself (Alissa would already be there for work!)! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO disappointed in myself, because I like to think that I am super savvy, but I am so clearly NOT!

5. My only purchase on Black Friday was a $4 Hannah Montana sweatshirt from Walmart. Tyler wore it to school on Tuesday, and you would have thought she MET Hannah Montana. She looked so cute in it, but like complete TRASH at the same time. How is that possible????

6. I am freezing, it might be time to turn on a little heat to get the chill out.

7. I spend WAY too much time on the computer when the kids are at school.

8. Today I am going to record a Z'Tejas radio commercial at a music studio! Watch out world, next up Disney and Dreamworks is going to be knocking down my door to star in my very own movie!

Petz Fantasy Review by Tyler

2010-11-24T02:04:00.000-08:00

Jackson and I woke up one morning, and we saw a new DS game sitting on the counter. We knew Christmas was coming, and it is very uncommon for us to get any sort of toys after the month of July because our mommy says, "Put it on your list for Christmas," from about July 1st on. BUT we found out that we get to play this game and tell Mommy how much we like it. When we saw it was a Petz Fantasy Moonlight Magic game we were thrilled because much to our dismay, mommy will NOT let us have a real pet. Mainly because she tells daddy that when he stays home with the kids and pets he may bring another thing for mommy to care for into the house.

Our favorite thing about this game is that it is AGE APPROPRIATE. Being 4 and 5, sometimes the games aren't easy enough for us to play, and we end up asking Mommy for help, and then she ends up playing WAY LONGER than she should-trying just one more time because she LOVES video games too. We also love that even though we aren't both boys or girls, we both love the game. There is something for everyone, no matter what the gender. Since I am a girl, I LOVED being able to dress up the "petz" and change their outfits as often as possible. Jackson, being a boy, liked the mini games and trying to guess which toy, food, cleaning tool was the "petz" favorite!

We usually fight a lot when we are at home, but this game really promoted "working together", and we found ourselves helping each other to try and beat the mini games or remembering which foods, toys, cleaning tools we had already tried. As you increase in Level, it becomes more and more difficult trying to find the favorite. As of the time we wrote this blog, we were only on Level 3, and there were already so many choices of food. It kinds of makes us hungry playing it!

Sometimes Jackson has to try several times before he is to get a Gold Medal in the Magic World and release a new pet, but when he does it is sooooooo exciting. The goal of the game is to unlock 20 "petz". I wonder how long it will take us to unlock them all. Some games, when we turn the game off, we lose all the progress we have made, but this one has an AUTOSAVE feature, and I am telling you, it is genius for kids like us. I think all games should have this feature!

If you want to buy this game for your little ones, mommy says you can go to amazon or Toys R Us to purchase it today.

While Ubisoft provided me with this game to review, the opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint. Ubisoft, Clever Girls Collective and I promote Blog With Integrity.

Gwyneth on GLEE!

2010-11-23T05:58:00.000-08:00

I know a lot of you watch GLEE, but some may not, and this performance was BY FAR my most favorite of the season. I was getting pretty close to dropping them from my watch list because I wasn't digging it, but after this I remembered just how great the guest stars could be! I wish I could have legs like her. I swear it seems like they go on for miles! It also makes me smile because it seems as though she is so shy in real life, but she is so INCREDIBLY talented!

And then I saw this clip of her on Chelsea's Big Interview Special, and I fell even more in love!

60th Anniversary Party

2010-11-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

Was a fantastic success!

We had a lot of fun, the kids were sooooooooooooo well behaved, and the sound of laughter was EVERYWHERE!

I would say the food was the only disappointing thing. Alexi's Grill is where Pat and I had our Rehearsal Dinner, and I LOVED IT! The food was amazing, the owner is super accomodating, and it is a great central location. Now, 7 and a half years later, I would have to say the food was VERY DISAPPOINTING. I heard the lamb was AMAZING, but the trout and chicken were not causing anyone to do cartwheels. Pat, Mr. BLAH Eater Himself, said that he thought the chicken and vegetables reminded him of something he would get at Luby's!

Anyway, I won't continue on about the food, I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

Ten on Tuesday-My Christmas List

2010-11-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

1. A new battery for my car. Very excited I know!

2. Coach perfume-I think I liked the one in the square/rectangle bottle better.

3. A mandolin.

4. Crazy Monkey Lady to stop appearing in the hall every time I bring Tyler to school. Seriously, it is getting a little old trying to find something else to look at when we pass one another. This morning she opened the door for me, I said thank you, and she didn't respond! Class act that woman is!

5. MAID!

6. Dreamworks Royal Carribean cruise (I was planning on never going on another Royal Carribean cruise because they didn't have any ranch the last time we went, but I will suffer-OR check to make sure they have ranch before boarding-what if I brought my own bottle on board-HA)!

7. A DVR that doesn't randomly shut off and restart fifteen times a day-which I could easily get, but there is the whole hating people in my house thing, so I suffer through it!

8. Charming Charlie gift card.

9. Target gift card.

10. To believe in Santa!

I just remembered the Glee Christmas CD comes out today-how am I going to fit a trip to Target in to my day? I am feeling completely overwhelmed, and I think it is starting to spiral out of control! :-p

Christmas Comes EARLY!

2010-11-14T00:44:00.000-08:00

I know I will be using Shutterfly for my Christmas cards because it is designed and ready to go in my cart, and while I won't show you which one I chose! I will let you know that I have used Shutterfly to print my Christmas cards since Pat and I were married. I have NEVER had a problem, and I absolutely LOVE how easy it is!

If I could get a picture of my kids together that I like, I would most DEFINITELY use this card because the colors and black are the PERFECT combination in my opinion!

This card is awesome and needs no words on the front because it is a FOLDED card which means you can put your entire message on the inside leaving LOTS of room for pictures. Best part of this card is that 10% of your purchase will go to the American Lung Association!

And there is something whimsical about this final card!

As a bonus I included some of my favorite photo gifts for this holiday season:

What if my little Tyler Gracie got a poster of HER standing next to her favorite Superstar for Christmas. . .that would be QUITE the treat!

Jackson loves to play an sort of sport, what if he could have big wall decals of himself for his bedroom, he would think he was QUITE the superstar!

Now, it's your turn: Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

The Great Pumpkin Smash

2010-11-13T06:53:00.000-08:00

We decided to do something different with our painted pumpkins this year, and I have to admit, this Family Fun night was the best one we had in awhile. We loaded up our pumpkins and went over to a little bridge in our neighborhood. Each of the kids got to drop their pumpkins off the bridge until they broke. The first time they dropped them, they just kind of bounced and got a crack, but the second time, WATCH OUT! Splatter, seeds, FUN! We put a sheet down and dropped them on the sheet, so when we were done, we just scooped up the sheet and put it back in the wagon and dropped the whole thing in the garbage!

CHEAP EASY FUN! Here are some pictures!!!

La Piazza al Forno

2010-11-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

SUCKED!

I have HUGE remorse paying forty dollars to have eaten there. Our server was FANTASTIC, she was sweet as pie, but the food. . .NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am grief stricken tonight that the place that looked sooooooooo good on Diners Drive Ins and Dives was TERRIBLE! (IN MY OPINION, he is 25% with me: Chino Bandido-NO, the Mexican food restaurant in the gas station around 7th or 19th ave and Union Hills-NO, La Piazza al Forno-NO, Matt's Big Breakfast-YES)

I will watch Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, but I will no longer put forth any credibility in what he says-we do not have the same taste buds-OBVIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

To My New Readers

2010-11-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

SOME of you, I have met since the birth of my kids. Some of you have not seen Jackson's hospital picture. Some of you do not believe me when I talk about how he looked when he was born. . .take a look for yourself. This is his hospital picture. He was 9 lbs 9 oz when he was born. I pushed for four hours before he UNFOLDED out of me! This picture makes me smile even on the darkest of days!

Cupcakes

2010-11-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

I am a little OBSESSED with the ABC Cake Decorating Supplies! I made these for Tyler's teacher's birthday on Wednesday! I only chose Mickey and Minnie Mouse because there were sooooooooooo many options and I was overwhelmed! I didn't know what to pick!

Christmas Pajamas

2010-11-03T07:11:00.001-07:00

Christmas is about the only time of year we get new pajamas around here. We all get matching pajamas pants, it is fun and ONE of the very few constants around these parts. I ordered the pattern for this year, but I don't know where I am going to put them because we are kind of on Christmas pajama overload! I have recently cleaned out my closet, but I can't bring myself to get rid of the Christmas pajamas. Chances are if you come to my house in July, I will still be wearing Christmas pajamas! Why doesn't anyone want me to be on Real Housewives of Phoenix-I am a CLASS ACT I tell you!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-11-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

1. The thought of traveling to The Lodge and learning to cook Holiday Treats with The Pioneer Woman leads me to hyperventilate! Seriously, even entering to win makes me giddy! I don't even have to win, just the thought!

2. I got The Pioneer Woman cookbook for both of Tyler's teachers this year for their birthday, I think I may get it for Jackson's teacher for Christmas. Seriously, is there anyone MORE obsessed with her than I am out there! I guess I just like giving gifts I believe in!

3. I want to try a new restaurant this weekend for Pat's birthday. . .any suggestions? The current ones I want to try are. . .Beckett's Kitchen Table and La Piazza al Forno.

4. I went on a rant on facebook about people not RSVPing, and people who I wasn't even REFERRING to replied! Thank you for your response, but I was talking to the 12 kids I invited in Jackson's class of which ONE has replied so far! WHY IS IT SOOOOOOOOO HARD!!????????????

5. I have big plans for Family Fun night tomorrow, I hope it works out!
6. Shannon and I have a favorite dive bar, I think it should be everyone's favorite dive bar!!! The food is so good, and I think about their nachos once a week!

7. I want a nanny and sushi!

8. Bought some hamburgers from Fresh and Easy-you know, my favorite place-bought the Angus burgers, SOOOOOOOOOOO worth the extra $$$, SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

9. What is everyone getting their kids for Christmas this year? Does anyone actually NEED another toy in their house!?

10. I locked Jackson's and Tyler's room during the Halloween party because we have TOO MANY toys, and I cannot stand to possibly clean them all up, the Barbie Dream House was enough!! UGH, why do toys have so many small pieces!

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic Halloween we had!

The kids dressed up (Hannah Montana and Shadow Ninja). . .

We played a FANTASTIC pop the pumpkin balloon game. . .

We got A LOT of candy. . .

AND HAD A GREAT TIME OVERALL!

Thanks to all who came, definitely think this year was better than last, and next year, it can only get better when I get name tags and organize a "GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER TYPE GAME"!

And this morning, the Halloween witch came, we ate some cold pizza for breakfast, Tyler is back in her costume, and will probably lie on the floor and watch TV until it is time for a nap because she is so tired! Jackson-THANK GOD-went to school for a fun filled day!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-10-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

1. DUMB TONY ROMO screwed me. I hate him, I hate the Cowboys, the end! I lost to my mom in Fantasy Football this week, MY MOM!

2. We had Jackson's parent-teacher conference this morning, and the words, "He is my star!" seriously crossed the teacher's lips. She gave this glowing review about how bright he is, but more importantly she said that she has never heard a mean word cross his lips! WHAT KIND OF FREAKING drugs do these teachers who have him take!!!???? I am convinced I need to record him at home so they can see him here! OMG! I love him, and I know he is bright and well behaved at school, but could I get a little of that at home!

3. The love of Tyler's life is coming home with us after school today! Please take a moment to visualize all three of us walking to the bus stop and then all four of us walking home. Do I have to wait for him to go home before I start drinking!?

4. Our pumpkins are growing mold, and as with most things that have mold, I want to throw them out, but really, they should be ok until Sunday night, RIGHT??????

5. Do you think all the Vaseline we slathered on them to preserve the carving added to the mold growth? We have the shiniest pumpkins on the planet right now!

6. I have decided that this will be the last season I watch America's Next Top Model. I don't really get the whole posing thing, and I don't really care if you had a baby when you were twelve, and you are doing this so that they are proud of you. Honestly, I feel old stating the above, but it is just NOT ENTERTAINING TO ME ANYMORE. Tyra and her circus clowns are no longer entertaining.

7. It is soooooooooo hard to get a doctor's appointment between the hours of 9:30 and 12:30 in a timely manner.

8. Pat has six days in a row off at Christmas. Since Tyler has been born, the four of us have NEVER spent six days in a row together. We are certain to kill one another. CERTAIN. AND, if we have spent more than two days together, we have been on some sort of trip-time to start planning some activities.

9. Took Tyler to breakfast this morning. . .Scramble was NOT GOOD! I had a terrible experience there, SAD!

10. Finally, number 10, I have been struggling with what to write, so needless to say, I am VERY happy to see #10!

Gallo Blanco

2010-10-25T03:38:00.000-07:00

A GEM! A true gem right in the middle of the business district on Central! Just a little south of Indian School is a street called Clarendon, at Clarendon and 4th Ave, there is a TREAT! The Clarendon Hotel has a restaurant in it that is called Gallo Blanco. If you get Phoenix Magazine, (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GET IF YOU LIVE IN PHOENIX-MY FAVORITE), you have stared at the Gallo Blanco tacos since their Best of Phoenix issue came out in early September! The picture is worth ONE THOUSAND WORDS!

So thankful that B Mok Revealed had a picture of the appetizer we started with-Chicharrón de Queso!

IT WAS AMAZING! The cheese was like the cheese that oozes out of the side of a quesadilla and browns, then they roll it into this tower and serve it with the jalapeno dipping sauce (also known as Aji aioli sauce, but since most of us don't really get a clear picture from that title, I like mine better!)-TO DIE FOR!!!!!!!!!!

Then, we should talk about their ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. . .we all enjoyed their FABULOUS margaritas, made with fresh fruit juices and fabulous tequila, but what should REALLY be talked about is the sangria with all sorts of fresh fruit cut up and marinated in the delicious concoction!!! YUM!

So I was finally given the chance to taste the tacos! HEAVENLY, and I love their presentation, they just put them in these taco holders, and the table has to remember what they ordered and divide them up! So cute and fun, very sushi like! I tried the carne asada, pork and fresh fish (ahi tuna)! They each had a VERY unique flavor, and I don't think I could pick a favorite. I am disappointed I didn't try the shrimp because my friend Andrea stated it was her favorite, but now it just means I need to go back!

Their green salsa is delicious and the closest thing I have found to my favorite breakfast taco place in San Antonio.

My friend, Tamara, had Ensalada Cortada which was the tossed salad with many ingredients, but the most important being the corn nuts. She gushed about the corn nuts with each and every bite. She said the corn nuts MADE the salad, and in my opinion, corn nuts are a GREAT addition to each and every dish! I LOVE CORN NUTS!

My friend, Shannon, had the Arroz Verde, and when I asked her to review it for me, this is what she had to say:

"The salsa had some kick to it so I don't think I finished all of it. It was
soooooo good balanced with the rice though. People who like a little more spice
than I do would truly enjoy it. Nice side item to go along with all the flavors
of the tacos. Yum!"

She also reviewed the lime tart she and Andrea shared for their birthday:

"The Lime tart was DELICIOUS. It was not too tart and just the right amount of
sweet. The fresh lime taste was so good. The whipped cream on top was homemade
and very light, and the graham crust was not overpowering. A bit different from
the key lime pie that I love so much. Presentation wasn't too exciting - almost
like I had baked it myself at home and plopped a square of it on a plate with a
dollop of whipped cream on top."

BUT WAIT, the review doesn't stop there, we happened to go on a Wednesday night, and the place was PACKED. That's because on Wednesday from 7-9 they have Flamenco dancers come and perform. It was great fun, and the dancers really have a lot of talent.

I know I will definitely need to go back because this place serves breakfast ALL DAY, and in my opinion, breakfast is the best meal of the day! Can't wait for my return trip!

Wacky Saturday Fun!

2010-10-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

We had sooooooooo much fun yesterday, and it was TOTALLY unexpected fun! Jackson had a BINGO night at his school Friday night, and he didn't go to bed until TEN! So, needless to say, he was EXHAUSTED on Saturday. We had plans to go to Ocktoberfest downtown at Cityscape, but there is no way he would have made it and been pleasant, so we altered our plans and carved/painted pumpkins after a short nap. I had big plans to do a Hannah Montana pumpkin for Tyler, but I was not a fan of any of the patterns, so I chose a Hello Kitty pumpkin instead. Jackson's was a Mario pumpkin all the way! I like to think that Pat and I have MAD pumpkin carving skills, but once you've carved one pumpkin, you can pretty much do anything!

While Pat and I carved, the kids painted their pumpkins!

After all the Halloween fun, Pat and I headed off to the AZ State Fair to see Bret Michaels in concert. You may remember that I developed a little crush on him while he was on Celebrity Apprentice! There is just something so soothing about his talking voice. I had never really heard any of his earlier LOUD HEAVY ROCK MUSIC! OMG, the people watching at the concert was amazing. Pat and I tried DESPERATELY to get pictures of the outfits these people were wearing. I will include a picture of what I wore, just so you know I wasn't wearing a bedazzled half top and a tiny skirt with knee high boots (NO JOKE WHEN I SAY SOME SIXTY YEAR OLD THERE WAS WEARING THAT!)

I think I was prepared for the girls to have on crazy outfits, but the MEN were EQUALLY as crazy. I don't know how many blond hair men with bandannas and straw cowboy hats were there! Seriously! It was PRICELESS! I will completely admit that I had tears in my eyes when he hit the stage. It was just so amazing to see him rocking out after having a stroke! Medicine at its very finest! I will also admit that I was scared I was going to get beat up in the bathroom because I don't think a lot of the people attending the concert had fallen in love with him on Celebrity Apprentice like I did! HA!

I have never been to such a RIDICULOUSLY loud concert before. My ears are still bleeding today! The drum was seriously like jiggling my belly fat! And the couple who was making out in front of us! OH MY GOD, I could just seriously go on for days about the people watching!

By Popular Demand

2010-10-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

I have been MIA for a bit. Jackson was on Fall Break last week, and we have been busy eating our way through the Valley. No seriously, the kid and I can eat!

Here's what this family has been up to lately:

Two weeks ago we had the craziest hail I have EVER SEEN in my life. I have never seen anything like it. I was driving to pick up Tyler, and I had to pull over a gas station awning because the hail was the size of golf balls. It was beating down on my car and scaring the crap out of me. The hail wasn't the size of golf balls by my house, but I took some pictures of the massive amounts of hail we had! The quality is not the best because it was my cell phone, but you can get the idea.

We also celebrate Tyler's 4th birthday this past weekend. She wanted everything Hannah Montana, and on your birthday, your wish is my command. We also hit the horse races that day per her request! She was one very happy little girl!

Wednesday I took Jackson to his first tasting at Z'Tejas. We were tasting the winter menu. It was a little spicy for him, but he was a trooper and tried everything. I was so proud.

Thursday I took him to Cracker Barrel for breakfast as a reward for behaving so well at the tasting. His meal cost ten dollars, and I couldn't even complain because he ate the whole thing. I learned my lesson though, and we won't be returning to Cracker Barrel for a while. I am NOT a fan of their combination plates. I had to add a bunch of stuff on and it ended up being rather expensive. BUT, the hashbrown casserole is just SO GOOD THERE! Mmmmmm!

This past weekend was very dull, but it was exactly what I needed.

This last picture is just because I thought it was funny. My sister and I were driving to lunch one day, and this thing was just standing on the corner by her house. WEIRD!

Ten on Tuesday-Jackson's Wish List

2010-10-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: 10/7/10 crossed out items have been purchased!

1. ANY DS game! Currently he REALLY wants the ~~Toy Story 3 game~~, but anything with Mario would make him happy!

2. Dart Board

3. Gift Card/Certificate to McDonalds, Sonic, or the Movies.

4. Legos but OMG, they are soooooooooooooooo expensive!! The one he wants is a Toy Story 3 set about $50 at Target, the Bear is falling into a fire-I think it is called the Trash Compactor or something. (I saw the movie-I don't remember their names!)

5. Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Wii

6. The Penguin Boat from Batman that goes along with the Imaginext Batman play set.

7. Puzzles

8. Loves pajamas Size 7

9. ~~Tickets to Legoland~~

10. A big screen tv. . .OH WAIT THAT'S ME, but I think he would like it as well!

Honestly, Pat and I must be AWESOME at opening gifts, because no matter what you get him, he will love it, and when he opens it, he will make you feel like you bought him the best gift in the world. Again, variety of prices so there is something for everyone. I don't know who would buy the tv, but you never know! HA!

Step Up Women's Network

2010-10-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

As you may know, I support Step Up Women’s Network – the national nonprofit that connects you to the professional women you need & underserved teen girls who need you. We need your (digital) help now more than ever!

Step Up is up for a $250k grant that would help us fund after-school programs that help our underserved teen girls become confident, college-bound and career-ready through the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Through October 31, please vote three times per day via the website (http://pep.si/ci154d), facebook, and text (103315 to 73774). There is no charge to vote (other than your standard text rates) & it takes just a moment. One minute of your time could add up to $250k for teen girls nationwide!

A sincere thanks for support of this important cause I am backing.

Happy voting!

Jackson's Art

2010-09-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows Jackson or had Jackson in their class, knows that the kid despised ART. He would pick up the paint brush, make a streak across the page and be done. Finger painting, FORGET IT, he hated the way it felt, and he didn't want to get dirty. He probably had some sort of sensory issue, but his teachers worked and worked with him and NOW he loves art! He has art class at his school, and his painting was selected to hang in the Transfusion and Treatment Center at Scottsdale Osborne Hospital. I haven't seen the picture, but as soon as I do, I will take a picture of it and post it. Until then, here's the notice we got telling us the good news! YAY Jackson. I couldn't be prouder if it was reading or math!

Ten on Tuesday-gift ideas for Tyler!

2010-09-28T02:22:00.000-07:00

If you are lucky enough to receive a party invitation to the fiesta in November, here are ten things she currently has on her wish list. Who am I kidding? Half the city is invited.

1. ~~Hannah Montana DS game, found it for TEN dollars at Best Buy~~.

2. PINK DSi

3. ~~Barbie Newborn Doctor~~

4. ~~Hannah Montana Wig (Target)~~

5. ~~Hannah Montana Guitar (Target)~~

6. ~~Just Dance 2~~

7. Target Gift Card

8. New Tinkerbell Movie

9. ipod

10. Just about anything, she is the WORLD'S BEST GIFT OPENER! If I could have just a smidgen of her excitement, I wouldn't be so hesitant to open gifts in front of people.

I know this list has a wide range of price points, but I wanted everyone to have plenty of options, get together with other people, whatever! She doesn't need a lot, she is already truly blessed!

Coming next Tuesday. . .Jackson's wish list

Crafty Morning

2010-09-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

OK, so after Tyler and I got home from testing out the new Just Dance game at Best Buy this morning, NO SERIOUSLY, I didn't really get a turn because there were way too many salesmen standing around doing nothing. . .I wonder how many people are really working in any given Best Buy store on Monday morning at 9AM, my guess would be about TEN TOO MANY! It was a sea of blue shirts. . .Tyler LOVED the game, so I probably wouldn't have had a turn anyway- it looked like SOOOOOO MUCH fun if you could really break it down in the privacy of your own home. Ooooooh, I want it!

Commercial for the game!

(How cute is this little one playing the game!)

But this post isn't about how I exercised EXTREME self control today by not purchasing Just Dance (Just Dance 2 comes out Oct 15th!). . .please remember that I spent SIXTY-FIVE dollars on light bulbs last week, so my guess is that another FORTY on a video game would not have been smiled upon by my husband who already thinks I spend too much money. . .as if I am the only one who uses the light bulbs in this house! HA! What this post is about is the crafty school bag Tyler and I made together this morning. She is in Room 3, so I cut out a big THREE from my FAVORITE material! Then, we used fabric paint to put some dots on. I think it turned out cute, and she is thrilled to pieces to show it off tomorrow.

We also have matching BRIGHT purple toes (Originally I was talking about matching toe nail polish, but I think we have the exact same feet-look at our pinkies!).

I feel like Super Mom this morning!

Tyler-Living the Good Life!

2010-09-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

My friend, Kirstin, owns Basically Bows, A DARLING boutique in Scottsdale. No seriously, it is DARLING, and I could spend hours in there. When I go I am there FOREVER! I usually shy away from Scottsdale because you know how much I love it and all, but this store makes you feel like you are a kid again! She did a photo shoot last night, and Tyler and Pat had some daddy-daughter bonding time, but I sent him with a camera so that I could get a glimpse into all the fun!

She wore two outfits:

Pat and Kirstin both said she was little reserved at first, but once she found that she could just go up to things and choose them and poof she got to wear them, it was heaven on Earth for her. Pat said at one point she was trying to choose between SIX bows, and it was just a little slice of heaven for her.

I love the group shots:

I especially love TIRED TYLER. . .this was WAY PAST HER BEDTIME! But so worth it to see the complete JOY she experienced participating. THANKS KIRSTIN!

You can also follow Basically Bows on twitter, facebook and at their new blog!

Out of the Mouth of Jackson

2010-09-24T03:05:00.000-07:00

1. To Pat and I: "It's fine if you want to have Football Sunday when you don't have kids. But, you do have kids, and you need to pay attention to us, not watch football all day."

2. "I really want to take a nap on the bus, but I am afraid if I don't keep my eyes open I will miss you!" -Sweet thing is sooooooooooo tired on the way home from school!

3. Jackson has been having a hard time because he thinks he is a "loser" because he isn't very good at kickball. After this statement, I had to dig a little deeper. When my investigation was complete, I learned that he is playing kickball with THIRD grader. WELL DUH, of course you are not as good as them. He doesn't get to be pitcher when he plays with them, they always tag him with the ball! OMG, it is very complicated to get this little go-getter to comprehend that they are bigger, they are better. He just kept saying over and over again that he is a loser. I wanted to go march onto the kickball field and beat them all up. Instead, I just told him as a general rule, he should probably just play kickball with the Kindergarten class.

First Day of Fall

2010-09-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

KAREN is the winner, AGAIN!!! She says, " I would LOVE to learn to golf. Joe is a very good golfer, he's been golfing since he was 9 years old. He took me to the driving range once to teach me ... that was the one and only time. This place looks really fun!"

My giveaways aren't frequent enough to ban her from participating, but you all should be scared of her! She obviously has a lucky gene! Enjoy your golfing, Karen. I hope you go with your husband and try it out, it is quite fun!!!!! Happy Fall ALL! Hoping for some cooler temperatures soon!

My Past Life

2010-09-22T11:55:00.001-07:00

In the life I had before any of the life I know now existed, I had a friend, who eventually became my boyfriend. This guy had a dad, who happened to have a "high profile" job, and he was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICE. ALWAYS smiling, never saw him get bothered, upset, angry, anything. He was AMAZING. AND, he loved his kids. He loved his kids so much, especially the first born that I happened to be dating. They had family dinners, almost every night. The type of dinners I thought FOR SURE I would have when I got older and had my own kids. Everyone was always welcome! Our families lived close to one another, so our families grew to know one another. We went to church on Sundays together. It was a match made in heaven, until we broke up of course. HA!

Fast forward to now, and the dad still in the "high profile" job has been accused of some HEINOUS acts in a recent memo that was released last week. I have not seen all of the information in the memo, but the information was released is DUMBFOUNDING! I cannot for the life of me wrap my head around it. I think back to what are almost like flashbulb memories of my time at his house, and I have nothing but wonderful memories. I cannot even picture him saying or doing the things that he is accused of. I feel like maybe I was playing a role in some WARPED movie or something.

I don't communicated with the ex boyfriend at all anymore. I know through mutual friends that he is married and has kids. And, my heart breaks for the entire family because their name is being slaughtered, and what if your last name defined you because of what your dad did? I guess this is really the only "criminal" I have ever known, but it makes me wonder about all the other "criminals" out there and how many people they have fooled about who they are. Makes me realize that all those criminals are people too. And, while it doesn't excuse them of what they have done, it does remind you that someone, somewhere loves the criminals too!

I am not saying I do or do not believe what was stated in the memo, but I do know that it is not the man I grew to know and love!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-09-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

1. Don't forget to register to win an awesome GIVEAWAY below!

2. #7 from THIS Ten on Tuesday was about a lady who went NUTSO over a stuffed monkey at the Preschool Auction. She is now a teacher at the school-just when you think you have heard it all!

3. I spent $65 dollars on light bulbs this morning. I went around and counted all the ones that were out and replaced all of them. Of course we don't just have standard light bulbs, we have crazy expensive ones. Light bulbs and garbage bags are my two least favorite things to spend money on. ONE goes right in the trash, and eventually the other will end up in the trash too!

4. Tyler went to a princess themed party this weekend. She looked like a total and complete DOLL FACE and was THRILLED to be picked up in the mom's "carriage", dress like a princess (last year's Halloween costume), and spend the afternoon being pampered.

5. While Tyler was at the party, Jackson went to see Alpha and Omega with Pat. I think they had a great time.

6. The shower is complete as of yesterday morning, and I couldn't be happier.

7. Karissa turned 30 this weekend, and I still haven't heard the details of all the festivities, but I will admit I was a little sad that I wasn't invited to celebrate with them. I hate living so far apart. It is so easy to lose touch.

8. I am currently watching Gilmore Girls and Friday Night Lights on ABC Family. I LOVE Gilmore Girls, and I just kind of like Friday Night Lights. I look forward to 2PM when Gilmore Girls starts EVERY WEEK DAY!!!!

9. I need some Family Fun night ideas.

10. I HATE the new Dark Kiss scent from Bath and Body Works-HATE!

CrossWoods Golf = FUN! It's A GIVEAWAY!

2010-09-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday morning I had the opportunity to go check out CrossWoods Indoor Golf Center. It was SUCH A FUN EXPERIENCE! I was a little nervous because I had NEVER picked up a golf club before that morning and I didn't want to hurt someone, but I will try JUST ABOUT ANYTHING once so I dropped the kiddos at school and headed over. There are two locations, but the one I went to was located right off the I-10 on Chandler Blvd, so it is SUPER EASY to get there from anywhere in the Valley.

I got there at 11 and chatted for a bit with the owner Bev, who I have become good friends with on twitter so it was fun to meet her in person. She showed me around and I was MAJORLY impressed.

We played a little golf on their simulator (sim) and it was SOOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN! I don't know how many of you know that I absolutely LOVE playing games, even if I am not good. Fortunately I didn't need to be good because I was NOT. We started on the driving range, and while I cannot hit the ball incredibly far, I hit the ball very straight, which apparently is a good thing. Over 40 courses are programmed into every sim at CrossWoods. You can play: Pebble Beach; St. Andrews; Bay Harbor; and MANY MANY MORE. You can tee off, hit from the rough, sand, putt, all in your individualized golfing area. Kids as young as THREE can come and golf. If you aren't very good and you want to take some lessons, they have those available as well. They have summer camps available for those children ages kindergarten and up who may want to learn how to play golf so they can hit the course with their parents. They also have a Women's League, Couple's League (trust me if we lived closer, Pat and I would be signing up-SMOKING DEAL), Men's League, or they can help you create your own league. I am not kidding when I say that Bev is the easiest person to work with. They have TONS of experience working with big companies! They can also host Bachelor Parties, Bar Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, etc. If your husband loves to golf, you have your own television, free WiFi and wine while he golfs-it's PERFECT-everyone is happy.

I LOVED the party room. For $75 an hour, you get two golf simulators, a private room that has televisions and plenty of booths and tables to really get the party started!

They have an AMAZING menu, and I was in luck because they were sampling their new menu today so I had the opportunity to try a few items. I have to say the nachos were my favorite, so good, that I actually remembered to take my camera out and take a picture of them. The cheese sauce was INCREDIBLE! Love at first bite.

I also sampled the Club and a Texas Burrito that were to die for! With this menu, they were finding items that are easy to eat between golfing and I think they hit the nail on the head. I also saw a Soft Pretzel on the menu, and honestly when people have that on the menu I am usually a HUGE FAN of everything else. There is just something about starting your meal with a soft pretzel. They have soda, tea, Gatorade, beer and wine. Bev joked about how they decided against hard alcohol and people swinging golf clubs, this made me laugh, so I thought I would let you all have the visual too! I think it was a WISE decision!

My FAVORITE part about CrossWoods is that my Grandpa, who was a DIE HARD GOLFER and can't walk very well anymore, is given the opportunity to golf again without having to walk a long distance. Bev said people who cannot go in the sun anymore enjoy playing golf there, as well as people in wheelchairs because they can be wheeled into the sim and swing their club. WHAT A TREAT for all. I cannot wait to take my Grandpa there!

AND TODAY is your lucky day because Bev gave me a gift certificate for TWO rounds of golf at CrossWoods Indoor Golf Center. You have three opportunities to enter.

1. Leave a comment telling me about your golfing experience. You don't have to have any, but I am interested in knowing whether or not you golf, have tried golf, are a professional, etc.

2. Follow CrossWoods Golf on twitter, come back and leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

3. Follow CrossWoods Golf on Facebook, come back and leave a separate comment telling me you did that!

The contest closes Wednesday, September 22nd at 11:59PM, MST, and the winner will be announced on the FIRST DAY OF FALL, September 23rd! COME ON COOLER WEATHER!

Random Thought

2010-09-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

Is anyone ever really "done" with laundry? I could put every single piece of laundry away, but if we are wearing clothes while I do it. I still feel like, "Well, there are still dirty clothes in the house!" I think doing laundry is the least rewarding chore. At least when you clean other things, they stay clean for a moment or two before you have to do it again!

Straight From My Idol's Mouth

2010-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

Some blogging rules to live by-THANK PW!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-09-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

1. Going to try a new restaurant tonight, YAY!

2. Jackson took the bus home from school last week. It made me realize how big he is, and how small he is all at the same time!

3. I have watched so many movies this past week. It seems like many of the shwos I watched this summer have ended, so I have been taping Lifetime Movies, Hallmart, Oxygen, all really award winning shows I know!

4. I am ready to be able to do something outdoors other than swim!

5. Trying to plan Jackson and Tyler's joint birthday party, and I am wondering if this joint party will be any easier than individual parties. We will see! I am always changing things up when it comes to their birthdays, so who knows!

6. I am obsessed with Fresh and Easy. I probably go there about 5 times a week. So small and easy to get in and out of. I can run in there for one item without having to drag my kids to the ends of the Earth to find said item.

7. I actually signed up to volunteer in Jackson's class once a month because I really want to see what is going on in the class. I have never had this desire until this big school has him all day every day, and all I have are stories he tells me. I want to see with my own two eyes.

8. I am wondering what this holiday season holds. I love the smells and sounds of fall and stuff, but it makes me nervous because the holidays are approaching, and they are usually filled with drama, and I would just rather avoid the drama at this point in my life.

9. I don't know where I was, but I was eaten alive by mosquitos this weekend. They are HUGE bites too!

10. Why doesn't Tyler want anything cheap for her birthday!? I think I am just going to have to collect gift cards to one place and buy her the things she wants after she gets enough! :-)

Just in Case. . .

2010-09-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

You tune in this week, and I am constantly complaining! It will not hurt my feelings if you ignore it. We are having shower/mold/carpet issues. We don't own the house we live in, we are renting, if you need a reminder why, you can click here or here or here (AND THEN THEY OFFERED US A HUGE DISCOUNT ON OUR RENT, and we are NOT STUPID-because we all know how much I ~~LOVE~~ DESPISE house hunting). Apparently the Master Bathroom shower has a crack in it, which is leaking into Tyler's room and causing mold/water to saturate her carpet. The solution to this problem is to rip out the Master Bath shower and put in a new one. This is a FIVE day project if they work from 8:30-3:30!

There is no way in hell anyone is staying past 1 because my kids nap, and listening to them rip out the shower and put in a new one will be hell enough, I will NOT allow nap time to be compromised. We would all end up in a loony bin. Who knows how many days this project will take, but I know that it is quite insane to expect tenants to live through this. What I am scared of is what they are going to find behind the shower. I am certain there is PLENTY of mold growing behind the shower, and it will probably take more than the allotted five days because who ever finishes on time, and since I won't let them stay past 1, it will probably take longer, etc.

Mr. Positive is trying to be supportive, but if you notice the hours, they will OBVIOUSLY not be affecting him, so I will be the only person TRULY affected by the jackhammering, pounding, workers, etc. I am sooooooooooo not happy about this. But, I will tell you right now, that if this takes longer because of them finding mold, I will most definitely be heading to the nearest Pointe Hilton and living it up- charging it to the owners and calling it a day! As of now, I have a list of things I need to do, and if I am sitting here losing my mind, I can hightail it to any of these locations at a moment's notice. A dear friend has agreed to go to a movie and have lunch on Wednesday. If anyone wants to hang out Friday with Tyler and I, just let me know. . .we will be in need of something to do in the morning.

Is anyone else concerned that the mold "could" be the cause of all my health issues?? Have you ever googled Mold Poisoning Symptoms? Sums me up in a nutshell, but then again, I am kind of a hypochodriac, so who knows? If someone could figure out what all my pains are from, I would be forever indebted!

LET THE COMPLAINING BEGIN!

HATERS!

2010-09-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

OK, so I am no one, I have a relatively normal life, filled with joy, sadness, excitement, tragedy, etc. It is a normal, middle of the road life. I can deal with the haters. While, it does shock me that someone I don't know (or maybe I do) cares enough to comment on my life, and while I did shed a few tears over the negative comments left on my blog (I am not bigger than that!), I for the life of me cannot understand the people who attack the bloggers out there who have lost a child, have an ill child, had some dramatic event occur that causes them to blog, etc.

I have a REALLY hard time with all of this. My negative commenter nailed me. Seriously, I LOVE REALITY TV, FOOD, and ALONE TIME! LOVE IT, but that's what the blog portrays. There is a whole part of my life that readers don't know, or turn a blind eye to and chose not to see. Do people out there not realize this? I served on the preschool Board for two years, I am homeroom parent, I want to be on the Board at Phoenix Children's Hospital, I would love to be an event planner, but these are things I RARELY share on my blog because who really wants to read that. My target audience is a mom who is "overworked" and "underpaid" and wants to know that she is not alone.

I occasionally share my political views: I HATE Sarah Palin ("mainly" because of her voice), I believe gays and lesbians should be able to marry, and there's a whole lot about the housing market, but I don't HATE anyone who feels differently than me. Many of my very best friends and blog friends do not agree with me, and that is FINE! We are able to love and respect one another without agreeing. Agree to disagree is a motto that is tossed around often.

The people who leave women comments that their husband is cheating on them with a waitress from Denny's, or the person who told the woman who had just lost her baby to stop complaining about all the bills that keep showing up at there house because she is just looking for a hand out, or even the person who goes off on a mom for wetting down the trampoline in the summer because it is so dangerous and she is such a terrible woman, I tell those people to GET A LIFE! A life that you own and love. A life that is yours and not up for judgment by anyone. A life that you may despise some day and love others. There is a human behind every blog!

The bloggers below are some of my best friends, and you may think you know them, but how well do you know them?

Did you know. . .

That when I had my appendix out, Claire left me a care package at my door filled with little goodies, or that she delivered me a Diet Coke when I couldn't drive.

That Katie will show up with massive amounts of Costco food (I swear she keeps the place in business) whenever I need a meal?

That Karissa sent me flowers when I lived in Anthem, Pat worked in Cottonwood, I was just about to jump!

That Shannon will bring me a bottle or two of wine because she was running a little late, and it was not a big deal of all, but she is so thoughtful!

That Jen from In Your Back Pocket selflessly taught me how to make the most DARLING burpies!

That Jaclyn will send me an email or message anytime she thinks I may be having a hard day, and she ALSO sends the recipes I request in a timely manner (I struggle with this unless it is a Pioneer Woman recipe, and I can copy and paste it)!

That Cynthia is as connected to the Internet as I am, and when I am facebooking and tweeting about how awful the pick up line is, she calls me to entertain me while I wait! OR searches the Old Navy stores by her house if I can't find something in AZ!

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THESE THINGS? These are not "blog-worthy" activities, but I would say they are much more descriptive of the type of people these bloggers are than their blog says about them. No one likes to brag, no one likes to say the kind thing they did for someone, but I am here to tell you that no matter how many bad days these bloggers may have, no matter how many times they may be on the verge of a meltdown, they are WONDERFUL people who love their family, have amazing hearts and are great friends!

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet!

ORANGE DOOR

2010-09-01T14:19:00.001-07:00

Today was Tyler's FIRST day in the Orange Door, my most FAVORITE door in the school! She had a wonderful first day, and she got to sit next to James during snack time, which happened to be cake! How lucky can one girl get? She was thrilled to pieces to show everyone her new Hannah Montana lunch box!

How Much?

2010-08-25T20:36:00.001-07:00

DO YOU SPEND on a birthday gift for someone in Jackson's class that he met LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AGO????

DO YOU SPEND ON A GOOD FRIEND'S birthday present?

Does it make a difference!? I am struggling! HELP A SISTA OUT!

Ten on Tuesday

2010-08-24T08:27:00.000-07:00

1. This is the third week of school, and my eyes still fill with tears when Jackson hops out of my car and scampers to class without ever looking back! Surely this will end soon-I don't know how much more I can take!

2. We went to a BBQ the other night, and a mom friend of mine was complimenting my kids and the way they just stop and do what I say when I speak! I am so thankful for this, and I was flattered when she asked if her daughter could come to my "Boot Camp", but I don't know what I do that makes them the way they are! I think they are scared I might start yelling and freaking out in public, the way I do at home, so rather than risk embarrassment, they just go with the flow when we are out and about! HA!

3. My very best friend, Karissa, and I had baby boys 6 days apart. There is NOTHING better in the world than being pregnant at the same time as your best friend. While I don't think Jackson and Malakai could be any different, I am quite convinced they would be the best of friends if we lived closer together. Malakai holds a special place in my heart! Today, it is with a very heavy heart that I tell my readers Malakai lost his very best friend, Connor, to cancer today. He was diagnosed about a month ago and was responding well to treatment, the word remission was thrown around. This is very shocking! The pain that I am feeling for the Malakai, Karissa, Connor's family, etc is OVERWHELMING! I feel terrible that a 5 year old must deal with the death of another 5 year old. I feel terrible that the parents must bury their 5 year old. I just can't wrap my head around it enough to keep crying, but please keep them ALL in your prayers. I don't know what to say or do to my best friend. I am not sure there have ever been so many moments of silence on a phone call with her. We both just kept crying.

4. Today we went to story time at Bomberos. Not only was story time awesome, but the omelette and potatoes I had were AMAZING!!!! I highly recommend this activity!

5. Did you know they have lunch detention for KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS????? I am all about discipline, we all know that, but OMG! Every day Jackson comes home and talks about how so and so had lunch detention or time out or whatever else! He of course NEVER gets in trouble, or so he says, but likes to give me his police report of the day!

6. Currently, Jackson wants to be a police man when he grows up. I am trying to convince him to be in the CIA, due to my obsession with the show, Covert Affairs. OMG, do you think it is too late for me to join the CIA? Maybe the two of us could be a team.

7. What is with the plaid shirts making a come back-UGH!

8. Have any of you been to Smeeks??? It is this darling candy shop with lots of things, but most importantly cheap candy that makes kids happy!

9. My DVR died yesterday morning. Of course, it died when Pat tried to turn it on because he apparently has the KISS OF DEATH when it comes to electronics around here. I seriously cried, thinking about all the stuff that was saved and recorded on there. It was like a part of my family. It was a constant. It was with me when Pat became a workaholic, and it is ALWAYS there for me with little goodies and treats. I know I am getting another one in 3 business days, but I was SAD. I have recovered and grown up a little since yesterday!

10. Going to PhoenixCooks! again this year-CAN'T WAIT! LOVE IT! Anyone else going?