Sunday, Feb 28, 2010

Just thought I needed to add a picture...seems like it has been awhile. I really like this one of them looking at each other...their interaction, her joy...she has her daddy all to herself for this moment in time and she is laughing and happy...squeals of joy if I remember correctly.

Oh, and this one.




Can anyone guess what this is a photo of?

IT'S "MY" TREE! On the recent snow day. I'm one of those idiots that drove down the road taking pictures. And you think TEXTING and driving is dangerous?
In my defense, I was at a stop sign, and there were no other cars around. None behind me and none coming on the road. Just me...and the snow...and my tree. I do wish this was a professional portrait of it...but it will have to do. It was snowing - blizzard-like - when I took this. I was on my way home from taking the kids to school (and Mom's) and came home a different way because (1) I had my camera and (2) I had been thinking about taking a picture of this tree since I posted about it earlier this year. Well, I had been THINKING about taking the picture for YEARS...but you know what I mean. Anyway...since I had the camera, and it was snowing and I had not seen the tree with snow before, I went home that way.

Which go me to thinking...maybe I SHOULD leave the camera in the car. well, not permanently, but a couple days a week at least. I'm realizing 2 months into this that I'm approaching it wrong. Well, there is no "wrong" with this, but I've been reading lots of other blogs of people doing this project and I really like some of their approaches.

anyway, that being said, I am not caught up as far as putting the book together, but I am keeping up in that my journaling is on here and I have a list of pictures that I either need to take or have taken and need to print and put in the book. I do know that w/out this blog, there would be no project.

Another thing that dawned on me is this. I have a Word file where I have started typing and printing out my journaling, so while I intend to do the blog too, I need to start typing up my journaling every day too, in that file. I am behind on that too. so now when I go to get caught up I will be tied to the computer...both looking up on here what I did on a certain day and then typing it out in the Word file (or hand writing it....). That is now how this should go. I should not be dependent on the computer to do this project. All I should need is a pen and my camera/prints.

Isn't it funny how we lived our whole life to adulthood w/out a computer, and now it is in every part of our lives? I never had a computer until the early 1990s, and that was just for my job. It was a 286 and had 1 MB of RAM. Which was 'WAY MORE THAN I WOULD EVER NEED BECAUSE I WON'T USE THE COMPUTER FOR ANYTHING ELSE." I remember saying that. I also remember getting a "side job" - doing transcription for a doctor, and buying a Smith Corona Word Processor to do it on. The job paid for it in about a month. It was a no-brainer to buy it. But I bought it, not a computer, because "I would never use a computer...it's too much machine for me. All I'm going to do with it is work and maybe write an occasional letter. Besides, what would I do with a computer?" And then along came Prodigy. The internet. WOW...what a world was out there. But it was pay by the hour, so you had to limit yourself. and email was a 24-hour delay. You would write someone and then wait until the next day to get your reply. Remember that?

Then I had kids. and AOL came around. They came around prior to kids, but I got my first free disk from them after I had Travis. and I remember saiving that disk for awhile before "redeeming" my free time because it was limited and I wanted to make the most of it and I was busy with Travis. I waited until he was gone at Nana's so I would be able to get in the internet w/out being interrupted and wasting my free 5 hours, or whatever it was. That was 15 years ago. FREE disk my a$$! yea, the plastic itself was free, but I shutter to think how much of my money they got over the years. I was on AOL until just before I had Addison. So do the math.

Scary to think how quickly the world has changed because of computers. I often wonder what I would be doing for a living if it weren't for computers. I would not be a transcriptionist, because I can NOT type on a typewriter. If it does not have a backspace and delete button, I can't type on it. :) I trained on a correcting Selectric. Then my first job was a Wang Word Processor. Then when I started at home, I had to buy a computer, which brings me back to the 286 with a MEG of RAM. and I remember I told myself...there is no way I will use all that memory. My computer today? Internal 500 GB hard drive and external 500 GB hard drive. and eventually my photos will fill one. probably.

Things change. That's why this project is such a passion of mine. What fun it will be to look back at it in 10-15 years. A glimpse of life in 2010. Wish I had thought to do this in 1990. or 2000. It might be a boring life. But it's MINE. I want to remember it. oh, and what I would not give to have done this in high school! :))

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Patrick had his first soccer game today at North Park fields. His team scored first, and second, then the other team scored twice, and the game ended in a tie. Addison seemed to enjoy getting out.

Keith, my brother, won tickets to Monster Jam on the radio and invited Ty and the boys to go with him. What a treat for my guys! It was at the new Texas Stadium in Arlington and they had a blast. Thanks so much, Keith and Sandra!!

When it was over, they dropped off Keith at the hospital to pick up his truck, (Sandra had been at the hospital...more on that later) and then Ty decided to drive out to TMS and go to the dirt track so they went out there and did not get home until after midnight.

Donna came over and we went to grab something to eat and then came back to the house where Addie fell asleep. I had picked Donna up, so she decided to walk home (WHAT??) I felt really bad, but not enough to wake a sleeping baby that skipped her nap today. Sorry Donna. Wish you would have stayed longer. Sorry your sister is so boring!!

Sunday, Feb 28, 2010

wow, it's the last day of February already. Unbelieveable. Why is it that your childhood seems to last forEVER when you are a child...Christmas' seem like they are an eternity apart, and when you "grow up" (or I should say get older) they seem like you just had a Christmas yesterday and it's already here again.

Just typing this now made me think of George Carlin. Love that guy. Love his way of looking at things. Anyway, he had a thing where he talked about how life should have happened backwards. Let me go see if I can find it.

Here it is...

“The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A Death! What’s that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you live in an old age home. You get kicked out when you’re too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work forty years until you’re young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do drugs, alcohol, you party, you get ready for high school. You go to grade school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating …and you finish off as an orgasm."

I was just thinking the other day, while talking to my 15-year-old...who is in that stage where he is convinced he is smarter than Ty and I - I was thinking about this George Carlin thing above...and how if "If I had known then what I know now" and that if we lived life backwards, we WOULD know then what we know now...how great that would be...When you are young enough to enjoy life and are in good shape...to have the knowledge that you do later in life...how great would that be? ahh..wishful thinking! :)

more later...

Friday, Feb 26, 2010

Friday. Lent. Fish. Long John Silvers for lunch. Catfish Sam's for dinner.

http://catfishsamsonline.resercom.net/

Ty said he had heard of a good place to get catfish in Arlington, so we tried it. It was good, but with tip, over $50. I have been having buyer's remorse lately when we eat out. It was not $50 good. I would rather pay another $10 and go to Abuelo's. The hushpuppies were good...really good. The rolls were pretty good. There were some condiments that Ty and Patrick liked. They would not let us share a meal or we had to pay $5. for all the condiments and hushpuppies. Thus, the $50. They say that is to keep their costs down and still be able to offer the condiments. (cole slaw, tomato relish, beans, lemons, rolls, and hushpuppies) As it was, we came home with 3 full fillets of fish...that we would not have had left over if we had shared a meal. Don't think we will be back. Don't want to discourage anyone else from trying it...I just don't want to spend $50 eating out anymore unless it is REALLY good. A couple of years ago I would not have even blinked. Things have changed. We have more mouths to feed. And less to feed them with.

Today when I went to pick up Addison at Mom's, I picked her up and she pulled my shirt away from me and looked down. My Dad said "What are you looking at?" and Addison said "Not much." We all got a laugh out of that! :)

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010

Well, Pat claimed to be sick this a.m. I did not believe him - but I am thinking of enrolling him in acting classes - but kept him home just in case because of Ty being sick. I think he just heard Ty last night and thought he could use that to his advantage. He learned years ago that after 10 a.m. I won't take him to school because you are still counted absent for the day...so he is sick as a dog until 9:59 a.m. and then at 10 a.m. on the dot, miracles come to him and he is healed. Today I told him NO electronics at all or I was taking him to school. Ty went in to work late and left early (and slept the rest of the day) but he brought home some videos so guess what Pat did after that?


Went to get Addison at Mom's and she was HORRIBLE. Mom said she had not napped all day and was crabby all day. She did not want to put her diaper or pants on when I got there, and wanted to get all her clothes off. This is her thing lately. I don't know if she wants to be in control or what...but she has been doing that at bedtime too...not wanting to put PJs on. Throwing screaming FITS for what seems like an eternity and NOT GIVING IN (but being defeated, nonetheless). She gets MAD/ANGRY. and of course, kicking and hitting all the while. I need to get her on some semblance of a schedule. I need to get her to bed earlier at night. Problem is I'm working most evenings and Ty does not get her to bed while I'm working. anyway, she was starting to fall asleep on the way home and I told Travis to keep her awake until we got home or she would wake up at home and be horrible again. We got home and I laid on the couch with her on my stomach and she slept for about 2 hours. I tried to put her in bed...she woke up. I tried to lay her on the couch. She woke up. Finally just had to get up and she got up too and now it is 8:15 and she is wide awake at bedtime.

I love that girl and I'm sure someday I will look back and realize these were the good days, but now, i'm just not feeling it!

and Ty wonders why I never get anything done...


Watched AI top 24 guys...again, no one jumped out at me. Several from Texas this year, one from Trav's school...but no "Adam" or "David" in this crowd. But, I'm a fan and I'll keep watching and see if someone emerges.

Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010

American Idol top 24 this week. I watched the girls today...nobody stood out to me. I kinda like "bowersocks" - can't think of her first name - but she basically said "i'm only here for the $." She reminds me of Jason Castro...could not care less about the contest...don't get me wrong, I really liked Castro.. but his whole laid back attitude was kinda funny...when all these people that REALLY want it and get so emotional about it are out there and then he comes along and says "oh, that looks fun, I think I'll try it" and makes it all the way to #3...(was it #3?) anyway...just funny. I think that fact that the girl said that, might actually work against her at voting time. Just my opinion. There was another one I thought was good but I don't remember her name. Like I said, no body stood out. Last year, I knew Adam Lambert by name after week 1. and he continued to blow me away every week. I could do without the screaming/screeching he sometimes does, but no denying the guys an artist. Still can't believe he did not win. The year before, David Cook stood out as an artist. I did not really get what they meant by "artist" until him. Really liked him.

anyway, that's my personal opinion on that.

Ty got sick in the middle of the night tonight...I'll spare you the details.

Addison's not been herself either. She has no signs of being sick...just not wanting to sleep, fighting it every step of the way, staying up late, having to get up early. But today at Mom's, she took a 3 hour nap. Hopefully she will get back to being herself now.

Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010

It's PAYDAY! Yippeeeee! highlight of my day! :) only because nothing else happened out of the ordinary today. that's my life!

I was watching an episode of Undercover Boss (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/) and they had a guy that is working for 7-11 on night shift and he had such a good attitude. found this on the web...

"The last day of Undercover Boss finds Joe working with Igor on a delivery truck. What can I say about Igor? Basically, he’s my new favorite person on the planet. First, he tells Joe that he’s from Kazakhstan like Borat. Amazing. Secondly, he calls his truck his baby and says if his arms were longer he’d hug it. Fantastic. A healthy dose of truck love never hurt anyone. Thirdly, he has found the secret to marital bliss. He works nights and his wife works days so they only see each other two days a week. Brilliant. Igor is a friendly, upbeat guy who manages to make driving a delivery truck seem like the best job in the world. I’m strongly considering becoming a delivery truck driver after witnessing his enthusiasm."

He was talking about living the American Dream and how happy he was to be here in America and that we don't have a clue and take it all for granted. He came to the country with $50 in his pocket, etc...

He's right. We don't have a clue. This is all we know. Wish we could know what it is like. Of course, we all say that America is the best country in the world and we don't want to live anywhere else, but that's just because it's what we are taught. We really don't know what it is like elsewhere. I want to know how you work the night shift for 7-11 and are happy about it. I think we could all learn from Igor!!

Monday, Feb 22, 2010

I finally called the day care that Addison was supposed to go to. After she had her "free day" to see if we liked it, she has not been back since. Mom keeps saying to keep bringing her to her house. Well, we talked today and she said she would keep her the rest of the school year but that was IT. I can live with that. so, I called the daycare and made arrangements to just bring her when I need to.

Mom had a dr. appt today so I told her to just bring Addison home before and since it was her naptime, I could put her down for a nap. Silly me. She came home at 12:30, I put her in bed, she was up at 12:35, and stayed up until 2:30ish. Then I had to wake her to get the boys and take Patrick to the doctor. (wart on his foot)

Came home, made dinner, went back to work...to make up the 2 hours I lost when she came home.

and did I take a picture at the doctor? NO. When will I learn?

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010

Happy 29th birthday to my Mother-in-Law, Patsy. Hope it is a good one!

Saturday, Feb 20, 2010

Lost keys. I can remember my Mother losing her keys all. the. time. I remember if we were running late for something and she could not find them, she would offer a reward to whomever found them, and that got us looking. I need to remember that next time I have that problem. I was to have lunch with some friends from my old job today at noon. I got ready. I got Addison ready. I told the boys they could come too, since we were meeting at Niki's and they have been wanting to eat there...so we are all about to walk out the door and my keys were not in the basket by the front door. The basket that I put by the front door almost as soon as we bought the house because I did not want to end up like Mom, always searching for keys. I always put my keys in the basket when I come in. Well, 999x out of 1000, I do. I have to do that now that my memory is gone, otherwise I would never remember where they are. But they were not there this morning. So, I began searching. First thing I did was ask Addison because I figured she walked off with them. But I never saw her with them. She did tell me they were on the bookshelf and we all looked on the bookshelf...more than once, and they were not there. So, we started to look. everywhere, in obvious places...but we still did not find them. and now we are late for lunch. So, then I started to look in not so obvious places. I checked her play kitchen that she got for Xmas. I found 3 frozen waffles that were no longer frozen. I trashed them. I found a frozen taquito that was thawing out. oh, and the bag that it came from, with all the others in it...also thawing out. I put those in the freezer. But the piece de resitance...2 raw pork chops in her "microwave." EEEEEWWWWwwwwwwww. I don't even remember what night they were from. I guess Ty never ate that night...I did not cook his because he was coming home late....guess I forgot about them when they were "out of sight, out of mind". Need to disinfect that kitchen now. Obviously, those went in the trash. But, no keys. Fast forward TWO FULL HOURS LATER...after I had to take away video games to get the boys to help look (gotta remember that cash award system my Mother used), and Patrick found them....ON THE BOOKSHELF. However, in my defense, since I looked there 3 times, they were tucked down inside of a magazine holder. But Ty's keys (spare set to my car) were also gone, and we had not found those yet. When Pat told me where he found mine, I went and looked, and sure enough, Ty's set was down in the bottom of there too. So, we missed my luncheon, but the keys are now nestled on a hook by the front door where she cannot get them.

so, now it's 2 and Addison has had no nap. She does NOT want to lay down, so I tell her to sit on the couch with me and watch TV. She laid on my stomach and fell asleep. Just about the time she went to sleep, I remembered Pat had soccer practice at 3. I checked on the TV and it was 2:55. So, I try to put Addison in bed and of couse she wakes up. I ran and got Travis and had him lay down with her so she would stay in bed and I left with Patrick. At 3:50, Travis called and said she never went to sleep and was up and to come home and he was hungry. So, when practice was over, we went and got him and went ahead and went to Niki's after all. It was 4 and none of us had had anything to eat since breakfast.

Left Niki's and went to grocery store to pick up a few things and then back home.

I managed to get some laundry folded today and picked up a little bit in my office, but the house is still a wreck. Travis will help if I ask, but he is not happy about it. Patrick complains and moans anytime he has to do a chore. Ty comes home and watches TV until he falls asleep. And I get frustrated that everyone expects me to do it all myself, so I do less. it's a viscious circle. and I need to break it. SOON. NOW. I need PETER WALSH!! http://www.peterwalshdesign.com/



oh, and about the "everyone expects me to do it all and I'm resentful?" I can so hear Dr. Phil saying "so how's that working for ya?" ;)

do you think I watch too much Oprah??

Friday, Feb 19, 2010

WOW, am I a PROUD mom today. Travis told me on the way to school that they got their class rankings yesterday and he is 24th in his class.

WOW!

and the funny thing is...he is upset about it. Wait, let me get my violin out.

I'm SO PROUD of him. I think he said there were over 600 in his class. (I'd have to double check that, I can't remember the #).



AWESOME job, son!!!

If you read this, leave me a comment.

Thursday, Feb 18, 2010

Wow, someone from Travis' school made the Top 24 on American Idol! His name is Alex Lambert and he is a senior at Richland. We don't know him, but wow..that is really cool! Think how fun that would be for Richland if he made the top 3 and they did a hometown visit!! I asked Travis if that happened if he would go with me to it...and he just sat there. I finally said "well, will you at least go? with your friends?", and he said yes. I guess I'm officially the uncool mom!

Patrick and Addison and I went grocery shopping tonight...picked up some catfish for tomorrow (Lent, Friday). Addison found a wagon and began pulling it around and filling it up. That girl is a shopper. I need to send her to Peppy's house! :) Peppy is my sister-in-law and she had her own charge account when she was 5. Guess Addie got that gene too!

Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010

Same as yesterday. Addison got into my closet while I was working and put on my ropers and a shirt of mine that was a dress on her. I tried to get a picture but she took it off by the time I had the camera out. Then she went on to empty another closet out into the bathroom floor...so tired of the messes while I'm working because no one will watch her.

Talked to Michelle today...good to hear from her!

American Idol Top 24 revealed tonight...but I have it TIVO'd and won't find out until I watch it tomorrow or over the weekend.

Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010

Not much happened today out of the ordinary. Kids back in school, Addison back at Oma's house.

Monday, Feb 15, 2010

Kids were out of school today....all 3 stayed home. Addison tore the house up. again.

Travis had a game, his last of the season, and I missed it because I thought it was a home game but it was at Haltom. By the time I figured that out, had I driven over there, parked, paid to get in, found the gym, it would have been time to leave and take Patrick to soccer practice. So, we went back home. And Addison fell asleep. I left her in her coat and shoes and just put her in bed....she slept about 30 minutes or so. Just long enough for me to finish working. Ty did the same thing, went to Richland and there was no game there. So, he came home and took Pat to soccer. I went and picked up Travis after they got back and then went and picked up everyone else and we went to Abuelo's for dinner. I got an enchillda dinner that was on special to save $$ and it was not as good as the Durango buritto. Live and learn. Love their queso, though! and of course, no camera. I have GOT to remember my camera phone! when is this going to sink in? I also got home and realized I left the to-go box sitting on the table. What is up with my BRAIN?

Thursday, Feb 11, 2010 (update)

Forgot to mention, on the way home from picking up Addison, I pulled off into an empty parking lot and let my future driver get in some practice in the snow. I pulled over and let him take the wheel for a few laps around the parking lot. I know, not REAL practice, but figured he might not get snow like this again anytime soon so better get the practice in now. I know...why does he need to practice if he is not going to see it again? I wanted him to try to park, too, but instead of going around to the front of the bldg where there were other cars, he parked in a secluded area with no cars and then said "piece of cake." ya think? :)

He did good!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Kids were out of school today, but Travis had his last basketball game of the season. I had planned to go, but got a text from him staying the game was at 4:30...got that text around 4:15. So, I loaded up the kids real quick and drove up there, only to find out it was not a home game. So, I figured by the time I drove to the other school, unloaded, found the gym, paid to get in, and got a seat, it would be about time to leave and take Pat to soccer practice, so we just went back home. Good thing, too, because Addison picked this time to take a nap. at 4:30p. FINALLY. I brought her in and put her in bed with her coat and shoes on. Was not taking a chance of waking her (she also fell asleep when I took Travis to school at 1:30, but woke up when I got her home and took her coat off.). Anyway, she only slept about 30 minutes.

So, Ty got off early and also went to Richland for the game (that was at Haltom). So, he came home and took Patrick to practice and I finished working. Then when Addie woke up, we went to get Travis. Ty called and said lets go to Abuelo's, so I told Travis on the way home we were going. He asked what the occasion was and I just looked like, "don't know" and then said Valentine's. He said "you just made that up. We don't go there w/out an occasion. " He looked kinda nervous and it dawned on me that both times we told him I was pregnant, it was at Abuelo's. I quickly told him "I'm not pregnant." and started laughing. He was relieved. LOL

When I was pregnant with Addison, we took the boys to Abuelo's and told them after we ordered. Patrick screamed "You told me you were done with all that pregnant stuff" at me and then burst into tears...he was inconsolable for about 15 minutes. It was rather upsetting (probably my hormones) at the time. and embarrassing that everyone around us could hear. It was supposed to be happy and Patrick was in tears and Travis was speechless. Anyway, Travis said later that when we told him I was pregnant with Patrick, it was at Abuelo's, so it's a running joke that if we go to Abeulo's, I must be pregnant.

Anyway, I thought it was funny. Maybe a "had to be there" moment.

Last night we saw a really good movie..."The Blind Side." Very good. I recommend it. The woman that Sandra Bullock played...we should all be more like that. I was very impressed with her.

Sunday, Feb 14, 2010 (and Fri and Sat)

Valentine's day. My 44th. Decided to make a special dinner. and with my luck, no one will care. But I'll do it anyway.

Came across this...

http://listen.elyrics.net/listen.php

Hopefully that link will work and you can hear the song.

I think Allison Krauss has the voice of an angel. Years ago she did a duet with Keith Whitley - When You Say Nothing At All" -




That was the first time I had ever heard her sing, and thought it was beautiful. I bought her CD...there was a lot of bluegrass on it. Not my favorite genre... but this song...I like it better with/out Keith, honestly, but like either version. Was not ever familair with Keith until after he had died. Then I started hearing alot from his wife, Lori Morgan, and I think I even bought one of her albums. Wonder where she is now, why she does not record anymore? She was good too.

Back back to Allison...voice of an angel. LOVE her voice. Love "When You Say Nothing At All" and LOVEEEE "Baby Mine."

I'm making the Becky Higgins recipe for Bowtie Pasta for dinner. Glorified chicken fettucini. REALLY good.

Here's her receipe:




GARLIC CHICKEN FARFALLE

16 oz. Farfalle pasta
1 c. heavy whipping cream
3-4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 to 3 cloves garlic, crushed OR garlic salt (I do a spoonful of crushed garlic)
1 Tbsp. pepper*
1/2 c. butter
1 lb. bacon, crumpled**
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (12 oz) Lawry’s mesquite marinade with lime juice

*Seems like a lot of pepper, but it has a wonderful flavor when everything mixes together. If you're apprehensive, do less pepper. You can always add more.

**We like to cook our bacon in the oven (400 degrees, convection). Way less messy. And it's crispy every time. Time varies, so you just have to watch it. I think it's usually around 30 minutes. Allow to cool and then crumple (I totally wear disposable gloves for this part - surprise, surprise).

[ directions ]

Crock pot chicken and bottle of marinade on low for 6 hours. Pull marinated chicken out of the juices, allow to cool a little bit, and shred (I pull it apart). Set this aside. About a half-hour before serving, boil the pasta. In a small saucepan, melt butter, add garlic, whipping cream, pepper, parmesan cheese, and crumpled bacon. Whisk together on low heat for 3-4 minutes. In a large bowl, pour over cooked, drained pasta, add chicken and stir through. Sprinkle a little bit more shredded parmesan cheese on top.

very good. VERY good! Go easy on the pepper, though! :) (I never pepper anything, but I do add some to this).

anyway, plan to make this dinner and then put a "treat" at each place (bought them last night). That's my big attempt - nothing fancy, but more than I usually do! Sometimes I feel guilty that I don't do more for my kids to make the special things special...I don't cook green food on St. Pat's day, I don't decorate for any holidays other than Christmas, and in the last 10 years, that has been less and less...don't cook Thanksgiving or Easter or Christmas meals (Mom and Patsy always do). I always said "someday" and now I've blinked and Travis is 15 and Patrick is 10....so maybe Addison will get her "someday." or my grandkids! :)

Saturday post:

Watched another movie that Donna brought...this is one I had really wanted to see...it was good, but it was not what I excepted it to be.

Donna and I went shopping and then she came over and watched us eat dinner (LOL). She would not eat. I'm used to that. I have the reputation for not being a cook. oh well...

Addison decided to get up on the counter this a.m. and sit on top of the microwave. And get into the cabinet and get powdered doughtnuts...







and instead of getting her down, I run and get the camera. Children of scrapbookers can do no wrong. They only do "cute!"

Friday:

SNOW. everywhere. More. than. I. have. EVER. seen. at. home. It was incredible. This must be why people live up north. Only I could not handle it for days on end. I get cabin fever too easily. But this was a moment...a picture taking moment...that may never come in my lifetime again. They said the last time it snowed this much was 32 years ago. Which means I was living in Alice, Texas, at the time and missed it then.


This is one I took around sunrise. The white spot in the upper left is reflection from the window. I was not dressed to go out. I had just started working.



and another...



Here's our "only" tree...notice on the left hand side...a huge branch had fallen off. Apparently this was common all across the metroplex...lots of people lost branches.



Love this photo. Almost looks like there is a ball stuck up there but that is just a round accumulation of snow. How does that happen??



here's my handsome young man...




and my handsome old boy.... (LOL)



and here is the littlest angel...who - poor thing - could only find 1 hat in the house that would fit her...



here's my snow angel...



snowball fight!!




love this view of our street....from in front of our house looking down towards the school..



and our house...

Look how deep that is!

 

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Weeeeeee! Look how deep that is! Addie really liked being in the snow, but after less than 10 minutes, she was crying that her fingers were hurting. They don't sell "real gloves" for toddlers in Texas! :(

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010

Donna stopped by today and brought me another movie to watch..She has been bringing me random movies to watch. I'm not a movie critic so don't expect any in depth reviews from me. I watch movies and TV purely for entertainment...if I happen to learn something from them in the process, great, but it's all entertainment to me. I don't try to analyze them or anything. I liked the George Clooney movie she brought last week. Not my favorite of all time, but a good movie.

We all sat down to dinner tonight. It seems to be becoming rarer and rarer for us to do that. I took advantage of it and had a "family meeting" while we were all there together. I feel like we are not living like a family lately...we are all disconnected somehow. The last year has been stressful on all of us and I feel like we need to get back to where we were. In the end, it turned into a heated discussion on video games...I guess we will all have to agree to disagree on that subject. :) Anyway, felt good to talk and get things off my chest and listen to how others are feeling. Now we'll see if it did any good.

and of course, no pictures.

I'm thinking I might just leave this week and last week out and go 2 weeks longer at the end of the year. I don't know. Or go back and take pictures to correspond. I always think after the fact "Oh I should have taken a picture of this, or of that." I'm hoping as the year progresses, it will become 2nd nature to me, but right now it's always an afterthought.


I did take my cell phone out and take a picture of that tree that I talked about awhile back. Finally. After 12 years of living here, finally got a picture of that tree! I'll post it when it is uploaded.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010

I actually finished my work before I got the kids today. I will probably do a little more later to make up for earlier this week, though. I went to pick up Addison but she had just gone down for a nap so I left her there and Ty will get her after he gets off work.

Get to watch taped American Idol tonight with Ellen DeGeneris. Should be interesting!

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010

Travis had a basketball game tonight...close but no cigar. They lost to Weatherford. It was a tight game until the last quarter they could not pull it out. Next game in Abilene, Friday night. I don't think I will be there. Donna came to the game. Krista and her kiddos showed up too. They did what I did earlier in the year...went to the big gym and watched part of that game before realizing they were in the wrong gym...so they came in about the time our team started to lose!

Monday, Feb 8, continued...

Went to the grocery store tonight...Took Addison. We went to Tom Thumb for a change of pace and a sale. And stupid me did not bring a camera. Well, had my camera phone, but never even thought about using it. It's still new, and my old camera phone was not worth bothering with. Anyway...when Travis was little, we had a Tom Thumb right down the street from us and that was where I did our shopping. This Tom Thumb had "baby carts" - or child sized shopping carts for kids to push. Travis LOVED them. L.O.V.E.D. them. I had to constantly get on him for leaving my side and literally RACING up and down the aisles. Everything was a race with him. If I ever wanted him to do something, I just had to challenge him to a race. Anyway, memories....

so last night we are at the "new" Tom Thumb by Mom's house and we walked in and Addison saw "Addison sized shopping carts." She very nicely and politely asked if she could have one. She was so sweet - I could not say no.

So, here's a difference between boys and girls, for those that don't know. Give a boy a shopping cart and it promptly turns into a race car. And they WON'T stay by your side. And you can't catch them. Give a GIRL a shopping cart, and she SHOPS. Everytime I turned around, she had something new in her shopping cart. I had to draw the line when she walked over to a display of Busweiser and tried to pick up a 12-pack. I had to put the jar of Mayo back. I had to put the blackened creole seasoning back. I had to put the yogurt back. I had to put the Coke and the cookies back. I let her keep the orange Gatorade (sale) and the hamburger buns that we needed for dinner.

So, letting her have that cart made her day. It wore her out. and it doubled my shopping time. At least.

But it is a good memory. And it reminded me of fun times with Travis - good memories.

Next time I'll have my camera!! :)

Monday, Febrary 8, 2010

Military. Wow, the depth of sacrifices they make for us. It just hit me yet again while working today. I did a report on a woman who was pregnant and was due to be deployed 3 months after her baby was due. Now, for the most part, we all go back to work 12 weeks after having a baby. Some after 6 weeks, some after a month. In my case, all 3 times, it was after 12. But I can't even FATHOM being DEPLOYED 3 months after my baby is born. How do you bond? How do you miss your child rolling over for the first time, or crawling, or eating his/her first foods or walking or getting his/her first tooth? Sure, it's a hectic, tiring, stressful, sleep-deprived time in life, but it's your CHILD. YOU DON'T GET THAT TIME BACK LATER AFTER YOUR DEPLOYMENT. It's GONE. You might have another child and you might get to see THAT child's firsts...but with this child, it's just GONE.

So, I don't know if you are for or against this war we are in, but BY GOD you'd better appreciate what they are giving up for you so that you CAN be for or against whatever you believe in.

THAT'S sacrifice. RESPECT IT.

Saturday, Feb 6, 2010

Made it to Kroger today...and they had SPIRALS! Color me happy! Guess what Pat and Addie had for lunch today?

Patrick had his first soccer practice today. He was placed back on a team that he had been on 2 seasons ago (18 months ago) and it turns out that practice is right across from his school at the park (walking distance from our house - which in my exercise-challenged world, translates to 1 block). And, for the icing on the cake...DAWSON BYRNES is on his team. along with several classmates. So glad it worked out that way. Michael Seebock, his friend since preschool, was going to sign up to play with him but ended up on another team so I'm so glad he has friends on his team. It will be nice to have practice at the park, too, because Addison can play while they are practicing.


2/5/10: Friday update: Another typical day, work for me and Ty, school for the boys, and over to Mom's for Addison. Travis had a game at Paschal high school today, but we did not drive out there for it.

2/4/10: Thursday: We met Margie and her kiddos at Cici's for dinner - that was the highlight of the day. And of course, no picture. I really need to keep my camera in the car.

Jackie, I hope I can prove you wrong and keep up with my Project Life. :) not doing too good at this juncture, but determined to keep at it. I am doing the journaling, thanks to this blog. just need to keep my camera with me. I keep saying if i had a pocket sized camera to carry with me and a photo printer, this would be a piece of cake. But I refrain from printing at home because it's cheaper to send them out. I don't want to leave my Digital Rebel in the car all the time, so forget to bring it. I do have a new phone with a camera, but I forget about it usually.

just need to try harder...

Wed update

This is in response to an email I received from a friend...

Speaking of best deals at Kroger, Patrick will only eat Kraft MacNCheese in the Sprial shapes. He says it just tastes better. (and funny, when I was pregnant with Travis, I would eat a whole box every day at lunch, and it had to be spirals). Anyway, the spirals costs twice as much as regular, so I told him they are the same and I would not buy it anymore if he would not eat the regular kind. (recession and all, you know).

well, my friend called yesterday and said "isn't Patrick the one who will only eat spirals?" and said if you buy 10 at Kroger, they are 50 cents a box. that is half price. So, yesterday I trot my happy self up there to the Kroger closest to Mom on my way to pick up Addison and go to the mac n cheese aisle and there is ONE lousy stinking box on the shelf. They had sponge bob shapes, they had Pokemon shapes, they had every cartoon shape that has ever been on TV, in abundance, but ONE BOX of spirals. ONE. I made a trip. In the rain. for ONE LOUSY BOX?

None in the back. None on the end cap. I walked out with a rain check. In the rain. Ironic?

Today I hit the Kroger by my house. they BETTER have them.


I need to copy/paste this into my blog!! LOL and take a picture of my ONE lonely box for the scrapbook! Thanks for the idea!!

ok, just for the record, they also had Keebler Deluxe Grahams for $1.19 a bag (if you buy 10). I was happy to find those. I only got 2 (you can buy a combination of 10 of a number of different items. I refrained from buying 10 packs of cookies!)

I'm so glad someone is reading my blog!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

what a boring week it has been. Which is probably a good thing!

Sunday...worked on house cleaning...half-heartedly. Jake was over most of the day and when Pep picked him up, we went and ate with them at Hoffbrau. Highlight of the day.

Monday: Addison did not start day care this week like I thought. Mom said wait another week. Hope they don't charge me for this week. Spent some time tonight teaching Patrick long division. I did not teach it the way his teacher did...she's going to love me for that.

Tuesday: Travis' basketball game against Burleson. They lost. Took Patrick and Addison to Taco Bueno for dinner before game.

Wednesday: Not much going on today. Patrick went to church with neighbors tonight. It rained almost all day. Cold and wet. I'm ready for spring.

I trained on a new account at work today...after 3 reports, they took me off QA. That's a record. We also did training for our new "timecard" program. Sad that you need a meeting to learn how to "clock in." and even sadder that the program did not work when I tried it. It's not saving my "punches."

That's it for an exciting first half of the week.

I will leave you with these thoughts...
"To get something you have never had - you have to do something you have never done."

and

"The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you."

Read those in an email today and wanted to remember them. Need to make a scrapbook page about them! Maybe my POTD can be these quotes in a fancy font....(thinking out loud).

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Charles Schulz Philosophy


The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz,
the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just
ponder on them. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point..

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress....
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?


The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are
forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school..
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!
5..Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


Easier? The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are

not the ones with the most credentials.. the most

money... or the most awards. They simply are the

ones who care the most!

THANKS TO THOSE THAT CARE!

Oh, and for the record...

1. Mrs Bettye Stapleton, Mrs. Conner, Mr Danny Prado (jr high), Mrs. George (elementary)
2. Ronda, Mary, Margie
3. Mom, Dad, Ty, Travis, Patrick, Addison
4. Ty, Travis, Patrick, Addison, Beth, Jeannie
5. Ty, Travis, Patrick, Addison, Mary, Ronda, Margie, Krista, Beth, Jeannie, Kay, Carole, Bev, Shelly, Roberta, etc. !