Thursday, December 16, 2010

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Pizza Boy.....

Guess it is time to change Pizza Boys name since he hasn't been Pizza Boy for a while. Think we will change his name to Security Boy. Security Boy did work as a buffet runner for a while at a local casino but has now gone on to bigger and ?better? things. Security boy got his Arizona Guard card a couple months ago and is now working as a security guard. His current post is at the Scottsdale Waterfront. Crazy hours and a lot of walking. Maybe with all that walking we will eventually call him Toothpick Boy.

Mock Trial.........

Origami girl is at it again. Always surprising me with the things she is interested in. This year she is in a mock trial class in school and a few weeks ago they had a practice session court. I took some time off work to go watch and it was very interesting. Poor Origami Girl had the misfortune to be the very first speaker of the day, no time to make herself sick with fear. Origami Girl gave the opening statement for the first case, she did a pretty good job of standing up and speaking. Way better than I could ever do. I simply have no desire to ever speak in front of a group of people.

Hoping to add the video later today of her opening statement.

Cheergirl's Winter Dance Performance.....



Cheergirl had her Winter Dance Performance last Saturday. I can not believe it but I actually convinced Jack to go. Most of the dances were identical, same general movements, just different people and costumes so it did get pretty boring. Cheergirl's dance was a bit different from the rest though so it kept us awake.

Cheergirl has been absolutely giddy with excitement because she had a lead part in the dance.




Florida Trip...

Cheergirl's trip to Florida is over. Thank Goodness! She had an awesome time. This is the first time she has ever flown and thankfully all went pretty well. She did get a bit sick on the plane on the last leg of the trip. She had a snack of ice cream on her last layover in Atlanta and it didn't really sit well on her stomach once she was back in the air. Thankfully it passed and she didn't hurl.

The weather was nice while they were in Florida so the taping for the Christmas day parade went smoothly. I can't wait to see it on television. The CGUHS spiritline must have impressed the choreographers because they were positioned in the first few rows of the parade. Taping went so smoothly that they were left with quite a bit of free time to visit the Disney Parks.

I am so happy for Sarah that she got this experience, but honestly so glad that it is over. All the fundraising we did was absolutely exhausting.


Wednesday, December 15th

Todays Goal.....

BLOG

BLOG

BLOG

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Cold Stone Creamery Fundraiser..........

Last night was the Cold Stone fundraiser from 6:00-7:00. I honestly didn't hold out high hopes for the fundraiser. The weather was a bit rainy and you have to admit they are kind of expensive. Turns out they had a steady line of people coming through buying ice cream. Cheergirl had a blast and took two shifts preparing ice cream and says that she would love working there. The singing part has me concerned though. They sing when there is a tip dropped in the tip bucket and I am pretty sure Cheergirl would be fired the first week. Love ya Cheergirl!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Seriously? No post since June?

I was certain I had posted recently but I guess not. Life is incredibly hectic I guess.

Let's start from the top and work our way down.

Pizza boy - probably a good idea to change his name, need to think about that though. Pizza boy took a class a few weeks ago to get his Arizona Guard card. Now the wait for it to come in and hopefully find a job in security. Not sure what else to say about Pizza Boy right now, maybe a topic just best avoided.

Cheergirl - always my longest paragraph since the gal is so busy. Cheergirl went to camp at NAU in July. The team had an awesome time. They won a prize that in turn allows them to go to Florida to perform in the Disney Christmas day parade. They will be travelling and performing the first week of December. But ahhhh what an expensive trip. The team has been fundraising like crazy and a few of the parents are willing helpers, me included. As always there are some who just don't step up to the plate so it falls on others shoulders. Anyways..... we have had multiple fundraisers, girls made calendars, girls hosted a cheer camp, selling mardi gras beads for homecoming this week, several other events as well. It has been a blast but exhausting. Most of the trip has been paid for, now the goal is to just get the airline tickets paid off by the end of October.

Cheergirl part 2 - I absolutely can not believe this is Cheergirls senior year. We need to get on the ball and get organized with college prep etc, etc. What happened to my baby girl with the little alfalfa sprout on top of her head lol.

Origami Girl - I don't even know where to start with this girl. She has really changed a lot the last couple years. Her grades are excellent where in the past they were a struggle. She enjoys drawing and writing. She writes all the time. She has also know developed an interest in making little movies with stories that she puts on youtube. Her grammar is getting better and better as she works literally nonstop on this interest. We have to fight her for a turn on the computer. Origami girl is in eighth grade this year. I absolutely can not believe she will be in high school next year. Origami girl has also now decided that she would like to try out for soccer. Ugh... more $$ lol. Need to try and squeeze in a physical tonight at urgent care. Sadly it may end up being a waste. It has been years since she played soccer and you really need to have ongoing experience to make a team. Ahh well we will see.


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

I Am Not A Happy Camper........


Pizza Boy went tubing down the Salt River on Monday. Seriously doesn't make me happy, I don't see FUN, I see DANGER.

The river is about a 2 hour drive away. Pizza Boy was supposed to call and let me know they arrived but of course that never happened. He was also supposed to call and let me know when they got off the river and that never happened either.

Pizza boy had fun but there are a couple things that still just make me sick to my stomach. When you get to the river you have to take a bus up to the drop off point. So off they go with their tubes and ice chest and rope etc etc. When the boys got to the drop off point they got all tied up together. One of the brand new tubes he had just bought had a hole in it so that one was tossed in the garbage. They tied the remaining tubes and ice chest together and they were on their way. A little way into the trip the ice chest flipped! They lost all but two bottles of water and all of their snacks. This is the really stupid part. It is a four hour trip down the river and they recommend at two bottles of water per person per hour. So out of sixteen bottles they only had two, NOT GOOD! Of course being young boys they float on down the river anyways. I can't forget to mention it was about 117 on Monday.

And what do you think they forgot to do at the beginning of the trip? They forgot to put on sunscreen. They were fried. They are both so lucky they didn't end up in the hospital! And they are very lucky they had more water in the car.

So on the way home the boys stopped to get a burger. They are about 35 minutes away and I FINALLY get a call from them that I have been waiting for all day. Pizza Boy says, oh we had fun but I have a slight problem, I just locked my keys in the car. Sigh. I was still working so hubby who had just gotten home had to hop in the car and drive right back up to the city.

Ahh the stress. And the boys are planning on going again soon. They certainly need to come up with a better rig for the ice chest.

(these pictures were borrowed from the internet)

Monday, June 7, 2010

Cheer Baskets.......

About a month ago the cheer squad had a fundraiser dinner with gift baskets that were bid upon. Each cheerleader brought at least one basket. I made a little cheergirl basket. It went over well enough that the coach asked me to make a few for the Kiddie Kamp fundraisers they are having this week and next.

The Unnamed Dog........

Welcome to the family the as yet to be named dog. At least she will pose for the camera. Bandit, my big old border collie takes off running if he sees a camera in anyone hands.

Origami Girl found this creature in the back of our yard behind a shed on Wednesday. She went back to try and get her out but the dog was missing, we thought maybe she had gotten out of the yard and gone back home, wherever that is. Thursday my son saw that the poor thing as still in the yard. So we became her foster family. We called animal control to make a report and put posters all over the neighborhood. We have had no results sadly. If her true owner does turn up I will happily turn her over. But it appears the kids have bonded and she may be staying. Did I mention I do not like chihuahuas? So far though she is a very quiet dog. It seems that she may have been somebodies lap dog. It also appears that she has been hand fed a lot of people food which will have to come to a stop.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Give That Woman a TEN.........

ugh what a clutz I am.

For months and months I have really been suffering from plantar fasciitis. For the past week it has actually been feeling better. Went to the movies on Sunday with the girls for Origami girl's birthday. The girls of course chose the top row. I ran to the restroom before movie started and the previews were just starting as I climbed the steps. Ugh, almost to the top and clutzy me didn't lift my right foot high enough. Tore up my poor foot again and the whole right side of my body strained and achey.
My girls of course put on their concerned faces and said are you all right mom, but I know cheer girl better than that. I just know she wanted to jump up and hold up all 10 fingers and give me a score. Ahh what a relationship we have!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

She is a vegetarian AGAIN.......

Note to self..... next time I am cutting up meat before cooking make sure cheergirl is nowhere near the kitchen. Cheergirl has now decided, once again, that she is a vegetarian.
Wonder how long that will last. Last time she pulled this stunt it was about a week before she caved in and devoured a turkey sandwich.
Cheergirl has a dance performance tonight, rehearsal more or less all day today. This is the meal I took her for lunch. Not a bite or turkey or ham on that sandwich, how boring is that? Simply, cream cheese, cucumbers, green pepper, fresh tomato from the garden, spinach leaves, and bean sprouts. Maybe she was a goat or rabbit in her last life.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Happy Anniversary to Us......I think...

We never get the date right on our anniversary. I have had a couple years where we forgot our anniversary completely, about a week after the date we remembered.

So I THINK today is our anniversary. Twenty two years ago today we were married. Last year we celebrated on the 12th. I was pretty sure that was the day.

This year I am sure it is the 14th, at least I think so. Somewhere in my filing cabinet is a little piece of paper called a marriage certificate. Maybe I should pull that out and verify the day because we know it is of the utmost importance to celebrate special days on the correct day.

Gasp, can you imagine celebrating Christmas on December 27th. It just isn't right I tell ya.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Promtastrophe...............

Well we experienced a near Promtastrophe today. Tomorrow is the prom. We found DD an awesome dress 2 weeks ago. DD has been very careful and has not been eating any junk food the last couple weeks and only drinking water. Not dieting, just being cautious.

So she gets home from school today and tries on her dress and it will NOT ZIP. OMG what are we going to do.I had a massive panic and crying attack. If anyone has bought a prom dress recently you can guess what I paid for it. I search thru my purse and find the receipt but the tags are missing from the dress. Thud, head hits the desk in frustration.

So I call Dillard's to see if there is any hope and there isn't, they need the tags attached. So after some more tears and distress we decide we will have to go buy another dress.... if we can even find one at such short notice.

So back to Dillard's we go. So DD is in the fitting room trying on new dresses and I tell the cashier what happened, I did not ask for any exceptions. So what does she do, she goes over to the telephone and calls somebody and gets permission to do an exchange for us. OMG I have never been so happy. Once we find dd a new dress and the cashier makes the exchange for us I immediately go to the customer service desk and talk to them about the wonderful service she offered. That woman needs a raise. I am seriously still in shock. Awesome customer service!

Stay Tuned..........

Prom is tomorrow.... lots of great pictures coming soon.

OMG what is wrong with me......

How can I have missed the best holiday ever created by man? Oh the Shame!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Something seriously wrong with Origami Girl........

Just a reminder to those that don't know, Origami Girl is my youngest child. She is 13 years old and anyone who as ever had a girl that age can understand my concerns.

A couple of nights ago during dinner Origami Girl looked at me and told me I was a good cook. I must have had a deer in the headlights kind of look on my face because Origami Girl laughed and said "gosh mom, just because I never say it doesn't mean I don't love you". That whole incident really stunned me because over the last couple years she has lost all traces of being my sweet loving little child and just like most kids her age, she thinks I am a blooming idiot.

Last night, after a long day at work, I was in the kitchen starting dinner. Origami Girl was sitting on the sofa and looked at me and asked me if I needed any help. This time I am sure I had more than a deer in the headlights kind of look on my face. This time I am sure my body hit the floor as I lost conciousness. Hopefully her next offer of assistance will be to sweep and mop as I am still picking bits of rice and other crumbs from my hair.

So can you see my concerns? Where did this streak of kindness come from? Should I call to make her an appointment at Mayo? Do you think they would laugh at me ? : )

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Ahhh the mighty Habanero.............

We grow several different types of peppers in our garden. Hubby of course wanted to try growing habaneros. Surprisingly we found them to not be as hot as expected. I have used one whole habanero in a bowl of salsa.

We have a dish of peppers on our table, slowly drying, to be crushed and placed in a jar to be used when we need it.

Who knew.......... who knew that those little peppers would get hotter and hotter as they sat. And who knew that if a certain hubby were to crush one of those peppers and taste one tiny piece the size of a pin head....... who knew that tiny pepper could bring a man to his knees.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Great Prom Dress Hunt of 2010....... (part 1)

Well we are on the hunt for a prom dress and it is not proving to be easy. Cheergirl has a dress that I really love that we bought over the summer but it is short. She has decided short will not work, she want's a long dress. So far most stores we have visited have mostly short dresses and just a few long. We recently headed up to Phoenix and hit a mall with very little success. Currently we are just in the "TRY ON DRESSES" phase.

This is a dress we picked up in the off season at Dillards. We really love this one and she would be perfectly satisfied if it were long.
This one was very nice, very similar in coloring and gold glitteriness to the short one one above. The back lace up seems very strained though.
Hmmmm, cheergirl really liked this one but there are some obvious things I object to. Just a wee bit too much skin showing on the back and up the sides. There would be some serious issues when she dances. I call this one the Jessica Rabbit dress.
Not bad.

Hmmm, bit of skin showing on the low back on this one too.

My favorite. Good support up top. Good color with the red hair and skin tone.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Our Yearly Poppy Hunt.......

Every year we take a short day trip to Box Canyon which is just northeast of Florence. Some years we are lucky, plenty of rain so plenty of poppies and some years are a dud. Last year was a dud so I was very pleased to find so many poppies this year.

A little ways before the canyon, but just shows there is actually a little bit of green in Arizona
The hill around this saguaro was covered in poppies


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Adventures in Sourdough........

I really enjoy baking and am always on the hunt for great recipes. I have found a basic sandwich bread recipe that I adore and have decided to now move on and experiment with sourdough. I have used had a sourdough starter before but it was never as active as the one I started this week.

I am a big fan of the breadtopia.com website and they have a fantastic sourdough recipe.


I chose to make sourdough pancakes for my first experiment with my sourdough.


The recipe starts the night before with a cup of sourdough and a couple cups of flour and water. I was really pleased to see the activity the next morning. This is a whole wheat starter hence the offwhite color.This recipe made some delicious pancakes. Everyone asked for more.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

It's that time of year again.......

Spring/ summer garden time.

A few changes in store. First off a couple raised beds.

I really missed having a decent winter garden this year but some health issues really prhibited me from getting out and turning the soil and doing the things that needed done. I had a few decent spots of soil so I did plant broccoli and got a few decent heads. Also planted brussels sprouts but they are being devoured by insects, ahh well, maybe next year.

I am hoping to really have a decent summer garden, I will just dig thru the pain :)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Coupons............

I love when I get an awesome bargain with coupons. February is my favorite shopping month of the year. I have no idea why the grocery stores around here choose February but I can get the best bargains this month.

Awesome trip yesterday...

10 cans chunky soup (great for hubby to take to work for lunch)
4 very large boxes frosted flakes
2 packages hot dog buns
1 ramen dinner

all for just 11.00 and the boxes of cereal kicked out another coupon for me for 3.00 off next shopping trip

Monday, January 11, 2010

Gardening....

I haven't posted anything about gardening in a very long time.

I didn't have much of a winter garden this year because of some foot problems. I did manage to get a few things in areas where the soil was already in decent shape.


Our peppers kept growing strong from summer, thru the fall and thru the winter. The only suffered when we had a couple freezing nights that we weren't expecting.


Still have a pear tomato plant that hung on thru the winter also.


I have a few long rows of sugar snap peas and hopefully will get a good harvest from those soon.


And finally..... picked my first nice head of broccoli today which will be served tonight. I have probably another 10 broccoli plants to harvest over the next few weeks.


Origami girl.........

Origami girl has developed some interests over the last half year or so of her life. I kinda wondered if she would ever find her niche lol.

Pizza boy has always been slightly interested in sports, volunteering, JROTC.

Cheergirl has always been into cheer and dancing.

But poor little origami girl didn't have much interest in anything. She has always been good at origami but that doesn't occupy much time. Just recently she started writing. She writes all the time. She has done several short stories. She recently read a book and didn't like the ending so she sat down and wrote her own ending. She also recently started showing an interest in drawing. Some of her stuff has been pretty good for a beginner.To nurture here interest she received some drawing supplies for Christmas.

This Friday her school will be doing a walk. The theme of this year's march is "It's Time to Totally Fulfill the Dream of Dr. King". Students are able to submit art work dipicting which is appropriate for the occasion. Not really positive on how this works but I believe several students will be selected to present their work. Origami girl really wanted to draw something but was hesitant because she is afraid to present her work if she is chosen. She finally gave into her desire to draw and finished up her work this morning.
She chose to depict MLKs "I Have Dream Speech" in her poster. She even added the Washington Monument in the background.