long lost memories

Allow me a few moments to wax poetic, and take a walk down memory lane.



Recently I attended an orchestra concert for middle child. Most of the time they are nice but on occasion I am counting the minutes until they are over. On this particular night they played a piece that transformed me in time. I don't even know the name of the piece but it was one that was played in the play "Hansel and Gretel". All of a sudden it brought back a flood of memories from when i was my middle childs age. At church we had put on the play--My mom was the wicked witch--{No type casting there} and one of my favorite YW leaders played Gretel. It was a musical and i remember being involved in painting backdrops and such. More than anything else i remember about this event was the HUNDREDS of gingerbread cookies that i helped bake for this event. How appropriate was it to have gingerbread men--with their little raisin eyes and buttons. I remember not being able to even eat one when all was said and done---these were all memories that i have not thought about in sooooo many years. I don't even think I have ever shared this with dear hubby or the kids before. These memories were stored so far back in the dusty archives--who knew that a simple orchestra concert could bring them out. It has made me think alot about what other memories i have stored away. It makes me think about what a strong trigger music can be.

So last night I was watching on line---"the LOVE boat"---again the music transformed me to a simpler time in my life. It was like watching a video tape of me when i was young. I thought about how many things have changed since i was that age--especially where TV is concerned.We didn't have the endless options of channels to watch--and we got our exercise getting up and changing the channel. Once a year Willy Wonka,The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music,Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer(with the voice of Burl Ives) would come on and we would look forward to those nights with much anticipation. I remember getting our first color TV in 1979--up until then i always wondered what "Technicolor" actually was. All of this was things that i have not thought about for many years--most of it insignificant in the big scheme of things and yet they make up my childhood. And all of these memories triggered by "the LOVE boat." It just brings a smile on my face to think about it.

right foot/right brained?

found this and thought i would give it a try--and it brought a smile to my face so i thought i would pass it on.

ENJOY

REALLY MIND BOGGLING,

REALLY CRAZY

This is not a trick.

Just try it.

Bet you can't do it just once!

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

Just try this

- It is from an orthopedic surgeon...........

This will boggle your mind

and you will keep you trying over and over again

to see if you can outsmart your foot,

but, you can't.

It's pre-programmed in your brain!

1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are GOOFY......) and while sitting where your at, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction. I told you so!!! And there's nothing you can do about it! You and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so.

MAN SUIT

Last doctor appointment today. We have been declared a home full of healthy kids. We are up to date on our shots. Everyone of the kids got poked in the arm this week--and the biggest baby of all is my (almost) 18 year old. I got to listen to her all afternoon tell me how her arm hurt, how it was so sore and she was sure that she had gotten double doses.

Here is one of the difference between boys and girls---
They doctor asked about the acne issues and if they wanted something to take care of it.

Boys response
"NO"--why would they want to do that?

Girls response--
"of course"

Can i just say that i love my pediatrician?!

After we had left the office she

called me personally

(and thanked me

for having 5 wonderful,

beautiful, healthy children

and for giving her all my spare cash

by way of co-pays)

---Not really---

but she did call me as she was looking over the oldest child's record and had a question about something we had talked about last year. It impresses me that she does the actual call and that she wants to make sure that we are covering all our bases. This is not the first call i have received from her and every time i do get one i am always in awe and surprised.

I just have to include this observation from my 11 year old--
mind you he is a pre-teen.

This punk has an aversion to water--
at least the kind that would actually get him clean.

In the summer we have had to work on getting him
to take a shower or bath.
His attitude has always been
"if he got wet--that constituted a bath"
it doesn't matter if the wet
is in the form of ocean,lake or pool water.

WET=CLEAN.

You might ask him to take a shower
and he would respond
that he just had one on Sunday
(it would now be Thursday)

It has not so much been a problem
since he was not stinky--
{in his mind "CLEAN" is overrated.}

So at the doctors i had to walk out of the room
so she could take care of the "boy" stuff,
and in returning back into the room
the smell hit me like a wet noodle.

Knowing that #1 son has always been a showering fool
(teeth brushing, another story)
I asked middle son if that was him?

--to which he responded --
"YEAH, that's my MAN SUIT"

--Man suit?
{where does he come up with this?}

Just for the record
--those are the men that send girls running
in the opposite direction.

---HMMMM, maybe that's his plan.?

Thankful

I am thankful

for a lawn that needs mowing,

windows that need cleaning and

gutters that need fixing

because it means I have a home....

I am thankful for the piles of

laundry and ironing

because it means

my loved ones are nearby.

~Nancie J. Carmody

I don't have gutters on my house--

but there are plenty of other projects that can keep me busy.

I love summer vacation--

{not the heat that goes along with it}

--but for the fact that my kids are around.

{i realize i am in the minority here}

I do enjoy them

and i love watching them interact with each other.

Our days are filled with getting much needed things done--

and even though i might gripe about the things i have to do--

i need to remember

how truly blessed i am.

There are so many who have so much less than I do--

but more than things---

I KNOW that i have a family

that loves one another,

and that i love dearly.

It really doesn't get much better than this

will WORK for food

Not feeling the blogger inspiration tonight. What to say? Busy day.

First day of summer school for the kiddo's. I on the other hand had Dr. Appt. #2 for the week. Today was little mans turn to be poked and prodded and declared healthy in spite of his many issues. I left with a list of follow-up appointments that i need to make. It will keep me busy for awhile.

Cleaned or started to dig out from the months of ignoring paper piles and such--will there be enough days this summer to fine tune the whole house? I love when i know that the cupboards are straight and organized. That inside the fridge is in order and that under the fridge is spotless. The junk drawer--while it still contains junk--is less junkie looking, and you can actually find what you need in it. Thank goodness for my mom who is willing to spend some time with me. Helping me as well as keeping me motivated. It is so much more fun when you have someone to clean with. I got her under the guise that i would feed her dinner--really had to twist her arm on that one. If you know our family

--"will work for food"--

is our mantra.

Had another group of missionary's for dinner. Tonight was the Spanish speaking elders. Technically they could not be counted as late--since dear hubby was picking them up. Dinner was pretty much ready when they got here--we waited till the last possible minute so as to not overcook the shrimp.

WAY YUMMY RECIPE.

Super EASY.

I don't think this fits in the low cal department though--butter,cream--
YAH,BABY'.
This time of year it is hard to think of something that won't be too heavy (that is not a salad) and that will not heat up the house too awful much. This worked on both parts.
Jo took the lead (with grandma's help) on the cooking thing. She is becoming quite the experienced little Chef--My goal is to have all my punks trained so they can keep me fed.They all are accomplished in their own specialty.

Can i tell you that i just LOVE my leaf platter. It is a great size and i love the deep sides so things don't go flying off--and if you have a sauce or something it keeps that contained as well. I have a ton of dishes (a weakness of mine) and there are some that just make me happy---maybe it is the awesome food that they have contained over the years.

"Put anything in a cute dish

and it automatically tastes better"

--but then again we are pretty good cooks so....

we have yet to test that theory on something gross--

(don't really want to either)

We will just have to assume

that it is a true statement
and leave it at that.
--OK?

"No one who cooks,

cooks alone.

Even at her most solitary,

a cook in the kitchen is surrounded

by generations of cooks past,

the advice and menus of cooks present,

the wisdom of cookbook writers."

--------

Laurie Colwin

available space to sleep

dear hubby and the girls are home from camp.
So much for having the whole bed to myself--
not that i actually ever had it to myself.
Little man took full advantage of the available space
and took it upon himself to fill it.
Actually him and the dog.
It got a bit crowded
and when they both started snoring
and i found myself putting in the earplugs--
that was it!
They got booted.
Only to return at the next available opportunity.

It is hard to believe,
that we are less than a week into summer
and i feel the impending doom
of how quickly it is and will go by.
There is something liberating
about not having to adhere to a specific bedtime.
I love when the whole house sleeps in--
well actually i love when little man sleeps in.
Today was one of those days
when he chose to ease into the day--
until i remembered that I had Dr. appts.
for the two older boys--
then we needed to move at warp speed,
to get a everyone dressed and out the door.
Atleast i made the Dr. appt for 15 min later tomorrow--
not that it matters
since the two oldest have to start summer school in the morning.
No REST for the wicked.

The bed

is a bundle of paradoxes:

we go to it with reluctance,

yet we quit it with regret;

we make up our minds

every night

to leave it early,

but we make up our bodies

every morning

to keep it late.

~Charles Caleb Colton

Yard work is not for sissy's

My body aches tonight.
(even my oldest son commented that i looked tired--
--what an observant child)
The hard work of the last few days is taking its toll.
(Sunday was the day of rest but Fri,Sat and today
we worked our buns off)
I would love to offer you pictures,
but my boys threatened to boycott
if i brought out the camera.
The scratches on my arms from the ever friendly
{lets reach out and scratch you}
boganvia bushes hurt.
It is a rare day that i have available to work on the yard
and then to have the weather co-operate at this time of year
is truly amazing.
With the rain last week and the cooler temp--
{and me having the time available}
the yard came to the top of the TO-DO list.
It was in sad need of some TLC.
There were weeds that were screamin'--
"WHITE TRASH."
The trees needed to be trimmed up.
The trellis had lived a good life,
and needed to be removed/replaced.
The compost pile was needing to be put in the composter--
bushes needed to be moved/transplanted
as well as trimmed.
My beautiful Ash tree needed to have
the grass dug up from around it.
(And why not add some brick to finish it off)
Planters which have sat empty needed flowers.
And some plants that died a while ago
needed to be replaced.
The icing on the cake--or to top off the yard
were the wood chips--something so simple
and yet it added so much.
A couple of truckloads of debris to the alley
and i declare it--
DONE--All DONE.
Now the real question
that my hard working boys have posed is
"Do you think dad will notice?"

Now we will proceed to hibernate
for the remainder of the summer--
thus ignoring all the hard work
that we have done these last few days.
Can i get an AMEN sista'?

Fatigue is the best pillow.

~Benjamin Franklin

"I know what you ordered last night"

To an unknowing person--
they would NOT assume that my oldest brother and i are indeed siblings.
I don't think we look that much alike
--he is blond and i am brunette.
He's a boy/man
and i am indeed a girl.
{big differences there}
We joke around and give each other a bad time
and when we see the eyebrows rising on an unknowing person
we explain to them that we are indeed siblings--
to which the response is--
"Oh i would have never guessed."
He is six years my elder--
{I like to remind him of that fact often}
We were not close growing up,
in fact
when he left home for college and then a mission
I was only 12.
It wasn't until he came home from his mission
and we moved to AZ that we started to form a bond.
I remember going to singles dances together,
and having girls give me the evil eye
until they found out i was his sister,
and then they wanted to be my best friend--
like that would give them an in
on the fast track to my brother heart.
I knew what they were up to--
the games they wanted to play---
{not my style.}
In fact the girl he did end up marrying was my friend (still is).
Our relationship has grown over the years,
and i really do enjoy the time i can spend with him,
just hanging out or whatever.
Since his wife is at camp along with my hubby and such,
My mom (OUR mom) took pity on us both
and had us over for dinner.
It was a great evening--
hanging out and watching
"The Great Escape"
and on commercials
"The Food Network".
One thing about my siblings,
we do love to
cook, eat and talk about food.
(one night i could not sleep and stayed up late
watching a show on PBS about "hot dog stands"
only to later find out that he also had watched the same show.)
So in the course of the evening
I mentioned that I had gone to "Aloha Kitchen" Friday night
(a local Hawaiian place that has been open as long as we have both been married)
He asked me what i had ordered--to which i responded.
{It was not my normal order}--
I ventured out and got the special--
only i changed it up to fit my exact taste.
{instead of the chicken i went with the beef}
He had gone there Saturday night and
In talking with him---
he had ordered the same exact thing--
right down to the extra side of potato mac and less rice--
just like me.
TOO BIZARRE. What are the odds?
And we both felt the shrimp was a let down--not enough flavor.
i also found out tonight,
that we both also have a general dislike for green peppers.
I guess GOOD TASTE does run in the family.

Food

was always a conduit in our family

for storytelling,

and it was a way for us

to keep in touch and remember things.

We're people that use food

to keep each other together

and to always cheer us up

and make all of our days better.

-----

RACHEL RAY

BLOG HOG

So if you haven't read my blog

--in like a day--

i am sorry.

I went a bit blog happy.

The creative juices were flowing--

{that and i needed to stay up all night to drive a bunch of graduates home

from a grad night party}

It is amazing how much you can get accomplished

when you are getting paid to do it.

That and having wireless helped too.

I am going on the record to say

I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE THE SUMMER IS HERE?!!!

Ah, summer,

what power you have to make us suffer

and like it.

-----

Russell Baker

prom,PROM--I am DONE

This is it.

It will never--

{well probably not}

be mentioned again.

These are the last

of the Prom pictures

to be posted by me.

But i figure,

jo needed more

than the picture with her,

the cow

and her date

to remember this night by.
Her date

is a very nice boy--

who recently joined the church on his own.

He is the only member

in his family

and

is talking about going on

a mission

in a year.

(Don't you love the tie--what a

perfect match)

He has a close relationship

with his bishop

(who Jo also knows well)

so after they left our house

they went over

and saw him and his wife.

Only thing was

his ward was

having a talent show--

so for their talent

they showed

how nice they could dress up

(still wish he had cut his hair)

SHEESH--oh well

I love the fact that in this picture she is wearing her seat belt.

Safety first

I always say--

along with a bunch of other stuff,

but

at least she is listening to me

I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU---MISSY

WIERD Weather

Today was one of the few days that i was actually up

before the sun--
I was looking forward to seeing a BeAutIfuL sunrise---
instead what i got was a gradual lightening

of a cloud filled sky.
The mountains were embedded with low lying clouds--
and while a sunrise would have been nice--
it is not often that we have an entire day
of clouds and rain to go with it.
It does make for a nice change.
Just the day before

we had some ridiculously hot weather--
it had been 109 degrees
and then it turned to a cool 57

I realize that is summer in some places--

{but we are weather sissy's}
with an all day of rain?
This is not our normal May weather.
I have never had to worry
about my heat/defroster working on my bus at the end of May.
Last night as i was driving for grad night,

i needed to use my defrost,
and it was doing less than a stellar job.
Normally, this time of year my bus is a hit
because it has a kickin' AC--
but instead i needed the heat

and i could not get my feet warm?
unbeknownst to me, my heat and defrost had been shut off.

i mean it is not something i normally check or need

in MAY?!
As i arrived home it was

"RISE and SHINE"--
"it's girls camp time"
i get to stay home this year with the boys
and the dear hubby is off with the girls at camp.
According to the news there was snow--

{in MAY?}
at girls camp?

And there is a SNOW advisory for tomorrow--

{BIZARRE}
I hope they packed plenty of warm clothes.
All i have to say is--

"WHAT GLOBAL WARMING?"

With all of the hysteria,

all of the fear,

all of the phony science,

could it be?

that,

man-made global warming,

is thee

greatest hoax

ever

perpetrated on the American people?

It sure sounds like it.

------
JAMES M. INHOFE, speech in U.S. Senate, July 28, 2003

My aMaZiNg GREEN thumb

my green thumb continues

to amaze me.

I am gardening under

the concept of

"if you ignore it long enough

it will grow

in spite of you

or

to despise you"

I am not sure which it is.

So my

"Garden of Weedin"

has produced

some lovely

--BeAuTiFuL--

but yet

to be eaten

red ripe

tomatoes.

I am sure

they are

yummy,

but

the thought

of eating them

seems selfish.

I haven't

put in

the sweat

and

frustration

to have my own

fresh tomatoes.

I almost

feel

guilty

having tomatoes

like this

when those

who are

actually

trying

to grow them

--can't--

How did i get to be so lucky ?

BROTHERLY LOVE

TWO
cuties!!!




It is as if
when
he got dressed
this morning
he thought about
what
what he should wear
as to
color co-ordinate
with his sister.

Only problem

in that

thinking

is

that he is

a

--boy--

and they really don't think
about
things like that--

--but--

look at how
cute they are together.



It won't be
much longer before
he is

taller

than she is


--we
are
hoping
anyway.

Then there is

little man
--he absolutely
adores
his big sister
and as you can see
she relishes
in the

love
that he has to offer her

You will notice

there are

no pictures

of the middle brother

--he wants

nothing

to do with

the

fluff

of dances

and such.

He would much

rather play

video games

with her dates

PROM DETAILS

I've been told

that i was a bit

remiss in posting

prom pictures.

Then I was asked

the ?question?

as to why Jo

had her picture

taken with a cow.

I am now going to

clear this matter up

First---

we need to go over

the fine details--

the hair,

shoes,

flowers

and nails.

Ahhh,

it truly is in the details

that make it all work.

While Jo wanted

new shoes and

new jewelery,

I went with the adage that

"good was good enough"

and

if she really felt

she needed

something else

she could

pay for it herself.

All of a sudden they seemed to be just fine.

I love compromise

Considering that i am not a "hair doing" person--I think i did a pretty good job on Jo's up do. Her hair is a bit tricky in that it is not that long and is straight as a bone and resistant to curls. The curling iron I bought at the fair a few years back has been worth every penny i spent on it. I love the fact that it actually keeps the curls in, that and LOTS of bobby pins. It is amazing how dark her hair has gotten over the years--I am having a hard time considering her a blond these days.

Now about the COW.........

Everyone needs something to make an evening truly memorable-- in this case it was a cow (for coronation it was the whole T.P. thing.) While Cinderella had her mice that took her to the ball-- this was their form of transportation.

{O.K. Not really but it makes the story more interesting.}

This was her dates (grandma's) cow and with much

encouragement

that the cow was indeed harmless,

she agreed

{with reservation}

to approach the cow for a picture.

Truly........

does it get much cutier than this?

SUMMER IS HERE

Was i right or was i right--I told you David would win. Always go with the sure bet I say. I also say keep your money in your pocket and don't gamble. And then i say the computer is an evil time sucker--but i am back in love with this little box.

After finishing the monstrosity of a video for the Trek i am feeling the love for my creative "computer" side. So the other night we went to grandma's house to swim and make dinner for her--it was a fun evening together. Totally on impulse and initiated by my children. So the oldest punk being the capable cook she is whipped out this lovely lasagna--

we tried a new recipe--and while it was good we decided that we like my more complicated one--with the green stuff added. So while the lasagna was cooking the kids went for a swim--and i went out for a "view them through a camera lens experience" and got splashed--darn kids. {Don't they know that expensive camera equipment and water don't mix?}

And my dear hubby did the "my butt is not leaving this chair" experience and enjoyed the peace and quiet while we were all in the pool. (he is going to hate the fact that i posted this picture--HEHE--cuz he's a LURKER)


So here is the result of the evening--too many pictures to post, so why not make a short video? {I finished working on it as we sat waiting at midnight for the Indiana Jones movie to start--gotta love the portable lap top}

The kids decided that they didn't need a diving board to have a good time--but to get some more spring they used grandma's trampoline--with a disastrous result--funny but disastrous...you shall see......

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN

Graduating thoughts

Inquiring minds
or at least this MOM wants to know-----
What HAPPENED TO THE SCHOOL YEAR?
Is it my imagination,
or did this school year move at warp speed?
Today is the last day of school for my kids in High school,
which means when my daughter comes home today,
she will be a senior--
{WHAT?}
[it seems like it was only yesterday
that i was taking her to kindergarten.]
goodbye junior year,hello adult decisions.
We talked about the fact that if she hadn't been held
back she could be graduating--

{scary thought!}

she responded that she was glad that she wasn't.{WHEW}
I think the "real world" is a rather scary place--
I don't blame her for not wanting to have to go out and face it

It seems like as the kids get older the time goes even faster.
My moments of influence are quickly coming to an end.
I am working myself out of a job--
{as they so willingly showed me last weekend}


My dear sweet nephew--who started out his life 10 weeks early
{and only weighing 3#2oz}
is graduating.
While the term walking has to be loosely applied--
since he was in a motorcycle accident last weekend
{and is rather banged up with some broken bones.}
Thank goodness for some protective angels with this kid.

He likes to keep them busy.

IDOL WINNER

I know i told you that i haven't followed American Idol. I sorta lied, and i am wanting to come clean. So here is the fact. I am here to tell you--i am rather intuative--and i know, without a doubt that DAVID is going to win. Your asking yourself--"how can she be so sure?" I just am--trust me on this one--you won't be disappointed. (Still haven't watched an entire show yet this year--but did manage to see those I wrote about earlier that had won appear on the show--Yeah I am still not impressed)

McDonald's Milestones

During the last six years of my babies life (yes, he will always be my baby) I have often had a scripture come to my mind.
Alma 37:6--but behold I say unto you,that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.
It has given me great comfort as i have watched him struggle to try to do so many things that we normally take for granted. The term: baby steps-- has had new meaning, as he has taken his time to reach the many milestones that often occur without a second thought. One of these milestones entails us working with him at McDonald's to get over his fear of playing in a confined space. This has been quite a long haul--physically it has been a challenge to have him learn to climb up the cargo net. It has been met with

much resistance,

frustration

as well as some gnashing of the teeth

and whining.

Why do we put this poor child through such

aggravation?

--is it just to make his immune system stronger-

{since we know that the play place is crawling with all kinds of nasty bacteria.}

Maybe he really isn't afraid of the confined space--is it the germs he is worried about?

(I am documenting this so i won't forget what a big deal this has been.)

Normally we have had to go up in the tube with him and prod him along--he has gotten over most of the whining and crying but still was not going on his own. This entailed an adult or a sibling {if they were along for the fun} to crawl behind him--encouraging him along. This has been a long and arduous process. Often just getting him to get inside it, and then get inside it without crying. Why did we continue to subject him to this? Maybe to appease my sense of normalcy for him? What kid doesn't know how to play at a playground--
mine!

that's who.

He has had to learn to play.

So, with that being said, on Monday he did have some success without someone having to be right behind him the entire way--but he still was not going completely on his own.

Then his SLP left and i encouraged him to climb up the cargo net one more time--

(assuming that i would have to go and follow him up to get him out.)
Much to my AMAZEMENT he continued through the entire play area up to the slide and came down on his own. SHOCK of all SHOCK. My heart about stopped. I stood there speechless--my heart bursting out of my chest--in absolute AWE and pride.

HE HAS FINALLY REACHED THIS MILESTONE.

Then wanting to push my luck i sent him up again--and he did this three more times--
on his own.

For a normal child this is not a big deal--but this is "little man" we are talking about--

This is a VERY BIG DEAL.

I quickly got on the phone and called his SLP and gave her the news--I was about in tears. She was sooooo excited--she knew what a big deal this was. She knows the many hours we have put in getting him to this point. When i see these milestones reached, {albeit late}--but reached nevertheless, it gives me hope. HOPE that even though he is taking his time to reach these milestones--they are being reached, and one day the differences between him and "normal" kids will be minor. I continue to have

HOPE and FAITH

that this will happen. And even if it never does--he has blessed out lives so immensely. I am thankful for his sweet spirit and the opportunity he continually gives me to stop and appreciate those small things in life that we take for granted.

Are you talking about me?

You want me to pose?

Oh mom, this is so embarrassing!

Let me think about it,HMMMMM

ERRR--UMMM, Well I guess i could give you one pose

HOW'S THIS? Do you like the hand in the pocket?

That's IT--I'm outta here

blogger bubble

I like to believe that

i live in a blogger bubble.
Existing to keep me entertained.
I started writing this as a form of keeping a journal,
thinking that no one would really know about it.
I have told a few people about my endeavor,
but I am always surprised and amazed
when i find out that some random person has read my blog?
Last night i found out that

MY BISHOP

has read my blog.
[HMMMMMM---have i written anything i should regret?]

Talk about SHOCK & AWE.
I know that the blog does exist on the world wide web
for any and all to preview--
and yet i am still amazed

and how, and why technology works.
I think i am in love with my computer again.

It TRULY is an AMAZING thing.

To laugh

often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation

of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world

a bit better,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life

has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have

succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

It's finished--SORTA

This is me--

breathing a DEEP

---SIGH---

of relief.

The video is finished for tonight.

I decided at the last minute to add another minute.

My dear hubby was so kind and understanding.

So here we were 25 minutes before the program was to start,

downloading the video.

I never saw it in complete form

until the actual viewing.

AND It WORKED!!!!

Sometimes i am amazed at what technology can do.

and sometimes

I am AMAZED at what i can do!!!

Did i mention that

i was also asked to speak tonight--

last night?

No time to stress over it--

I was busy trying to finish the video.

I have decided that if i had to speak--

I might as well find out about it at the last minute

since that was when i would prepare anyway.

It was a great evening

i am a tad sad that i am putting the TREK behind me now.

I have come to love the faces of these kids

i have been staring at for that last few months.

There is some more i want to add to the finished video

{before we copy and give it to everyone}

but there is not the immediate pressure.

Maybe now I can work at a more reasonable pace.

And SLEEP.

Look at a day

when you are

supremely satisfied at the end.

It's not a day

when you lounge around doing nothing;

it's when you've had everything to do,

and you've done it.

Margaret Thatcher

this is the last video that i added at the last minute--literally -- I think it was worth it-- the flipping over the cactus is pretty cool-- can you imagine if he had missed? I-YI-YI

Love to hate the computer

My love/hate relationship continues on with this computer.

I thought i was progressing nicely with the video.

getting the bulk of it done yesterday.

As i sat up LATE last night

{VERY LATE}

---TWEAKING---

and I will just say,

things did not go well.

Around 2am or so

I finally gave up.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep that was creating problems

OR

Maybe it was a lack of understanding of the computer program

Or

Maybe it is the fact that

the computer lives to make me crazy.

YEP--that's it.

So now that i am awake and refreshed i will see why?

WHY the computer does not want to play nice.

I am going to talk real nice and slow,

and not make any sudden moves

[as to scare it off]

and hope it responds.

Not that a computer has feelings

but i am hoping that my good MOJO will convey to getting this thing finished.

Yesterday was a beautiful day.

I only found that out when we left to go out for dinner.

OHHH how i wish i had brought my camera.

I thought about bringing it--

but did i?

NOOOO.

There was thee most incredible sunset.

the Resort sits up on top of a hill and there are other mountains surrounding the area.

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

This really is one of the prettiest areas of AZ.

I would love to live in a place like this.

It is so GREEN and LUSH.

It is hard to believe is less than a hour from Tucson.

When we went to dinner last night

it was like being in the country.

We were driving down the road and here were cows

randomly walking around.

Visiting the businesses.

{Cows have been my theme for the week.}

Dear Hubby said that while he was playing golf yesterday,

a whole herd of moms and their calves

{had escaped}

and were wandering the golf course.

While Hubby was trying to hit the ball

a mommy cow decided to feed her calf right in the fairway.

Gave a whole new meaning to

cattle drive.

I could only picture how funny it must have been.

Well we're back to the valley today,

back to the heat,

the traffic,

the not soooo green,

and the KIDS.

I think they have managed to do well without us.

We called them last night and they were at the movies--

The real question is--

Did they even MISS us?

Random thoughts in a hotel room

AHhh to relax---

this morning Kevin woke me up

rattling around the room getting ready to leave

for his day of golf.

Somehow this did not stop me from going back to sleep

---at which point

i was woken up by housecleaning.

What were they thinking?

Knocking on the door at 9am?

I was right in the middle of a rather bizarre dream

--So now i really am awake.

I am avoiding the video--

I need to feel the love,

be inspired....

HMMMMM........

It will come eventually.

Maybe the flan for breakfast will help.

{We got take out dessert last night}

--what a great way to start the day.

I have decided that i am not getting dressed

till i have to leave this room.

The only thing missing

is either a pair of slippers or some socks--

{neither of which i packed}

{and my tootsies are feeling a bit chilled}

Inquiring minds want to know

well, actually i am just curious

as to who picks the

"colors" and designs hotel rooms.

And what were they thinking?

This room is done in a hacienda/Mexican motif.

That in itself is OK.

Not my fav

but there are aspects that i do like.

What i don't like is the color of the bathroom.

It is yellow.

I like the color yellow.

But this particular shade.....

Let's see.

What should i call it?

Maybe mustard yellow?

No, that's not exactly the color

--but close.

How about--

Baby POOP yellow.

{the color used here is not a true representative of the color used in the bathroom--

and since i don't have my camera

you will have to take my word for it.}

Yah, that's it.

Like i said.

"what were they thinking?"

A FEW NIGHTS AWAY

Greetings from the lovely resort town of

RIO RICO,AZ.

Known to some as northern Nogales

{as in Mexico--the OLD---not the NEW.}

I am waiting for my husband to finish his last few holes of golf to check into the hotel--So while i wait, i will blog.

This afternoon was amazing.

The sun finally fell behind some clouds and we got a great rain storm. I love the smell of the desert when it rains. Along with the rain came some wild winds--which can be a bit scary when you are driving. The wind itself wasn't so bad but the dust storm it was creating made me a wee bit nervous. At one point the visibility was not sooo good--as in almost zero and on the I-10 that is when the really bad accidents occur.

[I feel like the lord was protecting me--at least until i finish the {dumb} Trek video. Even with my setback i am about 1/2 finished now. Ah the sweet smell of progress--or maybe that is the fresh air i am breathing in.]

I do enjoy driving. I love the change of scenery and the peace and quiet to let your mind wander. Or just being able to crank the music and sing as loud as I want too without offending others in the car.[one of the joys of driving by yourself]

I was listening to a Josh Groban CD--

i now can sing in Italian

{well not really}

[but if it is the thought that counts i could]

He has such an amazing voice

and some of his songs makes me want to

learn to ballroom dance

--think my husband would go for that?

HMMMMM.....Us and our four left feet.....

Maybe in my next life {SIGH}.

I was sooo into my own little world and the car was just cruisin' along--much faster than i realized

{WHOA--NELLY}

--appropriate statement since

the car is a "charger"

and i came this close

{insert fingers squooze together here}

to getting a ticket.

{insert deep SIGH of relief that i didn't.}

I then figured i should probably set the cruise control which was easier said than done.

Did i mention that this was a new car to us?

It has taken some getting used to--

like having to turn on the lights-{manually?}

{when was the last time you had to do that?}

- and the blind spots,

trying to park the thing,

the radio,

even opening the windows is weird,

and the back door locks are in an odd spot

--Not that i am complaining,

everything is paid for with this car

(a very nice perk for hubby's job)

but this cruise control was ridiculous. I finally figured it out without crashing the car and continued down the road at a more moderate speed.

So now here i sit--WAITING--patiently while the dear hubby has to schmooze with the fellas, and then we will go to dinner, and then i will continue to work on the video. That darn thing is beginning to HAUNT me and my every waking moment. So much for just hanging out and scrap booking the next two days. I did pack some stuff if i finish this video--wish me luck--

i would much rather be creative

with paper,glue and scissors

than this darn computer.

Also if anyone is in my neighborhood, drive by the house and make sure there are no wild parties happening at my house--We left the oldest in charge of the chaos. We were going to split the duty between the grandma's but she felt she wanted to take this on--

man they grow up fast.

Before i know it she will be running her own household---

AHHHHH SCARY THOUGHT!!!

STUPID COMPUTER

Remember my love/hate relationship with the computer?

Right now it is just HATE!!

{i don't even like that word and yet it fits}

Just like a man--

the computer is unable to read my mind and know what I want it to do.

I am feeling rather cranky right now.

My computer got tired and decided that all the work i had done to this point was

WORTHLESS!!!

It decided that it was not worth saving.

(I now know that it does not auto save--my mistake)

So tonight instead of continuing to make progress toward the finish line,

I have stumbled,fallen, and skinned the proverbial knee.

I now will get up and brush myself off.

Crack my knuckles.

Get some Pepsi.

And get back to work.

Only three days left to finish the monstrosity--i mean movie.