Guess what?

So, since we cannot use our gas discounts for Safeway here, I usually accumulate quite an amount. Well, we went to gas up in Spokane and I had $1.20 discount per gallon! That means we only paid $3.06 a gallon today!! Woo hoo!!

I did notice that Safeway is now cutting off the gas discount. I don't know how long they run a promotion, but the discount I have was going to expire tomorrow!! Good timing :)

Now, tomorrow I will go shopping at Safeway and earn more discount on the new promotion. And, since we don't have a gas station here, I will be able to save it up for a biggie to be used somewhere else :)

Finished!

     I finished the Outlander book (850 pages), and it rocked! What a love story!!! What adventure (time travel) and history and the characters are amazing and the setting, well, I LOVE SCOTLAND! I am going to buy the second book tomorrow!!!
     I was actually sad when the book ended, but I know that there are five more books to read, which means that the story of Claire and Jamie has over 4000 pages left, so I wasn't SUPER sad when it ended.
     Since I didn't have book two, I started Janet Evanonvich's Plum Lucky, which is a book in between her normal yearly books. I finished it today because it's a shortie! I want to grab her latest, Fearless Fourteen.
     I am so glad that this summer I have been reading tons! I already have a big stack of books to take up with me camping!!

A moose!!!

     A moose is loose, and we almost hit it with our car on the way home from Spokane. OK, well, in reality it almost hit us!! I am so glad that Rick was driving because he was able to move us out of the way safely, and we all got to see the moose up close and personal! She was HUGE!!!! (Way bigger than my car)
I had heard that many people have seen moose up on Disautel, but I had never, and then BAM there she was!

Why Spokane matters to me :)

     We are headed to Spokane this weekend for Hoopfest! I can't wait for a bunch of reasons.
     First of all, we get to spend time with family, as Rick's oldest son lives there, and his oldest daughter will be there with the grandkids, too.
     We have lots of friends who will be over there for Hoopfest, too, so that will be fun to run into everyone.
     I love Spokane! Why? Well, for starters I was born there. I lived there for many years.
     My great-grandpa on my mom's side was an immigrant from Sweden. He was a master carpenter, and he built the most amazing home on the South Hill.
     I attended Garfield Elementary School, and I still love to drive by the house we used to live in when I was a little girl.
     I have some special places in Spokane that have their own special place in my heart.
     My aunt and uncle used to live out in Mead, so we went there a lot, and I spent lots of time with my cousin Tina.
     I loved going to the library in downtown, and of course Riverfront Park! I loved (and, still do) feeding the ducks and the garbage eating goat.
     We always rode the carousel EVERY Sunday before we would go to visit my great-grandpa, but after we attended St. Aloysius (the Catholic church by Gonzaga).
     I loved the rides in the summer, and even more the ice skating rink in the winter.
     We used to swim at Comstock Park, we used to go to the gardens in Manito Park, and play at the wading pool (that is no longer there).
     We went to the drive-in, the $1 movie at the Garland, and we every year went to the rodeo, circus, and Ice Capades.
     Spokane is still one of my favorite places.

ABC book!

One of my to do list items includes catching up on my scrapbooks. I am looking forward to doing that this summer!

I have also started another project...like I REALLY need one, but I couldn't help myself. Back in the day, one summer the boys and I made ABC books about our summer fun. So, it's the return of an ABC book for the summer.

This time though we are just doing a family one, rather than mini-books for each person. I am excited, as we already have several letters figured out, and need to start our book!

I am considering trying digital scrapbook software for this project. I will definitely keep you posted, and post some of our pages.

Letters so far? S = Silverwood, D = Demo Derby, M = motorcycle, H = Horseback riding lessons, L = library, C = camping, and we have many more either figured out already or in the works!

Bring on the Phantom!

     I am totally excited to go and see the Phantom of the Opera in Spokane this fall!
     It is bar none my FAVORITE musical, and I have watched it in Seattle on two different occasions.
     I can't wait!

A week late, but Happy FATHER'S Day!

      So, last Sunday was Father's Day. I didn't blog last weekend because we returned from Silverwood, and I was pooped out!!
     Father's Day is one of my favorite holidays! We always make special presents for Rick, and make lots of phone calls to some of my favorite dads in this world!
      I am VERY fortunate to have the best dad ever!!! I have always been a Daddy's girl, and I am proud of that.
      He is also VERY close to all my kids! He loves being Grandpa Bubba, and I love every moment we spend together.
      He has given me so much, and he always has the best advice. I know that I am lucky, and I just appreciate having a dad like him.
      I have always been close to my daddy, and it doesn't change even when he is far away. Right now he is still in Texas dealing with tying up stuff related to my grandpa's estate.
      Speaking of...I miss my grandpa tons. This was the first Father's Day that I couldn't call him to tell him what a wonderful grandpa and daddy he is. That was sad, but I felt good thinking about him, and I pulled out my memory box of all sorts of things related to him (pictures, letters and cards he has sent, etc.).
      Rick is another incredible daddy! I love watching him with all of his kids and grandkids. He is ruff and gruff on the outside, but his kids melt his heart, and he is just a big kid on the inside. He's so proud of all of his kids, and I am proud of him for committing to being a better parent. He's also been such a support to both of my boys, something that Cody thanked him for when he came home after boot camp.
      My ex-husband is another good dad. He loves his kids, and I really appreciate that he has stood with me in our belief to parent our kids together and always keep them as the number one priority.
      My brother is a good daddy, too. That shouldn't be surprising since it's in his genes completely. He loves his little girl to the moon and back.
      All of these men (and, many of our friends, who I also admire as good dads), play with their kids, support them in every way imaginable, hug and love them, and most importantly be there for their kids, always.
      Thanks, DADS!!

Art in the Park!

      I love Art in the Park, and I always feel so inspired when I look at everyone's gift and creativity.
      What I really think about it when Art in the Park comes to town is the Art in the Park in Leavenworth! It's there all the time throughout the entire summer right at the gazebo in the main part of town.
      I would go there all the time, wandering around, enjoying all of the talent, and looking for new things, as I would go weekly with my girlfriend!
     So, I even have sentimental feelings when Art in the Park shows up here.
      It was one more reason why this weekend was SUPER!

Whoever said being a mommy is easy...

      Friday I headed down to Wenatchee to deal with our change in custody arrangement for Jordan to move to his dad's next year. This ended up being a pleasant experience.
      Pleasant, you asked? Yes, I am very fortunate in that my ex-husband and I get along very well, and we always can see what's best for the kids, so we don't battle.
     After we agreed upon everything, signed all the necessary forms, I headed to the courthouse.
      What's cool about agreeing is that we don't even have to have a court hearing! I took the papers to Superior Court, spoke with the judge's secretary, and she took the papers to the judge.
      After reviewing everything, the judge came out and asked if I was willing to speak with her, and of course I was.
      She had read in the paperwork that it was actually my idea that Jordan move next year to his dad's, and she wanted to know more details about that.
      I read this incredible book, The Making of the Corps, and it touched me as a mother.
     It's the true story of a reporter who follows a group of young men through basic training and beyond.
      Over and over the theme of father and son relationships pops up. So, I had some serious and deep conversations with my oldest, and he pointed out some things that I had not noticed before.
     I decided that as much as I wanted to be selfish, I more wanted Jordie to have a closer relationship with his dad.
      He is very fortunate to have such a great dad, but his dad is hands-off when Jordie is not there. To remedy that, I decided to give Jordan the opportunity to be there with him, especially given that I am more hands-on even with Jordie not being here.
      After telling this same story to the judge, she told me that she admired me as a mother. THAT was very validating because as I am preparing for Jordan's move, I have questioned my decision to allow this to happen, only because I want Jordan to still live here. He's such an important part of our family.
      So, hearing her say that I was a good mom, well, that just felt good. She also told me that she applauded how well my ex-husband and I co-parent and that she wished more people could handle that. She said that we have the best joint custody situation she has ever observed. That felt good, too.
      She signed all the papers, I filed them, and we were done just like that! Cool!
     I know that life will be changing for all of us soon, but I am embracing that change and looking forward to what it will bring!

Happy Juneteenth!

     It shocks me at how many people don't know about Juneteenth! Maybe it's my Texas upbringing as to why I know about it.
     Juneteenth is actually considered the oldest celebrated holiday related to the ending of slavery.
     It was first celebrated in 1865 from Galveston Texas as the African American Emancipation Day.
      Basically when General Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation an impromptu celebration happened, and from that we have Juneteenth!
     What I find exciting is that we have a presidential candidate of African American descent. We have truly come a long way!
     Are we finished, NO, but...this is progress. Can you imagine if 143 years ago, you would have told the people of Galveston that, in fact, Obama would be posed to lead our country, how would they have reacted?
     Happy Juneteenth to you!

FANTASTIC book!!!

      I am cruising through the Outlander, the first in a series of six, with the seventh novel being written as we speak by Diana Gabaldon.
      This book rocks! I can't wait to read it, and I find myself reading it even while I wait for my coffee!!
     It reminds me quite a bit of a book that I read several years ago called The Time Traveller's Wife (by Audrey Niffenegger). I read that book in its entirety while riding a recumbent bike at the gym! And, I just found out it is coming out as a movie in December of this year!
     But, definitely this series is much more in depth and a different concept in the time traveling than the other book. BUT, here is one STRANGE kawinkidink, both of the main female characters in both stories are named Claire!! Hmmmm.
      Just remember my disclaimer about Outlander that the first forty-eight pages SEEM like they are boring and don't make sense, but once you hit page forty-nine, it picks up and EVERYTHING connects!
      I am so glad that I stuck with reading this book, and I am totally stoked to read them all this summer!
      That will be over 5,000 pages!!! Can't wait!!!

A reading fool!

      One of my favorite things about summer is READING! I feel like I have way more time to do it! Even when we go to the park, I can bring it along and read a little on the breaks.
      So, I should update you with what I am reading! I am in two book clubs, so I have one book for next Monday, and another for in July.
      The one for next week is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. You can check it out here! I will definitely blog about it when I finish it, but the person who chose this book, well, I have LOVED all of her choices and to be completely honest often it's a book that I wouldn't have chosen on my own! Then after we have finished it, I always appreciate that someone did choose it because I might have missed it.
     As well, regarding this book, I know MANY people who have read it lately and recommended it to me!
     What I like about this book, is I LOVE the author, Barbara Kingsolver! I have read tons of her fiction, so I am excited to read this one. I am starting it today, as it just came in the mail yesterday! Good thing I am a fast reader!!
     Also, sitting on my night stand waiting to be read for next month is The Friday Night Knitting Club. This book reminds me of one of my favorites, How to Make an American Quilt.
     The Knitting novel is Kate Jacobs debut novel (she recently came out with a second one called Comfort Food), and I have also heard good things about the Knitting one. I am saving it for next week.
     Currently reading? Yup, two books. One I will finish this afternoon, the other...not sure when; it's mammoth!
     I am reading Into the Wild for the second time. Why? I am teaching an outdoor class next week, and we are using it as a theme for our class.
     I don't often like to read books a second time, but I wanted it to be fresh for me since I had read it a long time ago. I loved it this time around, too!!!
      And, I also realized that I like the movie even more than I did when I saw it a couple of months ago. Sean Penn did a good job translating the book into a movie.
     The other book I just started on Sunday is a book I have had around for a long time, but I wasn't in the mood to start. Don't know how my mood changed on Sunday, but I picked it up, and I started reading it.
     First of all, I must give a disclaimer. The book starts slow, and it reminded me that I did pick it up before, start it, and relegate it back to the bookshelf.
     This time I powered through the first "boring" thirty pages, and BAM! It takes off at a run! And, once it starts sprinting, you realize that the "boring" pages were a VERY important warm-up!
     The book? The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. It's a series (six books), which is super cool because the books are all around 850 pages!
     The crazy thing is that The Outlander was published seventeen years ago!!!!!
     I have had many friends tell me to read it, and I am stoked that I finally started it!!

Fun to learn!!

      One of the new things I have been learning this past couple of months, and I look forward to learning in the upcoming months, too, is HTML.

      It really is a foreign language, and I love learning how to do little things that change

THIS and tHaT

in the world of my blogs and the internet.

Totally stoked about 2008!

      This year is cool because we have both an election and the summer olympics.
      The summer olympics are by far my favorite, although I do like the winter ones, and I am excited they will be close to home this next time around.
      My favorite, favorite, favorite sports in the summer olympics, in order of preference, are: gymnastics, softball, track and field, volleyball, swimming, soccer, cycling and really I like them all, but those are my favorite!
      It's only 60 days away from the start, and I just love watching these phenomenally athletes compete at that level. I can't wait!

New stuff

I posted some new poems and photos on my other blog :) Even a poem for the parade today!! Check it out!

School's out

for SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!

Book LOVER

     I had a friend tell me about this cool place for book lovers like me. I haven't been on too long, so I don't have all my books updated by any means. I plan on trying to add the books I have read; that will be a project for this summer for sure.
     You should check it out!!! Just click HERE!! I love it!

A tradition!

      For as long as I have been teaching, I have always been a waffle making fool on the last morning of school!
     I do this in celebration of all the kiddos who have a summer birthday. I feel like those kids lose out on not having a b-day during the school year.
     I am always surprised at how many kids have never had a homemade waffle (just the Eggo kind)!
     This is a fun thing to do, and the kids love it. I have lots of students who will come to school just for waffles tomorrow, and then leave to go home!
     I am excited for tomorrow morning!

A sUpEr DaY!!

     Today was a fun day! It was kind of hectic at school with the kids a bit on the wild side, excited for tomorrow being the official last day of school (but, only a third of a day with kiddos).
     I couldn't believe how many school supplies were tossed in the garbage as the lockers were receiving the final clean out. All I could see was the image of money being tossed into the cans. Perfectly good binders, pencils, pens, dividers, paper, etc. Why?
     And, I know from personal experience how much those supplies can be at the beginning of the year!
     We grabbed a couple of cute binders; we were on the hunt for animal binders, and our favorite was the one with little puppies on it. We love to recycle!!!!
     Today we also had the best lunch! We were celebrating the end of school, and did so with a yummy lunch out.
     I can't believe this year is over. I can't believe it! I am looking forward to a summer filled with meeting some goals and RELAXING!!

Finally

     Obama is the nomination of the Democratic party!! Finally. Now, I look forward to seeing who will be his running mate!
     Just the other day I had someone say to me that they were surprised that I was an Obama supporter because my son is in the Marines.
     I know, I know. I don't fit the mold. It drives my dad mad! I always tell him that I don't vote party lines, but instead for the candidate that is right for me.
     Some interesting news...John McCain's son is a Marine and in my son's battalion! Crazy, small world!
     Bring on the election!

“If a June night could talk, it would probably boast that it invented romance.” ~Bern Williams

     June, June, June. I am a June baby, and I just love June! It's the start of summer. It's the end of a school year. It's vacation. It's normally good weather. It's JUNE!
     It's kind of hard to believe that June is already here. This year will be half over at the end of this month...how can that be?
     I am super excited about what this summer will bring!!
     My birthstone is pearl, nice. And, the flower is rose or honeysuckle, and surprisingly I am not a HUGE rose fan. I like them, but I like other flowers more.
     June starts in Taurus and ends in Gemini (that's my sign). June is named after Juno, Roman goddess and wife of Jupiter.
     June has Father's Day and a holiday called Juneteenth that is only celebrated in twenty-six states, but it's a big deal in my homeland of Texas. It's basically the celebration of abolition. It is celebrated on June 19th.
     I love JUNE! One of my favorite sites allows you to click on each day of the month to find out what has happened in history; it's fun! Enjoy June, OK?!!

Juno, You know??

      Juno. Great flick. I laughed throughout, and I just loved the movie. It has been on my list to see even before it was out in the movie theaters, and then I missed it there, so last night we rented it.
      Seeing as how I had Cody my senior year in high school, there was a lot in the movie that I truly understood.
      I particularly liked the movie because it wasn't all cheesey and predictable. It seemed more real, like families in real life.
      Definitely worth the rental!