I've been tagged! Thanks, Michelle!
ABC Tag
A- Attached or Single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Besides Rick and my kids? Kathy from Oaktown, and Marti from L-Town.
C- Cake or Pie: I totally agree with Michelle: CHEESECAKE all the way!
D- Day of choice: Friday during the fall - Love football. Any day during summer (vacation), and Sunday during the school year.
E- Essentials: Family, friends, my horse, and coffee!
F- Favorite color: purple
G-Gummy bears or worms- I pick out the cherry ones of both, but really don't like any of the other ones.
H- Hometown- This is always an interesting question...I was born in Spokane (Dad was in the Air Force at Fairchild), but then I went to 13 schools K-12, SO...I don't really feel like I have a hometown. I would say as an adult besides Omak, it would definitely be Leavenworth.
I- Indulgences: Reality tv (yuck, I know), mochas, myspace, pedicures.
J- January or July- July all the way! I love my summers!!
L-life would be incomplete without: My family and friends (ditto, Michelle)!
M- Married date: Well, I was married for 11 years, and then said I would NEVER get married again...That looks like it will change this next summer ;)
N- Number of siblings: 1 sister, 1 brother (both younger)
O- Oranges or Apples- Apples, and you know what? It ticks me off that during the winter we have such yucky apples in our stores when we live in the Apple Capital of the world!!! I do love clementines and Christmas oranges, too.
P- Phobias or fears- My absolute biggest fear is something bad happening to anyone I love, but especially my kids. I am scared about Cody deploying.
Q- Quotes: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." (Semisonic)
R- Reason to smile- Being a mama to my kids and my students ;) Our menagerie of animals make me smile all the time.
S- Season: I am totally a summer baby!!
T- Tag three- Jill, Amy, Carmen (You can fill this out on myspace!)
U- Unknown fact about me: I always wanted to be a semi-truck driver!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I am a carnivore, indeed!
W- Worst habit: Taking on too much and not making time for myself.
X- X-ray or ultrasound: probably ultrasound, I have had way more of those.
Z- Favorite animal at the Zoo- We had a blast at the San Diego Zoo last year, and I absolutely loved the baby meerkats.
2008/12/31
2008/12/30
Oscar's Paradise, right?!
Something that always amazes me, every year at Christmas, is the intense amount of garbage.
Between the wrapping paper, and the boxes with 78 zip ties, and other pieces of plastic, the mound of trash is a bit overwhelming! I keep telling Rick that we need to go on vacation for our Christmas and make memories instead of garbage!
Plus, then we would have LESS stuff! But, for now, we aren't able to do that because of our shared custody situation.
One year, my ex-husband and I did take the boys to Disneyland and Palm Springs the week before Christmas. Then they just each received ONE present from Santa.
Honestly, that is one of the BEST Christmas times I have ever had, and the boys both agree with that, too.
I can definitely see that as something in our future Christmas times.
The only major problem with trying to do something like go somewhere is the weather is so unpredictable, and that could mean nightmare times in the airport!! LOL!
I did read an interesting article about how Amazon is decreasing the amount of wrap and especially at eliminating the clamshell plastic casings that hold pieces into place.
I realize that all of the packaging is related to security as well. But, for real, anything that you purchase online, why does it have to have the massive amount of wasteful packaging?
Just something to think about...
Well, if nothing else...my mission for next year is to decrease the amount of garbage. I am thinking more gift cards or homemade things. I did give some of those this year :)
Between the wrapping paper, and the boxes with 78 zip ties, and other pieces of plastic, the mound of trash is a bit overwhelming! I keep telling Rick that we need to go on vacation for our Christmas and make memories instead of garbage!
Plus, then we would have LESS stuff! But, for now, we aren't able to do that because of our shared custody situation.
One year, my ex-husband and I did take the boys to Disneyland and Palm Springs the week before Christmas. Then they just each received ONE present from Santa.
Honestly, that is one of the BEST Christmas times I have ever had, and the boys both agree with that, too.
I can definitely see that as something in our future Christmas times.
The only major problem with trying to do something like go somewhere is the weather is so unpredictable, and that could mean nightmare times in the airport!! LOL!
I did read an interesting article about how Amazon is decreasing the amount of wrap and especially at eliminating the clamshell plastic casings that hold pieces into place.
I realize that all of the packaging is related to security as well. But, for real, anything that you purchase online, why does it have to have the massive amount of wasteful packaging?
Just something to think about...
Well, if nothing else...my mission for next year is to decrease the amount of garbage. I am thinking more gift cards or homemade things. I did give some of those this year :)
Another reason I love the 80s!
I decided this year to buy the boys something that wasn't an electonic gadget (although we did buy that stuff, too). Something old school. Something that has been around even before their time...So, I bought them each a Rubix Cube.
Turns out that the cube was invented in 1974, but didn't gain its international popularity until the early 80s.
I decided it would be my mission to solve the Rubix. And, thank goodness for technology, as I was able to find You Tube videos to figure it out.
I did find the algorithms to solve the cube, but they didn't mean anything to me because I am a visual learner, and I need to see it happen.
I watched the video over and over and over and over, and actually there are two videos to watch in order to solve it. Well, there are a bazillion videos, but the one I liked the most was a two-part video.
Everyone in my house says that I am cheating by watching the video, but I don't think so.
Now, I can solve it by simply looking at the codes that I have down on paper. I don't have to watch the video anymore.
Eventually I think I will have the algorithms memorized, and then I won't even need the paper.
But, for now, I love that I can solve it!! I feel accomplished...ahhhh, the things that teachers do on their breaks, LOL!
Turns out that the cube was invented in 1974, but didn't gain its international popularity until the early 80s.
I decided it would be my mission to solve the Rubix. And, thank goodness for technology, as I was able to find You Tube videos to figure it out.
I did find the algorithms to solve the cube, but they didn't mean anything to me because I am a visual learner, and I need to see it happen.
I watched the video over and over and over and over, and actually there are two videos to watch in order to solve it. Well, there are a bazillion videos, but the one I liked the most was a two-part video.
Everyone in my house says that I am cheating by watching the video, but I don't think so.
Now, I can solve it by simply looking at the codes that I have down on paper. I don't have to watch the video anymore.
Eventually I think I will have the algorithms memorized, and then I won't even need the paper.
But, for now, I love that I can solve it!! I feel accomplished...ahhhh, the things that teachers do on their breaks, LOL!
Gas!
So, on Sunday when we took Cody down to Wenatchee, we went to purchase gas at Safeway, and I had accumulated quite the discount. We saved $1.30 per gallon, so in the end, we paid $0.51 a gallon!! I had only wished that we would have an emptier tank!! LOL!
Did you know that the Chelan Safeway now has gas? That's cool, too.
I like that we don't have a gas station at our Safeway, because it allows you to really save up those discounts!
The only problem is that they do now have some restrictions now which include that you have to spend or lose those discounts. I think the timeline is every three months.
Anyhoot, I don't mind considering that I paid a little over $3 for 6 gallons!!!!!!!!
Did you know that the Chelan Safeway now has gas? That's cool, too.
I like that we don't have a gas station at our Safeway, because it allows you to really save up those discounts!
The only problem is that they do now have some restrictions now which include that you have to spend or lose those discounts. I think the timeline is every three months.
Anyhoot, I don't mind considering that I paid a little over $3 for 6 gallons!!!!!!!!
Snow, snow, snow (and, a little more?)
We have some snow. We will get some more. BUT, it seems like the snow is mostly skirting around us, especially as compared with Spokane! As of last night, Spokane had received 63 inches of snow, and most of that just in the month of December, CRAZY!
That reminds me of the big winter in Leavenworth, when we had snow up to the eaves of our house! Of course, I know it won't be that bad here, but I love the snow.
The other night we sat in the hot tub, and I just loved how everything looked around us, all covered in snow. It's so pristine. I think that's what I like the most.
Today I am on my way up to the storage unit to dig out my cross-country stuff. I can't wait!!
That reminds me of the big winter in Leavenworth, when we had snow up to the eaves of our house! Of course, I know it won't be that bad here, but I love the snow.
The other night we sat in the hot tub, and I just loved how everything looked around us, all covered in snow. It's so pristine. I think that's what I like the most.
Today I am on my way up to the storage unit to dig out my cross-country stuff. I can't wait!!
A great break (so far)
Well, it's been busy, but good! We survived Christmas and all that goes with that, and now we are gearing up for New Year's.
I know that January will be exceptionally full this year because I am directing the play that we will perform the last weekend of January!
So, for now, I am just relishing in the relative quiet and calm before the proverbial storm. Today especially! I slept in until 9:30, and now I am having my morning cup of coffee and computer!
Getting Cody home was a roller coaster of emotions because there were several changes and glitches, but in the end, he was home at the time we originally planned. It was touch and go there for a bit, though.
It was so nice to have Cody home! He deploys on January 9th, and that is scary for us, but he is smart and strong, and a survivor, so he will be home come August.
My world is complete when my family is also. We have so much fun just being silly and playing and laughing and teasing each other. Our littlest one absolutely worships the boys. She is so funny with them, and this year it was hard to take anything serious from her with both of her front teeth missing!
We also got to spend some quality time with Rick's oldest daughter and her family. That is always loud and fun!
As I was sitting back seeing everyone there (minus Rick's son, Mikey), I was thinking how this is all that matters in life...the health and happiness of all those we love.
Unfortunately we did have to take Cody back. SIGH. We drove him down to Wenatchee to catch a ride with our friends over to Seattle. I did mostly OK on the ride down...a few tears.
I gave him a huge hug when we dropped him off, and then I jumped in the car and started bawling.
I cried for awhile, and then felt a little better. Couple of tears yesterday, and so far none today. But, I imagine that as the day comes closer when he actually deploys, I will be an emotional wreck.
He does get to visit my parents in Vegas later this week, and in the end, Cody saw EVERYBODY he needed to while he was home (lots on the list).
Now, we have a little less than a week until back to school. I plan on continuing with my great break and getting quite a bit done on my to-do-list, including some RELAXATION!
This video is from our trip down to drop off Cody. I have several funny ones with the two boys in the backseat singing, too. You can definitely tell that Cody is NOT in Marine mode, but more VACATION...hairy boy! LOL
I know that January will be exceptionally full this year because I am directing the play that we will perform the last weekend of January!
So, for now, I am just relishing in the relative quiet and calm before the proverbial storm. Today especially! I slept in until 9:30, and now I am having my morning cup of coffee and computer!
Getting Cody home was a roller coaster of emotions because there were several changes and glitches, but in the end, he was home at the time we originally planned. It was touch and go there for a bit, though.
It was so nice to have Cody home! He deploys on January 9th, and that is scary for us, but he is smart and strong, and a survivor, so he will be home come August.
My world is complete when my family is also. We have so much fun just being silly and playing and laughing and teasing each other. Our littlest one absolutely worships the boys. She is so funny with them, and this year it was hard to take anything serious from her with both of her front teeth missing!
We also got to spend some quality time with Rick's oldest daughter and her family. That is always loud and fun!
As I was sitting back seeing everyone there (minus Rick's son, Mikey), I was thinking how this is all that matters in life...the health and happiness of all those we love.
Unfortunately we did have to take Cody back. SIGH. We drove him down to Wenatchee to catch a ride with our friends over to Seattle. I did mostly OK on the ride down...a few tears.
I gave him a huge hug when we dropped him off, and then I jumped in the car and started bawling.
I cried for awhile, and then felt a little better. Couple of tears yesterday, and so far none today. But, I imagine that as the day comes closer when he actually deploys, I will be an emotional wreck.
He does get to visit my parents in Vegas later this week, and in the end, Cody saw EVERYBODY he needed to while he was home (lots on the list).
Now, we have a little less than a week until back to school. I plan on continuing with my great break and getting quite a bit done on my to-do-list, including some RELAXATION!
This video is from our trip down to drop off Cody. I have several funny ones with the two boys in the backseat singing, too. You can definitely tell that Cody is NOT in Marine mode, but more VACATION...hairy boy! LOL
2008/12/22
Frankie Doodle!
Santa came to our house early!!! He brought our little one a kitty!! She named him Frankie Doodle! She named him Frankie because her grandpa has a kitty named Frank, after his neighbor Frank Rogers. Then after she named him Frankie, I sang, "Frankie Doodle went to town, riding in a stroller," and the rest of his name was born (the stroller story to come).
I was worried about the dogs, but they all love on him, which is so sweet. He has adjusted right well to everything here, and everything here has adjusted to him, too.
A pic of Mitzy our Blue Healer/Australian Sheperd loving on the kitty. She watches over him like he's her baby.
He's a red-flamed Siamese, and he's 15 weeks old, so he's not super tiny, but definitely still a cute little kitty.
He's in that exploring stage now, so everything is new and interesting to him, which provides lots of entertainment at our house.
I think the cutest thing ever is that he loves to ride in Sarah's stroller! She drives him around the house, and he is perfectly content. What a sweetie!
Mr. Frankie Doodle in the stroller!
My favorite pic of our little one and our new baby. Why? As you can see, our little one lost a tooth on Friday! The other top one is loose, too!!
I was worried about the dogs, but they all love on him, which is so sweet. He has adjusted right well to everything here, and everything here has adjusted to him, too.
A pic of Mitzy our Blue Healer/Australian Sheperd loving on the kitty. She watches over him like he's her baby.
He's a red-flamed Siamese, and he's 15 weeks old, so he's not super tiny, but definitely still a cute little kitty.
He's in that exploring stage now, so everything is new and interesting to him, which provides lots of entertainment at our house.
I think the cutest thing ever is that he loves to ride in Sarah's stroller! She drives him around the house, and he is perfectly content. What a sweetie!
Mr. Frankie Doodle in the stroller!
My favorite pic of our little one and our new baby. Why? As you can see, our little one lost a tooth on Friday! The other top one is loose, too!!
2008/12/17
Some realizations and perspective, I suppose
Life has been busy, sometimes hectic, maybe even a bit chaotic, but it's altogether been a good year.
We have a lot going on right now, and I look forward to sharing that all with you soon! We have to wait for the dust settle, but in the next couple of months we expect some HUGE changes in our lives!!
I do hope to blog more next week when I am off for Christmas vacation, as I have lots on the list to tell ya!!
The most exciting news is that Cody will be here Friday evening!! It feels like forever since I hugged him (Labor Day was the last time), and I know it's going to be a really long time after he leaves us since he will be going out on deployment.
I can't wait to have my family together!!
We have a lot going on right now, and I look forward to sharing that all with you soon! We have to wait for the dust settle, but in the next couple of months we expect some HUGE changes in our lives!!
I do hope to blog more next week when I am off for Christmas vacation, as I have lots on the list to tell ya!!
The most exciting news is that Cody will be here Friday evening!! It feels like forever since I hugged him (Labor Day was the last time), and I know it's going to be a really long time after he leaves us since he will be going out on deployment.
I can't wait to have my family together!!
2008/12/11
Toy Drive!
The National Honor Society at Okanogan High School is running their toy drive again!!
You can come to the winter concert next Wednesday, December 17th and enjoy some amazing seasonal music (really gets ya into the spirit), and you can bring a toy, as the collection boxes will be there!
You can donate a new or gently used (but clean and unbroken) that will then be given to Community Action which gives the toys to local families.
After I talked to the lady there, it sounds like more than ever our community needs this!! Please consider bringing in some toys!!
You can come to the winter concert next Wednesday, December 17th and enjoy some amazing seasonal music (really gets ya into the spirit), and you can bring a toy, as the collection boxes will be there!
You can donate a new or gently used (but clean and unbroken) that will then be given to Community Action which gives the toys to local families.
After I talked to the lady there, it sounds like more than ever our community needs this!! Please consider bringing in some toys!!
2008/12/06
On my mind
I've been wondering how long gas prices will stay low, and also just how low will they go?
Not that I am complaining by any means, as it's nice to have some extra money in the pocket during this time of year especially.
I do think that people are skeptical about when the price will spike up, and I don't really think we are going to see any upsurge in people buying SUVs by any means.
I believe that we have realized that we need to be more efficient regardless of the fluctuating price.
I was just talking to a person who carpools from Tonasket to Okanogan with several other people, and there is no chance of them stopping just because gas is cheaper now. Even though it was the $4+ gas that drove them to beginnning the carpool in the first place.
What do you think? How low will it go? And, how long until we return to $4 a gallon?
Not that I am complaining by any means, as it's nice to have some extra money in the pocket during this time of year especially.
I do think that people are skeptical about when the price will spike up, and I don't really think we are going to see any upsurge in people buying SUVs by any means.
I believe that we have realized that we need to be more efficient regardless of the fluctuating price.
I was just talking to a person who carpools from Tonasket to Okanogan with several other people, and there is no chance of them stopping just because gas is cheaper now. Even though it was the $4+ gas that drove them to beginnning the carpool in the first place.
What do you think? How low will it go? And, how long until we return to $4 a gallon?
