Merry Christmas, So Cal!

Guess what I drove over today!!

Finally, after all this time, the connector from the 215 to the 60 is OPEN!!!

I couldn't believe it, either!!!

Great Idea!

So, a few nights ago, I was looking online to find out how many calories mashed potatoes had, and I came across a GREAT website. It's sparkpeople.com. It's a FREE weight loss website. I decided to look it over later that evening, and signed up for an account. Tonight I was looking through some of the posts other members have put on the message boards and came across the best idea. Every month, figure out how many pounds you've lost, then donate the same amount of weight in canned goods to your local food bank! That way, not only are you doing yourself good, but you are helping others as well! Plus, it's a good reminder when your carrying that food just how much you've actually lost! I'm going to do this! I'm down about 5 already! Those cans are going to add up and really help someone!!

Best Friends

One of the many reasons I love Cameron is for his ability to talk to anyone without hesitation. It doesn't matter who it is, he will talk. And ask silly five-year-old boy questions. Last night at the hockey game, he got to talk to one of the players, Brad May, who just happens to be one of Bill's favorite players! After the conversation Brad had with Cameron, he just might be the whole family's favorite player!

We got to the rink early to watch the practice, and decided to go stand by the tunnel leading to the ice to see what we could see. Brad May was standing inside the tunnel! So naturally, Cameron decided to talk to him. The conversation when a little something like this...

C: I like the Ducks. Do you like the Ducks?

B: Yeah, little buddy, I sure do!

C: I like the Ducks, too! Your shoes are sharp on the bottom. Are they hard to stand on?

B: No, it's easy. Just like standing on your shoes. That isn't hard, is it?

C: (laughing) NO! It's easy!

B: It's easy to stand on these shoes, too!

What a very, very cool guy! Thanks, Brad May, for making Cameron's (and all of our) night!

Boys Conversation

Today on our way home from Target, the guys had an interesting conversation. Robbie was minding his own business, clicking his tongue when this is what we heard...

R: click-click-click

C: Stop it!

R: What? Don't you appreciate the classics? click-click-click

C: I just want a piece of quiet!

Later on...

R: click-click-click

C: Stop it!

R: Well, I have to do something!

C: Then, why don't you go to sleep?

R: click-click-click

Oh, my guys are freaking GREAT!!

TP on VB

As I was driving down Van Buren to pick Cam up from school, the traffic slowed to a crawl. My first thought was, "Great. Cam is out of school in 5 minutes. I'll never make it." My second thought was, "Why don't people know how to drive without crashing in to each other?" My third thought as I rounded the curve, was, "What the crap??? Who toilet papered Van Buren?" There were hundreds upon hundreds of rolls of toilet paper ALL OVER the roadway! It was awesome!

Curses!

I have finally found a craft that I suck at. Tonight, Krista tried to teach me how to knit. I couldn't do it. Now, I only tried for about a half an hour, but it didn't come second nature. I don't handle that well. I will absolutely try it again tomorrow. I will beat this. I will. You'll see...

School

So, yesterday at school, my teacher, Nan, read us an email that I'm sure you've all seen before. I just had to share with you all my favorite line from that email..... "We all child-proof our homes, yet they still manage to get in somehow!" Yes, I did the awful snort/laugh thing OUT LOUD right in the middle of class. Not many other moms in the class, I guess...

Owie!

I worked today. I haven't worked for a few months. I worked for nearly 12 hours. That was 12 nonstop, on-my-feet hours. I got to work this morning at 4:00. A.M. Very, very a.m. I boxed about 2,500 pies. It was fun. It was busy. It was crazy. It was exausting. My feet and back ache to the point of pounding. I think I'll go lay on the floor for a while...

Hockey Day

I took Cameron to his very first ever hockey game. It was way fun. We got to the Honda Center a few minutes before they opened the doors. We got to go right down to the ice. We got to go stand over where the Ducks come out of the locker room. Cameron got to fist pound several of the players. He got to see Chris Kunitz right up close. He bought an orange puck. He ate popcorn, hot dogs and ice cream. I think it was his best day ever.

I'm Back!

My computer was being stupid. It decided that I didn't have any high speed internet connection. I was unable to get online for about a week or so. It was a pain. I don't know if it was dumb Vista, dumb Charter, or dumb Sarah. Whatever it was, it fixed itself. I've missed you all so very much!! I have SO much to tell you all!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Blond Robbie

Well, I'd say it worked. Robbie is a blond. He LOVES it!

Robbie's Hair

I'm trying something new. I'm bleaching Robbie's hair. Hopefully, just the top. I've done my own hair a million times, but nothing like this. We are on take two. I think the first time, I was a little nervous because I don't think I put enough stuff on it. This time, I really put it on there. Now for the hard part..the waiting.

Robbie Is Sad...

We just got a phone call. Robbie's hip hop class has been canceled due to poor attendance. He was one of three in his class. He's a little sad right now, but he understands. It helps that I am going to let him stay up and watch the hockey game tonight...

What The Crap?

>

Okay, so I just finished 1408. All I could think of was "but I've already seen Secret Window." The two seemed very similar to me. Yes, I know. Completely different plot lines, but both are based on stories by Stephen King. Who I really, really enjoy. I may be the only person who actually liked Secret Window. Am I the only one who didn't really like 1408? I was SO ready for it to end. Not because I was scared. Please. It takes WAY more than that to scare me. Nope, I was kinda bored! I seriously fell asleep right as he went into the room. An hour and a half later, when I woke up, my DVD player had shut off, so I had to find my place again. That should have been my first clue. Oh, well. I've seen worse...

A Nearly Perfect Day.

So far, this has been a pretty great day. It was the kind of day where the cement is never quite dry. The sun played peek-a-boo all day. It was chilly, but nice to have the house open, so I could cozy up in a blanket. There was a Sam's Club trip, a successful camera hunt, then, a nice calm quiet afternoon. Bill watched the USC game, and because I can't stand football, I sat on the couch and read my book. We tried to get Chloe (the dog) to let us put things on her head. She hates us now. We had a fire going in the fireplace (I know, a GREAT place for it) and a yummy smelling pumpkin pie candle lit. We had an equally quiet dinner of salad and N&W pizza.

I'm going to spend the evening in my sweats, reading, taking a bath (probably not in my sweats) and watching 1408. I wish Bill didn't have to go to work tonight. That would have made it totally perfect.

Disneyland

The boys got to stay home this weekend, so we took advantage of that, and took them to Disneyland! It was all decorated for Halloween, which is my favorite kind of decoration. I love the colors. We rode the train, hung out in Toontown, went on Winnie The Pooh, and did the Haunted Mansion.



Cameron's favorite part of the whole day was the Winnie The Pooh ride. It's a sweet ride. I love it, too. Mostly, the banner at the exit that reads "Hooray For Pooh!" I agree. Hooray for poo.

Robbie's favorite part was riding the Go Gadget's Go-Carts. We did that twice. Cam was afraid of the ride at first, but it was he who wanted to do it a second time...with his hands in the air! Go, Cam!

Bill's favorite part was the amazing parking space he was able to snag! It was pretty unbelievable.

It was a great day. From the parade that started the minute we got onto Main Street, to the yummy taco salads we all ate. And the biggest miracle of all was that we didn't have to buy the guys any new toys!

Help!

Every time I try to log on to blogger, I have to create a new password. It's getting really old. Anyone know why this is happening?

Our Script

Mom: Robbie, did you take your shower?

Robbie: Yeah.

Mom: Did you wash everything?

Robbie: Yeah.

Mom: Did you get your clothes out of my bathroom?

Robbie: Yeah.

Mom: Are you sure?

Robbie: Mom! I'm sure!

((Sigh))

Mommy Funny

Go, Ducks!

I just thought this was cute.

My Poor Sweet Baby!!

Cameron broke his nose. We were at Arby's, ordering our food, and Cam was swinging on the dividers for the line. Like he always does. Yes, I always tell him not to hang on the bars. (I guess he'll listen now!) The bar wasn't screwed on well and off it came with all his 50 pounds hanging on it. He fell, and the bar fell landing right across the bridge of his nose. He screamed. The manager screamed. (not really) Cam's little nose and forehead turned purple and his nose began to swell. No blood, thank goodness. A quick trip to Dr. Koo's office, then the x-ray place, and back home to wait for the phone call. A couple hours later, Dr. Koo called me. (One reason I love that man. He, himself always calls.) Yep, it's fractured. Now, we have to wait to make an appointment with a specialist to find out what the next step will be. Maybe a really cool plastic face mask!

Done and Done!

Well, I finally got up the nerve and the energy. It's nearly exactly what I thought it would be Robbie loves it!

Art?

The church Bill plays bass for every Sunday has an art ministry. Every month, they feature an artist from the church and display their work on the walls for sale. Many months, some of the artwork is pretty good. (Okay, usually we get a pretty good laugh out of it) This month though, I nearly wet myself. This picture was on display and for sale for, I think, about $300. Seriously. And, it was done by an adult. I SWEAR!!!

Ewww!

Why are they inside out?

Mmmmm!

Fresh, warm Rice Krispie Treats. Just in time for The Biggest Loser! Great timing...

Today

It was a tough day at kindergarten.

Going To Power Through

So, last night at Bills gig, I met a kindergarten teacher. We talked about Cam's teacher for about 20 minutes. She told me that, as a teacher, she has NEVER, in 30 years of teaching, had a sub that she would ask back to teach her kids. Especially a long-term sub. She thinks that long term subs probably do a bit of self-preservation, and don't allow themselves to get too attached to the kids. This is for the kids, as well. First she suggested that we drive Cam up to the mountains every day so he could be in her class. Then she suggested that we just power through the next few weeks until the 'real' teacher gets there, then first thing, go meet the new teacher and make ourselves well known to her. I think that's what we will do.

My Test

Finally, after nine LONG months, I passed the last test I needed to move up in speed. For those of you who don't know, I am a Court Reporting student. It is a self-paced school. You move up in speed by passing one literary test, and two question and answer tests. It moves in increments of 20. You begin at 60/80 words per minute, pass to 100's, then 120's and so on up to writing 200 words per minute. I finally made it into 120's!! Go, ME! So, tomorrow, I will officially start in the 120's class. This is a school of highs and lows. You get all excited when you move up a speed, then knocked right back down when you start in that new speed. It's SO FAST, and you're right back to thinking, "What am I doing to myself here???" But, you know, I didn't think I would ever get the 60/80, then that I would never get the 100's, but I did, and I know I'll get the 120's...eventually!

My Robs

Do you know how super smart my Robbie is? Do you? He is so smart that he started his own blog! It took me forever to even figure out how to get to the page to start one! He's a little ticked that I don't know how to put videos on here. He wants to put some up so bad. I'm sure he will figure it out long before I will. Check him out. His is the one on my list thingy called "My Guys"

BBQ Bill

I haven't yet found anything that Bill isn't great at. Raw meat and fire combined are no exception. Usually, he makes these really amazing steaks. They are hot, juicy, and delicious. He was very proud of these hot dogs, and wanted me to share them with all of you. If you ever want to come over for the best steaks you've ever tasted, just give us a call! Bill will fire it up!!!

Biggest Loser

Every year I enjoy watching The Biggest Loser. I usually don't watch the entire season, but I enjoy the episodes that I do see. It always kinda makes me feel bad. Not kinda. It does. Usually when I'm watching it, I have something to munch on. Tonight, it was buttered French bread. I did, however, get up and throw it in the trash. I had just finished a nice bowl of Raisin Bran. Did I really need the buttered bread? Of course not. I like watching shows like this because, if only for a minute, they make me think of what I put into my mouth. I started walking the guys to school in the mornings...at least we try to walk. We do it at least 3 times a week. Better than nothing, right?

Hockey Hockey Hockey!

So, Sunday night marked a great night for Bill and me. It was Hockey Day in southern California. It was game number one of his 11 game pack! It was a preseason game, so it isn't really important that the Ducks lost in a shootout. We had a great time, and really enjoyed the people sitting around us. We hope to run into them again at other games. Neither of my two favorite players were playing that game, but we got to see some kinda favorites. That was good enough for us. Our seats are way up there, but we both have the attitude that at least we are in the building. My legs are still sore! Thank you, Anaheim Ducks for the fun time and the leg workout! We can't wait to go back!

Brotherly Love

So, we're sitting working on homework. Robbie is doing subtraction, Cam, coloring apples red, leaves green, grapes purple, and stars yellow. I hear Cam mutter under his breath, "This is too easy." Robbie comes right back at him with, "If it's so easy, just do it. Don't gripe about it." Now, where could he have heard THAT before???

Crossing Jordan

Why is it that as soon as I fall in love with a show it gets cancelled? How are we ever going to know if Woody is love with Jordan, or if Bug is going to get home to Lily and Madison? Thank you, A&E , for keeping Jordan, Woody, Dr. Macy, Bug, Nigel, Lily and that other person alive... At least we can spend time with them up to the time of the plane crash.... (sniff)

Single Momhood

There are times when you are a single mom that you have no money. I know, you're shocked! You have no money and no food. You're afraid that your littles are going to have to survive on butter and butter. Wait! Is that a sausage I see back there? Yes! Date: June 07. Dang! You have NO idea when your next child support check will arrive ( I expected it last Monday) and you have this stupid character flaw that makes it nearly impossible to admit that you need help. You keep telling yourself, "It will come tomorrow. I'll get home from school, look in the mailbox, get my check, go to the bank then the store, and all will be well again." Well, when tomorrow becomes the next day, then a week later, you know that your main responsibility in life is to take care of your littles. They have to eat. And shredded cheese just won't cut it. Thankfully, I have a mom who doesn't think twice about helping out HER littles. (No matter how big we get.) Thanks, Mom, for making my fridge look like a REAL fridge again.

Robbie's Room

So, after having lived with a grey room (of his choosing, I'd like to add), I've finally decided that Robbie's room needed a face lift. I've been trying to decide what he would like. He likes it how it is, but it's sooooo drab. He likes the grey, so I decided we would compromise. He's a little boy, so he loves camouflage. He's a little boy, so he loves Ducks hockey. Put them in a blender and what do you get? The new Wild Wing Club box cover! I think he will LOVE it!!! And how simple to do!! What do you think?

Giant SUVs

Why do women feel the need to drive cars that are way too big for them to handle? I'm sick of being nearly flattened as I walk across the Albertsons parking lot by women who can hardly see over their own dashboards. It's just wrong. I think you should have to pass a driving test before you are allowed to sign on the dotted line. Seriously, girls. If you can not pull into a parking space without readjusting your car 37 times, maybe you should rethink your choice of car. Or hang up the phone. Just a thought.

Homework

I hate the fact that we are only in week number 2 of school, and already the homework war of 3rd grade has begun. First, it was too hard. Then, he wasn't being challenged. Yes, the same problems. Too hard, then too easy. Funny how that happens. So, after completely loosing my temper and screaming at him, I decided that I would go in and talk to his teacher. I hate that I'm going to be "That Parent", but I honestly don't know what else to do. Help!!

Moon Sand

To celebrate his "best week ever" of kindergarten, Cam received moon sand from an unnamed source. Moon sand is a non-wet sand/clay odd whatever. Can't really describe it. It came with two bags of sand; a blue bag, and a pinkish red bag. This actually kept both boys entertained for about an hour and a half! It was a miracle! It wasn't even that hard to clean up! I mushed it all together play-doh style, and was able to pick most of it up in one shot. There is, however, a fine purple-gray dusting on everything in my kitchen/living room area. A good sweeping and vacuum is going to be due as it is stuck in the design on the bottom of Robbie's shoes, and on the bottoms of Cameron's feet. The directions say not to get it wet with water. I wonder what Windex will do to it....

Here I Go!!

I don't think I really have anything good to say, and I'm not even that funny, but it seems that everyone and their mom (including MY mom) has a blog. I guess it is just my time. I don't even know how to put my picture up there. Maybe my mom can help me...