My Mommy Rocks!

Until We Meet Again

2009-09-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

It has become crystal clear to me over the past months that I have misplaced the passion that I once had for this blog. My posts although catchy and somewhat entertaining have become a whiny mess of swill that really cause me to frown and want to press the delete button - Really, truly deeply! I am not sure what happened, but somewhere between here and there I lost my moral fiber and my zest to post on this blog and because I am not in the business of blogging to just post some meaningless post I am going on INDEFINITE HIATUS - Gone in a blink of an eye.

So on that note; I go forth in search of that special something, that something that inspired me to create and write in this blog.

Peace.

Fall Is In da House

2009-09-08T18:21:00.001-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of year. Fall means, Mother Nature dazzles us with the changing of the trees, which I love more than snow. She chills us with the crisp change in the shortened days. The begining of fall means my favorite holiday is quickly approaching but above all else, fall means the new beginnings of my favorite t.v. shows. Shows, that I have patiently awaited all summer long for.

Tonight kicks off the season and I couldn't be more ready or thrilled. No more reality trash t.v. (not that I watch that.............OK.........maybe I do - The Dog). Yippi!

Shows I look forward to indulging myself into (with little to no interruptions - please).....drum role.

One Tree Hill - although with the departure of Peyton and Lucas, who knows what awaits.

Gossip Girl - xoxo, baby! The college years and the h.s. Queen Bee!!! Whooo Yea!

Sons of Anarchy - Bad boys on motorcycles, need I say more?

The new Melrose Place (that show was sinfully delicious back in the day) and from the previews it looks promising!

And lastly............

Vampire Diaries - I realize these are not the Cullen's and there is no Bella, but I think it will feel the large gap I possess for all things Twilight, well until November!

To the new fall season line up - Cheers as she clangs her glass to yours!

xoxo - Momma Rocks

Vintage or Classic?

2009-09-03T17:19:00.000-07:00

Now that I am in my thirties......gross! I often find myself gazing into the mirror, eyes puffy from a restless nights sleep, a few gray hairs making every effort to invade my newly done hair and I think to myself where has the time gone?

How did all these years whiz by me?

How am I this age when I was just living on the wild-side barely twenty?

My youth, my vibrant quest to conquer all of life ambitions, gone in the blink of an eye. I remember being young and a year took forever, now it's ending before I even realize it began. Life is filled with one responsibility after another and sadly I often forget to STOP, BREATH and reflect.

Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who indulges me often with free time. Time to escape reality and consume myself with things that constitute IMMATURITY, stuff that makes me connect with my youthful side. Twilight, Harry Potter, Music, Books and the mindless escapes of all things pop-culture. I need these indulgences to escape the reality that is endless responsibilities and work. I need these to feel youthful.

I was once told by a "younger" co-worker, "I love talking with you because I feel like I am talking to my younger sister" Who by the way was 16 or 17 years old - Hahahah! Was I offended - Heck No!

Is it so wrong that my biggest fan on Facebook is a my 18 year old cousins girlfriend? No, although HUBS frequently asks me, "HOW OLD ARE YOU?" Whooahahahahah!

In honor of my youthfulness I am declaring the song "What's My Age Again?" by Blink 182 (one of my most treasured, favorite bands of all time) my ANTHEM.

"No one should take themselves so seriously

With many (Ok, a few) years ahead to fall in line

Why would you wish that on me

I never want to act my age

What's my age again?

What's my age again?"

Play It Backwards

2009-08-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, do you notice how everyone is dressed in matching, nice clothes in this picture? Hair is nicely groomed.....etc.......etc....... Notice the child carrying the bag full of loot?

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. His clothes are contrasting colors. During Mother's visit, Landon stayed home from school to spend time with her which required her to dress him and this is what she put on him one day. Poor child, he looks like a rag-a-muffin. Black shoes with pastels?

Is this some type of rotten joke? I can't even stomach the dark socks? Are those even his? Nooooooo!

I can't even begin to explain the WRONG with this outfit. Clearly she allowed Landon to dress himself? That's it, it's really the only explanation, right? How does that teal shirt match those shorts? For the love - Mother!

The worst part is that Gigi and Aunt Carol allowed him to leave the house like this and they took him all over Colorado. I was speechless............"What were you thinking?" My Aunt giggles as I scold my Mother, finger pointing accusingly, "I told you he didn't match," she squawks! I hiss out the corner of my mouth, "Just you wait!"

Mother, I apologize for the times I bestowed torcher upon you because my clothes had to match, but taking your grandson out in public like this - It's just not very grandmotherly - no sire.

"Our Best Blue Jeans Have Skoal Rings"

2009-08-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

"Guys like me drink to many beers on Friday after work"

My Uncle, Aunt, Momsie and GIGI came for a nice long visit last week. I was very sad to see them leave. Why - you ask? Well, my family is very frisky, very willing to help with all things having to do with my yard and house. Stuff that Danny and I don't fancy, but eventually oblige too, after it's overdue so it's nice to have the motivation from the frisky folks.

While my family was here we (more like THEY) had numerous projects, including the demo of Danny's front yard nemesis - the petrified, deader than dead tree. It was somewhat dead when we moved into the house four years ago, but as the years whizzed by it got worse, way worse.

On an unsuspecting Thursday evening, the "boys" busted out the chainsaw and attacked the tree. Uncle Larry took the lead, showing Dano what he needed to do and then handed over the chainsaw. Now, I don't know about you but where I come from every Man had a chainsaw.

Men + Chainsaws + flying wood chips = Me - Hot under the collar - Hum Dinger!

There is nothin sexier than your husband, dirty from a hard days work, dirty boots and a chainsaw in your yard. Nice, right?

Uncle Larry is a manly-man. If you were lost in the forest with a book of matches and a buck knife, you would want to be lost with Uncle Larry. He would get you warm, make shelter and hunt you something to eat - Uncle Larry rocks. My U & A have three boys and although they are still young, I have a feeling they will be quiet the manly boys. Heck, Auntie Carol can pound a hammer with the force of a DUDE into petrified wood, all the while primping her hair in the mirror - NICE!

HUBS, grew up in the Bay Area city, total city slicker. BUT, since moving to Colorado he's become very manly himself. His Dad and Brother's are quiet envious of his new found manliness and can't quiet figure out what happened to the City Boy!

Because Halloween is rapidly approaching and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that holiday, I asked HUBS if he would give me the top of the tree to spray paint black as a nice Halloween, scary yard decoration. He laughed at me and chopped it to bits.

Here's the tree before it's fateful demise. Pretty grass, nice wild flowers, saucy roses but with a dead tree who really notices the "pretty" stuff.

"Timber"

"So rough around the edges

It's hard to believe that girls like you

Love guys like me"

Post Inspired by the Dead, Dead Tree and Eric Church - "Guy's Like Me

Playing My Music In The Sun

2009-08-24T18:10:00.000-07:00

Landon has had lots of fun in the sun this summer.

He has developed a strong passion for baseball, not as much as bull riding but it's right up there.

His silly sense of humor is contagious. He is definitely our child, acts just like us.........which is both good and bad! He's still singing "People Are Crazy" and now it's GIGI's favorite song!!!

I was trying to capture a beautiful moment at RMNP, but as you can see he is way to silly to pose for a good picture - Cheezer.

Landon is a fish!! He swims and swims around the pool. It's so cute.

Post Inspired by Steve Miller Band - Joker

My Crazy Familia

2009-08-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

I swear...........my niece is the cutest little tart in all the land. In true family fashion, she hit the booze hard when we got to the reception - Haha!

My Parents best-friend in all the land is my Nino David (Nino = God Parent in Mexi). He and my parents go way, way back. My Nino and Nina (like my parents) have three beautiful children............Yeye, Dan and Dee. Us three girls and the three of them grew up together and have a very special kinship.

After years of searching for the perfect woman - Yeye found her and just got married. My family attended the wedding and the following havoc ensued.

Dee and My Momma - My Parents are Dee's God Parents - Nino and Nina. Dee is the youngest of our six and has grown into a beautiful, intelligent woman. I adore her. My Mom looks beautiful in her pretty purple dress and glowing tan.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall..........Whose the fairest of them all? People say Aya and I pass for twins, that Mulan and I pass for twins. I'll say sisters, but I just don't see it.

My cute, cute boy. He cleans up good. The church service was looooonnnnnnggggg, but Landon was awesome. He sat there, lips tight, attention ahead watching the action or drawing. I guess it pays-off to practice church-wedding ettiquite before hand.

The fellas of the family - Jarmin, Dano and Dad. Notice HUBS - Looking sharp - Sexy! What handsome men!

Us - The wedding was so romantic and beautiful, sitting in that small little church I fell in love with HUBS all over again. Weddings.........sigh..........so romantic.

Scary, Scary Scary

2009-08-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday we rented the scary, scary movie Strangers.

Ooh-my-gawd - This movie was intensely scary - I don't think I have ever been so scared from a movie - Never!! And I love scary movies. I find it a little living-on-the-edge to feel scared by watching random horror films - weird, I know!

As soon as the movie hinted it was taking a turn for the worst - I begged Danny to turn it off, complaining that I couldn't watch!!

Of course he ignored my pleas and we ended up watching it. I kid-you-not, I watched most of the movie with my hands hiding my eyes, wrapped up in a blanket so tight that my air waves were constricted and since I lingered on the verge of hysterics, I had to casually remind myself to BREATH!!!

It was pitiful, but fun because I have not seen a real scary movie in some time that scared me the way this one did.

Scary, Scary, Scary!

"Do You Need A Balla?"

2009-07-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

"So you can shop and tear the mall up? Brag, tell your friends what I bought ya"

I don't like public restrooms, especially the ones at work.

If I could hold my pee for 10 hours I would and I would avoid the whole public restroom thing!

Yes, it really is that bad. I'd rather pee outside, pants around my ankles, squatting for all of nature to see than use a bathroom at work, really - honest-to-gawd!

To ease my anxiety I tend to hold my breath while in the public crapper and breath out my nose, that way I can't smell anything and I am forced to hurry for fear of passing out due to lack of oxygen.

The bathroom across the hall from my office is a three staler and no matter what time of day you visit, one or two of the stalls is always occupied.

Urgh............Do any of you feel my pain?

WARNING: If you get grossed out...............STOP reading now!

I despise squatting above the toilet peeing and having to listen to someone bust-ass next to me - it's so WRONG!!! Wrong because where I come from we were raised to laugh at "toots of gas" and "ass-busting" (Dumb and Dumber) and well, I guess it's hard to stifle my chuckles when it's right next to me, calling out for me, encouraging the laughter and the gag that lingers in my throat.

Soooo wrong!

And then it just gets worse from there because you either pee on your leg because you are rushing to finish and get the hell out of there or you finish and come out of the bathroom only to be greeted by THE CRAPPER, someone in upper management. Someone, you NEVER imagined crapped, let alone at work.

Ooh-the HORROR!

And then............What's up with the people that travel across the building, ignoring their bathroom, to crap in our bathroom? I realize the whole discretion thing is necessity to some, but come on there is no discretion when shitting in a public restroom. And....and.....the Discretionary Peeps are the ones that really let loose and cause a raucous, making my bathroom moment all the more horrifying!

There should be rules - WORK BATHROOM ETIQUETTE - if you will. Rules to accommodate the people like me, the people who care! Crapping should be banned and only PEE allowed.

Toots are OK, but only little puff's of air. Under no circumstances are bootie trembling, juicy FARTS - allowed.

I dry-heave as I type - Gross! GAG!

Where's the dignity people?

And I won't even touch on the subject of Aunt Flow and the chaos that ensues in the crapper when she is visiting............no sirree!!! I just wont!

This post has NOTHING to do with Jay-Z and "Can I Get A...." but I like this song so - there you go! Yes-folks, I roll like this every once in a blue moon.

"Trick or Treat, Sweet to Eat"

2009-07-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

Not sure why??????????

But I like this picture, it captivates my attention - why? Who really knows when it comes to things that catch my attention, but it did and I like it aaaa-lot!

Maybe it's the b&w photo, the tattoos, the make-up, the rebel persona - who really knows!

The Crue was my FIRST hard-rock band crush. I used to sit in my girly wall-papered, NKOTB room and listen to them. Their music was liberating and I felt like a rebel..............with a good cause mind you.

Auntie KK introduced me to Motley Crue way back then.............sigh........they ROCKED! Auntie KK rocked, she was a rocker-chick who hung out at the Rainbow Room and rocked out to the likes of the Crue, Bon Jovi, Rush, Skid Row and the list goes on.......

Not too into the Crue these days, but I am guilty of having some old school Crue on my MP3 player. A little Dr. Feel Good, Girl, Girls, Girls!!!!!

Girls, Girls, Girls

Long Legs and burgundy lips

Girls, Girls, Girls

Dancin down on the Sunset Strip.............

Oops - sorry, got a-little sidetracked.

Because my Mother was overly cautious with us growing up, I never had the opportunity to see this band in their prime, but I have been told by Auntie KK that they were everything you would expect them too be and some nights a little more.

Post inspired by Motley Crue - Girls, Girls, Girls

"Beer is Good"

2009-07-28T15:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday morning, Landon woke up and informed me that he went to Mexico with his cousins!!

Huh?

I don't recall his absence over the last couple of days?

I asked what he did in Mexico with his cousins?

He stared at me for a couple minutes; his brown eyes twinkling with mischief and he replied with a small shrug of his shoulders, "Not much," and with a twitch of his lips finished," just hung out."

Duh? As if you do anything else in Mexico!

_____________

Landon likes to sing - I've stated the fact several times before on this blog so you all are in the KNOW.

The other day he was singing the song, "People Are Crazy" by Billy Currington. There chorus sings.............

God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.................

Well my little boy likes to enunciate and belt out (at the top of his lungs) the "Beer is Good" part and then sings the "God is great" and "People are crazy" very quiet, almost as if the lyrics don't exist. Which translates into him running around the house singing, "Beer is Good!!"

I asked him not to sing that song outside of the house and he replied, "but Momma, Beer is Good and I love that song!"

What can you say to that? Not much because we can all agree that "BEER IS GOOD"

"Plant Our Dreams Where The Peaceful River Cools"

2009-07-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

This morning driving to work I heard this song and this distant memory permeated my thoughts - hence this post!

It was 1997 and I was in my early twenties. I was living the life of a twenty year old in sunny, beautiful San Diego and I had the two best-est friends a girl could ever need, want, have (I still have them).

Because I was worldly and adventurous, I convinced the girls that we needed to go on a road trip – to Chico, CA. I had some friends who went to Chico State and I thought they needed a visit………….the girls were inn!

So early one Fall Friday morning, we piled into Heather’s ford and drove 15 hours.........yes 15 hours, to Chico. The road trip was spine-tingling - good. We bonded over country music and forever cemented our friendships. We got lost a couple times on some NorCal back country roads, but it was OK, all was well because we had each other, Tim McGraw and a map!

We stayed in a Frat type house with our friends, who just happend to be BOYS and although you had to wear your flip flops in the shower and hover over the toilets – We had a blast!!!!

Post inspired by - Tim McGraw, "Where the Green Grass Grows"

"Stop and Rewind"

2009-07-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

"Now I know what I'm leaving behind"

And because I love all-things Twilight.............

I like this picture. It's adorable and although RPatz has less than attractive eye-wear on, it's still cute - I like it. I am not hip on WHO took these photos, but I like them. I like how the cast of characters are meticulously placed in the photo, each of them simply portraying their Twi-characters and themselves. Kullen is very photogenic! I don't think I have seen a photo that he didn't look - lucious- oops - I mean nice in.

Luv It!

I have a closet Twilight fan in my office who makes fun of me for LOVING all things Twilight, but I know she does too because she knows way too much for someone who claims not to be a fan! One quiet afternoon she made the big mistake of telling me she had a little crush on Kullen (Emmett from Twilight)..............BIG-HUGE-MONSTER of a MISTAKE!!!!!

I started sending her random photos of Kellen, which I found to be utterly HILARIOUS. Her, not so much, she squacked "innappropriate" (hello - does she know me?) and blocked any emails containting any type of Kellen Lutz topics, MEAN - I KNOW!

So to spite her; cuz I am that person and to get revenge on her, I posted the above picture all over her office on a day she was on travel............hehehhehe........DEVIOUS!

Surprise!!!

This is another set of favorite twi-photos, I love - Vanity Fair - I believe.

I really like the lighting of these photos, the texture, the bleak colors worn, (the adorable cast) and the location.

Who would have known an open dry field could be a GREAT backdrop for these photos! Again, just like in the top photo the cast is strategically placed to appear as if they are just having a fun day of frolicking around in an open field.

Lyrical inspiration by Meese - "Next In Line"

"I'M So Three Thousand and Eight"

2009-07-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

"You so two thousand and late"

Our darn computer took a turn for the worst last week and ended up in the PC emergency room, was admitted and has been there since Friday! Poor PC but more, poor us! I didn't realize how dependant we have become upon our pc. I miss that little tart!

We had a fun 4th of July weekend! We had lots of family time, which was nice. My son is a turkey and sooooo funny! Never a dull moment with that kid - I tell you! After fireworks on Saturday, he was so elated and beside himself that he became a big pile of cheese and couldn't stop giving me hugs and kisses - not complaining one bit - it was super cute.

The fireworks show in our neighborhood was spectacular, best show ever! We bought a bunch of little (legal) fireworks, but our neighbors had the big daddies. Don't tell my Mom.............but......... I played with sparklers and through gritted teeth and sweat beads allowed Landon to play with a couple too. Horrible, irresponsible parent - I know this, but there was supervision and a hose, should things get out of control!!! We liked the sparklers!

One of the days-off we found ourselves at the arts festival with a NO NAP-LANDON, it was fun and surprisingly he did well for not having taken a nappy-poo! It was a little hot and really crowded and I don't know if I am getting old and cranky, but I don't like crowds on a blistering hot day - No siree! A plus - we saw some spectacular art pieces and there was an artist there from my hometown, which is far, far away from here so that was really neat!

Highlight of the day: My Peets Coffee! I don't have a Peets Coffee near me, only the BUCKS and well I love the BUCKS, but I really love Peets so I was HAPPY to treat myself to some tasty iced coffee - I did the HAPPY dance!!!!

Another highlight from our weekend was a family BBQ at the Green's House up in the woods. We love going to the Green's House. We had a great time! It was fun spending time with the Green's and our close friends. The kids, while being held captive indoors due to monsoonal rains, caused a big raucous throughout the house. Eleven kids ranging in age from 1 yr - 9 years old, six of those eleven active little boys!!! Ooh the fun they had!

And as usual there was way too much food. Mr. Green is an avid hunter so he's always surprising us with his goodies. We ate pheasant, elk, mountain goat, pork, salmon and buffalo. We left with stuffed bellies and I hit the sofa once home and took a nap - a food induced coma!

Post Inspired by Black Eyed Peas - "Boom Boom Pow"

"I Never Seen Eyes So Blue"

2009-07-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

"We knew the girls were really women in disguise, that they understood love, and even death and that our job was merely to create the noise that seemed to fascinate them"~Virgin Suicides

Have you seen the movie, Virgin Suicides?

It's a goody and up until a couple weeks ago, I had never seen it. I know right? Loser!! You might ponder why? Happily, I was a wee-bit preoccupied with my newly single-lady status - way back in 2000! Whew-wee!

Anyhow...........back to the movie, this little gem of Sofia Coppola's is GOOD. Go forth and see for yourself! I beg...........no I plead. You will not be disappointed.

My favorite, love it, part in the movie is when they creatively introduce the dreamy hunk, the studly football star: Trip Fontane to the song Magic Man by Heart. Oooh-mi-goodness! I love that part.

That simple-little segment, TOTALLY, ignites the teenage girl within and I slowly drift back in time to my first Magic Man crush. You know the one, the crush, that brought a crimson color to your cheeks at the mere mention of his name - You know! The one that possessed a euphoric bubble around himself, which caused you to turn and run the opposite direction should your paths cross in the hall - That one! The "stone fox" that just happened to take notice of you while you heaved for air and sweat like a hoss running in P.E.

Girls, that is him! The High School Magic Man. Go ahead, take a moment to swoon over HIM! No one is judging - swoon away ladies!

So as you think back to your Magic Man, what song does he stroll down the halls too? Mine, well...........if my memory serves me correctly, I do believe it was Unbelievable by EMF (giggling like a school girl and HUBS is considering hospitalization), but now it's Magic Man! I heart this song and every time I play it HUBS gives me that look, that "NOT AGAIN" look - Hahhahha!

Old Timer - Cute Pic of me and my Magic Man. Notice the long luscious locks!

Post Inspired by "Magic Man" by Heart

The Lost Post

2009-06-30T12:43:00.001-07:00

Thanks Heather for bringing to my attention this POST, the post I lost last week and then cried about!

I am such a dumb-s**t!

What a cute family - I found this picture today, sat at my desk and gawked over it for longer than I should have. LOOK at that adorable baby?

"As She Feels Her Veins With Lies"

2009-06-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

This post has no rhyme or reason..............Really!!!

Last week I posted a real nifty post about my families LOVE of sushi. Blogger was either having a bad day or I drank one too many sips of HUBS PEE-BEE-RRR.......whatever the case; my post vanished, never to be found. I was mad and refused to post the rest of the week - MAD!
Every month I obsess on a new song........................last months was Lady GaGa: Paparazzi.

This month it's Tickle Me Pink - Madeline! I heart this song! Despite the kinda-sorta morbid lyrics, I still like it! I also am hip on the fact that these fellas are local boys and I am all about supporting the local music scene. Love it!

Until she saw the light

Madeline

You will be remembered

Madeline

We still have September

Madeline

Landon had the stomach flu Thursday night into Friday. Friday was my day off and I had high hopes of spending the day in quiet solace. Sooooooo Wrong! I spent the day in the bathroom, assisting Landon - poor guy! I really can't complain because my child is now potty trained so there were no messy pants and sometime between his last bout with the stomach flu and this time, he learned to warn us about the need to vomit and he can totally puke in the toilet like a champ - Yahoo!!!! Such a proud Momma moment!

Yesterday we spent the day doing yard work - Ick! I don't like yard work - Nope! I don't find any enjoyment in pulling weeds, cutting the grass (because HUBS does that) or planting stuff. I just don't. I've done a lot of soul searching in an attempt to find my inner green thumb, but there's nothing there, I am void of any type of green thumb.

If I had the money to concrete my huge yard - I would. How beautiful concrete would be......sigh.......no weeds!!! Please don't get me wrong, I love flowers and trees and stuff to make my yard look pretty, but I only like it in pots and I only like stuff that requires little watering.

Low maintenance yard!

Since I despise weeds and pulling them I made a deal with HUBS. I would mow the lawn, if he pulled the majority of the weeds - DEAL! I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I mowed and mowed until all the flat surface areas of our yard looked perfectly manicured. I have blisters to prove it! I like mowing the lawn - it's better than vacuuming and I am a huge fan of the vacuum and it is a great work out.

Random pointless thoughts from my head - interesting! BTW - Don't you just love the pics accompanying this post. My boy is adorable. That was our version of the "Bird Man" duo. He recently got a hair cut so it's much shorter and more modern but he asks for a faux hawk everyday..............."Momma, I want gel and the bird man!" Cute!!!!!!!!!

Mimosa

2009-06-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

HUBS had a great Father's Day!

It was spent sipping these tasty beauties.

We had a nice quiet day at home - it was great.

I filled the house with roses and tulips - it was so pretty.

I made a delicious breakfast of french toast - very tasty.

A carnitas dinner with homemade salsa - Ooh soo tasty!

A happy Daddy of a day!

Early yesterday morning, it became crystal clear that Landon cannot keep a surprise. He confessed all surprises to HUBS before we had the chance to SURPRISE!

Silly, silly child - Must take after his Momma.

Side note: Mimosa's taste best when Brute Champagne is used.

"You're the one they adore, who they came to see"

2009-06-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

In case some of you men were confused. I had this conversation with Landon this morning.

“Mom, what are those?” The child asks pointing to the protruding mounds just below my shoulders.

I wince, “Boobies!”

“I have boobies, Momma!” He tells me with a snicker, convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that he indeed beholds the boobies.

I pucker my lips, careful not to blurt out some obscene answer. “Hmmm-well.....I think boys have pecks and girls have boobies!”

Perplexed he replies, “I have pecks?”

“Yep,” I nod, “boys have pecks, girls have boobies!” I reiterate as he looks down at his pecks.

“Does Daddy have pecks?” he asks with a creased brow.

“Yes” I reply

“Does Emily, Aya and Auntie Mel have boobies?” he asks with innocence.

“Yep” I reply, with a strong sense of eagerness to END this uncomfortable discussion. I have found that the shorter the response with these type of discussions the quicker the conversation goes. Landon likes quick answers.

“Momma?”

“Yes” Scared of where this conversation is leading me.

“I think I want boobies?” he tells me with a mischievous grin.

WTF…………WTF………….Why, me? Why am I always the one who gets these type of conversations.

“Sorry Charlie! That’s not the way you were made. You’re a boy – boys have pecks!”

“Pecks?” he asks again looking down at his chest.

PECKS!

Post Inspired by "We Made You" by Eminem

"I Watched His Wildest Dream Come True"

2009-06-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

Mornings in our house are far from cheery. There is no Momma figure happily dancing, while singing some "Get Up" heartfelt song to the sleeping children - No way! We are quiet with hints of morning grouchy. We are civilized (most days) with one another, but we usually are far too focused on the task at hand - getting ready and out of the house on time. A grueling task that has increasingly become difficult with a certain child who is NOT A MORNING person.

It takes a good 30 minutes to wake up Landon. He hisses us away, while crawling deeper into the covers. He pleads for "2 more minutes" and then grabs bed rails and blankets when we pull him out of bed - It's a thrilling adventure.

The other morning he woke up on his own and as we greeted him with surprised, "good morning" faces, he told us....................

"I feel like Poop, today!" as he sulked far into the couch and pulled his blanket up over his head.

WHAT?

Danny and I couldn't help but laugh at the wacky comment, crazy kid. What three year old comes up with this type of stuff?

MINE, only mine.

Post Title Inspired by Paramore - "Misery Business" (Landon's current fav song)

Hot and Cold

2009-06-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

This song verse sums up life with our three year old!

"Cause you're hot and you're cold

You're yes and you're no

You're in and you're out

You're up and you're down

You're wrong (Momma's wrong) when it's right (and he's always right)

You're black and it's white"

Life with a feisty three year old - isn't it grand?

Post Inspired by Katy Perry's "Hot and Cold"

Because this makes me happy...............

2009-06-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

I just had to share and I can't wait until November 20 - It can't come soon enough!

What are your New Moon Plans?

Mine are still in the works but it's looking like a girl night out on the town - Dinner, The Cullens, Bella and Jake - I am so excited!!!!!

MI BUENO

2009-06-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

Landon was gifted this book on his birthday and it's become our favorite book (I read it every night). The illustrations by Paul Rogers are simple but eye catching and the theme of the book is uplifting (Who doesn't want to be Forever Young?).

I love it and so does Landon! It's a unique book and we like unique in our household. I am forever searching for unique books with cool story lines that captivate, not only Landon but us. I can't stand books with meaningless story lines.

Goooo find this book and then read it - I guarantee you will like it!

"Some will win, Some will Lose"

2009-06-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry for pulling a disappearing act, but I had some problems to work thru the past couple of days.

HUBS and I went to the Nuggets game last Friday. Big happy/pouty face.

At first I was hung-over from all the excitement of the game and now, a state of mourning because my Nuggets lost (sad face) the playoffs to the dumb purple team from SoCal (Lakers - bad, bad word). Anyhow, HUBS and I went to the game last Friday. We have been to numerous Nuggets games, but never have we had seventh row seats at a playoff game - It was so EXCITING!!! When you are that close to the court, you can't help but cheer like a crazed lunatic!

A friend-of-a-friend hooked us up with awesome seats and a post game pass. We had a fun night of cheering our team on and booing #24 of the opposite team (he is not liked in these parts). We were so close!! It was bittersweet, but I am still proud of our team - Go Nuggies!

Landon loves basketball and the Nuggets! He tells me he's Bird Man every time we play basketball so it was fate that I ended up with a signed shoe from Mr. Chris Anderson a.k.a Bird Man!!!! The Post Game pass allowed us to hang (with a group of others), outside the locker-rooms and see the Boys come out as they left the 2009 B-Ball Season. Talk about exciting!!!

We saw a handful of b-ball players, but only Bird Man tickled my fancy. He was so generous; signing autographs and taking pictures until everyone had an autograph or picture - A genuine fella! You hear so many stories of professional athletes being idiots and rude, but he was perfect - definitely a Denver Fan favorite and our Family favorite.

HUBS also got to meet JR Smith, he was way cool too! We "ooed-ahhed over Chauncy Billips and seen a couple other players! The players wives also waited patiently for their Hubbies so I got to see Lala - Carmello's wife and she was really nice. Much prettier in person. We also seen a couple Laker (bad word) players and their Coach, but I turned a blind eye because I don't like that team and I could careless if Phil Jackson stood at arms reach - Who cares!!!!

I LOVE THE NUGGETS! The West better watch out next year for this fiery team!

Post Inspired by: "Don't Stop Beleivin" from Journey, it was the official song of the night

"Big 35's whinin' on the asphalt"

2009-06-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

"Grabbin' mud, and slingin' up some red dirt"

Can I get a heck yea.........for AJ? Country music is good for the soul.

BUT, that is besides the point...........

Over the weekend I took HUBS and Landon to this AWESOME Sushi Restaurant I discovered a couple weeks ago.

We love sushi and I am 100% positive we would eat it every day if we had a sushi bar and chef in our kitchen. I sunk my whites into this roll called the Train Wreak - OMG!!!! It was toe tingling-good!

Landon likes sushi too! (note: we don't feed him the raw stuff- yet- MOM).

This particular restaurant serves Boton Rice Candies with the kiddo meals.

Landon LOVED these little candies and apparently HUBS did too! These little sweet morsels of goodness gave HUBS a trip down memory lane - he ate them often as a child. We walked the mall and somewhere between the exit doors and the car the candy magically vanished, disappeared - GONE! And I was left to chuckle at the guilty smiles from the two!

Much to the dismay of HUBS, I did not try the candy. I was super-grossed out by the outer wrapping of the candy......yuck! Apparently, the little wrapper that you put into your mouth............GET THIS.........magically disappears and you are left with the rice candy. Crazy!

This is was inspired by "Country Boy" by Alan Jackson - Landons most favorite song.

"I See Your Mouth Move in Slow Motion"

2009-05-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday! Urgh ~ snarl, snarl. I really loathe coming back to work after a long weekend, especially when it's an off-friday work week and it's only a three day work week (spoiled - I know). Snarl, Hiss, snarl!

Our weekend was spent under a dark cloud of rain, which is not bad but a definite change from what we are used too and kinda ruff for an active three year old. We played a lot of indoor soccer and basketball. We played games, Memory, which has come to be a favorite game of the family.

And................

We watched a wealth of movies - cartoons, dramas, comedy and romance. You name it, we watched it. I guess it pays to have the movie channels on a rainy weekend. While watching the movie: Never Back Down, I had an epiphany, Cam Gigandet who portrays numerous malevolent villains, all of which strive to cause harm to my favorite characters, has a nice SIX PACK!

If I was talking to Auntie KaKa and Becky about this, I would raise my hands and give a "Holla"

NICE!

While watching this movie for the third, maybe fourth time I decided that it's one of my favorites and I LOVE it. Especially the scene when Inman and Ada are declaring their love for one another and say, "I marry you, I marry you, I marry you.............." My heart beats violently in my chest as I swoon at my love for romantic movies. It's about this time HUBS walks into the living room and laughs at me - Men!

"I marry you................I marry you...............I marry you!"

Have a great week!

XOXO

Post Inspired by a romantic melody - "Echo" by Incubus.

"Velvet Ropes and Guitars"

2009-05-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

"Yeah, cause you're my rock star in between the sets ~

Eyeliner and Cigarettes!"

It's random picture Friday ~ Something new round here!

Emma Marie makes my heart skip a beat. There's nothing sweeter than your sister's sassy, crazy child - I just love her!

Crisp b/w pictures also make my heart swoon!

I love this picture of Auntie Carol and Ray - Adorable!

Confession: I am a new Lady GaGa fan, which is crazy because I usually shy away from music like hers, but I heart her! Listening to her right now!

Who is this adorable boy? Sigh.............."I'll follow you until you love me"

This child tests my patience daily, but he's definitely the apple of my eye.

For his b-day, he got a new JB Mauney hat and a bull riding vest.

If you didn't know - He's a Cowboy!

Post inspired by all things Lady GaGa - "Paparazzi"

"I Promised You a Part of My Unwritten Script"

2009-05-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

Sunday, We indulged in 18 holes of mini-golf and Landon beat me! The nerve of this super athletic child!

It's a bad, bad day when your three year old beats you at mini-golf. I will confess my competitiveness came out a little and I hissed "CHEATER" a couple times his way.........me not at my best.

There are only a few things in life that make Landon super-duper excited and golf is defiantly one of them. It's fun to see him get so excited and better to see him open up a can of whoop-butt on his "CAN'T GOLF MOMMA"

This post is dedicated (not inspired) to Carolina Liar - Last Night.

I discovered this song on our long, long road trip to Cali and I don't know why???? But it brings a smile to my face and a tease to my lips as I sing this song to HUBS and insinuate, "that the vodka made me leave with him that night" He humors my mirth with a smile and a twinkling of the eye.

"Hoping One of Those Senior Boys"

2009-05-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

"Will wink at you and say 'I haven't seen you around before"

On our trip to Cali, we got to spend lots of quality time with family, including my youngest cousin who is graduating high school this weekend and his adorable Twilight-Addicted girlfriend.

Young Love............so adorable!

Wes and Jeanna went to prom together........prom...........(sigh break as I remember my Senior Prom.....sigh), OK!

Guess how Wes asked Jeanna to prom?

Wes has a hopeless romantic of a Mother and with her help, they concocted the cutest "Ask Her to Prom." As you know from above Jeanna is a big fan of all things twilight (yes, we totally got along - I wanted to adopt her!) and because of that, my Aunt bought her the Twilight Movie Director Book and then my "cute" cousin put a "cute" - "Would you go to the prom with me" love note in the book and the rest is history!

I think about it and get chills. Soo irrevocably adorable.

Post Inspired by Taylor Swift - "Fifteen"

"The Piano's This Melancholy Soundcheck"

2009-05-13T07:33:00.000-07:00

"As you stand.......under the barlights"

Did you know that half of American families own the games, Guitar Hero and/or Rock Star, mine included. These are HUBS siblings and they LOVE the game Rock Star and Guitar Hero! Every time we gather they bust out all this equipment, clear the living room, serve up some tasty beverages and crank up the surround sound so loud that you run to get your ear plugs!

No joke - It's serious business!

Professionals: Carol and Ron sing thier little hearts out! Look at the passion behind the vocals, mesmerizing. Notice the savvy pink scarf? Very Rock Star worthy. I got that for my niece, but somehow it ended up on Auntie Carol.

"She's laughing, she's turning.................She's holding her tonix like a crux!"

They even have Bandaides, including myself! Although, I don't have a cute tongue like these two and my devil horns were never really that prominent ~ Hehehehhe!

The famous bandaides are Auntie Shari and HUBS couisin, Sensational Sandra :)

"All of these memories come rushing...........like feral waves to your mind"

HUBS looks great behind the drums, but sadly he stunk! It took him most of the night to find his rhythm. I declare he's better behind the guitar, but that's just me. If these pictures were zoomed in just a little; you would notice Lil Jim is biting his tongue in concentration, HUBS in a subdued trance, trying not to mess up and Big Bro Ron is singing as if he was in front of an audience of hundreds.

A Family that Rocks together stays together!

Post inspired by The Airborne Toxic Event - "Sometime Around Midnight"

The Vampires Walkin' Through the Valley

2009-05-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

"Move west down Ventura Boulevard"

The other night after a strenuous Monday at the office; I lazily warmed up leftover’s, we did baths and we all happily succumbed to our pajamas early. As I slipped out of my day clothes and into my pajamas the following observations were made by Landon as he perched happily atop our bed.

I slipped into my pajama bottoms unnoticed and just about that time out of my peripheral, I notice Landon taking an interest in me or something in my direction, but since there is no kind of modesty in our house hold I dismissed his curiosity and went about my business. Danny walked in as I pulled my night shirt over my head and then Landon, shamelessly, made the following statement.

“Momma, Did you take your boobies off!” His brow furrowed in interest.

OMG-HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

I told him, YES I did, hoping he would drop the subject but then came the “WHY’S” and the “HOW COMES.” Slightly mortified, I told him that is what girls do every night – take off their boobies! He was content with that answer, jumped off the bed and left the room. Danny and I stood quiet, smiles invading our faces and then after a couple minutes we laughed until we cried.

My sweet, sweet, adorable son! So very innocent in observation!

Post Title Inspired by - Tom Petty, "Free Fallin"

"Ominous Landscape of Never Ending Calamity"

2009-05-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

"She who sees from up ~ High smiles and surely sings!"~ Incubus

While on vacation we had a big 3rd birthday for Landon. Lot's of family traveled far and near to attend and it was awesome to see everyone, especially my DanDan! This is my cousin for all intensive purposes, but not really because her Dad is my Nino (godfather) and my Parents best-est friend from high school. We grew up together, I've known her since birth and I LOVE HER so she's more like a sister. She has two siblings Yeye and Dee, whom I also LOVE!

DanDan and her family are from the Bay Area so it was always a real treat to visit them. Growing up DanDan was into barbies (mee too), NKOTB (mee too) and BOP Magazine (I wish I was), she was very hip with pop culture.............still is today! Dan also has a passion for music and can sing! She also LOVES Brandon from Incubus!

We were fiesty children. Dan and Momma Mel's, invented Fight Club in our basement one quiet Saturday afternoon. Since you are not suppose to talk about fight club - I won't, but they did and it's a family chuckle we share to this day!

We were always getting into mischief growing up; especially when boys entered the picture. My Nino once chased us, enraged with fury, around a big park. Why, you ask? Because we were with a BOY and at the time boy's were BAD. Especially since the boy was a certain friend of Ye's, who was considered a very BAD boy (at least that is what my Nino thought). He chased us all over the park screaming like a Dad on a mission and when we finally surrendered, he gave us a lecture of a lifetime - It was very embarrassing and horrible for both Dan and myself (and the guy). Dan ran away that night and I hid her in my Granny's house, why? Because that is what sister's do for each other! Did the lecture STOP us from causing more mischief that summer? Heck-No!!!!

We once stole the car to drive to the 7-elevan that was a block away. Yes, we could have walked but we thought we were much cooler than that so we stole the car and bribed Dee with a slurppy and made her come with us so she wouldn't rat us out to my Nino. Horrible!

We were a little naughty at times, but it was all in good fun!

One summer I moved to the bay area to get a break from school and San Diego. Dan and I both worked at the grocery store Nob Hill, different stores of course! A smile spreads wide across my face at the fun had that summer - One of the best!

We were Rock Stars - our Oasis summer! We went to countless concerts, met lots of cute boys and just had a blast!

In our mid-twenties Dan had a little boy - Justin! He's super cute and very cool just like his Momma! I am forever grateful to have a special family like Dan's in my life.

Post Title Inspired by Incubus (Dan's Fav) - "Pardon Me"

"Momma Taught Her How To Rip Up The Town"

2009-05-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

For your Friday Enjoyment!

Do you think these kiddos will regret this picture someday?

Should marriage be in their bright futures, this would make a great slide show picture - Hah!

Title Inspired by - Jason Aldean, "She's Country"

"Of All The Girls Tossing Rocks at Your Window"

2009-04-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have several motives for not blogging for the past month-in-half of which I thought about listing out and explaining each reason, Boring! The post would turn into a long detailed monologue of me explaining my laziness or inability to do more than one creative project at a time, which most of you already know me and can appreciate my flawed character, so I will spare you the details. YIPPI!

We took a family vacation a couple weeks ago to Cali, it was a nice little get-a-way. We spent quality time with both families and our special friends, which was really nice for our family. I got the opportunity to bond with HUBS - CRAZY SISTER - Auntie Carol. I love her! She is so funny, she made me laugh so hard, I almost cried. The things she spat out of her mouth - gut wrenching - I tell you!

Landon got to spend time with his "Cuzzins" This is Emma Bear (my sisters spawn), isn't she getting big? She will be two next month. Landon and Emma were inseparable for the week. These two little rascals did everything together; before this picture was taken they were caught red handed jumping on GiGi's bed and swinging from a fish mobile - Zealous Children!

Easter Sunday and for reason's beyond my comprehension Landon decided he didn't want to take a picture with his cousins or wait patiently in the house while the adults hid eggs - Notice the pout - classic HUBS or is it me?

Those are Landon's adorable cousin's: Ava and Ray. Ava is seven and loves Hannah Montana! She is a gem and since I don't have a daughter she sometimes plays victim to my desire to purchase GIRL CLOTHES!!! She's a good sport. Ray is a couple months younger than Landon and is sooooo cute! I really want to steal this child from his parents and claim him as my own (I'd actually steal my nieces too!). He's so adorable and he WINKS, which makes me swoon and clutch my heart with both hands in admiration. His winks really should be illegal because if he keeps that up, the little girls of his town will be lined up at his door.

All in all it was a perfect trip to Cali! Even the drive was great and I discovered that Nevada in all it's ugly glory along interstate eighty does have a cute little, fresh town - Winnemucca!

Stay tune for more posts about our trip!

Title inspired by Miss Taylor Swift - "Hey Stephen"

Regular Postings Resume

2009-04-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile..................

I've missed my blog and all my friends and family who read and comment on this. March and April have been busy months in our household, but things seem to be settling and so I hope to resume regular posts. I have lots to share as we took a big road trip to Cali for Easter and Landon's 3rd b-day. Three years old - I can't even believe it.

"Meet Me In Outer Space......"

2009-03-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

" We could spend the night - Watch the earth come up" Stellar by Incubus (love this song more than words can express!)

It was a Landon kinda-weekend. For Landon's third birthday we have decided to get him a play structure. Soooooo, Saturday we spent all day shopping for play structures. We drove all over the city and normally that would have made me grouchy, but this time proved to be very fun! And Landon had a blast, he explored all the play structures and was beside himself with excitement.

Rainbow Corp by far had the best showroom and play sets, so much so that we decided to get Landon one. SPOILED BOY, but he deserves it. And since we have a HUGE yard, I declared we needed something equally fitting to fill up the space. The bigger the play equipment, the less landscaping we have to do! Whoo Hoo!!!

This is the structure we are getting Landon - Pretty cool huh?

Because we are semi-cheap ($500 for assembly), we plan on assembling this glorious structure ourselves - Hahahah! I plan on detailing the installation of the structure. It should be comical/entertaining, as I am useless when it comes to these types of things, so I hope to just be a great helper - someone who can make lunch, get drinks and hand people stuff.

Auntie Heather doesn't know it yet, but she will spend her weekend-off, assisting her wonderful brother-in-law! She's STELLAR at this type of stuff and she won't take off HUBS head in a heated moment of frustration- Definite Tool belt Diva!

"Make Your Eyes Catch Fire - The Way They Should"

2009-03-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

I took this picture a couple years ago on a hike we took while camping in Steamboat Springs. I love this picture! It's full of greenery and life. HUBS and I are not hikers, but we enjoyed this hike, it was fun and although strenuous we still had a great time. Colorado is so beautiful!

CONFESSION: I would be a big liar if I told you that a little Twilight Movie commercial seen on T.V. last night didn't excited me. No, no........I simply had no interest. LIAR - I casually walked past the T.V. and didn't even bat an eye - LIAR! I have bigger and better things to do than monkey around with that type of stuff - LIAR!

I was so excited about the commercial that I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned all night. I am really excited about the prospect of watching the movie daily - hehehehe! Whoaahhahaha!

This beautiful flower grows wildly on my Grannie's back porch - I love it. I love the vibrant purple it wears and the soft green leaves. I love how it wraps itself through the lattice. I wish I had these growing on my porch, heck I wish I had a green thumb. I believe this flower is called Clematis, but don't hold me to it, as I am just learning.

Randomness: Landon is currently transitioning to the three year old class and I realized this morning as I dropped him off and big tears filled his eyes and as he clung to my leg for dear life that this is going to be a fun transition. My poor little guy! I am seriously contemplating smuggling him into work and hiding him out in my office all day - Hah!

Update on the USED Panties: Momma Mel's has lost it. She happily informed me that she is not going to remove the panties from the Goodwill bag - NOPE!

In a fluster, I told her they wouldn't accept them and she snidely hissed that the store located in our little town would accept them. She's CRAZY!!!

I believe she is sadly mistaken, but since I can't fathom the thought and take any chances; I called MOMS and tattled my little heart out and she happily agreed to remove the panties from the bag! Hahahahhaha - I tattled on YOU!!!

"Make your eyes catch fire - They way they should" = A Letter to Elise by CURE

"It Takes Aquired Minds To Taste"

2009-03-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

You know what's fun?

Taking pictures of your son while he's eating Cheerios. As you can see from the milk-less bowl that Landon drinks the milk and then eats the Cheerios - Tasty!

Landon is sporting his classic long "rocker" locks. I love his rocker locks. His hair is so shiny, silky soft and I like it long! I love when wisps hang over his ears and the front hangs

hap-hazardly down his forehead - CUTE!

This is why pictures of Landon are few and far between. He doesn't like them and if you want to take a picture of him; you have to wrestle him to the ground, hold him so he can't squirm away and quickly take the picture - It's tiring.

Notice the super spiky short bangs? Dude got a haircut.

And it's short - Daddy short and despite my sadness for no rocker locks, we are having fun spiking up the new cut. Landon is very fashion forward when it comes to his hair - He takes after Momma!

Look at that cute face - stings my heart every time.

_________________________

So I have a little update to the Goodwill panty extravaganza - panties are still in the bag with no hope to be removed. I do hope to laugh through the topic again today with hopes to sway Momma Mel in the direction of righteousness.

On a relating subject: Momma Mel's confessed that at her playgroup the other day she received a gift from another Mother. A thoughtful, heart filled gift of USED little girlie panties for my perfect lil-niece. – FOR THE LOVE! Momma Mel’s tastefully accepted the panties, but instantly pictured me in her head, lecturing her about the panties.

Nooooooo!

"It takes Acquired Minds to Taste" = Born For This by Paramore

"Tears Come Streaming Down Your Face"

2009-03-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

If you are easily disgusted do not read this post.............

Momma Mel’s (Sister #2) and I are currently exchanging views on whether or not it’s OK to donate old panties to Goodwill?

ROLPH!

Her first take on this subject is "YES" as some pretty panties are currently sitting in a Goodwill bag, awaiting delivery to the glorious store.

“But, but they are Victoria Secret!” she confessed through a cackle.

I DON'T CARE - ABSOLUTELY NOT – gross-ick. No used pair of panties is entitled to be circulated through a Goodwill regardless of quality or use – Noooo! There’s no good-will in donating used underwear – Nasty!!! I fathom the idea and dry-heave. Gross.

As for Momma Mel’s there’s some definite confusion, but as of late she has yet to make up her mind on whether to toss or donate because she’s to busy suffering from hysterics and or embarrassment. I can't sway her either way - all she does is laugh and then I start laughing and end of conversation.

Sisters?

Will she remove the USED panties from the bag and toss or will she happily donate to some unsuspecting sole? It's really a question of moral fiber.

Stay tune.

"Tears Come Streaming Down Your Face" = Fix You by Coldplay (I love this song)

"Careless Whispers"

2009-03-10T15:16:00.001-07:00

A couple week's ago someone, someplace (SCHOOL) told Landon about "SECRETS" and so that night, he came home full of "SECRETS." It was really cute and since then he and I indulge one another with little secrets every night - it's great fun!

Last night while getting ready for bed, Landon had a secret. Overjoyed beyond excitement he divulged his secret happily.

In a mere whisper, "Momma, I have a secret!"

Surprised, "You do! Are you going to tell me about?"

He closes-in on my ear, his little hand cupped on the side of his mouth, "I want to eat M&M's with Emma on my birthday!"

Shocked, "YOU DO! Well I think we can make this happen!"

We giggled and wiggled into our PJ's and I promised a whole bag of M&M's for he and his Emma. I am positive Momma Mel's will be thrilled.

Blog title - "Careless Whispers" = Seether (Song originated by George Michael - but we like the Seether version - BEST)

"I Want a Perfect Body"

2009-03-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

If I may; I declare that today; the Monday after the horrible time change, is a Radiohead kinda-of-Monday!

I've been listening to them all morning and although it's been known that Radiohead should be listened to on a dark dreary day - a some-what cloudy day works too! It's the whole Monday thing - I swear!

I think my all-time favorite Radiohead songs are High and Dry and Creep!

_______________________

On a random side note: This weekend after a tireless afternoon of hair cuts, new shoes, a late lunch/dinner and NO NAP; Landon snapped at me. I am not talking verbal snapping, No. I am talking dog snapping, ferocious lion snapping! It was quite amusing - I hide my chuckles and attempted to correct the animalistic behavior to no avail. He starred at me in silence and continued snapping until he passed out and in an effort to cope - I through myself out of the moving car (hahahha, not really, just kidding).

So, now SNAPPING is the child's new thing. If he's MAD, he snaps at you. He bears his pearly whites and then snaps away, making a raspy growl in between snaps! An innocent bystander, would think he's gone mad, but have no fear he hasn't lost his marbles, he's just 2 1/2 and very creative and observant. He actually informed me that he's a scary Lion!

We went to the zoo on Friday and since our adventure Landon has turned into a Lion. At the zoo; he even crawled around on all fours for a short time - growling at people (sorry - zoo patrons). Of course everyone thought it was funny and that he was so cute. I smiled in admiration at the kid and the comments and quickly decided it was LUNCH time!

"I Want A Perfect Body" = Radiohead, Creep!

I'M a LOSER Baby

2009-03-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

I've labeled myself as a LOSER this week for not blogging: L-O-S-E-R.

I am still buried in work. Work that consumes my being and sucks out all my creativeness. I am drained by the end of the day, with no desire to be creative for my blog - sad fate.

I hope to be back with a-ton of creativity soon, but tragically I make no promises. I've been so busy with work and life that I have not even kept up with my favorite blogs - sigh-weep!

Name which artist inspired my blog title?

Nefarious Hyena

2009-02-27T13:23:00.000-08:00

You know how when you are frustrated and you want to voice your frustrations to your husband, but you don't necessarily know the right words to use without making a fool of yourself?

And instead of just keeping your mouth closed like a well mannered individual, you open your mouth and the flood gates loose - diarrhea of the mouth and because shutting your mouth would simply be to easy a task, you continue to the point of no return.

Do you know the feeling?

I am one with the feeling and this week my behavior has been that of nefarious hyena! Horrible!

I am dedicating the following song to myself from my Husband. I can guarantee he can relate to this song - at least this week anyway!

Scream by Chris Cornell
I take a minute to tell you right
And you can say what you want
And turn around every night
Somehow you're always going off

Doesn't matter what I done
Or if I even crossed the line
You start to holler, going for blood
Girl, it doesn't have to be a fight

Throwing out the blame when you know it ain't my fault
Messing with my brain when you wanna see me fall
There may come a time when I don't bother you at all
It isn't my call, it isn't my call

Hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?

There's no need to scream, baby
I'm standing right in front of your face
Why? I know sometimes we don't get along
So Chris sing the second verse to her, like this

Take a minute to tell you now
And I don't have to raise my tone
Take the level and bring it down
I just want you to know

I got no trouble with what you said
I don't even think you're wrong
It's how you say it, you loose your head
Girl, I'm standing right in front of you

Throwing out the blame when you know it ain't my fault
Messing with my brain when you wanna see me fall
There may come a time when I don't bother you at all
It isn't my call, it isn't my call

Hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?

Silence is golden
I used to think that silence was golden
Silence is golden
I used to think that silence was golden

Hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?

Silence is golden
I used to think that silence was golden
Silence is golden
I used to think that silence was golden

You can find the video HERE and YES I am the the crazy screecher in the video - legs and all - hah!

Busy As a Bee

2009-02-25T07:29:00.000-08:00

Because I was so very sick last week and missed a couple (ok, ok, all week) days of work, I am super behind. Work is piled up and I need to put on my SUPER STUD working hat on and get it done.

Deadlines need to be met and meetings need to be had so blogging for this week is going to have to get the back burner - Simply have no time for creativeness.

But........................

I watched the Academy Awards on Sunday and I was borderline "excited" about the whole show! It was GREAT, one of the best.

My Favorite Dresses!

Did you know this dress was vintage - 60+ years old. Very Holly-glam - Beautiful!!!

Heidi is awesome! Love the cut of this dress - totally screams SEXY MOMMA!

Love this dress, but more than the dress - I loved the be-jewels that decorated her neck!

Favorite Earrings!

I LOVED Miss Jessica's earrings - The dress was not a favorite but her earrings were fun, hip and gorgeous!

Favorite Fellas!

I was so tickled that Sean won best Actor - so deserving, so deserving. I am a HUGE fan of Mr. Penn as an actor, activist.....person! Brilliant - not to mention that MILK was sooo good.

Micky Rocks - He screams too cool and I loved his ruff-neck couture outfit! I believe good things will come of this shining star.

Favorite Part of the Academy Awards Show

Beautiful, beautiful Robert Pattinson and his quirky soft spoken demeanor - Luv it! STOP-IT, there's nothing wrong with a thirty something gal totally smitten with a twenty something HOTTIE - Nothing wrong!

Do you know what women my age are called when they have a young-hot trophy boy?

A Cougar - Hehehehehhe! I learned that from the young-ins at work!

Down with the Sickness Part 2

2009-02-20T00:22:00.000-08:00

I've been...............

S oul less - in bed for too many days

I cky - I thought I was dead - no joke

C hills - First came the chills and then the sickness

K isses - I have not received or given any! Who would kiss a person who hasn't bathed days? Or who is contagious with the rotten sickness?

SICK, SICK, SICK - Totally Down with the sickness!

Not So Good Hereditary Trait

2009-02-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Last week I finished the book Breaking Dawn. I took my time reading it, savoring every last word of this wildly contagious book, knowing it was my last little fling with the series. I wanted the book to continue on-forever, but of course that would be too much to ask, so I am now back to reality. No more dreamy Vampires to captivate my imagination………DARN!

I was becoming quite fond of vivid dreams of Edward, Bella and FORKS. I suppose that's what happens when you read until the wee-hours of the night for three straight weeks.

Excellent, Excellent Book - Please, please Stephanie give us more! Please.

Did I mention that MOMS started the Twilight series? She finished book 1 and 2 in record time and because she read lighting fast and I wasn’t quite finished with book 3, she started harassing me! She even threatened the library if I didn’t hurry up and send her the book – CRAZY LADY – Ms. Impatient.

Picture of MOMS, GIG and Me - It's a favorite

According to my sources on the home front, the series has rendered MOMS useless, all she does is read! No cleaning of the house, no laundry, no cooking - Just reading!! I think she even played hooky from work because she pulled an all niter reading Twilight - but no one is suppose to know that little secret.

I called the house the other day to chat with MOMS and since she was reading and didn’t want to be interrupted, she ignored the phone. Now, ordinarily I would have just hung up and called later, but since a little birdie (My DAD) told me that MOMS was there but reading, I became anxiously persistant. She clearly was ignoring me and the phone so she forced me to revert to childish tactics; like screaming into the phone and demanding that she put the book down! Step Away! My sister finally picked up the phone, giggling wildly, to report that MOMS was glued to her book – geez-louise – Sorry to bother you Ms. Jackson!!!! We eventually enticed her to the phone. I had to threaten not sending the fourth book to her. We had a nice dicussion.

Now, that MOMS has read books 1, 2 and 3 and is clearly in the know about Twilight; I enjoy asking her about the book and who she likes better: Wolves or the Vampires? Unlike me, she can never pick between the two.

“Ooh, well I love Edward, but I like Jacob too! Poor Jacob. He’s just………..just so sweet!” she tells me in her MOMS voice. Being a total vampire/Edward fan, I always object!!

But this is all beside the point……………………

Now that I am finished with the books and sincerely miss being entertained by the whole saga. I often find myself on a website that gives me little bursts of Edward, Bella and the whole gang. This website – ooh- this website!!

It’s Fan Fiction-Twilight and I was introduced to this site by a co-worker; who by the way, poked lots of fun at me for the three weeks that I read the books! The site has stories from fans of Twilight, continuations to the books or "what if this happened," it's good stuff. I’ve read some good stories, some not so good but they all seem to satisfy the little void I possess for MORE Twilight.

Dumb books, I am never going to be right again!

Potty Training

2009-02-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

This was our house this weekend.

"Landon, it's time to go potty!"

"Momma, I-not-eed to go potty"

"Landon, come on!" Sighing loudly, "Your wearing big boy underwear and you don't want to have an accident!"

"Ok, Momma but-give me five minutes!" With a hand giving me five

"Five minutes, geez-louise. That's a lot of time. How about I give you one minute?" I ask, humoring myself.

"No, five minutes!" He tells me with an authoritative tone.

"Do you know how long five minutes is?" I ask pensively - If he knows it's all over.

"Yes, starting now - five minutes!"

A silence fills the house and a minute passes by.

"Times-up. Hats five minutes, Momma!"

He ran to the bathroom willingly and excited - Whoo Hoo!

Five minutes - this happened every thirty minutes. The trials of potty training, but I am happy to report that our training session was awesome - Landon did great!

No accidents, granted I took him to the potty every thirty minutes and we didn't leave the house and when we did I put on a pull-up because I have not quite-figured out how I am going to maneuver a dirty public restroom - the horror.

I asked HUBS what he thought and he just cringed. I thought if maybe Landon could just stand and not touch anything we would be OK, but he's not tall enough and not quite there with the whole standing and peering thing - soooo I guess I will have to come up with another idea.

I could carry around a bottle of bleach, wipes and gloves - but I am thinking all that stuff won't quite fit in my purse.

Any Ideas?

Random Factoids About Me

2009-02-05T12:39:00.000-08:00

A blog I read often did this and I thought it would be fun to do it for myself and so I did!!

25 Random Facts about me…………

1. I have a phobia of meeting new people. Don’t really care for it, probably the reason we have a small close knit circle of friends. I usually start feeling really nauseated, palms get clammy, sweat beads drip down my back. I feel like I am going to pass-out dead from the pressure, but I don’t!! Never have! – Neurotic – I realize.

2. I LOVE to wear “pretty” make-up, but I hardly ever wear it. There’s just something exciting about it; the purty packages in my make-up bag, pretty colors, textures - All there for me when I am ready to put on a pretty face.

3. I don’t like leftovers, but I don’t like to waste food so I save them!! It doesn’t seem so bad to toss stuff out after it goes sour.

4. My number one indulgence in life is getting my hair done – LOVE IT!

5. When I was little I wanted to be a Marine Biologist – I loved the sea and all the little creates, big ones too(still love it) – my favorite place to visit was Monterey Bay Aquarium

6. I never thought I would get married and have babies – I thought my life would resemble that of a career driving, no time for nonsense person. I am GLAD my plans took a drastic turn for the better!

7. The night I met my husband, I knew deep down in my loins (do I even have loins?) that I would marry him.

8. When I found out we were having a Baby Boy – I cried! I was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt I was having a girl.

9. I once made my sister eat deer scat – HORRIBLE – I told her it was fruit wrinkles.

10. My Husband was the first LOVER I ever truly felt comfortable around – I could be myself – I could act silly, dumb, weird and he still loved me! Why? Because he is all of those and CUTE.

11. On Saturday mornings, I love putting on my favorite tunes and dancing around the house. I sing too!! Landon thinks it's so funny that he does it too!

12. In sixth grade I played the clarinet and I really like it, but since band people were considered DORKS, I stopped - LOSER

13. Once while skiing at my least favorite resort we did a difficult run, I was so FREAKED out that I took off my skies and walked down the mountain. SHAMEFUL.

14. I love teen drama sitcoms on T.V. OLD 90210, The OC, One Tree Hill, NEW 90210 and Gossip Girl – LUV THEM, can’t get enough.

15. I always thought it would be FUN/slightly amusing to be a “Penny Lane” to my favorite band – HOOCHIE MAMMA! And that band would be???? Any guesses?

16. I call screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches – Power Tools , just to make Danny cringe. I also, always play a damsel in distress when it comes to tools and fixing things so Danny has to help me.

17. When first dating Danny, I confessed to him that I didn’t know how to cook, I wasn’t domestic and why would he want a wife like that? Total lie, but it didn’t faze him!

18. Mushy LOVE cards – make me sick, but I love a good romantic book/movie.

19. When I get to “let my hair down” and “kick up my heels” I feel invigorated and forever young.

20. I am OCD at work, but not at home. I am actually borderline MESSY, with a tinge of clutter happiness.

21. I have phone-itis – I dislike talking on the phone. I’ll text message a whole conversation just so I don’t have to talk.

22. I enjoy making up nicknames for people I love: Landon is “Deaners”, Cleo was “MUSH”, Cody is “DUDE”, Danny is “HUBS/Luva”, Maria is “MY MARIA”, Auntie Heather is “AYA”, Auntie Mel is “Mulan/Melania”, Auntie Kathy is “Auntie KK”, My Grandma is “GIGI”, My Mom is “Grannnndmaaaa”, Emma is “EMMY BEAR” and Estella is “Stila” I have a lot more but I will save you from my silly antics.

23. I love Starbucks coffee and the whole experience of going to get coffee there – Way too much excitement.

24. Music soothes the savage beast that resides within!

25. When girls act – over the top girly. I moan and groan inside and swallow back the bile that rises up my throat.

Forever Young

2009-02-03T08:02:00.000-08:00

Do you remember this song from the late eighties?

I can recall, clear as day, the first time I heard this song. I was in the fourth grade at my friend Erin's house. Erin was the youngest of three siblings, a brother and sister. Erin's sister was in high school and because we lacked common sense, we always spied on her and her boyfriend. The two were madly in love and had the most steamy make-out sessions! One particular day we were being overly obnoxious to her sister and her boyfriend, we wanted to hang out with them. Wanted so badly to be cool, just like them. We were intruding all over their privacy, as they lounged around her bedroom listening to a new tape. It was Alphaville and would you believe their favorite song was Forever Young.

I never in my life heard such a melody, it was good! Every word stinging my little conscience. Was I even old enough to make sense of the words?

Since then, whenever I cross paths with this song, I remember that day. Ack! The innocence of being in the fourth grade and forever young.

Alphaville - Forever Young

Let's dance in style, let's dance for awhile
Heaven can wait were only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you going to drop the bomb or not?

Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The musics for the sad men

Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders were getting in tune
The musics played by the madmen

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever

Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later they all will be gone
Why don't they stay young

It's so hard to get old without a cause
I don't want to perish like a fading horse
Youth is like in the sun
And diamonds are forever

So many adventures couldn't happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams are swinging out of the blue
We let them come true.

The Monster Child

2009-02-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

My Little Pumpkin Doodle had a ruff weekend...........a terrible-two-weekend. One minute he was sweet and almost angelic like and the next he was a MONSTER that sent Danny and I running for safety.

I feel like I am airing my "dirty laundry" but if writing about it will make me feel better, well then, I am going to let it out.

Yesterday, was the worst. One minute he would be happy and then in a split second his mood would change to devious devil child, with no sense. We have lucked out for most of the year with the terrible-two phase - THANK GOODNESS. Landon has been a very pleasant, happy child................we have been happy parents!

But, yesterday there was minimal happiness in our house and that makes me sad/frustrated. I want a happy house, but most important I want a happy little boy. One who doesn't talk back, spit food out or throw violent temper tantrums (no exaggeration here - my friends).

You feel super helpless as a parent when you can't make it all cease, make it all better. I feel short of a failure. When the kid turns crazy, everyone in the house (even the dog) tenses up and starts acting out-of-the ordinary. We try hard to keep a united front, to stay on top of the less than stellar behaviors, to stay focused but sometimes it's just impossible and everything comes unraveled. Chaos!

I do realize it's a phase and my son will return one of these days, but what if he doesn't and I am forever "blessed" with a monster child!! Slightly terrified. I've seen first hand an adult monster child and that is not what I want for my son - no way! My cousin was a monster child, with no boundaries, no discipline and now he's a monster adult, who is a big burden on my poor little Grandma.

My cute little guy! He's so Innocent and full of life, it's contagious but he does have a monster streak that needs to be tamed.

Ooh-for-the-love of all things terrible-two!

Will I survive the madness or will I crumble to pieces in defeat? Well............I am always up for a good challenge so I do suppose I will forge forward and work with HUBS to get this monster behavior under control because it would not be very "American" of us to unleash this monster on society in 17 years - no sirree.

Friday Ramblings

2009-01-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

Doesn't my new blog background remind you of No Doubt? It does me. No Doubt is one of my most favorite bands, I am very excited they have united to tour this summer - Whoo Hoo. They will be touring with a new favorite - Paramore.

I am very happy it's Friday. I love Friday's, it's my favorite day of the week. Why you ask? Because I have two days of NO-Work. Two days of happy-family time, Two days of me doing all the things I want to do. Heheheheh!

The Fray's 2nd album comes out on Tuesday, but if you want to listen to it you can go HERE, it's good.

AYA comes home from her vacation - Yea! I am happy, but most happy because she is bringing MY BOOK, the book that I have been feining over since last Saturday - YIPPI - Sorry HUBS - I am about to check out...hmmmmm.....just about the time the Superbowl starts.

Did you know that I have a slight obsession with long dankly earrings, scarfs, bracelets and necklaces - I love jewelry. I love to be-jewel myself. Hehehhe, on New Years - BFF Maria and I stood in her bathroom for 30 minutes be-jeweling ourselves. It was hilarious; she would dawn herself with a random sparkly jewel and then I would one-up her. By the time we finished laughing at one another, we had all her jewelry on and we looked like gypsies. It was fun!

Do you read Dooce - If you don't then you probably missed this. OMG - Heather makes me laugh until I pee! I love her.

Last night, HUBS seared the side of my foot with his razor sharp talons - Ouch! The scratch bothered me all night - it still hurts this morning. He's gonna get it!

Tonight is suppose to be a date night, but HUBS and I can't agree on a movie. He wants to see Grand Torino, which I am not totally opposed too, BUT I want to see MILK (OMG - that movie looks soooo good). I told him we could have a nice dinner and then go see seperate movies, but he didn't think that was such a great idea.

On my 19th birthday I treated myself to see the movie Evita. It was the first time I went to a movie alone. It was a little sad and I felt like a total loser, but I soon discovered that it was rather nice to fly solo to a movie. You didn't have to talk with anyone. You didn't have to share your popcorn. You could take-in the movie in peace - It was nice!

HUBS b-day is in 29 days! I will have to start thinking-up something "fun" to do. Perhaps something overly romantic or maybe a ski trip? The possibilities.

Landon's Little Crush on The Girl

2009-01-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

While on our vacation, Landon fell in love! He fell in love with Estella (and Maria). The two played and played until each of their hearts was content.

They fought too and Landon teased her daily, but it was a good "I am sooooo in love with you" tease...you know the tease girls. The tease that renders you helpless and you find yourself desiring more teasing from the HUNK....yes, that is the one.

Landon caught on very quick that he could "get under" Estellas heart through her Momma and that's exactly what he did. He would flirt with Maria and love-on her just to get the attention of his one true love, Estella!

Estella got Landon Gator Golf for Christmas. Landon loved it, the two played that game one afternoon and the innocent fun that unfolded was too sweet for words. They chased one another, giggled and helped one another hit the ball into the Gator's mouth. It was classic - good-ol-fun

Landon asks about "Stee-lla, Ria" and "Crazy Jake" daily. He wants to know what they are doing, where they are and when he's going to see them next. He told me he wants to move to San Diego to play with Estella and it stung my heart - He's in love, but who couldn't love the Reifers? I find them to be rather contagious and I too am in love with them!!

Love holds no age limitations, even a little guy can succumb to the Love Bug!

The Perils of the Cold Weather

2009-01-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

While on vacay in California's best city, we had a "family day." We spent a wonderful afternoon soaking up the Cali rays with our dear, dear pals the Reifers. The day was gorgeous! How can anyone deny that this weather isn't the best on the planet! You can't, it's undeniable. Just look at the blue, blue sky - so inviting. It screams, "Come Live Here!"

It's days like today; when the weather is freezing, the wind stings your face, snowing and basically miserable that I long for a warmer place - the Beach!

Hello, Beach!

Hello soft beautiful sand!

Hello bright beautiful sunshine!

I can easily see myself relaxing in the sand, enjoying the sun; while HUBS and Landon frolic about in the deep blue sea! It is day dreams such as these that make me tolerate the nasty weather we had this weekend and are having today.

On a random side note; I finished the book Eclipse, the third book of the Twilight series. I am embarrassed to confess, that I went on another psychotic reading bender and finished the book in a 24-hour time period.

"Sucker was Good!"

I loved how the book went into Rosalie and Jasper's stories. Jasper is definitely one of my fav character's besides the obvious favorites. I was slightly disappointed in Jacobs "cocky" behavior. His smugness, on more than one occasion, made me want to throw the book across the room but I refrained!

The whole Jacob/Bella are we friends, lovers - was slightly annoying to me as well, but, HAHAHAHAH - I knew Edward would be crowned the winner in the end!!! Another great book, love it.

Unfortunately, my sister took the fourth book on her vacation, DARN IT and now I am going to have to wait until she returns to start the book and well that's making me slightly cranky! Heheheheh! I am so obsessed, but so are a-million others who read the books. It makes me at ease that I am not alone in my madness!

New Moom - Psychotic Episode Two

2009-01-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

I have three chapters to go until I finish this book!

Boy, is it tantalizing and filled with wild adventure. Last night, the book got so darn-good that I became a little overwhelmed (psychotic) with the desire to just finish the whole-darn book. I couldn't put it down, thus causing a coma induced, drool all over my pillow slumber.

Edward came back - I knew he would.

The darn-book and all it's emotional luster made me tear up! I sat devastated as I read the part where Edward breaks up, if-you-will, with Bella. Exposed, helpless and alone she surrenders her love in defeat. Gut-wrenching!

HUBS glanced over as I squeezed the tears from my eyes. He gazed upon me with that look...........Ooh, you know the one. The one that questions your very sanity!

I am a SUCKER (not to be confused with blood sucker-hah!) for romance - Who cares! Leave me, let me be.

This book was nothing what I excpected it to be, but all the same it's been great and I can't wait to get to the end.

Quirky Office Dynamics

2009-01-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

Do you ever sit back and conspicuously watch your co-workers and the office dynamics? I do, it’s one of my favorite work past times.

For the last ten years, I’ve worked in various organizations across my company and no matter where or whom I work with it always appears that each organization has the same office dynamics. One would think that Human Resource Professionals would be the polar opposite of Engineering Professionals and in most instances there are, but for the most part they are similar.

There is always the Habitual Complainers, the Uptights/Over Achievers, the Outcasts, the Beautiful People, the Jokers and those that reside in between - Normal Peeps. If I could compare it to anything; something we all can relate to, it would be high school. Minus the bad acne, and the geeky awkwardness.

Where do I fall? Well………..of course the beautiful people, duh!!! HAH! Just kidding, only in my dreams!

The beautiful people tend to be young ambitious, well manicured Ivy Leaguers. They overly socialize and are well developed in the community as they mature within the Corporation. I am intimidated by these folks, I shy away, plus I could never afford the beautiful clothes they wear. I do know a couple and I am always in awe of their overall intelligence.

In no way am I the Habitual Complainer, seeing as I tend to have to make those people happy and if I were to complain, who would honestly listen and make me happy? These people often fall into the “Pretty People” group or the “Uptights” There are times the Habitual Complainer is just a complainer and nothing else and those people just need a hug or perhaps a stronger dose of Prozac.

Uptight/Overachievers? Nope. I can never take work that serious and seeing that I have taken the career path I have, I have no desire to overachieve and someday be the President of my company. Nope, not for me. Not gonna happen - I am into too many indulgences that have nothing to do with work, nope - not a chance.

Outcasts? Noooooo. These folks stick to themselves. Talk with them is minimal if any and more often than not they are in a total state of delusion, or appear to be! They are mysterious and no one really knows who they really are. I definitely do not fall into this category, although I do see the advantages of it.

Jokers, Definite possibly! I am always doing something to make someone or myself laugh. I never take anything too seriously and well, I tend to surround myself with folks who are funny, light hearted and interesting to be around – I am a Joker!

Normal Peeps, Definitely! They come to work, do their job to the best of their ability, excel in most areas, but do not make a big deal about it. They socialize, but not to the extent of over indulgence. They dabble in/out of each class and seem to be well rounded individuals. On a good day, I would totally consider myself a NORMAL PEEP.

So there you have it; my office dynamics that entertain me on a daily basis. The people I work with never cease to amaze me, intrigue me and entertain me.

Did you Hear?

2009-01-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Growing up my family was pretty open when it came to knowing everyone’s business; a kept secret was an unheard of, inconceivable gesture. That’s the way we grew up, that was the norm.

It was very normal for Grandpa, my Aunts or Mom to spill the beans about something during a family dinner, perfectly normal. As you can imagine this caused a little chaos, but it was good chaos, one of a close knit family.

Today, our tradition of un-kept secrets is thriving and very alive in all our households. Each of us 100% guilty, some more than others of not keeping secrets.

It usually goes a little something like this, it’s hilarious!

I will tell my Mom something with a disclaimer, “Don’t tell anyone, especially the girls!”

I confess my secret to my Mom, “I promise not to say a word!”

MOMS in casual conversation with Mel, will spill the beans. (Note: These two are guilty as charged 99.9% of the time)

MELS then squeals with delight about the secret and immediately spills the beans to AUNTIE KK and anyone else who will listen.

(MELS is very sneaky about uncovering secrets, she will trick you in order to find out about what another family member told you – Secret agent)

Auntie KK, being a very loyal daughter to GIGI, more often than not spills the beans to her.

GIGI will sometimes spill the beans too!

Moms or Mel will usually tell (or I will) Heather and more often than not Heather will ask me whether it’s true or not.

True so true!!

And we go round and round, with each of us being the “Spiller of the Beans!”

Do not for one second think the Men in our family are exempt from these shenanigans, no way!! They too are willing participants in our little NO SECRETS game and more often than not, they start the madness.

I have learned in my years to keep FRIEND secrets very sacred and very separate from the family of un-secret keepers, so I am qualified in secret keeping, just not with the family, hehehehhe!

My Psychotic Reading Episode

2009-01-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

Have I told you that I am a psycho reader? It's true, I am, I love to read. It's the main reason I don't read much because once I start............I can't stop and everything goes to the waste side, including my family and house obligations.

With that said............

For sometime now I have been wanting to start the Twilight series. I read many great things about the books. I read about Stephanie Meyer, how the books came to be, about each book and I was totally intrigued.

Due to our busy holiday schedule I waited to start the books, but when I returned from vacation I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my sister had started to read Twilight (she too was intrigued). She had borrowed the book from a friend and read it in record time (a week, which is very fast for her). Unfortunately, she had to return the book so my infatuation would have wait.

Friday, when I got home from work and picking up Landon. My sister surprised me with the book! Obsessed and addicted, she bought the first and second book. She is a GREAT sister, I tell ya!

I held off as long as I could from plopping myself down on the couch with the book, but I finally did and there I stayed for most of the night, only taking one slight break to eat dinner with the family. It was brilliant, captivating, riveting, but most of all addicting. I read well into the wee-hours of the morning, my eyes stinking with sleepless pain. I couldn't put it down. I finally dozed off sometime around 3:30 AM, but I slept restless and thought not of sleep, only of Edward and Bella. I wanted the book, I needed the book.

Hubs tended to Landon Saturday morning as I "pretended" to sleep, but sleep I did not. I sunk dreamily into the bed, encased in my pillows and peacefully read a couple chapters. After a couple hours, Landon decided to "Wake up Momma." Much to their surprise I was reading.

I managed to put the book down for a couple hours to clean and tend to my family obligations, but as soon as nap time came around, there I was on the couch, book in had, delightfully lost in the romance of Edward and Bella. I remained on that couch until I finished the book, which was early evening.

Talk about record time! I won't even go into the moot details of the book and how I loved every word, every page...........................all I think about is starting the next book. I am obsessed, literally. HUBS did make me promise that I read the next book more leisurely and not so psychotic. I promised!

Sunday night, my sister and I went to see the movie. It was good, not nearly as good as the book but I liked it and will go see others.

I am well on my way to fulfilling a New Years resolution of reading more............Ooh am I.

Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys......and a whittle Cowboy

2009-01-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

The Stock Show was a blast, we had a great time with a few minor hiccups. The night was filled with a lot of 8 second rides, lot’s of hunky cowboys (Yee-Haw) and a lot of RANK bulls! We were excited to discover that most of our favorite riders were there competing – Whoo Hoo! Brian Canter won the event, which was cool because (among others: JB Mauney, Pistol Robinson, Ross Coleman………..etc, etc) he is one of my favorites and I love to see my favorites WIN!

HICCUP #1 - It never occurred to me that Landon would be afraid of the fireworks/light show, never even thought about it!!! If I had thought about it, I would have been prepared and we could have taken him out of the arena, thus causing no anxiety driven fits……but…….since I was so excited about the whole darn thing (I like the word darn today!), I didn’t even toss a brain cell in that direction. As soon as darkness fell upon the arena and the green laser’s danced haphazardly on the dirt, fireworks bursting brightly into the sky; Landon lost all sense of normalcy, which sent him into hysterics. He climbed onto my lap and up my torso, crying and clawing at my face. After a couple moments of realizing he wasn’t going to calm down, Danny snatched him up and took him out of the arena. Once in the light, he calmed down. They walked around for a few minutes, Landon batting his big browns up at Daddy, which got him a couple cool bull riding toys and a neat sticker from some Police Man.

Possessing a little selfishness (especially for Cowboys on Bulls….in CINCH jeans, mercy me), I stayed back and watched the fancy light show and the Cowboys coming out from behind the chutes to bravely stand in the ring of PBR fire, it was neato!

The boys joined me as soon as the lights came back on, but sadly Landon was no longer in the mood to watch the bulls. He sulked in our arms with his loot and asked every 10-15 minutes when we were going home, which is really unlike him because he’s usually cheering, throwing his cowboy hat around on great rides – He’s usually really into it. Poor little kid! Traumatized by the dark arena! Mental note 2,564

Sorry no visuals, HICCUP #2, but as I’ve said in other posts, my camera is a little complex and I couldn’t figure out the adjustments for lighting so all my pictures were coming out DARK and you couldn’t see a darn thing! I seriously need to take a camera class or go sit with someone who really knows what’s going on with the digital slrs. It’s a travesty.

More Landonisms

2009-01-14T08:44:00.000-08:00

My Baby is getting big! This morning I learned that on the first he will be moving up to the next class. I have mixed emotions about the move. His teacher assures me he's ready and will be moving up with all his buddies, but my gut feeling tells me that we have some "excitement" in store for us. I stopped making regular posts about Preschool because things have not really changed since we started, YES, he's progressed well and is right where he should be, maybe even a little ahead of the rest BUT...............every morning drop-off remains a challenge! The child is a-ok, until we pull into the parking lot of the school and park. All panic ensues, as he turns into a little introvert, when in all reality he is an EXTROVERT. He clings onto my leg, with every once of strength. It's a sight - I tell ya! I am told that as soon as I leave, he's fine!!! Go figure that one.

I believe a new teacher, new classroom will only make this more of a challenge, but I guess this is what progress and getting older is all about, right? My little boy! My heart aches for the little blue bundle of joy we brought home, for the "whittle" boy rolling and crawling all over the house, for the fascinated Cowboy in love with bull riding - Why can't he just stay "whittle" forever, it's such a magiacal time!

Tonight, we are taking the Boy to see Bull Riding. We surprised him with tickets on Tuesday and he's been beside himself with excitement. He's infatuated with Bull Riding. My darling sister bought him bull riding dvd's for Christmas (cuz the weekend events were not good enough) and I am not joking when I say, that he's watched them at least once a day since Christmas, he loves it. He can name all the Cowboys, he's starting to recognize the bulls and he can recite some of the quirky sayings, mind you, he's two. The other night, while tucking him into bed, he informed me that his name was "Ross - Ross Coleman" (Ross is a bull rider). As of late, he's had several alias's........Justin, Ross, J-Dub, JB........the list goes on. We really never know whose going to show up for dinner! It's pure comical!

This morning I went to put his khaki pants on him and he protested, telling me that "Cowboys wear jeans, not those," as he pointed to the sad looking khaki pants. I chuckled and went along with his shenanigans for a short time, convincing him that he will get to change before heading to the arena. He finally agreed to put the khaki's on but reminded me that if he didn't have jeans on that he wouldn't get to ride the bulls. Where does he comes up with this? As if he's just going to be able to walk into the arena and ride the bulls!

Silly Kiddo.

LANDONISMS

2009-01-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

The other day I was going thou my December pictures and noticed this picture of my TURKEY, sticking his tongue out at me! What in the world? I never even noticed this while taking the picture.

I showed him the picture and asked, "What are you doing in this picture?" He smiled and simply replied, "I be funny, Momma!" Little did I know!!! The innocence of my child always brings a smile to my face! I wish I can bottle it up and savor it for a small eternity.

My Hopes for the New Year

2009-01-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

Today, I thought I would share my new year’s resolutions for 2009 in hopes that if I share them with my blogging community, friends and family that somehow I may follow thru and they will not end up as useless thoughts on paper. If you read this blog or know me, you know I am a big procrastinator, the biggest. I never follow thru with resolutions, but this year, I am going to make a valiant effort. I am becoming more mature and with that comes a desire to follow thru on things, it’s time!

Be more patient when it comes to my favorite two year old and with patience comes a better understanding of life as a two year old. I sometimes forget his capabilities and how young he really is.

Develop better eating habits for the family. Cook more tasty meals and get less take-out. Chile's and the Chinese Food restaurant are going to miss me.

Get active. Try to exercise at least four times a week

Get the house organized. I am guilty of organized chaos and letting things pile up on the desk, counters………..any open space!

Write/Read more, watch less TV

Take a photography class – so I can use my camera to its full capabilities

Spruce up my romantic side for HUBS

Get more creative in regards to doing things yourself, rather than just buying stuff.

Do special little things to make life more exciting for the family

Love, Laugh and just be Happy and hopeful for the future.

Birthday Brunch at The Cottage

2009-01-07T13:41:00.000-08:00

For my birthday, my girls took me to brunch at a wonderful little quaint restaurant in La Jolla, called The Cottage. YUMMY, the cuisine was simple, yet totally splendid.

Maria and I sipped tangerine mimosas, which were soooo tasty. We ate far too much, the yogurt was decadent goodness and I do believe I hoarded the bowl to myself, after all it was my birthday lunch and I could!! I considered licking the bowel, but dare not due to the fact that my friends might have died in laughter and we were in posh La Jolla!!

Us girls giggled wildly at one another, almost a faint borderline annoyance to other patrons, but we didn't care. We laughed about our lives and old times. We cackled about our husbands, smiled about our children and spoke of new years resolutions we were hoping to pursue.

It was a wonderful birthday celebration!

We finished up our lunch purchasing the restaurants homemade granola, OMG, the granola!!! It's tasty, yummy, out of this world and I just discovered I can buy it online and have it shipped to me in the cold, cold rocky mountains...........snow everywhere. I will relish in my granola and with every morsel of goodness that touches my lips, I will think BEACH and remember that day, the misty smell of the ocean air, the tasty food we consumed, baby Jaycee curled up on her Mommas shoulder and us girls together in love in friendship.

Back to the Wonders of Life

2009-01-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

Our trip to SoCal was Wonderful. It's hard to come back to the reality or worse, life back in freezing cold temperatures. The mild, almost chilly weather in SoCal was a wonderful treat. Spending time with my most favorite girlfriends was also a magnificent treat. We laughed, cackled and carried on for hours about life as Mothers and Wives. It's nice to know you are not the only one struggling with the challenges of being a Mother. I love my girlfriends.

Landon had a wonderful time with his buddy, Estella and well to say that HUBS had a wonderful time would be an understatement. He spent his eleven days golfing and drinking beer with his buddies - two if his most favorite things in life!

Back to Reality - I also turned a year older yesterday! Splendid day, spent lounging around the house and doing absolutely - NOTHING!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2008-12-18T08:10:00.000-08:00

From now, today, until the end of the year posting will be minimal if anything at all. HUBS, Landon and I are packing up and heading west for the holidays. We will be spending eleven fun filled days in sunny San Diego, with our bestest buds in all the land! Landon will get to run around and cause havoc with his future wife, Estella and we get to meet the new baby!

Whoo Hoo!

The weather has been so frigid here, the thought of mild weather in SD is too exciting for me to fathom. I can't wait to introduce Landon to the beach! He's going to love it or despise it but either way it's going to be exciting.

This picture sums up my feelings of excitement for our trip! Tie dye, socks, crocks, bed head and all - Soooooooooooo excited.

How Cold is Cold?

2008-12-16T07:24:00.001-08:00

It's burrrrrr cold in our parts! Sunday, Yesterday and Today have been record breaking freezing. It's so cold out that when you step outside, it takes your breath away!

Remember that song Take My Breath Away, the one from Top Gun? I loved that movie for a couple decades! The volleyball scene, literally took my breath away like the weather.

OH and there is tons of snow, EVERYWHERE and it's suppose to snow again. Next week will not come soon enough for us - SD here we come. I hope the weather cooperates and is mildly sunny, thin jacket weather????

My g-friend had her baby last night! Whoo Hoo. I am excited for her, she is going to be an amazing mother. She has wanted to be a MOMMY for the longest time - Excited! I can't wait to meet the lil-baby, to hold her, kiss her and put her in all the cute outfits that I bought her.

Not sure why, but lately I have been having that feeling................the feeling of adding another baby to our mix! As my eggies desire to be fertilized, my thoughts overwhelm me, another baby, could I do it??? Landon is at a great age, he's fun, becoming more independant.......why should we add another? We are so passed the baby stage that why on earth would I want to go back? My answer............because Landon needs a sibling!!! I need a baby girl (or boy, whichever), to hold, to smell and treasure. Landon is in this I LOVE BABY stage, where all he wants to do is hold babies and play with them. He'd make a great big brother. For the longest time I thought one child was good, we didn't need anymore, but that's not fair. My life would be incomplete with out my sisters! What better gift could we give Landon?

I guess only time will tell if I caught the baby bug!

Babies, babies - EVERY WHERE!

Our Journey Into the Woods

2008-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we ventured deep into the forest in search of the perfect

Christmas tree. Every year we join The Green Family and other close friends to get our tree. It's always a great time full of smiles, lots of pine scented trees and FOOD! Mr. Green always makes way too much good food, which is so hard to resist. Love the food.

This was the first year Landon ventured out on his own. He ran around the forest like a wild animal. Due to the warm days prior to getting our trees, the snow was minimal, which is really good because there have been years when the snow is DEEP, almost too deep to for finding the perfect tree.

Landon was trying to hid behind the tree, little does he know I can see him.

Our friends Chris and Angie with their tree. Notice the hardware in Chris hand, yikes!! Chris is an avid Outdoors man, he was showing Landon all the Elk tracks we came across! I on the other hand, pointed out all the animal scat we came across! Gross.

Bet you didn't know HUBS likes to cheeze it up.

Cheese!

Before you, sits one of the trees that caught my eye. I will now confess that I LOVE Charlie Brown trees, LOVE them. The less branches, the better. Growing up we always had full big trees, but not here, I love trees with big open spaces.

Shane and Amie found the perfect tree for their first Christmas as HUBS and Wifey! Trees in the forest are never perfect, which makes them all the more special.

After hiking all over the forest, we found the perfect tree. Landon and HUBS cut it down and HUBS carried it back to the car. It's a great tree, fairly full with only one gaping section of missing branches which can easily be disguised up against the wall.

Our little Charlie Brown Tree.

Tis the Season to be Jolly

2008-12-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here's my Baby at his Christmas performance last week. Can you tell he wasn't too happy? This was the happiest he looked the whole time on stage, adorable I know.

Look at that nerdy argyle sweater I just had to buy for him to wear - Poor kid, maybe he's mad about the sweater?

Yes, that is his finger in his nose.

Such a classic shot, he's gonna love that one when he gets older.

It's fall off your chair hilarious on DVD.

This is Landon's class - What a bunch of vibrant cuties. I swooned over all the little girls in their pretty festive dresses - So adorable.

Landon has three teachers in his class, one is his head teacher and we LOVE her. The other two are teacher assistants and well let's just say that we love them "most of the time." Anyhow, one of the TA's wore a very fitting velvet dress - very festive, but not really appropriate attire for a preschool Christmas performance. Sweet, sweet Aya pointed it out and then proceeded to giggle (or perhaps cackle) about the dress the whole performance, which caused me to giggle and then HUBS started giggling - Perfect demonstration of our maturity level!!

Landon and his favorite, favorite person in all the land - AYA!!!! I can't wait for AYA to have babies that I can spoil rotten and put them in HANDY MANNY chonies to decorate the family Christmas Tree! Thanks AYA - Just you wait - My PRETTY!!!!!

Pancakes or Bust

2008-12-06T07:19:00.000-08:00

Landon's favorite breakfast is Pancakes

Since I tend to over sleep on the week days and morning time escapes me, Landon usually doesn't get pancakes until the weekend. Although, the other morning I woke up early and made him pancakes. Shocked it wasn't the weekend, he wanted nothing to do with them.

"No ancakes, Momma!"

I was crushed and so I ate them and boy were they tasty! I think Landon likes pancakes so much because I always allow him to make-up the batter. I measure everything out and then he goes to town, pouring and stirring. He surprises me at how meticulous he is when making pancakes, he's mess free, too! We have not reached the readiness of the stove, but he happily stands and watches as I attempt to make Mickey Mouse pancakes and other easy to pour figures.

When I was little and us girls stayed the night with our Grandparents, my Granny always made us pancakes. She always let us stir, pour, measure and Always, Always made them into different shapes, animals and people. It was great fun and Granny's pancakes were always the best; perfectly flat, fluffy, tasty and always cooked to perfection. I have yet to make the caliber of pancakes Granny does, but mine are good and we all seem to devour them.

Gotta go make some pancakes!

Grouchy Girl - Ova Here!

2008-12-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wake up in the morning, start your day and some itty-bitty issue interrupts your morning and then everything progressively goes to CRAP and you stand in your overly stuffed closet and curse working Fridays, because if you didn't have to go to work, you could be snuggled in your warm bed, not fussing with trying to find warm clothes to wear to work in ZERO degree temperatures - no joke. It's 14 degrees, with negative 3 windchill. It's freezing.

This is me today..............I am a mess and just want to TAKE TWO - start it all over.

BTW - I realized this morning, I have no suitable gloves for this frigid weather. My sister and I came to the conclusion that we have an House Elf, who thieves our mittens (and white socks). I have big ski gloves that are just not day-to-day functional and then I have soft leather fur gloves, which are for nice outings. My Granny did purchase me some really cute mittens for x-mas, but I swore I wouldn't open any gifts until Christmas and I could sneak, but somehow I know she would find out.

Landon was being a little feisty today, too and since my mood was less than pleasant, I wasn't the best I could be with him. I was short and inpatient, which is not good when dealing with a feisty two-year old. During mood swings such as these, we often get into little squabbles and HUBS has to come to the rescue, sending us both to our respective corners. I realize I am an adult - his Mother and I shouldn't act this way, but sometimes I really can't help it and then after when it's all said and done and we have made nice - I still feel like a RAGING jerk and I have feelings of guilt for acting so moody and childish towards my son. Urgh!

HUBS said "bye" to me this morning and my reply to him was "BAH-HUM-BUG" Shameful behavior.

I am currently cowring behind my desk with a ugly scowl. While on my last phone call, for a brief second I contemplated beating the receiver repeatedly on the desk, the phone, the printer.........but I didn't......but I wanted too!!!! Pushy Dudes (hahahah DUDES - can you imagine calling your co-workers, DUDES!!! Hahahahha), who think the world revolves around them are not OK with me today!!!!

Take-Two............of these and call me in the morning.

Take-Two............go back to bed and wake-up a happier person.

As I get to the end of this random, pointless post - I feel slightly better about myself. Thanks for letting me vent - I am not crazy, just today, just right now. I have been exchanging emails with my Auntie K and she always cheers me up. She is witty, funny and always turns my frown upside down.

My Fun Filled Night Out - Date Night

2008-12-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

12/4 - Update - Landon's performance went well, he suffered a little stage freight that rendered him speechless, motionless, but there was not loud cries for help or gnashing at the teeth. We all agreed it went well for a group of feisty two-year olds. Landon's teacher is so cute and was so nervous, she was very proud of her Turtles!!!!
________________________________________
Last night HUBS took me to “the city” to see a concert. Our first concert in a Year and Half, ouch!

HUBS and I used to go to at least one concert a month, WE WERE ROCKERS, but now that we are respectable adults (whoa-hahahah), with responsibilities and a child (who is too young to go to said concerts) so we don’t go as often.

Last night we saw Staind, Seether and Papa Roach; bands we have seen before and really enjoyed. It felt so invigorating and adventurous to be out amongst the city folk, the young ins, the rockers. We saw many questionable people, partaking in very questionable “stuff,” which makes the evening all the more interesting and a constant reminder of just how happy I am to be 31, married with a wonderful son. Hahahahhahahah!!!

TANGENT - The YOUNG, clueless individuals of the female gender tend to act so DUMB at these types of concerts. I couldn’t help but roll my browns at them in sympathy because when it’s all said and done and the tour buses have drove away to their next city – Is it really NECESSARY to wear mere threads of clothing? Sell your sole to the gods of ROCK and disrespect yourself…..NO, NO, NO nessisito!!!! It’s not OK to get sloppy drunk and throw yourself at unsuspecting ROCK STARS, who might have the slight urge to partake in a little Reindeer Games with dirty little girls, URGH!!!!!! The MOTHER in me really comes out at times like this and it takes HUBS shoving another pricey beer in my hand to relax and just enjoy the show, to forget about the carelessness of young girls.

The show was GREAT.

Papa Roach, who I have seen a couple times was good. I have not seen them in some time and forgot just how good-of-a front man Mr. Shaddix is. He most defiantly got the crowd on it’s feet and hyped up for the show. They sang two new songs and then some oldies but goodies. I really felt old when he asked the crowd if they wanted to “go old school” and then sang something from their first album, Infest. Mr. Shaddix also did something I have never seen before at a concert………….he jumped off stage into the crowd and proceeded to sing his way around the venue. He walked right past where we were standing, he was so close I could smell is musty sweat beads – NO JOKE!!

Seether was the second band to take the stage. HUBS and I discovered SEETHER a couple years ago at a little venue in Boulder. They were awesome and we have been fans ever since. Last Christmas on our drive to Cali, HUBS and I listened to SEETHER over and over again, we became one with Seether. They helped ease the tension of the 22 hour drive, with two overly emotional women and a feisty two-year old. GREAT TIMES. Seether was BRILLIANT, they rock and rolled through their set and then had Aaron Lewis from Staind come out and they did the song Nutshell by Alice and Chains, one of my all-time favorite songs on this PLANET, not to mention one of OUR (HUBS and ME) favorite songs as a collective couple. I felt like we were the only people in the venue, with Aaron and Shaun serenading us to the luminous sounds of Nutshell. Ooh, how I love me some Alice and SEETHER. They ended their set with my most favorite SEETHER song, FAKE IT. That little song possessed me, next thing I know I was jumping and dancing around, singing my little heart out. For a brief second I thought my rocking youth had paid me a visit - I was YOUNG again, hahahhahahahah!

Staind was the last band to perform. HUBS and I have seen Staind about 100 times, combined. We dig them, maybe even love them. The last time we saw them I was prego with Landon. There I was with my belly, rocking out to the music – It was a grand sight and I can promise you I was the only pregnant lady there, BUT last night I saw two VERY pregnant girls rocking out! It was cool, maybe I played a special part in starting the belly rocking revolution………..hahahhahahahha!!!!

Staind was great and we stayed for half their set, but then I started getting hunger pains and I don’t know about you, but I become a little OSCAR when hungry. My feet started aching in my boots and I really wanted my bed, so HUBs took me thou a tasty drive-thou and we went home to a nice quiet house. Dog, boy and Aya all fast asleep in their beds.

It’s so great to be a Rocking Momma!

Stay tune for tomorrows post on Landon's first Christmas concert. I am not making any promises, but I might be posting a video, MAYBE!

Snow Filled Weekend

2008-12-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

Much to our delight, it snowed A LOT this past weekend!

Lucky for HUBS, he got up the Christmas lights before the storm blew in

The accumulation you see before you is after an hour of snow

Landon enjoys shoveling a little snow!

Can you tell he's thrilled to be awaiting the next great camera shot?

Cody James is a spazo in the snow! He loves running around the yard and burying his head deep into the snow

Fancy Shmancy China

2008-11-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

This was my FAVORITE pattern

Since HUBS and I eloped to VEGAS, we didn't have a traditional wedding and with that didn't get hordes of wedding gifts, which is OK by us, but I am a little regretful that I didn't pick out and get FANCY CHINA! We received quite-a-bit of $$$$ from Moms, unfortunately CHINA slipped my mind.

But now I am obsessing over CHINA patterns and I NEED china! The other day while shopping with GIGI and Moms, we came across the great wall of CHINA at Dillards - HOLY Smokes. I fell in love with pattern after pattern, I even confessed my undying devotion to a couple. MY GIGI has very elegant taste and come to find out, I do too! Every pattern she picked, I loved and vice versa. We had great fun at the wall of CHINA. I NEED china!

Runner Up - I love the beautiful flowers.

This is like Moms and GIGI's patterns combined

Moms and GIGI have CHINA, beautiful, pretty, fancy CHINA that only comes out on special occasions like; Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Moms has a beautiful soft white with a faint blue flower pattern and GIGI has a very elegant white with a medium platinum band outlining each plate, saucer and bowl - VERY BEAUTIFUL!!!! I drool over both patterns equally when spending the holidays with my family. Since GIGI and Moms have CHINA - I need CHINA!

HUBS doesn't get my infatuation with the CHINA, he thinks I have gone crazy. He doesn't see the importance of me possessing a CHINA pattern and I have yet to figure out a creative way of explaining the necessity of possessing a CHINA pattern in manly lam ens terms. Maybe if I can compare it to football season tickets, he will get it.????

This pattern, white with a gold band is very elegant simple and

most cost-effective to my pocket book!

Love the CHINA!!!

There is a slight chance that you wont' hear from me for the next couple of days as Moms has big plans of shopping and decorating my house for Christmas, which deems me no time for blogging, but that's a-OK!

Thoughts of Thankfulness

2008-11-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

The Turkey's been purchased and is thawing cozily in the refrigerator, the fixings are busting out my pantry and trying to escape the refrigerator. We are at maximum capacity folks! It's Thanksgiving time, a time for family, friends but most important a time to reflect on the year and be thankful for all the wonderment that encompasses our daily lives.

A couple years ago when I started hosting Thanksgiving, I started a little tradition of all guests sharing what they are thankful for, it was cool and I was tickled orange about it because this will forever be my little addition to our families long list of traditions.

This year I am going to give myself a head start and share with you all what I am thankful for because despite the failing economy and the increasing rate of unemployment, I am thankful for many things.

1. I am thankful for my beautiful boys! My wonderful Husband, my adorable Son, my super inspirational Pops and my forever faithful Uncle
2. I am thankful for the head strong women in my life, who keep my grounded! My stronger-than-a-rock Mom, My best Sisters, My precious niece (who makes me laugh every time I see her), my rocking Aunt, my Mother-in-Law and the matriarch of our family - OUR GIGI.
3. I am thankful for my BEST girlfriends in all the world - My Maria, Heather and Mrs Hansmeier
4. I am thankful for the health that all my family and friends possess.
5. I am thankful for the healthy pregnancy BFF Heather has endured and thankful for the wonderful new addition to our clan.
6. I am thankful I have a job! Thankful that HUBS has a great job!
7. I am thankful for my cozy home and it's fixed mortgage.
8. I am thankful for all the wonderful women I continue to meet through blogging, it really is a wonderful network we have going-on.

I can go on............

9. I am thankful our country elected OBAMA!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!

We Love Us Some Pig Skin

2008-11-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Don't be alarmed by the scary logo above, I am in no way a Raider fan, do you hear that? NO WAY! BUT, I have a dirty little secret, please don't judge me for what I am about to confess - just don't do it because you are my friend and friends don't judge, right?

Are you ready? You better sit down.

I live with two Raider fans, YIKES - Don't hate me!!!

HUBS and Landon! HUBS has been a die-hard Raider fan since birth and somehow he's wickedly turned my baby against me and now, my precious little boy thinks he's a Raider fan (Waaider if you speak Landon). One who owns a jersey and wants a helmet - Disturbing!!!!

When Landon was a baby, HUBS family showered him with RAIDER paraphernalia. I had Raider socks, onesies and jersey's coming out my laundry shoot! I tolerated it because I was still in "New-Mom Euphoria" and everything was cute, but my friends - THIS IS NOT CUTE!!!!! MIMI sent Landon a new Raider jersey and since receiving it last week, all he wants to do is wear it!

"Momma, I werrr waider jersey?" He asks me every morning and I have to sadly tell him, "Sorry Charlie, Not today!" I reluctantly allow him to wear it around the house, but that's it! I fear for his safety should I allow him to wear it in public, after all, we do live in Raider Hater Country. Awe ~ Poor Landon, the agony he will suffer as a Raider fan.

What parent would willfully expose their child to the Raider Nation? A Raider Fan!! Have you seen those barbaric fans? The ones who dress up as if it was Halloween every Sunday? Crazy I tell you, crazy. We won't even go into attending a game in Oakland, it's bad.........HUBS and I both agree that Landon will have to wait a small eternity before, EVER attending a game in Oak-town. It's a scary sight!

My favorite NFL team is the San Diego Super Chargers! For a short time I thought I might have won Landon over and convinced him the Chargers were his favorite team, but I lost that battle somewhere along our journey, now I will forever pay the price. DARN it!!!!

Although, I take much pride in my team beating up DA-RAIDAS. The past six plus years my Super Chargers have spanked-up the Raiders and boy do I enjoy the gloating, the celebrating! And how sweet it is to RUB my success in HUBS face.

It truly is inspiring - Go Chargers!

P.S. Somehow/Someway the Raiders managed to defeat the Broncos, WOW...OMG!! I still can't believe it - 31-10 - Holy Smokes. HUBS and Landon were so excited, I couldn't help but be excited for them and in honor of their win I allowed (still trying to figure this one out) HUBS to purchase RAIDER Christmas cards - WHAT THE???? I will be including a family portrait of me in my CHARGER gear - OMG..............still trying to figure out - How I allowed this - Was I drinking? Was my judgement clouded by all the shopping I did with Moms and Granny? Have I lost my mind? HOLY HECK!

Results of my To Do List

2008-11-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

Remember my little to do list from earlier this week. I've done good people. Only a couple minuscule things left undone, but hey, that is OK. Moms and GIGI arrive this evening! We are excited to have them here for the next week-in-half.

1. Need to go to Williams Sonoma for turkey stuff - Done
2. Need to get Landon a beanie or two - Done
3. Need to buy myself miscellaneous gifts, not because I need them, NO, but because they were on sale and ooh so cute - Done
4. Need to go to Dentist - HACK! - Done, with astonishing pearly whites
5. Attend Landon's Thanksgiving luncheon - Done, what a fun lunch!
6. Need to really, really clean house before Mom and Grams visit - 1 week to accomplish - Done, kinda sorta. Will rush home and finish up this afternoon.
7. Need to finish the heaps of laundry before Moms arrives - or she will do it and then I will feel a little bad, because your company is not suppose to do your laundry.........although Mom's is special company and she gets special privileges - KINDA Done, still have a couple piles
8. Need to purchase Warren Miller tickets for this upcoming weekends show - DONE, really excited about seeing the movie and getting hyped up about the impending Ski/Snowboard season.
9. Organize Tupperware drawer so Moms and Grams don't faint at the sight of the mess - Not so much, hopefully they will just ignore that cabinet.
10. Shop for Thanksgiving dinner. Etc, etc, etc...................Pending

P.S. HUBS was none to thrilled about me discussing his lack of cooking skills the other day, HAHAHAHAHAH, I told him that many-a-men are like him and to not be ashamed, it's OK. I told him that he was lucky to have such a wonderful wife, who will forever cook for him. He smiled his baby blues at me and we called it a night!

This Is How We Roll

2008-11-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

Rather than slave away at a delicious dinner, the other night I decided to do some blogging and work on some pictures from Halloween. Yep, I left HUBS in charge of making dinner!

We had decided earlier that day to have left-overs, so I thought it was the perfect night to be careless, perhaps, even lazy (imagine that one) and allow the boys to fend for themselves. Shocking I know, but that’s how I roll from time to time. I would happily oblige to do it a couple more times a week, but HUBS doesn’t cook, can’t cook, cooking makes him faint and queasy. I would be a very neglectful mother if I allowed my son to eat frozen pizza, corn dogs or god-forbid………McDonald's, tasty-tasty stuff HUBS is all to familiar with.

I warmed up most of the food and set out a couple other things to help HUBS along with dinner, but then Landon decided he wanted Alfredo MAC & Cheese and that, my friends, threw HUBS for a tailspin. The Man had questions about how much water to put in the pot? How do you know the noodles are done AND THEN, I had to explain to him how to add the powdered sauce – For Pete-Sake! Is this MAN for real?

My Cute Family - When Landon was a wee-lil baby!

It was about this time; standing in the kitchen, hands on hips, internal organs/blood proceeding to warm, patience running a little on the thin side that I begun to curse the kindness of my sweet Mother-in-Law and how she went OVERBOARD to care for her son (‘s), to spoil him and to create morsels of goodness for him and his growing belly!!!! No justice I tell you. She simply should have cut him off at one point or another and let him happily fend for himself, but she didn’t and now he’s my problem and I have to cook for him every night!

BA-HUM-BUG!

Hahahahahah, I hope you all realize, I am kidding around, poking a little fun at the HUBS who can't cook. Along with MIMI, I too am to blame for HUBS'S SPOILED-ROTTENNESS when it comes to cooking. Enabler is what I am, for the most part I am a-ok with it, but when I don't want cook, it sends me for a tailspin but that's a mute point at this time.

HUBS managed to prepare dinner and he and Landon happily ate their “morsels of goodness,” while I played on my blog and edited some pictures. It was an inviting change from our normal dinner ritual.

After dinner everyone settled into the living room, the T.V. was blaring Dancing With the Stars, Landon had turned the living room into his bull riding arena and HUBS began to pester me!

“Who are you emailing?” He asked. I pretended not to hear him, he moved closer and asked again. “No-one, why are you bugging me!” I asked, peering over my shoulder at him.

“Are you serious?” He asked me in his sweet, how could I possibly ever pester you tone. I continued with my email, hoping he would go away, leave me alone but he stood there waiting for an answer, his breath hot on my neck.

I pushed back on the chair and proclaimed, “I am emailing my friend, HEATHER, Jacobs Mom, Brandon’s wife, my first friend in preschool, HEATHER from THE VILLE, Her mom is Teri, Sister is Illena, We used to dress up and sing the Judds when we were little……HEATHER, HEATHER, HEATHER!”

Whoa Sally, put on the brakes!!!!!

“Jeez, I just asked!” he quietly confessed as he walked past, giving me the stink-eye. “Ooh-Don’t give me that Mister!” I shot back, “ You know I despise over-the-shoulder-onlookers when I am on the computer! I just want some PEACE!” I screeched. We lovingly glanced at one another as he crossed the room to the couch, I chuckled and he gave me a wink. Can you feel the love?

It wasn’t shortly after my PEACE seeking melt-down that I found Landon in front of me. “Momma-Momma, puter off. Sit on foor with me. You count?”

How could I resist the little guy?? I turned off the "puter" and joined in on his shenanigans.

It was a great evening!

The Birth of a RoRo Clown

2008-11-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Not sure if I mentioned it, but Landon was a "RoRo" Clown for Halloween, for those of you who do not speak LANDON, "RoRo" translates to "Rodeo Clown" Since my son is all about bull riding and he watches it religiously and acts it out daily, it was somewhat of a given that he would either be a Bull Riding Cowboy, a Bull or a Rodeo Clown. His decision, my creation and boy was this an EASY costume, EASY!!!! Grandma sent this purty clown wig, cute huh? At one point or another everyone in the house had the wig on.

Here's Auntie Mel, excuse the pun, clowning around!

CUTE

Here the cousins are posing for the camera, CHEESE. I won't share the picture of my son falling in the flower bed because his "silly" Auntie made him sit on an unstable log, nope, not here!

Here's my Rodeo Clown, ready for his trick-or-treating extravaganza. I forgot to mention above that Landon is super afraid of painted clowns, especially Rodeo Clowns so he didn't allow us to paint his face, but he was still adorable. Some silly neighbor called him a "Rainbow Cowboy!"

What the heck?

Here's Daddy (with the clown wig) and Landon on the home stretch. Landon's candy bag was dragging on the ground, he ditched the clown wig and he was bustin with excitement to about bringing his hard earned candy home to Momma!
Halloween + Kids = Mucho candy for Momma, but since I was sick any piece of candy I devoured....I mean ate, burned my throat! It was the worst.

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Breaking News: Monday at dinner Landon gave us a small taste of his upcoming holiday school performance, "JINGLE Bells, JINGLE Bells," was just about all he could muster, but THEN last night after dinner he belted out the whole song!! It was the cutest thing, EVER!!!

Danny and I then called, Grandpa Dan and Landon sang him, "JINGLE BELLS," he confessed his undying devotion to his #1 adorable grandson. We then called My Parents and he happily sang "Jingle Bells....." and my parents fell over in excitement and couldn't believe that he learned the song so quickly and knew all the words! Lastly, we called Mimi and Landon sang his song for her and the power of his little voice brought her to tears - Sigh ~ Awe!

Who knew Jingle Bells could be so cute.

Thanksgiving To Do List

2008-11-17T11:57:00.000-08:00

So........I've started my count-down to Thanksgiving and Christmas, which really means nothing because if you read this blog on a regular basis you are perfectly in-tune with my "fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants" type of attitude towards all things in life. I truly do have aspirations of making lists, doing miscellaneous projects on that list and finishing my list before said events occur - I REALLY DO, but then life takes over and I toss all said lists aside and just wing it.

Here is a slight glimpse into my list for this week, maybe with a little encouragement from you all - I can accomplish some stuff.

1. Need to go to Williams Sonoma for turkey stuff - Done
2. Need to get Landon a beanie or two - Done
3. Need to buy myself miscellaneous gifts, not because I need them, NO, but because they were on sale and ooh so cute - Done
4. Need to go to Dentist - HACK!
5. Attend Landon's Thanksgiving luncheon
6. Need to really, really clean house before Mom and Grams visit - 1 week to accomplish
7. Need to finish the heaps of laundry before Moms arrives - or she will do it and then I will feel a little bad, because your company is not suppose to do your laundry.........although Mom's is special company and she gets special privileges.
8. Need to purchase Warren Miller tickets for this upcoming weekends show
9. Organize Tupperware drawer so Moms and Grams don't faint at the sight of the mess.
10. Shop for Thanksgiving dinner.
Etc, etc, etc...................

Not bad, not bad, I have three of the ten done. That's a wonderful start!! There is a slight possibility that I will accomplish all tasks on said list, after all, I could not possibly look like an unorganized mess in front Moms and Grams, two of the most organized people on this planet. Women who follow through and accomplish To Do Lists...........hahahahhaha!

Side Note: I tried to bake a blueberry pound cake yesterday and apparently I do not know the difference between Baking Soda and Baking Powder. OMG, the horror. The loaf of blueberry mess was so tasteless and ugly, it went straight into the GARBAGE, but only after tasting it and declaring it not even suitable for the DOG. Never fails, every time I bake, it's just another tasteless disaster! I am giving up, no more baking unless I am supervised by an ADULT who knows the difference between ingredients. Disaster!

Our First Snow!

2008-11-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

This morning we woke up to this; a dusting of the cold, frozen white stuff.

Our backyard!

I have a bittersweet love for snow. In the summertime I can't wait for the white stuff, but now that it's here, I am definatly not ready. Winter clothes are still packed deep in the closet and Landon has grow out of all his beanies - Guess what we are doing today?

Winter Is Here!

Cousins!

2008-11-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Landon is super lucky and very fortunate to cousins that are close to his age. Since I was the oldest Grandchild, my cousins were all a lot younger than me and I never had the fun that I suspect Landon will have with his cousins.

He loves his "Emma-Berr"

Landon had a great time with his cousin! They play really good with one another. They are a funny pair, Emma is really sassy and head strong, while Landon fairly mellow and for the most part just goes with the flow.

Here, Landon is giving Emma a ride on his bike. Emma really wanted to drive, but like most men, Landon insisted she ride passenger!

Aya and her babies. Check out the cute aprons, courtesy of Aya the seamstress and Lowes, your friendly neighborhood hardware giant.

I Shoulda Had a V8 Today

2008-11-11T15:47:00.000-08:00

I have not posted to my website in days, weeks, months, years, HAH! Not really but it seems like a small eternity has passed since I posted last. Granted, I have been sick and fighting off the most horrible, excruciating painful cough. It’s UGLY and it has rendered me uninspired to do anything for the greater good of myself. I am encompassing a dry streak of creativity. My words escape my thoughts and leave me with nothing much to say or do I have too much to say?

I told HUBS the other day that I was suffering from Political Fatigue, a hangover if you will from all the political mumbo-jumbo that was shoved down my throat these past months and let’s not forget about the hordes of information I sought after on my own! I felt it necessary to be an “Informed Voter” for this election, someone who knows what their candidate of choice stands for, knows their background, history, shoe size……….favorite meal. I was very informed. I am glad it’s over, as I don’t know how much more information I could tolerate. Glad to be back to meaningless commercials on T.V., ones that make you laugh and not feel the urge throw something at the T.V. in discust.

I am also grateful to no longer have to endure painful debates with my friend. A friend who through debating various topics, I found to be more conservative than she portrays herself. I still love her and consider her my friend, but I see her in a whole different light. I should have listened to my Grandpa when he told me (in his southern/west coast accent),

“Honey, never talk Church or Politics with people you wish to keep as friends!”

Leave it to Gramps to know what's best. I seriously was not thinking when I started that madness.............maybe I was just trying to show off all the information that I stored in my head? Silly, silly woman.

The holidays are fast approaching; I am surveying the masses before diving in head first. With the economy on the brink of disaster, what is this Christmas going to be like? It will be fine and dandy for us, but what about all those Americans who are losing their houses and jobs? I think about all the chaos that surrounds us in our current times and I want to cry for the Mom who can't buy her kids the presents she wants or they deserve. The Dad who just lost his job and can't provide for his family. I want to cry for those people!!!! I want to cry and help them have a happy holiday! Since I can't help each and every person out there, I guess I will be thankful for what I have, what we have as a family and hope for a better tomorrow.

I warned you I had a lot of things to say.........................

Down with the SICKNESS

2008-11-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

The sickness has plagued my house, AGAIN and this time it sucked me into it's evilness. I have been in bed for the past three days. My head hurts, my body aches, my nose wants to run but it's trapped! I am coughing up all sorts of wonderful treats and one minute I am freezing and the next, I am so HOT! Can we say, very bad cold? Horrible, the worst ever. Rocky Mountain crude!

I didn't even get to go trick-or-treating, but I do have adorable pictures of a Rodeo Clown and a cute Bumble Bee in pink converse and sometime before next Halloween I'll post them, hahahah.......cough, hack, cough!

My Sister and daughter fearing they too would catch the sickness, cut their trip short and booked it back to the Cali! Rotten, rotten, rotten.

Back to bed I go.

Hasta Manana.

It's Halloween Time

2008-10-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

The count down is on!! Only a couple days until Halloween, one of my favorite holidays! My sister and her little girl, fly in this afternoon to spend the week with us, so if posts are sporadic, that means I am enjoying time with my sisters and our babes!

In the spirit of all things creepy..................What is your all time favorite SCARY movie?

Mine is HALLOWEEN, all of them! To me there's nothing scarier than Michael Meyers. Every time I hear that song, I cringe with anticipation of who the Mad Man will chase next. I love to be held at the mercy of of this scary Halloween classic.

What is your all time favorite scary movie?

Corn/Smoked Salmon Chowder by BFF Maria

2008-10-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Quick Post, as I am knee deep in SCREAM by Mr. CC and I just want to sit at my desk, stare into space and listen to this album for a short eternity...........no distractions..............no interruptions and certainly no work...........hahahahahha yeah right.

My BFF Maria posted this wonderful recipe on her blog for me, which I plan on making Sunday. I think you should all check it out and give BFF Maria a little "Halla"

BFF Maria is a wonderful cook and makes dining at her house a wonderful experience. She is simply amazing to me and I am grateful she is my friend in every sense of the word friend.

Notice the adorable salt/pepper shakers and the BEAUTIFUL distressed wood table (that I openly would like to thief from the Reifer household).

I love her, her amazing little daughter (who is my son's future wife) and her husband (who is my husbands "buddy" Those two are nuts together). Marvelous family, full of what I like to call moral fiber.

Check her out, you won't be disappointed.

This Week's Featured Artist: Chris Cornell

2008-10-23T09:53:00.001-07:00

This week’s featured artist is, Chris Cornell!

Some of you may know him as the lead singer of; Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog (who featured a nice gentleman, Eddie Vedder who would later front one of the biggest grunge bands – Pearl Jam) or his latest group project, the power band Audioslave! He’s a talented, riveting artist, who I think is one of the greatest, if not the best front man of his time and it doesn’t hurt that he is beautiful, with the most enchanting blue eyes……beautiful olive skin……..and great hair…….dreamily sigh!!

He is and will forever be a secret crush……….sigh, again! BUT, let me be perfectly clear, his beauty in no way, shape or form, influences my passion for his music, absolutely NOT! Two different spectrum's my friends.

Chris is one of the founding father’s of Grunge Rock; music that ignited a generation and that would forever leave an imprint on the history of rock-n-roll. He’s legendary to some, but to me he’s just one of those artist’s that continuously creates greatness in his music. Music that evolves with the times, music that will forever be with me.

Chris Cornell ROCK’S!!!!

Mr. Cornell’s new album is SCREAM and it’s spectacular, melodic, bone shaking and just pure greatness. I love all the songs on this album so much, that it’s hard to pick a favorite. Forgive me if posts are sporadic this week, because all I want to do is eat, sleep and breath this album, Forgive me!

Go forth and listen, I guarantee you will find something that enchants you.

You say tomato, I say tomoto!

2008-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

As a child I despised the taste of tomatoes. To me, they were the most rotten thing (next to banana squash) on the planet and so I stayed far, far, far away from them and for the most part my Parents never made me eat them, THANK GOD.

Although, there was one incident that will forever be a shared laugh between me and my family. I was young, late elementary school aged. Every Friday my Parents took the family out for dinner and since we lived in a small town and our options were limited, we always went to the same little Mexican Restaurant, Taco House! This place had great food!!
I always ordered the chicken taco, rice and beans, it was delish and reminiscent of my paternal Granny's cooking. One night; my trusty, favorite restaurant decided to go fancy on me and served my dish with pretty little tomato half's on a bed of lettuce greens, Urgh! I silently moaned in agony. I knew my Mom (and Dad too - for pure enjoyment) would make me eat them, I cringed in horror. I ate my meal at a snail's pace, in hopes that everyone would finish their meals and be ready to go before I got around to eating my tomatoes, Brilliant! My family ravenously ate their food and much to my surprise, my brilliant plan began to unfold; the sister's became increasingly ancy as the minutes passed and as my parents finished up their drinks, I knew I was FREE! I sat there swirling beans and rice around my plate, rejoicing my sneakiness and secretly celebrating my narrow escape from having to eat the tomatoes! My Mom asked for the check and in almost a unison effort, both my Parents turned to me as asked, "Do you plan on eating your tomatoes?"

WTF????? I was caught red handed. My plan shattered into oblivion. Defeated and at a loss of what to do, I shoved both tomato half's into my mouth and bit down. Tomato juice filled my mouth, I gagged in horror and begun to cough. "Stop being so dramatic, Michelle!" my Mother pleaded, as my Dad and sister's laughed at me. I couldn't stop gagging and as I sat there defeated, with slimy tomatoes in my mouth another plan unfolded. "GRAB YOUR NAPKIN", I told myself and soon I was coughing my tomatoes into my napkin, BUT because I was so sneaky, I made it seem like I had swallowed the rotten things, but in my attempt to not gag I produced some drool and well it needed to be wiped up!! Hahahahahahhaah!

My Parents had no clue and as my Mom paid the check and I excused myself to the restroom; napkin full of tomatoes in hand, I quickly turned the corner and ran to the bathroom. I tossed the napkin in the trash, washed my hands, waited a few minutes (to make it seem like I was going to the bathroom). My second master plan worked! I did my celebration jig and opened the door, and who would you guess was patiently waiting to use the restroom? None other than my wonderful Mom and sister. My sister had to use the restroom.

Since my Mom is slick and had mental powers that rendered us hopeless, she found me out. She marched out of the restroom and announced my deceiving ways to my Dad and next thing I realized I was at home, sitting at our kitchen table, eating a whole tomato! NASTY! It was gross and I'll never forget that day, EVER.

Luckily for me, Landon loves tomatoes, but if he didn't I wouldn't be mean and make him eat them, so sirree!

Landon also likes when he bites into a juicy tomato and it runs down his chest and beyond, "Gross!" he always concludes.

This is the face I made years ago when I was forced to eat tomatoes, "Icky!" I have since over come my distaste of tomatoes and enjoy them in salads, on burgers and brats, but I will never have the ability or desire to just eat one, like this! I still find them to be a little on the nasty, slimy side.

Last Night in Mi Casa

2008-10-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

Last night Landon decided to grow and was up all night with excruciating, painful growing pains!! My poor baby! HUBS and I felt useless and were at a loss of what to do; the manual left the chapter on "Growing Pains" out, so we did what we could to make him comfortable and slept on his hard floor (very hard floor) and took turns rubbing his growing legs until he passed out.......around 2:00 AM.

My eyes are burning from lack of S-L-E-E-P, I have neck kinks and my hips feel out of whack...........bad shape, but HUBS, ooh, he's in bad shape! His masculine swagger has turned into something that resembles, Frankenstein!! See, see........how said getting old was fun? Not us.

This morning, Landon seemed to be in better spirits, he woke up with a smile (my favorite) and said; " I go back to sleep now!" and he did just that, but then I had to pray him out of bed with promises of "Coffee" from is favorite coffee place (you all know what that is). After his coffee he perked up and seemed to be back to silly self. My poor sweet boy, I knew he'd pay for being a "whittle-man."
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Please HELP me! Some rotten sole brought SWEETS into the office, today. Cupcakes and Pumpkin Bread. For the love of all things skinny, what are these people thinking? I would be lying like a fugitive if I told you; I am going to remain at my desk, with my tasty orange carrots and resist the temptation of cupcakes and pumpkin bread. Lying!

Notice: I've posted the Song/Artist of the week..........Chris Cornell! Later this week I'll chat a little more about Mr. Cornell and the love I have for (HIM) his music!!

Song of the Week: La Rocca

2008-10-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

No stones or tomatoes, please! I realize I am four days late on this week's Song of the Week, but I had a hectic week of Performance Management and an overwhelming heap of work on my desk to work thru!

Enough excuses, back to the Song of the Week. From hear on out, I declare that each week I plan (hope) to feature a band/song of my liking, which can really be anything from Classic Rock to Old School Country, I LOVE MUSIC!!! Music is a very important part of our house hold and I am always, always, always trying to find new music to indulge myself.

Did I mention that I LOVE MUSIC!!!

This week's Band is La Rocca and the song is Non Believer from their first album, The Truth. They just released their second album, OK OKAY and if you ask me, it's an AWESOME album. My current fav song on OK OKAY is Half Speed!! Their music is like a breath of fresh winter air; soothing, revitalizing to the sole and captivating to the ears. I can't stop listening to them! I am addicted, just hook me up to an IV of La Rocca, PLEASE!

Go check La Rocca out, I promise you won't be disenchanted and like me you just might find a tune or two that you like.

I was TAGGED!

2008-10-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

I was TAGGED! My new Blogger Buddy, Ann, from Indefinitely definite tagged me to complete this fun little survey thingy! It was fun and I feel honored that she tagged me. Her blog rocks and she is an amazing artist!

Top Four Wishes:
I wish we lived closer to my family (Dad, Mom, Sister, Aunts, Uncles, Gigi)
I wish my BFF’s lived next door to me
I wish I didn’t have to work every day
I wish for happiness and contentment in the world, which would create World Peace!

Four Places I want to travel to:
Hawaii
Yellowstone National Park
Seattle – Cuz Hubs has never been and it’s a must visit place
New York - With my best girl friends so I can experience my own Sex in the City!

Four Careers I want to be involved in:
Motherhood
Writer
Professional Skier
Music Producer

Four things I would like God to say to me at the gates of Heaven:
Welcome, Your Grandpa’s are over there!
Thanks for believing.
You were a wonderful Mother, Wife and Friend
Thanks for the laughs

Since I found this to be so FUN, I will tag the following gals:BFF Maria, BFF Heather - Enjoy Girls!

Out of Touch

2008-10-14T10:24:00.000-07:00

My long list of reasons why I have not logged into "MY MOMMY ROCKS" in days.... excuses, excuses! Yep, I am full of them.

1. I was sick and in bed with the flu for FIVE days! My cure, watching the Sex In The City movie, a million times. Love that movie! If you have not seen it........it's a must see for 2008.

2. Sick in bed with the flu and in addition to watching Sex In The City , I have a new found obsession with this little T.V. show called One Tree Hill. I want to be Dan's "other" illegitimate child and be the only sister to Lucas and Nathan!

3. My sister had the weekend off and was a "puter hog" My sister is obsessed with MySpace and "pimping" up her profile. Obsessed!

4. It was too cold out! We had our first signs of fall/winter this past weekend, it was great. Perfect weekend to be home sick in bed, with no desire to "get connected" to the outside world.

and lastly................

5. It's Performance Rating Time at work! I spent the last two days (because I was sick and didn't do it last week, thus causing this whole thinga-ba-jobby to be LATE, late, late) rating myself on bogus objectives I created for myself at the beginning of the year. What was I thinking? I created way to many objectives and now I have to provide feedback on all of them in 1000 words or less, for every objective. The HORROR!

Lesson learned, please do not EVER, EVER, EVER, ever, ever, ever........EVER do that many objectives, Again! It's really not necessary, since your just a little speck in this big picture called Corporate Politico!!! No one (I really don't) cares if your an over achiever and trying to impress the likes of THE MAN!

Stick to what you know and that is to; Never, never, never stay this out of touch with MY MOMMY ROCKS and your bloggy friends (I missed you all) and stick to things that you know best...........like...........being a good wife, a rockin Momma and a great friend!!!!! The rest is trivial.

Ooh and take your vitamins so you don't get sick for five days and have to create obsessions with T.V. shows and break the DVD of your favorite movie because you watched it too many times.

When Wives get Rewarded

2008-10-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

My sweet, adorable, loving HUSBAND bought me this little clutch over the weekend.

Is it cute or what?

I found this little treasure at a cute store in our favorite little town. As soon as I entered the store, I knew I was walking out with something! I made several rounds and looked at everything before seeing this little clutch! It was love at first sight. I had to have it. I looked at it and looked at it some more and then I showed HUBS, "I really need this!" I guess he thought I needed it too, because he bought it for me!

Those are HUBS manly hands!

He is trying to help me get a good shot of the inside of the clutch. It's a beautiful dark blue, with several usable compartments.

Vera Bradley is the designer. Before now, I was clueless about her til now, which is probably a good thing because she has some amazing things!

LANDONISMS

2008-10-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend while driving to the mountains we passed a Starbucks and Landon said the following, in a disheveled tone; "Daddy, I haven't had coffee in weeks!" Hahahhahahahahha!

One of Landon's guilty pleasures in life is Horizon Chocolate Milk from Starbucks. Not sure when or why, but he calls it, "his coffee" and loves it. Every time we drive by a Starbucks he asks for "coffee". He can spot a Starbucks a mile away, it's kinda creepy, but funny at the same time because what two year old says stuff like that? MINE!

"Daddy, I Haven't had coffee in weeks!"

Our Past Halloween's

2008-10-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

We Love Halloween at our house!

I'd say next to Christmas, it's our favorite holiday. There's just something about decorating and getting dressed up for this holiday that makes it so special.

Landon was a cute and cuddly lion for his first Halloween. Due to the zero degree temperature, we stayed in that Halloween but we had a great time handing out candy and keeping the candy bowl away from our lion, who insisted on sitting in the bowl.

If I haven't told you once, twice.......I kinda got a thing.......for the movie, Nightmare Before Christmas. I love Jack and Sally! This was Landon's first pumpkin, JACK! He did an amazing carving, don't a think? Hehehehe, I actually managed to carve up this pumpkin. I usually draw the face and HUBS carves up the pumpkins, but I carved this one up for us.

Landon was more interested in his cheerios than the pumpkin carving. We let him play around with the top of the pumpkin, he wasn't too into it.

Fast Forward a year and the pumpkin carving was a whole different story. Landon loved it and was all about scraping the guts out. He kept saying, "Gross Mommy," but he insisted on cleaning out his pumpkin. That year we went with a more traditional face.

He was very serious!

Last year, Landon was a SKUNK for Halloween. I know, I know.......a skunk? I just couldn't resist the adorable costume and the striped tights? Holy Halloween, they were just too cute.

The weather cooperated with us last year and so we did a little "trick or treating" Landon had a blast and really enjoyed knocking on doors for candy. We couldn't get him to say "trick or treat!," but he was into it. He walked the whole block and every time someone would walk by, he would squeal with excitement. He got a lot of candy and since I am real conscience about letting him over indulge in "sweets," HUBS and I took one for the team and ate most of it. Hah!

Landons Signature Move

2008-10-01T07:38:00.001-07:00

As a “whittle” infant rolling and crawling around the house we taught Landon how to blow kisses. Much to our surprise he picked up on it very quickly and has been blowing bye-bye kisses for quite some time now. It’s cute and it melts my heart every time I pull out of the drive-way and I see his little head in the window blowing kisses and waving goodbye. Soooo cute!

As of late, Landon feels that everyone deserves a “blowing bye-bye kiss;” his teacher, friends at school, neighbors, the gardener, the bulls on TV. and new friends he meets at the park, very sweet of him don’t-cha think? Yes! He’s also improved his “blowing bye-bye kiss” to both hands and a huge smile! Its classic, his signature move and I love it. It’s so cute and a true testimony to just how sweet, innocent and non-judgmental our children are.

Last night at the park Landon started playing with an older little boy, they were playing chase and running all over the play structure have a great time. When it was time to go we told Landon to say “bye” to his new friend and because Landon loves everyone and believes everyone deserves a “blowing bye-bye kiss,” he did just that and the little boy said:

“Bye!” and then he looked up at Danny, “kisses make me fall in love!”

Do kisses make you fall in love? They sure make me!

We chuckled as we walked back home and Danny tried to explain to Landon that maybe he should save his kisses for “Mommy, Daddy and the Family,” but as we walked I “hushed” him and told him to just let him be. He’s expressing himself and the love he has for people and one day he will grow out of his “blowing bye-bye kisses” and if he’s still doing it at 18, well then we might need to have a “talk” with him, but for now just let him be.

I think we should all start a “Blowing Bye-Bye Kiss” revolution. Next, time that jerk in the fancy sports car cuts you off, blow him a bye-bye kiss! Oh-the joy and fulfillment you would get from the look on his face, priceless!! The world would be a better place with the “blowing bye-bye kiss!”

My Office Friends

2008-09-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

I work in the sticks. My company has a huge fortress in the middle of nowhere so there are a lot of critters running around (Mt. Lions, Bears, Elk etc). This time of year the Deer are everywhere and for whatever reason they like chilling outside my office window, which makes for some great entertainment on a dull day (or any day). Currently as I type, there are three BUCKS and three Does outside my window frolicking in the grass or perhaps courting, but I don't like to think about that stuff.

The Bucks have been sparring (not sure if that is the correct terminology, but I am going with it), with one another and it makes for great entertainment. Two of the bucks are young adults with some-what big racks and then there's another very young Buck who has little horns, but that doesn't seem to deter him from trying to claim his territory. He's determined to make himself be heard or seen? All the ladies in my office are routing for

"The Whittle Buck!"

Up until today the Does had young Fawns, but today those little ones are no where in sight. I think they are with Granny Doe so Mamma can go on a "hot date" with the studly Buck...Hahahahah, just my opinion.

Last week a Doe and her Fawn were hanging out by my window and every time I went to go look at them, the Fawn would hear me and start for the road, but just as he was about to hit the sidewalk, he would stop dead run, look back as if his Mamma was calling for him and he would run back. Seriously, CUTE. Reminds me of Landon and I and how I call out for him when he gets to far! See.....all us Mamma's are alike, regardless of species.

I could watch and take pictures of these Deer all day, but unfortunately I have to work (URGH), I really hate when that gets in the way. PLUS, we are not allowed to bring cameras on campus.

******The photos for this post are from the Internet and are Mule Deer from our area*******

Dream a Little Dream

2008-09-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

I don't often remember my dreams but last night I had a weird dream, so weird and vivid that I am still thinking about it as I type, so today my friends you are going to hear about my dream.

Do you ever watch something on T.V. and then have a dream that resembles what you watched right before going to bed? Happens to me all the time, but most of the time I don't recall such vivid details of my dream! The last show I watched last night was the HBO series, True Blood, about Vampires and how they become mainstream society. It's a weird show!

Ok, back to my dream.

My dream took place on my Grandparents Ranch, it was a beautiful day. The birds were singing, the sun was shining and I was tending to outside chores, (once upon a time my Grandparents had a lot of animals on the ranch - it was that time). I went to go feed our chickens and opened the chicken coupe, only there were no chickens. The coupe had been transformed into a secret office, with monitors on the way, displaying various places on the ranch. My boy cousins were there working feverishly on the computers and watching the monitors. A couple of girls, I assume their girlfriends, worked on odd contraptions. I entered cautiously and demanded to know where the chickens were! They explained to me that this was the vampire monitoring office for the ranch and it was their job to watch all activity on the ranch and report back to Grandma and my Uncle.

I was confused, Vampires???? Vampires are a myth, have you all lost your minds?

They explained to me that after my Grandpa had passed away several animals started showing up dead but it wasn't a "dead" from a pack of wild dogs, coyotes or a mountain lion, NO, it was a different kind of "dead." My family started a surveillance and found out that Vampires were killing all our ranch animals and that the Vampires were our neighbors/towns folk. These Vamps were "normal" by day, but once the sun set they all metamorphosed into Vamps!!!! These Vampires were very different from the mythical ones we were familiar with. The garlic, the crosses, the holy water did nothing to these vampires.

They further explained that the family had built several things to prevent the Vamps from attacking the animals and providing protection to the house and family at night. They went on to explain about the "Good Vamps" and how they assisted in protecting us at night. "Grandpa even protects the house!"

Confused and afraid, I ran to the house to find my Grandmother for answers. She confirmed what I had been told by my cousins and said that there was nothing to worry about. "Just be in by dusk and everything will be OK!" She also went on to explain that my Grandpa along with the "Good Vamps" protected her and the house at night.

"Well Honey, Dusk will be here before we know it. We have to go help the boys and your Uncle get the animals!" I followed my Grandma and joined the rest of the family (yes, they magically appeared) to gather the animals.

After we squeezed all the animals into the barn my Uncle pressed several buttons and a steel structure appeared from the ground encasing the barn. Nothing was getting in or out of this barn. The boys assumed their posts in the chicken coupe, which also had a steel enclosure. The girls that had been with them earlier appeared from behind the coupe. They were VAMPS, I shuddered in fear but my Grandma explained to me that they were good and protected us.

My family informed me to stay away from the windows and that if I heard anything, not to look outside. The VAMP'S have been known ed to hypnotize people and once they get into your head, there's nothing that can save you from them. I was beginning to become uneasy and a little freaked out. Why are there only vampires here on the ranch, I questioned my family. They explained there were every where, but for some reason the were flying rampant out in the country!

We sat down for dinner and begun to eat when my cousins began calling on the two-way........"Dad, there's a car at the end of the drive-way with a young couple. Looks like they need some help" My cousins reported.

Next thing I know, I find myself driving the Gator, done the drive-way with my Uncle, two Vampires flying overhead. I am nervous, shaking and my hands are clamming up. We get to the bottom of the drive-way. I see the car, my Uncle quickly jumps out of the Gator and opens the gate. It's a young family from up the way. He Husband explains that his wife has just gone into labor and they were trying to get her to the hospital. My Uncle tells the man, there's no time to drive and that they would never make it. Vampires begin to appear in the pasture across the street. I wait nervously for instruction. My Uncle and the Husband load the family into the Gator and my Uncle tells me to drive FAST back to the house. They follow behind us on foot, shooting into the pasture.

As I drive the lady's pleads become piercing screams and I notice VAMP'S peering out from the trees in the pasture close by. One of the good Vamps sweeps down closer to the Gator............It's one of the girls from the chicken coupe........."Drive a little faster, Honey. These Vamps are hungry and love newborn babies!"

Terrified, I speed up and the house comes into view. The garage door is slowly opening. I notice a lighted figure at the top of the house, as I get closer I notice it's my Grandpa hovering over the house. He smiles down at me as I enter into the garage. I am overcome with a sense of safeness and bravery!

My Grandma rushes over to help with the pregnant Lady. We begin to carry her into the house and she stops between contractions and warns us that her two small children are "plagued by the sickness!" My Aunt stops and grabs me as my other family members help with the pregnant lady, "We need to lock up those little ones, they can turn on us!" She grabs the little boy and gives me the little girl. I protest, "We can't just lock them up in some closet!" She ignores my pleads and leads us through a door in the garage. It's dark and musty, she fumbles around looking for the light, she turns it on. "We leave them here! This is safe place for them" It was a steel enclosed room, below the house. It had a couple beds, bathroom and a T.V. that is playing The DoddleBops. "You will be safe here!" she whispers.

My Uncle and the Man are in the garage reloading their guns. "It's bad out tonight!" My Uncle warns. The Man further explains that he too is a "VAMP", but a good one (he shows us his markings). He asks for his children and we inform him that we put them in "the safe place" He nods in agreement and explains that although the kids seem to be "Good Vamps" that you can never be careful. He vanishes after our conversation.

I go back into the house and begin to play a bored game with my sisters. The drapes to the sliding glass door have yet to be drawn. I peer outside and notice several vampires swinging and hanging out our childhood swing set. They look majestic, almost peaceful in their black cloaks. I gaze as they begin to call out for me, "Michelle, Michelle!" My hand reaches for the door knob, "Don't look out there!" my sister yells at me as she pushes me to the ground,"They will hypnotize you!" She closes the drapes.

We hear commotion coming from the back room, so I run to check it out. My Grandma is calling for help. "Get me the kit, the kit!" I run to the bathroom, like I know what I am looking for and find the box. I rush to my Grandma, I pull out a square patch from the kit, like I've done this several times and I place the patch on the bite mark. The bite mark begins to turn strange colors, and the lady's skin begins to secrete any poison from the bite and then it disappears. Meanwhile, the husband is vamping out in the corner and my Grandma calls for him to be taken to the safe place. His face has turned a pale violet color, he's full of rage, he gnashes his fangs, he calls out for his unborn child!

All of a sudden I hear a little boy crying, it sounds like Landon. I feel a little nudge, "Go see what Landon wants!" the voice tells me. I stir in my slumber and drift back to my Grandma's room, but I still hear the crying. I am nudged again, but this time I wake up to the darkness of my room. Landon is crying out for me.

Weird Dream, thanks for letting me share it with you.

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Favorite Family Buddies

2008-09-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

My BFF Maria and I always planned to have our kids at the same time, so I was very pleased to find out that Maria was pregnant when I was five months pregnant. Our brilliant plan was unfolding (whoahahahah!). It was great to have her prego with me because there was always someone at a phone's reach to calm my OVER-WORKED imagination and vice versa. It's a-ok to confess to your BFF, "What if my child has three arms and one leg!" We were always calling one another with strange "What If's"

This is Estella, my BFF Maria's little gal. Isn't she adorable? This is Landon's future wife, they love each other and after college in 2028, these two will marry! This year we are spending x-mas with Estella and her family. Landon is excited about Estella taking him to the beach!

Never in a million years did we (my family) think my Savvy Sister would bear children, but one weekend with Landon forever changed her and nine months later, she had this adorable little girl, EMMA. I love my little niece, she's so cute and although she is 100% tom-boy, she has the best "girly-girl clothes." A year younger and a lot smaller than Landon, this little girl can hang. She's so cute in all her Cowgirl glory.

My Sister-in-law came up prego a couple months after me, too! This is Ray, he's a couple months younger than Landon. He's a Rocker-Baby! Landon and Ray don't see each other much, but they are buddies. It's fun to see the boys run-a-muck through Mimi's house. Watch out girls! Two handsome fellas.

Last but certainly not least, Landon! My Mother is obsessed with tie dye and sends Landon a new piece every year. I am not a big fan of tie-dye, but like a good daughter I humor my Mother and let Landon wear them. Tie-dye outfits make great pajamas. Yes, Yes, Yes, one sleepy Saturday morning, I did allow Landon to wear this to the Park....hehehhe HUBS was mortified. My Mother should be so proud.

Make New Friends

2008-09-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Remember this little nursery rhyme?

Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver, the other is gold.

A circle is round, it has no end.
That's how long, I will be your friend.

A fire burns bright, it warms the heart.
We've been friends, from the very start.

You have one hand, I have the other.
Put them together, We have each other.

Silver is precious, Gold is too.
I am precious, and so are you.

You help me, and I'll help you
and together we will see it through.

The sky is blue, The Earth is green
We can help to keep it clean

Across the land, Across the sea
Friends forever, We will always be

I don’t even know if it’s considered a nursery rhyme, possibly a song? Anyhow, my Mom used to sing this to us and now for whatever reason, I sing this song to myself all the flippin time. It’s forever stuck in my brain, but that OK because the words ring true and wise.

I have many “golden friends” and often times, I tell myself that I have enough friends, that I don't need anymore, but then I remember this song and agree that more friends are wonderful and one should have as many as they are gifted with, right?

Here's to friends that Rock and the new friends that will!