OMG, OMG Red Alert!

My beloved stolen camera in on sale at Staples. I am very fond of the 10 mega-pixel Kodak Easy Share. Too bad I promised Love Man I wouldn't spend any money. There is always the door buster specials the day after Thanksgiving. I am counting on them. I need to get the girls cameras, too. The perp should have left one of the four cameras behind. It was just greedy to take all four.

I had to buy ink for our printer, which is why I was at Staples. It is best for me to stay out of the stores when I need to not spend money. I have a high marginal propensity to consume. That was the only thing I learned in Economics 101.

Oh God, I keep forgetting. I am a student of sorts. If I would ever get a proper PVCC ID, I could get a discount at the movies. I am finishing the work for my class, good old ECH198AA. Hopefully, I will get my paper done tomorrow. It has to be only 4 paragraphs. Majoring in Journalism in college has helped me with these reflective papers.

I am taking a Music and Movement class this October. I heard it was great. And, how much homework could it have? I take the easy way out. I admit it. That will conclude my classes
until next school year.

Okay, Okay

Several of you have suggested that I write a book. I am thinking about it. I've had about a dozen or so people tell me I should, some of which don't even read my blog. One of you said I could use my blog as my cheat sheets. Too funny.

When I was a kid, I was always accused of exaggerating. I guess abnormally funny things happen to me or else I find things abnormally funny. Who knows?

Thank you for your support. I guess the book could be about me, a better version of me. Jerry Seinfeld was asked about the real Jerry compared to the TV Jerry. He said (sort of) that the TV Jerry was like the real Jerry, only better. You know, like the Clairol commercials. . .

We're Back

At the Pointe, thank you very much.

Have You Noticed?

I have posted on this blog every day for an entire month. You readers are sooooo funny. Calling up my mother when I haven't posted in a while. Sending me emails. Stalking me in the best possible way. So, I am trying to post daily. Some of you should consider reading the really good blogs that are out there.

The Rest of the Story

I am sure you read yesterday's post about us driving up the hill to Flagstaff, Arizona for a lovely weekend. You were thinking about that Ole of Olay commercial where they are peacefully driving in the beautiful car in a gorgeous part of the country. . . . . everything going so smoothly.

Well, first of all we get the car and Love Man immediately says, "Did you know we had a flat tire?" "No," I said, " just put some air in it." I guess this is some tire rule that you don't just put air in the tire and keep on traveling.

We head to Discount Tires, where there is a 45 minute wait. I said, "ask them to call the Discount Tire up the street." They didn't call, but said the wait would be the same. So, I called and spoke to my new best friend, Josh and he held the bay for us. I explained we were trying to get out of town. Any Phoenician understands this simple little statement. This is why people in Phoenix own mountain homes, beach condos, camp or visit relatives. They must escape the heat from time to time.

So, guess what? One of the little thingys that keep the air in and apparently turn colors like some weird mood ring was loose. The tire needed air. There was nothing else wrong with it.
In my defense, I would have put air in the tire, checked it once on my jaunt up the mountain
and visited Discount Tires up in Flag. So, basically, the tire needed air and the thingy needed to be screwed in tightly.

So, we get up there. All is well. We go downtown and are checking out the cute little shops. Love Man loves this part. He doesn't understand why all three of his women like to do this.

My friend Amy called, her family was in town. Her parents own a house in Flag and shes goes up a lot. We all went out to dinner. The pink haired girl got sick and Amy had to leave early. The rest of us stayed, I did volunteer to go with Amy.

The next day, Love Man wanted to hike Mount Humphreys. I decided not to go. My hip has been hurting since camping. I ordered flip flops with more support and think that may be the issue. Amy had invited us to go to this recreation center, I already told you all about that.
So, we went there. Hung out all day. I got sun-burned despite wearing sun screen and
having a great base tan. I guess it was the altitude. The sun is strong here.

LM was to pick us up in the afternoon. We tried to figure out how long it would take him. Amy's mother picked us all up. We piled into her car like clowns at a circus. Two moms and four children. The usual.

Amy brought us back to our hotel and decided to wait until we heard from Love Man.

I decided I wouldn't be worried until 7. We agreed to go out to dinner at 6, knowing he would call when he was heading back to Flagstaff. Around six, he called saying "a lesser man would have let himself be eaten by the chipmunks." He apparently made it up the 6,000 feet just fine, but had trouble getting down the hill. He met us at this diner and we all had dinner. He did have
a little trouble getting up and out of the restaurant. Imagine old man walking with a walker, except there was no walker. That is about how it looked.

Sunday we hung out and headed back down the hill to Phoenix. I did laundry. The girls watched TV. Love Man walked in the hot pool as the cover was on it while we were gone. The cover heats up the pool. The warm water proved to be therapeutic.

While we were packing to go. Love Man said, "don't pack my stuff." He was going to take a shower and all. So, I didn't. Amy is picking up his clothes left at the hotel today. "You told me not to pack your stuff," I told him.

That was our weekend in a nut shell.

We are Back

We just got back from Flagstaff. It was fun. We hung out for the weekend and got cool. My friend Amy was up there and we met up with her family. Love Man hiked Mount Humphreys. He went from 6,000 feet to 12,000. Yikes. I didn't go as I feared I would die.

Blonde Girl was up early today. She heard that the "teacher letters" have arrived. She wanted
to check the mail at 8:00 this morning. She is very excited. I was shocked she was up so early.
"Why are you awake?" I asked. "I am too excited to find out who my teacher is."

I have already warned her. She gets what she gets and she doesn't throw a fit. That is a preschool saying, that the Rainbow room pretty much lives and dies by. I will keep you posted.

Yadda. Yadda. Yadda

Does the smell of tempra paint remind you of school? It does me. Did I tell you that we are finished school shopping. Done. Finito. We are simply waiting for the letter from Blonde Girl's
teacher advising us of our school supply list. I am sure Miss Brunette is too cool for school supplies. We will need sharpies, highlighters, pens and pencils. No more crayolas for her.

Last Night

My old friend, Ms. S. called me. "What are you doing?" Only multiple things, I was making
pasta salad, baking cookies, putting away groceries, bringing comedy to to the free world, getting ready to touch up my hair, etc.

"Meet us at the movies".

"Oh, I can't I will never get all of this stuff done." The other girlfriend gets on the phone, I chat with her awhile. She wants to speak to Miss Brunette. "Okaaaayyyyyy." says Miss Brunette
who already thinks I am crazy and is now wondering about Mrs. K.

They talked and Mrs. K. got her to agree to make the cookies and help me touch-up my hair.
I was multi-tasking making the pasta salad and putting away a too many groceries. Miss Brunette did help and Blonde Girl later helped us too.

All of to see a movie I have already seen. Sometimes it more about the people.

I've Recovered

I have recovered from the Back-to-School hoopla. Am now gearing up for marathon session at the grocery store. I must log a lot of walking time shopping as I do.

TTYL.

Back to School Shopping

We have spent two exhausting days back to school shopping. Blonde Girl is done. Miss Brunette
needs a brown and gray tank tops. I thinking from the Old Navy collection. We would have gone today, but were too beat. We bought Miss Brunette shoes and unders today. I am sure she would be DELIGHTED that I shared that with you.

I am good. I ordered a new pair of flip flops. I have several newer shirts and I mostly wore dresses this summer when we weren't swimming. So, I am ready to go. I do have this FEAR that I got rid of a lot of things while I was on my march through the house to de-stuff. It suddenly dawned on me that I may have gotten rid of my black Justin cowboy boots. Not to fear, they are still in my boot basket. Don't you all have a boot basket? I have no plans to wear them to preschool, but it concerned me nevertheless. I am only hoping I kept some khaki pants in both long and short form. I will keep you posted.

Abby is Too

She is just not as social. She is more shy.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I am Sorry

I know most of you LOVE your dog, but this has to be the world's cutest dog. Four pounds of
adorable. People stop and talk to us. Yes, he is that cute.

Finger Licking Good Chicken

Put the seasoning inside and out. We like Monterey chicken seasoning.




Drink half of the beer and use the rest. Love Man helps me with this part.

Put it on the grill and cook for 1 - 1 1/4 hours. Sometimes they get done really fast.

It is Official

We are easily entertained.

The Bat Cave

You knew I would get to it sooner or later.

Every single time I visit my mother in Iowa, we have an encounter with bats. They have flown at me upstairs, coming out of the bathroom and several times in the kitchen and front room. Once, a damned bat flew at me while I was sitting at the kitchen table. I went under the table. My mother said, "you have to get up and help." Okay, but in my defense, I took my baby nephew under the table, too. I did help.

If the bats got away from us and went upstairs, we were in trouble. Mother attacked them like
a ninja with hair spray and a tennis racket. Often times, she was in her nightgown. It was a sight. She would jump into action and most of the times the bat didn't live to tell the story. Bats are nocturnal and that is why my mom was in her jammies.

Yes, I know bats are useful to the environment. Southern Iowa has NO pollution and a huge bat population. Blonde Girl is interested in bats and has two informative books on the subject.
Evidently, the bats that live in Iowa are the little brown bat. I have learned this while reading these bat books to Blonde Girl for years.

The book also talks about how bats need a bat house. So, after getting NO sleep for days at my mother's house because of these lovely creations, I had an idea. Well, actually it was Blonde Girl's. We needed a bat house! I was going to get my mother a bat house.

Once that house was up, no more bats. Several people thought it is hilarious and that we are
crazier than we are already perceived to be. It seems to work. Neighbors have shined flashlights up there and have seen nothing. It is pretty dark. For a while, it was a pretty big topic of conversation.

Now the only reminder of our bat saga is the bat Italian charm on my mother's bracelet. It is her second one, the first allegedly flew away.

The Middle of July

We have somehow managed to avoid more play dates. We ran errands yesterday and went to the grocery store. The girls love "Fresh and Easy" as they can ring up the groceries. Fun times in the city.

It is the middle of July. That is hard for me to believe. Sadly, we start school August 10. I think I start August 17, who knows. I am avoiding that date. I used to dread my birthday, because it always meant the start of school. I guess I haven't changed.

We have cooked chicken on a beer can all summer long. It is great. It is a "my mother" recipe.
You will have to ask her for it.

Hand rub Monterey chicken seasoning or Monterey country chicken seasoning all over the chicken after you wash it out. The pie tie holds your can of beer (use about 1/2). Put the chicken on top of the beer can. The can is held in the pie tin.

The beer can cooker that is basically two wires on a metal pie tin. Naturally this high tech device is available in the garden center of Wal-Mart. What other store would have a beer can chicken cooker?

Put it on the grill for 1 - 1 1/4 hours and you will end up with a fabulous chicken.

Screening the Calls

The mom, obviously in desperate need to entertain her child, asked to speak to me.

"Blonde Girl can come over again to spend the night if you will let her," she said.

I told her, "No, she is really pretty tired. She didn't get home until late afternoon yesterday (from her house I might add). Today we met friends for lunch and swimming, she swam all day. I think we will have to do it later on." I said.

"Well, she can spend the night tomorrow or play during the day on Friday"

"We will see."

Miss Brunette just looked at me. She is living in peace with her cell phone turned off.
Blonde Girl didn't put up much fuss. I told Love Man, "See, I told you she was tired."

Normally we are in Iowa, this is my first experience with the desperate housewives.

Friendly Friends

Blonde Girl is only friends with the girls in her class. The only old friends she keeps are Molly her BFF and Allie. Remember, I told you that means "best friends forever". I like both of them. The rest of the friends are from her class.

Well, the children must be getting bored. Molly reports that she can not have a sleep over at HER house, but can sleep over at OUR house. Caitlin's mother has the same view. Molly has
phoned 5 times this week. I think Caitlin has called at least that much if not more.

Tomorrow we are getting together with a mutual friend of Miss Brunette and Blonde Girl. And, I like the mother as well. Molly has worn me down. "Tell her we will pick her up after tennis," I told Blonde Girl. I guess we will keep her until her mother wants her home. She is easy and our
entire family likes her.

I told Blonde Girl she was going to have to get her room cleaned up and read about 10 pages
before we get Molly. Nothing motivates her like socializing. Miss Brunette could care less. Her
phone is off most of the time. She checks her messages and texts about once a day. She does really like both of the girls coming over tomorrow, but isn't after me for play dates. Her one friend is a texting addict, so she is annoyed by that. Her major girl friend is at camp.

Sleep Over

Two of Blonde Girl's friends called trolling for a sleep-over. We have them A LOT. But, I didn't want one today. It would be too much and I had things to do. Blonde Girl even told one girl maybe. The girl called to say she could spend the night. I got mad at Blonde Girl. I told her AGAIN to check with me before she talked to her friends.

We went out in the 114 degree heat and ran errands. five stores. I can report that my car stays pretty cool in the heat. We picked up a Red Box movie. As you know, I love Red Box. We were
picking up re-fills at the Circle K (no soda in the house) and we ran into one of her friends.

Blonde Girl immediately comes up to me while I was getting Love Man a diet mountain dew.
"What are we doing tonight?" "Oh no, we have already talked about this, we are NOT having
a sleep-over". "No, they want me at their house." Now, that is different. I looked at the mom, she said, "maybe it is not enough notice." I said, "I can have her ready in five minutes."

And, that is how we had a peaceful evening.

Women, Women, Women

Okay, being with 11 women is exhausting. I am all "done in" today. I should have walked this morning, but I couldn't get out of bed. It would have made me feel better.

Bunco

Just returned from Flagstaff, where my bunco group had a retreat. I don't know what we retreated from, the heat I guess. It was fun. We ate, talked and shopped.

Stuffed Peppers

The stuffed peppers were a hit.

Last Night

Last night for dinner, we had lobster. It was on sale at The Sunflower, my favorite grocery store, for three-something a tail. It is normally twelve-something or more.

It didn't go over very well. Blonde Girl was invited over the Little Pink Haired Girl's house for a sleep-over. They had been over swimming earlier in the day. She immediately said, "I don't want to miss the stuff peppers, can we have them tomorrow?" She had been at The Sunflower with me and we bought peppers. The girls LOVE stuffed peppers. They have eaten them their entire life, which shows you that you need to expose children to food again and again.

Anyway, I decided to make lobster. In this recreation, here is how it went with Miss Brunette.

MB: "Oh my God, we are not having that for dinner."
ME: "It is great, how could you say that. You need to try it."
LM: "You have to try it."

Repeat 25 times, improvise if you will.

So, we have lobster, melted butter, green beans, baked potatoes and salad. Miss Brunette
takes a bit, chews it and says "I don't like it, do I have to swallow it". Now, she thinks all food
she doesn't want to try tastes like poison. She was ridiculous about it. We have seafood forks (my mother). She was intruged by these unique accessory.

ME: "Finish that bite"
LM: "It is great!"
MB: "I am so hungry."
ME: "Eat your potato and green beans."
MB: "We have potatoes too much."
ME: "We had one last week while camping."
MB: "Well, that is two times. I wanted stuffed peppers."


So, that is how Love Man and I got to eat two lobster tails a piece.

Another One for the Blog

Blonde Girl painted her face. That's another one for the blog.

I asked her, "what should I write on the blog about this?" She immediately replied "Blonde Girl, obviously, dressed herself as an exotic alien."

One for the Blog

Miss Brunette took this photo on the ride to the White Mountains. She wanted to show you some of the desert.

"Did you post that on the blog?" That is a common question around our house. Every time something funny happens, one of the girls will say, "well, that is one for the blog". Or, else they will say, "that's another topic for your blog".

When Love Man lived in CdA, he was a reader. I guess living with us, he doesn't have to read the blog because he lives it. He will occasionally ask me what kind of pictures I am using.

The other day, driving back to the Valley - Sam got on my shoulder and sat there like a parrot.
Miss Brunette laughed so hard, she could barely get him off. He wanted to stay. I was driving through the mountains and wanted him off me. That is one for the blog.

I should have taken a photo of all of my laundry and the sleeping bags hanging on the pool fence.
That would have been one for the blog. The sleeping bags are still there. Love Man promised to put them away. The laundry is all folded and put away. It took me forever.

Yes, I still used my washer with the broken something. Love Man thinks it needs a new pump.
The man is coming on Friday. Thank God for the AHS warranty that we have kept up all of these years. I am trying not to wash anything else, until after the repair.

Back in the Desert

Okay, I spent three hours yesterday washing, hanging up (pool fence) and folding laundry. That is pretty much what I am up to. The girls are happy watching all of their shows that they DVRed. Love Man holed up in Miss Brunette's room as to escape from the noise and the TV. So, we are almost back to normal.

The dogs jumped into their beds and rolled around in their blankets. They apparently missed their beds too.

TTYL.

Camping

It rained several times a day. I got this shot after a pretty big rain storm. I returned to Phoenix with about 12 loads of laundry. Of course, my washer is leaking somewhere. Am waiting for Love Man to look at it.

They had fun.

We managed to stay somewhat clean. It is hard to believe how dirty you can get with that much rain.

White Mountains

Love Man is teaching the girls to fish. So far they are only casting and reeling. It is shades of
"wax on, wax off".




Naturally, the dogs came with us. They wore t-shirts and fleece jackets. This is the land of the big dog. Sam and Abby attract a lot of attention.





This is our camp site. You can see my black car on the left. It was nice. We normally camp
near Mexican Hay, this is closer to Big Lake.

It is gorgeous here.

I love the smell of pine.

Quatro de Julio

Quatro de Julio

Happy Fourth of July!

I am providing my greeting in two languages, for those of you who like things in English and Spanish.

S'more

Did I mention s'mores are my favorite dessert? It is better than cake or pie any day.

New Day

Every fourth of July my mother would say, "well, the summer is half over." I wish that were now the case. It is more than half over for our girls. They, unfortunately, resume school on August 10. That is sick, wrong and just not right. It is always 112 degrees then. Awful!

A Reprieve

Soooo, yesterday wasn't my best sweet tea day. After I went to the doctor, I had to have another diet doctor pepper. It was great.

While at the doctor, it was time for me to step on the scale. I said, "Look I am going camping and my favorite dessert is a s'more. Don't ruin this for me. I don't want to know if I am up, it will make me crazy and I won't enjoy myself eating s'mores every day." The tech let me get away with NOT being weighed.

I don't know if she filled in the same weight or what, but the doctor did not say a word.

Nah, na, nah, na nah!