I lost a week... anybody seen it, if so can I have it back, PLEASE!!

Hannah's Tropical Island

You may detect my need for an extra week... :) I was checking my school assignments and realized the paper I have been avoiding ( I am to write on a country's development potential and discuss that potential using concepts we've covered in class)is due this Sunday, not next Sunday. Holy Moly!! is right!! On top of that, I have 2 ;literature reviews due the week after Thanksgiving. So, I know what I will be doing over Thanksgiving break... :) I never knew it got harder as you go, lol, now that is funny!


I still am finding time to vent to you all though, hehehehe. This is my saving grace right now. Suck it up and take deep breath, I keep telling myself. Hannah keeps drawing me pictures of the water and tropical islands, trying to help me relax. :) OK, I am done venting and will get back to it. Maybe I will go vacuum the floor and mop, that always relaxes me... ok, yes I am still in avoidance mode!!!

Have a fabulous day!!!

Maintenance Monday... What a great idea Gina!

The Mess...

Looky how much I was able to elminate and condense.... awww, I love it! ;)

Monday Maintenance... The game/craft/gift closet

(I always buy teacher gifts, bday gifts, odd gifts on clearence and have them on hand. 25 cents for a great gift, you cant pass that up, can you?) :)

My Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and the list goes on, Maintenance lists.

Hannah's cat in the hat hats we found at a yard sale for 10 cents a piece. As I am going through this, WOW, the yard sale and clearence stuff is the favorites. ;)

Yes, that is a tarantula in our house!!! Get it the heck out, yuck!! :) Hannah took care of it. Todd pateched up the hole in crawled in through. YAY!!

What a great idea Gina had... Maintenance Monday. We all have those pesky, not every day jobs, or at least I know we do, and this is a great reminder to get it done. I tackled the pantries and Hannah's room this weekend and boy oh boy, what a job. Todd made a dog run at the back of our house, in hopes that our dog, Max, will not jump. :) (Wishful thinking!)

What's on list for next Monday? That all depends what I get done this week in between writing papers. Yike!!!

Moms Potatoes... What is your favorite Thanksgiving Recipe?

The one dish that is my favorite to share at Thanksgiving... and the favorite of those I share it with. :)

My Mom's Potatoes

(I am doing this from memory and well, if I miss a step please forgive me.)

10 to 12 med. potatoes, baked until almost done, let cool over night and peel

1 can of cream of chick soup

1 pint of sour cream

1 stick of butter melted

shredded ched chs 8 to 16 oz

salt and pepper

shredded onion (ooppss, almost forgot the onion)

Shred potatoes (after deskinning), onion, and chs. Mix shredded ingrediants with soup, sour cream and melted butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle lightly with shredded cheese. Bake for 45 mins to 1 hour (or until golden brown) at 350.

I hope I remembered it all. I usually have to double if not triple this recipe. You can't go wrong with this recipe and it is so scrumptious!

We send some home with guests and I have even frozen some for later.

Now, I hope you will share a recipe with all of us... Happy Thanksgiving!

What Season are you?

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

I love the fall!! To be back in a state where the colors really show.... aaawwww, the Mountains of New Mexico maybe. ;) Thank you Christina for sharing.

Pirates

This morning Hannah and David played dressed up with some finds from a neighbors yard sale this summer. I, we, love this parrot hat and I was thinking I would put it in the dress up box for my class, but this is one that will staying here for a while. :)

eat.... pray... love

I can not believe I have read anything besides Grade 2 books and College textbooks, but I made myself and what a great book. Now for my disclaimer: this book isn't for everyone (there are some off-color moments and words), but I would recommend this book to anyone who has been through divorce or a break up or looking for "stillness".

I have always had a wandering soul and would love to travel more of this wonderful world and some day Todd and I will. :) This book is about a women's journey (travels too) after the loss of a marriage and a relationship after the marriage and she is looking for... what is she looking for? As you read this book you will know. :) (I am not giving anything away... that should show how much I think you should read it. :))

Side note: Debi you came to my mind and heart several times throughout this book and I hope you are able to find the time to read it. Great book!!

Enjoy!

P.S. If you do read it, please leave me a post.

Harvest Festival at Calvary

Art Lesson with Papa

What more can one say... :)

School Photo

One question... Why do they have recess before pictures? Oh well! :)

She is beautiful with or without sweaty hair.

To our family, watch for your photo with your Christmas cards. :)

Did You Know 2.0

WOW!! We saw this in class last night. This kept me thinking all night and I am sure, all day.

A day at Family Fun Rodeo Day

What a blast it was! We went to Cowboy Church with Family and had such a great time!!

We see a horse in Hannah's furture more and more... :)

The Best Laugh I have had in awhile...

My dear counsin in law sent this to us this morning... Enjoy!

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1202370&fr=yvmtf

Zip Skinny

This website is awesome. It gives you the statistics on you zip code. It was fun!

Zip Skinny

Thanks Missy (Todd's sister).

This was fun.... :)

I found this at A Bugg's Life and had fun with it!

I also wondered how this was calculated and found information here.

Who are you going to vote for? :)

Tagged by Debi... YAY!!!

Four places I have lived:
The Beach in CA, Wyoming, AZ.... hhhmmm, that's all and I believe this why I have a wandering spirit, up for any new move. :)

Four foods that I like:
Lasagna, cheesecake, bbq summer squash and zucchini quiche.

Places I have been on vacation:
Europe, Tennessee, Mexico, Washington D.C. and many more.

Four places I'd rather be:
I have to agree with Audrey, I am happy where I am at. Todd and I have always talked about moving to Northern AZ and someday.... :)

Thanks for tagging me Debi!

Synchronicity... I love it when this happens!

Ok, this may only be funny to me, but... I turned on Oprah at 6 pm (TIVO'd it) , after all my household stuff was done of course, and they were talking about being still, then I post the last post about being still, then I go down my list of favorites, and whammo, Christina's latest post is "Being Still". I heard it loud and clear tonight... I need to be still!!! I am still laughing with joy and so glad that synchronicity is happening.

Just wanted to share! :)

Books... Reading... so much more!

Hi Ladies and Gents!! We wanted to check in and say "HI!". Life is busy, busy and busy.... (putting on the breaks) Wait a minute, :) Hannah has been struggling with her reading and it hit me in more ways than one. I need to read more, more than school books, I need to feed my soul right now, not only for me, but for my family. Of course I picked up my bible, then I bought some books which are helping me to help Hannah, and then I bought 2 pleasure books.





Two quotes that have stood out to me recently were, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) and the second (and please forgive me I am not sure who said this), "Being still is the only religion." So, I need to be still. I got it! I heard it! I am going to do it! Oh yeah, someone told me about a yoga class, going to sign up for that! Be still!!



I have some big decisions coming up and I am seeing how being still will help me in making those decisions. I will be honest with all of my fellow bloggin friends :), I am getting a little nervous... I am coming to a stage of change and accomplishment that I have never experienced and it is a little (not scary, not uneasiness) perplexing (?).

WOW-WEE!!! Anyways, watching Oprah today and I heard something fun to do and I hope you all will give this a try with me. :)

Journaling...

(The author of "Eat, Pray, Love" suggested to do this and I am going to give it a try!)

Questions to ask yourself and journal:

1. What do you really, really, really want?

2. Happiest Moment of the day.

3. Change your mantra. (We all have one, good or bad, but it is time for change. :))

Have a fabulous weekend and will see you all next week! :)

Sending Good Thoughts and Lots of Love your way!

Who is My Man? :) I have been tagged!

1. Who is your man? Todd (sometimes effectionatly called Toad)

2. How long have you been together? 8 years, married 8 in December.

3. How long dated? Dated? I don't know if we really ever dated, well one weekend. Long story... Emailed, phoned and video conferenced for 2 years. :)

4. How old is your man? 42

5. Who eats more? Depends on what time of month it is. ;)

6. Who said "I love you" first? Same as Antigone... Todd did first, but out of protecting myself I couldnt say it back the first few times. Thank God he is a patient man.

7. Who is taller? He is just barely... I come from a very tall family, I am the shortest at 5'11, the tallest is 6'9. He is afraid that Hannah is going to be as tall or taller than him (he might be right).

8. Who sings better? Sing? Oh no, we dont sing. lol

9. Who is smarter? Ok, I could say something really smarty pants like, but I will have to say, we balance each other out... He is smarter in some areas and I am smarter in others.

10. Whose temper is worse? He has a shorter fuse... I am a total confrontation avoider.

11. Who does the laundry? ME!! Step away from the wash machine.

12. Who takes out the garbage? Me, Hannah and Todd. Todd being on the road 4 days a week we all have to share. :)

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me. How many of us woman will be on the "right" side of the bed? This will be interesting to see.

14. Who pays the bills? Me, again, Todd being on the road 4 days it just is easier this way.

15. Who is better with the computer? Todd, that is where his training is so he better be better.

16. Who mows the lawn? Todd, and you mean mows the weeds, right.

17. Who cooks dinner? Me 4 days a week and we share the weekends... Todd is so good at though and we love everything he makes.

18. Who drives when you are together? Todd usually.

19. Who pays when you go out? Who ever has money in their account. :)

20. Who is most stubborn? We both are. I think I am little more on giving up as far as who is right or wrong.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Todd usually is because I am never wrong. LOL

22. Whose parents do you see the most? My Dad lives with us, so mine. :)

23. Who kissed who first? Todd kissed me first... YAY!!

24. Who asked who out? It was mutual. Long distance sort of thing.

25. Who proposed? Todd... read our blog for more. ;)

26. Who is more sensitive? Both of us.

27. Who has more friends? Me. Todd would say Me.

28. Who has more siblings? Todd has a brother, sister, half sister and step brother.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? I would say Todd and he would say Me.

Anyone who would like to participate, please, have fun!

More Birthday photos...

Here are some more of the photos from yesterday... Leah, Stephanie, here are photos of Grandma opening her computer and card. She cried, she was so over joyed. :)

Grandma's 90th Birthday Party

Todd's Grandmothers 90th Birthday was yesterday and we had a family get together... It was so much fun to watch the joy in her face. The entire family purchased a computer for her, it is what she wanted, and we look forward to sharing our lives with her.

Danielle and Glen hosted the party and it was absolutely terrific!!! Thanks to you and your family. We love ya!!

Grandma,

We love you so much!

I have been tagged!!

Hi Everyone! I fell off my computer for over a week and not on purpose. :) I am nearing the final phase of school and have had several appointments to meet with different Universities and so on. This is taking so much time on top of trying to stay on task in all of my classes.

Today was Todd's Grandma's 90th Birthday and his family had a wonderful celebration for her. It was just great!!! All of us in the family bought her a computer, she wanted one and I think everyone is excited to have her online. Family, I will post some pictures tonight.

Here is what I have been "tagged" on... How I got engaged.

This is a "new age" story. :) Todd and I met online, that is right, online. I lived in Wyoming and he lived here in Arizona. We emailed each other and chatted on Instant Messaging for 2 years before meeting. We really got to know each other in that 2 years. We both had been married before and we both had our lists of what we would not except and what we wished to have. Although our conversations never really were about getting married ourselves, or to each other, it was more in general. Plus, we didn't think we would ever meet. :)

Well, I went home to California to help my Dad with my Mom and when I told Todd this we made plans to meet in Lake Havasu. (My Grandparents have a home there and Todd had access to a place to stay himself... plus if you ever met my Grandpa you know I would have been safe. :)) Those plans got changed and I took a leep of faith and met him in Tucson.

It was like meeting my best friend and it felt like we had known each other forever. A few weeks past and we were having one of our phone conversations and he said to me that he did not want to live without me in his life. The conversation progressed from there and he asked me over the phone in May of 1999 to marry him... of course!! :) I felt the same exact way and we were married that December. (There was so much more to it, but that is it in a nut shell.)

2 years getting to know someone through mail, email, and phone conversations, well, it was better than I could ever imagine... I really knew who he was, my true love, Todd. :)

Now I am suppose to tag 3 people myself...

Christina
Audrey
Bobbie

This was fun!!

Question of the day. :)

VS.

Ok, it might not be the question of the day, but it is my question for today. I was just asked this question in my Human Geography Class and the answers are very interesting. So, I thought, "it would be interesting to hear from my blog friends on this topic", cause I do consider you all to the most intelligent and amazing people. :)(Really I do!)

Q. Which do you believe has a greater impact on diffusing popular culture, television or the internet, and why?

I will post my answer and a few of my classmates this evening... very interesting. :)

Have a fabulous day everyone!

What kind of flower are you?

I am a Nigella What Flower Are You?

Who Knew?!

I am on top of it with being so far from it... :) This is a subject that is on everyones minds, but mark Oct. 15th and post a little something about helping our World.

This Great Universe

Crystalline Chapel, located in Chihuahua, Mexico. Discovered in 2000; some of these crystals are 36 feet in length, this cave is 950 feet below the surface, it is a whopping 120 F, the heat and water have allowed the gypsum to form into massive moon-white beams.
Article: Neil Shae Photo: Speleoresearch & Films, La Venta

Circular patches of barren soil on the edge of the Namib Desert. "Cryptic Desert Dimples" these circles are also so known as "fairy rings". Biochemist Carl Albrecht is close to proving what other scientists think these are: Termites are to blame.

Photo: Richard Du Toit

WOW!! It has been a few days since posting... I have missed so much. :) I can not come up with any profound words, hey, having problems even spelling it, so I will leave you with this...

Gone Greeen?

If you have implemented any "Gone Green" ways in your life, please share with us. :)

* I found these 2 photos in this months National Geographic... I absolutely love this magazine and just as my Dad shared it with me, we love sharing it with Hannah (she just loves it too!). Something else... I better not!!! The end! :) I wish you all could see my face as I am conflicted about this, to post or not, that is the question?! LOL I think I have finally lost it!!

9/11... Remembering

Like the Sea

By Tammy T. Cundiff

Remembrance

The day has come to join our hands

and thank God we live in this land

Look at your neighbors with different eyes

Open your ears to hear their cries

Open your souls to defend our rights

To terror that comes like a thief in the night

Hold out your hand to help your brother

Kiss your children hug your father and mother

Freedom is something we should all hold dear

and never let it go because of fear

open your heart to those in need

This is a message we should all heed

Pray for those who lost their lives

Pray for all their husbands and wives

Pray for the children left behind

Pray for the souls we cannot find

This is a day we will always remember

As freedom is attacked the 11th day of September

Never forget that we are one

We must stand together the day has come

For united we stand divided we fall

God bless America God bless us one and all.

How is everyone doing?

Good Morning Ladies,

School has taken over my life again. That hour block I set aside for blogging has been taking over with all of the reading I have to do. YIKES! Just this weekend I had to read 400+ pages and read with Hannah, which was much more enjoyable. Enough of that! :)

I wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing with their eating. :) I have lost 5 lbs, not sure where from, probably my big toe, but hey, it is 5 lbs gone. I have been such a slacker with posting recipes and I will hopefully this coming up weekend. :)

Exercise seems to be the hardest thing for me... I am at the point where I just have to do it, even if I don't want to!! I thought I could read while I walk, lol, what was I thinking I slow down to a step a minute because I am concentrating on what I am reading. LOL

Here is a tip from the "Biggest Loser" website (I find this show, or the people on the show, inspiring.): I know we all move, but could we move more... I know I need to!

What you can do now: Find an activity that you would choose
without knowing it’s good for you or something you would miss doing if you no longer could. After completing it, journal how it felt to move and why you’re grateful for the ability and opportunity.

Have a most fabulous week and I look forward to hearing about your progress!!

Say a Prayer, please.... :)

I have an interview at the college today to work the front desk a few hours a day. I so hope I get this position. I have enough on my plate, but this will fill the 4 hours in between my classes and the best part, I get paid to study. I can do my course work and answer the phones. Please, oh please, let my schedule be the one that fits their needs!! ;)

Thank you!

Coffee anyone?! :)

How do they do this?

You Are a Plain Ole Cup of Joe

But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated You're a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's you: the friend everyone invites. And your dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear.

What Kind of Coffee Girl Are You?

Thank you Christina for sharing this with me... It was fun!

You Edit how this would read... :)

An English professor wrote the words:
" A woman without her man is nothing"
on the chalkboard and asked his students to punctuate it correctly.

Your turn... post how you would punctuate this. :)

Have fun!