Visiting Teaching

You know. As I have mentioned before, visiting teaching has always been a thorn in my side. Teaching and being taught -- either way I was just annoyed with it. But, I have to say that the last few teachers I've had have been awsome. I have just loved them. And, as strange as it may sound, I can totally see the whole point of the program now. I've had the best time with the gals I teach and with the ones who teach me. I feel like I'm really developing some good relationships with my girls and I know that my teachers make me feel so good. They make me feel normal and sane -- they keep me in touch with reality. So, Ladies, until next time! I totally look forward to it!

I Need A Break

I'm having one of those nights where everything my kids do absolutely drives me nuts. Robert was leaning up against me and I told him to stop leaning on me. Carly keeps wanting to help me in the kitchen with dinner and I'm doing everything I can not to yell at her. But I did send her away. All I want to do is go into my room and shut the door and be left alone. But, of course, I can't. I'm a mom. We aren't allowed that luxury. Mike's not coming home 'til late tonight so I have to really practice patience. I don't know if I have in me tonight though. !&^!#$!! I NEED A BREAK! .....I'm booking myself a massage!

A Simple Little Prayer

Mike has a '65 Mustang GT Fastback living in our garage. It's a beautiful car -- very sexy, if I must say. It's red with two white racing stripes that run from the hood to the trunk. Yep, very hot. Anyway, we pushed it out of the garage last night to finally put away the christmas decorations and while doing so Mike decides it's time to get the baby running. It's got a couple of leaks coming from who knows where. So in order to to get it from point A to point B we needed the car keys -- couldn't find them anywhere. All day today we looked, looked and relooked. Mike came home in the middle of the day and looked some too. After going through things for the third or fourth time, I began to think it was hopeless and that it was time to call a lock smith. Not only that but I was so exhausted and distraught. I gave up doing everything I wanted to do today to help find those keys. I was at my wits end. So I knelt and prayed. I took a break from looking and about an hour later, I find the keys. Of course, they were some place we hadn't looked -- in a bag on top of the freezer out in the garage. Who woulda thought it? I certainly wouldn't have without that simple little prayer. I know that for certain. I just wish I would have done it sooner!

Just When You Think You're Getting It Together....

So I was feeling pretty good about myself this week. I managed to exercise 3 times, did all the laundry and actually put it all away, and kept the house somewhat picked up all week long. I was feeling pretty proud. Then Friday comes along and I'm getting ready to fix dinner for Rachel and the kids before Mike and I go out for our date night and what do I find in the microwave???? Three beautiful chicken breasts I had begun thawing out the night before for dinner. Needless to say, I hung my head in shame. You see, Mike had come home for two minutes before he took off out of town the night before and gave me money to take the kids out for dinner. I, of course, couldn't refuse and took the kids to Sharkey's and completely forgot about the chicken in the microwave. Until the next evening, of course. Not only was I ashamed but I was so sad that the chicken had gone to waste. Well, sort of. I cooked them up and gave them to the dogs so it was all good. But still... I guess I still have some work to do in the got-it-all-together category.

More Funnies

Carly: "Did you win Robert?"

Robert (playing Daily Noggin computer games): "No. It's a cat scan."

Carly: "What does that mean?"

Robert: "Nobody won."

Mom: "What kind of game was it?"

Robert: "A cat scan."

Mom (laughing so hard I could barely talk) "You mean a cat's GAME."

Kids and money

Robert: "Hey, Mom!" Could you put some money in my homework folder?"

Me: "Sure, Son. How much do you need?"

Robert: " One or twenty dollars. "

Facebook

Honestly, I don't get it. I just started my facebook account and everytime I get on there I'm confused. I just don't get it. What exactly is it for? Does anyone really care what I'm doing right at that particular moment? And what if what I'm doing is inappropriate for anyone to know about? And what is the proper ettiquette? Do I have to let everyone I know (but aren't necessarily "friends") into my facebook world? And if I don't let them in wouldn't that be rude? .......totally don't get it. I totally feel angst when I get on there. Help!!!!!

Kids These Days

Every morning I have to pack a snack for Robert. And for the most part they have been pretty healthy snacks -- granola bars, apples, carrots, etc. But just for a treat I thought I'd pack him the last of the rice crispie treats I made yesterday. Thinking that he'd be thrilled, I gave it to him expecting joyous jubilations. Instead, I get this are-you-nuts???? look and a "What's this?"

With a big smile I say, "It's your snack!"

He says, "Ummm, could I get a HEALTHY snack?" I thought he was kidding and say, "Really?" in total disbelief. He said (get this), "Yes."

I was somewhat hurt but halfway laughing and said, "Go get a granola bar then you dork." And he happily did so.

How can this be my child????

And then Carly, who has always been my good eater and who always asks for a snack after our morning at the dog park, shocked me this morning too. As usual, I offered some yummy fruit, but she asked for (get this) tomatoes!!!

"Tomatoes???" I said.

"Uh huh," she says, "And could you put them in a circle on my plate please?" and then twirls and flits off to go wash her hands.

I'm standing there stunned by this request but completely laughing on the inside (because she is so darned cute) and then turn to honor her request -- tomatoes in a circle on her plate. How could I resist?

Valentine's Day

We never celebrate Valentine's Day on actual Valentine's Day. For one thing you have to book reservations literally a year in advance in some restaurants and they're always so crowded and generally crazy. So we either celebrate the week before or after and then do a nice family dinner on actual Valentine's Day. So yesterday we celebrated Valentine's Day.

My husband has never skimped on special occassions. In fact, he's the chick in our relationship when it comes to these times. He's the one who remembers where we had our first kiss, where we went for our first Valentine's Day date, etc. Me, I'm sorry to say, get these times all jumbled up and seldom get them right. So anyway, he's the romantic one in our relationship.

So yesterday, we celebrated Valentine's at Saddle Peak Lodge, my most favorite restaurant. It's so very romantic. And because my husband is the stud that he is, he arranged that we be seated on the top floor. I love the top floor because it only has about five intimate tables and it's very romantic. He asked me if he remembered when the last time we sat up there was and, of course, I got it wrong. Apparently, we sat up there on our very first Valentine's Day together exactly 12 years ago.

He also made it very special because I was able to invite Robyn and Tyler to go with us. It was so great to be able to share this night with them. They were both so much fun and as always it was so great being with them. It was so great to be able to share my favorite restaurant and experience what it was like the first time I went there through them. Thank you Robyn and Tyler for that!!

And to top the evening off, we made a plan for the next steps to completing my kitchen and Tyler is totally going to help us. Yay!

And I can't close this post without saying I love you guys! As I said at Christmas time, I have never felt like I have had real friends until now. I can spill my guts out and I feel nothing but love from you all. You are the best!

I'm An Idiot

Don't you hate it when you're just not thinking and you say stupid things? I do that ALL the time. I offend people ALL the time. And the worse thing about it is that I offend people I love. I think I'm just teasing or I'm much too honest, and then when it's much too late I realize I have offended. I hate it when I do this. I really do.

My problem is that I'm not a mean person. If I were mean then this wouldn't be so painful when I do this. I would be happy when I offend. But since I'm not mean I'm sick to my stomach when this happens. I want to bury my head in the sand for shame. I want to die. It's an awful feeling to have offended. I don't recommend it to anyone.

I have offended a dear friend. And there is no worse feeling to know that I have done this. I'm sure that I have caused much heartache in her life as well and this is unbearable for me. But, of course, because she is a much nicer and better person than I, she will never tell me this.

So, the reason I'm writing this is because I want you to know that I know I'm an idiot. I don't intentionally want to hurt people. I say stupid things They mean nothing. Because I'm an idiot.

No Pics...AGAIN

I hate not being able to post pics!

We went to Carpinteria on Friday to the Seal Rookery. That's just a place along the coast where the Harbor Seals go to have their babies (don't worry. I didn't know that that was either). The day was absolutely gorgeous! Warm and sunny with a slight breeze. We went up with Julianna, Kelly, Stephanie, Liz and Elizabeth and of course, all the kids. I even took Robert out of school for the special occassion. After all, it was a natural science field trip right? Anyway, I got some really good pictures of the big pregnant mama seals and somewhere amongst the mix was a tiny baby seal that had just been born that morning. Totally cool!

After seeing the seals, we stopped off at Santa Claus Lane and ate at this yummy little restaurant where there was a wonderful place to eat outside and the kids could play in this big giant sand pit. It was so nice!!! I got some really nice pics of the kids playing and stuff, but I can't post them due to the computer issue. Bummer!

I also have some really cute pics of Carly at her gymnastics class on Tuesday. Oh man! She really hammed it up for the camera. She really played up the princess hands. You know, what I mean -- arms straight down her sides with her hands perpendicular to the floor. Too cute!!! Of course, she was up on her toes just for that special princess affect. But, again, no pics.

I'm hoping I'll be getting that external hard drive soon. Some posts just aren't worth writing about without pictures!