Little Bits of this and that

This stands as a warning to all unsuspecting wives out there. TODAY IS April Fool’s Day. My magnetic husband nailed me first thing this morning. And it wasn’t pretty!

First, take into consideration that I woke up last night at 11:30 PM wide awake and stayed that way until after 1:30 AM. (I fell asleep by 8:30 pm last night) Only to awaken by 5:30 AM this morning. I gave up the sleep-ghost and just got my dragging a$$ up.

The hubby was already showered and wide awake, when I started down the hallway heading for the coffee pot. (I don’t try to speak before that first cup.)

Then, in panic he yelled, STOP!!! THERE’S A SCORPION RIGHT THERE. He pointed at my feet while I hopped from foot to foot down the hallway screaming, “WHERE IS IT?!?” Yes, I could have skipped my morning coffee at that point. He just laughed at me, and let lose with those two words a good deal of us are bound to hear today.
APRIL FOOLS!

As silly as this may sound, you have to take into consideration my great and irrational fear of the scorpion. I showered with one who was creeping towards me while I had a head full of shampoo. We have found INSIDE our house about half a dozen of them over the years. And I know our front and backyard are crawling with the little nightmares.

The last one we found is the one in the photo at the top of this entry. It was discovered about a month ago, when my smart and “afraid-of-nothing” daughter let out with a blood-curdling scream from the miniature basketball court in the backyard. Practicing her shot, she came foot to head with the little critter and lost all control. I’m not sure if the little guy was dead or not. But I have read that they will “play dead” when confronted with any sense of danger.

So having this photographed reminder just a mere month ago set the stage perfectly for Paul’s practical joke. I’ll be spending the next year trying to come up with a way to nail him in 2009! As my brother-in-law Jim pointed out this morning, after a while today everyone’s radar is up, and it’s harder to trick them. (Jim’s wife, Barb, did get him this morning, so that’s one for the ladies!)

Consider yourself warned. In the meantime I’m hoping for a nap at some point today. My nerves are rattled and my sleep has been deprived. If I end up dreaming about scorpions though, someone is going to pay the price!

Love,
3T

Painted Skies - Teri Johannes

We are ending the second week of back-to-school, and seem to be getting into our normal routine. Each year seems to bring a few more activities than the previous year. Which translates into more taxi-service and keeping track of times and places that the kids need to be.

We’re starting out on a good foot with Riley this year. Yesterday was the first teacher phone call of the year; and if you’ve been a reader for any length of time, you know it usually is not good. I see the school name on the caller ID, cringe and prepare myself for the inevitable, “Riley did this.” Or “Riley didn’t do that.”

Imagine my shock and delight, when she said she was calling to keep me up-to-date. Riley’s attitude has improved 10-fold, he is eager to get his work done, and to date has been a delight in her classroom. At which point I said, OK, and now for the “however.” Another shock when she said, “there is no however this time.” She went on to say, my sweet but occasionally obnoxious Riley, has managed to charm all of the girls in his class. *grinning* (He has to get that from me!)

Tayler is as busy as ever this year. She has added a few more activities to her extra curricular schedule. Another shock, she is in beginning dance, that from what I gather is a type of jazz dance. And of course needed jazz pants and leotard, the next day. The last two weeks have held quite a few last minute trips to pick up this supply or that supply. She is continuing violin, which makes me very happy. We’re going on the fourth year, so I anticipate concerts that will be even better than last year. This morning she informed me Mondays will hold another after-school activity. She along with one of her classmates and the help of a teacher advisor are starting a FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group. A club I was part of in High Schoool as well. Although athletics and team sports were the last thing on my mind. I joined the group because I had a huge crush on the teacher advisor and of course I was a Christian. I did leave out the part about why I joined this particular club, when telling Tayler. Between drama and basketball, violin and now beginning dance, this young lady has a full schedule. Which would concern me, accept for the fact that she is more organized and prioritizes her time far better than I do even today! Hopefully some day she’ll teach ME how to stay on task.

As it’s Friday night, tonight is her first school dance of the year, followed by a party at her girlfriend Hannah’s house. Which will have me driving her to and fro this evening. Not only do I enjoy seeing her thrive in Jr. High school, I love how different experiences will bring up some of my old memories of those innocent early years. Kids can be such a complete an utter blessing a good deal of the time. Of course the rest of the time is spent in chaos. A point I won’t dwell on at the moment, since right now; life is good.

I’ve also noticed that my page views on my sparsely updated blog, has hit that one million mark! I do realize probably 75% is spammers, but still I’m astounded to have reached one million. (Lets just say I don’t usually stick with something long enough to reach a benchmark like this.) Hell, maybe I’m finally growing up!

And just for shits and giggles, here’s another self-indulgent quiz. It’s a diary, so self indulgence fits the theme! I hope ya’ll have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Love,
3T

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You’re often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

Kevin and I made it back from NYC in two pieces. (One piece each) Although our feet from the sightseeing have taken beatings of a lifetime. (Which is logical, since I see this vacation as the trip of a lifetime. I’m a bona fide homebody, so for me it is/was.)

Never have I walked as many miles as I did this trip. By the way, Carrie from Sex and the City? Lied! There is no way in hell that fantastic bitch walked as much in HIGH HEELS as portrayed on the show. BUT this bitch walked IN HEELS a total of at least 30 blocks to the harbor and back to our hotel for the sunset cruise around Manhattan on just one evening. Of course while applying bandages to my red, angry and blistered covered feet, I realized just how stupid that was.

Except for one Broadway Musical, (Momma Mia) the heels were left in the suitcase for the remainder of our trip. Number one recommendation, if you plan a trip to Manhattan ladies, leave the heels at home! Find a pair of comfortable and as-fashionable-as-you-can pair of walking shoes, and make them your best friend. There will still be blisters with the walking shoes, but you won’t feel nearly as stupid at the end of the day…

I want to capture as much of this trip as I can in words here, for the memories. So this will be the first of several posts dealing only with the East Coast and my perceptions. And well over 500 photos to download, recording our journey that spanned from Buffalo, New York, to see Kevin’s family and Niagara Falls, to the many neighborhoods that make up Manhattan.

By the time we walked into our front door late yesterday, only one thing mattered. We were home. No noise, no pollution, no honking cab drivers, no humid drenched sweat, that even the breezes provided no relief from. Just our lovely 105 degree DRY heat, enough square footage to feel like a mansion, and our angry cat, who couldn’t decide if he wanted to stay mad, or snuggle up to us for petting.

Love,

3T

I haven’t abandoned this blog. Although from the looks of it, one might argue otherwise.

Where have I been? Well, besides hiding from my February curse, which is now officially over, I’ve betrayed my own sand box by playing in a new sandbox! Possibly revealing yet another symptom of my imaginary ADD. It’s time again, to add balance to my blogging time, while remembering to post here on occasion.

This new sandbox is part of the Arizona Republic’s website called Plugged In - SE Valley.  For those who live in the Southeast Valley, it’s worth having a look-see. I’ve learned some about my community, and participated in a few discussions.

Plugged In is the umbrella name for the AZ Republic newspaper’s online blogs; and they have a set for each area of Maricopa County. So you may take your pick, depending upon where you live.

I promise to post more often, now that some of the newness of Plugged In has worn off. Being easily distracted has benefits that I do enjoy. I discover what’s new, or new to me anyway. The downside is it makes for flakey and sporadic blog posts. I’m OK with that. 

On a Personal Note:

I have had some fun time with my children. From playing Yahtzee to roasting marshmallows over a bonfire, Tayler and Riley have been a complete joy to hang out with. Taking time to really listen to what your children have to say is not only rewarding for them, but for parents as well. For me, I’ve discovered qualities in them I genuinely enjoy. From their sense of humor to what is on their minds, they are enjoyable individuals.

Tayler, Kevin & Riley enjoying the crab legs.

Kevin and I had a crab feast with the kids, that besides being delicious was fun! It gave the hubby and I a chance to cook together in the kitchen as well. One of our favorites of all-time dishes, which as far as we know is only served at Houston’s, is their grilled artichokes served with a “secret sauce.”

Well Houston’s, I’m here to say eat your artichoke heart out! We (the hubby and I) have mastered the grilled artichoke and their secret sauce, for which they refused to give us the recipe. Houston’s in Scottsdale has been a favorite restaurant now for years. One of the reasons has been their grilled artichokes which are only on the menu for the season.

We have watched out favorite restaurant cut their quality little by little over the last couple of years. Albeit subtly, but nonetheless cutting away at the little touches that had made them a favorite to begin with. Their prime rib, once a HUGE slab of meat that literally melted in your mouth, has been sliced in half, and although I cannot say for sure, I’d be willing to bet the grade of meat is no longer the quality of years past.

Their $9.00 salad, that we willingly ordered and payed the price for, has replaced their boiled eggs with kernels of corn. Their smoked, freshly made bacon bits, are now maybe three or four on the salad, and again, the quality lacking what it once was.

Although they were small changes that the sporadic patron may not notice, those of us who were regular and devoted patrons not only noticed but relegated their restaurant to sporadic visits. One reason that has kept us coming back was their grilled artichokes with that special sauce. No more.

While the hubby scoured the internet and cookbooks, looking for a recipe for grilled artichokes, I played mad scientist in the kitchen with spices to re-create the sauce that was served with it. Mission accomplished. Although my sauce may not be exact, it comes very close to what is served at Houston’s. The only draw left to the Scottsdale Houston’s is their perfectly mixed Cosmopolitan, and the friendly bartender who mixed it. One more trip, and watching her mix my Cosmo, and the Scottsdale Houstons will be scratched from our list of date night restaurants.

If there is a lesson for restaurant managers to learn, it would be that cutting out to save a few pennies here and there in the end will lose you a customer base that has been devoted and spent far more than the few pennies you saved tweaking your menu. (Just my two cents worth)

And now I have to get back to some spring cleaning. My girlfriend Delta, from Washington state will be here this next week, and she deserves to sleep in a room that doesn’t look like a tornado hit it. Tayler has a spring orchestra concert tonight that I need to prepare for, so it doesn’t look like a tornado hit me.

Hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

Love,

3T

This weekend will be all about packing away the last remnants of the 2006 Holiday Season. Although I am a little wistful seeing everything bright and glittery packed away, I won’t waste energy begrudging the passage of time. Besides, the beginning of a new and what I believe will be a wonderful year is hardly reason to be sad.

December was a whirlwind of different activities, and with it I know each of us takes some wonderful memories.

For the first time EVER, I volunteered to be a chaperone for one of the rugrats’ school field trips. As Riley is my baby, the chances to do this are quickly coming to an end; I thought it was time to experience Momhood as a chaperone. Riley’s class took a trip to Polar Ice Skating rink, to ice skate and have a pizza party. Riley and I worked out the rules for Mom, including what I’m allowed to say and not say while in the presence of his classmates. No “I love yous” and no hugs. He did allow me to sit next to him on the bus, and to eat pizza with him and his buddies.

I found the experience rewarding. A chance to observe Riley and how he interacts with his classmates; I was actually surprised to see how low key he is around his classmates. Riley’s teacher has a special gift and bond with kids, and maintains control of the class with relative ease. Which meant what I mainly did was snap photos of the kids having a good time.

This month brought Tayler’s Holiday Orchestra concert as well. It amazed me at the amount of improvement in their music, just from the Fall concert. Watching her play beautiful music brought tears to my eyes. Of the good kind of course.

The hubby and I took the kids to MAC (Mesa Arts Center) to see the Mesa Symphony perform Handel’s Mesiah. A new experience for Riley, not-so-much for Tayler, who is in her school’s orchestra. Honestly, I have to admit that listening to classical music is something I would rather do in the privacy of my own home. Sitting for more than a couple of hours, even in the beautiful MAC was, well, torture. I’m getting old, and sitting in the same position is more than a little uncomfortable. Had it been a musical play, possibly it would have kept my interest more. How Riley got through it is beyond me. Overall I’m glad we went and had the opportunity to expose Riley to the Arts.

Kevin’s brother Jim, and his family, sent us a gift card to the Broadway Palms Theatre that we’ll use to take the kids to see a musical or play. I think this will be a much more enjoyable experience for the kids. (OK, as well as me) It was a wonderful idea and thoughtful gift. We have been talking about taking the kids to a play now for a couple of years. Now we just need to pick one. Tayler will love it. Riley? We’ll see. I’m thinking since his first experience was a symphony, seeing a play will be far more interesting and fun for him. (I know it will be for me.)

Close to Christmas I had a Christmas brunch for the girlfriends that I have met through blogging. We had a wonderful and relaxing time, visiting, eating and drinking. I want to thank Rhonda, Rachel and Jade for taking time out of their busy holiday schedules to come out to our house for a visit. I put together stockings for each of the ladies, stuffing them with different goodies I thought they would like. (I love playing Santa!) Kevin played bartender, and I don’t believe anyone could have done a better job at it! I am really amazed at what wonderful friends came from this hobby. I love each of these ladies as if we had known each other for years!

Christmas Eve, we went to my X-husband’s house for a little celebration with the kids, and their grandmother. (The X’s Mom) They had a wide variety of appetizers and champagne, and Tayler and her Dad put on a little Christmas concert for all of us. Her Dad played the guitar and Tayler her violin. Robby, my oldest, and his grandmother provided vocals. It was enjoyable, if not a little Norman Rockwell-ish. After all, my kids were performing, and they did my favorite Chritmas song, Oh Holy Night. As odd as it might sound, socializing with my X and his Mom, the joy in my kids’ faces, having all of their loved ones together is worth any slight discomfort there might be. I thank my understanding and confident husband for handling this situation as well as he does. I know if the tables were turned, well....I don’t see myself handling it quite as well as he does. (That may be putting it extremely mildly)

We didn’t end up making the turkey Christmas dinner as we had tentatively planned. It’t just so easy to make a reservation at a close resort for their Christmas buffet and let the kids eat themselves into a stuffed state of contentment. And it meant that the hubby and I could take off for Laughlin earlier in the day, not having the mass clean-up and prep a Holiday dinner carries.

Now it’s time to pack it all away, and look towards the first half of 2007.
I hope it’s a good one for us - and you!

Love,

3T

3T Tree 2006

I haven’t posted in two weeks. Although I have tried reading some of my faves hit and miss during that time. As I have a few minutes before the day really get’s going, I thought I’d put up a quick post.

First, let me say, that Ira Blecker, MD, was correct in his reading of my sonogram. “Probably benign” = Definitely benign. That’s behind me and my family and now I’d like to forget that whole losing-a-breast scare. (OK, losing a breast was only in MY mind, but since it’s my breast, I’m thinking this was an understandable melodramatic reaction to the uncerntainty of it all. Don’t argue, this is how I see it.)

Not that it slowed down the usual holiday scramble to complete all the chores that are on my and my husband’s holiday to-do lists. I will not be dwelling on my fondled, battered and flattened breast for another 6 months. This mammogram flattening of the breast can’t be condusive for maintaining firm breasts. But, I can’t think about that right now; that’s a lament for another day.

I could go through my grocery list of activities over the last two weeks, but I’m sure it’s similar to everyone else’s. Besides, doing so would exhaust me before I start today. Today, I brave the malls for what I hope will be the last time before Christmas. With two kids in tow, no less.

The day started around 5 as usual, getting Riley up and nagged into school readiness, to pull into an empty school parking lot.  Winter break started today, not tomorrow. It’s only 8:45 AM and already I have received the first “I’m bored” from Riley Rugrat. It’s going to be a long two weeks. But at least it will start at around 8 each morning versus the normal 5:00 AM.

After the Holidays wind down, I’m hoping to post a little more consistently. Right now, any spare time has been all about photos, and my flickr photo album.  I’m not allowing for a build-up, but uploading them as I go. Hey, it’s what I’m enjoying at the moment, so I’m going with it.

Hope all of your prep work for the Holidays is winding down and we’re all able to take some relaxing breaths and enjoy the reason for the season.

Back to the grind.

Love,

3T

Can’t sleep. Went to bed at 10:00 PM and tossed and turned for an hour and a half before I just got up. Laying in bed when you can’t sleep is irritating torture. My limbs and hips are throbbing, making it impossible to get comfortable. And that was after a kama sutra oil foot rub, from my wonderful husband.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’ve no doubt everyone ran around like chickens turkeys with their heads cut off as well. (I like to think so anyway)

This next post was to tell everyone about the wonderful christmas present that Rachel gave me! My blog is sporting it. This beautiful new Christmas template designed by Rachel of Weblog Design Studios. I love it! And as always, she did a creative and beautiful job on it!!!  Thank you Rachel. As usual your generosity is humbling. (And very much appreciated!)

We survived all the prep-work for the Thanksgiving Day feast, and it went off without a hitch. Kevin prepared two turkeys this year. One he put together in the traditional manner, with the bird stuffed with stuffing, and the other turkey was deep fried. If you enjoy your turkey crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle, deep-fried turkey delivers.

I have yet to watch Kevin prepare his stuffing, as he starts it well before any of us get up in the morning. I love his stuffing completely! Riley, who rarely eats anything he can’t completely recognize, loves Kevin’s stuffing! I usually will have the table laid out and ready for the silverware and plates to be laid out, the night before.

We relaxed quite a bit on Thanksgiving Day. Three of our dinner party were not able to make it, due to a nasty case of the flu. (I’m a firm believer in the flu vaccine) But then Tayler was busy being an extra in a movie on the day Riley and I went in to get vaccinated. Kevin got his at work. So it was good Tayler wasn’t around Roxanne and the kids this weekend. I take her in this Thursday to get the flu vaccination.

The house was cleaned thoroughly days before Thanksgiving, so there wasn’t any cleaning and odds and ends rushing around. Kevin and I split the different dishes for Thanksgiving. Although I did have the X bring a fruit platter and green bean casserole. The kids’ grandmother brought the desserts. She made a scrumptious pumpkin pie, apple pie and a pudding dessert that I don’t remember the name of. I was in charge of making a shrimp salad, the candied yams and the whipped garlic and sour cream mashed potatoes with gravy. We cheat on the gravy. We buy the Boston Market jarred turkey gravy and combine the turkey giblets with it, bringing it to a boil and then sticking it in a miniature crock pot to simmer for an hour. Very tasty.

My potatoes and candied yams were a little different this year. Like most of my recipes, I’ll take someone else’s recipe and tweak it to my own tastes. This is basically what I did with the potatoes and candied yams. I stole a few ideas from Stephanie Klein’s recipes she had posted on her blog. For the whipped garlic potatoes I took the horse radish from her recipe and added it to my own. With a wonderful outcome. The candied yams, the same thing. This year the sauce received a splash of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, (the usual brown sugar and butter) and my special secret ingredient, Kahlua. (Stephanie uses bourbon, I think.) Which led me to believe my Kahlua would work well too. And it did! They were the best I’ve ever made. We were so thrilled with the outcome, that instead of going to a Resort this year for Christmas brunch, we’re going to do this meal all over again. Kevin baked the rolls, since 8 times out of 10 I burn them.


We have eaten various combinations of Thanksgiving dinner Thursday through Sunday. The upside of cancelled company is the amount of leftovers are mind boggling. Even with sending some home with Randy and Margie. And we’ve loved every meal out of it!

Friday was a full day of pulling out the Christmas decorations, organizing them, and then we start to assemble the Christmas tree. We literally double the amount of lights put on the Christmas tree this year, much to the husbands chagrin. It WAS an ALL DAY project. Kevin started the Christmas decor for our front yard about an hour before sunset. Then we collapsed in front of the TV with the kids and watched Ice Age 2 and Cars. We loved Ice Age, and both Kevin and I dozed off during Cars.

Saturday Kevin spent all of it outside preparing our Christmas light display. He is making noises about wanting to put something big ON THE ROOF. His footing is not the surest, as the few chores he gets on a step-ladder for have proven. I’ll be doing some fancy distracting, to keep him from pursuing this goal. The house is bright and pretty, the roof is fine as is. I’ve tweaked the tree a little, but haven’t gotten in to REALLY decorating it yet. When it was dark, we had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows and sat around it staring at the flames, while the kids did their best to set the backyard on fire playing with sticks and fire. Today we did nothing but sit in the hot tub and lay around in between plates full of turkey dinner and pies.

And now here I am, not even slightly closer to sleep, and it’s well after midnight. I know what is finally coming up this week. And although I have willed myself not to worry about it during the busy time of Thanksgiving, I think it’s creeping back in, since I have to fill out all the medical forms every doctor’s office requires you to do. (Why can’t they just send a copy of my medical reports from the referring doctor?)

I want to thank DB and Christine for the beautiful bouquet of flowers they sent to me, and for the well wishes and zen that was sent with the flowers. They brought smiles to my face and heart. Thank-you DB and Christine, you’re special friends!


And now, I’m suffering through a hot flash, peeling off clothes in between typing. Damn if this is any indication of what’s to come, I’m really not looking forward to this. (this=menopause) So Wednesday is it. I will finally be moving towards a more definitive diagnosis. I feel confident that it’s fibroadenomas, even so, after all I’ve read I think I want them removed. Having them does predispose one to cancer. But my thinking is, remove them, and leave a better view for anything else that might pop out in future mammograms. (always the optimist)

The fact is, I am afraid. Just the thought of a needle going into my breast, makes me weak at my knees. Let alone actually cutting into them! Well I’m not going to be able to psycho-babble myself out of my fears, but I can at least express them.

Well I’m tired of typing, so I’ll close now. And if I still can’t sleep, I’ll read a few blogs. Hope everyone has recovered from the turkey haze and is ready for a new week!

Love,

3T