Love Benadryl

I went to the orthodontist today. As the Dr was doing his thing, checking out my progress and giving some steps from here. I realized something was not right. I quickly asked "Are those gloves latex?" He said "Oh my gosh, they are, lets get you some Benadryl." I moved far faster than he did, as he nor his staff could tell how rapidly the latex was affecting me. I was out of the chair and digging out one of many emergency Benadryl's from my purse. I went down the hall and got a cute purple dixie cup of water and washed that bad boy down. Moment's later I was fine! But nothing like an allergic reaction to stop your world, and your orthodontist's heart!
Now I just have to try to stay awake!

Where We Live....

I was looking up and comparing my home town with a friends. These sights are great!!  I found a town that is a slice of heaven, I'm ready to move!!!

http://www.city-data.com/

http://www.azcentral.com/community/neighborhood/

http://www.city-data.com

http://www.fedstats.gov

Quote of The Day

Really there is no respite, there is only new reality.

Thought of The Day

Our Dreams

The only way to get your dreams is to:

Be committed to your idea

Stand on your own

Show up every day

Work every moment 

Bring your dream home

I'm committed, I am standing on solid ground, 

I will show up every day, 

I will work for what I want every moment,  

I AM READY TO BRING MY DREAM HOME!

Our Little Addictions

I know a man who spends $280.00 a month on cigarettes. He also spends $300.00 a month on beer. I have to say I adore this young man, but he knows, as we all do, that he is killing himself. 

As he calculated these figures and he and I were both more than a bit shocked at his money consumption, I challenged him to one less smoke and one less drink per day. He said he really would like to save at least half that each month. I was talking to one of our friends about this, and he said "Angie, we all have addictions that we waist our money on." I protested, letting him know that I don't make enough to have an addiction. He said "You spend just as much on your addiction." Again I said I didn't. And to this he replied "Yes you do, you just gave birth to your addictions!" I love my addictions.....but mine still might be the death of me!!!

Thankful For My Kids

I did something today 

that I didn't think I would ever do again. 

I GOT CABLE TV

Ugh. . . . I know.

But I was thinking History Channel, HDTV, 

Food Network, Discover Channel, Travel Channel. 

We sat down and programmed our favorites. 

Then we muted it and did our own thing. 

Dinner, homework, base practice. 

Then. . . . we gathered in the family room. 

I researched eye doctors for Jessette, 

and the kids sat in front of the huge screen. 

When I took notice of what they where watching 

I said . . . ."We have some great programming 

and you are watching this?" 

They looked at me as though I was crazy and said 

"Well mom, we can watch Phineas and Ferb.... 

or we could be watching MTV!" 

I quickly agreed with their choice in programming. 

And decided to be more supportive with cable options!

Word of The Day

Fabulist
1. A liar.
2. A person who invents or relates fables. 

"Nothing is off limits to this free range fabulist. He can fold a dusty Persian carpet into the contours of the world itself and wring delight from every lustrous thread."    Clive Barker

On A Quest

Now that we have this new piece of media technology in our home, where do we put it?
My living room is small, my whole house is small! I need to find something to put it on, so that the dining room table can go back to the dining room. So I went on a quest! I wondered through a couple Goodwill stores. They actually had just what I was looking for, still in the box, but it was more than my budget could handle (not a bargain AT ALL). I found a table that I could alter into a tv cabinet, but I wasn't sold on it. I then headed to Ikea. I found lots of possible options there, but again most didn't fit the budget.
So I went home and watched a chick flick!
Then I went back out and bought the kitchen table at GW. It is solid wood and its sturdy. It was FILTHY, with a bit of elbow grease and Clorox it was allowed in my house. My friend David brought over his sander, so I will see if the damaged table top can be improved upon.
I still don't know what to do yet, as far as the tv stand goes, but I will figure it out!

Tech Challenged

It's my day off....Not kids, no company to entertain. 

My son got a move I have been wanting to see.

Just me, the dog, the chick flick, the huge TV. 

But I couldn't figure out how to get the silly thing to work.
So I started watching my chick flick on the lap top!
(See how tiny it looks.)

Mark called on his break to see how I was doing.
(Checking on mom!)
With in two minutes the huge screen was up and going
and I had Tom Cruse life size in my living room!
(Maybe I should watch Conagher or Pride and Prejudice...
I love both those leading men...and this huge screen
 has got be make them even more yummy!) 

FUN STUFF

http://www.urbanbarn.com/Room-Planner

Freedom....

.....is never feeling like you are walking on eggshells in your own home. 

It's being who you are, doing what you want, saying whats on your mind. 

(that's where I live!!!!)

I need a study partner!!!!

Del Mar

Del Mar California is one of my favorite places. 

The views are wonderful 

and the architecture is so eclectic! 

I would like to spend days there just viewing homes....

I would LOVE to own a home there!

A Great Find.....

A friend and I are wanting to share a good read together. I spent hours looking up options and not coming close to finding the right, next book. And then this site magically appears!

http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/#

Rain

As I ran an errand this afternoon, I was in the middle of a down pour. It was lovely! At a couple points you could hardly see out the windshield. We just don't get enough of this great weather. I saw little kids out dancing in the rain and people standing under shelter just watching it.  The rain makes me happy! We just don't get enough of it! 
This photo was at a lull in the storm. And by the time I made it home it was barely sprinkling. But man it was lovely while it lasted!!! 

This is what he brought home (for $50)

These are the guys who came over.

This is their concentration and intensity.

This is bonding time!

I added some pizza and all is good. The girls are arriving after the battle is won!!

Jamm'n In The Home

Buckle Up Every Time

Lets Go Camping!!!

Yes it's a bed
on the back of a truck...
WOOHOO!

Night Fall

From Camleback Mountain.....Thanks Jose!

Diluted Evil

Mark: Thanks for having 3 daughters mom.
Me: Your welcome! Why?
Mark: Because if there had been only one, can you imagine the concentration of evil,
          this way at least it's diluted 3 ways.

Sweet Addiction

Created by: www.OnlineNursingPrograms.com

Cookie

She is Amazing!!!

Nation Wide Drought

I grew up here in AZ. I am used to hot and dry. But nation wide this year has been one for the record books. The winter was mild, too mild, and this drought is causing havoc from sea to shining sea. I have a friend who lives in one of those "Fly Over States", his garden didn't fair so well this year, he said that no corn grew in the area either. From what I have read in the paper, farms big and small across the states have all been hit hard. The farmers will feel the bite of the heat waive now, but we will all feel it for some time to come. The price of produce, the price of beef, dairy, then packaged foods too. We may see a drop in prices at first, but then in the months to come, the prices will reflect the catch up that the industry will try to go through. Cereal may not go up in price right away, but I bet we will see the price of a gallon of milk rival a gallon of gas again. Beef hasn't been a big room hog in my freezer in the past, but I bet the cost will keep red meat to a minimum in most family diets. I have done some reading on global warming, and I have watched some programming on it. Man made or the cycle of life. I have my opinions, but that is another entry. We may not all agree on what has brought the weather to this point, but I can assure you, we will all experience the repercussion. 

Fly Over States

Quote of The Day

"I'm single. You are going to have to be Amazing to change that."

A friend posted this on FB, I loved it!

Delightful

Coming of Age

You know as you watch your kids, you feel what they are feeling, what they are going through.
I watched my son the other day. Usually he is upbeat and comical, but I could tell he just wasn't feeling it. I had been thinking for days that we needed to have a heart to heart but was hoping to have some time to plan out what I would say. As the day grew later I concluded that I would set aside time the next evening for our chat. But by the time I was ready to turn in for the night, Mark was asking if we could talk. So I pulled up a spot at the kitchen counter and I listened. He told me of all of his 'Coming of Age' fears; school, work, friends, relationships, being an adult. You could feel the stress on my poor boy. I so wanted to tell him it would all be fine and Mommy would take care of it. But...I didn't. Instead I welcomed him to the 'Beginning of his Adventure'. I explained that this is his opportunity to explore, navigate and map out what he will do, what things are important, what direction he will follow and where he will go. I let him know that he gets to set the path from here forward. That this is the start of his Life, his Story, his Journey. I wanted him to see that he gets to plan and plot his own adventure. He is in charge, and he can make changes, try new things, pick new path all along the way. I let him know that my goals for him are 1) Try every path that interests you 2) Be who you want to be...you get to live with you all your life, like who you are 3) Be happy everyday!
I could tell my words helped make him feel better, but I know my son needed more. So, I asked him to do a bit of home work the next day. I asked him to 1) Write down the things he enjoys, is good at, that make him happy 2) Make a list of the things he would like to do 3) Chose a fictitious guy [a good citizen, healthy, happy, role model type] and write down the things he is doing in his everyday life at the age of 20, then at 22 then at 25.                                                                                                   After we talked, I told him that I am so proud of the young man he is, and I love him.
The next morning as I was heading to work, I saw a red notebook on the kitchen counter. Inside was the homework I had asked my son to do. There was a list of things that my son does well, things he likes and that make him happy. There was a list of things he wants to do, big things, small things, personal things, adventurous things, melt moms heart amazing things. There was also three paragraphs about a young man, an overview of sorts, about his daily life and what make him him. There on notebook paper I could see my son outlining his life, what paths he will take, what directions he will go, what adventures he will plan and plot. I took a picture of each page, I hope to have him redo this home work exerciser in the years to come, when he again feels the need for the "Life 101" owners manual.
I am so proud of who my son is. I am so glad he is my boy. I am grateful that he is a part of my life, that he is a part of his sisters lives. He is an amazing young boy, he will be an AMAZING man.
This is the last weekend my son will be a child, he turns 18 on Monday. (You know, I have always told my children that my goal as the mom is to raise good, functioning members of society, good citizens, good people. I look at my children and although they are so different, they are each so wonderful. Emmaly is a wonderful wife and mother, she is creating a beautiful world for her family. Jessette is amazingly creative and inspiring, she is truly a beauty to all around her. Cookie is a joy, to listen to and watch as she grows, her personality and imagination are delightful! Mark, is so caring, thoughtful, creative and fun. He is a best friend and a blast to be around!) As he takes this step out of childhood and into manhood, I can say, I am so proud to be his mom. He will be a great example, great leader, a great man. He already is!

Thought of The Day

Begin doing what you want to do NOW. 

Innovations

Thomas Edison's attempt at a pre fab home. This was his Single Pour Concrete Home. 

"Edison's one-of-a-kind system was patented for the purpose of building a single, repeatable structure without any parts, with a single act of construction," said Burgermaster, "And, remarkably, 100 years later many of these houses remain standing."