The Lunch Bunch

TJ and a group of his friends have been making the rounds and going to each others homes for lunch on the weekdays. Some of the mom's have really been awesome and doing a big to do for them. Since I usually am at work when they come to my house, they scour the fridge for left overs or make sandwiches. I'm off of work this week and TJ asked if I would do something for lunch for his group of friends. I said "sure" and asked what some of the other moms had been doing. "Let's see," TJ said, "I've had carne asada, homemade sub sandwiches, little smokie hors d'oevers cooked in all it's different forms..." Ladybug promptly looked at me and said, "Oh mom, you can't compete." What confidence my children have in me! The gauntlet was thrown down, the challenge was made. I made up my mind then and there that I was going to do something special. Something other than PBJ or bologna and cheese. So here is what I did, I made tacos, beans, cowboy dip, homemade salsa with chips and chocolate chip cookies. A table cloth was placed on the table, everything was set, and some "mood" music was playing in the background. Thanks to dishnetwork and their Mexican CD channel, I think we kind of sounded like the On the Border restaurant. TJ had told me to expect 5 guys. As they all crowded into my small kitchen I thought the numbers didn't add up. As I counted I kept coming up with 10? (Well, that did include Nicole and myself). TJ said, "Well, it just kept growing, and there were people we wanted to invite and didn't 'cause there were too many." My huge spread of a lunch suddenly became meager offerings for this group of hungry young men. Here are some pics from the "Lunch Bunch"...

I would post pictures of the lunch bunch here if I could get them off of my SD card. Something is fishy and it wasn't lunch

A tree hugger?

I am a self proclaimed conservative conservationist. My KT says there is no such thing, but I beg to differ. I am tangible, you can touch me, I am real, and I am a conservative conservationist. (Good thing it's not his way or the highway or he'd be out the door!) Just kidding! I believe in conservative values as well as believe in shutting off the running water, recycling everything you can, use it up (even the last bit of toothpaste), leftovers - eat them! I use environmentally friendly cleaning products. They are safe for the environment, my home, my pets and, lastly, my family. And don't cut a tree down if you don't have to. Come on they are so dang beautiful! I have a too gorgeous tree in front of my house that probably should be cut down, but I am waiting until the roots become more dangerous. I think conservative conservationism is catching, like a virus, in our home. (I hope). Here is tree hugger TJ. (Pictures courtesy of my friend Angie. She is a fantastic photographer. I love that she caught the kids screwing off.)

Flashback Friday . . .I remember when...

I'm going to start something new. I am calling it "Flashback Friday" and I am going to be recalling little events in the kids lives. I'm worried that if I don't get these little things written down, they'll be lost forever! My memory isn't what it used to be, I'm almost 40! I remember when...Miguel was in 2nd grade and finally losing his first tooth. (He always has done things in his own time). Anyway, back to my memory...I was listening in to a conversation between Miguel and TJ. I had my big "mommy ears" tuned into them. TJ was telling Miguel that when he loses his tooth the tooth fairy will come and he'll get money. Miguell replied, "Yeah, but I sure hope I don't lose my sweet tooth." That struck a funny bone with me, and Miguell did not lose his sweet tooth. In fact, I do believe he gained a few extra sweet teeth! Here is the toothiest picture I could find...(if you look real close, you can see one of his front teeth missing)

Miguel - June 30, 2001

A 2busy-ism

I'd like to share a 2busy-ism with you. Let it sink in, think about it...."When we strive for perfection and set unattainable standards, we lose touch with humanity." (It makes sense to me anyway.)

Thankful Thursday - Let me count...

What am I thankful for? Let me see, one, two, three, four, five of us! 

I've got mine. Do you have yours?

I bought my ticket to Twilight last Saturday. While it isn't the first showing (which is midnight), it is still the first day. It is a "Girls Afternoon Out". I'm even getting Ladybug out of school a few minutes early (gasp!). Despite holding the ticket, I was assured at the box office, that there would still be quite the line. At least I have a seat, just have to make sure it is next to my daughter...

Just released and Incredible!

Just released today is David Cook's debut album after American Idol. Now I lean toward country music, but I find him and his style irresistible. Kevin kind of likes him, too. I had to head out to Walmart after work today and pick this up for $9.88. Also released today: Loved these books! I think it appeals to me because I don't have any sisters, although these girls aren't sisters in the biological sense. It reminds me of my relationship with my girlfriends in High School. I miss those girls! I happened upon a great deal while Christmas shopping. Both movies and the 1st book for $21.76. Now that is a great deal when the 2nd movie by itself was selling for $19.99. Okay, I know, I am a little too excited about my bargains today. Sometimes while Christmas shopping it is fun to throw things in for yourself. I told Kevin he could wrap both items up for me...He just looked and me and rolled his eyes.

So Sad

Miguell didn't make it. They had five boys trying out for point guard and only two made the team. My short son, didn't make the cut. He isn't bitter. He says the boys who got the spots are nice kids (and tall). Miguel says, "I've still got church ball!" Maybe next year...he plans on trying out again. Can you feed miracle grow to kids? (Just kidding of course)

Basketball Try-Outs

My #2 son, Miguell is trying out for basketball. He loves the game, is quick on the court and has some skills, too. Biggest problem for this child is that he is vertically challenged! He has the short man disease. I'll take the blame at 5'3" myself. At a mere 5'2", he is toward over on the court by lesser players. He has been attending faithfully, open gym, conditioning and now try outs. In fact, he missed his own grandmother's memorial service because when we asked the coach, he said, "well, it is really important that he be here." Life goes one, and he went to try outs. Tonight we should find out if he made the team or not. I think this mom will be on a war path if he doesn't make the team after the sacrifice he made this weekend! GO GRIZ!

Thankful Thursday - Cleaning Products

I am thankful for fun easy cleaning products. In no way am I getting paid for endorsing these products. I just love them, love them, love them and wanted to tell you how grateful I am for these small and simple things. Here are three items I simply can't live without.

1. My Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for cleaning my stove, walls, trim, car and anything else I can think of.

2. My Swiffer Duster makes the quick dusting in between much easier and Nicole loves to help!

3. My broom by Real Simple with the handy duster in the handle for getting floor trim or the top of doors. Love it!

In Memory of...

My grandmother passed away today, November 12, after a long struggle with too many ailments to count. While we wanted to be with her, she chose to go in the quiet hours of the early morning. Marjorie Parisi has left our presence and returned to our Heavenly Father and those family and friends who preceded her. "I am standing up on the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says: 'There, she is gone!' 'Gone where?' Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: 'There, she is gone!' There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: 'Here she come!' And that is dying. -Henry Van Dyke

Today I Heard my car's heart beat!

Call me crazy, but I heard my car's heart beating today. Under the hood, nice and loud. Thud, thud...Thud, thud... I think it is fixing to die. Time to take the car in AGAIN!!!! Hear me screaming?!!!!!

Slipping Away

The last few weeks have been very stressful. Watching my grandmother slip away and become weaker and weaker, has been emotionally exhausting for both mom and myself. Working, caring for my ailing grandma, being a wife and mother and all that entails, as well as church callings, are all things pulling me apart in different directions. Some nights I feel I have been torn into pieces, only to pick up the pieces and tape myself back together the next morning. Despite the emotional roller coaster, something keeps pulling me back. It is a sickness, a drive and need to take care of our own. To love and protect, to hold her hand as she slowly approaches that great sunset of life, that is the need within me. It is interesting the pattern that life takes. You start out as a baby so dependent on others, then you learn self reliance and how to care for yourself and others. Then, you are a mom and wife: a care giver. As your life slows down, again, you become more dependent on others until, like grandma, almost like a baby again. She needs someone to hold her hand when she is scared, brush her hair, feed her and hold her water glass. It is hard when in her morphine induced haze she yells hurtful words, then is perfectly sweet and full of gratitude the next day. She gets frustrated when we don't see the things she sees. So, now I just play along with it. "No, no, the cat is going to chew my tubes!" "You want me to knock that cat down grandma?" (There is no cat). I know that though I am exhausted now, as is mom, someday I will look back and be grateful for the time I was able to help in grandma's final days. Maybe my kids will learn that this is just what families do, and when it is my turn they will be there for me too.

In Anticipation of Nov 21st - Twilight Day

There is a little quiz you can take if you are a Twilight Freak like me to find out which Twilight character you are most like. As you can see, I am:

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be insensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and appreciate the kind way you always handle things. WHO ARE YOU?

An Eagle Scout in our Midst

Okay, let me preface this by saying "I HATE SCOUTING". My mom taught me never to use the word hate. It is too strong a word, so I "Strongly Dislike Scouting" I'm tired! While it is a worthwhile experience, learning to serve others, being self reliant, learning core values...it is so much work for the mom's! And, it never fails, when you strongly dislike scouting they put you in a church calling with scouting. Ugh! I do appreciate everything it has taught my boys, and all the leaders who have helped along the way.

Look at my cute Miguel in his younger days. I think he was a twelve year old Scout here. Thanks brother Rock for helping to push him so hard. Okay, so now I'm going to have a little brag moment. Miguel, my handsome 15 year old, has earned his Eagle Scout Award. This thing was a LONG time and I truly mean LONG TIME in the making. The write up makes the project itself look easy. How many times did we have to go back to the drawing board to make everything perfect for the board? Too many to count!

As we receive letters and certificates in the mail from congressmen and senators, we realize just how big of a deal it really is. Miguel will have this the rest of his life. He will be able to boast about it on College Applications, job applications and resumes.

He doesn't have the actual award to show yet, we are in the process of putting together his Court of Honor. I am excited to be able to put together a slide show spotlighting our Eagle Scout. I've picked David Cook's "The Time of My Life" I am grateful that Miguel's award will be signed by President Bush. I lament the fact that TJ's will be signed by President Obama. But, I'll tell ya, after this child, I just don't have it in me to push TJ to get his. I think the ball is in KT's court for that one. I am hereby relinquishing my scouting mom days and passing the torch to my dear husband, KT.

What happened to my face?

When I get up in the morning, put on my make up and fix my hair, I look in the mirror, assess the damage and call it good. I don't think I look too bad for being 39 years old. I still wear a size 8 and on a good day a size 6. My teeth are white, and sometimes my complexion is clear. I try to wear stylish clothes. I don't mean to sound conceited, but I must look at myself through rose colored glasses in order to live happy. Alas, when my picture is taken, the rose colored glasses come off and something scary happens. I notice wrinkles, my nose looks too big and red, my complexion sucks, my eyes are squinty, my clothes are frumpy and that ONE crooked tooth that really bothers me seems to stick out like a HUGE FANG. I don't look like myself at all. It's like when you hear your voice on an answering machine or a movie. That just isn't me! I find myself avoiding cameras when they come out. On holidays, I cover my face or hide behind the crowd. In years to come, my children are going to go back through the pictures we've accumulated and ask, "Where was Mom?" I'll have to tell them, "I was there, hiding behind that wall or behind your dad..." Maybe I'm not doing them any favors, but maybe I am. Especially when I turn into this:

What kind of Mother am I?

What kind of mother asks her kids to jump from a tree into a pile of leaves to get a good picture? (and it didn't even turn out!) What kind of mother buys her kids toilet paper to go and TP the neighbors? (only to get caught later and have the kids say it was their mom's idea.) What kind of mother buys her son green jello and helps him put his seminary teacher's stapler in a jello mold like Jim from the Office? (That's not theft is it?) What kind of mother makes cookies and serves them for dinner from time to time? (Highly nutritious!) What kind of mother prepares a spirtually enlightening family night consisting of sitting around the boob tube and watching HEROES? (Isn't that uplifting?) What kind of mother wears five earrings? (the holes were still there...) What kind of mother says dinner is a "fend for yourself night"? (Very neglectful!)

You've got it! That's ME!

I voted

Yes, I voted today. I only had to wait in line for about 30 minutes. It was cold and windy, but I was so excited to exercise my right that I didn't even notice. Now we wait...

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY!!!

Don't forget to vote!

GET OUT AND VOTE

Hey, we need to exercise our civic duty tomorrow and get out and vote. This is a crucial election. Follow this link to Grassfire where you can look online at Obama and McCain side-by-side and see where each candidate stands on 20 + issues. The choices don't seem all that great this time around, but I will always choose the candidate that is pro-life. I just don't see it any other way.

Halloween Sabotage!

I've been on a little diet lately. I've been pretty successful with it so far, too. Down 11 pounds and counting. Then HALLOWEEN strikes! All this CANDY is diet SABOTAGE! Okay, the CANDY isn't my only problem... While I'm not really hungry, I'm really hungry for tasty food. I'm getting pretty tired of the salads, vegetables and chicken breast. Give me a big plate of pasta or better yet how about a big mac. My mom's old saying is constantly in my head, "Nothing tastes better than being thin feels."

(I think I just heard my stomach growl) ARGH!