Water, Water, Water

As of today. I am committing to drinking

water and lots of it.

It's a God given beverage: Nature's choice.

It is healthy and clean and quenching. I am hereby giving up my carbonated beverage of choice. I love a bubbly Cherry Coke Zero. I know there aren't any calories, but the carbonation isn't that great for me. Plus the sodium is dehydrating and not good for the heart. I'm not giving up juices or Crystal Lights, just sodas. There are so many great health benefits to drinking lots of water: Increased metabolism which aids in burning fat skin resiliency after weight loss Better bowel function flushes toxins out of your body glowing, clearer skin Great for your heart Help me keep track with my ticker at the bottom of my blog.

Anyone else want in on the Soda boycott?

When the cat's away...

You've heard the old saying, "When the cat's away the mice will play." What about when the people are away? What do the pets do? An unlikely pair, but they are best friends...

*****No pets were harmed in the taking of these pictures*****

Milo

This is Milo. He is the youngest member of our family... Born October 31, 2007 He is a Ragdoll Cat He is a Scorpio He enjoys sleeping, licking himself, eating, sleeping, licking himself some more and leaving globs of hair all over the house for me to vacuum up. And this week he got declawed. Oh the cruelty of it all! Poor baby! If he didn't think he was a dog and try to dig under the doors in the house tearing up the carpet, this wouldn't have had to happen....Think twice before you dig up this mamma's carpet.

Words of Wisdom (Wednesday)

He who does no good does evil enough. ~French~

Sydney

This is Sydney... Born February 14, 2002 She is a Rottweiler mix She is an Aquarius She enjoys playing with balls, going for long walks, chewing pens, and playing with her new buddy, Milo. She is getting older and it scares us. She still acts like a puppy, though, but sometimes you can tell it hurts her to walk.

Some Sunday Uplift - Idaho Pole Dancing

Thermometers, petri dishes and Bolt!

School this week was like a war zone. The walking wounded were everywhere, no one at 100% stumbling around like zombies. It was like living in a petri dish; a science experiment. Despite all my precautions and the "body armor" I pushed, we did not escape unscathed. Alas, Ladybug is sporting a fever of 101.5°. As a mother, I knew better than to send her to school this week, but the stigma of an unexcused absence loomed too strong. Holding your kids out of school because you're afraid they might get sick just isn't a good enough excuse. So, instead I sent her to school this week where she sat next to a boy with mono and seven other kids who were dropping like flies because they had been diagnosed with Influenza. Over all her class attendance was 83%. That's not good! I work on the high school side and our attendance was a whopping 75%. Holy Yikes! So instead of her first day of softball, today she is wrapped in a blanket, sipping water, popping ibuprofen and watching Bolt.

What kind of mother sends her child into the cesspool of a science experiment?!

TGI - SPRING BREAK!!!!

When you work in a school, you have to be armed. Not with a glock or a 22 (although at some schools, that might not be a bad idea if it weren't against the law) but with these:

Exposure to things like the flu, cold, strep, croup, fifths diseases, chicken pox, mono, diarreah and vomiting is a common every day experience. I have become a "germophope" washing off my phone with antibacterial wipes after somone uses it. Yuck! Everytime I feel a tickle in my nose or a scratch in my throat, I OD on these things. So far, I haven't been sick this school year. (I should knock on wood now). I probably just jinxed my luck. After some massive outbreaks of Influenza, mono and various other illnesses, it is time to "air out" at home. I am heaving a huge sigh of relief as I throw the windows open to let the projected 67° blow through the house bringing with it

rejuvination of health

And, some great smelling fresh air, too...

THANK GOODNESS ITS SPRING BREAK!!!

Words of Wisdom (Wednesday)

The cautious seldom err. - Confucious

Six Tag

Thanks, Cheryl, for the tag. Seems easy enough, 6th picture folder, 6th picture...Good thing it wasn't my secret collection of porn! This is Payette Lake in McCall, ID. We try to go camping there once a year. It is one of my favorite places. Besides the ocean, (and the temple) the mountains are where I feel closest to Heaven. It is so peaceful and beautiful... So in return I have to tag 6 people who in turn post their 6th picture from their 6th folder. Easy enough! Have fun: Shannon, Esther, Much Ado, Kate, Amanda and Becky

A laugh a day...

This is so funny! Be sure to watch the whole thing. I promise you, you will be crying with laughter by the end. This is not my dad. Just a funny clip a friend e-mailed to me. I promise it is completely clean...(Don't forget to pause the music player).

I've got BAD Seed!

****Warning**** The following is the rantings of an angry mother ****Read at your own risk**** (No swear words are used)

I've heard that TJ is a bad kid. Have you heard the same thing? Whisper in my ear if you've heard something about my kids, tell me NOT EVERYONE ELSE! Gossiping is so dang evil! He hardly has any time to be a bad kid or a bad influence as heard through the gossip chain. When he isn't at home doing homework, he is at work or a church activities. Go figure! He's no saint, so I'm sure those who gossip most certainly know more than his parents. I must admit, his hair is a bit longer than everyone else's, though it doesn't touch his collar. I'd like to blame this one on the young women today. They love his hair longer, and thy don't hesitate to tell him. Who wouldn't want to grow their hair out just a bit if the cute girls at school are saying, "Oh, TJ, we love your hair, we think it looks like Zac Efron". Besides, we don't all fit that nice little mold. We are individuals with agency. Blame his individuality on his nonconformist mother.

It's not like he is sporting a nice little tattoo that says "Mom" (or is he? some more fodder?)

Nor does he drive a Harley. Just a 1993 Honda Civic.

How long until the kid begins to believe the gossip and just says SCREW IT!? (That's not a swear word. I'm holding a screw driver). I've taken psychology classes...I think it's time everyone minds their own business and starts mothering their own children. As I see it, I have three choices: 1. Stay where I'm at and play Russian roulette with my child's life 2. Scratch some eyes out 3. Change wards

Has anyone else ever had this kind of a problem? If so, what were your solutions? Gee! I feel better...Thanks for letting me complain

Low-fat Living 4

There is nothing about Salsa that is fattening until you overdo it with chips. Serve it over Chicken or Eggs/egg substitute to spice up a low-fat meal. When I do this right, it tastes like the green salsa at Baja Fresh. Salsa 3 red chilles (dried) 6-7 tomatillos 3 tomatoes 2-3 cloves garlic, diced 1 small bunch cilantro Boil the tomatillos 4 to 5 minutes. (Peel hard outer skin before boiling). Cook (dry roast) tomatoes until soft. Dry roast the chiles. In blender put garlic, cilantro, 1 teaspoon salt, dry roasted red chiles and tomatillos. Blend until chiles are smooth. Put tomatoes in the blender and blend. Add water if need.

7 Things I love - Tag

My friend Shannon over at Ducks in a Row tagged me in her post. So, I'm going to reciprocate here at the end and tag 7 of my friends. Some will be people I don't hear from on here very often. They are desperately in need of some blogging! Let me help...HaHa, you're it!

7 Things I Randomly love 1. An engrossing book that sweeps me away for a while. 2. Hershey Symphony Bars (the ones with the toffee and nuts) 3. foot rubs. 4. exercise and the self-induced happiness endorphins. 5. Sunday afternoon naps 6. Wednesday night bubble baths. (I really do bathe/shower more than once a week) 7. When someone surprises me with tidying the house without my asking for help. That's the best! I'm Tagging: 1. Alicia 2. Cory 3. Angie 4. Jeni 5. Amy Loo 6. Erin 7. Cheryl

Imagine

Imagine yelling, screaming, loud talking.

Pushing, shoving, tackling. Jumping on the couch, breaking the spindle on the stairs. Running up and down the stairs, terrorizing the animals. Running through the house with wet, muddy shoes. I can't hear myself speak... Paying attention? Forget that! Imagine the life of a suicidal scout leader! Those boys are going to drive me to drinkin'! Moral of the story: I have no control over 8 eight & nine year old boys Cooking wine is too salty

Happy Birthday Ladybug

NEH

Born March 4, 1998

10:34 am

7 lbs 2 oz

Boise, ID

Happy Birthday LadyBug!

I can't believe it has been 11 years since my precious little girl was born. I knew before hand that you were a breech baby. (I do everything backwards). The doctors tried to turn you around, but you wouldn't have it. So, we scheduled your birthday for the day after TJ's because he did NOT want to share his day with you. The first time I held you in my arms and looked into those beautiful eyes, I knew you. I mean, truly KNEW YOU. You have been such a blessing to our lives with your precious, sweet disposition. I thank God every day for the special gift that is my daughter. I love you!

Happy Birthday TJ

TJH

Born March 3, 1992

7:00 pm

7 lbs 3 oz

Poway, CA

Happy Birthday! Today you are 17!

I remember your birth like it was yesterday. You were late and subsequently scheduled. I had an appointment to be induced then laid in bed at the hospital for most of the day watching soap operas. Don't get me wrong, I was in a lot of pain, but Day's of Our Lives brought with it a bit of distraction. When the labor progressed to the point of no return, a nurse was surprised to discover you were breech. A rush to emergency surgery, prepping for a spinal while I was being pushed down the hall all precipited your 30 minute later delivery. You didn't cry, you were purple, and no one said anything to me while I laid there helpless on the table. Thoughts and fears raced through my mind and weighted me down like a heavy blanket of despair. The doctors worked some kind of magic and with the grace of God laid a beautiful little baby boy in my arms. My Desert Storm baby...

Finding myself

I haven't found it yet... But I find a lot of this...