Hmmmmmmm

Well, I have not been a good blogger the last few days. Yes, they have been busy because I went back to work starting on Monday, but for the record, going back to work was not the reason for not blogging. BUT, I am not, will not, don't wnat to go into the reason's for not blogging, because, it really doesn't matter!! My blog is my blog and I can post whatever, whenever I want to. If anyone who reads it finds anything offensive or doesn't like, well then don't read it!! This is for me and anyone who might be interested in my life and what is happening in my life. I am going to stop there......

On that note, here is my inspirational/motivational thought for the day!

Happy Birthday Drake.....

Where or where has the time gone. I can not believe my baby is 11 years old today. They grow up so darn fast and before you know it, they are gone.

They look so darn cute and nice when they are sleeping. They can't talk, they can't mouth off and they are contained.......oh, those were the days. (he was not quite a year and half here, he just laid down and fell asleep like this)
Then, they wake up and suck the life out of you JUST KIDDING!! Here is the most recent pic of him all grown up, braces and all......

Not planning on doing much today, his actual birthday, but tomorrow, he has 6 friends coming over for pizza and cake, then we are taking them bowling and I am not sure how many of them will be staying the night. (I will be hearing Guitar Hero and American Idol all night, I am sure!!) I don't know what I was thinking!! But I am sure they will have fun....Happy Birthday Drake!

Final Gunner Game Update (and a Drake update too)

Gunner had his final game on thursday, it was not pretty!! I feel soo bad for him, they lost 18-36 and there are a couple of kids that just made it really hard on the rest of the team. Gunner played pretty good, he had a couple of passes that I am not sure what he was thinking, but when the most of the rest of his team didn't care, it was hard for him to play good ball. He did score a couple of baskets and edned up the floor a few times. I keep telling him, it's hard for him to bang the boards in the land of the giants, but he still gets right in there sometimes. Now he is done YEAH!!

Drake played on Wednesday, what a game. They did win, but only by 3 and the other team made a half court shot at the buzzer that could have went in. I am not sure what was going on, but our team was definitly out of sync. Drake scored a basket and play AWESOME on defense, he is soo fast!! They have 2 more games next week and then they are done. They play on Tuesday and Thursday, both are in Sweet Home @ 7:00 P.M. (yuck, out of town and late games, yuck!) They are having a pretty good season.

I have taken pictures from the games, which I will have to post later, I have been too busy to download my camera. Yes, I have been busy! I have had something going on every day this week, so there! :D

Thank YOU Mary Jo......

Ahhhhh, Starbuck's, the nectar of the gods (ok, the nectar of the coffee, caffeine junkies like me!) I have not had a Starbuck's in, well, I don't remember, I think before christmas. It was soo warm and tasty and mocha-y, it was just plain YUMMMYYYY!!!! VERY, VERY, MUCH!!! It was very thoughtful of you (I put the hot fudge sundaes in the freezer for after school).

I have done really good about kicking the habit though, when we were both working together, some days this was what the garbage can looked like. I am not sure who had more in there......
JUST KIDDING.

Although this is a thought, might have to try some of these, they look really yummmy too.... Would these be allowable for breakfast? anyone? anyone??

Ok, well here is a little humor for the day....Have a good one and Thanks again Mary Jo, it made my day!

Spring Fever....

Anyone else feel, anyone else got it. Man, yesterday afternoon was sooo nice, it really gives me spring fever. The sun, the blue sky, the warmth, hmmmm LOVE IT. The days are getting longer, it is light afte 5:00 P.M. after work. I am in heaven. I know we are still a few weeks (months) from actual spring weather, but there is nothing like a few days of sun and warmth to help make the day better and help get thru the days, knowing that spring is coming and we will have more and more days together of sun, blue sky and warmth. If you get a chance, enjoy the sun in the next couple days, looks like rain is back this weekend, so make the most of it while you can.....

Quick Update.....

Gunner had a game on Monday, they lost 29-37, they did actually get within 5 points in the 4th quarter. Gunner played the whole game and boy was he tired at the end. One of his least favorite things is free throws, well the other team got a technical and he had to shot the 2 shots (made one of two), but he hates to be out there alone with everyone stareing at him. Then he was fouled right at the buzzer for halftime and got to shoot 2 more, all alone, with everyone watching (don't remember if made either one though). Then later in the game he was fouled shooting a 3, so he got 3 more shots, I think he made one. He did score 2 other baskets, I believe. He only has one more game and I hope they can pull out a win.......

Last night Nicole played in Lebanon, so me and the boys went and watched her game. They lost 29-44, Nicole scored 6 points. It is weird to watch the girls play versus the boys the play, the girls can get vicious!! Nicole was on the floor several times going after the ball. Good Hustle Nicole!!
As for my UFO's, I have all 3 quilts with the binding on them, just need to be hand stitched, but on one of them, almost done with the binding and I am about 2 inches short. Brilliant me did not measure first, SOOO, now I have to rip it out and put something different on it. I am determined to get these done before I go back to work!!

As for WORK, I start on Monday, the 23rd, it will be really weird to go back to a schedule and an office and dressing up and paperwork, well, you get the idea.. I did buy myself some new fabulous shoes, but that is for another post....Until Next Time, I am off to walk the track with my homey's......

A little of This and a lot of That....

Kinda a weekend update.

Yesterday Mark, Gunner and I drove to Newport for the afternoon, what a beautiful day it was over there. The sun was shining, very little wind and people everywhere!! It was a nice drive, didn't do anything, but it was nice to get out out.

This week is the last week of games for Gunner for basketball (YEAH!!) Drake has one more week. Here is the schedule for the week:

Mon 2/16 @ 7:30 Gunner Boys and Girls Club/Albany
Tue 2/17 Nichole plays in Lebanon, need to know a time though Missy
Wed 2/18 @ 5:15 Drake Pioneer/Lebanon
Thur 2/19 @ 7:30 Gunner Boys and Girls Club/Lebanon
Also, here is the Menu Planning for the week. Last week, the flying by the seat of your pants thing, yeah, well, that didn't work so well, especially when you run out of milk and cereal, not good!!

Sunday: Biscuits and Gravy
Monday: Ham, mashed potatos w/gravy & corn
Tuesday: Baked Ziti
Wednesday: Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings
Thursday: Smothered Lasagne
Friday: Homemade Calzone
Saturday: Pizza, Cake and Ice Cream and 7 11 year olds at my house

I know a couple of those things were on my previous menu, but they didn't get fixed, so we are trying again.

I have to be better about my menu planning, I go back to work in a week and the planning saves my sanity. Plus, I am not sure how much (but hopefully a month) break we will have before baseball starts. All this sunshine tends to give a person spring fever!!! Bring on Summer!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

May your day be filled with whatever makes you happy, if it is roses

or chocolates! Have a good day with your sweetheart!

Basketball......

What can I say, except, I am not really loving it this year. I am SOOOO ready for baseball to start (yes, will need reminder of that later!).

I am not even going to put much effort in to an update today, just not feeling it. Last night Gunner's team lost by 30, 29-59, he played all but about 3 or 4 minutes, scored some points, plays again Monday and Thursday next week THEN HE-IS-DONE!!

Drake played the night before and won by 22, 50-28, I don't remember if he scored or not, but he played a pretty good game too. He only plays on Wednesday, next week, then 2 games the following week and then he is done.

That is really all I got in me for an update. There are some issues with Gunner's team, obviously, and the good thing (looking at the glass half full) to come from it, he is getting in shape, a little....

U.F.O'S~~~~

Not the flying high in the sky unindentified objects, but all those UN-FINISHED object/projects that we have, shoved in the back of a closet, or stuffed in a tote buried in the bedroom. I am probably the QUEEN of unfinished projects. I will go to the fabric store or Joanns (or used to be ebay) and see some adorable material, have to have it, it would make a really cute quilt or bag or whatever. SO I buy it, go home, cut it, sew it, now have a quilt top or bag or whatever, just adorable and then it gets shoved in a tote, or a box, or whatever.

My problem is I do NOT like to hand quilt, don't really like to machine quilt and don't really like to ty quilts, so they sit, in the tote, buried. Well I have recently decided that I need a blue and red lap quilt for baseball season. I was drooling over the "perfect" fabric at Joanns' (30% off too, I might add), BUT, a big but, I told myself I could not even PURCHASE the fabric until I get some UFO's done.

I started digging and boy was that scary, I will not tell you how may quilt tops that I have done, they range from crib size to extra big curl up on the couch on a rainy day blanket size. I picked 3, all they needed were tyed and the binding sewn on. SOO, until I got them done, I WAS NOT, COULD NOT, WILL NOT (?) start another quilting project. My goal is to have these 3 done before I go back to work (in not very many days) and I had actually hoped to have my red and blue one started (baseball is coming soon).

I guess if I really want to accomplish that goal, I should get off the puter and start working on them, not just talking/typing about them! If you need me today, hopefully I will be the person sitting behind the sewing machine.

P.S. If I would get them tyed, I hand stitch the binding, that is a PERFECT reason to be sitting on the couch watching trash tv or reality tv (both favorites!). You would think that alone would motivate me!!!

FOOTNOTE to HAIR post...

Ok, never, NEVER, EVER thought I would say what I am about to say!!!!

Yesterday I was having a cup half full day, didn't shower until about 1:30 and was really missing my ponytail days. Didn't feel like standing there with a flat iron, so thought, well, the 80's weren't all bad...I decided to "curl" my hair, that would be faster than straightening it. WELLL, not only did it take me longer to curl it, but when I was done, all I thought was YUCK!!! It actually looked better this morning after sleeping on it.

SOOOO, what I never, never, ever thought I would say is, I much prefer my hair straight and using a flat iron was much faster than curling it (GASP!). I would have to say at this point, my and my flat iron HAVE become BFFs and if ANYONE tries to take it away from, well, let's say, don't try it!!!!!! I have truly gone to the dark side.
Missy, after I go back to work, I might take you up on getting a decent one, for now though, my $19.99 Revlon special is doing the trick :D

Game Updates....

Figured I would just roll both game updates into one post.

Drake played in Sweet Home on Monday night, final score 52-22, yes that is correct and not a typo. (That was a higher scoring game than the Beavers the other night!) Drake scored 2 baskets, had several nice defensive rebounds and played a pretty good well rounded game. It was one of those games where the points were scored by everyone, not just one person. There were also, again, several players that scored that normally don't. I love to see that!! It is awesome! This was also, probably one of the best games for officiating. It really frustrates me when the officiating has an impact on the outcome of the game, they are not supposed to do that!! His next game is Wed @ 5:15 Pioneer in Lebanon.

Gunner played in Corvallis last night, final score 17-30. I'm not even sure what to say about his games anymore. There are 2 boys that have a bit of an attitude and once they show it, things just go down hill from there. Gunner did score a basket and had some other good defensive plays, but it is hard for him to bang the boards when he is one of the shortest on the court. I am glad he only has 3 games left! I say bring on baseball!! His next game is Thursday @ 7:00 Boys & Girls Club Lebanon.

I will try to take pictures on Wed and Thurs game and try to post them. I don't know why, but I hate taking pictures of basketball. Not any other sport, just basketball!! But I will see what I can do.........

~~HAIR~~

Everyone has it, well, most everyone. Everyone usually has a love/hate relationship with their hair, I know I do.

Soo, after being laid off, I FINALLY get a hair appointment, get a fabulous new hair cut and color, I cut off 6 inches (wow, take that out of context and it could be bad!). For the first 2 weeks, I just really don't know what to do with it. Oh wait, maybe it had more to do with, I didn't HAVE to do anything with it. I would try to curl like I did before it was cut and it just wasn't cutting it (BADA BING). SOOO, I decide, well, maybe it is time to come to the dark side and have hair that is from this millenium. (I AM a product of the 80's, love the 80's, love the 80's hair and as my husband put it, my peacock look) Where does the hair challenged start. You start saying words, like round brush, product, flat iron, and my eyes glaze over and I am gone. I was not only an 80's hair girl, but I was a firm believer of the ponytail. When all else failed you found a scrunchy and life was good. Well, hairdresser sista, does not LIKE the ponytail, so it went buh-bye.

After struggling, I decide to bite the bullet and go buy a flat iron, Well, after a couple days, many burnt fingers, I just could not figure out how to use it. I was about ready to give up, and then realized, maybe I should try another brand, so back to the store I go, and come home with a different one Let me just say, this one works soo much better and not as many burnt fingers.

Each day becomes a little better, a little easier, my hair is becoming a little more trained. I am having a hard time getting used to it being straight, but I am getting there. I have not exactly become BFFs' with my flat iron, but I am slowly realizing that no one better try and take it away from. (here is a pic on a good hair day, like it?!) Just kidding, but don't I wish!

I am still having a little trouble with the side bang thing and still not using product like I am sure I should, but, hey, I figure baby steps and as long as I am away from the 80's peacock look, all should be good, right?!

Menu Planning......

Oh, wait, I bet you were hoping/thinking there would actually be a menu for the week posted. Well, I am slipping in my domestic goddessesness, because I think this week, we will just fly by the seat of our pants. That is actually a really, really bad idea though. When I working that would usually translate into whatever fast food place we passed first and had not just been too. Not that I am not working, that translates into, cold cereal, leftovers or fix it your own damn self (NOTE: Need to go buy milk!! Only went thru 6 gallons last week SERIOUSLY!).

Sorry no meal planning, I do think though tonight we will have Chicken Enchiladas. There is good that comes from being OCD and freezing meals!!!!!

I think this just about sums up how I feel today!!! SO, on that note, Happy Monday!

T.G.I.F........

I just have to say it, so there!! One of these days (in about 2 weeks time), it will start to mean something to me again!!!

What a refreshing morning. I will probably regret this, but it was kinda nice to wake up to the rain, it just makes everything seem so fresh. The girls weren't able to walk, so I decided to walk the hood. It was kinda nice, not too cold, it really didn't rain, just sprinkle, while I was walking, very refreshing!!

Gunner had a game last night, it was very exciting, they did lose, but only by 3, it was 27-24. Gunner played all but about 3 or 4 minutes and had a pretty good game. He made 3 out of 4 of his free throws, had a couple nice defensive plays. He had 2shots (I think one was a 3), that went in, circled around and the popped out. Those kinda shots suck, because they were soo in!! (I know, obviously not!!) His cousin Nichole and a couple of her friends were there to watch, I think that made him play better :D He may not be the tallest and he may not be the fastest, and he may not be the best shot, but man does he play with heart and intensity!! (yes, proud momma!)
Here is the basketball schedule for next week:
Monday 2/9 Drake 5:30 Boys Girls Club/Sweet Home
Tueday 2/10 Gunner 5:30 Boys Girls Club/Corvalli
Wednesday 2/11 Drake 5:15 Pioneer School/Lebanon
Thursday 2/12 Gunner 7:30 Boys Girls Club/Lebanon

That is about all I got, nothing funny or clever today. Trying to decide if I should be domestic or crafty or lazy :D Maybe I could do all 3...........Of course, I wish I was here and then it would be a no brainer...LAZY!!!
Have a good day!

Happy 1 Month Anniversay!!!

Holy Cow, it has been a month already!! One month ago today, my check was no longer blue and I found out I was going to be unemployed. I want to start by saying, I really don't dwell on it and I know in some of my posts it might seem that way, but I don't dwell, if anything it is time to CELEBRATE!!!!
In hindsight, it really wasn't that bad. After having some time off, it gives you alot of time to think. One thing I realize now, I was really super stressed and that is gone.

It has been a HUGE adjustment, but most of that is mind set. I am, finally, starting to get a routine going. I have been walking 3x a week with Cindy and Nichole (we are up to 8 laps, thank you very much). I have not been as good the last week with the elliptical, basketball has kinda gotten in the way (I know, I know, WHAT do I do with myself all day...some days, good question!). I have been cooking and we have been eating dinner at home. One routine I could do without would be dishes and laundry UCK!!!! BAD!!!! I guess you could say, I have become a domestic goddess and truly enjoying the role.
Don't feel too bad, because it is all good. I enjoy being here when the boys get home from school. I do have to budget and grocery shop a little different and I do, really, truly, think twice about buying a non-necessity, but I am adapting. I have my government check coming in each week, so it is all good. I am well on the way to becoming the perfect soccer/baseball/basketball/football mom and housewife.....

Game Update - Drake......

Start off with, no offense to anyone who reads this, but if you are offended, well, then just stop reading :DI HATE to play Scio in sports. They are some of THE most obnoxious coaches and some parents. I was sitting in the bleachers last night and I swear to god, I thought I was watching football. Yes, we did lose and no I am not saying these things because we lost (score 33-43). It was a very rough, hacking, rat ball game. An example, one of our boys gets a rebound on our end, is suddenly swarmed by 4 of their players, but yet our boy, on offense, is called for the foul!! It was horrid!! We had a couple boys that rarely are called for fouls and were about to foul out. I commend our coaches for actually teaching our boys how to play and play smart. They are taught plays and taught on defense to get your hands up, not slap at the ball, not tackle for the ball, not shove and push. Drake did ok, he scored a basket, had a foul, but he played pretty good defense. I do have to say, the highlight was when one of their kids stole the ball and then ran to our end and made a basket for us (I know, bad sportsmanship mommy for thinking this was funny). Their coach was not too happy because that basket put us within 4 points.

BUT, as I told Drake, the game was over, don't dwell, take it as a learning experience and move on to the next game. All I can say is, THANK GOODNESS we do not play them again!!

FOOTNOTE:

Today was not a good coffee day, in fact, it really kinda sucks!!!! I just need to be hooked up to one of these!! (yes Missy I stole your picture!! I needed it

Game Update - Gunner....

For starters, yes you are correct in assuming I have no life!! and Yes, I am still working on the perfect cup of coffee, but I am getting close!! and No, Still have not done any more scrapbooking pages or even thought about looking at my quilting stuff (ok, thought about it, but that was it). But I am getting REALLY good and quick at loading/unloading the dishwasher and timing when the washer will be done so I can start another load (I repeat! Tell me how DOES the laundry multiply)

BUT, enough about me, because, remember, it is not all about me, as much as I try!

Gunner played in Albany last night, again, he played a good part of the game. He had 7 points, he hit a 3 pointer (NOTHING, BUT NET!! HEHEHE) at the beginning of the game. Our team was only down by 6 points at half. Although, the dreaded 3rd quarter, we were down at one point by 18 or 20, but we came back and ended up only losing 42-32. I know that is still a loss, but man, only a 10 points loss is almost as good as a win in my book!! Gunner was getting a little po'd in the 4th quarter and did get a foul, he took on a kid, bigger than him, and they both went down. One of our parents yelled "Nice Take Down Gunner!" I guess the ref told him way to play agressive, but might want to take it down a little. I thought that was funny....

Well, I guess I better go find my mop and bucket and get my morning chores done. Have a busy schedule today!! Walked 8 laps this morning with the girls, picking up Drake from school @ 12:40, maybe going to lunch with MaryJo, then pick gunner up at 2:11, then he has practice @ 4:00 and then Drake has a game @ 7:00. (somewhere in there I need to take a shower and do something with my hair, which is a whole other blog post by it's self) WOW, I can't go back to work, I don't have time!!!!!!! JUST KIDDING!!!!

Game Update....

Drake played last night, his team won 41-12, Drake scored 2 points on a fast break. He had a couple other shots, but couldn't get anything to fall. It was fun to watch, some of the kids, with not as much experience or 1st year players, played more minutes than usual and scored some points. I always like to see that!! Drake's team is now 4-0 and doing well.

Gunner has a game tonight in Albany, I hope they have a decent game!!
Nothing much to report, another quiet weekend on the home front. Spent Saturday lounging around and not much else. Sunday, the boy's had baseball camp at LBCC from 1 to 3, then had to hurry home for the Superbowl. (Can't believe it is time to start thinking about baseball again!!)

Monday morning we walked our 8 laps and all is good.

Today I am babysitting Emma, she is such a little cutie (she's "singing" to the tv right now!)!! We are just gonna hang this morning and then go get the boys after school and take Gunner to his ortho appointment.

The Perfect Cup of Coffee.....

Well, let me tell you, having you income cut, drastically, makes you revisit/rethink how & where you spend money. I have to admit, while I was working, I became a coffee snob. Ol Mr. Folger's was no longer good enough for me!! I, at one point, was about a 4 day a weeker mocha girl. At Starbucks, it was a Venti White Chocolate Mocha, at Udderly it was a Zebra and then for those after lunch cravings, it was a Iced Kicker from Dutch Bros. Well, I had slowly weaned myself down to about 1, maybe 2 days a week and had pretty much kicked the after lunch habit(went for Diet Pepsi in a styrofoam cup instead).

Well, the mocha habit was the first thing to go. I was now left, on my own, to figure out how to make the perfect pot of coffee!! I have all the essentials, and off I went. First I tried the pre-packaged coffee from Costco (Purchased before job loss), well it just was not cutting it. Too strong or too bitter, not sure which. Tried cutting it back some, but finally gave it away.

Sooo, I ask my mom, and after she picks herself off the floor from laughing, she tells me how she makes it. Well, must be different coffee or different palate, because it was not strong enough.

Back to square one!!! I have been told that I need a scoop, that a scoop will give me the perfect measurement for the perfect pot of coffee. Well, I looked a scoops one time I thought they were around $15.00 bucks (I know, for a damn scoop!) Being financially challenged, that is just not gonna happen!!

So, I am still in pursuat of the perfect cup of coffee. (I know, it always goes back to starbucks!)

I try each day and some days are better than others, but then some days (like yesterday) I get a pot full of grounds (DON'T ASK!) Anyone who has the answer to my problem, please let me know, it would make my mornings soo much happier!!! and since my cup is now empty, it must be time to go.......