My new fitness plan

In a recent article on MSN.com they listed 50 Ways to Cut 500 Calories...

I'm going with option #21:

21. Get out your knitting needles. An afternoon of knitting can burn more than 500 calories (at a rate of about 100 an hour).

So, if you are looking for me this weekend, I will likely be starting in on my post-holiday health plan at Starbucks with a scarf, sock, mittens or hat...

And the winner is...

I'm going to be a winner!! Well, I hope so anyway. Miss Cindy got me hooked on reading this blog: Brooklyn Limestone and there is a New Years Giveaway going on that I'm sure I can win...it is all about the random number generator! One of the fun things about surfing blogs is finding out about all the talented people out there in this world and this is one talented photographer!!

Dear Virginia:

When we were going to the Santa Claus book reading at Petunia's Place, Tyler asked me if it was a Santa in a costume or the real Santa that brought presents to our house that we would be seeing. Today in the office, Erika asked me what Tyler believes about Santa Claus. In discussing our "Co-Parenting" Plan with regards to Santa Claus, Doug and I discussed whether Santa would probably visit both of our houses or just the one Tyler was staying at that night.

It seems that Santa Claus is, and has been for years, a much discussed aspect of the holiday season. In fact, in 1897, there was a little girl name Virginia who wrote to New York's Sun Newspaper asking about Santa Claus,

"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "

"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "

"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"

The Response is "history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps."

One passage in particular stands out to me:

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus."

This, for me, draws a loose parallel between the secular expression of Christmas (Santa Claus) and the true "Hero" of Christmas (Jesus). Jesus was (and is) the epitome of love, generosity and devotion. In fact, using Francis Pharcellus Church's words and replacing Santa Claus with Jesus it reads:

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a [Jesus]. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no [Jesus]."

SO TRUE!! I have always considered myself a believer, even though not necessarily "religious", but I have found that raising a son, I am constantly reassessing my beliefs and faith priorities.

All the time in the world...

In my blog reading, I keep finding these amazingly fun projects that I would LOVE to do (If I had all the time in the world....

While reading Nesting Place, I came across this project that I really feel like Tyler and I would have a blast with.

While cruising Live a Colorful Life, I found this awesome half eaten gingerbread ornament that I plan to start right after Christmas (gotta finish the Christmas gift knitting) and besides, then I'll have time to do it for the tree for next year.


And while looking on Etsy this week, I found several people who are making Button Letters...I'm totally planning mine (since I can't see spending that much money on something I can make). Instead of a pillow, I'm making mine a wall hanging!


This one's by Letter Perfect Designs

If you have any other super fun projects that I should add to my to do list, please feel free to leave them in a comment!!

Aren't the holidays fun?

Other than the ornaments Aunt Sue has crafted for me (and all the other cousins) over the years, this is probably my next favorite. The funny thing? It came as a Starbucks gift card holder a few years ago.

Dear Santa,

"I want a Black Spider Man costume, a Sharkbite Bay car track, a Wolverine Shing, Wolverine shoes, Wolverine socks ..." and his list goes on. This is the first year that Tyler has really been "into" Santa. He is continually adding to his "list" for what he wants Santa to bring him for Christmas this year. When I casually mentioned to him that I had never seen Wolverine shoes in the store, he blithely reasured me, "It's OK, Mom, I'll just ask Santa and he'll know where to get them!" Oh...well...now that you put it like that...(does anyone know where in the heck Santa might shop for Wolverine shoes or socks???)

This weekend Tyler, Mom and I had the opportunity to go to Petunia's Place (an awesome bookstore at Bullard/West) to listen to Santa read stories to the kids while the parent shopped--clever sales ploy which I totally fell for! Now, in years past, Tyler has wanted nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, to do with Santa. He didn't want to talk to him, he didn't want his candy, and he for sure did not want to sit on his lap. So, I knew going in that this was going to be a "distance learning" experience. As we were walking in to the bookstore, Tyler asked me, "Mom, will this be the Santa in a costume, or will this be the Santa who really brings presents to our house?" Hmm...Now, what an insightful question. Anyways, Santa read Jan Brett's Night Before Christmas and then asked if any of the kids wanted to sit on his lap. No go...Then he read Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express and asked again. Tyler completely surprised me and said YES! So, at age 4, Tyler has his first Pictures with Santa.He started off standing...then made his way up onto Santa's lap...wheeew...we did it!

Trees, Trains and Gingerbread...

...it must be Christmas!

Now that Tyler and I are living in our own place, there was one more tree to put up. Bright and early Sunday morning, Mom, Dad, Tyler and I gathered at our house with a tree, some decorations, hot chocolate/coffee and LOTS of energy! Although, I have to say, I think most of the energy was coming from Tyler...We were able to set up our brand new Christmas tree (gotta love the three section, flip down limbed, prelit trees!) and then Ty set to work putting up the decorations. In years past, Tyler has been more about undressing the tree than dressing the tree, so it was a lot of fun to see him get into the festivities. My heart warmed when he requested his very own nativity and diligently set it up exactly as it was shown on the box.
It really helps me remember that JESUS is the reason we celebrate this thing we call Christmas; presents, food, etc. are just bonus, but would be nothing if it weren't for Jesus.

We were aparently gluttons for punishment, because later that same day, we headed over to Mom and Dad's house to do up their tree in a similarly festive manner. It was great to see Tyler practicing his management skills; it was common to hear, "Now, Mom, you put this one on that top branch, and I will put this ornament on this branch over here. No, Grandma, not that branch, THIS branch." Kim, Tyler, Mom and I had the opportunity to put together a gingerbread house...from 2007...needless to say, this one's just for looks! Later (the following weekend) we decided to to a gingerbread Christmas tree that could be eaten, because that's most of the fun!

While we were decorating at Mom and Dad's, Tyler somehow managed to convince Dad that it was a good idea to set up the train set. (Trust me, it was NOT that hard a sell...)

251

I have a new(ish) house. I actually moved in the beginning of August, but have been a terrible blog updater. So, it's new to my blog readers (if I have any left after such a long period of no activity). I LOVE my new house and am so excited to be able to picture my life many years down the road in the same house. Maybe I'll be one of those people who stays in the same house for 30 years? Hmmm...Ok...maybe not.

I live in Pinedale, California, which is kind of fun to say because many people say, "Where's Pinedale?" and I get to explain that it's a very small county island right near River Park shopping center. But depending on who I talk to, I might tell them I live in Fresno. When I asked the clerk at the post office what they want my mail addressed to, Fresno or Pinedale, they said it doesn't matter since it's technically both as long as the zip code is correct. Why would I avoid telling people that I lived in Pinedale? Because there are some stigmas surrounding the community. Even I was a little uncertain when I started looking at buying this home because it was in Pinedale. Some things people say about it are--it's a trashy place where there are gang bangers all over and people have to wear bullet proof vests to sit in their living room to keep safe during all the drive bys. Well, after moving here, I realized that parts of that stereotype are true and parts are wildly false. There are some houses/yards that are trashy...but that can be said of just about any neighborhood. The people on my street take great pride in their homes and their yards and I'm probably the one they look at and say, "Wow, what an ugly yard!" (Right now my yard is mostly weeds and since I do not yet have a lawn mower, I'm not super motivated to get my grass to grow quickly.) There are probably someareas of Pinedale where it would be unwise to walk alone outside at night...but the same can be said of just about anywhere in the world right now. My street is very much a community in which everyone looks out for everyone else. Neighborhood gossip puts the guys in the houses on either side of me as ex-gang members with a ton of street cred that they are still able to swing around to keep our street very low key. Apparently a few years ago there were some kids who were walking through and causing problems with some of the neighbors and these guys "talked" to the kids and nobody walked down my street for at least a year. I live on a cul-de-sac but there is a walking outlet that a lot of people travel through. Once, when I was first moving in, I received a call from my lovely neighbor, Lydia, that there was a strange guy in my yard who was looking at the door frame. I felt so safe!!! And when I told her that it was my dad and he was planning to install a security door for me, she laughed and said that she didn't think I'd need it since everyone here was so nosy.

My house has 6 bedrooms. I know!! Really, what does anyone need with 6 bedrooms unless they have 12 kids? There are 2 people living in the house, so I guess that's 3 rooms per person? Actually, It's been kind of nice because Tyler has his room, I have my room, Tyler has his playroom, I have my playroom (sewing/yarn), I have a guest bedroom (where I have actually now had 3 overnight guests stay!!) and I have an office...I also have 2 bathrooms, which seems like overkill for 2 people.

My observations on home ownership--Oh wow!! There is a LOT to do. I have been so fortunate to have a mom, dad, sister, grandma and ex-husband who are all handy in some way. Mom is a whiz at cleaning and organizing, Kim and Grandma are amazing at decorating and finding places for everything, Dad and Doug are wildly talented in just about every area of home fix-it and maintenance. I also have been very lucky to have a neighbor across the street who does yard maintenance and he (or his guys) have been very helpful in periodically cutting my weeds/lawn.

Flash Update

So, I've realized I'm a bad blogger. I would like to say that I feel remorse, but in all honesty, I have not had the energy at the end of the day to do much more than check a few websites and other people's blogs before my brain shuts down. Sooo....Instead of trying to go back and recreate a ton of catch up posts that are witty and clever, while trying to remember what happened when, I will do a flash update in this one post and then move forward with (hopefully) more posting regularity. I like to think of it as my rebirth in the blogging world, much like when you accept Christ as THE Saviour and then move forward with your new life.

Things that have happened in the last 6 months:
1. I made an offer on several condos, and a house
2. My offers were rejected on several condos
3. My offer was ACCEPTED on a house (it was a short sale, which anyone who has done anything with real estate knows means it could be a loooong sale)
4. I spent 2 weeks at Lakeview Cottages at Huntington Lake helping my mom (and dad) manage the camp. I was in charge of the "man" jobs like boats, handyman/supply restocking, raking, etc. while my dad had to be at home keeping the business in hand.
5. In July I closed escrow on a lovely little house in Pinedale
6. In August, I moved into my new house and have spent quite a few evenings and weekends getting things set up to my liking.
7. In September, I started back to school with subbing and then was also offered a position as an English Language Intervention teacher. I had this same job last year, but they weren't sure they would have the funding for it this year.
8. In late September and early October, we spent most weekends at Lakeview.
9. The first weekend in October (well, Thursday-Sunday) was QUILT CAMP! at Camp Keola.
10. The Friday of Quilt Camp I received a call that Tyler had Chicken Pox.
11. Middle of October we went to DISNEYLAND for our last trip using our Annual Passes. We had a great time there, but Tyler is at the age where he is a little nervous (translation: terrified) about going on some of the rides. He really likes to see them, but mostly from afar. Dumbo goes too fast, but he likes to watch others on it. Buzz is one of his favorite characters, but the Buzz ride is too scary...you get the idea.
12. In November, Grandma Darlene came to visit from Idaho. We had a great time hanging out and visiting. She also helped me to decorate my house in a much better way.
13. Now it's December and we'll see what happens.

So...there's the flash update. If you thought it was boring to read, you can tell yourself that it's only going to get better because now I'll be able to start writing with more detail...I might even go back and throw in some pictures here and there :-)

The Price of Children

This is just too good not to pass on to all. Here is something absolutely positive
for a change. I have repeatedly seen thebreakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice.

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:
* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month,
* $171.08 a week.
* A mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.


Still, you might think the best financial advice is: don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140.00?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs,
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* go to Disney movies, and
* wish on stars.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodlewreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:

* First step,
* First word,
* First bra,
* First date,
* First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match..

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the
price!!!!!!!

Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!!
It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!!

I'm a BAD Blog Girl

I have taken a bit of a 'vacation' from blogging...which I understand some people do because they have too much going on and don't have time to blog...I'm claiming that excuse...I will be working towards updating my loyal followers on the current events of my life, but since I only have internet at work right now, it might take some time....sooooo...On that note, I will have a few copy and paste posts that are super fast to type ;-) but that are still entertaining/touching/worth remembering, etc...Enjoy!

And the Envelope, Please...

It is not every day that I am excited to go to the mailbox...yeah, it's kind of a fun outing when you have been sitting inside all day and need an "approved" destination and yeah, it's great to see all the sale ads that inevitable show up, but...THIS day was a day that I was absolutely giddy to retrieve my mail. Why would I be so excited on a certain day? Why, funny you should ask! I knew what was coming! About a week before, I had learned of a very exciting event that was in the works and that the invitation was being hand crafted and then posted. That same day I was talking to another invitee and she said that hers had already arrived. I would have to ask the neighbors to be sure, but I'm pretty sure I nearly pranced to the mailbox. And my prancing was NOT for nothing!!! When I got to the mailbox, here's what I saw!!!!
Black Envelopes!!! Some may be asking, "Umm...what's so exciting about black envelopes?" And it's not just the envelope that's special, it's that it is written to my from my book boyfriend (who is quite different from my Starbucks boyfriend, my many movie boyfriends and my other various boyfriends) Jacob Black!
And the other great part about the envelope? It was postmarked in FORKS, WA which is where the majority of the Twilight novels take place...Oops...for those who missed the Jacob Black reference, this envelope is Twilight embodied...
Now, if I was this excited about the envelope, how about the awesome inside?
I had a picture of the inside too, but it has someone elses address on it with their name and I'm not sure how they feel about having it posted. BUT if you are interested in seeing more about the creation of these works of art and teaser for a super fun party, see Jessie's post here.
The invitation to the party says that we're going to be taking book cover photos and recommends that we wear black with red accents...I have tons of black, not so much red....Time to go shopping!

Rock Solid, Heart Touching

Ummm...Yeah, a computer hardware company has a slogan that says "Rock Solid, Heart Touching"...Can anyone tell me how a piece of network equipmant can be heart touching? It's as if the company was sitting around their conference room table brainstorming ideas for they new catch phrase and they wanted to make sure to include their whole audience so chose something that would appeal to me AND women...so...the next time you need your heart touched, think of Asus!

March!

You know those books that you always say you're going to read? The classics that you were probably assigned to read in school and either bought the Cliff's Notes or b.s.'d your way through the test? Yeah....me too...

March is apparently the time to take care of all those little details. In 2005, Kiera Knightly played in the movie "Pride and Prejudice", which I watched, and loved...so I was inspired to read the book...sort of. (I listened to it on CD while driving around in my car.) A GREAT book! Then, we neflixed the movie "The Jane Austen Book Club"...a good movie about a group of 6 people who get together to read and discuss Jane Austen's 6 main works in 6 months. Again I was inspired! I am now listening to "Mansfield Park" on CD. So, I have gotten a jump start on my March Reading...What about you? What would you like to read???

I'm an Esme

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I found out by taking this quiz that I am an Esme. Although, I think it was a close competition between Alice and Esme because whenever I found myself wavering between two answers, they were the Alice and Esme answers (I know they are supposed to be secret, but come on...everyone knows)...Harumph....I wanna be Alice! Honestly, Esme is such an underdeveloped background character that you don't even meet her until a good chunk of the way into the story. She seems so "just there" as a space holder or something. Alice is fun and perky and all the things I like to see myself as...Oh well...

Kitchen Fun

As I was taking my pictures off of my camera tonight I came across some pictures that I had intended to post on the blog, but apparently never quite got around to it...so, better late than never, right? Tyler and I had a rare day off together, just the two of us...so what's a mom to do when she has the day off and her kid doesn't go to school? Cook fun things, of course!

We made blue and green pancakes...

Which, as you can see, were a HUGE hit! Tyler has inherited my preference for dipping his pancakes instead of smothering them...

And then, because pancakes for breakfast was not enough, we made brownies too and Tyler had the opportunity to lick the beaters, the bowl,...everything!
Again...a HUGE hit!

Enjoy your coffee...

I receive a daily joke email from guy on the internet named Pastor Tim and included in each of these is a daily illustration. Sometimes these are funny, sometimes more thought provoking. Last Thursday (2/5/09) he sent this one:

"A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, and some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
After all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and then began eyeing each other's cups."
Now consider this: Life is the coffee, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.
Enjoy your coffee. Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections."

To me this hit home on two different levels. Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I love tea and frou frou coffee. Every day I'm at work (at the office anyway, not so much when I'm teaching) I have a huge mug of tea on my desk that is constantly refilled throughout the day. The design of the cup has long been a source of joy for me. Color, shape, weight, size--these are all elements of the design that I look at when purchasing a new cup for tea. I prefer large size cups (because then I don't have to refill them so often) but the color, shape and weight are very subjective. The color/design has to make me happy every time I see it, the shape and weight have to feel right.

On another level, as I move through life and reach each different stage (or situation) I learn something new (Good news, right??) and lately I am learning that happiness doesn't mean that there aren't bad things in life, it just means that I am able to be happy/content in spite of the different things that aren't "just so".

I like this illustration set forth by Pastor Tim (note: not Tim Neufeld) because it reminds me not to focus so hard on the cup that I forget to enjoy the coffee...so, although my blog is currently titled "Living the Life I love" it could also be called "Working every day to Enjoy the coffee"...

He's in the doghouse!

Tyler that is...His new thing these days is to pretend that he's a puppy...and in his role as a puppy, he really feels as though he needs to sleep in a doghouse rather than his bed. Now, it doesn't really matter to me where he sleeps because even though I know that a bed is more more comfortable than the floor, he seems to prefer the floor...even more so since he now has a dog house.

His other thing that is rather odd for a 3 year old is his desire to have a face mask (or scarf) when he's falling asleep....

Pick up lines for a yarn lover...

So, Jessie has her "Never-not-knitting" page a day calendar, I haunt her blog...Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, also known as the yarn harlot recently posted a hilarious blog about yarn pick up lines. If you like yarn, or knitting, you'll probably want to check this out...this post specifically or the blog in general. My favorite: "Let's go to my ball winder and do all the things I'm going to tell knitters we do anyway." Hahaha...too funny

Stolen! Pondering Production Quote!

I am going to steal a quote from Jessica's blog because I don't have a Never Not Knitting! Page-A-Day Calendar, by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee also known as Yarn Harlot of my very own so I am second hand quoting since I have some thoughts to share on this subject.

" "If you knit in public, then all sorts of people will come up to you and ask you questions about what you're doing. Sometimes this is a good opportunity to spread the word of knit, and I have been known to carry extra yarn and needles just so I can seize the moment and teach a stranger how to do it. Other times, especially if someone approaches me while I'm counting or working on lace, I really wish they would stay away. This is even more the case if ther person asks what seem to be very stupid questions. That's when some days when someone comes up to me and says, 'Wow! That's so cool. Are you knitting?' I have been known to simply say, 'No.'" "

I love to knit in public! (mostly because at home I have Tyler climbing on my lap saying, "Mom, can I help you knit?" which is great because I love that he's interested, but severely limits my productivity) I love how people do a double take when they see me sitting there knitting away (usually at Starbucks) and almost always people will smile (to themselves or to me) and many people will strike up a conversation. They ask about the project I'm working on, they tell me how wonderful it is that the art of knitting (or crochet) is not going to be lost since they see that I am obviously well below the average age of knitters, and many times this segues into other topics of general conversation. Mostly I like to knit in public because it makes me laugh to think of what other people think of what I like to call my "game face"...when I knit (or sew or cook or ....( you fill in the activity that requires concentration) I tend to make a face that looks slightly odd...my mouth hangs open, sometimes my tongue comes out and I generally look quite goofy. To me, I don't care if people see me making this face and it gives me such joy to speculate on what other people think when they see it. Totally worth looking like a goober!

Knitting in public with Jessica and Kim is even more fun because inevitably, we run into other knitters who are also knitting in public (obviously) and we are then able to discuss knitterly things like yarn and patterns and the best yarn stores around...I once read an article that stated that knitters are one of the most friendly groups of people because they are so relaxed from all their knitting. Hmmm...does anyone want to take up knitting yoga?

Give me an S! Give me an O! Give me a C! Give me a K!

What's that spell??? Sock...and that's what I'm making...right now, a sock but hopefully (eventually) a PAIR of socks :-) I have been inspired by Jessica's Never-not-Knitting Pondering Production posts and Cindy's "Shout it from the rooftops" post and thought I'd share what is consuming my time this week...

I am taking a break from my previous Slipper obsession to use this awesome hand dyed 100% merino wool yarn that I got for Christmas (thank you Mom and Dad)! I love how the yarn colors just kind of randomly change and blend and then there are some colors that just pop...and I'm getting much better at using these blasted double pointed needles...

I completed 3 pairs of slippers (2 adult sized and 1 Tyler sized) but only 2 made it into the picture:

I took advantage of the lovely weather we were having (before this blessed rain!) to knit outside while watching Tyler jump on the trampoline. Please note the absolutely adorable, and super comfy RED Adirondack Chair that Mom found at Target. I LOVE this chair, but it gets super dusty so I have to cover it whenever I want to sit in it.

On a side (and totally unrelated note) We went the other day to look for a new company car for Doug since we sold the van and Tyler had to knock every single car that he passed by:

I'm not sure where he learned that you have to turn your hand over (palm up) and knock with one crooked finger, but that is what he did to EVERY car so I'm sure he had a reason. When I asked him, he just said, "Because that is how you have to do it." Can't argue with that logic!

25 Things About Me...

Ok, this is totally for Cindy because I can't resist a challenge!
1. My favorite ice cream is Thrifty's brand Chocolate Malted Crunch

2. I cannot stand the yellow yolk part of a fried egg to be even the slightest bit runny...eeew...

3. I am the most outgoing, yet intensly private person I know

4. I have never flown in a helocopter but I used to dream of piloting them.

5. I almost went into the military, but can't stand having people tell me what to do.

6. I go through "hair cycles"...I cut it super short, then grow it super long, then cut it, then grow it...vicious I tell you!

7. My son is my world

8. I watched the reality show "Farmer Wants a Wife" because it cracked me up!

9. I love smoked Gouda Cheese, but hate "un"-smoked Gouda Cheese

10. I would love to have a long haired dog, but only because I would love to spin its fur into yarn

11. I really love my Philosophy of Education statement that I wrote to include in my resume packet

12...Dang, are we there yet? I don't miss my "party" years of college, but sometimes I miss the freedom from responsibility that I had back then...

13. I tan super easily, but don't burn much

14. I was a bando in high school and I loved it!

15. I use my "mennonite-ness" as an excuse to not dance...because I suck!

16. I love to slow dance

17. I had over 1500 text messages in my last cell phone billing cycle...someone may need to stage an intervention...

18. I am not ashamed to have listened to country music my whole life

19. I love yellow roses

20. I learned how to knit on my 28th B-Day from my cousin Jessica

21. My fiirst job was at Camelot Park...we had to answer the phone "Hi, we're having fun at Camelot Park, this is Tanya, how can I help you?" Umm...why did people always feel the need to ask me if I was really having fun?

22. I love the smell and feel of line dried sheets

23. I would rather walk around a casino looking for loose change that people have dropped than to gamble away my hard earned money

24. If I ever had a daughter, her name would be Michaela Grace...even if someone else in my family had the same name...I have no problem "sharing" a name with someone else...

25. I prefer not to wear dresses.

Whew...I did it! Cindy Walking, I did this for you, but since I took the time, I'm going to share it with the world :-)

Oh Tyler love...

...you crack me up!!!

Yesterday Tyler and I were on the trampoline jumping our hearts out and I asked him (as I often do...) "Tyler, have I told you today how much I love you?"

Tyler: "No Mom. You didn't, but I already know...you love me this much" (said while holding his thumb and finger about a half an inch apart).

Me: "No, I love you this much" (said while holding my arms out as far as I could reach of course)..."and I think you're something special!"

Tyler: "Mom...are you going to keep me? or sell me??"

Umm...now, this comment, while TOTALLY cracking me up, requires a bit of back story before someone calls CPS...(tangent: is CPS still called CPS anymore???)

Whenever I tell Tyler that I think he's pretty special I also tell him that I think I'll keep him...but sometimes I tease him and tell him that I'm going to sell him...

Apparently he really does listen to me when I talk! Who knew???

Eagle Networks and Citrus Systems Has OPENED for business...

Mmm...Doesn't that just make your taste buds sit up and say, "Howdy!"??? This Saturday afternoon, Dad, Tyler and I did a little bit of orange picking...

Yeah, see how tall that ladder is? It broke...and he fell...oops! Dad was trying to give us a hard time because he fell 6 feet out of the tree, but Mom's 'sympathy' line was, "You didn't call us to tell us you had fallen and couldn't get up..."

Tyler has been practicing his tree climbing skills (which he apparently discovered while he was at his dad's house....(thanks Doug!))...He's actually quite good, but have you ever been inside and orange tree? There are some wicked sharp twigs in there and he kept scratching his face...

We also got to make use of our 'farm equipment' which was purchased for the express purpose of carting oranges to and fro, but we really all know it was purchased for this reason:

The Eye Cheat Sheet!

For those of you who are still stumped, I thought I'd give an answer key to my previous post. Unfortunately, I have not been able to figure out how to make my font turn upside down like they always do in magazines so you'll just have to lump it...
top to bottom:
Me, Tyler, Dad, Mom, Kim...

How close were you?

since we're on the subject of eyes...

...wanna compare eyes?

Keep your eyes peeled...

...for a huge picture of my eyes on fresno.craigslist.org...I have been going for about 3 years to a fabulous esthetician for my "brow maintenance" (which, if anyone has any doubts about the necessity of this, please stay tuned!) She was commenting to me at my last appointment that she keeps meaning to take before and after pictures of her clients since she does a lot of advertising on Craigslist and before/after pictures are very effective. I laughed and told her that I carry my camera with me everywhere and she should take my before/afters since it was always such a dramatic change. She, of course, thought that this was a fantastic idea and so...I'm going to be semi-famous...well, at least my brows will be! So, if you are searching the Craigslist advertisements for estheticians, look for my eyes!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Ooops! I did it again!

I'm sensing an alarming trend! On New Year's Day, I went down to Magic Mountain with a friend. We left Valencia to come home and had just under a half a tank of gas. I figured I'd be good until Tulare at least, maybe even all the way home. Hmmm...not so much. About 10 miles south of Tulare, I found that my gas light was on, the gauge was a smidge below the "E" line and I was feeling a bit nervous. So I pulled into a gas station in a location that I'm not even sure was an actual town; it may have been just two gas stations out in the middle of nowhere! I decided to fill up my tank because I was curious to see how close to Empty I had come this time...WoW!!
If I were one to make New Year's Resolutions, mine would probably go something like "I resolve to get gas BEFORE I am coasting on fumes at least 65% of the time." But since I'm not one for resolutions, I think I'll just make sure my AAA membership is paid up so that if I do run out of gas, the friendly AAA man will bring me my 5 gallons.