Soccer-once again

The boys had their fourth game this weekend. Ian in all his three-year-oldness, doesn't remain focused during practice or games. He follows the running boys about, but you can tell he isn't quite sure what is going on. Some of the boys on the team are a little older and have a better understanding of how to make goals and how to play in general. No worries, it will come. (don't worry, Dad-he'll figure it out!)

Even Trevor seemed less animated today and that is not the usual Trevor. But my favorite is watching Trevor continue to kick the ball out of bounds and run on kicking the ball into the next field.

I liked this photo, just had to include it.

And a Ian-Trevor moment of goofing around on the field. There wasn't much silliness today. Ian had a meltdown of epic proportions after the game because he wanted a sno-cone. This was followed by being carried off of the field to the car. Trevor spent the day with us, but Ian's terrible three's are at full-tilt, so I took Trevor home and left Ian behind. I vote to rename the "Terrible Twos" moniker to "Terrible Threes". Seriously.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
How are you today?

I am happy because I am officially on a two-week break! I am considering my projects, my new books to read (Borders with the educator discount-love it!) and projects to do with Ian. So, I am happy.

Soup
Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis.

Okay, I love Stephen Colbert. I love Lost, which is on in February and I cannot discuss that without unresolved anger. I am trying to watch Heroes first season and I am starting episode 4. I also happen to see Backyardigans and Little Einsteins on a regular basis.

Salad
What’s the scariest weather situation you’ve experienced? (see above photos!)

We had a mini microburst back in Poughkeepsie several years ago. Chris happened to be staying at our apartment and at 2am, we had lost power and a furious windstorm rattled through. The three of us were closing the kitchen window when a tree fell on the back of the building at that moment. It came and went so quickly, but the damage was astounding. Several tenants were shining flashlights outside in the parking lot a few moments later and Tom and Chris went out to investigate, because a majority of the flashlights were congregating in one area. I was busy calling my mom and Dan and Stacy to see if they were okay. My mom said, "what are you, crazy, it's 2am, nothing is going on here!". The path of the microburst was extremely narrow and although she was just a few miles away, the storm missed her area completely.

Back to the parking lot. Several old trees were knocked completely over, roots sticking out. Our upstairs neighbor's car was crushed. That is the little purple car you see above. He calmly went inside, grabbed a beer, drank it and left the beer can on the trunk as a little memorial. My car was unscathed, but interestingly, my usual parking spot was taken that evening by some other car. I had complained vehemently at the time of park, but that car was flattened. Not just hit, flattened by a tree. That could have been my car.

My husband's car was nowhere to be found. His car was underneath one of the trees, obscured by the leaves and fallen wires. When the fire company arrived to deal with the wires, they did not believe there was a car under the tree until they physically looked to see it. The car was a total. Poor Tom, that was his streak of bad karma with the Ford Escorts. (of course, he was looking for a way to salvage the darn thing, if you know Thomas at all)

Some folks had houses and porches crushed. Some were trapped in their neighborhoods for a few days because of the trees. It was a very eerie occurance, one not easily forgotten.

Main Course

If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be?

Hmm, Italy?

Dessert
What do you usually wear to sleep?

Sometimes yoga pants and a tank shirt. Not always, but usually. Sometimes I skip the yoga pants.

Thursday 13 or maybe just 9

So, Terri created a Thursday 13 about her favorite blogs. I didn't come up with thirteen, because I am just tired, folks. But here are my must-sees for blogs and I include a blog challenge:
Pick at least two NEW blogs to check out and leave a comment for a new blogger pal.

Cindy is the greatest pal and I count my blessings to have such a close friend here in town. Plus she has some of the best kids on the block and it is especially interesting to get her perspective on the same event (like soccer).
www.teamwines.blogspot.com

One of my dear sister-in-laws and a person very close to my heart. I am so thankful that she has started a blog because I get the opportunity to learn more about her. And she is a great person to get to know!
www.terrimurphy.blogspot.com

Cindy introduced me to this blog and it is a must read for parents. I bookmarked it immediately.
http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/

Stacy is such a fun blogger. I love her random bits of nothing (it's like a Seinfeld premise for blogs!) and she has the best memes and questions that just get you writing (and running for the kitchen) Love it.
http://www.hambones.org/blogs/stacy/

Julie is on the chorale board, which is how I met her. She is an artist and photographer, as well as an eloquent blogger. I feel like I learn new vocabulary on her blog each day, plus her pictures are glimpses of things we see each day and never stop to notice. I check her blog every day for new photo and poetic inspiration.
http://juliecork.wordpress.com/

Mamichelle is my SBA/SBA Blog Ring pal and I love her because she truly takes the time to read everyone's blog and comment sincerely about whatever you have written. She has some really terrific homemade cards and I always love checking her blog for good stories and cute cards. She definitely makes me consider being a better commenter on blogs, because she knows we all love the comments.

http://shellsq.blogspot.com/

What the sc2tog? Cindy started this crocheting blog for all of us and I think it will be great source of fun for us.
http://sc2toggers.blogspot.com/

Ali has a great blog, but my favorite part is checking what her choice in quotes will be. The SBA ladies sent me in her direction and I am so grateful.
http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/

This blog has the most beautiful photography of flowers. As I've said, it seems pretty hard to take a bad picture of flowers, but she is outstanding.
http://creativehideout.blogspot.com/

Foodie Meme

1. How do you like your eggs? I like them on someone else's plate and not mine. However, I do enjoy deviled eggs with a good spicy kick. I ate them awhile back for the South Beach Diet and ended up making the turkey rollups over eating the eggs, it was that bad.

2. How do you take your coffee/tea? I like vanilla chai tea with some Splenda and some milk. I don't drink hot coffee usually, but I love frappucinos.

3. Favorite breakfast food: Well, I almost always eat a high fiber cereal, like Fiber One, All Bran with Yogurt Bites and the new Fiber One with the crunchy, fruity stuff in it. Bacon is yummy too, but I hardly ever have it. I am now trying the protein shakes that my sister-in-law is drinking.

4. Peanut butter - smooth or crunchy? I used to like crunchy as a kid, but Thomas didn't like the crunchy kind and I found that the smooth kind is pretty good.

5. What kind of dressing on your salad? There is a jalapeno ranch that is awesome, but I will also have balsamic vinegarette. Why can I not spell that word?

6. Coke or Pepsi? I like Diet Coke with Splenda AND Diet Pepsi. However, today happens to be my first day without drinking soda, so bottoms up on the water.

7. You’re feeling lazy, what do you make? Dino nuggets for the boys, usually or we have apples and peanut butter. I also have no problem ordering something. My wallet has a problem with that though.

8. You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? New York style-always. And I like plain cheese but I also like veggies.

9. You feel like cooking. What do you make? Maybe chicken or salmon. I like making spaghetti and meatballs, since everyone will actually eat it. Apparently, this question and answer are very important, since it will not let me turn the BOLD type off.

10. Do any foods bring back good memories? I remember sitting my mom's lap and asking for tough steak (flank steak) and trees (broccoli). We also ate a LOT of rice, sometimes yellow, which I still need to try and make myself. And any meal that Jeff makes is just such a pleasant memory to have-he is our Top Chef.

11. Do any foods bring back bad memories? There are three. One is pork chops. For some reason, I don't like them. My mom did (because we liked the opposite foods, of course) and would make them. I am certain I threw a fit every time she made them. She always told me, if you don't like what I make, then you cook.

The second is codfish. My uncle and aunt had brought me to their friend's house for dinner (I was young, probably first grade or so). They made codfish and deboned the entire fish in front of me. It was awful, I can picture it exactly to this day. Of course, I didn't touch the fish on my dinner plate. My uncle was a stickler for dinner time and I ended up sitting at that table with my dinner in front of me for the rest of the evening.

The third is my favorite story to tell. My mother, being the harried single mom that she was, happened to pour orange juice instead of milk on my Fruit Loops cereal. She made me eat them anyway.

12. Do any foods remind you of someone? Rice reminds me of my dad. Linguini and shrimp remind me of Karen, because she makes a killer dish of that. Appetizers, chips and dips and I think Terri. Cookies remind me of Cindy. Scalloped potatoes remind me of my mom. Liverwurst reminds me of my grandmother (she could stomach all the yucky meats). Spaghetti reminds me of Thomas because he HAS to order that at every decent Italian restaurant. Applesauce reminds me of Connor because he loves to eat it and wear it as a decoration. Pig reminds me of all of my cousins and my cousin Pablo eating the ear off of the poor pig. And all foods wonderful and amazing remind me of my brother-in-law Jeff, who is hands down, the best chef I know.

13. Is there a food you refuse to eat? Maple syrup. Liver.

14. What was your favorite food as a child? I was the annoying picky eater that my son is bringing full circle. I loved chicken and rice and the scalloped potatoes. Super carb.

15. Is there a food that you hated as a child but now like? Unlike Stacy, I will eat beets, but I hated them as a kid. I also hated squash, but love it now.

16. Is there a food that you liked as a child but now hate? I hate sugary cereals. I loved all of them as a kid, Cap'n Crunch, Alpha-Bits (what HAPPENED to that educational cereal, btw?? I wanted to get some for Ian and it is off the shelf!) all the gross ones, I loved them.

17. Favorite fruit and vegetable: My favorite fruit is probably apples and avocados (it's a fruit!) and I love all vegetables, every last one of them.

18. Favorite junk food: Chips and salsa. Tops. I also enjoy popcorn.

19. Favorite between meal snack: During school, I have an apple or whatever fruit I toss in the lunch bag. I usually have a Fiber One granola bar in there too, but I am trying to find a better snack that is more filling.

20. Do you have any weird food habits? Cranberry sauce. I cannot eat cranberry sauce on the same plate as the rest of my Thanksgiving food. I usually eat it last and I usually have a separate dish for it. I hate having it touch the rest of my food. But I love eating cranberry sauce!

21. You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? Hmm. I try to eat more fruits and salads. I try to cut out the soda and drink more water.

22. You’re off your diet. Now what would you like? Pizza. Chips. You name it, I probably would enjoy it!

23. How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Bring on the spicy!

24. Can I get you a drink? I like sangria.

25. Red wine or white? I like zinfindel. I am the anti-wine connoiseiur (what is wrong with my spelling tonight!?!?) I know nothing about what wine tastes better and why. I really have no interest either.

26. Favorite dessert? Something to share with my husband-usually chocolate! I love a really good ice cream for dessert.

27. The perfect nightcap? I am trying not to nightcap! The midnight munchies are a killer!

Sc2tog It!

I invite you to hop over to the newest blog and enjoy the start of a new hobby. Special kudos to Cindy (the project manager and the one who is spearheading the blog) and I get to post my crochet "projects" for the world to see (and receive a good chuckle).


www.sc2toggers.blogspot.com

Just Reminding Myself

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.

~Stacia Tauscher

PhotoHunt: Paper

This is my first post for PhotoHunters, which I have spent WAY too long trying to figure out how to apply the PhotoHunter images to my blog. My sister-in-law has posted a few PhotoHunters theme and I felt compelled to finally share some fun moments using paper as the theme.

Uncle Michael and Aunt Terri bought Ian a styrofoam airplane when they were visiting. The airplane was initiated right away, landing on the patio roof, losing a wing with several masking tape bandages.

Thomas took Ian out front a few days later to fly the airplane again. This time, the airplane damage was significant but our little pilot was eager to fly something. So Thomas took him outside and made paper airplanes with him.

As you can see, Thomas is folding and flying the paper ones and Ian is still nursing his styrofoam plane.

Connor had his helicopter (variation of the car he normally has) and wandered a bit while the boys played. A storm (yes, storms do happen in Phoenix!) was brewing and we watched it roll in and roll out in about a 5 minute time span. Anyway, I loved that Thomas was teaching him paper airplanes.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is your favorite type of art?

I have a few.....my favorite is photography, I love great photos. I also love Latin American painters and artisans. And my son Ian can turn out a stellar stick figure.

Soup
When was the last time you got a free lunch (or breakfast or dinner)? Who paid for it?

My husband paid for our pizza slices last night, but he always does. Hmmm, it's pretty sad that I don't even recall.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how emotional are you?

I would probably say 8. I am soft-hearted, I cry easily at things that make me happy or sad. I am even-tempered and slow to anger, but I can get very anxious under stress. Working on it.

Main Course
Approximately how long do you spend each day responding to emails?

I really like emailing, so probably at least a half hour each day. I am a pretty awkward phone caller, so I don't call folks very often, so email makes me very happy.

Dessert
To what temperature do you usually set your home’s thermostat?

I turned it up to 80 the other day, since we are entering the double digit weather. But normally in the heat, we keep it about 78. Thomas and I don't agree on house temps and I used to mess with the thermostat all the time, but I have stopped.

A Birthday Ode To Our Friend Bob

Happy Birthday to Bob
Just Bob, as I am continually reminded
I once knew ye as Bobby

Happy Birthday to Bob
Who walks straight to the fridge
In the Murphy household

Happy Birthday to Bob
Who once ate my box of cookies
And promptly ran out to buy more.

Happy Birthday to Bob
Who makes us all laugh
and laugh and laugh some more

Happy Birthday to Bob
Raising an amazing little boy
With his wife and crazy dog.

Happy Birthday Bob
Sometimes the longest friends
are the best friends.

Breathe

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.

-Ray Bradbury

Time Travel Tuesdays

Today we are writing about a memorable birthday. My birthday is July 25, which I found to be a delightful choice in date. It is halfway through the year until Christmas, so I enjoyed presents every six months (at least I think it's six months, counting isn't my strong point). However, I never got to celebrate my birthday in school. I wanted to be one of those kids walking around to the teachers with cupcakes and the mandatory one with a big finger swipe on it. (yes, I have gotten those as a teacher-yikes)

Anyway, I honestly don't recall many of my birthdays as a child. That might sound sad, but my childhood sometimes escapes my memory. I do remember turning seven and being very excited about being seven.

But, I guess the most memorable birthday was my 30th. We moved from New York to Phoenix the day after my birthday. I lived exactly 30 years in New York. My wonderful friends Dan and Stacy hosted a huge birthday/farewell gathering at her home, where all of our close friends and family came out to wish us well. The picture above (sorry Stacy if you didn't want to be plastered in the blog!) is Stacy and me.

Since moving to Phoenix, our birthdays really include favorite meal, Carvel ice cream cake (a must) and a choice of activity. I chose this year to read Harry Potter uninterrupted and Tom handled the boys. Now that is a gift! Tom and I also find those super cute cards with the husband/wife comedy and for me, that is just the best tradition. We can still get a decent laugh from them. Ian is making his own cards with foam stickers and stick people renditions, which are prominently displayed until the foam stickers fall off and Connor eats them.

Birthdays are fun, but it's more fun to participate in someone else's birthday than my own.

Organizational Overload

I am a moderately organized person in a swirl of chaos. The absence of organization can be a nuisance. As a wife, I have learned to compromise on the organization, as my husband was probably a born pile creator. It doesn't make me happy, but I survive. As a mother, I try to enforce organization and also encourage it. One son craves order and the other disassembles it before my very eyes.

As a teacher over the years, my classroom became my haven of order. I had a place for everything and before I left, everything was in its place. I was a marvel. My husband couldn't mess it up, nor could my children.

The tables have turned now that I travel to four and five schools a day. My trunk is my office and it has some order, but my school bags get filled with extraneous items, then there is the occasional stroller, the guitar, the box of musical instruments, charts, toys, soccer stuff. I am losing track of what all is in the trunk. I don't have a classroom or even a storage space for anything. That is okay and I'll figure out as I go, but so far, I haven't hit on a really great idea.

One school has a storage room that would make hyper-organized people faint. Today, I decided to rummage a bit looking for triangles. That turned into, "well, I'll just put all the jingle bells in a box and might as well do the guiros..." etc. The main music teacher came in after hearing me rattling around and was surprised to see organization brewing. Now...the state of the instruments includes 6 boxes of assorted mismatched instruments, an old lollipop stick, a Milky Way wrapper, several old pencils, paper clips, dust, torn book pages and so on. It was not only disorganized but also gross. The music teacher, who is a nice guy, actually told me that the boxes were already organized. Apparently, the organization system was "instruments get tossed in the box". I explained that in order for me to walk in with five minutes to get ready, I needed to have the like instruments in a box ready to pull off the shelf. He was fine with that and I felt a tiny bit badly about invading his chaos. But what I really wanted to do was take that room apart, clean and organize it from top to bottom.

My husband is similar, because if I appear to be organizing his stuff, he immediately goes into survival mode, trying to rescue anything that could possibly be reused or that I might toss without his consent. He spent a good hour with me tonight, helping sort and discard old papers and I think he is maybe a little more willing to part with the unnecessary stuff. We actually had a lot of fun talking while working. I am working on letting him have some of his piles without too much complaint.

Anyway, perhaps I feel a lack of space that is completely mine and that I can control what goes where and what gets pitched and what stays. I guess that place was always my classroom. But now that I am really displaced without a home base at any school, it makes me a bit mental organization-wise.

The Rain In Phoenix

When it rains, it pours.....for about five minutes. The boys were outside making paper airplanes this evening. Naturally, I grabbed my camera and tried to get a few pictures. After blinding them with flash (it was low light) and trying various settings and coming up with nothing decent, the rain started in. Lightning, thunder and a nice downpour. The boys watched the rain out on the front patio for a few minutes before going inside. We were inside for about two minutes and all the waterworks stopped. I was disappointed because as a transplanted Phoenician, rain is like manna from heaven. It is blissful (as long as you aren't driving in rain with other Phoenix drivers) and you just have to be outside in it.

My favorite Phoenix rain story was in our old Tempe apartment. It was in the evening and the skies opened up. Thomas and I ran out the door at the exact moment Jess and Tew ran out. It was as if none of us had seen water falling from the sky. Rain, glorious rain.

Most folks I know are fed up with the heat by this point. We hear 100 degrees and cheer because it is NOT 109 degrees. And anything in the 90's is considered refreshing. And that is what we are all waiting on, the 90 degree mark.

Meanwhile, the heat was also frying the brains of our young charges, who willfully decided against naps. As parents, we should have enforced naps as usual. However, (and this was me, not Tom) I decided to let Ian either skip nap and go to bed early or take a nap and hang out until normal bedtime. What a backfire. I schlepped him to the store after he literally hung like a monkey off of my arm while I talked to Stacy on the phone. Once I hung up, he proceeded to stalk me with a fire truck and so I figured keep him busy would help. He enjoyed the craft store, started falling asleep in the cart at the grocery store. He was unpleasant to deal with for most of the evening and I take credit for that. He was tired and crabby.

Connor was in his crib for an hour, but never slept. He also was of crabby nature for the rest of the day, crying through most of dinner. The two of them were in bed at 7pm, but not done with the festivities. It was the battle of the tears and who could cry the louder and with the most pathetic undertone. For an hour. Really. Both of them. Actually, Connor gave up about a half hour into it.

I spent the rest of the evening completing all my lesson plans for the next two weeks (no plans needed until October 18 now!) and then I took out all of the bill/tax/important papers to sort, discard and refile.

Tomorrow, I need to get my emissions test done on my car. The ghettomobile is still riding along, but I am actively researching newer cars. My favorite so far is the Toyota RAV-4 and I like the new Honda CR-V's that are completely out of price range. Until I find an outrageously great deal, the Geo will keep on keepin' on. My husband is not excited about me getting a newer car, but he will not even drive it much at all. He is hopeful to pay off other bills and let my car rot into the ground first. But I drive precious cargo and I think the time is a-coming to for something safer and better. Example: Today I drove to IKEA a good half hour away on tires that were almost flat. That is my fault, but I think we just filled them up. The transmission is also giving me whiplash. Ian thinks I am actually driving that way on purpose because it's fun. So, I am going to register the car to live on for a bit longer.

Well, it's 1am and I should get some sleep because a certain little Connor is waking up at 4:49am (today) and 5:30am (Friday) hungry and ready to start his day.

"Morning's here, morning is here."
"Stop singing!"
"But morning's here!"
"It's Saturday!" (for T, who knows exactly the song and the episode. J&T probably do too.)

The Middle Name Meme

First, the rules:

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

My middle name, I guess, is technically my maiden name. Although, I think I am confused about my own name most days. It is not technically hyphenated, but somewhere along the way, it was hyphened, then not, then was. Not that anyone cares! So here goes!

G- Goofy. I am not a graceful or gorgeous gal. Just goofy in hopefully a fun way.

A-Accepting. I really try to not exclude people for differences. I end up learning a lot from people who have different tastes, religions, abilities.

R-Reserved. Around strangers and new friends and big crowds. It's better than it was! I force myself to be more outgoing than I really am.

C-Creative. I would like to think that I have a creative streak. I have done a lot of writing that I don't share with the world (maybe someday), I love crafts, I love making up goofy song lyrics. And I love taking photos, especially of people in candid moments (or fake candid moments).

I-Intuitive. I have a pretty good idea of what other people are feeling or thinking even when they don't say it. I can read body language and facial expressions pretty well. I am wrong plenty of times, but I tend to observe people and pay close attention to their face, voice and gesture.

A-Annoyingly Anxious. The higher the stress level, the more anxious I feel. And the more anxious I feel, the more cleaning that needs to be done THAT MOMENT in the house. The more anxious I feel, the more control I need over my environment. I also have very high travel anxiety, that I am proud to say I have controlled very well over the last two trips. The freak out begins during packing, but I found that packing over the course of the week before the trip helped. One time, my husband actually walked out and left me in the house to pack by myself because I was being such a witch (or insert favorite rhyming word here). Another time, we drove to California for a 6 hour car ride, in which I didn't speak to him at all. And the best time was the drive across country, where NO ONE (my husband, brother in law and two of my husband's best friends) wanted to ride in the car with me. What does that tell you?!? But, I have been working on this wholeheartedly. I realize I cannot be that way having young children who will want to have fun vacations with pleasant memories. I have even suggested a road trip and camping for next summer. (I think my husband is waiting on "I'll believe it when I see it") I am trying not to look at how I was in the past, except to see how comical and annoying I was and learn from it.



Third, I’m supposed to tag another set of bloggers, equal to the number of letters in my middle name.

Well, I am not going to tag my blogger buddies, but if you do choose to try this blog, let me know and I'll visit.

Soccer Boys

These little guys had to arrive at the field an hour and a half before the game to have photos taken. Cindy watched Connor at Annika's game while I walked the boys over to get photos. The field was a huge jumble of canopies and umbrellas (which I intend to get one for us). and the temperature was off the charts hot. The boys were looking tired and hot before they actually got to play.

Ian played the first quarter with Trevor and again in the final quarter. He spent a good deal of time drinking an entire bottle of water. I see a lot of myself in Ian, because he tends to be a bit nervous and reluctant in crowds or when he isn't feeling sure of what is happening. We got him to play by offering to get him a sno-cone following the game. That got him moving. He has a lot of fun once he is playing, which is good.

Trevor, on the other hand, played every quarter and even wanted to play when he was supposed to rest. He is a bundle of energy on the field and even made a goal today. He is a lot of fun to watch, so animated the whole time.

I love this picture because anytime they play together, they are just so cute. Trevor walked up and gave Ian a huge hug in the middle of the game. They are such good buds.

Following the game, the boys had sno-cones, Connor had a very sticky lollipop and we all walked up the hill to go home, wondering if Phoenix really is hell on earth and why it is that we chose this city in the first place.

Cranks and Cronks

Okay, I have to post about this. My husband and I were crying from laughing so hard last night.

My son, Ian enjoys games before bedtime. Really, anything that will involve procrastination at bedtime works for him. We were playing the quiet game for awhile, where the first person to talk or make a sound loses. He loved that for awhile.

Then, he started making up his own games. This week, it's "Cranks and Cronks".

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, we're going to play a game. Cranks and Cronks. Daddy, when you say Cranks, you win. If you say Cronks, you lose. " And he says Cranks and Daddy says Cronks and Ian does the happy winner dance. And if Daddy says Cranks and Ian says Cranks, then Ian still won. Then, he changed the rules a bit.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, we're playing a game. Cranks and Cronks. Daddy, if you say Cranks you win, if you say Cranks you lose. " ????

And the best:
"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, if I tell you you lose, you lose. If I tell you you win, you win!"

Feast One Hundred and Fifty Something

Appetizer
When was the last time you visited a hospital?

Technically, I had outpatient surgery in September. Nothing that merits further discussion.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?

Hmm. Maybe a 5. I am not ambitious about getting out of the house. However, once I am out, it's great. I do tend to pursue my career goals with a lot of heart and I put a lot of effort into new endeavors.

Salad
Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily

LIPS

Love Is Precious Solitude

Main Course
If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?

I would love to start a amateur photography club, where each week we would take a field trip or set up taking photos in a particular setting or have a subject. Then we would go back to a central location to download and critique and discuss. I could think of a BUNCH of members I would like to recruit too! I would call it "PHOTO CLICK" (or clique, get it??)

Dessert
What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?

Well, the main rooms are a light maple colored laminate with a sprinkling of Cheerios. Honey Nut to be exact. My kitchen has tile which is splotched with Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding. The rest of the rooms are that nasty apartment carpet in a neutral color. It doesn't say much for my cleaning, but I honestly clean my floors every day or just about.

Limitless, Undying Love

Words are flowing out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me

Images of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe

Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless, undying love
which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

Lennon/McCartney

The First Soccer Game

Ian and Trevor's first soccer game was on Saturday, in the heat of the morning. The Steelers (their team name) played against the Green Shirt Team (my name for the opposing team) and it appeared that very few of the team players knew what was going to take place. Three boys played at a time, with frequent rotations for drinks. Some of the boys were crying or didn't want to play (Ian) and other boys jumped right up to get into the game. Trevor, once he understood how things were being done, played every quarter. Ian, on the other hand, was very reluctant to play at all, until we finally got him to play in the rotation with Trevor. Everything is better with friends and he seemed to have a lot of fun after that.

After the game, the teams did high fives and then the parents formed a tunnel for the team to run under, with Aunt Terri holding the pompoms at the end for the kids run through. Following the game, we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream and then promptly went home for NAPS.

Feast One Hundred and Fifty Nine

Appetizer
Using only one word, how does grocery shopping make you feel?

Hungry!

Soup
What is your favorite part about the season of Autumn?

Well, being a New Yorker in Arizona, I truly miss the foliage in upstate NY. That was always one of my favorite seasons back East. However, since Autumn in Arizona is really extended summer, I have to make new memories. My very favorite thing about Arizona is our pumpkin picking tradition. This will be our third year of going to the pumpkin farm, choosing four pumpkins and doing all the activities, like the hayride and decorating.

Salad
Have you ever had any bad experiences online?

Hmm. I don't think so. Let's keep it that way.

Main Course
Name three things that make you happy daily.

1. My boys always have something cute to say or do.

2. Blogging-trying to make that a daily event

3. My husband inspiring me to practice more guitar by practicing himself!

Dessert

What one household cleansing or organizing item would you not want to be without?

My bottle of vinegar, water, and either tea tree or lavender oil. I use it to clean everything! And (yes, I have to go with two) my handy Better Home Basics book, which helps me make non-toxic cleansers. (many thanks to my sister in law Suzie for that little gem of a book!)

Running and Scissors

My son Ian came home yesterday showing off his "schoolwork", which consisted of a fringed piece of paper. He is learning how to use scissors at daycare. He explained, "Mommy, you need to open up the scissors and then you snip. You have to open the scissors, Mommy and then snip. But you have to snip hard." Excellent.

On the way to daycare this morning, we discussed schoolwork and if he would be drawing letters or shapes. Nope. It's all about the scissors. He asked if we have scissors at home, which we didn't. Alexis said later that he spent a good 20 minutes practicing cutting, so much that he had nothing to bring home to show because he had snipped the entire paper into confetti-like pieces.

We stopped on the way home to get some bread and we found Ian a pair of blue scissors to use at home. My husband is probably learning this information as he reads this, but Ian was supervised the entire time with the scissors.

After dinner, he sat at the kitchen table, all concentration and talk about how to cut ("your fingers go in the big hole and the thumb goes in the little hole. See, Mommy? Now you try.") I think the scissors we picked out are a little too big, but he was so careful about using them.

Meanwhile, Connor was a blur of motion. Literally. He was going back and forth with car in hand, into the kitchen and over to the computer. He'd stop for a few minutes to fiddle with the sprinkler dials (sorry, honey, forgot to let you know that too) and then he'd spin in circles for a few minutes, then he was off again. Happy as could be.

Happy One Year Blogaversary

I have been writing this blog for a year on September 2, 2007.

Writing is therapy for my soul, it always has been. There were volumes to be spoken but my voice and heart were always too soft to speak out loud.

This has been a freeing outlet and sharing it has made all the difference. And I've learned you cannot be afraid to tell your stories. Someone out there wants to hear them.

Sleepy Boys

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow.
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs! Dust, go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.


My little guys were up early, about 6:15am, talking and waking up. I decided to hop a shower before they got too restless. After getting out of the shower, the house was silent. I walked in their room and found them both sound asleep. And I watched for a bit, then got my lunch ready.

Tom and I walked back in later and just watched for a bit because they are so sweet and quiet. The only lament is that they don't sleep in on weekends!

A Way To Go Kind of Day

This morning, the boys had their second practice. Coach had them dribbling around the cones, which seemed to go much better this week than last. Ian and Trevor seemed to have the idea as opposed to just wandering aimlessly in the middle of the cones. After that, they did some kicking to a partner, who would stop the ball and kick back to them. This presents quite a challenge. Ian was kicking to Trevor, his partner, but also anyone else close by. I think Trevor walked away at one point for some grapes or a drink. Later, Coach had them line up and take turns kicking into the goal, then he would kick the ball to them, they had to stop it and kick it into the goal. Ian's favorite part was the Red Light, Green Light game, which I'll post the video as soon as I can. WAY TO GO Ian and Trev!

I bought soccer mom chairs, which were perfect for Connor to sit and have a drink and eat his grapes. He did wander onto the field but only once. I got all set up and realized I'd left my camera (aka left hand) in the car. I understand it is NOT necessary to take pictures at every single game, as my husband and my friend both pointed out. But, we all know I ran (in ridiculous triple digit heat) back up to the car and came back to get my photos. Coming back with sweatbomb status and camera in tow, I got some pictures. WAY TO GO me!

Following today's game, the boys continue to play outside in the heat for another hour at our house. After Trevor left, my boys STILL stayed outside until lunch. Thomas got my car battery changed and took a few hours get lunch on his own. He came back to the project of hauling ALL of his music out of the garage, into the office and sorting it out. It took about 4 hours and we tossed three full boxes of recycled papers and managed to whittle his stash from 7 boxes to about 3, including some things filed into the filing cabinet. I know he doesn't enjoy the organizing so much, but he got started and kept at it (mostly because I didn't take break and his guilt factor of stopping before me was high). I suggested a color coded system of filing and seeing his eyes glaze over in exhaustion, we figured that might be best for another day. But, way to go, T!!

And then Jesse called to say he went skydiving with Tew. All I have to say is if (or more likely when) my boys decide to skydive, I DO NOT want to know beforehand. It looks exhilarating and amazing and my skydiver friends and family have my total admiration. WAY TO GO J & T!

Meanwhile, my happy little feet are planted on the chair legs and I am off to see what in the world I am going to sing with Kindergarten tomorrow!

Tempe Beach Park

Oh, the plans we make. Thomas really wanted to get us out as a family this weekend to do something out of town or something different. Getting out of town was everyone else's idea, so we decided to stick around town.

Tempe Beach Park has a kids splash playground, which sounded like a nice reprieve from 110 degree heat. We arrived to discover it was closed for the season (c'mon, Tempe, it's only ONE season here!).



















We wandered for a bit to see the sailboats and found that the paddle boats were a reasonable price for a short trip. Connor was too young to ride, so Ian and Daddy went on their own, with Mommy in the standard photographer role. Connor was appeased by having an ice pop while the boys took their ride.

Ian really enjoyed the ride, helping to navigate the boat in circles and under the bridge. Daddy kept them under the bridge and out of the sun for much of the time. Ian insisted that Mommy try next time and "you have to turn the rudder and then the boat will go the right way." We hope that we can take Uncle Michael and Aunt Terri next weekend for another ride.

Ian also had an ice pop after his hard work on the lake. Following our adventure out, we debated on getting lunch out, but saved our hard-earned money and made dino nuggets and sandwiches at home before an nice afternoon of staying inside, paying bills and taking naps. By the way, this layout was a mess and I give up trying to fix it!

Letting Go of Perfect

This happy little magazine appeared my mailbox this week from Hallmark. I love magazines, so I read through it at breakfast the other morning. It had an article about letting go of perfect.

And I thought hmm. Letting go of perfect? That is really a challenge for many of us, myself included. It made me think about how much I have personally grown in the last few years. I am NOT telling you how great I am, because I am your average person, chipping away at life like we all are. But I know that I have made many strides in my life that are significant and sometimes I have to remember not to live by someone else's version of perfect.

What does that means?

It means that I am probably not going to rid of the shy kid I used to be. I don't always feel comfortable using my voice especially for confrontation. Some people tell me I need to speak up and be more assertive. Probably very true. But, if you met me 13 years ago, you would be surprised at my changes. I was a very meek person back then and I didn't make a decision that made me happy, I did whatever made everyone else around me happy. I am a more confident person and I am less afraid of social situations. I am less afraid to say what I need. Less afraid. It's not perfect.

It means that I am moderately pretty. No, I am not trying to dig Thomas (but I could!), but you become secure in the fact that you are who you are. I am not tall. I am not thin. I have crazy weird hair. I have baby juga. I have an affinity for chips and salsa that could probably just be applied to my hips. There are a million people who are just physically beautiful. Not me, but that's alright. And all the physical properties are me, but they don't alone make up who I am. And they aren't perfect, but who the heck cares?

It means that I am not a perfect parent. I get frustrated. I become impatient and have days where I need to hide and write or just zone out on the tv. My kids are not perfect, but what stories would I have if they were? Who would want to be my friend, if I were perfect and so were my kids? No one.

It means that I don't have a lot of money. Teaching isn't about making money, as we all know. We live in a modest house in an okay neighborhood. It's not the best neighborhood and probably not the best school. There are prettier neighborhoods in town and many of my friends have bigger, prettier homes. But they aren't me. I have a 12 year old car that looks like this side of ghetto. That's what I can afford right now. It's not perfect. Of course I want a pool in my big backyard. I want a newer car that fits all my kids' stuff. I want a bigger house. But the truth is, those things don't make a perfect life. They make it better, of course, but they aren't necessary. I have what I need. But I feel apologetic when people visit because my house is just okay. Have to get over that, because it doesn't really matter if someone likes my house or not.

It means that life takes us on different journeys and I have come to accept mine in some ways. Sometimes I don't and I get stuck in a silly rut of needing something perfect. Sometimes, you are just dealt the hand you dealt. You get what you get and you don't get upset.

In many ways, I hope that I am never perfect. How boring would I be then??

No Name Meme

ACCENT: Well, I guess I have an accent, probably an East Coast of some kind. However, I am a native New Yorker, but most people are surprised by this and ask me where my accent is. I don't have the New Yawk sound, but certain words probably have a ring to it.

I DON’T DRINK: Straight up milk. Ick.

CHORE I HATE: Well, folks, I am sorry to say that I don't mind chores. I probably hate cleaning and washing my children's sheets and pants, since we are in potty-training/I don't want to wear my diaper at night stages. You see where that is going, so I'll stop.

PETS: No pets is my motto. For now anyway.

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS: Oh boy. The age of technology. I LOVE my digital camera. I LOVE my laptop. I am thinking about getting an Ipod to replace my scratched CD's and I am sure I would love that too.

PERFUME: I don't normally wear perfume. But my favorite is Clinique Happy, which I have had the trial size in my makeup drawer for a very, very long time now. I tend to go with my natural scent.

GOLD OR SILVER: I love silver, but my wedding band is gold.

INSOMNIA: I don't have trouble with insomnia. I have trouble staying awake!

JOB TITLE: Wife, mom, music teacher, executive director for the chorale

MOST ADMIRED TRAIT: Hmm, I don't really know.

KIDS: Two boys.

PHOBIA: Spiders and heights. Both make me incredibly ill.

RELIGION: Yikes, this is a sticky question, folks, but I'll answer honestly. I don't participate in organized religion, but I am studying about Buddhism and applying some of those principles into my life. I find religion to be a deeply personal and private thing, but I have much respect for people's beliefs and how they choose to participate is their own business, not mine.

SIBLINGS: None! Unless you count my brother without bones but I haven't seen him since kindergarten.

TIME I WAKE UP: Usually around 6-6:30am when Connor gets antsy. Although he slept until 8am today! Woohoo!

UNUSUAL TALENT/SKILL: Eating corn neatly

VEGETABLE: I love most vegetables, including the icky ones.

WORST HABIT: Always saying "Sorry" for silly things. Also tardiness.

X-RAYS: I don't enjoy dental x-rays. I've never really had other x-rays.

MY FAVORITE MEAL: One that I don't cook!

Some Facts About Me

Three Names You Go By:

1. Linda (the complete name, NOT shortened!)

2. Mommy

3. Pup

Three physical things you like about yourself?

1. I have a nice shade of dark hair (despite the gray)

2. I have cute toes

3. I have nice skin tone.

Three parts of your heritage?

1. Ecuadorian

2. German

3. Something else I don't remember.

Three things you can't stand?

1. Bugs

2. Sitting directly on grass or walking barefoot in grass

3. Whining.

Three things that scare you?

1. Spiders.

2. The world being a different place since growing up. That kids cannot play as safely and freely as they should be.

3. Being confrontational.

Three of your favorite shows?

1. Lost

2. The Colbert Report

3. How I Met Your Mother

Three movies you watch over and over again?

1. Not a movie- but I love Friends reruns

2. Princess Bride

3. Cars-shockingly I can still sit through the millionth time seeing it and still laugh.

Three movies you would like to watch?

1. Okay, my friend and I are going to a movie tomorrow and I am so incredibly lame that I don't even know what is out or coming out. So, I cannot answer this well.

Three of your everyday essentials?

1. Curling my eyelashes

2. My laptop and email

3. A kiss from all three boys.

Three things you are wearing now?

1. The essential black t-shirt.

2. Jeans

3. Bobby pins for my stupid bangs.

Three things you want in a relationship?

1. Love

2. Laughter

3. Compromise

Three physical things about the opposite gender that appeals to you?

1. Eyes

2. Cute backside

3. A good laugh

Three bad habits?

1. Talking too softly aka mumbling. I think I've improved though.

2. Drinking diet soda. I need to stop.

3. Saying sorry all the time. It's annoying but I cannot seem to catch myself.

Three careers you're currently considering pursuing?

1. Grant Writing

2. Music Therapy (just a class or two)

3. Being a proactive mom and a soccer mom

Three of your favorite hobbies?

1. Blogging/Writing

2. Reading

3. New hobby is practicing guitar with T. Although we need to work out the kinks so we can practice happily.

Three places you want to go on vacation?

1. Grand Tetons National Park (knocks another state off the list and it looks beautiful!)

2. Hawaii or Caribbean-WITHOUT kids (I give that a million years, maybe a retirement thing!)

3. When the kids are old enough, I want to take them to Ecuador.

Three kids name you like?

1. Oscar. I know how my family feels, but I like it still.

2. Marisol

3. Ian and Connor

Three things you want to do before you die?

1. Make sure my children have plenty of happy memories as a family

2. Climb to the top of Cotopaxi (a volcano in Ecuador)

3. Take a real vacation somewhere, anywhere.


Three things that stereotypically prove you're a girl?

1. I hate being wind-blown.

2. I wear Lip Smackers lipgloss.

3. I really hate getting dirty at all.

Three people I tag?

1. Terri

2. Stacy

3. Mamichelle

Feast One Hundred and Fifty Eight

Appetizer
Who is the easiest person for you to talk to?

Well, the easiest person is of course my husband, who just knows me better than anyone. I am probably myself more with him than anyone else. And probably in the "not my husband" category, it would have to be Suz. She is a very reciprocal conversationalist, a great listener and there is always a lot of laughter and I always feel comfortable with all my quirks when I talk to these two.

Soup

If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose?

I will have to piggyback on Terri's answer here with Ancient Egypt. All of those Discovery shows about Ancient Egypt are just so fascinating. I would also love to see the Incan culture too.

Salad

What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed?

The very first time seeing each of my son's ultrasounds-where they were so tiny but we saw those little heartbeats going and our hearts flip-flopped too.

Main Course
If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt?

I am not big into stunts of any kind. Hard to answer this question.

Dessert
What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child?

Well, that truly depends on the person. I can only answer for myself. And I'll say that I certainly saw myself having children much younger than I did, as many women tend to compartmentalize life events into ages. However, having the time to complete my education, spend time with my husband as a couple and growing up a lot, I was in a good place for starting a family after 30. I have had time to see how I want to parent (and not parent) and I have never had a single regret about having my children over the age of 30. I will say that I don't think I would consider having more children as I get too much older, at least for me, it was a huge physical demand on my body to be pregnant and to recover well. I have met moms young and older who are wonderful parents, so again it depends on the woman.