Happy Birthday to me!

I had such a great weekend. Saturday, I turned the big 3-5! It wasn't as traumatic as I thought becoming a mid-30's girl...probably because of this pregnancy. They refer to me as "old" all the time since the baby will be born after my 35th birthday so therefore I'm an "older" mom. **sigh** Something I'll have to get used to.

John planned a day in Old Tucson with a couple that we met here in Sierra Vista, John and Chris. They are both from Florida, going through the interrogator courses that my John is finishing up and just found out they are getting deployed in January to Iraq! That really messed up their wedding plans for next April so they have decided to get hitched in October in Vegas....Oh I wish I could go! :)

John and Chris practicing the "getting hitched" pose in Old Tucson.

Even though it was incredibly hot and sunny we spent most of the day walking around Old Tucson. This is where they filmed a lot of the old western movies...including the Three Amigos, which just happens to be a favorite of mine...


John and I demonstrating our three amigos hip thrust in front of the last remaining piece of the set...

We took a train ride, rode on the carousel, painted southwestern tiles, watched a stunt show, fed steers, took an old western photo, enjoyed the CanCan girls, ate BBQ and were exhausted by the afternoon. I really had a wonderful day!

Going Home!

I'm so excited to go home today. I have enjoyed Illinois. I spent some interesting time here in Urbana...they have a haunted hotel. I didn't stay in it, but some of my coworkers did the last time they did a round of seminars. Apparently a bride hung herself in the hotel on her wedding night and ever since then its been haunted. Spooky eh?

Laugh of the day...

I couldn't help myself. It just made me giggle.

Sunrise in Illinois

I spent some time walking along the Illinois river...the Peoria Riverwalk last night. It was beautiful...very calming for my heart and soul.

Today I was out the door this morning driving to the next city by 6AM and had a chance to see the green fields folded in morning mist and an absolutely incredible sunrise...which brought back the peace of last nights riverwalk experience.

I couldn't help but start thinking about a Frederick George Scott poem that I've always loved....

Sunrise

O rising Sun, so fair and gay,
What are you bringing me, I pray,
Of sorrow or of joy to-day?

You look as if you meant to please,
Reclining in your gorgeous ease
Behind the bare-branched apple-trees.

The world is rich and bright, as though
The pillows where your head is low
Had lit the fields of driven snow.

The hoar-frost on the window turns
Into a wood of giant ferns
Where some great conflagration burns.

And all my children comes again
As lightsome and as free from stain
As those frost-pictures on the pane.

I would that I could mount on high
And meet you, Sun--that you and I
Had to ourselves the whole wide sky.

But here my poor soul has to stay,
So tell me, rising Sun, I pray,
What are you bringing me to-day?

What shall this busy brain have thought,
What shall these hands and feet have wrought,
What sorrows shall the hours have brought,

Before thy brilliant course is run,
Before this new-born day is done,
Before you set, O rising Sun?

Frederick George Scott

Peoria, IL

Today I leave for Peoria, IL. I am going for work purposes, but when going to a new city I like to get a feel for where it is I'm headed. Here is what I found out about Peoria...

1. National Geographic has named it the "next great American adventure town!"
2. They are big baseball fans...the Peoria Chiefs
3. They have a beautiful riverfront area and the carnival is going to be there the same time I am! :)
4. Weather right now is mid 80's with 60% humidity
5. Its the 1/2 way point between Chicago and St. Louis.
6. Named after the Peoria tribe
7. Headquarters for Caterpillar Inc
8. Famous natives include:
Gary Richrath — guitarist from REO Speedwagon
Richard Pryor — comedian and actor
Susan G. Komen — namesake of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Wayne A. Downing — Four-star general in the United States Army
Curly "Boo" Johnson — Harlem Globetrotter
Dan "Too Tall" Knapp — Brother of former NBA player Manute Bol and owner of Taco Johns
9. Famous for the saying: "Will It Play In Peoria?" On the Vaudeville circuit, it was said that if an act would succeed in Peoria, it would work anywhere.

In shock

Well, we heard back and the announcement will be made today that our Oregon contract will not be renewed. I'm in total shock. They said they were extremely happy with what we provided...not displeased in any way and if they wanted to maintain the program as is they would have kept us.

Instead they decided it was time to try a different direction.

I have mixed emotions...shock, nervousness...I'm in much better shape than most of my Portland people...I transferred my work load to other projects because of my move with John, but everyone else is possibly out of a job come December. And who knows...after my maternity leave...will there still be work for me?

I really never ever in a million years thought that would happen. I don't think anyone else did either. My big boss was in disbelief. Of course the company gave us the party line about finding other work, maintaining the office, etc, but I think when reality sets in we'll see a few people beefing up their resume because I can't imagine they can keep all of us.

Gaaaaaaah...

Happy Birthday Mama!

Mother....

You filled my days with rainbow lights,
Fairytales and sweet dream nights,
A kiss to wipe away my tears,
Gingerbread to ease my fears.
You gave the gift of life to me
And then in love, you set me free.
I thank you for your tender care,
For deep warm hugs and being there.

I hope that when you think of me
A part of you
You'll always see....

- Author Unknown.

Frog Story

Yesterday during my lunch hour I took about 30 minutes and headed to the pool to get in a few laps and stretch my legs. I was just finishing up and cooling down with a couple of laps of breast stroke...I popped my head up and there in front of me...not even 2 ft away in the pool is a gigantic FROG.

Let me tell you that there is nothing quite as dramatic as having a frog in the pool with you unexpectedly. Luckily I was in shallow enough water to not nearly drown with what I'm sure anyone looking out their window would have found to be quite a series of arm flailing, leg kicking, body thrashing antics for a big ol' pregnant lady.

This frog was not a little froggie that you see in the pond. No, this frog was probably 7-8 inches long and 4-5 inches wide with its little peepers just hanging above the water line.

I got out of the pool and watched it for a bit...laughing out loud at the whole idea of a frog in the pool. (again...what must these pool neighbors think of this weird lady that swims every afternoon) then I grabbed my towel and ran home for the camera. Unfortunately, when I got back...the frog was gone so I cannot grace this story with actual footage of the incident.

But, its totally true. I promise it is.

FedEx came

I got in the mail today my shirt that I have to wear to my work stuff next week. Now, in my client's defense, they didn't know I was pregnant...but just to give you a taste of how incredibly uptight this client is about this event and these shirts...they had a 5-minute conversation in our last conference call about WHO IS BRINGING THE IRON FOR THE SHIRTS...

When I mentioned a hotel has an iron and ironing board they said, "WE CAN'T COUNT ON THEM WORKING PROPERLY."

Ok....so for some of you maybe this sounds normal? Being the domestic dimwit I am there is no such thing as an iron for shirts...unless the dryer is really ineffective with getting out the majority of the wrinkles and even then...I'd almost rather just have those clothes drycleaned...but I do occasionally turn on an iron when its needed for a work function...but really...an entire hotel and we can't count on the iron working?

On top of that they tried to get the admin to be the one to iron ALL the shirts. I think her response was, "I don't do laundry." ha ha ha

That being said...I decided I better have them presend my shirt because the fearful thought of "what if this shirt doesn't fit me" hit me last week. My belly is the size of a soccer ball and these aren't polos...they are button ups.

Sure enough...I can button the shirt, but its stretched so tight across the belly there will be no need for an iron on my end. What to do....

1. Fess up to being pregnant and forwarn them that the shirt will be on the body, but not buttoned

2. Show up to the event and just surprise them with it

3. Claim the shirt was damaged and that I can't wear it

4. Put large iron burn right on the back and see if they ever buy shirts that require ironing again.

I like #4....but most likely will be action oriented with #2.

Can you believe I even have to spend 10 minutes worrying about this?

Catch Up

Just back in town from traveling and I'm just too tired to do much other than a brief catchup...

1. Hopefully I have a job in a week! Wen't back to Portland for the final interviews on our rebid. This is a 3-5 year contract which would be MARVELOUS. Have to head to Illinois next week and my boss wants me to go to Las Vegas this week...I'm just too tired. Too tired...

2. House if finally getting set up and unpacked. It will help for me to be home for a FULL WEEK with no travel. :) We made a goal...the Vets are picking up all our "excess" on Thursday. That gives me 4 days. :)

3. Court is over and we won some and lost some. That being said...at least the new child support and visitation is being set and the judge thinks that me not being allowed to spend time with the kids is baloney. :) He also thinks they need to spend MORE time with their dad to combat their bad behavior. Hmmmm...go figure...and I have to say a small twinge of "muwahahahaha" came bubbling over.

Thats about it...back with more later...first Sierra Vista Doctor's appt today!!!

Internet from H-E-double hockeysticks

Just the other day I heard a story about an 80+ year old lady that had Cox cable, phone and internet service. She lived in the boonies with her husband and he was very ill so having a good phone connection was important in case she needed to call the ambulance.

Well, after 4-5 days of spotty service she went to her local Cox cable outlet and asked to speak to the manager. After making her wait nearly TWO hours the manager went home without speaking with her. So she went home and got a claw hammer and went back to the cable store and started smashing computers.

When they finally stopped her she yelled, "Do I have your attention now?"

Now my story...
For the past week I've had internet service go down for 3-5 hours every afternoon. The service techs were useless...the call to the local cable store was useless...

If my garage and our tools weren't still packed in boxes I think I'd be headed down there with a claw hammer.

American Idol Part 2

Well, unfortunately, Miss Lexi Loo didn't make it this year, but they encouraged her to try again next year.

We're so proud of her for taking a dream and running with it. And, really glad she gets this experience to add to her book of memories...not everyone can say they tried out for American Idol!

American Idol

Miss Lexi Loo is in Salt Lake City today trying out for American Idol.

Yup - the REAL on TV American Idol show.

She had to try out today and we're anxiously awaiting to hear if she got picked up for the second step.

Apparently they only have 10 seconds to sing....then if they get chosen for step two they get a little more time...then from there they narrow it down to the people who actually go onstage...or something like that.

Unfortunately we didn't hear that she was doing this until just the night before she went...so we didn't have a chance to send out the information to family and friends to wish her luck..so if you get a chance...send lots of luck her way in whatever format you want!

We'll keep you updated on what happens!

Settling in

We spent much of this weekend unpacking more boxes. Our office is almost completely set up. We had soooo much storage space in our Oregon house that its been hard to find a place to store stuff here. We're having to invest in storage bins and things like that so that its not just hanging out on the floor in a pile.

I'm ready to have my house put together. Unfortunately, we still have to finish up the office, the spare bedroom and then tackle the garage. GAAAAAH!

Juggling Dirt

A favorite memory of mine I just rediscovered...filmed during a camping trip a few years ago...look how little Chortle is!


Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Dark Knight - Rated PG-13

We went to see the new Batman movie last night - Dark Knight. It was 2.5 hours long...a looooong movie for a pregnant lady that had too much water at dinner. That being said...there had been so much hype about how great of a movie it was and how Heath Ledger was magnificent in it as the joker that Mr. C and I decided to have a night out and go watch it.

First, a commentary on SV movie theaters. Not as comfy and I'm used to and they have these bright neon orange guide lights on the stairs that made my eyes go crazy...I felt like I was going to fall the whole time I was trying to walk down them. I think John referred to me as a "clumsy pregnant lady." Hmph. I'm blaming the lights.

Regardless, the movie was good. Good action, good characters and I have to give props to Mr. Heath Ledger....as the joker he was magnificent. the best joker that I've seen in a batman movie...better than Tommy Lee Jones and I love Tommy Lee Jones. Its too bad that Mr. Ledger is now deceased and won't be around to glory in his performance.

The only part I didn't like was batman's voice. When Bruce Wayne turned into Batman his voice was suddenly this deep scratchy monstery voice...kind of like what you expect from a werewolf or something like that. I didn't like it. It also looked like he had a retainer in his mouth and was trying to talk around this weird mouthpiece.

Oh yeah and I didn't like that Two Face had such a minimal role at the end of the movie...even as long as it was it looked like they were just trying to get the movie to end.

Overall...from 1 to 5 stars I would give it a 4 ****. Recommended from the Larson peanut gallery - but don't drink too much before because it really does just keep going on forever.

Whats the status

I just got a message from those property management people...3 days late...

"Mrs. Larson, we just wanted to know what the status of the leaks in the house are..."

???????

The status?

???????

I'm unsure if they want to know if water is still dripping from them or if we somehow miraculously repaired it on our own or if the roof has now caved in because we put a hole in the bubble over the door?

I should call them back and tell them not to worry about it because I stapled cardboard to the ceiling to cover the hole...do you think that will get them moving any faster?

Commissary Shopping

I just had my first commissary shopping experience...this is the grocery store on the base that you can only use with military ID. So, after dropping John off at 7:30 I ran to the store only to find that its not supposed to open until 9AM, but they let disabled people in early.

I went shopping.

Here is my rational...I have to go on disability when this baby is born therefore I can consider myself as disabled while pregnant...right?

Anyhow...I looked around and really...didn't see very many "visibly" disabled persons running around with a shopping cart. So I thought I'd be safe...whats the worst they can do...sick the MPs on me.

Wouldn't that be hilarious? John has to bail me out for pretending to be disabled at the commissary?

I filled up that cart with SO MUCH GOOD FOOD! Which was desperately needed as we've been eating food as we unpack it...a can of black beans here...a package of top ramen there. Now I've got veggies and high fiber bread (yummmy!) and tillamook cheese cuz I'm an Oregon cheese snob and mmmmmmmm....I can' hardly wait until lunch.

Here is the other thing I learned about the commissary. They don't pay their baggers. They work for tips only. Who would have known...so because I left with about 12 bags of food and this poor little Korean woman carted everthing around for me and loaded it all in the car I tipped a $5...hoping that would be enough.

Her response, "Ohhhhhh thankyou. $5 dolla make everybody happy happy happy."

I guess I did good.

Dare I dream?

I was just noticing that over the past 3 weeks there hasn't been a single post that I've written about Cruella.

Not that there hasn't been any Cruella incidents, but none that I felt I needed to vent about or snarl about...

Dare I dream that just for a time my life will not be infiltrated by her poisonous influence?

Fingers crossed...fingers crossed.

Memory Tag

I had fun leaving a memory on my cousin's blog, so I thought I'd join in and play the game! Read the directions if you're interested!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Storm

Last night I experienced the most terrific storm of my life. I thought I'd seen rain before....not until last night did I see rain. POUNDING...pouring rain that just amazed me. Thunder cracking every 2 minutes and lighting that flashed the whole sky into daylight brightness. The storm lasted an hour or so and in the process we lost electricity 3 times...

There's nothing that gets you moving fast looking for candles and flashlights in unpacked boxes than losing electricity at 10PM.

On top of all that we discovered our new little rental house has two leaks in the roof. One, a big bubble right over the door and the other was leaking through the lighting fixture.

I called the property management emergency line...and if I haven't yet expressed my extreme dislike of this property management group let me just tell you they are the most unfriendly, unlikeable and unhelpful group I've ever worked with...and I've delt with all 3 employees and my opinion remains the same. So, anyhow...back to the story...called the emergency line and their solution...pop the bubble in the ceiling and don't turn on the lights in the kitchen...we'll see if we can get someone to the house tomorrow and the whole time it was like she couldn't believe I bothered her for this petty little thing...

Duh...I wasn't born yesterday...dripping water from a lighting fixture is a pretty good indication that you shouldn't turn the lights on.

What a suprise that we haven't heard from the prop. mgmt peeps yet...(dripping sarcasm there...)

We knocked on our neighbor, George's door and as he told us the owner of the house was his good friend he said he'd email them immediately as he'd asked George to keep an eye out and let him know when there was a problem with the house.

So, with the weather forcast pointing to thunderstorms all week long this should be an interesting time for us...who knows what else we'll find out about our new house!

There is no place like home....

One week after getting to Sierra Vista I turned around and had to fly back to Portland for work. I drove to Bend for 2 days, then drove to Medford for 2 days and then back to Portland to fly out by Friday evening. It was a whirlwind trip. I really didn't get to see anything or anybody except my in-laws. We had a nice little visit over the lunch hour.

It was strange being so excited to get back to Tucson and Sierra Vista. Having only been there a week I wondered if I would miss Portland so much that I just wouldn't be able to stand leaving again, but while there I realized a couple of things.

1. Home is where your hubby is... I missed Mr. C terribly that week. I really love having him around...even with all those corny jokes he tells and to only get a few minutes here and there on the phone was not satisfying at all. It makes me think that when (not if, but when) he has to deploy I will be a very very sad girl.

2. Its strange to knock on the door of your own house. I had to stop by to pick up mail from our Portland house...I knocked on the door and as strange as it may seem having only been gone from there a few weeks - it didn't really feel like my house anymore!!!

3. Traffic is my new nemesis. In one week I got used to Sierra Vista - 10 minutes to anywhere. I got to Beaverton and everything took me 10 minutes longer than expected. When I left my inlaws to get to the airport...it was just before 3pm. Hwy 26 was a nightmare as usual...but I made pretty good time taking some back road shortcuts and was on 405 by about 3:15. Where 405 turns into I-84...I didn't get about about 12 miles per hour the entire way to the airport. And let me tell you how stressed out I was. My plan left at 5:45 and I got to the rental car return at 4:50. YIKES...Portland airport on a Friday!!! I thought I'd miss my flight for sure because of the crowds of people....lets just say that someone was watching out for me. I have never seen it so uncrowded. I had my tickets, got through security AND was at my gate by 5:10. WOW.

So, after all that...as much as I love Portland I have a new home now. It feels nice to be back. :)

Tagged!

Here I am TRYING to go to bed when I think...well, I'll just check out a few other blogs since I've been in "no computer/internet land" for the last few days and BOOM...I got tagged and since I can't NOT do it I figured I better fill out the following little survey for la bella donna Jenny...

Four Places I've Lived:

1. Vale, Oregon

2. Lugano, Switzerland

3. Alexandria, Virginia

4. Sierra Vista, Arizona


Four Favorite Books (not in any specific order): (Oh this is tough for me...ONLY FOUR???...I'll just list four favorite-ish books from my life that have changed me forever...)

1. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

2. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

3. PollyAnna by Eleanor H. Porter

4. Any and all Louis L'Amour books


Four Favorite Movies

1. The Fugitive

2. Dodgeball

3. Beaches

4. Sneakers


Four Embarrassing Facts About Me

1. I got stopped at an airport security when my bra set off the metal detector

2. I drool when I sleep really deeply

3. I love New Kids on the Block

4. You can count on me to drop food during every meal right on my shirt. Especially if its red tomato sauce, anything that stains or is greasy.

Four Dreams of Mine
1. To finish a triathalon
2. To be an oceanographer
3. To travel the world
4. To write a novel...(a GOOD one.)

Four Pet Peeves
1. People who don't use their blinkers while driving
2. Snotty customer service people
3. Parents who let their kids feel entitled to do or say whatever they want even if its intrusive, wrong or just plain mean.
4. Hair left in a shower or tub. Ewwwwwwww!

I now get to "TAG" four people. They are:
1. My cousin Jen
2. My friend Tina Marie
3. My sister Emma
4. My love John the terrorgator

All moved in.

Well, we've done it. We're finally actually and truly established in Sierra Vista, AZ...with a house and an address and the whole works.

Our little house is a rental. Its in a cute little gated community that we thought was a 55+ community at first because of all the "older" folks that we saw there...but it turns out thats not right...there are a few younger couples that live in the development. Anyhow...the reason I mention that is there is a community pool and I LOVE the fact that NOBODY and I mean really - nobody gets in the pool except John and I...its like having our own little water play ground.

So, first about the house then about the weather...the house is cute...1500 SF/3bedroom/2bath. We got our household goods last Thursday so as you can imagine (since its only Monday) we're not quite fully settled. We did get the bulk of the living room, kitchen and master bedroom done over the weekend. Phew...what a lot of work! Address to come soon along with photos of the house...but give me a little more time to unpack!

The weather in SV is intense right now. Its monsoon season so we get a daily thunder and lighting storm. I love it...absolutely love it. It floods the streets and puddles on the porches and within 2 hours its all gone and its as if the rains never actually came!
An incredible red-sky sunset just before a storm

The storm!


Today, Mr. C started his course. It was intense morning...they all met at Denny's for breakfast...had a little chitchat and he spent the afternoon golfing with two new friends... I'm going to suggest that to my boss for our next meeting....either that or I need to join the Army.

Of course he starts tomorrow with 6AM PT...situps, pushups, running. Muwahahaha...and I shall be sleeping through it.

Unfortunately, I can rub it in too much. I ended up having to fly back to PDX this week. I'm in Bend, OR right now and then heading to Medford to train a couple of new hires for this program. Its going to be a LONG week for me. I'm at 20-weeks right now for this pregnancy. Half-way mark as of TODAY! Woohoo!

I feel good...pretty tired lately, but that may be more because of the sunshine, unpacking, travelling etc. more than the actual pregnancy thing. Who knows. All I know is my baby bump is expanding daily and getting more and more insistent about being noticed. I love it. :)

Ok...speaking of tired...at 11PM...I'm signing off.

Not so bad...

Ok...so we've been in Sierra Vista for about 5 days now and I am conceding that its not as bad as I anticipated.

Fear: I was dreading 100+ temperatures...
Reality: The higher elevation has made the top temperature so far no more than about 94 degrees...and there are daily rainshowers (thunder and lightning storms!) now that its monsoon season so by the evening its actually a pleasant 75-85 degrees.

Fear: No place to live...
Reality: It took us two days to find a house we both like. At 1500SF its smaller than our Florence house, but its going to work really well. We were approved last Thursday, but due to the long weekend won't sign a lease until Monday. Furniture is supposed to be delivered by Wednesday! Wooooohooo! Ya'll can expect an updated address soon. The best part...its a gated community with only about 30 houses and it has a community pool about a block away. :)

Fear: Nothing to do...
Reality: We've watched more TV in the last week than I have in the last 10 years so its not as though the city is "action packed" BUT, the 4th of July festival was a blast. The fireworks were amazing (the biggest display in all of Arizona). We've visited most of the city just to look around, but still have plenty to discover, we spent today in Bisbee just walking around looking at all the cool little shops and then ended up in Douglas (hole in the wall border town) and looked at Mexico, but did not enter...(John has to have permission from the army to enter Mexico.)

Monday starts our busy week....I go back to work and John starts his daily duties on post. It will be interesting to see what our routine turns into.

Fear: Armyness...
Reality: Armyness stinks. HA! I knew there was one thing that wouldn't go perfectly. We can't do what we need to do with getting registered on the family support and medical thing because of....well....I like to call it Armyness. A bunch of red tape that any corporation would cut off at the neck, but the military seems to thrive on...Oh well, I suppose I shall learn to live with it, deal with it, and eventually will probably love it. Right?

Travel Log

I think in my last post I got as far as getting to mom's house...it was a good final evening...we set off some fireworks that we bought in Idaho...

Did you know fireworks are virtually illegal in Arizona? All they have in the stores here are poppers. Ugh...I LOVE fireworks...I did hear that they do a spectacular show on the 4th as a city so I guess I have that to look forward to...Ok...small detour...back on subject...Fireworks....oh and thats Aaron doing the amazing jump through the sparks. Hysterical.

After leaving Mom's we went to Zion Canyon and stayed the night there. We took a trip up the canyon and snapped some incredible photos.



From Zion's we spent two days in Las Vegas....woohooo...Vegas baby. I was supposed to meet up with an old friend, but it never happened. I was pretty bummed....lines got crossed and communication never happened, but I did get to see an amazing Cirque du Soleil show...Ka. Go see it if you get the chance.

We didn't spend much time outside in Vegas...it was averaging about 110 degrees and neither John or I could hack it. We did sit and play the slot machines for about 20 minutes. I think we lost a total of $10. HA! Looks like we're not really high rollin' Vegas people.

**Vegas pics coming soon**

From Vegas we went to Sedona, AZ. It was BEAUTIFUL. I have always loved Sedona. It has doubled in size since the last time I was there. It kind of spoiled the pristine beauty that I remembered to see a sprawling city of 16,000 instead of the tiny town of 3-4,000 that I remembered...so many new houses and buildings...but it didn't change the beautiful scenery.


Is it just me or is my belly getting sooooo big?!

And finally....from Sedona we went all the way to Sierra Vista...arrived last night and I'm absolutely exhausted. E-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d.

The hottest it got on the trip here was 117 degrees. That was just after Phoenix.
So far Sierra Vista has been a tolerable 90+. How am I ever going to survive this heat?

Family Photos

Before leaving Portland I asked Mr. C to make sure and arrange some time that his oldest could join us to get professional family photos done....the results are below. I think they turned out pretty good. One that isn't on here is a photo of Mr. C with his kids that I absolutely love.

I was really glad that we were able to get this done...we tried a few times before and schedules always seemed to get in the way. Our last one was with the two little kids, but missing the oldest.







Coming soon....the trip to Arizona update....

Travels have begun

Well, its day 2 of having left Oregon. The departure was sad. I was the big crybaby...packing the house and seeing it all emptied and then watching Mr. C with the kids was just too much for me. Both of the little guys wrote the sweetest little letters to him..."I love you all the way around the world and back," says Chortle and Miss Giggle wanted to make sure and put in a joke about snow in Arizona.

We finished all the cleaning at around 11PM...exhausted we spent the night at my inlaws...slept wonderfully and soundly...up the next day and had the same pile of tears occur a second time.

We spent a few hours with Grandpa in Kennewick and saw A. Linda and U. Fred. It was so good to see them and chat with them. I'll have to write a little later about U. Fred. He recently had part of his leg amputated and I had a chance to just chat a little with him...

We drove through to Ontario and stayed with my A. Nancy that night. Her home is so lovely. She just moved there and has the most beautiful container garden. It made me feel better about container gardening in Arizona.

The next day was a trip to Utah...ending in Orem at my mom's house. Its been a lot of fun to just relax a couple of days.

Regardless of the above photo, I still think both Mr. C and I got some much needed relaxation and sleep over the last couple of days.

Doesn't he just look like he's having a blast here in Utah? We leave today and head south to Zion National Park. I'm just waiting for Mr. C to get back from the "all you can eat meat fest" with the bro-in-laws and my stepdad.

I'm beginning to look forward to Arizona...we'll be there in a few days. Woohoo!

Two days til packers

Do you know whats going in that box?

I'm so wired right now...what a week this has been. I'm going to be relieved when its over. But...until then...I just walked out in the garage and am in a total loss. Its the cleanest its been in 5 years...just in time for the packers to come and put it all in boxes. Can you believe this?

New strategy - want your garage cleaned and organized? Move. I'm going to keep that one in mind. :)



I've been working like a crazy lady. I have 3 days in office in downtown Portland this week to train my replacement prior to driving out of town next week. He's so great. He has a ton of experience...he's bright...he picks it up quickly. He was expensive, but it is totally worth it.

Today was my day working from home...and because of the insanity from this week...the day to catch up on all my blogs and emails. Gaaaaah! I found 3 McCarney cousin blogs! woohoo! I love finding family blogs...just getting a glimpse into their lives and to be honest...from the pictures I looked at I probably wouldn't recognize 1/2 of my 50+ cousins now. They are all grown up - have facial hair and kids...I still think of them around 8-15 years of age....

So, I'm off to munch some lunch. I had my last Dr.'s appt today for the little one. We heard a good heartbeat...but you can find out more about that here: http://babychucklehead.blogspot.com/

Mediation

Today has suddenly turned into a last minute decision to make it the mediation for the new child care arrangements.

I hate this stuff. I feel angry and out of control and upset. I would be a terrible divorcee - I don't deal very well with this kind of stress...it makes me want to beat people up...and I don't even have to be there.

Everyone is put out. Two litle ones have to stay a day longer with grandparents that had other plans....the older one is refusing to help out and whining about everything. I'm stuck at work and can't do much to fix it. Mr. C has to go...

I suppose its better that it just get done and over with. I don't have high hopes that we'll make it through to a decision. We meaning Cruella and Mr. C. She is demanding that the children not leave their "home environment." Meaning...they shouldn't leave the state. AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH. Yeah...its better that they stay in a hotel for a week instead of being able to see their daddy's new house and have their favorite toys and play in their daddy's home environment. Does this sound insane to anyone else? Why oh why does she insist on being a ^%#@$^&?

Its days like to day that I seriously have to talk myself down from those thoughts that you never think you can actually have until you meet someone that you dislike as intently as I dislike Cruella at this moment. I won't expound...with my luck she's find this blog and charge me with something insane and get away with it and I'll be in jail or have a massive fine that would seriously put me over the edge and then...

Stopping now while I'm ahead.

Bring me men...

Lamya Lyrics
Empires Lyrics

SHE CAME HOME

Mimms that crazy cat thats been missing for 3 weeks magically showed up on our doorstep at 11pm the other night.

She's home! Woohoooo!

Both cats are getting collars and headed home to sissy Sarah's house today! Dave is staying at Sarah's house for the summer and is going to take care of the kitties while she is gone.

I'm so relieved that Mimms showed up. R-E-L-I-E-V-E-D. I thought she was gone forever and now the kitties are all cuddled up and meowing how much they missed each other.

And as a shout out to Dave...if you want a kids party you have to call him. He's the best.

www.DavidFreleng.com.

Talk about funny...you can see some of his made-for grownups puppet shows on Youtube.

Hoorah! The kitties are reunited!

Empty House Party

We've decided to hold an empty house party. Actually, its a way to say goodbye to our friends that want to stop by once its all packed up and ready to go.

I thought I'd pull out the chocolate fountain and then its kind of a potluck style. :)

We won't have any furniture in the house and boxes piled high ready for the movers the next morning.

Am I insane?

Does this sound like a party or a headache?

Prohibition

If you were around in 1919...just before prohibition started and came across this poster...

I mean seriously...would you quit drinking?

Rant...Rant...Rant

This whole looking back at how I was raised thing that occured when I went through my baby boxes has opened my eyes this weekend to why I sometimes struggle so much with little giggle.

This weekend is a perfect case in point...As many times as she is adorable she is liable to throw a fit. These fits are because she has to help with chores.

Its so foreign to anything I have ever experienced to have a child throw a temper tantrum for having to help. Its not like we're asking her to clean the entire bathroom...just put the towels in the linen closet or while the rest of us weeded for an hour all she had to do was put the pulled weeds in the bucket and you'd have thought that the end of the world had come for her.

And its not like we're sitting around eating bonbons and watching a movie while forcing little Cinderella to work...we give her the "easy" job so we don't have to listen to the complaining as much or as long. She's often done long before anyone else is done with their chores.

This weekend...when given a choice of helping and being part of the "team" or doing her own thing she readily threw down her gardening tools and headed out because, "I don't want to do this so I don't have to."

WOW. I'm trying to remember what would have happened to me when I was kid if I tried to pull that little trick.

I had to take time out this weekend to think about this because it was really making me crazy. I have a general problem with parents letting their kids make up excuses for anything and everything or even worse, telling them its someone else's fault that they didn't succeed...I've never seen the benefit of letting a kid think they are the cat's meow or that the world should cater to them without them actually trying and failing a few times... Why is it so bad to fail? Or lose? Sure it doesn't make you feel great, but its not going to kill you either...puts life into perspective a little bit.

Now, this mindset that "if you don't want to do it you don't have to because you deserve to only have to do what you want" just drives me crazy.

It makes sense....talking about Miss giggle in particular...this is why she has been expelled from her 4th preschool in as many years...if she doesn't want to do it she doesn't. Period. She'd rather throw a fit, throw paint, kick the teacher and punch out other kids than have to sit at the table. And her understanding of why the school won't let her back in..."My teacher is mean to me so we had to go to a school with nicer teachers."

Uh. What? I suppose that at this point I can't blame a 6-year old. She isn't help responsible for her behavior. She is being told that someone else "forced" her to behave that way. So I suppose I blame the parents?

Ok...so, I'm one of the "parents." In Mr. C and my defense I suppose I can say that every other weekend doesn't allow us to exactly make a huge impact on the way this little girl is raised. So what I'd really love to do is point a big huge finger at Cruella and say..."YOU DID THIS."

But then again...Chortle is 8 and was a rock star. He was helpful and didn't complain and worked hard and gets a huge reward for it...a trip to ChuckECheese with his dad to spend some "guy time."

And yours truly gets to stay home with the other one to watch the fit because she doesn't get to go...so, is it really Cruella or is it just LG's personality?

All I know is that its a no win situation...What is a step-parent or non-custodial parent supposed to do? If she lived here full time she would learn quickly that those types of fits get you nowhere but in your room...being helpful gets a reward...being snotty and selfish gets you nowhere....

So maybe I blame the court system? The court system is biased against fathers. I don't just believe that...I KNOW that. People wonder why dad's disappear out of their kids lives...I'll tell you why...ex-wives make life miserable. They do everything in their power to make sure that the time spent with their father is a nothing but drama and headache...aside from the antics they themselves decide to force on you like phone calls and emails and drama galore they breed their children to behave expecially poorly when at their dad's house and tell them they don't have to obey or listen or anything else because he's not "custodial." How does a 6 year old know that word? All I see is a 6-year old mini-me of Cruella being bred and I just stand back and watch...Its not my job, my opportunity or in my ability to make it stop. There is truly NOTHING I can do. (That was a hard lesson for me this weekend.)

And so every other weekend, which is quickly coming to twice a year or so, we have this selfish little thing that doesn't see any reason to be helpful or loving or kind unless its to her benefit. Who kicks and screams and cries because she has to help around the house or make her bed or clear the dinner table. Who tells us that her job is NOT to help, but to watch TV. Thats why they have housecleaner ladies and gardners. I can't believe the life of luxury is expected at age 6...I really can't. and what are we supposed to do? Spend the whole weekend snarling and grumpy? As it is Mr. C only gets 5 days a month with these kids...why does he want to spend it disciplining and trying to teach manners?

So, I suppose at this point I'm throwing up my hands and saying I don't know what to do. There are basic rules of this house that we expect to be obeyed. No hitting or kicking. No lying. No throwing toys or books when angry, etc. Maybe I expect those things and only those thing? Just give up on any of the other stuff and decide to be a "Disney parent?"

This is not a new trial. I 'm sure many full time parents say the same type of things....I'm sure many stepmoms or non-custodial parent's before me have lamented exactly what I'm lamenting. And so it goes....

Packing memories

Ok...while packing I came across some of the greatest old memory folders...things I hadn't seen in years and just made my heart smile and laugh out loud. I was hoping I could find the letter Emma sent me my first week in college asking if I had any friends yet....now that is priceles...instead...from the pile I had in front of me I picked two of my favorites to share here...

First - a paper from a Family Home Evening when i was 6 years old. Jenna would have been 10...Ray was 8...Sarah was 4...Becca was 2. Look how much my family loves me...Also - take special note where my mom says I help out around the house...


Now part two...I'm in highschool and apparently my helpful around the house days were over. Its true what they say, you know...you really learn to appreciate what your parents went through. This letter, however, made me laugh so hard. I sure love you, mom.


I also came across a bunch of poems I'd written for my mom...my all-time favorite...

I love my mother very much
Her nice brown hair
Her tender touch
Although sometimes we fight and blame
I love my mother still the same.

By me...age 8ish. :)

Blast from the past!

I had a blast from the past today. My dear college roommate that I will love and adore forever left me a little note on baby chucklehead's blog. I couldn't believe it was her!

I loved seeing her face and 3 kids! It just blows me away...I remember her wedding...and her being pregnant with her first so many long years ago...but it just seems like yesterday.

So, I had to just write up a few of my favorite memories as a little tribute to her in memory of all the grand times we had....

The love hut
Catching Mike and Lori making out
sledding in the dead of winter
all the couples...you and Bart, Devin and Smell, Dave and Dani, DK and the girl of the week....
off roading in the beast
Nugget
squeeze those cheeseburgers
watching the intramural flag football team
Fresno vs BYU game
Karaoke at Mike's house (I still have the tape! ha ha ha)
Duper
The mouse -- oatmeal
killing heather's plants with bleach and that SALSA!
Dingleberry
Bart's personal planetarium
so many good times...I could probably go on for another page or two...

Anyhow...raise a glass to good friends, fun times and great memories!

CHEERS!

BYU-Fresno Game

Awwwwww....

His personal planetarium

Wedding day...

Anyone else find this amusing?

Memorial Day

It was a rainy day here in Portland, but most days in Portland are rainy so that didn't stop us.

We headed out to the Gales Creek Cemetary where Mr. C's grandfather and other relatives are buried. We doubled that with Family Home Evening. Eric gave the lesson while we were at the cemetary and talked about what Memorial day is really all about.

Both kids enjoyed walking around and were appropriately subdued thinking of the ages of some of the people we looked at headstones for...some small babies. Some young children just around their ages...some teenagers the age of big sissy and adults and "old" people. They admired the flowers and the flags and talked to their dad about him having to "go to war" now that he is in the Army.

Afterward we went to the Lilly farm (John's grandmother's farm) and walked around looking at the creek and the fields and he told us stories of when he was a kid.

it was a good Memorial day...a good reminder of how important family is and a good way to say thank you to the soldiers for our freedoms.

Columbia River Gorge

Its the most beautiful place in the world....here was our weekend trip to the fish hatchery and crown point in the Columbia River Gorge

New Car!

Woohoo! We traded in the Kia and Mazda for a shiny red (new to us) Subaru Forester. Pretty ain't she?

We really like her and are actually really excited to be a 1-car family now.

Hoorah for new cars!

Now...what shall we name her? Or, I guess him? Anyone? Anyone?

Lost Mims

Oh where oh where has our little cat gone?

Oh where oh where can she be?

We have been taking care of Sarah's kitties while she is gone and Mims has disappeared on us. Actually, Jacko didn't come home last night either. Its causing me stress....I want these kitties to be safe and feel loved, but what can I do other than keep them chained up in the garage? (not really chained, but confined...)

I hope she comes home soon...I hope Jacko doesn't disappear on me too....

Anybody know any good tricks for finding a lost kitty?

Driveway!

We got our driveway fixed today. It had been broken by a bunch of tree roots from a tree that we had cut down a couple of years.

With moving and having renters we figured we better get that "I tripped and now will sue your homeowners insurance for a million dollars for pain and suffering" hazard out of the way.

It was amazing how quickly they were able to do it...and how expensive it is! $800 dollars later we have a brand new 14X10 square in our driveway and NO ROOT! I wish we'd done it years ago!

We've got a rental openhouse tomorrow so it was completed just in time for all our potential renters to be safe and sound.

That being said...everyone keep their fingers crossed or say a little prayer that we find the right family for our home.

and again....

I can't even post what I'm thinking about today. More drama...only really...the comments from the last blog don't even come close to the hateful things that have been spitting out of Cruella's mouth.

We knew it would be bad.

Can I just say that I am actually looking forward to leaving in a month if only to get away from THIS for awhile!

May's drama

Well, Mr. C Talked to his kids about the pregnancy and the move. They were all very excited about the pregnancy and all very sad about the move.

Cruella, on the other hand...gave us the expected reaction. Her first comment was, "Well, when you said you had a couple of items for news I didn't think it was going to be a nuclear bomb."

More interesting comments:

How could you?

You have just lost your children.

Well, now that you have your own kids you can leave mine alone.

You have just lost your oldest daughter forever.

Of the one thing I thought I could count on it was you never having children with HER.

Well, I would have given you the kids for the whole summer, but now that she is pregnant you can only have them for 30 days at most and I'd prefer only the 2 weeks.

St. Louis

I spent Monday in St. Louis. I saw the city from the freeway on the way into the airport, The hotel on Market street, the arch from the hotel window, 2 square blocks walking to my meeting, and the city on the way back out to the hotel.

It was a good trip for business.
It was a bad trip for "seeing" St. Louis.

After 20 hours of being awake...I was very happy to finally be home.

Sleep...wonderful sleep...

Mothers day on the plane.

Happy Mother's day

Arrive at airport 6:30AM on Mother's day.
Plane gets delayed
Lady next to me tells me that we have Obama secret service agents on the flight and we'll get clearance...not to worry.
Announcement made 3 minutes later that plane is no longer delayed.

Arrive in Chicago and circle...circle...circle...for almost an hour.
Captain comes over the speaker to assure us that we have "at least 30 minutes of gas left."
Not feeling assured.
Plane finally lands.

Run Run Run to catch connector flight scheduled to leave in 15 minutes.
Make it to the B terminal with 5 minutes to spare.
Gate is closed.
Plead with flight attendant who opens the gate.
Sucky seat way at the back row in MIDDLE.
Flight attendant tells me to sit up front in "Economy PLUS" on aisle. **sighs of relief**

Plane held as next flight to St. Louis is delayed for 5+ hours.
Plane is totally filled up with standby passengers
Plane leaves and arrives in St. Louis at 4:30PM

$50 cab to hotel (what a ripoff!)
Immediately into meeting until 11:15PM
Sneak out to call my mom...
Spend 40 minutes talking to Mr. C
Asleep by 12:15AM

Happy Mother's day.

Arizona.....for real?

Well - its confirmed. Not with orders, but with verbal and written information that John needs to report to Ft. Huachuca on July 1, 2008. We will actually be driving away from Portland on June 24, 2008. I'm excited and nervous and sad. We'll have John's kids for his 2-week vacation from the last day of school, June 13th through the end of that time period.

I know this is going to be hard when he has to say goodbye to them. Luckily his parents agreed to watch them for two days after that so there is some cohesive "daddy loves you even though he is moving" feelings that the kids can rely on since I don't think Cruella will be offering any of that kindness.

Regardless, I'm hoping the excitement of John getting to move forward with the Army stuff will help him with the loneliness I'm sure he'll be feeling. Of course, I'll encourage frequent contact with them. Maybe we'll give Lexi a webcam and ask her to set it up for the kids and John every Sunday or something.

**sigh** I wish it was so much easier.

Old School

We just got back from a delectable dinner with Mr. C's parents at Claim Jumper...A celebration of sorts for a positive outcome to an unfortunate situation....

Why is it that everyone tells you that you will HATE your in-laws? I suppose they are supposed to be "different" from how you grew up or you hear about how bossy and/or nosy they are...

I have to be honest (and this is in no way slanted because I KNOW they read this blog...) but, I really love Mr. C's parents. They have a fabulous backyard with a garden area for the grandkids to go "dig" and plant sticks and things...which I distinctly remember being something my grandparents had for us and a great toybox that was available when you visit.... Yes, and they spoil the grandkids with toys and treats and LOVE...and love-spoiling is part of the job...as it should be for every grandparent...its the kind of spoiling that makes a kid feel like they are special and deserving instead of the kind that leaves a kid feeling entitled.

I suppose that I feel so comfortable with them because in a way they remind me of my own parents. They have a strong sense of right and wrong. They are thrifty and smart with their money. They value being independent and a self-made individual. In a way they are what would now be considered, "Old School." Its the way I would describe my own mother and father and...heaven forbid that we admit that we ended up like our parents, but its true, Mr. C and I.

I have such a hard time with parents that won't let their kids fail...or won't let them succeed. Instead they think that "fair" is the only way to go. I have to wonder if they live in the same world where I live...Fair....its rarely going to go that way. Mr. C and I think kids can lose at a game and its not going to be the end of the world and some kids get one thing while another doesn't and it won't derail their sense of importance and kids don't need every toy thats advertised and priveledges are just that and not expectations or something children are entitled to...and my favorite soapbox item...consequences for poor behavior.

Phew...now that its out of my system. I think I just want to end this by saying that its nice being friends with your in-laws. I really like it. :)

ITS HERE...THE UNIVIPER!

Hit and Run

He was biking home from work - late one evening. A car careens around the street and smashed into him. Knocked unconcious he awakens hours later to find himself in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.

This is a true story and it happened to my brother-in-law early Saturday morning. He is in the hospital in Austin, TX with 4 boken vertebrae and major trauma all over his body.

My sister, found out Saturday morning at 9AM when he was finally able to call her once the doctors were done with x-rays and other stuff. His family found out next and what a blessing that his mother is a registered nurse of 20+ years.

Luckily he is doing well...doesn't require and surgery and is expected to heal completely. Just keep saying those prayers and murmur good thoughts and magic healing dust that nothing changes.

Curse the hit and run driver...there are better ways to understand that things in your life that are precious can be taken away at any time.