Ojo Caliente - Posi -- our last day there

On our last day to Ojo Caliente we took a short hike from the resort to the ruins of the Posi-Ouinge village. In about the 15th Century the Indians of the area (if I remember from the pamphlet, the Tewa Indians?) combined the 'summer' and the 'winter' tribes and built a thriving metropolis in the area just above the springs.

This shot is after climbing a pretty steep, rocky incline above the resort. It was just "skipping through the daisies" for my rock goat hubbie, me, not so much, but I did it and was happy when I got up there. The rest of the hike was easy-peasy.

So we looked and looked for a village. Thinking we'd find something like the Cliff Dwellings in Southern Colorado. All we found were these curious numbered markers and a lot of pottery shards. Finally I said to Jason, "I think this is it, let's see what the map says." He didn't believe me until we got the third numbered marker....we opened the map and the markers told us where we would have been if the town was still there. (FYI-pamphlets with maps in the lobby of the Ojo Caliente resort) Seriously, it was pretty darn cool to be standing in a place where ancient peoples made their homes.

Some of the nice flora of the area, lots of cactus.

And I'm always amazed how flowers will take root and bloom. This one was intertwined with a dead tree branch.

It was a very peaceful hike. A great end to a great weekend away together.

And We're Outta Here....

Because we are leaving today for our awesome weekend away to Ojo Caliente Springs I thought I would spend the day getting "things" taken care of. It didn't go so well. Mostly because I don't stand up for myself.....

First I went into a local place, just behind our neighborhood, to get a wax and pedicure. They switch off ladies and I have never had the pleasure of this one particular person. I laughingly said, "wax my whole face" meaning chin, upper lip and brows.....because really, who waxes their ENTIRE FACE. Well apparently people do because all of the sudden wax was going places where even Santa Clause doesn't grow hair. On a dry, slightly sunburned face....that doesn't feel so good. So my whole face was bright red and slightly itchy by the time she was finished with me. And hubby pointed out, shiny and strangely smooth (not nicely smooth, strangely smooth). Oh yeah...AND they charge you a LOT to wax your whole face.

My hair was also in need of some assistance. I normally don't go into those quickie places because, well, maybe it's my hair? but I've never gotten a good haircut. So why did I think yesterday was going to be different? I showed her a picture and she went about cutting and cutting and even thinned it out a bit....none of this I can see because I wear glasses and have to take them off when they cut. She's done and instead of:

I got:





Not that he isn't darling, but not the haircut I wanted. While I was looking in the mirror, I did the tucking my hair behind my ear thing and...get this...she physically removes my fingers from my hair and places it BACK in the position she styled it. I felt like four years old. Even though I didn't get the hair I wanted I paid her AND TIPPED HER. While signing the charge slip I again (and it was an automatic gesture) went to tuck my hair behind my ear and...you are so not going to believe this...SHE 'TISKED TISKED' ME. In some weird compulsive way it was so hard for me not to TUCK. It was a relief to get out of the hair place, get to the grocery store and tuck away.

I do have a normal lady I go to, but she made me mad the last time. I told her I wanted to grow my hair out and she argued with me that long hair doesn't go with my face shape. And she's right, but I'm the customer and I was thinking convenience in the whip it up in a pony tail type of way. So she 'relented' and still cut my hair short in the front and left it long in the back which pretty much looked like a MULLET. I made my sister in law cut off later that day.

Where are all the fun gay guy hairdressers? I do believe I may have to trek into the city from this point on.


The good news? I did get a fabulous pedicure and had them match the nail polish to my cute new flip flops:


So now all is good with the world.....

I may or may not post this weekend, I'm not even sure they have an Internet connection there. I think the town is so small they don't even have a traffic light. It will be bliss to be with my hubby of almost 16 years (officially 16, May 29th).

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend to the rest of you!!!!

WW -- what have I been doing with my time?

5/5 stars...really disturbing, kind of in the Mystic River realm

4/5 stars -- funny and cute

3/5 -- made me cry

3/5 made me cry too (ok, so I cry a lot)
4/5 This we actually saw in a theatre...like a grown up date and all. Funny, and cerebral. It reminded me of my relationship with my own father. He was on the brilliant side, me, not so much. Like the movie, we dealt with each other with an abundance of sarcasm...for example --a conversation I had with my father that went like this:

Dad: Tess (he called me Tess, Tesa, or Tracey, depending on his mood) You are like an old woman, you worry too much.

Me: Well someone has to be an adult in this relationship.

This movie has a couple conversations along the same realm. Certainly made me laugh.

I'm thinking I quite haven't gotten the whole Wordless Wednesday concept down.

I'm UGLY and had no idea!

I was listening to the radio the other day and the "hosts" or whatever you call them were talking about getting out of speeding tickets. I, myself, have gotten out of a few, twice in one day. The last ticket I got out of, I assumed it because I was wearing my scrubs, before that I just assumed that it was because I have that "I can do no wrong" innocent look.....BUT....and I am horribly devastated....it turns out, according to a police officer who called in to the show....that they give the tickets to the pretty girls and no tickets to the ugly girls because they don't want to seem biased......So, let's see, I've gotten out of about 7 speeding tickets in my life....that must make me pretty darn UGLY.

No, I will not be posting a picture of myself.....ever again....and I have hidden the mirrors under sheets in case I may crack them.....

Ok, now on to more serious issues...Jason (who does NOT find me ugly by the way) and I are celebrating our 16th year wedding anniversary -- WOO HOO (23 years together....we were CHILDREN when we met). We are taking a road trip and I thought I would make a 21st century Ipod version of the eighties (when we met) mixed tape of love songs....soooo, your assignment, should you choose to participate, is to let me know what your favorite love songs are so I can beef up my Ipod selections....oh and you have to let me know why too.

Here's to hoping you get speeding tickets...now that you know it's really a compliment!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday isn't going to be so Wordless because I haven't posted in awhile....To the point that even Aimee and Colleeno posted before I did...gasp and that Ms. Martha had to nag, I mean, remind me to post....(love you Ms. Martha and thank you for the yummy lunch and conversation).

The other day I get a call from a recruiter for the ARMY....
I burst out laughing! Then I told him I was a fat housewife with two young children just now going back to school AND I was going to be FORTY in June (shhh, now that's our secret). He said..."We'll get you into shape, our cut off is 42 and we need nurses.

So I said (which, I usually do with pushy telemarketers) "send me the info".

Seriously though, it's not the money, not the serving my country thing....it was that wow, being away for 6 weeks in a boot camp where they force you to exercise that would really get me going...

Do they have spas? So you can get a nice mud wrap after a day of boot camp military drills?

Hey if they did, sign me up!

I am so NOT military material....I'm not even military wife material!

Now on to pictures from mother's day which was very nice by the way...my brother and sister in law flew in from the East for the weekend.




The Grandmas, who don't like to be called Grandmas....(Jason's mom is called YaYa which is Greek for Grandma, however they are not Greek...she just liked the way it sounded and my mother likes to be called Lita the end of Abuelita, Spanish for Little Grandma).

Mother's day Flowers...thanks Gina and Jose and the other set from my parents....



Proof that Spring is on it's way!

Expensive Coffee

I thought I was being indulgent by paying more then 10$ for coffee from Ubergeek Coffee (and thanks Jenn, it really is yummy). But there's this coffee called Kopi Luwak that sells for $120.00 to $600.00 a pound. Here's the ick factor, it's first eaten by a tree-dwelling cat-like creature called an Asian Palm Civit. Somehow the outer covering is removed and digested while the rest of the bean is passed through whole and perfectly ready for roasting.

What I would like to know is who was the one to decide..."hey look, that creepy looking animal just pooped out some beans, maybe I should roast them and try them"

While discussing this with Jason, he said, "That guy must have been totally 'jonesing' for a cup of brew"

Or maybe (my theory -- yes, Jason and I really do talk about nothing important most of the time) was that two guys, half-drunk started daring each other.

Notice neither Jason nor I assumed it was a woman who would do something so disgusting.....

Anyhow...This rates right up there with Rocky Mountain Oysters no matter how many times someone tells you how good it tastes, I can't get over where it's been before it's been in my mouth.

While Jake's at soccer practice, Isaac plays on the playground. Today there was a little girl from India playing with him and I hear him ask her if she speaks English. Well she asks (in English by the way) "What's English" So Isaac yells at me:
Mom What's English?

I answer, "It's the language we speak"
He asks, "What's language"
I answer, "It's the words we say"

so he asks the little girl If she uses English words. She answers yes. So they play a little bit. A bit later she in her mother speak to each other in their native tongue and then Isaac yells to me, "Hey mom, they speak Spanish too"

He makes me laugh.

This post is brought to you by the letter.....

I took my final today in OB/Pediatrics and woo hoo I aced it (96) combined with a fab grade I got on my paper I got a 91% in the class, which in nursing school is a B....woo hooo.

More importantly....I don't have to go back to school until August....three whole months OFF.

Here's a quick look at my fun summer-time, pool-side reading....I know you're all jealous....

Ramblings and a bit of complaining....

I got one of those calls yesterday, not a person, but a recording to call this certain number and it wasn't a sales call. Since I've gotten that call everyday for the last week, I decided to call back TO COMPLAIN. Turns out I was late on a bill; a bill I never received and on a loan that I set up for automatic withdrawal (man I love technology, it has really helped my credit rating). So, I pay over the phone but then start getting all paranoid....what if it was a scam; I just gave out my routing and checking account numbers to some random guy...what the heck was I thinking...isn't that how those scam artists work...Maybe I'm not so savvy...maybe that's how those people get to people like me....

So I called the number on my original paperwork and they verified that all was legit...whew. Next time I think I'll just find out what the call was for and then tell them I'll call the main company, or ask them to send a letter. I hate being paranoid....it's so not my nature.

So my brother's coming out here next weekend (with his beautiful bride) for Mother's Day. My parents just arrived this week so he planned his trip to correspond with their arrival...BUT HE DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS A SURPRISE FOR MY MOTHER. So, I blew the surprise. I went to visit my mom and step dad at his sister's house, yesterday after school and asked them if it was okay if I had Mother's day brunch at my house so I could do double family duty (Jason's family and my family) especially because Jose (my brother) will be staying here....My step dad, his brother, brother's wife and his two sisters (also there) all started talking at once and I finally got the point that this was a SURPRISE FOR MY MOTHER....ooops. I will now have to do something fabulous to gain back favored child status. Oh, who am I kidding, even though I'm the oldest and have provided them with two adorable grand kids, Jose went to war so I'll never regain that status (ok, just kidding, she doesn't really play faves, it's only my brother and I that do that to each other).

Prom's around the corner, nothing I really have to think about right now because mine are 8 and 5 (I would personally like them to stay at those ages, thank you very much) But I was reading Sandra's blog about her husband's experiences as a police officer and have now decided to move to the most northern regions of Canada and home school my children. Again, with the paranoia, maybe I need meds? Anyhow, I do talk to my kiddos about such things as drug and alcohol usuage, particularly with driving (in terms they understand) but I think I may have been overly dramatic? aggressive? convincing? because one day we were all playing outside and my oldest whispered to me, "Mom, those people down the street are smoking"

I give him my, "Yes, that's so unhealthy, and bad for you and I hope you never start" speech.

He says, "Are you going to do anything about it?"

Like what?
So I tell my kiddo "I can't very well ground them, or take away their video games"

He answers, "well you should at least call the police"
hahahahaha
OHHHHHH
I have to then explain, while smoking is bad it is not illegal.

I really hope he carries his overly righteous, rule following mentality throughout his teen years.

The younger one, terrifies me.

two entries in one day...I need a life!

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

You Are a Snapdragon
"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

Ok, yeah, that does describe me...


I'm wandering around the blogosphere instead of doing my 200 practice NCLEX (nursing boards) questions and Clinical write-ups...Yes, I know, I'm so proud to have mastered the art of procrastination....anyhow, I found the above on a fun blog and thought I would steal the idea for mine...with the snow outside I wanted something flowery and springy...and yes, I am aware that this is one darn long run on sentence..but whatever.

Let me know what flowers you guys are!

Happy May Day

May 1st? Snow! What?

Wordless Wednesday--Why I'm Glad April Is Over

I miss being a housewife.....

I don't have much to say today....no really. So I'm going to whine a bit (shocking). I walked the kids to school today instead of having to drop them off at day care and I got to walk home with one of the neighborhood mommies and chat and catch up. It's such a simple thing, but it's a culmination of those simple things that I miss. I love nursing school, I'm going to enjoy going back to work, there's just an element of my past life that I am also going to miss. Change is hard and no matter how enjoyable you'll find the next phase of your life there are always parts of your past life that will be sacrificed and missed. It's really hard to have it all.

So back to my conversation with one of the neighborhood mommies. She is wonderfully eloquent, is able to raise 5 children beautifully and is one of the nicest women around (she's Dodi's neighbor, and so all of the other neighborhood mommies will certainly vouch for what I have just said)....but here is her only flaw...SHE HAS NO BLOG! She reads all of ours...she's even peeked at our virtual neighbor in Australia, Danielle and enjoys her blog. I pointed out that former neighbor has even started a witty blog, which she has also read a time or too....This neighbor feels she has nothing to say that would interest us...but I have yet to have a conversation with her that was uninteresting. So Mrs. Kravitz (look you can even use that for your blog name), come join us! And while I'm in the mood for telling people what to do (unasked, by the way...but I'm so good at it...why don't people ask for my opinion more often?)...Danielle, we all think you are lovely and want you to leave your red neck neighbor and come move into our neighborhood...the house next to Dodi (and also close to Mrs. Kravitz and across the street from Colleeno, across the park from Martha and just up the hill from me) is still on the market!

And now for a housewifey thing to do, I'm going to share another recipe...don't worry, no hidden veggies. It's one of those ones that are great to give to people when they have babies, or someone dies, someone moves, or when someone is down, it's simple and freezable and it's in a crock pot so your house smells great, warm and homey.

French Dip
2 lbs beef top round roast, trimmed
1 can of beef broth and enough water to equal 3 cups
1 cup of Yoshidos Gourmet Dipping Sauce (you can also use tereyaki sauce, but I prefer the Yoshidos)
1 sliced sweet yellow onion
1 tbs rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tbs garlic powder
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste

Hoagie rolls

Place ingredients (except rolls --duh) in slow cooker/crock pot (or double bag in freezable Ziploc bags and freeze, or take to someone to put in their own crock pot).
Cover and cook for 5-6 hours on high, 8 hours on low
Remove meat from broth, thinly slice (keep warm)
Pour broth in small bowls, serve beef on rolls and dip in broth.


I shred the leftover meat, warm it up with a bottle of barbecue sauce the next day and then we have bbq beef sandwiches...but we only have a family of four so we can do that...

Enjoy!


I am now off to plant the above...and maybe, just maybe I may crack open my book and study a bit.

Playing Hooky

Wednesday was the kids first day 'tracking back on' school after a break, but instead I took them to my pediatrics class with me so we could practice assessing children. I brought along their cousin, Bridget who was 'tracking off' (year round school, four different tracks, there's always three on and one off). So one of my fellow students was adminstering the Denver II test to Isaac and she asks him if he knows what a cup is used for and he answers: You put it on over your underwear and in protects you wee wee.

Well, I guess we should have specified drinking cup....I wonder where that answer places him developmentally?


Afterwards we took a trip to Hudson Gardens. There weren't many flowers out, but the kids had a good time wandering the grounds and of course finishing up with some ice cream. Then I took them to my favorite nursery, tagawa and each one of them got to pick out a perennial for the garden (Bridget got to take hers to plant in their garden).

All in all, a very nice day spent with the kiddos.

Wordless Wednesday -- countdown 1 week until my parents arrive

Signs of Spring

Oh goody --said, dripping with sarcasm, time for the kids to dig around and find all the creepy crawlies....not my favorite part of Spring and Summer.
A week ago -- welcome to Spring in the Rockies...Snow one day....kids wearing shorts the next

Today...my favorite part of Spring...remembering what I actually planted...oh and look, I have to weed---strangely I even like doing that. I can't wait until my class is over and I can play in the soil....I guess the kids aren't the only ones that like to dig around in the dirt.

Brown People...

Guess which of the two of us are 'brown people'

(It's an old picture, but I rarely photograph well...so I'm using one of the rare photos I like of myself---it's my blog, I can)

I got a letter from the school because they are concerned by the discrepancy of the test scores between the "Black, Brown, Asian and White students" and would those of us who are Brown, Black or Asian want to learn how they are teaching math (Everyday Math for those of you familiar with the sadistic curriculum).

Brown? Ummmmm, hmmm, what?

When did brown become an identifier of people? And who exactly are the Brown people? Are we talking about the entire Continent of South America, the southern part of North America and some of the Caribbean Islands. Is it really about color? Because I've met some Germans darker then I am. As a matter of fact, my husband, of German, Russian, French and British descent, is darker then I am. Is it being of Spanish descent? Because last I heard, Spain was a European country off the Mediterranean...as is France, Italy and Greece...and yet they're not considered brown.

And another thing...what if you're more then one "color"? Why is someone half black and half white, considered black...I mean Obama is a black candidate, not a white one, yet he is equally white. I'm half of British descent...although my dad's side has been here since before the American Revolution and half Cuban (mom came here as a kid when Castro was just taking over) and yet...I'm considered (as are my children) Brown....even with a maiden name of TAYLOR.

Then we get to the math part of my rant.....Yeah, I'm so sorry, I'm teaching my kids to borrow from the 10's column rather then the weird way the school is teaching them...but it's not because I'm brown that I can't figure out what they're doing. My engineer 100% "white" hubby can't figure out the math homework half the time.....so really it's not about color, it's because it's STUPID. When I complained to Jake's teacher at the parent-teacher conferences she said it was fine that I helped with the homework my way......and good thing he's doing well, I would hate for him to be the one to ruin the testing stats of our school.

You know I should just take a page out of Martha's book....Martha Chang..and if you saw her blog, you would be floored that she was a Good Looking Blond Norwegian chick from the Midwest....so not what you'd expect from a last name of Chang....She plans on going in every year and changing her children's status, Caucasian one year and Asian the next. Come to think of it, there's no actual 'brown' box.....

I would really like it if they stopped with the whole what color everyone is, because, frankly we're all Americans.

Wordless Wednesday -- What a ton of studying gets me....

I'm having a pity party...Tune in later and I'll most likely be my happy sarcastic self again.....

Chicken Curry

I have a confession...I've been stealing --- recipes. People post the most neatest, coolest, recipes on their blogs and I must must try them. I tried this very yummy Vodka Pasta Sauce -- where she snuck in a ton of veggies, in a way no child could ever detect....go ahead, try it. And I had NO idea people ate Shrimp with Grits, but check out the link, she gives the recipe (which I plan on trying this week) and has a great picture of it too....She also posted a salsa recipe on a more recent post that looks intriguing. So, as an apology to those of you from whom I've been stealing, I thought I'd reciprocate with my very favorite Chicken Curry recipe (okay, it's not my very own, a friend gave it to me, I just tweaked it a bit -- I'm Horrible, I know!)...I sneak veggies in this one too....and it's only 10 Weight Watcher points if you serve it with brown rice. A side-note here: I picked Chicken Curry in honor of my friend, Dodi. I am, unfortunately, unable to translate this into her native Indic language, but I figured she may enjoy the more Americanized version of a dish from her native land.

If you try it, please let me know if you enjoyed it! (if you didn't enjoy it...I'm not so sure I want to know...as I've mentioned before, I like my place in the land of Denial)

Chicken Curry
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled or broiled and cut into bite size pieces.
2 Sweet Onions, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 green peppers, de-seeded, and cut into large chunks
2 tomatoes, blanched, peeled and de-seeded, cut into bite size pieces.
Some cooking oil
1/4 C of pureed chick peas (garbanzo beans)
1/4 C of pureed cauliflower
1-2 Tbs (depending on how spicy you like it) of Patak's Curry Paste (you can usually find this at your local market in the Asian section)
1/4 cup of water
1-1/2 to 2 C of Fat Free 1/2 and 1/2
2 tbs of dissolvable fiber -- I use Fibersure (face it, we all need more fiber in our diet) -- don't worry you can't taste it.

Basmati Rice
or Brown Rice (my choice), steamed or boiled -- your preference, enough for 4-6 people

Patak's Mango Chutney

heat large frying pan, or wok on med. heat. Add oil and when it sizzles, add the onion and then the peppers, let them saute a bit -- about 4-5 minutes (I am so technical in my directions, aren't I). Add the chicken, let cook together a couple minutes then add the water and the curry paste -- cook for about 5 minutes, add the pureed veggies and the fiber -- cover and simmer (on lower heat) for about 15 minutes, add 1/2 and 1/2 and tomatoes, cook another 5 minutes (if you add the 1/2 and 1/2 too early it doesn't blend as well).

Serve over rice with Mango Chutney (sorry the chutney isn't part of the whole WW-10 point deal)
I also like to serve up sliced cucumbers as a side dish -- the coolness of the cucumbers is a nice contrast with the spiciness of the dish.

My darling husband....

My car needs some work...hubby says the transmission, I'm not so sure and I haven't taken it in because I like my cushy position in a place called Denial; it's safe and happy and not too expensive. So I was day dreaming with hubby about my getting a new car when I graduate. I mention that maybe I'll go for a Toyota Camry Hybrid. Sooo...

He says: I thought you wanted an SUV for when it snows
Me: I figured I'd take yours when it's bad.
Him: silence
Me: Sheesh, why do we need two SUV's?
Him: Well I need to get to work too.
Me: Honey, you can work from home...my job will entail Saving Lives.
Him: I kinda save lives

he's a computer programmer

Me: raise my eyebrows
Isaac pops into conversation: Mom saves lives dad, you save computers. She's more important.

Did I mention Isaac is gifted.

Wordless Wednesday -- I paid my taxes and here's my new Saving's account Balance

He's so MY son....

I actually got up and made a family breakfast yesterday, homemade waffles (with pureed sweet potatoes for some hidden veggies), turkey bacon and fresh strawberries. We all sat together and talked and had a great time....love family meals together! Anyhow, this is how the conversation went:

Jake: I love Star Wars (it was on Friday night and we watched it, commercials and all, even though we OWN the movies...why is that? ...OK, I digress)
Isaac: I love Star Wars the most
Jake: No, I do
Isaac: I do, because I play the game AND watch the movies
Me: I actually think Dad likes them the most (Jason, nods his head in agreement).
Jake: Fine, I like decorating shows the best (yes, Jason winced but did not say anything)
Me: (trying to be gender neutral--you know because I'm such a together-21st-century mom) That's my boy. (and yes, Jason did wince again)
Jake: Mom, I was trying to get you to argue with me.
Jason: Now, THAT's your boy.

P.S.

In case you think I'm a snob...I'm really not, it's just this guy had NO redeeming qualities. When I was falling for guys (a long long time ago...and not so much now because I'm happily married to a perfect guy, who is a bit chubby and has a receding hairline and others may not find Andy-Garcia-Sexy but I think he's the most cuddly, good looking, funny, smart guy EVER) I fell for the more geeky, nerdy, smart guys....and if they could make me laugh -- I was there baby....So, it's not that I think Hot Girl should only go for Hot Guy....I just think, Not So Cute Guy, should at least be funny and have a job for it to be a bit more realistic....just sayin'

Also, don't mean to imply I was a girl who got to be choosy...Even at my thinnest, and my boobs were where they were supposed to be, and no gray hair...I was more the girl you would want to take home to mother....not so much the girl you would brag about...but hey, Jason still loves me too...(23 years later)

Because I Have Nothing Else to Write About

This movie was horrible. Really, the only redeeming scene (and almost worth watching the rest of the movie for) was when Alison (cute girl doc who makes lots of silly life choices on Grey's Anatomy) is in the office with her co-workers and female co-worker in a dead pan, expressionless voice discusses how 'fat' Alison is and in another scene talks about how pregnancy grosses her out. Here's the clincher...really, is a hot girl with a promising TV career really going to go for a not so cute, chubby, jobless, pot smoking, no career goal, not even that funny, guy who saves his bong during an earth quake and forgets about pregnant girlfriend? I don't think so! This so had to be written by a man. And the genre should have been fantasy not romance. And hey, it's not like I'm a prude, but sheesh, could they not find any other ways to express themselves then a series of f-bombs. The sad thing is, this could have been a fun film.

Truthfully, I should have been studying.

I should be studying now, but instead I'm now going to watch "Five People You Meet In Heaven" Mostly because Jason and I have a date night soon and I'm hoping to get to the next couple of movies on my Netflix queue. And not because I'm procrastinating cleaning my house or studying...it's for a good cause. No, seriously....

catching up

yes, he's wearing pj's, it was a special treat for his class..

Jake got an award for character (yeah, I'm surprised too). I asked him why he got it, he answered, "I have no idea, mom".

I have my first night clinical tonight. I tried napping but couldn't, instead I paid bills and blogged...so it's going to be one long 12 hour shift, ending tomorrow at 7 am...yikes. I've been uber busy, we've been working on the house, we're almost done with the upstairs hallway and next will be Isaac's room. I've been studying and doing clinicals. I'm not sure how I feel about this clinical. I was so excited about Labor and Delivery...but was sadly let down a bit. I have to stew about it a bit to figure out if that's really where I want to be....more on that later.

I don't have much to say....so I'll leave you with some kiddy funnies (well, at least I think so).

Easter Sunday:

I tell the kiddos to get dressed. I went upstairs to check on Isaac's progress (he really does live in a world all his own). He has his sweater on, his shirtis unbuttoned and on the outside of his sweater; he has nothing else on (I mean, NOTHING) and he's happily playing legos. I ask him..."are you ready", thinking this would spur him to finish dressing and he says "yes".

Jake, was ready, properly dressed and looking very cute (if I do say so myself) and I ask him why can't he dress like that all the time, and he says, "then I'd be a mama's boy."

Wish me luck on tonight, oh and on my test on Wednesday (think good thoughts of the A kind for me around 8:30 am MST on Wednesday)

Decorating Easter Eggs

Yeah, the cousins just do goofy things and make each other laugh
Dobson Girls joined in the fun...notice the Christmas cups I used for the dye...I'm sure there's some type of symbolism there....but I'm too tired to explore it...it's just what I had around....
It is IMPOSSIBLE to get all five of these kiddos to pose for the camera at the same time...sheesh.

Wordless Wednesday -- a photo essay of Jake's New Room

AFTER

Jake and I tie-dyed the duvet cover ourselves....

Antique snow shoes on Ebay...woo hoo... for a fraction of the cost of the ones I wanted to get at the cool antique place on I-70 by Genesse (should have known better...I mean like you can find anything inexpensive in Genesse)

oooh, snowboard from Ebay too...Gawd, I love Ebay.

BEFORE

Notice, Jason is doing all the work...my job was to tell him what I wanted...hahaha, JK, I painted. I'm just not allowed to use power tools...Something about not measuring one time and multiple holes in the wall...sheesh, some people carry a grudge.
I know, no more guest room, I'm quite sad...but Gina....don't you and Jose cancel your trip out here...we'll stick Jake back in the top bunk and let you guys sleep here....

Oh, oops, I guess this wasn't so wordless, was it....

hubby auction

Did anyone else hear that Scarlett Johansson was auctioned off for a 20 minute meet and greet to a lucky bidder who paid 40K. So I'm thinking, I'd auction off dear hubby (pictured above...really, his hair and body -- NOT). Now, I'm not as kind to donate the money to charity because I really really want a new kitchen. He's a great guy, some of his better qualities are:

Standing behind you when you are doing something and telling you you're doing it incorrectly.
He snores....loudly
Has some seriously bad morning breath

(okay, really he's the best hubby a gal like me could ask for...but I didn't want you all to get too jealous or anything....)

Email me with your bids and the highest bidder can get 20 minute meet and greet with my hubby.

It's time for a letter...

Dear Teenaged driver in the brand new Volkswagon Jetta,

I am so sorry that you turned left while I was turning right. You may want to review that driving rule book you probably didn't actually read before you took your driving test you probably barely passed. And by the way, speeding up to cut me off because you wanted the outermost lane that I appropriately turned into, is NOT a good idea when you are ONE block away from a school....you know, where CHILDREN will be walking. I realize that you most likely are over privileged (I'm assuming you didn't pay for brand new Jetta yourself) and my mom-mobile may be offensive and you probably didn't know that I would share my lane with you and therefor thought you had to take it, like the spoiled brat that you appear to be. What I don't understand is why you had to lift your hand out the sun roof of your very cool black Jetta and flip me off (by the way, another note from the rule book, hands at the 10 and 2 position, there are no exceptions for flipping people off). I hadn't honked at you, I didn't even raise my hands in the What the H... position, I'm assuming it was the screeching of my tires that was horribly offensive to your ears that prompted the gesture...and by the way, let me remind you dear Jetta driver, there were CHILDREN in the area.

Sincerely,
Someone who wishes I knew your mother and would tell her what you did and if she's not the overindulgent woman I guess her to be, she'd revoke your privileges until you learned some manners.

I'm so excited...

I really think that part of the fun of the vacation is planning the vacation. We decided to take a week this summer and go visit my brother and his bride in D.C. We're going to take the first part of the week and go to Williamsburg where we will stay at this fun place and then we may head here for a day. I also booked a ghost tour of Williamsburg for one night. We are going to have so much fun! I just wish I didn't have to wait months to enjoy it.

And...for our 16th anniversary coming up (shut up we were CHILDREN when we got married) we're thinking of driving down to this cool spa for the weekend --what do you guys think? Nice getaway?

I have spring break this week and Jason took it off so we CAN WORK ON THE HOUSE! And that's ever so exciting for me. If we actually complete something, I will post pictures.

I am also supremely excited that Scott, a professed Republican, may be inching toward the left a bit. Now, if only my husband would start thinking more clearly...oh I mean, more like me.

I am not excited about daylight saving. I am normally not a person who is late but yesterday we missed church and today I spaced my dental appointment. You can take a survey about daylight saving and read some entertaining parenting/relationship stuff from the Dad's perspective here.

But back to being excited...I LOVE my OB class. To the point where I've been tinkering around with the idea of Jason going and getting his vasectomy reversed. And the great guy that he is, would agree to it (even though it's painful and needles are involved..what a guy). But then again, I'm almost 40 (yikes), in nursing school and my boys are getting older....but if I was 100% guaranteed a girl...well then this decision would be so much easier...

Wordless Wednesday -- and now for who Jake looks like