Busy Weekend

Busy weekend! Lots going on, mostly on Saturday. My DH and his band played a gig (private birthday party) in Blackfoot; I worked ½ day, the kiddo had a fundraiser for the swim team, after which he and I drove north where he spent the night with his grandpa for a “bachelor night”… you know…..cigarettes, whiskey and wild women - ha ha ha ;0) I drove on up to IF where I picked up my BF and her girls, then ventured on up to Fall Creek, Swan Valley and Palisades with our cameras to snap pics of the gorgeous autumn colors. So pretty!! A friend and co-worker of mine was running his thoroughbred in the races at Sandy Downs over the weekend, along with his brother the jockey/trainer who had 10 of his running over a 2-day period…one of which was in the Bosun race with a purse of $55,000. ((That’s a lot of hay, y’all.)) Tried to catch them at the track but by the time we got back in town it was past 9, they were done running races for the day. Bummer. We dropped the girls off at home, fed them, then headed to Karens where my BF’s hubby was shooting some pool with friends. We ended up shooting some pool as well, which we used to do a lot of once upon a time. Actually were pretty good. Now, not so much. We stink :0) I think it took us 10, 15 minutes of chasing the damn 8-ball all over the table before either of us sunk it the first game. I’m thinking neither of us should quit our day jobs to become pro pool players (LOL). The band was great (they were friends of ours, a pleasant surprise!) so Aundria and I had to get out there and boogie to a few tunes before we called it a night (11:00 was waaaaay past my bed time!). Oodles of fun, went too fast, as the good times usually do. Met up with hubby, son, DIL, oldest daughter and SIL in Poky for brunch at noon on Sunday. I was hoping to get to visit my MIL Sunday but was surprised by the brunch plan so that will have to be another trip. Weekends definitely need to be longer. There’s just never enough time to see everyone and do everything in 24 hours.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying the great fall weather. Have a great day!!!

"That's one cool hand."

Goodbye, Mr Newman. God bless.

Babe's House

The sun has set on the “house that Babe built”. One of the last of the old grand ballparks saw its last game on Sunday. The first game was played April 18, 1923 against the rival Boston Red Sox. This Bronx icon has seen baseball legends like Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Lou Gerhig, Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio and of course the Sultan of Swat, the great Babe Ruth. As demolition begins and Yankee Stadium is sold off brick by brick, fans everywhere pause to mourn the end of an era. A lifelong Yankee fan, I will forever regret not having the opportunity to visit Yankee Stadium. Here’s to the grand ol' House of Ruth and thanks for the memories.

Guy and our great pancake project

Guy Fieri is a reeeaaaallly bad influence. My waistline is expanding and it’s all his fault.

I’ve recently started to watch a show on the Food Network (I watch a couple shows on there once in a while…usually when I’m looking for dinner ideas) called “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”. The host – Guy Fieri - travels around the country going to various eating establishments that are reknown for their food, be it locally or nation-wide. About 2 weeks ago, Guy visited a diner in Jersey City, New Jersey called the Brownstone Diner and Pancake Factory, which is known for it’s breakfasts, and in particular, their huge pancake menu. They have 20 or 30 different kind on the menu, but will make them with whatever you want in/on them. I recorded the show on the rerun, then sat my hubby and son down so they could see what they made. Inspiration struck…we got the idea that we would experiment with our own “gourmet” pancakes one Sunday morning. Well, yesterday was that morning. Oh…..my…….goodness. I made dark chocolate with toffee bits topped with bananas and whipped cream, chocolate pancakes with white chocolate chips topped with strawberries, plain chocolate pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, peanut butter pancakes with bananas, peanut butter and chocolate chip pancakes, buttermilk pancakes with chopped pecans topped with bananas and maple syrup..I think that was it…that’s certainly plenty ;0) All 3 of us were in hog heaven after breakfast yesterday, let me tell you what. Those pancakes all turned out SOOOO good! My fav was the chocolate toffee with bananas. Lord help me. Our little project went so well I think we will do some more…maybe some apple & walnut, some peach (Chris’ favorite fruit!) ameretto, maybe some white chocolate and cranberry with walnuts…definitely making some pumpkin pancakes…made those before and they rock! However, an episode I watched over the weekend, Guy went to a diner that made gingerbread waffles with home made maple syrup……mmmmm, waffles……..gottta try that one ;0)

Have a great day!!!

No, seriously...TGIF!

Holy cow what a week!!! Busy at home, busy at work, busy busy busy! I am beyond relieved that it is finally FRIDAY!!!!!!

Chris is doing lots better. He still has a bunch of congestion but the fever has been gone since Wednesday night so I think he's finally over it. Hooray!

Busted ass all week at work - really since last Thursday - to get our department looking really sharp so that when the VP of our company came through here with my boss today it would make a good impression, kind of help us get approval for an expansion. The guys have painted and scrubbed and cleaned everything in our area...they've done a wonderful job and it looks great. In the last 3 days I have weeded our flowerbeds (since the damn landscapers haven't done it in more than a month), mulched said flowerbeds and cleaned our office to within an inch of its life. I came back in last night to finish up some things I couldn't do while people were still here (cleaning the glass in the door, wiping down desks, phones, file cabinets, ect.). The office looks fabulous. I even wore a skirt to make a good impression on this guy...and I hardly ever wear a skirt to work. And my boss tells me when I get here that the guy isn't coming. Not coming! ARGH!!! ((mental head slap)) There is a big big problem at one of the other plants so he went there today instead. And given the nature of the problem, I can understand. It's just a shame to see all the hard work everyone did be for nothing :0( Sigh.

I did have a nice surprise on my desk when I got here last night, though. My MIL and stepDIL sent me flowers :0)Just cuz they're so sweet and thoughtful and figured I needed some sunshine in my day since I've had kind of a rough few days. It's gorgeous!!! I get warm fuzzies just looking at them :0) So big thanks to you, Judie and Morrell, for being such wonderful in-laws...love you much!!

Still Ill

Still nursing a sick kidlet. He’s missed school all week so far; thought we had it kicked last night but his fever came back overnight so we’re back to square one. Boo. I hate it when my kid is sick. If I could be sick for him I would do it in a millisecond. My DH is trying to fend off a cold as well. He’s keeping ahead of it so far, thankfully. He’s got to play next weekend so he’s working super hard at staying well. Keeping my fingers crossed that they both get better soon and stay that way.

Made a killer dinner last night…chicken rigatoni with basil pesto sauce, lasagna, salad and sourdough bread. Mmmmmm mmmm! Italian is my all time favorite kind of food. Although I could have been perfectly content to have just the bread ;0) I managed to be a good girl and not to make a pig of myself…I had mostly salad with a slice of bread and a small helping of the chicken rigatoni. I’m still trying to get rid of the Lagoon weekend and reunion weekend binges. Bad bad bad…

There is something that happened recently that is actually an extension of an issue that occurred several years ago. I have been waffling on commenting on this latest event but have decided to jot down some thoughts and then not speak of it further on my blog. Those of you who know the story will understand what I’m about to say. There are people in life that seem to get some sort of disgusting pleasure out of hurting others. You know the type…those who will take any opportunity they can find to just shove the knife blade in your back and twist it. Sometimes these people are friends; sometimes co-workers, even family. I have absolutely no use for nor do I need to have people like this in my life. Life is short enough without having to worry about who’s looking for a chance to slap you in the face. Who needs the aggrevation? This latest blip on the disturbance radar has just furthered my belief that the people I am dealing with continue to show their true character. It was truly a tasteless deed in the most inappropriate venue. There’s a saying that goes “Needing someone is like needing a parachute – if they aren’t there the first time, chances are you won’t be needing them again.” And in the words of Forrest Gump, “that’s all I have to say about that.”

And so, dear readers, that wraps up another installment in my blog. Tune in tomorrow for more "exciting" adventures... :0)

The Fam

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

Monday Monday

It's been busy at work today...lots of paperwork, reports, ect. Plus the big poobahs at corporate are coming tomorrow. Well, a couple tomorrow with a couple more arriving later in the week. And by big poohbahs I mean THE head of the company, his 3 top execs and our HR director. My boss has had our paint crew slinging paint on everything in sight in our shop since Thursday...he's pitching an expansion to our area and wants the current area to look decent. I hope his presentation works cuz we sure need the room!

It's also been a busy day in the valley. We had Supreme Court (yeah, that Supreme Court) Justice Antonin Scalia here today to speak at the college. At noon (sigh). I reallyreallyreally would liked to have gone but couldn't take the day off. How often do you get the chance to hear a Supreme Court Justice talk?? I don't know who the heck scheduled the time but it stunk -PU!!! This evening at our ice rink they are having a class open to anyone who wants to participate to learn how to curl. Yes, curl...you know, that funny-looking winter Olympic sport with one guy pushes a big ol' stone with a handle while 2 other guys with small brooms sweep a path in front of it as it glides down the ice?? It looked like fun when I first watched it in 2002 when we hosted the Winter Olympics...would totally LOVE to give it a shot. But the kiddo is sick so I feel I should stick around. They'll have another class in a few months; maybe I can swing that one :0)

And finally it was the first day of registration for the fall classes. I am wanting/needing to take two classes - one is the CNA (there are 2 classes) and Phlebotomy. Both the Phlebotomy and both CNA classes were filled up in the first 30 minutes. Poop. On toast. One bright spot is that the lady told me that the college was considering adding an additional CNA class if they had enough people who wanted to take the clsss and added me to the list of said interested parties. Registration ends Thursday, so I figure if I call Friday, they should know if they are going to add the extra class or not. If not, I guess I will just take the Medical Terminology class online while I wait for next quarter.

The pics?? Don't ask. It seemed appropriate today somehow...I'll get my RN when pigs fly; I'd be happy as a pig in mud if I could get into the CNA class; and the little piggy nose was just cute so I threw it in there.

Until tomorrow!

Busy!

Super busy today. I will try to get on later and update....hope you all are having a decent day...you know how Mondays can go ;0)

Saturday at Work

Same bull, different day ;0)

Looking (and feeling) Like Fall Out There

Happy dance!! It's Friday - woo hoo!! Yes, I have to work tomorrow, but it's still Friday, still the beginning of the weekend so I still gotta do the happy dance :0) Not got much planned...everyone in my house seems to have their own things to do...Chris is going to one of his friends house after swim practice tonight to hang, which more than likely will turn into a sleepover; Steve is busy finishing a mix for one of the bands he's recorded so they can pick it up tomorrow; me, I have to work all day as I mentioned, and I am going to go out for coffee and a gabfest with my dear friend, Rose. Sunday is all for family, though. After watching an episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on Food Network where the host visited a resturant in Jersey City, called the Brownstone, where they make about 5 million different kinds of pancakes (peanut butter chip with sliced bananas on top, nut & honey pancakes, pancakes with strawberry topping and a blop of sour cream,pancakes with bacon, sausage and ham in them, ect) we decided to experiment and make a couple batches of our own :0) I voted for trying the strawberry and sour cream ones; the men voted for a pancake "wrap" filled with eggs, bacon and cheese. I think we'll all be "belly up" on the couches for the rest of the afternoon after that.

It has been on the chilly side in the mornings this week, feels like fall is here. I imagine the leaves will start changing in the canyons here pretty soon. I will have to get the camera and take some drives on the weekends, see if I can get some good pictures. I really enjoy fall; I like the colors, the cooler weather, the big pots of stew and chili. Oh and football...can't leave that out :0)

You all have a great day and enjoy your weekend!!

We Remember

It was a clear blue morning, just like today, when our world was changed forever. Everything changed in the blink of an eye. Like you, I remember exactly where I was when the attacks happened...I was putting my makeup on in the bathroom, listening to the early local news when I heard the voices of Katie Couric and Matt Lauer. They weren't supposed to be on yet, so I popped my head out into the hallway to see the television; they were reporting that a plane had just struck one of the World Trade Center towers. I finished my mascara and went out to the living room to watch, see what was up. I watched on live tv as the 2nd plane hit the South Tower. Oh my God. That was really a plane and it was flown into the tower on purpose. On purpose! I ran to wake up Steve and tell him that we had just been attacked. We both watched the ensuing chaos in Manhattan as people flowed out of the area and emergency vehicles, firemen and policemen filled the streets. Then the Pentagon was struck. Then the plane was downed in Shanksville. I drove to work with the radio on, listening to the accounts of what was happening; about 1/2 way there came the shocking words that one of the towers had just collapsed. I finally reached work, parked and ran across the lot to the building and into the Engineering office, where they had a tv. As I pushed thru the crowd of people watching, I caught a glimpse of the massive debris cloud filling downtown Manhattan. It was true. The tower was down! I remember sobbing in the office as we watched the North tower fall and the overwhelming sense of grief and disbelief washed over every one in the room. I remember hearing the stories and seeing the pictures of people jumping from the buildings rather than being burnt alive. I remember seeing the crowds of folks wandering the streets for days afterward with pictures of loved ones that were missing, asking anyone they met if they had seen them. I remember seeing the face of our President as he received the grim news. I remember the FAA shutting down all airspace in the country, forcing all planes to land immediately, turning back any foreign flights they could, and that our company plane was one of the last to land. I remember the picture of Father Judge being carried from the rubble by the firemen he ministered to. It was all so overpowering. It still seems like a dream, that those beautiful pieces of the New York City skyline are really still there. I hope that we always remember those images and the way we felt on that terrible day. God Bless America.

Havin' Fun in Lava

So as I mentioned before, DH, kidlet and I attended a family reunion over the weekend for my mom-in-law's side of the family. I had a ball!!! I got to meet a ton of family, who are all just the best. I have long heard stories about the antics my DH and his cousin Jerry pulled when they were kids so I was very pleased to meet the famous "cousin Jerry" - finally. And now I see how easy it was for them to get up to no good when they were together...bad boys ;0) We ate (waaaay too much, but everything was just so darn good!), played horseshoes and frisbee and hackey sack, had water fights, looked through family pics, but mostly just enjoyed each other's company. DH, son and I stayed in a cute little rental house, along with my MIL and stepDIL. It came with everything - pots, pans, dishes, coffeemaker (thank goodness!), towels and linens...even a cat! There was an orange tabby cat that hung out on the porch, waiting his opportunity to catch one of the many hummingbirds that frequented the feeder. Sunday morning after breakfast, the 5 of us walked up to the house where my hubby's great-grandma lived, then we met up with my MIL's brother, David, and his wife, Betty, to wander around the Sunken Garden and the hot pools for a bit. Never been there before so it was cool. It was sad to have it end but I am very thankful to my MIL for putting the reuinion together (great job, Judie...it was wonderful!) and I am already looking forward to the next one!!!
**pics (not sure what order they're in here) - house we stayed in, family photo (minus a few that had to leave early), Christopher playing with Chany and James' pug Bentley, Sarah, Brandy and Jenna taking Tristin to "get his" after he smacked them with a few waterballoons (he sooo had it coming) and the Black-eyed Susans in bloom in the Sunken Garden.

Blurb

Weekend was so much fun and our family reunion rocked :0) I will have to update more later...with pics.

S & S

S & S...stressed and swamped!!! I have been slammed with huge amounts of paperwork the last couple days and my fingers are killing me!!! Pass the Advil and the ice pack, man. Ugh :0(

Family reunion with my MIL's family tomorrow and Sunday. Really excited :0D I'm gonna be baking a buttload of brownies tonight...a double batch of just plain chocolate, some caramel pecan brownies and am kicking around the idea of making a batch of Black Forest Brownies, although I can't promise those will even last the night if I do ;0) So probably no on the Black Forest kind.

Been running 2 miles and walking another mile before breakfast the last couple mornings and am loving it. I feel like I am "earning" my breakfast and giving my metabolism a great big kick in the rear. Not sure how much longer my knees will be on board with the program, but it'll be nice while it lasts.

Hope you all have a great weekend! (it's opening weekend for the NFL - yay!!)

Luv that Gov!

Let’s hear it for the Governor of the great state of Alaska!!!! (and yes, that is Mt McKinley in the photo...thanks Suz!) Woo hoo!!! Is Sarah Palin just the bomb or what. Seriously! She’s awesome. I think the GOP needs to flip the ticket and have HER run for prez with McCain as the VP! And I for one would loveloveLOVE to see her debate Obama…forget debating Joe Biden, let’s put her in the ring with Barack and let them go a few rounds. She’ll take him apart. She has more experience than Obama could even think about having! When you’re a mayor or a governor, you actually RUN things! You have to make decisions about matters at hand and are accountable for the success or failure of your choices. Senators get to pass the buck…there’s a boatload of other people (your fellow senators, the House of Representatives, the President, ect) you can blame things on when your vote turns out to be the wrong one. Senators don’t even need to vote “yes” or “no”; ask Barack Obama…he just votes “present”. What the heck does that mean, “present”?!? That’s roll call, not a vote. And what exactly does a “community organizer” do? What tough decisions do they have to make? Who to protest against next? Governor Palin is a tough, no nonsense, talk-the-talk-and-walk-the-walk, honest, hard working, everyday ordinary woman; what you see is what you get. She’s genuine. She has more integrity and grit than either of the people on the Democrat ticket by far. I am prouder to be a Republican woman now than I have been in years. We finally seem to have someone who is not afraid to tell it like it is, who wants to actually do the people’s business, and who will work for the good of our country, not what’s “policitally correct” or boost her poll numbers. You go, girl.

Brr!

The frost is on the pumpkin this morning, I'll tell you what...it's COLD!!! Right now (9:15am) it is 38 degrees. 38. I know that every year around fair time, it starts to get s bit chilly at night but this is rediculous! On top of that, it snowed over 3 inches yesterday up the canyon (I know because one of the guys I work with was up there hunting all weekend). ICK :0(

My weekend didn't go quite like I had planned, but what's new ;0) No painting. Lots of housework. My son had a bunch of friends over all day Sunday to play D & D and Xbox, just hang out...they had a blast so it was well worth sacrificing my paint plans.

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend. Sorry this is short but work is a madhouse this morning.

Have a good one!