Blur

That’s what the last week has seemed like - a blur.  Actually, it’s mostly been my weekend.  I’ve crammed so much into it that it seems like…well, I can’t even describe what it’s like.

First, we went out (despite my better judgment) for a night of pinball and shuffleboard on Thursday night.  I love pinball and shuffleboard, and I don’t care if it DOES mean I’m old.

On Friday morning, after a blissful 3 hours of sleep, I got up to take Mercedes to school and go on Alex’s field trip with him.  Unfortunately, I forgot to get gas and stuff for sack lunches for Alex and I the night before AND I forgot to give Mercedes her lunch money before school.  I spent the 45 minutes between the time I dropped Mercedes off and the time that Alex’s class was supposed to leave running all over God’s brown desert making sure that everyone would be fed and that I wouldn’t run out of gas between here and the Grand Canyon Caverns. 

On three hours’ worth of sleep.  I’m beginning to think that I control the space-time continuum. 

So after a few hours of beating second-graders off of each other and the displays in the gift shop, I was ready to hit the hay pass out.  It was a long drive back home - all I wanted to do was sleep.  When I did get home, I asked Corey to take care of picking the kids up from school, and he let me sleep for another 4 hours, which was very very nice.

After we got up, we decided to go out with Tom for his birthday.  I stuck around long enough to sing a duet with Tom and one by myself, then I headed home.

I picked up Cloverfield last night, and decided to watch it with Mercedes, so we camped out in the living room and munched on popcorn.  We were both fairly disappointed in the movie.  I think it may have been one of those ones you have to see in a theater to appreciate - neither of us found it all that scary, although Mercedes referencing the obvious CG was something of a thrill killer.

That was all in the space of 24 hours.  I feel like I lived 72.

Success!

Well, it did end up being a fairly small party - a total of 5 kids including Alex - but he seemed to have a great time anyway.  We had two lanes, so I wound up bowling with the kids because NOBODY else, not even Mercedes, would take up the third space on the second lane.  The kids all had fun.

They scared me a couple of times;  one kid threw the ball from where the wood meets the tile, smacking the crap out of one of the bumpers, another managed to throw a gutterball, in spite of the bumpers, by dropping the ball ON the bumper of the wrong lane.  Very interesting.

I got some (I LOVE Oriental Trading Company) goodie boxes for the kids, kind of like little happy meal boxes, filled with party favors, and some little 5″ bowling trophies.  I was thinking that the kids would ask me, “What’s it for?” when I handed them out (and I was ready, too - “Because you’re the prettiest girl here,” “Because you’re the most excited,” etc.), but they didn’t care, they were all just about tickled to death that they’d gotten bowling trophies.  LOL.

 

I wasn’t really happy with how the  cake turned out.  The colors are way darker than the picture in the book showed, the bowling pins got knocked over, and the bowler got smooshed into the cake all the way to his knees.  Alex didn’t seem to care nearly as much as I did, though.

 

 

 

As usual, my dad went a little overboard on the presents.  He got him Heavenly Sword for the PS3 and an RC dragonfly.  I really need to tell him to stop buying him remote control flying toys.  He can’t really play with them.  Our house is too small, and it’s always too windy outside, for them not to get destroyed.  We got him a few Transformers toys and some Bionicles (he has a collection), and a LarryBoy VeggieTales video game.  I think his favorite so far has been the LarryBoy game.  And yes, that’s me wielding the cake knife.  Heh.  Don’t mess with mama.

The kids all made it to their respective guardians, no one got lost (the GOOD thing about having a small turnout), and nobody lost an eye.  A successful 8th birthday party, if I do say so myself.

Another busy day…kinda.

We’re having Alex’s birthday party today, and the only thing I’m really stressing about is the guest list.  We sent invitations to school with him on Wednesday.  On Thursday afternoon, I found out that our phone had been shut off, even though I’d made arrangements to pay the bill on Friday.  In other words, if anyone tried to RSVP, they would just have gotten a nasty message saying that our phone was not in service.  ACK!  I got it reinstated by Friday morning, but who knows who tried to call?  I sent some notes to school for Alex to give his friends saying that the phone was back in order, and also gave my cell phone number.  I’ve only gotten 2 RSVPs though, so I’m a little nervous about the party.  The minimum is 8 kids for the bowling alley set-up (2 lanes, 2 pizzas, 8 pairs of shoes, 8 drinks, 2 hours of bowling at $13/head), and we’re only expecting a total of 4 kids based on who we’ve gotten in touch with.  Yikes!  Anyway, though, I’m sure we’ll get by just fine, and Alex will enjoy himself, I just hope he’s not disappointed with a small turnout.

50 Things

Stolen from Christine!

1. How old will you be in 3 years?

34.

2. Do you think you’ll be married by then?

If Corey plays his cards right.

3. What do you look forward to most in the next 2 months?

Summer!

4. Who was the last person you called?

Corey.

5. Have you ever played a team sport?

I was on my schools’ track teams in 8th and 9th grade.

6. Who was the last person to text you?

Corey.

7. Who was the last person you hugged?

Corey. (I’m seeing a pattern here.)

8. What were you doing at midnight last night?

Playing trivia.  With Corey.

9. Parents separated/divorced/married?

Parents are divorced, mom is on hubby #4, dad never remarried.

10. Last time you saw your dad?

This afternoon.

11. What happened at 9:00 a.m. today?

I was getting my back adjusted, AGAIN.

12. How many states have you visited?

6.

13. If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be?

Home.  Work is sucking right at this moment in time.

14. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?

NAKED FEET!!! WOOHOO!!!

15. Are you a social person?

Shockingly so.

16. What was the last thing you drank?

Flavored water.

17. Favorite ice cream?

Butter pecan.

18. What is your favorite dessert?

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesecake…

19. Whats your favorite color?

Green.

20. What Jelly do you put on your PBJ?

I prefer honey.

21. Do you like coffee?

I lurve coffee, but it doesn’t love me back.  It’s cruel.

22. How many glasses of water a day do you drink on average?

If a glass is 8 oz., I drink about 5 - as long as flavored water counts, which I’m not sure it does because of the sodium content and blah blah blah…

23. What do you drink in the morning?

OJ.

24. Would you rather kiss someone with or without a tongue ring?

Without - I’m kind of disturbed by tongue rings.

25. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?

Yep, on the left.

26. Do you know how to play poker?

Yes, but I’m not very good at it.

27. Whats so good about Fridays?

Staying up late hanging out with my kids, or going out for karaoke.

28. Any plans to visit the green monkeys on GoofyAuctions.com?

WTF? 

29. Do you eat out or at home more often?

Out - I know, I know.  With the price of groceries, though, it’s hard to not justify it.

30. How big is your TV?

32″, I think.

31. Ever stolen a street sign?

No, but I know people who have!

32. Do you keep a piggy bank?

No, I dump change into Corey’s piggy bank.

34. Have you ever been in an ambulance?

Never, and I’d like to keep it that way, thanks.

35. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?

Ocean.

36. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat?

Window - I especially love flying over farmland and seeing all the checkered squares, and I like looking out the window to see the runway as I take off and land.

38. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

Yarn, even though I don’t really even have time to USE it anymore.

39. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?

Does my tattooed wedding ring count?

40. Do you speak any other language?

French and Spanish, though not very well, but enough Spanish to get me by at work.

41. Can you roll your tongue?

Yep!

42. Who is the funniest person you know?

My son - he cracks me up daily.

43. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?

Just Corey, after he’s eaten.

44. What is the main ring tone on your phone?

Right now, Coin Operated Boy by The Dresden Dolls.

45. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?

Nope.

46. What is the color of your bedroom wall?

Plain old standard rental off white latex.  Bleh.

47. Do you shut off the water when you brush your teeth?

No - I brush my teeth in the shower.

48. Are you crushing on someone right now?

No.

49. Do you currently hate someone?

Shamefully, I think so.

50. Why do you take surveys?

In case someone is actually curious about me.  And it makes me think about myself, which I don’t get to do very often.

New for me…

I’m going to attempt my first bento.  My onigiri turned out nice, although I’ve found out that the way I prepared it makes it sushi, not onigiri, but no biggie - I’m learning, right?  Anyway, I used one of the rubbery Wiltons molds that I bought for Valentine’s Day, and made these:

I’m going to see if I can come up with an Emily the Strange bento for Mercedes, since she’s ensconced in her Emo phase.  Bwahahaha!

Mystery Solved!

I just found an image of a reptile that I’m about 99.9% certain is the species of our friend amongst the rocks, and it looks like SHE is a Common Chuckwalla.  The image is copyrighted, so I’ll just post the link:

http://www.reptilesofaz.com/Lizards-Subpages/h-s-ater.html

The third photo down is the one that most resembles the tail we saw.  Also, if you read the information at the bottom of that page, you’ll better understand why the tail in the two pictures I took looks so much larger!

 

Monolith Trail (caution: image heavy)

Just outside of Kingman is a set of trails at Coyote Pass.  Corey and I had explored a little bit of it on our own during one of our days off while the kids were at school.  We decided to take them there yesterday.  We took a picnic lunch and set off down the trails to show the kids a couple of places that we thought were particularly spectacular, and with the desert being in full bloom, it gave us ample opportunities to get some good photos.

These little flowers are smaller than the head of a tack, but they’re very pretty when you get up close:

I tried to catch this vulture while it was perched on the rocks, but he took off mid-shot on me:

My Arizona pineapple (barrel cactus with a yucca springing up behind it):

While we were stopped to eat lunch, Mercedes glanced down at the space between the rock she was sitting on and the one next to her, and saw this guy:

We’re still not sure whether it’s a snake or lizard, but we took another picture of him on our way back up the trail:

Either way, it’s a good reminder as to why you don’t stick your hands in dark places in the desert!

One Word

You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

1. Where is your mobile phone? Desk.

2. Your significant other? Bar.

3. Your hair? Reddish.

4. Your mother? Disturbing.

5. Your father? Stubborn.

6. Your favorite thing? Home.

7. Your dream last night? Appetizing.

8. Your favorite drink? Coffee.

9. Your dream/goal? Retirement.

10. The room you’re in? Noisy.

11. Your ex? Nonexistent.

12. Your fear? Loss.

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Elsewhere.

14. Where were you last night? Work.

15. What you’re not? Apathetic.

16. Muffins? Bran.

17. One of your wish list items? Furniture.

18. Where you grew up? Kingman.

19. The last thing you did? Typed.

20. What are you wearing? Scrubs.

21. Your TV? Old.

22. Your pets? Varied.

23. Your computer? Crap!

24. Your life? Busy.

25. Your mood? Agitated.

26. Missing someone? yes.

27. Your car? Shiny.

28. Something you’re not wearing? Jewelry.

29. Favorite Store? Fragrant.

30. Your summer? Gorgeous.

31. Like someone? Hubby.

32. Your favorite color? Green.

33. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday.

34. Last time you cried? Today.

35. Who will/would re-post this?  Nobody.

All about meme

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE

I was named after the song “Shannon” by Henry Gross.

2 . WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

A couple weeks ago when I was driven pretty much to the edge by frustrations with work.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

I did until Corey (apparently the king of penmanship - NOT!) started teasing me about it.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Sushi!

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Yep…like the ones I got, too!

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

I think so.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A Lot?

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaah…not ME….

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS

Yep.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

I used to would…now I’ll have to wait until I’m an old widow.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran. Can’t find it anymore, though.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Not unless they’re my hiking boots.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

In what way?  For my size, I do okay.  Emotionally…well, if you count being able to bottle crap up for a month…

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Butter Pecan.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Attitude.

15. RED OR PINK?

Pink, I guess.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Laziness regarding housework.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My cousin Dianne.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?

N/A since I’m posting this to my blog.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Blue jeans and white sneakers.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE ?

A giant chocolate chip cookie.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Alex playing his video games.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Peach.  People look at me and think I may be useful, but then, they don’t really notice me when I’m there.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Lilac, pickled ginger, my husband’s skin when I’m really tired.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Corey.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

Very much!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

MXC.  It’s just funny.

27. HAIR COLOR?

Cherry Cola.  But it’s kind of faded.

28. EYE COLOR?

Blue/green.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Not anymore.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Sushi.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Scary.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Enchanted with the kids.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Green.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Summer!

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

Hugs.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?

Fried ice cream.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

The only person who would respond has already done this!

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Someone.

39. WHAT BOOK( s) ARE YOU READING NOW?

I’m between books.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

I don’t use a mouse pad, my mouse has a ball on top that moves.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV.Last NIGHT?

I worked.  No TV.  Unless you want to count whatever was on in patients’ rooms.  I think I caught a clip of The Beverly Hillbillies.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?

My kids playing and laughing.  If I’m mad, I like the sound of breaking glass.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Beatles.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Hawaii.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I can lick my own nose.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

In the same town I live now.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

Anyone’s!

Relationship Meme

1.How long have you been together?

15 years as of the day after tomorrow.

2.How long did you date?

About 2 years.

3.How old is he?

32.

4.Who said “I love you first”?

He did.

5.Who’s taller?

He is, by about 12 inches or so.

6.Who is smarter?

Depends on the subject.

7.Who does the laundry?

Him, most of the time.

8.Who does the dishes?

It’s pretty much a tie.

9.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?

He does.

10.Who pays the bills?

Me.

11.Who mows the lawn?

We don’t have a lawn

12.Who cooks dinner?

Another tie.

13.Who is more stubborn?

Him.

14.Who kissed who first?

He kissed me.

15.Who asked who out?

He asked me, but I *queue dramatic evil glare* drove the nail of desire into him first.

16.Who proposed?

He did.

17.Who is more sensitive?

Depends on the situation.

Quick California Trip

We got an invitation to go to Corey’s paternal grandmother’s 80th birthday party.  We (meaning “I”) decided it would be good to go, for a few reasons.  First of all, the kids aren’t going to have all that many years left to get to know their great-grandparents, and whether they like it or know it or not, every opportunity they get to spend a little time with them is important.  Second, a good portion of Corey’s side of the family went as well, and we don’t get to see everyone all together like that very much.  And finally, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to do a little letterboxing in the area.

 

The lovely couple in the middle are Bertha (the Birthday Girl) and Willard Hamilton, Dave’s parents.

 

This is Uncle Danny’s extension of the family:  Brett, Valerie, and their little girl Lily, Uncle Danny and Aunt Lindy, and Jeff.

 

This is one of my favorite in-laws that I never get to see, Cousin Vicky.  She has a great sense of humor and an easy-going attitude that reminds me a little of my side of the family.

We did get to do a little letterboxing, just Corey, Alex and I this time.  Mercedes wanted to go shopping with Grammy.  We went to William B. Pond Park on the American River Parkway.  There were 4 letterboxes planted in a relatively small area, and we were able to find all of them!  It’s a beautiful area, although we kept having to put ourselves between these guys and Alex:

 

And this is probably the HUGEST flock of mallards I’ve ever seen (sorry it’s such a big picture, but it’s hard to see what they are otherwise!):

 

  All in all, considering how rushed the trip was, we had a very nice time.  There was a slightly emotional moment between Mercedes and Grammy, but they came out of it okay, and I think I handled the situation to the very best of my diplomatic abilities.