Park pictures

 
  

Our house is almost 4 years old...

For it's birthday, it decided to quit. The dish washer quit,the washer quit,the microwave quit and the freezer quit. Remember when appliances lasted 20 years? I did have a nice weekend, in spite of all that. I went to a nice lunch with a local group of people who are adopting or have adopted. And then I went shopping. By myself!But I didn't really find anything I liked. That is a sign that I am down! Cute pictures of the kids to follow...

My life is boring, what can I say?

Nothing blog worthy going on. I am feelin uninspired and a little down. Especially with what is going on with my friend, Jen. ,and what she has been going through. My problems seem small. And then they cut off the refferals at July 13th. Again. Why can't they just get through a month? And I am not even really "waiting" yet. Ho Hum. Like I said, nothing blog worthy.

Take me out to the Ballgame

Scott's firm had their family picnic at Pac Bell Park (I'm sorry, can't call it the other thing) The kids got to hit a ball and of course the best part,have cotton candy! I didn't really see much of the game(did they win??) but it was fun.

 
 
 
  

Girl's trip to the hardware store

(What were we thinking?) We are cleaning out the garage-yeah! So Scott wants to work at home so he sends Gracie and I to the hardware store with a list of supplies. Now, I consider myself a pretty handy person, for a girl! I put up the tent last weekend by myself. I can fix things and paint. We load in the car and off we go. The first thing on the list is Lumber for shelves, so I get one of those huge impossible to steer, even empty, flatbed carts, even more impossible to steer fully loaded with a 2 1/2 year old on it...I am navigating my way through the store trying not to hit anyone with it. (mostly successful). I find the shelves right away and put them onto the ginormous cart. Then off to find a tape measure. No one seems to know where this is. I go around the entire store once before finding someone else to ask. Of course it is on the other side of the store. I can't find the trash bags and 3 different People tell me 3 different places to look. The cart is really heavy now. I am beginning to think I am in one of those OSH commercials "I wander around for days before meeting another human...". Another trip around the store, where I finally meet someone who works there to ask where I might find a Stud Finder. He pauses and smiles at me as if to say "right here,baby". Please!! Gracie is now yelling "I waaanntt Cannnny(candy)". We finally make it to the checkout. We get home a realize I forgot screws to hang the shelves. You can't make me go back there.

It's been one of THOSE weeks...

We returned from Camping with more laundry than I have ever seen (well, maybe when we returned from China, but I swear, I brought less clothes, then!) The amount of work it takes just to get up, dressed, kids ready, fed, out the door to get to work by 9:00 to then start work is overwhelming...And I have passed into a new place in my life. In my old life I could get them to school and stand around with the other parents and say "Whew, we barely made it out the door this morning, and I am so tired". In this life, I can't be late and I have to open the door with a smiling face and say "Good Morning!". And pretend that it has been. I am so tired when we get home at 1:00, it is all I can do to stay awake...And then there is the laundry. It's still there. I know many people do this every day, for 8 hours, and God bless you. My babysitter quit today. Something about needing a work visa. She gave no notice. It is just as well, She wasn't very reliable and left the house a mess. And I need to find a different one for fall because of my new work hours. I just wasn't ready to deal with it just yet. Tomorrow I am going to the Doctor to get some blood tests to see why I have been feeling so tired and to check for the Kidney disease the my sister has. Think good thoughts for me that I don't have it. I'll be back to my cheerful(HA) self tomorrow, I promise.

I Love Camping!

 
 
 
  

Going camping...

No computers,no phones, just the great outdoors! Talk to you on Monday~

Freaking out. Just a little...

Every summer I teach summer school for the month of July at Cameron and Grace's school. It is fun and it gives me a little spending money. So, I got this crazy idea to take a position there next fall. And now I am panicking about it. I have been lucky enough to stay home for the past 5 years. I am also lucky enough to have a babysitter a few hours a week so I can get things done or have time to myself. Well, it is only to second week of Summer school and I am falling behind. I mean, how do you working parents do it? When do you have the time and energy to clean the house? Cook dinner? Grocery shop? Scott works long hours, so all of the child care and house responsibilities fall to me during the week. Then I started To think about what I will do if the kids are sick. I don't think Gracie's teacher missed one day of school last year. I don't have family near by or back up childcare. I do not like to let people down. Then there is the issue of having to get a babysitter for Cameron on Fridays (I have to work and he doesn't have school) and paying her more than I make! I have only been at this a week and already feel like a failure at this "working mom" thing...

Hangin' by the pool

Today we headed out to the Gym. After my workout, Gracie and I went swimming and had lunch by the pool. Scott and Cameron are on their way home. I missed them, but had a nice weekend with my girl!

What do girls do when the boys are away?

Do their nails, of course! And shop...and watch movies (so what if it's Dora the Explore? Dora rocks!)

  

Lost in translation

Scott and Cameron headed off for their annual Father/Son camping trip. The house is very quiet with just Gracie and I. So last night, Scott says that he is going to take Buster with him camping(our dog). I said fine. Then a few minutes later, he says "I am a little worried about our camp site being so close to the stream". I said "Why?" he says "well, I am worried about him getting too close" I sigh and say "It will be fine, he can swim" He says "well, do you think he will stay away from it?" and I am getting exasperated now and I say "it doesn't matter, if you are worried about him, just tie him up!" he looks at me and says "Cameron???" Oh, now I get it...

I finally did it!

I had never cut the back of Gracie's hair in two years, but after seeing Meigan's cute "do" , I decided to try it. I think it turned out cute! And it will grow back, right?

I should clarify: I didn't cut it myself!! The last time I tried that, it came out horrible! I took them to the "Kid's Cut's" place and paid $43.00 for two haircuts! Ouch!

1 year blog anniversary!

Well, July 3rd last year, I started my blog to keep friends and family up to date on our happenings. It turned out to be so much more than I imagined! I have met great friends and have become addicted to blogs! Thanks for sharing in our life and for sharing yours...

Yummy Anitpasto Salad Recipe

 
Great for picnics or camping. You can make it a day or two ahead. *Warning* this is not on weight watchers! It is from "Everyday Italian" On the food network
Ingredients:
Dressing-
1 bunch fresh basil, chopped and stemmed
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salad-
1 pound fusilli pasta(remember Fusilli Jerry??)
1/2 cup hard salami cut up
1/2 cup smoked turkey cut up
1/4 cup provolone cheese, cut
1/4 cup grated asiago cheese
2 tbls. green olives, chopped
2 tbls. roasted red peppers chopped

Instructions:
In a blender, add basil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend until herbs are finely chopped. Drizzle olive oil in while food processor is running.
Cook pasta for 10 minutes
drain
toss with the rest of ingredients and drizzle with dressing. 

Happy July 4th!

  

A BIG slide!!

A new park opened near us and we went to check it out. This slide is supposed to be the biggest on the penninsula...so, of course I had to try it... see video below.


  

Big Slide

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