Woo Hoo! It's Friday!

So it's Friday.  And this weekend is Easter. Dying eggs, Easter Bunny, family and all that jazz.  Better confess so I feel up to this weekend.

• I'm not a huge fan of dying eggs.  
• The boys enjoy it.
• Me, eh, I can take it or leave it.
• I'm annoyed with Blogger this morning.
• When I logged in on Firefox it was all jumpy.
• Maybe it was Firefox, but it was distracting enough to make me go use Chrome to log in.
• I just love technology.
• Migraines can go suck an egg.
• Wine is definitely in order for tonight.
• This last week has been long, draw out, strange and just plain unenjoyable.
• The brightest spot was doing our taxes.
• We don't have to pay so there's that.
• Going home time can't come soon enough.

Go join Aubrey for more confessions. Confess yourself and link up!

Spin Cycle-Futility

This week's Spin Cycle is Things you keep doing even when you don't need to. Things that are habit, no longer necessary, futile.
I do have a few of these:

• I buy salad greens. We like salads.  Both Nick and I eat salads.  However, more often than not, I toss out slimy lettuce that has lived in the vegetable drawer far longer than it should have. 
• Celery is the same story for me.  Yet, I keep on buying celery and using less than half of the bunch.
• I cook fish, in the vain hope that Turbo will have changed his mind about eating it.  No such luck, yet. Same thing with broccoli.
• I have makeup in the drawer of my bathroom cabinet.  I have yet to use any of it.  I know the purpose of most of the stuff in the drawer, but I never feel it looks right on me.  I keep making sure I have the option to wear it if I choose to do so.
• I keep putting underwear on Bruiser in the hope that he will magically figure out pooping in the potty.  He's getting pretty good and washing his underwear out.
• Organization.  I've tried and tried, really I have.  We have a filing cabinet. It has hanging folders, folders in those hanging folders and labels and everything.  Do I use it?  No, not really.  The bills go in an accordion file that is divided by month.  Everything else gets haphazardly stuck in the file cabinet.  I can find most of it but it does take some looking.  I keep hoping that I'll get more organized, but I just can't keep it up.

I've heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results.  I don't clain total sanity--I do have kids after all--but There are certain things that I do over and over and I truly do hope that they will magically start giving more productive results.  

Do you do anything over and over for no good reason?  Do tell, and join Gretchen for more futile spins.

WWTK-Deck the Walls

Time for We Want to Know with Kensie and Scriptor,  This week is all about redecorating:

1.  What is your favorite room in your house? (Bonus if you share a pic!)  That would be the kitchen since the remodel this summer.

2.  How organized are you? On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being most organized; I'd have to say maybe a 5, a 6 on good days.  I try, really I do, but life gets in the way.
3.  How did you find inspiration for your home?  Umm, not so much inspriation as what we could afford and the creativity that comes with having to work with what you have.  I call our style shabby traditional.  Shabby because we live in our house and it shows, traditional, because that's what Nick and I are drawn to.
4.  What is/was your favorite DIY project? The kitchen hands down.  Nick did a fabulous job with the remodel.  It looks great in there.
5.  Share your favorite website for ideas for your home?  I don't really have one.  I'm not motivated enough to really try decorating, so we go with looks that we don't have to change up all that much.  I like looking at other people's ideas now and then, but don't have a place to go specifically.

Spring Break 2013 (Or Not so Random Tuesday)

So last week we went on an epic car trip.  We took 11 Geology students (all 21+) to Las Vegas, Death Valley, Long Beach, Part of Route 66, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Glenwood Springs and home. We survived and every one had a good time--mostly.
We started out Saturday morning at o'dark thirty.  It was a long drive to Vegas--800 miles.  We made it and our hotel was about a block from Fremont Street.  We got a bit of goggling at the lights and such before Bruiser got sick--he threw up all over Fremont Street.  Nothing they haven't seen before--but I'll bet it usually comes from older, more inebriated people.

Happy under the lights of Fremont Street.

Day 2 was spent in Death Valley, looking at geology and enjoying the 90 degree heat.  So much better than the weather back home.

282 feet below sea level, and we don't have to hold our breath.

How Bruiser spent the day.

Turbo loved hanging with the students and checking out the rocks.

Then we headed out to Long Beach on day 3.  The drive was not so bad.  It could have been lots worse--we managed to get in before rush hour traffic.

Day 4 I took the boys to the aquarium while Nick took the students on a field trip to look at outcrops of formations on the beaches to the south of LA. I also go to have a meet up with Gretchen of Second Blooming. My first ever bloggy meetup.  It was great.  She took us to the beach--Santa Monica--and we talked while the boys played in the sand and got their feet wet in the ocean. She also took us to Venice Beach and the boys got to play at a playground--after we got sweatshirts--it was chilly.

Trying to pet the sharks.

Diggin in the sand

Sand--every boys dream.

Gretchen and I.

Day 5 we took off for Flagstaff--with a side track on some of the Mother Road--Route 66.  I even got to see the Road Kill Cafe. No we didn't eat there--no time.

Day 6 we hit the Grand Canyon--sort of a "There it is Kids" stop.  Got some pictures but would ahve liked more time there, truly. After that we headed for Glenwood Springs Colorado by way of Monument Valley. It was a very long day.

Day 7 was a short hop home ahead of the weather that was threatening to hit.  We made it home and had no major whammies so all in all a successful trip. Oh there was grumbling about early leave times and not getting to spend a lot of time in certain places, but Nick and I didn't come up with the itinerary, the students did.

The one arch near Moab that is next to the highway.

I'm so glad we went and would do it again if asked--but with a bit more input about the schedule.
So if you have randoms go see Stacy and link up.

If you just have any old post link up with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk to Us Tuesday

Friday Confessions

After a week with 11 geology students, my two boys and my husband, I definitely have confessions.

• The geology students were a bit ambitious.
• We have done lots and lots of 60 mph geology.
• A sort of "There it is kids!" trip.
• (10 points for those who get that reference.)
• It has been fun.
• Never not fun.
• But we will probably not plan so much for the next one.
• If there is a next one.
• I had a fabulous time meeting Gretchen in LA.
• She graciously drove us all over, found a beach for my kids to play on, and was great to talk to.
• I totally want to go see her again, for more time.
• I want to get the five minute tour of Hollywood.
• We really should see Disneyland.
• The beach is calling our name too.
• Yep a trip to LA is in order.
• Definitely.

And that about covers the confessions for this week. I should have more next week, but I'm tired now and really need sleep, thankfully we get home tomorrow, weather permitting. Go see Aubrey for more confessions and link up your own confessions.

Spin Cycle--Sing a Song

Gretchen chose songs for the topic this week.  She even suggested a vlog where you sing.  I'm not that great a singer, so I'll spare you my attempts at singing.
I like to sing, but only with the radio.  And since we have spent loads of time in the car this week while on our road trip songs have helped to pass the time.
Most frustrating is that the MP3 player we have is now outdated.  We get to get a new one.  But only after some comparison shopping.  I hesitate to get an iPod.  the newest ones do too much.  We just want something that plays music, not games, videos and everything. But that hunt will wait until we get home.
We have spent the trip hunting for radio stations and when that failed, we went old school and threw in a CD. Def Leoppard helped with the final few miles today.
I'd throw on a few of our favorite road trip songs, but finding them and adding them with the connetion i have might be more trouble than it's worth.
Do you have road trip songs?  Or do you have commuting songs?  Songs that help the miles pass?  Share, they may join our tried and true tunes, once we fix our MP3 troubles.

Spin it up and let Gretchen know--she'll link you right up.

Confessing, I Am

Friday is here. Only about the best day of the week. And ours is a short one as we need to get things ready for the trip. Now on to the confessions:

• I am so stinking excited for this trip.
• I am also a bit intimidated.
• It's going to be a lot of time in the truck.
• With two active boys.
• Pray for us.
• To tell the truth, I have done a lot to find activities for the the boys to do to stave off the Are we there yet whines.
• I only hope it's enough.
• I'm also a bit nervous/excited about having my first bloggy meet up.
•  I'm meeting up in California with Gretchen of Second Blooming.
• It's going to be fun, but I always get nervous about the face to face meetings.
• I still have to pack.
• For three of the four people who live in our house.
• Tomorrow is going to come far too soon.
• And to top everything off, our plumbing chose this morning to back up.
• Home ownership is fun!
• THink of me tonight.
• I will be doing the flight of the bumble bee around the house to pack, clean and all before our 5:00am departure tomorrow.

Go confess and see how much better you feel.  Aubrey is hosting and would love to see you link up.

Spin Cycle--Let Me Tell You Something

Advice is the topic of the Spin Cycle this week.  Good advice, bad advice, unsolicited advice.  We get it all whether we want it or not.  I will admit to appreciating it at times.  There are other times when I really wish the advice giver would just put a sock in it.
One of my guilty pleasures is reading advice columns--Dear Abby, Dear Margo, Dear Prudence, The Mouthy Housewives.  I check them out weekly or daily depending on how often they post.  I think it makes me feel better.  My life is not all together, but at least it's not as bad as some of the letter writers' lives.
I've gotten advice all my life, some that has stuck with me:

• Never get so distracted by the music or passengers you neglect your driving. I got this when I first started driving--good advice especially with phones these days.
• Never put out for the public more than you want them to see--and the internet is public, even Facebook.
• Let your kids be kids--don't schedule them out of childhood.
• Take time to enjoy the little things--it goes by so fast.
• Try new things--anything different is good.
• Taking a step back and letting someone else do it does not make you a bad person--everyone has limits, know yours.
• Take a nap when the opportunity presents itself--later you will regret not taking it.

What advice have you gotten that stuck with you? Spin it up and let Gretchen know--she'll link you right up.

WWTK--We're Going on a Picnic

WWTK time again.  Rolls around every Wednesday.  This week is a bit random with some good weather fun as well.

1. What is one thing you are never too busy for? Reading. And my boys. Should probably say my boys first, but reading keeps me sane so I can be happy mom, not snappy mom.
2.  What is/are your favorite shows? Big Bang Theory, Top Gear, Mythbusters, What Not to Wear, Mysteries at the Museum.  Not a lot of network stuff in there. We tend toward the more educational stuff.
3. Would you rather get a pedicure or a manicure?  Pedicure.  It'll last longer for me than a manicure.
4. How do you spend your day when it is sunny and warm out? The first few we try to round everyone up and head for the hills--go find a dirt road to drive down and enjoy being out of town. In the summer, we like to hang outside and grill and let the boys be active, kooky boys.
5. When is the last time you went on a picnic? An actual planned picnic?  Last summer.  We loaded up the two burner and went to the mountains to make breakfast.  It was a breakfast picnic beside a mountain lake.
6. {bonus} What is your favorite thing to eat/bring to a picnic? Depends on the time of day and location of the picnic. I like to bring salad, unless we are four wheeling, then it's hotdogs and hamburgers trailside.

We don't really do traditional park like picnics, but often eat in the great outdoors.  Something about the mountains makes the food taste better.
Grab the questions for yourself and join Kensie and Scriptor for WWTK fun.

Random Snowy Tuesday

After surviving Monday, it is now Tuesday and it's quite snowy here.  More on that in a minute. Right now it's time to get on to the random:

• So the weather prediction for yesterday was 70% chance of snow with little or no accumulation. It started snowing around 3pm.  By 7pm we had about 8 inches of snow and it was still snowing.  I really want to try what ever the weather people have been smoking, cause it must be good.  They certainly aren't actually predicting the weather.
• I had fun shopping this weekend.  What is it about shopping with friends that is so fun?  I got some new shirts, a purse, and some bras.
• I dislike bra shopping.  So many bras that purport to be my size have so much padding in them they could function as a flotation device. I look like a weirdo when I bra shop.  I feel up the bras looking for one that doesn't have lots of padding.  I really don't need the girls pushed up to my chin. I did find some that ended up being comfortable without flotation level padding.
• We have a couple of Linuses at our house.  Both boys are very into their blankets.  Turbo has a green one and Bruiser has a soft fuzzy one with Mickey on it. It's sort of cute.
• BBCAmerica has a show on it called Bang Goes the Theory.  It's all geeky and sciency and interesting--sort of a science oriented version of Mythbusters. We have been enjoying it on Monday nights.
• How hard do the Kaboom people have to work to make the bathrooms look that horrible?  If my bathroom looked that dirty, I'd have more to worry about than what cleaner to use.
• I have really been hooked by steampunk recently. It's quirky and different enough to catch my interest. What is steampunk?  Think Victorian times with steam powered machines--Jules Verne, Wild Wild West, Van Helsing--these have all been steampunk type stories/movies.  Some lean more toward vampires and werewolves and steam powered machines.  Fun and interesting.
• From Facebook: Have you ever looked at someone and thought I can see the wheel turning, but the hamster looks dead? More often than I want to admit.
• Also from Facebook but it sums up my feelings on "Daylight Saving time"

• There has been general time change hate around our house the last couple of days.  Sunday wasn't too bad--but then you don't really have to get up early on Sunday.  Monday was rough.  today was not much better.  It was nice last week, it was light when the boys were getting up.  Now it's dark again.
• We are making treasure bottles tonight. Something for the boys to play with on the trip.  I've been meaning to make these for a while.  Bottles with bird seed or rice and little things to hunt down in it like alphabet beads, fun shaped buttons or beads, small toys, what ever will fit into the bottle. Fill the bottle about 2/3 full of rice and add the trinkets in and shake.  then kids get to spend time finding the stuff hidden in the rice by turning the bottle.  Fun for the boys--I hope.

And there you have my random.  Go see Stacy for more.

And join up with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk To Us Tuesday. no rules, just fun link up.

Why is it Monday?

Turbo greeted this morning with "Why is it still dark out?!"
My answer,"Because we had a time change."
"I hate the time change!  I want that hour back!"
Pretty much how we all feel kiddo.

For a weekend, this one wasn't bad.  the predicted blizzard was not so impressive.  the weathermen need to recalibrate the magic 8-ball they are using to guess the weather.  They were way off on this one, or they thought we all needed the exercise in preparedness. We got maybe an inch of snow that blew around for half the day.  Hardly enough to be concerned with here.  And a far cry from the almost 11 inches they threatened.
I was home with the boys on Saturday, playing with the laundry.  I succeeded in getting almost all of it done Saturday, with only towels to dry and sheets to wash.  I call that a win.  Nick went to an archery shoot and didn't do too bad for not having shot for quite a while. 
I made chili and everyone ate it--with only minimal complaints about not liking chili.  Even Bruiser ate it.
Sunday (post time change) Nick had to go early to help break down the targets from the archery shoot--he's now a board member and gets the fun of helping with stuff like that. After he got home, I was able to go with a friend and do some shopping.  She needed a swim suit (one of the worst kind of shopping to do) and I needed a few shirts for work, bras and such. We were successful in finding a suit she could live with.  Not one that made her feel great, but that she would wear. Then we went and had seafood at Red Lobster.  It was wonderful grown-up girl time.  So necessary and so appreciated.
This morning came way to early, even though I wasn't up late last night.  Looking forward to next week when we are headed out for Spring Break.  All I have to do is pack, get activity books put together for the boys, make treasure bottles for them and then round up all the activity things I have for them.
It'll all come together as the week progresses.
How was your weekend?  I kind of liked ours--with the large exception of the time change.

Confess, I Must

Finally Friday!  Who's with me that this is the best day of the week? I know, right? Friday has it going on.  It is so not Monday.  Now, let's get on with the confessions:

• I sometimes get embarrassed for the characters on TV. 
• When they do awkward things it makes me feel bad for them.
• It has been a really long time since I have enjoyed a series of books as much as I have the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger.
• We are getting very excited for the trip next week.  
• We leave a week from tomorrow.
• I'm getting things gathered so the boys can have things to do.
• It's a process.
• I don't like how my mom cooks anymore.
• I'm not sure if my tastes have changed, or how she cooks changed.
• I truly don't like what she makes.
• I feel guilty about that.
• I overslept a bit this morning.
• It's laundry weekend.
• Not thrilled about that one.
• Clean clothes are a must though.

And that about covers the confessions for this week. Go see Aubrey for more confessions and link up your own confessions.

Spin Cycle--Why, Why, Why

Spin cycle topic of the week: Why?  Gretchen want to know why?  Well so do I:

Why is it that so many before and after pictures on TV (especially for facial and hair loss correction) don't match?

Why do I always find more dishes after finishing the ones in the sink?

Why is there always more month than paycheck?

Why does the glass of wine so often turn into the bottle of wine?

Why does Turbo think grunting and burping are acceptable sounds to make all the time?

Why can't Bruiser really get the whole pooping thing figured out?

Why do cats aim not only for the carpet, but carpet where you will walk when they throw up?

Why does the beach and cabana boys with fruity drinks sound so relaxing?

Why does an unexpected hug make the day so much better?

Why do little boys ask the same question over and over?

Why are 80s fashions coming back in style?

Why is life so complicated?

Why does the simple question "what's for dinner?" create so much debate?

Why are children so picky about eating?

Why is the bed always the most comfortable five minutes before you have to get up?

Why do I hate the taste of toothpaste?

Why are eggs considered a breakfast food?

Why ask why?

Because.

Go see Gretchen for more Why questions.  Ask some yourself and join in the spin cycle fun--the spin is open until Friday.

WWTK--Spring is in the Air?

Time for We Want to Know with Kensie and Scriptor,  This week is all about

1. Are you affected by the "Winter Blues"? We do get the blues--more like cabin fever from being stuck inside so much. Does Winter drag on where you live? Winter does drag on and on here.  We won't see truly spring like weather until mid April and the trees won't start leafing out until May.
2. What is Spring like where you live, and when does it arrive? Spring brings truly psychotic weather changes from snow to sunshine in the space of hours and sometimes minutes.  There was one Saturday morning that a friend and I went out to photograph tulips and daffodils and other spring flowers in the morning--a pleasant 60 degrees and then by lunch there was three inches of snow and more falling. Spring really takes it's sweet time getting here and is quite short.  We roll into summer very quickly.
3. Do you have plans for Spring Break or an upcoming vacation? Yes, yes we do have plans.  Las Vegas, Death Valley, Long Beach, Flagstaff and Glenwood Springs all in seven days by car. With our two boys and 14 geology students--all over the age of 21. It will be epic.  Trying to think positive here.
4. Have you ever done a true Spring Break to a beach somewhere to party, etc? No.  I was never one to go do that--no friends who could afford to go and to far away and our spring break is early and the excuses go on and on.
5. What is your favorite thing about Spring? I like seeing things green up again.  And knowing that camping season is right around the corner.

Tuesday Random Talking

And another Monday bites the dust.  It was the strangest Monday.  Busy, but not problematic.  Late start for some of us. Early for others.  But now it's Tuesday and that means Random Time.

• Bruiser didn't cry at daycare drop off yesterday.  It was amazing.  And oh so appreciated by both mom and the sitter. Hope today can be as nice.
• We are making forward progress again on the potty front.  We may be shooting it all in the foot with the trip we are taking, but maybe not. We can only see.
• Turbo has been doing well.  He's managing to get his work done at school and that is making him quite proud of himself.
• Insomnia really needs to pack its bags and move out.  It has taken up residence recently, but we are not happy with this particular house guest.
• I started reading the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriager.  Fun paranormal steampunk series. I'm really enjoying it--it's light and fun and interesting.  I may be reading when I should be doing other things like dishes, blogging, and such.
• Two weeks until our spring break road trip.  We are semi excited.  OK, way excited. And not a bit nervous about being in the car for so long with little boys. I am hoping that I have enough to keep them occupied.

So if you have randoms go see Stacy and link up.

If you just have any old post link up with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk to Us Tuesday

Sweetheart Swap!

I got my goodies for teh sweetheart swap Friday.  They came from the lovely Jennifer of Busy Being Jennifer.

She sent me some great stuff:

• chalkboard paint
• body lotion
• starbucks instant coffee
• fun girly tape
• lip gloss
• a cute picture frame
• a reusable drink cozy
• and a nice bag to keep it all in or use for other girl stuff.

I really liked sending Jennifer stuff adn you should go check out her blog.
Thank you to the lovely hosts Angie and Beth and go see what other people scored for the swap!

Wait, It's not Monday is it?

I blinked and I missed this weekend.  It went by so very fast.  They always do when you have fun.
Ours started early when Nick decided that we needed to head out of work, take a bit of vacation time and get out of town.  We went to Cheyenne and shopped a bit and had lunch. We got new stuff for the aquarium, some clothes, and other necessities. We also had lunch and Buffalo Wild Wings.  And intersting experience.  The food was OK, but not anything special.  I'd go again, but it's not a place that's high on my list, but it was new and that counts.
Friday night we hung out with the kids and watched movies.  Nothing special, just family time.
Saturday the boys headed to Papa and Nana's and we got the morning to grocery shop, have coffee together, and then get things around so Nick could bottle the amber he had brewed.  A bit hoppy for my tastes, but not bad.
Saturday afternoon I took Turbo to the park to meet up with friends.  the river held far more allure than the playground equipment. Since there was ice, we adults had an interesting time convincing kids that standing close to the edge was a bad idea. There was only one close call and no one got overly wet.
Dinner was chinese and all 12 of us descended on the restaurant.  They remember us now.  Hard to forget a group like us who come once a year. says something for the restaurant that they have the same waiters each year for the last three or four anyway.

View from the kid table to the adult table.

After dinner it was off the hang out, tell stories, and have a few TABs.  Nick and I headed home with Bruiser at about 10:30pm.  Turbo stayed there for an overnight.  Fun was had by all.
Sunday was much quieter, we had breakfast with them and then came home and got everyone to rest. Bruiser pooped.  Hallelujah! Now to see if he keeps up with it.
Overall, busy weekend.  I have got to stop blinking.  Time moves too fast when I do. How was your weekend?  Busy or relaxing?  Ours was fun, but more the gone-by-in-the-blink-of-an-eye type.

Time for a Little Confession

It's Friday and that means it's almost the weekend.  I'm so looking forward to going home time.  But on a Friday who isn't?  However, there are some things that I should get off my chest first.  That's right, it's confession time:

• A night out with the girls is always good.
• Drinking a few beers and talking it up--very good.
• Relieving a bit of stress--great.
• Time change is next week.
• I'm not looking forward to this one.
• It really screws up schedules around here.
• Our friends are coming into town this weekend.
• It's going to be a good time.
• I think I have another kidney stone moving.
• Lucky me.
• I've been reading more.  
• It's been really good for me.
• Not so good for the house.
• I have to clean this weekend. 
• The dust rhinos are attempting to charge the boys.
• I have the perfect weapon--the vacuum.

So since I intend to spend the weekend killing dust rhinos, what are you doing?  Write up a confession post and link it up with Aubrey.