Happy 12th Birthday Chandler On This Thirteenth Day of January 2010

January Eighth and Ninth

I have noticed I have posted recently two days at a time. This has not been a planned occurrence so don't get too very used to the consistency. Wink- I am liking that wink thing. On a comment I got once from Dede Warren that included a wink. Loved it. You can visit this lovely lady by clicking here. Alright, back on track.

Yesterday afternoon we all went to the movies. While Randy and Chandler watched Avatar I watched Blindside. The guys had gone to see Blindside without me while I was in the valley. I was a little upset with myself for not remembering long ago I promised myself I would always have Kleenex with me when going to the movies---just in case those tears started streaming. Yep, tears----

Worth the messed up makeup----

Asked Randy and Chandler which movie they liked better. Randy told me they were completely different types of movies. I rephrased my question. If you could only see one movie which one would you pick. Blindside was the answer. Chandler especially liked it. In fact, he wanted Randy to give up Avatar and see Blindside with me again. We talked him into waiting until it is out to rent and we will all watch it together again. I was happy to hear how much he liked it and if and when you see it I think you will understand my pleasure in his comments.

Today I awoke feeling "special good." Special Good is my newest way to express feeling the sort of happy when most things feel right in your heart. My dear husband said it was because I knew he and Chandler were going to the ski slopes today and I would have the house all to myself. I guess he was partly right. I love days when I have no responsibilities to anyone and can stay in jammies all day long and choose to do whatever my heart desires. But more than that, today both Chandler and Randy seemed "special good" also. Everything was in sync. I cooked a big breakfast. Chandler said he wanted sausage, bacon, biscuits and scrambled eggs --- NOT requested very often ---- cereal, pop tart ( I had never even bought pop tarts before Mr. Chandler was around !) or some other simple item is the usual request for breakfast. After breakfast and the guys were about to leave I had Chandler make sure I knew how to set up what you will see in the picture below.

Wii Fit

For Christmas Randy and I bought a Wii so Chandler would have the gaming system at our house and we would have Wii Fit to help us get , well, more fit.

Randy set it up yesterday and the program began. I must say, I had been told it was fun. I thought to myself, it is an exercise program--Fun????

Fun!!!!!! We all got into it and are now competing to get the best scores. We are starting off slowly and not overdoing but so far it is indeed fun.

The Look of a Competitor

And yes, I am in my jammies. Chandler had me back up there, in his room, last night.

He wanted to get some of my footwork. Truth is he took about 15 pictures and was making me unable to concentrate to get a better score! After doing the footwork balance routine again several times this morning though, he will arrive home to find me in first place! Smile.

My guys, on the porch, right before heading out for the slopes.

This is what I plan to do after posting.I am cutting out items for one of my packaging products. What a fun way to earn my spending money. I am so grateful to work with wonderful customers whom have also become friends. I have been reminded this week I am in control of my business and I am at a point in my life when I am fortunate enough to make sure what I am doing is bringing me joy. Thank you, husband of mine, for this reminder.

Earlier today I spent a lot of time on the phone catching up with Kay, a dear, dear, relative who lost her husband, Mickey, my cousin, a little over a year ago. She does not have a computer and when she mentioned getting one I encouraged her to do so. I told her there is a whole world of fun waiting for her. When we talked I was also reminded while I love having my jammy days and the house to myself when the boys are gone, I am comfortable in the knowledge that at the end of the day they will be walking back through that door.

Yes,

I am

feeling

"SPECIAL GOOD"

Hope you are too!

January Sixth and Seventh

Do you see the little critter? He is on the corner of the fence eating a morsel.

I opened the door to try to take a better picture and I scared him so he started to leave.

He is gone now. He took care of himself but will not be afraid to return.

It occurred to me, as I was loading these pictures this morning, that our emotions are much the same. They show up, sometimes, like the squirrel, unexpectedly. Sometimes they are happy emotions and sometimes they are sad. I have known this in the past but am relearning that my power comes in allowing myself to feel them, give into the sadness, cry if need be and then-----------eventually, like the squirrel, they will be gone and I can move along.

When I arrived on the fifth we went to ElRancho for supper. This is the restaurant where Misty, the girl who "informs" Maria if she has seen Amber out or heard anything about her.

Randy, Chandler and I ended up having a great discussion about emotions and feelings. We did not speak specifically about Amber but rather about handling emotions and situations in general. It was the first time really that he has been open or willing to have this type of conversation. SMILE!

Day before yesterday we had a review counseling session with Kay, Chandler's counselor. Maria was included via phone since she was sick. Chandler had also gotten his report card. He had gone from a needs improvement ( that is the term I am using ) to an excellent in accepting responsibility for his behavior.

The session was a great one. Maria brought up Chandler's upcoming birthday on the 13th and what to do if Amber showed up.----I do not think she will show up at all----my personal opinion----- BUT we formulated a plan of Chandler spending the night with us since Maria is not as strong concerning Amber as we are. I reminded Maria that the police should be called immediately if Amber ever did show up as there is a warrant out for her arrest.

Kay, thank you, thank you, thank you, Kay----asked Chandler if he understood why we would need to call the police. He shook his head no. Kay then explained to him about the warrant and that we could get in trouble for being accomplices if we did not take that action. She told him it wasn't because we wanted to call the police, it was because we needed to call the police.

Passive Aggressive behavior was brought up and Maria told Kay she wanted Chandler growing up knowing counseling was a good thing. She wanted him to learn not to hold stuff inside and then blow up, when unable to hold it anymore, like she does. She mentioned she knew I thought she needed counseling and she agreed with me.

Kay said," So if we can get you fixed up all will be good?"

Now I just wish, as I have been wishing for a very long time, Maria would find a counselor and go to counseling.

Just like I know I need to get more exercise and I need to do something about it!!!!

We are now working on not having petty arguments with Chandler. He likes to argue about petty things. We have a symbol to use, like a time out sign, at the start of one of these arguments. So far it is working. Smile.

So, we have another review in two months and I am tickled that we all, including Chandler, like the counselor and we are all being helped by him being helped.

Did you see the game?

National Championship between Texas and Alabama?

I, for one, am not a football person

BUT

guess who is--

and guess who graduated from the University of Texas

and guess who was distraught when in the second series of the game

senior quarterback, Colt McCoy, got injured and was out for his last college football performance in the most important game of the season.

AAhhhhhhhhh---

Then

there was the freshman quarterback Shipley that had to come in and take over for Colt, one of the very best quarterbacks in the college football arena.

My heart was concerned for him. The pressure--- The challenge---The fear

this young man must have been feeling--

and at first it showed somewhat--

BUT

the team got it together and made a great come back

to the point they actually had a chance of winning the game at the end

only 3 points behind

we were holding our breath

it was exciting

it was intense

and then

IT WAS OVER

turnover and touch down by other team.

Texas had never lost to Alabama before--

I always, even when my team wins, feel remorse for the team that lost. I think it might be why I am not a big competitor. You know, I had never even thought of this before--

but there it is-

I don't like for someone to have to lose.

I want everyone to feel good--

and this is unrealistic in any arena of life.

The feel of winning is obviously worth the feel of defeat for many a character-

I would rather everyone just play for the fun of it.

Although, I must admit

that Waterford trophy is mighty appealing---

You can see the intensity on his face, can't you?

He changed into his Texas shirt right before the game started to show his support.

Cute-

Yesterday, after school, Randy was working with me on my business books. We were balancing my check book, with the bank, with my computer business program. Chandler was waiting for Randy to help him with math homework. While he waited he practiced his signature. He said he was figuring out what he wanted it to look like when he got a checkbook.

I can remember practicing my signature once upon a time.

Can You?

January Fourth and Fifth

Started the fourth with Janice and Bonnie at our favorite breakfast place in Mesa

T.C. Eggington's

One of the things we three women have in common is we all love the same dish at this restaurant.

If you live in the valley and you have not gone there try it. Order the Crack of Dawn.

Split it with someone, if at all possible. The servings are too big for one person.

If you do not live in the valley of the sun you can pretty much make a close replica by doing the following:

When you bake potatoes for supper, bake a couple of extra ones to save for breakfast.

Cube the potatoes, cut up some onions, or chop some green onions, including the greens, and add some sliced mushrooms. Dice some ham from a ham steak or a left over ham. Toss all these items into an iron skillet with a small amount of bacon grease--- sounds good already, doesn't it? Fry the mixture until the potatoes are slightly browned. Remove the mixture and place it in the bottom of individual shallow serving dishes. Top each with some grated cheddar cheese. Microwave just long enough to melt the cheese after you complete the following: Fry an egg for each portion. The egg they serve is basted and served sunny side up. I like my white done and my yellow runny. This adds to the taste of the dish in my opinion. Cook your egg to your preference and place it on top of the potato, cheese mixture. Enjoy!

Same day but different friends and different restaurant.

What a wonderful day for food and friends!

Abby, sitting next to me in the picture, was my neighbor for around twenty years. She and her husband now own a resort in Canada and also have a place in Queen Creek. Her daughter, Heather, ( I watched her grow up ) now lives in Portland. Heather is in town doing an internship to complete her culinary training. The item we all love to eat is served at Flancer's in downtown Gilbert. It is their Prickly Pear Chicken sandwich. Flancer's makes their own rolls and they are delicious. I would love to tell you how to duplicate this dish but as of yet I have not even tried to figure it out. The restaurant is so close to my valley home I can enjoy the sandwich at the drop of a hat, so to speak. Also, you cooks out there that are reading this know bread making is a funny business. It is one of those items that regardless of following the recipe to a T, it probably will not taste exactly the same as the original cook.

I first learned this when about 46 years ago I asked my grandmother for her biscuit recipe. My grandmother had a Hoosier cabinet and sifted her flour directly from the cabinet---again, those of you out there that love vintage like me know what I am talking about.

Anyway, the recipe went something like this--

A bowl full of flour

A fist full of lard

A little baking powder

A glass full of buttermilk

With your hand,work a little of the flour with baking powder added, into the lard and continue to do this until all the flour is used. Add the buttermilk and stir. Pat out dough and cut ----etc. You get the picture.

I actually tried to do this once. She made it look so easy. Uh-NOT-- Takes Strong Hands---

This wreath used to hang in my hall bathroom. I purchased it years ago at the Biltmore shopping center on an annual holiday outing to see all the beautiful Christmas displays. There was some sort of contest artists had entered for charity and the wreaths were for sale. I fell in love with it.

Upon picking up the house ( as much as possible since the house is still under construction ) I found it lying in the bathtub. There are no pictures on any of the walls yet and when I passed by the pantry door I decided to hang it so I had at least one place that looked like it was finished. I love the look.

Looks like I am moving across country, doesn't it?

Packed up the car with all my upcoming packaging deliveries and of course a few other paper goods and goodies. I never did sign up for the Valentine swap. I, however, continued to purchase items for the swap! Every where I went the Valentines was in the back of my mind and items were placed in my hands to take to the register. My plan is to finish it ( within my time frame instead of pressuring myself with the current swap guidelines---which were most generous and I could have worked within---- so why didn't I just do it???? Decided I wanted to not have the added pressure right now and that is that ) and be ready for next year if someone happens to have a Valentine box swap again. I have lots of goodies planned to go inside.

Back seat is also full but more with my suit case and camera case. See the camera case in the floor. I stopped on the way through the canyon and snapped the below pictures.

Regardless of the number of times I make the drive from Gilbert to Pinetop,

by way of Globe,

I marvel at the beauty.

This is the last picture I took. At the beginning of the year ,I had in mind to snap at least one photograph a day during 2010. I realized ,as I started this post, I missed yesterday, the 6th.

I will just pretend it needed to be blank and beautiful in it's own right.

Wishing you a time of beauty

whether it be filled with activity

or the restfulness of silence.

January Second and Third

My Irish eyes still don't have it figured out but I am pondering everything as I go through these first days of the new year. I have not signed up for the swap. I go back and forth in my mind! One minute I tell myself NO! Keep to the plan of computer learning. The next minute I find myself purchasing more Valentine things and dreaming of the project. I do have something in mind to do with the purchased items even if I pass on the swap this year!

Aren't these glasses cute? I want to use them in a packaging idea for my business. Dreaming something up in my mind!

My Honey, documented with a magazine in his hand last night-Can you read the cover?

Golf week --- the sport he plays. The remote is not too far away --look next to him--- it is on the couch so he can reach out and touch it. Smile.

Now this made my heart go pitter patter and has been ever since I opened this note and box late at night on the second day of the month. A New Year's box arrived from TN filled with homemade goodies and other treasures but the treasure pictured, along with the note, is one of those presents and surprises that one cherishes forever. Deco watch of a dream and it was sent to me!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, my dear, cherished, Suzanne!

Does this look familiar? Looks like January 1st, huh? Isn't though-

is the next night January2nd--

I don't know why he keeps closing his eyes- Maybe he doesn't want us to see the mischief in them. When I took this he asked me if I was going to make fun of him on my blog. I told him, no--- wasn't making fun---just recording some of our daily goings on----

Whether the same thing is going on in your life or different daily activities I hope they are rewarding and pleasing.

Today I am off to have breakfast with Janice and Bonnie at our favorite breakfast place, T. C. Eggingtons. Then I will be running around gathering more business supplies to take back up to Pinetop with me for my work creations.

Mr. Randy heads back today to be there for Chandler after school. If football is on tonight for them, I won't be there to take a picture. Shucks!

Trying To Figure It Out

Alright-here I am on the very first day of the new year and I am faced with all kinds of challenges. I imagine I am not alone. Here is what I am trying to come to grips with while my husband is watching--- let's see---delayed Rose Bowl? Sugar Bowl in real time-- yes, that is it. Alright-- back to me---

I have been thinking I need to simplify and learn how to do some of the things I have been saying I want to do----- like learn more about this Mac computer----- like learn more about the wonderful, expensive, digital camera I purchased, over a year ago, and the flash is still on----- those are the two utmost things on my " Want to Do " list.

BUT

then I read blogs today and Karen Valentine, who you can visit here, says she is doing her first swap. I go to the swap site, which you can visit, here.

I resist the temptation to immediately join before I can change my mind. Like Karen, I have never participated in an official swap. Packaging is my fun business---- so one would think I would have lots of confidence and ------

This afternoon I was feeling sort of blue----

Yes, sorry, thoughts of my daughter were involved.

Over the holidays, Randy heard through the Pinetop grapevine, Amber is tweaking on a very regular basis. I had to ask my sweet husband what that meant--- tweaking to me involved making a few adjustments to something. Shows you my age and experience. Anyway, for those of you like me, it means using Meth----- Now, I already was sure this was the case-----but hearing it spoken out loud----well, all you mom's out there KNOW my thoughts---- or maybe not---- because honestly, unless you have been around during the entire history of this child, this woman---- well, let's move on, shall we?

I have wandered so I will get back on track-- sort of--

What would get my mind off of feeling blue?

Printed off the 25% off entire coupon for Michael's valid only today and headed out. When I go back to Pinetop next week there will be no Michael's anywhere near. What was on my mind as I wandered around the isles? Valentine's-----THE SWAP------

Learning the computer? No

Simplifying my life? No

Learning more about my camera? No

Most of my purchases involved Valentine's---

Fast forward-----

Home--- Just checked blogs again. Saw Judy, whose work is lovely, visit her here--- had a new post--- what is her post about? A collage camp she took last year that is being offered again--

What do I want to immediately do?

Yep-- sign up for the camp--

Does this have anything to do with learning my computer? No

Does this have anything to do with simplifying my life? No

Does this have anything to do with learning photography? No

So, my question to myself becomes, what is it I REALLY want to do? I just told my dear friend, Janice, this morning, at breakfast ( another story in and of itself ) I TRULY BELIEVE we all do what we really want to do. It has been a journey for me to recognize and accept this but it is there---------------

So------------------------------------------------------------

On the winding down of this first day of the year I am faced with this delima----------------------------------------------

What is it I REALLY want to do this year of 2010?

Do you know what it is YOU REALLY WANT TO DO in 2010?

If so, I would love to hear what it is!

For sure, I want to thank the world for giving each of us the opportunity to make our choices-----

Happy January 1st, 2010.

2010

WHAT WILL IT HOLD?

I don't have a clue except I am sure it will be colorful

AND

as in the pictures below

SOMETIMES

you will see me and

SOMETIMES

you won't

BUT

as in the second picture

I will always be in the background

if not in full view

wishing everyone the

VERY BEST

EVERY DAY

OF

2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jimmy, Randy, CeCe Janice and Jim

Randy, Joyce, Jimmy, Jim and Janice celebrating the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010!