little piece of aloha

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'?

A patriot is someone who believes and stands up for their country.

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?

A giant thing in my life right now is weight loss. I've done really well in the past and lost 100 pounds, but some of that has crept back on even with all the working out I do and with the training for and completing the triathlon last year. I yet again find myself working at loosing and trying new ways that work for me. I've got the working out down, and the eating healthy food down, now I just need to work on portion control.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?

Ahhhh, being 18! The world was in my hands. I was just graduating and moving away to college. I thought I knew everything and nothing would ever go wrong in my life. In 4 years I would graduate college, then get married, then have babies, and then be the best mom, wife, sister, friend ever!

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?

Oh my goodness...for sure it would be mayonnaise, cause everything is better with mayo and not Miracle Whip (that is a salad dressing) I mean Best Foods!

5. Describe an incident or day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced.

One of the coldest times I can ever remember was at our family reunion in Montana. We were up at Glacier and had decided to go swimming. Well it was barely June up there, which meant the water was super cold. I ran off the dock and jumped right in. As I came up, I couldn't catch my breath it was so cold. I started swimming back to the shore as fast as I could.

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?

I love to eat brunch. I don't prepare brunch much though...I guess my favorite thing to prepare though would be Monkey Balls. They are biscuit rolled into balls and coated with sugar and cinnamon. Then you bake them with brown sugar and butter coating. They are super yummy when they come out.

7. How do you combat negative thinking?

Negativity is the worse and can only bring everyone down. I dislike it immensely and try to stomp it out when ever it happens. I try to think of positive things or do something positive to get the negative out.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I sometimes feel that I do too much for everyone else and not enough for myself, but then when I take time for myself I miss everyone else and end up calling someone to do something. Crazy huh!?!?!

So She Ordered Snow...

2012-01-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

for her birthday and it came and never went away. It turned into ice and covered the roads, cars, and the trees.

Then the trees broke cause they were heavy and killed the power lines and the power. Some people were out of power for days, not me though. My house never lost power...if only I had been snowed in at my house.
Now we've been out of school since the 13th of January...please friend, don't order snow again for your birthday.

On A Mission

2012-01-20T05:05:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning and was on a MISSION! A mission to make it to my birthday party....to be continued

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

I didn't watch. I was so sad that I missed it. A few years ago one of my close friends threw me a Miss America Birthday Party. We wore old prom dresses or bridesmaid dress and then went and got our nails done, came home and watched the show with tiaras and sashes.
We each picked one of the top 10 contestants to be and I just happened to pick the correct contestant and was the winner and the birthday girl.

-oh and my talent: hula dancing

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

I have one. it's real and doesn't get enough water.

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?

I spoke up when I knew the answer, but most of the time I was the kid on the side talking to my friends and not paying attention.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, and an egg roll. Although I prefer not to go to Chinese, as my family makes the best free Chinese.

5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?

A miracle is something that happens through God's intervention.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collections complete? Wouldn't you think I'm a girl? A girl who has everything....little mermaid

7. I should have ___worked_____ yesterday. Now, instead I have to make it up at the end of the year. Thanks KSD for cancelling school for snow when there was none.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

How can everything that seems so right be so wrong at the same time? Such as why does my amazing dress make me look like a mother of the bride.

No School, REALLY!!!!!!!

2012-01-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

Today is another no school day, but TODAY there IS SNOW and lots of it. Already (8:34am) there is about 6 inches. Everything is closed! School, stores, everything...Now, what to do?

No School, Really!??!?!

2012-01-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

Today school was supposed to be 2 hours late, then it got cancelled. I thought, ooooh there must be a lot of snow, so I got up and looked and to my astonishment, there was nothing. NO SNOW on the ground, NO SNOW on the road, NO SNOW anywhere!!! What the heezy?
So I thought, maybe there would be snow up the hill and that is why we were cancelled, so I took a little drive and there was a little snow and a little slush, but no reason to cancel school.
Then, right about 11 a big squall of snow hit for ummm about 20 min. then it was done about 20 min. later it melted!
We so should have had school!!! Now we have a day to make up at the end of the year!

Snowman

2012-01-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

Haven't done it in years, but thought it would be fun to get out and do something in the snow, considering I really despise being cold and wet. Sad part was there was no face making parts, so he was faceless, but at least he had arms.

Cause I'm an Athlete part 2

2012-01-14T12:33:00.001-08:00

As I headed up into the mountains this morning, the rain turned to snow and I thought, "mmmm I probably should slow down." I did and kept driving to get the precious cargo that was supposed to be a surprise. I made it to the top of the mountains where the snow was coming down even harder and sticking even better.
I picked up the cargo and made my way down the mountain and then up Tiger Mountain. It was there that my athleticism was kicked into gear. I was driving along, obeying the speed limit and then the road became covered with some slush. The slush grabbed my tires and pulled my NEW car towards the guardrail. I thought for sure I would hit it and then what would happen to the cargo and my car. I didn't really need my car to be smashed up. I kept my hands at 10 and 2 and my foot on the gas hoping that I could drive out of it, but the slush kept me right up against that rail.
Finally! the slush let go of us and sent us careening towards the slow lane, (lucky no one was there) here comes my athleticism. I turned the wheel back to the left and let off the gas and the car righted itself and all that happened to the cargo was that they were jostled a bit. They were none the wiser. They had no clue that the damn slush almost killed my car!!! And gave them bruises and bumps.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.

I choose like, moist, and panties

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

It takes a lot to embarrass me, but there are a few things that just get to me.

3. What is your go-to snack?

Cereal! I love it. I could eat it all the time.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?

The one and only time I went to DC was when I went for a Catholic College Conference. DC was amazing, cold, but it was winter. I loved seeing the White House, Jefferson, and the Wall.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

Planks! Don't like them. The others I'm okay with and really love how the squats help my butt and the sit ups help my abs, but really the planks haven't done anything.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

I was given a note from one of my students that told me how much I had done for him.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?

Nope.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I made a great decision this week, although I've been second guessing it ever since. I hope that it all turns out well. We will see on Saturday.

Fantasy Football Failure

2012-01-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

I tried Fantasy this year after wanting to do it for years and in the end I ended up in 11th place. Placing only one place above the last person, who quit playing her team after week 2. During the season I found myself no longer rooting for teams, but watching only for "my players" and the players I was playing against. I could careless what team won. What I wanted to know was how many points my players scored for me to see how my team did. So I've decided to give up on Fantasy and leave it for those crazy boys who seem to devote way too much time and effort to it and go back to rooting for a whole team rather than individual players.
...oh wait, I think I will try Fantasy Playoff Challenge first....and I did place 1st in the Pigskin Pick'em eventhough I didn't pick 3 different weeks.

Give Your Boobies Love!

2012-01-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

Women! We all need to make sure we are checking our boobies and here is an app that will help you to remember to do so.

And as I was looking at Pinterest today I found this project that was started.

The SCAR Project: Breast Cancer Is Not Pink Ribbon

PS 22

2012-01-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

So I was reading So, Funny Story... and I came across this post and I watched the video and I fell in love. These kids can really sing! So of course I looked on YouTube and found some more...and spent my whole morning listening to amazing singing.

Watch this one till the end, there is a bonus song!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

Thought I would try this out this year and see how it goes:

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?

accomplished
adventurist
challenging

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?

I love shrimp and am not particular about how its prepared...my favorite is probably breaded with coconut, but I also love it dipped in cocktail sauce or cooked in butter and garlic

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so, when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

No more Christmas here, but still winter! I took all the Christmas decorations down on the 1st of January after they had been up since the 1st of December. But the great part is, that the decorations that can pass for Winter decorations are still up.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?

Every once in awhile, but I have to be in the mood...

5. ice skating~sledding~ skiing~snowboarding...of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?

NONE! Take me out of the snow and give me summer and Sun!!!

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.

No hideout

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?

The outdoors, typically more water than mountains, but they work too.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm not soo excited about having outside duty this week. Every three weeks, us teachers, have to go outside and watch the kids as they arrive to school. It means we are outside in the cold, freezing ourselves. Hopefully tomorrow someone will bring me coffee or hot coco to keep me warm!

Cause I'm an Athlete

2012-01-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

Driving home from Spokane, we took turns as the trip seemed to be a never ending one (although it only took us 4.5 hours) On the last stretch through the backwoods of Maple Valley Riles was driving and as we crested one of the bazillionth hill a deer pranced out in front of us.

Riles took it all in stride reacted with a slight swerve and the deer was off the road and we were still on traveling to our destination.

"Thank goodness you were driving." I said

"You know why we didn't hit that (deer) don't ya?" he replied

Me rolling my eyes cause I already know what he is going to say and in unison we both reply, "cause you're (I'm) and athlete."

He tells me this every time he does something amazing (typically having to do with balance or reaction time) that a "regular" person wouldn't be able to do, but he can do, because he's an athlete. It just makes me giggle.

Crafting Day!!!

2012-01-02T20:50:00.000-08:00

4 projects today!

The first project was started a bit ago and I finished 3 back then, and now here is the last one.
1 frame 5x7 from Micheals
1 piece of scrap booking paper
1 dry erase marker

Directions:
1. Cut the paper to fit the frame
2. Put paper inside of frame
3. Write quote on glass.

The second project
1 lampshade from Goodwill $2

Black Sharpie (thick and think)

Directions:
1. Draw a flower with floating away

2. Write the quote "find joy in the journey" found on Pinterest (which I can't find now to link to)

3. Find lamp to put lampshade on and display new shade

The 3rd project
1 frame from goodwill $2.99 (50% off)
1 piece of black scrapbook paper
1 white "K" sticker from Michaels $2.97

Directions:
1. Take the glass our and use to cut black paper to fit in the frame.
2. Stick the "K" onto the black piece of paper.
3. Put the paper in the frame, add the glass, and the back back to the frame.
4. Display

The 4th and last project
Burlap

Green wreath

250 pins with whiteheads

Directions:
1. Cut the burlap into 4x4 squares. (I hated this part! It got burlap all over the place and created a pretty big mess. It also is now in my clothes and is also poking me through my clothes)
2. Follow the directions found here on Today's Fabulous Finds

3. Hang from a nail above your fire place with your other projects.

2012-01-02T03:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-01T00:11:00.000-08:00

Please meet the man who will be standing by my side again this year!

Happy New Years Eve!

2011-12-31T10:15:00.000-08:00

In that order or maybe in the opposite order...hee hee!

Girls and Their Socks

2011-12-30T06:10:00.000-08:00

Every year I get all the girls in my family something for their feet. The first year it was obnoxious yellow Steve Madden bedroom slippers, which I still have and wear when we have pajama days at school.
The following years it was socks,

then socks, then socks, and then this year it's socks again...

P.S. Leia got socks too, but she wouldn't put them on for the picture or even be in it.

Christmas Fun

2011-12-29T07:43:00.000-08:00

One of the great presents given was a puppet theater and finger puppets. There were shows throughout the day.

Christmas Dinner

2011-12-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

After opening a bunch of presents and breakfast of Gorilla Bread not Monkey Balls, we opened some more presents and then prepared for lunch with all the fun visitors that showed up.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

After church and dinner at the Best China Buffett, we were home to open 1 present before we were off to bed, These pictures are a little better than the morning of Christmas photos.

Christmas Morning!

2011-12-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

In all it's glory, brought to you by my bil...Here are those pictures of opening presents that never seem to flatter anyone!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

2011-12-24T21:57:00.000-08:00

This morning, after we arrived in Spokane last night safe and sound and had some froyo with SB and Trev, the sky opened up and started snowing and snowing and snowing!!!
The nieceroo and nephew went out to see it

and touch it

and taste it.
I stayed inside and nursed the stupid cold I caught..all stuffed up in my face, cold in my eye, and a nice little headache to go along with it. Thankfully the nap I took later in the afternoon helped a little and made church and Chinese buffet bearable.