This year the super bowl is here in Arizona. Jay and I have always had mixed feelings about major events happening in our area. You like the excitement in the air but you hate the inconvience. This is no exception.
Jay had a meeting in downtown Phoenix yesterday only to discover jersey baracades around the Hyatt hotel for a two block radius. Seems the NFL is all staying in the Hyatt. They don't want anyone even driving around it for security reason. I can understand the risk and agree with the safety measures. But of course, living it is a pain in the pattootee!!!
We also hear a lot of complaints about the weather for the super bowl. Now, we have experience strange weather for this time of year. I have seen more rain in the last two weeks than the previous 5 years we have been here. It has been cold, blustery, kind of damp. However, it is still Arizona. The highs are still in the 70's and come on.... the fans are from New York and Boston. This has to be heaven for them, even with a little rain!!.
As for the rest of us. Jaron is back in school, and Jace is out looking for a job. He is on leave from school until Fall 2008. Jay and I are living through our normal January. Just trying to keep going through the lazy days of winter. Nothing on television, nowhere to really go, just work. Kind of peaceful, I can't complain.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
January
I haven't added to my blog in a long time, not that we didn't do anything but I always want to add pictures so I think I will wait until I get home. But on getting home, the last thing I want to do is work on the computer so hence, no updates. See the terrible cycle there!!!!
As for us, we had a wonderful Christmas with Greg, Natasha and Gavin here. It was so hard to see them leave. Everyone was home and being lazy this year. Gavin is such a doll and loved all the space. He didn't even cause any ruckus in an un-baby-proofed house. For New Years Eve Jay and I went to the Tempe Town Lake block party. We only stayed until about 10:00 when all the bowl game attendees started showing up. After that we went home to ring in the New Year with our boys. It was fun though. I think jay and I are getting used to hanging out as a couple again.
Last week Jay and I were in Virginia. Jay had an interview with a company starting light rail in Norfolk. I don't think anything will come of the interview, I really think it is too small of a system but we did have a great weekend together. We watched the new "National Treasure" movie at the Commodore theater in Portsmouth Virginia. It is one of the oldest working Art Deco dinner theaters and right next to Trinity Church. We went to the Jamestown Settlement, learned a lot about Pocahontas, John Smith, (she was only 12 when she met John Smith... No real love story). We also went to Colonial Williamsburg and toured all the Revolutionary war battlefields at Yorktown. Both Jay and I had been there before but not together. It was so fun to just spend time together. (Word to the wise.... It is so worth seeing all that history but avoid the wintertime. They don't do all the reenactments in the winter like they do in the summer.)
As for the boys, Jaron is back in school but Jace is still at home. He has worked out a medical leave from college for a few months while we work with his Neurologist in AZ to get his Migraine under control. Don't know what his plans are after that but that is the great thing about him being 19. I don't have to make them for him.... hee hee hee.
Tonight our Mutual age teens are all going to Jay's work to ride the train and tour the rail facility. Jay gets to play tour guide. I think it is hilarious but don't tell Jay that... He might just slap me!
As for us, we had a wonderful Christmas with Greg, Natasha and Gavin here. It was so hard to see them leave. Everyone was home and being lazy this year. Gavin is such a doll and loved all the space. He didn't even cause any ruckus in an un-baby-proofed house. For New Years Eve Jay and I went to the Tempe Town Lake block party. We only stayed until about 10:00 when all the bowl game attendees started showing up. After that we went home to ring in the New Year with our boys. It was fun though. I think jay and I are getting used to hanging out as a couple again.
Last week Jay and I were in Virginia. Jay had an interview with a company starting light rail in Norfolk. I don't think anything will come of the interview, I really think it is too small of a system but we did have a great weekend together. We watched the new "National Treasure" movie at the Commodore theater in Portsmouth Virginia. It is one of the oldest working Art Deco dinner theaters and right next to Trinity Church. We went to the Jamestown Settlement, learned a lot about Pocahontas, John Smith, (she was only 12 when she met John Smith... No real love story). We also went to Colonial Williamsburg and toured all the Revolutionary war battlefields at Yorktown. Both Jay and I had been there before but not together. It was so fun to just spend time together. (Word to the wise.... It is so worth seeing all that history but avoid the wintertime. They don't do all the reenactments in the winter like they do in the summer.)
As for the boys, Jaron is back in school but Jace is still at home. He has worked out a medical leave from college for a few months while we work with his Neurologist in AZ to get his Migraine under control. Don't know what his plans are after that but that is the great thing about him being 19. I don't have to make them for him.... hee hee hee.
Tonight our Mutual age teens are all going to Jay's work to ride the train and tour the rail facility. Jay gets to play tour guide. I think it is hilarious but don't tell Jay that... He might just slap me!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Reading / Friends
I like reading, especially during football season. Needless to say I have done a lot of reading lately. Currently I am reading a book by one of my favorite authors - Nora Roberts. Before this I have been reading every good Harry Potter fan fiction I could find. But it has to be good. Not too violent and a happy ending. Anyway... I started this book without reading what it was about and started to laugh. It actually starts with 3 ten-year-old boys in Maryland, who are best friends - decide to make a blood oath of friendship and end up letting loose a demon. Oh, and they end up with a few special powers.... Ok.... Something is really going on here when I can't get away from 3 friends, magic, powers, demons...
Anyway, as I was reading I thought back to when I was 10 or 11. Harry Potter starts at 11. This story starts with the boys being 10. I remember having friends at 10 that I thought would be my friends forever. I remember the spit in your hand and shake oaths. (Didn't like blood much.) I remember thinking, breathing, living for these friendships all through my teens. I still know where those friends are but I am definiately not with them. It is funny where life leads us. My grandmother had a set of girlfriends. She was friends with these women for over 70 years. Of course, none of them left their little home town, they all married friends, or even brothers of each other. But I remember thinking it was cute that at 80 she was still running around with her girls. It was hard for her to watch the girls leave this earth. I am sure they were waiting for her it was her time to go. Do we still have those kind of friendships?
Travel and technology has made the world so much smaller. But at the expense we don't create the close knit communities or relationships we used to. It is easier to stay indoors and be entertained so we don't put the time into the relationship. It is easier to move across the country for a better opportunity. With the distance the relationship can suffer. Which is better? We lose the small number you can rely on completely, but you gain the opportunity to meet so many more people. Each opportunity to meet another gives us the ability to touch another life, even if just for a moment. That touch could make all the difference in the world.
Life isn't a story book but we do create our own stories. My story will definiately be a story of multiple touchs of many people. It is a good thing I have 7 siblings. I will always have them.
Anyway, as I was reading I thought back to when I was 10 or 11. Harry Potter starts at 11. This story starts with the boys being 10. I remember having friends at 10 that I thought would be my friends forever. I remember the spit in your hand and shake oaths. (Didn't like blood much.) I remember thinking, breathing, living for these friendships all through my teens. I still know where those friends are but I am definiately not with them. It is funny where life leads us. My grandmother had a set of girlfriends. She was friends with these women for over 70 years. Of course, none of them left their little home town, they all married friends, or even brothers of each other. But I remember thinking it was cute that at 80 she was still running around with her girls. It was hard for her to watch the girls leave this earth. I am sure they were waiting for her it was her time to go. Do we still have those kind of friendships?
Travel and technology has made the world so much smaller. But at the expense we don't create the close knit communities or relationships we used to. It is easier to stay indoors and be entertained so we don't put the time into the relationship. It is easier to move across the country for a better opportunity. With the distance the relationship can suffer. Which is better? We lose the small number you can rely on completely, but you gain the opportunity to meet so many more people. Each opportunity to meet another gives us the ability to touch another life, even if just for a moment. That touch could make all the difference in the world.
Life isn't a story book but we do create our own stories. My story will definiately be a story of multiple touchs of many people. It is a good thing I have 7 siblings. I will always have them.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Blogging
Today must be my blog day! Jay was teasing me on the way to work this morning that I haven't been adding to my blog. I said, but of course I have.... Then I look at my blog and the last time I added was Thanksgiving! Ok, maybe he is right! (Oh no.... It is written on the internet.... Jay is right! For all the world to see... I am in trouble now!)
Of course, I check out all my families blogs, not much there either. I guess I am not the only one that hasn't been adding much. Only Natasha has kept it up well (go, Girl! You are my hero!) However, I promised Jay I would do better.
Christmas this year is going to be odd. It is wonderful to have Jace home, and I am so excited to have Greg, Natasha and Gavin coming. I can't wait for that part. But my kids are grown so we won't have as much gift giving. I never thought about it that way, but I love to watch them open things. The joy in giving is seeing their faces light up. Now that they are grown, they just don't need as much. What they do need is expensive so they don't get it as often. In a way it is sad. I love to give gifts, especially to the boys. I will must have to buy them all socks and wrap each one individually.
Hee hee hee
Of course, I check out all my families blogs, not much there either. I guess I am not the only one that hasn't been adding much. Only Natasha has kept it up well (go, Girl! You are my hero!) However, I promised Jay I would do better.
Christmas this year is going to be odd. It is wonderful to have Jace home, and I am so excited to have Greg, Natasha and Gavin coming. I can't wait for that part. But my kids are grown so we won't have as much gift giving. I never thought about it that way, but I love to watch them open things. The joy in giving is seeing their faces light up. Now that they are grown, they just don't need as much. What they do need is expensive so they don't get it as often. In a way it is sad. I love to give gifts, especially to the boys. I will must have to buy them all socks and wrap each one individually.
Hee hee hee
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Thanksgiving to you!
What a wonderful holiday thanksgiving is..... I have been meaning to add something all week, but was enjoying the holiday too much. Maybe it was having friends arrive, maybe just having Jace home, or maybe just the time off, but whatever it was I loved this holiday. Jace arrived home from college Tuesday morning. Jay and I both took the time off to pick him up from the airport. I don't know about Jay but I don't know that I have been so glad so see someone as I was to see my son. It was so wonderful to have him home. He is such a great young man, and so grown up. Jay spent all day Tuesday laughing at me because as he put it "my whole demeanor for the day was.... All is right with the world, Jace is at home". I am such a mom.
Of course, Jaron was as bad as I was.... He truly followed his brother around for the whole week. They do so many of the same things, like so many of the same things, and just generally like each other. It was fun to watch them interact. Jaron has grown so much the last few months that we were so sure Jaron would be taller than Jace. Well, he wasn't... Jace has grown too. He is still a couple inches taller than Jaron. I am definiately the shortest now. I am still the boss though! Any question of that, see above (I am such a mom).
Wednesday our friends Anita and Greg arrived. We had such a relaxing, fun, holiday with them. They got to drive a train, swim in the heated pool, and did we all eat. I dont' think we did much else. Anita helped me put up all the Christmas decorations. I couldn't have done it so well without her and I actually enjoyed it. I usually don't enjoy putting up stuff. With Anita's company I did. She should come every year.... hee hee hee
All things considered I love thanksgiving. As we do every year during the meal we went around the table discussing what we are thankful for. You have the obvious: each other, freedom, family and Friends. You have the comical: video games, cat fur, food, and chocolate. You have the thoughtful: creativity, laughter, hope, and dreams. But doesn't matter who says it or how simple, the truth is we have a lot to be thankful for. And I am truly thankful for the life I have.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Football Season!
Here I sit in my normal sunday activity during football season. I am lying in a lounge chair by the pool, reading and watching the birds. I love living in Arizona in the fall/winter/spring. It is 80 degrees with a beautiful bly sky, slight breeze and noisy birds. I love this activity.
In our backyard we have a bird feeder. We also have a fountain. Arizona has a lot of birds all year long but especially in the winter. Even though we don't need to I can't stop myself from feeding them. (Must be from my parents, they were always watching and feeding the birds.) Anyway, the feeder has 8 holes to retrieve seed. But birds being how they are, are always fighting over the holes. Then they start fighting over the bushes around the feeder. The starlings, finches, and such drop as much seed as they eat, but the quail and doves just run around the ground to pick it up. It really is kind of fun. Then of course they need a drink. That is where the fountain comes in. Well, a drink or a bathe, they don't seem to mind either. We love to watch the birds in the fountain. They don't seem to realize how close to the windows they are. (or how much they drive the cats inside nuts.) They also splash a lot of water out of the fountain leaving the plants dying from too much water, and the window spotted all the time. The most amazing is the hummingbirds. They are so vivid and small. But they sit right in front of the window. It is kind of fun.
In our backyard we have a bird feeder. We also have a fountain. Arizona has a lot of birds all year long but especially in the winter. Even though we don't need to I can't stop myself from feeding them. (Must be from my parents, they were always watching and feeding the birds.) Anyway, the feeder has 8 holes to retrieve seed. But birds being how they are, are always fighting over the holes. Then they start fighting over the bushes around the feeder. The starlings, finches, and such drop as much seed as they eat, but the quail and doves just run around the ground to pick it up. It really is kind of fun. Then of course they need a drink. That is where the fountain comes in. Well, a drink or a bathe, they don't seem to mind either. We love to watch the birds in the fountain. They don't seem to realize how close to the windows they are. (or how much they drive the cats inside nuts.) They also splash a lot of water out of the fountain leaving the plants dying from too much water, and the window spotted all the time. The most amazing is the hummingbirds. They are so vivid and small. But they sit right in front of the window. It is kind of fun.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
T-Shirts
My boys love T-shirts with funny sayings. Jace especially has had them for years. But the problem with a T-shirt is it wears out over time. Then you start to forget the sayings that you thought were so funny. Jace and I put our heads together and thought up some of our favorites:
1. He who laughs last, thinks the slowest.
2. Do you believe in love at first sight.... or do I have to walk by again.
3. The leprechans are after my stash.
4. I live in my own little world but they know me here.
5. Don't make me get my flying monkeys.
6. My imaginary friend thinks you have serious mental issues.
7. I'm out of bed and dressed, what more do you want.
8. Note to self - Reds not washed with whites (Pink T-shirt of course).
9. Your not a complete idiot, some parts seem to be missing.
and my favorite!!!!!!:
10. Silent is golden.... Duct tape is silver!
1. He who laughs last, thinks the slowest.
2. Do you believe in love at first sight.... or do I have to walk by again.
3. The leprechans are after my stash.
4. I live in my own little world but they know me here.
5. Don't make me get my flying monkeys.
6. My imaginary friend thinks you have serious mental issues.
7. I'm out of bed and dressed, what more do you want.
8. Note to self - Reds not washed with whites (Pink T-shirt of course).
9. Your not a complete idiot, some parts seem to be missing.
and my favorite!!!!!!:
10. Silent is golden.... Duct tape is silver!
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