A preview of a Grand Family Reunion

Do you see a Ghost?

Williams, AZ. A living ghost town.

75 results for: grand

Melody was given the task to look up what grand meant in the dictionary pre-vacation to the Grand Canyon. Inquiring Minds Wanted to Know:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
grand /grænd/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[grand] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective, grand·er, grand·est, noun, plural grands for 13, grand for 14.
–adjective
1.
impressive in size, appearance, or general effect: grand mountain scenery.
2.
stately, majestic, or dignified: In front of an audience her manner is grand and regal.
3.
highly ambitious or idealistic: grand ideas for bettering the political situation.
4.
magnificent or splendid: a grand palace.
5.
noble or revered: a grand old man.
6.
highest, or very high, in rank or official dignity: a grand potentate.
7.
main or principal; chief: the grand ballroom.
8.
of great importance, distinction, or pretension: a man used to entertaining grand personages.
9.
complete or comprehensive: a grand total.
10.
pretending to grandeur, as a result of minor success, good fortune, etc.; conceited: Jane is awfully grand since she got promoted.
11.
first-rate; very good; splendid: to have a grand time; to feel grand.
12.
Music. written on a large scale or for a large ensemble: a grand fugue. –noun
13.
grand piano.
14.
Informal. an amount equal to a thousand dollars: The cops found most of the loot, but they're still missing about five grand.
[Origin: 1350–1400; 1920–25 for def. 14; ME gra(u)nd, gra(u)nt < OF grant, grand < L grand- (s. of grandis) great, large full-grown]

My Favorite Team is OU

The title of this blog is my birthday gift to their biggest fan.

Happy Birthday John!!!

People Watching

My dad taught me to people watch when I was a kid. We would make up stories about the lives of those around us. We would analyze what we did know and draw conclusions (some happy, some sad). This was something we did as a part of of his routine travel schedule when we took him or picked him up from the airport.

When you travel for a work the airport becomes a means to an end. A way to move you from you from Location A to Location B. I think this is why my dad made such a big deal of making it an adventure for him and I.

Last week I decided to stop and watch at the airport. Not just to rush to my next required meeting. This as a part of my goal to enjoy the moment.

What did I see. I saw joy (Grandpa seeing his two grandsons and then kissing his daughter gently on the head), I saw pride (son dressed in fatigues, mom beaming as son points to her with a nervous laughter saying hey), I saw work ethic (chauffeur holding sign waiting for Mr. Thomas), I saw pain (the girl walking through the airport crying--would love to know her story) and I saw love (lots of it). If you want a renewed faith in mankind. Stop and enjoy the moment and the people around you. All with their own story, unique and beautiful.

All that from people watching.

Who died and made you Queen?

There are certain phrases that I (over) use. If you know (and love me) I am sure you have heard these jane'isms:

• Share the Joy
• I learn in layers
• Hi Starshine
• Shoemakers keep to your shoes
• Don't look for the pay or the title; look for the right organization and the right boss: the rest will come
• Who knew?
• Hope all is well
• Once more than 2 people know its not a secret
• Let me sleep on it
• If all else falls follow the rules
• Nice
• If you can't see me I can't see you
• Save your crisis for a crisis
• Tell me how great I am and I'll do anything for you
• Hey pretty girl
• Just love me

Shout out to Nebraska

Who's cuter, the red head in the suit and tennis shoes or the Hot Connie in a lab coat?

Check out Ms President's own blog:

http://www.asrt.org/Content/Blogs/FieldofView.aspx

Email exchange with DP

From the mouths of babes......................

-----Original Message-----From: "DP - PHX" Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2007 15:32:00 To:'janesays@vzw.someemailaddress.net'

Subject: RE: Thank you

You are welcome. You're awesome. I was telling Melody you were in a meeting and would be down in about 15 minutes and that you are usually in meeting all day. She asked if you still got paid because you were in meetings and not working? :)

-----Original Message----- From: janesays@vzw.someemailaddress.net Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 3:03 PM To: DP- PHX

Subject: Thank you For all you do for me.

My sincere gratitude. JS

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Happy Birthday Owen!!

FINALLY FIVE--WE LOVE YOU!!

Thank you to the Mayor

While at the Terminal 4 baggage claim at Sky Harbor Airport this sign caught my eye. It was all I could do to not laugh out loud. Since I am not carrying a blackberry pearl (ie a camera on hand), I had to go back with a camera to share the joy.

There are so many things that are funny about this Welcome to Phoenix.
1. It is a small sign near the Nascar exhibit, who really sees?
2. Noone uses Terminal 2
3. 90% of the flights go in and out of Terminal 4. It is incredibly inconvenient to get to Terminal 2, why would anyone let alone military personnell go to a hospitality room instead of their hotel.
4. If I want a hospitality room in between flights why would I go to baggage claim to find out about it.

It is an election year. Maybe it is just good marketing.

Throw Caution to the Wind

Did you know that sail boats have a dorsal fin on the bottom. This discovery fits in the category of "Who Knew"?

Kinda like last week when I found out that the Houston Oilers no longer exist.

For Dallin: I thought it was odd too

Square Watermelons

A round watermelon can take up a lot of room
in a refrigerater and the usually round fruit
often sits awkwardly on refrigerator shelves.

Smart Japanese Farmers have forced their watermelons
to grow into a square shape by inserting the melons into
square, tempered glass cases while the fruit
is still growing on the vine.

Remember when you were just a mid-fielder; before you became a soccer superstar?

Soccer weekend recap:
Jessica: Her first goal (rewarded with 2 scoops of ice cream for the whole family)
Raea: Another goal!
Owen: Played hard!
Sophia: Team lost, but she looked great!
Clark: Great teamwork!
Melody and Brittney: Damn that 14! Spectacular game!
Dallin: His first goal (rewarded with 2 scoops of ice cream and his long awaited Game Cube!!)
Alice: Sicker than a dog, played like a superstar

Venti Chai non-fat

There has been a lot said about the Starbucks culture. Not much in my circles about the drink ordered (Starbucks does have that great pamphlet on how to order correctly-which I have used as a test for Melody and Brittney).

So you tell me, bitter vs sweet. Small vs big. Unique vs bland. What do these orders mean?

Me & KT. Venti Chai Non-Fat (except she likes hers iced and full fat)

M & B. Tall frapichino w mocha and caramel on top (depending on store the drizzle can be up to $.70 more.)

Tarzan Grande White Mocha Non-Fat no whip (actually pretty good)

FAS Princess Venti Latte with lots of carmel (lots and lots of carmel)

Wonder twin Grande mocha (yawn)

Anonymous Alice Tall carmel apple cider (my first exposure and addiction btw)

Gone Running Grande capachino non fat with room (known at every starbucks we've been to in town by name)

Mary Ella Venti iced carmel machiatto with extra whip (oh my)

Lady Boss. Grande Chai with Soy (damn it sucks to be lactose intolerant.FYI Soy in this form isn't bad)

The poor baristas; no wonder they ask for our name!

The Elves and the Shoemaker part 2

THANK YOU!

The lawn looks great!

How blessed I am to have so many people that love me!

Thanks!!!

Shout out to Illinois

I miss you Ms. Speaker of the House!

Cathie and Tosin rock!

The Elves and The Shoemaker

Yesterday

6 AM

I had a day trip to Pasadena. My mom came over to get the kids off to school. As I left the house I looked into the laundry room and thought, "Darn, I need to get those clothes cleaned (4 baskets-scattered like a diaster throughout the small room)".

615 AM

On the way to the airport I called Sears. Another Darn. The washer and dryer I ordered 2 weeks ago won't be delivered until October 14. I guess I'll have to do the laundry at mom's house.

325 PM

Plane delayed (this deserves a blog in itself, 5 hours in the Burbank airport and then 1 at the Phoenix was a very interesting social experiment)

1045 PM

I finally get home, exhausted as I crawl into bed. Darn the sheets need to be cleaned. I really need that washer and dryer.

Today

615 AM

I make the decision to call a couple places to see if I can get a washer and dryer sooner and cancel the ones coming from Sears. The thought of taking those baskets out of the house is too much to handle. I walk into the kitchen to get my phone and sitting on the floor is a basket with folded laundry. I go into the once laundry strewn room and there is nothing on the floor. Thanks mom! I love you!

He likes bugs

Who knew?

What's Worse?

Watching the candy jar slowly getting consumed as co-workers with dirty, stinky, I just went to the bathroom hands grab a handful every hour on the hour OR a candy jar that no one touches because the it hasn't been refilled in months and the candy has crystalized.

(This doesnt happen with individually wrapped chocolate)

The Rabbit

Every so often you come across a gadget that is so cool, that you think you, "How did I ever live with out that". The Rabbit is one of those. Not only is it a cool name, but it is so swift I was left in awe.

This whiz bang wine bottle opener took literally seconds to flawlessly remove the cork. One handed no less. No red wine spraying across the kitchen (clean up good times) and no broken cork swimming in the bottle (tastes terrible).

This is a Sky Mall shoppers dream (brief commercial interjection-Costco is cheaper at 19.99).

KAB's Untitled Pic

This pic is currently untitled. It came after a couple of weeks from hell on a certain system that is supported by a certain company by a certain somebody. Possible Titles (you pick):
-Dangers of Working from Home
-I need a vacation (oh wait, I just had one)
-It's a good thing that our conference calls are not video conference
-My gown is being cleaned so I could only wear the tiarra
-You may have 3 phones, but I have 2 computers
-I want my kids to think that my job is to be the princess
-I have a Pearl: nanny nanny boo boo

Scary Desk

In June the champ highlighted a scary tile in her bathtub. I laughed at the time. Can you imagine my horror the other day when working at my new desk (a treasure found on craigs list), I looked up and had the fear of God placed into me with a friend staring back. Oh my.

http://kim1champ.blogspot.com/2007/06/bear-with-mescary-tile.html

Shout out to Kentucky

Paula is the best cousin on this planet. This pic is one of my favorites!

Love and miss you!

Princess Room Remodel

Jessica was hot and couldn't sleep last night. In a moment of " mom is frustrated and wants to go to sleep" I moved the bed under the fan. She was happy, mom slept well. A remodel well done.

WARNING

Phoenix City Council yesterday voted to make text messaging while driving illegal.

Free is a Good Price

When you have to purchase a ring tone you put a lot of effort into how you will spend that $1.99. In the past I have spent hours agonizing about what my ring would be (I have splurged on Jealousy, Cross My Heart, Sweet Dreams, Girlfriend and End of the World).

The oddest thing happened. A friend told me about TuneUsIn.Com. So rather than decide how I was going to make the best value of my $1.99, I decided to download some ringtones. Not one but several (free is a good price). What follows is the ringtones I have hoarded on my phone. Not sure what it means personality wise (and what it means to excessively download), but it is any interesting list.

311: Beautiful Disaster
50 Cent: Best Friend
aint no woman
White Wedding
Bob Marley: Red Red Wine
Dude looks likes Lady
When you really love someone
Elmo
europhoric ringer
Fray-Save a Life
Hell Yeah
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah
How Do you Like me Now?
Ice Cream Truck #5
If I had a $1,000,000 dollars
Kim Possible
Mud on the Tires
Ohio State Fight Song
Sk8er Boi
StarTrek Alert
StarTrek Intro
Sweet Jane
That's Love
Three's Company
Tim McGraw: I like it, I love it
Toilet Flush

Share the Joy

The Young Family has this tradition called the Share the Joy Tour. This occurs when a family member buys a new car. I had to wait a week to do the tour since the car was shipped over from California and the surprise factor was ruined with a loaner that looked similiar to the one I purchased.

So, I got the car today and am doing a online version of the tour. It's a 2007 gold Cadilliac SRX. V6 (I know who cares), has a navigation system (for those that get lost no matter where they go), a satelite radio (now I can tell you you who sings every song), and automatic third row seats ("the only one in its class with this feature").

Share the Joy :)

Disrespectful laughter

This came from my friend Karen. It is so not funny yet I caught my self laughing

Kids are catching Crocs-clad feet in escalators

Associated Press
Sept. 17, 2007 12:35 PM
WASHINGTON - At rail stations and shopping malls around the world, reports are popping up of people, particularly young children, getting their toes caught in escalators. The one common theme seems to be the clunky soft-soled clogs known by the name of the most popular brand, Crocs.

One of the nation's largest subway systems - the Washington Metro - has even posted ads warning riders about wearing such shoes on its moving stairways. The ads feature a photo of a crocodile, though they don't mention Crocs by name.

Four-year-old Rory McDermott got a Croc-clad foot caught in an escalator last month at a mall in northern Virginia. His mother managed to yank him free, but the nail on his big toe was almost completely ripped off, causing heavy bleeding.

Shoe Pantry

This is my new pantry. Since the house lacks a good shoe closet it doubles nicely for this function. Quotes related to this usage:

-What the hell
-Nice
-This is the strangest thing I have ever seen
-Are the shoes hungry?
-You need to watch HGTV

To the best siblings ever:

SING as though no one can hear you

DANCE as though no one is watching

LOVE as though you have never been hurt

He Gets Around

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Store Name Cereal vs Brand Name Cereal. They have come along way in that they are in a box vs a bag now. Taste is so similiar the kids barely tell the difference. Marketing: there in lies the problem. Unique fun character, great commercials or some green dragon with an overlarge smile that is some previous life was a sibling to Barney. And he gets around too much!

2007 Soccer Season Has Begun

Owen - Three Words: Assisted A Goal!!
Raea - Three Words: Scored A Goal!!

Jessica - Three Words: Tipped a Goal!!

Acronyms Before Noon Today

I was in a meeting today at 10:00 am. The powerpoint slide said GPM. My boss and I asked what what it meant. The presenter responded another TLA and then laughed. At that point I started a list of acronyms that were used in meetings until noon.

I know what they mean, I what words mean
TLA (Third Letter Acronym)
GPM (Global Project Methodology)
LSF9 (Lawson System Function 9)
LBI (Lawson Business Intelligence)
PMO (Project Management Office)
PRC-EA (Patient REvenue Cycle - Enterprise Application)
CHSB (Community Hospital - San Bernadino)
WAD (Working as designed)
GA (Generally Available)
SGL (Service Group Leader)
FAS (Finance Administrative System)
DBA (Data Base Administrator)

I know what they mean, but don't know what words mean
SQL
RMI
IESC
RAC
BODI
CFA
BMC

Still don't know what they mean
MSCM
CBR
EDI
NSCM

3.5 days until the luckiest girl arrives!

Rust-Oleum

I used to be creative. Quilts, craft projects, sewing for the County Fair. Melody even has the quote, "It's not a project until mom gets burned (that's years of hot glue on skin)". I forgot the pleasure associated with making something new again.

Recently I have discovered the joy of spray paint (Trusted Quality since 1921; any angle spray with comfort tip). Black spray paint to be exact (ideal for indoor and outdoor: Wood, Metal, Wicker and More).

Now, I am not new to spray paint. In fact, in June I spray painted the rod iron fence around the front door. In July I spray painted the iron lawn furniture.

In September: watch out 8 cans later I have refurnished all of my Craig's List furniture (dresser, chest, drawers, mirror), I have used the fast drying Painters Touch for my Goodwill treasures (2 wine racks, 3 candle holders).

PS DANGER EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE VAPORS HARMFUL

Bad, Worse, Terrible

Not to be disrespectful, but..........

Yes, they are both gorgeous. Yes, they are both royalty. Yes, it is tragic they are no longer with us. That said, exactly how many years has it been since they died?

.

Is anyone else but me annoyed?

Things that stick to cars

Bandaid on Tahoe: 7 days and 300 miles




Gum on Chevy Maliby (rental): On when I picked car up lasted 2 days and 50 miles

Party Girl

Jessica at the Toby Keith concert (notice she is awake).

Shameless Marketing

My sister for months has been raving about her Tassi. What the heck is a Tassi? "The best invention ever" "I can wash my face, sleep in it, my hair stays out of my eyes". She has described it and I still havent understood. It wasnt until last week that I was at her house and I had to take a picture (you know me and that darn camera).

As odd as it looks I was actually impressed.

http://www.tassicompany.com

Three Dolls

Last Monday the girls decided they wanted to be live dolls. So, freckles and ponies, here they are! Love you all!!

Jane Says: Some Like it Hot

For those of you that don't know me you will think this is an odd post. For those of you that do you will be in amazement. You see I prefer my drinks at room temperature. I store my water in the garage (see pic-what a cool garage floor huh?).

In Phoenix it is difficult to keep it at room temperature so often the water is often very warm. It suits me well and I'm fine. The problem has become peer pressure with visitors and the 4 other people that live in my house. So this morning I put a whole case of water and gatorade (which also is usually stored in the garage) in the fridge. In the past this has been a problem for me because the other members of the household being in such joy that there is cold water will take one and then another out of the fridge. Not only am I annoyed that there are half finished water bottles all over the house the case is consumed fairly quick.

This will definitely be a social experiment.

Jane Says: Brave Britney

BEFORE AND AFTER
At 1130 Britney's surgery is complete. They placed an "8" template in her left proximal tibial bone. This will stunt the growth in the longer leg with the intent of the right leg catching up in the next 2 years.
They started an hour and a half late (we all fell asleep watching the Goofy Movie) and she got to take her new Zebra stuffed animal with her. She will be on crutches for the next couple days and should be back to normal in a week in a half. She thanks everyone for their well wishes.

My Half Birthday

This post has nothing to do with my half birthday (except that this story and epiphany happened on Wednesday, July 25 which just happened to be my half birthday).At 937 am I was sitting in a conference room at work. I got some news that was very exciting. I yelled, not once but 4 times. I yelled in such glee that it was hard to tell if I was happy or sad or in danger. All of a sudden there were several people from the next conference room over running to me to see if I was ok. In that moment I laughed and went downstairs away from the embarassment and commotion.

A little while later the ephiphany came. I wasn't yelling help, more of a general scream. Why would they run to me and not away from me? What if there was danger in the room, these well wishers would be running into a doomed fate.

Just a thought.

Jane Says: Song in my head

When I worked at Wendy's in High School I used to always sing Guns and Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" in my head. I discovered years later that this was my survival song when things are crazy at work. Some other songs that often stick in my head:

-Air Supply," I'm all out of love"
-Jonah's brothers,"I've been to the year 3000"
-Flock of sea Gulls," there is always something there to remind me"
-REM, "It's the end of the world"

Jane Says: She made me do it for beauty

BEFORE AND AFTER
The topic of the week has been my sister made me do it. My slight revision is, she made me to it for beauty. My sister, 7 years younger provides the appropriate fashion advice to keep me beautiful. Cut the bangs, grow the bangs. This is how your arch should look when you wax your brows. No, no; do not wear those exercise socks! Most important was the permanent eyeliner that she did and in an attempt to have eyes as beautiful as hers in any situation I endured this painstaking beauty activity (note the word pain) to have the freshly placed make up look.

I have never regretted the permanent eyeliner (tattoo on your eyelids, above and below). It has served me well and the hour and half time commitment (oh did I mention you have to go back 3 weeks later for another hour of pure torture?) of hell has paid make many dividends in compliments. So much so that my sister in law then did it, her sister did it, her cousin did it, Ann did it. And now Kim has done it.

The bravest so far was the champ. No twitching at all when the tattoo needle was entering in and out of her skin like that of a sewing machine needle. She did not scream aloud after the needle goes back over the same area which is already raw and red. She laughed in the face of danger and continued to text throughout the painful ordeal. The results are amazing. Though a little swollen at the moment (and a little goopy from the Vaseline) her eyes already look gorgeous. I can’t wait to sit in a hot sauna with the new and improved Hot Champion.

And what did she say after I made her do it. “That wasn’t so bad.”

Jane Says: Mass Chaos

Congrats to Melody! She made it to swim finals on Wednesday in Freestyle, Backstroke and Butterfly! (Call me if you want details to attend).This is the mass chaos behind the scenes of the swim semi-finals.We are so proud of you shooter! Love you!

Jane Says: 3 years later

Happy Anniversary! Have a great cruise!

Jane Says: Don't you wish you were my neighbor?

The house on the corner was on the market for less than 34 days. It sold and a young couple moved in last weekend. Saturday the lady of the house was doing yard work (that in itself is interesting). Quote of the year is John saying this morning, "I think I will fertilize and water the yard for them so it can be mowed more often."

Jane Says: Who Wants to be A Super Hero

Six months and sixteen days ago the sixth superhero returned to the City of Perot. Joining the Riddler, Robin, Cat Woman, Captain America and Green Lantern, Zan, my shape shifting brother of another mother has allowed my super powers to be activated and the completion of a Super Team.
This got me thinking of superheros everywhere. What superhero are you?

http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/