Roots

Not to get to philosophical, but dont you just love the roots to a tree?

The Church

The house I grew up in. A remodeled church with the biggest kitchen in the world (great for late night dates and making cookies), coolest gym/garage (equipped with pool table and trampoline), great stage for performing, coldest living room of all times (but you could get the tallest christmas tree on the planet in there). And my room was the bishop's office!

My blue friend

At the work christmas party/gift exchange I picked out the gift with the best box. On the outside it was this really cool white and red santa starring back at me. I coveted the box from the minute the party started. When it was my turn to pick I grabbed it with glee. I opened it to find a travel neck pillow.

Now, while I have always been intrigued by travel neck pillows I would never fork out the $15-$20 to purchase one. And then the thought of being inconvenienced by carrying it comes into play.

So, imagine my happiness to be getting it as a gift (now, I dont pretend to think the giver put that much thought into it. It was probably more like, "darn the plane was late landing and the gift exchange is today, what can I get from the airport sundry store?").

On my 5 hour flight to/from New York this week I decided to try it. I am sold!!!! I so loved this soft, wrap around my body, comfortable, keep my neck in the right place, take a great 2 hour nap sitting up that I would sacrifice and carry an extra bag to have it with me on my next flight.

Oh the small pleasures in life :)

There is hope

Obama and Hillary have a blackberry. Dad has a blog!

What 20 degree fashion looks like

Supersize Me

Sorry, it hit a funny bone

Totally Freaked me out!!

At a recent trip to Costco I walked around the corner, and good lord there is a woman upside down utilizing the product. I took the picture and came back 10 minutes later. She was still upside and appeared to be asleep. Let's home she wasnt dead.

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Big Apple

Thank goodness for weekend get aways!!!

PS Happy 50th Birthday Bev!!

Back in the Day

In 1989 Alice was the Editor for Bear Essential News, she convinced me to be the "Adult" Advisor. This was both of our first attempts at journalism (outside of the Wahlquist Jr High yearbook).

The best part was the media passes we got for local events. And she was a damn good writer even back then.

Providing my own Encouragement

It's a chai tea, I am Happy

Not so new news

Jessica got glasses 2 weeks ago. For those who havent seen yet: here's the newest (and last) member of the family to join the 4 eyes club.

Jo Bro's

Our boys are on SNL tonight!!!!!

What a great Valentine's gift, pitter patter

Quarter Pounder

The smell of fuel, scouring car part stores with dad, collecting aluminum cans under the bleachers, Shirley Muldowney's pink suit, running to the time booth, cheering as loud as we could above the roaring engines, the long boring ride to Bonneville Salt flats, being a part of the pit crew, falling in love with funny cars, NHRA embroidered shirts (before we had an in), that darn race in Bakersfield and mom kissing dad with the look of fear every time a race was ready to go.

Weekends have never been the same :)

As seen at the local Goodwill

WARNING: This is not a costume, just a fashion challenged (or brave) individual purchasing more at the Goodwill.

Smelly Cat

The last 2 days I served as a table facilitator for a work leadership workshop. The fact that I have been able to sit still for the 8 hours yesterday with limited self induced blackberry interuptions is a blog in itself.

This blog however is about my favorite role play, "how to tell an employee that they have body odor". I have personal experience in this area (more than once) and have amused others as I have embellished the story over the years.

Yesterday The Greek Goddess, Demetra topped any smelly odor story or amusement I could share. Direct quote (following the detailed story of how she had to counsel him for his stinky problem, "The counseling worked, thank goodness, but the other day I walked into his office. And OH MY, I recognize that smell. (PAUSE FOR DRAMA EFFECT). I guess I am a bad leader because I went to my meeting and didn't go back to verify."

Yes, body odor counseling is a dilemna.

By the way, last night I had baked garlic for dinner. Thank goodness no one had to counsel me on the terrible left over breath today.

Happy Birthday Grant!!

Superdad, Superhusband: Superman!

When Yellow is Bad

As a previous Wendy's employee (back in the day when we got to wear those light blue and white striped smocks that looked just like Wendy). Does the the uniform really have to match everything else in the store??

Timeless Fun

QT vs Starbucks

I will admit it, my loyalty to Starbucks is waning. QT (please do not call me Michelle) has become my caffeine purchase of choice.

Venti $4.16
Large .$89

My coffee for the week cost the same as one day (and truefully I think the quality is better and more consistent).

Cups and atmosphere aren't as cool. The barista doesnt have pins, but rather a red shirt. Other than that, all is well.

May Day

Not only is Jinjer inactive, she appears to be dead.

Anyone?

Now that's a rack!!

Bathroom

I always laugh when I see a hand written note with these instructions. Can you just picture the situation surrounding the note being written.

Boy: Bring me the plunger quick

Girl standing pilotly assisting: What can I do to help?

Boy: Damn just write a note so it doesnt happen again

Girl: Done. Isn't this a cool lock?

I'm so tired

I woke up out of a deep sleep at 3 am this morning. I started working at 4 am.I'm now tired.

I wish my day was done.

Still not sure what this pose is

But the kids convinced me to stand in a fountain and point up,

they thought it was funny

Sorry Kim

She is just a sas, what can I say. I did chase her around the house to get the phone back. We are all sorry for her unkind unsportsmanlike comments

(yes, Jessica was a sassy mouth to the conterversary stirring champ who didnt support the home team).

PS Welcome to my world :)

When Hell Freezes Over

No, this is not a post about the Cardinals winning (and yes I did care, Jessica even cried at the loss).

.

No, this is not a post about Jane posting terrible pictures of herself 2 days in a row.

It is a post about Jane eating a hot dog.

So what you say? I have not had a hot dog since I was 17 years old. Jessica informed me that since I had a birthday I had to try something new.

And now the consumed Hebrew National is officially documented for future reference.

Super Bowl Weekend

In a very Andrea Braun fashion I took the kids to the Pre-Super Bowl Kick off at Mesa Riverview. While Melody was the big prize winner in the Home Depot kick challenge, I was the big winner at the Chick - fil- A prize wheel (a surprze, a free durust and free chkn).