Back In the Game

After Brian's basketball game this week, we took the younger two boys to The Counter for supper.

And I am in love.

In love with their mini burger/beer sampler (except for the beer on the very left...icky!) and can't wait to go back and order the very same thing. Even the icky beer on the very left, because everything else was perfect.

Except for the picture, that is. My camera is, sadly, on it's last legs.

On Friday, that guy that I like so much played hooky...except I'm not sure it's really called playing hooky after having the last month off and only going back in for one day. But that one day was long enough that convinced him to have one last fling...so I'll take it.

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The weather was chilly, but we put down the top, turned on the seat warmers and drove north.

Filled up on billion dollar gas...even at my Costco it is $3.05. What's the deal now???

After 20 minutes or so we were at Belmont Shore. Sigh.

And 20 minutes after that? Feasting on a parisan crepe.

BIG SIGH.

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Home in time for Brian and then on to the home basketball game...the first one back for Alex. I'll be honest...I almost didn't go. He thought he'd be on the bench but ended up starting and though he came out a little tentative, he played a really good game and scored his home court 3 pointer.

And when he dove for a ball on the floor, I may or may not have yelled, 'watch the knee!'. I can't be sure.

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Sadly, it was a little ugly...parents mad about Alex starting and getting so much playing time so fresh off an injury and sadly, it was just ugly.

Here's a few of my #35:

Matthew is off to the first weekend camp for drum corps, Alex is playing basketball with friends, Brian just got home from practice and that guy that I like so much is cleaning the back yard in preparation for the torrential downpours we are supposed to get...they are predicting 6 inches this week alone. Yowza...skip the backyard and build an ark!

And no, I haven't found the umbrella's yet. Better get on that one.

Chicken piccata for supper. Something gooey and chocolate-y for dessert...not sure exactly what yet, but it'll come to me.

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Thankful

Alex has been cleared (somewhat hesitantly, which just THRILLS me to know end...the hesitant part, that is) to play ball.

The silver lining in all of this is the people who are working so hard behind the scenes to make sure my boy stays uninjured...so he now gets lots of attention from the trainer, who tapes him before every practice and every game. If you think it's unsightly...well, he wears a brace on top of all that.

Crazy. But if it keeps him whole, then tape away.

On yet another joyous note...

My husbands work had told them they were withholding a paycheck in January, though after an uproar it was changed to this August. It happened last year (not fun. not fun at all.) and so to happen yet again was disheartening. We just found out that plan has gone out the window, along with the CFO. Coincidence?

(you can bet a few bucks my husband is going to call me for writing that.)

Beef stew for dinner, with garlic smashed potatoes. And wine for celebrating. Lots and lots of celebrating.

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All Caught Up

I've got one week left to spoil my oldest son before he returns to the big, harsh, cold world out there...not sure he looks at it that way, but his momma likes to think that there is no place like home.

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Sunday morning that guy that I like so much played once again for church (2 weeks in a row!) and convinced not only Matthew, but another student (Natalie) to play trumpet and sing (respectively) together.

They agreed (and did a wonderful job...even while the lady who fainted was being tended to) for the price of lunch.

At Portillo's.

My three sons.

All clean and pretty smelling.

Miss Natalie, who will graduate this year and leave all of us behind. Does that never end?

I've been working lots...and cooking lots.

Things like baked eggs...

...and a freezer now full of chicken stock.

Our winter weather has been gorgeous, though the nights are cold...but now that I am holding a plane ticket in my sweaty little hand, it was time to break open the limoncello, knowing I can buy more in just a short little while.

And to the friend who lent us the heat lamps for our long ago Christmas party...yes, I am returning them to you this week.

(and thank you!)

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Yesterday found me at the mall...I had to return FOUR PAIRS of basketball shoes, two to Sears and two to Sport Chalet. And hello...Sears is having a blow out sale on Levi's, so if you have sons who wear Levi's...well, they are on sale.

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But then I found myself wandering, so after a quick phone call to my two trusty girls, I had a lunch date.

A lunch date that lasted 3 1/2 hours!!

At one point the ladies behind us turned around and joined right in to our conversation...too funny!

And the bread pudding at Pacific Whey is excellent...and a third of the calories as eating it alone.

The things girlfriends do for you.

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An At Home Saturday

This past week thrust all of us back into real life, with all of us kicking and screaming for more vacation.

Kicking and screaming, by the way, didn't help. Much.

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The week before vacation and the week after have been rough ones with my new little job...I guess crossing guards are not ready for vacation to end either. I had so many people out this week that I ended up working a morning shift myself everyday and experienced the joy of being yelled at, flipped off, cursed at, and buzzed by first hand.

Oh joy.

My paycheck will be just fat and juicy enough to pay for the new set of jewelry stamps I ordered...so it was all worth it.

(even better...I found out I will still have my little job after ditching town for a few weeks in May. whew! I've been worrying about that one!)

That guy that I like so much and I skipped away for lunch yesterday to the happiest place on earth. The weather has been gorgeous this past week and it is his last week off until May, so this get away was more than necessary.

We somehow ended up eating things you shouldn't ever eat...like Pommes Frites. Especially in January, following a particularly gluttonous holiday season.

And the scary thing? My non fast food/junk food eating husband ordered them! I am SO proud of him!

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And hello! How about a triple cheese monte cristo? Who would ever order such a thing?

When he started talking about dessert, I almost fell off my chair. But instead, I asked him a bunch of really personal questions...just in case I was lunching with his long lost junk food eating brother.

You never know.

Lots going on at the park today...we parked in a lot that we never knew was there (Simba, anyone?), took the monorail in, waved to the painters and watched the local marching bands. The haunted mansion was closed, as was Tom Sawyers island...but it was a beautiful day for a stroll in the park.

On the way out we spotted a gazebo that we had never seen before...how pretty is that?

As for today, Alex is working the local half marathon with his team and Brian is at basketball practice. Matthew has yet to show his pretty little face...not sure what time he even went to bed. I've already cleaned out my closet, have chicken stock boiling away on the stove, and the washing machine is working overtime to get caught up.

Most of my crew is going to the college basketball game tonight...I am going to take a hot bath, bake some cookies, and watch some sort of movie that only a girl can love.

It's a hard job, but somebody has to do it.

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Slow Morning

Maggie has been playing kiss up with the guy who pays for her food...she's gone from napping on top of his convertible to napping on Handel.

And who said cats aren't brilliant?

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This monday morning following 2 weeks of glorious vacation was rough. Really, really rough. My alarm went off at 6:15am...threw my hair in a ponytail, made a pot of coffee, made the hot part of Brian's lunch, kissed a few of my boys good morning and dashed out to work.

And when I took a moment to stop grumbling and looked up, this is what I was greeted with.

WOW.

I worked for an hour or so and then went to the gym...and reaquainted myself with my favorite elliptical machine. All I can say is OUCH.

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Came home and cleaned up Christmas...we usually wait until Epiphany (which is tomorrow) but I am on the go most of the day with Alex and his knee, so today it was. Supper tonight will be a simple pasta with sausage and basil and a leeetle bit of cream...and for dessert?

The Bachelor.

It's that time again.

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Sunny Sunday

Last night I sat on a stool and watched Michael cook his famous pasta for supper, sipping wine (both of us) and talking with our two oldest...who both could use a shave.

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And while they were obnoxious and loud and crazy, I sat, sipped and drooled. (and ordered somethin' kinda fun!)

The boys looked like this when I went to bed and yes, I let Alex use my laptop. He's probably updating my status in this picture, which I didn't know about until this morning.

Gotta love the middle child.

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That guy that I like so much was on the road bright and early this morning (6am), just like the old days. We all slept in and met him at church at 11am...worshipped and then handed Matthew the keys to my car, gave them a credit card and sent them on their way towards home.

M and I hopped into his cute little car, put the top down and drove west on a rather beautiful winter day.

Drove to his favorite mexican-on-the-beach spot, which has sawdust covered floors.

And a killer view.

Yep...Taco Surf. Home of a GREAT taco tuesday (which would've been great if it was a Tuesday, but it wasn't) and amazing tacos.

MMMmmmm...fish tacos and shredded beef tacos. Yum.

Ate, hopped back in the car and drove home.

Nothing like a 1 hour date on a Sunday afternoon.

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New Years Day

Maggie the cat and that guy that I like so much have a love/hate relationship.

And she just keeps adding fuel to the fire.

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My boy...my #35.

I'm just so sad for him. We'll know more on Tuesday...but he is up and walking. Prayers appreciated. Please.

This first day of the new year found all of us at home. I cleaned out my closet, Michael made some fabulous guacamole and Brian fixed my kitchen table.

The teens? They slept...and are still sleeping.

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They actually did rise long enough to eat a croque monsieur...and then both fell back into bed. I'm making short ribs and mashed potatoes for supper, so I'm sure we'll see them again soon.

Football is on one TV and Sleepless in Seattle is on the other. I'm pretty sure you can figure out who's watching what.

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