tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66491367540999031352024-03-06T00:09:41.375-08:00Hopey's Ramblings!A working mother to Quentin and Adrianna who is trying this as an outlet to share my crazy life with who ever wants to read my ramblings!!!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-28524485995395930872011-09-05T16:45:00.000-07:002011-09-05T17:37:05.797-07:00Back to School Time - A little preparation for my favorite LP!Quentin started First Grade about 2 weeks ago. He is doing great adjusting to his new teacher and class.<br /><br />I think that I posted these pictures last year but the purpose for this post is to share with my POLP (Parents Of Little People) group on Facebook.<br /><br />I was very nervous last year for Quentin to start Kindergarten in a "real" school outside the safe walls of his preschool, Starbright. I had made an appointment to meet with the principal and the school psychologist at the end of the school year prior to Quentin's arrival. At that meeting we went over what Quentin's needs would be for the following school year - Quentin did not attend this meeting it was simply a brain storming session.<br /><br />When the teachers and principal returned to school, after summer break to prepare for the school year we once again met with them and brought Quentin along to this meeting. I also had a tape measure and 3M hooks that could be utilized if needed. The meeting took about an hour and half; we walked around the whole school and took measurements and made notes of where stools should be placed - we would return the week before school started to check to make sure that everything was ready for the first day of Kindergarten! I couldn't have been more pleased.<br />Quentin's teacher was very excited to have him in her class. The school did an excellent job at making the stools and had them in place for him - they were perfect They did much more than I expected, including lowering a swing on the playground for him to reach, as well as making the foot rests for his chair in the computer lab and a bathroom stool in the nurses office when he was out of his classroom at music or gym in case he needed to use the bathroom. They also had a stool at a water fountain by the gym so he could get a drink after gym like the other kids.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-DmMD6DgjrZI6e5HrKnAfWmvO3Jl3rNCVrO4wHzl8TQ9CB3lBMDUigV4pyBgmh5kquqmX05T0IPT8ocm5gkmExpo3J9qauLSclqPhZi77F9zoRkQy3fUVQnXt61GVW6rOmupdL71yuw/s1600/IMG00589.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-DmMD6DgjrZI6e5HrKnAfWmvO3Jl3rNCVrO4wHzl8TQ9CB3lBMDUigV4pyBgmh5kquqmX05T0IPT8ocm5gkmExpo3J9qauLSclqPhZi77F9zoRkQy3fUVQnXt61GVW6rOmupdL71yuw/s200/IMG00589.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649034124840149618" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkczPOjkCD_3yRnYl-b2Z7YrNh-h6ENjyTRlw3CBUiQO1P9p0j3RS0Ktby0QizMZ5zoURJjN0ewDost7tkw-grdKTrnLFApZ1pa4OhqcLolMR6IHW6xv-jsigMyV3Ogh3y59sh6LBVB4/s1600/IMG00591.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkczPOjkCD_3yRnYl-b2Z7YrNh-h6ENjyTRlw3CBUiQO1P9p0j3RS0Ktby0QizMZ5zoURJjN0ewDost7tkw-grdKTrnLFApZ1pa4OhqcLolMR6IHW6xv-jsigMyV3Ogh3y59sh6LBVB4/s200/IMG00591.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649034128687510322" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q5vsZikOKljWSvRsIWLKWHP5qXFeNxk-XQrmsV_GhXqQ2kA7Stx0V2gMn6tudMH3bs5gOcZ96f8dSU3W9R8ypW_WIw8pLe3_GsFSXLfhXyD56E3XcO5koQPZP3W-LWf9TdBidybPRtc/s1600/IMG00592.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q5vsZikOKljWSvRsIWLKWHP5qXFeNxk-XQrmsV_GhXqQ2kA7Stx0V2gMn6tudMH3bs5gOcZ96f8dSU3W9R8ypW_WIw8pLe3_GsFSXLfhXyD56E3XcO5koQPZP3W-LWf9TdBidybPRtc/s200/IMG00592.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649034129165574674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fast forward an entire year to First Grade - when we went to the Back to School BBQ to meet Quentin's new teacher I was impressed when my independent son asked his teacher, "you have my stools from Mrs. Dudley?" his teacher smiled and said yes that everything would be ready for him. I was proud and sad at the same time, he is becoming aware of what his needs are for school, and asking his teacher showed this is something that he feels is completely normal for him.<br />We had to order a couple of extra stools since Quentin is participating in the before and after school program this year - so there were two more bathroom stools that the school ordered for him.<br /><br />The new thing we had to work with this year was that Quentin didn't want the "fake" jeans (the ones with elastic waist and no zipper or snap) he wanted real jeans because as he put it "I look awesome in jeans" So I purchased jeans for the boy however I knew that they would have to be modified because he has a hard time still with the snaps and zipper - his reach is just not quite there for him to be able to do this easily.<br />Sadly when I looked online I couldn't find anything that would easily assist in making this daily task easy for a 6 1/2 year old.<br />I did find a Velcro button conversion kit, however they didn't look sturdy - so my mom helped me make our own conversion kit.<br /><br />We bought one package of Velcro and sewed them over the button so he can now button<br />his pants himself - for the zipper I tried a couple of zipper pulls that I had made from fish line and string - but the eye of the zipper was so small (toddler size pants zippers are small) I just couldn't get the pull to be sturdy enough. I got some jewelry hooks and attached them to the zipper I clamped the loop on the zipper and it worked perfectly!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gWaMGyBBTcgQvodTyJHyr8AZb9bxNGriDK-ZejDyzscv-JBwKWGWt6nINmMOuqSodoEGEXHZLME3gWux0WrOVTP0SewaSYgMsWfRH0DnOIS8uotmwAWXPlKtLBX7M3xrNp1XC82odVQ/s1600/IMAG0219-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gWaMGyBBTcgQvodTyJHyr8AZb9bxNGriDK-ZejDyzscv-JBwKWGWt6nINmMOuqSodoEGEXHZLME3gWux0WrOVTP0SewaSYgMsWfRH0DnOIS8uotmwAWXPlKtLBX7M3xrNp1XC82odVQ/s200/IMAG0219-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649034120179807010" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8JJV31P14UBuoczyR_bTxdpIsJ3nsi7GpvY5ZT7EkFOIr8ud3aGJk7OD5BxD9wDKm5pI8wHjAeXFCI_DYc9dq3D9RmAZ-mZh9Qeo70RVx5c_jZQcf9XYjrBiUyL-g4WStBn9BKSb34Y/s1600/IMAG0218-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8JJV31P14UBuoczyR_bTxdpIsJ3nsi7GpvY5ZT7EkFOIr8ud3aGJk7OD5BxD9wDKm5pI8wHjAeXFCI_DYc9dq3D9RmAZ-mZh9Qeo70RVx5c_jZQcf9XYjrBiUyL-g4WStBn9BKSb34Y/s200/IMAG0218-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649034115978135170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>The look on Quentin's face was priceless when he was able to button and zip his pants himself! I must admit I was pretty giddy myself!!<br /><br />I know that there will be more adjustments as he gets older but for now I am happy that the little things like fixing the zipper and snaps on his jeans are what makes him happy!!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-61878044678237437762011-08-25T20:49:00.000-07:002011-08-25T21:02:21.265-07:00Summer 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd2KhCZuwCfgL9U7ohj0P491O3wMzQ9bAUGs0tjXQXCbN8U9OckioNYk7HPghIUfJugRPYQqLfNlQI2zIb0CHRg5Go5MfqAkmUtS7WCuSbg4QbkRBwH_m_ghLJ4Discwy2b51rFKf7T0/s1600/IMAG0137.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSd2KhCZuwCfgL9U7ohj0P491O3wMzQ9bAUGs0tjXQXCbN8U9OckioNYk7HPghIUfJugRPYQqLfNlQI2zIb0CHRg5Go5MfqAkmUtS7WCuSbg4QbkRBwH_m_ghLJ4Discwy2b51rFKf7T0/s200/IMAG0137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645009843645499074" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I am clearly not doing well on keeping up on this blog. I can't believe that we are end of the summer already. A little update on what has been going on in the Chavez house this summer.
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<br />Quentin did the summer program at Starbright, the preschool that he attended - they have a school age program. He went on field trips to different parks 2 times a week and had swimming at a local pool every Friday. He also participated in the summer reading program and completed several book reports! I am so happy that he loves to read!
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<br />Adrianna spent the summer days with her regular day care provider - whom she loves and so do I. Adri's big accomplishment this summer is that she is officially a big girl! She is potty trained!!! WOOT WOOT!!! I can't believe that I am totally done with diapers! I am putting the money in a savings account that I would have spent on diapers each month!!!
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<br />The kids spent a month with Joe which gave me a lot of "Hope" time. I spent time in Girdwood hiking and biking at the ski resort. We took a mini road trip to Denali National Park where we had planned on hiking around the park however it was pouring down rain so we decided to head up to Fairbanks - just had lunch and decided to keep going to Chena Hot Springs. I LOVED IT!!! I have also continued on the weight watchers program and as of yesterdays weigh in I have lost a total of 34.8 pounds!!
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<br />Quentin started First Grade this week - I can't believe he is in First Grade! Adri will be 3 in two weeks, which I am also struggling with. She will be starting at Starbright on the 12th of September, which is hard for me to wrap my mind around, she was born the week after Quentin started at Starbright which seems like just yesterday .<span style="text-decoration: underline;">
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<br /></span><img src="file:///C:/Users/Hope/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Hope/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgAa8ja_NcuCQ0uVSXTr1GU3gJQvsdkoxUHuBwXEUBrHP8TDqOKzi_IWftZQJUzKOBQsuMcpBTerKptoW9T634f2BfDKghdBkmftGH86f7upjug_75CKKLYbaUaY50vfFzKmRRA7PXcc/s1600/first+grade.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgAa8ja_NcuCQ0uVSXTr1GU3gJQvsdkoxUHuBwXEUBrHP8TDqOKzi_IWftZQJUzKOBQsuMcpBTerKptoW9T634f2BfDKghdBkmftGH86f7upjug_75CKKLYbaUaY50vfFzKmRRA7PXcc/s200/first+grade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645007227129146194" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQSxH8PQIGe88ko97RiuifKMXnWpTxYVlBuD-xHELelDtvZwqVkg7klbKLYem483vBpmaBcsfDsc73izCQgPDFFr58X855qLMTKMLyqybZFqiKC07ssJcQVNmQES5T73u4N4f5ziPtdA/s1600/IMAG0199-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQSxH8PQIGe88ko97RiuifKMXnWpTxYVlBuD-xHELelDtvZwqVkg7klbKLYem483vBpmaBcsfDsc73izCQgPDFFr58X855qLMTKMLyqybZFqiKC07ssJcQVNmQES5T73u4N4f5ziPtdA/s200/IMAG0199-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645008544666083650" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Other than playing outside and taking bike rides when the weather was great - we are now gearing up for winter. The kids and I are all going to take ski lessons at Alyeska this winter! We are looking forward to it, can you believe that I just said I was actually looking forward to winter...but I am in we are less than 80 ish days away from opening day of ski season!!
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<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-34352472283346647122011-05-21T08:06:00.000-07:002011-05-21T08:22:32.548-07:00Sleep Training ContinuedI made it through the first night so the second night couldn't be as bad as the first night of listening to 2 hours of ear piercing screams.<br /><br />When I picked Adrianna up from day care Jessica (the best day care provider EVER) had made a chart for sleeping in her own bed - she gets a sticker for each day she sleeps in her own bed, Adri was VERY excited about this...Jessica did this all on her own, which I thought was AWESOME!!!<br /><br />OK so Wednesday night's bedtime routine went much like the previous night, books, jammies and teeth brushed. Before we even made it up the stairs she was crying and clinging to my neck. I kissed her and put her in bed said good night and closed the door. Before I even made it down two steps she threw her water cup...the crying wasn't as violent and ear piercing as the first night. She was first calling for me and when I didn't respond she started to call for Quentin - after 20 minutes right before she stopped crying and fell asleep she cried out "anyone" which made me totally crack up!! After I stopped laughing I realized that she had only cried for 20 minutes which I thought was OUTSTANDING!!! Both kids were asleep by 8:45 - which meant I had a little time to myself!<br /><br />Night 3 and 4 the same routine although the screams have been reduced to fussing and less than 10 minutes!!<br /><br />I am feeling very successful in that I didn't cave and give in. I have had 4 nights in a row of very restful sleep in my own bed that has lasted all night!!<br /><br />Next on the agenda with the girl is potty training - which she is ready for so I am hoping that this milestone also goes very quickly!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-37396358758650201032011-05-18T07:20:00.000-07:002011-05-18T07:44:04.388-07:00Sleep Training 2 year old aka Sleep TORTUREUp until the last several months, both of my children have been great sleepers. In bed and sleeping by 8:30 pm - and not a peep from them until the morning. Which also means that I had a little unwind time in the evenings to get lunches packed, clothes ironed and set out for the next day or just watching a show that I have dvr'd.<br /><br />Adrianna has decided that she was no longer going to be a good sleeper and that she was going to wake up in the middle of the night sometimes several times, or that she wasn't going to sleep in her bed. I at first thought this was due to the transition of sharing time with Joe and I - he has them every other weekend so I was giving her the benefit of the doubt - but now that it has been several months (4 to be exact), I want to sleep in my own bed and not on the couch or recliner with a toddler clinging to me.<br /><br />Last night was the night I decided to start the sleep re-training for Miss Adrianna. I picked her up from day care and warned the provider she may be grouchy for the next couple of days as tough love night was starting - at this point I was still half thinking to myself I hope I make it I am such a whimp when it comes to letting my kids cry it out...BUT then Adri decided to tell Jessica (the most awesome child care lady EVER) how all she has to do is "jump and cry in my bed and mommy comes and gets me"<br />I just looked at Jessica and said "OH MY GOD, she totally has me pegged" well that was it; this was a challenge at this point - and anyone who knows me I don't go down easily when a challenge is presented.<br /><br />So the time came - I purposely started the bedtime routine early as I knew that the ear piercing sounds that were to come out of the room were not going to be good and that they would last for a while -<br /><br />Jammies on, teeth brushed, books read, water cup filled - kisses to Quentin and then Adri and I started upstairs, she told me all about being a big girl and sleeping in her bed all night - until we walked into the room then the crying started. I told her it was night time and that it was time to sleep. I also told her that once I left her room that I would see her in the morning and she needed to be a big girl and go to sleep. Put her in her crib and the SCREAMING promptly started, I told her I loved her and see you in the morning...the time was 7:37 pm.<br /><br />Quentin and I sat on the couch and he held my hand and told me it was going to be ok - he is such a sweet kid.<br /><br />I called a friend who gave me a pep talk and told me that this was necessary and that in the long run it will be good for everyone in the house. He also told me that I had to be strong and that I could make it. I played a couple games of Angry Birds...I looked at the clock and it was only 7:47 pm. TEN FRICKING MINUTES is all that had passed and I was already wanting to throw in the towel.<br /><br />I set up the tent in the living room for Quentin - we watched a little TV ... after an hour of listening to the non stop calling for me and screaming the crying started to slow down surely she was tiring herself out - Quentin was done with listening to the crying at this point and said "mom can't you hear her calling you" I told him that she had to learn to sleep in her bed and that this is how she was going to learn.<br /><br />Then it happened - it was quiet - I looked at the clock it was 9:28 pm she cried almost 2 hours and then gave in - I cried a little bit because I felt like the worst parent in the world that I hadn't comforted her to sleep and I could hear her on the monitor with the little whimper that all kids do after a hard cry -I went to bed myself because I didn't know what the rest of the night would be like...she slept all night not a peep from the room.<br /><br />I left for work this morning before she woke up but have asked Jessica to make a BIG deal out of the fact that she slept in her bed all night like a big girl...<br /><br />Hopefully tonight won't be so bad, I know there will be crying but am hoping (wishful thinking I know) that the crying doesn't last 2 hours again...Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-40633151351464488682011-04-01T10:04:00.001-07:002011-04-01T10:16:45.986-07:00Final Weight for MarchI weighed in yesterday I was expecting the scale to groan. MY week has been filled with stress and I dealt with it by making not so good food choices or keeping track of my points completely. I waited in line and then it was my turn the receptionist said "how are you today" my response was "I will tell you after I see what the scale says" so I stepped on the scale and waited to hear the groan...there was no groan I actually managed to loose a pound - not the 2 pounds that I needed to lose in order to meet my goal but none the less it was a loss when I was expecting a gain. I received my 25 pound loss medal - which will go on the key chain that I receive when I hit my 10%. I will make my goal next week for crying out loud it is one pound. I am happy to report that I have purchased a smaller size in both jeans and slacks - I was told by a co-worker this past week that my pants looked awful and they did look pretty bad, they just hang there. I will post a picture next week when I have reached my goal! I continue to be excited as I proceed on this journey.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-54685748255027989902011-02-23T18:18:00.001-08:002011-02-23T18:24:38.977-08:00Weigh DayWednesday's are my normal weigh in days for Weight Watchers. I was actually not confident about today's weigh in, I made OK choices this weekend, however had a girls night which included dinner and drinks with a girl friend (she is also on program).<br /><br />I grabbed my card and stood in line, waiting for my turn on the dreaded scale. It was my turn I stepped up signed in and onto the scale I went. The gal who weighed me said "WOW you had a good week" I thought she was going to say I had lost a pound - but my total weight loss for the week was 4.2 pounds!!! So today I reached the 20 pound loss mark! I have 6 more pounds before hitting my 10% I will for sure hit this by my goal by the end of MarchHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-59559434703183698742011-02-20T10:07:00.003-08:002011-02-20T10:27:44.231-08:00Cooking dinner has become such a chore...The past couple of months I have found myself in a food rut. I take the samething in my "food bag" everyday to work..yogurt, fruit, and salad. For dinner I also find that we are in a rut, I feel like I don't even need to make a grocery list when I go to the store.<br />So this weekend the kids have been with Joe and I have actually been home all weekend, which is the first time since November that I have had so much time on my own. I am not complaining, I did help my mom host a surprise baby shower for a good friend, got a pedicure and managed to sleep in.<br />I also decided that I am going to expand our dinner menus for the week. I made a menu (which I usually do) for each day of the week, made my grocery list accordingly for the items that I didn't have in either the freezer or the pantry. I have also gone a step farther and decided that the meals that I have planned for the week can mostly be made ahead of time or at least started and put in the freezer so that all I have to do is pull it out and heat.<br /><br />So what is on the menu you may be asking...<br /><br />Taco Soup - this is a crock pot meal which is so easy just open the cans of ingredients dump in the crock pot (I LOVE MY CROCK POT) I will put the canned stuff together the night before put in the fridge and the morning all I have to do is brown the hamburger add to soup mix and turn on the crock pot - when we get home from work, school and day care it will be all ready!<br /><br />Sticky Chicken - another easy crock pot meal...season the whole chicken the night before and let it sit in the fridge pull out the next day put in the crock pot and let it work it's magical powers! It will be ready when we come home. I will put together a green salad and make some rice to go along with the chicken!<br /><br />Chicken Tacos - using left over chicken from the night before<br />Spaghetti -<br />Lasagna -<br /><br />Planning and preparing meals ahead will also make cooking dinner less of a chore.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-60415381117708741822011-02-20T10:07:00.001-08:002011-02-20T10:07:17.488-08:00LetHopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-5368046512148811242011-02-08T20:21:00.000-08:002011-02-08T20:40:17.884-08:00on the journey once again....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawYZn87BWHJBAzoGNdrq7qGvPnfvplk1VX2ywDhILikCNGWJhUI_pDwRMK9_KvJlxHlnu6i9Qq0Pd0i6vNozMIkJOtoeB9PLFBtlEDfyowTCub0HZlWL6t6nHaTmhfaYzPTyvvEqqPa0/s1600/5%2525.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 120px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571543288780230770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawYZn87BWHJBAzoGNdrq7qGvPnfvplk1VX2ywDhILikCNGWJhUI_pDwRMK9_KvJlxHlnu6i9Qq0Pd0i6vNozMIkJOtoeB9PLFBtlEDfyowTCub0HZlWL6t6nHaTmhfaYzPTyvvEqqPa0/s200/5%2525.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAtG9c538PRzF68iG1E6L3A9fYGcawfWIb-dXFisWa6M1TV_En_SsbMkc28Y83TzoZVa52DQJ_h2R-Kru6i-UbstYNeWSBCrvJbAT7PDXpbxZ4XRxBuKroXLIg7a2_eeXcfdlBxRPRdk/s1600/IMG00645.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571543055384897538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAtG9c538PRzF68iG1E6L3A9fYGcawfWIb-dXFisWa6M1TV_En_SsbMkc28Y83TzoZVa52DQJ_h2R-Kru6i-UbstYNeWSBCrvJbAT7PDXpbxZ4XRxBuKroXLIg7a2_eeXcfdlBxRPRdk/s200/IMG00645.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So I have once again embarked on the weight loss journey....I must say that I am actually having success this go round. </div><br /><div></div><div>I am doing Weight Watchers and am enjoying the new Points Plus program - I am a little over the first small goal of 5% ... my total loss to date is 17 pounds, my next goal is to reach my 10% by the end of March. </div><br /><div>I would like to be close to or at my goal weight by my birthday - so we will see how I progress. </div><br /><div></div><div>The saying pictures say a million words couldn't be more true with the photo's I have attached. The first one is day 1 on the WW - not the most flattering picture but it is what I looked like.</div><div>The second picture was taken this morning wearing the same outfit (minus the glasses). I knew my clothes were starting to feel looser and somethings were looking better but I didn't realize it until I actually saw the comparison with these pictures. Talk about a motivation booster...</div><div><br />These pictures have been printed off and are now on my desk at work and on the bathroom mirror at home to keep me motivated.<br /></div><div>I will update on my progress and post another picture when I hit my 10% which I am pretty close too!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-33667964876973204282011-02-03T08:09:00.000-08:002011-02-03T08:24:33.001-08:00Long Time no PostI don't even know where to begin. There have been so many changes since my last post WAY back in September.<br /><br />Quentin started Kindergarten in August, I had another birthday in August, Adrianna turned 2 (ALREADY) in September.<br /><br />The biggest change was in October, Joe and I ended our marriage, so began the adjustment of being a single parent. Not that this is or has or will be an easy adjustment but we are moving forward.<br /><br />I am still working at ASRC and love it, I can't believe I am coming up on my one year anniversary in April.<br /><br />A trip that I am looking forward to in the coming year - A much anticipated trip to Disneyland, I am pretty sure I am more excited than the kids. I love Disney - and can't wait to see the wonder on thier little faces as they experience the Disney Magic!<br /><br />There is so much more I need to update, but not enough time for this post. I will be better at updating now that things are starting to get back to normal, whatever that is!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-19581474461033888002010-09-26T09:34:00.000-07:002010-09-26T09:38:55.689-07:00Moving SUCKSSo my brother has officially moved to Fairbanks, AK. I guess I should be thankful that he is still in the same state, however Fairbanks is 8 hours (in good weather) by car - so I don't see a trip in the near future since I HATE DRIVING IN THE WINTER long distances.<br /><br />I am happy for him as he is moving for a fantastic job opportunity.<br />Ryan and I are very close and actually I feel like we have gotten closer over the past year. He was over at my house at least 3 times a week. My kids really love Uncle Ryan. It feels like I have lost my best friend.<br /><br />Thank goodness for Skype!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-46674662835163157162010-09-17T21:06:00.000-07:002010-09-17T21:15:32.495-07:00Eye Drama - Update!I went to the eye specialist today for a check up on my "special" eye as the girls so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">affectionately</span> call my eye..<br /><br />This is what the doctor said "everything is quiet - I want to see you again in 3 months"<br />Me - well what caused this syndrome his response "I don't know"<br />I then asked if I could wear my contact lenses again - he said yes and walked out of the room...<br /><br />First YAHOO that I get to wear my contacts, but did I seriously have to spend $200 for this fool to tell me that he doesn't know what the hell has been going on with my eye for the past 5 months?<br /><br />Anyway I am a happy girl!!!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-50682965882607031112010-09-04T21:37:00.000-07:002010-09-04T22:24:07.772-07:00Eye DramaAt the end of May I experienced something that has never happened to me before. My left eye felt like there was constant rocks in it; after a week of not being able to wear my contacts and feeling like a cyclops I decided it was time to go to the eye doctor. At that time he said that my eye was having an allergic reaction to the eye drops that I had been using since my eye felt so dry. So he gave me 2 different eye drops 1 was for the allergy and the other one was a steroid eye drop for the irritation on my retina. I was supposed to use these eye drops for 2 weeks, also during this time I was not allowed to wear my contacts..GRRR. I followed the instructions and felt like my eye was much better after the two weeks.<br /><br />The middle of June my eye started having the same symptoms along with seeing a bubble in the corner of my eye which was constantly there.<br /><br />I went back to the eye doctor who gave me yet another eye drop but this time I was allowed to wear my contacts..PHEW!<br /><br />The beginning of July I went in for my yearly eye check up and told my doctor that I felt like I couldn't see very well out of my left eye, it was blurry, he said that it was probably from my contacts since he could tell there were very dirty. OK I bought it, I was very bad at taking them out at night and would keep them in way over the recommended 2 weeks per pair..so when he said my prescription hadn't changed and that I needed to take my lenses out every night I said Ok, and went on my merry way.<br /><br />WELL the beginning of August I could no longer see out of my left eye at all it was as if I was looking through fog or a cloud constantly.<br /><br />Back to the eye doctor I went; I left my office on a Friday at 11 for an 11:30 am appointment which I thought was going to be a normal appointment BOY was I wrong.<br /><br />When I told my eye doctor my symptoms he had me read the chart (now remember I had been in to see him for my annual exam just 3 weeks ) when I told him that I couldn't read the chart he was concerned my vision had dropped 6 lines in 3 weeks..WTF?!?!<br /><br />So he then looked at my eye and decided he needed to dilate my eye (3 times) - long story short he told me that the tissue behind my eye was ripped, and that I needed to be seen right away by the Retinal Specialist - this was at 1:30 - I obviously was not going back to work.<br /><br />So I head to the Retinal specialist (which I was not impressed) who proceeded to dilate my eye another 4 times - after waiting for 3 hours to be seen I was told by the most arrogant ass of a doctor that I had what they call WHITE SPOT SYNDROME in my left eye and that it is caused by a number of things, he ordered labs and a chest x-ray and put me on heavy duty steroid eye drops every 2 hours while I was awake. I also had to go back for a follow up in one week. So I went to have my labs drawn and chest x-ray done, the results came back with nothing wrong (DUH) so at my follow up I was seen by a much nicer doctor who then told me that he wasn't sure what was going on with my eye but that it usually occurred in middle aged woman (HELLO I AM NOT MIDDLE AGED) when I told him this he looks at my chart and then says "close enough" WTF?! So he cut my steroid eye drop use down to 4 times a day...and come back in a week....GRRRR<br /><br />2 weeks ago I went for the follow up and saw the 3rd much older doctor in the practice who said that the irritation on my retina had improved but the white spots on the back of my eye were still there and that they still needed to figure out the cause. The good news is that the vision in my left eye is improving..he cut the steroids back to 2 times a day and come back in 3 weeks!<br /><br /><br /><br />Tuesday was my birthday the one that I turned middle aged (NOT REALLY) I got out of the shower dried off and felt like I was standing in a pool of blood my vein was bleeding AGAIN exactly like what happened here <a href="http://hopeysramblings.blogspot.com/2009/07/near-death-experience-at-least-emts.html">http://hopeysramblings.blogspot.com/2009/07/near-death-experience-at-least-emts.html</a> the only difference was no cute EMT's this time...BOO!<br />Since this was the second time this happened and it was caused from the towel going over the vein I decided it was time to have it looked at; so this past Friday I went into the doctor and she took a look, the first thing she said was "I have never seen a vein spontaneously bleed like that" so she wanted to cut it out and send to the pathology to see what was going on.....on my medication list I put down the steroid eye drops she asked why I was taking them I gave her the short version of the story and told her that they didn't know what was causing it but they thought it was an inflammation somewhere in my body..she immediately said that there could be a inflammation in my vein and that since veins and eyes are two huge sources of blood flow that they could be linked.<br />She cut my vein and stitched it up and I go back on Thursday to have the stitches out find out what the pathology report says.<br />SO while I do think that it is very ODD that a varicose vein on my right ankle could cause my left eye to have an issue it is just proof that our bodies are mysterious and that you never know what is going on in there.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-30003843228948260292010-08-24T20:57:00.000-07:002010-08-24T21:09:08.575-07:00First Day of Kindergarten!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu90qzVHux6ZNAu-kBKQ97X_T2-dXxh0dXxxD76p1cX4YKpW3ZLyM21tOWbKBNDNmB_l-4xIWUJrXDmIbpx70HJtRpWbjjyk-rHDeotQ-llwMnR9vMg9vFEmBawiyBMqMt9CJhlZT31g/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA2MjAuanBn%3F=-748576"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu90qzVHux6ZNAu-kBKQ97X_T2-dXxh0dXxxD76p1cX4YKpW3ZLyM21tOWbKBNDNmB_l-4xIWUJrXDmIbpx70HJtRpWbjjyk-rHDeotQ-llwMnR9vMg9vFEmBawiyBMqMt9CJhlZT31g/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA2MjAuanBn%3F=-748576" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509194702295896066" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3O9Izrjswth9tdKt5vO5zmaQANvt9DMewKOxS7FnXg1-Ho_qBk3Lnas7PTzK0uzfgDwEStob9LuH5er7szzo7PXg4RbA8px8a4jCjpeZtB0aI6m3CXRBplwhsvB2yx9q3Vhv4v5tl3k/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA2MjIuanBn%3F=-751904"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3O9Izrjswth9tdKt5vO5zmaQANvt9DMewKOxS7FnXg1-Ho_qBk3Lnas7PTzK0uzfgDwEStob9LuH5er7szzo7PXg4RbA8px8a4jCjpeZtB0aI6m3CXRBplwhsvB2yx9q3Vhv4v5tl3k/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA2MjIuanBn%3F=-751904" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509194718051045698" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1JlTSn0ktn1c86EFmMzVcdOTL0WsrttKdYbpIqeGpcfmZEv403Is1hj0COpFxN7pzUd5X22_XrFGYGfE0QJCgrwPx2Czspf2HcbLAwmxtTJgX_-K_d09uIXuQRT7U0Y5a1PbbTZP-po/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA2MjQuanBn%3F=-753779"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1JlTSn0ktn1c86EFmMzVcdOTL0WsrttKdYbpIqeGpcfmZEv403Is1hj0COpFxN7pzUd5X22_XrFGYGfE0QJCgrwPx2Czspf2HcbLAwmxtTJgX_-K_d09uIXuQRT7U0Y5a1PbbTZP-po/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA2MjQuanBn%3F=-753779" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509194726714922466" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c09e8ZibRUTsUGqd3nqccL13e545uPT0Xbx2P0nfJFI-u8onYo30HB7eD_hyG1i6qoVIzMx-zYdBoViJ37prLO_C3AnbHhzU-Vg0V1aigsy7pisZwSZzpFhJsCsbNGiBWHA40kmo_Lw/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA1ODkuanBn%3F=-756973"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c09e8ZibRUTsUGqd3nqccL13e545uPT0Xbx2P0nfJFI-u8onYo30HB7eD_hyG1i6qoVIzMx-zYdBoViJ37prLO_C3AnbHhzU-Vg0V1aigsy7pisZwSZzpFhJsCsbNGiBWHA40kmo_Lw/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA1ODkuanBn%3F=-756973" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509194741456171794" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-7dnhI6JPI5quxR7-OcYfxUdEClHtvSEDJ409M_w7C1Z8pFK0KVai9nuMQXWVr1I4B1Bgu0Lt1cD07MJQhFmcTg8o2GF5HR2TIiWlaK_g9YNcwIwsFlvHz35uZurSBHYh9Z2h_WWprQ/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA1OTEuanBn%3F=-760013"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-7dnhI6JPI5quxR7-OcYfxUdEClHtvSEDJ409M_w7C1Z8pFK0KVai9nuMQXWVr1I4B1Bgu0Lt1cD07MJQhFmcTg8o2GF5HR2TIiWlaK_g9YNcwIwsFlvHz35uZurSBHYh9Z2h_WWprQ/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA1OTEuanBn%3F=-760013" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509194754060676834" /></a></p>I am such a blog slacker. I have had A LOT on my plate the past few months, that is a whole post in it's own coming later.... <br>Today was a milestone for Quentin; his first day of Kindergarten. <br>First let me say I was nervous for today, for so many reasons beyond the fact that today he became an official member of the Class of 2023.....WOW!!<br>Our Journey to this epic first day began last spring when we met with the school principal to go over what Quentin's needs would be, so he would be just like ALL the other kids! I was impressed during our meetings and was excited to see the stools and modifications that we and the school suggested to help make our guy successful and feel welcome! <br>Last week we met Ms. Dudley who will be shaping our little scholars mind in the next few months! This was also our opportunity to see the stools and steps they had made for Quentin. I was beyond excited and pleased with the quality and love that went into making these items. They completely exceeded my expectations!<br>They made a foot rest that attaches to his chair for the classroom, computer lab and lunch room, stools for the sinks and toilets, and a step so that he can reach the Smart Board during his turn for board work. They are also lowering a swing on the playground for him! <br>So the big day was today!This morning I was anxious and had a stomach ache; Quentin on the other hand was cheerful and ready for school! We walked to school and he was at least 5 steps ahead of us, telling us to hurry up the whole time...we got to school and because some parents lingered too long last year parents were not allowed to take the Kinders to their classrooms - which was where I thought I would lose it...I held it together as he lined up with his class and after the bell rang waved to me and said see ya later. <br>At 3:30 we picked him up and he was so excited and talking a non-stop about his day! <br>I have to laugh because at breakfast we were talking about homework, when we got home he asked if it was time to do his homework. I said you don't have any tonight, he started crying...I will remind him of this when the complaints about doing homework begin! <br>Other than that he had a great day and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds!!
<br>Sent from my BlackBerry®Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-66136629384822723322010-06-12T07:20:00.000-07:002010-06-12T07:21:10.302-07:00T Ball<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_fZEDi36JTdqPA_DQDVT-JAp_e_qqPQb_syzPU_zhVoIQbT6R7l5nx78IR9vqGhbWmUJKthyw2yRKIGubbDzgX2nN1pPfGOL9ckI64bBfFNtjd82uQ83lmTrL2zlcYlwr8Z95SlJsAk/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjcuanBn%3F=-770303"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_fZEDi36JTdqPA_DQDVT-JAp_e_qqPQb_syzPU_zhVoIQbT6R7l5nx78IR9vqGhbWmUJKthyw2yRKIGubbDzgX2nN1pPfGOL9ckI64bBfFNtjd82uQ83lmTrL2zlcYlwr8Z95SlJsAk/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjcuanBn%3F=-770303" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481892117069960626" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DNzDocG70n3svdGsy8yfFOfg_smLk1AqSfbSvq_9ubVZz7_Yx6K94bZXBaCCfVhwjoD-EAuQvawfqOA57vlPySPKHrI1JbQmJCavNm_kFavv8BYpVMABTcgqU2JuSBBTFYJnm4UrGoE/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjAuanBn%3F=-771855"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DNzDocG70n3svdGsy8yfFOfg_smLk1AqSfbSvq_9ubVZz7_Yx6K94bZXBaCCfVhwjoD-EAuQvawfqOA57vlPySPKHrI1JbQmJCavNm_kFavv8BYpVMABTcgqU2JuSBBTFYJnm4UrGoE/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjAuanBn%3F=-771855" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481892124599303266" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAfj6LsGGHSSFS-IvPaSJuTrUh44UTjL8eiVzlAeOKlQQkdZlHlNZmAl4TuemhX77wbmJ7KHBWV6bEA6ZMPFcmSSQ2XBwMrCgTflYFyhwK6atq9WnnbByfF63_h5nkblXge9KRQsy5tU/s1600/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjYuanBn%3F=-773417"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAfj6LsGGHSSFS-IvPaSJuTrUh44UTjL8eiVzlAeOKlQQkdZlHlNZmAl4TuemhX77wbmJ7KHBWV6bEA6ZMPFcmSSQ2XBwMrCgTflYFyhwK6atq9WnnbByfF63_h5nkblXge9KRQsy5tU/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjYuanBn%3F=-773417" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481892130097035778" /></a></p>This summer Quentin decided he wanted to play T-ball! I thought this would be perfect for him to run off some energy in the evenings.
<br>He is having so much fun and I am really enjoying watching him!
<br>I forget however the size difference in my 5 1/2 year old compared to his peers, until he is around them. In true Quentin fashion he has gained the respect from all his peers, and one child on his team even "stuck" up for Quentin when another team's player was picking on him....pretty cool for 5 year olds!!!
<br>Enjoy the pictures and I hope that everyone is having a good summer so far!
<br>Sent from my BlackBerry®Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-29108737520668160472010-04-02T12:08:00.000-07:002010-04-02T12:50:20.776-07:00APRIL FOOLS...<div><div><div>Yesterday was April Fools..I remember as a little girl my grandmother would do little jokes and make the day fun! I thought this year I would also try to pull a prank on my family!<br /></div><div>I sent out invitations for the First Annual Wacky Dinner...I invited my brother and his girlfriend and my mom. The invites went out a week in a half before the dinner and boy did I get a bunch of questions from the family what are we having for dinner....my response was "it is a surprise" I added an evil sounding laugh.</div><div><br />When everyone arrived I had Menu cards on the table in the spots.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t3n4PQx7PeaJTSDzlcDW6JXLzt8oQruNm30vCXpFwgcasXa6ASS7tPfvk7Yn2dais1vYTGj-HR8S37mLCV5gYnSWzCREa-cSR-wy_TWma5aDLfvSPF9z3W_1_Sfq_p0wFSRbM2FQZGM/s1600/menu.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628105294674066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t3n4PQx7PeaJTSDzlcDW6JXLzt8oQruNm30vCXpFwgcasXa6ASS7tPfvk7Yn2dais1vYTGj-HR8S37mLCV5gYnSWzCREa-cSR-wy_TWma5aDLfvSPF9z3W_1_Sfq_p0wFSRbM2FQZGM/s200/menu.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The first course was a garden salad with wild greens, mandarin oranges and crispy sweet peas (nothing wacky about this) </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWwcB_wuLtRCO723NSKxqgCboPqqE8WlaNeQG3e1Q6QXXRNdcm-24PAWkQqcNWNWwSuvQR_2LlXO4ohB1wkAeKHjuTrm6JLjNjQ2xfZUzo3NwooDz0w-yr-HXpTss4ZH6Zqi4LYBnz-k/s1600/salas.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628250705130370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWwcB_wuLtRCO723NSKxqgCboPqqE8WlaNeQG3e1Q6QXXRNdcm-24PAWkQqcNWNWwSuvQR_2LlXO4ohB1wkAeKHjuTrm6JLjNjQ2xfZUzo3NwooDz0w-yr-HXpTss4ZH6Zqi4LYBnz-k/s200/salas.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>The second course was Cupcakes...as soon as I put the cake plate with the cupcakes on the table Adrianna was pointing and saying cup cakes...she was very excited...Quentin was the first one to have a cupcake he choose one with green frosting...he tasted <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">the</span> frosting and said it was "play <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">doh</span>" I said no it wasn't...then <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Adri</span> had a one with pink frosting....Jasmine and my mom were next....my mom's first reaction was "Hope Diane, why on earth would you serve play <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">doh</span>" I was cracking up by this time, no one realized that the cupcake was meatloaf with mashed potato frosting.....when I told them it was not play <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">doh</span> and to try the cupcake an up roar of laughter came from the dining room when they realized I had tricked them!!! I yelled APRIL FOOLS!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly I can't believe I pulled it off...like they couldn't smell the meatloaf when they walked in the house..<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">LMAO</span>!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXsN_UN3WjaKUopXhlhsVTyom3oMCOzzfeWJzO5iKKCmrviUkHRxCpyqNZ_ysxGTE5FYeOmvLceZcjOOU7xLPd5RREM9d72SDtGpF1aIJMzRxdS6RdzFVlX3F1hKYyvKNE3z8l4GHxKs/s1600/cupcakes.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628429329846226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXsN_UN3WjaKUopXhlhsVTyom3oMCOzzfeWJzO5iKKCmrviUkHRxCpyqNZ_ysxGTE5FYeOmvLceZcjOOU7xLPd5RREM9d72SDtGpF1aIJMzRxdS6RdzFVlX3F1hKYyvKNE3z8l4GHxKs/s200/cupcakes.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>For Dessert I served Fish Sticks with BBQ sauce and Peas - obviously after the cupcake course they were onto my prank nonetheless I still <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">proceeded</span> and served my Fish Sticks. The sticks were made using sugar wafers, peanut butter and cornflakes..the peas were made using taffy (they were hard a rock by the time it was time to eat them) the BBQ sauce was seedless strawberry jam warmed in the microwave!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdib0hzcjb1FnSj36yCFuKFLzSMqas47bX0pVE1M0z9GAgMAJ4TdzAyZKRsth8Tz7ZwMw3msr9j1Zly8ypYJqKCE5xZnjgpptRwJu60N2Sf1BRJX11pVuOhZqnPzPit2PMG6E4FuHRIOk/s1600/fishsticks.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628857992615634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdib0hzcjb1FnSj36yCFuKFLzSMqas47bX0pVE1M0z9GAgMAJ4TdzAyZKRsth8Tz7ZwMw3msr9j1Zly8ypYJqKCE5xZnjgpptRwJu60N2Sf1BRJX11pVuOhZqnPzPit2PMG6E4FuHRIOk/s200/fishsticks.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>I have already decided that I am going to take the day off next year so that I can prepare another wacky dinner and have some fun games to go along with the dinner. </div><div> </div><div>Did anyone else do a wacky dinner or pull pranks?<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-66117398095761088772010-04-01T16:08:00.000-07:002010-04-01T16:27:42.484-07:00It's been awhile..I KNOW I KNOW...OK so I am not doing well on my resolution for 2010 of blogging more....<br /><br />I do have some exciting news to share with everyone. Tomorrow I will be closing the chapter in my life titled <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">NEA</span>-Alaska Health Plan - it is my last day of employment for the plan. I actually started looking for a new job in December after a situation <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occured</span> that I did not agree with the way it was handled. I also decided that I wanted to be in a place that had a chance for advancement. I found the perfect position sent in my resume and they called me the very next day - when they contacted me they told me the position was temporary with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">possibility</span> of becoming permanent. I had to decline because I need to have full time permanent employment as I have two young children.<br />They seemed disappointed as was I, however they did ask if they could keep my resume and call me if they had something else come up. I said that would be fine, and in the back of my mind was thinking that I would not hear from them.<br />I was getting discouraged during this time because looking for a job sucks - even though I had a job I submitted my resume to several companies and no hits. I was beginning to think that I would be at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">NEA</span> for the rest of my life.<br />Then it happened, it was the end of February when my phone rang, when I answered it was the company that I had applied with in December (I WAS TURNING INSIDE OUT) they now had added a full time position which was the same title that I applied for, was I still interested? YES!!!<br />So began the process of being a candidate for this position!!<br />I met them during a lunch meeting to go over the position and job duties....then came the background check...this was about a 2 week process...those of you who know me know that I am NOT PATIENT or good at WAITING....it was driving me nuts.<br />In the meantime I had a training that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">NEA</span> was sending me to in San Jose California, I had a great time but in the back of my mind was thinking about the other job, and if they were going to call.<br />I didn't need to wait much longer when I returned home the call that I had been waiting came...I was offered the job!!!! Monday I will start in my new position as a Benefits Specialist at Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ASRC</span>), a native corporation.<br /><br />There are more changes to come for my family in 2010 - as they happen I will share with my blogging family.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-64248079724175961372010-03-11T09:38:00.000-08:002010-03-11T09:38:26.266-08:00Choose & Cruise Sweepstakes<a href="http://weather.promo.eprize.com/cruise">Choose & Cruise Sweepstakes</a>: "UR chance 2 Choose & Win a Disney Cruise vacation for 4 at http://bit.ly/9ngT81 - NO PURCHASE/PAYMENT NEEDED. Register today!"Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-50075163377177393202010-03-04T15:04:00.001-08:002010-03-04T15:04:14.117-08:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI2Nzc*Mzc2NjU2NiZwdD*xMjY3NzQzODQ4NjM5JnA9MTg5MzEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MSZvPWQ5NmEwZGNhNzAwNzQy/MzBiYWY2MmNhMmIxM2I*YjNhJm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="width:370px; background:#000000;"><embed style="width:370px; height:310px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://contest.shutterfly.com/swf/entrynew.swf?v=2&sc=ns&url=http://contest.shutterfly.com/entries/entrydetailswebservice/186938&domain=contest.shutterfly.com&fontcol=#D90319" > </embed><div style="background:#000; text-align:center;"><a href="http://contest.shutterfly.com/votes/vote/186938/0/love_it"><img src="http://contest.shutterfly.com/img//ht/vfm.gif" alt="Vote for me!" border="0"></a></div><div style="background:#FFFFFF; height:30px; border:1px solid #000;"><a href="http://contest.shutterfly.com"><img src="http://contest.shutterfly.com/img//ht/ht.jpg" style="float:left;" border="0" /></a><a href="http://contest.shutterfly.com/pages/shutterfly/rules" style="padding:8px 3px 0px 0px; float:right; font:normal 8pt arial; color:#D90319; text-decoration:none;">Contest details</a></div></div><img src="http://contest.shutterfly.com/contests/logit" />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-74763396211726137002010-03-01T14:44:00.000-08:002010-03-01T14:50:33.455-08:00What do you think?I love easy, quick, healthy, family and budget friendly recipes to make for my family. I usually menu out the whole month and then do one HUGE trip to Sam's Club for the meat and stuff that can go in the pantry then get the fresh stuff twice a month as needed for meals.<br /><br />I also enjoy trying new things as I find that we get in a rut with making the samethings...anyone else have this issue?<br /><br />SO I have shared quite a few recipes on Facebook and through emails with various friends, I was thinking about putting them together as a cookbook. So let me know what you think if you would be interested in sharing recipes and then having a book with them all together?<br /><br />When I was pregnant with Adrianna I was on a babycenter group of other women who were all due at the sametime and we exchanged recipes - I have a lot of keepers from that exchange...<br /><br />OK let me know...sounds like a fun project to take on!!<br /><br />Talk to you all soon!<br /><br />OH email me your recipes if you want..I will start compiling and see what we come up with!!!<br /><br /><a href="mailto:hopechavez76@gmail.com">hopechavez76@gmail.com</a>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-57010335964677914382010-01-15T13:17:00.000-08:002010-01-15T13:23:58.526-08:00MOTHER OF YEAR - RIGHT HERE!Ok so it is only the 15th day of 2010 but I am pretty sure that I have clinched the title in the running for Mother of the Year: (NOT)<br /><br />RING (the phone ringing)<br />caller id says STARBRIGHT (Quentin's School)<br /><br />Hope: "NEA Health Plan"<br />Missy: "Hope?"<br />Hope: "Yes"<br />Missy: "It's Missy from Starbright, I have to tell you because you don't know and this is the second day in a row."<br />My thoughts were holy crap what has Quentin done? she continues:<br />"The bread that you have made his sandwiches on the past two days is MOLDY"<br /><br />Hope: red face and speechless "OMG - I am so embarrassed, I had no idea."<br />Missy: "not a big deal but I wanted to call you so you could throw that bread away.. and don't worry I am making him a new sandwich"<br /><br />I just don't even know how I am going to show my face when I pick him up today......YIKES!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-48061494170588458652010-01-13T16:36:00.000-08:002010-01-13T16:46:50.275-08:00A Little Piece of Holland....Welcome to Holland - By Emily Perl Kingsley<br /><br />I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......<br /><br />When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.<br />After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go.<br /><br />Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."<br />"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."<br />But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.<br /><br />The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.<br /><br />So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.<br /><br />It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that<br /><br />Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.<br /><br />But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."<br /><br />And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.<br /><br />But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thought this was beautiful and really describes how I felt when we learned that Quentin was going to be a LP. Before I actually met my "Holland" however the moment my eyes met with his I knew GOD had made the right "flight change" and I would enjoy "Holland" for the rest of my life and not look back at what "Italy" could have offered.Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-85631616219181086592010-01-11T15:36:00.000-08:002010-01-11T17:00:11.895-08:00Christmas 2009I can't beleive that it has taken me this long to post the Christmas pictures - here they are!<br /><br />We had a great Christmas this year. Christmas Eve we spent at my mom's house she made an excellent dinner of turkey, ham and all the fixings. After dinner we played the game <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">Apples to Apples </a>which was super fun! We opened our traditional gifts from my mom, every year since I can remember she has given us an ornament that we open on Christmas Eve, then it was time for cookies and we watched a little bit of "A Christmas Story" my brother's favorite movie.<br /><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>When we got home it was time to leave the cookies and milk for Santa, Quentin fell asleep in the car on the way home so I just put out the milk and cookie for Santa - Sorry Rudolph no carrot this year.</div><div><br />I had the joy of putting together a Kitchen for Adri from Santa since he doesn't wrap his gifts when he comes to our house - it was a must to put the kitchen together. I realized after looking at the pictures that I didn't get any of the damn kitchen....LORD.<br /></div><div>I (I mean Santa) filled the stockings and to bed I went around 1 AM, I knew it would be a short sleep I was sure that Quentin would be up EARLY....<br /></div><div>Quentin woke up at 7:30 not too bad, and thank goodness not much later as my mom and Ryan and Jasmine were coming over at 8 am for presents and breakfast.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcpGknuWr0ZYVzDyu5RQmAE_S8Y-FzCyIuNlx44foFu8ymrVg0erkrhN51RR65DAk2hYDwnbKxc66c5-3tNj9P1Bp9DGVlsVs_n8Nv5WxRqtMnXPlJcFXzPeQI7FvkICTgCnomQkp_MU/s1600-h/xmas3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425637850903680562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcpGknuWr0ZYVzDyu5RQmAE_S8Y-FzCyIuNlx44foFu8ymrVg0erkrhN51RR65DAk2hYDwnbKxc66c5-3tNj9P1Bp9DGVlsVs_n8Nv5WxRqtMnXPlJcFXzPeQI7FvkICTgCnomQkp_MU/s200/xmas3.jpg" /></a>Quentin went through his stocking as I made some much needed coffee....he got some art supplies and a few pairs of Batman socks in his stocking. The Batman socks were a must as he only told Jingles our Elf on the Shelf (like he was testing the poor little elf) thank goodness I overheard him make this request - PHEW!<br /><br />Quentin had asked for only one thing from Santa and that was a DS - I (I mean Santa) had placed the DS and a couple games on a side table away from the stockings, it took him a few minutes to locate the gift but he was so surprised when he did....I love his face! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUmspcDthWOOSEVyoCghyAnJGDr_P6SrCPScwmWcNhygNpb6UEozUHslw2IHTShiIdM59G19TIv-uZmM9AzNxjLPZkG7MK46WAPmMDEf9YO3BRiaoVFiSPv5iRCeAoObE2HkmicsN0J4/s1600-h/xmas4.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425638439632232754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUmspcDthWOOSEVyoCghyAnJGDr_P6SrCPScwmWcNhygNpb6UEozUHslw2IHTShiIdM59G19TIv-uZmM9AzNxjLPZkG7MK46WAPmMDEf9YO3BRiaoVFiSPv5iRCeAoObE2HkmicsN0J4/s200/xmas4.jpg" /></a></div><div>I thought it was interesting that Quentin didn't seem to notice the cookies and milk that we had left for Santa, although when Adri woke up at 8 she went through her stocking which contained a FOO FA (from YO Gabba Gabba) doll and some bath toys and a toothbrush, she went right over to the plate where the left over cookie was and had a little before breakfast snack....it should also be mentioned that she didn't even notice her new kitchen....SHEESH!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKdKbOOtaDO-nq45NBS_tHl195BZK3t0t4uM6e-5sUS6UYwFBNUASxZc1Umkj4YjXLo4nZyDvk8cOY-DiQq0DeQiuXcJ2_b8ErzB-o0NnUL3RzgO94m-H4RaVWQGFmHUDetepvgSFMiA/s1600-h/xmas5.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425638977940025362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKdKbOOtaDO-nq45NBS_tHl195BZK3t0t4uM6e-5sUS6UYwFBNUASxZc1Umkj4YjXLo4nZyDvk8cOY-DiQq0DeQiuXcJ2_b8ErzB-o0NnUL3RzgO94m-H4RaVWQGFmHUDetepvgSFMiA/s200/xmas5.jpg" /></a><br />The kids recevied many nice gifts from friends and family - I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends who remember my kids!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3yY0wBjse5JCeeijV_MEH_VA7uzswDxew4uSqifhxpVZC6DPGSa5KAj3NRIC_ygEXv-iwh-zSExYMJb9IsbS8Jc_Ql9OIMfhwkDBKZpPL9u3ZlXr73-rRcn-jwfkZrlYcY26X3yeUzw/s1600-h/xmas7.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425639742217074370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3yY0wBjse5JCeeijV_MEH_VA7uzswDxew4uSqifhxpVZC6DPGSa5KAj3NRIC_ygEXv-iwh-zSExYMJb9IsbS8Jc_Ql9OIMfhwkDBKZpPL9u3ZlXr73-rRcn-jwfkZrlYcY26X3yeUzw/s200/xmas7.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBN-WN_BTRa6Vew_CAAiiZCusFutDupxPmbvGUPlNy8Hn84lZ1cqzcwKbRizygfBvaZ63NHQNJesHTUCtdY13eA2QZjIlJ9nmVDFqlueeZcRCFMnhFGuPzHPn7cqi3HSF6dWLKhIith8/s1600-h/xmas11.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425639763963532642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBN-WN_BTRa6Vew_CAAiiZCusFutDupxPmbvGUPlNy8Hn84lZ1cqzcwKbRizygfBvaZ63NHQNJesHTUCtdY13eA2QZjIlJ9nmVDFqlueeZcRCFMnhFGuPzHPn7cqi3HSF6dWLKhIith8/s200/xmas11.jpg" /></a></div><div>After the presents were opened <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-french-toast-casserole-with-maple-syrup-recipe2/index.html">breakfast</a> was ready so we ate and then it was time to "<a href="http://www.germansteins.com/Tradition_German_Pickle.html">find the pickle</a>" (DIRTY MINDS remember this is a family blog) so we play as a whole family, usually I am the one who hides the pickle and then everyone looks for it, the first one to find the pickle gets an extra gift - usually a gift card with a $20 value! Ryan, my brother suggested that he handle the pickle this year he was in charge of getting the gift card and hiding the ornament, so that I could particpate this year....GUESS what I WON!!!! You can see how happy I was, even more the gift card was for Target!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWslro7BtvAlnFAoZNDb_3bwl4Q1jKO8O_X1DlKuiDuLsCiFB8OxDYC4XDZ97Q2yT1PQ8tiTcPn2VU3pfde02FyUJmhJPHS-Fb5ekgrQwCFQ6C7fw2lKOhhI-RcxCGkZ04glgxDAcqixY/s1600-h/xmas13.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 60px; HEIGHT: 60px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425646212795096002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWslro7BtvAlnFAoZNDb_3bwl4Q1jKO8O_X1DlKuiDuLsCiFB8OxDYC4XDZ97Q2yT1PQ8tiTcPn2VU3pfde02FyUJmhJPHS-Fb5ekgrQwCFQ6C7fw2lKOhhI-RcxCGkZ04glgxDAcqixY/s200/xmas13.jpg" /></a> (not sure why this picture is so little - I need to replace maybe - maybe not then you can't fully see my bed head!)</div><div></div><div>The most surprising gift was for the whole family and from my mom - she got us a Wii! This was such a surprise as I had made a deal with my mom that she should not get us a Christmas gift, that we didn't need anything and Christmas is about the kids....well she did not listen....we have needless to say already had so much fun with the Wii!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuJowgwnWNhpafgWPuv8UUiXm0CpM1f2STo3NOj18cUNeRJOALy9V0B-HU-vVQGKatHL81fXuL7Ah3wBCZzNFUdyL4IjmkjYWN9yMnZJCL7w-Tjts0mJx6KZPHdY8tvHUSqeH5q1hGho/s1600-h/xmas12.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425646969473493026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuJowgwnWNhpafgWPuv8UUiXm0CpM1f2STo3NOj18cUNeRJOALy9V0B-HU-vVQGKatHL81fXuL7Ah3wBCZzNFUdyL4IjmkjYWN9yMnZJCL7w-Tjts0mJx6KZPHdY8tvHUSqeH5q1hGho/s200/xmas12.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div>I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and were surrounded by loved ones!<br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-26403897755594429412010-01-11T15:28:00.000-08:002010-01-11T15:36:44.699-08:00I think that I am hooked -Thanks to my friend <a href="http://redmcfred.blogspot.com/">Kate </a>I am hooked on this <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">lady</a>!! I went to Barnes and Noble and looked through the whole Cookbook section, and of course they were sold out....BOO!<br />I ordered a copy of her cookbook and am waiting each day with bated breathe for my phone to ring to alert me that my cookbook has arrived.<br /><br />I am totally enjoying the website and although I haven't used one of the recipes yet I can already tell that I have gained a couple pounds....LOL!!<br /><br />I will keep you all posted - thank goodness!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649136754099903135.post-49747280444239893672010-01-09T13:10:00.000-08:002010-01-09T13:14:17.319-08:00English Muffin pizza IMG00543.jpg<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVr3niSG_4jaXgfjns6AmK2X_PG3-y71tRB3ikxGegzoY38q60GtjUkPz-J8vlXRTPw06qv7r_CgNy-eBo91R28KDbriRgpptQwdkeoq713v0m14vr0wyvGTFJWyn-y8CEFPtDygakhME/s1600-h/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA1NDMuanBn%3F=-757320"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVr3niSG_4jaXgfjns6AmK2X_PG3-y71tRB3ikxGegzoY38q60GtjUkPz-J8vlXRTPw06qv7r_CgNy-eBo91R28KDbriRgpptQwdkeoq713v0m14vr0wyvGTFJWyn-y8CEFPtDygakhME/s320/=%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDA1NDMuanBn%3F=-757320" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424851460695808338" /></a></p>This has got to be the easiest way to make pizza...
<br>Quentin loves pizza and would eat it everyday if I let him. He also likes to "help" which can get messy...
<br>We had a movie night a few weeks ago and I made English Muffin Pizzas.....perfect size for little ones and affordable to make.
<br>Take an English muffin cut in half put a spoon of sauce then cheese and your favorite topping, put in the oven for about 10 minutes at 450 degrees....
<br>Was thinking that this would be a quick and easy idea for those times when Quentin has a friend over for dinner...the kids would have fun and there would be little cleanup for the mama!
<br>Sent from my BlackBerry®Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04231213337238807645noreply@blogger.com0