Vibrant and Carefree

I got off of work an hour early today...just in time to see a new purchase of my hubby's (which I can't divulge quite yet). Not a half hour later Steve and I were sitting in the back seat of a friends truck staring down at the BIGGEST scorpion I have ever seen...and I've seen a few in my time. Went to Sonic where I ordered a Coke Zero (still not quite accustomed to the taste) and a Diet Water for the hubby. We had breakfast for dinner (which is always one of my favs). I tried Creme Brulee for the first time tonight..quite tasty...I really wanted more but I didn't want to bully the kid that was eating the last of it...I should have...but I decided to be nice. We had the most awesome of storms tonight...it reminded me of the produce section at Safeway (except this was REAL thunder). Just before the storm, when the wind started to kick in, hubby and I headed to Sarinah's for a quick visit. We drove. And don't ask me why but I sat in the back of the truck. I just had this desire to. I sat on the wheel well, closed my eyes, and let the cool wind blow thru my hair. I felt young again. Vibrant and Carefree!! And then it ended..and reality hit. Man, I wish Sarinah lived further away!!

basking

Today, I think I'll...
make a fruit smoothie for breakfast...
which by the way, my recipe is SO much better than Jamba Juice,
I'll work from 4-230, I'll do some laundry on my lunch and breaks,
take my kids to the library when I'm off,
make chicken tacos for dinner,
go to my monthly Bunco gathering this evening,
come home, wrap my arms around my hubby, read the kids their nightly story and
bask in this wonderful life I'm living!!
(now tomorrow may be a different story)

I resolve to

Here I am on this 1st day of the first month of the new decade trying to come up with some sensible resolutions. I usually do pretty well...til about March. So tonight as I sit here listening to my hubby snore, I resolve to:

~go to bed earlier...especially on school nights...by midnight for sure.

~drink less soda (to help w/ prior resolution) and eventually wean myself from my daily addiction.

~drink more water...it does a body good

~read at least 8 books this year...I know that doesn't sound like a lot to some but for me it's plenty...I read 6 last year and was feeling quite accomplished and rather "smart".

~and finally, to blog at least 4 times a week...even if it is rambling that no one but myself cares about.

And you...How many books did you read last year? You thought I was going to ask what your resolution was, didn't you?

My party

Wow!! It's been a while since I blogged last. I have been rather busy. This whole working out of the home thing is still throwing me for a loop!! My poor kids grades are suffering and I know that has to do with my not being here to help them. Scouts and Sports practice is missed more than it is attended because I'm at work and they just don't remember. Jared played a whole season of flag football including the playoffs and I made it to 1 game. I haven't been to church in forever because I have only had 1 Sunday off since I started working there in early August and no Saturdays off. I'm totally hating it!! Yes, I'm just feeling sorry for myself. And as my hubby would say...Thanks for attending my pity party!! Even if you didn't RSVP.

2 best friends

Today at work I was craving popcorn ALL DAY. I go thru these spurts when I just REALLY, REALLY, want it and this week I've been in one of those spurts. You see, we have one of those old fashioned air poppers and it really does make THE BEST popcorn. Of course, after I make popcorn, my kids always want to be my best friend...until the bowls empty. Then they could care less about me or what I'm eating. So after work today, I came home and popped me a BIG, FAT, bowl of air popped popcorn with real butter drizzled on top. As all the chitlins gathered around, I realized how I kinda miss them when I'm gone. The way they all have to tell me something really important right when someone else starts talking...yeah...I totally miss them and their eagerness to chat with me. As I popped open my can of Coke and poured it in my glass the following conversation occurred:

Jarom - mama, can I have a drink?

Me - what?! You want some of my Coke?! Are you crazy?!

Jarom - Pleeeeeaaaassseee!! I'll be your best friend.

Me - you'll be my best friend?! Well then of course you can have some.

2 or 3 minutes go by

Jarom - Mom, can I have 2 drinks of your soda? I'll be TWO best friends (raising his eyebrows and smiling ever so intently at me)!

And then I realized how much I REALLY miss them when I'm gone.

Cracked me up!!

So, as most of you know, I am a facebooker too. I love it. Have found so many old friends and many people have found me. It's always fun to find someone after so many years and see whats new in their lives and vice versa. Thank goodness I've never gotten any negative comments written about me because let me tell you...back in the day, I had my moments!! But the following came awfully close!! By no means did I take offense or was I bothered by it...it just CRACKED ME UP!! In case you have a hard time following, let me give you a brief scenario. An old friend (i think) looked me up and apparently found me. This is the correspondence that we have had thus far.
copied and pasted from Facebook
Hi Julie. Its Patty, remember me. Farb Middle School. Just curious if you do remember and what you been up to. Im not sure if we were good friends. I know we were on and off, but i just dont remember. Hope your life has been good. You still look the same.

August 16 at 1:46pm
Hi Patricia!! I do remember you!! And you look just the same too!! We were good friends in 7th grade and then I moved. But I think we were good friends. I remember hanging out with you ALOT. How have you been? Where do you live now? Kids? How many? I want to hear all about you. I live in Phoenix now, married with 5 kids. for the full detail of my life you should visit my blog...I write in there always!! Anyways, I can't wait to hear from you. Julie www.wrightmylifeaway.blogspot.com


Hi, julie, nice to hear from you. I just got facebook, i was trying to locate heidi, which i did about 5yrs ago, but she moved and lost all her info, so we lost touch for years, til now. i found her name by accident. Im doing ok, in live in Northern california. i have 2kids. 13 and 16yrs. My husbands name is Sid, my 13yr old is Corbin, and my 16yr old is Vanessa, she's graduating high school this year. Very stressful and scary. The picture of me in my profile, is my daughter. I do remember you moved, to be honest with you, i felt happy, because you werent very nice sometimes(only sometimes) But we were kids. I did however wonder about you afterwards. we did used to hang out alot, and when we did, it was great. we just had a lot of influences by other people. Being a young kid is hard and its the best at the same time. im glad you did write back, i cant believe you have five kids. they are all very cute. Hope your parents are doing well, how are your brothers? email me back soon. i liked your blog, im not very good with them, and thats a matter of fact that i have a degree in computers...go figure!!!! Patty

Is that not the funniest thing?! She told me!! Guess I was a brat after all. So sorry Patty!! I swear I'm really nice now. I think all of my blogging friends will agree.
Just thought I'd share.

for the birds

I straighten my hair every morning.

I put on makeup every day.

I am sooo tired!

My feet hurt really bad (spoken like Napolean Dynamite)!

I have to dress up.

I can't wear flip flops!

I wear the same thing every day (black or white shirt and black or khaki pants).

I miss volleyball practice some mornings.

I miss scouts some afternoons.

This working stuff is for the birds and it's waaaaaaayyyy overrated!!

This and that

This...

is one of the many reasons we love having mom in town. Can you say SCRUMPTIOUS?!

That...is my 30 year old cousin with my 12 year old daughter. Is she tiny or what? She paid me a surprise visit 2 Sundays ago...made my day!!

This...

is Jarom and Steph in the windstorm earlier this week...it was all Jarom could do to keep his eyes open.

That...is how hard the wind was blowing!! Look at her hair...crazy!

And this... is just a cuter pic of her in that same windstorm. She's growing up way too fast!

Minivan Mama

For many years I was a minivan mama. I got my first minivan back in 1999 and I drove one up until December 2008. I started with the Ford Windstar and liked it so much I bought another one. Then in 2006 I switched over to the Honda Odyssey...the cadillac of minivans!! I loved it. Often times I was teased by my close friends for actually wanting to drive a minivan. I was never embarassed and never, ever did I feel like I had to drive an SUV because everyone else had one. And then we were forced to downsize to just 1 vehicle (which is a whole other topic) and the vehicle that we ended up keeping was the one that was paid for. In our case that was a full size truck. I feel it is very comparable in size to an SUV. Now, since we're both jobless I don't feel like we drive too often but yesterday while sitting at QT filling up yet again I thought to myself "I am so sick of spending money on gas...especially for this guzzler!!" First of all, I feel no "cooler" because I'm not driving a minivan and secondly, who the heck wants to spend this much in gas just because it's a "cooler" vehicle than a minivan? NOT ME!!!
I can't wait to be a minivan mama again someday.

stuff

So we went and bought freezer filler stuff. I bought tons of frozen veges, meat, bacon, waffles, you know, freezer stuff and yes, hubby bought TONS of ice cream. So I guess we both won that war.
I bought a new book tonight...My sisters keeper. Has anyone read it yet? I hear its great. I am almost done with book 4 of the Twilight series and will jump right into this new book. Don't know what I will read after that so if you have any suggestions please let me know.
Went out to eat with Art and Jana tonight. We met at SomeBurros and chit chatted over dinner. While I love getting together with them, I feel we do all the talking. Jana just sits there and studies my every word...just looking for something that I might say or do wrong so that she can blog about it and make me the laughing stock of her blog cause that's how Jana rolls...and Art just waits for me to say the wrong thing so he can make a big fat joke about it and he and my hubby can laugh at me. So I decided on my way home tonight that the next time they decide to grace us with their presence I will let them do all the talking while I study Jana, giggle and raise an eyebrow at some of her comments every so often...you know, to make her feel "nervous".
Actually, I really love Art and Jana. They're great peeps. She always acts so amused at my stories. She laughs at my jokes and makes me feel really "important". And Art's great...he's one of those "yes, dear" type of guys and boy, he can make us laugh...even in all of his seriousness, he makes us laugh.

Today

Today:
~I slept in til 8
~I dressed my kids in their Sunday best...and I must say...they are some dang good lookin kids!
~I went to the temple to get sealed to my hubby and kids...something I choose not to discuss on the World wide web tonight..but it was glorious!!
~I saw some old friends who graced me with their presence at our sealing...I love old friends!!
~I was pleasantly surprised to see new friends there...and that is what they are...friends.
~I had 2 cokes...that always makes me happy
~I went to the Holsum bread store and Superstition Ranch Market and am now wondering what I will do with the 7 loaves of bread and 3 pounds of Raw honey I bought
~I ate cherries for dinner - thats all...just cherries
~I watched Bolt 3 times
~I went to bed with a smile on my face...a great BIG smile!!

my life

Thursday - mom got here
Friday- Hubby left (for way too long)
Saturday - football all morning, swimming all afternoon
Sunday - ER all day, dinner with mom, dogs got out and had to chase them down the street
Monday - Aunt got here and will be staying with me for the next week...we have a language barrier...she no speaka da English and I no speaka da Spanish...this should be fun!!
Tomorrow - mom leaves

Hope to be back in the blogging world after she's gone...see you then!!

If my man read my blog

If my man read my blog he would be pleased to read this:
Hi my love,
You haven't even been gone 16 hours and I totally miss you. After I dropped you off today I rushed home to take Jared to football. But before we left I had to bag all the halftime grapes, make sure your kids looked presentable and not like they just rolled out of bed, and make sure all the drinks and snacks were in the car and not left on the counter as you know I've done in times past. I really missed you at Jareds game because I didn't have you there telling me that we just made a good play. So, instead, I waited until everyone around me was cheering and then I would yell at the top of my lungs and act like I knew what was going on. It worked out great. Noone suspected that I had no idea what the heck I was yelling about. Then we came home and I made crazy bread and pizza for the kids. Our neighbors didn't come out today which made it nice. I got to sit outside without having the urge to tell someone off. It was a good day.
I'm exhausted though. Who knew that when you're home it really does make a difference. Even you just keeping Jarom for me when I run to Wal-Mart is a big help. This draggin' him everywhere with me is for the birds!! Alright, I gots to go!! My big king sized bed is calling my name and Jarom and I get it all to ourselves!! Work hard so you can be home for Easter!! Love you large and miss you more!!
Woman
PS. I took Josh to get that bike today and the girl who sold it to us thought I was his sister...made my day!! Gotta love young motherhood!

But since he doesn't read my blog, you guys get to hear all about my day and how much I miss my love. I hope you didn't mind.

blah blah blah-g

It seems I'm in a blah-ging funk lateley. As much as I want to share my thoughts and opinions with others I just can't fit the time in lately nor can I figure out what to write when I sit down at this desk.
Mine is an event filled life. With 5 kids and hubby that acts like one my life is never boring. However lately, the exciting events in my life have been out of their control.
We'll start first with a piece of mail that I received on my birthday. From the window of the envelope it appeared this piece of mail was a check. "Noone owes me money" I thought to myself as I eagerly tore this envelope open with high hopes. Sure enough, there was a check in the envelope written out to me in the amount of $187 and some change. This check was from my insurance company and the letter attached simply stated that back in 2003 I paid a deductible to have my car repaired when I was hit by non other than an uninsured motorist. Well, 6 years later, they collected all monies from this chump and gave me my cut. Awesome!! I had totally even forgotten I paid that deductible.
That weekend, on Sunday, I told the kids the house needed to be spotless at ALL times. "I have a funny feeling your dad's going to surprise us this week and come home without telling us he's on his way" I told them. Sure enough, late that night, or shall I say early Monday morning he walked thru the door. The kids were so happy to find him here when they got up.
The following Monday, which was this past Monday, I receive another piece of mail. Only this time, it did not appear to be a check. It appeared to be some sort of a complaint against me as I saw what read "complaint # and complaint date". I was just as eager to open this one as I am short fused and wanted to know who's house I should egg (lol...just kidding...wait, no I'm not). Upon opening this envelope I found that my neighbors (anonymous of course) made a complaint because my dogs are "always barking". Ever so pissed, I called animal control. I was told that they were told my dogs bark late at night and that they are often left unattended. "This is false" I told her. My dogs sleep in the house every night. They are brought in at 9 and not let out until 8. One of the dogs (who we already received a complaint on) wears a shock collar all day. Which I, by the way, think is torture. Turns out it is the same neighbor that made the last complaint and pretty much, in the city of Mesa, if your dog barks even once and your neighbors don't like it, they can complain. So, if the jerks complain again, I will be fined up to $2500 and if I can't afford to pay it or refuse I will be imprisoned for up to 6 months. And since I will not pay it because my neighbor is a jerk I am hoping that you will all come and visit me in tent city....Please?!? Tell me you'll be there!! Tell me you'll visit me!!
Lastly, the Santa Rita Senoritas (my softball team) kicked bootie this week at our first ever softball game. Thats right...we won 24-2. Then when another team didn't show up for the next game we were asked to play another game so that the team that did show up would get to play. Yeah, we beat them too...11-5!! So, I am making a plea...we need a cheering squad....we need fans!! Please come and watch us!! I promise we will keep you entertained!!! Last game, we had 2 women fall and I freaked out over a bug in the field so the 3rd baseman had to come kill it for me...the 4 fans that were there loved all this excitement. Pupupuplease come!!

thats what life is all about

Went to the old hood today. Was quite a somber feeling. Though I have grown to love this new hood of mine and all of the wonderful people here the memories I have in that old one are many. As I drove by our old house, I thought about the day I walked thru the front door with our brand new baby (Jarom), all of the kids filled with excitement to finally have him home. I remembered the many springs where I was colorfully welcomed by my freshly planted flowers. Memories of my kids playing outside...boys chasing the girls, girls screaming, parents ignoring them. The many times we chased our dog up and down that street (having to stop traffic on Guadalupe a few times). The excitement and hopes we had for the future when we added that 3rd driveway, extended my front patio and had the block wall built. The pranks we let our kids play on our crazy neighbors and the wonderful ward!! Oh, the wonderful ward...our kids grew up together!! They played baseball together, took dance classes together, went camping together, vacationed together, even took trips with the bishop and his family...they did everything together!! That bond and friendship, for my kids especially, is what is greatly missed. It took a while to get those relationships though and I know we will have them again here.
A couple of weekends ago my kids were swimming with some kids from our new ward. As I sat in the living room of our neighbor and watched them all play out in the pool I thought to myself how the other kids were so lucky to have eachother for they, too, have all grown up together. They were all so comfortable with eachother. For a minute, I felt sad for my kids...for they are the new kids on the block but you know what? They are not treated like that at all. They have been accepted into this circle of friends as though they have lived here all their lives too. They are as comfortable as the other kids are with eachother. And I am as comfortable with their parents as I was in the other hood. And here, just like there, we are already making memories...memories that will last a lifetime!! Change...that's what life is all about. Guess it isn't so bad after all.

all my happenings

It's been a while since I last posted. I have been so extremely busy.

First, Jared started flag football. He's never played flag before. He did tackle last fall and didn't really like it so we decided on flag this year. He loves it!!
Second, I started playing softball with the RS. Yeah, we're awesome!! At least, in our eyes, we are. And thats all that really matters....right?
Third, my parents have been in town. I love when my parents come to town. That familiar scent of coffee brewing in the air, laundry always going and Mexican food cooking on the stove. Just reminds me of when I was a kid. And what a sweet childhood I had.
And last, my dear sweet hubby is out of town...has been for a while now...will be for a while longer. and oh, how lonely I am!!...Even with ALL the chitlins running around.

Yesterdays Travels

Yesterday I awoke shortly after 5am. Justin and Jareds football games were in Lakeside, AZ and we had to be there by 10:30. I figured if I left by 6 this would get me there in time. I'd never been to Lakeside but was told that depending on which I went it would be anywhere from 3-4 hours to get there. I decided to travel the shorter route which is thru Globe and the Salt River Canyon. Beautiful drive but very scary!! I had never been on such a winding road. I must admit it scared me a bit (especially driving home in the pitch black!!).
As I drove thru Globe, I thought of my friend Jana. She is from Globe (at least I think she is). I told the kids "this is where Jana is from". They were all excited because they knew someone that was actually from that little "hole in the wall". As I drove thru the town I wondered what it must be like to grow up in a place like that...No mall, no choice in grocery stores, no Wal-Mart, no Target, no Starbucks on every corner. Where do they go on Black Friday? How do these people function? What kind of torture is this! This lifestyle should be outlawed!
I am a military brat. I grew up in San Diego. I can honestly say that other than 4 years in my childhood (13-17) I have always been a "city girl". I have spent my life in San Diego, San Antonio and Phoenix. I mean, I have always lived in a city with a sports team. We've always had a zoo to visit. I frequented malls whenever I wanted. I ate in fancy restaraunts. If and when we needed a specialty store of any kind, there was one at our disposal. I could go to a major store every day if I needed to.
How, oh how, did Jana (or her mother) ever survive this life in a small town? No wonder she got out when she could! What kind of a life was this for anyone?
But then, I thought, maybe it is I who missed out on the great life. All of the things you can get in a big city and not in Globe are material. I was never able to look up and see the stars in the pitch black night sky. I couldn't run around aimlessly for hours without my parents fearing for my safety. And today, my children can't run around alone either. I never fell asleep to the soothing sound of nature. We never knew the satisfaction of walking into the store and knowing the cashier or actually knowing the people you're waving at as you drive by eachother. Just the small town feeling of familiarity is something I never knew. I never learned how to wait for anything (as far as having to go to town for something). It was all right there at my fingertips. Maybe it is I who was deprived as a child, maybe it is I who hasn't lived at all!!

Just another day

Today I:
~drove Justin to school and he told me a funny story about some kid who fell out of a tree
~called my mom just to tell her I love her
~called my dad to ask him why he yelled at me 23 years ago when I called him "dude"
~stopped 2 police officers and asked them if my hubby could legally shoot someone with a paintball gun if we caught them in the act of breaking into our truck...we will catch them!!
~talked to an NFL player...no one special but none-the-less
~made bratwursts
~wondered if I should tell Jana how I really feel about politics and the presidential candidates...I don't like to share that info or discuss it because when people don't see things my way I get really mad!! Then I want to hit 'em :) j/k
~tucked my kids into bed...Steph pointed out the star that she wishes on every night...she said ever since she started wishing on that star all of her wishes come true. I told her that I would wish on it tonight and my wish would be for her room to be spotless tomorrow...We'll see if that star is as miraculous as she thinks!! Then I tucked Jared in and he said the Vicks wasn't working because he still couldn't breathe through one nostril and he would be really mad if he had to miss school tomorrow.
Just another day in the Wright Life...and I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Today...My life's so exciting!!

~I didn't do any laundry...I'll regret it tomorrow
~I didn't go to football...I'll never regret that
~I went to visit Jaroms old babysitter who is getting ready to move to CO
~I went to lunch with my hubby..nothing special, just Arbys
~I talked to my best friend in CA...she just had a root canal
~I talked to my mama...they were getting ready to eat. I said I would call back later when they weren't eating
~I called back and talked to my daddy..they were eating ice cream...notice a trend here? They're always eating!!
~I went to Wal-Mart for Dog Food, shampoo, man soap and deodorant
~I talked to Jodi..someone I've only met once and never hung out with but would like to. She is really cool and we seem to have a lot in common.
~Justin said family prayer and it was great...it came from the heart.