Tales of a Tenth Grade Nothing

Remember when I talked about re-connecting with old friends via facebook? Well, these pictures have come to haunt me.

A photo of me (on the right) with a fellow-pommie, Heather. Heather is married to her HS sweetheart (thank God I didn't marry mine!) & is a teacher too. That purse to the left, yah, that's mine. I had neat stuff like that back then. PS The person on the right?: wig or hat??

This would be the Homecoming Dance my sophomore year. (I'm on the left, next to the supplier of these photos, my Pommies "Big Sis", Jenni). And Mom, did you approve that dress? (wish someone hadn't approved that hair!)

Days Gone By

How ironic that yesterday I posted about how busy we are... and now I'm about to share about my latest fun on FaceBook.
Don't judge me.

I have been resurrecting photos to share with my re-connected friends, some from Kindergarten! And why not share them with you too...

this one has really brought some peeps out of the woodwork. front row center, mom, about those shoes...why? why??

the year of the hair (top row center)

and with my 2 h.s. BFFs.

scary hairy

and here (I think 1992?) i was really going through a love with hairbands.

I'd like to act all embarrassed, like the styles then were so hideous. But now, they've all come back. Making me feel OLD.

Pretend It's 11/11/2008

you know, the real first day of preschool.

Tuesday, 11/18, Momma asked the two littles to stand beside each other for the photo.

Gabe didn't want to.

Flynn insisted.

Gabe was mad.

Momma takes Gabe's photo with his backpack on.

Gabe says, "Me do this."

Momma takes Gabe's photo at his new school

Gabe says, "Me do this" & did something odd with his hands.

Momma takes Flynn's photo.

She stands beside one of the teachers who is filling out a birthday card for her.

This is Flynn's first day at her new preschool, 10/11/08.

She wore her milk allergy tee.

And if she isn't the picture of a preschooler...with her cockeyed doggy ears & her chapped lips.

Greetings From Sunny California

My body is in shock, enjoying the sun & weather in the 80's...then an airplane's trip later, my toes are frozen & my heat is cranking.
Did you know that in my sister's area, no one even has a/c or heat? How nice would that be on the electric bill? Of course, what you save on that, you are spending on everything else.
My computer had a virus & while I was out of town, Jeff & our good neighbor-friend & computer guru cleared off the computer & I don't have any photo editing installed right now. So, these photos are huge & straight-from-the-camera, but I couldn't wait any longer to share some.

This could possibly be my favorite sightseeing place of the trip.

Carmel. The beach is gorgeous, no wonder all the stars own a home there on the coast.

Such a diverse landscaping...
red plants, rough sparkly rocks, large kelp washed ashore,
huge cliffy rocks, big cold waves, fog & mist....

Papa was a designated Flynn-carrier.

The Fab Five taking in the sites (& later getting soaked by a wave).

My 4th of 5th time to the west coast & its beauty awes me everytime.


The Mission at Carmel.
A church built in the 1700s.

Flynn had a huge audience for all her flips & somersaults.

Left to right:

Nessa, KK, Hannah, & Flynn

Aunt Gi won't be here for Flynn's celebration this year. And since we were with Gi on her bday, she & Flynn made a cake for them, as well as Uncle Dan whose bday is the day before Gi's.

Flynn loved putting everything in and on the cake that she wanted (sprinkles, sparkles, you name it).

These are at the beach in Santa Cruz. It was the boardwalk, the one you always see in tv shows (roller coaster & sky travellers on the coast). But cold & the water was freezing. Flynn is used to the white powdery beaches that she plops down & builds a sandcastle at.

What a fun trip. And a great opportunity for Flynn - to not only see "her girls" but to see a different part of the country. And her first airplane ride! (pics on that later)

Thanks Aunt Gi for the fun vacation! We are counting down the days til we see you on Christmas!

Birthday Eve: A bday interview & Contest at the End

So, this is my BIRTHDAY EVE & I think it's only fitting to pay tribute to, um, eh, I guess myself, with a birthday interview.

I interviewed my mom last year, so I will interview someone who looks like her. None other than my BF & sis.

Some of this will be boresville to some of you, but this blog is all about documenting memories for the sake of my children & their children. I thought these questions would not only make me laugh to hear Angie's replies but would also be neat for my kiddos to read someday.

• Do you remember when M & D told you they were pregnant? I remember when Mom & Dad sat us down at the kitchen table to tell us the news that you were on the way. They had us start guessing what we thought they were going to tell us.....I think we were saying things like, "a new refrigerator, washer/dryer, new car, etc." I am pretty sure we were extremely surprised and happy that we had a baby brother or 'stister' on the way. And yes, Gabe, Aunt Gi had problems saying a couple of words too....so don't worry.

• Do you remember where you stayed when mom was in hosp delivering me? I think, but am not sure, that Alice came and stayed with us. We had school, and of course, we didn't get to miss. I was and still am a worrier by trade, so my entire 7 and 8 yr old time span was filled with worries if Momma and you were going to be okay and healthy.
  
• Do you remember the day they brought me home from hospital? I remember you were dressed in a pretty little yellow outfit...I think it was a dress set. You were SO cute.....tiny, petite, looked like a little doll. And I couldn't wait to get to hold you.
  
• I can't not think about the memory of me eating/destroying your Geo Washing bio creation you worked so hard on. Do you remember that? Okay, that has been a sore-spot for many years now. haha I worked SO hard and LONG, you see I was the slow-poke that Zitzman yelled at in art. Anyway, I was so proud of the George Picture....but I was also so excited to run to the bedroom and see you, that when I got to you, I carelessly laid it down too close to your exploring, 6 mo old fingers and mouth. When Mom discovered you, the picture had been sucked on, crinkled, and was beyond recognition!
  
• When did I cross the bridge from annoying sissy to friend? (or have I not crossed the bridge yet? ;) Hmm, let me see.....we actually fought right up until I married. That seems hard to comprehend, doesn't it? However, those times were kinda when we got too rough with wrestling and picking at each other, and then one of us would get mad and it would escalate into a fight. I would say you gradually quit irritating me when you saw I was 'cool' and you wanted me to drive your little self to the pool, to the mall, and let you borrow clothes and accessories. So probably age-wise I was 20 and you were 12.
  
• Do you remember how many kleenexes I used at your wedding? Are we counting boxes or individual tissues? :-)
  
• Did it get on your nerves to have a sibling so much younger? Let's see....I guess you want me to be honest....yes you got on my nerves at times! Especially when I was in the 7th grade and into boys! You would get on the other phone line while I was chatting with guys and would spy. I would threaten you to hang up and of course you wouldn't listen. Then it would heat up and I would say something mean, you would then get off and go tattle. And then Mom would make me get off the phone and sometimes ground me.
  
• Do you remember when you threw that bowl of (baby) cereal at me? Who? Me?
  
• Do either of my kids remind you of me when I was little? Actually both of your kiddos remind me of you in certain ways. Flynn looks like you and her actions are very similar to your's. I heard all about the drama production she wrote and produced last month....and it reminded me of you and how you and Jeremy would put on dramas/circuses, etc. Gabe has always reminded me of you....I know his skin & hair color is different, but he has a look in his eyes that resembles you.
  
• What's your fondest memory of growing up w/ a sister? There are SO many wonderful memories...a sister is one of the best things Mom & Dad ever did for me. It's really tough to narrow down the places in my heart that mean so much when I reflect. I think back to all the fun times we had 'tormenting' Dad with our physical and verbal tauntings, emotionally abusing the ice cream man (you were cynical even at such a young age). I remember taking you to get your license (Mom got mad if I remember correctly); that was exciting. Honing in on a particular memory, I would say my favorite one is decorating the Christmas tree each year with you. We loved digging out the old handmaid ornaments, stringing real popcorn to make garland, while listening to the holiday albums on the old stereo.
  
• Do you remember when you dared me to run around the house (in front of John Robertson, who in my memory, somewhat resembled Trey Ames), IN MY SUPERWOMAN UNDEROOS? YES, I remember. Why did I do that? Especially since he & I liked each other....why would I do that to him and you? I'd probably be thrown in juvie hall today if I did that. Not to mention, I would be so mad at Mattie if she made KK do that.

• Would you please come home...Forever? Well, I will be home for Christmas.....and I doubt I will live in California forever! Maybe when we retire we will be neighbors.....we can go to garage sales and buy for our grandkids! I miss you too Sis. You are the best sister and friend anyone could have. And of course you win the world's "BEST AUNT" award hands-down. My girls are so blessed to have Aunt MeMe. Happy Birthday....we love you!

Now, since it's my party & I can give away prizes if I want to....well, that's what I'll do.

And since I get lots of compliments on the MUSIC I have on my blog. That's what I will give away.

I think I'll go random drawing again. So, leave a comment & tell me your favorite color. That will be your entry. Whomever gets chosen by random integer will receive, via mail, a CD compiled by DJ Jazzy Mix'Amy. And I promise you will likey.

Now, it's time to go get my paintin' duds on again. Happy Friday!

*Contest Ends Sunday!*

3 Years Ago...

This:

was about to become this:

Happy almost birthday to my baby boy, Gabe

and to Baby Jack.

School Days...

First day (of 2nd year) of Preschool...

Next year, my baby going to kindergarten...

it's going to be harder than I thought.

Party Harty

Because it's not everyday that you turn THREE.
And get a pinata.
And are sung to by the people who love you.

And have your Mom stick your train on a cake.
It's not everyday that you get your very own Spiderman costume!

Or get to play at a GYNORMOUS train table...
with all your best friends....

Or make a handprint on the wall of all places...

and fall asleep, holding a brand new toy...

only on the days that you turn THREE.

AUGUST FIELD TRIP: The Magic House

Daddy & his kids head out from 'the house' to 'the beach':

Awesome sandcastle!:

Excited about a shell full of fossils:
Gabe is allll business about his sandplay:

"Mazed & Confused":
Water-licious:
"Safe" (pretend) ice cream cones & pizzas:
Smart shoppers:Air pressure:
It's magnetic!
"The" famous (3-story) slide:
Gabe, not too sure: