How Girly Am I? Apparently not very...

I am 40% Girly

According to the results of this blogthings quiz, I am a pretty hardcore tomboy, and a very free spirit. Gender roles be damned, I like to do things my way. (As opposed to people who don't like to do things their way - huh?)

How Girly Are You?

I used to be A LOT more girly...hey, what can I say? I have boys! My poor husband...

Check out some of the quiz names from the blogthings website. Who thinks of this stuff - a 13 year old girl? Are you a spicy chica? Are you pregnant? What does your latte say about you? What kind of panties are you? Ok, I might have to take that one.

Boys and their Toys

Adam just came out of the bathroom, flashed me and said, "I'm Underwear Boy and I have Pee Power!" I have to admit that I sometimes find myself thinking, "I wish I had one of those".

Let's talk about God

After the last few shallow posts, I'm ready to test the waters with some deeper content. I'd like to start by posing a question that Adam keeps asking. I haven't been able to provide a satisfactory answer ("I don't know" doesn't cut it with him.) I'm hoping that one of you can help me out. I bet my PK (preacher's kid) friend, Cheri, will have a good answer!

Adam: If God loves everybody, then does he love Satan?

One of Adam's hobbies is to think up great ways to torture his arch enemy, Satan. When he gets on a roll, it's pretty hysterical and I bet he has Satan shaking in his boots!

Seriously, if anybody has a good answer for Adam, please post it in the Comments. I think I fixed my blog so that anybody can comment now and you don't have to be a member of blogger. If you post as "Anonymous", be sure to sign your name, that is, if you want me to know who you are.

Yesterday, I visited a blog website where a book was mentioned. I immediately went to half.com and bought it. It's called, "Letters From a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles with His Father's Questions about Christianity" by Gregory A. Boyd. The reviews on Amazon are great and I can't wait to read it. I tend to be such a non-questioning (ignorant?) believer that sometimes when I am faced with a question about my beliefs, I feel very uncomfortable answering. I don't want to feel that way and I don't want to keep saying, "I don't know". I want to be able to bear witness about my Saviour in a more convincing fashion, perhaps even in a way that gets others excited about the possibility of learning more. Once I get a chance to read the book, I'll let you know what I think.

Another book I ordered, but have not yet received is, "Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot" by Max Lucado. Typing that reminds me I need to do a post about the origins of the title of my blog, and no, it's not from this book, but the title of this book definitely caught my attention because of my family's own special meaning for the term "Sweet Spot". I promise to post more about that later, but for now, I need to go play with my monkey.

Hot Border Sauce NEWSFLASH

I went to lunch at Taco Bell today, big surprise. The orange packets and witty sayings have been replaced. The marketing geniuses at TB decided we want to see PURPLE packaging. And, instead of witty sayings that hardly ever fail to make me smile, there is now a cheesy website on the packet that directs you to Taco Bell's latest contest...very lame indeed. This will, in no way, affect my minimum quota of 1x per week lunchtime visits, but it really diminishes the "coolness" factor of Taco Bell.

These are a few of my favorite things (I mean foods)

This started out as a copycat post about my favorite things (thanks for the idea Megan), but since I'm hungry, as I so often am, it evolved into a post about my favorite foods instead.

Enchiritos from Taco Bell. Taco Bell stopped making these a few years back and I wish somebody had video taped my reaction the first time I ordered one and was told they weren't serving them anymore. Sad, I know. It was truly a cause for celebration when they brought back the Enchirito, although the recipe is a little bit different now. By the way, you may have noticed, but probably not, that the olives are missing from the enchirito in this picture. A good enchirito has 3 slices of black olive on top and a really good enchirito has sour cream on it.

Taco Bell's Hot Sauce (the kind in the orange packet, not the red one and not the yellow one). I have always loved Taco Bell's hot sauce. Now that the packets have witty sayings on them ("Make a Wish", "Can I Drive?", "Ketchup, Puh-lease!"), I love it even more.

Ok, so I pretty much love almost everything on the menu at Taco Bell. When I was a kid and my Mom would tell me we could go anywhere I wanted for my birthday dinner, I'm sure it was an endless source of frustration to her that I would choose Taco Bell. And, not that this has anything to do with Taco Bell, but one year I told her I wanted an orange cake with orange frosting (remember that Mom?). I wish I could post a picture of that cake. My Mom put orange slice candies on the top as decoration. Thanks for that rockin' cake Mom!

I just thought of another Taco Bell story. When I was a college student at NAU (Northern Arizona University), there was a Subway next door to the Taco Bell. Subway delivered to the dorm, and as you might have guessed, Taco Bell did not deliver. I called Subway and offered the guy an extra $5 if he would deliver Taco Bell to us in the dorm. I wish I could end this story by saying he agreed and my craving was satisfied, but apparently he didn't need the extra money. Any other rabid Taco Bell fanatics out there?

Vlasic Kosher Dill Spear Pickles - One time my Dad mailed a jar of these pickles to me, from California to Arizona. Thanks Dad for the pickles and the memory that always makes me smile!

Dr. Pepper - I don't drink this anymore with my new healthy (a.k.a. miserable) lifestyle. Sometimes I really miss it. Yes, I have tried Diet Dr. Pepper. No, it does not satisfy my urges. I HATE diet soda!

The shrimp & chip platter at Pete's Fish & Chips, strawberry limeades from Sonic, salsa at Freddy's La Cabana, Doritos, Flaming Hot Cheetos...AHH, I'm so hungry!!

This post is turning out to be a form of self-torture. I have to go eat now!

Max

This is one of my furry friends, Max. He is a 1.5 year old Cocker Spaniel/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix. Can you believe that the actual term for this mix is Cockalier - is that a crack-up or what?!! Max came to live with us after an unfortunate incident with a rescue dog which, if I relayed the story in its entirety, would convince you that I am not 100% "on" my rocker. Most people question my sanity when they find out that we have 3 dogs and 1 cat. My story about Sammy, the rescue dog, usually convinces them of what they already suspected. Yes, I am completely nuts and no, I don't recommend this lifestyle for the fainthearted, compulsively clean or even most sane people!

Obviously, I am a big animal lover. Willie indulges me in this passion, despite the fact that it requires him to drag the steam cleaner out way more often than he would like. I'm still working on a post about my super cool youngest son, Adam, and it might seem off-balance to post about my dog before I post about my son, but hey, I'm following my creative energies here!

Max is truly a boy's best friend. He is snuggly, soft, loveable, entertaining, and full of personality. Just one of the many funny things Max does is steal water bottles (full, half-full or empty) and chew them up. We have to be careful to not leave our water bottles out on the coffee table or Max will claim them. This morning, he discovered a whole flat of small water bottles in our laundry room and every time I turned around, he was trotting around with one in his mouth.

Who does Adam look like?

Who does Jacob look like?

Sequoia vs. MDX - Enter your vote now!

Beloved 2000 Toyota Sienna Minivan

Toyota Sequoia

Acura MDX

I do not make car-buying decisions lightly. I've been a vehicle owner for close to 22 years and during that time, I have only had 4 cars. I drive vehicles until they are dead or near dead.

My first car, at the ripe old age of 16, was a red 1982 Ford Mustang. As much as I absolutely loved that car, it taught me why some people refer to Ford as "Found On Road Dead". However, I did not give up on that fast and fun car until I was 22. My next mode of transportation was a cute dark grey 1992 Toyota pick-up truck, my first and only brand-new vehicle. When I got pregnant with Jacob at age 28, Willie and I decided I needed something a little more family-friendly and we purchased a champagne colored 1996 Toyota Avalon. In 2002, while I was pregnant with Adam, we bought a REALLY family-friendly car - our current and beloved silver spruce 2000 Toyota Sienna minivan.

I truly love my minivan. It has been an amazingly reliable and consistent friend, delivering us safely for over 6 years now to exotic and wondrous places like Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico, Ruidoso, NM, hospital emergency rooms, soccer & baseball games, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Sonic...oh, excuse me, can you tell I'm hungry?!!

Anyway, the time is approaching when I will have to bid farewell to the green machine. First and foremost on my eligibility list this time around is no more minivan. While it's been grand, I'm ready for something new, different and dare I say, FUN!!

Let me know what you think by voting (poll is on the right side of your screen). Am I an MDX or a Sequoia kind of girl?

Valentine's Day - My Family Rocks!

Wanna see what my boys and my hubby were doing while I was having a good time in Phoenix without them? The super cute Cupid house on the left was constructed by Jacob. In the picture below this one, you can see my favorite part of the house! The beautiful heart tree was painted by none other than Adam! Notice the green hearts (his favorite color!).

I couldn't leave Willie out of this little love fest...The gorgeous flowers were from him. I know that flowers on Valentine's Day aren't original and you're probably thinking, why post about that? Didn't a lot of people get flowers yesterday?!! Well, you know what? Maybe a lot of people got flowers, but I don't know if they appreciated them as much as I did!

Thanks honey (if you ever read this, that is)!!

Star Student

Jacob was the Star Student in his class at school a few weeks ago. Part of that honor includes being put in the "hot seat", where your classmates each give you a compliment. Some of my favorites were:

• You are good at gymnastics.
• You are a very fast runner.
• You are athletic.
• You are the best friend I've ever had.
• You are extremely nice.
• You are very good at math.
• You have beautiful handwriting.
• You are good at six-base kickball.
• You are a good soccer player.
• You are very helpful.
• You are a fantastic artist.
• You are definitely smart.
• You are polite and respectful.
• I like the way you dress. (Is that a crack up or what?!!)
• You don't interrupt the class.
• You take pride in everything you do. (That's from his teacher.)

Can you see why I might be a little proud? I thought I'd add a few things to the list...

You are a great big brother.

You are a great baseball player

(sorry, I couln't find a good picture).

You are an animal lover

and in return,

animals love you.

You are a great fisherman.

I can't believe you even bait your own hooks!

You are adventurous.


You very coordinated and
have lots of upper body strength.

Stay tuned for a post about the other Star Student in my life...

Want a blog makeover?

Shauna at "See My Designs" http://www.seemydesigns.blogspot.com/ is doing another drawing for a blog makeover. She's getting very good at them and they normally cost $15 so leave a comment on her website if you want her to "Pimp Your Blog" for FREE!!

Moms in minivans don't get pulled over for speeding.

I have lots of stories to tell about my fun weekend in Phoenix. In an effort not to neglect my children and in hopes of working through the mountain of laundry after being gone for 3 days, I'll probably spread the stories out over the next week or so, but here's the one I've decided to start with. When I went to pick up my cheap compact rental car on Friday evening, I was starting to feel a little spunky. After all, I'm looking at 3 days without my kids in a warm climate AND I'm going to a bachelorette party! So, when the guy at the counter asked me if, for an additional $10/day, I'd like a sporty little convertible, the answer was not just, "yes", it was more like, "YES!".

As the weekend passed, I joked with people about how I am having to be very careful not to speed because people in red sports cars get pulled over all the time for speeding, unlike Moms in minivans. I even bragged to a few people about how you can go 100 m.p.h. in a minivan and still not get pulled over. I'm not going to tell you whether I know that from personal experience.

Have you ever heard that expression, "What goes around, comes around?"...

Imagine, if you will, the humiliation of being pulled over and ticketed for speeding, directly across the street from your place of employment. And, of course that place of employment would happen to the be the ultra conservative school district. Then, take it another step further and imagine that your boss sits in front of the window and has a great view of you sheepishly signing for the aforementioned speeding ticket. Yep, that was me this morning, on my first day back to work, less than 24 hours after returning that pretty little red sports car! At least I can proudly say that it's my first speeding ticket in the minivan and I've been driving it for over 6 years.

My Baby Sister is Getting Married

My baby sister, Sarah, is getting married in April. This weekend I am in Phoenix for her bridal shower and bachelorette party. More to say about that later, but for now, here are a couple of pictures from the festivities.

I'm such a loser!

If you've known me for a long time, but haven't seen me lately, you might have noticed that I've put on a few love pounds from looking at the Groundhog Run 5k picture. I call them love pounds, not for the reason you might think (pregnancies resulting in 2 gorgeous baby boys), but because I LOVE food. Yeah, I have a few problems with self-control and willpower. But, I'm here to tell you, that is soon to be a problem of the past!

I started the new year determined to exercise, eat healthier, improve my overall health and hopefully lose a few pounds along the way. I've made this same resolution, time and time again, only to lose about 5 pounds before completely falling back to my old ways. That is why I have kept this to myself - UNTIL NOW!!

Last night I began my 6th week of Weight Watchers and although I was somewhat disappointed not to hit the "10" mark, I am very happy to report that so far, I have lost 9.4 pounds!! I have also been exercising somewhat regularly with a fitness trainer and today we took my measurements. I have lost a total of 5 inches and my body fat percentage is down by 2%! I'm not telling you this because I'm looking for pats on the back; in fact, I'm a little bit nervous about putting this out here. I still have many pounds and inches to go. I'm putting this out here to make me more accountable. If I know that some of you are watching and waiting to see how I do (and hopefully cheering me on), I'll be motivated to continue living my healthier lifestyle so that I can give another glowing report in about a month.

Now I have a confession to make. The picture above my "About Me" section is way old - I bet that some of you already knew that! I couldn't find any recent pix that I was willing to post. Stay tuned and hopefully that will change soon...

Bettle Juice Update

I've had a couple inquiries about how Adam's beetle juice treatment is working out. I wasn't going to include this picture because I didn't want to gross people out, but hey, what's a little grossing out amongst friends?

As you can see, the second treatment did in fact, result in a blister. A GIANT blister that is about 2-3 times the size of the wart! Luckily it is not directly on the sole of his foot so Adam isn't bothered too much by it. The doctor's office told me to just leave it alone and not pop or drain it unless it was bothering him. That's some pretty powerful imagery, isn't it? Sorry, I warned you this would be gross!

Look at this Aimee...it's a signature thing!!!
Love, Shauna

Check it out!

I won the contest for a free blog makeover!! What do you think? At first I wasn't too sure about the pin-up girls, but then I saw what Shauna did with them, I said, "That's for me!" 2008 is my year to take better care of myself so the pin-up girls seem to fit right in with that theme. While I definitely want to share fun stories about my boys and my family, this blog is really MY outlet to share, vent, commiserate, ramble on about nothing in particular, etc., etc. as I see fit.

I hope you like the new look. If you want to see what Shauna can design for you, go visit her at http://www.seemydesigns.blogspot.com/

Blog Makeover Contest

For my friends with blogs (or friends who want to start a blog), you need to visit Shauna's website: http://www.seemydesigns.blogspot.com/ before noon today and enter her contest for a free blog makeover!!

Rental Cars

My kids love rental cars and hotel rooms. Today I am driving a rental car because my van is in the shop getting new front brakes. When I picked Adam up from preschool, he jumped in all excited and said, "This car is nice. It doesn't even have any crumbs!". My poor crumby van...

How You Live

Yesterday I heard the greatest song on the radio called, "How You Live" by Point of Grace. I added it to the playlist for my blog and it's supposed to be the first song you hear, but it's not working at the moment. Hopefully I'll get it figured out. I think I'm going to adopt it as my theme song!

Willie is at a baseball coach's clinic all day today. I can't tell you how much more it makes me love my husband that he wants to coach their sports teams. He is a great Dad. My kids and I are truly blessed...I started to say lucky, but the truth is that we are blessed.

My boys are out riding bikes and playing with their friends in the cul-de-sac. I love that our computer room is at the front of the house, with a window overlooking the cul-de-sac. They always look so surprised when I pop out to intervene when there's trouble. Little do they know, I see EVERYTHING!!