Changes aplenty

Hey Everyone,

How do you like the new look? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Nostalgia

DICLAIMER: THESE PHOTOS ARE TAKEN FROM MY T.V. SCREEN - NOT FROM THE INTERNET WHICH WOULD PROBABLY BE A LITTLE MORE LEGAL. VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK.

I may be blogging from "internet jail" for posting these pictures. I don't know the legalities of pictures but I did try to find this segment from Oprah on YouTube and couldn't so I just posted my pics.

Anyway, I happened to be in my room yesterday and the TV was on (suprise!) and who happened to be on Oprah? Only my favs from childhood, Donny and Marie! How many of you remember sitting around the TV on Friday nights watching them banter and sing? Oh, the glory days!

So, here is Marie, beautiful and trim as ever singing "Paper Roses" (another personal oldie favorite of mine).

Donny singing "Puppy Love". Oh, how I loved that song. I still have it on my Iphone. Well, I think I transferred it.
And the finale of "She's a little big country - He's a little bit rock and roll". Oh my.

Then they brought out over 100 Osmonds. Donny and Marie's parents had 9 children, they had 55 (those nine did) and now there are 48 grands (actually to Olive and Virgil - the parents - I guess they'd be great-grands) and still counting. I think one of the 55 said there would be 3 more by the time the show aired. Wow! And y'all think I have alot of children.

Anyway, it was a lovely reflective time. I remember sitting in my grandparents living room floor watching that show on many a Friday night. I don't know where Mom was, she must have been out partying to leave me at my Nonnie and Opper's house that often. OK, probably I begged to go over there but I like the idea of my mom out partying better - it's WAY funnier. Then the Sonny and Cher Show would come on...and immediately, the channel would change. Cher was just a bit too...too...I guess "much" would be the word for my grandparents. You know, showing all that bare midriff and all. Ah, the good ol' days.

So if you see bars on the blog for awhile, you know the I-net police came and got me. Someone sneak me in some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups during my incarceration, please!

Blog Party

OK, well, I'm not sure what I'm getting into...but I'm joining the Ultimate Blog Party of '08.

I've always wanted readers to find my blog (without me sending out an e-mail and asking you to go read my newest post (which by the way, there's another new post under this one!).

So, my friend (in real-life and bloggy-life) Elaine whose blog you can catch here alerted me to this Ultimate Blog Party. So, in an attempt to gain new readers and find new blogs that I may like to read everyday I am joining the party! I probably won't do the balloons like she did (I hate the way they sound, feel, mess up the house) but I will use it as an excuse to party hardy all week long!

Here's the invite to the party if you'd like to join us...



I hear there are party gifts and everything so what the hey? I'm going to go party till my socks fall off, oh wait, they're already off. OK, until my pants come off....oh wait...just kiddin', I'm dressed.

And if any of you are new readers, please leave a comment. If you know where to go to "dress up" my blog, please let me know. I feel it's very plain vanilla and I am SO all about the chocolate or orange sherbet or fudge brownie swirl, or well, you get the idea.

So, all you faithful readers, look for some changes in the coming days or maybe weeks. Who knows how long it will take.

Anyway, hope you join me for the party!

I will attempt to introduce myself to the new readers of my blog:

I am a SAHM of 3 girls. I also have two big boys, one who lives on his own (successfully!) and one who lives in Washington State with his father. He's very into the theatre (stage productions) and is a lovely young man. The oldest son works with my husband and has a lovely girlfriend and it's wonderful having him here, close.

My girls are 9,7 and 2. The two-year-old is potty training (can I get a woohoo?) and is doing fantastic at it. The 7 year old is generating quite the buzz on the soccer field and the dance studio and the 9 year old? She's started a blog. Oh yeah. Can I be prouder? Now, if I can just get her to update it...I digress...

Some of my favorite things are: my family, the Texas Rangers - hey, it's about to be a new season and new dreams can be dreamt - Oscar Night, opening day of baseball (at the Ballpark in Arlington), watching the new stadium for the Cowboys go up, chocolate (especially Reese's Peanut Butter Cups), Sonic Dr. Pepper amid a host of other yummy things.

I started this blog because I enjoy writing about things my family does. I wanted to "put it down somewhere" where my family - near and far - could also enjoy the escapades of this wacky family. Sometimes, things happen and all I can think of is I'll be so happy to share this with the world. However, my "world" is pretty much my family and friends and my family's friends. So, with this Ultimate Blog Party I hope to gain some new readers. Please come in a stay awhile. Take a load off and read some of the antics of my little family. The stories you read here? They're all true.

So, since they're giving the stuff away...and I need to list my prize preferences...well, I just will!

I am really into bags and I enjoy cookbooks (just the books, not the cooking! - OK, I enjoy cooking sometimes, too) I would like to win prize #100 offered by Jill Norwood.

I really would like a blog make-over (see post above!) so #24 offered by Sweet n' Simple Design, or #45 offered by Summer or #67 offered by Shauna would be great. Keep in mind, I have a blogspot blog so if they can't work with that, I'll have to forgo those.

I love shopping, so #117 would be great, a gift card to Target offered by Mommy Bytes.

And I love to scrap so #122, scrapbooking stuff offered by Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders would be awesome.

If all those are gone, my preferences are: 20, 61, 74, 82, or 86.

Finally! The tooth comes out!

Last night, after I finished the blog, Madeline comes to me all bloody, showing me her tooth that finally came out. Her "adult" tooth was already coming in and appeared to be attached to the "baby" tooth and people would tell me "you need to go to the dentist to have that pulled". All I could see when they said that was $$$$$$$$! I knew it would come out without benefit of the dentist eventually and out it came last night.

Here Madeline is in all her bloody-mouthed glory, as excited as anyone could be about losing a tooth.
Sorry it's not more in focus but I had to snap it fast before she went to clean up her face.

Soccer game video

I tried to load some pictures but for some reason there is a server error. Three times. I'm done. However, the video loaded so you can watch that.

Madeline had two soccer games this weekend and I certainly chose the right one to bring the camera for. She had an outstanding game. She played goalie the first quarter, allowing NO goals from the other team, who at first glance seemed to be way more together than our team.

Then, in the fourth quarter, she took the ball all the way down the field, passing in front of the goal to a teammate who scored a goal. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. This video is of the second quarter, I believe, and you can see she was on top of her game. Enjoy! (By the way, she's #1, in case you couldn't tell.)

Snowing again?

Well, first things first. I have a job! It's nothing huge or earth-saving or anything else but it's work. I am working for a mother at the school who runs (with the help of her husband) a non-profit basketball club - out of her home. So far, I have shredded mounds of paper, folded laundry and helped clean up the website of the club (deleting players no longer there). So far, I've worked 2 days for about 3 hours each day. Hey, we're not going to Hawaii on the money but it sure eases things a bit and I feel like I'm helping at least one person!

Today, I was at work (sounds funny, doesn't it?) when I got the call that ACA was going to close at 12:30 due to the weather. Now we had been watching the weather out the multitude of windows at my place of employment (a home) and so far all we had seen was rain. Hmmmm, when Mr. Simon sent out the message, he said it was sleeting. Sure enough, when I got in the car to go get the girls, it was sleeting. Then we went home and had some lunch (their second, my first) and then went to get Anna. By the time we got home from getting Anna, it was snowing like nobody's business. Here's a picture of it.

And, here's a quiet video of it. (This was as quiet as it got in my house the rest of the day.)

Sadie has started her own blog. You can access it here. And, she also does a webshow (not anywhere on the web, but we got a load of them on my kodak program). Here's her latest one.

She'll be very excited that I included it in my blog today.

If you would like to add her blog to your favorites, the address is: http://awesomesadie.blogspot.com

Enjoy the snow.

So the big news tonight is that it's snowing like we live in freakin' Wisconsin or something! I thought it was really snowing earlier, but Conrad went out a minute ago and my "really snowing" is NOTHING compared to this!

Madeline said "It's like it's the Revolutionary War or something!". I guess they must have studied about George Washington crossing the Delaware in the snow recently.
In case the picture of my beloved husband doesn't do the snow justice...

And if you think the camera is shaky now, that's way calmed down from the first one. I was REALLY cold out there.

Thursday, we got the Easter dresses that I ordered for the girls (because I'm too lazy to actually drive to Target, get out of the car and take the children in to look for them). Anna and Sadie tried theirs on immediately. Mads was having a kinda-crappy day so she waited (mainly to frustrate her mother). As soon as Anna put her dress on, she started dancing like a ballerina. It was precious. I had to prompt her to move out so I could get her dancing but she continued for a bit for me so I could get this video.

Friday, Sadie got to spend the night at the school for a Lock-In. How many of those did we attend when we were her age? Oh my, I couldn't even begin to count. Anyway, Mads wanted to build a fire and tell scary ghost stories. But first, we had to play in the backyard. Here's Conrad playing ball with the oppossum. Madeline was afraid the 'possum was going to come down off the fence and get her. Not likely, dear. That 'possum is WAY more afraid of you than you are of him. Especially with all the shrieking going on.

Here he is up close and personal. This is not the same one that lives in our garage. How do I know? Well, duh...I asked him. Oh, I crack me up!

This is Anna being the "two-binkied monster". And in case you can't get a good look at the two binkies (hence the name...)

And here's Mads as we're telling scary ghost stories. If they got too scary, we had to stop. Mine was "The Ivy Covered House", taking a cue from all the ivy growning all over the back of the house. Not too scary, but entertaining.

Yesterday we were watching our pianist from church walk to her car and Madeline said "I like Miss Ann's dress, it's very her-ish".

Stadiums and tantrums

I know this is overdue, since I told you I'd take the picture on Monday, but I finally got the picture yesterday and am putting it on here today. This is the picture of the completed second arch on the stadium. You know, the one I didn't get to see them put in place? The one for which I didn't get to redeem myself on the TV? Sunday, Conrad told me there was a TV camera crew out at the gas station where they interviewed me last time and said they were just looking around, all lonely like, as if they were just waiting for someone to interview. Hmmmm, maybe I should just pitch a tent out there and wait for the next big milestone to take place. Well, dang it, now I just sound desperate. Note to self: GET OVER IT!
Today, my friend Jennifer called and asked if I could watch her daughter, Lora, while she went on the field trip with her third grader (whom Sadie has gone to school with since they were 4 years old!). I told her "of course"! Anna and Lora get along really well. Except for this little bit of time right here...
And frankly, this was all Anna being a two-year-old. She and Lora had been riding the two ride-on thingies (technical term, be careful using it!) and Anna had this one first then Lora wanted to ride it and so I suggested a trade and Anna was having NONE of it. What's missing out of this still picture is the screaming and crying that went on endlessly over this stinking toy. And, you can't really see Lora's face in this picture (if you either click or double click on it, it will enlarge and you can probably see) is that she looks embarrassed by Anna's lack of grace and self-control.

We had to go in after I snapped this picture. She didn't get a spanking for being such a little snit, but she did get one for bolting back out the door after we went in and getting back on the toy. Just a little smack on the leg and a firm reprimand for going outside without Mommy. Don't go and call CPS on me for that...there are way better things to call them for than that.

Jennifer called me before she picked up Lora and asked if I had gotten anything done today. I told her "surprisingly, yes". And she said something to the effect of "We mothers get all caught up in what we didn't get done in a day. What we really need to do is praise ourselves for what we do get done. Somedays that is just 'the kids are alive and well and for the most part happy'. Sometimes that's as good as it gets, and that is still a successful day". My friend Jennifer is SO smart.

Finally, a real "post" again!

We did the Griffin Buck Truck today. One of the perks of doing the truck run, is that I get to see my children and they get to see me in the halls of the school. I never know when I will be acosted from the back with a hug (and sometimes, it's not even my child who honors me with a hug).

This morning, Sadie came out of her classroom, while I was nearby, to use the restroom. I did not pay attention to what she was wearing this morning (that's what a good mother does, you know) and when I looked at her, I noticed something odd. See if you spot it.
She has on uniform shorts on under (and hanging out from under) her uniform jumper, giving the illusion of some odd sort. And just so you see what I mean....
The white is her white uniform shirt between the jumper and the shorts. Yes, I pulled my daughter's jumper up in the halls of ACA so I could take a picture. That's what a good mother does, you know. Yet another reason I love my Iphone.
Then, I saw Madeline's class going in for their class picture in the library. That's Mads on the front right.

And, to answer that question tickling the back of your brain, yes, Sadie took her class picture today, also, and I'm sure she was on the front row, too. Converse sneakers, uniform jumper and shorts and all.

Then, I had to take a picture of Mrs. Coffed and her grandbaby. It reminded me of all the times I took my children up to my Mom's school and everyone oohed and aahed over them.

And, may I just say I love my Anna? (And you'll be very happy I didn't snap a pic of this.) I was reading up on my friend Elaine's blog see it here and Anna says, "wipe, eww". Which in Annaspeak means, "I just went poo-poo and I need to be wiped". Of course, my first thought is "oh crap - literally- where did she do it"? But, she led me down the hall to where her potty is and sure enough there it was right smack in the potty! Oh the joy and elation I felt! Hip, hip, hooray for Anna!

So, enjoy the newest update. And go see Elaine's blog, she's giving something away - you'll have to go down a few posts to find where to enter for it, but hey, you may win it!

It's Oscar, Oscar!

OK, first, I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. It's been a sicky, crazy time here.

Last weekend, the girls both came to me on Sunday and said their stomach was hurting, about an hour apart. I told both of them "I guess I'll just have to keep you home tomorrow". Sadie looked at me and said "we don't have school tomorrow". I said "I know, that's why you can stay home". Madeline just looked at me like I was crazy then said "I don't think we have school tomorrow". I said "I know, it's a joke". She said "real funny, Mom". I thought it was.

So, then the puking ensued. Then Conrad came down with something like it on Tuesday, stayed home on Wednesday and slept all day. Then Friday I ran out of gas (not literally, like in a car, but physically) and nearly fell asleep on the couch. I finally moved to the bed and didn't get out until last night.

I even missed them putting the final piece on the stadium arches. No TV vindication for me. I heard the helicopters about 5:30 or so and when Conrad came in I asked him about it but he didn't think it had happened, but I knew. Then today, I asked someone else (Sallie!) and she didn't think so either, but I knew. Sure enough we went by there today and it's there. I'll take a picture tomorrow, but I am SO disappointed that I didn't get interviewed on TV again, looking ravishing - as only I can - and redeem myself from the last time. Oh well. Some other milestone.

And, just in time for Oscar night, the writers unstrike. I don't know that that's a word but I used it, so there. I am so excited about Oscar night. And frankly, this year, it's not the movies, it's the red carpet. I didn't see many movies that weren't animated this year so the chance that I would have seen any of the winners in their role are slim.

As a side note, I thbink my "b" is sticking to my "hb" because I hbaven't corrected thbis line and as you can see, every time I type thbe letter "hb" thbe "b" shbowes up also. Crazy, frustrating.

ANYWHBO...I will be watching my red carpet while cleaning my room. Since being in bed for 2 days, lazing about doesn't thrill me so I'll clean while I take part in my fanatic night.

Anna is doing great in her potty training. She'll opt for a diaper every now and then but you can tell she doesn't like it and she goes potty anyway so really, what's the point?

OK, well, that's all the Wangler news that's fit to print so I'll go enjoy my Red Carpet shows now.

Hope all your favorites win!

St. Valentine's Day Dance

First things first. We FINALLY made it to the Apple Store. (After a flat tire on the way.) We even went to the one we were originally going to go to (mainly just so we could say it didn't get the best of us). Many people told me about a closer one and I appreciate the help but the reason we picked that one was because we could take the train and bus, etc. (and I think we all remember how that turned out). Anyway, I took a "workshop" for my Iphone (for those of you who don't know, I got one for Christmas - woohoo!- it's by far the coolest phone ever!). I didn't learn too much new stuff but a few things. I would like to take an "advanced" course. I already knew most of the basics and even chimed in when I didn't think the "prof" got specific enough or gave enough cool info. Imagine that.

So, this is what the Apple Store looks like...
Pretty wild, huh? The store is the coolest place. I even touched one of the new MacAir notebook computers. Very thin, very impressive. I see why people like Apple products. When I got finished with my class, the bottom fell out of the sky and it poured on us all the way to the car and all the way home. Freezing (not literally) rain, soaked to the skin and loving the fact that we just had to walk to the car, not a bus stop and wait in that miserable weather.

Then it was time to get ready for the Knights of Columbus Valentine's dance at church. A fun, delicious, dancing filled night. When we arrived at the church, this double rainbow was in the sky.

The second rainbow is to the right of the lamp post, very faint. It was more visible to the naked eye, obviously, but it was beautiful.
It was Sammy (my friend Sally's son) 21st birthday and his girlfriend rented a stretch Hummer limo. Here it is, delivering them to the dance.
Here is my sweetheart and I enjoying a night out on the town. We rode in a stretch ummm...nothing.
And here is our table of ladies, there were two gentlemen there, Conrad and Bill (Bill bought us all the boas).

What a lovely evening that was had by all. Conrad even won something this year, popcorn and a double feature movie, "Grumpy Old Men" and "Grumpier Old Men". Appropriate? I'll let you be the judge.

Father Joe's Birthday

This post has been a week in the making. Sorry it's so late. I just now remembered to send the pictures from my phone to my computer. Ooops~!

Last Sunday, we celebrated Father Joe's 75th birthday at all masses in one way or another. At the end of the 10:00 mass, Jim Sundberg and Steve Buchelle (both former Texas Rangers) came in and led the congregation in singing "Happy Birthday". Then, they presented Fr. Joe with several Texas Rangers items, including, but not limited to, a bobble head doll and the most coveted...

Jim Sundberg and Steve Buchelle

#75 jersey with Scantlin on the back. He put it over his robe and wore it back up to the altar to finish Mass. What a spirited moment in our church! Thank you, Michele, for making that happen. I think he really enjoyed it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I decided to make my heart this year out of the cinnamon imperials that I love so well (and no, I didn't give them up for lent). In the middle is one of the cupcakes I made for Anna's Valentine's day party that didn't end up at the school. The hardest part of taking this picture was not eating the candies around the cupcake.
As you can see, they didn't last long. Had I not just eaten one of the cupcakes, the cupcake would have had a bite out of it, too.

Happy Valentine's day! I hope yours is one full of love and romance (if you have a special "someone"). If you don't have a special "someone" in your life, treat yourself to some chocolate and some other treat you don't normally give yourself. You have my permission. You're welcome.

Father/Daughter dance

Last night, the ACA PTO put on a Father/Daughter dance. The response was so overwhelming, everyone wouldn't fit in our cafetorium. We ended up having, probably, 180 people there. That's an unofficial number but the R.S.V.P.s would indicate that many.

We ended up calling my friend Michelle Calvert at Celebrations (2220 W. Park Row in Arlington - in case you ever need a facility). Her place just happened to be unbooked so we rented the place. Thank you, Michelle!

We created, what I consider, a beautiful, sweet room, complete with balloons, confetti, cookies and punch. Here's what it looked like from where I was (I played DJ for the evening).
The punch (pink lemonade) flowed from a beautiful fountain provided by one of Conrad's cousins who just happened to e-mail me about a week ago asking if I could use one. I, at the time, couldn't fathom a reason until the dance popped into my head and I e-mailed her back and said "yes". Isn't it pretty? What you can't tell from the picture is that it also changes colors.

Conrad dancing with Sadie.
Madeline chose to ask her Uncle Paul (also her Godfather) to escort her. Here they are dancing.
And, here they are doing the "Chicken Dance".

The "admission fee" for the dance was a personal care item to be donated to the Arlington Women's Shelter. Here are the donations. ACA ROCKS! What generous people we have.

In other exciting news, Anna is trying out "big girl panties". It's going on 4 days now. She's got a long way to go but she's getting there. Oh the day when I am finished with diapers is actually in sight! Praise the Lord! Seriously.

Oh, and for the first time EVER, in 3 1/2 years at ACA, Sadie has finally made it to the "Wall of Honor". That's where kids who do well in academics, citizenship or specials (art, music, spanish) are honored. She finally made it in Citizenship. I'm so proud.

Take me out to the ballgame...

Hey Everyone,

I can get tickets for Opening Day, Tuesday, April 8. I just need to get a group of 20 together who want to go. The game starts at 1:05. Tickets will be $17 and I'll need to have money in hand by Monday (Feb.11) if you want to go. E-mail me at my new address (if you don't have it, call me - I don't want to put it on here - no tellin' who reads this blog!) and let me know.

Just thought I'd put that out there!

See you all at the ballgame!

Lisa

Happy Mardis Gras!

Can you believe Ash Wednesday is tomorrow? Wow, what a quick Easter we will have this year.

Anna made this mask at school and these are her beads. The teachers wouldn't tell me what she did to get them....

Yesterday, was Kelsey's birthday. Sweet 16. This is her driving off with no parent in the car for the first time. What a milestone. Conrad reminded me she was 5 or 6 when we first moved in across the street (we lived there before we moved here). We have really watched her grow into a really neat teenager. God be with you on your new adventure (driving!) - and with your parents.

Today is a dark day for Madeline. She was supposed to get all her homework done by Sunday night so she could go see the Hannah Montana 3-D movie tonight. Well, it didn't all get done. One thing was not done and I think I even let her have until yesterday evening to do it. So, she doesn't get to go. It's killing me not to let her go, but she will not learn that I mean business if I let her go. Call me mean, call me cruel, call me whatever but I feel this is a HUGE moment for her (and me) so the rule stands. I can feel her heart breaking even as I write this. I think she's in there trying frantically to get it finished. Too bad for her.

Well, y'all have a happy Mardis Gras and don't go showin' nothing to get any beads!

My son Aaron

I was reminded, gently, that I didn't do a "my son Aaron" blog on Aaron's birthday which was February 1st. So if you'll indulge me....

My son Aaron is very creative. He is very into the theatre, is "the constable" in "Fiddler on the Roof" at his school right now. Was in "Two Men from Verona" and other shows at school. He's helped with lighting on various shows and is going to be the master electrician for "Fiddler".

He will graduate this June, a fact I am very proud of. It hasn't been easy. His counselor didn't get him in all his correct classes when he transferred so he's having to take some classes online in addition to his classes he takes at school. But, he will graduate, walk across the stage and get that diploma. I will be there!

He is very patient with his sisters. Anna is "his baby". He was there for her birth. Heard me yell out "God Bless America" when her head finally came out. (Don't know why that came out of my mouth, but it did.) He was the one who weighed her for the first time. He picked her up everytime she made a sound and was her guardian from then on.

His sisters love him. When he is coming home, they are excited from the time I tell them until he gets here and pretty much until he leaves. They love having him around.

He's patient with me. My house is NEVER all clean at the same time, rarely is any of it "company ready", but he doesn't say anything (much) even though his house in Kent, WA is spotless from what I can gather.

He has a vision for himself. He plans to go to Wright State in Ohio. A long way from here but, we'll manage. We have for years now. Then, he'll do something in the theatre, I'm sure. I hope it's in Texas but if it's not, as long as he's happy, I'm happy.

He's talented in the arts as well. I know theatre is considered art but, I mean he can draw. He has left beautiful drawings here. He and his cousins once got the wild hair to "tattoo" each other and his designs were phenomenal.

I love the fact that he knows what he wants to do and is trying his best to do it even with obstacles in his way.

He's pretty much an easy going kind of guy. When plans get changed, he rolls with the punches. Reading that, I'm reminded of a time when we were discussing the plan for the day and we reached our first destination and we were getting out of the car and Aaron was all "what? what are we doing here? what's going on?". So maybe he just doesn't hear the plan so that's why he's able to be so flexible.

When Aaron was born, we were living at Aunt Brownie's house because his daddy was on temprary duty with the Air Force in Alaska. Auntie B. was my birthing coach and I truly thought Aaron was going to be a girl. His name was going to be Hannah Joanna. I think with the explosion of Hannah Montana, I'm glad he was a boy. The name we had picked out for a boy was Garreth Paul. About 8 months into the pregnancy I decided I didn't like Garreth but didn't worry about it because I was so sure he was a girl. Well, there he popped out. When they told me it was a boy I said "what?" I thought I hadn't heard right. Now I had a dilemma on my hands. When Jon left, his baby's name was going to be Garreth Paul, now I don't like that name. So, when I called him I had to come clean about the name. He suggested Aaron and I went for it. Paul stayed, that name was for one of Jon's cousins in New York. So, Aaron Paul was named.

I got a terrible breast infection as soon as I got home and was sick as a dog for about 3 or 4 days. Jon was scheduled to come home I think a week or so after Aaron was born. A day or two before he was to get home, we were all sitting in the living room of Auntie B's house and she suggests a bath for Jon Michel and I still wasn't up to doing that so someone else did that. Then she suggested a shower for me and I thought "man, I must really stink". But, I took my shower and a little bit later, she opens the door and says "look what the cats drug in" and in walks Jon. A day or two early. My Mom had picked him up at the airport and brought him over. I was so glad I had showered.

Aaron's always been an easy going boy. Only once, I did think he had colic and thought I would throw him out the window. Oh, I also fell down the stairs with him. I always thought that was why he didn't like heights and roller coasters.

Roller coasters...man, that will spark some memories. We would go to Six Flags and he would want to ride, say, The Shock Wave. We'd get up there and he'd chicken out. Usually we'd force him on it and he'd be a wreck. But, as soon as he got off, he'd want to ride it again. It's been that way for EVERY ROLLER COASTER HE HAS EVER BEEN ON. I think he gets that from me. I am that way, too. Although now, I just get horrible butterflies before I ride it, but I would never tell my children I don't want to do it, lest I seem less than brave in their eyes.

We've had some fun times, Aaron and I (and the rest of the family). He's a real trooper, staying with his Nonnie one of the days while she was in the hospital in Colorado. Drew a beautiful picture of Pike's Peak during a rain storm while he was there.

I love Aaron for all his creativity, patience and vision. I mostly love him because he's just him.

Happy 17th birthday, Aaron! I love you!

The Apple store trip

A trip that shows us if we have the "stuff" to do "The Amazing Race" is what this little outing could be called.

I decided that I would like to go to the Apple store (as in computers and Iphones, not fruit) so they could tell me why my Iphone doesn't send e-mails. I can get them all day long but I cannot send them for some reason. Besides, I've heard the Apple store is a really neat place to visit so why not? Now, there's not one in Arlington, not even south Arlington, a place I'd rather not go unless I absolutely have to. Just too trafficky down there. Anway, I digress...the closest Apple store is in Dallas.

We decided to make it an outing. We'd ride the train to Dallas then take a bus to within a block of the store. Conrad mapped it out, we bought our day passes at the train station and off we went.
The girls waiting at the train station.

Sadie, Anna and Conrad on the train. The girls were way enamored with the tables on the train. Of course, I brought snacks and juice pouches and they were gone by the time we got to Dallas.
There was a sculpture garden by the bus stop that the girls played in, getting all sandy, of course.
And, here are the big girls waiting for the bus.

That is the last "together" moments we had. We got on our bus (one that only runs every hour or so - important to remember for this little tale) and rode it to McKinney St.. We needed to go to McKinney and Knox. So Conrad tells us that when we see McKinney, we need to get off of the bus. Well, there's McKinney so off we go. Madeline had picked up a rock somewhere along the way and was delayed getting off the bus and I had a flashback to my childhood of almost not getting on the subway in NYC and my Aunt physically holding the doors to the subway open and yelling at me to get inside. I, too, was yelling at Madeline "get off the bus, get off the bus, forget the rock!". Panic set in and I nearly had a coronary waiting for that child to get off that bus. Finally, she left the rock and flew off the bus and off it went, turning down McKinney, showing us that we needed to stay on a little while longer.

It is at this point the adults had the meltdown. I told Conrad that the fun has left our little trip and he tells me that maybe I should have stayed home. Now, those of you who know me, know what I was thinking. For those of you who don't? Let's just say I was none-to-pleased with that little statement and off I went. Literally. I turned around and reamed him (to myself, where no one could hear me). "Tell me I should have stayed home? I am the one who needed to go to the Apple store. You're the one who said to get off the bus, not me! Tell me I should have stayed home, I'll show you stay home!" Those things and others were coming out of my mouth where neither he nor anyone else could hear.

He and the girls started north, as if he was going to be able to catch another bus or walk to the store. I went to the gas station that was on the corner where we got off the bus. I asked them how far Knox was and the first girl says "five blocks". The other girls says "five miles". "But", she says, "just wait a few minutes, a trailer will come by and pick you up". I ask her "a trailer?" She says "yes, it comes by every 15 min. and takes people up and down McKinney". I said "you mean a trolley?" "Oh yes," she says, "a trolley". Obviously, these people were not from Texas or even these United States. Anyway, I go back outside and call my beloved husband and he, of course, doesn't answer his phone. After all, we've now parted ways, not on the best of terms. I call him again and leave him the message that I don't know where he is, but I'm going to catch the trolly and ride to Knox St. He finally calls back and we make up. At this point, though, there's no finding each other until we get to the store.

So, along comes a trolley. It's going the wrong way, but the man is out and can hear me so I ask him if he's going to come back around and he tells me "yes, in 8 minutes" and I ask him if he's going to Knox St. and he says "yes, that's the end of the line". I tell him, "I will get on when you come back around". He gives me the thumbs up.

8 minutes later, I can see him coming down the street and I think "hmmm, I wonder if I should be by the trolley stop sign?", so I cross the street to be by the sign. Here he comes.....I wave, he waves, there he goes. He doesn't stop for me. Now, I have on a bright yellow shirt, it's not like he can't see me, or that I don't stand out in a crowd. Why did he just keep on going? I was NOT happy.

I start walking toward Knox. I call Conrad and warn him to be on the correct side of the street or the trolley won't stop. He manages to get on the trolley. He calls me and tells me the trolley does NOT indeed go to Knox. So, now they're walking toward Knox, too.

I walk and walk. He, I'm sure, walks and walks, too. Finally, I find a bus sign and it tells me in 13 min. another bus will be by and I can just ride it to Knox. Conrad calls while I'm looking at the sign and tells me we have to catch the 4:39 bus back to the train station. Well, I just happened to have looked at my phone and the time was 4:12. So, he tells me to catch the next bus going south (the opposite way I've been going) and we'll meet on the bus. Then, we decide "well, there are other buses and trains, let's go to the store". Then finally, it's just too much, he calls back and says, catch the next bus back to the train station, we'll be on it. So I run (and I do mean run) to the street to catch the bus and I see a sign but think it's a "no parking" sign and so I head south. Here comes the bus. No bus sign anywhere. I have made the decision to stand out in the street if I have to, but I'm getting on that bus. Madeline has already called me crying telling me "Mommy, I miss you". I wanted to sit down and cry when I heard her. I thought, what in the world were you thinking? I didn't come up with a good answer.

So, here comes the bus. I start waving and it stops right where the sign was that I thought was a "no parking sign". I start running toward it as fast as my pudgy little legs will take me. I see the driver holding up his hands as if to say "whoa, slow down there partner". I finally get there and he tells me "I would have waited for you, you didn't have to run". I started crying in relief. There were my babies and my sweet husband who all hugged me like I had just come home from a long journey. I felt like I had.

Here we are on the bus, Anna was asleep and Mads wasn't too far away. She hasn't let me out of her sight since.
We didn't make it to the Apple store. I don't know if we ever will. I'm sure I can find out what I'm doing wrong with my phone on apple.com. But, don't we have some great memories? What a day.

Now, I need a margarita!

A new addition to the family

Wow, two updates in one day! How long has it been since that happened?

Well, I just got this picture in my e-mail.

Congratulations to Scott and Ashley Grimes! They welcomed the newest addition to the Wangler Family. Scott is Conrad's nephew and Ashley is his wife. Last night around 7pm, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. She is as yet unnamed but I will keep you posted when they let us know.

This is the happy family.

Congratulations Scott and Ashley!