2008 in review!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Been put out for surgery.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't really make "resolutions". It's more like... a time to try to set my mind for new things. eating healthier, being happier, etc.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, and I don't take it well! :(

5. What countries did you visit? Mexico

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A clean house. More to the point, a clutter-free house.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 12/16, 12/3, 3/21, ....

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

9. What was your biggest failure? There are failures as far as I am concerned.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing super major, but did have to have surgery this month.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Hmmm.......bought lots of great gifts, but not much for me.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Well.... I think both of the kids' behavior. They are well mannered, considerate and generally pleasant to be around (most of the time). And since they are both almost teenagers, I think that merits celebration!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The public figures in our world. My father's selfishness. :(

14. Where did most of your money go? The care and feeding of the house and the people inside. Braces for the kids, gymnastics lessons, etc.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Spending Christmas with my family, its been a long time since we have done that.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? "All I Want To Do" - Sugarland!!!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? Happier, looking forward to next year. .b) thinner or fatter? About the same, but as soon as the dr clears me it is back to the gym ASAP!! c) richer or poorer? Holding steady.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Exercising, scrapbooking, enjoying life.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying, dealing with my anxiety attacks.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Eve: With friends and my side of the family, Day: With Aaron's family

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? No. Just still am....!

22. What was your favorite TV program? CSI

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such a harsh word, how about dislike.

24. What was the best book you read? Any of Nicholas Sparks books

25. a "

26. What did you want and get? A Kone

27. What did you want and not get? A new diamond ring.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Mama Mia!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 39 and nothing much. But I expect a HUGE party next year!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Paying off our mortgage.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Silver jeans, and solid shirts.

32. What kept you sane? My husband and friends. And maybe a glass of wine or two :)

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Blair Underwood is not too hard on the eyes.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Oh good glory..... we need a regime change like yesterday, but I keep my political views mostly to myself.

35. Who did you miss? Yes, NH is too far away!

36. Who was the best new person you met? Probably Rhonda and Jake. They are soooo much like Aaron and I it is scary!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. "Friends are God's way of apologizing for your family!"

A year in review

1. Where did you begin 2008? Here at home, with my family and friends.

2. What was your status by Valentines Day? Still happily married

3. Were you in school anytime this year?Just for the kids conferences, programs, etc.

4. Did you have to go to the hospital? Yes, twice for me :(

5. Did you have any encounters with the police? Yes, for Aaron's car break in / theft

6 Where did you go on vacation? Las Vegas,Arizona, Oregon coast and Vegas again

7. What did you purchase that was over 100? Car maintenance, Christmas gifts, groceries....ect.

8. Did you know anybody who got married? Yes, Kelsey & Cory!

9. Did you know anybody who passed away? Yes

10. Did you move anywhere? Nope, we are in our FOREVER house

11. What sporting events did you attend? Many Volcanoes games, Dominick's soccer and basketball games, and Savannah's gymnastics meets.

12. What concerts/shows did you go to? Rascall Flatts, and Oregon Jamboree

13. Describe your birthday: Nothing much happening, had a small get together

14. What is the one thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008? Have surgery

15. What are some of your favorite moments? Being with friends and family

16. Any new additions to your family? Nope

17. What was your best month? They were all great!

18. Who has been your best drinking buddy? Have not really drank alot this year, but when I did it was usually with Amanda or Aaron

19. Made new friends? Yes

20. Favorite Nights out? Dinner at the Space Needle!

21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? In the car, running from here to there, etc,

22. Have you lost any friends this year? No thank goodness

23. Change your hairstyle? Oh ya!

24. Have any car accidents? No

25. How old did you turn this year? 39

26. Do you have a New Years resolution? Not really

27. Do anything embarrassing? I'm sure

28. Buy anything new from eBay? Yes

29. Get married or divorced? No

30. Get arrested? Nope

31. Did you get sick this year? A few times

32. Are you happy to see 2008 go? Yes

33. Been naughty or nice? Definetly naughty, is there any other way to be!

Friday Fill-In's

1. I must make sure my kids, husband, parents, in-laws, and sister know exactly how much I love them before I die.

2. You can't stop the Beat! (from the movie/musical "Hairspray".)

3. I wish I never had to do launry again.

4. My husband has helped me change my life.

5. I know the dates, times, weights, and lengths of my childrens births by heart.

6. If I weren't so afraid, I would go back to college full time.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed (it's already Saturday :) ). Tomorrow my plans include sending the kids to OMSI with my sister, and enjoying a kid free day and Sunday, I want to just relax, without a house full of people for the first time in 2 weeks (though I so appreciate all the help during my recovery, but our house was not built for 7 people).

Treasure and Joy

Borrowed and edited from a SS friend..............

I am a middle class American.

What that means is in the big picture of life I have wealth beyond measure.

I never go hungry.

I am able to control the climate in my home to keep our family comfortable.

I can afford good health care and I am blessed with great doctors.

My husband has a great job, and so do I. They are stable and provide great things for us.

I have a choice on how I educate my son & my daughter (how many girls in the world are not allowed to be educated).

We have not one, but two cars.

We have a nice home on a large lot.

I really like my husband as well as love him. He is so funny and supportive and very handsome.

We are all healthy.

I have great friends.

I spend money on scrapbooking, shopping & most anything because it is fun.

I have books. I can own them. I can borrow them. I can read what I want. I can talk about it.

Relative to the world population I am wealthy beyond measure.

I often think about why I was born into this instead of born into a family in India, or Africa or China or Iraq - why have I been given so much?

I have treasure and joy beyond measure!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Snow is beautiful if I am inside looking out at it.

2. I'm looking forward to seeing my mother, sister and niece for Christmas.

3. Aaron is the best husband ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is Brady Bunch.

5. I'm done with these stupid ass headache I get way to frequently.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is being with friends and family.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spendng some time with Meg, tomorrow my plans include taking Savannah to gymnastics practice, celebrating Dominick's birthday at the paintball place with his great friends and Sunday, I want to finish buying the last few Christmas presents I need and relaxing!

Whirlwind Weekend

Wednesday- Angie, Eric and Meg came over after work and helped us move furniture (I hate to have Aaron do it after his back surgery last year, it just scares me that he will do something awful to it again).

Thursday - Met Ang at the store to do a little Christmas shopping, got gas, and headed home to get ready for everyone to come over. Cleaned, prep-ed dinner, etc. Had a great dinner with family and friends. I am truly blessed with wonderful family and friends both! Scoured the ads, and made a game plan for Black Friday shopping.

Friday - Got up at 2am, left the house at 2:50am, and headed shopping. Finally got home around 3:30pm, exhausted. Cleaned up from Thanksgiving, put packages away, had dinner and relaxed until I could crawl into bed.

Saturday - Got up, packed up the Tahoe and left for the mountains with Bob & Bobbie and their kids. The 10 of us searched many hours for the perfect trees, the dogs had a blast (though their little dog Lola got cold much quicker than Scarlett). Finally got home around 6pm, unloaded the tree, I got Chinese for dinner, and Aaron got the tree in the stand. Wow, what a day. The weather did not do what we asked, there was not a SPOT of snow. Believe it or not on the top of the mountain it was 53 degrees. I trucked around in jeans and a long sleeve shirt, not even a sweatshirt.

Sunday - Got up and everyone else was asleep, started cleaning house, then the kids & Aaron woke up and helped. I showered and headed to the market. Spent $140, and headed home. We all unloaded the groceries, and the kids started homework, Aaron put up the yard lights, I started wrapping presents. Finally around 5pm, Aaron and Dominick put the lights on the tree, and around 6:30 we started to decorate the tree. We just finished at 8:45pm. And I am exhausted! All the presents are wrapped (except the few I have left to by), and the house is decorated.

Now hopefully I can get the last few things done before the 16th when I have surgery. As after that it is all up to Aaron (and my mother and sister who are coming to town for Christmas) and leaving it up to my husband is very scary for me. :)

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Survey

Getting Ready

Do You Look Forward to Christmas?: Heck yes!

Do You Prefer Real or Fake trees?: Real

Which Do You Have?: none yet......getting it on Saturday the 29th

Do You Hang a Wreath?: sometimes

Do You Hang Lights On Your House?: Yes, and they are up, but not lit yet.

Do You Play Christmas Music?: Yes, have been listening to it for weeks now

Do You Hang Stockings?: Yes, but on the wall, as we do not have a mantle

Do You Get Ornaments Every Year Like Hallmark Ornaments?: Only the kids from Grandma Fish

Do You Hang Mistletoe?: No, but Savannah asked for some this year (sure would like to know who she thinks she is going to be kissing under it.)

Do You Put Candy Canes On Your Tree?: No, dog would eat them

Do You Use a Tinsel Garland or Strands of Tinsel?: No, cats eat tinsel, and dont like garland

Favorites

Christmas Candy: Origional Candy Canes

Christmas Cookie: Home made frosted sugar

Holiday Food: Seafood Fondue

Holiday Dessert: Fudge

Holiday Drink: Champagne

Candy Cane Flavor: Origional peppermint

Santa's Reindeer: Rudolph

Christmas Carol: Santa Baby

Christmas Movie: Miracle on 34th Street (going to the play on the 14th)

Christmas Color: Red/Silver

Christmas Activity: Aaron reading the night before Christmas to the kids every year

Do You Believe In Santa?: Yes

Do You Like Fruitcake?: No

Do You Like Eggnog?: No

Do You Go Caroling?: Only when Savannah was in girl scouts

Do You Drive Around and Look at the Christmas Lights?: Yes, brings back childhood memories

Do You Do Christmas Baking?: Not much

Ham or Turkey for Christmas Dinner?: Prime Rib

Do You Set Out Cookies for Santa?: Yes

Do You Leave Carrots for Santa's Reindeer?: Yes, and reindeer "food" (aka glitter adn oats)

Do You Have a Family Christmas Dinner?: Yes

Do You Read T'was The Night Before Christmas Every Year?: Yes

Do You Open a Present on Christmas Eve?: No, strongly believe in waiting till christmas morning

Do You get Photos Taken With Santa?: Every other year yes, but just can't talk the kids into it this year.

Do You Go To Holiday Parties?: Sometimes

You Host a Holiday Party?: No

Do You Prefer to Give or Receive?: Give

Do You Drink Hot Chocolate?: Yes

Marshmallows or Whipped Cream?: Whipped Cream

Do You Send Christmas Cards?: Yes, try to

Would You Want a White Christmas?: Always

What Do You Do On Christmas Eve?: Have friends over, this year my mother, sister and niece are coming from Arizona too

Do You Have Any Special Family traditions?: Read night before Christmas on Christmas eve, put cookies out for Santa, kids can open stockings when they get up, Aaron and I do ours in bed before getting up.

How Early Do You Wake Up on Christmas Morning?: Whenever the kids get us up usually around 7am

Friday Fill-In's

1. The last band I saw live was Rascal Flatts :)

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, getting together with friends & family, and scouring the ads for great shopping deals on Friday!

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is started, but so need to get it finished before my surgery.

4. Thoughts of the future fill my head.

5. I wish I could wear cute shoes, but in size 11 nothing is cute!

6. Bagpipes make me think of men wearing skirts.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Aaron grilling steak, a few glasses of wine and pretty much doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping, & maybe a few chirstmas bazars and Sunday, I want to enjoy some time with my family and friends!

Getting to know me.....Christmas Edition

Getting to Know Me...Christmas Edition

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper and it must match. Ask friends, if you bring something that does not match, it goes into hiding behind others until opened. :)

2. Real tree or Artificial? REAL!! Come on we live in Oregon, the tree state, and a bonus, we cut it down ourselves. This year we are even heading into the forest to do so! What fun!!

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually we do it the weekend after Dominick's birthday, but this year we are heading to the mountains on Saturday after Thanksgiving so we will be getting it then.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually Christmas night, or the morning after. We get it early, and get a HUGE tree. So it takes up a lot of space, and with doing daycare I need the space.

5. Do you like eggnog? NO!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My 10 speed bike, sitting there by the tree, sparkling by the lights, in such a pretty light blue color.

7. Hardest person to buy for? No one consistently. I can't think of anyone on my list that regularly causes me trouble. Some years I don't have a great idea for someone, but then the next year they're the first one I find something for.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Savannah, she and I spend a lot of time together, I know her well. (Plus she makes her wants known :)

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, one. But we do not have a good place to put it in this house, so it has not been out in the past couple of years.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, there is NO other way to do it!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Well, my family reads this so I plead the 5th :)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October, but really kick it up the day after Thanksgiving!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm not sure if I've ever recycled a Christmas present. None come to mind. I have recycled gifts, but I think they were wedding and/or birthday gifts...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Prime rib on Christmas day, but on Christmas eve we do crazy things, like Chinese, seafood or sometimes just appetizers. I love me some seafood fondue!

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, but white only, and no blinking ones!!

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay home AND visit family close by. Never traveled away from home at Christmas (yet).

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? Of course!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Depends on the color of the wrapping paper, Silver based a star, gold an Angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning unless its from the friends that we spend it with on Christmas eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When people start discussing all the nasty parts of Christmas and how annoying things are and how they don't like blah blah blah. I don't like negativity in general, but at Christmas, it just bursts my happy Christmas bubble! :)

23. What theme or color are you using? Varies by year, this year it is red/silver/gold.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Food, is food. It is more about who we are with!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Fiestaware! I love me some Cobalt and Scarlett dishes, and accessories.

I HATE thieves!

Aaron and Savannah were getting ready to leave for work/school, when all the sudden they returned after only being gone for a minute. Now it is not uncommon for Savannah to forget something, and run back into the house BUT Aaron does not come with her. So I knew something was up.

Some stupid ass fool thought that they would throw a rock through Aaron's window and break into his car. The only thing that they took was his briefcase, but there was just notes and paperwork in it for work. I am sure they thought there was a laptop in it. Because it is soft sided and looks like it would have one in it. But sorry you got screwed! HA HA HA!!

But now it has ruined my whole day, thrown it into a spin. I have a headache, I need to call the insurance company, already called the county sheriff (yes we call the sheriff, we live too far out for the actual city police to come). They took a report. And I also need to call the glass shop. Glad he does not have to drive it today, as he took my car, because it is raining for the first time in a while.

Thieves suck!

Friday Fill-In's

1. Please feel free to leave me a comment and leave your name so I know you stopped by!

2. When I get new perfume I can't help sniffing it occasionally.

3. My favorite thing to cook is lasagana.

4. Loves from my children and my husband is something I can't get enough of.

5. I can not imagine my life with out my family.

6. Hickeies on anyone always makes me think to myself, what the heck?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to heading to the gym to set up for a meet, tomorrow my plans include working 4 shifts at the Level 4 Sectionals meet at Savannah's gym, and Sunday, I want to do laundry, clean house and take Savannah to a private lesson at the gym.


How about you?

Thursday thoughts........

At my daughter's school they annouced a new web site to help parents. It is call PIV Parent Internet Viewer. I LOVE IT!

You can see your childs grades, missing assingments, and attendence. You can even sign up for daily emails.

Granted Savannah does well in school, but this keeps me aware of any problems that happen before they get out of control. Such as her teacher giving her an F for missing a state testing day, when she was at the orthodontist. They have 2 days to do this test, and she completed it in the 1 day that she was there. And made excellent marks on it. We discussed it, she talked to her teacher and got the grade changed before report cards/progress reports came out. :)

November 11th

Happy Veteran's Day!

&

Happy 48th Anniversary Mother & Daddy!

(Hope you are having a great time in Hawaii)

Friday Fill-In's

1. My blueprint for success includes trying to be a better person each and every day.

2. Payday was the last candy I ate.

3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion.

4. Crying can be good therapy.

5. I'd like to tell you about a man named Jed, poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed And then one day, he was shootin' at some food, And up through the ground come a bubblin' crude, Oil, that is, black gold, Texas tea.

6. Reliability is my strongest characteristic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to shopping with Amanda in Salem, tomorrow my plans include watching Dominick's soccer playoffs and Sunday, I want to do nothing!

6 Random things

The Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you: Cathy (CntryCathy) & Nayda too!
2. Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading).
3. List 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up!

____________________________________________________________

1. My food can not touch. I do not want my roll on my salad or touching my meat. Things must not overlap, of juice from something running into something else. I will not eat if it does. I dislike potlucks because of this.

2. I fold my laundry a certain way. DO NOT fold it for me. I want it my way! Please mop my floors, or vacuum my carpets, but do NOT fold my laundry.

3. I love RED/WHITE/BLUE together. My kitchen is doing in red/white/blue, flags, patriotic theme. My dishes are scarlett and navy Fiestaware. I would do my whole house in it if I did not think it would drive my family crazy. I love being an American, cry at the National Anthem (every time).

4. I always cry at weddings, funerals, and births. Does not matter who, where, or when. They are just such special moments, to be remembered for ever. Live changing, superior moments. I never get tired of giong to weddings, they are special days, creating new lives together.

5. It drives me crazy to have drawer and cabinet doors open. Even for a second. Yes it takes longer to close it, use the item I have taken out, and then re-open and close it. But I just can't do it. It drives my husband nuts, I will go behind him and close a door, when it goes to put something back and it's is already closed.

6. I love to search the internet for things. Does not matter what, clothes, furniture, beauty products, etc. I just love the thrill of seaching and the glory of finding exactly what I want.


I know I'm s'posed to tag 6 people, but right now I can't think of 6 people I know who blog that haven't already done this exercise. I'll have to ponder that one. If you read this and have NOT be tagged, PLEASE do this!!

50 things

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, but not the chunks in it

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? I can not lie…yes many years ago

3. Do you own a gun? No, and never will

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I’m not drinking soda these days but I love Sonic’s Cherry Limeade

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Disgustingly gross!

7. Favorite Christmas Song? ALL

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water

9. Can you do push-ups? Doubtful. I haven’t tried in years. Maybe I could do one. Better not to know.

10. What is your favorite movie? Grease

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding rings

12. Favorite hobby? Shopping

13. Do you work with people who idolize you? They are all under 10 so who knows

14. Do you have ADD? No

15. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself? I interrupt people

16. What’s your middle name? Ann

17. Name three thoughts at this moment: I hate this cold – Do I have to go to my meeting today – Yes, you have to go you are the President.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Water bottle (in the airport), Lunch (on the way home from the airport), Nothing else.

19. Current worry right now? Nothing really

21. Current hate right now? Political advertisements

22. Favorite place to be? Home

23. How did you bring in the New Year? Um…that was 10 months ago, who knows.

24. Where would you like to go? Disney World, Hawaii, Australia, Florida (again), Grand Canyon

25. Name three people who will complete this? Huey, Duey and Lewey ??

26. Whose answer do you want to read the most? Everyone’s!

27. What color shirt are you wearing? White

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No

29. Can you whistle? Not well

30. Favorite color? Red/White/Blue to look at, Black to wear

31. Would you be a pirate? No way

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? No

33. Favorite girl’s name? Savannah

34. Favorite boy’s name? Dominick (Really liked Donovon but it didn't go with our last name)

35. What’s in your pocket right now? Nothing

36. Last thing that made you laugh? My sister and I in the elevator on Saturday night, well technically very early Sunday morning

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Clean ones?

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Broke both ankles at the same time.

39. What is your favorite snack? White Cheddar Smart Corn

40. Favorite thing to do on Sundays? Read the Sunday paper

41. Who is your loudest friend? Amanda

42. How many dogs do you have? One

43. Does someone have a crush on you? That I doubt

45. What is your favorite book? (where was #44?) The one I can sit down and read without anyone interrupting me

46. What is your favorite candy? Right now I’m craving a candy corn

47. What is your favorite sports team? OSU Beavers

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Somewhere over the rainbow

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Damn, my cold is still here

One word

*Use the 1st letter of your last name to answer each of the following with ONE word... *they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial

1. What is your last name?......................Crittenden

2. 4 letter word..............................................Crud

3. Vehicle: ...................................................Corvette

4. City / Neighborhood: ..............................Corvallis

5. Boy Name: ...............................................Collin

6. Girl Name: ...............................................Claire

7. Occupation:................................................CNA

8. Something you wear:..............................Coat

9. Food: .........................................................Chocolate

10. Found in a bathroom:...........................Candle

11. Reason for Being Late........................Car

12. Something you shout...........................Crap

13. Animal:....................................................Cat

14. Body part:................................................Calf

15.Word to describe yourself...................Cranky

16. Foreign Country.....................................Cuba

More ABC's

♥A is for age: 39
♥B is for beer of choice: None, not even root beet
♥C is for career right now: Daycare provider
♥D is for your dog's name: Scarlett
♥E is for essential item you use everyday: Cell Phone
♥F is for favorite TV show: ER
♥G is for favorite game to watch: any my kids are playing
♥H is for Home town: Albany, Oregon
♥I is for instruments you play: Radio count?
♥J is for favorite juice: Plup free Orange
♥K is for whose butt you'd like to be kicking: No one really
♥L is for last place you ate at: out....The Greek Cucina
♥M is for marriage: Yes, Very happily married to Aaron
♥N is for your name: Patricia Ann Crittenden
♥O is for overnight hospital stay: Savannah's dehydration, childbirth, and tonsils as a kid.
♥P is for people you were with today: My family
♥Q is for what's your best quality: Organized
♥R is for what are you currently reading: Nothing
♥S is for relationship status: Married
♥T is for time you woke up today: 5:45am
♥U is for the type of underwear you have on: None of your business :)
♥V is for vegetable you love: Cucumbers
♥W is for worst habits: My way of the highway
♥X is for x-rays you've had recently: Eyes ( kidna an x-ray, to determine scaring)
♥Y is for something candy : Black licorice or Lolly's
♥Z is for zodiac sign: Geimi

Weekend activities.....

OK so I don't seem to be great about blogging in a timely matter, so here is what has been happening the past couple of weekends.

Aaron's parent were married 50 years on September 14th. All the boy and I took them to Seattle for the weekend, ate dinner at the Space Needle (Sky City). Aaron & I
Shawn & Mike
Mom and Dad Crittenden
Our special dessert....the Lunar Orbiter....so cool!

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For lunch the nest day we went to the Crab Pot, and had the SeaFest.....this is where they cover your table in paper, and dump your food on the table. A little messy but really fun! Take note of the soooo cute bibs we all wore :)

Dominick tried out for the "competitive" soccer team (MVSC) earlier this summer, he made the Keizer league, and they have been practicing since July, and just started their games. Much tougher, stricter rules, etc. But he LOVES it! Go SCORPIONS!!

7 random things

1. refuse to compromise my values for others

2. only a few more days until the weekend

3. feel sad when I realize how quickly my kids are growing up

4. listened to Savannah's Ipo (need to get my own)

5. suddenly obsessed with CSI (doesn't matter which one anymore NY, Miami, etc.)

6. afraid my kids will have to grow up in a violent, cruel world if things continue the way they are headed

7. lost without my cell phone and laptop

abc questions

A. Attached or single? Married and glad to be

B. Best friend? I have many best friends....Aaron, Angie, Amanda, Julie, etc.

C. Cake or Pie? Neither, I could live without eating either

D. Day of Choice? Any day my husband isn’t deployed

E. Essential item? Laptop

F. Favorite color? Yellow

G. Gummy bears or worms? Mini gummy bears

H. Hometown? Lebanon

I. Indulgence? Getting nails done

J. January or July? July

K. Kids? Two wonderfully great ones (Savannah & Dominick)

L. Life isn’t complete without? Diet Dr Pepper

M. Marriage date? 8 September 1990

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 sister and 0 brothers

O. Oranges or apples? Granny smith apples

P. Phobias? Driving over bridges

Q. Quotes? "Never say more than is necessary."

R. Reasons to smile? Because I have a husband who loves me, and two awesome kids

S. Season of Choice? Summer

T. Tag some peeps: Hmmm….how about Amanda, Karen, and Angie

U. Unknown fact about me? I keep secrets, they ruin lives

V. Vegetable? Salads please

W. Worst habit? Being on the computer when I should be doing housework

X. X-ray or Ultrasound? What a weird question. depends what for, X-ray I guess

Y. Your favorite food? Seafood

Z. Zodiac sign? Gemini

Countdown List

Countdown List

10 Things I Want to Do Before I Die
-Lose weight
-Take another great family vacation
-Go on a cruise
-See my kids grow up, get married & be happy
-Get caught up on scrapping
-Travel with my husband
-Add on to our house
-Retire
-Go to DisneyWorld
-See my grandchildren

9 Places I Last Spent Money
-Shell gas station (gas)
-Alaskan Sourdough Bread Company (sourdough bread)
-The Crap Pot (lunch)
-The Daily Grill Lounge (drinks)
-Sky City (dinner)
-Space Needle gift shop (sweatshirt)
-the Daily Grill Coffee Shop (hot chocolate)
- Ivar's (lunch)
- Millersburg Store (milk)

8 Sounds I Routinely Hear Around My House
-Laughing
-Oboe prctice (Savannah)
-"Thank you"
-"Excuse me"
-Snoring (Aaron)
-"May I please be excused"
-Don't touch me
-TV
-"I love you!"

7 Real Restaurants Where I Last Ate Out
-The Crap Pot
-SkyCity (at the Space Needle)
-Ivar's
-Subway
-Applebee's
-Mongolian Grill

6 Things I've Recently Scratched Off My To-Do List:
-Laundry
-Finish planning trip to Las Vegas
-Organized trip to Seattle
-Bought wedding present
-Make an eye dr appt
-Made Dominick's ortho appt




5 People I Don't Know by would Like to Hang Out With
-Cowtown Stacy
-Goodie
-Meg Y'all
-Nancy D
-Sue

4 Songs That Make Me Happy
-Miss New Booty by Bubba Sparxxx
-Drift Away by Uncle Kracker
-All I Want to Do by Sugarland
-You Can't Stop The Beat from the Hairspray soundtrack

3 Things I Hate To Do
-Scrubbing the bathrooms
-Confrontation
-Public speaking

2 Things I'm Really Good At:
-Organizing
-Supporting my kids

1 Bad Habit
-Not living a healthier lifestyle

About me...

Outside my Window... It's sunny with a hint of dust. The farmers are plowing up the fields, getting ready for fall. The birds are feeding on the worms in our freshly watered yard.

I am thinking...that I don't know what I am making for lunch, how nice it is to have Mimi potty trained, and why do kid's always fight over the people in the lego box, because there is tons of them.

From the learning room...well our kids go to public school, so there are learning there.

I am thankful for...my family & friends, that me and my husband have stable jobs, and that we do not live in a state full of natrual disasters. All in all........LIFE IS GOOD!

From the kitchen... YOYO, Your on your own........Savannah and Aaron will be at gymanstics, Dominick and I home. Who knows what he wants, think I will have taco salad.

I am wearing...Navy athletic shorts, navy t-shirt That's all the detail you want, right? heehee!

I am reading...Nothing at the moment, life has been so busy since school started.

I am hoping...That I can find rest for my mind. I'm prone to worry and anxiety. Life is so busy between now and March. Not much down time, or time to rest & relax.

I am creating... A costume for Dominick for his part in the Grammer Island.

I am hearing...The today show, and the sound of my daycare kids playing with the Legos and Peyton's little man voice as he talks to the animals.

One of my favorite things...Wathcing my favorite TV shows in the evenings without having to think about anything for that brief period of time. I also love driving alone in the car with the windows down and my music blasting, singing at the top of my lungs! Especially now that Savannah is to cool for me to do that in front of her. :(

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Prepare minutes from the meeting last night, pack for Seattle, wash and vacuum car since we are taking everyone in it to Seattle, get kids packed for their weekend plans, wash soccer uniform, buy Kacie's birthday present, oh the list goes on and on.

Foods

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

1. Game from an animal that someone in your family killed. Daddy used to hunt.

2. Ice cream from a dairy farm that makes their ice cream on the premises. Bonus points if you can eat your ice cream and see the herd of cows that it came from.

3. Wild berries that you find, pick and eat yourself. We have blackberries in the backyard.

4. Something deep-fried that was never meant to be deep-fried.

5. Pizza from a NY City pizzeria that's at least 40 years old.

6. Bread made from scratch, still warm from the oven.

7. Food from a street vendor. Bonus points if you and that vendor don't share a language in common. Those Churro things in Mexico.

8. Fish you have caught and cleaned yourself.

9. Birthday cake (and frosting!) from scratch.

10. Salad from someone's garden. We have tomatoes in our garden, and Talley gave me lettuce from her's this year.

11. Homemade salad dressing.

12. Baseball park food. Bonus points for a Fenway Frank. Beer doesn't count. Went to 3 Volcanoes games this year.

13. Homebrewed beer. I don't drink beer.

14. Something baked in an EZ-Bake Oven. Oh what we do for our kids!

15. Slab bacon from a butcher shop or meat market.

16. Real maple syrup.

17. Astronaut ice cream (purchased from a gift shop on a school field trip, if possible).

18. Something you didn't think you would like, but you tried anyway. Hate to try new stuff.

19. Yuengling beer. I still don't like beer.

20. Mastroianni Brothers bread

21. Bueon Y Sano burrito

22. Guiness draft. That still goes under the I don't like beer section.

23. Haggis (not for taste, for bragging rights!) What in the heck is this?

24. Beets

25. Avocado

26. At least 10 different kinds of sushi

27. Something you've grown from seed

28. Something with the head still attached when it was served. Ewww gross!

29. Crawdads/Crayfish (Bonus points if you caught/cleaned them yourself). Though not in many years.

30. Alcohol that was older than you were. I doubt it.

I guess I am a pretty boring eater/drinker. But that is ok with me :)

What is your favorite color.....

A blog challenge from Sarah..........

What is your favorite color and why.....Add a picture so we can get the "feel" for your favorite color.

My favorite color is not so much a color but a set of colors.......

RED / WHITE / BLUE

I love the look of these colors together, an what they mean. I am patriotic, I am an American, and I am proud.

What's yours?

18th Anniversary

We decided to head out to the Grand Lodge for our anniversary this year. Angie/Eric kept the kids and dog for us (thank you again!).



It is an old Masonic Lodge/Orphanage that now is a McMenamins hotel. It was strange, eerie, but fun. We saw a live performance by Kate Mann and caught the 9:30pm movie (Wanted) at the Compass Room Theater. It was not not to have to leave to do anything once we got there. Especially because Aaron enjoys their beer so much :)

We saw 2 different weddings happening on the grounds that day, it was fun to think back to the days before our wedding, and what we were doing 18 years ago. ahhhh......the memories!



OK, so self portraits our not or specialty, especially after a few drinks, but this was the best of the bunch..... :(

We are headed to Seattle in 2 weeks (to celebrate my in-laws 50th anniversary), maybe we will try for a great picture from the top of the Space Needle then when we have someone else to take one.

1st day of school 2008

September 2nd, 2008

Dominick the 5th grader at his last year at Clover Ridge. They are building a new school so he will go to Timber Ridge for middle school (as long as they get it done). He will not attend the same school as Savannah until he is a freshman and she a junior.

September 3rd, 2008

Savannah the 7th grader at NAMS ( I am no longer allowed to take pictures except for at home, so in front of the Magnolia tree it is.)

Summer of 2008

Gee......summer is over and I have posted NOTHING of worth about it. Seems like we were running, running, running all summer. So here is a brief overlook.

Early June: School ended, Savannah fractured her foot, but you should have read all about that.
It did not heal well, and they wanted to re-x-ray it, that still showed a fracture, so 2 more weeks of no tumbling, and when summer finally ended. She was cleared to tumble........what a waste of summer gymnastics tuition. Oh well, she got lots of condition in.

Savannah marched in the Strawberry Festival parade with her band (Her with the Oboe, and Mackie (her best friend) playing the clarinet.

Dominick tried out for the U11 competitive soccer team in late June, and he didn't make the team. BUT he made the U12 team :) So he has been practicing 2x a week most of the summer (his first game is this weekend 9/13) Though I don't have any pictures yet, because a friend of his takes him and Dad picks him up.


Aaron washed the dog :)

The Dominick broke out the slip and slided a lot!

Savannah received a trophy for the Most Improved gymnast from her coaches at their end of the year banquet.


June 30th : Carey, Brianna & Austin fly in from New Hampshire for 3 weeks.....we had so much fun! We were sad to see them go!
We took group pictures.

We lit lots and lots of fireworks........these are just a few of them :)

Scarlett showed how patriotic she was
Glow stick fashions.
We attended the newly revamped Timber Carnival (which Aaron and I attended at kids) and saw some great sawing, and log rolling in addition to the new Timberman (to be named someday hopefully)

We attended 3 Keizer Volcanoes baseball games over the summer.

We went to OMSI and saw the dinosaur exhibit (way to get fierce Dominick!)

We went to OMSI and even went on the submarine tour.....kinda dark, damp and really smelly!

We rented a house in Pacific City for 4 days with our great friends the Harter family!

We watched the sunset in Pacific City

We too the Tillamook Cheese Factory Tour.
Seaside Promenade



We took a 4 person bike ride along the eugene waterfront park.



We quietly (per his request) celebrated Aaron;s 40th birthday.

Aaron took the kids camping at Yellowbottom. And they actually got along wonderfully! : )

They also got to go to Wunderland (the nickle arcade, and Dominck's favorite hang out)My mother came in August for 3 weeks.

She took the kids (and Savannah's friend Dani) to the Enchanted forest.

Leave it to the two gymnasts to do handstands in the crooked mans house .

The kids and their friends swam and swam and swam!

We went camping........believe it or not. But there were showers there :) (My firend Angie, Mimi )her daughter) and me by the campfire)

The kids loved floating down the rapids near the campground.
I enjoyed sitting with my feet in the water, reading a book and soaking up the sun :)

Well, long story short, that was our summer. Hope you all had a great one!