Soup or Salad

I can always tell when someone doesn't have enough to worry about when they complain that the school lunches offer "too many salads". No kidding!

Shelfari

This is a cool feature that I've added to the blog. I read so many books that I can't keep track. Hopefully, Shelfari will help! Each time I go home to Texas, I go to The Book Rack and exchange book, at least a dozen each time. I've exchanged books that I've already read before. I buy books on Ebay, pick up books at the library, at garage sales, and at the pulga (flee market), exchange books with friends, receive books as gifts, and read the books the kids are assigned from school. I love books!

More Cowbell

I wanted to get some of my scrapbook pages loaded to share. And, I did it! Albeit, some of the pages are blurry because I had a difficult time balancing on the rung of two bar stools while holding the camera. First, I had to take the pages out of the plastic protective sleeves because they were causing a flash in the middle of the page. Then, I had to put the sleeves back on. This was a challenge, so next time, I'll take pictures BEFORE they are finished and tucked away.

I wanted to name the picture grouping something catchy, but our family has heard "Garza's On Rocks" and "Growing Up Garza" ad nauseam (to a sickening degree). So, in keeping with the style of the blog name, I went with GarzaCrops. I actually got a compliment from Danny. Now, to be fair, Marisa helped with my play list. She likes the '80's classics, so she was naming off the groups. When we were going through the play list, I wanted more "guitar" (kind of like that Saturday Night Live skit with Christopher Walken...."more cowbell"...remember that? It was hilarious). She would say, "Mom, pick that one." I would say, "No, I want more guitar". Nonetheless, I am pleased. Click HERE for more cowbell!

A Peaceful Easy Feeling....

Where? Not at my house! I caught Tony with a myspace account. I only found out because an email popped up saying that his account was suspended because it violated one of the rules. Well, the only rules were underage, obsense pictures or language, copyright infringement, or some technical rule with banners and html something or other. Heavy sigh...

Marisa, on the other hand, has done an okay job with her myspace. She is older and is more of a "lil mama gangsta" (which translates to a more modern day tomboy, or at least that's my understanding). She is also able to send pictures from her phone...a service in which she is paying us to have from her babysitting money.

The kids and I went to get haircuts and mustache waxes (for me and Marisa). Man, I knew my waxing was going to hurt when the lady was putting the hot wax closer and closer to my nose and around my lips. Those blonde downeys are hell! With Marisa's black hair, waxing can be done in 3 easy swipes. After that ordeal was over, we headed to Louisville to Kyashi's for sushi. Marisa and I were red faced from the waxing. Tony looked like Billy Idol with his white punky hair. C'est la vie!

A Dreary Day...Or Not

I didn't get done all I wanted to because it was a dreary day and dreary days cause me to not do much. The dogs were groomed, the grocery shopping got done, the laundry is finished, and dinner is made. Well, now that I think about it, things did get done today. Never mind....

Back In Colorado

We got home in record time...12 hours flat! Thanks Joe for all the snacks. We didn't have to stop to eat, we just ate non-stop. I started snacking on the ranger cookies at 4:27am. The second cookie was at 4:35am. The third one was 4:52am. I decided to stop eating them at that point, otherwise they would be all gone by 8:43am. Turns out that I have 2 left now. They will be good with some Chai Tea tonight.

The kids were nice enough to unload the car for me. So, now all I have to do it unpack the bags and put in the first of many loads of laundry. Danny worked from home today, so he will make dinner. My guess is either pizza or chinese. Oh well, such is the life. He was really excited about the new golf clubs Marisa got from my parents. I think there is a tee time already set for tomorrow. That's fine. I have to clean house, take the dogs to the groomers, and pay bills. Yes, such is the life.

I've decided to scrapbook my pictures, then take a picture of the page and just upload the entire page. It's better than one picture at a time. At least I'll give it a go and see how "better" it really is.

I Love My Friends

AHS '81
Back: Prissy, ME, Lynn, Christi, Jayme, Linda
Front: Lisa, Denise

I just love coming home to Texas. I get to stay in the house I grew up in, in the neighborhood where I played, to visit old haunts, to be with my family, and to spend time with my girl friends. It doesn't matter what "life mess" is going on around us, I always want to "be home". Today was no different. While Marisa was golfing with her Papa and Tony was hanging out with Granny, I spent time with Jayme. I wish Linda could have joined us, but one of those "life mess" things was going on. It is time to say goodbye once again. The car is packed with a stash of ranger cookies from the Red Oven Bakery and a bunch of new golf clubs for Marisa. We head out tomorrow morning at 4:00am. I phoned Danny to make sure we had plenty of laundry detergent, a couple gallons of milk, and a loaf of bread. Adios!

Hillbilly Sisters and Dee Jay's Candles

Today was another day of errands. I'm all set, well almost. I still have to see my girl friends. Today, Tony and I went back to the Book Rack to exchange more books. Then, we went over to Wishes and Dreams. I could spend hours in that store. I bought a bunch of candles and popcorn. Yep, you read it, candles and popcorn. My favorite candles in the world are from Dee Jay's Candles. I use them at home and at work. I have to load up each time I come to Texas. As for the kettle corn....it's muy delicioso! The vendor is called Hillbilly Sisters. And of course, these items can be gotten at Wishes & Dreams Unique Gifts & Home Decor, basically a crafters mall. (I've linked these three places so you can enjoy them as well.)

Well, that's it for now. I finished reading 'Plum Lucky' and I've started a scrapbook mystery set in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. Valerie Jett (my alter ego) is lovin' this one! Oh, did I forget to mention I'm writing a novel?

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful day! All 10 (me and my kids, my parents, my brother and his family) of us went to church this morning. Mom was so proud to show us off to her friends. This was the first time that our entire family worshipped together. We had an awesome barbeque lunch and also celebrated Madison's birthday. My brother and I hid Easter Eggs, even the "special" egg. The "special" egg was a non-hardboiled egg. Parker found that one. I have pictures, but left my hardware at home, so I'll scrapbook them and download the page later.

The kids played all day. And, no issues with the neighborhood kids! We are all full and happy and I'm ready to settle in and finish reading 'Plum Lucky'. Hope everyone had a Happy Easter.

Some People's Kids

I swear! What is up with kids these days? Are they spoiled rotten? What makes for disrespectful, surly, smart mouthed kids? Where is this coming from? Well, today, my kids and their cousins were outside playing. One of them comes into the house saying that some neighbor kids were shooting air guns at them. So, my brother and I sneak out the front door and catch these houligans in the act. We tell them to leave the property and they mouth off at us. We finally run them off only for them to come back and ding dong ditch my elderly parents. Ok, there are 6 neighborhood kids and 2 elderly people. My dad goes outside and tells them to get lost and they mouth off to him. My dad whips out the cell phone to call the police, but I do one better and tell the kids to escort me to their house so I can talk with their parents. Well, they leave, oh so nonchalantly, sashaying down the street. UGH!

Besides this incident, we had a really great day. My nephews spent the night and they all had so much fun together. As I was taking Tony to the Sprint store to retreive his pass code to unlock his phone, he remembered the code. Isn't that Murphy's Law in action? We stopped off at the Red Oven Bakery for their famous Ranger Cookies. (Which are now all gone....Thanks boys!).

I was able to start reading the "between-the-numbers" Stephanie Plum book called Plum Lucky. And, I took my mom out to Candlelight Inn. We drove past the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium afterwards. OMG! That is a huge stadium. I know Danny wants to fly in for the home games. Dream on...I heard the tickets were astronomically priced.

We let the kids dye Easter eggs. Believe it or not, that is the first time we have done that. My brother decided to play a trick on the kids and he dyed a non-hardboiled egg. We'll find out what happens tomorrow after church. Yes, another thing we have never done as a whole family...attend church with all the kids. Hmmm...stay tuned!

On The Road Again

We left Broomfield at 12:30pm and arrived at my parents at 1:45am, so we made great time. The nice part is that I only used 38 gallons of gas! Marisa talked almost the entire trip and Tony was plugged into the computer. When we stopped to get gas, Tony insisted on buying a lottery ticket. He got a $5 ticket and didn't win anything. As he put it....Mom, I ALMOST won!

Marisa has a tee time with her Papa. Tony is outside skateboarding already. He was upset earlier today because it "accidently" changed the lock code on his phone and now he can't unlock it. Hmmm.... I hate it when that happens. Now, I have to find a Sprint store to get the phone unlocked.

I'm going to make my standard rounds...to Wishes and Dreams, to the Half Price Book Store, to Candlelight Inn, to the Red Oven Bakery, and the best part, to meet up with Jayme and Linda!!!

Just Another Manic Blogger

I'm not new to blogging. I just keep switching blog spots (no pun intended). I've tried several and I keep coming back to this one. I also have a Facebook account. I love the Facebook site because of the games. Several of my high school friends have Facebook, too.

Anyway, I am a mother of two young teenagers. My daughter is finishing up the 8th grade and will be going to high school next year. Please pray for us! My son is in the 7th grade and he is the poster board "middle school male". My husband is not a fan of blogging, in fact he despises it. So, he won't be keeping up with my posts.

Originally from Texas, we have lived here in Colorado since May 1999. We love Colorado, but I miss my friends and family in Texas. My kids and I look forward to trips back home at holidays and during the summer.

I am a social worker and a teacher. I teach Jr. Kinderdgarten at a private Catholic school. It is kindergarten for those children who miss the public school cut off, but the parents think their kids are ready for kindergarten anyway. I love this age group. The life through the eyes of a 5-year-old is so enlightening.

I have several hobbies: scrapbooking, jewelry design, reading, writing, movies, cooking & baking, girl trips, and coffee klatches. I love going to the spa!

Well...that's it for tonight for tomorrow the kids and I take off for Texas...