4 am and Infomercials

I don't know how many of you are up at the hour but the next time that you are, note that for the most part, real tv stops at 4 am. There are a couple of channels that have some old movies or tv shows on but it is at 4 am that the infomercials start. I know this because I frequently am up at 4 am, although I don't want to be. I will occasionally just give it up and go downstairs but the infrequent times that the wife has to be at work at 5 am, I will just turn on the tv upstairs. This was the case for Friday morning. I was either reading the tv guide wrong or they have come up with some interesting titles for infomercials but I ended up starting to watch an infomercial about a cooking device. It could cook anything, was red, and was like a George Foreman grill. The long story short on this was that about the time I started to think that I could really use this, I decided it was time to change the channel and break the spell that I was in. I promptly went back to sleep and I do NOT have one of these grills coming to me in the next few days.

I hope everyone had a good 4th of July. Interesting programming note here, Mesa had canceled their fire works due to not enough sponsors. They (the powers that be) are working on it for next year. If you happen to look at the 2010 calendar, you will note that July 4th is on a Sunday. The last time July 4th was on a Sunday, they postponed the fire works until Monday the 5th, of which it promptly rained. The original postponement (Sunday to Monday) was due to religious reasons. I could very well have the terminology wrong and be completely off base here but if Sunday is family day (which I wholeheartedly endorse, spend one day a week with your family as a family and you probably havw a better chance of keeping the family together - I still remember growing up and having family meals). So, if Sunday is family day, wouldn't it be great to take your family to see fire works and actually celebrate the reason that you can practice your religion of choice without fear of persecution? My guess is that they will move the fireworks to Saturday or Monday next year but let's hope not.

Chemistry and Life

Here it is and time has flown by. I am hoping to slow down now. I just finished first summer session. Chemistry was a killer. You see, I took it 17 years ago and got a D. ASU looked at my transcript and said that they would substitute 1 of my semesters of biology (I had 2) for Physics but that since I took Chemistry and got a D, I need to take it over. I could have taken it at a community college, theoretically easier content but I would have had to actually go to a lab. Taking it at ASU would be all online, even the lab (side note: I blew up the lab several times). How hard could it be, especially since I had a lab person in the house (my lovely wife) to tutor me? Let's just say that when we said "for better and worse" back in 1997 that neither of us had chemistry in mind. Long story short, I needed 4 points on the final to actually pass the class and a 62 on the final to get a B. I ended up with a 62. I had hoped for more cushion but I will take it, especially since I at least got a C and won't have to take it again. It honestly feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of me.

Izzy went to summer school and although nervous at first, did well and enjoyed it. Since she needed glasses and we didn't really know it, she was behind when we decided to enroll her. Both kids are enjoying swim team although that is rapidly coming to a close, along with the end of summer.

I have another class this summer that I have already started and it is OSHA. I actually looked forward to it as it actually applies to my major.

Now that first summer session (Chemistry and Organizational Effectiveness) is over, I can just concentrate on one class and relax a little bit. I am also cooking this weekend. Shortly here, I am going to make Frog's Eye Salad (Aunt Dolly's recipe). Also this weekend, I plan to make a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups chopped in it (it is a layered cake so it would be between the layers and on top) and peanut butter chips on the side. We had some last weekend but it was dry and I decided I could do it better. Wish me luck.

Now, I just need to lose some weight. My doctor is not real happy about my current weight (the most I have ever weighed in my life) and to be honest, I am not happy with it either. I have decided to do a few things. 1) I learned in the Army that proper diet and exercise were the key. 2) I am borrowing a saying from the 12 steps program (and I really need to start walking at least those 12 steps per day) and take it "one day at a time." No more, well, my day is shot already so what is another piece of cake? Wish me luck.

July 1st???

I know, it has been awhile since I put anything out here. Actually, June has been consumed with swim team and Tracy is finishing up his first session of summer school. Thank goodness he graduates next year and he will be done with all of this and can have a little more free time! So looking ahead and nothing exciting but everyday life and appointments and then getting ready for vacation and school to start again!

Hope you all are doing well!

Cub Scout Graduation May 2009

Ryan's cub scout graduation from May. He is going to be a Webelo now (whatever that means) and enjoys scouts. I think the whole thing of scouts that makes it wonderful for Ryan is Josh H. (the other boy in pix with Ryan). They are best buddies and Josh makes the experience that much better for him!

Daisy Scout graduation...May 2009

I am late on my blogging, but here is Isabelle's Daisy Scout graduation from May. We had a wonderful year in Daisy's with a great bunch of girls and looking forward to being a Brownie!!!

Swim Team!

So summertime for us means school is out and swim team begins! These are photos from last year swim team, but they both did really well. Now it is time to get back into that mode again. By the end of the summer I am a fried momma, from being at the pool for a few hours a couple days a week, but can't complain the kids get exercise and fun at the same time! Happy start to your summer!

Going back in time...First Communion/Confirmation

This is back from April 18th, but forgot to post it....Ryan made his First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Bridget's Catholic Church. We are so very proud of him and this accomplishment. All he had to say was that the outfit was "DORKY" ! And if any of you know Ryan, he is a crocs kind of kid and would rather be in comfortable clothes. Also, church hasn't been the most exciting thing he does, but later in life he may come to find a need for his faith and will be happy that he has done these sacraments. I know as a parent, it was important for me to have him do this.

The pictures totally catch Ryan's enthusiasm about the whole deal??? huh?