Doing My Part for the Economy

We spent the weekend stimulating the Chandler/Gilbert economy to the best of our ability. Both the mall and Target are a little bit richer because of the Ashton girls.

Actually, my car was acting up, so we couldn't do as much shopping as I had hoped (Ryan's probably relieved). But we did get some summer clothes for Lauren and an 8th grade graduation dress for Syd. And we became addicted to mall pretzels. They are great for dinner . . . and breakfast the next morning.

To top it off, we followed the baseball team out to Surprise to watch an ASU baseball game. We enjoyed the beautiful evening, and yep you guessed it, another pretzel. Lauren sat with Steven and Cade on the very front row next to home plate. They taught her how to talk trash to the other team. Now, I'm trying to convince her that it's "against the law" in little league. She doesn't believe me.


PS: The boys (as in the high school baseball team) played well, had fun, and ate enough Panda Express to keep them happy until May.

Just the Good Ol' Boys

Just'a good ol' boys
Never meanin' no harm.
Beats all you never saw
Been in trouble with the law
Since the day they was born

Staightnin' the curves
Flatnin the hills
Someday the mountain might get 'em
But the law never will

Makin' their way
The only way they know how
That's just a little bit more
Than the law will allow.

I hadn't thought of this song in a long time, but yesterday it came blaring on the radio. Funny how songs you learned as a kid stick with you. Or it could be that I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED The Dukes of Hazzard.

Lauren always wants me to tell her stories from when I was a kid. Sometimes I can remember a few, other times, well, she is disappointed with my efforts. So when a random memory comes to my mind I better grab it.

Here is one: Like I said, I loved the Dukes of Hazzard. In fact, I loved them so much that I had a poster of Bo and Luke hanging up in my room. (How funny that my parents let me-I was probably only 8-10 years old at the time). Sometimes, when I was feeling wild and crazy, I would pull a chair over to the poster and kiss ol' Luke Duke square on the lips. What a thrill! I didn't have those same romantic feelings for Bo. . .But that dark hair of Luke's. . . Ooo Laa Laa!

The Boys of Summer?!

Baseball started, and winter returned. Why am I surprised? At least there isn't snow on the ground. . . yet. . .

Buds

Ryan and Chase have a special kind of relationship. Chase is usually on the go, and Ryan is usually pretty quiet, but it works for them. Chase likes to watch TV and read magazines with Ryan. And Ryan is always up for a game of catch.

My Girls

Recently some of my good friends came over for a "murder mystery dinner". The setting was a candy shop. Does it get any better than that? My sweet Syd decorated the tables for me. And Lauren begged to sit on the stairs and listen to us. I love that my girls can see me having fun with friends.

We dressed in dorky costumes and acted like our normal dorky selves.



I'm grateful for such good friends. We don't all get together much, but like all good friendships, we can pick up right where we left off. Hopefully we won't another 6 months to plan another evening with each other.

The Weekend Comes Early

Today was my last day of work this week. Tomorrow, we will be heading down to the Valley to cheer on the baseball team at a tournament.

That is, if we make it to the tournament.

At this time, lounging around a hotel room, reading a book, watching TV and sleeping sounds more appealing. As does shopping, going out to eat, and generally enjoying the big city life.

But as I sink into my blissful fantasy, reality begins to creep in. Let's be honest. Lauren is only seven. Bless her heart, but her attention span is well under an hour. Lounging only lasts so long. She'll want to show me all of her tricks at the pool. And Syd, bless her heart too, is a teenager who hasn't seen a mall in 6 months. You know where she will be aching to be. She tries to be patient, but wandering in and out of mall shops for three days would be a dream come true. ( I can only last about an hour).

So in the end, hopefully we'll all get a little of what we want. No matter what, it will be great to do something a little different.

Oh yeah, and hopefully the boys will do well and have a little fun themselves.

A big 'ole shot in the butt

In one hour and fifteen minutes I will get to go to the Doctor and get a shot.

I can't wait. Really.

For the past week or so, I have been in a haze of Zyrtec, Alavert and Claritin (none of them really work too well for me). Every year it's the same thing. I'm miserable for two weeks before I break down and get a shot.

I'm thinking that I ought to just pre-schedule them. Kind of like a dentist appointment or a pap smear. Every February 28th I should just have a standing appointment.

Today one lady told me that if I'd just get all the sugar and white flour out of my diet, I would be fine. I told her bring on the shot.

One hour and ten minutes to go. . .