BASEBALL!!

FINALLY… Little League season! Last year was Mason’s first year playing recreational baseball. The first game started out a little rocky with it being freezing cold and Mason refusing to get out of the car. But, it was smooth sailing after that! I had so much fun watching those little guys (5 and 6 years old) running around the bases with batting helmets on that weight just as much as them. They looked like miniature bobble heads! Even though he played soccer (my sport growing up) shortly after baseball season ended, I was still sad it went by so quickly. What can I say, I’m a baseball mom. I drive an SUV. :)

This season Mason moved up a level; from Rookie to Single “A”. With that came: a new coach, teammates, and rules. At this level it’s about having fun, no score keeping. GAG! Yes, I’m one of THOSE parents. Why is it so bad I want my child to win succeed?

So far it’s all working out wonderfully. Mason is having a blast and comes by it naturally. Of course he gets his athletic ability from me. LOL. Go Athletic A’s!!!

Oh ROSS…

Oh ROSS, how I heart thee. Let me count the ways…

1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.                                                                                                                       Purple shoes $8, original $30                                                                   Pink sandals $10, original $40.                                                                Total savings of $52! And that’s why she needed these. Booyah! :)

U.S. Census 2010

Well, it’s the end of March and I’m guessing majority of the United States population has gotten their Census form. This year will be the first time I am being required by law to fill out this form. Since I really know nothing about it, I looked up the Census 2010 website to better my knowledge and get some answers.

The Census information is used to allocated 400 billion dollars to different communities. The funding goes towards hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works, and emergency services. The information on this form also affects the numbers of seats our state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives.

By federal law, census records are confidential (for 72 years) and can not be used by law enforcement, IRS, or any other government agency. Employees of the Census Bureau take a oath of nondisclosure and are sworn to protect the information they are given. If this oath is broken, they can be fined up to $250,000 or imprisonment.

As for the form itself, it is the shortest census form in history. There are only 10 questions (for the head of household): number of occupants, rent or own, telephone number, name, sex, age, date of birth, Hispanic origin, and race. You must then fill out the same information for each additional person living in the home, including illegal immigrants.

Now with all that being said, why in the world does the U.S. Department of Commerce need to know my telephone number? My name? They already asked for my age, why do they need my birth date?  Strange they aren’t asking for my address. Oh wait, it’s printed on the back of the form that’s being sent back! And when is race not going to be an issue? I would like to see a box that reads, “American.” Please explain me this, how is any of MY personal information relevant in dividing up federal funding?

Perhaps in 10 years the form will be even shorter; age and sex. Then maybe I wouldn’t be penalized under Title 13, Section 221.

This is what I think of the Census 2010

Flip Flops…

Is it silly of me to argue with Adam when he says I have a problem? Is it silly of me to want more?

If your wondering, I have 34 pairs. And yes, I need more! :)

MONSTERS!!

When I saw this bathroom decor I just knew it was meant for my three little monsters wonderful children. ;) And it was pretty much the only thing I could find that was unisex, not “babyish”, and reasonably priced. Most of the items are from Target; the Alex Moody Monster Line. The towels and tissue holder are from Kohl’s; Jumping Beans Monster Line. The main part of the bathroom is painted in, New Grass Green by Glidden and the toilet room is painted in, Friendly Frog from the Behr Disney Color line.

Before:

 

After:

 

St. Patrick’s Day

Creamy Chicken Alfredo

I’m sorry to do this to you, my fellow Lent followers, but this recipe is to good not to share. Just to let you know, I did not make this today; I made it yesterday. So I have not committed any sins(since you can’t eat meat on fridays during lent). Meaning today. :)

3 or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 jars of creamy alfredo sauce (i used classico)

your choose of seasonings (i used salt, pepper, and parsley)

whole wheat rotini (or any other pasta you desire)

~Rinse chicken breasts and remove any extra fatty pieces, pat dry. Pour in both jars of alfredo sauce. Season both sides of chicken and then place on top of alfredo sauce. Cook 6-8 hours on low. Once it’s dinnertime, boil your pasta till it’s al dente (firm but not hard). Drain pasta and stir into crock-pot for 5 minutes or so. Giving the pasta time to absorb some of the sauce. I served steamed asparagus with this dish. Enjoy!

 

~Side Note: I have tried making this with packaged alfredo sauce and it doesn’t turn out as well. The sauce becomes runny.

P.S. - I lied, I cursed at the jerk who cut me off on my way to work. So now I’ve sinned 2x day. Once for cursing and once for lying. Oops!

Parkway Half Marathon

And marathon (half marathon in my case) season has begun! The next half I’ll be running is the Parkway Half Marathon, on May 1st 2010. The course is a gorgeous scenic route, a straight out and back loop. I slacked on my speed work for Shamrock’n and I feel that is a big part of the reason why I didn’t finish at my goal time. So this time I’m making it a MUST!

Date	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
3/15 3/21	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:53	XT	Tempo Run Dist: 5 mi Warm; 3 mi @ 13:17; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:53	Long Run Dist: 7 mi @14:53	Rest
3/22 3/28	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:53	XT	Speedwork Dist: 5 mi Warm; 2x1600 in 12:33 w/800 jogs; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:53	Long Run Dist: 7 mi @14:53	Rest
3/29 4/4	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:53	XT	Tempo Run Dist: 5 mi Warm; 3 mi @ 13:17; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:53	Long Run Dist: 8 mi @14:53	Rest
4/5 4/11	Easy Run Dist: 5 mi @14:53	XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 mi @14:53	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:53	Easy Run Dist: 4 mi @14:53	Rest
4/12 4/18	Easy Run Dist: 4 mi @14:44	XT	Tempo Run Dist: 6 mi Warm; 4 mi @ 13:17; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:44	Long Run Dist: 8 mi @14:44	Rest
4/19 4/25	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:44	XT	Speedwork Dist: 7 mi Warm; 3x1600 in 12:25 w/800 jogs; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:44	Long Run Dist: 9 mi @14:44	Rest
4/26 5/2	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:44	XT	Tempo Run Dist: 5 mi Warm; 3 mi @ 13:17; Cool	Rest	Rest	Race Day Dist: Half-Marathon @13:30 Time: 2:57:12	Rest

Shamrock’n ROCKED!

I can mark another notch in my running belt, second half marathon done! YAY for me!

This was the second year the Shamrock’n Half Marathon partnered up with Team Runnin' for Rhett. Rhett Seevers, was born in 1997 with cerebral palsy and died 7 years later in 2004. The proceeds raised from this race will fund three $5,000 scholarships. Which will be awarded to three graduating Sacramento County college students that are enrolling in a Special Education teaching credential program. This wonderful group provides most of the race volunteers and trains hundreds of race participants.

The Shamrock'n Half Marathon was a pretty awesome run. It crossed the historic Tower Bridge (2x), through part of Downtown Sacramento, down along the river, back through Old Sacramento, then loop after loop through West Sacramento (i could’ve done without all the loops). For the most part it was flat, but the few hills there were kicked my butt! Along the 13.1 miles there was 12 bands. It didn’t seem like all the bands were playing when we passed, or even when we looped back by them. But there were three that I actually heard and liked; Shayna & The Bulldog, This Luxury, and The Kelps. Of course they were all rock. Nothing like some rock-n-roll to get your legs going!

In some ways I feel like I was more prepared for this run. I’m going to guess it has a lot to do with the fact this wasn’t my first half (and my COOL socks, thank you susan). I also had tested out different energy packs and found the ones I really liked. And by mile 12 I didn’t feel like I was going to die, unlike Cowtown. Even though my finish time was not what I was projected on my training program. I still finished better then my last half marathon and under 3:00. I’ve dwelled on that the past few days, but now I’m going to move on (and a lot more speed work). I still finished great and there is only room for improvement from here!

Overall Results:                                                                                               Finish time 2:59                                                                                             Pace 13:42                                                                                                          Age Group 564/618                                                                                     Total 3614/4102 

~A special thank you to my runny buddies, Amy and Susan. If I didn’t have you guys I would not be out running at the butt crack of dawn on Saturdays. You are wonderful women and I am so very proud of you and your accomplishments.

Concert Season is Upon Us!!

Most of you already know this, but for those who are just beginning to follow me… I love concert season! I love being outside on a crisp summer evening. I love loud music. I love the excited fans. I love the adrenaline from a good performer. I love my concert buddy! I love cold beer!!

Concert Lineup for 2010 (so far):
Zac Brown Band                                                                                                  Rascal Flatts     
Brooks and Dunn                                                                                             Tim McGraw                                                                                               ~fingers crossed Journey and Heart get added to this list~                                                           

Concerts from 2009:                                                                                       My Concert Buddy! I also call him dad. :)Lady AntebellumMiranda LambertKenny ChesneyBlake Shelton Dierks Bentley Brad Paisley 

Squeaky Squeak

I caved. I really tried. But I failed. I couldn’t wait any longer, I just had to see what Baby Girl’s reaction would be when she tried on her Easter shoes. Of course she loved them! Now I have to wait till Lent is over to buy her another pair!





These shoes are normally around $30 plus shipping, I bought them for $13 with shipping. Gotta love Mama Bargains! If you haven’t checked them out you need to. And I’m serious, leave my site and head over there. They have a different deal everyday, sometimes multiples!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Or as my kids call it… Red Chicken. I don’t know what it is with my kids, but if I call a meal by it’s “real” name they won’t eat it. I’ve learned I must keep things as simple as possible for them. Along with fun! That’s why whenever possible, I use my crinkle cutter. Since carrots (or whatever i’m cutting at the time) taste SO much better when they are crinkled!

3 or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 cans sweet and sour sauce

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

3-5 carrots, peeled and diced (crinkled in my case)

~Rinse chicken breasts and remove any extra fatty pieces, pat dry. Pour in both cans of sweet and sour sauce, place chicken on top of sauce. Toss in your diced bell peppers and carrots. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over rice.

Side note: If your a fan of pineapple, toss in a can of pineapple chunks (drained).

My Other Half

This morning Adam left for our good friend Zach's bachelor party in Scottsdale, AZ. Normally mini vacations (alone) don’t bother me, but this trip is different. It has nothing to do with the fact it’s a bachelor party, since Adam’s been on a few over the past couple years. But more with the length, FOUR days!

Adam and I have been official together since Saint Patrick's Day 2003 (the night he told me he loved me and i told him he needed to reminded me in the morning). That would make a total of, 6 years 11 months and 15 days. Or 363 weeks and 3 days. OR 2,544 days. Never in all this time have we been apart more then a weekend, 2 whole days.

I didn’t think the length of time would bother me this much. But when I had to say good-bye to him early this morning, half asleep, it actually sank in. Perhaps it has something to do with all our little “disagreements” or the lack of communication this past week. Whatever the reason may be, the conclusion remains the same; he is my heart and soul. My best friend. My other half. I would be lost without him.

Education slipping away…

I just received an email from my oldest sons’ school informing me more pink slips will be handed out within the next week. What does this mean for my sons’ school? Most likely 8 teachers plus the school librarian will be out of work by the end of the school year. Now not only do these individuals not have jobs, but the class sizes will jump from 20ish students to 30ish students.

That’s just my sons’ school, what about the other 58 schools (i could be wrong on the number, but i’m pretty close) in our district? Will thank you for asking. :) The over all is more then 1,000 certificated and classified personnel are on the verge of losing their job. A total of $60 million must be cut for the upcoming school year due to the lack of state funding.

I’m concerned, like most parents, regarding the fate of our children’s education. I try to stay positive and tell myself it’s a cycle, it’s going to get better. But the truth of the matter is… it’s not anytime soon. No one can talk, no one can agree, everyone likes to point fingers. Why can’t there be compromise? Isn’t compromise one of the many life lessons we strive to teach our children? Is it really that hard to compromise as an adult?

Bottom line… We MUST find the middle ground before our children’s future slips away.

 

OshKosh B'Gosh