Quote

A happy childhood is one of the best gifts that parents have in their power to bestow.

-Mary Cholmondeley

My Inner Geek is very happy!

My two most favorite movies from when I was a young girl were: Disney's Sleeping Beauty and Red Sonja [that fantastic 1985 classic B movie click here to see the trailer on You Tube]. I LOVE Red Sonja. I haven't watch the movie in years but I have red the comics that feature her which means my Inner Geek is growing up right... So moving on to fantastic news: Red Sonja is being made into a movie slated for 2010 release!!!!
So exciting right... [Well I am excited]
Here are two online articles about the upcoming movie that has Rose McGowan playing the lead woman-warrior:

http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b144622_rose_mcgowan_wield_red_sonjas_sword.html

Hmmm I probably should expose my kids to this wonderful childhood movie of mine and see what they think. They both like superheroes- especially Cyrus.
I really hope the new version rocks and appeals to my more grown-up Geekiness!

Quotes

I am reading a biography on Eleanor Roosevelt and the woman has some great quotes so I thought I would share a few with you:

Weekly Menu

The boys and I have VBS [Vacation Bible School Camp] this week and Dan gone during the week I am doing the KISS plan for meals- Keep It Simple Silly

Monday: I bought a LOT of strawberries at the Farmer's Market- our growing season is about a month behind and so we just got them in for the seasons and man oh man are they good. So I may have bought too many so tonight is homemade waffles, with homemade strawberry compote, and a touch of whipped cream on top- I may be the coolest mom tonight...

Tuesday: Since yesterday was fruit- tonight is a vegetable soup. Thinking of making scones for dessert.

Wednesday: Salads are wonderful on warmer days which we are having this week. Grilled chicken on a bed of lettuce! On the side will be crackers with spreadable Fromage Cheese with garlic and chives!

Thursday: Noodles with red sauce... I made Spaghetti Bolognese not too long ago on a weekend day and it was a big hit with the family. Bolognese sauce is great because I was able to cut up small chunks of carrots and celery for added nurition. I will probably replace the more popular ground beef/veal/pork with ground turkey.

Friday: Salmon with a mustard and spices spread on it, rice, and a salad.

Rumors are confirmed to be true

Dan had drill this weekend after a couple of months of very strong rumors of another deployment- it has been confirmed. He will be leaving April 5th 2009 for training that will be for 100 days before being deployed overseas for one year. He'll be going back to Iraq so he going to work in some Arabic classes as a refresher and to build on what he knows before he goes. Hopefully his job will work around the Arabic classes which we believe that will happen.
I really like having this advance notice- last time we had 3 months to prepare for him being gone. It'll be harder on the boys now that they are older and more aware.

Gas prices go up and are you driving less?

It took us two weeks ago to finally hit $4.00 a gallon. Now we are at $4.35/gal!!! *gasps*
I drive an average of 500 miles a month and my gas bill is about $150-160 a month which is double Dan's gas bill although he is only driving approx 475 miles a month. I have already cut down some of my driving to get to the 500 miles.
I know when Dan is working close to home June 30th to July 3rd- he'll be taking the bus to work and I'll use his car on the days that I am not babysitting. We will work out a schedule of trying just to use his car when his done with his job training and is back to work in our city.
According to this article: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080619165426.g1xpji51&show_article=1 more Americans are driving less. An interesting statistics read:

But beginning in 2004, the number of miles Americans put in on the roads annually began falling between 100 and 300 million miles.

And this year, the fall accelerated sharply on a yearly comparison to 4.4 billion miles.

I know when it came time for me to find a preschool for Solomon, distance to the school from home was a huge factor and thankfully the preschool of our dreams was 1.88 miles away from home. Now Cyrus will be going there next year. I always figure since I drive a SUV that I should be responsible about the number of miles that I drive because it is not an economical car. I would love to drive a more economical car but I just can't figure in the car payment and higher insurance costs to justify it.
I am planning to use the bus more often. Drive Dan's more economical car more often. Making sure that I combine errands for one trip. Any other tips?

Update on Solomon

Solomon's asthma is going really well- it is like he doesn't even have it which is a good thing. He went to an allergist and asthma specialist Doctor and Solomon is not triggered by an allergy although he has a mild allergic reaction to dust mites. Apparently most asthma attacks are triggered by something as simple as a cold which the Doctor/Nurses observed that Solomon's nose was running at the time of the diagnosis and mom- well she didn't observe the cold.
So today was a great test of how well Solomon is doing- he started his one week soccer camp that was 3:45-5:15pm and no special inhalant before the class and he had no trouble breathing or coughing which is fabulous. Solomon also had a lot of fun in his class too.

College

So I started my very first day of college- I am attending University of Phoenix Online campus. So far so good... I will be doing two courses every 9 weeks- whew! Right now I am working on my AA in Business then I will work on my Bachelor of Science in Business/Accounting. Kind of exciting and scary right now... The kids liked the movie so I could log in with my counselor on the phone in case I have any trouble and time spent doing some exploring of the syllabus and my first assignment of checking in. [Don't worry I won't make the tv a regular babysitter!]

Happy Father's Day [a day late]

Happy Father's Day to Dan!
To Grandpas Duff and Dave!
Sorry I didn't call- I ended up taking over Father's Day from Dan by taking this heavenly, long, and very well deserved nap after working that morning. Dan enjoyed playing video games with both boys and just having a relaxing weekend especially since he won't be home this coming weekend.

Summer TV

I have great fun on Wednesday nights- it is So You Think You Can Dance on Fox network tv channel. I started this great reality tv show last season and was instantly hooked! Basically talented dancers with different backgrounds do some dancing each week to compete with one another [also as couples] in all different dance styles [beyond their "signature" style that got them on the show] to reveal the best dancer of this season. Tonight starts the final 20 dancers- 10 guys and 10 girls. The final 10 dancers will be a part of So You Think You Can Dance tour after the show. Truly talented dancers and just wonderful to watch.

This is the only reality show I like [I cannot stand American Idol so don't think the dancing show is like that].

Menu Plan for the week

Alright I am going very simple this week- I don't know what I try to keep cooking as if D is home during the week so keep in mind that it is the boys and myself:

Monday: Shrimp Potsickers [from Trader Joe's] with mandarin oranges

Tuesday: Our favorite pizza that is the special of the day and at the price of $10 for a large- a good deal! It is ham and pineapple.

Wednesday: Minestrone Verde

Thursday: Pasta, shrimp, and pesto

Friday: Pad Thai

More menu ideas see Organizing Junkie

I joined a gym

I got another Mother's Day gift from my friend, E, which I used for a great special at 24 Hour Fitness to finally join a gym so I can get back into shape and be healthy. The weather is yuckier this year than the average year and so getting out to walk hasn't been as possible- plus the kids slow me down and they really are too big and old for a double stroller. So joining a gym is the perfect fit for us and at this deal: $24 to join and $24 a month in membership fees was way too good to pass up. Sadly this deal is no longer going but keep an eye and ear out for the next deal that can fit your budget!
Thank you E! I am very happy with my gym- already been 2 times this week and will be going tomorrow and Saturday!

Art

Solomon is quite talented with clay and this is his latest great work:



With all of his interest in knights- it is appropraite that he made a castle.

Disclaimer: I did help with the lines on the drawbridge and some finishing details upon what he did...

Go Beavers!

Saturday [May 31st] the whole family plus Dan's sister, L, went to see Portland's Baseball team, the Beavers play at against Las Vegas' 51s. The boys had a great time, got a free baseball jersey, and ate some sweets [cotton candy, licorce, and ice cream- but sadly no snowcone]... I would post pictures but my camera got destroyed in my cup of beer while attempting to help Cyrus put on his jersey shirt towards the end of the game. I did save my memory card so I will post pictures as soon as I can.

I am going to get tickets for another game for Friday night, June 19th as there is a special deal going on to help raise money for the Strike Out Lou Gehrig's Disease and it is $5 a seat for general admissions! I will probably get Dan to get his camera out or get a throw away camera to capture upcoming moments until I get a new camera...

Any suggestions on what kind of camera I should get?

Weekly Menu

Monday: Quiche again- it sooo easy to make and I have lots of cheddar and monterey jack cheese already shredded by Solomon from yesterday's meal. Plus we have a lot of eggs from our friends' chickens.

Tuesday: Zuppa Toscana- I ended up doing pizza last Thursday rather than this soup and so here it is. Tuesday is also supposed to be a rainy day so ending it with soup sounds like a great idea.

Wednesday: Shrimp and angel hair pasta

Thursday: Breakfast for dinner- fried egg, hash brown [have to use up the last of the potatoes], and fruit kabob.

Friday: With an ugly day outside I am making chicken noodle soup

For more great menu ideas, please go to Organizing Junkie's website and there is a link on her website for a free menu planning e-book that is offered through Menu Planning Central