Perspective

Janice asked in the comments about the house we rented in Oceanside. She wanted a perspective of how close it was to the water. I took these last year. I stood in the same spot and just turned around 180 degrees. The beach was different this year. I think it must have been graded because there was a slope down to the water. The tide also seemed to come in higher than last year.

Back To Life

We are home from our annual trip to Oceanside, California. We had perfect weather, no one got sick or injured so I consider it a success! I have hit the floor running as they say and we are back to our busy summer routine of swim team, volleyball clinic and basketball. I have also been catching up on the laundry and unpacking. We made a trip to Costco today and filled the house with food so we are good to go, now I just need to cook something.

Here are a few pictures of our trip.

Hot!

If you have nothing better to do with your time you should watch my little weather pixie girl in my right side bar. By the end of the day she will be sporting a cute little bikini. I spotted her late yesterday afternoon because the temperature here got to 107. Today the temp should reach 108-110. Yea. I'm looking forward to the beach temperatures and ocean breeze.

And yes, that is what I look like in a bikini, I just choose not to wear one because I am more modest than weather girl.

He Said, She Said

We are heading out for our annual San Diego trip on Saturday morning.



Dave: Janet! Look at all of this junk. Don't you realize there are grocery stores in California too. Ralph's is right down the street.

Janet: Well! I don't want to spend my vacation in the grocery store. And anyway, the minute we pull our of our driveway someone will get hungry and thirsty. When we arrive you'll all need to go to the bathroom and stare at me looking for the TP and then someone will throw up and I'll need the paper towel and Children's Motrin. A teenager will get a bloody nose and need the box of Kleenex. Once we're done with the toilet, throwing up and Kleenex they'll head out to the beach and get burnt to a crisp without the sunscreen . They will be hungry and thirsty again and can eat Trail Mix and drink Capri Sun because that is just how we eat at the beach. And oh, the Diet Coke? Don't you even go there, dear Dave.

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Haircuts with cousin Ashley!

Yummy!

A few months ago Donna linked to the blog Confessions of a Pioneer Woman and I followed the link like a good, obedient, younger sister. I have been hooked ever since.

Ree is an amazing woman, photographer, cook, ranch babe and mommy of four! She has a great sense of humor and writes much better than this, but most all of you who read this blog write much better than this. :)

Ree also started up a recipe blog and whoa horsey, the recipes are amazing! I almost shed tears when I saw she posted a recipe for Rotel. Not your normal Rotel, but as she refers to it, Rotel on steroids!! I made it on Sunday afternoon and it did not disappoint. She received some blasphemous comments about it being too spicy and that the picture didn't make it look very appetizing. Well let me tell ya, real woman like spice ;-) and it is beautiful and appetizing. K!?

Here is my picture of Rotel on Steroids. That is James modelling for the picture, he couldn't keep his paws out of the stuff.

















Should I try the bread pudding next?

About Those Gloves

Look at what Amy found!

She said they are also sold at Sur La Table.

So, do you have a favorite?

Thank you Amy. :)

180 degrees

Now that's what I call repentance!

Good job, brother.

Kim and Aggie

These two ladies are the Simon Cowell of house cleaning!

Well, they are the sweet version.














I love them and we are hooked on the show How Clean Is Your House?

We recently got DVR on our Directv system and Dani is recording every episode for us. We watch and laugh and cringe and on occasion my stomach turns, seriously, some people live like slobs!! Hannah said that the people on the show make us look near perfect. :) I do wish Kim and Aggie would pay me a little visit and help me whip my laundry room and office area in to shape!

I love their English and Scottish accents and their bold remarks about the utter filth that they find these people living in. I took notes last night.

Here is an example of what they say and how they phrase it.....


Lovey, look at all of this rubbish!

Look at this absolute filth.

How can you live in this vile state?

When was the last time you tidied up this place?

This stench is bloody horrible.

Your loo is wretched, lovey.

I have never seen such grime.

That smell is just putrid, chap!

Don't you own a dust bin?

Get me some washing up liquid, quickly.


We watch the show on
BBC America and I just discovered it is also on
Lifetime TV. I'll be sure to let Dani know so she can record those also.

Here is a little more information on the darling hosts, if you must know more.

I'm searching the net for the fancy rubber gloves they wear. I'll be sure to let you know if I find them, lovey. :)

Summer!!

You see this motley crew? I had to deal with all of them on Thursday...all day. :) I decided that since I would be caring for 9 young people for an entire day it needed to turn in to a pool party complete with pizza and Popsicles. I set out to accomplish nothing and nothing was accomplished except these children were well cared for and fed. In this picture you see my 5 children, Janice's 2 boys and 2 girls who are staying with us for 3 days. (That spells T.I.R.E.D.)

















Here you have a picture of me. Lovely isn't it?

Once I get rid of all these children (hehehe) I will continue to work on tanning my feet and sneak away for a pedicure. A much needed pedicure.

How is your summer going?