Ready, Set.... GO!

*** Be sure to visit Kim's blog for pictures and her version. Sweeeet!

My BFF's, Kim and Leslie, and I ventured out to get some culture passes for the Children's Museum of Phoenix. There were 3 coming out at the Palo Verde branch... I was ready to get them all!

The first experience I had with getting culture passes was with Bre.... where we waited for about 30 minutes and came out empty handed. There is no organized way to wait, thus those who are fastest win, not first come first served. We did not know this at first.... we noticed people would get closer to the door the closer the time came for the library to open. Then, when it opened... it. was. insane! People ran like mad and grabbed any and all passes they could find. We were left with nothing, defeated, but educated.

So, when the time came for us to try again... I was ready. Kim and I stayed out in front of the library, while Leslie took the kids to the park next door. "Game face" lady came over and asked if we were getting culture passes, and if it's whoever is here first gets them. Um... no... not in my experience. Be ready lady. Game Face lady glared at us until the doors opened.... And, like before... the closer the time came to open, the closer people got to the door. I was right there, in the front. It was comical... the doors opened in slow motion... literally! Once I could fit through, I snuck through, got rammed by a stroller (have a bruise on my heel!)... and grabbed ALL 3 passes... one for me, for Kim, and for Leslie. Ha!

Game Face lady was still asking for directions on where they were and how the process works if she was there first, but didn't get them. Then.... she TATTLED on us. To the branch manager! OMG.... Kim was about to give Game Face lady her pass, but then, she came over to Kim and I (Leslie had already taken the kids and started wandering the library) and started chewing us out in the library... saying how RUDE we were, and what kind of example we were for our children, and so on.... Really? I told her sorry, it happened to me to. The she says... so that's how you pay it forward? ... seriously?

Ok, so then... both Kim and I are furious! Kim decided to keep her pass.... of course. Then, Purple Lady, aka the branch manager, comes over and says (all smiley) she'd like to speak with us when we are done checking out. Kim and I gave each other the "look". What? So, after we check out, Purple Lady comes over. Now, keep in mind that Game Face lady and her husband and son are still in the library at the desk staring at us... evil stare... Purple Lady says... please follow me. I think we were both in shock and actually followed her. I mean, who would actually say "ok" and follow her after being tattled on for something so stupid! Tattled! But, we followed her... not to a desk... not to a remote location... but to her actual office. It's like we were called into the Principal's office. Then she asks us to sit down. Now, at this point I'm furious. I can't believe Game Face lady is so bent out of shape about it... I wasn't the first time.... and that she actually complained about us. Then, we were gettin' spanked by the branch manager in her office!

OMG.... At first I didn't want to sit down, out of defiance. I know, way to show her, huh? Then, out of my mouth comes the dumbest words... "Are we in trouble, or something?" Ha ha... Purple Lady smirks slightly and probably realizes I'm not an intelligent life form and this sort of thing happens often to me. But, anyway. She goes on to say that in all the time the libraries have had the culture passes, not once has there been any complaints... until today. Well... people must not have something up their backside like Game Face lady. Who really complains, anyway? She asks us to explain what happened, which Kim does very nicely. I chime in with things like... How unprofessional it is that the library doesn't' have some kind of process to give out the passes, and that lack of lines or any organization fosters competition for the passes.... I mean, those tickets to the children's museum are $9 bucks each! I'm totally getting the passes! She asks us if we pushed and shoved. NO! I didn't even touch anyone. Did we have a stroller that we jammed people out of the way with, she asks. What? NO! However, I was rammed in the ankle with one and still have a bruise.

We made it out of there, and guess who is STILL in the library? Game Face lady. Yep. Kim and I hurry out of there, with our passes of course, and Leslie has the car pulled around with all the kids buckled in like it's the getaway car. ha ha.... While we are buckling Jude up, Game Face lady walks by and is still talking to us.... "How do you feel about taking this away from my kid? How rude are you? You should be ashamed of your self.... blah blah blah".... Kim was awesome, and responds back with... "Keep talking lady, because you're making it so much better."

Hee hee... .Now, don't judge. You weren't there... and my fingers are tired.... and there's probably lots I left out.... But it was classic.

And, in case you're wondering.... we had an awesome time at the museum the next day. For free.

Photos to come... They're on Kim's facebook page....

Williams!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted something. I'm really getting out of the habit... as I say in all my latest blogs. Let's see if I can get things going again...

We had the pleasure of visiting Williams with some friends of ours... Sarah and Kevin, and their daughters Jacey and Jaelyn. The weather was actually a little chilly! - but of course a nice change from the heat... which is actually not as hot now.

On the way up there we were greeted by an Officer Willis who promptly gave Jonathan a speeding ticket for going 12 miles over. Hmmmm..... But the rest of the trip was much more enjoyable.

Highlights:

• The kids were able to free their inner pyros and dabble in some fire, while roasting marshmallows and literally puking from too much.
• We were super close to the fire in Williams, which was right across the highway. We even saw one of the water helicopters getting water from a nearby lake.
• The kids got to hold and shoot dangerous weapons... and had much fun doing so.
• Jonathan and Kevin blew up a printer with Tannerite.... then Sarah and I got to join the clean up crew.
• The Bear Tounge!
• The Pottery Hike we went on, where we found broken Indian pottery and arrowheads. Jonathan found an arrowhead still in awesome condition.
• We got a flat tire on the way out of town... luckily we were still at the cabin.
• And of course... having a great time with friends!

Make Up Adventures with Zoe

Revelation

I realized why I haven't been blogging... besides the fact that I'm exhausted with school having started.... It's because my life is not that interesting. Ha! Now some of you... my 3 readers... may have already known this and out of the goodness of your hearts, or some other reason, you have never mentioned to me this fact, and you're only reading my blog out of pitty's sake. Perhaps it's the feeling I have daily, that my life is like that movie Groundhog Day... which many of you maybe relate to as well....

This week was a little different.... half of us were sick! Usually I'm pretty good at figuring out if Zoe is sick... she was sick so often when she was younger... bronchitis, pneumonia, croup, asthma... blah blah blah... and I thought she just had a cold this time... even though her eyes were red and goopy! Ugg... luckily Jonathan had the sense to bring her to the doctor... albeit after he took her to McDonald's to play... and we ended up using the Minute Clinic instead of her doctor since they couldn't get us in. Strep and pink eye. Eeewww....

I was working that day, so it was my turn the following, but instead of just Zoe, it was Jonathan too... who had strep, pink eye, and a sinus infection. OMG... thankfully Hayden and I are not sick yet....

Although now Jonathan and Zoe are both coughing and Zoe sounds raspy.... What now?

The Piano

I finally, FINALLY, talked Jonathan into taking my grandma's piano.... his arguement was that Zoe needed to learn Spanish more than how to play the piano (which on one level he might be correct). I was bound and determined to get that piano and he said yes last night!!!

I told my mom, whom I thought would be excited, and she says.... Costco has a keyboard for $400. Hmmm....

Friends

So I thought I would actually post something, even though I'm not really feeling it... but ... here it goes.

Last night I had my traditional birthday extraveganza with my BFF's... my soulmates... my sisiters.... At Oregano's. This is something we look forward to year round since we go for each of our birthdays. It consists of the same thing everytime.... Oregano's Favorite salad, pizza - half pepperoni, half veggie, and baked ziti. Delish! Plus, their famous pizza cookie... which, BTW, we found out last night they actually give away for free for birthdays! WHAT?? We've been going there for years and NEVER knew this. I'm thinkin' they owe us some pizza cookies... birthday or not.... And, of course, the best is the conversation.... that may get us a few stares and possibly even get us mocked by a teenage boy.

This year especially we are all busy with life, kids, husbands, cleaning, etc... and the opportunity to see each other is limited. The time we get to spend together is precious and invaluable. Thank you Kim and Leslie for being true friends, for encouraging me to be myself, for entrusting me with your friendship, and for being there. I LOVE YOU!!

Happy Birthday Daisy....

I'm rejoicing over health for my family, and the strength to make it through the trials of life. We miss you and love you Daisy.