Weekend Recap

What is that 'they' always say?  "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy?"  If that's the case, I suppose the opposite is true, "If Mama IS happy, everyone is happy." 

This weekend was a really nice family weekend.  I was in very good spirits and, because of that, my patience, acceptance and attitude was at their peaks!  And it showed.  Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and we really enjoyed our time together.

Friday started with the usual chores followed by a lunch date with a dear friend, Amber.  It was so nice to finally catch up with her - it felt like it had been forever!  And I spontaneously got to meet her beau!  That was fun.  She went with me to Target after lunch so that I could get a new fall door mat (and, as is the Target way, I ended up getting a couple of other things).  We parted ways after Target with the promise that we would get together for lunch at least twice a month!  I'm so glad.  I really enjoy hanging out with her.  Not that we don't text each other a lot but hanging out is always good!

While I was out doing my running, T was picking up Tay from school.  She had a half day and needed to be picked up at 11:30 (seems less than a half of a day but whatever).  They grabbed some lunch on the way home and we all ended up back at the house together around 3:30.  Just in time for a couple of awesome Craig's List sales!  I sold our two end tables that went with our previous furniture and two ottomans that were originally in my apartment but was then sitting in the crap room before it became Cashew's room.  They are really nice ottomans that my Mom and I found on clearance at Target.  All in all, within an hour, we made $90!  We have a couple of other items on "the list" just waiting for a good home.

Dinner was easy - leftover chowder for T and I and chicken nuggets and mac and cheese for Tay.  We ended the evening with our traditional movie night - Madagascar 2 (for the umpteenth time, but it is cute).  Tay fell asleep on the couch towards the end of the movie so we tucked her in and I wasn't too far behind her!

Saturday I got up and got my chores done before the rest of the house was stirring.  T got up early and took "Blue", which is now the name of the Lexus, up to the tire place to have the tires rotated and balanced.  Tay woke up late and lounged until T came home.  We all got cleaned up and headed to Madera Canyon which is South-Southeast of Tucson.  I almost lost my happy mojo while we were stuck in stopped traffic on I-10 right as we entered the freeway.  Ahh, the wonderful Tucson road construction projects that seem to make no sense other than to cause even more road rage than already exists out here.  They were merging three lanes into the one center lane.  We were stopped for quite a while and I was really getting ancy, angry and frustrated.  But, once we got moving, I felt the pissiness wear off and the sun was shining again...somewhat.

The real sun WAS shining until we got closer to the canyon.  We saw some cool lightening strikes and it did drizzle on our picnic a bit.  But we didn't care.  The temperature in the canyon was closer to the mid 80s and it felt amazing!  We had the stereotypical KFC picnic (which was kinda gross...at least mine was) and then went hiking.  My big belly and Jackson's older age kept us lagging in the back of the pack.  At one point, he and I sat on a big rock while T and Tay climbed a pretty large hill.  I was pretty crampy from the climb that far and Jack's tongue was grazing the path so I knew a break was needed for both of us.

As we were walking back to the car, there was a man and maybe his son walking through the creek bed (there was no water...go figure!) looking for rattlesnakes.  They asked us if we had seen any and we said no and I added that we weren't planning on it either!!  Then I thought about that big rock I had been sitting on...yikes!  I didn't even think about snakes! 

On our drive out of the canyon, we stopped at the lodge gift shop.  T and Tay went in to do some shopping while Jack and I sat at a small table outside of the entrance.  The canyon is known for their abundance of bird families.  This area was absolutely full of hummingbirds!!  So I sat and watched them fly overhead and feed from the multiple feeders the lodge had placed around the grounds. 

T and Tay walked out with three bottled waters and a turtle necklace for Tay.  The lady who owns the lodge offered Tay a turkey feather which she accepted.  We did see turkeys as we were driving in which seems so odd in Tucson for some reason.  I joked that they were running for the hills since Thanksgiving was coming up.  Tay didn't get it and I didn't want to explain...

On the drive home, our two "kids" in the backseat were sound asleep.  Jackson had his paw on the door arm rest with his head on his paw.  It was so sweet.  And Tay was a bobble head in her booster seat.  I was pretty much in a daze all the way home...I may have drifted off for a couple of minutes...the hike was great exercise but really took it out of me.  Well, took it out of all of us!

Tay talking to us about school


Listening intently!


So is Jackson...no wait, he is waiting for chicken to drop


Our lunch table in the canyon


Our family


Close buds


On the big hike - Cashew's first!


Madera Canyon - creek bed with no water


The kids leading the way


Strike a pose by the cool tree with white bark


Daddy and his little girl


Contemplating her next move


Tree bridge


Cool plant


Good family time


There is a really funny video sequence that I will try and figure out how to post on here.  It is of Tay running down a hill.  The first time, success.  The second, not so much!

Yesterday I did my usual Circle K run for a paper and a tea.  Tay was already up but she watched cartoons while I was gone and Daddy was still asleep.  When I got back, I did my daily morning routine, read the paper and cut coupons.  We started her Christmas list (she wants everything) and then we worked on a project together.  We had three jars of coins - from pockets, wallets and who knows what else - so we rolled the coins.  This was an educational project.  I was working with her on knowing her money, the denominations, and how many of each coin equaled the amount that goes in the roll.  She did really well.  I was pretty impressed!  All in all, we rolled over $175 worth of coins and there are still more to roll.  We ran out of quarter rolls so I will need to get some more of those.

After our project, we had lunch and then raced upstairs to get showered before the Steelers/Bears game.  Although the game turned out to be a disappointment (but it was a close game), we had a good time watching it together.  I have brainwashed this poor child and I couldn't be more proud!!  Her attention span got her through the first quarter and maybe five minutes of the second quarter before she went to color.  But she told me to let me know if Steelers scored so that she could swing the towel!  I swear it brought tears to my eyes that she wanted to swing her towel!  During half time, we had some picture fun.  Me with my new jersey (Polamalu jersey who is out with a sprained knee).  I ordered this jersey in a women's large.  I should have looked for the wooly mammoth size large because I had to wear a black tank underneath it...I don't know how many future games I will be able to wear it until after December.  But I will continue to try!



Swing that towel Tay!!  Swing it proud!


Tay's close up on the ol Cashew pod


The pod showing her colors! 


Don't mess with the tough Steeler girls!!


T had to leave today for DC to pitch to a client tomorrow so I am just getting my usual stuff done.  This morning I did the usual kitchen wipe down in addition to deeper kitchen cleaning - appliances, mopping, etc.  I watered the plants, swept the sidewalk, swept the kitchen, mopped the kitchen, started laundry, dusted and vacuumed downstairs.  Next I am going to have some lunch, dust and vacuum upstairs and finish laundry.  That should do it for today.  My new product that I LOVE - Swifter dusting polish.  It ROCKS!  I was always a Pledge girl until I tried it. 

Until next time....