2/3

I am here to tell you that someone at Isabel's school must like me.
Scratch that... they LOVE me.

¿Porque? - you ask...

Because today is Alex's first day of summer.
I have 2/3 of my kids home for another few days.

On June 2, I will have 3/3 (or 100%) of all of my kids home.

Have a few days to get used to have more than just Nic home is a blessing.
Soon I will not only be Bank of America worker by day, I will also be maid, chef, referee, concierge, AND INSANE!

So thank you, Isabel's school, for a little lead time! =)

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P.S. Just wanted to give you a random warning. The domain I currently use is just about up for renewal. I've been toying with the idea of changing it to just my name, so that I can then change the header whenever I want and it has no affect on how one gets to me. That means you will need to save the new URL and go there (I don't think I could get it to forward automatically). Does that scare you?!
Still a work in progress, we will see!

What is with me and ___________?

As promised... a blog post about me scoring... at Goodwill, of course!

We woke up BRIGHT & EARLY on Saturday morning (aka 50% off at Goodwill day).

We decided a breakfast of champions was in order... Cracker Barrel would do just fine,

And I, of course, needed some Sweet Tea to get my energy up!

Love me some sweet tea!!

Below are some of our Goodwill finds...

I see a lot of refinishing in our future!!

A table/sewing machine thingy. The sewing machine is from Sears and it STILL works!

Look at the peddle thingy!

I have NO idea where this is going to go. We may refinish it and then sell it.

We will see!

A not so old, but definitely functional side table.

We are using it in the main living room for now.

I think it will get refinished a darker brown, chocolate really.

And then kept where it currently resides.

I think.

A cool mirror.

[look at my boys trying to get in the pic. i warned them i was taking it!]

And finally... I love this next thing.

It's huge - so I haven't had a chance to get a really good pic of it.

It's a 6ft long RADIO CABINET!

She's a BEAUTY!

The speakers are still in it - but that's about it.

We have plans to refinish it - using a much darker stain.

And using a darker mesh-stuff (to cover the speakers).

What we haven't decided on is where it will rest it's sweet head.

Either the entry way...

or in my bedroom.

How exciting.... a mystery!

Seriously though...

What is with me and radio cabinets?!?!?

Rise & Shine

I don't usually time stamp these babies... but let me tell you, it's early!
As in 6am.

Why so early you ask? Or maybe you didn't. But I am going to share with you anyway.

Yes, even though today might just be the last day ever - you know, the end of the world?! (not!)...
I decided Isabel and I need new flip flops. Today is Old Navy's $1 sale!

So, I've got my peeps getting ready now... We are headed to Cracker Barrel for breakfast (Marcos made it clear he wanted biscuits and gravy for breakfast this morning, he just didn't say I had to make them!). After breakfast, we should be first in line at Old Navy. And then we are hitting up a brand new Goodwill!!  I think I will have a Goodwill post for you tomorrow; we went to a HUGE one in Scottsdale last night and walked away with a few treasures! We would have walked away with a ton more, if we hadn't just done a non-food Costco shop; our van was FULL!

So... I hope you have a fabulous Saturday! Regardless...
=)

Winding Down

It's the last Thursday night left of the school year; summer is upon us.
I get to spend the next two and a half months with these guys:

This picture is old - from last year. The kids look soooo young!!
I could point out the flaws (on me, of course... the kids are perfect) - but why?! I remember the day so clearly... one of my favorites!

As Alex is working to finish up a few missing assignments (erg!!), Isabel is outside working on her softball pitch and Nic is watching Curious George on Netflex. I was finishing up a few reports for work (now blogging)... and the love of my life is in the kitchen making BBQ wings and steak fries. He just got back from Wal-Mart... had to pick up the fries. He brought me a package of Oreo cookies [to share, of course]. He loves me!

There has been so much going on lately... with work, landscaping, the kids & school - I've been overwhelmed. Some might think I've been distant. Not on purpose... Just trying to figure out how to deal with things that are quite new to me. I have to put my Fab Five first, right?! I have to put the effort in... that's the fine print on the marriage license and birth certificates.

Hopefully things will continue to wind down and we can get back to life as we know it.
I am ready for a slow and sweet summer.

Black Dog

This post is over a week late, but I couldn't bring myself to "talk" about it.

We had to put Milo [the dog] to sleep on Friday, May 6.

I know it's not the best picture of our beloved friend; it doesn't do him justice.

But Milo was camera shy and we could never really find his "good side."

And his eyes were always a freaky neon green color when captured by the flash.

We loved him, regardless.

<3

We miss him terribly but know that he's no longer in pain.

Just in doggy heaven...

rollin' in the grass and snacking on doggie treats.

RIP Milo James Ayala

[is it weird that we gave him a middle name?!]

<3