Someday this will be a family event...

I have been looking for where I stashed Mom's Avon Walk page address, and I finally found it!

http://walk.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=1830&px=3653271

For those of you who don't know, Katie and Mom have done a couple of walks - starting with the 3-Day and now doing Avon's own 2-day walk for Breast Cancer. Even though they think it doesn't run in the family, Mom's been affected, so we all understand how important the fight for a cure is. It was one of those charities that Alpha Phi supported in college, too, so I did some supporting for the Komen event way back when. I will try to get Katie's page address and add it here. Here's the Avon/Love Army of Women page:

http://www.armyofwomen.org/

The reason it will SOMEDAY be a family event is that the walks are always in Sept/Oct, and until this year (continuing contract, yeah!) I wasn't able to leave so early in the year. Mom and Katie will be walking in LA in September, but are already fundraising... the goal is $1800 each. Katie got to meet Reese Witherspoon 2 years ago! Here's the main Avon Walk page, too. This is probably the only continuing donation that I'll be giving this year...give a little, give a lot!

http://walk.avonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage

The statistics that my 8th grade science teacher gave us are still with me...please make sure that you are doing all you can for your own health! And don't forget to click everyday...

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

The end results...

Well, there's still dog hair in the corners (2 seconds after I pick it up, there's hair in the corners)...but I did get the taxes done and sent off to Kevin in Flagstaff. I did clean out the filing cabinet in the office. I did accomplish most of that pile that accumulates on top of the desk...all those things you will get to when you have a minute. I did update our insurance files and close some accounts. We did place ads on KSL.com and craigslist for the other off-road toys and the treadmill. We did have a little fun...on Saturday, we took Diane's hint and went to the parade and St. Patrick's party in Springdale. Yes, I know that Saturday was not St. Patrick's day, but this IS Utah, and you've got to schedule these things on non-work days. It was cool...at least this year we made it in time for the parade! They set up a tent and have a Jell-O sculpture competition, hot dogs and churros, bounce houses and the rock wall for kids to climb. The weather was great. The Irish singing group was awesome, too. Here's Diane, her friend Mott, me, and the dogs watching the parade.

Here's the Bit... when you come to visit, we need to go. Good ambience, good food, ...beer!

There were all kinds of people out in Springdale for the parade... we walked before to wear the puppies out a little.

Here's the girls...the day after!
P.S. the facebook conflict continues...I got friend requests from one of my students' parents (see what I'm saying?) and my college advisor...

TWO WORDS

SPRING BREAK!
...for both of us, but Andy still has EMT. So the plan is to stick close to home, do a spring power clean, organize, finish up the closet, rearrange the garage, list a couple of things online, get taxes organized/done, get grading caught up, read some books, and sleep... hopefully not all in that order. The rhino is gone, to friends of ours we met through Jim and Tracy. John and Heather are race fans, off-road enthusiasts, and fun people. They took the rhino home to San Diego, and are planning to take it out to Ocotillo Wells and on other adventures. We hope they have a great time with it - we always did! Andy's talking kayaks...
Clearly, I made some changes...the music - I know everyone doesn't love it like me - has some throwbacks (Depeche Mode, Echo and the Bunnymen), Kelly Clarkson (new idol season's started), and a new group I found on Channel One (kids' news channel for current events). I've really gotten back into music recently... I love my iPod and the system Andy put into the house.

Have a great week!

Even Dog Parents have birthday parties...

If you've followed the blog for a while, you may know that Sarah has a pack.
Her best friend, Gracie, had her birthday yesterday.
This morning, Diane had a "party" for the dogs (she did Sarah's while we were gone in October).


Sarah has now tasted ice cream...she used to think ice was a treat!

Not dead yet...

Yeah, I know, right? You thought we really did fall off the face of the earth. No such luck, I'm afraid. It's just been VERY normal around here. School continues (for both of us), I'm trying to walk at least 4 nights a week with the dogs, and the house collects dog hair 5 days out of 7. We have Spring Break the week of Mar. 16-20, but Andy still has EMT that week, so don't think we'll be making it out of town.


We may be selling the rhino...sad, but it just sits there most of the time, and if someone else can have fun with it, then... Plus, Andy'll be happy - closer to getting 2 cars in the garage. Also, if you know of anyone who wants a KX500 or a Pitster Pro, let us know.


We got way too inspired by our friends who are "simplifying", plus SARAH + dirtmachines doesn't work. When we get a 4 seater rail or buggy, we'll get her a doggie harness. I'm out of ideas tonight...way too tired. I'm going to change the Meisel/White photo and call it a blogging night. I have a stack of persuasive essays to grade - anyone want to trade?


Besides, Sarah's plugging for a boat...more swimming time for her!

I LOVE...

1) to change things...obviously!
2) The Cutest Blog on the Block - this background rocks!
3) Andy
4) Sarah
5) Krispy Kreme (although I haven't had one in 4 years - once you've had them hot, you can't go back)
6) Carraba's - did I mention that there's one right near our old house in Surprise?
7) Life is Good - anything!
8) random thoughts...
9) my birthday gifts - 2 iTunes cards (thanks!!!), a Kohl's gift card, checks, and a sunflower quilted wall hanging from Mom
10) Birthdays should ALWAYS be on a Saturday...sleeping in, breakfast in bed, lounging!

Things in my head: 32 days to Twilight movie on DVD, lovin' Idol so far this year, can't wait to iTunes shop, using the public library to get books on CD (very retro, yes?), EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, people! I know, you all didn't move to UT, but seriously...have a plan, get some food storage, and be ready just in case. Especially you city folk! Check out the site in the list...

I am seriously conflicted...

and no, it's not about my 36th birthday. I realize that for some people the ticking of the clock is a big deal. But honestly, it just doesn't occur to me that I'm getting "older". I have a theory that it's because I don't have kids of my own...it's like living in a time warp.

Sarah on a 4 x 4 trip

Maybe Sarah will change that. My mom had a birthday over the weekend, and although the number may be getting bigger, I don't see her that differently than 15 years ago. Maybe it's just me...

The birthday girl (Mom) and Dad at the Texas Renaissance Festival 2006

Anyway...my conflict is over this whole Facebook/MySpace thing. People - I am a teacher - and while I may not be the most popular teacher (I wasn't the most popular student, either), there are just ways and things that my students DON'T need to know about me. I have issues about people "searching" for me...and I don't want to end up spending even more time declining "friend" requests like the spam in my email box. (no, I'm not saying that people are looking for me, just that garbage happens wherever you go...) But now MB has joined Facebook!!!! This is getting to be just toooooooo much!

Lower Calf Creek Falls...gorgeous and totally worth the hike!

I can't not post pictures, so here are some previously unposted...