Hairy decisions...

Me: Should I cut my hair, and keep it short, or grow it long?
Shayne: I don't know, whatever you want
Me: No, no, no, you tell me what you want to do, and I will do it this time
Shayne: Okay, grow it out
His answer has been in the past "do whatever is cheaper"
Hmpf! I guess I just want him to tell me what to do so I can blame it on him if I dont' like it. I did get it trimmed today, and colored really light. I told Nikki the hairdresser I wanted to look "sunny", and you do need sunglasses to look at me now...
You know, "sunny'actually meant 50lbs lighter and with a likeness to Heidi Klum. Aren't hairdressers suppposed to have magic powers?

Official Fall Traditions

So, we have lived here in Arizona and had never been to Annie's Orchard. October comes around, and we just haven't had the time to make the drive out east of Vail.
So, this last Sunday we took a "drive". Now, I had already purchased pumpkins at Fry's for $3.99 each, so I am thinking: nice day, photo op, time with family.
Glad I bought those pumpkins folks, because the same size would have been $12 there.
I have never left a pumpkin patch or Christmas tree farm/lot NOT feeling like I had been hosed...
So,
gas to get there
+$15 for the hayride out to the patch
+would have been $36 for pumpkins
+lunch and snacks
=traditions don't come cheap!
Having said that, we did had some good fun together.

The Duggars-my curious obsession!

Let me just say that I can't get enough of the Duggar Family. You know, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar who have 18 kids, and one on the way(they have a show on TLC every Monday night, not to mention all the TV appearances they have made). They live in NW Arkansas, and are quite possibly the most interesting family. They are debt free, if they can't afford it, they don't buy it. That includes cars, and their giant 7000 sf house. Even their 20 year old son has a house, and a business.
The mom, Michelle, never yells, and has one of those really sweet voices that I would never have. Apparently the spark is still there, because they just keep having kids. They are Chrisian, the girls always wear skirts(even to painball fight in!) The oldest, Josh, was engaged and they decided not to kiss till the wedding day. Shayne didn't even have a chance, I was going in for the kiss no matter what!

What a crock!

No seriously, I think that crock pots rock! I still have my nineties ivy patterned crock, and I just got a second, larger one from Costco(it's digital, turns off by itself, and has a warm feature)
Why two crock pots? Well, in my world, if one is good, two is better. And honestly, I have had situations where I could have used to ( like beans in one, meat in another) Plus, I'm Mormon, nuff said.
Sooooo, while I do have some yummy, simple go-to recipes, I would love some more.
One's that tell you to put in some meat, and a can/jar/envelope of this, and viola!
Here are two all time fave's:

Sassy Shredded Pork
5 lbs pork loin
16 oz jar of salsa
1 c. brown sugar
1 can soda(you can use diet)
Now, put it on low for like 8 hours and shred.
So fab for tacos and taco salad, always a hit!

Mexican Shredded Chicken
5 chicken breasts (can start off frozen)
1 envelope of 3 tbs taco seasoning
1-2 cans Rotel
Same thing, cook for 2-3 on high or
4-5 on low, and shred.


So, as you can tell, I need some variety, help a girl out :)

Anyone got a a cup of confidence that I can borrow?

Or a tablespoon of self esteem?
Sheesh. I am preparing for the Photography class that I am teaching this Saturday, and man, there's nothing like the thought of teaching a class(on ANY subject) to make you realize how under-qualified you feel.
I love photography, so I do know more than most people, just because I read a lot about it. I am going to try hard though, not to make 100 self-depreciating jokes while I give the lesson.
What is it about us girls?(can I call myself that?) Why can't we feel good about what we know, and not measure it against another. Yeah, someone else will ALWAYS be:
-prettier
-smarter
-more creative
-more spiritual
-a better blogger (man, I am so bad with any kind of photoshop/graphic stuff)
-better hair, skin, clothes
When someone gives a compliment, it is NOT the place to tell them that well, your skirt cost only $5 and you haven't shaved in weeks. Or that you ate a whole bag of Oreo's and fed your kids cookies for breakfast that morning.
So to quote from an old Saturday Night live skit, tell yourself:
I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and dog-gonnit, people like me.

Proud

Shayne completed his first triathalon this last weekend, the Tucson TinFoil Man Triathalon. He did great and finished under two hours, beating the goal he had made for himself. The kids and I went to take pictures, and I was really inspired at the different levels of athlete that participated.
Shayne completing this race is a lesson, anything you dream, you can achieve.
It starts with one workout, one day of eating properly, and the vision that it WILL happen if you just perservere.

If you're interested...

the rest of our photo shoot

Mesa Art Center

These are pictures that we took this last weekend in Pheonix at the Mesa Art Center. If you haven't been, it is an awesome place to walk and enjoy, not to mention, great photo settings. We went at the worst time of day for pictures, however, in the shade I was able to get a few good shots. There was much whining, and bribing, but we all stuck it out.
I have been feeling really down in terms of my hobby lately, but decided (and Shayne telling me that I was looking for an excuses to fail helped!) that it was up to me how well I could do. I am happy to stay at home raising my great kids (one of whom is writing on his belly with pen as we speak), and then when I can, pursue my degree in art or graphic design. In the meantime, practice, practice, practice.

Trip to the Dentist

Drew had a dental appointment yesterday, and I was apprehensive. His last appointment, he sat back in the chair, let the hygenist count his teeth, and promptly started bawling. That was the end of the appointment.
He strted out in good spirits. He asked on the way if he could relax in the dentists office, and then on the way in he asked if Joseph Smith was nice. Four year olds little brains must go 100 mpr. He let the hygenist actually use the polisher, but no 'sucky thing' he contended.
A trip to the dentist's 'treasure chest' after made it all better.

We are going to Phoenix this weekened. Shayne and Jordan have tickets to a Cardinals game (Jordan's first pro football game). The other two and I shall relax poolside while the men are away.
Oh, and the mandatory trip to
-Ikea
-Cheesecake Factory
-Scrapbook's Etc.
-Cabella's
-Rufflers Roost (it's a ribbon store, yes, a store with just ribbon!)
Now, we are off to Catalina High School for our Vail Vikings game, go purple and gold!

This and that...

I love Project Runway! THey are down to four people, and while I love Kenley (she designs retro 50s and 60s)she is a brat! I miss Christian from last year "that is a hot mess". I also am hooked on Tabithas Salon Makeover, I will look around when I get my hair done now at how they operate.

Having the kids around all day this last week and a half, has been interesting. On one hand, I love not having to pack lunches, get up so early. On the other, they are here ALL DAY LONG!
Heard in the house last week:
Jordan-"Can I have turkey and shrubs on my sandwich?"(he didn't know they were sprouts)
Drew-Shayne was showing old pictures of Kennedy in ballet and says "look at Kennedy in her too-tee"