Top 5 Reasons I Glad John & Stacy are Getting Married

5. It was a great reason to drop 15 lbs and pamper myself with a pedicure and manicure.
4. "Yummy! I LOVE cake." - Patrick's reason.
3. Chance is shorter and easier to spell than Bentancourt. (I can never remember if the first "n" is in there or not).
2. "The Stamps" is perfectly creative couple nickname. Not all couples are that lucky.
1. I am thrilled to know 2 of my favorite people are going to live "happily ever after. . ." with each other.

When technology goes awry

Do I need these to fit with the rest of the IT Division?

When Technology Goes Awry: Keyboard Jeans

In case you don’t spend enough time online already, “designer” Erik De Niks has come up with a way to check your email by the seat of your pants. Literally. There’s a keyboard that spans across the crotch/thigh area, speakers installed in the knees, a specially designed back pocket to store your mouse and a joystick controller behind the front zipper. (Umm, we’re sure the designer didn’t mean it that way.) He refers to these pants as “modern shaped trousers which are often worn by youngsters,” but we think maybe he means jeans in general, because we can safely say we have yet to meet anyone rocking the keyboard jeans...yet. Would you wear these pants? Or date anyone who wore these?

Arr! It's driving me nuts!

This one's for Jake. And anyone else who can remember how the joke goes. One of my Red Raider Camp students told me this joke 6 years ago. I remember it totally cracking me up, but I don't remember the actual joke. Does anyone else? Special thanks to Jake (and his lustrous coat) for sending me this picture and for reminding me of this.


I wonder what my other Cyber Sisters are doing in Dallas while I am posting? 1 week till Stacy and John are Mr & Mrs!!!

More than you wanted to know, Cyber friends

I stole this idea for a Cyber Sisters blog from my friend Ann.

How many times a week do you cook and eat out? I only eat out for special occasions. Not even fast food. I always cook for myself or me and Patrick at home. I even bring my lunch every day to work.

What is your family's favorite dinner? This is a hard one because I am generally cooking for one and that isn’t any fun. Salmon patties and asparagus were one of my favorite dinners to make. And still is, I just haven’t made it in a long time. Any one up for salmon patties? Currently I am eating a lot of broiled salmon and veggies. I’ve been making black beans a lot – open a can and blend it in my Magic Bullet, juice and all, with some cumin and season salt. Mmmm! And Green Giant make a creamed spinach that I LOVE! I can eat the whole package which is 2.5 servings, but only 6 grams of fat.

Do you have a fast and easy recipe that you use frequently? Broiled fish is pretty easy, but it’s also been part of my “bridesmaid” diet. I am really treating myself and trying to cook easy, I love any pasta (but most especially gnocci) with Knorr’s parma rosa sauce or creamy pesto.

How do you keep up with the house work? When do you get it done? I am a disappointment to my mother as far as housework goes. I don’t have a regular schedule. It gets done when I have the energy and it make my priority lists. Usually on weeks when Patrick is with Paul. I vacuum, clean the mirrors, mop the kitchen floor and do laundry often. I clean the bathrooms once every 2 weeks, but it’s really only me in there, and let’s face it, women are generally cleaner than men. Dusting is always last on my list. In fact, my mom usually busts out the Pledge when she is over and does it for me. It just doesn’t make my priority list.

Do you have any tips for getting it done faster/easier? I always make a to do list of things that need to be done and cross them off so I can see what I have accomplished. I have also had to teach myself not to stress if it doesn’t get done. I have had to realize my limits as a single, working mom and tell myself it will get done when it gets done. .

Do you have a bedtime routine for the kids? Kinda. Patrick always drinks his hot chocolate (Ovaltine) and watches “one episode” of Curious George. We always read at least one book every night, his choice. But our bedtime is never consistent. Totally my fault. But it works for us.

What kind of staples do you keep stocked in your kitchen? For me - pasta, pasta sauce, Fuji apples, frozen salmon, half and half for my coffee. For Patrick – chocolate donuts, Ovaltine, apple juice, carrots, chicken noodle soup, chocolate pudding

How often do you go to the grocery store? Once a week usually on Sunday evening

Do you have a special day for running errands or is it just when you need to? Whenever I need to.

Do you share your the household responsibilities? With Patrick? I am pleased that he knows to put his shoes where they belong and his dirty clothes in the hamper. Like I said, Mom picks up my dusting slack. And thank goodness my Dad is offering to do my lawn. Yeah, I am kind of a princess there, but he knows it’s the best thing for both of us for him to do it now.

What is your best organizational tip? TO DO LISTS! Use a calendar. And sticky notes - LOTS of sticky notes!!! I have them in every room of my house, seriosuly. I also keep dry erase markers in my bathroom so I can keep a list of bathroom needs on my mirror - soap, makeup, shampoo, etc

What is your favorite cleaner(s)? The Cascade dish tabs, Fabulosa floor cleaner. The aerosol glass cleaner – not sure what brand.

How far in advance do you start planning the kids' birthday parties? I really enjoy planning parties and getting creative. I started thinking about Patrick’s probably in December. No kidding.

How do you keep track of all your events/to do? Multiple calendars – a wall one at the office, my online Outlook calendar and my calendar at home. I am pretty good at remembering dates. Got that from my dad.

4 year well check for Mr. PTC

We didn't getto blow out candles at the birthday party because it was too dang windy, so we did it at Old McDonalds (aka McDonalds) when I took Patrick for a special birthday happy meal. then we played at Old McDonald's.

Patrick had his 4 year old well check this morning. Here's what Dr. Steve had to say
20/30 vision
41.5 inches tall - 60th percentile
38 lbs - 50th percentile
Dr. Steve said, again, that if he keeps up this growth rate, he might be 6 feet tall!
He was very impressed with Patrick's speech.
And was pleased to hear that he loves milk and veggies.
All in all a GREAT visit. Although I think Patrick would disagree since he got 4 shots! WOW! But good news is, no more boosters until he is 12.

Patrick's Birthday Weekend Slideshow

These are pictures from his birthday party, as well as his tee ball game on Saturday and our annual Red Raider birthday baseball game and picture with Coach Hays.

A VERY VERY special thanks to Doodah and Papa J for all they did to help me make his party special. The capes and masks were a huge success that the kiddos will enjoy for days to come. I hope to see more pictures of them in them, moms. The cakes were awesome even though they melted. No bakery could compete! And no one can beat Papa J on the grill. You are amazing grandparents to Patrick and amazing role models for me as a parent.

Patrick's 4th birthday - how can it be?

Patrick’s Favorites at 4
Food – pancakes, ketchup and green beans
Movie – Spiderman 3, Black Spiderman is his favorite character
Colors – Red and Green
Song – the original Spiderman theme song – yes, he knows the words

He LOVES to dress up in costumes. And for a 4 year old boy, he has a lot. Red Spiderman, Black Spiderman, Jedi cape, chef’s apron and hat, explorer hat, blue super hero cape and mask, red super hero cape a mask. And he got a Darth Vader costume complete with “breathing voice” box for his birthday. And the first thing he does when he gets home is change into one of them. I so enjoy watching his creativity and seeing what he can “become” using his imagination.

He is still listening to the same lullaby cd that we listened to since he was born. I guess it’s a nighttime comfort thing. And the crazy thing is – it’s not even the one I make for all my new mom’s as baby gifts. It’s “Guess How Much I Love You” the story and then lullabyes. I think I find as much comfort in it as he does. It reminds me of when he was little and we rocked and cuddled.

He’s gotten really good at stalling going to sleep. I usually shower after I put him in bed, but he’ll come in one or two times while I am showering to tell me “Mom, I love you. That’s it. Good night.” Then after my shower, I’ll sneak in and watch him. He talks to his Snoopy or his Hippo or reads books out loud. And finally falls asleep. Then I sneak in and kiss him. I wish I could still pick him up and cuddle when he is asleep, but his big boy bed it too tall for that.

We were at the gym last week and he saw the climbing wall. He decided he wanted to climb it. I went to ask the climbing wall guy how big you had to be to climb the wall and he said big enough to wear the harness. It was cinched up as small as it would go, but it fit. So he climbed the “big wall at the gym” as he calls it. I was disappointed I didn’t have my camera – but why would I at the gym. Next time we’re there (next week), I hope to get pictures of both of us climbing.

All last week I had been talking up his party and all his friends that were going to be there. Friday night I made the goody bags with the kids’ capes, masks and super hero arm bands. I had to shorten most of the arm bands, so I had lots of red, blue and yellow squares of paper. Patrick asked if he could have them so I said sure. I gathered them all together and then threw them up in the air and said “COMPARDY.” I think he was going for “confetti.” He got out his blocks and made me a cake and we pretended it was my birthday. Then he made me close my eyes to give me my presents – stacks of red, green, yellow and blue Legos that he said were Power Rangers. Just what I wanted.

I am so blessed by this little person Gad gave me. In all the ways he makes me laugh and brings out new parts of me I never knew were there. Say a special prayer today for Mr. Patrick Tye Codd.

Me and the birthday boy at Spiderman Park.

All the SUPER FRIENDS who were at the party. We missed you, Preston!

The Secret Thought for the Day

Another one from my daily calendar that was too good not to share.

Love everything you can. Love everyone you can. Focus only on things you love, feel love and you will experience that love and joy coming back to you – multiplied. The law of attraction must send you back more things to love. As you radiate love, it will appear as though the entire Universe is doing everything for you, moving every joyful thing to you, and moving every good person to you. In truth, it is.

Another sweet Paddy story. . . yesterday as we were driving home from the sitter's house, Patrick told me "Mom, there's a big Patrick, too." And I said, "My friend Big Patrick." As opposed to the Sponge Bob Patrick. And Patrick said "yeah." I asked him what made him think about Big Patrick and he said "God. Jesus." Just so matter-of-factly like he does sometimes.

Stamps Shower pictures - I didn't delete them!

Good one of Averi, me and Jenn.
Chris, Pat, Champ and Eric are SO GLAD Kim brought the donuts. Note for Jenn & Eric's shower, hostesses - gotta have donuts!
It's not a party at Jenn's & Eric's if we don't take a picture in the tub. Stacy are I are TOTALLY pretending that something is funny for the picture's sake. We weren't really laughing. But then we did laugh at making ourselves laugh. And poor Christina is still trying to figure out why we are in the tub.
And then why we insisted on getting a picture in the shower. And me - always with the GUNS UP!
And our lovely blushing bride. Is she about to be Mrs. John Chance or is she trying out for a KISS cover band?

I didn't delete all my pictures. I guess they were just hiding. And they let me work in IT. . .

Thought for the Day

This was my thought for the day, Sunday April 13. It eased some of the guilt I have regarding working out versus spending time with Patrick. I hope it touches you in some way, too.

Many people have sacrificed themselves for others, thinking when they sacrifice themselves thet are being a good person. Wrong! To sacrifice yourself can only come from thoughts of absolute lack, because it is saying, "There is not enough for everyone, so I will go without." Those feelings do not feel good and will eventually lead to resentment. There is abundance for everybody and it is each person's responsibility to summon their own desires. You cannot summon for another person because you cannot think and feel for another. Your job is You. When you make feeling good a priority, that magnificent frequency will radiate and touch everyone close to you.

AND more good news. . . Jennifer's bridesmaid dress fits! No more worries about it not fitting. Now it's all toning! It feels so amazing to see my hard work the past few months pay off!

TULIPS!

I just LOVE the spring flowers at Tech. This is what we were supposed to wear for Easter. Adn I just don't know what is going on with Patrick's "new smile." Silly, silly boy.

Congratulations to TTU Coach Hays for getting his 1500th Career Win

(Look how short my hair was just a year ago! THAT'S proof of what vitamins can do!)


A Hays Work: Texas Tech coach reaches milestone behind big inning By George Watson, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

And what a handsome man, too.

http://redraiders.com/stories/040308/bas_040308001.shtml

March's Totals

18.54 hrs.
70.14 miles
7832 calories or 59.33 Shiner Bocks

I'm feeling good about how I am doing working out and where I have gotten so far. I just wish I didn't feel so guilty about taking Patrick to the gym. I feel guilty that I should be spending time with him when he is with me. I am so conflicted right now. I do feel better knowing that he enjoys the play room at the gym. I just hate that in order for me to workout, I have to take him from one sitter to another. (Yes, I am crying as I type this.) I am going to take it easier on myself and my workout demands once August hits.