And that's what you missed!!!

Season Premiere Week!!!  Woo-Hoo!!!  I don't know about you...but I love Season Premiere week.  I look forward to it all summer.  It signifies so many things, not just new shows that typically cause one to  realize the cliff they were hanging off of for the past 3 months was really nothing more than a small mound...a hump, if you will.  Now we really can't call them hump hangers, it just doesn't have a certain ring to it.  So...Cliff Hanger it is.

Anyhoo....wow....did I just get sidetracked there?  Hmmmm...that doesn't usually happen to me.  No, really...I mean I'm usually pretty good about staying on task....especially when....

Anyway Season Premiere week signifies the onset of Fall...which signifies cooler weather...ok...if you're in the Phoenix area reading this just work with me here.  (Have a little faith, it will happen) The onset of Fall signifies the wearing of boots and sweaters....I love boots and sweaters...you devoted followers may already know that as well.  It also signifies that school is back in session...which means 15 mph school zones.  :/ Another significant item is the putting out of the Fall decorations, wreaths, pumpkins, gourds, squash, pretty much anything in the Orange/Green/Deep Yellow color range.

So...Season Premiere week.  Now if you've followed my blog at all....you already know that I like TV.  If you don't follow my blog and just happened upon this particular post by accident....don't trouble yourself into reading all the past posts...there just isn't time for that...too many to count.  I'll just bring you up to speed.  I like TV.  I have quite a few shows that I follow and enjoy very much.  One in particular favorite of mine is Glee.  That's right...I'm a Gleek.  MmmHmm!!!  One thing I love about it is the way it begins with a recap of what has happened previously so that the viewer knows what they've missed.

I decided when I started this post...that this is a bit of a Season Premiere, if you will.  I know you have been hanging on to that cliff since my last post....Handtowels, remember?...and have waited so patiently for this post.  Well today is your lucky day.  So let's begin with a recap...shall we? 

OK....here we go: Don't Move!

• The summer started off with Girls Camp....in a nutshell...Flagstaff, camping, freezing, hiking, LAST TIME!!!

• Next was Senior Aaronic camp...(no, I don't go to that, but I do have a few days to myself) it was  pretty awesome few days too, I can cover a lot of ground in just a few days. 



Talli's Blessing Day

• Breezy and David and the kids were here for a visit. Lots of fun....my grandkids are awesome and so much fun to play with. 



Talli 3 months old





Maylee loved the lizards. Sometimes she loved them to death. :/

• Went to San Diego for a few days with the kids...ok..21 hours, but who's counting?

• Noah came to visit...with his friend Michelle...good times.



Noah and Michelle





Breakfast with Noah and Michelle at Cracker Barrell

• Spent quite a bit of time at the club in Estrella working on my tan.....



Stormy and I suited up and ready to go.  :)

• July was a busy month...but a good one...a really good one. I enjoyed July a lot. Out of 5 stars...I give it a 4.  :)

• I took a road trip to Henderson to help Breezy and David move into a different house.  And even got to see Noah while I was there.  Hey...what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...that's all I'm sayin.  :)



The new place



Dutch teaching me his new dance moves



Layover at the Vegas airport

• Gracie survived a vicious dog attack.  

She's one tough little poodle.

• I finished the calendar that I've been making for Rescue A Golden.  What a relief! 



• All in all it was a pretty good summer.  And to top it all off....I got a Labor Day card in the mail.  Now come on...how many of you have ever received a Labor Day card?  I feel special. :)

And That's what you missed!!!

Which brings us to Season Premiere week.  It was a good one...lots of new shows...Glee...Parenthood...Life Unexpected...Grey's Anatomy...Human Target...One Tree Hill...just to name a few.  My DVR has been very busy, because I've been very busy.   It's time now to just take a break....cool off....breathe a little....take a shower if you have to...and then come back for all the fun the new season promises to bring.  And don't tell me you don't have time. 

We have plenty of time! 

Care for a Hand Towel?

Why is it when I finally come up with a story to blog about, it seems to be about me...and a bit embarrassing. Hmmm...oh well...here goes.

Last Thursday we had a Relief Society activity, assembling hygiene kits for the troops. I had signed up on Sunday to bring plastic combs. When Thursday rolled around and I still had not purchased any combs I decided to go a different route. I showed up for the activity and told them that if they were short on a particular item I would make a run to Wal-Mart and pick it up. These kits are put into gallon ziploc bags and they each contain two 15x25 hand towels....one tube of toothpaste...4 toothbrushes...2 bars of soap...and 2 plastic combs. Well the first thing that got really low was the hand towels. Perfect...I'll run to Wal-Mart...no problem. Everything else was counted and there was enough to make 24 more kits...but we would need 48 hand towels. Off I went. I felt I needed to hurry so that I could get back and still have time to assemble the 24 kits before the end of the activity. I rushed into Wal-Mart and headed straight for the towels...I know the store...finding the towels was a breeze. Lucky for me...hand towels were right there on an end cap. Perfect. To make it even better...they were all 15 x 25. There were several different colors, not a problem as long as I can find 48 total. I started counting...9 tan...9 blue...8 white...7 red...etc. etc. It was at about this point I realized...I should have got a cart. Oh well...just keep piling them into my arms...I can do this. At last I had 48 hand towels...all one size...several colors. Perfect. Now I need to get to the register and get back to the church. As I started walking toward the front of the store...with an enormous pile of hand towels in my arms (imagine if you will jsut removing a load of laundry from the dryer and carrying it to the folding table, i.e. couch) it was like that. I got about 20 feet from the aforementioned end cap when suddenly several hand towels toppled from the pile onto the floor. As I peered down over the pile, I thought...Crap...how am i gonna pick those up? Just then a very nice man stopped to pick them up for me. Ok..he was nice enough to pick them up...but then he just stuck them right on top of the pile...right in front of my face. Great..."Thank you nice man". I continue toward the front of the store....about 8 feet later...several towels fall out of the bottom of the pile...CRAP. I managed to squat down (I do yoga...I'm a pretty good squatter) :) and pick up the towels, get them back into the pile, which is now a serious mess of unfolded towels haphazardly dangling from my arms. I see the registers...self check out...that will be good...no questions asked. I dump the pile onto one of the only two registers with a light on. The cashier was chatting with the girl at the next register. With my pile dumped I'm ready to start scanning...when he turns to me and with no inflection in his voice at all says..."It's closed". "Then why is the light on?", I asked as nicely as I could. "I don't know", he said, "but it's closed." Fine...I'll just gather up my pile and find another register. As I turned to walk away...hand towels in tow...the next register open was half way down the store. Luckily I made it without dropping a single towel. I dumped them, once again, onto the belt and this cashier (a woman that was much nicer than the emo kid at the first register) says to me, "Did you find everything ok?" I couldn't help the way I looked at her, seriously?, so I just said, "Yes...I found all the hand towels". I then realized she was going to scan each and every label, this would mean being there all night. So I started helping, you know...finding the tag with the bar code and and holding it out for her to scan. Just then I saw a man in line behind me...poor guy. So I turned to him and said, "I'm sorry...looks like you got in line behind the woman buying 48 hand towels." To which he replied, somewhat sarcastically, "Yes...and in a 10 item only lane". WHAT???? CRAPPPP!!! So there I was...with my 48 hand towels in the express lane. Sheesh...I did my best to apologize and then made sure to tell him the purpose of the towels. The troops was the kicker. He suddenly became more tolerant of my error.



Anyway...towels bought and bagged and off I went. I only dropped one bag of towels in the parking lot. Got back to the church, assembled the kits and decided...I should have just brought a package of combs.

I'm Yours!!!

What is it with me and music lately?  I've always loved to be home alone and crank up the music...but lately...it's just really working for me.  So...you get another song...from me.  Hey...at least I'm updating my blog...right?  And if the music touches you...like it does me...then perhaps my blog will move up on your list of favorites...I know you're at the top of my favorites list. 

So...here's your song....it's all yours....and so am I.  :)

Timeless Classic

So...I just feel like posting another song...hope you don't mind.  I loved John Denver (I hope you did too, but if not...it's ok..I forgive you)  I cried the day he died.  His music is awesome...I often wonder what he would be writing today if he were still here.  Anyhooooo....this particular song is a classic...(if you ask me)  I've always loved it...but today...I heard it...and felt it.  Now I want you to hear it too.  Maybe...depending on the kind of day you're having...you'll feel it too.  I hope so....(cuz it feels good). 
:)

If I were you....

So...I decided to go out on a limb, take a chance, take a risk, be daring....
Anyhowwww....some of you may not know that I'm a big fan of Jason Castro...remember him from American Idol?  I love his sound and his style (ok not crazy about his hair...but it works for him).

 I recently heard a song from him that just makes me happy.  And I wanted you to hear it too. 

Are you ready?  No seriously...I need you to be ready.  Ok...here it is.....

What a Week!!!

Wow...what a week!!! Since I was unable to upload my pictures from my cute little point and shoot while at Breezy's I'll show them to you now. I know you're anxiously awaiting. Can I just say I have the cutest grandkids ever? (hope so, since I already said it)
I'm glad the timing worked out so that I could go to Henderson and spend a few days with Breezy. I hope I was a help to her. Now in hindsight I think of all the things I should have done but didn't. CRAP!!! But...we had a good time...I loved being there with them.
One morning I decided I needed some exercise so I put Dutch and Maylee in the double stroller and off I went. Breezy had told me about a great route that takes about 30 minutes...HOLY CRAP...did you know the wind in Henderson blows constantly...at gale force...ya...try pushing a double stroller into that...uphill. I was beat by the time I got back...but the kids and I had a good time...singing songs...looking at flowers...and picking out red cars. I really like the red ones.

Sleep was not high on the list of priorities this week, so it started feeling pretty tired by the time I headed home. Somehow though, my solo road trip home flew by...it was the best one so far. Okay...i ran into a bit of a snag in Kingman...but I made it out of there and still got home in good time. You know...if all my road trips to Henderson and back were like yesterdays....I would do it way more often.
Anyhoo....here are the pictures....are you ready????

First time to hold Baby Talli.  Give me a break...I've been in the car for hours.  No time to freshen up. 

Maylee thought the new baby should have some juice and take a nap. 

 Mimi and Maylee.....is she the cutest thing ever or what?   I mean Maylee.  :)

Dutch is such a good big brother.  If Talli starts to fuss he comes over, with arms outstretched and says, "She just wants me".  He loves to hold her and is so sweet with her.  But he's just that way.  Yesterday when Maylee woke up from her nap.  I got her out of her crib and as we were walking out of her bedroom Dutch was standing at the top of the stairs and said to her, in a cute tiny voice, "Hi pretty girl".  My heart melted. 

Big Sister Maylee.  She loves the baby too but would just prefer that she take a nap.  :)

David made breakfast one morning.  The dog shaped pancake is mine.  Thanks David. 

Me and Breezy.  We had to snap a few cuz...well, you know how women are...neither of us liked ourself in any of the pictures.  This one is my favorite. 

And this one is Breezy's favorite.  I think she's beautiful in both. 

She's got her hands full now.   

Ok..that's it for now....I'm so frustrated after it taking so long to get these pics uploaded that I need a break.  (oooohhh...what does that remind you of?)  (Melodrama pun...you had to be there) 

The new addition!!!

Talli Brienne was born on Sunday at 4:26 am. 7 lbs 1 oz 19 1/2 inches long. Breezy and I looked at Maylee's newborn pictures and realized that they look like the same baby. So...for those of you wondering who she looks like....apparently Maylee...at this point anyway.
I drove up to Henderson Sunday afternoon to spend the week and help out. After the Melodrama last weekend, which prevented me from sleeping at night due to nerves, and now chasing two toddlers around....(i'm not as young as I used to be) too bad too...those were good years...anyhow....I'm tired. But then I look at Breezy and realize I've got nothing to complain about. She is exhausted. So tonight I'm taking baby duty. YAY!!! I told her if Talli wants to just sit up and chat all night....bring her to me. I figure it like this....I can sleep some other time...but babies just don't last so i'm gonna soak up all i can....especially since this one lives far away.
I've been trying to snap some pictures....on my point and shoot...so...no photoshop here...just the real deal. (Whats that remind you of? guess you had to be at the Melodrama to get it). Sorry if I keep bringing up the Melodrama...did I mention I was the, let's just say 'leading lady' in the Buckeye Melodrama last weekend? Yep, I was...and you know what that means right? Leading lady must mean leading man. OH YA!!! It was pretty steamy this year. Too bad you missed it. But you can always pencil it in for next year. I'm a bit depressed now that it's over. I go through that every year. This too shall pass.
Ok...so back to my Henderson trip. Last night I decided to update the blog with pics of the new baby...wrote the intro...feeling pretty good about myself for actually updating again SO SOON...and then the bomb dropped. Breezy's computer won't read the card from my cute little camera....SOOOO...I pulled out the big gun today...we had a little photo session. This baby has not been awake since she was born until now. We were hoping for sleeping photos.
Anyhow...I'm only gonna show you one cuz I can't photoshop anything here and I really hate for all my flaws and imperfections to just be out there for everyone to see.
However....that being said...she's pretty stinkin cute and I think this image shows that.
Introducing....Talli Brienne Lazenby:

Executive Decision

So I've been told recently that it would be better to update my blog infrequently than never. I've given that a bit of thought and decided maybe that's not a bad idea. For some reason the minute I begin to blog (after not writing for such a long time) I have flashbacks to my days of diary keeping. You know, the cute little pink diary with a lock and key. Ya...I sucked at that too. Each time I pulled it out I felt the pressure mount the moment I checked the date from the last entry. To me that meant...I have to catch up. So I would begin and it always felt like I was writing an essay, you know, kind of like a dreaded chore. Well I have made an executive decision. This is my blog after all and I can do that. So I have decided that no matter how long it's been since i've posted...I assume no obligation to 'catch up', yep, that's it...that's how it's gonna roll from here on. So with that in mind...the only thing I can come up with to write about is what I've been up to lately. Now I know what you're thinking, that I'm catching up. Absolutely not! I simply want to talk about what I've been up to lately...again, my blog...my decision.
My youngest, Stormy, got married in November to her awesome returned missionary Spenser. What a great guy. I love my son-in-law. I love that he loves Stormy for Stormy. She's funny and silly and he thinks it wonderful. He really is a mother-in-laws dream.
Last month I had surgery on my elbow to repair the tendons that had torn off the bone. Wow...don't even go there, no fun. Spent two weeks laying around feeling sorry for myself after that, why don't you try to eat, brush your teeth, blow dry your hair, apply makeup, use a can opener, and many, many other things most of which I'd rather not mention, with only your left hand. Ok for all the lefties out there....try it with the right, you get the point, I hope. Anyhow...have you ever seen the show "What Not to Wear"? Well...I had a marathon of that while laying in bed having my very own pity party. Seriously...now I can't get dressed without wondering if I'm a candidate for that show. It made me realy self-conscious of what I'm wearing..whether or not I have something with shine and something with texture and if I've accessorized correctly. If I had the money I'm sure I'd empty my closet and go shopping with my new found knowledge of "WHAT NOT TO WEAR". But alas, I don't...so don't judge me. Better yet, don't watch the show, that way you won't know how hideous my outfit looks. :) Ok...so I exaggerate, but perhaps not all of you have seen what i look like when i walk my dogs or run to wal-mart, which by the way now I cannot do without a clean pair of jeans, nice blouse (rather than the ragged t-shirt i've had for years) and a shiny pair of flats..(apparently the crocs are not the best look either).
Anyhoo, the elbow is mostly mended...I can touch my shoulder again...YAY!!!...and after that experience I make sure my right arm knows how much I appreciate it on a daily basis.
I was asked to be in the Buckeye Melodrama again this year. What fun! Had the time of my life and enjoyed the friendships made and those renewed. This year I was the Heroine, a Southern Belle no less. I had a really hard time figuring out this character...not sure I ever really did. The last two years I've played a nasty wicked step mother and a ditzy villainess....I think I'm better at nasty-wicked and ditzy than the sweet Southern Belle. Nevertheless, I was fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing bunch of talented actors and together we pulled it off. We rehearse once a week for almost 3 months and then do two shows. Then BAM...just like that it's over. DONE!!! Like it never happened. It's very bittersweet for me. Much more bitter than sweet. For nearly 3 months I had something to look forward to each week that I knew was going to be fun (seriously...I always wish we could rehearse twice a week, more fun..and more better)the camaraderie with the cast is awesome and we get to know each other better each year. This year I've been really hard on myself...not sure why...don't remember being this brutal the last two years but all i can think of is the blunders I made, there were plenty. I wish I could be more relaxed about it and just go with the flow. But something in me says I have to do it word perfect and if I screw it up then everyone must be disappointed in me. Hmmmm...anyone know of a good therapist? I think I may need one. At any rate...I'm so happy to be part of it and seriously think we should do it more often, or more shows, or more rehearsals...I don't care...just MORE!!!
Wow...enough of that rant.
Breezy had her baby...while I was on stage. What timing. Little Talli Brienne weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 in long. She's so precious, one more reason to not like the fact that Breezy and David live in another state. But it could be worse...4 1/2 hour drive isn't so bad. So I am currently at her house to help her with the kids for a few days before heading back home to get back to work.
I've taken about 3 months off of shooting photos. I needed the break after the holiday and then my arm was hurting to much so I just backed off. However, I did shoot a bridal session on Friday morning and am happy to report that my arm did just fine. This friday is the wedding and I'll be there to shoot that as well. Weddings are not my fav, I'm doing this one because this girl is a good friend of Stormy's and I've known her for several years. Weddings are too high stress.
Ok...I'm certain by now that if there is anyone actually reading this (which I doubt since no one expects me to ever update) you must be bored to death by now. If you did hang in there til the bitter end...thanks, you're very sweet, or maybe just a creepy stalker...and that's ok too. :)
I apologize for not posting photos... i know that makes it all the more boring...but I'm not on my own computer and Breezy probably wouldn't appreciate me posting her pics.
Until next time....

Quarterly Report?..sort of

Or should I call it a semi-annual report? Good grief....this is why I don't have any journals....well...I take that back...I have a few....and each of them have a few entries....only a few....I'm terrible at this....
So today...I thought I would just get everyone updated on the happenings around here. Aint nothing happening....
see you next quarter....



Just kidding....sort of....there are some things happening....Breezy is pregnant...Stormy is getting married....Sandy has lost 40 pounds...(my golden retriever)...I've gained 15 pounds....well sorry...but it happpened and i need stuff to blog about. But now that i've got a wedding to plan ....i have to lose it...CRAP...it's so much more fun gaining it. Breezy told me that "nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels". However Breezy has not eaten chocolate for like 10 years...so what does she really know? LOL (Love you Breezy):)
Anyhow....the weather is starting to cool down...I find that very news worthy, and I'm starting to get busy with photos... always happens this time of year.
I'm also designing the 2010 Calendar for Rescue A Golden of Arizona, that's who i adopted Sandy from. It's a huge job and i hope to have it finished by the first part of October. I've learned that as wonderful as Photoshop is...InDesign would be the better choice for this kind of a project...so my goal is to learn Adobe InDesign before next years calendar rolls around...just in case I volunteer for that one.
I still teach in Relief Society on the 4th Sunday...that was today...I think it went ok...but I'm glad for the reprieve until next month.

So...any Dancing with the Stars fans out there? I love it. Boy was I glad Ashley and Macy went home last week. I mean seriously....Macy apparently did not want to be there in the first place. She was really bad. She just needs to stick to music. I havent' really picked out my favs yet....but i'll be watching tomorrow.
I'll admit it...I'm a fan of TV....not as much as I used to be...but i do have my favorite shows. House is #1 for sure, DWTS....Grey's Anatomy...One Tree Hill....Burn Notice...Psych...NCIS...LOST....just to name a few. LOL!!! Come on...admit it...you have your favorites too.

Happy Mothers Day!!!

I went to church with Stormy today because they were having a special sacrament meeting for mothers day. Nine people spoke...about their moms and the important role they have had in their lives. I sat there in tears most of the time thinking about my mom and wanting to tell her how much she has meant to me. I decided to to dedicate this blog post to her.
My Mom....

Margaret McCormick (Maggie to her friends) (Ma to her kids) was born on December 14, 1925 in Walbridge Ohio to Ernest and Zoa Gillespie.

The middle of three children, all girls. She married my Dad, Thomas McCormick on October 23, 1943.

Together they had 4 children...Sally, Nancy, Tom, and me...Cindy. Yes...that's right...I'm the baby of the family...trust me...I'm always reminded of that. I'm ** years old now...(really doesn't matter how old I am) and Ma still introduces me to people as her 'baby'. Being a mother myself I understand why she does that. The baby is always Mom's baby...it's just life and that's ok.

Mom and Dad divorced when I was about 5. Shortly after that we moved to Arizona...she used to vacation here with Dad and always loved it. I remember as a kid my mom loved the heat. I guess after living for so long in Ohio and Indiana the heat would be a welcome relief.
Ma has always been a hard worker. While still in Indiana she worked at Seyferts Potato Chip factory.

When we moved to Arizona she opened up a little Hamburger joint called "The YoYo". I was very little and have very few memories from there...but I do recall being in the back room and putting a penny in my mouth and accidentally choking on it and then swallowing it. Mom made me eat a hamburger bun...she said that would make it feel better. I'm not sure that was altogether true....but as they say "mother knows best". Whoever 'they' is.

She also worked for Motorola


Earl Scheib


and Checker Auto


Eventually she started working for Farmer's Insurance and that's where she retired from.


I remember if anything around the house needed fixed, Ma fixed it. She was forever on the roof of our mobile home (which in that day we called a trailer and were not ashamed of it) working on the swamp cooler. She mowed the yard...repaired the fence....fixed leaky faucets and just about anything else that needed to be fixed.

Mom was strong...one time I washed a pair of jeans and didn't want them to shrink so I had to hang them on the line....apparently the spin cycle didn't work so mom and i had to wring them out by hand...she was twisting so hard i couldn't hold on to them. I think I was about 15 at the time...pretty hard on the ego if you know what i mean.

When Tom moved out it was just mom and I....I liked it that way. I always looked forward to 5:10 PM when I would go out and open the gates for mom to drive in from work. We enjoyed watching tv together in the evenings.

Over the years I've learned a lot from my mom. Some of her 'mom-ism's' have rubbed off on me...."For crying out loud"...."Well, for Pete's sake"....and of course..."shame on you"....apparently I heard that one a lot. I don't ever remember a time in my childhood that we didn't have at least one pet in the house. Ma loves animals....and so do I.


Some things I inherited from her...like my, shall we call it "ability"?..to eat fast. When I was a kid I was always amazed at how fast my mom ate. After I had children of my own I one day learned from my daughters that when they were younger they always secretly tried to eat faster than me....keep trying girls....I'm still the champ. :) I guess I also learned how to worry from my mom....she's a worrier....and so am I. I remember when I was a kid and there was a little tune that went like this " don't step on a crack or you'll break your mother's back". For years I avoided every crack I possibly could. I never wanted my mom to hurt or be sad. One time she cried for joy at a gift she had received...it bothered me so much I couldn't hold back the tears. When I was about to get married and move out I was so worried about leaving mom alone. She did her best to assure me that she would be happy to have the house to herself. I took her word for it...but I'm pretty sure she missed me. :)
Ma was so supportive of my marriage. She loved Alex and knew I did too and just wanted me to be happy. It's wonderful to have the support of your mother at such an important time in life.
Mom was at the hospital for the birth of each of my children...sitting in the waiting room...worrying.
To this day if any of her kids or grandkids go on a trip she worries the entire time until they're safely back home.
After I got married and had a family life got very busy as it does for everyone. It wasn't always easy to find time to visit mom real often.
Now that my kids are grown and on their own I've tried to see her more often. Currently I make a point to visit her at least once a week. We have a good time...I do her hair...we watch TV....and she always has a treat for me. :)
It's fun to reminisce about the "old" days...(wow...I never thought I would say that I lived in the "old" days...but now I know it's true) when mom would put a cold knife on a bump on my forehead....butter on a burn on my hand...run the dishwater to a temperature well above scalding and then ask me to wash the dishes...hold my arm in the air above my head if I choked (????)...and of course....she was always there to hold my head for me when I threw up.

Mom...I love you....thank you for being my mom....you're the best.
Happy Mothers Day!!