"No"

...Guess what Emmery learned to say during memorial weekend?.... " NO " Whats even more funny about it is sometimes I'll hear her jabbering in the other room like this...: " bon swee die sue no deem mor" or " blajbakjbkja no bljsdofs balh lzkie no ljvlbjlgkj no" :0)..she knows its a word we can understand and now she knows how to say and use it in context. So now she just throws it in to her usual jabberings. it is the funniest thing. The other night, we had put her down for bed but shortly after she was hollering for us to come get her. I was gone so Sean tended to her. He said when asked her if she was ready to go to bed, she pouted and said "no". He asked her another question to she if she understood how to use it again by asking her "Do you love Daddy?" and she replied" No". LOL Hilarious. It is so fufilling and adorable watching those little wheels turning in her head. Its even more fulling when you're sitting on the couch and ask her to grab the remote on the floor to hand it to you. ha hahahah...jk. But yes, tis still very adorable AND lazy of us. ah, the first child. Always an unknown territory, an adventure for all of us.

A Road Trip

...ain't a road trip unless its complete with:

...posers...

...a few goof balls...

...laughing....Ha Ha Ha , but really inside were crying.."My Butt hurts!", ...some scenery... ...(a hole in the sky)... ...Supeior buildings dusty with history... ..."CONSTRUCTION AHEAD" aka Road w0rk... ...a bored child(but a quiet one at that)... ...Arizona cacti and bushes... ...AND.. .a purse .a coke .a camera+ bag .a laptop .a snack bag and of course directions (wheres ashley?) OH and cramped legs. Yup, my kinda road trip. Aint it awesome?!

Mmmazing BBQ place

If you are ever visiting Pinetop near Showlow anytime, stop by this great bbq place I know. Emmery sat in this vintage highchair, it was actually kinda cool. I think i might want one if it was painted white. If it wasn't the innards of this place that caught your eye there was something to hit your funny bone. Friends Bryan and Natalie...so sweet to let us tag along with them. Lantern hanging display above our heads we were delighted by our fancy shmancy glasses. Nothing beats MD from a canning jar This post wouldn't be complete with out.... a tongue ,,,or two ...I mean us. Yeah, were the serious type.

Antique Adventure

...A Pinetop adventure In no particular order of events. One day we went antiquing and this shop by far was the MOST fun! Check out all my goodies!

{feeling faint? yes, yes tis quite the lamp}

{i do believe i am in love...with this chest of drawers}

{...no words...}

{ring-a-ding-ding...i am drooling}

{...theres just something about clubs ...}

{...the blue and yellow had caught mine eyes...}

{...a plate full of "glamor" and envy...}

{...rest your feet, rest your eyes- fairy tales and dragon scales...} I came in with an expectation and it definitely was met. Its so fulling when an expectation is met aint it? Especially when you walk out with a vintage tea cup. Awesome.

Picture Grab Bag

antique shopee, pinetop, az, to-die-for cabinet

....And were back

Its been a very good weekend. Our Pinetop adventured ended with a speeding ticket but were back safe and sound, and Healthy more importantly. Just a sneak peak... more ahead.

congratulations!

...To Serena(SIL) and my Sister Michelle for being Mommies...Again! Serena gave birth to a beautiful girl Lillian on Sunday. Mother and baby are doing quite well. And today's news is my sister gave birth to 9 lbs of "Sugar and Spice" with long black hair. Sounds like she may have finally borne a Vining baby. I can't wait to see! So Congratulations to all Parties involved and my love for you all! Blessings be upon you and yours. love, ashley picture produced: http://www.babynetky.com/parenting.html

Precedence

[[[[ VENT Time ]]]]

DOG GONE IT, I HATE DOGS. Okay maybe a little harsh...I dislike dogs. It aint hard to guess why if you knew what I have been putting up with lately. For one, I am NOT a dog person.(no offense to those who are), I just don't understand how the good things can out weight the bad things with dog owners. It does not add up in my calculator! For me and myself there aren't enough good reasons(excuses) to have a dog. One: they smell, two: they are like a child that never grows up, three: the need to own 5 dozen lint brushes ain't my idea of keeping my clothes from looking raunchy, four: can be inconveniently loud and disturbing, Five: i've got my own child(children) to clean up after, feed, etc., six...okay i'll stop there But OH don't you know it I have WAY more to say about the downs.

I know you are looking at the list and saying to yourself: it sounds like shes describing a child. But indeed I am not and you want to the know the obvious difference between a child and a dog? Two words = [Human Being].

When a dog starts to take precedence over a human being you know somethings kinked in the brain. Some common sense ain't filtering through those working creases in the brain...or maybe there is a LACK OF crease-age. Heres the story:

Its 7:40 am when my daughter is hollering at me to get her out of bed. I slug my way to the door, pick her up, head blobbing lie her on the floor and proceed to my motherly duties.(changing the diaper) Wash the hands, take her to my room, turn on the tv and let Calliou take her attention away from me so that I can gather a few more Z's.(Don't badger me about it, it happens) ... being in a foreign home, foreign bed aint my kind of cup of "restful sleep". Its now 8:40 am that I am awakened to a crinkling sound, that of a cracker bag being dug into by little hands. Thats the sign to GET-OUT-OF-BED, YOU LAZY-AND-FEED-YOUR-DAUGHTER kind of sign. But oh no, not the case, as I peep through the door way into the hallway there on the floor sat Emmery feeding Cheez-it's to the dog, Pookie. I couldn't help but grin and just sit and enjoy the moment which, by the way, is SOOOO not what I 'normally' would have done. But I was trying to be a little more laid back and less uptight about germs and such. " Just Enjoy The Precious Present Moment", ran through my mind. But enough's enough and I put an end to the moment when I noticed a bad smell. It was Emmery's diaper calling out "change me, im poopey".

I tell Em to come along and she cooperates by following me into her room and lying on the floor awaiting the change. Grab the wipes: got em- grab the diaper: got that - off with the pants: yeppers- what I say next may disturb you, turn your eyes away from the screen NOW

...Not 2 feet from Emmery's head was something yellow, grassy, mis-shapen, and stuck on to the carpet. {{{Gasped}}}, i said, "What on EARTH is THAT?!" By the door, by the bookshelf lay 7 inch turd! I was so thrown off by its appearance I still had to investigate with my eyes what it could be. I've seen Pookie's waste bits before and it didn't look similar. Then a memory SHOT into my mind: yesterday, i noticed "the dog" munching on grass...i assumed she wasn't feeling good because thats what dogs do to make themselves...you know...ralph.{{{quiver}}}

The grass! it was the giveaway. Immediately my blood started to boil, the bosom became hot, my arms started to shake a bit, my jaw clenched: oh Yeah, were talkin' ANGER being born!

I quickly finished changing the diaper, threw Emmery on my hip, marched to the phone, and made a sweet pleasant, ever so lovely phone call to the Master, the Hubs.[are you sensing my sarcasm here?] I think we can all pretty much guess that I had nothing happy to say but with great pleasure I am happy to report that I wasn't screaming. Thats a start, right? I was actually controlling my anger believe it or not. Its funny how the conversation changed, it all happened so fast...lets see if I can describe:

• told sean my good morning news
• addressed the situation and who would take care of it(obviously, u don't assume "I" would pick up the poo)
• then come to an agreement( which was that the dog would remain outside for the remainder of our stay.)
• confusion set in, apparently this was the 1st accident
• sean understood my side (to an extent)
• felt my demand was too high and could not make that promise
• all back fired towards him(meaning: now I was angry at the dog AND Him.)
• we couldn't come to a compromise
• and then ended with a hang up(that was me)

Isn't Marriage just SO FUN!? Anyway, with so much adrenaline pumping inside of me I didn't know what to do nor where my brain was. Then I was reminded when Emmery started eating some yesterday's cereal on the floor. So I made breakfast in an ever-so-sloppy manner, fed the baby, and tapped my finger taps on the counter. "I sure as hella ain't picking up that raunchy dog turd, Sean is gonna have to do it", "why me?, why today?", "what am i to do? quarantine the room till sean gets home?", " I can't just let it get old and smelly all day", "what would Nancy think of me?", "Nancy!". That was my answer, Nancy! Nancy, Nancy, Nancy...she would side with me...afterall it is HER home and she has the same views as me about the dog.

After talking with Nancy I felt relieved and reassured that I was in the right and Sean was going to hear about it. Apparently, Nancy had made a demand that the dog remain outside whilst she is away in Utah(granddaughter was born), But Sean didn't tell me. So I've been enduring this annoying creature in a house of which Sean has no say. in all seriousness, I should have been told. And just so you know, its not Tattle-telling if you didn't know it the first place.

Im sure you've guessed by now that the dog, who has been accustomed to being inside since we've arrived, has been outside that glass door and scratching and barking to come in since morning. Shes old and subtle but hence still is capable of being annoying.

I guess I just will never understand that bond between man and dog. I can see bits and pieces from what I gather from Marley & Me but in all actuality, the cons out-weight the pros. I see it as just not worth it. And its not like Im being the bad guy here. I've tried to compromise with Sean about having a dog, on the condition that the dog stays outside. but Sean wouldn't have any of that. Its dog in house or NO dog. Fine with me, i'll stick with No dog. So I guess thats our compromise. In marriage its all about compromise...but today, that idea wasn't good enough, on either side.

Nough said...i've spoken my peace.

Picture Grab bag

either or...there is no gray

I wear my sunglasses at night

Im admiring my new shades...and boy are they dark. I LOVE IT! I've always loved how Mia was smokin' hot in them on the movie Ferris Buellar's Day off. So glad they came back so quickly.

Can you tell im havin' way too much fun?

Some can, I can't

Don't know how some ppl can pull off wearing marque...I just can't. For all those who can...thumbs up. by the way, this is a nice ring but just not on me. *this is just a short-term ring. Mine is in the shop :o(

Adapting: My slow-paced self

So we are happily moved into the MIL's house and still I feel that there is so much more to do. I just can't seem to get a grip on keeping order in this new found place we call home(for now). very few preparations were made for our arrival. I spent much time cleaning up the rooms we were to stay in the day of the move. The playroom (Em's room) was a disaster! Toys and misc junk everywhere. I dont blame Nancy, poor thing is such a busy bee keeping herself afloat. I had an hour to clean it all up, create order, and organize before the men arrived with the furniture. And a hour and 45 minutes later, thankfully, they showed up just as I was putting away the last toy. Quite Proud I was, it was a crunch. Saturday ended with a full living room of stuff and our room in disarray. It wasn't officially livable till that following Monday for crying out loud.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were all spent with a daily drive over to the abandoned place we once called home. It was strange opening the the garage door into the house a to see a barren floor and the sound of echoed footsteps. It just wasn't our home anymore. It brought a sense of feeling as though I was misplaced. Its funny how your home isn't your home unless its filled with your things and loved ones. Now it's just....a house. I never fully acknowledged the difference between the words: House - Home. House is a place of residence while a home is a place of living. Am I making any sense? I fail to bring what I mean into my words. My apologies.

Sean left me to my duties and flew to Tennessee for a Management arrangement courtesy of work(Tuesday thru friday). Nicley enough: all paid expenses, a fancy resort, short meetings, and late nights out with the higher-Ups. I honestly didn't notice much of a difference whilst he was away. Is that bad? It was just same-o same-o with just me and Emmery. I was of course kept busy at all times(excluding my wonderfully needed late afternoon cat naps) while picking up the pieces back at the house AND scraping to create some order over here. Ah, I {heart} naps....its hard to survive without them. I probably need to check my iron level again.

Now that the papers are signed, the house is clean and especially the carpets(hooray for them, sad for me) , now Im stuck with all this mess to organize. I just want to clap my hands and it would disappear.

at the least, Emmery now has a backyard to play in...I swear she has spent more time outside than inside. Can't wait for my own backyard....more importantly my own house.

Disconnecting

I am sad to have to do this...But I must pack up. I guess this means no Internet till Sunday. Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! How am I ever going to do with out? I cannot read your blogs...(sniffle, sniffle)....not for a while. Good bye....for now.

Twinkle toes

It was apparent to me how eager I was to introduce my Pedi-virgin mother to the spa treatment. When I started makin' a buck I was sure to pamper myself once in a while and it was giddy experience. I always emerged feeling so "Fansified". I would walk outta there feeling more mature, happy, confident, attractive, and independent. So, being Me I was just aching to take my mother to a spa salon for a Mothers present.

And today we did it.

Funny cuz I had planned it on Cinco de Mayo by accident...but i guess it worked out best for there was no wait!

Sean was home with Em and I drove near my old work, The ups store. Because back in those days I would visit the salon thereby. Familiarity is comfort to me and placement was more convenient for my mother driving out from Laveen. Arriving a bit before 4:30pm I waltzed on over to Rubio's, stared at the Menu board, and ordered two fish tacos meal. Im not normally a fan a fish but today I was really hungry and I guess protein of some sorts was on the menu for me. Besides, I knew my mother loved them and I could only care to eat one. I much rather enjoy my chips and salsa because Im that kinda girl. I sat down next to the window waiting for my meal and my eyes involuntarily repeatedly gazed out looking for a familiar face. When She happily arrived I happily saved my other fish taco for her enjoyment. After all I knew she diggs them and making her happy makes me happy. The eating part wasn't planned but since I'm moving and food is low in the pantry, I didn't find much to eat today. Food sounded Good and sharing was better. Welt, next was onto the salon.

It was then decided the pedi's was the way to go and off we went. We talked and laughed while soaking a little toesies. It became apparent while the ladies scrubbed our feet that we both had ticklish feet. Even some squinting eyes and biting tongues too. Beauty is pain right? Duh! But We walked outta there feeling like our feet just had a makeover. It was a good time.

But since I was over this side of town and the Mall was just down the way...I invited her to come with me. Az Mills is known for there outlet stores and good finds...so of course it was a no brainer. Onto the mall! We mostly looked and window shopped while periodically stopping to look at our beautiful toesies.

It was so much fun spending the afternoon with you Mom. And I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Sometime we definitely have to get acrylics together...now wont that be fun?! ......and to all who apply: Pre-Happy Mother's Day!

Such a SLACK-ER

Yup, thats me! Know Why? because of this... That there is about 10-12 months of bills resulting from LACK OF filing. May not look like much to you but this is after opening and shredding and sorting and trashing a big pile of envelopes and misalainous junk mail. Here is the outcome...and Im still not done...Next, they'll be off to the filing cabinet. Freakin' a days work! Glad its over with[panting]. (((Whew))) now theres a good motivator for filing...so simple...

just move.

The stress of it all...

...has got me feeling numb. Maybe stress is the wrong word...I guess its more overwhelming. You know what Im talking about, moving. Not much time left...Saturday is the big move. Well there is some confusion...so I will set it strait. Here it is in a nutshell:

*got a nice mother to rent out our place **she wants to move in ***we move out ****no house yet *****So we stay under the MIL's roof *****stuff goes in storage ******we continue to look for houses *******meanwhile saving money to buy appliances

There...hope this helps. So NO house yet...hopefully before Halloween. I would love to spend our Christmas in our home of many more Christmases to come! Well got to go...Emmery is trying to set up the video games again...'fraid she'll ruin the Tv or something. Much love to you all. Off to work!(packing that is).

Previously on: Seasons come and Seasons Go

The cat is out of the bag. Alas, We are Moving. Next week!

More details to come...