Get Up & Go

When Rachel was here for Christmas, she gave me a CD of MP3's. For some reason, the time I spend listening to music has steadily declined over the last few years. The only explanation I can think of is that the music on the radio gets worse and worse so finding music that I like takes more time so I don't bother. However, I've been listening to my CD from Rachel almost daily and it has totally transformed our morning routine. After I make breakfast and we eat, the fun begins. I turn up the music and Clara helps clean up. I get the dishes done, the kitchen cleaned and I exercise. Of course plane trips, boat rides, train rides, fighting off bad guys, getting snakes, singing into microphones, trying not to drown, playing hide and seek, trying to do lunges with a 30 pound monkey on me, playing "chase" and dancing episodes are frequently infused into our routine, which only makes it better. It's nice to have some energizing music around again, get the kitchen clean first thing, exercise more regularly and dance like a fool with Clara.Other happenings this past week...

I finally got my windshield replaced after this crack grew to about three feet long. It sure is nice have a clear view while driving.One night I really needed gas but didn't want to stop because it was late and I had been gone all day working. My light went on and I'd been driving on the same tank of gas for 428.5 miles. It made me feel like such a dare devil (and kind of like an idiot too). Living on the edge for sure.

Clara baked with me and needed an apron. This one fit her just perfectly. Perhaps I need a full length apron too.

Okay, if you live in Mesa, chances are you've seen this awesome store off of Main Street.

Every time I drive by, I wonder what in the world is inside. Every time until this last week, that is. I was in desperate need of some "bumpy" red pipe cleaners and Michael's doesn't carry them. I found them online for less than a buck for a dozen, but shipping was $8. I decided to try this place out and let me say, it was awesome. A little, or a lot, off the wall, but their selection of pipe cleaners and pom poms doesn't even compare to Michael's. Other than finding the pipe cleaners I needed for $1.49/package, my next favorite thing about the place was the zig zag aisles that were so close to each other, you couldn't look down the aisle to the other side of the store. I'll be back. Even if it's just to explore.

I had to work Wednesday and we are out of bread so I was really in need of a good, quick breakfast that was filling and healthy. I quickly threw some frozen blueberries, spinach and pineapple juice in the blender. It was delicious and looked like tar, but even Clara loved it.

I promised myself (for the fifth time) that I am not going to make my own tortillas until I own a tortilla press. Do you blame me? Circular tortillas are not one of my strengths. Obviously.

The little princess in distress. Clara climbed to the top of the food storage to pout.

{Don't mock my method of storing this food... I don't have much room around this place.}