Keeping up with Valle

VACATION!!

2009-07-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

For the first time in about four years, we are able to join my family for our annual family vacation. A week in Cayucos/Morro Bay/SLO/Pismo area is something we have done since I was about 5 years old, but for the last few years our schedules and financial situations kept Uciel and I from joining everyone. So I am ecstatic to be back at the coast for a few days with my family and the Beberians! I smile especially as I slip on a sweatshirt to go for a walk; in Fresno I would have been in tank top and shorts and still sweating!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.... vacation!

And the other shoe drops

2009-07-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

I seriously considered writing a blog last week about how well things were going. I had time off, which is rare, and with Uciel not working we pretty much had a whole week to ourselves, very rare...the reason I wrote no such blog is mainly that I was too busy doing nothing...and enjoying every minute of it. The other reason, though, is that I didn't want to jinx everything; stuff was going pretty well and I was afraid saying it out loud would cause the other shoe to drop, so to speak.
Evidently I didn't need to say it out loud, it dropped. In the last couple of weeks, among my family and friends, we have been presented with 3 deaths and 4 failing marriages. One would think I would be happy that the deaths and failures were not in my own personal life, but anyone who knows me well knows that I am an empathetic person and I tend to feel the pain of those I love.
I am blessed in my life and I strive to keep that in mind, but I cannot seem to release the sadness I feel for the plight of those around me...struggling with unfaithfulness, addiction and death, even murder and I feel overwhelmed.

My Favorite Summer Food!

2009-07-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

When I posted that I am not a good cook I had forgotten about my skills in this area:

Homemade Salsa!!

When our neighbor, Max (the normal one), gave us a sack full of tomatoes grown in his back yard, my first thought was salsa! It is one of my favorite summer foods and his tomatoes exceeded our expectations...it came out really good! And now I am off to take him some :)

Rachel Ray I am NOT

2009-07-10T23:24:00.000-07:00

I am not a good cook. There, I said it...it is out in the www for everyone to see.

Don't get me wrong, I feed my family, but I am not a good cook. I only cook a few times a week and it is always the same thing. I have about 5-6 meals that I can make with my eyes closed, one specialty that I can make for special occasions, but I really need help in this area. Recently a friend revived a recipe club on email, and Natali (see right) is always sharing recipes that sound (and look, when she posts them on her blog) wonderful, but I can't seem to get out of this culinary rut.
I think it started when I got pregnant. I had gotten into the habit of cooking almost every night, but when nausea hit I hated dealing with raw meat. I ended up losing the habit and now rely entirely too much on pre-made, boxed or drive-thru meals.
I have other obstacles: I HATE my kitchen--cooking in it ends up irritating me more than anything, my husband is even more picky than I am--he doesn't really like potatoes or pasta so sides are usually an issue, and healthy & tasty food is expensive--I have said for a long time, if they want to help the obesity problem in America they need to make healthy foods cheaper! I don't go out of my way to shop at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and the healthy stuff @ regular stores tastes like dog food. I also hate that we don't have a table to sit at.
If anyone has suggestions or can empathize with this problem, let me know. If I am going to correct it, now is the time, while I am off work, before things get crazy next month.

"Victims" of the Recession

2009-07-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing this term "vicitms" of the recession...this loss of work and money and security is indeed massive compared to the thigs we are used to...but does that really make us "vicitms"?
I gotta say, I am somewhat enjoying the benefits of a recession...
I have read so many blogs and facebook status, etc that say how much everyone is enjoying summer, relaxing with their family. I see pics of everyone having BBQs at home, playing in their own pool instead of the ocean. With everyone not having money to travle etc. the words relaxed and lazy and family keep coming up...I don't associate these words with victim.
As for us...techinically we are "victims" of this recession because Uciel got laid off, but I don't really feel like a vicitm. There are so many people worse off than even the worst in our country (on a side note I think some people in our country-specifically my generation and younger-NEED to struggle...they have no clue what it means to survive, without everything handed to you, as our parents and granparents had to do during war & depression).

I have a hard time feeling bad about not hitting the beach if I am happy to just have gas money to get to work and back; I can't get pitiful about being stuck at home if I am ecstatic to even have the TV working! I can't really complain about the fix-its needed in my house because, hey! I have a house!
I am going to stop using the term victim...
We, along with millions of others, are laboring through the recession.

Blogging from my Garage

2009-07-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

Its a pleasant afternoon in Fresno, sitting in my garage.

Pleasant? You say.
...in Fresno?? You say.
...in a garage??
...in July?!
Actually, yes.

I sit here with a swamp cooler pointed directly at me in an open garage so I can see the sun shining and hear the birds chirping, instead of being in the sun burning and under the birds pooping.
I originally came out to the garage because Uciel was working on his truck stuff, as usual. I have newfound freedom with this wireless Internet card...no more being stuck to the desk! It is slower, but for the mobility and lower price I can deal with it. I brought the computer to show him something and end up sitting here long after he has finished.
The warm, fresh air reminds me that its summer and I get happy...I get even happier that I can relish in summer in spite of the fact I am still working because I get a long weekend and I am completely caught up at school and can enjoy a July 4th with family....

Blogging instead of working
Ahhhhhh.....

I am back!!

2009-07-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

After what has felt like 10 years without Internet I finally have a wireless card! So I not only have Internet @ home, but everywhere I go!! So, I will make my way back into the blogging world; first, I have to catch up on what everyone has been up to. For now, her is a picture of my beautiful girl to catch you all up on how big she is getting.

Summer school has been fairly easy this year so we have gotten to relax a bit...here she is sittin on a stump @ Lost Lake when we had a random afternoon BBQ :)

Sweet Sunday: the Rock & Worship Road Show

2009-03-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

After a sweet (and productive) Saturday with my hubby and Isa, I had a lovely sweet Sunday with the rest of my fam: Boren side @ church & even got to see some of those Beberian girls...the concert was awesome. I am feeling blessed and hoping to take it into the week with me...:)

Sweet Saturday

2009-03-28T20:49:00.001-07:00

Takin advantage of the beautiful California spring

Slim Down Saturday

2009-03-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

SO...now that I am in this competition, I have to really keep myself on track. In an effort to prepare, I made menus for the 8 weeks I will be participating. I have found that my downfall usually lies in lack of preparation; I have no discipline when I have to decide on the spot (especially if there are pictures of food involved).
I also timed myself making a healthy, 2-block, breakfast. I can make turkey bacon with egg substitute & cheese over toast in 6 minutes and 40 seconds, including a piece of buttered toast and cheese stick for the girl. If I add cleaning up after myself it goes to 8 minutes...For $1000 I can do 8 minutes! Now it is just every other meal for the next eight weeks that I have to conquer.
I will also be going to the gym every day and we start volleyabll open gym after Easter break...I am gonna try to hit this HARD CORE!!
Now I am off to the gym to time out my 3 workout routines so I have no excuse if I am running late...
Again...if you see me, don't let me eat it!!

New Competition--starts today!

2009-03-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

The Goal: 40 lbs. and/or down 2 sizes
The Prize: $800 and a smokin new bod for summer!
The Competition: 8 of my female coworkers

Please help...if you see me...DON'T LET ME EAT IT!!

:P

Sweet Sunday: Happy Anniversary to Them!!

2009-03-07T22:25:00.000-08:00

Sunday, March 8, makes 34 years of marriage for my parents. They have been wonderful examples to me in word and deed; there is NO ONE I admire more than these two.

HAppy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! Love you both more everday!

*Photo taken @ my wedding, 3-1-03

Sweet Sunday: Happy Anniversary to us!

2009-03-01T23:10:00.000-08:00

Six years today! We got a much needed date night (thanks to the Beberians for taking Isa)! :)

[Belated] Hump Day Humor

2009-02-26T19:03:00.000-08:00

I love this one! I always want to show it to my classes when discussing revising and editing their essays. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW1lxwsK5_Q

Tacit Tuesday: GASP!

2009-02-24T23:00:00.001-08:00

Sweet Sunday: Playing and Learning

2009-02-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

I love to watch my daughter learn. I can almost see the wheels in her head turning as we play and talk and go places. Some cute things she taught herself:

1. On the days my dad watches her while I work, he meets me in Kerman so that I don't have to drive all the way to his house, especially when its foggy. We have settled into a spot in the Save Mart parking lot....so Isa will now ask if we are going to "Gampa" everytime we enter similar parking lots.
2. The "On Demand" theme song that comes on everytime I play a Sesame Street episode.
3. The process to brushing her teeth: say hello to Elmo, Grover & Zoe (on her toothbrush), rinse, paste, scrub scrub scrub, rinse scrube rinse, say goodbye to Elmo, Grover and Zoe and dry face
4. To throw both arms in the air and yell "Touchdown!" with her Daddy

The last one is my favorite because watching Uciel teach her is by far my favorite thing to see. I remember a conversation I had with my dad when I talked of marrying Uciel: my dad asked me to be very sure this was the man for me. He asked if I could see myself with him still after 50 years, like all of my grandparents were/are. What comes to mind now is his other question: Do you think he will be a good father to your children? I love that he has proven my answer correct.
Today I watched Isa's wheels turning as she learned that if you can't pull the magnets apart, try sliding them.

Finally

2009-02-17T22:29:00.000-08:00

Dora Child Toilet seat: $10.99

Elmo "Potty Time" video: $7.99

small box pull-up style daipers: $8.99

Seeing a light at the end of a stinky, diaper-filled tunnel: PRICELESS!

The New 'Do

2009-01-26T20:21:00.001-08:00

A Day in the Life of a Teacher

2009-01-23T22:23:00.000-08:00

This week was surprisingly long and tiring but today was a great ending. I loved it because it was what I always imagined teaching would be:

I spent last night working on lesson plans for Romeo and Juliet (until 1 a.m. but its worth it).
I actually got to work a little early (incredibly unusual for me)
Had a great day teaching R&J and really easy grammar, even got off topic and covered politics, music and movies and still got everything done (the kids were really engaged and on a roll today)
We had a really fun rally (we're talkin' pies in teachers' faces, flying shoes & carmex...crazy)
Got to visit with my dad when I picked up Isa & had a nice, quiet drive home while she slept
Had an easy dinner when I got home and spent all evening playing with my girl in front of the fire hubby made me.

This is what I worked for: the chance to influence the future through my students, a set schedule so I have plenty of time with my family and the comfort of our own home.

I feel sooo blessed today.

Thank you, Lord.

A lovely random playdate

2009-01-06T17:10:00.001-08:00

Monday Motivation: Character over Achievement

2009-01-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

I needed a tissue for this one! (I will be showing this to my teams) Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKUaLlK776s

WOW!!

I Wanna Be a Big Loser!

2009-01-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

Weight-loss...how can something be a dream and a thorn at the same time?

Like 90% of females out there, my weight has been a burden since childhood, always fluctuating, making shopping & dressing impossible (I have sizes ranging from 12-22 in my closet...no joke). Watching the season finale of "The Biggest Loser 3" (I assume there was a marathon of the season meant to encourage those resolving to change their habits, and by extension appearance, with this new year) an idea came to me: I am on the average side of over weight, I am not morbidly obese, not dying of diabetes or anything, so I could not go on a show like that, but I do need some kind of motivation to move me, so I came up with this idea: lets do a personal "Biggest Loser"!!

Here is my plan:

We set a time--maybe like 8-10 weeks
We get a group--Those interested (there will be a set group of those interested) will compete in their weight loss, with some rules
We set a prize--I am thinkin' maybe we all pitch in and the winner gets the money or, if it is all girls, some kind of actual, physical prize like spa treatments and GCs for all the new clothes you will need)
We keep in touch & compare--maybe group dinner every couple of weeks
We choose a winner--we will use percentages, as they do on the show

To make this work, I need people to compete against. I figure we can find a way to do this without the embarrassing spandex, we won't be advertising our weight on national television, just a support group that pushes through competition, with an actual prize to look forward to.

So...who is with me? I would like to get a group together, decide the rules & prize so please let me know if you are at all interested of would like to participate.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T15:30:00.000-08:00

The morning after:

In addition to the typical New Year's resolutions, and thanks to our trusty Fresno Bee, we came up with a new one for the four of us this year: each month do something that takes advantage of where we live. We discuss the beauties of our state, and the convienence of our location within, and yet there is not a lot we do that takes advantage of our surroundings. The Fresno Bee (our local paper) listed a few ideas by month to do just that. For this month: try a sport you have never tried before, their suggestion being disc golf as [apparently] available on some course at the north end of town. While I don't think disc golf will be the way we go, unless someone has a positive opinion they would like to share, we do look forward to attempting something new.

An "are ya kiddin' me?!" moment

2008-12-30T13:13:00.000-08:00

This is what I found when I opened our milk form Costco...(there are supposed to be 3)

The entire box isn't worth the gas it would take to go back, so when does it become worth it to go back and get it fixed? So irritating...

Tacit Tues: Panza

2008-12-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Before & After

2008-12-29T16:58:00.001-08:00

On the one hand, I am glad to finally get this mess under control;

On the other hand, it is irritating that being on vacation just means a different kind of work.

2008-12-27T00:37:00.000-08:00

I call this one "Please no more, mom!"

Better than I thought

2008-12-27T00:30:00.000-08:00

So, I know I sounded very "scroogy" in my last post and I am happy to report that Christmas itself pretty much made up for the lack of a Christmas season.
I was able to see about 70% of my family and I will see more at our belated Christmas on Sat. I think it was just that I am so used to the whole season being "merry and bright" and I was missing that feeling.
I got to see my family, buy a few gifts and make the rest, had great food, Isa was very happy to be around the family (and they hooked her up too! She made out like a bandit on the gift front!)

...bottom line: I got that whole "its the thought that counts" and "its not about the presents" kind of Christmas, which is absolutely fine by me, as long as my family is there. :)

My first Bah Humbug

2008-12-23T12:13:00.000-08:00

I have always been the epitome of Christmas spirit. Since my childhood, Christmas has always been my favorite season; we have had traditions that take us to all our different sides of the family, we got to see everyone...we used to do this really cool thing where we get a bunch of us together and provide an entire Christmas for a family in need (I mean extreme need)--the gifts, the tree, the food, everything. The only time we did not celebrate Christmas was when my brother was overseas (USAF) and even then...we just moved it to March.
I love the memories I have, but they get me stuck into certain traditions and the more those change the more BAH HUMBUG I get. I feel horrible about it because my world could be soooo much worse, but I cant help but miss those times. This year has been the most unenjoyable Christmas yet...nothing at work, no tree or decorations at home, not one stinkin Christmas party, no money for gifts, we have had 2 deaths in the family, my brother moved away to be a cop elsewhere, I dont get to visit all the places I usually do (which means I dont get to see everyone)...it just seems nothing is Christmasy this year. I have not even watched one Christmas special.
It may seem trivial but this has always been a highlight of my year and now its just...not. I don't like the feeling...someone gift me a shot of the holiday spirit quick! (Plus I am just now going shopping for the few gifts we can get and I am thinkin that an afternoon in the crazy, day-before-Christmas traffic will not help my negativity)

Slim Down Saturday: a pleasant surprise

2008-08-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Yea! My scale says I have now lost 39 lbs total. That means [of my baby weight] I only have about 10-15 more to lose!!! I am pleasantly surprised because I had lost track and kinda stopped trying to keep going and just tried to maintain where I was at so...whoo hoo, yea for me! I thought I would share some of the things I have come to rely on as weight loss helpers:

1. Zone Bars--the Zone Diet is actually the one I am on, but they sell the bars at all Trader Joe's & Target type places. My favorite is the fudge graham flavor. It is perfectly balanced & will work as a snack and tide me over for about 2-3 hours. The other flavors are things like: Chocolate Peanut butter, Caramel Cluster, Strawberry Yogurt, Cinnamon Roll (another of my favorites) and now they have some with actual fruit in them. Look for the yellow box.

2. Special K protein water--again, works to tide me over for about 1-2 hours (especially before/after practice). I like the strawberry-kiwi flavor in single serving packs-just add & shake.

3. Costco Chicken sandwiches--those frozen [seemingly fake] chicken patty sandwiches only take 45 seconds to warm up and they come dry so you can add whichever toppings you want. I keep a few sandwiches in my work fridge with a bottle of ranch salad spritzer and use that instead of mayo. (Sometimes I opt for low-fat honey mustard instead)

4. Water--an obvious one, I know, but I am not a water drinker. The extreme heat and practicing with the team has gotten me back into drinking more water & you would be surprised to learn that what they say is actually true: if you drink all your water, don't drink or do drugs, exercise regularly & eat right...you really do feel better! (imagine that) ;-D

Let me know if you are trying to lose weight too, I have LOTS of tips and tricks cause if I don't keep it changing & find new stuff, I give up easily.

Tacit Tuesday: Now Thats Perserverance!

2008-08-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

Sweet Sunday: Sesame Street Weekends

2008-08-24T19:59:00.001-07:00

We may not be rich, but we are good at what we do and the family time we have is absolutely priceless.

Hump-Day-Humor: Why Parents Have Gray Hair

2008-08-08T09:15:00.001-07:00

Why Parents Have Gray Hair

A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see the bed nicely made up and everything neat and tidy.
Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, "Dad". With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands:
Dear Dad,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with you and Mom.
I've been finding real passion with Joan and she is so nice. I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, tattoos, her tight motorcycle clothes and because she is so much older than I am but it's not only the passion, Dad, she's pregnant.
Joan says that we are going to be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood, enough for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.
Joan has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it and trading it with the other people in the commune for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want.
In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Joan can get better; she sure deserves it!
Don't worry Dad, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren.
Your son, Chad
P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my desk drawer.
I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come home!

Tacit Tuesday

2008-08-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Tacit= implied, inferred, unspoken

Here is the link--look, listen, think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8G3MsdQxuU

Belated Monday Motivation

2008-08-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

I am changing my Monday theme from Monday Meditation to Monday Motivation--or maybe back and forth, I dont know. Here is the first (a little late):

My mom doesnt forward those little stories often, so when she does I figure it must be good (and this one is) Keep this in mind not just this week---students keep it in mind as school starts this year!

A 92-year-old, petite, well poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'

'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied..

'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing.'

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred. (Romans 12:9)
2. Free your mind from worries. (Matt. 6:25)
3. Live simply. (Galations 5:22)
4. Give more. (II Corinthians 9:7)
5. Expect less (Luke 6:35)

Belated Sweet Sunday: Long Live Mashed Potato Kisses!

2008-08-04T16:29:00.001-07:00

Any parent will understand...anyone with parents should remember: There is NO BETTER FEELING than when you are able to see or hear how much your child loves you.

Now, I am far from attached at the hip to my daughter, but I will admit it is hard to leave her for long periods. Case in point: going camping with friends overnight--the way we were kissin' on her when Grandpa picked her up, you would think we were going over seas for a week or more. So it is always nice to come back to her, but my heart absolutely melted when we got out of the truck and she came running [literally] arms open. For the rest of the day she was kissin on me like I was going overseas! I got kisses on my face, she would walk up and kiss my knee as I worked on the computer, I even got mashed potato kisses at dinner!

In the same way, I am not attached to my parents at the hip but I will gladly admit I still call her Mama and I still call him Daddy. When people make fun of me (and by People I mean my husband) for being so close to my parents, I will now just remember my mashed potato kisses.

If everyone had parents like mine, the problems of this earth would minimize by half. My husband should consider himself lucky if Isa feels close enough to him to call him Daddy when she is my age. I strive to raise my child half as well as I was raised and if you have parents even a little supposrtive of you, stop reading right now and tell them how much you love and appreciate them.
To my support group:

Mama--you are my best friend in the whole world...literally...and I could not live without your love support and advice.

Daddy--You are the rock of our family, a true shepard and awesome man.

I know I can count on you both for ANYTHING, I love you. If I had mashed potatoes I would take a bite just so I could kiss you!

Tracy & Greg--you are my second parents, I may have outgrown the need for a key to your house, but I will never outgrow the need for your loving honesty, listening skills and [mostly] unbiased opinion.

I am very blessed; now you look at your support group--who could use a little love from you today?

Organized Blogging

2008-07-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

I like my friend's idea of having a blog theme for each day so I am going to steal it! Hopefully only having one idea a day will help me keep this going. Heres what I have:
Sweet Sundays
Monday Meditations
Tacit Tuesday
Hump-Day Humor
Thrifty Thursday
Friday Frustrations
Slim-Down Saturday

I will also have messages to my students including answers to questions and extra credit opportunity (which will always be titled with KHS People)

Enjoy!

(And I LOOOOVEEE Comments!) :D

Well, I am going to try

2008-07-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

For multiple reasons, some personal-some professional, I am going to attempt this whole blogging thing. We will see how it goes.....
Thanks to those who actually pay attention ;D