One Year Older and Cuter Too!

Happy 1st Birthday Sofia!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

• The laundry aisle
• When the label/price tag peels off cleanly
• New blog comments
• Opening up a new jar of peanut butter
• Popping fallen seed pods on walks
• Using a freshly sharpened pencil
• Hitting all the green lights

What are yours?

Just Because I lack their equipment, doesn't mean I can't Dominate

Last weekend there was a fishing trip planned for Big Lake. Yes, that’s really the name of the lake. All the boys were going, along with Ethan’s would-be-family-if-he-had-his-way-b/c-they-are-way-cooler-than-his-own-family, the Welch’s. You see, the Welch’s know where the fish are. Very key to any successful fishing trip. Even though I am the only resident girl amongst my siblings my dad asked if I was interested. I know he wanted me to come, but I’m pretty sure he asked out of apprehension. A while back he was asking all my brother’s if they would be interested in attending some sporting event. He didn’t ask me. I presumed it was because I had a vagina, and he was only asking the penis’s. Just because I don't have their equipment doesn't mean I don't have the desire!

We ventured up to Big Lake after work on Friday, where most of the crew had all ready set up camp. When we arrived it was dark, cold, and wet. I figured the next time I would see the sun, or any smidgen of skin on my body would be back in the valley. Steak dinners and s’mores awaited our arrival- these men don’t mess around!

The next morning it was still cold, still wet and still pretty dark, but beautiful! So lush and green- you wouldn't think you were still in AZ!

Here we are at the dock, waiting to start reeling 'em in! And yes, I did knowingly dress myself
like this. If you must know, I am sporting two hats, one to keep the rain off my face and one to keep my ears on (it was so cold). From there, the whole ensemble just makes perfect sense. The jacket is to keep the rain out and the warmth in, the sweatshirt for more warmth, the thermal underneath the sweatshirt for even more warmth and the tee-shirt just in case I get really hot and want to de-layer. Below all that I have two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks and rain golashes. And yes, they’re argyle.

Unfortunately, it was much to wet and cold for any pics out on the lake. Once we arrived at the spot (compliments of Guy) I figured it would be a while before anyone got a bite. The little fishies proved us wrong. Within 5 minutes I had a bite and was reeling the first fish of the day in. Once we secured the fish I stood up and yelled to all the other fishermen within earshot "vagina's 1, penis's 0". I attribute much of my success to my boots! From that point on it was getting pretty ridiculous. I caught another, then another. Eventually everyone had almost caught their limit. James learned that fishing is fun when you catch stuff!

We were out on the lake for a few hours in the bitter cold when it finally started to rain. We put some lovely blue and green ponchos on, but then decided to head back to camp for a little reprieve and some grub.

Here is James waiting for the restroom. This is probably the only documented incidence where there was an actual line for the men's room and no waiting for the women's. I guess, sometimes it pays to have the vagina! Chalk another up there for the ladies!

Here is one of the MANY trout I snagged.

Two of Tyler's

But, before heading back to camp it was time to clean our catch! A first for James.

The worst part about it was the frigid weather. Eventually, the fish blood and guts just started freezing onto our skin. Yummy!

This is my feeble attempt at filleting the fish. You start just above the gills, and cut along the skin. Then, you flip the fish over, and slide the knife under it while pressing firmly on the table.

And pull! At this point, you start all over again with the other side of the fish. Ironically, I don't even like seafood, love to fish, love to clean 'em, hate to eat 'em.

It seriously doesn't get any fresher than this!

Before leaving the lake we tried to take a mental picture of some prominent land marks so we can find our sweet spot again. Unfortunately, the only thing any of us can remember is a particular log. As long as the log stays there we're set! The highlight of the trip was definitely the ladies (being me) showing up the men (all 9 of them). Unfortunately, our fun was halted on the way home by some blue and red flashing lights in our rear view mirror. LUCKILY, he was the nicest DPS office EVER. He just gave us a fine, not a speeding violation, but a fine. The violation was for "waste of finite resources". It's basically a revenue generator. James was more than willing to accept the fine over 3 points on the license and endless "I told you to slow down" comments from me.

Oh Where oh Where has Our Little May Gone?

It's 11 in the morning and I'm not spouting off about how the hydrogen bonds between adjacent water molecules cause water to have a high surface tension and low vapor pressure. It must be summer! I heart summer.

My first inclination that it was summer was the momma bird that found refuge in our quaint tree in our front yard. By now I presume her babies have left the nest. I didn’t know we would be “empty-nesters” pre-kiddos.

Secondly, I knew that summer was upon us due to our once lush winter lawn and green foliage.

I had such high hopes for our gardenias. This one produced 1 bloom before finally giving out.

I knew that summer had arrived when I found James in his current condition- passed out on the floor. The culprit- finals! Luckily, he gets to take a break from school for the summer.

Lastly, the monsoon season is near! You non-Arizonan's out there would never believe it, but for the second year in a row the 92 graduation ceremony held at Tiger field was accompanied by rain. Along with the usual contraband that supplements graduation ceremonies (beach balls, silly string, bubbles, etc) both graduates and faculty alike donned umbrellas, ponchos and towels. Although the rain was not as fierce as the previous year, it lingered through all 782 names and through much of the weekend.

I must pay homage to the leading perpetrator of summer- The blasted sun! May is almost vanished and summer is in full swing. Here’s to the next 5 months of unbearable heat. Drink up!

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

Last time I checked, I was 5...Now I'm up to here in grading and haven't had a decent meal since Christmas... of 2007!

Here is the dashboard of my car:

My family room:

More piles in the family room:

What my desk feels like (although I am much more OCD than this- I have piles. My piles have piles, and, they too have piles- color coded, sorted by date and alphabetized):

What I feel like:

What I could do at any moment:

What I tell myself I look and feel like. My students don't buy it...neither do I!
What a load of crap:

Nine more days...nine more...