tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65221847285197879002012-02-12T08:38:03.148-08:00mostly mommy, kinda wifey, somewhat forty, a little crafty, alot of coffeeHi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.comBlogger1491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-47758953067172804712012-02-11T09:07:00.000-08:002012-02-11T09:11:31.212-08:00

It's been over six months since I've posted. I suppose in the blogosphere, fortymama is toast. But I've been feeling like picking it up again, so here I am. It's completely overwhelming to consider recounting everything  since July, and that also seems really boring, but allow me one look back. I can't move forward without a nod to my sweet, sweet Palo. My first baby.  I love this picture. It

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-34536392527077784642011-07-26T23:02:00.000-07:002011-07-26T23:02:57.200-07:00

Yep, just another Northwest July day. So...what's been happening this summer? Let's take a look, shall we? In June, I went to Alaska on a ten day sales trip. (Which, is a very long time to be away from your children!) I visited customers....  caught up with friends.... and saw beautiful scenery: this is outside of Palmer, just off the Parks Hwy. We enjoyed the local wildlife: this Northern

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-41986234460776173712011-04-26T12:20:00.000-07:002011-04-26T12:22:10.549-07:00

 Hurray...it's Spring!   But don't get too excited, it's still really cold At least we have Easter... dyeing eggs...  stickers on our faces...  eggs in our hands  I kind of hate all the junk that PAAS puts in their eggs now: stickers, plastic shrink wrap, glitter (which, in theory is cool, but it makes a total mess), glue. We had one brown egg left so we dunked it in purple (then in orange, and

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-37250570881813267382011-01-30T16:16:00.000-08:002011-01-30T21:41:46.718-08:00

One week ago Friday, we lost our 12 year old yellow lab, Dune. I told the kids that Daddy was taking Dune to heaven. I thought that would be a simple explanation, one that my parents had told me once, but it turned out to be a bit more complicated. "Where's heaven?""In the sky, in the clouds" "How are they gonna get there?""Ummm... well, he won't really be up there, it's his spirit really.." "

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-36417650552020618292011-01-05T17:38:00.000-08:002011-01-05T17:38:56.064-08:00

Just when you're about to go crazy, they sit up and do something like this. (Blue food coloring in the tub, not tidy bowl) I have exactly five minutes to write this post before I absolutely, positively MUST begin dinner. Why am I even posting? I've been reading other blogs and I'm feeling inspired and guilty that I've neglected mine so much. So far the new year has begun like the last two, with

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-25821291826262520922010-12-31T11:00:00.000-08:002010-12-31T11:00:31.282-08:00

I'm na hantum prince, I'm Bear! TRANSLATION: I'm not a handsome prince, I'm Bear! My kids are into playing pretend. Pirates, Princesses, Monstas. When you are a mother, your princess days are over. Now you are relegated to be a monster or frog, or, if you're lucky, the princess's older sister. (Just had to share this) *** Christmas was great. There was no holiday let down that it didn't live

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-42681825698009993632010-12-13T13:25:00.000-08:002010-12-13T13:25:53.106-08:00

The kids had their first visit to Santa yesterday. Bear wanted nothing to do with him after thirty seconds, and Boo, having just pulled my carefully placed bow from her hair, decided she could look up from her candy cane long enough to smile. In the past fourteen days I've shopped "Black Friday", had three days of birthday celebrations, including a party with eight-3 year olds, multiple cupcakes

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-46429232746561874012010-11-16T21:07:00.000-08:002010-11-16T21:07:00.310-08:00

---Boo just called down from her room. (She usually has a litany of requests after I put her to bed: potty, cold feet, a blanket fix.) Now it's, "Mommy, I have a booger". I really, really, really don't want to go up there. I can't believe I just told her to "wipe it on the carpet". Hmmm, probably not the best response....I think I'm getting desperate. OK, ok, I'm going up to get her a Kleenex!--

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-313068068513831872010-11-14T20:55:00.000-08:002010-11-16T17:24:12.582-08:00

I love sharing these photos of the kids with their best friend, K. The kids love their bikes, we've even started riding at the local BMX track. And when I say 'we', I mean the whole family! M says, "It's surreal that I'm riding bikes with three* year olds!". It's true, they ride so fast and go down these big hills that you forget their age.(Technically, they're actually still two until early

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-91323881471741938702010-11-11T12:37:00.001-08:002010-11-11T13:11:14.495-08:00

My poor blog has gone by the wayside. Between houseguests, business guests and one pesky volunteer project that just won't end, life has been busy. For now, you'll just have to settle for picures.Digging a hole with Dad (I suppose that's obvious!)Ready to be a flagger!Fresh from a haircut from Big Sister, V. Think he's ready for the Disney channel?One of our granddaughters, with V's dog "

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-2316895909013839002010-10-08T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-10T09:45:53.232-07:00

Boo is always coming home with artwork. Not that Bear doesn't paint, but every day, Boo comes home with 2 - 3 paintings she has done at her school. She seems to have an eye for composition and color. Am I a little biased? Nah. I thought I would kick off our first "Virtual Fridge" with one of her recent projects (one of my faves).

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-72540253485196349502010-10-04T21:50:00.000-07:002010-10-04T21:50:00.143-07:00

C'mon, I spent eight bucks. Do I really need all this paper?

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-12120538753568610412010-10-01T22:46:00.001-07:002010-10-06T20:15:24.573-07:00

Contrary to my last post, we are enjoying a bit of Indian Summer. I'm savoring these last few sunny, long shadowed afternoons--riding bikes, climbing, swinging, peeing...yes, peeing. It happens everywhere these days. Bear just finished his first week being diaper free and he's doing great! He always tells me when he has to go: right after I strap him into his car seat, or in the shopping cart, or

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-27500071873711896072010-09-22T12:56:00.000-07:002010-09-22T13:10:25.716-07:00

The first day of Fall. We're enjoying an Indian Summer, an entire one day of it. No worries, I'm not feeling as bad as this song suggests, but I thought some of the lyrics here were fitting for an Autumn that is here too soon. (Artist: Hawksley Workman. I heard this on "The Vinyl Cafe" last weekend and was struck by his real-ness.)I'm sorry that I haven't posted much lately, I'm currently bogged

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-1568137064701655432010-09-14T22:40:00.001-07:002010-09-14T22:57:29.871-07:00

This morning I received a text from a friend asking what "word" means. No, I don't mean the actual word "word". I mean the slang term "word". I told her I thought it meant..."ya, I know what you mean" a term of agreement. The truth is, I"m only guessing based on my obsessive viewing of "The Wire", where "word" and "true dat" and "mothaf***er" are mumbled every 10 seconds or so."Oh, god am I

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-58616619094071281702010-09-02T22:25:00.000-07:002010-09-14T22:40:08.223-07:00

This week I received a Facebook 'friend' request from a girl who was my absolute bestest friend in grade school. Her initial message was really an inquiry....asking my maiden name, did I go to St. B's, etc... I was so excited to hear from her that I immediately responded with a lengthy, two paragraph email, giving her the highlights of my life. (As if you can do that in two paragraphs and email

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-7791221747199687552010-08-18T23:28:00.000-07:002010-08-24T15:12:52.249-07:00

I didn't exactly hate this tree, but I began resenting it...a lot. It blocked the sun in the morning, in the afternoon and even the moonlight. I would spend the day at work, anxious to come home and enjoy the sun, only to wind up freezing in our backyard. (Where we live, there are only a handful of days where shade feels good.) At first, M. & I talked about limbing it up, we didn't want to be

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-23673499774445616022010-08-16T21:00:00.000-07:002010-08-16T21:50:31.172-07:00

8:59 p.m. Six minutes since I left my kids room and Bear is still crying. Ugh. I shouldn't even be posting right now. I really need to be ordering electricity for our booth at an upcoming trade show next week. But here I am. 9:08 p.m. Went up, soothed him, but now he's at it again.We've had three weeks of houseguests, beloved houseguests, but nonetheless we're feeling the transition back to our

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-50937973468782114722010-07-28T15:07:00.000-07:002010-07-28T15:10:33.629-07:00

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-33928425302385939052010-07-25T21:16:00.001-07:002010-07-25T21:27:49.943-07:00

A few days ago, M & I were at the playground with the kids, when Bear walked up to a big boy of five and said his usual "Hi". Bear's not shy at all, he loves to walk up to groups of kids, no matter what age and greet them, but this boy was having none of it."DON'T say hi to me!!", he yelled in Bear's face.M & I glanced at each other but purposedly kept quiet, waiting to see what Bear would do.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-91058619716387688862010-07-21T21:51:00.000-07:002010-07-21T22:34:06.018-07:00

Hmmm, should I wash the dishes, or have a bowl of ice cream? It's not a ton of dishes, and I will do them in the morning...Down guilt, down! Ok, that's much better, now where was I? Wow, crushed Oreo's are really good on vanilla ice cream! Sorry, I'm getting distracted. I enjoyed dinner last Friday with three friends from high school, it's so nice to NOT be the oldest person at the table! We've

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-50136576657880805802010-06-28T09:18:00.000-07:002010-06-28T13:51:25.087-07:00

I purchased this book as a gift, after hearing NPR's positive review of "another vampire story", and an 800 page one to boot ($15 at Costco). I was curious and thought "I'll just read a chapter and if I like it, I'll get a copy". Five hundred pages later, that book isn't going anywhere. I'm not a total cad, I did buy another copy for my gift. I had to. I wasn't about to give a book that I've

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-9529777057667151102010-06-14T22:04:00.001-07:002010-06-14T22:27:40.553-07:00

Everytime I see my home page (my blog) I'm reminded that I need to post. And post again. And again. It's neverending, like homework. And now it's been a few weeks since my last one, so here goes...Tomorrow morning I'm going to a Design seminar in downtown Seattle. I'm looking forward to attending a professional event, but a little nervous about the morning: getting two potty training toddlers

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-58566586899649616782010-05-19T12:27:00.001-07:002010-05-19T12:38:25.344-07:00

Last night as I was serving dinner, literally placing plates on the table, our yellow lab squatted & let loose (really loose I might add!) on the carpet right in front of me. I did what any busy mother would do, picked up the grossest part, laid a towel over it and ate dinner. Boo then spilled her milk, and Bear decided to dump his water (see why I waited?). M. was working late, so I was on my

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-58079760393294274502010-05-17T14:15:00.001-07:002010-05-17T14:34:25.602-07:00

So...I had another one of those pesky birthdays this weekend, and I'm happy (well, working on it anyway) to say that I'm now 45! I don't know how it happened, but here I am. We had a wonderful family weekend, it always helps when the town has a big festival in your honor. Well, maybe it's in honor of Rhododendrons or something, but let me have my fantasy.What more could you ask for? A carnival

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-8602315020764294782010-05-08T20:34:00.000-07:002010-05-08T20:47:55.288-07:00

Alright, so I know I'm totally doing what Toyota wants...spreading their viral YouTube video. But I'm a mom with a Sienna AND it's hilarious, so here goes.Now c'mon, you know you want a mini van.... right?

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-17883701042131882662010-04-26T21:05:00.000-07:002010-04-27T08:23:17.754-07:00

You never know where you'll end up reading a story. How quickly things can go south.How patient our dogs really are.Taking a family portrait is useless.I should probably get a better camera.Sometimes I make cool things. Take advantage of the perfect pose. The Lion King can go a long way.And most importantly, when you think you won't need diapers...you will.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-45679136105268510362010-04-11T13:26:00.000-07:002010-04-11T14:12:39.652-07:00

I'm getting ready to leave for California tomorrow so while the kids nap, I should be working on my ever-growing to do list instead of doing a blog post. But this will be quick.Last Thursday was one of those days that ended with the feeling that I'm really botching things as a parent. Nap time was a fiasco, it took nearly two hours for the kids to go down! By that time, it's like, what's the

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-75121822368682675852010-03-29T21:39:00.000-07:002010-03-29T23:34:54.074-07:00

"Put on my blue suede shoes and I boarded a train. Touched down in the middle of the delta blues, in the middle of the pouring rain. "I discovered over drinks during Karaoke, that my sister would like this song, "Walking in Memphis" played at her funeral. Don't worry, I didn't receive any horrible news like she has cancer or something, but she had a flash that if you never tell anyone what you

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-1460241465124707442010-03-13T07:35:00.000-08:002010-03-13T07:44:46.643-08:00

The other day I happened to glance at the stack of books in my nightstand. These two titles were together and it struck me...maybe they should market these as a package!

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-8755859442553860852010-03-05T16:33:00.000-08:002010-03-05T16:49:24.559-08:00

Is it totally horrible to do a quickie post while my kids watch Dora? Just to say I'm still alive? Sorry if I dropped out for awhile. The day of that last post I felt the familiar scratchy throat (again), and how many weeks later(?), I still have the cough. To top it off, this week I got a wicked stomach flu that I was hoping was food poisoning so my kids wouldn't get it, but Bear just starting

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-46434699616653096092010-02-13T14:04:00.000-08:002010-02-13T15:28:16.462-08:00

Every time I recount the days event's to M. he always says, "that's a great blog entry!". As he laughs and I get much needed perspective, I realize that , yes, they would be great blog entries, but who has the time?Great potential blog posts constantly run through my head when I have time to think--in the shower, drying my hair, or during the last few moments before sleep. But then I wake up

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-80310846681380715302010-02-07T14:54:00.001-08:002010-02-07T15:01:52.327-08:00

Couldn't resist, I had to post another photo of them playing. One thing I want to share with you, my friend posted about this time clock in her blog. In her post she calls it 'The Green Line of Moments', it's eery to see time zipping by.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-39124933657445878112010-02-06T22:13:00.000-08:002010-02-06T22:59:46.936-08:00

Tonight the toys on the floor gave me a warm fuzzy. Evidence of healthy kids at play.We've had two weeks of what my husband termed "hell". I don't know if I would go that far, but we've had some hellish moments. I think the top one was when I skillfully caught Bear's barf in my hands, M. and I were so relieved, then as we walked away to clean up, Boo threw up all over the floor. I actually forgot

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-71796111017138997722010-01-28T13:57:00.001-08:002010-01-29T10:41:38.187-08:00

A Mojito made with Coconut milk...way too delicious for it's own good. A smore sundae, graham cracker ice cream, hot fudge and a flame torched, homemade marshmallow. I'm just lucky it wasn't my dessert, because I wouldn't have been so generous with the whole "would you like a bite?" thing.I also had scallops with this incredible carrot mousse, (sounds a little weird, but it's not). Out of this

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-47665933429774279152010-01-16T21:44:00.001-08:002010-01-16T22:49:12.853-08:00

Hi kitchen: it's a been a good run, but things are about to change. Hi big, boring dining room window that I'm totally sick of. Yep, more change.I'm going bold, I'm going red. Yikes! I kind of get scared whenever I say that, but I feel like it will work. I'm actually going "Deep Rose" but there's nothing rose about it. It's Tuscany, it's a brick oven, it's cinnamon...it's change.For our living

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-25450479220986567872010-01-13T22:29:00.000-08:002010-01-13T22:50:59.417-08:00

The Drive: 50 minutes of highway, satellite radio and my own thoughts....lots of them. Destination: Mall town, USA! Dinner: Mongolian Grill Ambience: Food Court Entertainment: Fellow Food CourtiansThe Spoils: with 30 - 70% off, there's lots to be plundered. Dessert: Gummy Bears (I kinda have a thing for them)Goodnight.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-34572874580582429062010-01-12T08:24:00.000-08:002010-01-13T09:47:23.548-08:00

The hair was getting way too long. After naps it was a bird's nest, combing it out was a nightmare for everyone. We all knew something had to be done. But when?On the spur of the moment, we decided to 'get 'er done". Mom arrived armed with pretzels, fruit chews, Teletubbies on the Ipod...but still he squirmed and swatted at the scissors, until I sat him on my lap and pulled out the the big guns

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-27400482728333672912010-01-10T03:16:00.000-08:002010-01-10T03:50:37.450-08:00

A last look, taken just a couple days ago.Today the new owners moved into my old house. After spending the past week cleaning up after the last tenants and haggling over how much deposit money they'll get back, I feel a sense of relief. I spent ten years of my life at that house--purchasing it in '94 with my ex husband P. By the time I moved out I was divorced, had gotten a dog, changed careers

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-21785626954476515762009-12-30T11:46:00.001-08:002009-12-31T15:09:03.125-08:00

It was the week before Christmas. The 88lb kids' kitchen had arrived with nary a scratch. All that remained was assembly, and easy task by Mr. Claus.Mrs. Claus to Mr. Claus:"Maybe you should open up the kitchen now and see what you need to put it together. I can keep the kids out of the garage for a couple days."Mr. Claus, working on the computer: "No, it's fine. I'll put it together Christmas

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-39416835236669804602009-12-16T08:08:00.000-08:002009-12-16T15:46:27.151-08:00

Boo crashed out for a second nap while Bear did his best to wake her up. The girl was tired. Monday, the day of my "lockdown" post was one of the best days ever with the kids. Isn't life great when it works that way? My energy was good, we played most of the day, there was time for a nap. A good day.Yesterday they went back to childcare and I went to the doctor; it turns out that I have chicken

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-70189654405471370202009-12-13T12:26:00.000-08:002009-12-14T06:15:19.690-08:00

I'm sorry I left you hanging with those YouTube videos and no interesting posts since December 1st! In the holiday spirit, we've had lots of red & green things happening: chicken pox, sore throats & runny noses. To top it all off, I got sick too (and it's still hanging in there). I knew it would happen sometime, just another one of those parent paying-your-dues things. It's like returning to

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-9084906312751959892009-12-01T22:09:00.000-08:002009-12-01T22:30:57.446-08:00

OK, I stayed up too late on YouTube last night. It's amazing what a little editing can do!Just another date movieYou'll never look at her the same way again...Take my breath away...

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-64767447162724002612009-11-30T07:26:00.000-08:002009-11-30T07:26:00.652-08:00

Ok, another Yo Gabba Gabba plug here, but I love, love, love this video. The animation, the ingenius imagery of listening, the song...everything about it. My kids love it too, probably because of the repeated viewings, and now it's on their lullaby playlist.'Listen' by Paco! on Yo Gabba Gabba FYI: the YGG site won't let you use the back key to return here, so if you want to come back, a right

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-69068858806196082872009-11-28T20:04:00.000-08:002009-11-28T20:57:16.812-08:00

Last night I had a last minute hook up with my friend 40licious and her significant other (first time meeting him.) M. stayed home with the kids, taking advantage of a chance to watch an action flick without me.It felt so good (dare I say, nourishing!) to catch up, connect and have a couple glasses of wine with an old friend. She laughed at my jokes, she even said she misses it when I'm too busy

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-33535473188789433272009-11-22T22:20:00.001-08:002009-11-22T22:45:45.136-08:00

I just finished rubbing a raw turkey. I know how it sounds...actually, how does it sound?Can you tell it's late and I'm tired?Anyway, the point of this post is that tomorrow is our Thanksgiving. My stepdaughter V, her boyfriend and their new dog, Stewy, are coming up. M. asked me if I felt nervous about cooking the turkey this year. (I'm still living down our first Thanksgiving dinner in this

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-27909742291251903272009-11-17T12:41:00.000-08:002009-11-17T20:55:03.595-08:00

I was just reading my posts and man...what a downer! We need to liven things up here a bit. So what better than photos of my darling children. Fall 2009The rainy season has officially started. A trip to the pumpkin patch. I couldn't get any photos of Bear, he was running around too much. Gee, why is Daddy's back always sore? You turn your head for just a second... Having fun with Dad. Sunny day

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-55215013664477865152009-10-28T21:56:00.000-07:002009-10-29T12:30:22.840-07:00

I noticed just a couple little oddities at first, not alarming, but nagging.An upstairs bathroom window left open. ("I don't remember doing that").A tupperware container full of change outside of it's normal drawer. The mattress pushed over slightly. (I don't remember doing that either").A pile of hair bands spilled on our bathroom floor. (I know I didn't do that!)After dinner, M & I tried to

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Today I shut Bear's hand in the car door. On the hinge side. Uuggh! I hate even thinking about it. It happened during the hubbub (beware of hubbubs) of getting out of the car and over to the playground. As I was shutting the door, I glimpsed his hand near the crack but I didn't think it was that close. Turns out it was closer! It was sickening to see his little fingers wedged in the impossibly

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My stepdaughter had to put her 13 year old dog down.A friend's Mother passed away.A friend of another friend died unexpectedly after surgery.And today I discovered that our renter left us with a $500 water bill. Needless to say, he hasn't returned any calls.Sometimes you have to just get through the week.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-244203704196007532009-10-19T22:20:00.000-07:002009-10-20T08:47:57.999-07:00

While running errands this afternoon, I saw a little deer along a neighborhood side street. Seeing deer in our town is a common, everyday, multiple-times-a-day occurence. It's nothing special, but my children don't know that. They don't even know what a deer is! So I pulled up alongside the deer let the kids look while I "wowed" excitedly. The deer stayed put nicely and gazed back at us. The kids

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-65922319241415937712009-10-18T12:11:00.001-07:002009-10-18T12:16:11.425-07:00

I'm trying to get my Dad to start a blog. So I'm showing him how to do a post. He has a ranch in Spokane and is selling grassfed, organic beef if anyone is interested. Who says you can't do a little promotion while we experiment with blogging?

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-11022053196955239252009-10-05T12:09:00.000-07:002009-10-05T12:40:04.004-07:00

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-45970775083397384862009-10-01T17:18:00.000-07:002009-10-01T23:03:40.649-07:00

Today was our second Playschool class and things went very smoothly. Last week, Bear got a little overexcited (so much to do!) and a little overtired (it's in the middle of nap time) so the second hour was pretty much meltdown after meltdown. But we survived and returned this morning, despite my late night anxieties.During the second hour, I visited the "Parent Room" and enjoyed a cup of coffee

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-86978486700858996612009-09-27T13:32:00.000-07:002009-09-27T13:53:15.231-07:00

I'm now realizing how busy life is with two, nearly two year olds. Don't forget two dogs, a cat, a job and oh yes, a husband! Take last week for example, we had houseguests for three days, the dog had a cyst rupture, one of my crowns fell out, and the kids had their first day of Playschool. I also heard myself volunteering to be on the school's fund raising committee (it's kind of required...it

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-60090772898526499742009-08-29T21:05:00.000-07:002009-08-29T22:02:31.792-07:00

I just discovered this "Grace In Small Things" (GIST) site that is inspiring, yet surprisingly challenging...the act of recognizing the grace in five small things every day. This may not even count as "grace" but it was a proud moment.Doing my final check of the night on the kids, I was hit with the tell tale waft of....well, you know. I wondered who did the deed, hoping it wasn't Bear, who was

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-13782857603285844642009-08-24T21:20:00.000-07:002009-08-24T21:35:55.623-07:00

I've been a bad blogger. A busy blogger. A non blogger. I've gone weeks without posting. I blame it on the weather. It's been great. We're enjoying one of the best summers in ten years, but it's winding down. You can really see it in the afternoons. The way the light hits the trees at about 4:00 p.m: it's softer, slightly more golden, lower. It reminds me of school, of football and fresh starts.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-51037576373645258232009-08-21T23:13:00.000-07:002009-08-24T20:59:00.976-07:00

Pix, the ultimate dessert destination.I know what you're thinking. "Oh thank God she finally put up a new post so we don't have to look at those damn toys anymore!" Sorry, I got busy.I just returned from a trade show in Portland, hence the busyness. One of the highlights of this trip is an annual dinner with some great friends. We've realized that now we've been doing this dinner for ten years,

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-15561007572013226562009-08-02T20:23:00.000-07:002009-08-02T20:53:05.833-07:00

In the morning, everyone is fresh and eager to play... but after hours of being hugged, kissed, fed, dropped, and set in the spilled liquid of the day, we're tired. CSI tired.We're rattled...spent......downright exhausted!Maybe hiding under the bed all day isn't such a bad idea.Crime scenes have not been altered. Well, except when they had to go back to the toybox.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-13007228392940714082009-07-29T21:45:00.001-07:002009-07-30T10:26:58.530-07:00

OK, I'm back for a few minutes at least. I've been feeling like a total slacker not doing any postings, but it's a little freeing as well. Kind of like not having homework. So much has been happening, I'll just show rather than tell.OK well, maybe I'll tell a little bit... Enjoying the outdoors.M's daughters visited with our youngest grandaughter, G. She's the one on the right, looking at her 20

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-56583135719890777022009-07-13T11:59:00.001-07:002009-07-13T12:03:52.008-07:00

Right now our house is full of suitcases, air beds, bare feet, popsicle stained lips, and in a few days, more suitcases. Enjoying summer, enjoying life.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-9382183795431718582009-07-07T21:07:00.000-07:002009-07-09T10:23:29.887-07:00

I stumbled upon this the other day and I'd love to share it. What if Snow White, Cinderella and some of our other favorites had alternative outcomes? Photographer Dina White explores this in a new series called Fallen Princesses.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-55641066676207636732009-07-06T20:31:00.000-07:002009-07-06T20:44:30.580-07:00

8:32 pm to be exact. It's not exactly the midnight oil, but it's beginning to feel late. Working at night in an empty office has it's perks: evening jazz, no phones, and no talking is quite relaxing and I can get quite a bit accomplished. As long as I don't get distracted by blogs (including my own.) .Ssshhh, don't tell anyone I was here.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-336483009485422132009-06-29T11:07:00.000-07:002009-06-29T11:55:58.765-07:00

OK, I got off the computer, plugged in the glue gun, dug out some felt scraps from my upstairs "room" and got to work. Boo has been carrying around an ugly pink vinyl purse that we've had in the toy bin for years, so I decided a new one was in order. I was able to whip this out while her brother napped. The strap is a little short, but she seems to like it. It's handy to have your purse when

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I don't know what is happening to me, I've never really been a crafter but these days I can't peel myself away from the computer. Stuffed animals, felted gnomes, tooth fairy pillows, super cool fabrics, little girl dresses, appliques...the urge to sew and craft little cute things is becoming overwhelming. And just in case you're wondering, I'm not pregnant. Although I'm finding that I'm spending

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Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-13304677845628451222009-06-21T20:08:00.001-07:002009-06-21T21:13:13.396-07:00

When people say "you must be so busy", I just smile and say "oh yes", but inwardly thinking "it's not really that bad", but then at the end of the day, around 9:00 p.m., when I'm still washing dishes, hoping for a little down time before bed, I think of everything I had hoped to do, and none of it is done. OK I admit it, I guess I am pretty busy. I'm usually able to complete daily cleaning tasks,

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-62318297715868727182009-06-13T22:18:00.000-07:002009-06-13T22:25:54.259-07:00

Mix one free babysitter (gotta love family), two glasses of red wine, one outta-this-world pasta dish, throw in some adult conversation, a surprise sighting of friends at a restaurant, finish with a little ice cream and decaf and oila...Saturday night!

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-43166301467224783572009-06-08T13:39:00.000-07:002009-06-09T10:55:32.845-07:00

One fun thing to do with boy/girl twins is to see the "Nature vs Nurture" theory play out. Over the past 18 months we've seen clear gender differences in Boo and Bear's development. Bear loves all things mechanical: opening doors, fiddling with latches and Boo loves stuffed animals, talking and shoes (seriously!). Boo hugs the baby doll and Bear throws it aside, totally uninterested. I decided to

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Tonight as I sat with a friend in the front yard, we watched a policeman take pictures of our neighborhood intersection, one block from our house. Later, he came to the door to let us know that a "white man in a black van" tried to lure our neighbor's ten year old son into his car.Uuugh! I am creeped out, stunned, a little scared even. I can only imagine how his parents must feel. When an evil

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-40512382477727005372009-05-29T09:33:00.000-07:002009-05-29T10:44:55.311-07:00

Last Sunday....a great excursion to the beach. The kids weren't sure if they liked walking in the warm sand with bare feet, but it turns out that's a great way to keep them where you want them!We had a great time, but I felt a nagging twinge of sadness. I tried to cheer myself up with bumper sticker sayings like, "don't believe everything you think", and reminded myself it was that time and I was

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I started this post Monday night, but never finished. Hopefully, that can happen later this week.All in all it's been a good weekend. Laughter, tears, and cake. We had it all. Today: my stepdaughter's birthday.... she's 28. Hard to believe I first met her when she was 17 and I was a mere 33. V. has always been wonderful, but it has been such a pleasure watching her become an independent young

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-33097227156329262662009-05-21T09:25:00.001-07:002009-05-21T11:50:59.642-07:00

I sat on the couch last night, doodling in my sketchbook watching the American Idol finale, when Adam Lambert's version of the KISS song Beth caught my interest."What is he going to do now?" (Adam is always so creative with his songs.)And there they were...my guys: Paul, Ace & Gene...KISS! Even though my KISS fling only lasted during my 12 & 13th year, that 13 year old's starstruck thrill remains

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-41206941867973772522009-05-17T11:16:00.000-07:002009-05-17T11:49:43.662-07:00

Good food, great friends...I'm living a Michelob commerical. Who could ask for more on your birthday weekend? A parade, a good scream on the Zipper, a babysitter, a party, a pretty cake, tons of mexican food, margaritas, and best of all, sunshine. Glorious sunshine. Maybe 44 isn't so bad after all. Enjoying her first parade at our local Spring festival. Not too sure about it. Not quite summer

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-78336917595535226222009-05-14T10:01:00.000-07:002009-05-14T10:27:31.490-07:00

I'm taking today off, an early birthday present. The kids are at the sitters and I have seven & a half luscious hours to myself! So many things I want to do, but I've got to choose carefully. After all, days like this don't come around often and I'm not wasting it by hanging out in bed all day, no matter how tempting.I'm not cleaning, but I'm hanging pictures, moving furniture, hanging out in my

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OK, I know that sounds like a weight loss commerical, but I was amazed when I got out the tape measure yesterday morning. I finished this book a few weeks ago and have been kind of following the program...a few splurges here and there, you know...living real life! I was going to wait two weeks from my first measurement (May 1st) but thought a peek wouldn't hurt. I was already prepared for

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I found these wonderful scraps of wool felt at a fabric shop in town that was going out of business and I couldn't resist the call of a project. "Why not make some cute pillows?" Ahem...I started last November. My first attempt at stitching a face and experimenting with "whip stitches". (Turns out my eyes aren't quite as good as they used to be!) Boo's pillow is the second one I did, hers turned

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-87817791421748783912009-05-04T14:30:00.000-07:002009-05-05T08:58:00.814-07:00

Weekends no longer mean sleeping in, lazy mornings with the paper, gardening or the decadent afternoon movie (or afternoon delight for that matter!). I look forward to Mondays. I drop the kids off at eight, but I'm actually quite lucky, I have a little time before work. So there's time for vacuuming, computer, grocery shopping... all without the relentless interruptions. Believe it or not, it's

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-11875043971652030042009-05-02T10:51:00.000-07:002009-05-02T11:36:57.790-07:00

Yesterday while going for a walk, we stopped to look at a house that was for sale. The owners were in the yard and invited us in to look around. It's a family house with room enough for large dinners, an attic to play in, a large pantry, huge closets, a laundry chute and yes, a hot tub. The upstairs bedrooms had late afternoon sunlight dappling cozy window seats. I could see our kids in those

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-91752885392368654822009-04-30T08:43:00.000-07:002009-04-30T08:55:12.533-07:00

It's been a good morning.The kids slept till seven. M. (a.k.a "Hubby") and I had time to drink coffee and chat about things other than the kids or our business. And the dog threw up next to our bed. But my husband was here. He cleaned it up. Life is good.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-44501100484055200462009-04-27T09:01:00.000-07:002009-04-27T09:14:33.094-07:00

Yesterday, we didn't get outside until 4:00 p.m. Every hour I kept meaning to do it, but dirty diapers, a cranky teething daughter, lunch, snacks, playdough and naptime all conspired to keep us indoors (and after all that, I still have to do laundry). It was a beautiful sunny day, by the time we got outside it was starting to cool off, but hey, we got out!Aaaahhh, finally outside.What a day!

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-72841007837852721072009-04-25T06:27:00.000-07:002009-04-25T10:30:27.589-07:00

What better way to start off the weekend. Our latest fave song from our fave show Yo Gabba Gabba. Really...it's good, it's not just for kids!"I'm So Happy" by The SalteensYo Gabba Gabba is kind of like the Banana Splits for this generation. They usually have a different indie band on the show doing kid songs. The Salteens are a band out of Vancouver B.C. Unfortunately, you can't download this

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-67944491290517797002009-04-23T11:00:00.000-07:002009-04-23T12:44:40.125-07:00

Today we had to take Boo to a specialist to take a closer look at her legs, on our pediatrician's recommendation. She is fairly bow-legged and has a slight pigeon toe thing going on, but the good news is that it should work itself out. Apparently, her body is still "unwinding" from her position in my womb, something that can take up to two & a half years.But that's not what this post is about. As

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-57784898344958950832009-04-21T20:51:00.000-07:002009-04-21T20:55:05.178-07:00

The beginnings of a birthday card I'm making for the kid's cousin, Terron. I wanted to use their art and I love the colors from their painting.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-29808416495859429272009-04-20T09:30:00.000-07:002009-04-20T09:37:11.134-07:00

I've decided it counts as 'making something cool' if I got my kids to do it. It takes at least as much effort. Plus, I'm giving myself brownie points for making the clean up fun too.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-61477402948347781492009-04-17T10:07:00.001-07:002009-04-17T10:23:57.072-07:00

I suppose when the Pixies wrote "Where is my Mind?", they weren't talking about motherhood, but it certainly fits. Between multi-tasking and two all-consuming toddlers, things can get mixed up.For example, this week I:put leftover carrots in the plate cupboardput the coffee pot in the fridge called my son by the dog's name...more than oncecaught myself describing the kids show "Yo Gabba Gabba" to

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So I didn't exactly do this yesterday, but it's going to count as a creative activity for this month. I've had this family tree idea since we first hung up this wallpaper tree in the kids room (ahem, before they were born!), and I finally got around to starting it a few weeks ago. The kids can see their extended family and it keeps them occupied while I change diapers. Then they have the fun of

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Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-62661998057577227572009-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:002009-04-15T11:30:53.160-07:00

I'm taking the plunge. I just discovered this on Polliwog's Cakewalk, which referred me to Dabbled. I'm starting a little late into the month, but we'll count the things I'm already working on.April is Make Something Cool Every Day MonthI think I'm up to the challenge. I may not be able to always do both....it may not be cool, or it may not be every day, but isn't it the process of creating

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-56698810406183708092009-04-14T08:45:00.001-07:002009-04-14T11:11:30.524-07:00

The kids loved wearing these ears, but try as I might,I couldn't get a decent picture of them. Luv the bubbles....To be a princess, you've got to start early.Holidays: an excuse to wear that dress that's been in the closet forever...even if it's just for 10 minutes."Cool! Thanks Dad" Life is complete with a kazoo.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-6202221316961450072009-04-09T10:36:00.001-07:002009-04-11T10:32:33.948-07:00

The obilgatory sunset shot in Ventura Pretty cool, huh! The Kiss GazaniaRight: My compadres, Carrie, Shirley & NancyLeft: Alan standing in front of CarrieA beautiful display in Gilroy.Just messing around in Somis.I'm throwing all caution to the wind and posting on my blog while my sick children nap. In spite of all the shoulds guilt-tripping me...cleaning, laundry, etc... I thought I would post

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-65309826944875121292009-04-05T06:55:00.000-07:002009-04-05T07:05:55.891-07:00

NyquilSudafedCold EzeAdvilKleenex

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-86177722384574549302009-03-30T08:51:00.001-07:002009-03-30T09:04:18.593-07:00

Tonight I fly to San Diego and will spend the next four days driving up the CA coast with coworkers looking at flowers, talking shop and gossiping about the industry. A business trip for sure, but the conversation alone makes it worth it. I had hoped to stretch out the trip a bit and visit my glamorous 40licious friend in LA, (sorry V, never had a chance to tell you about that idea!) but I'm

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-63364269272218368592009-03-28T15:22:00.001-07:002009-03-29T21:47:30.553-07:00

Every night I check on my kids before they go to sleep. It's my nightime ritual of making sure everything is okay. I cover up any bare feet with a blanket, make sure the room temperature is just right, and look at them. My daughter is always in the same position: stuffed animal under her tummy, head turned to the side, breathing softly. I love to rest my hand on her back to feel her breathing. My

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-74444002225933874832009-03-24T07:03:00.000-07:002009-03-25T07:35:02.018-07:00

Our 9 year old granddaughter came to visit last Thursday. I had grandiose plans of letting her take over my blog for a couple days: change the colors, post photos, go a little crazy, but we never touched the computer....which is probably a good thing. Instead, we just had an old fashioned good time.

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-41772828777853529872009-03-17T08:53:00.001-07:002009-03-18T06:53:37.363-07:00

Hubby walked in the door the other day, "You're watching this again?""Um, the kids like it.""Uh huh."I guess he's on to me.What better time than St. Patrick's day than to talk about my latest obsession...Celtic Thunder. When I first saw the name I laughed to myself, it seemed hokey, so public television-ish, something my grandmother would like. Then I saw a few clips here and there-- men in kilts

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-167220333146646942009-03-13T11:29:00.001-07:002009-03-16T11:32:54.896-07:00

Boston, Zeus, Paulo & Dune after a walkBoston, Dune, Zeus (he always had to wear the cone for some reason or another) & Paulo in younger days.On March 3rd, my stepdaughter had to unexpectedly put down her 10 year old yellow lab, Zeus. A traumatic event to say the least. It was almost a year ago that we lost his sister, Boston to a similar ailment (a large tumor that lurked inside them until it

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-66862930247608935762009-03-10T06:29:00.000-07:002009-03-10T06:35:56.966-07:00

It's 6:25 a.m. I'm showered and dressed. I've had coffee. I even moussed and round brushed my hair...it actually looks pretty good!All this because the kids are still asleep. Celebrate the small stuff.

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You learn something every day...

Hi, I'm Tonya...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12291653943023758442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522184728519787900.post-5588334009829698582009-03-02T13:42:00.001-08:002009-03-04T16:08:22.014-08:00

I'll show you mine, if you show me yours. Can we let down our cool exteriors and come clean, if just for a moment? We all have at least one or two...or ten on our ipods: those deeply unhip songs or playlists that give us secret pleasure. Songs you would never be caught dead grooving to at a stoplight.Here's a peek at my inner nerd. To retain a little dignity , let me just say that I don't listen

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