waveandwenandkids

What happened?

2009-04-20T08:47:00.001-07:00

My children have grown up and I seemed to have missed it.....
Last week A.J. let us know that he is trying to come home for a long weekend in May (May 14-17) as he has a quick break after finals and before "summer prep" begins. He INSISTED on taking care of all the flight arrangements and paying for the ticket himself. We told him we don't mind and he again insisted as it was an extra, unplanned trip home. It was a very mature thing to do!!
And then just this past weekend Erin participated in services at Temple. She lead a few prayers, read from the Torah and spoke about her time in USY. WOW she was great. She spoke very nicely and then did an amazing job reading from the Torah. This was my child who HATED Hebrew school and once Hebrew school was done wanted nothing more to do with it. Now, at her request, she read/chanted a portion this week. She did it so nicely and said it wasn't even that hard!!
I can't be more pleased to see my children turning into such nice adults. I do miss my babies but do know there are great times ahead!!

A few nice photos...

2009-04-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

Here is my Passover table. I haven't made a Sedar in many years. It was nice to be home, for a change, and to enjoy Passover with friends.

And then on the 2nd night of Passover we went to Sedar with my Dad's extended family (58 this year). We always have a great time and this year was no different. My nieces are always adorable....

No Foolin' I Think She has Found Her Calling....

2009-04-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

And I do believe she has known all along. Erin has said, since she was about 5 years old, that she was going to be a teacher. The grade level and/or subject has changed a few times but her goal of teacher has remained constant. At this time her plan is to teach high school history. Well last night she worked her first official job as a tutor and, I do believe, she was great. A neighbor up the street had asked to have her tutor her in math, as a paid gig. I was a bit apprehensive and not sure it was a good idea. This girl is a year younger than Erin and they are friends. I wasn't sure Erin would be able to separate tutoring from social hour. Well the first session was set up for last night at 7PM. I did give Erin one piece of advice--set a timer, or her phone, for 1 hour and make sure that no boy talk or giggling occured until after that hour was up. She seemed to like that advice. At 7PM the young lady came to our house and the tutoring session began. I didn't stay in the room but I did hear a bit from upstairs and came down once to get some water. Well let me tell you--I was impressed. Erin remained professional the entire hour (actually they went a bit longer) and was able to help Jessica understand math. They did not goof off and actually helped Jessica get through her homework. Erin did NOT do the work for her but showed/taught her what to do.
When the girl left I told Erin I was proud of her. I was actually very impressed by her. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, Erin is going to make an amazing teacher one day--whatever subject she chooses.
P.S. If your child needs help with math (pre-calc and below) call Erin. She is reasonable and good!!

AIR FORCE ACADEMY 2009 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

2009-03-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

A.J.'s 2009 football scheduled has just been released. Unfortunately, this year there are no games "local" but all, but 1, are on TV. Dave states he will attend some of the games but I predict he will actual attend them all. I will go to some but not all this season. For sure we will be at the first two games but from there we will wait and see.

Here is the info....

DATE OPPONENT/LOCATION TIME (TV)

Sat., Sept. 5 Nicholls State @ AFA noon (no TV)
Sat., Sept. 12 @ Minnesota TBA (TBA)
Sat., Sept. 19 @ New Mexico 4:30PM (CBS-C)
Sat., Sept. 26 San Diego State @ AFA 11:00AM (THE MTN)
Sat., Oct. 3 @NAVY TBS (CBS-C)
Sat., Oct. 10 TCU @ AFA 4:30PM (CBS-C)
Sat., Oct. 17 Wyoming @ AFA 11:00AM (THE MTN)
Sat., Oct. 24 @ Utah 1:00PM (VERSUS)
Sat., Oct. 31 @ Colorado State 1:00PM (THE MTN)
Sat., Nov. 7 ARMY @ AFA 12:30PM (CBS-C)
Sat., Nov. 14 UNLV @ AFA 3:00PM (THE MTN)
Sat., Nov. 21 @ BYU 12:30PM (CBS-C)

OK its been way too long

2009-03-25T11:30:00.001-07:00

Sorry about that. I had started out so well. I blogged pretty steadily for one whole year and then nothing. Its not because I didn't want to BUT I think it was more because I didn't really have anything interesting to say. Not that I do now but I do miss it and would like to get back into more regular blogging.
Ok, here is what's up.....A.J. was just home for 5 days for spring break. It was great having him home and getting a chance to really catch up with him. Spring break comes on the heels of "Recognition" at school. Recognition is a ceremony, or point in the semester, when the Freshman are finally recognized as legitimate members of the school. The 40 days leading up to this are pure hell and, basically, legalized hazing. It is a major accomplishment to come thru it BUT it still leaves a yucky taste in ones mouth for a week or so. In fact it was so tough that A.J. lost 10lbs in the last few days before recognition. He came home exhausted and a bit skinny (or at least skinny for A.J.) A few days of doing nothing, eating and having fun as put him back in good spirits. Also, he is on his way to visit Stephanie for 5 days so I am sure that helped. Once he returns to school in will have about 6 weeks before the semester ends. WOW the first year of college sure went fast, at least for me.
A.J. will be home some time this summer but for just 3 weeks. He will be home end of June until mid July. He has 3, 3 week period during the summer and 2 of which he has assignments. This summer he will have survival training and "summer support". The first of the 2 is strenuous and the 2nd one is basically helping out with whats needed at school during basic training for the Class of 2013. Not to mention he has to be back on campus to get ready for the football season. His first game is Labor Day weekend but we don't have a full schedule yet--I will post it once I have it.
Now on to Erin. She has finished, officially, with soccer. She played for Canyon JV this past season and did great BUT she has decided to retire. We will miss seeing her play but support her in this decision. She is getting very involved with her temple youth group (USY) and will, in fact, be running for a regional board position. The elections are in May and if she wins she will be required to keep kosher and observe the sabbath. It will certainly be a challenge for Erin but I admire the way she is willing to take it on. I will let you know how the election goes but do keep your fingers crossed.
Dave and I are really up to nothing special. I have been thinking, lately, that I need to pick up a new interest or 2. At this time I am weighing my options. I am very lucky that going to work full time does not need to be one of my choices. I am leaning towards learning, and becoming fluent in, Spanish. I think it is a skill that will come in handy throughout the rest of my life. Classes are taught at my local jr. college and I can take 1 class a semester for a 4 semesters. I do remember a little Spanish from high school but will start at the beginning to refresh my memory.
Well that's it, in a nutshell.
Check back for more updates, insights and pictures--I promise I will be better at posting.

25 Random Thoughts

2009-01-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

There is a "thing" going around FACEBOOK. Someone posts 25 random thoughts, they "tag" you and then its your turn. After being "tagged" a few times I decided to do one of my own. Here goes....
1.I am totally in love with my husband, even after 20 years of marriage and 27+ years of being a couple.
2.I am still not sure how come A.J. is so tall.
3.Erin impresses me with her humility, I wish I was like her as a teenager.
4.I don’t like cats (they scratch), dogs (they bite) or birds (they claw your eyes out)
5.I wish I had more patience.
6.At restaurants I prefer to order a few appetizers as opposed to an entrée.
7.I want to write and publish a cookbook.
8.I am happy on the day I have paid all the monthly bills.
9.I am not that versed in politics and don’t really wish to be.
10.I think I am a very easy going person.
11.I enjoy scrapbooking but don’t think I am that artistic
12.Even after all these years I still don’t get all the finer points of “offsides” at a soccer game.
13.I don’t like my middle name (sorry Mom and Dad).
14.Diet Coke is best at a “fountain” with pellet ice.
15.I enjoy meeting and talking to new people BUT I don’t like speaking in front of a large group of people, even if I know them all.
16.I enjoy taking long walks alone. I do lots of thinking.
17.A glass of milk looks so good but, to me, tastes so bad.
18.I think I like camping, in the motorhome, a little more than I let on.
19.I love pizza, sushi and perfectly ripe bananas just not all at the same time.
20.I want to take a trip to Paris someday.
21.I like the fact that A.J. and I have the same laugh.
22.My job is boring but I don’t really mind because I have great working hours.
23.I wish I was better a shopping with coupons.
24.In case you didn’t know, I don’t shop at Wal-Mart if I can help it.
25.I am my own “people”—I do my own taxes.

If you are reading this and NOT on Facebook--consider yourself TAGGED.

An idea for Superbowl Sunday

2009-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

I know its been way too long since I have blogged and I apologize. I am always thinking about what I want to blog but I never seem to get my thoughts to the computer. Sorry about that. Today I came across a recipe that I just have to share. It is a dream come true to my husband, I am sure. The origin and backstory of the dish was reported recently in the New York Times but I will not bore you with that. I will just give you the yummy details....

BACON EXPLOSION

Adapted from Jason Day and Aaron Chronister

Time: About 3 hours
2 pounds thick-cut sliced bacon
1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage, casings removed
3 tablespoons barbecue rub
3/4 cup barbecue sauce.
1. Using 10 slices of bacon, weave a square lattice like that on top of a pie: first, place 5 bacon slices side by side on a large sheet of aluminum foil, parallel to one another, sides touching. Place another strip of bacon on one end, perpendicular to the other strips. Fold first, third and fifth bacon strips back over this new strip, then place another strip next to it, parallel to it. Unfold first, third and fifth strips; fold back second and fourth strips. Repeat with remaining bacon until all 10 strips are tightly woven.
2. Preheat oven to 225 degrees or light a fire in an outdoor smoker. Place remaining bacon in a frying pan and cook until crisp. As it cooks, sprinkle bacon weave with 1 tablespoon barbecue rub. Evenly spread sausage on top of bacon lattice, pressing to outer edges.
3. Crumble fried bacon into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle on top of sausage. Drizzle with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce and sprinkle with another tablespoon barbecue rub.
4. Very carefully separate front edge of sausage layer from bacon weave and begin rolling sausage away from you. Bacon weave should stay where it was, flat. Press sausage roll to remove any air pockets and pinch together seams and ends.
5. Roll sausage toward you, this time with bacon weave, until it is completely wrapped. Turn it so seam faces down. Roll should be about 2 to 3 inches thick. Sprinkle with remaining barbecue rub.
6. Place roll on a baking sheet in oven or in smoker. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on a meat thermometer, about 1 hour for each inch of thickness. When done, glaze roll with more sauce. To serve, slice into 1/4-
to- 1/2-inch rounds.
Yield: 10 or more servings.

Pictures from the BOWL and New Years...

2009-01-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

Well Air Force didnt win but we still had fun. We stayed in Plano with my cousin Wendy and her husband Chris and their kids Shane and Courtney. We were joined in Fort Worth by the Mellady Family (Jim, Jill, Stephanie and Brendan) Here are a few pictures from the trip....

Happy New Year!!

2008-12-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

Just want to take a minute to wish you all a happy and healthy 2009. Its going to be a great year, I just know it!!

Oh yeah, here are new pictures of the kids....

Going BOWLING....

2008-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

A.J. and the Air Force Falcons have been invited to the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas on December 31st. Of course, Dave, Erin and I will be attending. We would love to have any of you join us but do understand it is a bit of a schlep. The game will be televised on ESPN at 10AM California time. The Falcons will be playing Houston, a team they beat earlier this season. Hopefully they will take care of them once again!!

My AHAH moment....

2008-12-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

It came last week while on one of my many walks. I had been thinking about my kids alot and ways that I could help them or make their life easier. It really evolved into thinking about what type of relationship I wanted with them. Do I need them to talk to me about everything in their life? Do I need them to turn to me for everything? Do I need them to ALWAYS like me? I thought the answers were all YES but the more I thought about the more I realized it wasn't.
When A.J. left for school I knew I wanted to give him space and not bug him. It was hard when I realized that he didn't need me as much as I wanted him to need me(Dave let me know that's because we raised him right). I know this first semester hasn't been easy on him and, at times, I wasn't sure how he was doing. Erin has been having some difficulty in school this semester and I have had to lay down the law in ways I didn't want to (i.e. take away her car and restrict her USY activities). She would often be in her room doing who knows what and seemed unhappy.
I knew I didn't need my kids to think of me as their best friend and tell me everything BUT I also knew that I didn't want them to HATE me, or worse think I was to blame for their problems. It hurt to think that they may be sad, upset or lonely and feel they had no place to turn.
I went back over conversations, discussions and actions I have taken in the past few months and decided I would change very few things. I decided that I did all the things I needed to do so that my kids knew that I cared about them and cared about their future. I decided its OK if they are mad at me or don't need as much of me as they once did. Its OK if they want to keep to themselves or share their problems with someone other than me. I do know that I have done what I needed to do so they know I love them and will always be here for them--no matter what. When all is said I done I want my children to know I care. And that, without even consciously knowing it, was what I wanted all along.

Its been too long

2008-12-08T07:13:00.000-08:00

and I am sorry about that. It is basically "same ole, same ole" at the Wallerstein's. A.J. came home for Thanksgiving and it was great to have him home. He seemed happy and, believe or not, taller. He spent time with the family and with lots of friends and then headed back to school for a few weeks of classes and finals. He will be back home again on December 18th. Fortunately/unfortunately, it will be a short vacation. On December 26th he is flying to Dallas to start practice for the Armed Forces Bowl. The Falcons will be playing in the bowl game on December 31st (more details to follow). We are all going to the game and will fly back home on January 1st and then A.J. goes back to school on January 4th. It will be a short time in L.A. but at least he will be home for latkes and his birthday.
All seems well with Erin. It looks like we may have turned the corner on school/study issues (keep your fingers crossed) and it is now soccer season. She plays on the JV team at Canyon and, IMO, is great!! It is so fun to watch her play and see what a daredevil she is in goal. She is afraid of NOTHING. It is still preseason and the team is off to a bit of a rocky start. Hopefully they will get it together just in time for league and then kick some Santa Clarita butt. Of course, I will keep you posted.
Well thats all for now. I will try to keep you more in the loop!! Happy Holidays!

A.J. in the news....

2008-11-18T07:20:00.001-08:00

The Air Force Academy played BYU this past Saturday. They did not win but A.J. got in the game and played well. A.J. is on the "2 deep" and the young man he plays behind, Peter Lusk, suffered a minor injury. While being tended to A.J. was sent in the game. He was in during a drive in which AFA scored and was able to make some crucial blocks. It was a thrill to see him play, play great and then come off the field with a huge grin on his face. He did get in for a few more plays during the game and did well then too. In fact, he did so well that he got some notice from the press. Here is a link to today's Colorado Springs Gazette and an article about A.J.....http://www.gazette.com/sports/wallerstein_43649___article.html/freshman_calhoun.html

Can you believe my 17 year old "baby" is holding is own in Division 1 football? BYU is ranked 17 in the nation. Their players are HUGE and 22-23 years old. There are great things to come for A.J., that I am certain!!

Going BOWLING!!!

2008-11-09T16:46:00.001-08:00

AJ and the Air Force Falcon football team are having a great season. They are currently 8-2 with 2 games left to play. They have, basically, guaranteed themselves a spot in a bowl game. Which game is not yet determined. They should play in one of the following 4 games...
1. The Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl on December 2oth
2. The New Mexico Bowl on December 20th
3. The Poinsettia Bowl, in San Diego, on December 23rd
4. The Armed Forces Bowl, in Fort Worth, on December 31st
Which game they play in depends on how they finish in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) and, of course, how the other teams finish.
How it works is a bit complicated but I will try to put in simply, or as I understand it. First and foremost, a team has to finish at least 6-6 in the conference to even be invited. Then the teams are invited in the following order...Las Vegas goes first, Poinsettia goes second, New Mexico and Armed Forces get the last 2 picks. In general it is the top 4 teams in the conference EXCEPT if the team that finishes first in the conference is chosen to play in a BCS bowl game.
This year, if all goes well, that will happen. UTAH is currently 10-0. If they can finish the season undefeated they should be a BCS buster and be invited to a BCS game. That then moves all the MWC teams up a notch.
At this time Air Force is currently tied for 3rd, with BYU. Whom Air Force plays this Saturday. Their final game is against TCU, who is currently second in the conference. Air Force has a chance to win those last 2 games. They are playing great football and there is no reason for that to change. If on the off chance they do NOT win the last 2 games then the worst they can finish in the conference is 4th. If UTAH becomes the BCS buster then Air Force will be picked third for a bowl game. If they do not then they will be picked 4th.
The bowl organizers are not required to pick the teams in order of finish BUT they are looking for the best game possible. They want to sell tickets, put people in the seats and generate TV viewers. AFA has shown they can do that!!
Where they will play will not be known for a few weeks. Anywhere is really great BUT if you are asking for my preference I will tell you.... Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. Not only is it local but that game will be played on AJ's 18th birthday. I couldn't throw him a better birthday party if I tried!!

Sushi RULES!

2008-11-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Sushi is hands down my favorite food(s). Today I came across an article, or really an excerpt from a book, that I thought I my fellow sushi eaters would find interesting. The following info comes from the book "Sushi for Dummies".

Figuring out how to eat sushi politely can be confusing at first, but if you remember the tips in this article, you're sure to display good sushi manners in a Japanese friend's home or at a sushi bar.
Don't rub chopsticks together
Don't rub disposable wooden chopsticks (waribashi) together after splitting them apart. Making a performance out of rubbing them together shows bad manners. It implies that the chopsticks have splinters and are cheap, insulting your host. If you must, or the disposable chopsticks really do splinter when you snap them apart, rub them together discreetly, not in view of all.
Do place chopsticks together
There's chopstick etiquette for proper placement and use just as there's etiquette for knives and forks. Don't cross your chopsticks when you set them down, any more than you'd cross your knife and fork when you set them down. Lay your chopsticks down tightly together, below your plate, and directly in front of you. The points should face to the left if you're right-handed, or the opposite way if you're left-handed. And heaven forbid you stick chopsticks in food — especially a bowl of rice! That's a definite no-no! This is done only at funerals, where the deceased's personal chopsticks are placed upright in a full bowl of rice, offering the person sustenance for the journey into the next world.
Don't look for a spoon
As unusual as it sounds, the Japanese don't use spoons. They sip their soups out of small soup bowls. Sometimes soups are served in lacquer bowls with lids. You remove the lid (which keeps the soup warm), lift the bowl, and sip out of it. Any small, solid ingredients are eaten with chopsticks while holding up the bowl. If the heat of the soup causes the lid to stick, don't panic. Simply squeeze both sides of the bowl gently with your fingers and the lid will pop loose. If it's too difficult for you to drink soup without a spoon, go ahead and ask for one. But give it a try the Japanese way, at least once.
Do flip chopsticks over
If the sushi bar or dinner host doesn't provide serving utensils, go ahead and flip your chopsticks over and use the blunt, clean ends to pick up some tasty bit of sushi from a communal platter or bowl or from a friend's plate, if the friend is willing to share! Set the items down on your plate and flip the chopsticks back to their original position to eat with them. Doing this is hygienic and shows that you care for yourself and others at the table.
Don't overload on soy sauce
Don't drench your sashimi (slices of raw fish) or sushi (vinegared rice items) with soy sauce. Soy sauce is meant to enhance flavors, not smother them. Just as it's polite to taste your food before you salt it, it's polite to limit the use of soy sauce, letting the hosts or sushi chef's mastery of flavors be your guide. Just lightly dip your sashimi or sushi in your soy sauce.
Do dip the fish in soy sauce
There's a practical reason for dipping the fish or other finger sushi topping — instead of dipping the sushi rice ball — into the soy sauce or other dipping sauce. The rice ball falls apart, making quite a mess. Plus, the rice absorbs too much soy sauce, drowning out the delicate tastes of the sushi rice. Doing so also insults the host or sushi chef who took time to season the way he felt was right.
Don't put wasabi in soy sauce
Unless you're absolutely crazy about wasabi and can't help yourself, don't mix wasabi in your soy sauce when eating sushi. If you want to do the proper thing, ask your host or sushi chef to put extra wasabi in the sushi itself. Eating sashimi is the exception. When eating sashimi, you can mix a bit of wasabi in soy sauce without being improper.
Do eat sushi with your fingers
Finger sushi started out about 200 years ago as a street snack meant to be picked up and eaten with your fingers. You can use chopsticks to eat sushi, but fingers are still perfectly acceptable. But always use chopsticks, not fingers, when you eat sashimi.
Don't forget to use the washcloth
In a sushi bar or restaurant, you'll receive an oshibori, which is a small hot or cold (depending on the weather) wrung-out towel to cleanse your hands with, before and sometimes after you finish your meal. Oshibori is set in front of you when you sit down. Pick it up out of its little basket or tray, wipe your hands, fold it up, and put it back in the basket. If you like, keep this first oshibori to wipe your fingers during the meal. Sometimes you'll see the Japanese wiping their face with their oshibori, which is perfectly acceptable. Wiping your hands and face with an ice-cold towel is refreshing if it's a particularly hot summer day. Conversely, if it's been very cold, a warm towel on your face feels great!
Do ask the sushi bar wait staff for food and drink
When you sit down at the sushi bar in a sushi or Japanese restaurant, the wait staff will bring you just about everything but the sushi. They'll bring you your first oshibori, or washcloth, for your hands, and a cup of complimentary tea. You'll place your orders for sushi with the sushi chef in front of your section of the sushi bar, but you ask the wait staff for any drinks, like sake, wine and beer, and items such as soups, salads, and desserts that are on the restaurant's Japanese menu. The exception to this rule is if you'd like the sushi chef to prepare a special dish, perhaps a salad, to go with his sushi that's not on the menu. If you need more soy sauce, extra plates, clean dishes, or another oshibori, ask the wait staff. Tell the sushi chef when you've finished your meal. He's been keeping track of your sushi dishes and will have the wait staff add them to your bill.

Halloween 2008

2008-10-31T11:06:00.001-07:00

So I thought I had reached the first year my kids were not just dressing up. I was a bit sad but really just feeling old. Well luckily I was mistaken. Erin has dressed up for school this year....

I am still feeling old but now for another reason. This costume is an '80's chick. That was me in the'80's. UGH my fashion choices are now considered a costume!!

Live from Colorado Springs....

2008-10-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

Its A.J.....
I have been getting lots of questions about A.J. that I do my best at answering. I thought, though, it would be best to go to the source. I asked A.J. a bunch of questions and he answered me in his own A.J. kinda way. With his permission I have done a bit of editing on the answers....

1. Do you enjoy the academy?
Eh, its ok, I guess
2. What do you like about it?
The football’s cool, and most of my squadmates are friendly.
3. What do you dislike about it?
I cant stand the military stuff. Especially the stupid freshman shit, like walking only on the right side of the hallway. And running the strips and shit.
4. Are you having fun?
Its not very much fun. It isn’t the college life I wanted. You’re supposed to go to parties and have fun on the weekends, you know, and I haven’t gotten a chance to do that, and I really wanted to.
5. How are you doing academically?
Are the classes hard?
School is going very well. My classes really aren’t that hard. My teachers seem to like me, and I get the material pretty easily.
6. Do you regret your decision to attend?
I don’t know if regret is really the right word. Do I wonder if things would be better at Harvard? Yeah. But regret just inst the word, I’m looking for.
7. How is football?
Football is going well. I really hope that we get into a bowl game.
8. Is it hard not to stand on the sidelines and not get in the game?
Its really not that hard to be on the sideline. Especially when I know that Lusk is better than me. I know I will get my time. Sooner or Later.
9. What are you hoping to do this summer?
This summer I will have to a bunch of training stuff so I don’t know how much time I will have. But I probably just want to relax, hang out with friends, stuff like that.
10. What foods do you miss and want your Mom to cook when you get home?
I think I want shepards pie, the dutch oven ribs, a good steak, and crushed carrots, maybe twice baked potato.

Of course, I discussed a few of his answers with him a bit more in depth. He did tell me he doesn't want to leave the Academy and is certain it will get much better after "Recognition" which is in March. At that time he will have more privileges and not have to "run the strips" and do the other "freshman shit" he doesn't like. He is looking forward to next year when he gets much, much more freedom on the weekends and he will be able to go out in the town and attend parties and, in general, have more fun. He was told in advance that Freshman year is hard and isn't like any other college. He is glad that no one sugar coated it and he knew what he was getting himself into. In addition, he says that it will really be all worth it if the team gets to a bowl game this year. At this time they are "bowl eligible". They currently have a 6-2 record and a team must finish 6-6 or better to be eligible. If they can win this week and next then they will be HIGHLY likely to play in a bowl game. I will keep you posted on that.

If you want to "talk" to A.J. send him an email. His address is c12austin.wallerstein@usafa.edu
I know he would love to hear from you.

Pictures from this weekend....

2008-10-13T09:28:00.001-07:00

Here are a few nice photos I thought I would share.

The St. Amand Crew

My Aunt with a tatoo

Erin Weiss and Chrissy showing their spirit

Lots of food and fun

Pete and Dave

My Mom and Dad

Nicole, our tatoo girl, taking a break

There are plenty more to come!!

Maple Gorp (aka TAILGATE MIX)

2008-10-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night in addition to enjoying a great football game we also enjoyed a large bag of Gorp I had made. It is a receipe of Rachel Ray's I adapted for our tastes. It was requested I post it so here it is....

MAPLE GORP
(you can use any nuts you like but these are the ones we happen to prefer)

¼ cup maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup oats
1 cup cashews
2 cups whole natural almonds
1 cup peanuts, unsalted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ cup raisins, a couple of handfuls
½ cup shelled pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
1 cup plain M&M's

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place maple syrup on the stove with cinnamon and vanilla over medium low heat to infuse the flavor. Warm syrup a couple of minutes, remove. Combine oats, nuts, seeds and brown sugar in a bowl. Toss with maple syrup mixture. Spread the maple coated mixture out on a cookie sheet and roast 15 minutes. Remove the nuts from oven and transfer to another cold pan, tossing the mix to quick-cool it. Once cool, toss with M&M’s & raisins.

The BEST....

2008-10-13T08:12:00.001-07:00

Aunts and Mom ever!!

See these ladies I am pictured with? Well these are my aunts and my mom. I am so lucky to have them all in my life. They spoil me, my husband and my kids like you wouldn't believe. They are there for me in good times and in bad. They are there at the drop of a hat to have fun and do the dirty work. I am certain there is nothing they wouldn't do for me and my family. Not to mention, they are just fun to be with.

My Aunt Jean, my mom's sister, is to the left of me and over the years we have had some great fun and often at her expense. She takes it all it stride and laughs with us. She never takes anything too personal and sets a wonderful example in that department. One of her classic lines came one day, over 18 years ago, when we were out shopping for baby furniture with her then 6 month pregnant daughter. Her daughter said she was hungry and wanted to stop for a bite. My aunt replied, and she was NOT joking, "why eat lunch, you are just going to have dinner in 6 hours". It was then and there we gave her the name Auntie Rexic (like anorexia).

Then to the right of me is my Auntie Beverly (my dads sister), then my Mom and then my Aunt Hallie (actually no relation but raised with my mom and her sister so she is an aunt and family to me). My aunt Bev is more the sentimental type. She is an easy cry and when there are tears in her eyes then mine are not far behind. She is outgoing and adventurous. She adores my kids and even shares her birthday with Erin, just 50 years apart.

Most of you know my Mom and know she is just plain great. She will get up early and/or travel far to see her grand kids, or nieces & nephews, play sports or participate in a play. She makes great cookies and shares them all the time. She is strong and, despite a few health issues, NEVER complains.

Lastly, there is Hallie. She has no kids of her own but makes up for it by spoiling all of us. She is our connection to Dodger games, magazines and special pretzels. She is just as strong and determined as the other 3 ladies and, again, another tough cookie.

I guess you can now see where my spirit and drive come from. These 4 ladies have set great examples. They have taught me so much in their words and actions. They have certainly helped me become the person I am today. They all have hearts of gold yet are women who stand up for what is right. They are not afraid to speak their mind nor step up when action is needed. I would be lucky to have just one woman like this in my life so you can imagine how great it is that I have 4.

Thank you Mom, Auntie Beverly, Auntie Jeannie and Hallie for all you do!!

Food (and drink) for thought

2008-10-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

I grew up a picky child. I said I didn't like many things that I never even tried. I have grownup and tried to not be that kid any more. I now try to try anything. Just this past weekend I had bison for the first, but certainly not the last, time. Because of this try anything mind set I came across a list that I thought was interesting and thought I would share with you. This list was compiled by Andrew Wheeler, a British food writer, and it contains 100 food/drink items he believes should be tried in one's lifetime. When originally posted the writer asked others to post the list on their blogs and BOLD those items the writer has had and cross out any that they refuse to try. For me there are none that I am dead set against trying but rather I have never heard of them and/or have no idea when I will ever come across them in my life. What about you?

The Very Good Taste Omnivore's 100
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat's milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald's Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs' legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

What was I like?

2008-09-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

With A.J. going away to college and Erin acting like a typical 16 year old girl and me having to deal with both of these things I have been trying very hard to remember what I was like at 16, 17, 18 years old. It is frustrating because I cannot. I can remember how I was in years before that (and it wasn't pretty) but not how I was once I was in my late teens. All I can remember was good times. I remember having a great time hanging out with Dave and other friends. I can remember going to school, getting decent grades (I am talking 11th and 12th grade) and going away to college for my freshman year. I remember being happy and loving life. I don't remember any bad times. I don't remember any arguments I had with my folks. I don't remember how I even talked to my parents. I don't remember if I even spoke to them at all after I left for college. I know they didn't come visit me at school but I don't think I even gave it another thought. I don't know if my parents even missed me!!
What I really want to remember was the relationship I had with my parents. I know I didn't tell them everything but I think I was pretty honest with my emotions. In fact, I am pretty sure I am the same way I am now---I wear my emotions on my sleeve. You know what I am feeling, when I am feeling it just by looking at me. I don't think I hide much or have much of a poker face. I am wondering if my kids are the same way. I know they don't tell me everything but I think they tell me lots of things. I am naive or correct? Did I tell my parents just want they wanted to hear? I am afraid that my kids do just that. I don't think that they out and out lie to me but I think that they don't really let me in on what is going on with them.
Is A.J. happy at school or does he think he sold his soul to the devil just to play football? If he thinks he made a mistake will he tell me? Does he know that we are here for him NO MATTER WHAT or does he think that I will judge him too harshly and not understand?
And Erin, is she a happy, well adjusted 16 year old? Does she say one thing to my face and then go in her room and write in a journal about how miserable she is? How can I tell if she is really OK? Am I missing signs?
I try to think about what I was like at that age and if my parents had the same concerns. Maybe they did but just didn't let on. My parents made this parenting stuff look so easy--how did they do that? Were my siblings and I really that good? I doubt that.
When I raise my concerns to Dave he reminds me that we have 2 great kids and we have/are doing the right things and raising good teenagers. He tells me to continue telling them we love them and remind them that we are their biggest fans and are here for them whenever/whatever they need. They will let us know if there is a problem or if they need are help. Right now we have to sit back and let them be their own person.
I guess it doesn't matter what my life was like at that age but rather how I am now. Now I am a mom to 2 wonderful teenagers who make me smile EVERYDAY. I will go forward from here and hope for the best!!

Sad News

2008-09-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

After 12 years as a wonderful part of our family Quik has passed away. It was with great sadness today that Erin and Dave took him to the vet to be put to sleep. Despite his snoring and love of chocolate he was a great dog. He loved to be with people and loved for kids to play with him. He will be missed!!

AJ in action...

2008-09-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a home movie of AJ's first play at the Air Force...

What a weekend....

2008-09-02T10:01:00.001-07:00

We just got back from PARENTS WEEKEND at AJ's school and I don't even know where to begin. We had a great time and are so proud of both our kids. Dave and I went and Erin stayed home. We left on Thursday afternoon, just 24 hours after Erin got her drivers license. She stayed home alone on Thursday night and then with friends and family for the rest of the weekend. She was great!! She called and checked in lots and did everything she was supposed to do while at home. She is awesome!!

And speaking of awesome let me tell you about AJ. We arrived Thursday evening knowing we would not see AJ until Friday morning. We had arranged to meet him at the Chapel in the early AM. I was very apprehensive. I had been warned that I might not recognize my son--he might look and act quite different. Well let me tell you, those warnings were completely unnecessary. AJ is still the AJ we know and love. He looks great, maybe a little thinner (during basic training he lost 27lbs), and remains his wonderful self.

He does enjoy school but says some days are tough. His freshman year at college is not like freshman year anywhere else. He has many, many rules to follow and many are not fun. He is told what to wear, he has to walk a certain way and address anyone, except fellow freshman, as sir or ma'am. He is limited to what personal items he can have in his room and does not have his cell phone, except for special occasions, or ipod at all. His dorm room is on the 6th floor and he MUST take the stairs. There is an elevator but he is not allowed to use it. On the weekends he may not come and go as he pleases and has no access to television or radio. Even with all the restrictions he is happy. He has made lots of friends and is emerging as a real leader. We attended classes with him on Friday and all his teachers had good things to say about him. He says classes are not too difficult and he is NOT up all night doing homework. He is getting enough to eat and plenty of sleep. What makes it all worth it is football.

As you know he made the varsity and travel team--which where is goals for the year BUT now he has even exceeded that. He made the first string on a few Special Teams and 2nd string on the o-line. On Saturday we attended OPENING DAY, his first game. It was amazing. There were 35K+ in attendance. The stadium is beautiful and there are tailgate parties every where. The boys arrive at the stadium by bus and are greeted by fans and the band. They walk into the stadium amidst music and cheers.

They put on their uniforms and warm up. What a thrill it was for us to see him in a football uniform with his name on the back!!

Just before the game begins there is a "fly over" and parachutes descend on the stadium bringing the game ball. It is sight to see!! This game the Falcons played Southern Utah, a team that hasn't won a game since 2006. As expected the Falcons won 41-7. AJ got in the game quite a few times. In his first collegiate play he admittedly did not do well BUT he came of the field grinning from ear to ear. It was wonderful moment for Dave and I. AJ got in for more extra points and field goals and then in the 4th quarter he got in as offensive lineman for an entire series. He did great!! It made the all the hard work and difficult times worth it.

I am certain now, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that AJ made the right choice and I am pretty sure AJ knows this too. It is actually the right place for him both on and off the football field. AJ is going to become an amazing man/officer in the next 4 years and, I so look forward to seeing this transformation.

More press for A.J....

2008-08-23T05:16:00.000-07:00

Air Force Football is just one week away from opening day. AJ continues to do well and has been named as a starter on a few special teams. In addition, he is 2nd string on the offensive line. This is really an amazing feet for a 17 year old!! He was mentioned, once again, in the Colorado Springs Gazette. Here is a link to the article....
http://www2.gazette.com/usafa/display.php?id=1333596

Dave and I will be attending the first game next Saturday in Colorado Springs. I will fill you in when I get back!

Long time no talk...

2008-08-19T11:25:00.001-07:00

Sorry about that!
Not too much going on with the Wallerstein family. A.J. is doing great at school. Classes have started and he reports all is fine. He is on the varsity football team and he is second string RIGHT TACKLE. Actually that is a HUGE deal. He is the only Freshman on the "two deep" on offense. A few freshman are on the defense but really very few. We are going to visit him next weekend at Parents Weekend. I will let you all know how that goes.
Erin has started 11th grade and all seems fine with that. She will go for her drivers license test next week and I am expecting her to pass. She is having a Sweet 16 this Saturday night and that, too, should go well.
Keep your fingers crossed that all progresses as it is now.
More later!!

Announcement....

2008-08-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

We are feeling a bit more confident that AJ has made the travel squad. We are now buying tickets to the San Diego State game. Come join us....

Air Force Academy
vs.
San Diego State
@ Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Saturday, October 11th
Game time: 6:30PM
Tailgate time: 4:30PM (details provided at a later date)

Tickets: $15.00 each
includes KGB Skyshow (fireworks)following game
RSVP to me by SEPTEMBER 1st
call, email or send me the tear-off
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NAME: ___________________________________

# of tickets:_____x $15= total due: $____________

Send to: Wendi Wallerstein
29218 Gary Drive, Canyon Country 91387

Any questions, don’t hesitate to call me 661-803-9116
Invite friends—the more the merrier!!
Be advised, tickets are non refundable (SORRY).

AJ in the news...

2008-08-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Here are links to 2 recent articles where A.J. was mentioned. This is the local newspaper for Colorado Springs.
http://www2.gazette.com/usafa/display.php?id=1333566
and
http://www2.gazette.com/usafa/display.php?id=1333557&secid=49

Based upon this news it is HIGHLY LIKELY that A.J. will be on the travel squad. Check back soon for information on tickets for the San Diego State game on October 11th.

AJ is smiling!

2008-07-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

Finally a picture of AJ with a smile. It made me so happy to see it. I can tell from this picture that all is well with him. He looks a bit skinny, though.

Funny 5 weeks ago I saw a picture of him and I thought he looked a bit fat. Its a wonder what 5 weeks in basic training will do for you!

Frustrated!!

2008-07-31T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am so frustrated with Erin these days. She is terrific kid BUT I am having trouble motivating her to do anything more than hang out with friends. Her grades are OK but not as great as they could be and now that she is not on a soccer team she is not exercising and getting a bit lazy & making poor choices with food. What can I do?
With regards to school, we have tried everything. We have yelled, offered incentives for good grades and taken away privileges bad grades. Nothing seems to work. We let her know that she cannot get her drivers license unless she has a "B" average. At the end of the school year she didn't have any "D's" or "F's" (which is great) but she didn't have the B average. This summer she is taking Spanish III at College of the Canyons (to get ahead) and we told her that if she got an "A" in the class she could get her license. Well yesterday she told me that if she does well on her final she is certain to get a "B" in the class. She was not upset with this. In fact, she seemed just fine with it. I know I don't really have a lot to complain about BUT it is hard to see her not working up to her potential. She does NOT spend a lot of time studying. She had nothing else going on this summer and could have spent the extra time to insure the "A" but she didn't. I don't know what else to do. She certainly isn't in trouble as she is passing all her classes BUT she is not putting in much effort and really not trying as hard as she can. What can further can I do to motivate her? We do follow through on our "punishments" so she knows that we mean business. How do I get this to be more important to her?
And then there is the whole sitting around issue. I want her to take care of herself physically. Discussing it with her, or any teenage girl for that matter, is a delicate issue. You never want to make weight an issue. You always want to make health an issue. I want her to want to take care of herself now and make it a life long habit. Exercise is a daily part of my routine and she knows it. I want her to do the same. Next week we will go check out a local gym which she claims she will go but we all know how that often turns out. A friend of hers already belongs and they say they have a plan to go together every other day. We will give it a try--I certainly won't lock into any long term contract. Also, school starts in 2 weeks and she will have PE. She will continue to be on the soccer team. They have a new coach who, I believe, will work them much harder. I think it will be a tough couple weeks for Erin but she should get back into the swing of things in no time after all she is still so young!!!
I guess I should consider myself very lucky that these are the issues I am dealing with. I know it could be much, much worse. I love and adore my daughter and I only want the best of everything for her. I can't do it all for her and I just want her to have the motivation to do it for herself. I want her to be the best she can be and it frustrates me to see her being lazy. I am always the optimist and I will continue to be. At some point it is going to "click"--hopefully it will be sooner, rather than later.

Happy Birthday ERIN

2008-07-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Erin's 16th Birthday. Every year I take a picture of her on her birthday. Here is this years photo:

She sure is becoming a beautiful young lady, if I do say so myself.

OUR FIRST SIGHTING

2008-07-28T16:52:00.001-07:00

of A.J. in his uniform.....

Taken 7/28/08

He wears it well!

Here is something to brag about....

2008-07-28T07:43:00.001-07:00

On Saturday I received my electric bill for the period 6/24-7/23/08. It was ...

$98.56.

Yes!! we recently installed a whole house fan and that has enabled us to use are a/c sparingly.

2 OF THE GREATEST PEOPLE I KNOW....

2008-07-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to have them BOTH in my life. I have been getting to spend a bit more time with Erin lately and I have been having a blast. She is quite a nice young lady!

And Dave, well he is usual terrific self.

A.J. CALLED!

2008-07-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was "Doolie Day Out". It is the one day in all 5 weeks of Basic Training that the cadet is taken off campus, given a chance to relax and call home. It is the half way point of basic training and the transition day from, as they call it, Beast 1 to Beast 2. Beast 1 is spent entirely on campus. The cadets learn the ropes and are issued all their uniforms and military gear. Basically, they are being acclimated to the Academy. Beast 2 is a 2+ week camping trip. They left this morning, very early, on a march into Jack's Valley. For the next 2 weeks they spend the entire time living in tents and doing numerous team building and other activities. It is said that it is much more fun than Beast 1. And I predict A.J. will enjoy it immensely.

Well yesterday A.J. did call. We knew the "day out" started at 8AM, our time, but we didn't know when we would get our phone call. We also knew A.J. was being hosted by the head football coach, Coach Calhoun, but we didn't know any more than that. Dave and I waited and waited and finally at about 10:45AM he called. Oh, it was so great to hear his voice. We had prepared a long list of question beforehand so we wouldn't forget anything. First and foremost he said he was doing great. He was enjoying it, best he could, and knows he made the right decision. That is all I really needed to hear, the rest was just gravy. All and all, in the course of 2 phone calls, we spoke to A.J. for about 40 minutes.

Here are a few of the highlights.....

1. His roommate is on a 4 year exchange program from Singapore. He is already a 2nd lieutenant in the Singapore Air Force. They get along great and will remain roommates for the remainder of the year. His roommate helps him out tremendously because he already knows the ropes. His name is Ed.

2. A.J. is the largest boy in his class of 1300+ students. He is the largest in weight but not height. It came in handy the day before when they had FIELD DAY and his team killed in the tug-o-war. He was the anchor and no "war" lasted more than 15 seconds.

3. So far he has lost 9lbs. He is not worried about it, yet. The food is not great but is managing to eat and keep in down. He is given ENSURE to drink to help maintain his weight but he says it is horrible so he doesn't drink it much.

4. He did well on his math placement exam and was happy about that.

5. He was lifting with the football team about every other day but that will stop during Beast 2. He was lifting well and was happy with how he was progressing.

6. He enjoys getting our letters and hopes we will all continue writing. He says not to include any pictures as they will be taken but copy and paste them right on to your paper and he will be able to keep those.

Here is a picture taken on SATURDAY....

He tells us he is not allowed to smile, hence the straight face.

WAY TO GO A.J!

2008-06-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Today was not going well and it had nothing to do with AJ. I was having some other issues that were upsetting me but all that is gone now. Dave just opened the following email from AJ's Cadre ......

Mr. and Mrs. Wallerstein,

I would like to be the first person to congratulate your Basic Cadet, Basic Wallerstein, on his outstanding performance on June 27, 2008.
He performed the Aerobic Fitness Test without stopping or quitting, and led his classmates in Basic Cadet knowledge, while setting the example of constant professionalism throughout his first few days of Basic Training. As a result, I have awarded him the Basic Cadet Happy Hat Award and put a positive merit in his personnel file.
Once again, congratulations.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Very Respectfully,

C2C Adam DeRito
B1 Element NCO
Zoomie Rugby Football Club
CS-18 "Nightriders"
USAF Academy
Class of 2010

He sent along this picture as well....

Seeing this affirms my belief that AJ is going to make it thru Basic with flying colors.
It actually reminds of when he 4 years old and going to his first week at Camp Clarita daycamp. He was by far the youngest camper at the camp. I was a bit concerned about him and worried if it was the right thing. Well at the end of the week he was named the first CAMPER of the WEEK. It was right that his love of Camp Clarita was cemented. He continued to attend & love camp for years and then served as a CIT and counselor for 3 years.

A.J.'s Adresss

2008-06-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

A.J. can get letters and, after August 5th, packages.
His address is:
Basic Cadet A.J. Wallerstein
PO Box 5918
USAF Academy, Colorado 80841-5918
We have been advised that during BASIC TRAINING it is best to send him letters on plain white stationary--nothing that will call attention to him. The Cadre's (upperclassmen) will use anything to poke fun at him.
I am certain he would love to hear from you so please write and write often. Also, if you include a self-addressed, stamped letter or postcard he will write you back.

a glimpse of AJ

2008-06-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of AJ, and his squadron, marching out of their swearing in ceremony. He will come up quickly and once he passes it will be plenty of kids we dont know.

And now a picture of him has been added....

We are now a MILITARY Family

2008-06-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Well its now official, A.J. is in the military. Yesterday Dave took him to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and he became a cadet. Dave, bravely, took him to Inprocessing at Dolittle Hall and left him in the hands of the staff at the Academy. It was around 11AM yesterday when Dave gave his final hug and "I love you" and sent him off for a new adventure. Today at 7:30AM, our time, A.J. had his swearing in ceremony.
We will not be able to speak to A.J. until July 13th when he is given an opportunity to make a few phone calls. It will be just that day and then we will not be able to speak to him again until August 6th, Acceptance Day, when he is officially accepted into the Academy as a Cadet 4th Class. It will be a tough 6 weeks for all of us but I am certain A.J. is going to come through it with flying colors.
I am sure you are all wondering how I am doing with this all. I am actually great. I am not sad, worried or upset. I am certain that this is something A.J. wants to do and will do great. It did break my heart having to separate him from his girlfriend, Stephanie, to take him to the airport. The 2 of them were in tears and A.J. continued with the tears for half the ride to LAX. He did get himself together and for the remainder of the ride he was his usual jovial self. When we got to the airport I pulled up to the curb at the United terminal, gave him a hug, told him I loved him and watched him walk into the airport. I did not feel bad. I thought about it and determined that I would be upset if he didn't go off to college. A.J. has been ready for college since about age 7!
When he arrived in Colorado Springs Dave was at the airport waiting for him. They ran a few errands, to get the last minute things he needed (a toothbrush, Tums and a new back pack) and then had dinner with 5 other cadets (all football players) and their families. Dave and A.J. spent Wednesday night at a hotel and woke early Thursday to head to the Academy. They started with breakfast with the football coaches and then headed to inprocessing. I spoke to Dave numerous times over this period and hearing about this made me feel even better about things. A.J. already has friends at the Academy. When you have friends with you anything is easier. There are 2 boys in particular that, I believe, will be among his best friends for the rest of his life. He met Jared and Harry when we took his "official" visit in December. The 3 of them got along great and helped each other determine that AFA was the place for them. They, of course, all committed and have stayed in touch ever since then. They met up again at the Academy for orientation in April and have been in contact via text in the months, weeks leading up to yesterday. In addition, Dave and I have met their parents and believe we have some new friends ourselves. You know you can never have too many of those!!
The next few weeks will be a bit difficult but we will all get through it. Of course I will worry if A.J. is getting enough food and sleep and Dave will worry about everything else. He is allowed to write us letters but we don't expect much as he is just not that kind of kid. I am sure he will have a few miserable days but I do believe he has his "eye on the prize" and it will be enough to get him through the rough times.
He has been assigned to Squadron 18, the Knightriders, and he will be in that squadron for his entire time at the academy. What more could a good Jewish mother hope for--my son his in the CHAI squadron!
As I know more I will write more. Thank you all for all your support!!

Another Before/After

2008-06-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

My 7 year old nephew, Hank, adores his cousin A.J (and A.J. adores Hank right back). As his way of showing his support Hank had a special surprise for his cousin....

BEFORE

AFTER

AND the 2 of them together...

Here is whats up...

2008-06-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Well as you can probably guess I am well on my way to crazy. Both my kids are giving me reasons to laugh and cry all at the same time.
Just this past weekend A.J. had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor and a party to celebrate his accomplishments and going away. I am so very proud of all that he has done and look forward to everything he has yet to do. It is not this that brings a tear to my eye. I start to well up with I see my wonderful family and friends taking part in the celebrations and I think how lucky I am to have them all. As I see, or think, about all the people in our lives I am reminded that each and everyone of them have done something to help Dave and I raise such excellent children. We have an amazing support system and really appreciate everything everyone has done for us, for A.J. and for Erin over the years. And I know that they will continue to be there for all of us in the years to come. I am not sure that we even realize how blessed we are!!
And with all this celebration comes some tough issues, too. It is tough for Erin to have to follow in the footsteps of A.J. All the attention and accolades are focused on him right now, and actually for the past couple years. I am certain there are times when she feels left out or like she doesn't measure up. Dave and I try hard to not let this happen but I am certain that it does anyway. We remind her often that she, too, is terrific and that we love her but I am sure that sometimes it just not enough. It breaks my heart to think that for even one minute she feels unloved or that she is a distant second to her brother. She is unique and great in her own right and I want her to know that ALWAYS!! Alas, she may regret what she wished for as in just a short time A.J. will be off to school and we will have just one kid to focus our attention on. Dave and I do look forward to that one on one time with Erin and hope she does too.

And so it begins....

2008-06-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

BEFORE

AFTER

A.J. has graduated....

2008-06-04T07:04:00.001-07:00

And here is a picture of our handsome boy. Believe or not I did NOT shed a tear. It was a wonderful ceremony and a certainly a proud mom moment. AJ graduated as an honor scholar and was given the privilege of wearing a white gown, as opposed to green, because his cumulative GPA was over a 4.0. As you can see by the regalia he is wearing he graduated with many honors.
Three weeks from today A.J. leaves for Colorado Springs. I do believe that I WILL shed many a tear between now and then but I expect to leave the most for after he is gone, when I am driving home from the airport alone.

Random Thoughts

2008-05-30T07:34:00.001-07:00

Its been a while since I have blogged but for no particular reason. I have had a few things I thought about writing about but have been unable to come up with more than a few sentences so I will combine a few things that really have nothing to do with each other.

1. I got gas this morning and nearly broke down in tears. $4.19 a gallon--is that crazy? Not only does it cost way more for gas but it cost way more for groceries because of it. The cost of things is going up and up and my salary is not. We are definitely making less trips and trying to cut costs but are really not finding significant savings anywhere.

2. Do I feel old or young? On the same day my son is graduating from high school the son of one of my best friends, since I was about 15, is having a bris. We are the same age and our sons are about 18 years apart. This isn't the only one of my good friends with a newborn. Later in the week I will be attending a baptism for the son of the best man at my wedding and in January one of my other best girlfriends had twins. My friends children will be babysitting my grandchildren. WEIRD!!

3. Proud mom moment....A.J. was named the 2008 Scholar Athlete of the Year at Canyon High. His name will be painted on the gym wall and will be there for all to see for all time. Once its up I will take a picture and post it for y'all to see.

4. My husband is terrific!! Not only has he done some amazing projects around the house lately--reupholstered his boat, put in a whole house fan, built a fire pit in the backyard--but he has also been sweet, kind and loving to me even when I have been grouchy and overwhelmed. He has been able to take me out of my nasty mood and make me laugh and smile. I don't think I tell him enough how much appreciate him.

5. A.J. is leaving for school is less than a month. I THINK I am fine with it but then again maybe I am not. Wednesday was the first, of what I think will be many, requests for dinner items before he leaves. He asked for Chicken Bacon Ranch Boboili pizza "before I leave". Of course, I said sure with a smile on my face but I got a little sad thinking about it.

Well, as usual, I thank you all for listening. More soon!

All grown up?

2008-05-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I have blogged. Not because I don't enjoy it but rather because not much new is going on. Erin is still playing soccer and very involved in USY. A.J. has finished track and just about done with high school. Soon there will be a whirlwind of activity and then he will gone.
This week A.J. asked our permission to take a 3 day trip to the beach with his friends, following graduation and sans adult supervision. There will be 9 of them altogether--4 girls and 5 boys--and they will have 2 hotel rooms(boys in one room, girls in the other) at a hotel on the beach in Pacific Beach (the girls picked it unbeknownst to them that A.J.'s uncle lives just blocks away). They are all good kids and I am not worried about them doing anything illegal BUT I am still worried and have my reservations about allowing him to go. They will be driving in 2 cars to San Diego. They will be staying in a "party" area of town. They will be on their own for 3 days and 2 nights.
Maybe its just me but I feel like A.J. and his friends are less mature, or maybe less sophisticated, than I was at that age. They live in a "small" town, in a pretty sheltered environment. The have all had driving restrictions on them until only recently and I don't think any of them have significant freeway driving experience. Do they even know how to get to San Diego? What if they get lost? Well I do hope the ones that are doing the driving are the ones with GPS in their cars. Once in Pacific Beach I am certain they will run into more rowdy college students then they have ever seen. I certainly hope they don't get into any confrontations. Uncle Bruce does live right near by but it turns out he will be out of town for most of the time A.J. will be in town.
After I told Dave my concerns he reminded me that it is A.J. and HIS friends that are going. These are all very intelligent, well behaved kids. They will probably do no more than eat, go to the beach and play poker. They have all proven themselves over and over again with their behavior throughout their high school years. They know how to handle themselves and in no time all of them will be off to college. Dave sees no reason why they shouldn't go.
We now have given our blessing. The only catch--they may NOT go to Tijuana.

PROM 2008

2008-04-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

A.J. and Stephanie attended the prom this past Saturday night. Aren't they a cute couple?

10 Things I Learned from My Parents

2008-04-28T10:12:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day and Father's Day are fast approaching and I began thinking about what gifts I could get my parents. They are the type of people who are NOT into things but always apprecite being remembered. They are NOT status conscience nor are they materialistic. They are 2 of the greatest human beings on the face of the earth. They have always been there for me, my husband and my kids. I guess the best gift I could give, and do give, is to live a good life and live by the example the set for me and my siblings. With this on my mind I give to you a list of 10 great things my parents have taught me. They taught me things either by telling me this information or from their own actions. The list is in no particular order and non-parent specific....
1. LIFE IS NOT FAIR. I think growing up this is the one thing repeated to me most often. Whether my sister, or brother, and I were fighting or if I was lobbying for some privilege or another. The cry of "thats not fair" simply did not fly in our house. Everyone is an individual and what is right for one is not neccesarily right for all. For me it has further evolved into 'Wendi (or the appropriate person) worries about Wendi".
2. SAVE your MONEY. My Dad told us this and repeadted it often. Buying things on credit was not an option. If you couldnt afford it you couldnt have it. Also, save for the future. I remember when I was young, maybe 12 years old, my Dad explained what a 401(k) was and actually showed me his statement balance. It was a nice chunk of money and it was a concrete example of what saving could do for me. The first chance I got I started in a 401(k) and continue with every job I have ever had.
3. THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM for 1 MORE. My mom is a great cook and hostess. Whenever she has family and/or friends over there is always space (and enough food) for another person. You would hate to ever leave a friend or family member alone on a holiday or special occasion.
4. DON'T OFFER ADVICE, WAIT TO BE ASKED. This is something I have learned by example. Over my teen years, newlywed, early parenting and even today my parents always are there to listen to what I have to say but don't put in their 2 cents unless I specifically ask for it. I now try to do the same with my kids and friends. Sorry if I am not as good at it as they are!
5. FAMILY is #1. There is nothing better, or more precious, than spending time with the family. Growing up Sundays were reserved for grandparents, aunts/uncles and cousins. With our busy lives we don't get to carve out quite as much time but I still do LOVE to be with my extended family. My sister, brother and cousins are truly my best friends.
6. READ. Whether it is the newspaper, a magazine or a good book always take time to read. We had the newpaper delivered daily, we went to the library to get books and we alwyas got a few magazine subscriptions every year. Reading is enjoyable, relaxing and provides a great source of knowledge.
7. DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. There was a time and place for seriousness but more often there is time for laughter and, more importantly, laughing with you (not at you).
8. LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL. Even on the rare occasion I got in trouble (most often bad grades or talking back) my parents would remind me that they might not like what I did or how I acted but they still, and always would, love me. It made me feel good to know that even in my missteps or nastiness they still loved me.
9. DON'T HOLD GRUDGES. This is another thing that they rarely, if ever, mentioned but rather taught by example. Whether if it was with each other or their family memebers or friends. If they had a fight, disagreement or argument with someone it didnt last long. They didn't harbor resentment or hold it over someone's head. They simply moved on.
10. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. This sentiment was repeated often and sometimes too easily dismissed by me. It is something that I now repeat often to my children. I am easily proud of my children, whatever they are doing, if they simply give it their all.

This year at Mother's Day and Father's Day I will have special appreciation for my parents as I see how they have helped me become a good mom to my kids.

Finally....

2008-04-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

The plane was on time, the traffic was not too bad and we made it to the Board of Review with a few minutes to spare. He was nervous but prepared. And now A.J. is an Eagle Scout. His hard work and our perseverance has paid off.

CONGRATULATIONS A.J.!

I'M BAAAAACK

2008-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

And despite the rocking beginning we had a great time! We landed in Orlando at 11:30PM and it was pouring. Not the weather we had hoped for. We were all hungry so we stopped for a quick bite at the WAFFLE HOUSE. A treat for the kids because they had never been to such a place. Once we had food in our tummies the rest of the week was all thumbs up.

Monday morning we woke to overcast skies but we didnt let it damper our fun. We headed straight to Blizzard Beach, a water park on the Disney property. A place we were supposed to go 10 years ago but never made it. We had a great time at Blizzard Beach. It never rained that day or any other time during our trip. The weather cooperated and so did the kids. We went to amusement parks and hung out by the pool. We continued to experience "fine" dining--Hooters, Ponderosa, McDonalds and Dunkin Dounuts to name a few. Our hotel was on the Universal property and therefore our room key gave us front of the line passes for all rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures. It was a great perk. It was a lovely hotel and here is the view from our room....

And here is a family picture I think you will all enjoy...

Now its time to get back to work and our normal busy lives. Thanks for indulging me!!

The "Hawaii Pile" is gone

2008-04-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

And not because we have packed it all but rather because we are not going to Hawaii. We are caught up in the ATA debacle. We had 2 tickets booked thru ATA directly, and paid for via credit card, and we had 2 tickets booked thru Southwest using RAPID REWARDS tickets (for Hawaii you need 2 RR for every 1 ticket to Hawaii). At this late date no airline can get us to Maui on Sunday. We are bummed!
But fear not, the HAWAII PILE has been renamed--it is now the ORLANDO PILE. Southwest was able to exchange the 2 Maui tickets for 4 tickets to Orlando. Not exactly what we wanted but it will be a nice, warm, FAMILY vacation none-the-less. (Actually it does have its good points. The boys are now able to attend the Spring Game at the Air Force Academy and then attend orientation. AJ will now be able to attend orientation with a few friends and he and Dave will be home for the 2nd night of Passover. Due to the Hawaii trip they were going to attend different orientation dates. Now they will leave Orlando on Friday, while Erin and I stay until Sunday, and fly to Denver, stay for 4 days and come home on April 15th.)
So this morning I shed a few tears, spent 3+ hours on the phone (over 2 of them on hold) and now have put the bad behind me. I am looking at the bright side--I am not STUCK in Maui and unable to get home, I got all my money back for my airline tickets and I still get a vacation(just a little more costly than I had planned).
I will blog from Orlando--wish us luck!

Save the Date(s)

2008-04-02T07:18:00.001-07:00

The Air Force Academy 2008 football schedule has been announced.....

DAY DATE TIME OPPONENT (TV)
Saturday Aug. 30 12PM Southern Utah at AFA (no TV scheduled)
Saturday Sept. 6 1:30PM at Wyoming (CBS C)
Saturday Sept. 13 TBA at Houston (TBA)
Saturday Sept. 20 2PM Utah at AFA (VERSUS)
Saturday Sept. 27 BYE
Saturday Oct. 4 2PM Navy at AFA (VERSUS)
Saturday Oct. 11 6:30PM at San Diego State (THE MTN.)
Saturday Oct. 18 7:00PM at UNLV (THE MTN.)
Thursday Oct. 23 6:00PM New Mexico at AFA (CBS C)
Saturday Nov. 1 TBA at Army (TBA)
Saturday Nov. 8 4:00PM Colorado State at AFA (THE MTN.)
Saturday Nov. 15 1:30PM BYU at AFA (CBS C)
Saturday Nov. 22 2:30PM at TCU (VERSUS)

The Mtn.= Mountain West Sports Network. Currently this channel is carried by a limited number of cable companies and NONE in Southern California. Beginning August 1st this channel will be carried by Direct TV.
CBS C = CBS College Sports Network formerly known as College Sports Television (CSTV) and is carried by all cable and dish companies.
VERSUS is carried by all cable and dish companies.

The catch---we do not know, yet, if A.J. will be on the travel team. This will not be announced until the first game. We will be attending the first game FOR SURE, regardless, because it is Parents Weekend. I will certainly keep you posted. If he is on the travel team I hope we can all plan a trip to San Diego and/or Las Vegas to see the Falcons play.

Blah, Blah, Blog

2008-03-27T11:15:00.001-07:00

Well its been a few days since my last blog. I don't want anyone to think I have given up. Rather, I don't really have much to say. Everything is going along just fine for the Wallerstein's. The kids are in school, Erin is playing soccer and A.J. is on the track team (throwing the shot put and discusses). We have had no major meltdowns and nothing of extreme excitement happening. We are getting ready for our SPRING BREAK trip to Hawaii. Maui, to be exact. It has been in the works for nearly a year and I can't beleive it is finally happening. I have researched, researched and planned and I am GOOD TO GO. I don't need to do much shopping, believe or not, and I plan on packing light. I am driving the kids a little crazy. I have started a pile of stuff we will be taking. Everytime I place something in/on the pile I shout, "HAWAII PILE". I think sometime next week, when they start placing things in the pile, they will get into it. If not, oh well its nice for ME to drive THEM crazy for a change.
We will be staying at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort and have lots of fun activities planned. We will bike ride down Halakala. Erin and Dave will do a zipline course (A.J. is too big) and we will go on a snorkling excursion. Erin would like us all to take a surf lesson together, which we plan on doing, and we will relax by the pool. I will try to blog a little from the trip and include a few pictures. If you have any advice or must do's please let me know. Once we return we get into a whirlwind of activities surrounding AJ's graduation and going away to the Academy. It will be our last chance for a family vacation for a good long time. I will try to relax, enjoy and savor every moment. ALOHA!

Getting to Know Me

2008-03-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

Every now and again one of my friends sends me an email with a questionarre about me. They have completed it and forwarded to me. It is then my turn to complete the survey and forward on to friends. I might be in the minority of my friends but I actually enjoy them. I like telling my friends about myself and I LOVE finding out things about my friends I never knew (i.e. her middle name is Ida, she got a new car, she dreams of the same vacation spot as me.) Here are 2 I recently received....

This one was completed THIS MORNING...
1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 5:35
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? diamonds
3. WHAT IS THE LAST FILM THAT YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? Charlie Bartlett, and I do recommend it.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Top Chef
5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? pretzels and a diet coke
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Helene
7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MAGAZINE: Cooking Light
9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Ford Explorer
10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? grilled vegetable
11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? chauvinism
12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? my comfy sweatshirts
13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Paris, France
14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? dirt and grime
15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? whatever looks good
16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? Carpenteria, California
17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? I guess it would be my 30th birthday--I was in New Orleans upon the completion of a cruise.
18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Whatever my kids are playing
19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Orange County
20. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Rochelle
21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? Jen
22. FAVORITE SAYING? "good to go"
23. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? 7/14/65
24. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? morning
25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 8
26. PETS? 1 dog
27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? I think I have shared enough lately. 28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? an attorney
29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? much better than yesterday
30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Scotchmallow or ScotchKiss from See's Candy
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Gerber Daisy
32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? April 6th--we leave for Maui
34. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? the a/c fan in my office that NEVER shuts off
35. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? pretzel sticks
36. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? on occasion
37. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? cornflower blue
38. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? a little chilly but it looks like it will be a beautiful day.
39. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? DIET COKE
40. FAVORITE Restaurant? I never pass up thai food at Siam Rice
41. SIBLINGS? 1 sister, 1 brother
42. FAVORITE Day? Sunday
43. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? Skateboard
44. SUMMER OR WINTER? definitely summer
45. HUGS OR KISSES? Both at the same time!
46. COFFEE OR TEA? neither (see #39)
47. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? vanilla
48. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO EMAIL YOU BACK? Yes please. I love to find out new things about everyone.
49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? yesterday morning
50. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? dust and junk
5 1. WHO IS THE FRIEND THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? Lena
52. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? took Erin to soccer practice, made dinner and watched TV
53. FAVORITE SMELL? my husband when he is dressed and ready to go out
54. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? dying before my children are grown.
55. SALTY OR SWEET? salty
56. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? 5
57. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 6
58. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 4
59. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? I like to think I do

The second one was a bit tougher. It required you to answer each question with just one word and it was completed about 2 weeks ago...
1. Your cell phone is? helpful
2. Your significant other? adorable
3. Your hair? brown
4. Your mother? amazing
5. Your father? special
6. Your favorite thing? sex
7. Your dream last night? realityTV
8. Your favorite drink? dietcoke
9. Your goal? centered
10. The room you're in? family
11. Your ex? non-existent
12. Your fear? creatures
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? mortgage-free
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you're not? thin
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? Paris
18. Where you grew up? northridge
19. The last thing you did? chopped
20. What are you wearing? schlumpadink
21. Your TV? foodtv
22. Your pets? tolerable
23. Your computer? laptop
24. Your life? changing
25. Your mood? plesant
26. Missing someone? nope
27. Your car? troublesome
28. Something you're not wearing? bra
29. Favorite Store? Target
30. Your summer? hot
31. Love someone? forever
32. Your favorite color? pink
33. When is the last time you laughed? lunchtime
34. Last time you cried? Yesterday
35. Who will/would re-post this? sister

Hope you have learned something new about me. Feel free to copy and paste either or both of the surveys into an email and let me know your responses. I really want to know about you, too.

Do NOT tell my kids...

2008-03-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

I am not sure they know other kids misbehave in certain ways. And I certainly dont want them learning this late in the game. It has come to my attention that my kids have NEVER done the following.....

1. Say, "I HATE YOU" to each other or their parents.
Dave and I feared the day this would happen. He always hoped it was when he was at home because he knew I would fall apart. I am happy to say it has never come out of their mouths. They may have thought it but they didnt say it. This is the opposite of me. I said it to my folks, along with worse things, all while stomping up the stairs and slamming my door. I know when I was in college I heard a daughter say it to her mother at the mall and I started crying. I felt horrible that I had ever said those terrible things to my parents. I went home and apologized to my mom. I am not sure if I ever did to my Dad---sorry to both of you!!

2. Feigned illness to get out of school.
This is another thing I did on more than one occasion and probably at least 1 time in every grade in junior high and high school. I know the kids have asked to miss a day of school because they wanted to avoid a test (probably Erin not A.J.) but never just claimed a headache, cramps or a sore throat. In fact, AJ has NEVER missed a day of school due to illness in all 12 years of public school.

3. Hit or kicked or any physical fighting with each other.
AJ is really into rules. He was told as a very young boy that you do not hit, especially girls, so he hasn't and Erin learned by example. This, again, is something I did with my siblings. I would pull my sisters hair. In fact we would each grab on to each others locks and scream "let go, no you let go" all the while neither of us letting go. And with our big brother we would wack him in the back and run like heck. I really don't recall him ever hitting us back. He took lots of abuse from his sisters and handled it with grace!!

I know I am not OUT OF THE WOODS yet but I am nearly there. AJ will be leaving in just 3 months but Erin has much teenage angst ahead of her. If any of these items do crop up I do hope I can remember how lucky I have been.

A few of my favorite things...

2008-03-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while I was cooking dinner I was thinking about all the things in my kitchen that I love..the gadgets, utensils, etc...and I thought you might like to know about them. Here are the things in my kitchen I would hate to have to live without.....

1. GLOBAL Statoku knife It is sharp and cuts through anything. The handle fits perfectly in my hand and isnt too light. I like it so much that I also have a Global chefs knife and paring knife.

2. Onion Googles You may laugh but I swear by them. In the past when I cut onions my eyes tear up something awful. I would have to stop many times and wipe my eyes/blow my nose. After many years and many onions it got worse, not better. I tried all other home remedies (chewing gum, running water, putting the onion in the fridge and more) but nothing worked. These googles do the trick. I have them on the whole time I am cutting the onion and never a tear. I highly recommend them!!

3. RubAway After chopping all those onions, and some garlic too, this little bar takes the odor away. I simple hold it in my hands, like a bar of soap, and rub it all around. I then wash and dry my hands and waa-lah no odor.

4. Le Creuset Casserole It is great for so many things. It can be used in the oven and on the stove top. Just last night I used it as a wok. It is enameled cast iron cookware. It will last forever. My mom has a piece or 2 that she has had since before I was born. Every time I am cleaning mine I am transported back to my childhood when I would stand at the sink scrubbing the pot clean. I hated it then but love cleaning mine now.

5. Garbage Disposal Stuffer I think this one speaks for itself. Who wants to touch the garbage in the sink?

Do you have gadgets utensils you can recommend?

What's on the Menu?

2008-03-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

Today is Friday but I already have my menu planned for next week but I have a problem. I am doing something a little different--I am cooking on both Saturday and Sunday night this week and while I planned those menu's I figured I would plan the rest of the week. The problem--I don't know what to make on Thursday night. If I ask AJ he will ask for Shepard's Pie. If I ask Erin she will ask for French Dip Sandwiches. If I ask Dave he will say its up to me. Got any suggestions? Here is what I have planned for the other nights, just so you know....
Saturday (no kids, its just Dave and I)
Lamb chops
Polenta with arugula
Cipolline onions with a balsamic vinegar reduction
Sunday (the folks are coming for dinner)
Baby Back Ribs
Chipolte Coleslaw
Black Beans
Jalapeno Corn Bites
Monday
Beef with Onion
Birds Nest (Trader Joes)
White Rice
Tuesday
NONE--boys will be out and Erin and I will find something
Wednesday
Veggie Soup
Grilled Tuna Sandwiches
Thursday
AWAITING YOUR SUGGESTIONS

Sometimes I need a little inspiration or outside help. That is where you come in. Please help as I am stuck. The only thing it can't be is fish. Erin won't eat it so I save fish entrees for when she is not going to be home. I am looking forward to hearing from you!

What to blog?

2008-02-29T10:48:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days I want to blog but I really don't know what to blog about. We have had a bit of a crazy week at the house. AJ has FINALLY submitted everything for his Eagle Scout and he participated in his first track meet. If you ask me neither were that eventful. This Eagle Scout thing should have been completed months, if not years, ago. We have been nagging and nagging him for some time to get it done. He just dug his heals in and refused. It took all I had to not do it for him. I think he is relieved to finally have it done but, I am sure, he won't admit how silly he had acted. And with regards to the track meet, according to AJ, he didnt do all that well at the meet. In case you don't know, he does the shot put and discuss. This is his first time in track. At the end of the football season we told him to find another sport to do or get a job. He choose track. He is just learning but actually having fun. It was nice to be at the track meet with him and actually talking and laughing with him. That does not happen on football game days. On those days he is sullen and would prefer not to talk. He is getting in the zone.
We have had a bit of traumatic week with Erin but nothing she would want me to discuss publically. It is your basic teenage issues and in the scheme of things nothing that terrible. It has made it a stressful week for me. It is hard to know the right way to handle things. I try to remember what it was like when I was her age but I know I don't remember it as well as I would like. We do want to keep our children from going through difficult times, even if they bring it on themselves, but sometimes they just happen. I know at that age I thought my parents were DUMB. It took me many years to learn it was just the opposite. I guess that is what Erin is going through right now. I bet if you ask my parents they will just think it is sweet justice--you know "what goes around, comes around". It is my pay back for my traumatic teens.
Well now its the weekend and I hope it will be quiet and without incident. I will let you know!

Kids Say the Dardest Things

2008-02-25T08:46:00.000-08:00

The one piece of advice I give new parents is WRITE IT DOWN. Once your child begins talking he/she will say the cutest, funniest, etc things. You think you will remember them forever, because they were so darn cute, but TRUST ME you don't. I have not been one to follow my own advice, until now. In recent days my kids have said some really funny, or at least to Dave and I, funny things. Since I feel like blogging is just a public form of journaling I am going to document these conversations here.
Last week the MEGA MILLIONS lottery jackpot was up to at least $240 million. I bought a few tickets, which I rarely do, and shared this information with the family over dinner. Erin instantly let us know that most lottery winners go broke as they don't manage their money properly. She then asked what we would do with the money. Dave said the first thing we would do is pay off our debt. Both kids then got wide eyed, and with, amazement asked, "we have debt?" They appeared a bit startled at learning this news. I then said I would quit my job if we won. This time they were appalled. They said that is exactly how the lottery winners get themselves into trouble. They had no concept of my salary vs. 200 million dollars. Then lastly we said we would move to Sand Canyon, near where we live, but larger homes and much larger pieces of property. AJ then quickly said, "Now that is ridiculous. I am leaving in a couple months, why would you need more room?" I guess my kids are still a bit naive as to way the world works. I think I like it that way.
And on another subject... yesterday we were driving home from my sisters and the kids were reading on the way home. AJ is reading "Playing for Pizza" by John Grisham. Out of the blue AJ turns to Dave and I and says, "Does John Grisham always have such obvious foreshadowing?" Dave and I looked at each other with puzzlement and then began laughing. What 17 year old kid reads a Grisham book and asks this? Dave then responded with YES he writes in that style often. Later, when the kids were not present, Dave admitted that he just answered it that way so not to seem to like he didnt get it. Really neither of us did.

And this is why I live in Southern California....

2008-02-20T10:03:00.001-08:00

On Saturday Dave and I took a drive and had a picnic. We went off roading in Erin's new car--a 1995 Range Rover. Dave is going to have a hard time giving this car to Erin in 5 months. It is the middle of February and we get to enjoy 80+ degree days without a cloud in sight. Life really doesnt get much better than this!!!

Recipe Junkie

2008-02-15T09:56:00.000-08:00

Besides my husband and kids I LOVE to cook and talk about food/recipes. I am a recipe junkie. I love to find new recipes(in magazines, cookbooks, on the internet, from the Food Network or anywhere really) and try them out on my family. I also like to talk about them. I like recipes that have ingrediants that I know my family likes AND are not too difficult to prepare. I don't like dishes with too many steps or too many ingrediants. I am an instant gratification person and that holds true with my cooking.
On Sunday mornings I, usually, plan out my dinners for the week. Sunday I usually make something that takes a little longer to prepare or cook because I have more time. On Sundays I also take requests. Early in the week I like to serve meals with fresh meats, fish or poultry as I like to buy it and cook it and not put it in the freezer or have to plan for a mid-week stop at the grocery. For the middle to end of the week I make vegetarian or meals that dont require fresh meat/chicken. I do not like to freeze meat, chicken, pork, etc as I will often forget to take it out and/or I dont like the taste/consistency of the meat after it has been frozen.
OK, now you know where I am coming from. Let me tell you what I am making tonight....
Chicken Mojito Pasta and Olive Meledy
The chicken pasta is a receipe I am making up, sort of. It is chopped chicken breast cooked with garlic, onions, rum and lime juice and then sprinkled with mint. I added in asparagus and then tossing it with pasta. The olive dish I saw on Guy's Big Bite and knew Dave would love it. You simmer 3 kinds of olives in olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper and rosemary. They are served warm as an appetizer or side dish. I am so looking forward to making and serving these tonight.
I will let you know how it goes. If you want the recipes just holler.
As time goes on I will blog more of what I am serving for dinner or dessert, after all I am a recipe junkie.

Happy Anniversary, Baby

2008-02-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

I am overjoyed to say today is my 19th wedding anniversary. I am married to one terrific guy. We met at temple when we were 10/12 years old and begin dating when I was 15 and he was 17. We have been together ever since. He was a good a friend of my older brother (and still is) and my parents always warned me to be nice to my brother and his friends as there may be a day when I might want to date one of the friends. Much to their surprise it was a piece of advice that they were dead on about.

We have been together thru the good and not so good times. (I dont want to use the term bad times because we have been very blessed and have very little, if any, bad times.) We work as a team to raise the kids and we look forward to more great times once they have left the nest. We, on occasion, do disagree but would rather be happy than right and therefore rarely stay angry for very long. We make a great team. I think of the ideas and he executes them. I cook the food and he loves to eat it. Together we enjoy hanging out, doing things together and watching the kids do wonderful and amazing things.

I have a truely great life and I know it would not be as nearly great if he werent part of it. Today on my anniversary I take a minute to be thankful for all that we have together and look forward to all that we still have to experience.

My Daughter, She's a Keeper

2008-02-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

I have a daughter and a terrific one at that. In recent times Erin has felt quite overshadowed by her brother, and I really don't blame her. People, some she doesnt know, will stop her to ask about him--what is he up to? what college has he decided on? etc. Not only that but he plays a sport that is more widely reported and viewed than the sport she plays, and plays well may I add.

This is my chance to tell you about, or more accuratly BRAG about my daughter Erin. Erin is 15 1/2, a sophomore in high school and a soccer player--a keeper to be exact. As you can see by the picture she has a dynamite smile and terrific blonde curly hair (the curls, which I am happy to say she has inherited from me.) Erin has aspirations to be a high school history teacher. She has wanted to be a teacher since she was in Kindergarten. What she wants to teach changes every so often and it changes to the particular grade level/subject of the teacher she currently has taken a shine to. Erin is currently taking Modern Civilization and has become quite interested in the subject. It is really neat to see her finding an acadmic class she actually enjoys and looks forward to studying more of in the future.

Erin is out-going, fun loving, brave, strong, not afraid of much and has a sense of humility that most of us would kill to have. Her humility and ability to apologize has saved her butt more than once. As I child, and even now, I would refuse to admit I was wrong even when I was. Erin, I am happy to say, is just the opposite. When she realizes she has made a mistake or hurt someone's feelings she is the first to apologize or admit OUT LOUD that she was in the wrong. It is really refreshing to have someone like that in your life. She sets the example that I have tried to follow.

Another amazing thing about Erin is the way she can take a beating while playing soccer and then go back the next day or game for more, without a glint of fear in her eyes. Just last week she was cleated more than once in her game and came of the field with a bloody, bruised leg. The cleat marks ran the length of lower leg and hurt like the dickens. The marks were too large for a bandaid and anything touching it made it hurt worse. The next day she wore sweats that went to just below the knee to avoid hurting further. The following day she suited up and was in goal AGAIN, without a complaint, and didn't shy away from any play or on-field confrontation. She has had many injuries over her life span--broken bones, black eyes and stitches---and she never lets fear of new injury get in her way. In fact, when she is injured she doesn't cry because of the pain rather because she realizes she will have to sit out for a day, a week or more.

Erin does like to talk, which she also got from her mother. And I see this as a positive. She likes talking to anyone. She enjoys having a good conversation with any one--young or old. Next time you see her give it a try. Ask her what is new or what is going on in school or USY. She will be happy to tell you. FYI--her favorite topic these days is her new car and/or getting her permit. I am sure she will be happy to tell you about both!

I am very blessed to have 2 wonderful children. They are very different from each other but are each others biggest fans. I see a bright future for both of them. Erin's life will certainly go a different route that AJ's but it will be a great one none-the-less.

Lets get this party started!

2008-02-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

One of my goals for 2008 was to start a blog. I enjoy reading blogs of friends and people I don't even know. I figure that I am a talker and have lots to say, maybe someone will be interested. I really didnt expect to get it going quite so early in the year but then yesterday one of my friends egged me on. She told me I needed to have one so everyone can keep up with A.J.'s goings on in college. She said it will save me the trouble of having to send coupoius amounts of email. So here I go. (My sister is the writer in the family and I will do my best not to embarrass her with my grammer, spelling or other writing related issues.)
Let me back up a bit and give you a bit of background about me. I am 42 years old, married 19 years and have 2 wonderful children. A.J. is 17 and Erin is 15. Both are, in my unbaised opionion, 2 of the greatest teenagers on earth. I do work part-time as a workers compensation claims specialist for Lamps Plus. The rest of my time is spent dotting on my husband and children. A job I especially enjoy!! My hobbies include cooking, reading and doing a bit of exercise.
Now back to the present and current news....
A.J. is now a senior in high school and has completed 3 stellar years of high school football. He is 6'4"/280lbs and an offensive lineman. He started 38 straight varsity football games and has won 2 C.I.F. champsionships and one STATE champsionship. In addition he has a 4.4 GPA. Needless to say he got some college attention. He had a few offers to play football in college and narrowed it down to Harvard and the Air Force Academy. After making official visits at both and giving it a LOT of thought he choose Air Force. He wants to study Physics, which along with math he thinks is very easy, and either school would be an excellent choice. In December he gave his verbal committment to the Academy and yesterday he made it official and "signed" with them.

There was a small signing ceremony for him at school but the exciting part of the day came later when we were watching ESPN. A.J. tivoed the 5-6 hours of coverage of high school signing day. Dave and I laughed. Well the last laugh was on us--he was talked about and highlights were shown. My boy made ESPN. I was so happy for him I nearly cried. He was so happy and its nice to see that excitiment in your childs face. I always tell people with newborns that it truely gets better everyday. No matter how cute they are now, tomorrow they are cuter. You think your joy can't get any greater and it does. My son is 17 and my theory continues to ring true!