What happened?

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...

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....

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

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

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

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

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.