Things They Say

At the mention of the word "widow" during a movie tonight, Erik leaned over to Woody and said, "A widow means the man is dead and the woman is alive.  After they get married.  A wooden means the woman gets dead and the man is still alive."  

I hope Woody never gets wooden!

Birthday

I'm feeling "meh" about my birthday today.  Not "meh", I don't want a birthday, because I actually do enjoy thinking about it.  I just don't want any celebration or cake or presents.  Today I wanted to hang out with my family at home.  And that's just what we did.

I took Morgan to church at 7a.m. this morning so she could play in the church orchestra for two services. I went home and considered getting dressed and going back for the second service.  But my sister called me to wish me a happy birthday and Annika decided to make chocolate chip pancakes and that was it for getting back to the 9 am service.  I enjoyed my pancakes, reorganized my cookbook cupboard and went back for Morgan at 10:30.  

We all went outside to work on the back yard right after breakfast.  We put away things and switched the winter green house cover to the summer green house cover.  It took all of us.  I like how Woody hands the power tools to the girls to get them doing some of the details rather than do it himself and just ask for help with holding things.  They really get to learn by doing.  

The kale garden is over flowing.  I knew I needed to get some kale frozen for summer so I finally started cultivating it and flash freezing batches to bag up for soups and smoothies.

Our afternoon included buying tacos at Del Taco and stopping at Sams Club for milk, bread, strawberries, apples and mangos.  We considered buying an outdoor rug to go under our table and chairs outside, but they didn't have the design we most liked.

We went back out side to rake leaves and put into bags and trim the plants.  I went inside to start making dinner.  I got a nice call from my brother at 6 and we talked for a little bit.  Dinner was organic tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches with kale, chia seed, banana, carrot juice, and fruit smoothie.  All four kiddos loved it and it got the fruit veggie daily intake back to the positive.

The day ended watching ""How to Train Your Dragon 2".  It was fun to watch and curl up with my kiddos.

I call that an awesome birthday.  

 

Super Bowl 49 (Cause I don't want to figure out the Roman Numerals)

We just finished the Super Bowl and I can almost breathe a sigh of relief.  I really didn't care who won or whatever.  I just wanted some normalcy back after a month of big events in the Phoenix area.  Don't get me wrong, I love the economic impact all the visitors brought.  I'm just happy it's almost over - they all still need to get to Sky Harbor and get on their planes in the next few days.

As with past Super Bowls, it was not really a big affair at our house.  I could have cut out cute little football garland pieces or gathered matching straws and pom poms with coordinated color desserts.  In the end, we tossed some meatballs in the crock pot, cut up some strawberries and apples, added cheese and turkey pepperoni and some chips.  Done.  A feast for the Chungs.  And we watched.  Well, Morgan, Annika and I did.  The others sat down for our halftime feast and then went back to playing or running wires in our future theater room.

I loved the Sunday "football" meals my mom made.  Popcorn, cheese, meat, crackers and fruits and veggies were the best.  Plus anything else we had on hand.  All brought down to the family room to munch on.

Great memories.  Another great memory would be remembering the Vikings in a Super Bowl ever.  Nope, I don't have that memory.

Another look at the Fog

The fog really was amazing today.  Blanketing the valley with a mist that is so unlike the normal dry desert conditions, it lasted until early afternoon and then lifted to a bright blue day creating quite the weather contrast.  Normal straight hair took on strange curls - especially for me and Morgan.  This is the view of the park by our house, taken from the street a few feet back from our driveway.  You see a gate and then...nothing.

Surreal.

1st Annual AzTrac Tackle Trauma 5K Run and Fog

5:00 AM on a Sunday morning, Super Bowl Sunday morning, and we were up and ready to quietly sneak out.  Morgan, Annika and I were headed out to Scottsdale to volunteer for Chandler Regional at the first annual Trauma run to benefit trauma centers in Arizona.  Chandler Regional is the newest Level I Trauma center in the valley and has become the busiest in its short 10 month existance.  Morgan came out to volunteer and run.  But first, we had to *get* there. 

This is the most fog I have seen in the 22 years I have lived in Phoenix.  It was thick, soupy fog - straight out of a London movie, except for the palm trees.  We drove ever so slow because we couldn't see more than 10-20 yards in front of us in the dark.  The freeway was not much better.  It was spooky the way it was swallowing up the cars.  But we did make it to the park that was the grounds for the run.

While Annika and I helped set up a table with the rest of the Chandler team, Morgan got herself checked in and ready for the run.  We handed out flyers and trinkets and casually nodded to the other trauma centers and their team members that, like Chandler, also sponsored the event.

Morgan ran a great race even through the fog.  Less than 20 minutes after the start, she was back.  She got some race food and drink and then went over to the other side of the field where the stage was placed from the sponsor tables.  I could hear her name being called and then I heard first place.  Morgan won first for U18 Womens.  So proud of Morgan!!!  She was very happy indeed.  

Annika is not shy at booth events - this is her fourth one volunteering with me in the last two years.  She really is great and handing out things and talking with people.  She decided to turn herself into our Injury Prevention Coordinator by reminding everyone who stopped at our booth about bike helmet safety while giving everyone literature on the subject.  Awesom job Annika!