Something More Than Nothing

Friday, July 18, 2014

Too Busy For Birthday Cake? What A Crazy Life We Live!

Tom and Nate

I made this cake with my Grandsons Tommy and Nathan yesterday for Britt's B-day. The boys mostly just hung out with me gave some creative input as to how we should make it look. It was fun to do with the boys. Unfortunately, Britt got so busy last night that she couldn't come back to enjoy it. So, it sits in my fridge this am. untouched! Meet the teacher night and homework precluded her from being able to have a slice of her B-day cake. If you know her, this speaks volumes about her dedication to getting her degree lol. Bless her heart she is always going, going and going! No time for just relaxing.

I will take this cake to her later today.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

You Are Making Me Old Kid!,

http://soundcloud.com/tyna-j-phipps/all-of-me-written-by-john
I posted my cover of All Of Me On Sound Cloud yesterday... This song comes to mind today...

Britt and kids on vacation with us last weekend.

http

://soundcloud.com/tyna-j-phipps/all-of-me-written-by-john

Happy Birthday to my 30 year old daughter today! She's making me feel old! I had so wanted to be more accomplished by now lol... The boys are coming over in a little bit to bake a cake for Mom with me...

This song All Of Me comes to mind today. I posted it on Sound Cloud yesterday.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Win, I Want To!

Today has been a lousy day. One of those days that you wish you could just Win. Well, I know we all have these days but I would like to change this bad day to a Win...http://youtu.be/3_eah8al8MU

I will leave you with these thoughts that come to mind...You can't get upset about the things you can't change. Tomorrow will be better. It only hurts for a little while. Cheer up... Into each life a little rain must fall... Must be more education for my honorary PhD.

My Hometown, Morro Bay!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Family Staycation At Marriot Starr Pass Resort , Tucson, AZ

Sunscreen! Britt and kids joined us!

Lazy River!

Splash Pad

Nathan and Tommy

Zoe and Paige

Britt

Howard and Lizzie

Lobby

These are various pictures of our lovely Staycation at Marriot Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, AZ.
We just returned from this lovely destination. This was the best vacation we have ever had. Relaxing and serene nestled in the desert. We loved everything about this vacation. We have decided to make this an annual family event. This gives us a chance to save up and plan for next year! This destination is a couple hour drive for us from Phoenix. The perfect get-away distance!

We had a lovely three night stay here. The pools are clean and refreshing! We spent most of our time on the lazy river. I have a wicked sunburn to show for it. Even high SPF sunscreen is no match for the brutal AZ sunrays. By day three we were all wearing t-shirts and shorts in the pool over our swimsuits. One thing this resort does so well is promoting hydration! They had many lovely waterstations around the resort! They had many different fruit infused water selections to choose from! Beautiful and inviting! The kids had to sample many different fruit infusions. Wonderful presentation!

Friday, July 11, 2014

Dessert Greetings From Starr Pass Resort In Tucson.

Chocolate Cake with berries and vanilla icecream...

Creme Brulee

We are trying all that Starr Pass Resort has to offer!

Having a wonderful time in the lazy river.

Lazy River

View in Lobby

Infused Water Stations throughout the resort!

Lobby

Breakfast Buffet

Zoe at Breakfast

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Hang In There, It Gets Better!

http://youtu.be/fM0scBklz7E

Casual Conversations written by Rick Davies

Who hasn't felt like this in their life? I'm sure if we are honest, most of us have in our long term relationships. It's about moving past this that makes or breaks you as a couple. I've found myself feeling this way plenty of times...

It's interesting the things that come up in our lives that cause us to drift apart. I'm watching my own kids go through very tough times with their husbands. My husband and I stay out of most of it but we do offer counsel and advice when they come to us for it. Mostly the problems that arise are financially driven. It's hard to watch your grown kids struggle in their marriages. Especially when they have kids. I know very well what I went through as a single Mom. The kids remember that also. I believe it has helped all of them understand that it's really best for everyone if they can stay and work it out. People/ relationships are not disposable! You can't just pick up another one and expect that is your answer. Relationships are hard and sometimes painful to endure. Especially with financial hardship on top of trying to work through other marriage related issues.

I feel for them always as I see the pain and suffering through the discord. They always seem to make it through and I'm always grateful. My husband has a great way of talking to my son in laws without judgement. This is something new and something that I really do appreciate! I'm finding that he can be extremely helpful at making sure my son in -laws feel that they have someone who they can talk and relate to. My husband and I have gone through a lot of issues ourselves and we divorced. We were apart for three years. In those three years we tore each other to shreds... When we realized that our 5 year old daughter was greatly impacted we decided to choose a different way... Working out our differences. We still have lots of issues to deal with but we decided that divorce doesn't work,
everyone loses. This I know to be true! We remarried 5 years ago. I believe that this life experience helps the kids see that working through things is possible even when you think all hope is lost!

I maybe should feel embarrassed about the fact our marriage failed and then we remarried. I'm ok with saying we had a lot of work to do on ourselves and as a couple. Watching our life experience, makes it real to my kids. They understand that the grass isn't always greener.

Hau and I.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Tasting The World? That's One Way To Experience It!

This is my family. A daughter and several grandkids are missing from this pic. My husband is the guy in black and white. This was taken near Father's Day at the Talking Stick resort buffet.

I often think I should do a food blog locally since we have experienced many different eateries here in Phoenix. Talking Stick serves up the best casino buffet we have had here. From overall presentation to selection, hands down Talking Stick Resort! They have a beautiful dessert station! Every kind of delectable taste treat you could desire resides there. From mini parfaits to cannoli's, cakes to cream pies, cookies to gelato...pastries to tarts. Oh my gosh I've gained 10 pounds just thinking about it! I wish I had taken a picture that I could post here.

Anyway, much of our lives are spent enjoying the things we can taste. Taste the world! That is exactly how my husband views life. He wants to experience life by tasting all this world has to offer.
He is the most diverse eater I will ever encounter. He has tried almost every edible thing, I think. I
think he has overlooked his calling as a food critic. He loves the experience of fine food. He is incredibly discerning, not just your average eater. If it's less than par he can tell in an instant! He's taught me a lot about what good food is and what it tastes like. We have become rather snobby with our knowledgeable palates. Experience is the best teacher.

The downside is that I have to cook for this man. Mostly we just eat out on the weekends. So
Monday- Thursday I'm scrambling for ideas to make eating interesting. He gets pretty much the basics from me. I don't claim to be a great cook, I just cook. He gets down home Americanized food from me. He's come to except this in our 13 years together. I enjoy cooking for a crowd and baking the most. I love to host parties!