what's new

It has come to my attention that Belmont is boring when it's not bikini season. It has also come to my attention that 75% of my blog posts are about Belmont.

In other words, sorry for the recent lameness of my blog. I am working on creating drama here at the office to provide you all with some entertainment. So far, no luck.

Um, I did start another blog. It's mostly to organize my own life and make sure I make dinner every night to save us money. Basically, I figure if I commit to the blog world to provide dinner, I must. It's called "cooking while poor", since that's my life right now. Easy and yummy stuff that won't disappoint and won't break the bank either.

My house is clean. After being gone over Christmas and getting sick for nearly 2 weeks then having a fiesta to throw, I finally found a free Saturday to clean the casa. I am happy.

My cousin is getting married. Yay! I am super thrilled for her. They are perfect for each other. Bravo. Which also means I get to visit AZ sometime soon. A plus, for sure.

The puppies are for sale now. They are darling. I wish I could see them in person.

Uhh...it snowed again. It's cold. Thank goodness for underground parking, minus the fact that water drips through the ceiling and it feels like an ice box...that's basically what it is.

The job is still slow. Cleaning Inspections start next week again, so I am sure I will have some lovely things to share soon. Stay tuned, y'all.

ear warmers

Made so that facing cleaning inspections next month in the snow will be bearable.

My ears get cold.

P.S. Also available for custom ordering through my Etsy shop. Aw, yeah.

it was a fiesta

After our Christmas Candyland Ward Party, we thought we were off the hook 'til the summer. Then we were asked to throw a Fiesta in January. I refused to allow myself to stress. And it was a hit.

Aside from the Burrito Buffet, the highlight was the Mexican Hat Dance. It went a little something like this:

I ask the bishopric to please come up to the front. Brother Parrot wasn't there that night, lucky him. Bishop and his Second Counselor were nervous, as they should have been.

I told them they would be having a friendly competition for the best Mexican Hat Dancer. We gave bishop a sombrero, and Brother Partridge a kid's size sombrero. Turned the music on and said "Go!". They both looked at me and said something like, "Now?". You better believe it!

It became a dual, which was better than I could have imagined. Bishop threw his hat down and did a little jig, Bro P did a round-off over the sombrero, Bishop danced with his daughter and somehow it ended with them in unison taking a bow. It was perfect. Although, Bro P said if we let him go one round more he would have done the human worm...we might just give him that opportunity at the next party.

Da da da, da da da, da da da da..



da da da, da da da, da da da da..



da da da, da da da, da da da da..




da da da, da da da, da da da!!

Then there were authentic pinatas with authentic mexican candy, some of which I wish I could have watched people eat. Chili powder and strawberry should never be a combo.

I think it's safe to say the kids had fun.

We were proud.


And it's easy sailing 'til the summer, for reals this time.

spring beret

This was originally supposed to be a gift for someone else...

but I was struggling with new techniques and circular needles. My deadline wasn't met.
So now it's mine.

"Raspberry Beret...the kind you find at a second hand store..."

Bonus points if you can name the singer of that song, and double if you can finish the chorus.

Except mine's not raspberry, it's "old leaf".

This is the first thing I have ever knit for myself. Yay for me!

feel the love

Just an example of how much Belmont Tenants love us:

Wendy sells her contract to Sally beginning in January. Wendy moves somewhere else. Sally backs out last minute. We call Wendy to inform her. Here is Wendy's voice message:

" Hi! You've reached Wendy! Please leave a message!... And if this is Belmont
calling, I sold my contract so there is no need for you to leave a message."

Really? We called back twice and put it on speaker phone.

Wendy really doesn't like us. She even took the time to re-record her voice message to let us know that she is through with us. We left a message.

boring cities

Forbes Magazine did an article on the 10 most boring cities in America. They based the criteria on national news attention. And guess who made the cut? Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa. I guess that's a good thing that we aren't making headlines.

Here is a little slide show the web-site offers to the world along with pictures. A glimpse into these peaceful cities:

Chandler, Ariz.
Population: 246,399

Chandler is one of a half-dozen small- to mid-sized cities nearly forgotten in the Phoenix sprawl. Arizona's Maricopa County has twice the population of Manhattan, but the differences among its communities are virtually unknown to a national audience.

What pretty palm trees, big blue sky and so clean looking.

Gilbert, Ariz.
Population: 207,550

Another town forgotten in the Phoenix sprawl. Gilbert has grown rapidly in recent years, almost doubling since 2000, when the population was only 116,000. Even the government hasn't quite caught up yet--Gilbert is still incorporated as a town rather than a city.

Oh, the cookie cutter homes of Gilbert. Once again, clean and organized.

Mesa, Ariz.
Population: 452,933

Considering it's the 38th largest city in the country, Mesa doesn't appear often in the national media. Many of the residents are oriented toward Phoenix which, as a key hub of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, appeared in stories far more often this year. When Mesa was featured, it was usually in stories about the housing bubble that hit the Southwest.

... uh...is this where I grew up? ...I thought this view was only on Broadway...Has Mesa as a whole changed this much since I have been gone? Where's the Mesa Arts Center? Down Town? Pretty Historical District? Shopping centers? Traffic? Jack In the Box? We even have an IN-N-OUT! What about Red Mountain? That's pretty. Or our nice freeways? Are they implying something? If what they are implying is true...woudn't we be on national news more often?... I am confused...(sigh)...

geezer day at the theater

Over the break Tyler and I went to a 2:00 showing of Australia. LOVED it. Seriously. What was my favorite part? Having the theater packed to the brim with senior citizens. Honestly, we were the only people in the theater under the age of 60. It smelled like sweet elderly perfume, which is better than a mix of nachos and popcorn. I overheard some women behind me discussing their golf swings and how they have reached a stopping point in their progression. Lot's of potty breaks and a leisurely exit after the movie. When the lights came back on, Tyler and I looked at each other and laughed. It was amazing.

Back to the movie--I want to watch it again. I loved everything about it, except when Nicole Kidman snaps a whip in front of the bad guys face. Could have done without that cheesy display of feminine rights. It's like in Pirate's of the Carribean when Elizabeth becomes a King or whatever and it goes to her head. Annoying.

I thought we got through the whole movie without seeing the magic man's butt. I spoke too soon.

I recomend it.