Come one, come all! Please link onto my new blog here: Fam Och in the Yukon and follow my nonsense there from now on! New place plus new adventures equals new blog! Hope to hear from you soon!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Let Them Eat Cake!
The idea flourished from my niece's wish to have a "masquerade ball" theme for her eighth birthday. It quickly transformed into a French Revolution era and Marie Antoinette shindig. I can't say I wasn't thrilled with the idea. I needed a solid distraction from moving preparations and this is what we came up with:
Invitations were inserted into 12x12 velveteen print scrapbook paper, folded and sealed with a golden wax seal with Madison's monogram.
Table arrangement had gems and baubles for the girls to stash in their favor bags
Favor bags cut and folded from scrapbook paper.
The table was draped with a sheer pink organza. Note the paper chandelier.
Mini strawberry cupcakes, creme puffs, and sparkling apple juice served in plastic champagne flutes
The girls were occupied with the two hundred balloons on the floor and playing several sets of freeze dance.
A mask decorating activity filled with gem and pearl stickers and feathersMonday, January 3, 2011
Another Year
Another one closes its books and nudges us onto a new one. Change is upon us, people! So much promise lays in wait for the fam this 2011. BUT, before we file this chapter away, I'd like to recap last year's top ten (in no order):
1. Crazy tacky trashy Elvis wedding/vow renewal in Vegas--a decked out limo couldn't hold up to all the homemade tutus, animal prints, technicolor jeans, and tuxedo t-shirts. I think about that night, and I can still smell the heavy cologne of my gold-sequinned clad king of rock.
2. Operation Purple in Jackson Hole--canoeing, river rafting, hiking, making new friends, and watching Sophie's reaction as the true meaning of "Grand Tetons" hits her innocent little face.
3. Walking in the White House--yeah, yeah, it says 'don't touch.' But Ronald Reagan's portrait was calling my name. Lucky for them, JFK's was too high for me to reach.
4. Backyard Makeover--It took six years of dreaming and drafting and researching and dreaming...it may have been a bit late in the game, but we don't see it as a waste. Now, we know exactly how to do everything and won't wait so long next time!
5. Ranch Living & Yellowstone--From attempting to sleep in an authentic log cabin heated only by a single wood burning stove in the living room to gawking at geysers to holding your breath at the rotten-egg smelling hot springs to praying the stubborn personality maxed mule will not buck me off and send me tumbling down the muddy mountain = Wet--Cold--Fun.
6. Girls Only Vegas--first time ever the Cabilan girls broke away from responsibility to shop, gamble, and eat. The most fun breaking the bank!
7. Rapid City, SD--FM'ers reunite for a deelish fried pickle lunch, double checking the windows aren't letting out the aromas of leftovers to the black bear right outside the car (seriously, I'm pretty sure he used our bumper to scratch his rump against), and looking up four president's noses.
8. Family Reunion--Absolutely nothing like a crowd of nuts gathered together to make things interesting. Good ole Sidney, Nebraska, how do I love thee? "Professional" videographers armed with a Flip ("It's HD!" she says defensively), XFL football relatives, cousins who run a "prescription" pot house, and yummy nummy Mexican food = priceless!
9. Orders!!!--after predicting a set every cycle and sheepishly announcing we weren't moving after all...the news came...at six in the morning, from the hubby who was away at NCOA (I NEVER get up that early). -40 degree rated footwear, engine block heaters, blackout shades, and icicles on eyelashes...here we come!!!
10. Dylan Louis OCHOA--yep! THE number ONE highlight of the year.
It's always nice to be able to look back at the past 365, isn't it? Some of us may have had some hard times befall us, others not much different from years past, and some who have been blessed with more than they could have ever imagined. The one thing that ties us all together is the hope of better or continued moments to come for this year. It is my deepest hope this 2011 brings you fulfilled dreams and complete happiness!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Happy Christmas
Instead of the traditional Christmas cards we usually send out, the Mister and I thought it would be kinda cute to make our own newsletter this time around. It turned out real well, dontcha think?
These three are my absolute treasures!We have had a lot going on this year, and with the upcoming move, even more so around this time. The Mister and I made a concerted effort to keep up with most of the traditions we enjoy as a family, but sadly, with the added workload of the move, some were simply left out.
Either way, it was a joyous holiday season. We got lucky in that we properly gauged the right toys for the kids amidst the endless array of commercials in which we heard "That's what I want for Christmas!" Santa left us a bulk family gift: the Kinect for the XBOX 360 along with several games to go with it. What fun! Awesome gift, every one of us loves playing it! (expect a separate post on this) Dylan, who has outgrown toys, got a pair of basketball shoes he has coveted for the past three months, accoutrements for his phone, and some spending moolah for whatever else he'd like. Sophia's wishes for a zoo set and vet center came through. And Liv got her "stools" (tool) set and teacup piggies. The girls also got a dollhouse with furniture sets so mommy dearest can play with them. :-)
The Mister got the week off and we were able to take a breather from all the planning and preparing and simply enjoy time together as a family.
We hope all of you have enjoyed this season as much as we have. Merry Christmas! And here's to a Happy New Year!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Starting Anew
Hear ye hear ye! I will be launching a new blog at the start of the new year!
I am currently in the process of choosing a design, and whether or not I want to go through the trouble of writing the HTML myself or getting one made.
Initially, of course, it will cover the PCS process and will continue to share our adventures in our new place.
I will post an announcement upon its launch, and hope you all will
decide to subscribe/follow the fam through there!
Monday, December 13, 2010
What's in a Name?
...That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet...
In this case, it meant my boy's identity and sense of belonging in this family. At twelve years old, he has known the Mister's love for three quarters of his life. He knows he is treated and cared for and loved just as much as everyone else in our family. He knows that although Louie didn't have a hand in bringing him into this world, that he did play a huge role in bringing him up in it. But nevertheless, whenever the time called for his documented name and he had to sign a surname unlike the rest of ours, I could see the annoyance and even a twinge of sadness in my dear boy's face.
Now, after years of reasoning with the idiot who was the sperm donor for this wonderful boy (he must have taken after me), the change has finally come.
DYLAN LOUIS OCHOA
He had the option to change his middle name, which was orginally after his two grandfathers. But Dylan wanted to honor the man who has loved him as much as any other father would love his son, if not more. And so the middle name was chosen by the bearer himself.
With the decline of traditional nuclear families, it is rare for such strong relationships to result from marriages with children already involved. But, to my surprise, I was relieved to witness such a special bond develop between the Mister and Dylan. Now, as the awkward years of teendom and puberty approach, I find myself on the sidelines observing my boy reach out to the Mister, smiling as the two close the door to have a talk about issues that "Mom would never understand."
What a way to end the year, to see my son's ultimate dream of gaining the legal right to hold his father's name.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Movin' On Out
Smack dab in the middle of the military PCS (permanent change of station) process, I find myself conflicted (what's new?) whether to feel excited or sad. Having been through this enough times, I am fully aware it is pointless to try and settle for one emotion, as it is just impossible. I think of the possibilities of this new adventure to Alaska and become overcome with the desire to jump up and do a ridiculously goofy happy dance. And then I look at this home I built with my family that is slowly looking bare as a result from the "minimizing and decluttering" process, and I get all sentimental. It's a seesaw thing. I swear this move is making me bipolar.
Anyway, practically 45 days out from PCS, the Mister and I have realized we are slightly ahead of schedule. It was my goal from the onset of notification that we would not be the family running around at the last minute stressing over issues that have not been taken care of. Organization is the key! So, it's nice to know it has paid off. We are taken care of, and during this holiday season, the fam can actually kick our feet up and relax without nagging worries of unpreparedness.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
First Field Trip
She didn't quite understand the concept of a field trip, this being her first one. So when we turned down a different road on what she knew as her ride to school, Liv pitched a fit like no other, insisting I turn the car around as we were going the wrong way! Not until she spotted her teacher and BFF J at the entrance of the pumpkin patch did she comprehend it was a "special school day."
The kids were allowed free time to play amongst the different playgrounds in the courtyard and pet the farm animals in their petting farm area.
The tractor ride took us to a patch filled especially with teeny pumpkins like this one. Liv spotted hers right away, stepping into the field several feet and zoning in on a bright orange one.We didn't stay long. I'd like to say it's because she would have been bored anyway, but really, I chose to wear a hoodie that day and I was starting to sweat buckets. But, all in all, it was an excellent first field trip and a perfect way to bid farewell to the autumn season.
Go ahead, TSA, TOUCH ME!
If absolutely necessary, anyway. I am REALLY getting tired of all this bull about "invasive" pat-downs and revealing body scans at the airports. So many people have complained about these mandatory searches and I have had it!
Sure, if you have concerns about the radiation levels of a scan, you have the liberty to opt out of it and subject yourself to a body patdown. But are people really worried about the x-ray levels here? Or are they just worried that others can see the silhouette of their unattractive physique? Maybe your junk isn't so impressive and you don't want these security guards to know the limitations of your endowment....Or the thought of strangers knowing exactly how many spare tires you have around your middle sends chills up your spine.
And then you complain about the extent of those pat downs, TSA's manhandling your "treats." Really? You opted out of the scan that leaves you unscathed, and then you feel violated? Your choice, buddy.
My choice? Do whatever you need to, TSA! I'd rather let these guys, who won't remember me anyway, get a little chuckle out of the disproportionate body of my fat little midget self than have to worry about my plane going down in flames because they missed a terrorist who hid a firing pin in his ass crack.
It seems to me America has forgotten 9/11, or refused to acknowledge that they are NOT the exception to security measures. So, TSA, here is a grateful American, giving you the invite to do what you will to keep the skies safe. I'm sure you won't enjoy touching this body anyway.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Perfect Planner!
In my exhaustive search for the perfect planner, I think I have found one, or a near-perfect one anyway. The size of a smallish notebook, it is large enough to fit all of my notes and to-do's, but small enough to fit in my beloved purse. I love the colorful contemporary designs available, and mind you, they are available for customization. There is a perpetual calendar for important dates in the front section, followed by a two-page yearly calendar which then continues onto the monthly calendars. My favorite is the weekly layout, divided into morning-day-night sections, with most pages containing a "to-do" and "goals" area in the margin. I also appreciate the included sticker labels that I use to identify set appointments. The spiral binding isn't the most attractive element of the package, but I am relieved to be able to write on the left-hand pages without the book suddenly shutting on me. Instead, the book sides lay flat.
My only big complaint is the writing surface of the stickers themselves, most having too much of a plastic-esque sheen that leads to smudging if you don't write with a ballpoint pen (I have an extra fine point Sharpie pen). I would also want to move the pocket page to the inside front cover instead of in the back, making it easier to access.
But, all in all, SO much better than a Franklin Covey any day, and SO much cuter as well! Check it out! www.erincondren.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
