Happy Birthday Tasha!

Today is Tasha's 5th birthday. It's hard to believe she is ready to start school. It was just yesterday that Helena and I were rushing to get to the hospital in time for her arrival. We were thankful that she was born today instead of April 1st. We were afraid that no one would believe us if she was born on April fools day. We were only at the hospital 45 minutes when Tasha decided to make her entrance. When we called Momo to bring Kyra down to meet her sister, Momo thought we were kidding because we had just left the house. This morning, Tasha woke up at 6:30am. I'm sure it had something to do with the Harry Potter tradition we have started that the kids wake up in the morning of their birthday with their presents at the foot of their bed. Tasha got to take treats in for her class in honor of her birthday. All of her classmates will get to sing Happy Birthday to her. Today, after preschool, Helena is taking her to the zoo with some friends. She will have a lot of fun there. Tonight, when I get home, I will be sure to sing Happy Birthday to her as many times as I can. 20? 30 times? Maybe! It will drive her nuts but it is another tradition we started.

This is a picture of her actually eating at Wendy's. This has nothing to do with her birthday, but this is proof that she was eating a hamburger.

This is Tasha on our first date earlier this year. Kyra and Helena had something to do that night, so Tasha ans I went on a date. We rode the Carousal at Arizona Mills, had dinner, got ice cream along the way, and walked around the mall. We only stopped at the stored she wanted. We saw the alligator by the Rain Forest, but it was not working. When she was little, the alligator would scare her. Not today! There was an area of the mall that had those really lame riding toys. I tried to talk her out of riding them, but since it was a date, I let her ride. After she had ridden on one, she agreed that they were not as fun as the Carousal. Her favorite stores were the toy store, where I believe she got a Dora the Explorer fishing pole (of all the things!), and the pet store. It was a fun time!

This is Tasha holding up some of her birthday presents this morning. Sorry for the blurry photos, but camera phones can only do so much. She was so excited and so sweet about it we didn't even mind that it was 6:30 in the morning!

This is Tasha with her new baseball mitt. I can't believe she is 5 and didn't have one yet. Mom picked it out (pink and black) and it came with a baseball (pink and white). Its pretty cute. Now we all will be able to play catch. This is good because Kyra is getting ready to start playing softball and mom and dad are already playing on a team. Now Tasha can be a part of it as well! Once she practices, she can play catch with her friend Justin, who was bummed that she couldn't catch or throw. Look out Justin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TASHA !!!!!!!!!

HIGH SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2007

Scenario 1: Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.

1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged them with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3: Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.

1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The school gets extra money from the state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.

2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock

2007 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6: Pedro fails high school English.

1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.

2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English

. Scenario 7: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.

1957 - Ants die.

2007 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents -- and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. She hugs him to comfort him.

1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2007 - His teacher is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Tonight's Suns Game

For some reason, we are receiving bonus channels on cable. I'm not complaining, this just means we are receiving FSN. This means I get to see the Suns play tonight! So here are some random thoughts about the game.

Things I liked:

The crowd

They were really the 6th player!

Louis Amundson

This guy might be the real deal. In the third quarter, he was everywhere!

Matt Barnes

He had a break away basket and he wisely laid it up instead of trying to dunk it.

Goran Dragic

The back up point guard showed signs of why he was a first round draft pick. He handles the ball well and his outside shot ca be deadly. From here, he will only get better.

Grant Hill

This guy is the best player the Suns have right now. He is the oldest guy on the team but out hustles everybody. He is still very quick. It is fun to watch him play. 26 points tonight and, oh yea, he got the winning rebound.

Big Daddy, Shaquille O'neil

He is still one of the best big men in the game. Get the ball to him down low, and he scores. If he gets fouled, he makes more than he misses. In the last two games, 10 for 13. I saw him finish a fast break tonight. He FINISHED it !!

My wife, Helena

It's fun to listen to her read to herself. Yes, to herself. Not out loud. The cute little laughs and giggles she gives off when she is enjoying her twitter (twitter, twilight, whatever!) series books. Even when she stops me from watching the game so she can read to me a particularly humorous part.

The Suns Dancers

Enough said.

Things I didn't like:

Jason Richardson

He got the ball down low in the fourth quarter and instead of just laying in in or dunking it, he has to do a fancy reverse double pump dunk. Why?

Matt Barnes

He had an easy basket in the critical fourth quarter and chose to power dunk it. Guess what? He missed. The Jazz got the rebound, went down and scored. That is a 4 point turn around.

Matt Barnes

He has too many tattoos. They are hard to look at. Especially the one on his neck. I don't know why it bothers me. But it does. I need to let it go.

The Refs

With 8 minutes to go in the game, the team fouls are lopsided. Now, we all know that a foul could be called on every play. Team fouls at this point: Suns have 5; Jazz have...wait for it...0! And we are the home team

The Big Cactus, Shaquille O'neil

Why does he have to stare at his left hand after every time he dunks the ball. Yes, your good, you know it, we know it. Stop showboating. It's bad for the game.

The Announcers

Yes they are the Suns announcers. But they still should sound intelligent. Sometimes they say pretty stupid stuff. I get that the Suns have to play hard because they need to win to make the playoffs. But honestly, they play hard every night. The announcers kept saying it felt like playoff basketball. It's not. Not even close.

Jerry Sloan, Jazz coach

This guy makes $5.5 million a year and can't buy a decent tie. Not only is it tied weird (the knot was too loose and it was too low), it is way too ugly to wear.

My wife, Helena

She doesn't let me talk to her when she is reading. Plus, she doesn't let me talk when I watch the Suns ( yea I know, most of what I say is non-repeatable).

Last but not least...

The Dallas Mavericks

We need them to lose and they beat the Warriors. Worse luck next time!

By the way, Suns 118, Jazz 114. Go Suns !!!

Oh, If only we lived in 1955..

Comments made in 1955:

'I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.'

'Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2,000.00 will only buy a used one.'

'If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous.'

'Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?'

'If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.'

'When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.'

'Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls.'

'I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either HELL of DAMN in it.'

'I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas ...'

'Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President.'

'I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.'

'It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.'

'It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.'

'Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more, those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat.'

'I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.'

'Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress.'

'The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.'

'There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.'

'No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day in the hospital it's too rich for my blood.'

'If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.'

Times are changing!

Dr. Phil's Test...

Below is Dr. Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55, he did this test on Oprah and she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out! Read on, this is very interesting! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes a few minutes. Take this test and on the comments leave your score to share. Answers are for who you are now and not who you were in the past.. Have pen or pencil and paper ready. This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

Ready?

1. When do you feel your best...

A) in the morning

B) during the afternoon and early evening

C) late at night

2. You usually walk...

A) fairly fast, with long steps

B) fairly fast, with little steps

C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face

D) less fast, head down

E) very slowly

3. When talking to people you...

A) stand with your arms folded

B) have your hands clasped

C) have one or both your hands on your hips

D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking

E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with...

A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side

B) your legs crossed

C) your legs stretched out or straight

D) one leg curled under you

5.. When something really amuses you, you react with...

A) big appreciated laugh

B) a laugh, but not a loud one

C) a quiet chuckle

D) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...

A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you

B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know

C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...

A) welcome the break

B) feel extremely irritated

C) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most....

A) Red or orange

B) black

C) yellow or light blue

D) green

E) dark blue or purple

F) white

G) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are.....

A) ;stretched out on your back

B) stretched out face down on your stomach

C) on your side, slightly curled

D) with your head on one arm

E) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...

A) falling

B) fighting or struggling

C) searching for something or somebody

D) flying or floating

E) you usually have dreamless sleep

F) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

2.. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6

4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

5.... (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

6.. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1

10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINT:Others see you as someone they should "handle with care". You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it.. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.

Now that your done, don't forget to share...on the comments leave your score.

Happy St. Patric's Day

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps. Children wear orange, white and green badges, and women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair.

Many cities have a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Dublin, the capital of Ireland, has a huge St. Patrick’s Day festival from March 15-19, that features a parade, family carnivals, treasure hunt, dance, theatre and more. In North American, parades are often held on the Sunday before March 17. Some paint the yellow street lines green for the day! In Chicago, the Chicago River is dyed green with a special dye that only lasts a few hours. There has been a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston, Massachusetts since 1737. Montreal is home to Canada’s longest running St. Patrick’s Day parade, which began in 1824.

St. Patrick was born in 385 AD somewhere along the west coast of Britain, possibly in the Welsh town of Banwen. At age 16, he was captured and sold into slavery to a sheep farmer. He escaped when he was 22 and spent the next 12 years in a monastery. In his 30s he returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. He died at Saul in 461 AD and is buried at Downpatrick.

The Irish flag is green, white and orange. The green symbolizes the people of the south, and orange, the people of the north. White represents the peace that brings them together as a nation.

The name “lephrechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which means “shoemaker.”

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14!

One estimate suggests that there are about 10 000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.

Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM !

Things I didn't like about the Suns game...

I got a fairly rare treat tonight. I got to watch the Suns on TV. In order for this to happen, they have to be on, local TV, the family must be asleep, and nothing better can be on (the Suns are having a tough year). I joined this game in the third quarter. The Suns had scored 120 points! In only 3 quarters! They have always been able to score, tonight they were on fire. OK, I liked that part. But they had given up 100, another big number. Not so good. Anyway, the things I didn't like:

Jason Richardson and his showboat dunks. Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, arguably the best team in the NBA, with the best player in the NBA, Richardson, with his team losing late in the game, gets a break away steal. The basket, if made, ties the game. So, with all that in mind, does he lay in in for the bucket? No. Does he go up and dunk it simply? No. He decides to do a 360 degree spin before he dunks, so he can make the ESPN highlights. What happens is Lebron James catches him before he can dunk it, and blocks it. The Cavs then go down, score on their possession, gets fouled, and makes the free throw. A 5 point swing. Oh, the Suns go on to never regain momentum, and lose. Tonight, with his team up by 20 points, he gets a pass from Steve Nash, all by himself, and rather than just lay it in, like a decent player whose team is up big, he gets the ball, does a double clutch reverse dunk. Really? Do you really have to show off and make the other team look that much worse? Bad Form from a talented, but classless player. It just makes the game look bad.

Stephen Jackson. He plays for the Suns opponent tonight, the Golden State Warriors. When they signed him to a contract, his reputation was that he was volatile. In the third quarter, he was assessed with his second technical foul of the game for arguing a call. That got him kicked out of the game. So, now, one of your better players can no longer play in the game. There goes any chance for a comeback. But, this technical foul was his 16th of the season. Now he also gets suspended the next game as well. Not to mention the fines he will have to pay. But that really isn't a deterrent with the money they all make. Of course he doesn't just leave, he continues to yell and scream. Just makes him look classless. Not to mention the other technical fouls he has received. This is another reason not to watch.

Don Nelson. He is the coach of the Warriors. About 2 minutes after his player got ejected, he does the same thing. What a joke! He looked stupid yelling at the refs. With his experience, he should know better. Was he trying to motivate his players? Well, if he was, and that hardly ever works, it didn't work tonight. The Suns went on a 26-4 scoring run, eliminated any chance for the Warriors. Thanks for the support coach!

These guys are in the limelight, like it or not. They really need to act like the professionals they are supposed to be. This is why kids who play ball today, act so poorly. The are just emulating their idols. It's pretty sad, because this game is repeated in most games. Oh, by the way, Suns won. 154-130. Too bad it was so sad to watch!

Reason # 4 to own a Lab...

Works as a pillow without complaining...

Don't look now Joe !

The Obama administration is looking at whether Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration sweeps violate federal civil rights laws.

The U.S. Justice Department notified Arpaio of the investigation in a letter saying his enforcement methods may unfairly target Hispanics and Spanish-speaking people.

Arpaio previously said he welcomed an investigation by new U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The sheriff says he enforces the law fairly.

Why God Made Mom's

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house

3. To help us out when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?

1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Lik e is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and Y ES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot m ore to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.

3 I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.