**it's been awhile**

...since i saw you. how ya' been? i don't check in that often since there isn't much going on here at the ponce home. we tend to be a boring bunch. wrestling is over so cj is home a lot more which means we have more teenage boys around. that's always entertaining.

cj got a car. he will be taking his driving test in 2 months so he is driving his own car to practice on since that will be the one he will drive for the test. his car is a 2003 Dodge Neon. it's bottom basement for sure. manual windows and locks. i don't remember the last time i have been in a car where you had to 'roll' down the windows. it's very clean and no dent with pretty low mileage. i think all in all we got a good deal. he is thrilled so that is good.

bailey takes a "Health Occupations" class this semester. each student spends 2 days shadowing a medical professional at 3 different locations. she spent her first 2 days in the women's center where women give birth. the man she was following asked her if she had ever seen a live birth and she of course said no. she wasn't supposed to go into something like that but he pulled her into a room where a woman was just giving birth. she got to see the whole thing. what an amazing thing for her. when she got home and told me i asked her what she thought she said "i have a whole new level of respect for you". cracked me up. love that girl. her second 2 days were at a rehabilitation center and her last 2 at an urgent care center. i think it was a great experience for her.

we are getting her ready for her senior prom. she found an amazing dress and phenomenal shoes. they are half a size too small. boo. she is getting her hair done in an up-do by my friend Missy. her date, Derrick, is a really nice guy. he works a Safeway and we talk to him all of the time. i am anxious to see what he is wearing. i sure hope i get good pictures.

cj ended up having a rock concert to go to the same day as the prom. it was a struggle to find a way to get him there since there was no way i was going to miss getting her ready. plus, all of her friends are getting ready here as well. we worked out a ride for Cj and his friend Paul to get to Portland for the concert. whew.

as usual, i found some amazing pictures that i want to share with you. this man draws pictures of animals on his hands. they look amazing. what talent.













































i thought i would post this picture in tribute to my best friend Danea. she is going to have her second baby boy on monday, april 13th. i know she is very uncomfortable at this stage of her pregnancy but this picture shows how amazing this late in the game it can be.






















and since i love animals here are a few to make you smile.


















well, that's all i got for now. have a very blessed and happy easter.

















peace.

**this just makes me happy**

every year for the past 40 years Mr. & Mrs. Volke from East Germany have taken the time and effort to create and display this in their garden....

just because.

one of the blogs i have been reading lately is em*il*ie

she is a very talented scrapper, artist, and mother who is very funny and warm. i am really loving her blog. i have to share part of her post from a few days ago. with bailey graduating and cj about to get his driver's license it was nice to be reminded of what it was like some days when they were little kids. here is an excerpt from that post:

Holy Embarrassment, Batman!

So, we live on the third floor and we have a small balcony.

Once in a while I let my kids play out there when I can watch them.
But it came to my attention yesterday that clearly, I don't watch them as closely as I should.


I received a formal letter from our apartment manager saying that they had had complaints from a few tenants that our kids had thrown some items off of the edge of the balcony. She said she was holding my items in the office and I should come and pick them up.


I was kind of steamed. I was thinking, "C'mon people! So my kids threw a straw or a small toy off the balcony. Let it go!" So I head to the office to give a fake apology and pick up the items she mentioned. And, oh man...my fake apology turned real.


Here are the items my children tossed from three stories up...


- four mis-matched shoes
- one African maraca
- one Napolean Dynamite DVD
- one empty vhs case
- one Disney Princess pillow
- two pieces from our Play-Doh fun factory
- one Halloween board book
- one toddler plate shaped like a Hippo
- one LDS Temple shaped cookie cutter
- one spool white thread


And all of this added up to one embarrassed Mommy....me.

things here at home are just fine. we finally got wireless internet which makes bailey happy because she can use her laptop in her room, makes cj happy because his iTouch is way much cooler now, and makes me extremely happy because i am now rid of the unsightly black patch cable that was running from the modem in our office down the hall to cj's room for his xbox 360 live. funny how i got the least out of it but feel like i got the most if you know what i mean. ooops...my ocd is showing.

it's so nice to have some sunshine. i hope we start having more sunny days than raining, overcast days now. that does mean that i get to start the post-winter clean up. yay.

well, i have to go check my facebook. which explains my reason for such neglect here. i guess i don't multi-task very well.

peace.

**can you imagine??**

the first day of spring break. i remember what it felt like when i was in school. i wonder if it still feels that way? it's 11:00am and bailey has been up for about half an hour and i just heard cj walk from his room into the shower. i guess that's about right for teenagers. i hope they have a great week.

peace.

**ha ha ha**

**they're back!!**

i always wanted one of these. i told cj i was going to buy one and he looked at me like i was crazy. i guess i probably am. don't tell me he wouldn't try it out though.















isn't he cute!?!

i was reading ali edward's blog and ran across this etsy site, lettergirl. her self-inking stamps are amazing. she has the best handwriting.






















i just might get myself this one for my birthday.

i have been spending a lot of time on facebook and one of my facebook friends posted this on her profile. since not everyone can see it i thought i would post it here. i LOVE it. i remember so much of what he is talking about. funny how the times have changed.



hope you all have a great weekend.

peace.

**most definately**

Life was so much easier
when clothes didn't match
and boys had cooties.

peace.

**a little redneck**

i swiped this picture from my daughter's friend's blog. i love it! thanks becky!
















my computer has been so tied up with viruses lately that i have just been wanting to throw it out the window! i have to shut it down and restart it every 20 minutes. i am so scared that i will lose all my pictures, recipes, and links to my favorite sites. so......i got a new PC!! woot woot! i just need to make sure the virus isn't somehow in my picture files and then get them transfered off this old one and onto the new one and i am good to go. yay!! wish me luck.

peace.

**to make Missy laugh out loud**

i sacrificed myself and my blog for you Missy so you better be laughing your ass off girlie!!

**even at my age**

i joined a rock band. just because Miss M! told me to so it's her fault if we suck.

Here are the rules:

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations" by clicking: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.


Here is mine.

Canada Warbler
In Spite of Being Unacceptable














peace.

**if you were a little girl**

I found this list on the blog of a friend of Karen Russell. I also found the 80's one below. They are amazing. I am going to highlight the ones that apply to me. Let me know if you can relate.


If you were a little girl in the 70's...

You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked.

You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.
















You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels.

You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)

You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island .

You had either a 'bowl cut' or 'pixie', not to mention the 'Dorothy Hamill'. People sometimes thought you were a boy.

You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.

YEAH! You owned a 'Slip-n-Slide', on which you injured yourself on a sprinkler head more than once.

You owned 'Klick-Klacks' and smacked yourself in the face more than once!

Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.

You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.

You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.





















You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits, or the sunshine family

You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.

You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (Oh yeah!)

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). You also had a pair of salt-water sandals.

You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Oleson!

You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink! ---- yes it was!

PONG! ('video tennis' ) was the most remarkable futuristic game you've ever heard of !

Your hairstyle was described as having 'wings' or 'feathers' and you kept it 'pretty' with the comb you kept in your back pocket. When you walked, the 'wings' flapped up and down, looked like you were gonna 'take off' .

You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.
















You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. With the thermos inside some were glass inside and broke the first time you dropped them.

You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.

YOU had Star Wars action figures, too!

It was a big event in your household each year when the 'Wizard of Oz' would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags!

You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: 'Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or David Cassidy?'





















You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album.

You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom.

You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!

You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.

You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.

You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books. (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.)

You thought Olivia Newton John's song 'Physical' was about aerobics. (?? its not??)

You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbowdesigns.

You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.

You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first 'real' perfume you ever owned.













You glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip-gloss till it almost dripped off.




And in the 80's:

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton.
3. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom.




















4. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock".
5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
9. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House).
10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
11. You know the profound meaning of " WAX ON , WAX OFF".





















12. You wanted to be a Goonie.
13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe).
14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.
17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
18. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
















22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"
23. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
25. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
29. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
30. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
31. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
32. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
33. You just sang those words to yourself.
34. You still sing "We are the World"
35. You tight rolled your jeans.
36. You owned a bannana clip.















37. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
38. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'boutWillis?"
39. You're still singing "shot through the heart" in your head, aren't you!


peace.

**celebrity crush for kambria**

Matthew Gray Gubler

Biography

Matthew Gray Gubler can be seen in the upcoming feature films "How to be a Serial Killer," "The Great Buck Howard" and "Pornstar." His other film credits include "R.V." and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou."

As a model, Gubler has walked the runway for such fashion designers as Marc Jacobs, Burberry and Louis Vuitton. He was featured in Paper Magazine's 8th annual Beautiful People issue.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, he lives in Los Angeles. His birth date is March 9.



















































...and he plays a nerd on TV and i love that. and this other guy might be the second reason i watch Criminal Minds.
















peace.

**tmi**

Another survey that requires one word answers, found on Miss M!'s blog.

1. Where is your cell phone? desk

2. Your significant other? divorced

3. Your hair? short

4. Your mother? amazing

5. Your father? strong

6. Your favorite thing? motherhood

7. Your dream last night? none

8. Your favorite drink? dietpepsi

9. Your dream/goal? security

10. What room you are in? office

11. Your hobby? scrapbooking

12. Your fear? water

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy

14. Where were you last night? store

16. Muffins? bran

17. Wish list item? computer

18. Where you grew up: albany

19. Last thing you did? facebook

20. What are you wearing? jammies

21. Your TV? tivo

22. Your pets? pugs

23. Friends? Good

24. Your life? different

25. Your mood? pissy

26. Missing some one? grandma

27. Car? 300

28. Something you're not wearing? earrings

29. Your favorite store? kitchen

30. Your favorite color? red

33. When is the last time you laughed? midnight

34. Last time you cried? yesterday

35. Who will repost this? dunno

36. One place that I go to over and over? Safeway

37. One person who emails me regularly? AllRecipes

38. My favorite place to eat? dunno

39. Why you participated in this survey? curious

40. What are you doing tonight? studying



peace.

**can't stop laughing""

found this web-site from a post on the Pioneer Woman's site. i can't wait to show it to the kids when they get home.


see more pwn and owned pictures


FAIL SITE

**the lady on the bench**

this post from a blog that i visit really had me cracking up this morning. i guess i woke up on the dorky side of the bed.

the junk drawer


peace.

**to quote a few**

"i die"
check out this etsy seller! a girl's room would rock this!
madteaparty


i'm gathering that a dear friend might need this:















and because weight seems to be on everyone's mind:



















peace.

**shit i'm old**

found this on another blog (http://kasm.blogspot.com/).


Was MTV your Disney Channel?
Answer these questions to find out:

If a 3-D drawn hand beckoned to you from the comic book you were reading, would you follow it into the comic book?

Would you be amenable to a make-over by the ZZ Top girls?

Do you love, hate, or want to be Martha Quinn?

Who's more down home, John Cougar or Bruce Springsteen?

Who would win in a fight, John Cougar or Spandeau Ballet? (hahahahah, just joking.)

Who would you be more afraid to date in 1980, Michael Jackson or David Lee Roth? How about in 2008?

Who should teach your 6th grade Maturation program, Tawny Kitaen or Boy George? (Tawny would have more facts but Boy George would probably be more tactful).

What cautionary tale encourages chastity? Angel is the Centerfold, Billie Jean, or Jack and Diane?

Who wore high wasted pegged cargo pants better: Simon Le Bon or Sting?

Who is more suicidal: Robert Smith of The Cure or Morrisey?

Whose headbands are flashier: Olivia Newton John's or Clarence Clemons' of the E Street Band?

Who is more exquisite, Janet or Michael Jackson?

Which video best describes your academic experiences: Hot for Teacher or Don't Stand So Close to Me?

Who do you want on your team, Siouxsie or Sinead? (Trick question--the correct answer is Blondie.)

Who would you restore to their 80s prime: Whitney Houston or Michael Jackson?


reading some of these names sent me over to youTube to watch videos. we've come a long way for sure. does MTv show actual videos anymore?? here's a blast from the past. still one of my fave's.

**to finish off the week**

this christmas turned out to be a quiet one for sure. definately an adjustment. i guess that was to be expected. it was nice though. cj got his itouch that he has been bugging me about for months. now i don't have to listen to that. bailey got one of the new ipods in a cool blue color. of course books, dvds, and itune cards rounded out the rest.

i got this:













and this:


















dear sweet anne made me the most amazing painting. i can't express how special this is to me. it is one of THE most thoughtful gifts i have ever received.


















the poem reads:
...in this home
we do second chances.
we disagree.
we do mistakes.
we do "i'm sorry's".
we do loud...really well.
we do hugs.
we do family.
we do
LOVE

i am going to have it framed in black and hang it in my living room. it's the perfect colors and the perfect fit for our family. it couldn't be said any better.

xmas at my mom's was nice.








































i finally got all of my xmas decorations down, packed awesomely, and stored in the garage. i was kind of sad to see a few of them put away. silly.

we organized the garage to make room for the tables and chairs that i held onto from the shop. my dad had been storing them in his garage/workshop but he was needing the room so he brought them over. plus we are moving cj's weight bench to the garage from his room. he really doesn't have enough room for it in there and his grandma bought new furniture and gave him a great black leather recliner so he is going to put that in there. what a chair for gaming!

mom helped me get all of the new bedding on my bed since i switched from a king to a queen bed. it took a little bit since she insisted that the bedskirt needed to be ironed. why?? i would have just put it on there. hmmm. my brother-in-law came over and hung my tv on the wall in there and that cleared up some space on the top of my dresser. so now my room is finished.

bailey got new bedding for her room for christmas. we got all of that put on and it looks great. we took her room from young-teen to a little bit of an older look. i like it a lot better. it's very pretty and matches her paint colors so well.

we made a huge run to Goodwill. you should have seen the line of cars there making donations! apparently there must be a lot of people getting organized for the new year. it is a great feeling.

so it was definately a productive day yesterday and it kicked my ass but it's nice to have those things done. for the bazillionth time i will say that i still need to get my scraproom cleaned up. i have grand plans and they never get finished. it's so frustrating but i guess there is always tomorrow for that. =) hee hee

so to start the week out laughing here is some fun:

**love this song**

and could she be any cuter??




saw this on lindsay teague moreno's blog and had to share.


peace.

**love it!!**

**poor thing**