El luchadores no es bueno... :(

Another Friday night in Amarillo and another oportunity to watch me some wresteling. I heard some of the kids at school talking about the underground WW(whatever) scene. I decided to check it out even if that meant on my own. The venue for this wrestling happens to be right around the corner from where we live so tonight I waited until Jeremy got home. Tucked the kidos in bed and prepared myself for an adventure. In my mind to make this a sucess and worth my time I had to see a few things:

1. masks

2. stretchy pants

3. capes

and to make it extra special I wanted to see:

1. a little person

2. some sort of hairy dog/man

3. a vendor selling some nice hot corn on the cob

As a deprived gringo my only exposure to this sort of cultural experience was of course Nacho Libre. I looked through my closet to find my best wrestling outfit and finally settled on a hoodie sweatshirt and jeans. I was definitely NOT going to wear any jewelry or freshen up the deodorant (I didn't' want to stick out like a sore thumb). I was ready and I was pumped!! This is a picture of me "pumped" I do NOT have a lazy eye and that would be the "rock on" sign not the "by jove I've got it" hand shape the pinkie is just a little hidden there.

I get there and the lady at the front door tells me it is going to cost me eleven bucks. I was kind of shocked at the pricey entry fee but my people were all expecting pictures so I handed her a twenty and what happens next is still a little confusing to me. She hands me back a five and a one and apologized that she is out of ones. I look at her like this isn't going to cut it and then she says wait a sec takes the change back from me and then hands me a ten and a five. I still didn't get it then she explains to me, "I don't have enough ones so next time you come I will have to get it to you." I was very confused. Perhaps she meant eleven pesos and I totally over paid her. I was in and there were already a couple of guys in the ring fighting. As I walked over toward the crowd and action I was hit by a total funk of cigarettes, beer and a generic bad hygiene smell. Pretty gross but I was glad I choose the no touch up on the deodorant. FUNKY!! The second thing that shocked me was exactly who the wrestling fans were. Apparently wrestling bridges all race, age, mental capacity, and economic gaps. There seemed to be a representative from all paths of life. Grandparents with their small grand kids. Random children running around unattended, very preppy looking college kids, middle aged clean cut "we just finished dinner at the Outback" kind of people mixed in with what I am sure was the homeless community of Amarillo. When I checked out the action in the ring I was totally disappointed, it was a couple of gross white 20 somethings without a mask in sight. "This isn't what I just paid to see!" I don't know what I was expecting but it was all totally fake too. Fake hits to the face and body while the hitter slapped his own leg really hard and loud. Throw in some basic tumble moves and you too can be a "semi-professional wrestler". The sillier you make your "I'm in pain" face the more the crowd eats it up. It was so loud and if your guy gets hurt you boo and hiss at his opponent. People had signs and shirts made up it was a little like a white trash version of American Idol. At this point I was mostly enjoying the fabulous people watching. I had my camera out and I was snapping pictures left and right. I was a little nervous that someone would ask me why I wasn't taking any pictures of the fighters so in my mind I had a cover story already about writing an article for some "online magazine".

After the first fight was over one of the crowd favorites stood in the ring and offered to take pictures with people for five dollars. I loved how the parents, who just seconds earlier were cussing, and flipping off the wrestlers were now throwing their young children up on to the ring to have this sweaty greasy guy hold their baby for a Polaroid souvenir of the evening. CLASSY!! I try not to be judgemental of other's parenting techniques but come on. After the photo session was over the announcer (this is the guy with the suit and microphone for all of you newbies at wrestling) yells out, "I have good news and great news!" The good news was that the main event was about to start and "El Grande" was in the house, the great news was that he had two bags of candy for all the kiddos in the audience. I was a little surprised that even the announcer thought the candy was the more exciting of the two pieces of news. This is when all the little unattended children had to fight off the homeless community for all the free candy as it was thrown into the audience. After the candy was cleared off the floor the lights all started to dim and some fantastic mariachi music started to blare. I knew I was getting what I came for as they announced the next two fighters El Grande verses El Gringo. My mental list came back to me as the guys walked to the ring. Masks CHECK, stretchy pants CHECK, capes... well two out of three ain't bad. I took some pictures of the main event and their eclectic fans but just couldn't stick it out to see the finish. The smells, language and atmosphere was just getting to me. I got what I came for and I had enough to make my report.

It was seriously hilarious but honestly the funniest parts were all of the people as shocking as it is to see big masked, greasy guys in spandex "fighting" each other it was much more shocking to see these parents and what goes on just around the corner from my house. I would say that the pictures and description of the evening should be enough to satisfy most of you.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

I have been called out several times by several different people about not updating lately so I guess I will let you all know how we celebrated the late great MLK Jr. I was off work today however all of the teachers had to use today as an in service day. Jake and Riley's school had parent teacher conferences and I was able to visit with both of their teachers this morning. I got wonderful reports on both of them. Let me just stop right here and tell you we live in a very colorful, interesting neighborhood. I often tell people that if they truly want a spooky Halloween they ought to trick or treat in my hood. That being said I was able to meet the mother of one of Jake's friends. She seems very nice and to be a very involved mom (something you can't say about too many mothers at this school). Her name is Pepsi (no she isn't black). I think Pepsi and I are going to try and get the boys together someday. I just love saying her name I smile every time I say it. After I visited with Pepsi (snicker snicker) I hurried home so Jeremy could get to work. The rest of the day we decided to remember the great civil rights leader by watching one of our most favorite movies ever Hairspray (the new version) we LOVE this movie and can sing and dance to every song (when I say "we" I mean the kids and I, Jeremy isn't such a fan). This movie of course takes place during the civil rights movement and although it might not be the most accurate films on the subject you really can't beat the soundtrack. We did a little dancing and singing and then got the house in order and caught up on the laundry. We were suppose to take Jake into his dermatologist for a UV treatment however when we got out to the van it wouldn't start. I guess a door was left open or a light was left on what ever the problem was I needed someone to give us a jump start. I look around the neighborhood (ghettohood) to see if I recognized any one's car so I could ask for some help. I didn't so we were stuck. I had taped some MLK program off of the History channel so I had the kids watched that while I started dinner. No giggles but I did make some mac and cheese for the kids to eat (this was not a planned part of MLK day we just enjoy mac and cheese) the kids also each wanted a jell-o cup from the fridge so the girls all chose a flavor and then Jake looked down at the options and said, "I want to pick BLACK cherry because it's Martin Luther King Jr. day." I thought that was kinda funny. We ended the day out with chocolate cream pie (once again the color of the pie was not intentional part of our celebrations we happened to find it on the "day old shelf" at the grocery store for 40% off) and we talked about what MLK did and what his dream was for our FHE. The kids all went around the table and said how they could help make the dream of everyone being kind and loving one another possible. Riley thought that she could share crackers with Tanashia, a girl in her class.

Well I updated for everyone so no more gripping out there from anyone. This is the boring mundane stuff you have all been missing from my updates I am sure you are all thinking maybe I should wait and update when I have something more interesting to say. Sorry no pictures I didn't think it was really interesting enough to warrant documentation so just use your imagination.

*** I just thought of something else that I need to post. You all remember my girl's night out drag show incident I hope. Well I have discovered (much to my joy) that Amarillo has a very active La Luchadore (Nacho Libre style) wrestling. We are talking masks, capes spandex the whole nine yards. I of course started calling my girls to see who was up for another adventure they were all in so we went a couple of Fridays ago and somehow missed it. The thing starts at 8 and ends promptly at 10 (who knew it would be so punctual?) We got there at about 10:30 and saw the aftermath. Let's just say we will not make the same mistake twice. We will try this again and by golly we will be there on time. Pictures will be posted. Love ya guys!!!***

Guess where I'm headed?...

I am off to San Antonio to visit Emily and her family for little Ellie's blessing day. I will also be able to see my mom and dad, Sarah and her two boys, my aunt Laura, and some of Emily's in-laws. I am so excited that I will be able to meet my newest niece and my newest nephew for the first time. I can't wait to see them both in person. It is going to be a blast!!

I hope everyone had a fabulous (I have been to a drag show so I feel like I can pull off "fabulous") Thanksgiving. We sure had fun with Jeremy's family in Albuquerque. Amanda and David were wonderful hosts and it was a real pleasure getting to know David's parents. I need to finish my packing before my ride gets here. I will report later about my wonderful long weekend with everyone.

new blog format

I changed up my blog look because I hated the old format. The only problem is that in order to get all my links to the side I had to start fresh and retype them all in (you all know I have computer issues). I hope I have not forgotten any of my blogger friends who were on my old list. If I have please leave a comment I did not intend to leave you out. Along that same note I can't seem to find your blog Brooke Thomas. I typed in what I thought the address was but it wasn't right. Please email me your blog link or just leave it in a message here. Thanks guys!!

Happy Birthday Morgan

I can't believe my baby is one today. It went so fast but at the same time I almost can't remember our life without her. Morgan was born on November 17th, 2006. She was born with a serious case of jaundice and had to stay a little longer at the hospital then normal. The nurses all fell in love with Morgan because even though she had to lay on a light bed with her little eye covers on for hours at a time she never fussed a bit. She has the most peaceful spirit about her and was the perfect addition to our family. I love everything about Morgan but some of my favorite things are her funny little looks that she gives to us when she is about to touch something that is a "no-no". She puts her hand out and then looks over to Jeremy or I and waits for us to say, "no no Morgan that's danger." Then she smiles and moves back to her toys. It's a little game that she loves to play all the time. I also love how she mimics sounds. We just just go back and forth taking turns making a sound then the other repeats it. Lastly she gives the best baby kisses in the whole world because they just seem so genuine. She doesn't give them on demand but when she initializes that kiss you know that she is telling you she loves you. Happy birthday to my little angel. I love you so much Morgan!

girls night out

Well it looks like girls night out was the most popular choice and I don't blame you for picking it. What a crazy night we had. Last Saturday I agreed to host one of the really parties that I mentioned before I hate to attend. My work bff started selling for a jewlery company called Lia Sophia and asked if I would host a party. I didn't feel like I could guarantee many sells but I agreed to co-host with another girl from work thinking between the two of us it might be more successful. The party was actually not bad at all. It turned out to be fun actually. The ladies all seemed to have a fun time and a few bought so it was a win win. Two of my closest friends from church agreed to go if we could leave the party and have one of our girls night outs. There are three of us who have been going out semi regularly for a couple of years now and a couple other girls that come on occasion. We love to go out and just talk over our drinks and when I say drinks I mean of course diet Coke for me and Dr. Pepper for Danielle and Torrie seems to mix it up a little she is a little unpredictable. Some times Coke, sometimes a diet, and on occasion she has a water night. We left the party and sat in Torrie's very pimp new SUV (I am horrible at cars I couldn't tell you what kind but it is VERY nice). We started talking options of places we could go on a Saturday night. We thought about movies but none of us could even name a movie that is out right now. Finally we all agreed we could eat and then there was the whole restaurant discussion (you need to know that EVERY time with out fail that we have gone out at night we have gone to TGI Fridays). We are total creatures of habit we feel comfortable with the menu we know the people who work there it is always where we decide to go but we always take like 15 min  to get to that decision. So after the obligatory 15 minutes of, "we could go here" and "we could go there" we ended up at Friday's parked in our regular spot walking in and greeting our regular hostess Samantha. We sat at our regular table and started chatting about kids, husbands (nothing but good stuff Jeremy), jobs, family. It is always fun to catch each other up on our lives. We had to send our poor waitress (who I might add was new to us we had never had her before) away like 4 times before we were ready to pretty much order the usual. We go out as a group probably every 4-8 weeks depending on what is going on in our lives. We love to draw the whole thing out and really take advantage of the no kids thing. After eating our yummy food and chatting for about 1 1/2 hours we started saying how we weren't ready to go home yet. It was about 10 pm and even though we had church in the morning it had been a very long time since our last GNO. We had no idea what to do for fun in Amarillo TX at 10 pm at night for LDS 30+ year old moms. We started trying to think if there were any bars with live music we could go to and hang out but I had to complain that I don't want to go home smelling like smoke because I really didn't plan on showering the next day.

 

This next part is an explanation of my previous statement. Feel free to skip the next paragraph it does not have anything to do with my GNO story.

 

I know this is probably TMI but I HATE to shower. Is that weird? I love to be clean but I hate to do my hair again. I kind of have a math equation all worked out on my showers, basically if I took a shower after 12 noon and I didn't wear make up that day I don't have to shower the next day. If I shower in the evening (after 4 pm) and then put on make up as long as I don't smell like a restaurant, smoke, or anything else funky I consider myself good the next day with a refresh on the deodorant and freshening up the make up. I know I that is kind of gross but it's how I roll. I am sure everyone loves having a copy of my shower/math equation feel free to try it yourself, it pretty much works for me every time.

 

There was no way I was going to any place full of smoke because that would require a shower for me the next day and I just showered at like 5 that night. Danielle had this idea of trying out bingo. I asked if it was non smoking and she assured me that she thought there was a non smoking bingo hall in Amarillo. Torrie and I thought it could be kind of silly and fun so why not. We drove out to the bingo hall that was closest to us and as we pulled into the parking lot we noticed some very nice vehicles and even a couple of limos parked on one end of the old mall that is now an art center/bingo hall. None of us thought these cars drove people here to play bingo and if they were we started feeling a little under dressed. We saw a couple come out of the building dressed very nice so naturally we had to find out what was going on. We get in the building and we hear the 80's classic, "That's what friends are for" coming from some where. We started walking toward the music very curious as to what was going on. When we turned the corner we saw a huge banner with the words "Panhandle AIDS benefit" hung over two sets of heavy double wooden doors. There was also some huge ficus plants and balloons decorating the entry way. I went to the door and saw a police man there. Danielle asked if we had to pay to get in and the man said, "no it's late in the evening at this point you could just walk in if you want to".  We all look in at the same time and see lots of people dressed up sitting at nicely decorated round tables watching a show on a stage. The stage was set up so it had a very long runway and on that run way was a drag queen singing along to the Dionne Warwick classic. I think at this point I literally clapped my hands in excitement. We looked at each other and knew that everyone was game for a drag show. It was very crowded around the run way so it took awhile for us to find empty seats. We sat on the out skirts and looked at the program realizing we missed the first half of the show. At this point we wondered how often they have such events and how we could get on that mailing list. It was so much fun one act after another with the results of a beauty pageant half way through. I was so upset that none of us had a camera I did however have my cell phone which takes mediocre pictures so I asked a lovely little "beauty queen" to take a picture with me. She/He was very obliging and we took a picture together. I have to admit I did have some self conscious moments standing next to this guy. I am a tall woman and that night I choose to go with the full make up and wear boots. I was slightly taller then this man in heels and I started wondering if people thought I was a man. I decided that most tall women would feel a little concerned in my situation. The ironic part to me is that here in the "Bible belt" I was able to randomly run into a drag show where as in crazy wacky California the closest thing I ever got to a drag show was working at the GAP.

 

Jeremy is chomping on the bit to get to the computer and check his fantasy team so I will have to cut this all short (er... wind it down). So no one is confused this is were I stand on the topic of homosexuals. I do not try to "shun" gay people or judge them either. I know what they do is wrong but as people I am sort of drawn to them. I have no close friendships with gay people but Jeremy does work with a couple of gay men and I am not going to lie I love to chat with the younger one. He is so funny.... I know its wrong to label a whole group of people but come on like 80% of all gay men are soooo fun to chit chat with. They make me laugh. Now I have very different feeling about the gay ladies... not such a fan. Am I being a jerk? OK I need to stop before I get in trouble here. Just as a side note on our way out of the show the three of us ran into Jeremy's boss and his *cough* boyfriend... (the whole boyfriend thing is what sort of weirds me out on the gay thing) I know that probably doesn't make any sense does it? They were surprised to see me but I told them we had fun and asked them to keep me posted for the next show.

 

To sum it all up:

 

drag shows = fun

gay men = fun

what makes a man gay = not so fun

hmmmm....

I am feeling a little blogger overwhelmed at the moment. I have several posts that I could write about but I have the whole picture issue going on which really frustrates me and makes me want to throw in the old blog towel. So here is what I am going to do. I am running a little weekend blog contest to see if:

A. people actually read my blog
and
B. which topic is deemed most interesting by my family and friends

So here is how it is going to work. I will let you the loyal readers pick my next blog topic and I will promise to write up the post that you have chosen by Sunday night. Your choices are:

1. My last girls night out which ended with me at a drag show

2. I have been tagged again with 6 strange things about me (I just did something similar to this but believe me I can come up with 6 more).

3. My plans for a weight loss revolution that anyone is welcome to join me on

Ok start voting the topic that gets the most votes will be posted Sunday night.

Well I finally figured out away to post some pictures of the kids on Halloween. Have I mentioned how much I hate my computer sometimes? I hope everyone enjoys we really had a blast going with our Wizard of Oz theme. We trick or treated at a friend's neighbors house and they were sooooo tickled by the costumes (thanks mom you are awsome!!!) that they grabed their camera and took a picture of our troop. I hope everyone is doing good. I really wish I could post pictures without creating a Smilebox but until that happy day comes this will have to do:

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

Halloween 07

I really want to write up a cute post about Halloween for all of my peeps, however.... my stupid, annoying computer is doing what ever it does when it won't let me post pictures. I really don't think this post will work with out some visual aides so lets all hope that my computer likes me tomorrow. I am sure you are all on pins and needles in anticipation for my Halloween report hahahaha.

Well I am off to Walmart at 10 p.m. so that I can pick out three little prizes for my trick or treaters. They all gave up their obscene amount of candy (well not all of it, they each got to pick out their 10 most favorite pieces) so they could get a prize from "the candy fairy".

A NEW BABY!!!

Congratulations to my sister Sarah, her husband Sean and their son Ashton for the addition of their son and brother, Alva Reed Taylor. Alva was born early this morning around 2:30 with no major complications. True to the Reed genes Alva weighed in at a hefty 10 lbs. 2 oz. and 21 and a half inches. From what we hear he is adorable and I will try to post pictures when they get emailed to me. We can't wait to meet our newest nephew!!! My sister Emily is scheduled for an induction on Nov. 2 we are anxious to see how big her next one is. Her last little girl was over 10 lbs. and so her doctor has agreed to induce her about a week early. Any guesses out there on Ellie's weight? I am thinking over 10 but Jake is hoping for less then 10 lbs. 7 oz. because he is quite proud of his birth weight and hates to see it beat.

long time no blog...

I know it has been a while but I have a very good excuse for not blogging. My sinking computer has some sort of bug or virus or whatever it's called. I have had lots of things I have wanted to blog about but every time I try to post I get this old form of blogger that doesn't have all the nice features such as spell check (I really need spell check), font options, font color options and worst of all no way to post pictures. I sort of think blogs are less interesting with out pictures. Especially when written by someone who does not write well and is not very interesting to read (ME). I was aware of my computer problem but I like to think that the computer fairy will come to my home and magically fix my computer without me actually trying to figure out what the deal is because computers in general stab my brain. Well so far no fairy, dang!!! I have a very good excuse to blog today, I was tagged by my great blog buddy Emily Matson (I really wish I knew how to make her name light up and become a link to her blog like everyone else in this free country does but like I said before computers stab my brain so I don't know how). I am suppose to give you all 6 little known fun facts about myself and then tag 6 other people so make sure you read to the end to see if you are obligated to do this fun post.

1) I LOVE diet Dr. Pepper, I am seldom without a large styrofoam cup of my own personal liquid crack. I have been know to bring my 44 oz cup to places that apparently are inappropriate. I started back at the gym after a nice 18 month (I need to take time off because I just had a baby) vacation. I brought in my large cup from McDonald's so I could stay hydrated while on that treadmill. I got a lot of weird looks apparently the cup holders on the treadmills are for water bottles only.

2) I always use my ATM debit card instead of carry cash for a very good reason. I don't know what the deal is but when I have any amount of cash on me I am like a 4 year old who was just given a dollar. I can not spend it fast enough. It doesn't matter if it is 50 cents or 20 bucks I can guarantee I will not have that money at the end of the day. It just burns a hole in my pocket I honestly sit there at work and think to myself, "wow I have 75 cents in my pocket I can buy a bottle of diet Dr. Pepper from the vending machine." It totally consumes my thoughts when I have cash... is that weird?

3) I love the t.v. show Hannah Montana. I have caught myself watching episodes of Hannah Montana and then realized that there is not a child in the room. I can give you the plot of every HM they have made because sadly I have seen every episode. If I find out there is going to be a new episode premiering I make sure I set my DVR to record it (hey, I know how much the kids enjoy the show...)

4) I have an unnatural fear of scrapbooking. I hate the very thought of trying to start a scrapbook. I have friends who LOVE to scrapbook and are always trying to rope me into this cult/money pit.

5) I know I am way to old to think and feel this way but... I still don't really think of myself as a "real grown up". I don't know what it will take to get me to the point of being a "real grown up" you know the kind of grown up that my mom is (she rocks at being a grown up!). I some how feel like I am faking people out and one day they will expose me as the sham I feel like I am.

6) I hate getting invited to any kind of party where you are expected to buy something. You know the type (jewelry, candles, cooking equipment, makeup...) Maybe other people enjoy these things but I hate the pressure that is involved. My friends invite me and always make some kind of comment like, "don't worry about buying anything I just want lots of people to show up so I don't feel like a loser." So I go and then there is lots of food all spread out and my overly excited friend who is hosting the thing telling me that if she sells X amount of products she will get X amount of stuff free. Bottom line is I am weak when it comes to this kind of warfare tactic and I have bought way too many things I really don't need from these parties.

I TAG: MOM, AMANDA, AIMEE, BROOKE, DANIELLE, SHAUNNA, and TORRIE (oh wait Torrie doesn't have a blog... hint hint)

Papa came to town!!!

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

We were so excited to see Papa Harm and spend some time with him. As you can see Jeremy and the kids all dusted off their dancing shoes to prepare for his arrival. Papa got here on Sunday evening and had to head off for Houston to see Aimee and her family on Tuesday morning. While he was here we went to the dollar store (a Clement family tradition that my kids LOVE), we all went out to eat at Joe's Crab Shack, we had a fun Family Home Evening with Papa, and Jeremy and Papa went golfing (of course this one is a given). Everything was so much fun but of course our favorite time was sitting around the living room talking about everything from sports, to family memories. We wouldn't trade our chats for anything. We are very impressed that Papa had the gumption to drive from Bakersfield, CA, to Mesa, AZ, to Albuquerque, NM, to Amarillo, TX, to Houston, TX, back to Amarillo, back to Albuquerque, on to Laughlin, NV and then back home to CA. What a brave man!!! We are thankful that he wanted to make the trip and welcome him back any time he wants!