What the World Eats

This article was one of those that pops up when I open up my home page. I thought the title was interesting so I clicked over to read it. What it really is is a photo essay on what 15 different families around the world would eat for a week. Very interesting. Take a look.

http://www.yahoo.com/s/616721

I love Cheryl

I have some really great friends. Lots of them that do some really great things for me. Take today for instance. My friend Cheryl/ex-neighbor Cheryl stopped by on her way to the freeway to drop something off for me. Completely unexpected and unannounced. Here it is.........

A LARGE DIET COKE FROM MCDONALDS WITH THE FABULOUS STRAW THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM THE GOLDEN ARCHES. It's the little things in life that make me happy! Thanks Cheryl.

Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes: Suri is the Queen of the Castle
By Tina SimsJun 27, 2007

Tom Cruise and the fabulous Katie Holmes have their priorities straight. Even with busy lives they understand the number one person in the couple's life is the adorable baby Suri, Star Magazine reports. This week's issue cites a scene straight out of a Disney movie, but this is no family movie – it's just another day in the Cruise mansion, where Suri is the reigning queen.
Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes: Suri is the Queen of the Castle.

"Katie was off having lunch with a few girlfriends, and when she came home, Tom was in the playroom assembling an enormous castle amid a cluster of collectible Shrek figures!” A family friend tells Star, “Tom had taken Suri on a little shopping spree, and Tom kept giving in! He can’t say not to Suri."

Another insider tells Star that Katie was going through a toy catalog with Suri recently and everything she pointed to, Suri got! Not only that when the toys arrived, Suri got two lots of them – because unbeknownst to Katie, Tom’s mom had been playing the catalog game with Suri, too!

Suri’s big sister, Isabella, is the couple’s babysitter of choice, when the two want some alone time – she also works for a reasonable $15 per hour!

Suri who, by the way, got not just one but 16 birthday cakes on her first birthday on April 18, isn’t always even tempered. “Suri is a screamer for attention,” says an insider, “She tears books apart too. So they make sure she doesn’t have anything but plastic books. She rips pages like wild if she gets a real book.”

I read this article and had to thump my head. Here is what I came up with:

• Lenny must be a terrible father because he can say no to a 15 month-old.



• It has never occurred to me that when a 15 month-old points to a picture in the magazine, it must mean that she really wants that item.



• My mother was so inattentive to my kids. She never played the catalogue game.



• My kids got one birthday cake for their first birthday and only one. With all of the birthdays that both of my kids have had, the combined number of cakes still do not add up to 16.



• When Lenny watches the kids while I have lunch with friends, he usually mows the lawn or swims in the pool. I can say for sure that they never go on a shopping spree and get everything they want.



• We can not afford a playroom. Space is limited here.



• We taught our kids not to rip pages out of books instead of just removing them.



• Sarah is no way the Queen nor Jacob the King of this castle.

I GOT IT.....BLACK PEARL

YYiiiipppppppeeeeeeeeeee I finally found a spelling that was not taken for my very cool license plate. Check it out. I am soooooo giddy with glee. Even Jack is happy. Look at his smile!

License Plate

I am trying to get a cool personalize plate for my new van. I know EXACTLY what I want it to say. But, what I want, it seems that everyone else in the state wants it too. I have tried every spelling possible and can not get one that is not already taken.

And, just to make this plate a bit sweeter -although I believe nothing can be sweeter than the Black Pearl Aaarrrgh - the color of my van is Black Pearl. HHHmmmmmmmmm . I am thinkin' that this plate should be mine.

Whhaaaaaa..........

Explain this to me

This morning I went to WalMart to get a few household items...shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. I absolutely despise that store but, I was in that area and I knew that we needed those items TODAY. So I made a quick little jaunt over there.

I get all of my items checked and I slide the credit card through the machine. It takes it, asks me to accept it, and I sign. The whole transaction is done. Then the cashier asks to see my ID. I hand her my license and realize that I have Lenny's credit card.

By now, there is a very long line of people behind me all very impatient and very ready to meet me in the parking lot. I tell Verna the cashier that I have my husband's credit card. Our last names are the same and I show her the checkbook with both of our names on it. She spews out that some husbands would never loan out their card, especially to some wives and that if he really wanted me to use the credit card, he would have ordered one for me in my name.

She calls the manager over to cancel the transaction. I tell him the same story (the truth really) and he never looks up as he mutters that Wal Mart would NEVER EVER take a card without proper ID. If I have an issue, I need to call the bank.

My entire bill was less than $40 all comprising kid care products and cleaning supplies. Did I look like I was ready to scam Wal Mart?

Then I realize that many times I have used the Self Checkout at WalMart. The machine has never once asked to see my ID. I tell the manager that too. So, you know Verna says? "Don't try to use Self Checkout with that card." She then rushes over to my cart to take the bags out of it. She tells the Manager "Got the merchandise back." as if she has uncovered a major theft in progress.

I know, maybe they thought I was Paris Hilton just sprung from jail trying to pull a fast one on them.

My personality

The results of your analysis say:

1. You tend to pursue many different activities simultaneously.

2. When misfortune does happen, it doesn't actually dishearten you all that much.

3. You are a thoughtful and cautious person.

4. You like to think about your method, seeking to pursue your goal in the most effective way.

5.You like daydreaming and seeking out adventure.

6. You have a sunny, cheerful disposition.

Ok, let's chat about this.

• I don't think I pursue many activities simultaneously. I am not a multi-tasker and I can not stay focused on more than one thing at a time. I can not even do laundry while doing the dishes.

• When misfortune strikes... I immediately pose in the fetal position and scream my head off. Remember the traffic scenario from my last post?? I don't handle yucky very well. Except when my van was stolen.

• I am completely thoughtful. No not in a nice, friendly social way, but in a methodical planning kind of way. I may not remember to say "thank you" or "happy birthday" but I will never overlook my TO DO list. I am extremely cautious when it comes to people and relationships. But let my kids play in the street and I throw caution to the wind.

• I do think about my method. My method for getting the kids to bed so I can sit and have some quiet time. And, my planning for anything...vacations, school, where things go in what cabinet. Yeah I am weird that way. If I organizing an event or on a committee, I got it all going on. I can plan, organize, delegate, instigate, Watergate and collate too if I need to. However, don't ask me what is for dinner because chances are, I haven't thought about it yet.

• I do daydream. Daydream about a sleek and tender bod with perky you know whats, fabulous hair and feet that look normal. And, I dream for kids that don't quarrel. I absolutely hate adventure. Give me the familiarity of a rut and comfort zone and you got one happy gal. Adventure frightens me, it is toooo unknown. As a matter of fact, I absolutely positively do not like surprises. Especially surprise parties for me. I love planning them for others, but for me, no way. Too many unknowns.

• #6. I quickly agreed on this one when I first read it, but after reading my comments on the other 5 descriptions, I may not seem so sunny and cheerful.

Hmmmmm, I may be going on a limb here (so not me, remember, I don't like adventure?) but if you know me, how accurate do you think this is??? Oh, by the way, just coming home from a glorious trip to Big Sur, that is our truck and trailer on the left mountain.

Family Vacation 2007

WARNING..... LOTS OF PICTURES!

Gisbert Family Vacation to Big Sur!!

You all know about the chaos and fiascos that usually accompany the big family vacation. Ours are no different.

Except this year.... it was different. No major mishaps, no injuries, no vehicle issues, nothing major. Other than this was probably the best trip we have ever had together.

There were some minor things like HORRRRRRRIBLE traffic on Friday. It took us 6 hours and 30 minutes to get to San Luis Obispo. Normally it would have only been a 4 hour drive. Not this time. By the time we got to the Valley, I was rolling down the window and screaming at the cars "I HATE TRAFFIC." The kids thought that was funny. But soon, the reality hit them that they were stuck in the backseat with no where to go. They soon followed the fine example of their mother and started screaming out the window their feelings of traffic.

In Agoura, this guy starts honking at us and pointing at the side of our trailer. Lenny looks out the side mirror to see our water heater panel dangle from, then fly off of the water heater. Bammm. It's gone. Sure hope it didn't hit the windshield behind us.

After arriving at Aunt Sandra's house, that is where the excitement and funny stories stop. It was blissfully nice from then on.

We went on lots of hikes. LOTS OF HIKES. If you happen to see me in person in the next few days, you can see it in the way I walk and move my arms. I am sore. Very good sore, but sore nonetheless.

I so love this picture. We were just finishing a very difficult hike that morning. On the way back to camp, the kids got a bit ahead of us. I grabbed the camera and snapped this pic. It looks like they are contemplating life together. But, looks can be deceiving. Chances are they are arguing over who gets to snooze in the hammock first.

Here is Lenny getting ready to enjoy Father's Day in our new hammock. Took a little while to get the hang of it! But he got in and fell asleep. Is this a great Father's Day image????
Jacob found the binoculars in the cabinet. I would love to say that he was bird watching but I would be lying. He was checking out the people in the site next to ours. Kind of creepy, eh???


There is this great swimming hole in the campground. Big Sur River runs throughout the campground. In some places, the water pools in big holes like this. Most of the river is wading level, but here you can jump in and actually swim. Well, you could. I wouldn't. Water is mighty cold. Remember the Seinfeld episode with George just getting out of the pool??? Yeah, it's that cold! That is Lenny swimming on the bottom of the river.

The moon through the trees. Actually looks very dark here. But the trees are so thick that if you are not in a clearing, you would think it was later that it really was. This pic was taken about 6 pm with more than 2 hours of daylight left.

Sarah lost a tooth while we were gone and amazingly, the tooth fairy still managed to find her. That tooth fairy rocks!

Dad and daughter. So sweet.

I really like this picture of us. I usually despise any photo of me. But this one, I like a lot. Except for the Madonna gap in my teeth. Thanks Dad for that trait! Anyway, I think this picture strikes me because I can clearly see how time does not stop for us. Everyone ages and gets older. I really see it here. Not complaining, just taking hold of it.

So I think the reason why I usually don't like any photos of myself is because they almost always look like this.....

On a most serious note... I am filled with an overwhelmingly strong sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the blessings in my life such as this wonderful family. For really nice vacations in a really nice trailer. For solitude, for quiet time with the three people I love the most on earth, for being able to get away from it all, and for such a magnificent display of God's creation in Big Sur.

Being in Big Sur leaves no doubt (not that there ever was) that God is real, that there is no Big Bang Theory and that all glory goes to him.

Big Sur

So we are leaving today for Big Sur. It is absolutely our favorite place ever to camp. Big tall trees and and great swimming hole with a huge rock to jump off of.

But, each and every time we go there, something always happens to our vehicle/trailer. It always turns into a fiasco and we later laugh our heads off.

The first year, on the way there, we had a tire blowout on the trailer on the 101. Had to pull over on the off ramp so Lenny could change the tire. We got to San Luis Obispo to stay at my aunt's house. Lenny spent the WHOLE next day looking for a place open on Sundays so he could buy two new tires. We got a day late start on our vacation. Then on the way home, our van conked out. Fuel tank issues. Had to wait for AAA to drive to Big Sur to pick us and the van and the trailer up and drive us back to San Luis. My very gracious aunt said "no problem. Stay and get your van fixed." She lives in a VERY HOITY TOITY gated golf course community. Here we come with this diesel AAA truck towing us into the gated community. We spent the next two days with Lenny underneath our van in the street with the fuel tank on the ground. You could only see his legs peeking out from under. We got a lot looks and glares on that one. Oh... and he had a horrible case of poison oak. Very ugly, very pus filled and super red. He looked like he had leporsy.

The second year, another blowout on the vanon the way home. Ponch and Jon from CHiPs had to pull over and make sure everything was ok. Got back to Sandra's house in San Luis. Spent the whole next day getting tires for the van on a Sunday again.

Last year, while we were in the campground,we kept noticing a fuel smell. Didn't think much of it. On the way home, people were honking at us, telling us to pull over. Sure enough....major fuel leak. MAJOR. If the truck was off, no problem, but to drive it would be to spew out diesel fuel. So here is what we did. We did Mr. Toad's Wild Ride all the way home. We tried to outrun the fuel leak. We went quite fast and very much over the speed limit to make it home. We had to refuel many times but we made it. Got home and took it right to the Ford dealer to get it fixed.

This year, this morning, I went out the to trailer to put the food away. Fridge doesn't work. Hmmmm. Could this be a sign? Oh well, we loaded up THREE ice chests and called it good. No worries, at least it isn't anything mechanical this time. Phewww. I go into the truck to get the DVD player hooked up. Battery is dead and the keys will not come out of the ignition. Aaarrrrgh.. Looks like the problems are happening this time before we even get off of the driveway.

Check back in a week to see what happens.

Everything I Ever Needed to Know......

I Learned in Kindergarten


I read this about 10 years ago. I thought it to be quite insightful and very poignant. And, having a child just finishing K, it seems quite timely. Enjoy

All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
- by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work some every day.

Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup - they all die. So do we.

And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK . Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living.

Think of what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

School's Out for the Summer

Today is a very hard day for me. School is out today. Normally, I would be looking forward to this day, anticipating it, readying myself, celebrating even.

But today, it took everything and I mean EVERYTHING I had in me just to hold it together.

Sarah had an adorable Kindergarten graduation. All four K classes marched up to the park for a fun afternoon playing. Then they came back to the classrooms for a sweet little promotion ceremony. The teacher called each child up and presented him/her with a diploma. She congratulated them all on a great year, had wonderfully sweet things to say and just made this day memorable.

Jacob finished 3rd grade with a bang. He did very well this year, improved in nearly every area, and learned a lot. This year has been a challenge for us with him. Not so much because of grades or problems, but with friends and some of the choices they make. He has heard A LOT of street talk from some kids he went to school with. Things that children this age probably shouldn't know. We have struggled with teaching him right from wrong with a healthy balance of respect and boldness to confront his friends. It has not been easy but I have faith that he hears and grows from what we taught him.

His teachers have been a dream for us. At the beginning of the year when I found out that his teacher would not be one person but two sharing a contract, I was a bit hesitant. But they quickly allayed all of our fears. They have been committed, caring and very enthusiastic about their class. One of them had a baby this year. She gave each student a photo birth announcement.

But next year, we won't be there. We will be homeschooling. For many reasons, and for many hopes, we have decided to pull both kids out of public school and teach them here at home. It is a new adventure for us filled with great anticipation, much anxiety and lots of dreams. We are honored, humbled and excited by the prospect of homeschooling. BUT...watching the kids with their friends, talking to the parents, knowing each and every child in their classes, helping the teachers, going on field trips and just being a part of school makes for a hole in our hearts. Lenny, Jacob, Sarah and I have truly enjoyed each and every minute of this school. One of the best things for our family is that Lenny gets to go to their classes and do fire safety presentation. How cool is that? Your dad gets to come to your class and talk about something very exciting.

So, the last day of school this year was absolutely difficult. But, it marks the beginning of something wonderful.

Yipppppeeee New Carpet

Ok, we finally got rid of the graffiti carpet yesterday. After three reschedules, new beautiful carpet was installed. Yippppeee.

In order to move everything out of the room, we had to empty each piece of furniture...books off of the bookshelf, TV out of the cabinet, computer taken apart from the desk, etc. I thought it would be a hassle to do all of that. But really, it was wonderful. Taking the computer apart, I was able to clean and dust the entire thing, get rid of paper and stuff that I didn't even realize was in there. When I packed up the TV cabinet, I got rid of a ton of videos that we never watch, reorganized the camera stuff, and cleaned that cabinet too. Same thing with the bookshelf. Several books are gone.

I know it sounds like I could have done that anytime. And, yes that's true. But, there is something about a deep cleaning that does far more than just a surface level dusting.

I know that God housekeeping in our hearts too like that. Sometimes, he might run a dust cloth over us. Other times, he has to take everything out and start fresh.

Takes time, yes. But when it is all over, it feels awesome.

So our TV cabinet is back in place but Lenny has not yet put the TV in yet. Will do that today. So look at what they did with it. I LOVE THIS FAMILY AND HOME. It is so fun to be a Gisbert.

I Love a Man (and a lil man) in Uniform

Lenny did a fire presentation in Jacob's class earlier this day. Then that night, he did one for him for his boy's group at church. Too handsome these two are in uniform. I love this picture.

Don't Want to Brag

Lenny and I celebrated 12 years of marriage this weekend. Believe me when I say, it still amazes me that we have made it this far. If you only knew......

Ok, so my husband brought home the most beautiful bouquet of roses for me.
Oh, and he bought me another little something. Under this bow was...............
THIS

Remember how sad I was about our previous van being stolen? Well, I am not so sad about it anymore. In fact, I feel a bit gleeful right now.

Actually we went to the dealer to see what they had. We had been searching for an Odyssey for a few months now. We knew exactly what we wanted, how much we were willing to pay and at this point, what was a good deal. You see, it helps when you do your homework. We had looked at so many and compared them so many times that when we saw this one MISMARKED on the lot, we knew it was ours. Norm Reeves couldn't do anything about it. We saw the incorrect price and they had to give it to us. We got a smokin' deal, got the seats we wanted, got the color I wanted, and it was happiness. Even the salesman was cool.

I have never bought a car from a dealer, never ever had a warranty and never had a car so pretty. Oh, and I have never paid so much for insurance either. Oh well.

God is good. I am soooo thankful that he gave me the patience and the fortitude to wait on him. To wait until we had peace over spending this much money. He is good and he always always comes through. Maybe not in my time, but always in his. Thank you God very much for my new van. I love you!

Happy Anniversary Lenny! I love you too!

SERRAFINE

The Scripps National Spelling Bee winner is......a HOMESCHOOLED 8th grader. For the third year in a row, the winner has been a homeschooler. Hmmmmmmm there might be something wonderful about homeschooling.

I love spelling, grammar, language arts and all that boring stuff. I actually looked forward to watching it. I know, I know, you think I need to get a life. :)

Read the story here. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_re_us/spelling_bee