JACKPOT!!

i always knew that posting ads was going to be WAY lucrative. no one could have talked me out of it. and i am so glad i put ads on my sidebar.

on tuesday i became curious about that ad thing and felt it was time to visit the site and see what my account balance might be. i really wasn't expecting much. but, i was really surprised when i pulled up my account and there was that beautiful balance- staring me straight in the eyes. i have been advertising for almost 4 months now and i have amassed a grand total of $0.03! that is three cents! i wish there was a cents sign on the keyboard, because that would look really cool. anyway, $0.03. if you can even believe that!

i don't want this new-found wealth to go to my head. i always hear stories of people who suddenly fall into unexpected money who totally forget their roots and the money changes them. and i mean changes them. i am not going to be that person. i want my friends to know that i am still the same person i was on monday- before i knew the balance. but i also want my family to know that i'm trying to figure out how to share the wealth.

i'm also wondering what i should spend it on. any ideas?

Happy Thanksgiving!

foiled...

so, remember that one time i had that one dream giveaway? well, it pretty much blew up in my face. i have not had a dream with one recognizable person in it (except the husband who didn't even enter the giveaway) since i posted that fantastic giveaway idea. and i am being completely honest!

i think i have dreamed every night. and one of two things happens 1) when i wake up i can't remember my dreams, or 2) in the dreams i can remember i have no idea who those characters are- total strangers. i have come to the conclusion that the giveaway really created a lot of pressure for my dreams. it's pressure, guys.

so. forget about the dream giveaway... for now. my best advice is that you should move on to someone who has a real giveaway, cause obviously my dreams just aren't producing right now. sorry for all the hype. i know you guys were way excited at the thought of starring in one of MY dreams.

but, i think i will keep this one on the back burner, cause who knows, some night i'm going to see a whole bunch of thin, young, perfectly-coiffed, spectacle-less, dressed to the nines, free-day-loving, magically flying, jessica alba-ish, independently wealthy, laundry-hauling, snow falling, pregnant ladies with chocolate and no gray hair and i will instantly recognize you. and then you better be ready for the alert that you WON THE DREAM GIVEAWAY! i have faith it could happen.

{{{embarrassedly (probably not a word) lowers head, kicks dirt, and walks away}}}

With Sympathy

My sincerest condolences go out to Mary who lost her blog this past weekend.

Mary,

I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of your blog. I couldn't have been more shocked when I read your post of its demise. I have not yet read the obituary, but I am sure it will soon follow and I can't wait to read it and remember all that was wonderful about your little blog. It touched many hearts, gave cause for much LOL and provided us with much needed moments of escape from the every day. It had a way with words and will be sorely missed in the blogging community. However, out of tragedy great things are born and I know that you will carry on and find your way again.

Your little glob touched and no doubt changed many lives. Including mine. I am a better person because of your blog. Have you set up a donation fund? Are you doing a benefit concert? How can we as a blogging community help?

I have never been faced with such a tragedy, but can only imagine the emotions you have been experiencing. Because as we all know, there are five stages of grieving: The denial. The anger. The bargaining. The depression. And, finally, the acceptance. According to the experts you must go through all stages or your healing will never be complete. And if it is not complete, there will be no healing.

You will heal. If you are still feeling the pain, that is a good thing. It proves you are alive, human (which many of us wondered about since you have super-human humor).

Just don't put off living- there is so much for you to still accomplish. Reach for the stars, Mary!


With sympathy,
The Little Wedgie Blog

How are you, Momma Cat?

Remember the kittens? (you can refresh your memory. go here and then here) I always see them running around the neighborhood. Hair uncombed. No shoes. Or even mittens. Looking like it's been days since their last meal.

Sometimes I feel like responding to Momma Cat with a little letter of my own. Sure her cats are growing up and almost out of her house, but what kind of citizens are they turning out to be? They totally roam the neighborhood at ALL hours of the day. In and out of people's yards. On their fences. Rummaging in their garbage.

I guess she really cut me deep when she wrote to me last. I think she must have put a curse on our lawn. We planted our winter rye grass and it is really struggling to grow. The shed is still a mess, but you know what? I have kids to raise- hair to comb, shoes to put on little feet. I just can't bother with a broken door. But my children are happy and well-fed.

I haven't found her blog yet. But then, I haven't really tried to find it. Just don't know if I could handle whatever it is she might say about me. So, I try to steer clear of the feline blog section. So far, so good.

Anyway, I just wish her the best. Raising children is hard. It takes a village, you know. I wonder if her village is helping. Because I'm pretty sure her Tom Cat isn't. Poor little Momma Cat. Maybe that letter was her way of reaching out.

Momma Cat, I hope you read this (and I think you probably follow my blog because there are a few unfamiliar url's on my sitemeter). You have my sincerest meow. Take it for what it's worth. And good luck with the kiddies. (get it? kiddies. like kitties, but kiddies. get it? funny, i know. i crack myself up- all the time.)

Rise and Shout!!

HOLY WAR day.

Do you know where your BYU Football is?

click on the "Y" for a link to season schedule

The Cougars are in Salt Lake City taking on the Utes from the

University of Utah.

Go Cougs!!!

BYU Loses Miserably.

humble pie is on my menu tomorrow

BYU 24 U of U 48

Despite the loss, congratulations on a pretty good season.

Good luck with your BCS Game, Utes.

Let me vent a little, would ya?

I would like to thank the individual with the oh-so-loud vehicle- car, motorcycle, atv, whatever- that woke up little son from his nap today so that I didn't have to. Because, really, I hate it when his naps last longer than 1/2 hour. And he really was sleeping way too long. Shameful of me to allow him to go longer than 29 minutes. What kind of mother am I?

And so he woke up all disoriented and nothing can satisfy him now. And he had an accident in his Batman underoos because he wouldn't let me help him. And then he didn't want to put on the new outfit I picked out for him. And so finally after 4 ensembles we are dressed and the tears are drying. And we are watching Wow Wow Wubbzy. And why is it that many of the shows on Noggin have ridiculous names? Pinky Dinky Doo, Yo Gabba Gabba, Oobi. And in Miss Spider it drives me nuts that they always say "somebuggy" or "everybuggy", etc. At least they have a connected learning approach. Whatever that is. Phew! Feels good to get that off my chest.

But, now we are happy at this house and ready to have a great evening. And we can't wait for the husband to return from California where he has been all day. And I learned how to do this--> ♥ <-- yesterday. (the heart) Not to mention that when I just checked my email, I got a free video from BYU Alumni Association: Cougar Diary 2007 BYU Football Highlight DVD: Cougars Reloaded. Wow. Gotta ♥ that!

And tonight will be full of sweet dreams. I can tell. Because lots of you have already chimed in to make special requests. But, in case you haven't, be sure to check the ♥Giveaway♥ post from earlier today so that I can see you in my dreams!

dream giveaway

giveaway? yippee!! because this is my 95th post.

hold off on celebrating the giveaway while i splain. this is not your typical giveaway. it is a dream giveaway- as in dream. like you do while you sleep. not dream like what you always wished for.

last night i had some pretty good dreams. as far as dreams go. the common denominator in all those dreams was that whoever actually called me (as in on the phone) yesterday found themselves in a starring role in my dreams. cool, huh? except there was the big guy in my third dream that i couldn't figure out where he came from.

and so what i am offering is a role in my dreams tonight. do you want a role? you don't even have to audition. all you have to do is call me. yep, easy as that. call me.

i know that some of you know my phone number and some of you do not. that is ok. for those of you who do not know my number- just call 555-3736. that should do it. and then, since that is not my real number but it is a great fictitious phone number because all fake phone numbers start with 555 and then the 3736 = drem because if it was dream that would be too many numbers so drem = dream, just leave me a comment right here on the blog and let me know you tried to call and i think that will be good enough. yeah, good enough.

now, you may be wondering how i will recognize you in my dream. especially if we have never met. well, this is the beauty part. in dreams, everything makes sense. you know how when you dream sometimes you assign the identity of a friend or loved one to someone who, once you wake up, you realize looks nothing like that person. so, of course i will know who you are right away. because that's how dreams go.

here's an idea. if you want to influence how your character looks or acts, maybe you could leave a suggestion for what you want in your comment. just an idea. i totally believe this will work.

i don't think anyone has ever done a dream giveaway. great way to celebrate post #95, no? we'll see how this goes. and i'll see you tonight. in my dreams!

into him

last night i had a date. on a school night. with a hottie. and now i can't get him off my mind. i'm like totally following his twitter feed and everything. i wonder if he knows.

i had to pick him up for our date- mainly because i had to drop some children off at some people's house. but after the children were taken care of, i met him at his office. where i brought clothes for him to change into. and he changed into them- right in front of me- in his office. and i tried not to watch. but i couldn't help it. and i did. (please don't tell my mom)

then we went to the lake and boated out into the middle and sat and talked- and stuff. it was a beautiful night. but there were some mosquitoes. and they got to me a little. but i still enjoyed our time together. the city lights on the lake were breathtaking as they danced across the water. and the headlight went out on our boat. but that's ok- it made us more inconspicuous. and he assured me he would use his cell phone light to let other boats know we were there if one came near us. it was romantic. not his cell phone light. the lake.

after we boated we got some dinner. and- hey, shannon- we totally saw greg. did you know he was in tempe last night? he ignored us- pretended like he didn't know us. that's ok. there are probably a lot of people out there who would love to pretend like they don't know us. we just carry on. no biggie. don't feel sorry for us, k?

while we were walking to the restaurant a group of high school kids were totally infatuated with my date. i know. like i said, he's a hottie. and he was MY date. they totally asked him how tall he is. and he told them. and it made my heart melt. cause he's like 6' 6". that's tall. and then they asked him if he played basketball with michael jordan (yeah, michael jordan. i didn't know that high school kids know about michael jordan. do you think they were insinuating that we are old- my date and me?). he doesn't (play ball with mj), but he totally could if he wanted to. and then they asked him for his autograph. he gets that all the time. all the time. and he was MY date. but, he just chuckled at the autograph thing and we kept walking.

then after dinner he took me to the temple. it was beautiful. the christmas lights are on. they are still putting them up- but the majority are up and on. i love the lights. they remind me of all things good. like dates to the temple grounds in high school with hottie boyfriends. and now, here i was at the temple grounds with an eternal hottie. full circle.

we had a lovely time at the temple. so renewing. and recommitting. do you know what i mean? after the temple we had to make sure we took care of those children who were at those people's house. and then we made our way home. and i did get a goodnight kiss. and that's all i'm gonna say.

anyway, i can't stop thinking about him. do you think he'll call? i hope so. i'm just going to carry my phone with me all day- both phones: cell and home. and then i will check email all day. and his twitter feed. cause he might tweet about me- but probably in code so it won't be obvious. i wonder if he'll check my blog. i kind of hope so, but a little of me is kinda shy to let this all out. i wonder what he will tell his friends about me. do you think he'll catch on that i am into him?

Recycling

Last week middle daughter's favorite amusement was an airplane she made out of the big and empty diaper box. She colored on it. Sat in it. Scooted in it. I tripped over it. Stepped on it. And accidentally put a hole in it when I was kicking it out of my way after tripping over it and stepping on it.

It was a mess. Pretty much destroyed after I landed on it. But she continued to occupy its little opening and "fly" around to her imaginary destinations- all on our family room floor. (I'm just glad little son didn't decide to fly it down the stairs)

I threw it in the recycle bin one night after she was tucked snuggly in her bed- on the floor. I don't know why, but she prefers to sleep on the floor. We have a perfectly good bed for her. She likes the floor. So, each night she retreats to her bedroom, takes her 4 blankets and lays them out in the proper order- thus preparing her little bedroll. Silly girl. And every night as I am going in to go to sleep, I check on my little camper. And there she is on the floor- snug as a bug ON the rug.

Saturday morning she came into my bedroom- bright and early- and crawled into bed with me. The husband was away at Youth Conference, so there was a little room for her. We were both awakened an hour later by the sound of the garbage truck. Middle daughter ran to my bedroom window, which faces the street. How lucky can you be to have your master bedroom at the front of the house? Right off your driveway and over your garage. Pretty lucky.

As the magic hand reached out and grabbed our bright blue recycle trash can, middle daughter could see her airplane as it slid out of the trash can and into the cavernous compactor truck. Oh, no. For the good part of Saturday- it was all about that airplane that was now on its way to a recycling center somewhere. "Who threw my airplane in the garbage?"

I don't know. Who would have done such a thing?

And sometimes I think I am being so sneaky.

When have you been caught red-handed? Or are you smarter than I am?

P.S. I have not changed a diaper for ONE WHOLE WEEK!!!! This is the first time in 6 1/2 years that none of my kids are in diapers. I believe this is why we are celebrating Thanksgiving next week. That, and I am thankful we won't have to deal with this when little son is 32.

Product

What do you do when you find a split-end? No, not on your head- um, on your arm. I found one. Sunday. While I was sitting in Sunday School, listening to the Gospel Doctrine teacher who was teaching about everything but arm hair split ends. And you know what they say about when you find one split end- there are many more you can't see (kinda like cockroaches and termites).

I just don't know what more I can do for my arm hair- not arm pit hair- just arm hair, like on the forearm. I give it the best moisturizing shampoos. The best conditioners. The best leave-in conditioners. I use the lowest heat possible on my hair dryer. The lowest heat on my flat iron (and it is a little time-consuming to straighten all that arm hair). And the best hairspray money can buy. Obviously, it needs something else.

So while I was at Wal-Mart yesterday I searched high and low for arm hair products. There were none to be found. Anywhere. In that huge store. And Sally Beauty Supply was next door. Didn't even go in there. I was feeling too defeated.

You know what I think the greatest problem facing us in today's society? No product (sorry beauty school girls, but I always think it sounds funny when people call hairspray "product". cracks me up) specifically for the arm hair. I think we are a prejudiced society. You only get product if you are on the head. Isn't that sending the wrong message? Isn't every hair just as important as hair-on-the-head? I don't know what we can do about this. There is no legislation in place. Who wants to lobby for arm hair? What happens if we do slip into a depression? No one's going to want to focus on the arm hair. And then where will we be?

I have a sister who is a beautician. My next move is to schedule a trim. I know she can clean up my unsightly arm hair. Anyway, I can't even bear to give it another thought. I just have to move on. So when you see me next, please don't judge me. Just know that when you find your first split-end (on the arm) I will (hopefully) have found a solution- or maybe at least some product. Come see me. I'll also have chocolate.

Seriously, though!?! A split end on my arm hair?

Letters from the Blog

I went to edit a previous post today and found this in the "scheduled to post" bin. Although I am a little reluctant to share, I thought I might as well. What's pride anyway? I think someone's trying to tell me something. What do you think?



Dear Lady (I think your name is Steph, but you try to keep everything so anonymous that I can't be 100% sure)-

So, um, were you planning on writing something interesting anytime soon? You know, my name is on this blog and I'm starting to get a little embarrassed. I'm just gonna put it out there. You have been pretty boring lately. I mean, B- double O- double R- double I- double N- double G G G. If things don't change- and I mean PDQ- I gotta distance myself from you. I'm talking break up.

I walk around the block, talk with my friends and I see what their people are posting on their blogs and you and just can't compete with all the awesome blogs and bloggers out there. I think you need to kinda figure out what you're going for. Do you want to be funny? Pull at people's heartstrings? Give a run-down of the day? Play sports fan? What?

And don't even get me started on the all the little teases you have a habit of including in your posts such as "I'll have to write about that later" or "I'll post about that frame at another time". Blah, Blah, Blah. I wait for the post and it never comes. I just don't know when to believe you anymore.

You need to know that I love ya- I'm rootin' for ya. But if things don't change- and I mean soon- I just don't know what will happen to us. Do we have a future? I don't know.

I'm willing to let you have a little time to consider your feelings- I'll give you a little space. I want to see if we can work it out, because in the beginning we had a really good thing going. When you are ready- talk to me. I'm here.

Love,

Moi- your little ol' blog

Rise and Shout!!

It's GAME DAY!!

Do you know where your BYU Football is?

click on the "Y" for a link to season schedule

The Cougars are in Colorado Springs taking on the Falcons of Air Force.

Go Cougs!!!

BYU wins!!!

BYU 38 AFA 24

Bring it on, Utah!

Cautiously Optimistic

I am feeling extremely blissful

about what was accomplished yesterday.

Little son's potty training is- so far-

proving to be a ha-yuge success!!!

Yippee!

He had ZERO accidents yesterday.

Can you even believe it?

That meant ZERO icky yellow liquid messes to be cleaned up.

And ZERO pairs of pants to be changed.

And ZERO moments for a mother to mutter

What we had was MULTIPLE opportunities for praise.

And MULTIPLE Rolos to be unwrapped and devoured as a reward.

And MULTIPLE trips to the little family's room (I wish we had one just for the little boys and a separate one for the little girls, but we don't and so we all have to use the one downstairs. Shameful, I know.)

And MULTIPLE moments for a mother to view

the delicious little buns of her son.

AAANNNNDDD- he is actually telling ME when he needs to piddle. Uh, Yeah!

AAANNNNDDD- toward the end of the day, he went and did his business

ALL BY HIMSELF!!

And with a son who is so brilliant at potty training,

what mother could deny him the blue nail polish

he proudly displays on his little tooties?

I think we'll just let it wear off on its own.

---------------------------------------------------

P.S. Did you catch the yellow font I used yesterday?

I thought it appropriate for the events of the day.

Tee hee

P.S.S. Can anyone tell me why I am getting a double space in that

whole paragraph about the "multiple triumphs"?

That is just about the most annoying thing that has happened to me today.

oh, except for my run-in with the law- which I will have to tell you about later.

My Motto

Oldest daughter informed me that little son was awake yesterday morning when she came downstairs. It was 6:50. Bummer. I was hoping he would stay asleep a while longer. Still, he did not materialize until after I had returned from taxiing oldest daughter to school. No doubt he was involved in an all-out Jedi battle on the plains of his bed.

Once the Jedis were sufficiently victorious, I could hear the thump, thump, thumping of a diapered bum sliding slowly down the carpeted stairs.

He joined middle daughter and me in the family room where he boldly and decidedly proclaimed, "I want to wear panties!"

Stunned and attempting to correct the terminology, I countered, "You mean you want to wear underwear?"

To which he replied, "NO! Not Underwear! I want to wear my Lightning McQueen panties- in my top drawer."

sidenote: for those who have not been with this blog since August, you will need to refer to this post to gain a little understanding on the connotation of the term "underwear" in our household. And only then will you understand why a male child might prefer panties over underwear.

We have not crossed the potty training bridge with little son yet. And now we have one foot over the bridge threshold. Ironically, I was just telling the husband the other night that I would like to have little son potty trained by Christmas. I brought this one upon myself. Those who know me even marginally well will testify that I live by the motto:

I positively DO NOT LOVE POTTY TRAINING. If there was a potty training service out there, it would be hired. I admit, I'm just plain lazy. You have to commit to potty training. When you potty train you become a slave to your house- unable to venture too far. You become a slave to your washing machine. And you become a slave to your carpet- scrubbing out all the tinkles. I am not ready to commit.

But now, like it or not, we are committed. There is no turning back. We are on the bridge. Crossing it. Little son did an awesome job. He told me every time he needed to piddle (that's what we call it at our house). And we only had a few accidents yesterday.

Now we just have to work on the terminology

And now I know that I can be grateful for listening to the spirit and not purchasing the big box of bulk diapers when I was at Sam's Club on Monday.

But I think I am going to miss the thump, thump, thumping of a diapered bum on the stairs.

A Mother's Lament

At the end of the day
when you're tired and worn.
The children in bed
and a fresh new morn
Dawns tomorrow.

Do you ever feel
like you failed the kids?
That you didn't do
what your mom always did
So lovingly?

The day in review
is a shame to relive.
And you'd rather have shown
the love you should give
Unconditionally.

But tomorrow dawns new
and is open to change.
Your children forget
and give love in exchange
So naturally.

A mother is better
by the moments she takes
To love her small children
and learn from mistakes
Penitently.

I just have this moment
it will never return.
And these small children
have so much to learn
From me.

Examining myself
I have resolved
That I will be more
of a mother involved
In their learning.

Give extra hugs
and tone down the voice.
Spend more time
and make a better choice
Tomorrow.

A privilege it is
to have children to love,
To be a mother on earth.
and their Father above
Adds His guidance.

Talk Amongst Yourselves

Oldest daughter has no school

for the next two days.

The husband has taken a vacation day today.

We are going to enjoy ourselves-

this means no blogging for me for the time being.

What does this mean for you?

Enjoy your break from me!

Happy reading.

See you Wednesday.

P.S.

Thank you for all the beautiful birthday wishes!

I had a wonderful day.

And don't I have the best husband in the whole Universe?

(well, at least the best in my universe,

because yours is probably the best in your universe.

as it should be.)

I do.

I know it.

I love that man!

Happy Birthday My Dear

why spiderman? c'mon, who wouldn't want a spiderman cake?

i am once again sneaking around at three o'clock in the morning to post on this blog without my wife's permission.

(side note: as i was writing this, i had to find out where the term "o'clock" came from. i knew i must honor my wife who says i'm a know-it-all by finding out the origins of the term. apparently it means "of the clock" which i already knew, but i didn't know that the phrase means "according to the clock" or according to time as measured by the clock as opposed to time measured by the sun. anyway...)

many of you know that today is my lovely and beautiful wife's birthday. she is now three years older than me for another month and seven days (my birthday). At that time she'll go back to the normal two years older than me for nearly another 11 months.

(another side note: many great men married women older than them. george washington, abraham lincoln, joseph smith. not that I compare myself to them, but it gives me comfort that there is hope for me. and yes, my birthday is dec. 16.)

yet another year has gone by since her last birthday. growing up, her family apparently had the coolest traditions on birthdays that i, as the husband, have failed to replicate on her birthdays.

it's not that i don't try. i just fail miserably. i literally stress about her birthday for weeks in advance. i put a reminder in my outlook calendar, my phone, etc. so that i will be prepared each year. it reminds me each day for one month prior to her birthday that the day of reckoning is approaching. these reminders cause me stress, as does the thought of her birthday. the stress causes procrastination, and each day i say to myself, "tomorrow i will go and get her present." i search google for "gifts for wife," "gift for loved ones," etc. i ask colleagues what to do. i ask family. i take notes of everything when she speaks those words, "that would be nice to have." and yet, i still find myself running out the day or two before her birthday in a mad panic trying to buy the perfect gift.

i never seem to get the perfect gift.

on her birthday, i give the gift i have chosen for her, and she acts pleased for a few minutes. then she is usually sad for the rest of the day as i have once again failed in my husbandly duties to make her day as special as her mom, dad, sisters and brothers did. frequently, the gift is returned to the store in the days following the birthday in favor of a more appropriate gift that is should have gotten. i'm fine with this. both of us feel that it is appropriate, and i would theoretically do the same on gifts she gives to me that i don't like. but she always gets me the right gift.

i wonder how this year will turn out. i let the kids pick their own presents for mom this year. i even got one based on her latest, "you should get this for me for my birthday" comment. i hope it will get a better reaction than the flashlight that i let the kids get for her for mothers day. but hey, they chose it, as they didn't want her to be scared in the dark or get lost at girls camp. at least it was a gift from the heart. right?

i know, i know, i can hear your terrified screams already. i'm just not a good gift-giver. i really try, but it is just not in my nature. i hope she understands this after 12 years of marriage. if not...ummm...SUPRISE!?!

my wife is so perfect and she deserves the perfect gift. she is amazing. she is the most caring woman. the most nurturing mother. the most thoughtful and gracious friend. she is beautiful. she is sexy. she is kind. she is funny. she is spiritual. she is sensitive. she knows what is wrong without having to ask. and she is perceptive. she is forgiving. she is a hard worker. a great teacher. she is a confidant. she is loyal. she is the ideal woman. she is fun. she is my best friend. she is my soul mate. she is passionate. she is my world. and she is one fine woman.

i don't deserve you dear and i know it. i pray that i may be worthy of you and your love some day.

may God bless you as my dear companion on our eternal walk together. may he complete, strengthen and give power to our marriage in a way that only he can do.

and may you have a happy birthday today.

(you should all be proud that i have learned not to tell how old she is in public. see, i'm learning!)

Rise and Shout!!

It's GAME DAY!!

Do you know where your BYU Football is?

click on the "Y" for a link to season schedule

The Cougars are in Provo taking on the Aztecs of San Diego State.

Go Cougs!!!

18 consecutive home wins!

(last home loss was in 2005 against Utah)

BYU 41 SDSU 12

Under the Pillow

What is the going rate for a tooth these days? I put in a call to the Tooth Fairy and she has not returned any messages. She must be pretty busy. Nevertheless a tooth has fallen and it must be redeemed. When it was loose, oldest daughter protected it like it was gold, so it must be worth a bunch.

This morning as we were reading scriptures and preparing for our day, the hanging tooth fell out. Finally. With very little provocation. Just as we kept telling oldest daughter it would if she would allow us to help it on its way.

Right now it is tucked securely under oldest daughter's pillow. She insists upon this.

You need to know that it took a little bit of work for that tooth to be the only item under oldest daughter's pillow.

For

"under the pillow"

is where the greatest treasures are kept.

*******************************

I don't know why. But this is how I found out: a few months ago I was changing oldest daughter's sheets. I lifted up her pillow and found beads and books. Ponies and pictures. Cards and a camera. I had to pause a moment to understand what all the trinkets were doing there. I couldn't wait to ask her about it. She told me that she keeps these things here to protect them because they are her favorite things.

And she sleeps with them there every night. So, this is how I know it was a chore to prepare the under the pillow space for the precious tooth. And when I returned from my meeting this evening, oldest daughter showed me the tooth. All alone under the pillow. And then she reassured me that all the other treasures had alternate accommodations for the evening. They are resting in the drawer of her night stand. A harder bed for sure, but one with no pressure from above. One thing is certain: I can imagine oldest daughter will have a more comfortable rest with only a tooth to contend with under the pillow.

Once when my older sister and her family spent the night at my house, she was to stay in the bedroom of oldest daughter. My sister questioned me about the trinkets under the pillow. We had forgotten to remove them before their stay. But my older sister, feeling un-adventurous and desirous for a good night's rest, was sensitive to the treasures of a six year old and found a suitable place for those treasures to pass the night. And they were returned to their under the pillow position as soon as she awoke.

When I was in the years of lost teeth, I never put my lost tooth (or anything for that matter) under the pillow. I just put it under a cup on the kitchen windowsill. That way I was sure it wouldn't get lost. (now having witnessed the special under the pillow spot, I know that it is impossible for things to get lost when placed under the pillow.) But, isn't it magic? That cute little fairy creeps in at night and exchanges money for your old tooth. The ones on the windowsill and the ones under the pillow.

So, I imagine the Tooth Fairy will quietly enter oldest daughter's room at any moment and claim that little front tooth. She will be grateful for the relocation of all the other toys, making the tooth the only treasure to be found under the pillow. And she will take that tooth and deposit a little reward.

And then, what does the Tooth Fairy do with those fallen teeth? Does she keep every tooth? Or does she just keep the first tooth a child loses? These are things that I wonder. Into the night.

And if I could,

I would take my little ones

and tuck them all under my pillow.

Because now I know

that's how you protect all your greatest treasures.

*************************************************

You Gotta Help Out a Sister

This is what I think you should do next: click on this link. Once the page loads, click on the "3-5 Years Vote Now" button and it will take you to the vote screen. Then click the circle next to #70 and enter your email so it can verify your vote. Then when you receive the email, do what it says so that the cute little mommy at An Eagles View can get this for her boys for Christmas.

And, BONUS: once you vote, go back to her blog and leave a little comment so that you can be entered in her awesome giveaway!

Yes, there is something in it for you!

Hurry and vote- voting ends Friday, November 14th.

...................................................

p.s. don't forget to check out the donut recipe below

Who wants a recipe?

And so we have a new President-elect. This calls for donuts. (celebrate or commiserate. whichever.)

One thing I never told you: these donuts are actually called SPUDnuts. As in potato-nuts. Because you have to put potatoes in them. And they are really good. Don't know why I withheld that little piece of info from you. Probably because I didn't want to have to explain (kinda like a politician there) what a spudnut is. So much easier to just say that my mom makes the best donuts. But, spudnuts are the same- only better- than your regular, run-of-the-mill donut.

And now, without further ado, I give you my mom's famous spudnut recipe:

SPUDNUTS

3 cups warm milk (not too hot or it will kill your yeast)
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup shortening
2 scant Tablespoons salt
1 1/2 cup mashed potatoes (can be instant- but real is better---use your Thanksgiving leftovers)
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 tsp. nutmeg
4 eggs
3 Tablespoons dry yeast
10 cups flour

Combine dry ingredients and cut in shortening. In a separate bowl beat eggs. Form a well and pour in wet ingredients. Mix together. Let raise twice. (actually, once is fine)

Roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut donuts and let rise until they double in size.

Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown.


Glaze:
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
(add cocoa if you want a chocolate glaze)

Mix together and dip donut completely in glaze and let excess drip off.





That's it. No big secret. And so you have election time/ Halloween spudnuts. Go forth, change the world with your spudnuts. But, here is a little secret: if you want to save the world, you have to save the cheerleader.

oh, and Sunday is my birthday

Just So You Know

If you open your refrigerator and it is really smelly (I'm talkin' P to the Yew!), it could be the furry rice that has spent a good portion of last month chillin' on the top shelf. You should remove it from the fridge. Chances are, there are additional unidentifiable items at the way back.

If you decide to wash the container the rice is in instead of throwing it away, which was your first instinct, you should take a few precautions. If you decide to dispose of the fuzzy rice down the garbage disposal, it would be nice if you had a plunger just for your kitchen, because it is possible that the rice may perhaps probably clog up your disposal. If you don't have a plunger specifically designated for kitchen use only, you will have to use your bathroom plunger, and a gallon or more of bleach. Because you are going to gross out just thinking about it afterwards.

And when you flip the switch to the insinkerator (that's what mine says on it, does yours?) you will be mesmerized by the gentle swirling motion of the water and bits of rice and the slurping sound of a non-functioning insinkerator. And then you will snap back to reality and notice that nothing is draining. This is when you will have to grab your bathroom plunger. And do your best not to think of where it has been. And you will be way bummed that you are babysitting someone's kids. So you can't run to the store and get a new, clean plunger- designated for kitchen use only. Be sure to block out a half hour of your day, have your secretary hold your calls and wear a sweat band. And you will close your eyes and start plunging. Like you never plunged before. And then, probably most importantly, don't forget to cover up this little thing

because once you start plunging, all that chopped up fuzzy rice will come spewing right out at ya. After a few plunges you will get a brain and realize you could avoid all the spray. This is when you will put your big blue mixing bowl in front of it in order to divert the icky sludge. Be sure to plunge long and hard. And when your biceps are burning, don't forget to spend a few minutes working on the drain on the other side of the sink. You'll have to remove the bowl so that the plunger can work undisturbed, but that's ok because this side doesn't spit back.

And then you will turn on your garbage disposal and everything will drain beautifully. And you will want to do a herkie, right there in your kitchen, so that your fridge and oven can witness your awesomeness. And you will feel triumphant because you didn't have to call the husband or a plumber. And that's when you break out the bleach and then write "kitchen plunger" on your shopping list.

P.S. Tomorrow I shall post the donut recipe. Yum!

Rock the Vote!

It's Election Day!

Did you vote?

I did.

And while I am not going to tell you

everyone and everything I voted for,

I will share with you my vote on one issue.

I voted for Fall!

Summer has been in office long enough
and I think it is

time for a change.
It's like still in the 90's here.
Fall, did you get the memo?
You were supposed to start September 22.
You're just a little behind.
You could have been working
on all those initiatives by now.

But you can be sure of one thing.

No matter when you decide to take office,

you have my full support!

Where are you fall?

I hope you are preparing a grand inauguration.

Time to make the donuts...

I believe you have heard me talk about the donuts my mom makes every Halloween. They are heaven on earth. Actually, they are the Celestial Kingdom on earth. (the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom) This year I begged her to make them a week early so that some of us who couldn't make it on Halloween wouldn't miss out. She consented and made the donuts last Sunday- as in one week before Halloween.

Well, guess what? Our Stake President called a spur-of-the-moment fireside and requested that everyone in the stake attend. On Donut Sunday. We were faced with just about the toughest decision of our married lives. If we attended the fireside it would mean forfeiture of donuts.


We ended up missing out on the donuts. It was tragical. We were all sad. It would be another year before we would taste of pure donut sweetness.


Yesterday, after an awesome all-Arizona satellite broadcast Stake Conference, we headed over the dried up Salt River and through the woods to Grandmother's house. When we arrived mom and I chatted in the kitchen for a bit. And then, she asked if we wanted donuts. She was prepared to make more donuts! She was! and she did!





Of course everyone who can, gathers at my parents house on Sunday evenings. And last night was no different. As each family arrived, they were let in on the little donut secret. And there was excitement. And there was feasting. And there were little sticky fingers. And there were props to me and my little fam for missing last week so that the pure donut sweetness could be repeated a second week in a row.

Thanks, Mom! You are truly a mother who knows!

Rise and Shout!!

It's GAMEDAY!!

Do you know where your BYU Football is?

click on the "Y" for a link to season schedule

The Cougars are in Fort Collins taking on the Rams of Colorado State.

Go Cougs!!!

BYU Wins Again!

BYU 45 Colorado 42