Why do mother kangaroos hate the rain?
Because their kids have to play inside all day.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Rapid Weight Loss
I have lost 10 pounds since yesterday. Seriously.
Working out works. Except, looking at your scale and seeing exactly where it is set works better than working out. I realized this morning that my scale is set on the 10 pound mark to begin with.(it's a really old scale) So I have been really distressed about having gained 30 pounds in the last year. When really, I have only gained 20.
Usually gaining 20 pounds would not be a reason to celebrate. But when you thought you gained 30 and it is only 20, you are pretty excited. Believe me.
Pathetic.
Working out works. Except, looking at your scale and seeing exactly where it is set works better than working out. I realized this morning that my scale is set on the 10 pound mark to begin with.(it's a really old scale) So I have been really distressed about having gained 30 pounds in the last year. When really, I have only gained 20.
Usually gaining 20 pounds would not be a reason to celebrate. But when you thought you gained 30 and it is only 20, you are pretty excited. Believe me.
Pathetic.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Stakeout
In my next life I believe I shall return as a CIA agent. Because I am nothing if not observant.
I could provide loads of historical examples and instances, but in the interest of keeping you here on this blog and ensuring that you aren't tempted to click over to someone else's more interesting blog, I will spare all the "for examples" and get to the point.
But first let me say that I know I would rock as CIA because I have great fingernails. And in the event of an all-out karate fight, and when my karate moves are failing me, I can turn to those fingernails. And they would totally come in handy when hindering bad guys. Plus, I have mom skills. And those are some pretty good skills.
Ahem.
Oldest daughter had piano lessons yesterday and I found myself without my other two kiddos, so I decided to do a bit of recreational window shopping. The bummer here is that her lesson only lasts 1/2 hour and the bigger bummer is that the closest store is K-Mart. So off to K-Mart I went for an uninterrupted 1/2 hour of browsing.
Have you been to K-Mart lately? Because of the piano lesson proximity, I have been there 3 times in the last 2 months and I find it to be WAY overpriced. Like, extremely. But, you know, it's close to piano lessons.
As I was roaming through the store I observed a man (Caucasian, mid-20s) pantomiming a message to two shoppers (a man and a woman) across the store- maybe 20 ft away. As I watch Caucasian man, I recognize he is telling the two shoppers to keep an eye on a large woman and her male shopping partner.
Instantly the scenario plays out in my head: the Caucasian man is a store manager. The two shoppers are undercover and the large woman and her male friend must be shoplifting.
Of course, I had to get in on the action, so I began to trail the whole entourage through the store so that I didn't miss a moment of the action. I wanted to be there when the whole bust went down.
Accordingly, I covertly begin to look at the pajamas, keeping the large lady and her friend in sight. They are in the lingerie section. The dude is checking out red lace panties. And his fingernails are painted a maroon-ish color. Weird. But, whatever. This is not my concern. My concern is that the undercover couple keep an eye on the large lady and the underwear guy. So, I check for the undercover peeps location and see they are not far off- and watching. Watching, always watching. And then, I try to get a location on the manager guy. He is peeking around the socks. Also watching. Good. We are all on target.
I went around the store like this for like 20 minutes. And I was getting anxious. Because at one point, the large lady and her buddy gave us all the slip. And we didn't know their 20 for just a bit. And then we found them. I think someone in electronics was instrumental in helping us find them. I know it was electronics because, like I said, I am observant.
But mostly I was cracking up at the white manager dude, because he was totally conspicuous. Like, walking quickly to keep up with them on the ends of aisles and then slowing way down when he might be visible to the suspects. Not very CIA. Doesn't he watch Chuck? Or Alias? The undercover shopper couple was playing it cool. Just "shopping" and carrying a couple items around the store with them. Very good cover.
And then my time was up. I had to go and pick up oldest daughter from her lesson. And everyone involved never suspected that I was on to them. I shall never know what happened. Although, I believe the CIA will be calling at any minute. They need me. I'm sticking close to the phone today.
And just so you know, that guy with the red lace panties carried them throughout the store.
And as I made my exit, the white manager was speed-walking to catch up and peeking around end caps. In the cosmetics section.
Dead giveaway.
PS- Happy Birthday to my lovely mother. You know, mom, if it weren't for you...
I could provide loads of historical examples and instances, but in the interest of keeping you here on this blog and ensuring that you aren't tempted to click over to someone else's more interesting blog, I will spare all the "for examples" and get to the point.
But first let me say that I know I would rock as CIA because I have great fingernails. And in the event of an all-out karate fight, and when my karate moves are failing me, I can turn to those fingernails. And they would totally come in handy when hindering bad guys. Plus, I have mom skills. And those are some pretty good skills.
Ahem.
Oldest daughter had piano lessons yesterday and I found myself without my other two kiddos, so I decided to do a bit of recreational window shopping. The bummer here is that her lesson only lasts 1/2 hour and the bigger bummer is that the closest store is K-Mart. So off to K-Mart I went for an uninterrupted 1/2 hour of browsing.
Have you been to K-Mart lately? Because of the piano lesson proximity, I have been there 3 times in the last 2 months and I find it to be WAY overpriced. Like, extremely. But, you know, it's close to piano lessons.
As I was roaming through the store I observed a man (Caucasian, mid-20s) pantomiming a message to two shoppers (a man and a woman) across the store- maybe 20 ft away. As I watch Caucasian man, I recognize he is telling the two shoppers to keep an eye on a large woman and her male shopping partner.
Instantly the scenario plays out in my head: the Caucasian man is a store manager. The two shoppers are undercover and the large woman and her male friend must be shoplifting.
Of course, I had to get in on the action, so I began to trail the whole entourage through the store so that I didn't miss a moment of the action. I wanted to be there when the whole bust went down.
Accordingly, I covertly begin to look at the pajamas, keeping the large lady and her friend in sight. They are in the lingerie section. The dude is checking out red lace panties. And his fingernails are painted a maroon-ish color. Weird. But, whatever. This is not my concern. My concern is that the undercover couple keep an eye on the large lady and the underwear guy. So, I check for the undercover peeps location and see they are not far off- and watching. Watching, always watching. And then, I try to get a location on the manager guy. He is peeking around the socks. Also watching. Good. We are all on target.
I went around the store like this for like 20 minutes. And I was getting anxious. Because at one point, the large lady and her buddy gave us all the slip. And we didn't know their 20 for just a bit. And then we found them. I think someone in electronics was instrumental in helping us find them. I know it was electronics because, like I said, I am observant.
But mostly I was cracking up at the white manager dude, because he was totally conspicuous. Like, walking quickly to keep up with them on the ends of aisles and then slowing way down when he might be visible to the suspects. Not very CIA. Doesn't he watch Chuck? Or Alias? The undercover shopper couple was playing it cool. Just "shopping" and carrying a couple items around the store with them. Very good cover.
And then my time was up. I had to go and pick up oldest daughter from her lesson. And everyone involved never suspected that I was on to them. I shall never know what happened. Although, I believe the CIA will be calling at any minute. They need me. I'm sticking close to the phone today.
And just so you know, that guy with the red lace panties carried them throughout the store.
And as I made my exit, the white manager was speed-walking to catch up and peeking around end caps. In the cosmetics section.
Dead giveaway.
PS- Happy Birthday to my lovely mother. You know, mom, if it weren't for you...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
How to Prevent Children from Running Away
Oldest daughter has threatened to run away. For the 5th time this week. And who can blame her? After all, I did pick her up in the bike trailer from school. And I am also guilty of taking her to Girl Scouts this afternoon. Oh, and I consented to letting her have a sucker. Plus, I spent my usual 2 hours helping in her classroom today- just like every Tuesday.
But I wonder where she even picked up that "I'm gonna run away" phrase. Very original. I can remember using that one on my own mom and she usually countered with "Let me know when you are going to pack your bags and I will help you."
I just don't know how to respond to my own daughter. It's a tricky little manipulative corner these sneaky kids back us into.
What I think she is really saying is:
Problem solved.
OK, OK, I confess- I am purposely failing at laundry in an attempt to retain my children.
And now I am off to bed so that I may awake at 5:45 a.(crazy)m. so that I might continue my effort to shape myself up for this pioneer trek. And then I will walk. Because, really, all I want in life is to be an awesome walker! (and to figure out why blogger does some of the annoying things that it does whenever i add a pic or center a phrase. aaarrrgghhhh!!!! yes, and that)
But I wonder where she even picked up that "I'm gonna run away" phrase. Very original. I can remember using that one on my own mom and she usually countered with "Let me know when you are going to pack your bags and I will help you."
I just don't know how to respond to my own daughter. It's a tricky little manipulative corner these sneaky kids back us into.
What I think she is really saying is:
I'm sick of the pile of laundry in the loft.
Because whenever I look at that pile, the first thought on my mind is "I'm gonna run away."
I used to have a great system for laundry. I did one load every day- two, if necessary- and I was able to keep up on the laundry. This was successful for just over a year. And then I got pregnant- and way sick. And the system was thrown off. And I have not been able to get on top of it again in the past year. And it's driving me crazy.
But that is neither here nor there, for what will I do with a runaway daughter? I don't know.
But I do know this: when it comes down to it and she is ready to run, we will have a difficult time packing her little wheelie suitcase- because there are no clean clothes in her drawers- they are all in a pile in the loft. So, here is my theory: she will get so frustrated sorting through the clothes to pack her little bag that she will give up on the running away. Because, hey, it's easier to put up with the meanest of mean moms than to have to sort out the Mt. Everest of laundry hanging out in the loft.
Problem solved.
OK, OK, I confess- I am purposely failing at laundry in an attempt to retain my children.
And now I am off to bed so that I may awake at 5:45 a.(crazy)m. so that I might continue my effort to shape myself up for this pioneer trek. And then I will walk. Because, really, all I want in life is to be an awesome walker! (and to figure out why blogger does some of the annoying things that it does whenever i add a pic or center a phrase. aaarrrgghhhh!!!! yes, and that)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
In Which We Walk
This morning the husband and I awoke the children before dawn. On a Saturday. It was the morning of the Pioneer Trek Fun Walk- a walk to make sure we are prepared for the actual trek and up to the task of walking. Funly.
We slipped newly purchased Crocs on six tiny feet and pushed chilly arms through the long sleeves of jackets and we were on our way.
We made one stop to pick up a young man and young woman in our ward, who happen to be siblings, and hopped on the freeway to the trailhead. As we journeyed, the husband recounted to our little riders the story of a pioneer whose life truly inspired us as we watched a DVD depiction of it last Sunday evening. Maybe you have seen it. It is called Only a Stonecutter. And it is amazing.
We arrived at the walking site, wagon and stroller in tow. The husband manned the wagon, while I manned the stroller. (for some must push and some must pull) And we began walking. For 4 miles we walked. And we were supposed to complete the walk within an hour.
As we started out on the trail, the morning air was crisp and I watched my little brood. And my heart was warmed instantly. I love these people.
Oldest daughter took over stroller duty and ran most of the way while little son enjoyed the ride. Middle daughter sat snuggled with blankets in the wagon as the husband chauffeured her cute little highness. And we continued like this for the majority of the walk.
We caught up to the young lady we had picked up that morning, her brother long past her, and found she was struggling a bit, so we slowed our pace and encouraged her on. We remained by her side for the remainder of our little trek, sharing stories and dreams of the utltimate prom dress (her dreams, not mine) and drank our little water. And we tried to keep up with oldest daughter who seemed to have in her backpack endless energy for this walk.
I was itching to go a bit faster, but determined to see this young woman finish the walk. Her brother came back to lend encouragement and walked the last 1/4 mile alongside his sister. We finished the walk in 1 hour 11 minutes. And it was a victory for this cute young woman with prom dreams. I don't believe she has ever accomplished such a feat. And I could have hugged her brother for coming to rescue her.
And I must add that I incorporated the stretches you all suggested and I believe that they did help. My legs held up beautifully.Thank you for your wisdom.
And now I am off to plant tomatoes and strawberries, onions and peppers in my garden. And the husband will plant the lime tree.
What a glorious day.
We slipped newly purchased Crocs on six tiny feet and pushed chilly arms through the long sleeves of jackets and we were on our way.
We made one stop to pick up a young man and young woman in our ward, who happen to be siblings, and hopped on the freeway to the trailhead. As we journeyed, the husband recounted to our little riders the story of a pioneer whose life truly inspired us as we watched a DVD depiction of it last Sunday evening. Maybe you have seen it. It is called Only a Stonecutter. And it is amazing.
We arrived at the walking site, wagon and stroller in tow. The husband manned the wagon, while I manned the stroller. (for some must push and some must pull) And we began walking. For 4 miles we walked. And we were supposed to complete the walk within an hour.
As we started out on the trail, the morning air was crisp and I watched my little brood. And my heart was warmed instantly. I love these people.
Oldest daughter took over stroller duty and ran most of the way while little son enjoyed the ride. Middle daughter sat snuggled with blankets in the wagon as the husband chauffeured her cute little highness. And we continued like this for the majority of the walk.
We caught up to the young lady we had picked up that morning, her brother long past her, and found she was struggling a bit, so we slowed our pace and encouraged her on. We remained by her side for the remainder of our little trek, sharing stories and dreams of the utltimate prom dress (her dreams, not mine) and drank our little water. And we tried to keep up with oldest daughter who seemed to have in her backpack endless energy for this walk.
I was itching to go a bit faster, but determined to see this young woman finish the walk. Her brother came back to lend encouragement and walked the last 1/4 mile alongside his sister. We finished the walk in 1 hour 11 minutes. And it was a victory for this cute young woman with prom dreams. I don't believe she has ever accomplished such a feat. And I could have hugged her brother for coming to rescue her.
And I must add that I incorporated the stretches you all suggested and I believe that they did help. My legs held up beautifully.Thank you for your wisdom.
And now I am off to plant tomatoes and strawberries, onions and peppers in my garden. And the husband will plant the lime tree.
What a glorious day.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Request
The husband and I have been asked to participate in our stake's youth handcart trek. We are excited. Really. (we kind of campaigned for this position- short of printing signs for election) The husband knows people- and he recommended us. And so we are preparing ourselves for the 4 day 3 night excursion to take place mid-March.
I have been working out. Because, well, it would not do for me to ask the kids to load me up in that handcart and pull me along with all their supplies. I don't think. It would be better (and a lot less embarrassing) if I were a bit in shape and able to walk all those miles of my own accord. So I have been using that elliptical machine that has been acting as a beautiful sculpture in our loft these many months. And it has proved to be a worthy work-out partner. As long as I can watch a good show while I am ellipticizing. Because if I can't watch a good show, I just get bored.
And for a little over two weeks I have worked out every day- except Sunday. I am feeling pretty good about what I have accomplished. I have also found myself a walking partner. We have determined to walk 3 miles every MWF at 6:00 a.m. And we have gone twice so far. And both times we have been hindered due to my little calf muscles. I just don't know what is up with them. All along the side of my lower leg- from my ankle up to my knee- my muscle tightens and has prohibited us from an excellent walk. It pulls so tight that it feels like it could snap.
So, I am wondering how to warm up this muscle. Does anyone have great pointers? Because I want to able to walk in the mornings. And the trek is fast approaching. And I believe you are all a bit smarter in the workout department than I am. So- help! Please...
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Visualize This
So, Vision Boards. Many of you want to know what they are. Vision Boards are an actual poster or something similar where you would cut out pictures or words of things you are trying to achieve and paste them on your board. The theory is that once you are able to visualize your goals, you can then create the life you want.
If you want to know a bit more about vision boards, you should Google it. There are even companies that will help you create a professional board. I think it could be great for you.
The truth is, I only know a little bit about them. And also the truth is, I never intended to make one to win the cape. And the real truth is that I was a little bit making fun of the whole thing. But only because that certain reality show that I saw where the woman was making such a big deal about the vision board just kind of cracked me up. A lot.
And so, if you were to spend the day with me, you might just hear me talking about how I want this or that and so I should put it on my vision board. But I wouldn't really make one. Because I've decided that I am just not a vision board type of gal. But I do believe in setting goals. But, if you are a vision board type of person, please don't feel that I don't support you in your vision-boarding. Because you have my full support. And I can help you cut out stuff for your board. If you want. Just putting it out there. We have lots of scissors and glue at our house.
Oh, and President Obama is visiting my great state today- the foreclosure capital of our free nation. What is your state good at?
If you want to know a bit more about vision boards, you should Google it. There are even companies that will help you create a professional board. I think it could be great for you.
The truth is, I only know a little bit about them. And also the truth is, I never intended to make one to win the cape. And the real truth is that I was a little bit making fun of the whole thing. But only because that certain reality show that I saw where the woman was making such a big deal about the vision board just kind of cracked me up. A lot.
And so, if you were to spend the day with me, you might just hear me talking about how I want this or that and so I should put it on my vision board. But I wouldn't really make one. Because I've decided that I am just not a vision board type of gal. But I do believe in setting goals. But, if you are a vision board type of person, please don't feel that I don't support you in your vision-boarding. Because you have my full support. And I can help you cut out stuff for your board. If you want. Just putting it out there. We have lots of scissors and glue at our house.
Oh, and President Obama is visiting my great state today- the foreclosure capital of our free nation. What is your state good at?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
winner
Two words: Vision Board. Or is that one word: visionboard? How ever many words it is, all I have to say is that they work. And we all should have them. And I have known this ever since I learned about vision boards on a certain reality program. Although the individual advocating the boards wasn't successful in attaining the thing that she was desiring through her vision board.
How do I know they work, you ask? Well, I just know because in my head I was always thinking about making a vision board to win a certain giveaway hosted by Mormon Mommy Blogs. But I never actually got around to constructing that vision board.
At MMB they were giving away a bunch of cool stuff. But I was really wanting just one of those things. And I won it. And I personally believe I won because I was thinking about creating a Vision Board. And it would have been the mother of all vision boards.
So now here's the deal: I am going to post this cute pic of little son with the prize. And you will probably smile. Because you are human.
How do I know they work, you ask? Well, I just know because in my head I was always thinking about making a vision board to win a certain giveaway hosted by Mormon Mommy Blogs. But I never actually got around to constructing that vision board.
At MMB they were giving away a bunch of cool stuff. But I was really wanting just one of those things. And I won it. And I personally believe I won because I was thinking about creating a Vision Board. And it would have been the mother of all vision boards.
So now here's the deal: I am going to post this cute pic of little son with the prize. And you will probably smile. Because you are human.
Cute Jaime over at The Dress-Up Drawer was the creator of this cuteness. (the cape, not little son- the husband and I are creators of that cuteness.) You need to hop on over to her site and peruse the cute stuff she makes. And she is fast. And so cool. Thank you, Jaime!
And you might remember that my camera was broken? Well it still is. So I broke out our old digital camera, dusted it off, charged up the battery and snapped a few pics. I could not post this without pics. Because, well, could you? (post about all this cuteness without an equally cute pic.) Didn't think so.
And you may also notice that little son is alive. The yellow plastic things did not injure him. We are so glad!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Plastic Insides
I'm hoping little son survives the day.
He ate a yellow thing off the floor at the dollar store just 20 minutes ago. Not sure what it was, but it appeared to be the plastic insides of a silk flower. Those can be pretty tempting.
I was busy with the girls deciding on the perfect Valentines for classmates. One can't be expected to watch their son whilst scouting out delightful Valentines, can they?
And now that we are home he is busying himself talking on his banana phone- an actual banana that he uses as a phone. Thank you, middle daughter, inventor of the banana phone. Sometimes they converse with each other via banana phone. Those are some great conversations.
We'll keep that banana phone handy in case we have to call 911 because of that yellow thing that is probably the plastic insides of a silk flower.
I'll keep you posted.
He ate a yellow thing off the floor at the dollar store just 20 minutes ago. Not sure what it was, but it appeared to be the plastic insides of a silk flower. Those can be pretty tempting.
I was busy with the girls deciding on the perfect Valentines for classmates. One can't be expected to watch their son whilst scouting out delightful Valentines, can they?
And now that we are home he is busying himself talking on his banana phone- an actual banana that he uses as a phone. Thank you, middle daughter, inventor of the banana phone. Sometimes they converse with each other via banana phone. Those are some great conversations.
We'll keep that banana phone handy in case we have to call 911 because of that yellow thing that is probably the plastic insides of a silk flower.
I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
pedicures
last night i received a pedicure inspired by oldest daughter. and my toenails are orange. they kind of remind me of old lady lipstick. again- i can't favor you with a photo, because, well, no working camera.
i haven't had painted toes in a long time. i have been letting my toenails "breathe". because i think i had polish on my toes for a continuous year- or more. so then one day i decided to remove all the polish and vowed to not paint my toes again until all the yellowed toenails grew out. and last night was the night. my toenails were finally looking a bit healthier and were rewarded with old lady orange. the utltimate reward.
my youngest sister is here. and she got a toenail clip and pink pedicure. oldest daughter performed it. and it looks very 6 year old. she is pregnant. (youngest sister- not oldest daughter. phew.) and she is way sick. she has been in and out of the hospital multiple times and has been diagnosed with some pregnancy sickness that is bad. so yesterday i drove to her house and picked her up and she spent the day with us so we could take care of her while her hubby is at work. he lovingly packed a diaper bag for her. complete with snacks.
husbands are so good for that.
i haven't had painted toes in a long time. i have been letting my toenails "breathe". because i think i had polish on my toes for a continuous year- or more. so then one day i decided to remove all the polish and vowed to not paint my toes again until all the yellowed toenails grew out. and last night was the night. my toenails were finally looking a bit healthier and were rewarded with old lady orange. the utltimate reward.
my youngest sister is here. and she got a toenail clip and pink pedicure. oldest daughter performed it. and it looks very 6 year old. she is pregnant. (youngest sister- not oldest daughter. phew.) and she is way sick. she has been in and out of the hospital multiple times and has been diagnosed with some pregnancy sickness that is bad. so yesterday i drove to her house and picked her up and she spent the day with us so we could take care of her while her hubby is at work. he lovingly packed a diaper bag for her. complete with snacks.
husbands are so good for that.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Stainless Steel Bowls
We have a sick kid at our house today. Oldest daughter is lying on the couch with her comfy pink monkey blanket and Mahoney- her sock monkey named after Natalie Portman's character in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
I taxied her to school this morning. As she was exiting she mentioned something about an upset tummy. I thought perhaps she was just hungry and told her as much. She said, "It's not growl-y, it's achy." Still I thought she was hungry and encouraged her to hustle in to school and eat breakfast. (her school provides breakfast in the classroom to every student. It's wonderful. It cuts down on the time it takes her to get ready in the morning and ensures that every student has an opportunity for a healthy breakfast before diving into lessons.)
I received a call from the nurse not an hour later reporting that oldest daughter was in fact throwing up. And so I rushed to school to collect my little sick one. And her tears flowed as soon as I walked into the nurse's office. It touched me because I can remember the relief of my mom being there for me. And the tears that accompany this feeling.
Now we are home. And since we have a sick one, we have need for a throw-up bowl, which necessitated emptying the remaining Halloween candy from the stainless steel mixing bowl it has been occupying these many months. Because you have to have a stainless steel bowl for throw-ups.
My camera isn't working. This creates problems in our home because the children enjoy toting the camera around with them, documenting their every move. I have multitudes of pictures taken from the vantage point of a little person. The contents of their closet, the state of their nostrils, the carpet, the canine, the piggy banks lined up in a row, little feet, the block castle they constructed- usually with half of the castle just outside the frame of the picture.
Someday I will do a pictorial blog based on their photography. But today, I just wanted to get a shot of that Halloween candy. And I can't. Suffice it to say, it is a good amount. A bowl full. And now it is on the counter while its host is being used as a throw-up receptacle.
And the bowl is performing beautifully. Just as it has for the past 3 1/2 months as it cradled the candy. Stainless bowls are good that way.
I taxied her to school this morning. As she was exiting she mentioned something about an upset tummy. I thought perhaps she was just hungry and told her as much. She said, "It's not growl-y, it's achy." Still I thought she was hungry and encouraged her to hustle in to school and eat breakfast. (her school provides breakfast in the classroom to every student. It's wonderful. It cuts down on the time it takes her to get ready in the morning and ensures that every student has an opportunity for a healthy breakfast before diving into lessons.)
I received a call from the nurse not an hour later reporting that oldest daughter was in fact throwing up. And so I rushed to school to collect my little sick one. And her tears flowed as soon as I walked into the nurse's office. It touched me because I can remember the relief of my mom being there for me. And the tears that accompany this feeling.
Now we are home. And since we have a sick one, we have need for a throw-up bowl, which necessitated emptying the remaining Halloween candy from the stainless steel mixing bowl it has been occupying these many months. Because you have to have a stainless steel bowl for throw-ups.
My camera isn't working. This creates problems in our home because the children enjoy toting the camera around with them, documenting their every move. I have multitudes of pictures taken from the vantage point of a little person. The contents of their closet, the state of their nostrils, the carpet, the canine, the piggy banks lined up in a row, little feet, the block castle they constructed- usually with half of the castle just outside the frame of the picture.
Someday I will do a pictorial blog based on their photography. But today, I just wanted to get a shot of that Halloween candy. And I can't. Suffice it to say, it is a good amount. A bowl full. And now it is on the counter while its host is being used as a throw-up receptacle.
And the bowl is performing beautifully. Just as it has for the past 3 1/2 months as it cradled the candy. Stainless bowls are good that way.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
25 Random Things
This is the infamous 25 Random Things tag that is circulating on facebook. I finally gave in and completed it. In the interest of posting something on this here blog today, I give you 25 Random Things about me.
1. I have been tagged 14 times and have been avoiding this tag because I don't really have 25 interesting things to say about myself.
2. I love to spend time with my family more than anything else in the world.
3. My best talent is spending money. I do it very well and have perfected this skill to the point that I know this talent can never be taken away. I take that parable seriously. My piano skills, on the other hand? Gone.
4. I love to travel with my family.
5. I am not very good at keeping up my end of a friendship. But I love my friends. I have had the best and most amazing friends throughout my lifetime (that includes you!). And I love making new friends.
6. I would rather stay up late than get up early.
7. I am the third child in a family of 5 girls and 2 boys.
8. I am two years older than my husband. In fact when I met him and found out he had just barely returned from his mission I almost wrote him off due to our age difference, thinking that he would not be interested in an older woman.
9. My favorite job of all time was working at a treatment center for women and girls batling eating disorders. The women were amazing and the work environment was incredible.
10. I sometimes worry that I will die before my children are raised. I want to be the one to raise them.
11. I am a procrastinator.
12. I have seen Milli Vanilli in concert. Believe it. It was awesome.
13. I never knew how awesome my husband was when I married him. I find myself feeling blessed everyday by a new layer that I uncover.
14. My favorite part of the day is when the children are asleep and the house is quiet and I can sit and talk to my husband uninterrupted.
15. The only class that I attended 100% of the lectures in college was the one where I met my husband.
16. I love to blog.
17. I would love to hire a maid, but I know that I would clean up before she (or he) came. Defeats the purpose.
18. My dream is to be neighbors with my sisters.
19. Occasionally I have icky insecurities that make me wonder what people think about me.
20. When I was in kindergarten I stole a little plastic chicken that belonged to the farmhouse set in the toy area. But I left 25 cents to pay for it.
21. I would love to have 2 more children, but I am afraid I am getting too old and it may not happen for me.
22. Growing up I never, EVER, heard my mom say something bad about anyone.
23. I love being a mom. It took me a couple years after my first child to be able to say this. But now I love it!
24. I love sunsets.
25. I have great fingernails.
25.1. I can speak some Russian- but the longer I get from college, the less I remember. I took Russian classes at BYU and was 2 credits short of a Russian minor when I graduated.
And I will not tag you. You're Welcome.
1. I have been tagged 14 times and have been avoiding this tag because I don't really have 25 interesting things to say about myself.
2. I love to spend time with my family more than anything else in the world.
3. My best talent is spending money. I do it very well and have perfected this skill to the point that I know this talent can never be taken away. I take that parable seriously. My piano skills, on the other hand? Gone.
4. I love to travel with my family.
5. I am not very good at keeping up my end of a friendship. But I love my friends. I have had the best and most amazing friends throughout my lifetime (that includes you!). And I love making new friends.
6. I would rather stay up late than get up early.
7. I am the third child in a family of 5 girls and 2 boys.
8. I am two years older than my husband. In fact when I met him and found out he had just barely returned from his mission I almost wrote him off due to our age difference, thinking that he would not be interested in an older woman.
9. My favorite job of all time was working at a treatment center for women and girls batling eating disorders. The women were amazing and the work environment was incredible.
10. I sometimes worry that I will die before my children are raised. I want to be the one to raise them.
11. I am a procrastinator.
12. I have seen Milli Vanilli in concert. Believe it. It was awesome.
13. I never knew how awesome my husband was when I married him. I find myself feeling blessed everyday by a new layer that I uncover.
14. My favorite part of the day is when the children are asleep and the house is quiet and I can sit and talk to my husband uninterrupted.
15. The only class that I attended 100% of the lectures in college was the one where I met my husband.
16. I love to blog.
17. I would love to hire a maid, but I know that I would clean up before she (or he) came. Defeats the purpose.
18. My dream is to be neighbors with my sisters.
19. Occasionally I have icky insecurities that make me wonder what people think about me.
20. When I was in kindergarten I stole a little plastic chicken that belonged to the farmhouse set in the toy area. But I left 25 cents to pay for it.
21. I would love to have 2 more children, but I am afraid I am getting too old and it may not happen for me.
22. Growing up I never, EVER, heard my mom say something bad about anyone.
23. I love being a mom. It took me a couple years after my first child to be able to say this. But now I love it!
24. I love sunsets.
25. I have great fingernails.
25.1. I can speak some Russian- but the longer I get from college, the less I remember. I took Russian classes at BYU and was 2 credits short of a Russian minor when I graduated.
And I will not tag you. You're Welcome.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Postponed
The word on the street is that the digital television transition has been pushed back. This can only mean one thing:
And I know he read the post I wrote last month about the whole digital thing. (you can find that little post here.) And I'm pretty sure he read it via his Blackberry. Good thing they let him keep it. (the Blackberry) And now he has pulled some strings- for me! Average US citizen. This is the change we've heard so much about.
I guess this means the little utc cd/r/tv has been granted a stay of execution. This rocks. Now my family can continue eating, because I will continue cooking since I can listen to the tv as I am so doing.
I have until June 12. I'm going to make the most of it.
Do you think I could get him (the pres) to do a guest-post via said Blackberry?
Review:
President Obama has been lurking on my blog.
And I know he read the post I wrote last month about the whole digital thing. (you can find that little post here.) And I'm pretty sure he read it via his Blackberry. Good thing they let him keep it. (the Blackberry) And now he has pulled some strings- for me! Average US citizen. This is the change we've heard so much about.
I guess this means the little utc cd/r/tv has been granted a stay of execution. This rocks. Now my family can continue eating, because I will continue cooking since I can listen to the tv as I am so doing.
I have until June 12. I'm going to make the most of it.
Do you think I could get him (the pres) to do a guest-post via said Blackberry?
Review:
Digital Transition Postponed = Barack Lurking on Blog = Family Can Eat
& Possible Guest-Post
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Flying
There are multitudes of brilliant bloggers out there. I would love to know them all. Like sit down and chat with them. And get to know them.
For a while now I have been considering inviting some of these brilliant people to guest-post on my blog. Because I would love for all of you to know them. And if you are reading this, chances are I am talking about you- the brilliant blogger.
Yesterday I read a post that got to me. Because it spoke to me personally. And because the blogger is my niece. And she was writing about people who I owe my present-day happiness to. They are the ones who raised the husband. And I wanted to share her words with you.
And, since I have been wanting a guest-post- I will start with my brilliant niece. Because I am a firm believer in nepotism. And my family are some of the greatest people in the world.
Meet my niece. And through her words, meet my in-laws:
For a while now I have been considering inviting some of these brilliant people to guest-post on my blog. Because I would love for all of you to know them. And if you are reading this, chances are I am talking about you- the brilliant blogger.
Yesterday I read a post that got to me. Because it spoke to me personally. And because the blogger is my niece. And she was writing about people who I owe my present-day happiness to. They are the ones who raised the husband. And I wanted to share her words with you.
And, since I have been wanting a guest-post- I will start with my brilliant niece. Because I am a firm believer in nepotism. And my family are some of the greatest people in the world.
Meet my niece. And through her words, meet my in-laws:
"Grandpa's hands"
This is my father-in-law building one of his model planes.
photo courtesy of my niece. you can visit her photo blog here.
Aerial photography is my grandpa’s specialty. It’s his life, really. He made model airplanes and took photographs for his career. He does it as a hobby after retirement. He did it in service for his church. It’s really who my grandpa is.
Because of this, he has gained a very large collection of photographs. I was sitting with my grandparents today as they sifted through them. Their goals was to cut down on a lot of them, and my grandma is much more willing to give up on some than my grandpa, but sometimes they both hold to them.
They look at a picture and say, “We ate lunch here. This is where we saw coyotes jumping up and eating pears off a tree. There was a garden here. We ate prickly pear cactus.”
One thing I am impressed with is that my grandma has accompanied my grandfather on a great many trips. She was there while he held the controller and flew the airplanes around, snapping pictures of the ground.
So, even though aerial photography is my grandpa’s thing, it has also become their thing. Their life is contained in that one moment when the airplane flies around, the sun beats down on both of them, and they stand out in the middle of nowhere taking pictures of something that everyone has already forgotten. They are together.
And when they look through those photographs, they can remember.
So, Um, Would you like to guest-post here? Like in the future sometime? Let me know. I can pull some strings...(and FYI, I feel silly {not to mention presumptuous} even asking this. I have typed it and deleted it three times. But, what the heck...) Do you want to?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Groundhog Day
And so, (that phrase was for all of you who might remember this. i couldn't help myself.) I was at Target today with middle daughter and little son. We were scouting out the clearance piles, or aisles, if you prefer. (We still call them piles- a la little son.) And I got some great deals on Christmas toys. For birthdays.
Of course when I go to Target, I case the entire joint. Check every clearance pile. And re-check. Thoroughly. And then I meander throughout the rest of the store, just in case I am missing anything. It is a process.
As we were passing by the bedding piles, little son's spidey senses detected a way awesome stuffed Batman pillow. I'm talking way way awesome- it's basically like a stuffed batman doll. It's at least two feet tall, maybe more, and has a cape. So, we paused to allow for a little super hero on super hero combat. And it was good combat. And little son loved that Batman pillow. And we moved on. To the hairspray. Because I had to get some, eventhough the husband had just purchased some for me on his late-Saturday-night jaunt to the grocer's. But he got aerosol. And I don't believe I have used aerosol hairspray since my Aqua-Net glory days. (I will give the husband props, though, because he did call me while at the grocer's, standing in the hairspray pile, and informed me that only aerosol was available in my particular spray, and what should he do? And since it was imperative that I be a little bit cute for my lesson on Sunday, I gave the consent for the aerosol purchase. So when I used it yesterday, I was not satisfied with it. Hence the need for visiting the hairspray pile at Target.)
After Target we headed home. And so, as I entered my mobile office, I took out the cell phone to take care of the business that one can conduct in one's mobile office. I dialed 411 to get the number of the business that I needed to call and was greeted with:
AT&T 411 Info. Happy Groundhog Day
from the lady whose voice is pre-recorded. Wow. I had completely forgotten this holiday.
We really need to put the Groudhog back into Groudhog Day. I can't remember the last time someone wished me a Happy Groundhog Day. And I was filled with warm fuzzies. And tears came to my eyes. And then, as a bonus, I was wished a Happy Groundhog Day AGAIN after I received the information I was seeking. I believe AT&T could change the world.
Soon we were pulling into the garage and unloading the car.
As we sat down to lunch, I asked my two children what they loved best about visiting Target today. (This is a habit for me after we visit stores, so that I can make mental notes of the kinds of things to get them for holidays.) And middle daughter answered the typical girl answer- she loved the Barbies. But, little son surprised me. He said, "I liked the bras."
Yikes.
How did you spend your Groundhog Day?
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