Real World Dreamer

The Parable of the Village Child - Part III

2010-04-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

PART III
But it was too late for these villagers. Never again would the master entrust a special child to them. Never would the people be known for their success, because they had not been successful. They had failed. Now they would always be remembered as the village that let the chosen child die from neglect.
Forever after, although many of the villagers were known for how well they took care of one another, none would ever again forget that they had failed their master. Although he loved them, no longer would the villagers believe that it was a love that was deserved. Forever after the villagers worked hard to try to gain the respect they once had for themselves and for another.
Each villager carried a deep and scarring wound within their heart. A scar branded every heart with the knowledge that they had had something precious that could never be regained. The scar reminded them of their own personal shortcomings. The scar would never go away.
And with this eternal scar, each villager vowed that they would never allow such a thing to happen again. Each time a belly growled, food and drink gave sustenance. Each time a knee was scraped, at least one loving kiss and treatment was given. Each time a cry was heard, every head turned, every eye looked, every hand touched.
With this constant care and enduring accountability, the village truly grew into a humble and diligent people. Out of great and intense pain, joy and peacefulness blossomed. The village was now truly one, unified in purpose and heart.
Although the master had no other child to entrust to the villagers, he knew they forever more carried the child in their hearts.
The end.

Parable of the Village Child - Part II

2010-04-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

PART II
The villagers were astounded. Who could have done such a terrible thing? How could this child, who had so much potential, lose all of its vitality so quickly? Weren’t there four doctors in town? The whole village was a caring community and everyone was prosperous. How? How could this be?
It must have been a terrible illness, a sudden disaster, or the will of fate! Soon villagers began pointing fingers and blaming one another. What was once a happy and peaceful village was now a fractious and bitter place. Communication was rare, and when words were spoken they were filled with suspicion, blame, and distrust.
What had happened to this lovely abode? Everyone who was once happy was now bitter, sullen, and hateful. Friends were now enemies.
After having grieved for his lost child, the master called the villagers together. He asked the villagers who was to blame for the child’s death. Every single villager pointed his or her finger at another. The master asked the villagers to look around them.
The villagers soon noticed that everyone had a finger pointing at them. Cries of outrage flew out. Everyone knew that they were excused from blame because their cause had been justified.
That master then asked the villagers who had the responsibility for the care of this child. Every single villager pointed his or finger at another. The master asked the villagers to look around them.
The villagers soon noticed that everyone had a finger pointing at them. This time the cries were silenced. Everyone knew that the finger pointers were right. Everyone had been given the responsibility for the child’s care. Heads hung in shame as they realized that they had been responsible for the child’s death.
The first doctor knew he had been selfish and self serving. The second doctor knew that he had been uncaring. The third doctor now understood he had been irresponsible in managing his schedule well. The fourth doctor realized that she had just been plain lazy.
The mother knew she could have opened up her heart a little more. The brother knew he been mean. The sister realized she could have gone to someone and asked for help. The father now understood that the child had also been his important business.

Parable of the Village Child - Part I

2010-04-15T01:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a story that blossomed out of frustration for failure to work as a team. A miserable experience that I hope I can rectify by not allowing it to happen on my watch.

PARABLE OF THE VILLAGE CHILD

There once was a village that was selected by the master to raise a special child. They were chosen because they were good people. They were talented, smart, and beautiful.
This child was strong and healthy and everyone knew it had great potential.
The villagers knew that the child could be entrusted to everyone else, so they did not worry when the child cried. There were four village doctors, so surely one of the others would check in on him. The first doctor had other patients that paid more, so the others could help. The second doctor had missed breakfast that morning and was just now able to grab a bite to eat. Surely, the other doctors could look into the child’s needs. The third doctor was up late, so he slept in and didn’t even realize the child was crying. The fourth doctor had a tickle in her throat and so figured she ought not to see the child when she might be coming down with something.
A mother passed the child as she was on her way home from work. She felt sorry for him and wiped away his tears and cooed at him for a moment before she felt the pull of her own family’s needs and she left, knowing someone else could fill his needs. A brother passed, giving the child a dirty look for being so annoying and crying so much. A sister looked in on the child and determined she didn’t have the skills necessary to help calm the baby. But that was okay because there were plenty of mothers around that would take care of the child. A father passed by and got frustrated that there was no one around to help so he went along his way, intending to find someone to help, but he got distracted by an important business call he needed to attend to.
The busy villagers soon grew irritated by the child’s constant complaining. The child slowly became ugly, gangly, and stupid. The villagers began hating this willful child, constantly annoying everyone with its needs and wants.
One day the child was silent. At first there was just relief in the air. As the mother passed by she was glad to see it had fallen asleep. The brother passed by and stuck his tongue out at the child. The sister poked him and wondered why he was cold. The father passed by without looking at him.
The doctors were all relieved that the other doctors must have taken care of the child since they could no long hear the constant crying.
When the master came finally to check on the child, the villagers were shocked at the sudden outburst of wrath! What could cause such fury in one they loved so much? They all ran to the master to find him holding the child in his arms, tears streaming down his face. The child was dead.

Lessons in Etiquette.... for Grown Ups!

2009-11-07T20:19:00.000-08:00

Hmmm.... Maybe not all adults are as mature as we expect them to be.
Maybe concert etiquette should go on the cover of the program instead of on the back page. I find it sad that grown ups should have to be taught at all! They should have learned it back in their school days! (Especially when the adults look like they may have been in high school in the 50's! I KNOW kids were taught more respect then, more so than in my 70's and 80's!)

So I think I just may be one of those directors that throws a hissy fit for unneccessary rudeness. I guess I know that I need to do what I can - set up procedures from the beginning - to prevent it from happening. Not cool to embarrass everyone with a temper tantrum!

Kids noise (necessary rudeness) can't be helped. It can be minimized.
Adult unnecessary noise (talking and wrappers)-during a recorded concert especially! - should not have to be tolerated by anyone!

Preventative measures then:
Teach the students proper behavior and send notes home to families.
Have ushers that only allow people in during breaks between numbers and/or
Post expectations on concert doors
(That would be cheaper than inserts in programs)
It would be nice to have ushers with signs to shush noisy people - and kick them out if they can't deal with it.

Boy! I sound grumpy! Is it really that bad? Or is it just me?
I do seem to be near many adults who forget to whisper during a concert! I am amazed! And here in retirement city I wonder if it's just hearing aid issues, but.... People! If you have hearing problems, bring a pen and paper and write notes!!!!

I learned after the concert last night that the rude adults had snuck alcohol into the family event. There's no sense in making a fuss with people like that, so glad I controlled myself. I really did want to write a big SHUT UP! sign to them. I probably would have had I the paper and pen! Glad I didn't. I only like making a scene in appropriate circumstances...not when I'm not the one who should be the center of attention. The greater good has to win out, despite my own irritations. Recording of the concert should not include an irritated audience member berating the other rude audience members! So I did my best to ignore after the initial silent Sh'shd communication didn't work. But I learned I still do have my temper!!!

So I'm glad to have discovered that before I do have a choir in which I'm directing and I have to deal with it. I might end up throwing a stick and impaling poor gabby idiots!

(And I think I've probably been guilty of the infraction myself, so I ought to really be a little nicer with a bit more patience...)

It's all in the education. Making rules and then sticking to em.

My First Musical Inspirational Influence

2009-09-26T01:27:00.000-07:00

Lyric Montgomery was an inspiration to me when I was young. Born to David and Lynn Montgomery, the oldest of 6 kids, Lyric was a dedicated music student and role model for me. She allowed me, albeit sometimes unwillingly, to be the little tag-along sister in the majority of her musical endeavors. My first musical memory of her was trying to teach me, a kindergartener, how to play the recorder. Her patience was short as I tried clumsily to wrap my fingers onto the appropriate holes. I still have my first recorder and play around with Baroque arrangements on it. Then when she entered sixth grade, she chose to play the French Horn having been advised it was the hardest instrument to play. She played with the Murray Symphony beginning at age 14. She brought home tapes of the King’s Singers that we listened to going to sleep, (I still love listening to them!). She introduced me to The Nylons, Mannheim Steamroller, and the Blue Devils. She let me tag along to follow after her and the Lagoon Show Band.

But one of the most pivotal moments in my life was when I went to her first All-State Band performance when I was in middle school. It was there that I heard a large-scale choir, live, at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah. I enjoyed the band, but I was entranced by the choir! I immediately was in love! I determined right then and there that somehow I was going to be in that choir! I had no idea how to go about it, but that was for me! I joined the 8th grade choir where the teacher was a little bit crazy and overboard, but he had a driving passion for music and introduced us to madrigals and other challenging music that captured my heart. I did make it into the All-State Choir, my first year being the sole representative from my high school. By my senior year, the majority of my high school choir attended it.

The rest is history of where I am today. I’m not sure where I would have discovered my passion for choral music if I had not been allowed to be the pesky little sister. I will always be grateful to my older sister for her example of hard work, inspirational talent, and a passion for music outside of the mainstream radio genres popular with our peers. My world was opened and changed forever due to her direct influence.

Which Kind of Parent Are You?

2009-06-01T16:59:00.001-07:00

In my Ed Psych class we got to talking about parenting styles.... I got wondering what the kids would say about us? Someday I may get brave enough to ask them.
The Drill Sergeant:
Controls, makes all the decisions, and is the jude jusy and executioner.
The Helicopter:
Handles the controls, makes the decisions, rewards those that don't create problems, and rescues.
The Consultant:
Kid thinks for himself, makes decisions & lives with the consequences, kids problems are opportunities for growth.
Are you thinking "oh dear!" to yourself like I am? I know which one we all wanna be like and dream of being! Don't wanna be authoritarian or permissive (although, I know I am!). I know I'm not rejecting or neglecting!
So how do you awesome parents do it? How do be the Authoritative parent (not the authoritarian)? I would like to be able to figure out how to give high warmth and high control? How do keep on top of the lil bodies with clear limits, enforce the rules, and expect mature behavior? I think I do okay in the democracy side of it. I'm just not good at dishing out those consequences!
Just thinkin....

En Vogue

2009-05-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

I get to be the Diva on the stage! Mink stole, broad brimmed hat, pointy shoes, sun glasses, ruby red lips!! I'm planning it all out! I oughtta have red fingernails, French Twist would be perfect if I could figure out how to do it, loong fake lashes! And I'm not the lead, so I don't have as many lines to memorize - but I get to talk a-with an Italian accent! Hoo! So much a-fun! Maria Merrelli in Lend Me A Tenor, non-musical version. We're doing some minor editing to make it St George Community Acceptable. It's written as a strong PG-13, and now it's maybe even a PG. Funny show. Through the college. What else would you like to know? I'll try to post pic's when we get into costume and make-up.

It Worked!

2009-05-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

I didn't intend to let the assignment actually make me think! In my Educational Psychology class we had to do a research paper, picking out from a number of topics. I found one that sounded interesting and had less than 25 pages, so Punishment ended up being my topic.
And right near the end of writing the paper, all of the sudden the ideas starting hitting me. What kind of punishment do our children get in school these days? The paddle is now no longer politically correct with all of the sue happy parents. (I'll admit, I really don't want my kids being spanked by a dictatorial Mr **** even though I think my kids deserve a nice paddling every once in a while).
So now we have Time Out on various levels: study hall, restitution, crisis centers, and detention.
So does Time Out really work for the kids who are doing poorly in school? Mmm... I would hazard to say "No, not really". Is the kid learning to take accountability? Is the kid learning how to cope with the stressors of life?
Okay, for someone like me or my friends, yeah it does work. I'd be embarrassed to go, humiliated. But I know a lot of kids that wear it like a badge of honor, they have no qualms with telling their peers that they just got out of detention. They only get bugged when the grown-ups start in with the lectures of how they "shouldn't, because...." or the annoying concern: "we miss you, we care about you!"
So how do we help these kids that are society's misfits, who hate authority, thumb their noses at the rules?
The article I read (I'll have to reference it when I get it back) was a study on the kids that frequently got kicked out of class who were put in a Behavioral Management Class. They were tested before and after the training period. In the class, they used all of the different learning techniques to learn to recognize their problems and to see how they affect others. They role played scenarios with their peers. The study, although needing a bit more work in order to be conclusive, saw that all of the students attendance improved on the days that the training class was held and all of the students experienced an increase in their empathy levels.
While I was writing, the implications of this type of learning environment starting hitting me. So if the students developed a bond in that class enough to where they actually went to class that day - why not have it everyday?? If empathy increased, I'm thinking that these kids are beginning to realize that what they do really does affect others - that they matter! If kids felt like they matter, don't they usually stop acting out in negative disruptive ways? I could take it so far as to believe that graduation rates would go up and the need for alternative schools and detention centers could even decrease. And with that you could even hazard a theory that jail populatons would decrease if this was a widespread and common practice in the school districts.
What would it take to get something like this kind of program going? Use a contract teacher who is interested and send them to the training workshop and have this as a class as opposed to just putting them in a study hall. Have them start actively addressing the issues that got them there in the first place. Learn to take accountability. Help them figure out why they do those kinds of things. Help them recognize what sets them off. And then train them with the coping methods to figure out how to manage the triggers. When kids are learning that there is a positive way to deal with the things that they don't like they will be able to deal with real life so much the better!
Maybe I'm a dreamer, maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I really don't think just removing the kid from the class and giving them busy work is going to really solve their problems. And those are the kids that need it the most. Those are the kids that are skating down the big hill without any brakes. Pretty scary.
This is actually a cause I wouldn't mind becoming involved in. This is a solution that could solve many societal issues in the long run. Hmmm..... Maybe a nitch I could fill if doing music full time is not an option. (And yes, music is incorporated into the training program, too, so that is a plus!)
Possibilities.
Guess I got tricked into actually thinking, and even dreaming. And I'm smiling.

Aargh! A Whiner of a Day... Don't read this if you're sick of the Whine!

2009-04-16T23:16:00.001-07:00

Why am I SOO emotional today?? Why does someone else's joy in beauty make me want to cry? Why do I want to just pound on my obnoxious teenager? Why am I experiencing the gammut of emotions from being so furious that I'm shaking, to feeling the sweet peace of the Spirit, to just being weepy and feeling all "Woe is me?" All the while, logically I'm thinking, these things aren't really a big deal?

Must be PMSing during the last few weeks of school!
(It's just usually it doesn't hit me this hard, and not for as long as it's been!)

I think I need a vacation! AWAY!!

2008 Goals

2009-01-03T23:15:00.000-08:00

So in keeping with Amber's blog.... I'll do the reverse goals!
THE THINGS I ACCOMPLISHED IN 2008 (and would be crossed off if I knew how to do it!)
(Not in any particular order)
- Look at myself in the mirror straight on and have that honest assessment.
- Close my eyes and plug my nose and JUMP! - despite all the fears and what others might think of me
- Discover being laid off from your career can be the best thing that ever happened
- Remember that I LOVE being on stage: Be in the Operetta I've always loved & Be a LEADING role (and remember ALL of my lines!) (should've added remember all my entrances too!!!)
- Start singing again
- Start working on accomplishing my dream goals
- Make new friends in ways I could never expect - and learn I'm an example in ways I never would have dreamed for myself
- On track for learning to Re-Freakin-LAX when it comes to temperamental teenagers
- Love myself for being exactly ME

And it's crazy, but for the first time in my life I am EXCITED to set goals for the New Year! I had lots of them listed by Dec 30th! I never do stuff like that early!!
Some of those goals include:
2009
- Organize and perform in a 3 DIVAS program with two other girls whom I love and want to blend talents with!
- Memorize lots of music stuff; increase my repertoire
- Finally get my Associates Degree this Spring!!!!!!!! YES YES YES!!!!!!!!
- Get A's in all of my classes despite having 18 credits worth this Spring!
- Get my Education classes completed this year
- Pass the Praxis Exam (so I can be ready to student teach)
- Have 6 numbers completely and totally memorized and comfortable so I can slam it out for the NATs competition in the Spring!
- Have my Senior Recital mapped out and ready to go
- to go the gym regularly (my brain needs every ounce of strength I can add to it!)
- Eat more healthily
- Start cooking again - meals would be nice to have
- Keep my house cleaned
- Help kids with homework
- Be organized

And there's more... but that's enough for now.
As always - to those that read this, know that I love you! And maybe one of these years I'll start sending Birthday and Christmas cards!!! I always do think of you and your families..... I am just a complete slacker in letting you know it!

So I toast my Sparling Water to you all and wish for you a most wonderful and stimulating 2009!!

I blow kisses to you and throw my arms wide to give you BIG HUGE bear hugs!!!

Ramblings of the Music Life in School

2008-12-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

I survived another Recital! This one was better than the others - nothing exciting happened; no losing my balance, no totally wrong notes, no major words forgotten (although I did make up one line!), and I made all of my entrances. I can critique it to death and point out what I don't like, but we're our own worst critics. I suppose I won't be satisfied until I pin all the notes with seemingly effortless and constant, steady tone and fly through the words with the greatest of ease - like the Divas I watch in concert on YouTube. It all comes from practice, which I should do more of. And I'm lazy. One of the reasons why I haven't ever been totally gung-ho on being in vocal performance. And I do get a bigger high out of the sounds elicited from choirs (being in one or directing one)! When those chords are in perfect harmony and you get the tingles running up and down your body!
So I've learned of a competition in the Spring that I will basically have to have 6 numbers prepared, 3 for each category (Art/Classical and Musical Theatre). I'll do two of the numbers I already have done (the French one and the fast Spanish one that I did this time). So I should be just fine in learning the next four songs - especially since they will all be in English. Although it won't sound as good just making up words if I forget them. :)
And I'm conniving with the other 2 top female students to do a trio program - The 3 Divas! Seriously fun!!! One is 36, tiny and a redhead and the other is tiny, blonde and 18 (and getting married in the Spring!) So we'll see if we can do this! How fun to find like voices - and that we all love each other. We've got fabulous music and theater departments. The people there are truly so kind to each other and are genuinely caring! Not too common in such a competitive environment with so many artsy and highly emotional type of people. We have Divas, but no Prima Donnas (male & female alike). Love it! Love it, love it!!!
Oh! Here's the link to the Recital pieces :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPVtZ1P74io
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ixBvjIRvk

Mom - I didn't forget the words this time. Just to come in! Period!

2008-11-20T23:27:00.000-08:00

So what does an entire cast do when the crazy lady not only isn't screaming, but just isn't there?

So yeah! The scene is where everyone is celebrating and Ruth is having a nervous breakdown - screaming like Medea and running into the midst of them like Cap'n Jack Sparrow! So what is Ruth doing? Helping the Police Sergeant with his eyeliner in the makeup room! What? Can she not hear the monitor? Oh yes, yes she can. She's just a dork and thinks there's more time than there is... you know how when you're waiting for your cue in the wings and it just seems to take forever?? Well, it's NOT forever when you're not in the wings!!! "That last 1/4 mile comes really fast!" So I hear the part where I need to be running out on.... "Oh, crap! Oh shoot shoot shoot!" is what is heard as the crazy lady is racing down the hall! I arrive in the wings - and do I come flying out? Still no!!! Fried Ruth brain is thinking "ah well! I just missed it, they'll just have to go on without me!" Aye me! But Ruth is forgetting that um....well? That whole next segment is conversing with Frederick with the Pirates all in echo of each person's line!" Fortunately, Lindsay - our fearless stage hand is doing the panic whisper of "go Go GO!!!!" I don't think the scream was fake this time, nor has she ran so in all the days of Ruth! The orchestra had already played my notes, plus a few.... luckily a cappella recitative is acceptable. And rushing it and getting it all out fast is truly just a characterized moment! Oi Oi Oi!!!!

Luckily the Major General knows how to extemporaneously jibber jabber and the cast knows how to dance and revel while waiting!!!! Oh, how grateful I am for the talent and kindness these kids possess! And the directors were kind enough to even worry for my health and safety first (were you all right??!!) and even to believe it may have been a technological error with the feeds not working. Alas, twas not so. Just Moi. We can't escape 8 performances without at least one major feaux pas from Lisa, can we?

Ah, the joys of performance! But truly it has been an absolutely fabulous experience! All of the people are wonderful that I am working with! The play/Operetta is everything I'd ever hoped it would be!

And tonight we got to have a "Questions from the Audience" night. It was great! One of the first questions was asked to me... Was I a Comedienne? How cool is that? I just said "just in my own head!" I have had a few people report that some of the little kids' favorite character was the "Crazy Lady" and some others compliment me how I stay in character the whole time. But gee! When else to I get to use the rubber facial expressions I've been gifted with for 1.5 hrs every night? Be wacky and have it applauded? Just my cup of tea!

Anne Hathaway has nothing on me!

2008-11-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

I could have been hired for her role in Princess Diaries.... wasn't that the name of it? I even have the bruises to show for it! I sport a very mild one on the right side of my forehead where it met with the edge of a door in the dark. And the other I only discovered by trying to wash it off. No idea how a reddish spot (looking suspiciously like the red blush/lipstick I use for stage makeup) appeared on my left forearm, right below my wrist. When it hurt, I realized that's not makeup, but a bruise. No idea on that one.

Fairy Fun Halloween!

2008-11-03T22:17:00.000-08:00

I got to play with Lindsey on Halloween night! It was amazing! Here's some of our pics.
And in our little alcove watching the water show at the Bellagio, we had another fairy join the group... Tinker Bell. He was pretty popular - a lot of people and asking to have their photos taken with him. When we were walking to and from the place we did get the same treatment, so we weren't too jealous of him. One such incident, the ladies even asked if we could sing. We sang Happy Birthday to her hubby for her while he was playing the tables. Pretty funny! We had a guy from San Francisco joke with us about fairies, so not PC given his city. Got complimented on our talent of making the costumes. Those were our favorites. Yup! We wore ourselves out. It was a successful year!

Easy Tag...

2008-11-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

This is a quick and easy one. Go to the third folder in your pictures and post the first picture in that folder.

(This is Charlie's friend who lives across the street from us - it's Charlie's folder)

Creepy Crawlers

2008-10-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on a stool and watched the hugest, creepiest spider crawl right onto my grandma's foot! It's body was like an ant's, well maybe more like a tarantula's. It was furry, although yellow, its body about 3 inches long! Each leg was also about 3 inches long, about the thickness of a licorice rope, and furry and black! Grandma, of course, flicked it off and it went running under my stool. I lost sight of it and heard a gasp, "Lisa!!" and FELT it race up under my shirt on my back!!!

I sat up gasping for air in a panic... I HATE dreams like that! I think I just may have passed out out of sheer panic had that been real!

I know my brain put it all together because I was thinking of Grandma earlier in the evening as well as having seen a wolf spider escape into a box while I was cleaning. Usually I'm okay with out of sight, out of mind. Guess I wasn't as okay on this one as I normally am.

I didn't laugh this time - well, sort of...

2008-10-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Many of you are very aware of my heartless tendency to laugh at other's misfortunates when it comes to spills and tumbles, or minor things like firecrackers in toilets, etc.

So this instance was one my college roomies would be proud of me. Yes, two of them were on the receiving end of my hysterical laughter. The one after her fabulous swan dive into the side of a house when she tripped over the step. It was the most graceful trip I have witnessed still to this day! The poor girl suffered a concussion and broken toe and I had the gall to laugh so hard I literally fell to the ground with tears streaming out my eyes! My other poor sweet friend was beaned in the head - by MY shoe flipping heel over toe the length of the hall after I just wanted to kick it off my foot after standing in them for so long during our concert. Yes, it was like a Nat'l Lampoon's take on James Bond action shot! The spiked heel hit her perfectly square in the back of the head! Couldn't have been a more perfectly timed action shot than that!

And J even experienced that awful feeling of, "I'm hurting! And you're laughing??!!" when he got the pony bead stuck so far up his nostril (aged 3) that I had to take him to the emergency room to have it removed. (It was a Sunday and we didn't have any Instacares, yet). Yes, he got spurts of giggles and the like on the drive over. The kid's so cute though, that even despite his pain he had to let out a little laugh every once in a while, too, at the image of himself going into the Emergency Room all because a bead was stuck up his nose!

So, yes, Alex, a fellow cast member did not get the full brunt of my heartless guffaws. Poor guy experienced many others' though. Maybe it is the mothering instinct in me at my more mature age that allowed me respite from my typical response in such as case as his. I think of the full cast, we were only missing 4 people of the 25 or so. The kid is left alone on stage - so everyone is watching... he proceeds to make his exit - this time the "rock" prop is in his pathway so he steps on it, rather than around it. Not a problem there. But his toe catches and he proceeds to do a most acrobatic tumble and body roll! I think it was probably slow mo for all of us! Just imagine the dead silence as the room focuses on Alex landing on his head, his body following the force of momentum with his legs following suit, straight up over the rest of himself. He came to rest on his back, and probably about 15 people had immediately converged upon him. He quickly sat up reassuring everyone he was okay. As the guy next to me was spewing his gut wrenching peals of laughter, I actually only giggled intermittently in between the absolute horror I could feel on my face - because my eyes had been focused on his poor neck being stretched out disproportionately to the natural length as his legs arced over his trunk. I was giggling because I also saw his eyes wide open in quite a cartoon-like manner! AND I only allowed myself the giggling after he sat up and said he was okay.

When I saw him at the gym later on that evening I did recommend that he get a good massage, while at the same time prompting him to show up to rehearsal wearing a neck brace... just for the laugh! I'm just waiting for my moment of glory of doing something equally clutzatic! I'll probably do mine during the performance though, since that's my typical forte! We shall just have to wait and see! Hopefully when I jump out a window my skirt won't catch on antyhing or I don't slip off the rocks when I go climbing them, etc. We shall see, wont' we! In just one month's time we will be putting on our last 2 productions! Sigh!

"Mom? D'ya wanna hear a stupid thing I did?"

2008-10-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

Cell phone rings - it's the kids calling from home.

"Mom? D'ya wanna hear a stupid thing I did?"
Uh, yeah! Sure!
I mean really stupid.
Alright....
And I won't get in trouble?
Uhh.... depends on what it was...?
I - uh - put a firecracker in the toilet..

Mother bursts out in great guffaws!!! After Mother regains control of the laughter
What did it do? WHY did you do that? You don't DO that!!!
I know that now, Mom! I just heard someone say it worked if the toilet was plugged up.
Oh dear... what did it do?
It's okay, Mom. It just splashed water every where.
Did you clean it up?
It was just the water, Mom. There wasn't any crap in it luckily!
That's really good! Did you clean it up?
Yeah...
With cleaner???
Well, no....
You need to use cleaner - germs!!!
Okay, Mom.

Mom gets home
It does smell a little smokey in here. Did you get the mess cleaned up?
Yeah... But I puked.
Why? The smell get to ya?
I guess so. But now it smells like crap AND fireworks AND puke!
So did you clean that up too?
Yeah...
With cleaner?
Umm....

Mom took some pity on the kid and let him go to bed. The kid cleaned up the mess with no arguments or complaints. Penance paid and lesson learned. We hope.

I will Not fall apart!

2008-10-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Everything's going nicely. I've been able to put life's problems in proper perspective (say that fast 5 times!) and go about doing what I can. So this morning's been a bill payer day and happy as a clam that the budget's stretching and bending well enough for now. And then the last bill. Hmm... a little higher than expected. I do my calculations first, and come to the conclusion of what the suspected error is. I make the phone call. Yes, I am being billed for the mistake that someone else made on my account. And there's no proof - just my word... the right key wasn't hit. The funny thing was how I even asked, So is there anything else I need to do? Are you sure it's taken care of? Yes, yes. Go back 2 days later. I realize she didn't take care of the problem and it's past the deadline, so I am the one that needs to look for the proof that she did/didn't do it. Can't find the paper that I folded and stashed as I was running, but I was assured that I would not be charged for the mistake. My exchange would be a straight across deal - no worries. So today I find that I was told wrong - it is not a straight across exchange. I owe for something for absolutely nothing! No product, no credit, no value = nada = zip. Luckily - this time I was told that there is a dispute form (which I had not informed about earlier on the last time I was trying to get the problem fixed). I will dispute. I will hope for mercy. I will suck my tears back in and realize that $112 hurt's, but it's not life threatening. I've seen worse. I still have a chance. Deep breath! S'okay. I made it! The tears didn't get past the ducts. Funny how the "minor" things can bring out the tears, where some major things just make the voice wobble (ya know the kind where you can hear that the tears are going to come - but you have ample time to suck it up, so you don't really cry? Yeah, that.)
All better. At least emotionally. At this point.

36 hrs and 26 minutes

2008-09-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

No sleep. Stupidity.... just another project and then distraction when I finally was ready for sleep after I was so ready at 26 hrs. I'm actually okay at the moment. Wonder how long it'll take me to recover from here. Dumb thing is, my project didn't quite turn out like I wanted it to. The results you will be seeing in a few days, I'm sure.... Ooo the suspense! Keep ya up all night waiting and wondering! (Misery loves company...although I have too much fun when I get punch drunk tired - not there yet - to be miserable.) I'm actually doing quite well if I ignore this kind of numb head, buzz thing going on in the region over my ears. So GO TO SLEEP! Drrr!

THE NEWS!!!

2008-09-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

I was going to have to wait until my lunch break to find out the news - the posting isn't supposed to be up until about 12, which is when my voice lessons are supposed to be.
But I had to call and reschedule and make it later....he asked if I wanted him to spill the beans.....
He said, "You're Ruth!"

I'M RUTH!!!!!!! I did it!!!!!! AAAAAAAAA!!!!!! Do you realize this is my FIRST real lead??? I'm SO excited!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you for your support! I'm afraid of all of the work it's going to take - but I think it'll come a little bit easier since I'm so familiar with the play! WOW!!!!!
My hands were shaking! Whoo! Breathe! He told me I had some serious competition - I know I did!!! I would have LOVED watching the other girl who was more experienced than me doing it! Her auditions were fabulous! So this was even better than had I just been competing against little inexperienced kids. Wow!!

I've talked with St, the kids, and work about my practice schedule and it seems that it's all going to work just fine - everyone is quite supportive. Rehearsals will begin 9/15 and will be from 5-7. The production will be Nov 13-15, and 18-22. 2 months!!! A ton of work! But luckily, I'm not starting from complete scratch. Hopefully that will help me out!

I'll try to blog about it so I can help you all feel a part of it! I will see what I can do about getting it filmed so I can send a copy of it to you if you want!

I love ya guys!!! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers - but most especially your love! You know, I truly feel humbled by this! I know others could do really well and in some ways better than me! But! I'm finally chosen and wanted! What a great feeling!

The Dramatic Exaggerative Auditions

2008-09-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I experienced probably my funnest call backs I've ever experienced. The head of the drama dpt was in charge of this one and he's had tons of acting/stage experience, primarily in Shakespeare. So he had us doing some pretty crazy, but fun things! Here are my notes from yesterday's experience:

I find out tomorrow if I get a part.... I think I'm a top contender still. I made good friends with the other girl they're considering for the part. She's awesome - mom of two kids, great voice, silly as all get-out and really sweet! Can't help but love her! Today's auditions were the dramatic acting parts. Gave us the song to "speak" as though we were telling a story. It started off as though it were a story to 2 yr olds and then he'd switch it to some other kind of style - angry, furious, scared, depressed.... I got sad, fairy-like and Dr Suess-like. How fun is that? And then we had to do a Diva Dramatic SCREAM after each verse. It was hilarious! So I did use my huge operatic voice to my advantage!

Then! We had to do a scene where we try to persuade the "cloistered" 21 yr old kid (Frederic who's lived for the last forever many years on a pirate ship) that, even though I am old at 47 that I am beautiful and he should want to marry me! That was really funny because he told the guy (Frederic) he needed to do everything he could to get out the door - and we were to do everything we could to stop him. Very very funny! My guy did get the door opened, but I was doing some major strong arming and blocking!!! I was always pretty good at blocking... (the only thing I could do well in basketball!) And then he had the four of line up in the middle of the room, and he said just because he loved it, he wanted us to do that DIVA scream again sending ourselves into the back corner. It was hilarious! I was very afraid I'd dump myself over the stuff in the way and follow over a chair and into the clothes rack. I made it to the door somehow and ended up kind of huddled and then a look and a hiccup. Don't know where it came from, but... you just do whatever and it's a riot!

Then we went to another room and he had all of the girls do a line up. We each had to do a cheer leader impression stating our names. We hammed it up, although I had the deepest voiced one - it just didn't come out right... Me and this other girl at one point stepped out in front and had to do it again without anyone else doing it. This one I was able to get perkier and sillier! Yea! And then we had to step back behind the line with a few of the other girls that are in the running for Mabel. So I'm taking that for a good sign. And then it was over!

I am completely the over-exaggerated stage character with my acting stuff (hmm.... wonder where I got those BS kind of genes from, eh?? Dad maybe????), so it fits right in with Gilbert & Sullivan! I think I have a good chance at it! Although if this other girl got it, I'd be so happy for her! She'd be fabulous and I would love watching her!

Listings are to be posted by 12:00 tomorrow! We shall see!!!!

Flit and Flee go the Butterflies in the Tummy!!!!

2008-09-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Quick note because I am SO excited!!!
Auditions for Pirates of Penzance were yesterday. There were at least 60 people there and most everyone there was trying out for 2 or more parts. So it was VERY long!!! (4 hrs!) Luckily it worked well for the kids' schedules. I was really impressed with how much talent was there - and then I was impressed with the people that had the guts to get up there and give it a shot even if they couldn't even find the pitch! I loved it all!
They ended up having the part for Ruth (the lower voiced, silly nurse!) next to last and I felt my "acting" was pretty good even if it didn't sound as nice as I really could do. And I didn't even forget any of the words! Then I stayed on to help sing the chorus part for the Mabel try-outs (the high flighty part... the ha ha ha ha ha part!). And then I thought - WHY NOT?!!! I oughtta do it just for fun and just because I know the part and I'd probably always regret that I passed up the opportunity when I had the chance. So I hopped up there and did it! I just shrugged my shoulders at my voice teacher and went for it. The crazy thing? Ya know the one part that I always slaughter? Doing the scales, and then the High D and the run that goes all over the place? I went for it full throttle and slammed it! I got it beautifully!!! WOW! The best I've ever done! So I lost my breath support on the ha ha ha ha part which bugged me - but who cares? I felt other people would be better on Mabel than me anyway, so it didn't matter. I hadn't bothered practicing this number at all over the last 4 weeks and didn't even go over it in my voice lessons at all. But the lessons have totally helped with what I wanted them to - to get me ready for this audition. When I was leaving, my voice teacher gave me a huge smile and said, "I didn't know you could do THAT!" How cool is that?? So I was really happy with how it went! I was totally excited to just be in the chorus if that's how the cookie crumbles! So many talented people, it's going to be a fabulous production! They can't go wrong with the number of really good people they had audition!

SO.......!!!

YAHOO!!!! I made call backs! I totally wasn't even thinking about call backs yesterday... but this morning it hit me! They always have call backs! So I emailed my voice teacher, but then thought I'd just run over to the theatre dpt and check out the list. There were 3 lists with different time slots... one from 5-7, the other two were for just 1/2 time slots each. The full time list was shorter and had names that I remembered from being the better auditioners.... I'm on the 5-7 list. SO! That means I am in the running for a lead!!! Nerves! Excitement! Nerves! I'm trying to not get my hopes up! In the past I've usually made call backs but don't get anything. I really would be happy to just be in the chorus! It really would be easier on my schedule. But it would SO exciting to get a lead part!!! YEA!!YEA!!YEA!!YEA!! I am happy to just make it to this point! How fun, huh??

WISH ME LUCK!!!!

Lesson learned in Vegas!

2008-08-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

So how many of us leave having earned regrets from Vegas? Well, now I'm one of the millions! My friend and I had a fabulous dinner at the Cheesecake Factory at Caesar's Palace.... Dinner was about $16 a plate - not a terrible price, but not something you do everyday. Lindsey called while we were there bragging about her Nutella Gelato she got for her birthday. Of course my appetite was already wetted by walking past the Gelato stand on the way to the Cheesecake Factory! So on our way, out who could resist the beautiful appeal of the Gelatto case? I browsed and tasted the Rocky Road, so nummy! So next step I pick the size - it looked like a pint size, but I'm used to the icecream scoops in the bowl. I'm thinking two nicely rounded icecream scoops full! I do half and half Rocky Road and Strawberry. The girl just keeps packing it in the cup and then decorates it with the toppings from the show case: a huge crystal looking (from being a little icey)strawberry, a slivered wedge of hard chocolate, two wedges of waffle cone triangles, and a large marshamallow. Beautiful! A stranger follows me to the register to find out the cost. I pull out a $20 just about to offer to buy my friend's for her. The stranger laughs and points out the size that costs $25 bucks. Umm.... I think maybe that was the name of the cup size I got. But no.... that's gotta be a joke!! "That'll be $26 and change, please!" Are you serious???? $25 for a cup of gelato?!? Uh!!!?? I pull out the plastic and debit the checking account in a stupor. I hold the melting cup just staring at it. I'm supposed to down this melting pottage that cost more than my dinner and it's only gonna make me FAT because I have to eat the whole thing before it melts in the Vegas heat?!? I just paid that much to make my butt bigger?? Lindsey, please please tell me your quart was almost that much!!! So I gulp it down, "butt" for some reason it just doesn't taste quite as good as it looked. And then to make matters better/worse? I set the cup with the melted soup on the dashboard of the car while we ran into the store real quick - I'd looked for a garbage can but didn't see one right off. Promptly forgot about it being there. On the drive to the condo I see goo down the dash board. Ooo - musta dripped it not paying attention to it very much. I'll clean it up. We get to the condo. I see a puddle on the floor, brown goo on my white capri's, and the cup and spoon hiding under the bag of stuff I'd just purchased. Uhhh....I didn't make it to garbage after all. Big sigh. K. So in cleaning Gelato? It scoops off the carpet with a spoon very nicely. It washes out of capri's fairly nicely with soap and water. It is a challenge to get it off of a dashboard that has some texture to it and out of the cracks. Creative cleaning with paper towels and knives do work.
So lesson learned: ALWAYS CHECK ON THE PRICE FIRST BEFORE YOU LET YOUR EYES AND TUMMY MAKE YOUR DECISIONS! ESPECIALLY in VEGAS!!!!
P.S. I was so discombobulated that I didn't even take a photo!!!

Get the thinking caps on...

2008-08-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

K - this is for Mari! We need to help her think of the BEST Halloween costume... She just may be accompanying a member of KISS. My first thought was to do another recognizable musical figure... someone like Cher or Tina Turner. Do you really want that much leg exposure though?? What about Elton John? You could tons of Bling with that one - your girls would love it! Then there are other bands of the era. Flock of Seagulls comes to mind for riotous hair styles.... Any other ideas floating around there???

Photo Tag! You're IT!!!

2008-07-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

You have to take 10 pictures. They are as follows....You have to do it right away. No cleaning, straightening, or wiping your child's nose. Then you tag 5 others. (Amber, how do I tag people?) Consider yourself tagged if you read this! (Mari, Barb, Jeanna, Katie, Annie, Rhonda, Vickie.....Dalyn, you too!)

1. Kitchen Sink

2. Toilet

3. Laundry Room

4. Fridge

5. What are your kids doing right now? (Charlie's at Scout Camp right now, and J is watching TV waiting for me to get off the computer!)

6. Favorite Shoes

7. Favorite Room

8. Closet

9. Dream Vacation

10. Self Portrait

Anothern - Watch out Thelma & Louise!

2008-06-19T08:28:00.001-07:00

I must dream in the mornings.... and if I wake up at the right moment (this morning's was 5:30 am), then there's a chance I'll remember it. This was another really odd one.

I was on a college campus walking towards the Fine Arts building. There was only 1 other person there. I continued walking down the hall and it turned into the Main building. There was some kind of contest going on, and I thought "I want to(or can) do that!" I was led to where the bunk beds were all lined up against the wall. (They looked very much like the one that the boys had when we were growing up!) I remember there were some red or cranberry colored comforters and I talked a little bit to some people. But I don't remember what it was all about, nor what the contest was! Something happened to which upset me - could've been someone stealing something from me - and so I went to my car in the parking lot and decided to go to the house (possibly in search of something or someone).

On my way up the hill to the house, there was a car behind me tailgating pretty aggressively. (Actually had a girl in a sporty little white car doing that to me -and everyone else- this morning on the way to work!!!) So I tried to accelerate to get the person off my tail, but the car was sluggish. (It wasn't my white Murano. It was maroon, like a Ford Taurus or something like that....) I did get ahead of the tailgater, but I was still really frustrated - so I jumped OUT of the car, and watched itself drive up the hill. As this was happening a normal looking car passed it coming down - turns out to be an off-duty police car... he flipped on his lights turning around to chase it. At this point I realized the car would not be able to turn around that last curve, so I ran and made it to the police car right as he was about to speed off - I was able to shout out to him that that car was mine! He sped up the hill to chase after it, but as I was running I noticed tire tracks going off the road, and off the side where there were some remains of an old dirt road. So I looked over the edge and there was a residence down there with an orchard. I made my way down and some of the kids of the family were out. They weren't aware of a car coming down the cliff. And I vaguely remember one of them having one of my CDs from my car, though...We went into the orchard to find it, and I seem to remember the dad working in the garage with the doors open. Didn't really phase him to see me there with the kids (they were young teens, I think) - or else he was just completely preoccupied. We saw a spot of red in the trees, and went over to it, but it was just a red flannel shirt caught in one of the trees. After scanning everything over I decided it could have gone off the hill at an earlier point, so I began walking in that direction, wondering what kind of damage had been done to the car! And I woke up! I laid there and was refuting some of the points in my dream - tire tracks (more like skid marks)would not have come from a car that did not have someone hitting the brakes in the car. No brakes - well, then - how did the car NOT decelerate?? And then I became awake enough to look at the time. Haven't been alive at 5:30 for a long time - have no idea why it was so this morning!!!

K! So my subconscious brain is a little odd....who knows why I do what I do!

Weirdness of Dreaming

2008-06-16T23:41:00.000-07:00

So this is how my brain correlated all the recent events into one incoherent story:

Jarrod & I are on a bridge of some kind....don't know if we were walking or driving. I think walking. A flood of water hits us - I come up out of the water first and shout & wave to J as I see him emerge a little way off. We make our way through the water - sometimes the ground disappears but we make it okay to - ?? - somewhere. There are people there, and we're comfortable with them, but it's not home.

We make plans to leave - we try to get a hold of Amy (Jardine) Dansie, but can't. (St's ex-fiance')

I dreamt of what happened to her. When the floods hit, she panicked and pulled out a long barreled pistol. Someone banged on the door and she opened it and shot. It was a police officer. She freaked out and ran inside. Another officer came in and she shouted that didn't mean to do it and was pointing the gun at that officer. Another officer snuck up on her and grabbed the gun and pointed it at her (but he was very calm and relaxed about the whole thing). Then they took her away.

Jarrod and I went for a short walk trying to find our way in the flooded area. In this outside stairwell was an animal that was lost and abandoned. I went over to it. It was a miniature pony - hemmed in by the waters, and frozen with fear. I picked it up to comfort it and began to carry it back with us to get it some food.

Then I woke up.

How random.
So the floods came from all the flooding in the midwest I hear about in the news. Don't have any idea where the rest came from.... Amy? And then she shoots police men? Miniature horses? Any of ya'll out there know how to interpret dreams?

One of my weirdest to date!

Hurry Up and Wait!!!

2008-05-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

Ever get that feeling that you raced to be somehwere, with the death fear of being late? And once you arrive, circumstances are that -sigh- now you get to wait for who knows how long!!!

That's my life right now! Just in generalities I can say that I've been looking forward to making progress in my life... I've taken that first uncomfortable step and have such strong screaming WAIT!!!!!s that I am/did. But instead of better and more clear cut, things are gettier muddier and muckier within the holding pattern. So I'm feeling it's time to take that next uncomfortable step... And I guess I am the dreamer that this life can be a "happily ever after" and you can make everybody happy - at least be appeased. So, no, life is not easy and sometimes not understandable, but....I think we just need to keep trying to be/do the best we can.

Men are that they might have joy. Joy comes in many different aspects and ways... I just know that my joy comes when I know I am right with God, and am doing the best I can with what I've got. I love the Gospel. I can live with people not being pleased with me if I am pleasing God, even if it's hard.

I am just grateful to all of you who read this blog that love me. I feel your love and support even when I've been non-communicative for a bit...I love you guys!

Creative Thunk

2008-05-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

So I'm feeling the bug - but thinking of all of the reasons why not: too late at night, not being quite good enough or having the tools to be as good as I want, being too lazy, etc. etc.

And what is it that I would like to do?
Hmmm....
write poetry/lyrics (too lazy to think deeply enough)
Paint my face (hmmm.... 'cause I don't have the stuff with me right now)
Design or Make costumes (Not enough energy/time for that)
Read my Fantasy Novel (Hey! I'm writing instead! Being social!)
Listen to music (just wanna share it with someone that appreciates it as much as me)
Eat (okay - well, that's not quite creative - but it tastes good!)
Model (gotta have a photographer!)
Photoshop (a little overwhelmed with doing the self tutorial/time)

I'm noticing the gym is not listed here. K. Gotta get back into the groove. Feel better when I do. I'm draggin. I feel like a baby that's got its days and nights backwards! My 8:00 p.m. "nap" didn't help yesterday. Woke up dazed and confused. TV on, fully clothed, trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing. Then very awake until 4 am. Then wake up a few more times at 6:30 am, then 7:00, the 8:50. Woops! Not cool when work starts at 9! Only 5 min's late. And then I forgot I was closing at work. I'm a mess. Happy. But boy - I gotta find the groove, man!

There is the thunk! With a grin on my face!

Espasianato de Musica

2008-05-16T01:03:00.000-07:00

So I keep forgetting and then keep getting reminded of my passion....Music. Can you believe I'd forget I have it? There are stretches of time I WON'T listen to music on my own - it takes up time I don't have....I get sucked into it - want it - forget the world because of it. And then I go for a stretch of gulping it down like a glass of cold water on a hot day! Can't get enough....

I've been so fortunate these last two weeks to get a couple of glass fulls! Discovery of new artists and reminiscing with the old! My friend had a house party with a friend coming over to play a gig...he does country - he was the banjo player in Walk the Line (even though he really plays guitar, not the banjo). He brought 2 other musician friends. YEA! Oh who is he? Larry Bagby - you can find him easily on google. K. I'll stay focused on him for a minute. Yeah - so I listened to Country. I gotta say! I think I love pretty much any and all live music! It stirs the blood. So Justine Bennett sang with him - really really liked how well she blended in with him. I got hooked, though, when they told their story of how they met. She jumped up on stage and sang with him, uninvited, at a concert of his, and they let her stay because she was so good. Can I tell you I have fantasized about doing that to someone someday?!? So I was fascinated by her bravery and questioned her like crazy how she got up the guts to do it. Awesome!!!

And the other friend - new discovery for me, and now I'm a huge fan! I'm really kicking myself because I allowed myself to get way too busy to sit down and listen while he was playing! Cary Judd "opened the show"...showing up at the right time, while Larry was an hour and a half late. Cary does more folk music, than country. Definitely my style!!! And a hugely talented guy! Played all his own stuff - recorded tracks and such along with his guitar and harmonica. But a good portion of my reason for being a fan is his lyrics - really creative, yet understandable and clear lyrics. Yeah, he writes 'em. So I got his CD - and of course his autograph! - then googled and found he had another album on itunes, which I had to buy too. Been listening to that over and over. That ice cold glass of water I was talking about. And I wasn't paying close enough attention when he was live here! That's when I say to myself "I suck!"

And THEN!!!! I was so flipping excited to see an ad that The Nylons were coming here to little tiny St G!!!! "Who the heck are they?" you ask. One of those odd groups that Lyric introduced me to that I fell in love with back in the day. I listened to their album over and over and over again. Danced and dreamed dreams to this album - fell in love with the constellation Orion because of their song, "The Stars are Ours". I have never gotten tired of looking at Orion over the years. Probably becuase he's the only constellation I can find besides the Big Dipper! But anyway! They came and I got to see them last night!!! They've been described as "Rock Apella" - a capella rock, even though itunes calls them Easy Listening. I was in heaven singing all of those songs with them last night. Probably a very obnoxious and annoying person to sit next to. The older gentleman next to me didn't complain, though - luckily! Their opening group was T Minus 5 - a UT group of guys that do rock apella. Very enjoyable. I did get their CD too.

And so I sigh. I think half the reason why I like my hip-hop gym class (which, I AM a big dork in, but I like it too much to care!!) is the music. I usually don't find the stuff on my own.... Like he played a song that was a hip version of Sting's Legal Alien. Had to go ask who it was - Black Eyed Peas. Then Gwen Stefani's number where she does the yodeling song from The Sound of Music! How awesome is that??? To get the Lonely Goatherder on mainstream radio?!! Yodeling? I love it!!!!

I promised myself that I will be in a performing group someday! I like doing solo, but it's 'cause I'm lazy. Too much drama and work to get others involved and you have to coordinate schedules and personalities. But I gotta tell ya, I get a greater high when I get to perform with others. It is the biggest high when all of you are going full out and you're just in synch with each other. It's incredible!!!! I don't think I've ever experienced a greater high than being in All-State Choir! Kids from all over the State intensely focused on the conductor - all with a desire to be there. And to know you're just a tiny part of the whole - but the whole in which you're a part of is like a live entity in itself. Weaving, ebbing and flowing, moving according to the conductor's hands - discovery, beauty, glory!

As to what kind of music? I have a passion for Baroque and I love the madrigals.... And I really really like folk music. And I like this rock apella stuff. And And And.
I don't know! Just whatever I can!!!! I would love to take lessons on how to sing Jazz, Celtic, Rock, ummm..... I'd like to learn how to yodel. I'd even like to learn how to do the country twang - but I like the vocal twists like the Cranberries have. Umm....I oughtta go ahead and learn how to belt while I'm at it - that's Broadway style. And here again I sigh. I'm just getting older and older. By the time I get to do all this stuff, I'm just gonna be a grey haired granny. A little past my prime they'd say in my "reviews". That's the crappy part. But then I really don't care. I don't care to get famous at all. It's just the "Doing It" that gets me pumped up! And so you've gotta be good enough that people want you enough so that you can have a reason to keep doing it. That's the performer's bug. So I don't know. I just wanna learn. Can I tell you how much I would love to be the female version of Josh Groban? I'd just LOVE to sing with him!!!!! Wouldn't that be CRAZY????? I think that's one of the reasons why I like his stuff so much! I've got that big operatic voice, too - it's just what kind of stuff do you do with that?!!! Josh Groban stuff! But I gotta tell ya! It's so dang hard to sing a Tenor's song in female range! Too high or too low - the switch between the ranges isn't so hot in the female range. Sara Brightman's the only one I know who can comfortably carry that off! Man! I idolize that woman's talent!!! Pop, opera, and Broadway (even though I'm not the hugest Broadway lover...gasp!!! I know shocking! Broadway just doesn't grip me as much as rock and opera. Odd, I know. I'd just rather be up on stage for Broadway than to sit and listen to it.)

K. So I really oughtta go to bed - those after work naps are a killer at bedtime... and then you pay for it during the day. So lucky you! You get another update without 3 months going by since the last one!

So I'm gonna dream while I work and slave and run run run.... One of these days! I will - I will do something one of these days....

The Removal of the Grill

2008-05-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

So I heard of a waitress referring to braces as a "Grill" - and that's just what has stuck with me since I've heard it! I do feel a little fried and grilled in the teeth area!

And the good news is that they are OFF!!! Here is a portion of what I wrote to a fellow Griller in my Glorious news of having them removed & the retainer epilogue!

Did I tell you about how the actually break off the porcelain brackets?? They said they were made to break apart. The glue is left on the tooth and then they sand it off! They molded my upper teeth right after that, then worked on fitting and applying the lower permanent retainer before popping of the metal brackets. The pressure of the removal was definetly not any worse than the tightening of the wires - I was quite relieved! By the time they finished the lower portion of my face, they had the upper retainer made! It looks almost just like those teeth whitening trays! But it's a harder plastic and Boy! is it a tight fit!! Holy Cow, Bat Man! That thing will surely stop my teeth from falling out, let alone moving a fraction of a millimeter! That things is TIGHT! To get it off I have to reach back with both fingers and start prying them off from the back and work my way forward pulling it down...and then it pops off the front. I feel kind of like a jam jar where the lid struggles to get popped off! But I really really that style compared with the pallete-wire format! The only thing difficult talking with the tray is the "sh" sound! (No, I haven't practiced any potty words yet with it in! Just shushing for practice....necessary to keep kids quiet in church (even though it really doesn't work!). My "s"s are a little llithpy, but not bad enough to be really noticeable. And you can hardly see them when they're on, so it's great for work! I have to wear them 1/2 the day and all night for the next 6 weeks at least. Permission granted to not wear it at work. However, I realize that the more time they're off, the more the teeth relax and don't want it back on! I'd prefer to wear them longer stretches of a time than to go through that awful discomort of having to force it on again!

And I gotta say I do love my orthodontist! He is a perfectionist and takes pride in his patients smiles - good walking advertisments for sure!! So he actually furthered the process and put a composite on my right front tooth and a few of my lower teeth to cover up the chips. (almost like lumineers!). WOW!! I really felt like I was getting special treatment! So that's why I got the purple light again!!!

It was so funny - I'm sure I looked like a dork with a grin on my face while they were chipping the brackets off! Couldn't help the excitement! I didn't even have that level of excitement for getting my driver's license or for any my birthdays!!!

And I do keep getting excited every time I see I have naked teeth!! Yesterday as I washed my hands in the bathroom I caught a glimpse of them and it hit me again! WOW! They actually feel BIG to me now! And I actually did feel nostalgic about the way my two front teeth crossed a little bit.... I never did mind that. It was kind of part of who I was! And now that's gone! A little weird to miss imperfection - but hey! I'm not complaining about straight white pearls!!!

WaHoo!!!!!!!!

And to back track and make sure things are completely out of order? My first moments with them off were great. But it wasn't really weird until I ate! And then I had carrots! It was incredible! And I don't have to scrub and pick after each eating! YEA!!!! And then! It hit me again as I got the opportunity to BRUSH them without having any hindrance! More dancing!!!! Lisa was a happy girl! Lisa is STILL a happy girl! Huge grins keep comin out!!! Life is good!

Grooaaannnn! WHY? (Skip if you're tired of whining)

2008-03-03T01:40:00.000-08:00

More of the bug I was talking about previously? So I bought myself a duet book of some Classic Music (it includes Dona Nobis, Nymphy Tra-La stuff, Handle, Mozart, and Mendehlsson, etc). And I have no one to sing with me! And nowhere to sing it!

And then I further create frustration for myself by learning it all - and so when I DO find someone willing to humor me, they get tired of me wanting to go over it and over it and over it until we have it down. And then what to do with it after we learned it?

My sisters are the best at humoring me - but life has interruptions (like time and distance?!)...and and AND!!! UnghHHHH!!! Waaa!!!! I wanna sing!!!!

(Just went to a choir concert last night with Jordan Bluth as their guest soloist - style remeniscint of Josh Grobin and Andrea Bocelli. This time my desire that was completely peaked was to take voice lessons again! Besides the typical wanting to hop on stage and sing with him! Every concert I go to peaks some kind of yearning for that life... *sigh* Reality immediately reared it's ugly head and argued with me that before I put myself in lessons I really should at least have Ch take at least some guitar lessons until he grew tired of the reality of practicing!).

So - Anybody want to learn songs and sing with me????? Check out "Classics for Two" compiled and edited by Patrik M Liebergen. I did get the book that had the accompaniment CD with it. I even have it downloaded onto my i-pod. I sigh some more. Tit Willow.

Got Bit...

2008-03-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

So I don't want to go to bed..got bit by the late night creativity bug. Even though I'm not doing too much real creative stuff. But I'm enjoying listening to my Sleepy Time playlist: Sarah Brightman at the moment. Have had my Gregorian chants, Celtic Women, Andrea Bocelli and more. Kids went to bed listening to some of my Bobby McFerrin...they like Don't Worry Be Happy. Not one I would've guessed they'd like.

Wanna hear a funny communication feaux-pas? So I get an e-mail from my friend in Ohio asking what's up and am I okay? I send her back a glowing report of how well my family and life is going right now... I finish that and my in-box has another letter in from my other mutual friend who is in Farmington, a bit more direct, asking me about my diagnosis of epilepsy and why I was living with my dad? I had to re-read that one a few times to make sure she meant to send that to me. She mentioned she called my new cell phone number and talked to my dad. I responded with a smile that she must have called the wrong number. Turns out - it was ME that created the mess! I switched the numbers around!! And of all the random things - the guy's daughter is named Lisa!!!! I hope he didn't have to take too many calls for me before I got that correction out to ya'll! I feel like calling him and apologizing for the confusion, and wishing him the best as he cares for his daughter with epilepsy!

This made me think of the terrible things that could happen as a result of some honest miscommunication error?!!! What if you got the wrong message and dropped an atom bomb on the wrong country?!!!!

Well, the 3 of us got a great laugh out of this one!

A Colorful Mild Tornado

2008-02-15T06:02:00.000-08:00

Yeah, so I feel like I'm the middle of a whirling wind and I'm not quite sure where it's gonna take me - I just know I'm in the midst of change.

Today is my last day at my office at work. I will miss them - they're great people. I am looking forward to the change in my work responsibilities, releasing a lot of pressure. (Mostly my own personal guilt for not doing all of the things I ought to be doing!). I will love working with the people I am joining. My boss's office is pretty much right behind my desk - good thing to see all the good that I do, right? I will begin on Tues since Mon we have off.

And I'm sleepy right now - woke up early when St left to work. Perfect quiet time to write. Gotta wake the kids in a second - although most of this week, they've gotten themselves up. Nice.

I just read my title. Did any of you read it at first thinking it said "tomato?" Was that just because I'm sleepy?

Happy late Valentine's Day to ya'll. Yesterday was a busy day. Just because I had a short time to accomplish the things I wanted to, of course many other little things demanding attention happened at the same time. All were taken care of: Got the office decorated, got payroll posted, got the valentine's finished and distributed, got the spreadsheet reversed, corrected, and re-posted, got the service call in to get our Heat turned back on - and it was done before I left, did our basic ATM reporting and put the service call in to get the front panel fixed so that we could access the necessary items inside (that luckily we can put off til the next day), got the rest of my office items out of the new branch manager's way, and made it to our Valentine's promotion at our Main office on time! That was the first 2 hours of the day. Oh, yes - I also was a little involved in getting our computer system back up and working properly. Whew!

After work, I picked up the kids from lacrosse, dumped 'em off whining about being hungry, ran and got them a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, came back and waited for St to finish getting ready for our date. We exchanged gifts (he got me some comfy jammies! He got an i-tunes gift card and a vase full of silk gerber daisies...white and red.) Then we had sandwiches at Arby's (romantic, eh?) - then he went to a meeting and I went to the gym. We came home and went to sleep.

Tonight I will be helping a friend move and St will be going to the gym. I think we'll try again for that romantic dinner tomorrow night.

And what to do with my extra day off Monday? At this point, my first answer is SLEEP! I oughtta clean up my office - still untouched since the Christmas Tornado hit.

Alrighty time to start the kid tornado of getting up and making it onto the bus!

Woo-ee!!! We're off!

Answers....and questions.

2008-02-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

I found it very interesting that in Stake Conference our visiting General Authority (Elder Callister of the 70's) talked on that very subject! It's a big bad scarey world out there, but all you need to do is Have Faith and keep doing the best you can. Not exactly those words - but to that point. It was very comforting to hear. He also touched on a point I've been mulling over lately: Trials. He said the trials we go through are always unexpected - otherwise they wouldn't be trials. Makes so much sense when he says it! But I have found myself repeating over and over, I just never thought I'd go through this in my life - I just never thought I'd feel this way or have these questions, etc. I guess the trials are such that we are tested in our faith to see if we'll keep having faith. Just how obedient are we going to choose to be? I want to be the good girl, I do. But do I want that more than I want what I want? What do I want (really really want)? Yes, to be happy - but what kind of happy am I wanting? The NOW happy? And is that happy going to be an ETERNAL happy? Or is just that sweet tooth talking that's going to cause a cavity? Do I have enough faith to know? Am I living so that I can be Spiritually in tune to know which is which? What if I'm not. What if I don't want what I feel Heavenly Father wants for me? Do my head and heart always have to be in such conflict? Or even do they have to be in conlfict now? Why can't I have everything I want? (Pouty lip!!!!) I'm having a hard time coming to terms that that just may be the case. On either hand I feel like I'm choosing to lose something that I want. I do need to do my lovely pro's and con's list again. That usually helps me sort out this kind muddle.

At least my last post got me a call from my bro. Not so much that he worried about me. Just wanted to find out how St is doing. Turns out he got to find out for himself - in person!!!! St's job took him to Philly tonight - so Day took advantage of it and went to visit! YEA!!! I am quite looking forward to finding out how that went - and if Sage got to meet Nucle St??? *sigh* I love my family!!!! They are all such really good people!!!!

I surprised me! More than once in the same night.

2008-02-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

Well, okay then.... I learned something about myself last night. I have really deep feelings about a certain subject - don't know that I'm ready to share it yet, and I don't even know why that is. Just how it is.

So last night St brings up a subject he's been researching and enjoying getting info on. I came home from Stake Conf session extremely tired and somewhat irrationally grouchy.

#1 Moment: I did have a lady in my ward make a comment that really confused me - made me wonder what kind of gossip she's been listening to - she seemed to think she knew about problems and issues in my family that I only have talked about with some of my closest friends - and she's not one of them, nor is she close friends with any of my close friends. So trying to figure out what she must be thinking rather soured me a little. I guess I just have never felt like I made big enough waves for people to talk about me, or something. It's rather a disconcerting feeling - I never thought that I cared what others think about me. And I still don't to a certain degree. But that people are forming opinions without the proper information about me and my personal life bugs! And then I look at how I reacted and wish I'd said something more clever. I gave her a little response because I was too surprised and too confused as to why she would say that in the first place. It wasn't until I was in my car that I wished I would have called her on the carpet and asked her why she would think that? Goes to show I don't like confrontations and making other people uncomfortable - even if they do it to me.

#2 Moment: So having set the stage to my emotional state... Without any kind of preamble or greeting St calls me in to show my the results of his research that he's excited about (if you can call it that). He begins showing me video clippings and I find myself resisting his enthusiasm and find myself getting angrier. And after a few minute Mt. Lisa blew her top! I lectured him about using his time for his family briefly and just told him that the subject he was showing just made me angry and I didn't see any point in it and I didn't like it. I rather caught him off guard. Caught me off guard too. So I had to think about it and figure out why I don't like it and why I got angry. I did feel quite bad about exploding at St, so before I figured myself out I did apologize to him for being tired and extremely grouchy. So why would I explode at some random subject matter? I realized this subject is one I subconsciously avoid thinking about because it's one of those that makes me feel unsafe, and insecure. It's one of those things that just seems so huge and momentous that I, just being one tiny little person in the world, am helpless. Like a twig in a Hurricane. It's one of those We Need to Change the World issues that make me tired before I even begin to think about it. Yes, this world is broken and there is a lot of evil and I feel like on these subjects the expectation is for me to pick up my sword and shield and devote my entire life to crusading, converting, educating and putting in 150% and still it wouldn't even come close to being enough to resolve the issue!!! I would be snuffed out quite quickly because I am just a little guy in the scheme of things. I know there are some out there who are crusaders and believe that ONE can make a difference. I applaud them. I say good for you! I don't have the energy to devote to that when I'm just trying to hold my own little tiny spec of dust corner in the world together. It's not in me to fight for something like that - and I feel like there is an expectation for me to do so. And that helpless feeling makes me angry. I don't like it - I don't want it. And then when I have this information thrown at me and I DON'T want to do something about it, follows the guilt! I have enough guilt for not getting my visiting teaching done! I don't need to feel guilty for not saving the world either!!!! I don't want to be angry - but how can you not be when you see powerful evil?!!

So I've always handled these kinds of issues by just kind of blowing them off with a wave of my hand and saying "whatever" and have avoided confrontations. I avoid stating an opinion on these volatile subjects. I care deeply about the evil in the world - pick any subject and you'll find it in great force out there. So if I dig in and do my very best to do my part in keeping the commandments and the Gospel principles and really trying to help my family along the same path....that's my part in this world. This is my contribution to the world that I hope is enough. I have great deep feelings, but I repress them because I don't see an appropriate or possible outlet for them. So, I tuck it away in a corner of my mind with a note to self: address later at a different season in life. And that season may be in my next life. I'm willing to just leave it sitting there in the corner gathering dust.

Deja Vu. Just had a glimmer of recollection of having a kind of conversation with my sister about this quite a long time ago. I guess every once in a while it has to be revisited. I'll discuss this with St. now that I figured out why I bombed him.

Poor guy didn't know what hit him.

So much So little!

2008-02-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

So I really wanted to write earlier....now I've forgotten what it was. I'm excited about our snow fall we got! We actually got my favorite floaty fat flakes! It overrides the gloom of the rainy morning. Especially because it decided to get into a bigger dump - I love heavy rains. Then it slushed and then snowed! It's been a pretty great day. Despite bickering kids, husband going out of town for a few days (I need a breather!), and the flat tire that appeared today. I got my tire pressure buzzer going off yesterday - I'm so used to it happening from normal weather changes that I thought I could wait until Monday to go get some more air. A fellow driver pointed it out right after church as we were heading home. We made it to the garage and St changed it over to my spare before he left - so I wasn't too late to my appointment with the bishop. We just chat every once in a while to make sure I'm still alive. He's a really cool guy. (He also said there have been a few requests for me in other positions and he won't let me go -from the YW's - unless I want to.) I think not yet. Interesting that he is apparently letting my choose. I feel like Heavenly Father is letting me be very in charge of myself right now.... either He's testing me or He trusts me - or both. I'm trying to be a good girl and trying to do what I oughtta. Funny how when we don't want to be the ones making decisions about life matters, He makes sure that we do. I can see Him just raising His hands at me and saying, "Don't blame me!" I'm laughing as I say this because it is such my nature to want to blame someone else if I don't like how things are going. I think He wants me to take accountability for my life or something. Just like a loving parent to "torture" their child. Speaking of which- I ought to be torturing my own right now. TV doesn't need to be on, despite what they think!

You know, I was really blessed to have St there to change my tire! St had a couple of opportunities to not be around during that time: he could've worked and earned about $500 today, but he chose to attend church instead. And then he wanted to leave church early to get a head start for his traveling. He's got a new job in conjunction with his current one. Both allowing for flexibility which he values. This one is with a window company - he's learning the install part now and can work into the management area if he would like to. The owners are having him utilize some contacts that he has in the Park City area to see if they can get a foot in the door there. We discussed him leaving so he wouldn't be driving in the dark - especially with the snowfall we're getting. He decided to stay. The blessing about waiting - besides being able to be there to help me - was that the snow stopped within an hour after leaving here. If he'd have left earlier he would have been in snow in some of the worst spots down the I-15. Turns out better to have left later, despite the darkness. I told him he would be blessed and watched out over if he would do what he ought to do - besides he should get his full money's worth by attending all of his church meetings, if we wanted to look at the financial aspects. :)

So it was a nice day. I'll go play Mother now.

Dream Worlds being Active

2008-01-25T19:53:00.000-08:00

My most recent dream full of anxiety was having to leave work to go to the bathroom, and meeting Lyric on the way - she beat me to the public restroom (in a red brick building), poking her head out of the door she told me to "keep walking". I get "home" and a co-worker took pity on me and set the bathroom out - an over sized rubbermaid type of garbage can, the flaps on both sides. I crawl in the door on one side and realize I've got the outside flap stuck open. I finally get it closed and realize I'm sitting on top of a closed lid. As I'm able to struggle to get up (the can is about 2 feet shorter than a normal porta-potty) and get the lid up - I wake up.
And ran to the bathroom! (No, not a drop in bed!) Proud of me?
And NO I don't have any ill feelings toward my sis!!! It's just one of those weird things.

And the other last vivid dream that I had...

I was walking in a tall glass building - I was on an upper floor walking down the hall. There was a scruffy blonde guy walking towards me wearing a black leather jacket and he brought up his right arm (so nope, it wasn't St!) with a gun pointing at me. So I felt my thoughts begin whirring - "he's for real! I'd better get down! I wonder if I can avoid him... it looks like I'm gonna get it!" So as I'm bending over to hit the floor, he shoots and hits me in the left shoulder. And since I was bending towards him, the bullet went in the shoulder and down towards my heart rather than just going through the shoulder. So I hit the floor and pulled out my cell phone. I got 9-1-1 on the line and I began trying to get them all the info before he shot me again...and of course I was quite cheery in tone as I was saying, "I don't know where I am but it's a glass building and I'm on an upper floor near an elevator and the guy that shot me is blonde and has scruffy facial hair, black leather jacket..." and I look at him and he's pointing the gun at me again and I'm wondering if I'm going to get it again and thinking I'm bleeding to death and I'm blacking out... And I believe I fell into the deeper dreamless sleep at that point.

Isn't that weird that I was aware enough to realize I'm spinning down into a deeper sleep and then still remember that dream? And not wake up in a panic? I find it humorous my mind and mouth are going overtime on my way out of this existence. Wouldn't put it past me.

2008-01-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

Confessions of a Closet Slob

2008-01-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

I admit it! It is true! I do have slovenly tendencies...they are just now shoved in behind close-able doors in areas that I consider MY space! I also have many excuses as to WHY I disasterate so well.

Lyric's pic of her office brought this great idea for this blog - I thought I'd share my disaster area too! I actually have my closet clean still (besides just nylons still sitting on the floor....been matching those up & donning when wearing is required.)

It's not that I'm proud of how well I disasterate - really! That's why this is a confessional purging. Embarrass myself enough that it incentivates me to take care of it! And then I can post the photo of it clean! This is the messiest side - I really can see some floor space around the desk. No desk space really visible at the moment. Everything will have a nice happy home space found for it...

Another reason why I keep the disaster isolated is because I can't stand it. I feel like I can't breathe when I'm in the middle of that - unless I'm dismantling it. I also quite enjoy the process of organizing - as well as the result. Unlike enjoying the result of ironed clothes - but still disliking the process of doing so.

This is what a typical person will see of our home - mostly due to my anal retentive husband who is willing to help it stay this way. :)

I MADE it!!!

2008-01-02T12:24:00.001-08:00

2008 has me in it! Woo-Hoo!!!!

K - so are ya'll wondering what I did with the rest of that 2007 day #365? Well, let me tell YOU! Not much! Went home and watched a few episodes of "Lost". St is hooked on it - and we have to wait for the DVDs since we don't have that TV station's reception at our house. The funny thing was the DVD just stopped at a random spot as we were chatting - took us a few minutes to figure out it wasn't going to go on. So we checked the DVD for scratches - none. So tried a different DVD. No go. The DVD player went kaput - but the VCR part of it still works. So the 2 of slogged upstairs to the kids' roost. Oh - did I? Yes, I did! Forgot to mention I dropped J off to his buddy's. St did the obligatory (mild) rant about what a mess it is up there and I did the obligatory defensive explanation "typical teens - don't let it get to ya" and we settled in (after I ran back down and up with new batteries for the remote - kid's too lazy to run down & up to change them and we're too lazy to find the right buttons on the machine to push them ourselves!) and watched some more. I did realize how blessed we were to have a 2nd one so that we weren't totally dead in the water. Funny that the VCR side of that machine doesn't work. Way too many wires and wierd sized to get them to work together if I remember right.

Then at 10:30-ish I booked it outta there to meet my friend (whose hubby just wanted to watch sports and was happy to stay at home with the li'l'uns), and we went to our small town version of First Night. The city's Family Party. Lots of teens and families out. So we wandered a little for an hour - were lucky enough to get the last of the hot chocolate at the last place to serve it - and then ran to the car to defrost, watched the fireworks from there and called our hubbies to Wish them Happiness and give smoochies on the mouthpieces. So here's the live chess game we were parked next to and our silly frozen faces....

We went home from there, and J got home about the same time. We made silly faces at each other for the camera and then we joined Dad and watched the outtakes and deleted scenes from Lost and then hit the sack at about 2:30 am.

YEA!!!!!!!! So HAPPY WELCOME TO 2008!!!

The Things I did on the Last Day of 2007

2007-12-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

Monday Dec 31, 2008
Tried to wake up but fell back asleep and proceeded to have a weird dream:
I was at work, they had no bathroom. I left to go home walking down the street with red brick walls lining the sidewalks. Met Lyric on her way home for the same reason. We got to a public restroom and she entered first. I complained that I really have to go! She said, "Well, so do I! Keep walking!!" And shut the door in my face. I finally got "home"...it was really my work. And the one guy there helped me out by placing the porta-potty outside for me (looking like a grey rubbermaid trash can with the food style swing-lid tops). I entered and the street side flap was open. I maneuvered to close that and realized I was sitting on the closed lid and had to really do some twisting and scrunching to get the lid up.
Woke up - and actually had not wet the bed YET! I ran and let loose on the 3 water bottles I drank last night!
Went back to bed, closed my eyes and rested for a few minutes. (Sometimes I've caught a reflection of my early morning face - my eyes won't open, so my eyebrows get an extra wierd arch in them trying to help them up! It was one of those mornings.)
Said morning prayers with Stephen - made him do it. Sent him off to go snow-boarding, his passion in life.
Got ready for work and dressed in grey top and slacks. Wore my black pea-coat with my black/grey scarf from the clearance rack in Salzburg, and put on my favorite black slip-on shoes (the ones that look like flat ballerina slippers). I matched the 3 other girls at work who also wore black and grey. We do that frequently. It's weird! (The other 2 people weren't quite in synch with us).
I renewed my church magazines subscription.
Got the oil changed in my car.
E-mailed Charlie about his Great Grandma Ferrell passing away on Saturday.
Asked for that weekend off from work and got told my job switch will probably take place around that time. I'm stepping down from being branch manager to just being a loan officer. Looking forward to that! They also did give me the time off and said they were sorry. Good people.
Got my internet contract up and going for the house - we now have better service but have to pay for it.
Got my oil changed while I ate a Taco Salad from Carl's Jr. My first one there. It was good enough to do a repeat - but other locations are closer for pretty much the same thing.
I was bummed to find out the gym closes at 5 today - I'd like to get in and work off those chocolate caramel treasures I couldn't stop eating yesterday! I can go tomorrow a.m. though.
Chatted with my friend, both of us trying to figure out what the heck we're going to be doing with our families to bring in the New Year. She may end up going to Vegas. I may end up watching videos wishing I had fam around to Fodue with.
And I'm thinking I ought to organize and clean my work desk. Which reminds me I REALLY ought to clean out my office at home! It only exists right now because it's attached to the rest of the house - Christmas killed it!
I also paid the bill for Stephen's muffler for his truck.
Umm - talked to Stephen and maybe we'll take Jarrod to see a movie. Charlie's in Denver with his buddy - his dad owns a nursery there and so they go there frequently.
So what did you guys do for your last day of the year? I would really like an interesting photo to mark the momentous occassion!
I'll have to let you know later what we ended up doing....I know you're all waiting on pins and needles wondering what excitement we've cooked up for ourselves!

Enjoy - and - HAPPY NEW YEARS!!

My 5 Things List

2007-11-29T15:54:00.000-08:00

So Mari inspired me to create my own list:
5 Things I was doing 10 years ago.... (Hmmm that was 1997)
1. Working at a job I really liked (teller) and had fun in with my best boss ever
2. Boys were only 3-4 and were still really cute - they were in day care :(
3. I wasn't going to the gym yet
4. I still hadn't made very many friends to hang out with, but began making them that yr.
5. St was still new in his police career - it was still fresh and exciting then

5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. chocolate - like Toblerone, dark, choc covered fruit, etc.
2. I like goldfishies too
3. tomatoes with cheese - sprinkled with oil and vinegar and oregano
4. sugar
5. cheese: swiss, cheddar, jack

5 Songs I know the Lyrics to: (This is really one of the hardest things for me!!!!)
1. Eensy Weensy Spider/I'm Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee
2. There is Sunshine in my Soul Today
3. Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby (O Brother Where Art Thou)
4. Down to the River to Pray
5. Lasciate Mi Morire (maybe?)

5 Thins I would do if I were a Millionaire....
1. Pay off ALL debt! Especially the mortgage
2. Buy the kids lots of sturdy clothes
3. Buy them some cool things: new bikes, an x-box or the like, new bed sets, college savings
4. Invest & not work because I have to
5. Travel (probably be in a choir and go with them)

5 Things I'll never wear again...
1. my hair parted in the middle
2. tortoise rimmed round glasses
3. Green polyester pants
4. red polyester shorts
5. pink, blue, and white gingham long dresses

5 Favorite Toys:
1. My camera
2. My computer
3. My car
4. My Magic Bullet Blender
5. My credit card when it's paid off (snicker - it never is!)

5 Things on my To-Do List (Tomorrow):
1. Get outta bed
2. Work
3. I HAVE to make a phone call or two
4. Try not to fight and yell
5. Maybe go to the gym? I'd like to veg and watch my TV shows!

At Mari's request....

2007-11-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

I love how Halloween is a freebie day to let your inner-child run free reign! So I got everybody else on board and this is how we did! I've included my full costume and then an up close deal... my flickr site shows the details of putting it together (or pulling it apart actually!). Our Mr. Schmee is responsible for the great backdrop! Her dad helped, being a former art teacher. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrwest/
You know, I really do find it scarey during Halloween how well I can look like a guy - a pansey guy, but a guy all the same! I am very motivated to live and look the female part after one day of this! Next year will either have to be very feminine - or very much a monster. Hmmm!!!

Fall is falling onto me

2007-10-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

NOT my favorite season. I find it depressing on an annual basis. My life seems to fizzle out with the greenery and it's never been a joy to me to celebrate my birthday during that season.

Halloween does somewhat compensate for it, though, as that IS my favorite holiday! When else can you be wierd, crazy, some-what-psycho, nuts, silly, glamorous, far-out, etc. and be able to totally get away with it? That little girl in me just never grew up out of the dress-up phase. SO! I have had my costume planned out for a month now - some of it cut up and ready to be sewn. Now I just have to grab the time and DO it! Are ya'll curious to what it's gonna be? Care to guess? Hint: we've got some Disneyland going again this year....

Do you guys know what you're going to be yet???? Need/want help? I LOVE to plan and design costumes - and dream of the make up that is needed for it, too. Make-up is so much more comfortable than masks! Plus - if you're creative and artistic enough and mask can't top flesh!

Update on the unique food trends

2007-10-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

So the most recent new food adventure: found the very soft flat bread and some fabulous avacado hummus and tabouli at Costco just recently. The hummus and tabouli disappeared faster than the flat bread - so what to put on it? After warming it up, dice avacado and fresh roma tomatoes on top of it. Sprinkle pine nuts on top. Yum!!!!! I slice and eat it like a pizza - I'm so lucky I'm the only one who likes the flat bread in my house. At least I get to have that all to myself!

Any of you create a new food blend lately?

I am aliiiiiiiiiive!

2007-07-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

So I have returned to blog life due to the challenge of pending questions just begging to be answered... cannot leave questions unanswered. That would bug for eternity!

I have decided that one of my favorite meals is the combo of bread, cheese, and fruit with very cool water (with hints of mint and/or lemon). I "mmm" just thinking on it. Varying combinations are an adventure I am determined to explore. My current aftertaste that I am thoroughly enjoying is Fresh Farmers Cheese, Western Family Crescent Rolls, and cherries. I really liked the baby Swiss from Holland, though. That went quite well with the kiwi and fresh loaf of multi-grain bread. I might try grapes, cheddar and another fresh bread tomorrow? Depends on the lunch schedule. I wonder how fattening vs healthy that meal is? Probably a negative health factor just because I like it so much. *sigh* And of course top it off with a bite of European chocolate.

I do enjoy food. Mmmm.

Answers to my Personal Interview

2007-07-08T23:05:00.000-07:00

Amber said...
Here are five questions for you:
1. What is your proudest life moment and why? (Feel free to choose a future event if you are up to creative dreaming.)
I am holding hands with my husband walking through a black tunnel into a bright white light - you can only see our silhouettes from behind. My proudest moment is actually making it through this entire life trial being happily and joyfully married to my husband because we both had to work so hard at it! It's an accomplishment I feared we would not reach on too many occassions!
2. If you could have a personal interview with any American political figure, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
Benjamin Franklin finally tops Abe Lincoln... Tell me about life in America as you see it, and where do you see it going?
3. If you had access to a time machine, how would you use it?
Sparingly....very cautiously. I'm generally pretty happy with how life is. I'd probably only use it to go back to certain points in my life where I know I should have done differently - only 3 issues that I can think of right now. (one involving my best friend in 9th grade - not letting the boyfriend take precedence, one with my fiance' helping him to be more comfortable and accepting of the different aspects of the girl he was marrying, and in general being more consistant in implementing Gospel teaching with my children)
4. Congratulations, you won the lottery! Which lottery did you win, how much did you win (after taxes), and what will you do with your winnings?
I have won a net of $863,599.32. (Uhhh, NOT the Canadian one!) Pay 10% to the Lord, 10% to myself, banish debt, portion out gifts to family members, portion it for extraneous good works and donations, provide educational funds for our children (pending they meet certain qualifications...like grades!), travel, shop, buy toys, finish my own education, teach part time, require my hubby keep up some kind of flexible employment until we reach "retirement" age - and then serve many missions! That would probably be dual-fold with the traveling. And the above mentioned are not in the correct order except the first 3 items - you can have fun choosing which order they ought to belong in.
5. If you were a character in a television show, who would you be and why?
I am feeling Lily Tomlin's character of Edith Ann because she's a big little girl in a big big chair in a big big world who just speaks her mind and is silly and dorky and cute and slurpy.
These are NOT easy questions to answer!

Mozart Quiz

2006-10-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

My results:

Which Mozart Opera Does Your Life Most Resemble?

Cosi Fan Tutte (All Women Do Thus). For a complete synopsis, see http://www.metopera.org/synopses/cosi.html.
Take this quiz!

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Boys' Jones Soda results

2006-05-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

Delicious kid....this is J's

You Are Broccoli Casserole Soda

Vegetarians taste better!

What Jones Holiday Soda Are You?

....and Ch's

You Are Wild Herb Stuffing Soda

At the end of dinner, you're more stuffed than the bird

What Jones Holiday Soda Are You?

Another one?

2006-05-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

Jarrod too???? They're scarin' me....

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

New One!

2006-05-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

This is Charlie's results...

(Yes, we laughed!)

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Another silly test

2006-05-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

I'll have to check this movie out.... sounds a little Billy to me.....

The Monday Personality

2006-05-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

I took the shortened condensed version...
So either it's just a Monday or my secondary nature is being exposed.
Not much better!
I guess I'm really nice or really mean - not much in between for me!

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

So, Linds - how did you end up being a nice person all by yourself? Maybe you are a Jones child after all!!!!

Excuses

2006-05-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

I've actually been writing fam letters the last two weeks. Not a whole lot to blog after those....

I'm actually thinking of trying out for a musical with the community musical theatre that will run in November. Both boys said they'd be willing to go - Ch wouldn't mind being a stage hand and J would prefer to be in the chorus.... They're doing Beauty and the Beast.

What think ya'll?
I thought it might be a good time to really spend time with the kids doing homework during all those rehearsal times when you sit around doing a whole lot of nothing. But it's been forever since I've been in a show...am I mis-remembering?

Grey cloudy day. It's a bit of a bummer. Oh well - This too shall pass. Especially in St George!!!
:)

How awful!

2006-05-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Bill Clinton???
I'm sorry!!!

Goin' to a Concert!

2006-04-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

Going to see Peter Breihnholt at the Tuacahn Ampitheatre tonight with my whole fam!!! I'm psyched!! I really think the kids will like it even though they're whining about it right now - they'd rather play night games with the neighborhood kids. I think they've been spoiled this Spring Break, plus the addition of letting them stay up WAY too late! Looking forward to going back to school!
Plus I won concert tickets to go see Michael Ballam in Gianni Schicchi - the very first opera I saw (and even liked).... If St doesn't want to go (which I'm almost positive he won't) I'm taking J. If he liked the King Singer's concert (which he did), he'll like this. PLUS he'll get to meet the star of the show after - I love having the in with the star! (Plus he was probably the best college professor I had!He's an awesome, inspiring person!)

Did I mention we all got to go flying in a personal aircraft last weekend? St has a friend that took us up - had to take turns, but it was great! The boys first time up in the air. J was pretty nervous at first, but then he loved it so much he volunteered to go a second time! Good boy! Just gotta trust Mom&Pops.....

Gotta run and go get the Easter Ham....

Ciao!

It's a cold and dreary world

2006-04-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

Well - it's very very grey outside. And it was really dumping the little mean rain drops, not the big fat juicy ones. That was upon waking up. And my poor kids had to go wait for the bus in it. I'm really glad I got the smiley face umbrella for them. We're not used to the rain here... I could use some blue skies.

It's been forever since I've written. The usual mundane business. Plus it doesn't help to depend on your cookies for your user name... cause eventually it gets erased and then you can't remember it! We had a system switch-over and I remembered most of my user names. And then I just had to find where I wrote it down.

We did have blue skies yesterday when we came out from having done Baptisms for the Dead. I took photos of the kids who were there for the first time. I was really happy to have one of girls who was there for the first time at age 14. She's had a rough few years with her parents divorcing and custody battles and dad's remarriage and becoming inactive. That's a really sad deal. Charlie enjoyed himself, I think. He kept making cracks about what if you actually had to have the dead person's body to baptise them... pretty gross thought! And he really really does not like the white briefs the boys have to wear...he's a Boxer Boy. I remember them being uncomfortable going to boxers - I don't remember why I did it? I think they wanted to?

OK - weird. From weather to briefs. I guess that's my life right now. It's all good though. I know the sun will appear again.

(I'm overhearing a conversation where I know one person is not taking the comments positively and the other doesn't quite get it. And there's nothing I can do about it. Oh, well - we'll all live through it. Takes a lot of tolerance to deal well with this world.)

K. I'm alive. Hope my head's attached enough to remember the orthodontist apt for today. Even wrote myself a note and set an alarm. Yup - I've forgotten it too many times.

I go work.

Ciao.

Need Some Ideas

2006-02-22T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hey! Too cool! Ric found me too! I was laughing so hard at imagining some of Day's antics that I had tears in my eyes! I have a son that would not only do the muscle man poses, but many other extremely odd/silly/outrageous faces (and sounds to go with them)...I have caught him doing this in front of his mirror - just because he was bored or something. He just grins at me and answers "I don't know" when he's asked why he does that or where he gets those ideas from. Much entertainment.

But - I was really starting this post with the idea of making a request for some great resume' ideas. I thought it would be fun just to have on paper a list of my professional accomplishments. And most resume's I've seen are quite boring and are not memorable.
Any creative thoughts out there? Parameters being: professional looking, creative, memorable, straight forward, concise, and truthful. (Of course, if you want to throw in ideas on how wonderful I am and the marvelous things you can think of me doing, I will be very receptive and wouldn't tell you to stop!)

See? I'm learning from my sis how to give assignments! I will just throw in some added incentive - I'll even grade you if you want!!!! No? Well, okay - I won't grade you then! (As if any of you would ever do less than A Quality work!!!)

A preemptive thank you to all....

Odd Things that Stick

2006-02-22T15:37:00.000-08:00

I just get really odd ideas in my head that really stick - such as thinking that I want some sticky rice. Remember the Miyasaki's? Having a Chinese/Japanese best friend growing up you get to try fun, new things! Sticky rice was the only kind of rice I liked. (Rice still is not a favorite of mine, although I will eat it...but NOT in burritos or on pizza!) So I looked up how to make it on the internet. Now the internet's a good tool, but you can get too much of an education some times. So now I know that just because regular rice is sticky it doesn't mean that it's sticky rice. You need to get the sweet rice that says it's sweet rice (or glutinous rice), not short grain or long grain, etc. And then you need to soak it and steam it. And do I know how to steam things? No! So, I've got to read the directions on that too. You can steam it in the regular steamers in pots (that I don't have) or in this bamboo contraption deal. Believe it or not, the bamboo steamer directions were much simpler in directions and cheaper to get. So as of today I am a new owner of the complete Thai sticky rice cooking kit, which includes: cheesecloth, steaming basket, the steamer, and the sticky rice itself! And I'm excited to try it! (See this is how I try to fool myself into liking to eat HEALTHY!!!! Try new things!) So maybe this new personal "fad" will stick this time.

Happy playing!

The First One

2006-02-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

It has been requested that we share our memories of our children's births.
I've always been one to appreciate an interesting story. I don't know if you find it interesting, but I like the details - so I'll include them. Skim if you thinks it's too much.

In the beginning we began anew... we'd only been married 10 months but St felt it was time to begin our family sprouting. He asked me and I thought I'd not waste money and finish out the month's worth of pills. I did finish it, but it was with a lot of pressure to quit - he was quite ready. A fairly short while later I was feeling a bit sick to my stomach and I suspected I might be pregnant already, but then I had a period so I knew I wasn't. A week later though, I was still feeling yucky and so I St gave me a blessing. And it still didn't go away. OK - so we finally set an apt to see a Dr. On the way in I said I thought I might be pregnant. The Dr seemed to know exactly what questions to ask me and he had that knowing smile on his face. The nurse came in only moments after checking the urin sample and the Dr congratulated us on becoming parents soon! I'll never forget the look of shock on St's face! He couldn't believe it! He just didn't think it would be so fast! And I felt kind of bad about it because both of our sisters had been married longer than us and were both still trying to conceive their first... And to top it off we didn't have stable employment, nor had either of finished school yet. Pretty scarey!
Not much to tell about the pregnancy. I was still working in Park City doing Housekeeping. I would drive 40 minutes one way through the mountains, usually in the dark and frequently in the snow. I would run and grab my cleaning supplies - rush to the first restroom to clean - throw up - and then proceed to clean for the day. Quite a regular routine.
And then one day coming home from work my engine started smoking as I was almost to our apartment. I called and got my car into a shop for the next day. I called work and took the day off promising I'd somehow be in the next morning. As I was waiting for word on my car, I spent the day watching videos with a friend. I started having some minor contractions - but I wasn't due for 3 weeks. Must be Braxton Hicks contractions. Then I got word on the car - blew the head gasket. Dead Car!!!! Didn't quite know what to do yet...figured I'd talk to St that night. He was doing his 3 week summer time at Camp Williams about a 1/2 hr to the West. Then I noticed that I'd leaked a milky, mildly bloody stuff and had recently read about a "mucas plug" and wondered if that was the case. So I called the hospital and they wanted me to come in to get it checked out. So I called my mother-in-law to see if she could take me in since my family was vactioning and due to arrive at my sister's house in North Carolina the next day. She couldn't get out til around 8 that night and she talked me into taking an overnight bag just in case. I was timing the contractions and nothing was ever regularly 5 minutes apart.
So we got to the hospital and the receptionist studiously ignored us being so very busy with the stuff on her desk. About 5 minutes later a neighbor of Vickie's walked past that was a nurse there and asked what we were doing there. I answered, "we're here to see if I'm having my baby or not". You should've seen that receptionist's head jerk up in shock. She paid attention to us now. She asked, "have you had any contractions yet where you can't breath?" And of course because she said that I had my first one right then! "You mean like that?" They put me in a room pretty quickly and stuck wire things all over me and I asked if they would just let me know if I was having the baby or not....they just kind of ignored me and hustled about doing their stuff and left the room. So Vickie and I just chatted for about a half hour before someone finally came back a got busy right away again. "Umm.. so? What's going on?" "Well, you're having your baby." What?!?!?! For reals???? So I think of everything I left at home...and think I'll just have St pick them up for me on his way over. So I called him (I had called him earlier to let him know I was going to get checked out)and told him we're having the baby! And he shouted out, "Hey, guys! My wife's having the baby! Hon, can you call back in 10 minutes?" and hung up. Well, okay. I called back in 10 minutes and they laughed at me saying he'd left right away in a rush! And then he showed up in just another 10 minutes! So he got there a little before 9 pm. By then I was having pretty good contractions - I thought it was weird that the monitor recorded some contractions that I didn't feel. The body's a weird thing sometimes! Around 10 they figured it was time for an epidural. My body would just shake from the pain of the contractions. I was afraid I would have one of those uncontrollable shaking moments when they gave me the epidural and something bad would happen, but I wanted the pain to end even more than I was afraid. So I just closed my eyes and let them do it. And immediately that pain in the lower back just disappeared. Ahhh!!! They told me my doctor was at LDS Hospital since it was Thurs and it was the one night of the week he worked over there, but that they'd called him up to see if he could come. We asked one of the nurses when they thought I'd have him and they estimated that it would probably be about 5:30 in the morning. *Sigh* This was going to be a long night. At almost 12:00 am the contractions really started getting bad. The nurses told me not to push, the doctor was on his way. It was weird how my body just wanted squish and squeeze and push - gross to say, but it's almost comparable to a bowel movement. Vickie was coaching me into breathing deep so as to not hyperventilate and to try to help me not push. St was holding my hand repeating what the nurses told me. The only time I yelled at him was to tell him "YOU try NOT to push!!!" Try holding it all in when it wants to come out! No easy task! But I felt really bad when I could tell I hurt his feelings. The doctor arrived a little after 12 am and I called out to him to "Hurry up!" "Just let me get dressed here!" as he was putting on the medical robe and gloves. I really didn't care! I just wanted him there so they'd let me push! The Dr invited St to come and see. "You see there? That's the baby!" "That's him?" St asked incredulously. "Yup. I see what's holding him up...here!" And he took some scissors and I felt incredible pain and then that last nice shove and ***relief!!!!***** And a big squawl! I was in a daze. Stephen was the one to help him into the world and they laid him on my tummy. I remember just thinking, "oh, that's nice." But I was out of it! St clipped the imbilical cord and they scooped him away to go do their stuff to him. I heard more baby hollers, St crooning to him and the crying stopped suddenly. St later said he immediately stopped the crying when St laid his hand on his tummy. The baby knew his daddy loved him and that was all he needed. The nurses told me I could let go of the handle grips and I just couldn't move. Vickie and the nurses peeled my fingers off gently and worked around me. And then the Dr. came over to stitch me back up - and OUCHY OUCHY OUCHY!!!! STOP! I felt each stitch and he told me it was too late to stop! I was too shocked to cry! It HURT!!!!!!!! I guess they thought the epidural was supposed to be working... I think it was still set at a lower level expecting the birth not to take place for another 5 hours! That was the worst part of the whole entire labor!
A few hours later they brought him in to me and I remember his almond shaped eyes just kind of glowing and looking at me. A little like a tiny alien. It really surprised me that he needed to be taught how to nurse (and that I needed to learn how, too!) - it took us a few tries before he got latched on right. He would get frustrated that he wasn't getting what he wanted and lose his latch and fuss and search and get latched on and fuss. It would've been funny had it not been so frustrating. When I filled out the birth certificate info, St wanted me to name him Charles Easton West. I'd thought about it lots and decided we just couldn't do that to the kid. Kids are mean enough that I didn't want to chance it. Plus! He could never be a CEO with the name plaque Easton West! People would never take him seriously! So Charles Reid it was. Sorry, honey...
Later on in the day I was feeling just fine and we were bored so we decided we'd take a walk with the baby around the halls. We headed to the cafeteria but got shooed quickly back into the maternity section when somebody caught us. "You can't bring that baby in here!" Hm! Well, how was I supposed to know that? We got a release that evening and got to go home. The phone calls were fun to make. The hardest one was calling in to work and telling them I wasn't coming back because I'd had the baby. I felt quite guilty for breaking my promise of coming in. But they had a plant delivered to me anyway. I thought that was really sweet of them. I tried calling my best friend from college (Nannette Tinsley) to let her know - especially since she was expecting her 2nd baby in a few weeks. After a few tries I got through and it was her mother on the phone! I kind of fumbled and explained why I was trying to get ahold of her and asked, "so did she have her baby too, or something?" I couldn't figure why else her mother would be there - she's from Missouri. Yes, she'd had her baby 1 hour before Charlie was born. But she'd had a really rough delivery and had some hemorraging. Pretty scarey! So she'd had her baby 2 weeks early and mine was 3 weeks early - so Joshua Tinsley ended up only being 1 hour older rather than a week!
And that is how Charles Reid West came into this world.

Oh yeah - Happy Heart's Day!

2006-02-14T16:53:00.000-08:00

So I usually don't make a fuss over Valentine's Day - nor do I expect anything. We're both of the type where we don't do much for birthdays or anniversaries... Same as it was growing up pretty much. It just happens. I always dreamt I'd at least make a big deal of my kid's birthdays - but poor guys...they're lucky if they get a party! I allow myself to get to busy. So therefore I understand my hubby being the same way and don't freak out - even though sometimes it bugs me.
BUT! I've decided this year that if I want something done, I'll be the one to do it! So I've been doing the 14 days of Valentines for him. Each day he gets a gift with a silly little saying to go with it.
This is what I've done:
Day 1 - I decorated his closet with hearts hanging down from the ceiling.
"My heart's always hanging in there for you"
Day 2 - A pen with a heart that lights up at then end
"You are my heart light"
Day 3 - A pair of scissors
"You're a cut above the rest"
Day 4 - An "I love Lucy" little pocket planner
"Um hmmm - let's make some plans" (And had heart stickers on every special dayalong with the sweet nothings he should say to me every day!)
Day 5 - A store bought can that was filled with candy that said "love buzz" on it.
"You put me on the best kind of high"
Day 6 - A book of love sayings and poetry
"You are the poetry of my life"
Day 7 - A bouquet of sucker hearts and roses
"I'm a total sucker for you"
Day 8 - A soup cup with a red stuffed doggie in it (I gave him a big red stuffed doggie a few years back that I named Lucy)
"Lucy thinks you're soup-er" (yes, he does call me Lucy!)
Day 9 - Valentines day hot sauce with love sayings on the bottles
"Tsss!!! You're hot hot, baby!"
Day 10 - Toy hand cuffs
"Lock me up and throw away the keys! I'm yours all the way!"
Day 11 - A tiny plant of blooming flowers
"My heart blooms for you"
Day 12 - A pair of dice that have "love" things to do on them
"I'll throw in my dice for you... wanna play?"
Day 13 - A heart tin full of coiled papers, each with a reason why I love him
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."
Day 14 - 2 Wine Glasses and Sparkling Cider
the poem of "Drink to me only with Thine eyes.."

Ahh... how sappy! But it works! He knows he's loved.
And today he asked if I got any gifts from him....? Uh, no? Did you send me something? "I tried..."
YES! That's all I need! The thought does count! He couldn't do much more than that though - he's doing some training that takes him in to the neighboring town 40 min's away every day. Yeah, he coulda prepared in advance, but that's no his way, so I'm not even going to think to expect that out of him. Just niceness and sweetness and that's all I ask.

Oh Happy Hearts Day.
To all of you!
Love me!

I feel SPECIAL!

2006-02-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

I've been discovered! Thanks, bro!!! Now I can confess that yes, I was a little jealous of the attentions the younger girls got from you...but of course - I love 'em too much and enjoy your responses so much that I can't wish them not to have your attention. It was just a minor "me too" wish that I didn't have a strong enough desire to bring it to anyone's attentions. So that is why I feel SO special now!!!!
So I've printed out the advice and I'm going to attempt to memorize it and put it into practice.
I've decided I was just PMSing really bad - which I don't do very often and I hate to use that as an excuse. But it's just too coincidental that it was that time and I was so moody that even I could recognize how ridiculous I was being and had no real reason to be that way. My hubby has even really been going out of his way to try to meet my emotional needs! Poor guy!
I'm back to being normal, I think. My usual looking-on-the-bright-side-of-things self. Yea! It's good to be BACK! And to feel the love that I know is there from you guys and my family.
Yeah, bro - I forgot about the affects of marriage on guys...they do have a tendency to get a little thicker in the middle and a little softer when they get their lovely woman taking care of their tummies. I'm guilty of doing that to my hubby... When I want to do something special and thoughtful for him I will almost always turn to what goody I want to get him. He's been training me over the years that that is not what he wants because he really doesn't want to get fat! Very hard lessons to get through this thick head that has such a major sweet tooth!
Again I get chatty.
I really thought I might post something along the lines of Memories...Ric got me going thinking about our relationship growing up - watching her girls hitting that stage of being so very different. *sigh* Growin up was so fun to do. And look at what it did to us all? Very fine people I think. And I know I'm not that humble, but taking me out of the situation and being remote and removed. Yeah, we're still awesome people.
What more say I?
(Just check in and you'll see more I'm sure!)

WOW! monday

2006-02-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have to write again 'cause I got my call that I was craving this weekend! Thanks, Linz! And so now I need to clarify! I did not mean at all any one particular sister just let herself go ugly after marriage. NO WAY! They're all beauties and none HAVE to wear makeup!! As I'm sure our hubbies would agree. Read Ber's response to my last posting - I must agree whole-heartedly with her! But I have made further observations through my work seeing many newlyweds and see it does happen in larger percentages that a female relaxes her appearance for a while after she first marries. It was suggested to me that maybe she does it so that she won't get "hit on" by those guys on the prowl.

Well it is a Monday and I find myself not dealing well with the aspects of life I don't like right now. So how do you convince yourself to listen to the logical side over your emotional side? Maybe that's what the thinkers can do better than those of us that are feelers, eh? So teach me, thinkers! I'm definitely sucked into the emotional vortex in too many cases and it doesn't help me accomplish resolutions to the problems.

Any great words of advise?
Love ya'll & miss you!
Miss Impatience for the Perfect Life

The Sky is Blue

2006-01-31T16:35:00.000-08:00

I'm basically writing because I haven't and I keep going to my sister's and she hasn't either, and it's DRIVING ME CRAZY! She thinks nothing's going on in her life. Me too.
But if we talked on the phone we'd have plenty to say. I miss her. I'm really missing my family right now for some reason - I'm longing to just be hanging out with them with my feet up on the couch with life happening around me. I was reminiscing today of Sunday afternoons growing up reading whatever....books and newspapers, all of us together sprawled in the front room or kitchen - very quiet except for the giggle from the one reading the Funnies.
Also did you notice how one of us girls went to pot on our appearances the first few months after marriage? Was it because we could finally relax knowing that we were loved for who we are and not just for our Gorgeousness? Well, maybe we were just being like we've always been with our family when we were truly relaxed. I think camping helped us be comfortable in our own skins and knowing we didn't have to look a certain way to be special. Of course Mom helped with that by making sure that Vanity was something that was a silly thing and there were more important things in the world than looks.
See? I have things to say if I just get at it. Looking out the window and appreciating the clear blue sky as the sun is deciding it will bid farewell for another night...and seeing the tips of tree branches bare and stretching to the sky in want of the Spring to come. I can feel it starting to stir.
Hey, Sis - get posting...Christmas is old news now. And Ber - YEA!!! I'm glad you finally got the computer stuff going again. I love to hear from you.

Any thoughts on why new wives relax so much on their appearances? Do you think it's important to keep up appearances after marriage? Looking at my family - I think I see a huge portion of that depends on the spouse we choose. But should it be important?

I love you all.
Til I write another day.... I'll enjoy the blue skies.

Ketch Up time....

2005-12-27T11:23:00.000-08:00

Nope - no fries - they're fried and sinful. So it's just a big long letter to try to just fill in the big blank since the last post. I have more that I think I'll post later on....

I guess we can start off with Thanksgiving... since St and I both have to work the next day we figured we ought to just go out for dinner and relax the rest of the day rather than spend it cooking and cleaning the entire day. So we just cleaned for the first half of the day, then went to eat and found that the buffets were WAY too crowded for our taste (and time limitations if we wanted to make it to the show, which we did!). So the Chinese Buffet was it AGAIN for us... yes, we did go there last year too. And then we made it to the Movie (I think it was Chicken Little) and enjoyed ourselves.
Skip to Friday the 23rd - our 14th Anniversary. Yes, we are counting accurately this year. (We lost count and celebrated #13 twice!). We were both not feeling all that great so it was mostly napping that day (St took the day off, and I left work early). So we went to eat a Mexican place and went and watched God's Army 2. Almost a downer for most of the show - but excellent message at the end that made both of cry. Then Saturday, Christmas Eve.... I think St cleaned in the morning while the rest of us tried to keep up with all of the orders issued thus-while. :) Then we washed the truck, dropped off a gift, and went to see the Chronicles of Narnia with the boys. That was a great show! Very symbolic and great imagery/artistry and adventurous! It was J's 2nd time seeing it since he got to see it as a field trip with his school class, but he was happy to notice things he'd missed the first time. We then did the Chinese Buffet thing again since the other Buffets of first choice were closed for the Holiday. Oh, yeah - we actually hit the grocery store since I hadn't thought of going earlier. That was a crazy place!!!! Ch was actually anxious to go home and read for a 1/2 hr and then go to bed - he repeated his request a few times to me at the store and then at the restaraunt. I'm not gonna argue with that! He must've been good on his intention because the next morning....
"Mom - wake up! It's time to get ready! And I'm all ready!" I opened my eyes still lying on my back (I went out like a light at about 2am!) and saw him ready to go - his hair done, tie on, shoes on!!! One of my favorite gifts!!!!!
But back to Christmas Eve - after we got home we all wrapped our respective gifts (kids helping both of us giggling at how funny dad was with his talents in wrapping!) I think I just get to busy to wrap them one at a time when I get them.... and like my mother I do have a tendency to not indicate who they're to - so at least this year I got most of them on, at least who they were to if not who they were from. I think if I wrapped the gift immediately and labeled them, then I'd know better what everyone's getting and they wouldn't end up with so many little goofy things! I find myself seeing things bit by bit throughout the months and grabbing them thinking it would be a fun gift and then when I wrap them I realize that my kids are really spoiled.... The kids that night requested that they be allowed to hand out the gifts and pick out which ones first for us to open. Okay? And it was requested that I not make the Christmas Casserole - so I tried I pull-apart recipe instead. More on that later! So after we got most of the gifts out under the tree we read the Nativity while Dad tried to stay awake and most of us gratefully sank into our beds....
So in the morning St and I rushed to get ready - our choir practice began at 8:15 am and we only had a 1/2 hr to get ready. We made it only 5 minutes late! The program at church turned out very nice, although St was ready to thump me....I sat next to my friend who's the YW Pres and she likes to talk to me, so we weren't very good examples. I'm repenting - or at least trying to. Cool thing was meeting a Ward member's daughter who is a band/orchestra/choir teacher for the Park City School District.... The member was supposed to play the violin for Silent Night, but his back was not well so he asked her to cover for him - and WOW! She did beautifully! And we also easily talked her into singing with the altos for the other numbers and she did quite well! So I *sighed* and gave her huge smiles and hug, happy for her to be living out my dream job! Made me wish for my youth again so I'd have time to make a new friend and hang out with her some more.... ah, well - it's all good! She'll come and visit her dad and then we can see each other again. We only had Sacrament meeting for an hour (there's another meeting right after ours) so we made it home to smell something burning. I groaned..... Not again! (Yes, I do offer a few too many burnt offerings to my family!) But it turns out that it was only a little sugar and nuts that exploded over the edge since I let it rise for too long. Some recipes you really have to have your time organized well to get it done right and at the right time! But the bread itself was alright. The boys weren't too interested in it and the butter all ended up at the top, so it was dry in parts and really greasy in parts. Oh well. We'll try it again another day...... And then! We made Dad stay out and not go to bed to open gifts. He'd been threatening (with a smile) to go to bed and make us all wait until the next day to open them! Aaa!!!! Santa actually wrapped those gifts and put them by our stockings. So the only unwrapped gifts were the HUGE animal slippers we all got! J got lions, Ch got black panthers, I got the yellow tiger and St got the white tiger! The boys laughed when they saw those! They also handed me all of the gifts they could find looking for just the right one - so I felt overloaded this year! Turns out St and I got each other the same gift!!!! Kids thought that was hilarious.... it was a CD called Celtic Women. We saw the concert on PBS a couple weeks ago and we both loved. St did better than me though and got the DVD of the concert with it. We'd like to see them in concert if it's close enough and not too expensive! Let's see. So St got a nutritional guide kit, I got mostly shoes (and I was very excited to get a hand held sudoku game!), Ch got an MP3 player, a watch, and a CD Player with a CD (Flood), and J got a scooter, a little remote control car with all the fixin's to make it into a monster truck, and a little walking robot. All the rest of the things were just little (a few books and games). Oh, and we got a breadmaker - so I've been trying that out. My second loaf turned out better than the first....now I just need to try the ingrediants from scratch. Too bad I'm the only that's seems to like the bread. Everyone else just says "No thank you!" Maybe they'll like white bread when I try that. We just lazed around after that trying to figure out our gadgets. I cooked a turkey that turned out all right - not the best, but not the worst!
I got to talk to everyone from my family except Lindsey and Lyric and I missed Gma Ferrell, and we got to Gma West and everyone got to talk to Aunt Michelle from Puerto Rico!
And then we saved the BEST for last! I took the kids out for a few errands (to give St the time to write letters to the boys), and made them come sit on the couch with their eyes closed. I set out the portraits I commissioned Dalyn to do of the boys as strippling warriors and we put out these decorative "liahona"s St had found a while ago (they're kind of decorative globe/compasses made of metal strips with an arrow that goes through the center of it). With their eyes still closed, St asked them to consider what the greatest gift they could give to Heavenly Father. After some conversation and deciding that it would be to make a personal commitment to live the gospel and live worthy to return to Him he had them open their eyes. I hear J whisper "Cool!" and Ch asked "What is it?" (He wasn't wearing his glasses). So they went over and read their letters from Dad and collected their comapasses and gave their daddy thank you kisses and then went back to look at their portraits. I asked them if they knew what they were. They did make Scriptural guesses and I had them look at the banners they were wearing in the portraits with the scripture references on them. So they got out their scriptures with much cooperation with each other and took turns reading a verse each about the Stripling Warriors. It was everything I hoped it would be! I teared up watching my children so enraptured with how the scriptures actually applied to them! *Wow*! (THANKS, Day!!!!) What an awesome experience!
So Monday morning since I got the day off, I got to chat for a while with Lindsey and Lyric and loved it all and drove the boys crazy, saying "what are we gonna get to do today??" and St was finally able to get through on the phone wondering who I was talking to that whole time! :) He came home and shortly after that we had a pretty major wind storm! It blew in some rain and hail and tons of dust from all the construction areas around! We watched some power poles throw some major flashes in town... and we were very glad that St didn't have go back into that! And then J turned and hollered "We have a leak!" AAaaa! Out of our vent right by the Christmas tree we had a stream of water running down to the floor! The scramble seemed to be right out of the Charlie Chaplin kind of chaos! It was nuts. We're not sure we know what the source was - but we got rid of the fish tank quick after dad found that there was a small leak from the pumps and the upstairs bathroom got a good thorough cleaning and the upstairs deck got a good sweeping (I think that's where the water came in from).... And then Dad wanted the windows to all be squeegeed off so we wouldn't have the raindrops decorating them for the next few months. The kids weren't too thrilled to be doing MORE cleaning! Ch did win the interrupted Scrabble game (which we were playing waiting for Dad to come home), and they learned that Mom takes WAY too long to try to figure out which word to play. I think we'll be playing a different game the next time.
Once things got settled down St and I took off to go shopping like we've been wanting to since my birthday, and we quite enjoyed ourselves - saw some friends that we got to chat with a bit and playing up our whims of vanity....came home and watched the DVD of Mobsters and Mormons with the kids. So it was a very nice holiday.
The kids weren't even too grumpy when I woke them up for school this morning once I left them alone after they reminded me they didn't have school this week. I remember I hated being woken up from a nice sleep for no good reason - and they were glad not to be given any new chores! Spoiled kids.
Family is the whole best thing about the Holidays. I miss them, but I rejoice in my communications with them. I feel their love - it's like the warm fuzzy blanket that I'm so used to that I can easily take it for granted.

I will post more when I can...

Not much to say

2005-11-18T16:34:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week. I don't remember anything really exciting. The weather is turning cool. Last week I got work done on my car that I'd been procrastinating, so that feels so much better now! I've still got a little to go, but I'm waiting for more money. I have a million things to do tomorrow. Life's pretty good. I got to talk to my bro and that was cool. I got a "note" from my sis that said she loved me and it made me cry 'cause it was so sweet that she thought of me! It's just all been pretty good. Stake conference last week was very good. 1) Go to the temple 2)Know how available Pornography is and it's a BAD deal!!! 2) Be physically and Spiritually prepared 4) Pray to help with missionary work 5) as the church grows, we change as necessary (talking about why they're telecasting every other year with an area authority rather than an in-person visit), and there is a correct and proper order in which the Priesthood is to be used (blessings should be given by the appropriate person - they're not any more special if it's done by the prophet as done by a father. And I know I'm forgetting stuff, but I was inspired. We had Elder Hinckley(Pres H's son!) speak.... he's as cute as his Daddy!
K!
Must run!
Love!

Winners photos

2005-11-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

"Most Original" is our Irish guy. [What are these people thinking??? Fun costume, but c'mon, guys!!! Original??? Learn your definitions!! Maybe I don't think it's too orginal since the guy is Irish and I've seen him wearing the hat before...]

Aunt Jemima's one I can concur with the rest of the voting population! She won the Best Overall. I had to post her Normal pic just so you can get the real gist of how funny her costume really is! I look forward to every year just to see what Ruth will be!

Photos of "Dressed up" and then "Normal" photo of the Funniest Winner for our Work Costume Contest. It doesn't seem like the funniest, but when you see the guy in person you do get a good laugh out of it.

The Results! And more....

2005-11-07T09:43:00.001-08:00

I know you're all just dieing to know if my costume won the contest or not..... so??
The Categories were:
Best Overall
Most Original
Funniest
Most Outrageous
Best Group

Any guesses which one I got?
If Dad's response of, "that was Weird" is any indication - Yup.... Most Outrageous! That's your related goof-ball for ya! Our best overall was my friend who was Aunt Jemima. She's a blonde, blue-eyed gal. But her get-up was Perfect!
(For some reason I can't post photos here... I'll do another post and show you their costumes....)

The others I wasn't thoroughly impressed with - Our Irish guy put on his Tartan cap that has red hair attached to it with his knickers

and he got the Original and one of our techies was a nerd again - but this time his tight V-neck sweater and bald cap with hair fringe won it for him for the Funniest.

I'm just the believer in being totally immersed into the season. Believe me - you have a lot of fun when you do!!!
K - off my soap box now.

This weekend was pretty good. St and I went out to dinner Friday and were too tired to go see a show. Saturday we enjoyed cleaning as a family - Charlie mowed the lawn (and is laughing at little brother not being able to start the mower in one yank....one year is a HUGE difference in muscle development in boys!!!!), J vacuumed the garage, I cleaned up my sewing mess off the kitchen table produced the carpet again in my closet, St cleaned the attic out and found that his sweat shirts now fit the boys. Crazy to think Ch will fit in his dad's clothes in the not-too-distant future! And St is willing to share his clothes too. It's cute! Charlie did inherit some of Dad's shoes now that they're the same size!!!! AAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!! Then we treated the boys to see March of the Penguins at the $1 Theatre. Ch wasn't too impressed, but the rest of us enjoyed it. Da babies are SO cute!!!! They are really weird creatures, though! Shall I be one next Halloween??
Then Sunday was really really nice! Our Bish is not the most talkative guy - but he took 20 minutes during Testimony meeting, with good reason. He and his wife went on a resort vacation in the Cayman (sp?) Islands this last month, looking forward to a relaxing week. Yup, you guessed it! Got caught in the hurricanes! They moved the hotel guests into a "shelter" which was a school with the top half of which were only wooden shutters, were only allowed to take a small pack with them, and got "forgotten" one night - four days sleeping on cement floors, no showers and very poor restroom facilities with over 300 other people! They were one of the few that were prepared with a little food and water. He bore his testimony of being personally prepared to meet your Savior EVERY DAY!!! And then strongly reiterated the need to follow the Prophet's words of completing the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. He had everyone's rapt attention. The rest of the testimonies were very solid and uplifting. In Sunday School we discussed Faith and Prayer to improve Family Relationships. In YW's I finally have my new Beehive Presidency in and only 8 girls now that we've had a bunch of birthdays taking my older girls away. They are a great group of girls. We are going to be working on helping 2 of our less-active girls come to Class and Activities. I really hope and pray that we can be an influence for good on these girls! I do love them! We're getting ready for our Night of Excellence, too. Busy busy. Good good.
I love progression and seeing the pathway open up and get brighter as we move forward! It's very motivating!
I love my friends and family that help me accomplish that progress through their love and words of encouragement! (It was wonderful to talk to Mom and Dad yesterday and hear their enthusiasm and optimism!)

All in all, life is good!

Doing good brings happiness.

2005-11-04T16:43:00.000-08:00

Don't have to do too much. I got the thought that I should tell my sister-in-law that I loved her. We're probably the least closest out of all the sibs - don't know her really really well - but I still care for her. So I just jotted off the e-mail saying "I love you". Yes, her response was that she really needed that. I even got brave and told her that I was sometimes jealous of her for the blessings that she has in her life - husband with a strong love for her and for his strength in the gospel, etc. I hope that she took that one okay. We all need to remember the blessings that we do have. I have kids - easily - she doesn't. I know I don't appreciate them the way she would since she's got that trial right now. And I said that I guess we all just think of what others have and that we really would choose to have our problems when we compare those to others' trials. Life's not easy - but we are so blessed and it is good. I do love her. It made me feel good to let her know that. I hope that we can be closer one day. I love my family. My sibs all chose wonderful spouses. WOW!!!!!!!!!! Lucky me!

(Can you believe I've written so much this week????)

List of Costumes I've Done

2005-11-02T22:10:00.000-08:00

Listed from most recent and going backwards,(at least the ones I remember):

Me
Superheroes: Poison Ivy
70's TV Characters: Charlie's Angels
Disney Characters: Mary Poppins
Hospital: the Janitor
She-Devil
3 Blind Mice: The Butcher's Wife (I know it was the Farmer's wife! I just got confused!)
Bank Robber
Woman Pirate
Mummy
3 Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf

Kids:
Skeleton Face
Scarey Clown Face
Army Man
Wolf Man
Vampire
Darth Mall
Obey One Kanobe
Pirates
Mummies
3 Pigs

Me as a kid:
Princess
Gypsie
Dog
Indian
Witch
Cat Woman

Hmmm.... I know there's more, but I just can't remember! I'll have to look them up!

Happy rememories!

Halloween Ideas

2005-11-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

K - it's late at night so the creative juices are leaking out and I'm here and I'll spill.... Take advantage while the thoughts are still free:

Group Ideas:
Characters from Commercials:
Chiquita Banana
Tony the Tiger
The Michilan Man
Mr. Clean
Where's the Beef lady
Dave (from Wendy's)
The Double Mint Twins
The Subways guy who lost all that weight
(Why am I thinking of all guy stuff?)
Any more ideas along this line?

Nursery Rhyme Characters:
Jack & Jill
Little Miss Muffet
Little Bo Beep
3 Blind Mice
The Cow Jumped Over the Moon
3 Men in a Tub
The Old Lady that Lived in a Shoe
Mrs Hubbard
Jack Sprat & wife

Greek/Roman Mythology:
Narcissus
Medusa
Zeus
Hercules
Cyclops
Aphrodite
Forget names: the guy holding up the world
Achilles
Cupid
etc.

The Munsters

Operas:
Faust
Phantom
Les Mis
"The Fat Lady"
Aida
The Mikado
HMS Pinafore
The Pirates of Penzance
The Magic Flute (Oooo! That could be some WAY cool costumes!)
Othello

Shakespeare:
Romeo & Juliet
Hamlet
(the 3 Witches from ????)
12th Night
(Eesh! The one with Puck in it?? It's late!!!)

A Zoo:
Decorate with Bars from the ceiling to the desks and have various animals and signs all over that say "Please do not feed the animals". You could have a zoo keeper and janitors (all of you know about that costume can laugh!!!), etc.

A Circus:
The Top Hat Announcer Guy
Trapeze Artists
Animals
Clowns

The Nightmare Before Christmas:
Sally
Jack
The Mayor
Zero
Santa
The Boogey Man
The 3 Brats

The Corpse Bride:
The Corpse Bride
Victor
Victoria
Her Parents
His Parents
The Worm
The Spider
The Skeletons

Scarey Storey Characters:
The Headless Horseman
Edgar Allan Poe Characters
all the other Gorey Icks out there

I'll come up with more later.

Pic's from Halloween

2005-11-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

Yea! It's working today.... Here's some of the fam pic's. Gotta see if I can get the skeleton ones of Dad and Son together. What makes it even better is when you compare it with the photo from 11 years ago with Dad in the same costume holding that same son!!! I need to put together a Halloween photo book over the years since we have so much fun with it! I had a friend suggest the I create a portfolio just in case I ever do decide to switch careers and go in face painting porfessionally.

Alrighty - gotta scat!
CU!

Poison - HA ha, ha Haaaa!

2005-11-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

Poison Ivy that is! For Halloween.
Odd reacations.... Overall it was greatly appreciated in a huge variety of ways.
"What are you?"
Guesses were: A tree, Mother Nature, A fairy? Only a small percentage got it right!
"You carry that off well...not too many people could do that costume."
"You look lovely in that."
"You look creepy."
"Your costume is shocking."
"I had a costume, but it didn't squeeze me like that."
"Can I take your picture?"
"You're scarey."

I love dressing up for Halloween! I love to see everyone's creativity exhibited! It's gotta be my favorite Holiday.... I never grew out of loving dress-ups. When else can you totally let your guard down without anyone totally freaking out - judgements are relaxed and it's all fun. Strangers talk to each other and appreciate each other. You get an excuse to eat all sorts of junk, and get little bits of just about everything! The season is changing and so many new fresh smells in the air.... There is nothing like fall! The crisp cool air, the warm scents of newly kindled fireplaces, the multi-colored leaves still hanging on with the last of their strength to the branches that bore them before being released to the world, the hussle and bussle and preparation for a long cool slumber. It's invigorating.

I got to paint faces this year, too. St was his Skeleton in the Tux. Charlie was a Dark Rider from Lord of the Rings, but he didn't wear his black covered face hood - he chose to have me paint his face as a skeleton and color hair-spray his hair. He got 3 opportunities to dress up: band concert, Halloween party at a friend's, and Halloween! Jarrod was a Dementor from Harry Potter and did wear his masked hood. I did get to paint his face once as a scarey clown with which he wore an afro wig. It was quite funny!! That was for our Young Women's dress-up scavenger activity that he tagged along with. So last night was great! We're always about 30-45 min late for our trunk or treat since I get off work too late. So I'd had enough face painting practice that Charlie's face only took 10 minutes and it was probably one of the best paint jobs yet this year. I enjoyed that. Our friend was watching me do it and said I missed my calling in life... Yes, that would be a job I'd really enjoy - to do stage make-up! I think I could do prety good. It's something I haven't really thought about - but I could add that to my dream careers list. Oh, yes - I got to paint our SuperGirl's face, too - in which she got compliments. It was just glittering liners of red, blue, and gold. Quite fun! Yes - I do enjoy painting faces!!!!

The boys trick or treated with friends and I for once did not worry about them - just that they treated all the other mini trick or treaters with respect and were nice to them. I tell them not too push...that's the thing that really gets my dander up with the running around! Kids' manners are shot to pieces with their greed. I've been known to chew a few kids out for doing that.

So now we're onto the recuperating side of Halloween and planning on what to do for next year. Hey! That would be another fun career! A Halloween Costume Planner! Call or write me for some ideas... Do you want an easy, throw-it-together deal? Do you want to be scarey, pretty, recognizable, completely disguised, elaborate, simple, matching with others? Hmm.... that would be fun!

I would love to see pic's of everyone else's Halloween photos and hear your tales of Haunting the Hoods! What are Halloween's like in your respective states?

I hope your Tricks were cool and your Treats were tastey!
Until Next Year....

Happy Boos!

Ahhh!!! Run in circles and jump up and down!!!!

2005-10-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

I was SOOO excited!!!
OK! Live music is so much better than tapes!
Well, I couldn't find any friends who were available Tues night to go to a concert with me, so I talk J (he's 11) into going with me. He loves silly things and I promised him he would enjoy it.
So I got to see the KING'S SINGERS live!!!! (And I only had to pay $27 for both J and me!!!) They came HERE to our small little community! Crazy! YEA!!!!
It started off with some Madrigal-ish stuff - so J rolled his eyes at me and put his head on shoulder to doze a little. But then! They did a longer piece that told the story of sailors going to wreck, their dire promises, and then being saved and their celebration. J started to enjoy it more at that point. They next did a # called Time Piece. It was SO funny!!!! It was a retelling of the Creation and Adam & Eve and what really caused all their friction was that Adam got a wristwatch. It started with the sounds the universe would make as it was being created - just musical "noise", and then they started interjecting "cuckoo clock", "pendu - tick!", "shock proof, water proof, dig-i-tal", etc. It was just hilarious. J loved it.
Then at intermission I finally got my own copies of New Day and the English Madrigals that I grew up listening to. I'm so grateful to my big sis for allowing me to tag along after her, because if it wasn't for her interest in music I don't know if I'd've found all the really good stuff I love - like the King's Singers!!! (How's that for a good run-on sentence??) I guess during that point J was in the hallway when the bass singer poked his head out of the backstage door and said HI to him. He thought that was awesome. So the rest of the concert was their more popular style music that J really enjoyed. And then the really fun part!!!!! They all came out to sign their CDs - so J and I each got a CD signed by each of the 6 men. They were so nice and humble and down to earth. Their newest member is only 26 and he's been there for 2 years! WOW!!! What hugely great talent they all have!!
I was actually so glad to have brought J. I just wanted to show him that it really can be cool to be a guy, sing, and be silly. He is my silly boy and he just comes up with some of the goofiest things sometimes! He's got this walk he does that cracks me up. He tucks his lower lip under his front teeth and sticks his neck out, pulls his arms into chicken wings letting his hands loose to flap, sticks his tail end out and walks completely flat footed so that his feet slap the floor - all the while rolling his eyes. Where in the world did he come up with this? Sometimes I'll walk in the house when he doesn't know I'm there and it will sound like a jungle - the high screeching monkey screams, girl shrieks, and the like on a very loud and long stint. Just to entertain himself and hear what kinds of sounds he can make. What a nut!!!! He is his father's child! I really hope that this concert can influence him to take a higher interest in singing - I'd love for him to get into drama, plays, singing and the like. He is doing quite well on the clarinet and I'm grateful for that.
So that was a great night. I hope I always remember it! I hope J does too! He got to see me be silly excited and he just smiles indulgently at me. I love my snuggly baby!

80's Test!

2005-10-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

Sheesh! I could sing half the tunes and even tell ya who sings them, but could I remember the words when I'm put on the spot? Course not! See how you do!

See if that works!!!

At your request, Dear!/Random Thought Sequences

2005-10-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Since sista is asking for a new post, I'll have to grant that wish!!! With what? I do not know! I tried writing earlier, but got interrupted with work. Go figure. I have an auditor here who's having me collect info for him - really nice guy. And I'm working hard to ignore work I really should be doing. Indicative of my bad attitude... I'm not grumpy nor am I sad and depressed. I'm just lacking in motivation to do much of anything responsible and I'm feeling way disorganized and don't have the drive to pull it together. In short - a mild explosion has existed in my home and desk for the last week or so. Bugs me - but oh well. And there are a multitude of reasons that it's there. #1. St's out of town (visiting fam in SL, fishing, and giving our Bro-in-law his Graduation Certificate for finishing the Police Academy). So, yes, it's out of rebellion in part. Partly laziness, and also being too worn out. Too many late nights which have created the disaster. Those who know me well will not be surprised to find my one-track mind has focused on getting ready for Halloween. For some reason I've decided to make our costumes this year. And I've gotten really into - probably to make up for feeling like last year was such a bust! All you sisters are already aware of this frame of mind, since I've been asking all of you what you're doing for Halloween. I'm so excited see pictures of you all! I don't think the bro's know about this post, so I won't even bother asking them here what they're going to be.

But really!!! I'd love to hear creative ideas for costumes!

A store here had a sale on their patterns for $2 each - and they run from $11-$16!!!! So I stocked up on Period Costumes - Elizabethan, Renaissance, gypsey, pirate, corset, crenolin, hoop skirts, etc etc. WAY too much fun. So I guess I'll probably start collecting fabric that I find at good deals for them. That is no small feat here in this growing (2nd fastest in the nation!!) small town! We have Wal-Mart, Jo-Ann's, and a mutli-faceted craft store. We have a few other Mom&Pop sewing stores - but no fabulous sources of awesome inexpensive material! So back to my deal.... At work they've all decided to be SuperHeroes. A fun one - but all the good, well-know ones were snarffed up faster than I could get to it. But then, I really wanted to be unique and creative anyway. So of course I involved the kids and they spouted out lots of ideas. And then we checked out about all of the comice books from the library. And I did tons of internet research and asked our Trivia-Queen sis for info.... I changed my mind about 4 times - but I'm set now. So I started off wanting to be Medusa (since I've wanted to be her for a couple of years now) as soon as I heard she was a Superhero. But my research illuminated my error - the superhero is not in the toga with snakes in her hair...she's in a one piece with long red hair - and has control over every strand of hair. So - I didn't want to do long red hair. So then I decide on maybe Death, or Faith, or Hawk Girl. But then I try to figure out how to do the costume. No good ideas. So I found Scorch - she's got red skin and is seen to be wearing a black dress and heels and I know I could do that. But then I get thinking (after I ordered a red leotard on e-bay and bought red body paint) - no one's going to know who I am! If they don't know who I am, they won't vote for me. My competitive edge sallied forth and I ventured another change of mind. Ah-Ha!!!! POISON IVY!!!! And tons of grandiose ideas flowed into my brain! And I tell my kids and Ch says in a frustrated tone, "MOM! I suggested that right at the beginning!" "So what did I say to that?" "Nothing - like usual. You just ignored me." Hmm...musta been reading. Don't remember that - but I do believe him!

So back onto why my house is a disaster and I'm worn out and tired. Been working on my deal! Beads and jewelry making stuff - made earrings and 3 matching necklaces. Fabric paints and glitter, face make-up and hair coloring stuff, and material and sewing stuff! I found a unitard brand new, that covers all of my unders, and was way Cheaper than any of the other leotards! It was just BRIGHT green. Hence the fabric paint. It's now toned down with gold lined ivy leaves with metallic green highlights. And a light frothy wispy skirt to cover the immodesty of the behind. The top isn't terribly tight, so that's not going to be an uncomfortable experience. Yea! I will be using a tagging gun to pin silk ivy leaves all over the outfit....got green boots and gloves. Should be fun!

Now I take off to go paint Ch's face as a skeleton (he had me sketch what idea I had in mind for his face - and it actually has a resemblance to him!) and hair spray his hair blue and white. Tonight is his Halloween band concert and he's excited to dress up. I'm excited for him!

So I must run so he doesn't panic that I'm getting home late.

Did I do okay for this post, sisser???
I love you guys! Thanks for loving me!

Me too!

2005-09-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm copying Sis... Here are the states I've been to.

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

Oh! Yea!! It worked!! I didn't know what I was doing to get this posted! It's amazing how some things just work anyway despite you!

Post Portland

2005-08-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ahh, much better! Change of scenery works wonders! I've been pretty busy and tired since then, but the attitude is much improved. Not all of life's problems are fixed yet, but some progress has been made. That's encouraging!
School is going well so far - it's great to see my #2 just dive into it headfirst and enjoying it! His favorite classes are math and teacher's advisory (basically "play time"). J has the same teacher for both of these and he was also Ch's math teacher last year. Funny thing is that Ch has him again this year, but now for Utah history. Ch struggled in math, but I think he'll enjoy the history class. I was very grateful to hear the teacher's attitude that history should be enjoyed - so if all the kids like one subject, they'll just sit on it for a while and study it more and more. Cool! So I hope that Ch really does enjoy it - it's one subject I wish I'd enjoyed more when I was taking it because I appreciate it a lot more now! The teacher also said all the work should be able to be done in class, and the kids really shouldn't have very much homework at all! YEA!!!!! (Homework still means a lot of my time right now.... school is not made for both parents working full time!) - Mom's should (be able to) stay home! Oh well!
Ch got more brackets in his mouth - so exciting! And J doesn't have to have another check-up for 6 mo's - we might get away without braces for this kid! The Dr thinks I should probably get them again - slight underbight...bottom teeth wearing some of the top teeth down. I can feel it now if my jaw is clenched. I should just relax more, right???
Wow - I'm pretty spaced right now. Slight allergies right now make for a drizzly nose and a few extra sneezes....but I learned I'm not gonna take more allergy meds! They knocked me out for the 6 hours it lasted for last Saturday! Luckily I had the time to sleep - even though I felt like a Lazy Lout and drained the rest of the day. I got to go to a movie with St and watch a video with the kidlets and do lots of reading this weekend. This is a pretty good way to fill in time when there's not much energy for output!
Work's been busy with busy work - not a lot of stuff that brings in the big $$s that make the bigwigs happy, but we're okay. St's work has been stressful for him - all the running around and here and there is getting to him. Welcome to management, I say! I'm not missing it. His official Swearing-In is tomorrow night... They get to dress up in their fancies and get the recognition for their new titles - so it should be good.
Ahh. I just remembered the other thing that pre-occupied a lot of my thoughts when we got back. We found out that the 11 yr old son of my YW's 2nd counselor from my last ward was killed in a terrible accident (he was hit by a car on his scooter) on the Friday we left and they had the funeral on Tues when we flew home. He was with 3 of his friends and there was a blind spot where he crossed the road. I can't even imagine what their family is going through! I still need to go visit her - the only thing I can think of to do is hug her and pray for the family and the boys who had to witness that. Life is fragile and precious. I hug my boys tight and am grateful that I have them to be irritated at because they behave that 8 mo old puppy dogs (they both have new bite-marks from yesterday's "playing")!
With that, I'll adjourn. I must think of an activity for the girls to do tomorrow for YW's without me since I'll be at the Swearing-In deal.
Adieu - until next time.

Just Catchup...

2005-08-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Nothing spectacular has happened...the past 2 weeks or so have been rough so I just haven't wanted bring ya'll down with my dour attitude. This week's somewhat better, although over-cast and a little rainy. I'm not complaining because it's cooled things down and it actually matches my mood as of late. I'm just run down and tired.
Oh, the minor event for this morning is that I almost passed out - quite surprised myself! I had a suspicious mole so I went into the dermatologist and had him remove it (they are doing a biopsy even though the mole was symmetrical and smaller than the worrisome size). I just don't think it was normal because it was darker than all my other ones and it got bigger - so let's ZAP it before it can really cause some problems. I discovered it by my legs being WAY itchy - like some kind of rash or something that you couldn't see! I think that was from an old lotion that must've broken down chemically with age since I've used it last....at least a year, probably more. And as the doc was checking the legs out he pointed out the white spots weren't a rash but flat warts. I'd forgotten that I'd had them before and my regular doc suggested I just leave them be and they'd probably go away, which they did, I thought. But either they're still there, or they're back. So now I've got a perscription and a small stitch in my shin. I find it really odd that I got woozy. I don't like not having control over my body - but I'm discovering age has a way of taking that control away. Or maybe that's just life - but more gunk is happening to me since I've reached my 30's. Ah, well. The maturity that I gain with my 3o's to me, overrides the physical fall-apart.
So here's a copy of the Fam Report. I'm really enjoying the kids. They can really be thoughtful!

Okay - can't be outdone by my bro! [He finally wrote a smidge, and I hadn't this week...] I'll take my turn at the fam update. There's not much to tell... It's been rather hot here too - but that's to be expected. We have had some nice moisture lately and this week has cooled down. Good thing, too, since my A/C in my car totally conked out on Saturday!! It blows hot air really well. That poor car really needs a major overhaul! The engine's knockin' too. *sigh* Ah, well...hopefully we can scrape together a few pennies to get it looked at in the near future. As for this week and next I am not going to worry about - or much else! I'm going to concentrate on enjoying myself!!! I'm so excited to get to go to Portland with St and to see all of my siblings! I'm just wondering how we can cram a whole bunch of years worth into just a few days!! I guess enjoying to the max is the best we can do!
The kids started school yesterday and are pretty excited about most of their classes. J really likes the band teacher - he's quite a character....his own personal emphasis is the tuba, so those band people out there can get a pretty good insight right there! J has the same math teacher Ch had last year, and then Ch has him again this year for Utah history - it's a good thing I like him. Ch struggled in math - but I think it's the kid more than the teacher! Hope this year is better. I was proud of Ch for pulling out his papers and working on them right away before he did anything else! Yes, Mom - I did praise him and said that I hoped he did more of the same throughout the year! We've also offered an incentive for straight A's, as Ch is pretty motivated when it comes to specific rewards. J's pretty good with just rising to the challenge to do a good job, but gotta keep up the positive reinforcement. Ch is thinking he'll like his career skills class the best. He's actually looking forward to the cooking part, and he'd like to make himself a body pillow. Oh, yeah. Ch got to go on his first week-long scout camp about 3 weeks ago. Yup- rained on him everyday, but he still enjoyed it. Back to school - they're happy to be back in. They have a few friends in their classes already and Jarrod didn't get lost on his first day of 6th grade like he was worried about. So good.
St seems to be enjoying being sergeant - he doesn't talk about it much. He usually talks more about work when he's stressing about it. We've been taking a spin class (stationary bikes) at the recreation center and the boys have joined in once or twice. It sure makes you sweat buckets - so you feel like it's been worthwhile afterwords without too much risidual muscle-aches afterwords (I probably don't push myself hard enough then, right?).... It's also not high-impact on the knees, which I need. I've been making great use of our BBQ grill the last few weeks. We got it cleaned up and our Nutritional Plan that we've put ourselves on (just small, healthy meals every couple of hours) calls for a lot of protein without salt...so I'm grilling with vinegar marinades. Some have turned out better than others, so it's been pretty enjoyable. I basically cook up a whole bunch, then cut it and baggie it in meal sized portions so it's like our own fast-food. Lots of greens and veggies, and good healthy carbohydrates (like potatoes, rice, jicama - I still won't eat squash, though!).

I'm looking forward to the Portland air to give us breath of fresh air and rejuvenate the blood. I do love life. I am grateful for my children and the love they have for me. I feel their sweetness right now. I feel my parent's love for me. I know HF is there, He's just letting me deal with it until I learn what I need to from the struggles we're going through right now. Just waiting for this to pass and wondering if there is something I can do about it - hoping I can learn what I need to sooner than later and hoping that it doesn't take my whole-body effort into changing because I'm tired and don't know that I can do that right now. I'd love some fresh, mountain air that's not too cold to be able to just exist. I'd like to be able to rise to that level.

And she keeps going! I need to nourish this body. A little sick of me to enjoy feeling the martyr of the faintness I feel from not eating.... The human can be quite stupid sometimes. :)

So I leave you with a smile, faint - but it's there. Trials will pass. Life will be enjoyed again. I am wrapped in a huge hug of family love. I know it. It's all good.

Good Point

2005-08-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Now I must continue in what deserves another posting.

Yellow said:
If anything, internet American (WORLD!) Life has made my community richer, deeper, more connected.
Let's not berate the negative we project from what may be our own weaknesses to the internet community as a whole. There is good in the world. There is bad that happens.
What do YOU do? What do YOU choose?I don't feel any blanket statement on disconnectedness is truly valid.

K. Me? I try not to be be the addict, I could easily get sucked up into like I can do with TV. (One very real reason why we don't subscribe to TV, beside it being a waste of money - can't get good reception without cable.) I do have issues with information available on the internet - but you're right. The internet itself is not to blame. It's just the choice of not using self-discipline.

I find it an interesting thought to think of how isolated we can choose to become and feel okay about it because of the depth of feelings that can be safely communicated through the internet. That's the rub that set me off. It does work both ways, for good and evil. Very powerful tool. For one with social issues, (although this is not my own personal hang-up either), I can see how easy it would be to avoid the discomfort of developing in-person relationships - it is way too easy to hide out, yet gratify your need to create emotianal attachments with little or no risk. I'm one who believes it is necessary to bond in-person with those outside of the confines of your own home, I believe that we need each other in order to become better people ourselves. It takes risk to care.

[I "cried" (teared up but not dripping) this morning when my friend told me his (grown-up) daughter was killed this weekend (a car hit her from behind when she was out jogging). I am terribly sad for my friend - I cannot imagine losing one of my children. He's not had an easy life. I hope he takes comfort in that I am concerned for his well-being. I suppose this relationship could have taken place on the computer as opposed to the business offce. Seeing the facial expression, hearing the tone of voice is priceless - extremely difficult to replace.]

There are many negative things in real life that I could avoid if I only had cyber-relationships...I could avoid a lot of heart ache. But the physical touch, the glance that says 100 words - it's worth the risk I keep telling myself when I wish I could do without all the real life gunck.

Sigh - it's Monday. It's cloudy.
I feel it.

But despite being run-down I know that 80% of my tiredness comes from staying up too late to finish my book! My fault. I accept the consequences.
I feel some tentative resolve returning to commit to have self-discipline again. I keep changing my mind on myself, though - but I've held out for the 6 hours I've been up already. (It's been a busy Monday morning - taking me 2 hours to complete this!).

A Response!! Am I REAL now?

2005-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

I feel connected to the world at large now that I've had a response! Wow! And I got going so much in the thinking that I figured my response to the response might as well be a new Post! I'm not sure how to manipulate this deal well enough to show it how I'd really like to, but that's all right. This will work.

Anonymous said...
What do you think about blogs or blog surfing, blog posting in the absence od real human relationships? Creating all these ideals or thought forums but no real life connections, because you can't see or really interact with others. That idea of being voyers or seeing into someone's life without really knowing them. The increaseing isolation and loss of community that is becoming, in my view, American Life.

I say....
I think you're right. It's making connections without risk. It's much easier, isn't it? Is that true "connection" though? I wonder if a person could truly feel fulfilled with only cyber relationships? That's rather sad, isn't it? Yes - community way of life is becoming a ghost town: how many kids on bikes in the street do you see now? How many neighbors sit on the front porch now and stop to chat with each other? I'm guilty of the "drive-by and waive" relationship with most of my neighbors. Can't even remember some of their names. It makes me sad that I'm always running hither and thither to this and that. When do we stop to breath? In Yoga? (It has to be connected to a higher purpose, such as getting physically fit?)More gadgets coming into fruition faster and faster - a 10 yr old computer is as ancient as a dinosaur. Smaller and faster. Needing more income to keep up with the pace - work more - drop kids off at day-care so we can work - rush to get home-work done - rush dinner - rush to go to bed - rush to wake up and get ready for the day - work more to pay the bills for a home that we're rarely there to enjoy - gotta go to the gym to work out so we don't get fat because we're sitting in the office all day and too busy too cook and pack lunch so we have to eat fast food and we have to work overtime so that we can pay for that. It all seems wrong somehow. Only 2 weeks out of the year to vacate work. And we have to cram all of a year's worth of "relaxation" into 14 days? Yes American Life breathes in its isolation - in the corners of our homes with our doors securely locked against our neighbors and we think we're happy. Do we have to subscribe to a motivational computerized daily/weekly e-mail to remind us that we're human and that we're supposed to actually reach out to a co-worker, neighbor, stranger, even a family member?
Ah - that's our challenge. Force ourselves to stop the frenzied whirlwind. Actually make an effort to even just be nice to the spouse and kids. Enjoy the company of friends and neighbors. Force the kids to go outside to play, to turn off the video games and DVDs, Cook! Discipline ourselves to limit our own time browsing for information, chatting, entertaining ourselves with a keyboard and monitor! Such a blessing and a curse this plethora of information contained in a box getting slimmer and more compact every year! What a blessing to be able to communicate with my entire family spread out all over the States on a regular basis! What a blessing to be able to research necessary topics for kids' homework, to keep a regular record of your own life (journaling is a great thing!), to find your ancestors and feel a deep connection and gratitude for our current life due to those lives spent before my own, to find a new recipe for dinner in 15 minutes for the stuff you have already in your fridge! The trick is not to let it catch you! To suck you in and let yourself get hooked. So easy to lose your self control with the excuse that it's all for a good cause...and maybe I just need a little fun on the side. Who's to know anyway? The tempter's snare has caught how many of us?
Computer relationships taking place of human relationships? Ah, much too easy to fall into. It is becoming the American way. Self discipline to be a real human.
Interesting thought.
Rather sad.
Rather live in 1838?
No thank you.
I'll spout anonymously out there to those who are just plain bored or curious and need a dose of their own "voyerism". And to those who know me - you know that I'm just full of it, for better or for worse.
As ever -
Yours truly

I really did have a thought hit me

2005-07-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Not too badly - just with a soft sigh.
My fire is still on Ember status.
But as I was browsing Blogs (it's kinda fun just to hit the "Next Blog" button - ya never know what you're gonna find), and I realized that I think the addiction (to blogging) is how well we can relate to others' pure realities. It's refreshing to read Real stories, and you can be straight-up because you have the protection of anonymity, (unless you let others know who you are). But I just had one of those moments of "I know what you mean! That's me too!" and it's a complete stranger. It's also an eye-opener of what human nature is.
It's the thought that counts.
What a man thinketh, so is he.
Negativity.
Positivity.
Wouldn't a Pessimist think that everyone else is Negative?
Is an Optimist always forgiving?
Thoughts hit me gently and I let them roll on without bothering to delve too deeply.
I'd like to sleep rather than spin.
Sigh.

Low Energy Day

2005-07-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

So I sat here for 5 minutes trying to figure out what to write... I'm more in response mode than create mode today. But I am letting guilt spur me on - I can't wait for the update from the sisters, so I'd at least write since it's been longer that I haven't written. Probably because I've used up my writing finesse in responding to theirs. And oh, yeah! I was out of town for most of last week! So I guess I can catch it all up now...
Last week went to a training to learn how to crunch numbers and filter out unnecessary numbers, and then how to figure out which was which. Yes, major brain stuffing - too tired to really go and play. Too tired to complain about the sliding door that gapped 1/2" onto the miniature deck of my 12th floor room. But I did write up a book on the small "How are we doing?" form about the registrar who could care less if I was a rabid people eating alien, or just a nice little lost girl as long as he cleared me off of his desk as quickly as possible, reminding me of all of the fees for everything there. I might as well have paid the extra few dollars and stayed at the hotel down the street where my training was. Nope - I wasn't impressed.
BUT! I did find myself in the middle of the Stampin' UP! Annual Convention!!!!! Everywhere I turned ladies with multitudes of cards, pins, stamped up gift ideas carried in over-sized shoulder bags. It was AWESOME!!! There is no other group that I feel so comfortable striking up a conversation and being able to carry it past the obligatory, "Where are you from?" In fact, I can't think of any other strangers I'd even dare say more than "Hi!" to! I even got myself invited to eat dinner with a trio of Stampers as I was walking on my way to be lonely again at meal time. One part of company traveling that I really enjoy is eating out on the company dollar - and finding a good place. (I did sacrifice my intention of going to the Macaroni Grill for Mexicana to eat with company...well worth it!) I found a place that served Mediterranean and I had the best Red Pepper Hummus I've ever tasted!!! And thought of Ber when I read that there is weekly Live Poetry readings. Found out later it was the upstairs of a saloon. (All of you who know where I work will get the irony of that...) ;)
Got home and enjoyed time with the Big Boy. Decided to stay home from Rock Climbing on Saturday because of all the catching up I had to do at the house (no, it's still not done!) - and it's a good thing I did! The "Smaller" Boys called to say they would be home at about 1. 1 on the dot and they came through the door!!! I've loved the Hugs I'm still getting every time they pass by or the little waive of a hand at least, if not even a peck on the cheek. And J bought me and his daddy little souvenirs with his own money (license plate tags for your keychain that have our names on them!). What a sweet, thoughtful little guy!
But interestingly enough - my nice Big Boy has decided it's his cyclical time to forget being positive and it's okay to vent all frustrations and in general just be poopy and tell me I'm the one who's being poopy. Go figure. So I did a reality check this morning and decided - I do have room for improvement, (like attitude and being nice and not pouty and saucy). But! That does not mean I have to take just shut up and not express my side of the story - I just have to be nice and compassionate about it while I do it. So I tried figuring out how to do that and I think I've got a pretty good idea on it - now it's just getting the guts to bring it up 'cause I really don't want to fight about it, (Not enough energy) rather than just letting the subject drop until the sore spot arises yet again. This is what happens in the Red/Blue, Blue/Red relationship... lovely emotional drama on one side or the other.
And then!! The power bill is SO atrociously high it's sick!!! And so would we all be if we didn't have A/C!! We've had rain to contribute to the cause (thank Heavens!), but it just adds a muggy stickiness rather than the just plain, melting. I don't know how ya'll over the Southern way can stand it! I finally had the car washed and it hasn't even rained yet on it - just the bird deciding my clean windshield was the perfect place to dump. I laughed at that one. It's just the irony of it all - do birds prefer a clean target to a dirty one? (Not a ton of trees or lines in St G to park under...)
And I can't wait to visit Portland!!!!
And I'm trying to figure out why I am SO short on fundage lately? It doesn't seem like we're spending more than normal! But I really don't want to look at it closely enough, because I know I'm the culprit. It's the proverbial Ostrich syndrome (stick my head in the sand). (Mom's got the perfect facial expression for this - the one where she curls one side of her upper lip and grumbles under her breath with little other facial movement, well- maybe an eyeball roll, but not much of one. Ya know - it says, "I'm not happy with the situation, but there's nothing I can really do about it except grumble so I'll deal with the situation, I'll just grumble while I do it".)
K.
Enough.
I'd really just love to curl up into my book (I'm actually yielding and reading a "popular book" - the Da Vinci code...). I'll let you know what I think of it when I'm done. I'm always cynical about something that becomes so popular, (unless I liked it first before it became popular).
Alrighty - until later!

Uhhh - I forgot!

2005-07-13T17:36:00.001-07:00

Had a great title yesterday - and even better yet! Something to say. But now it's today - and there goes that thought!!!! Sandman/Father Time took it. What's with those character's being male anyway?
So? New stuff? Started a new diet Monday (mostly just to be healthy, but it would be really nice to fit back into my britches from only 6 months ago!!), and then busted my butt in the Spinning (stationary bike) class - combination of which made me puke after. Sad day. But I felt much better afterwards. And the diet thing is going well - I'm amazed I've had the self control to pass up some of favorite goodies that last 2 days!!! Boy, how I do crave sugar! Mmhmm! I luuuv it! K! Gotta side-track myself! It has been a royal pain to put it all together; the food prep's a real deal killer for having good, healthy food on a regular basis! And I know being a stay-at-home momma wouldn't make too much of a difference for me, because I'd be so busy doing so many other things! Ah, well - I'm just trying how to recruit help from my biggest "boy" and do it in a fun happy way instead of my typical fuss and throw a martyr-fit because I'm doing this ALL by myself like I have been. Gotta attract the bees with honey! Anybody got any bright ideas on how to accomplish that? I just know he's tired and tuckered out (like me), and he's definitely not the kitchen kind of guy (darn that! I forgot to put that on my Man Wanted list!!!).
K! Gotta run! Stamp party tonight to pay me back for all my hard work - stinks I really have no $$ to play with at all. Worse than stinks - but that's how life is!
Life. Yup.
Go to!

Uhhh - I forgot!

2005-07-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

Whirlwind

2005-07-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Friday the 1st ended with an Awesome Firecracker Bang!!!!
(By the way - did I mention in my last note that the boys are in Colorado Springs? Their friends that moved there in Dec. asked if they could come and swipe the boys for a little while during the summer - and the timing worked out perfect to cover for camp. Getting them back here is just a "whenever" thing - it looks like it may even be til the last week of the month! So far the kids have just said, "Yes, Mom we miss you - we don't want to come home." I'm glad they're having fun in a good environment. They're helping with chores and other things and I'm told they're behaving quite nicely. Yea!!! St's been missing them a lot though, he's asked every day for the last 4 days if they've called yet and why they didn't call him on his cell phone! That's cute!)
So I'm ready to leave for work - and St calls me and wants to make sure I'll be there so he can come and see me. Atypical request, but I don't think much about it. He shows up and asks if I notice anything different about him. Uh.... Straight pants today because I didn't pick up the laundry again? (Well, he's smiling so that's not it...and he's standing up really straight!) You got made Sergeant? "How'd you guess?" Really??? REALLY??? YE-EEEES!!! Chief called him in at the end of the day and informed St that someone in higher ranks resigned which opened up spots along the way - and they wanted St to fill in the spot for Sergeant over the motors - starting immediately!!!!!!! He got his badge right then and there!!! WOW!!! We really didn't think that it would happen until the end of the year at the soonest!!! If he'd've been promoted during the last whirlwind of hires a few weeks ago, he wouldn't have gotten the Motors spot! This is his Ideal Position right now!!! We're so excited! So Saturday he finished out his Patrol duties and Sunday we set up his office. Then Monday he got to start his new shift - Back to Normalcy!!!! M-F 8-4!!! So many good things about this!!! Social life in the evenings, work out together in the evenings, Family Home Evenings, *Availability to go to Church*!!! So Good!!! Heavenly Father just likes to help us learn patience and faith and that if we keep plugging away with doing the right thing, the blessings will follow! If He sees we're trying to do our part to keep the commandments, He'll open doors to help us do so when it seems almost impossible!
WOW!
Then yesterday was quite fun! We had an impromptu party at our place for the 4th! St's friends that he rides motorcycles with didn't have plans so we decided we'd have a BBQ at our place - so one of the girlfriend's and I went shopping and spent the afternoon doing all the food and then everyone came over and we ate and watched fireworks (and the fires that got set on the grounds the fireworks even after wetting all the grounds down prior!) from the balcony. It was quite enjoyable, I think everyone had a good time. We missed the boys, though - but we know they're having fun.
Tonight, St is giving a presentation to the Scouts in our ward, then he's helping me do a slideshow of all the Camp Pictures for the girls tonight...we'll also give out the rest of the awards for those that had to leave early, as well as the left-over goodies. Tomorrow I just remembered I have a hair apt and am disappointed I'll miss Cuz Shari driving through town, unless she stops by later. Friday night we'll watch some movies with some friends and Saturday is my work Summer Party that St can go to now! I am SO excited to have him on my schedule again! That, to me, is even better than the pay raise (which isn't too much anyway!).
Life is good. We are rich with many blessings!

I'm still in One Piece

2005-06-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

Just returned home yesterday from Girl's Camp. One woman described it like this:

It's like giving birth. It's painful, but wonderful - and by the time the next year comes around, you've forgotten the pain enough to be willing to do it again.

TRUTH!
It was SO awesome! SO much work, so little sleep, so uncomfortable, SO spiritual, so FUN, so silly, so liberating, so exhausting!!!!
I really want to record the details while it's still fresh in my memory, so please forgive the lengthiness and skip around as you will....

First let me just say how grateful I am to my husband who photographed this wonderful experience with such thought and insight and talent so we can keep the memories fresh! But most especially for putting in his 100% labor and love. He never complained, he entertained the girls and really enjoyed himself, he led the other men into work that needed to get done. What an example he is to me! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to let loose and be 100% silly, I hate to feel stupid in front of him! He never once made me feel self-conscious for being the idiot that I was, (which is a vital thing at Girl's Camp in order for them to let loose, be silly and to have fun)!He was PERFECT for the job and he supported me like no one else could have! I am SO glad he was there - it wouldn't have been the success it was without him. It is times like these that illustrate why I'm absolutely in love with him!

DAY 1:
We'd already packed the sleeping bags and totes, so we just met together at my house. We started off reading our Scriptures, saying a prayer, and handing out Travel snacks. We loaded up and went on our way. We had no trouble finding the place, and we even got there at our scheduled time. We survived the confusion in getting the tents set up, and helped the poor Beehives get set up after we got ours up and they were still struggling. We had sandwiches for lunch and then we went and had our Roll Call with the Stake. We'd line up and hike to the Ampitheatre chanting our Ward Cheer as we went. We were never late to any of our Stake Gatherings!!! What a feat!!! We even got there early enough to sing the Camp Songs! When we got back to camp we were too tired to hike so we just chilled out playing some games. We had a gift wrapped a million times that had a Heart Tag in between each layer - and they had to follow the instructions on each tag that they unwrapped. It was things like: Hug someone you don't know very well, Say everyone's name in the circle, Tell us your first memory, Give all the leader's High-5's, Pat everyone on the head wearing a pony-tail, Tell us of your favorite camping trip, etc. After that we played another circle game: When the game timer went off you got to run to the center, dress up in crazy clothes (a hat, an apron, an oven mitt) and eat goodies out of a bowl with a spoon held in the hand with the mitt on. It was silly, if a little boring. So then we got to play potato baseball. It was a riot hitting the potatoes with a bat and shattering them to pieces! Got a few good photos of that one. We then got dinner going (Dutch oven BBQ Chicken and Cheesy Potatoes) and cleaned up after. We again went to the Ampitheatre (after coloring blue candles on our faces and putting blue on our lips - our ward was assigned to be the Candles, and our color was blue: the Camp Theme was "Light the Torch Within" so all the wards were different sources of light), for Stake Family Home Evening. Had a really neat talk about how lightening struck a man and his boys while camping and all survived except for the dog. While the man was fighting not to die, he was told by the Holy Ghost that because he'd served a mission he was worthy to ask in confidence for his life. He was able to recover and hike out with the kids that evening. For the activity we had Ward Relays: squeezing a cup of orange juice from fresh oranges with their mouths, stringing Fruit Loops onto a string and then tying them on their own neck and then eating it all, chewing a piece of Bubble Gum and blowing it big enough to touch their nose, a treasure hunt (gathering camp items from the audience), 10 boy-style push-ups having to touch your nose into a plate of whip cream, and then 10 girls had to send a string tied to a spoon down their shirts and pants and on to the next girl. It was crazy! When we got back to camp the men had the campfire going (yea!), so we played some more.... The men took the Girls on a Snipe Hunt which they ALL thoroughly enjoyed. Shauna, one of our leaders, dressed up in a crazy 70's polyester dress just to be silly. And then I taught them how to play "This is a Solemn and Serious Occasion". One person says this calling another person by name. That person has to respond, "Yes, I know". And then the whole circle bows with hands held in prayer position saying, "Ho Ho Ho". All the while, no smiling is allowed - if you do, you're out. It was hilarious to see who cracked up and who could keep a straight face. That was a favorite among the girls. We also learned a new "Karate game": one person would send a "karate chop" with a crazy noise to another person and that person could choose to "accept" the invitation by drawing their hands into themselves with a reciprocating noise, or reject it by crossing their arms in front of their chest with a decisive "NO!" The Giver would then have to try again with someone else until it was accepted. Some rather creative languages were expressed! We also made banana boats. It surprised the girls how good a cooked banana can taste with melted choc chips and marshmallows. We got tuckered out and had night-nights and hot chocolate and most of us fell asleep fairly quickly. We had handwarmers to snuggle in with, which really helped. It did rain during the night, but woke up dry for...
DAY 2
Woke up on time, got the girls up without too much hassle - we did have to pull sleeping bags off a few and do back scratches. We had prayers, scriptures, and cereal bars and heading out to the Stake good morning - taking our rain suits with us because of the black, ominous-looking clouds. We then got set up to do our Camp Certification Games. Our ward was in charge of the Fire Cert. We struggled a bit trying to come up with a "game" with lighting fires. They'd split the girls into random groupings, rather than doing it as a ward. And since our Cert was rather short I made them all learn each other's names - it was a last minute thing which got better and better as it went along. It ended with one person saying her name, then all the rest would have to shout it out, my own name included. And then I immediately made them shout, "I love Sister West!!!" while I made some crazy pose for them. Then I'd quiz them on what would catch on fire (like wax really does!) and how to put out a grease fire, etc. I then proceeded to show them how to make "Fire in a Can" with the roll of TP squished into a pint-sized paint can and pouring Rubbing Alcohol into it. It was quite windy so usually it only stayed lit long enough for the 15 minute period, if that. And that also allowed some cool tricks showing that even though maybe it was difficult to see the flame, it would still light another match if it was held up over the can. And then the funnest part. I showed them how to ignite steel wool using 2 D sized batteries held "butt-to-head" in their hand. They were all amazed and thrilled that it didn't hurt, they could do it safely, and it was so easy! It was actually one of the favorite certifications - all of the leaders from the other wards even came by to see what was going on. Part of the fun was the I was so silly and obnoxious with them. Being my Father's Daughter really is beneficial at these times. At one point we did get a short spurt of hail which did hurt if you got smacked in the face with a chunk, but it cleared up quickly. That was another fun thing about the batteries - the rain didn't affect lighting that kind of sparking! After all was done I got nervous that I would have to pack all the stuff back to camp by myself, but all the girls left with me were very willing to help pack it back. Then I thought of fixing lunch and began to stress that I didn't remember to get the fire going for our tin foil lunches - but the other leaders had already thought of it and had it going for us when we got back! The bishop's wife took pity on my tired body and put my lunch together for me and for some other tired bodies. While the cooking was going on we pulled out Mad Gab and starting the silly blabbering - and then the Storm HIT! We had enough time to grab our rain suits out of the tents and put them on, and then it really dumped. Some of the girls came out of their tents hollering that their tents were leaking! AAAA!!! So we jumped to it and starting brushing the slush (it was a mix of rain and hail, but not really snow) off of the tents and we pulled out one huge tarp to cover one of the tents that seemed to be getting it the worst. We had some trenches dug out fairly quickly and we waited it out. Joy (our YW Pres) was a GREAT help during this time - she totally busted her tail-end making sure pegs were staked well and all the tents weren't leaking, etc. She was a life-saver as I kind of floundered wondering "What do we do?" She just did it. We were scheduled to do stake skits and the girls really had to convinced that they still needed to go despite the weather. By the time we got the last girls herded out, the weather had cleared up. The skits were funny because the girls all had to use the same props and had to all put the same random words into their "production". I was glad I didn't have to do that one! We all headed back to camp - and I don't remember what we did while were waiting for the Stake to come and have us make our bracelets. I think we just recouped from the storm and relaxed a little in our own ways just enjoying each other's company. After we made our bracelets, the leaders conspired together and put on some Silly Skits for the Girlst. We had one where we had 2 "midgets" and one with the extra flexible legs. These were where you had one person behind the other, being the arms of the midgets and the legs of the "flexible" person. The girls were rolling with laughter at the lipstick going all over Midget Gaylene's face (thanks to Shauna), Lesa's legs wouldn't stay down (thanks to Joy), and Shellie's magical arms helped my midget brush my teeth (and chin and eyeball)! Next we did the chin faces doing a lip-sync. We'd painted eyeballs and noses upside down on our chins, then covered our faced from the nose up with handkerchiefs. Laying our heads over the edge of the table we turned the music on to perform. They thought we were done after that, but then we threw one more at them right before dinner prayer - we had to do our Gopher Girl song with the Terrible Teeth. ("We are the gopher girls, We alway gopher guys. They never gopher us - We always wonder why?") We didn't laugh as hard this year as we did last year. But still - it was worth the silliness of it all. We then had taco salad (a day early because we'd forgotten the Spaghetti Sauce for the Spaghetti) and ran out of meat before all of the other ward members that were still coming (that were working on the Stake Level) arrived. So creative minds somehow managed to scrounge up some more meat and stretched it further using some left-over potatoes. I tasted it and couldn't tell at all! I was quite impressed with the leader's ingenuity! Aah! I remember one of the pre-dinner activities! We had to find sticks that we could use for our Camp Eclairs we were going to have. That's why Joy and I missed out on the meat! But we were able to scrounge the left-overs from of the girls whose eyes were bigger than their tummies. (You do some things camping that you would never do otherwise - like eating leftovers from a non-relative because you're starving from working your tail off!) It really turned out well. After dinner was cleaned up, we had to prank a few of the other Wards. Shauna (our craziest leader), had a "farting song" (excuse the crude word, please!) on a CD - so we snuck the boom box over behind one of the other camper's tent and turned it on while the rest of came around complaining about their smell! It worked as planned. >;-) We got spotted by our next victims, so we just told them we had a special dance for them. So we posed, turned the "music" on, and went at it - hamming it up all the way! It was quite a scene! Then on our way back, another ward was coming toward us and we realized we'd meet each other at the latrines. So Shauna had to step into one and turn on the Tune while we hollered at the door asking if she was okay. We just got some weird looks as they passed by...no one stopped. Wonder why? We got back and made our eclairs and the girls asked if we could have this for a Camp Tradition - a little messy, but well enjoyed! I enjoyed squirting some leftover pudding into some open "beaks", and one girl made mine for me while I handled the squirting, (I didn't want to clean up any more mess than I had to, so I took control of that potential). After the fun we rounded up and headed out for the Special Fireside that was prepared for us. It was a spectacular production using our theme song, "Child of Light" and helped the girls realize that their testimonies and turning to Heavenly Father will help them withstand peer pressure - and also sharing their testimonies will strengthen others around them. We proceeded back to our own campfire to have our own testimony meeting. We pulled out blue candles with blue plates to catch the drippings As each person would stand to bear their testimony, they lit their candle off of the last person that shared theirs. It was freezing cold, and took over 2 hours - but it was well worth it! There was a very sweet Spirit there and it was almost a sad thing to bring to a close (it would've been harder had it not been so COLD!!!). Shellie (my assistant Camp Director) helped us end our meeting by having us all link arms together and singing "We can be together forever someday" like you do in Michael McLain's production of "The Forgotten Carols". We all hit the sack and there was only a little bit of giggling going on. Shauna had to go back and Shellie went with her since she was trying to fight off an ear infection that almost stopped her from going to camp at all. Some of us had a very difficult time sleeping that night due to the coldness, but it was a beautiful sunny morning on
DAY 3!
Some of the girls really struggled to wake up! Back scratches didn't work as well, so they got serenaded with a wake-up song and some even got the special Sister West Steamroller! We got some groans, but no real complaints. How can you when everyone is smiling and your waker-upper has such a great smile on her face?!!! Our cooking girls scraggled out and made us wonderful pancakes, eggs, and bacon (and had our scriptures and prayer) - and we rushed out for our last Stake Roll Call. We were the 2nd troop there! Had more songs and a short farewell, then headed back to pack. We took a break to grab a few snacks and get the girls out for their "Solo Time". They got a packet with Spiritual Stories, individualized letters, and paper & envelope to write themselves a letter about their testimonies and about their camp experiences. They had to turn their envelopes over to me after so that we can mail them back to the girls next year. We then had sandwiches for lunch and gave out the infamous Camp Awards. (This is what the leaders did during Solo time - the men got to have some quiet time too. Quite nice!) We had lots of laughs and enjoyed our final activity. We then finished packing while Disney Tunes rang from the Boom Box (and I didn't tell them to turn it off) - and cleaned up the site before our final photo shots. Our ward was the last to leave, but we were very close to schedule (only 15 minutes late). We had a wonderful time. Back at home, the skies were grey with smoke from all of the wildfires close by and it was quite hot compared to the mountains! We got the trailers unpacked and then we all headed home.
What a glorious experience to take a shower in running hot water and to rest our tired bodies on nice beds with air conditioning!!!! I only wish I could've had one more day off work to finish recouperating - but I am not complaining!
It was worth it! And I am SO glad that I can turn the job over to someone else now! I was surprised at how many people thought we were so organized! It was all just a matter of being aware of what the schedule was, what was needed to accomplish that, and then delegating it all. You plan for the worst, hope for the best, and then go to it! I realized that being a leader in the Church is different than being a leader in the World. It's not "Lonely at the Top", because being a leader in the church is not being at the "Top". You have much support. You don't have to "fire" anyone, you get to just love them. If they don't do what you want, you can just be frustrated and hopefully work it out - and you don't have to carry it any further than that. God can take care of that part for us. I truly was never on my own, left to try to figure it all out by myself. When I was at a loss, another person stepped up to the plate and took care of the problem. It helped me realize how much I love the Gospel Structure, the Spirit God has given us to lead and direct us so we can attend to others' needs, and how wonderful it is to serve and be served. Heavenly Father really has it "Together", he truly is the Master Planner, Doer, and Lover of all of us.
What an intense AWE-inspiring experience being Camp Director has been!
And I'm alive and in one piece after it all!
I sigh a happy sigh!

The Meanest Mom in the World

2005-06-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

I think I'm up for that award today. But I think my kids are rather spoiled and it's not pleasing to me. I term spoiled as "expecting perks" and "lack of gratitude". The hardest thing about parenting (at least for me, so far) is Discipline! I hate having the kids mad at me - and sometimes I can see how it really appears to be unfair. I believe I depend on my anger to enforce discipline - it's harder to do it because it's for their own good and I can see their side of it. However, I can't allow them to spit in each other's faces claiming, "well, he did it!", "no, I didn't", "it was an accident!" They are sometimes just downright rude to each other! And the anger towards me for calling them on it. Sheesh! And the back talk I get, too. I deserve some of the blame for it, since I argue right back or don't give consequences for it regularly. Well, I guess starting now at 11&12 is better than later! Especially no matter how much I don't like to do it. Just take away their favorite privileges when they either talk back, or treat each other rudely. They've just gotta learn! And they won't if I don't teach. *sigh* Parenting. [And I'm only at the beginning of the Really Fun part, I know!!]

Momentous Occasion

2005-06-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

I am the mother of a 12 yr old!!! Crazy! It's wonderful to see him start maturing (OK so he only has 2 inches to go before he catches up to me, has paws the size of a catcher's mitt, his feet are only 1/2 size smaller than his dad's, his voice is reaching its octave depths, and he needs to shave his mustache!!!! AAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!) - I love his good moments! I told him I hoped he got all the poop out while he was 11. I think I can only handle about 1 yr of those puckered brows and prune lips per kid. And since his li'l bro gets to be 11 this week, he needs to be over it. He's been pretty good about that. Quit his bottle at age 1 when I told him he he was big enough that he didn't need it, hit Terrible Two's at 1 and got over it, starting walking right before li'l bro was born. An early starter! Good thing I didn't hold him back a year at school either - being one of the youngest kids doesn't seem to be making a difference for him right now. Good thing. I have seen a spike in the maturity level the past few months too . It's nice to see him helping out so much - he even came out and helped me unload groceries the other day without me asking at all! That was impressive. I love his good moods! It's also been a great thing to have other mothers come up to me and tell me how polite and nice he is and that they're glad their boys have picked him for a friend. Proud Momma. In my mind it's little things like these that does make him worthy to be a Priesthood Holder. I have high hopes and expectations for this kid! I know he can DO IT! It is a Momentous Occasion.

Agree?

2005-06-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

You're not a conformist if you're living up to your core values and not just doing things to make other people think certain things about you.

What think ye about being a conformist?

Boogers!

2005-06-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

Not doin' too well on those goals! Been keepin' 'em in mind - but lettin' the day run away with me....

Phsshhh.

I begin again.

Life Defining Moments

2005-06-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

I got invited to a workshop tonight that I can't go to - but the Topic really peaked my interest.

Can you briefly describe a "Life Defining Moment" (when, where, who) and how it has impacted your life? Started me thinking.... Well, Can you? I thought I might just list "titles" and then maybe later I can fill in stories.

(in no particular order):
- Overhearing my dad tell my mom that I have a hard time expressing myself verbally.

- Deciding that my chosen career was not conducive to being a mother, so I chose to be a mother, and delay the career.

- Realizing I want to be classy, old lady - like the older women I admire. So I need to change my dress standard.

- Understanding what my role in life is, pertaining to my husband.

I'll have to think if there's more....
And then fill in with the stories.

QUICK update!

2005-06-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

The Social turned out great! Not everyone showed up so there was enough food. The wind died down and the sun braved the clouds. I actually had to thank everyone for coming to send them home because they had enough fun they were willing to stay for more!

I am getting a new calling. 2nd Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency.
Self talk: Don't get "puffed up and proud"! Pats on the back aren't necessary because it's the Service that counts, not the position.... I can easily see myself getting carried away by the position and forgetting what's really important - not that too many people would notice, but I would know, St would know, God would know.
And self wondering: How come I felt that being Camp Director was so much of a bigger deal and got so worked up about that and for this, I'm even forgetting to mention it? More of a challenge? Lack of experience and I don't know what I'm getting myself into? Closer back into my comfort zone?

I'm happy about it. My first stint in being in a Presidency. I hope I can be humble.
Therefore, Goals:
Read Daily in Scriptures
Pray Regularly: Morning and Bedtime, along with the usual meals and family. Pray for Charity.

Fini.

Invigorated by Madeleine L'Engle etc.

2005-06-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

In response to a note from Ric regarding this interview I'd read earlier and shared with her:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4926262/

That interview does remind me of Ber, too! That's why I wanted you guys to read it! You can feel how deep her faith is by reading her stuff - (I'm going to find more in the library) and that's stimulating to me.... She's got a very strong personality - very invigorating to "listen" to her. So my problem in my house is my husband so wants us to just fill our hearts and minds with everything Gospel oriented. He doesn't enjoy reading Novels, so he has a really hard time comprehending that they can be worth-while, especially Fantasy and Sci-Fi. (And, yes - that's what the kids and & I really enjoy...) It is a source of frustration for him. I think I could probably eventually get him to read The Wrinkle books though. He eventually came around with the Screwtape Letters, (after he'd told me that it was a baa-aad book, but then heard it being quoted in conferance by some General Authorities). I know that it's easy to get side-tracked away from the Gospel! I also think that not being exposed to anything else is to isolate yourself and leaves yourself open to be a lop-sided personality. I worry that too much of only 1 genre (in anything in life) also can lead to being being, do I dare say "bitgoted"? Some Exposure with a good Foundation is to creat a good balance. (Keep in mind the difference between exposure and experimenting!) I think that's a good reason why none of us kids truly rebelled. We had enough exposure to see the reality and be able to make our own choices without being forced into obedience. I have difficulty explaining this for some reason to him - I get too distracted to easily and can't carry a train of thought for longer than 30 seconds, maybe? I write much better than I talk....

Ya, so hence the Novels rather than Notes. Verbose she be - and unrepentant for it.

I shut my eyes so that I can Endure

2005-06-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

I've been sleeping for a little while lately - sometimes my own personal venting can drive me crazy and I was already at the point where I didn't want to dig any deeper into it. It's the endurance phase. And it's paid off! I'm going to include a copy of an e-mail I sent to a friend to explain what's been going on a little.

>>Guess what!!???Life is good.Endurance pays off. Something clicked for the Boy.... Tuesday he pulled me into a hug and told me Thank you for doing so much and he loved me. He's ba-ack! It's probably a combination of being reminded that he's got a soon-to-be-12-yr-old needed to be ordained and because he found me a Spin Class that works for my schedule (at the rec center where the kids can go and play, too) - and we might even be able to take it together (we did on Monday and it was great!!!). He went Tues night to see the Bish and he's been relaxed since then. SO GOOD!! He's also working hard to put a presentation together for the Chief next week - he's in the hiring pool for a Sergeant's position and things are looking pretty good for that. It's good to see his strengths recognized and used!

>>I get to see the Bish for some reason tonight or sometime soon.... New Calling?? Already??? The YW Pres is moving, so things are being reorganized. But I forgot I'm also in charge of a Credit Union social tonight for all of the CU's in our locale. Should be fun to play games, eat food, and play together. I also am being awarded a $500 scholarship to apply towards business education. I'm going to try to swing it so that I can do this during business hours. Don't know how that'll work - but it'll be nice to stuff my brain with good, useful info!

>>I wish we could talk some more! I ended up being rounded up by some friends I'd forgotten I'd made plans with that night! They took me shopping and we went to dinner! It's so nice to have girlfriends to do that with! Got a really cute skirt that is very feminine, as opposed to my regular business attire. I'm just in the mood to be a girl lately! I would even buy a pink pair of sandals if I found some I liked good enough and that didn't cost too much and comfortable! :) I even now own 3 pink shirts! Amazing, huh??

>>Still haven't re-addressed the issue with St about going to OR in Aug... I'm enjoying the peace and smile on his face too much right now. That's the bad thing about when things are good - I don't want to bring up issues that may dampen that. That's my non-confrontational side coming out.....

>>Camp stuff is going well and good - I think the girls are getting excited. I actually am. Most especially for the desserts! We made ice cream in baggies this week. So fun! I had to teach the boys how to do it, too! Tastes like Wendy's Frosties!

-- The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song I will praise Him.Ps 28:27

So that's it in a nutshell.
Oh, hey! Want to hear a funny dream? This goes to show some of the insecurity and anger I've been supressing in the last few weeks.
I dreamt St brought home another wife (and yes, I do know her in the real-world and she is married w/ a kid. And she's very nice and clean). I didn't actually see her, but she'd moved my coffee table to be in front of the couch and left Pepsi cans all over it, had her coffee pot messing up the counter - and I realized she was moving into MY territory! I was getting REALLY angry! And then I notice she'd place all of the kids' toys outside lined up against the fence (which is not real, and the toys were too young for mine, but I think they were supposed to be my kids' toys!). So in my anger I opened the door and there was an Hispanic lady walking past. I just knew my husband had hired her to do the housekeeping and that angered me further - so I lost it and starting attacking her; pulling her hair and yelling, maybe even trying to throw in a punch or two. Somehow she finally got through to me that she just lived in an apt close by and she was just coming home from the store.... Uh....
I woke up.
Darn it! Hate being wrong like that! Hate other people horning in on my territory!!! Grrr....Ruff Ruff! Now I laugh at it! I'm glad I'm the only woman of the house - and that it's pretty clean!

So now I'm just hoping it stays cloudy with no rain for our Social tonight!!! After working so hard to get our numbers from 20 to 50!!! Oh! Gee! I just now realized one of our game props needs to be completed!!!

K! Got it done. Might not have enough food. Might rain. Sounds fun to me!

I laugh at me!

2005-05-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

I so sleepy last night!

So I begin to get ready for bed - I turn on the water to wash my contacts, and get distsracted by something in my eye so I lean over the sink to the mirror to check it out. I'm fine, stand up - AND- Shock of cold water dumped down my cleavage down to my belly!!!!!!!!! My cowl neck sweater scooped up the water beautifully from the faucet and waited just for me to stand up!!!!!

I wasn't so sleepy any more!!!!!

And things are improving with (I'll call him St)! I think my attitude of "be nice!!!" and being reminded that he needs to feel like he's right and being calm in stating my different opinions is working. He thinks it's 'cause I'm going to the gym more regularly and making an effort to be organized in the house.

There's really nothing wrong with going to the gym regularly to be healthy, unless it takes priority over being there with the kids. That's my issue with it all. And I can't peel my behind outta bed at 5-5:30 am yet to do it then.....so it's been 9:30 pm lately. I really don't like that. I come home hungry.

And I don't like him telling me I'm fat (he says he's joking or I take him too seriously or that "I didn't say you're fat", but makes rather obvious suggestions as to that opinion) when I am 5'8" and have never weighed more than 125 lb's (besides the pregnancies)!!! He's a NUT!!! I say fondly at this moment.

He really does have his good qualities - it is the reason why I marred myself to him. Isn't that rather a sick way to put it? Yes, I am a cynical optimist. He says I'm very negative. I rather laugh at that. Why would a negative person stick with a difficult person in difficult situations for over 13 years if they were so negative? Does a negative person wake up naturally with a smile on their lips and in their heart and have to remember the poop to get down again??? I have to laugh at that one every time, especially after reading our horoscopes....being very close is a good and bad thing - Sagitarius and Capricorn never are matched up for positive or negative on the general zodiac blurbs. So I matched them and we've both got a lot of drive , but Sag is the Optimist and Cap is the Pessimist! So to a Pess anything said can be construed as Negative!!! I have no chance with that one - so I laugh it off! Silly boy. One day he'll understand (and me too) - but probably not til after we die. This is one reason that I look forward to that day. I'll wait for that, though. I do love life too much to change my current status. (Cynical Optimism exemplified.)

Enough for today.

I simile.

I'm not frustrated doing nothing

2005-05-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

But I can sure think of many more things I'd prefer to do with this time.

It's on purpose - I am avoiding making those infernal phone calls.
-Why do I hate calling and just collecting information? It's not really that big of a deal I try to to my self. But my self is so stubborn and doesn't listen to well to I. It's quite irresponsible of me, too, especially for being such a responsible person.

I'd like to read my novel, for one. Go hang out with a kid. (Ah, the dream) I say that, but then the kid drives me up the wall with complaining to me about how bored he is. (See? The Reality) Or then I go home and get my self distracted with dinner prep, cleaning up dishes that I really should make the kids do, or laundry, etc and just plain tell the kid not to go in my "moving zone" (how many times do you fall over a kid because they have to be 2 paces close to you everywhere you turn?!) (Another Reality!)

My laziness is being indulged, and so therefore here I am instead of where I'm supposed to be. (The Dreamer) AND! Got to go to lunch with some neighborhood ladies at a really cute little Tea Place - and I got to learn some etiquette! Surprised my self by knowing more than I thought I did about it! And I didn't mind too much that I was 20+ years younger than everyone there! They're neat and fun and friendly and fun to chat about all the horrors we all had building our houses there.... I could really gripe about the building world here in our small town that ain't too small anymore! But I don't want to!

I suppose I ought to work! *sigh* Or go find another fun way to play on the computer!

New Beginning

2005-05-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

I begin
Dreams
with my Eyes Open

I see
but paint Rose Blue and swirl with Reds and Yellows
and fleck some Green in there too

Reality
Catches my feet
and holds them Firm
makes me laugh
makes me cry

and I Dream
Hope
Faith
Wish
Plan

And then I Begin some more