So as I get ready to leave for work, The Doctor is in the shower getting ready to play video games all day. The children are already playing video games. I get to go out in the cold and be away from them all day. Then I get to go to the dentist.
Life really sucks sometimes.
I try to remember that it could be worse. It really could.
But sometimes I just like to wallow.
See you later.
I have to leave for work now.
I'm really going...really.
Bye.
Autobiography
in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson
in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson
I
I walk down the street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost . . . I am helpless
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
II
I walk down the same street,
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
III
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in . . . it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
V
I walk down another street.
I am sure I won't be on for a few days, so I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I hope you get something you wanted!
Remember back in May, how I fell in love? Well, it has happened again.
But we need to start at the beginning.
Way, way, way back in 1990, The Doctor bought a video camera. I wasn't around yet, he just wanted one. It was cool because it could record on full size VHS tapes. After we were married, I loved it because after we taped things, we could just stick them in the VCR and watch the movies. I loved it.
Ours wasn't quite this cool because it didn't have a flip-out view finder.
Well, in 2002 it was on it's last legs. It would still record, after you flipped the switch on and off several times. And then the viewfinder quit working. Well, what good is a camcorder if you can't see what you are recording.
That Thanksgiving, Wal-mart had their sales and they had a VHS-C camcorder for $208. I was pumped and pretty much told The Doctor we were getting one. And I did get it! I was very happy. I just read in my journal about how light it was and how wonderful.
I know, that's really small picture, but at the time, that is how it felt...small and compact!
Well, I think you know where this is heading. I have been getting the itch again. I see people with their teeny tiny camcorders and I have been coveting them. Yes, coveting.
But I knew I would have to wait. It's hard to buy frivolous things when your husband is out of work.
However, my grandparents gave each grandchild some money this year. I did not want to just spend it on bills or such, and suddenly I knew exactly what I was going to use part of it on. I did some research and today I dragged The Doctor to Sam's Club and bought this beauty...
It looks big, but trust me, it is teeny tiny! It fits in the palm of my hand! It has a 35x optical zoom, and has a 30 GB hard drive. No tapes, no discs! Even on the finest quality, it will record over 7 hours of video! And we got a great deal on it, because it included a remote control, carrying case, and tripod!
I am so excited to have it! I am in love again!
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa. Everytime I use my camcorder, I will think of you. I love you both.
But we need to start at the beginning.
Way, way, way back in 1990, The Doctor bought a video camera. I wasn't around yet, he just wanted one. It was cool because it could record on full size VHS tapes. After we were married, I loved it because after we taped things, we could just stick them in the VCR and watch the movies. I loved it.
Ours wasn't quite this cool because it didn't have a flip-out view finder. Well, in 2002 it was on it's last legs. It would still record, after you flipped the switch on and off several times. And then the viewfinder quit working. Well, what good is a camcorder if you can't see what you are recording.
That Thanksgiving, Wal-mart had their sales and they had a VHS-C camcorder for $208. I was pumped and pretty much told The Doctor we were getting one. And I did get it! I was very happy. I just read in my journal about how light it was and how wonderful.
I know, that's really small picture, but at the time, that is how it felt...small and compact!Well, I think you know where this is heading. I have been getting the itch again. I see people with their teeny tiny camcorders and I have been coveting them. Yes, coveting.
But I knew I would have to wait. It's hard to buy frivolous things when your husband is out of work.
However, my grandparents gave each grandchild some money this year. I did not want to just spend it on bills or such, and suddenly I knew exactly what I was going to use part of it on. I did some research and today I dragged The Doctor to Sam's Club and bought this beauty...
It looks big, but trust me, it is teeny tiny! It fits in the palm of my hand! It has a 35x optical zoom, and has a 30 GB hard drive. No tapes, no discs! Even on the finest quality, it will record over 7 hours of video! And we got a great deal on it, because it included a remote control, carrying case, and tripod!I am so excited to have it! I am in love again!
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa. Everytime I use my camcorder, I will think of you. I love you both.
You know it's time to shave your legs when your daughter rubs them and says, "Ooh, you're fuzzy!"
So when I was growing up, I thought the tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve and it always being pajamas was unique to my family. Since then, I have discovered that just about every family does it! LOL Here are a few pictures of my kids through the years in their new pajamas.
2002 - Superman
2003 - Dinosaurs and Space
2004 - Superheros
2005 - Pajama pants and white t-shirts, and a cute pink sleeper!
2006 - Pajama pants again (they think they are too grown up for regular pajamas now) and pink hearts!
2007 - They all had so many pairs of pajamas, that we did slippers this year. Aren't they cute?
I wonder what will come this year? Hmmmmm.........
2002 - Superman
2003 - Dinosaurs and Space
2004 - Superheros
2005 - Pajama pants and white t-shirts, and a cute pink sleeper!
2006 - Pajama pants again (they think they are too grown up for regular pajamas now) and pink hearts!
2007 - They all had so many pairs of pajamas, that we did slippers this year. Aren't they cute?
I wonder what will come this year? Hmmmmm.........
Oh, I guess that's me! LOL I am now 36, and I am on the downhill slide to 40. Yuck. But I still love my birthday because I get presents!
My favorite present was my new monitor and chair last year so working from home would be easier. I had been sitting on a folding chair and my back would hurt all the time. This chair was a lifesaver, considering I now work about 10 hours from home. I have a wonderful husband!
So for your present to me today, tell about your favorite present you have gotten for your birthday and why it was so special.
My favorite present was my new monitor and chair last year so working from home would be easier. I had been sitting on a folding chair and my back would hurt all the time. This chair was a lifesaver, considering I now work about 10 hours from home. I have a wonderful husband!
So for your present to me today, tell about your favorite present you have gotten for your birthday and why it was so special.
When I was little, my dad memorized the story of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." He even made props. And he would act it out every Christmas Eve. And we loved it! He even came and did it at my elementary school one year. I am sure he was mortified.
Once we started having kids, we demanded that he continue. The grandkids love it as well, and he does it every Christmas Eve. He tried to stop when the movie came out, but the movie is horrible.
Here is the Grinch, stuffing things in his sack.
And this is Cindy Lou Who getting her drink of water.
I love my dad for doing this and I love that my kids love it. I look forward to many more years of it!
Once we started having kids, we demanded that he continue. The grandkids love it as well, and he does it every Christmas Eve. He tried to stop when the movie came out, but the movie is horrible.
Here is the Grinch, stuffing things in his sack.
And this is Cindy Lou Who getting her drink of water.
I love my dad for doing this and I love that my kids love it. I look forward to many more years of it!
If you haven't watched The Biggest Loser finale yet, don't read this.
Walk away.
Because I went to bed last night with a smile on my face.
Michelle won! I am so happy! Life is good.
Walk away.
Because I went to bed last night with a smile on my face.
Michelle won! I am so happy! Life is good.
This was taken from The Friend, Dember 1985. I have changed it a little, choosing songs that are in the current Children's Songbook (CS). It was written for a child to be in charge.
Directions: This program can be presented with your family during the Christmas season.
Assign the parts, and write each reader’s name by his part. Make copies of the parts so that everyone can practice reading slowly and with expression.
Ask someone to lead the music and someone to play the songs. Practice the songs before the program begins. As the director, it is your responsibility to help everyone do his part well.
Song: "Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby" CS verse 1 pg. 48
Young Child: The best part of December—My favorite time, by far—Is when we read the story--Of the Baby and the star.
Narrator 1: At Christmastime we all love to read from the Bible the familiar story of the birth of baby Jesus.
Narrator 2: The Book of Mormon also tells about the birth of Jesus and about the star. People on both sides of the world knew of the coming of the Savior.
Song: “Beautiful Savior” CS pg. 62-63
Narrator 1: A few years after Lehi and his family journeyed to America, his son Nephi beheld a vision of the city of Nazareth and a beautiful virgin who was to be the mother of the Son of God.
Nephi, the son of Lehi: And it came to pass that I looked and beheld … the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! [1 Ne. 11:13, 1 Ne. 20–21.]
Narrator 2: Later the Nephites and the Lamanites were also told of the coming of Jesus by Samuel, a Lamanite prophet.
Samuel, the Lamanite: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. [Hel. 14:2–3, 5.]
Song: “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus" first verse only CS pg. 36
Narrator 1: Many Nephites did not believe Samuel. They threw rocks and shot arrows at him. But Samuel was protected until he had delivered his message. Then he returned to his own people in Zarahemla. Some of the people, however, did believe Samuel’s words, and they repented and were baptized. Nephi, the grandson of Helaman, was a leader among those who believed. When five years had almost ended, the wicked unbelievers said that they would kill the righteous people if the signs prophesied by Samuel did not appear. Nephi prayed for the people who believed in Jesus Christ. He did not want the wicked people to kill them. He prayed all day, and then the Lord spoke to him.
Voice of the Lord: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. [3 Ne. 1:13.]
Narrator 2: It all happened. Here is how Mormon recorded it from the Large Plates of Nephi.
Mormon: “And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.
“And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.” [3 Ne. 1:15, 3 Ne. 21.]
Song: “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus” second verse.
Young Child: I love the Christmas story, I love the songs we sing, But most of all I love the Savior—Jesus Christ, the King.
Song: “Once Within a Lowly Stable” CS pg. 41 (A girl dressed like Mary could pose holding doll while family sings.)
Narrator 1: The star had risen. The prophecy had been fulfilled. And faithful people in both hemispheres saw the sign and understood. Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Song: “Christmas Bells” CS pg. 54
Directions: This program can be presented with your family during the Christmas season.
Assign the parts, and write each reader’s name by his part. Make copies of the parts so that everyone can practice reading slowly and with expression.
Ask someone to lead the music and someone to play the songs. Practice the songs before the program begins. As the director, it is your responsibility to help everyone do his part well.
Song: "Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby" CS verse 1 pg. 48
Young Child: The best part of December—My favorite time, by far—Is when we read the story--Of the Baby and the star.
Narrator 1: At Christmastime we all love to read from the Bible the familiar story of the birth of baby Jesus.
Narrator 2: The Book of Mormon also tells about the birth of Jesus and about the star. People on both sides of the world knew of the coming of the Savior.
Song: “Beautiful Savior” CS pg. 62-63
Narrator 1: A few years after Lehi and his family journeyed to America, his son Nephi beheld a vision of the city of Nazareth and a beautiful virgin who was to be the mother of the Son of God.
Nephi, the son of Lehi: And it came to pass that I looked and beheld … the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! [1 Ne. 11:13, 1 Ne. 20–21.]
Narrator 2: Later the Nephites and the Lamanites were also told of the coming of Jesus by Samuel, a Lamanite prophet.
Samuel, the Lamanite: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. [Hel. 14:2–3, 5.]
Song: “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus" first verse only CS pg. 36
Narrator 1: Many Nephites did not believe Samuel. They threw rocks and shot arrows at him. But Samuel was protected until he had delivered his message. Then he returned to his own people in Zarahemla. Some of the people, however, did believe Samuel’s words, and they repented and were baptized. Nephi, the grandson of Helaman, was a leader among those who believed. When five years had almost ended, the wicked unbelievers said that they would kill the righteous people if the signs prophesied by Samuel did not appear. Nephi prayed for the people who believed in Jesus Christ. He did not want the wicked people to kill them. He prayed all day, and then the Lord spoke to him.
Voice of the Lord: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. [3 Ne. 1:13.]
Narrator 2: It all happened. Here is how Mormon recorded it from the Large Plates of Nephi.
Mormon: “And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.
“And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.” [3 Ne. 1:15, 3 Ne. 21.]
Song: “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus” second verse.
Young Child: I love the Christmas story, I love the songs we sing, But most of all I love the Savior—Jesus Christ, the King.
Song: “Once Within a Lowly Stable” CS pg. 41 (A girl dressed like Mary could pose holding doll while family sings.)
Narrator 1: The star had risen. The prophecy had been fulfilled. And faithful people in both hemispheres saw the sign and understood. Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Song: “Christmas Bells” CS pg. 54
So as I was growing up, one of my favorite traditions were our candy chains. A woman my dad had worked with made these "chains" using macrame. Macrame is yarn crafting using knots. She created these long "chains" and then put yarn in between the knots. At the beginning of December, my mom would buy candy (or use the candy she stole from our Halloween buckets I found out recently) and we would tie one piece of candy on for each day in December. Then every day we got to eat one piece of candy, and we could see how close to Christmas we were. Think of it as an advent calendar, only much more delicious (and fattening).
Some people just put their candy on randomly, some create a pattern. So there is a lot of hard work in deciding what candy to use!
So after I was married, no more candy chains. Well, my Mom gave me mine, but with only one chain, no else got any candy. So I have had the desire to learn how to make them for several years. Well, in 2004, I finally looked at mine, and looked online, and looked at mine, and looked online, and I figured out how to do it! I was so excited! I made our family's chains in 3 days and got them up for that year.
So then in 2005 I thought it would be fun to make them for my whole family. Most of us were married and had kids and we all loved that tradition, and I thought I would make it possible to continue it on. So I started working. I could do one chain in just under an hour, and I only had 12 to make. Plus some for our neighbors. Plus extras for when more babies are born. I don't know how many I ended up making, but I still have like 12 left over.
So that Thanksgiving, when supper was over and cleaned up, I asked everyone to gather around. I gave each family a wrapped box and told them to open them. When they did, they were all so excited. But the kids didn't get excited until I pulled out 2 giant bowls full of candy. I had brought all the candy and yarn so they could tie them on and have them ready to go. It was so much fun. I had been looking forward to doing that for several months, and it was totally worth it.
Following are pictures from that evening when we are getting them all put together. I looked through all my pictures and I have never taken a picture of the chains hanging on the wall! So next year, I will take a picture and then post it. So don't go anywhere!
Cutting the yarn to put on the chains. That is the worst part...threading the yarn around the knots. That is why I bought yarn and made them all do their own!
I did 3 different patterns: red and white, green and white, and red and green. I pretty much chose who would get what (except for Ashlee who know I was doing them, and I let her pick her colors. Shhhh.)
My brother Reece helping kids kids choose their candy.
Some people just put their candy on randomly, some create a pattern. So there is a lot of hard work in deciding what candy to use!
My chains were done at home, so I was supervising. If you look in this picture, my siblings are the ones having fun, and the in-laws are the bored looking ones. They didn't appreciate them at the time. I hope they appreciate them now.
This was so much fun! I loved seeing how much fun everyone was having. I was so excited to be able to continue a beloved tradition from our childhood!
See Mother.
See Mother laugh.
Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans.
Mother has many plans for Christmas.
Mother is organized.
Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother smile.
Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done.
See the children watch TV.
Watch children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys.
Look! Look!
Mother is not smiling.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses.
Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.
See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother put the materials away until January.
Look! Look!
See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineappleand powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour, dates, pecans, brown sugar, bananas and spices.
Look! Look!
Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn.
See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy.
See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchenwith the garden hose.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother wrap presents.
See Mother look for the end on the Scotch tape roll.
See Mother bite her fingernails.
See Mother go.
See Mother go to the store ten times in one hour.
Go Mother, go.
See Mother go faster.
Run, Mother, run!
See Mother trim the tree.
See Mother have a party.
See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls.
See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up organized plan.
See Mother forget gift for Uncle Harold.
See Mother get hives.
Go, Mother, go!
See the faraway look in Mother's eyes.
Mother has become disorganized.
Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother!
It is finally Christmas morning.
See the happy family.
See Father smile.
Father is happy.
Smile, Father, smile.
Father loves fruitcake.
Father loves Christmas pudding.
Father loves all his new neckties.
Look! Look!
See the happy children.
See the children's new toys.
Santa was very good to the children.
The children will remember this Christmas.
See Mother.
Mother is slumped in a chair.
Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother laugh.
Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans.
Mother has many plans for Christmas.
Mother is organized.
Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother smile.
Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done.
See the children watch TV.
Watch children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys.
Look! Look!
Mother is not smiling.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses.
Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.
See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother put the materials away until January.
Look! Look!
See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineappleand powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour, dates, pecans, brown sugar, bananas and spices.
Look! Look!
Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn.
See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy.
See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchenwith the garden hose.
Funny, funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother wrap presents.
See Mother look for the end on the Scotch tape roll.
See Mother bite her fingernails.
See Mother go.
See Mother go to the store ten times in one hour.
Go Mother, go.
See Mother go faster.
Run, Mother, run!
See Mother trim the tree.
See Mother have a party.
See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls.
See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up organized plan.
See Mother forget gift for Uncle Harold.
See Mother get hives.
Go, Mother, go!
See the faraway look in Mother's eyes.
Mother has become disorganized.
Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother!
It is finally Christmas morning.
See the happy family.
See Father smile.
Father is happy.
Smile, Father, smile.
Father loves fruitcake.
Father loves Christmas pudding.
Father loves all his new neckties.
Look! Look!
See the happy children.
See the children's new toys.
Santa was very good to the children.
The children will remember this Christmas.
See Mother.
Mother is slumped in a chair.
Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother!
...when I am freakishly busy! Argh! I can't believe how much is going on! For the last two weeks, seriously, every time my kids came home from school, one of them had something to add to my calendar. Here is what December looks like:
1 - Family Home Evening...go and see the lights on Temple Square.
2 - Wow...a gap! Nothing on the calendar!
3 - My boys received awards at the Reflections contest, so I went to that assembly. Then that night was dance practice for The Princess.
4 - The Chocoholic's birthday, The Teenager had to be at an elementary school at 8 am for a concert tour. I had to be at the school at 2:00 to pick up cookie dough, scouts for one boy at 6:00, combined activity for the other two at 6:30, pick up the first boy at 7:00.
5 - The Chocoholic's birthday party from 3:30-5:00, and the ward dinner at 6:00.
6 - Start working on neighbor/coworker/friend gifts. 4:00 my work party.
7 - Tithing settlement at 10:00, 2 boys and dh fast offerings at 11:00, church from 1-4, dinner at Mom's at 5:30.
8 - Dress rehearsal for The Princess. Supposed to be from 6:30 - 7:00 for her class, we were there until 7:30.
9 - Dress rehearsal again. Supposed to be from 5:30-6:00, we were there until 7:30 again.
10 - The Teenager had to be at his school at 5:00. 6:00 was pack meeting, leave early at 6:30 and rush over to the school to be late for concert. Come home for 45 minutes, leave again for second concert for The Teenager, finish at 8:30, head over to the high school for The Princess' dance (The Nutcracker). Stupid dance. Doesn't finish until 10:15, don't get my 4 year old into bed until 10:45 (along with all the other kids).
11 - Make the executive decision to skip the dance tonight. Huge weight off my shoulders. At 10:00 have to meet with Primary President to go over music for next year. 6:00 Enrichment Night, which I can now go to!
12 - Take The Princess to Grandma's at 4:00 for sleepover, The Doctor teaches tonight, I think I might go to bed early.
13 - Finish neighbor/coworker/friend gifts.
14 - church
15 - The Princess has a birthday party.
16 - Preschool program in morning, Stamp group party that night.
17 - Band concert
18 - Scouts/Mutual
19 - My birthday, 3 boys sleepover at Grandma's
From here on, my calendar is clear. But on top of everything going on, I am crazy busy at work doing engagement letters and huge projects, plus trying to get some Christmas presents made.
I am going to need a nap soon!
1 - Family Home Evening...go and see the lights on Temple Square.
2 - Wow...a gap! Nothing on the calendar!
3 - My boys received awards at the Reflections contest, so I went to that assembly. Then that night was dance practice for The Princess.
4 - The Chocoholic's birthday, The Teenager had to be at an elementary school at 8 am for a concert tour. I had to be at the school at 2:00 to pick up cookie dough, scouts for one boy at 6:00, combined activity for the other two at 6:30, pick up the first boy at 7:00.
5 - The Chocoholic's birthday party from 3:30-5:00, and the ward dinner at 6:00.
6 - Start working on neighbor/coworker/friend gifts. 4:00 my work party.
7 - Tithing settlement at 10:00, 2 boys and dh fast offerings at 11:00, church from 1-4, dinner at Mom's at 5:30.
8 - Dress rehearsal for The Princess. Supposed to be from 6:30 - 7:00 for her class, we were there until 7:30.
9 - Dress rehearsal again. Supposed to be from 5:30-6:00, we were there until 7:30 again.
10 - The Teenager had to be at his school at 5:00. 6:00 was pack meeting, leave early at 6:30 and rush over to the school to be late for concert. Come home for 45 minutes, leave again for second concert for The Teenager, finish at 8:30, head over to the high school for The Princess' dance (The Nutcracker). Stupid dance. Doesn't finish until 10:15, don't get my 4 year old into bed until 10:45 (along with all the other kids).
11 - Make the executive decision to skip the dance tonight. Huge weight off my shoulders. At 10:00 have to meet with Primary President to go over music for next year. 6:00 Enrichment Night, which I can now go to!
12 - Take The Princess to Grandma's at 4:00 for sleepover, The Doctor teaches tonight, I think I might go to bed early.
13 - Finish neighbor/coworker/friend gifts.
14 - church
15 - The Princess has a birthday party.
16 - Preschool program in morning, Stamp group party that night.
17 - Band concert
18 - Scouts/Mutual
19 - My birthday, 3 boys sleepover at Grandma's
From here on, my calendar is clear. But on top of everything going on, I am crazy busy at work doing engagement letters and huge projects, plus trying to get some Christmas presents made.
I am going to need a nap soon!
I never knew how opinionated people were about the word verification on blogs. And I want people to like me and to comment, so...
I took it off. But if I get a bunch of spam, it goes back on!
Merry Christmas to all those who hate it!
I took it off. But if I get a bunch of spam, it goes back on!
Merry Christmas to all those who hate it!
I love Christmas music. It just makes my heart glad. Everything about it makes me happy. I have left my list of my favorite albums on several blogs, so I decided I had better make it official.
My favorite Christmas albums:
- "A Christmas Album" by Barbara Streisand (1967) - My mom had this album and this is what we listened to every year as we put up the tree. I LOVE how she sings "Jingle Bells!" And the song, "The Best Gift" is why my mom bought the album. She heard it the year she was pregnant with me. Several years ago I discovered that it had been released on CD and all my siblings now have a copy. It is THE BEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM EVER!
- "Christmas Interpretations" by Boyz II Men (1993) - I love their rendition of "Silent Night."
- "A Crocker Christmas" by The Crocker Sisters - These are LDS girls and have amazing harmony. We heard them sing at a CD signing at Deseret Book and immediately bought their CD.
- "Christmas at Home" by Donny Osmond (1998) - I gotta have me my Donny. I love his voice. I also happen to think he is really cute! The Doctor took me to a concert once and I was in heaven!
- "What if Mozart Wrote 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'" by The Hampton String Quartet (1989) - They have taken Christmas songs and "made" them classical. It is fun to listen to, and perfect for Sunday afternoons.
- "Joy: A Holiday Collection" by Jewel (1999) - My sister introduced me to this album because of the song "Hands." I think Jewel has an awesome voice, and I love her singing with herself on "Rudolph." So cool!
- "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael McLean (1991) - This came out the Christmas I was away at college for the first time. I know, I'm that old! I have the book and I had the cassette tape it came with until I bought the CD several years later. I love everything about The Forgotten Carols.
"Brand New Year" by SHeDAISY (2000) - I don't care for country music at all, but my husband loved this album so much, he bought it two years in a row, forgetting he had already bought it! And it has really grown on me.
- "Mary's Lullaby - Christmas Songs for Bedtime" (2007) - I love how they have taken Christmas songs and made lullaby's out of them. This will put you to sleep and give you wonderful dreams!
So there you go. I have ton more Christmas albums, but these are my absolute favorites!
I wish you were here right now. We have a childrens book about The 12 Days of Christmas, and The Princess adores it. She is sitting here reading it. She is singing each verse correctly, and it is so cute! She is up to 11 pipers piping. We sing it in the car all the time, and she sings the whole thing with me. I am in heaven!
When I was a kid…
…if we wanted to call someone, we had to stick our finger in the right hole of a round dial and spin it around for all seven numbers! And if you screwed up, you had to start all over again. Your finger really got a workout!
…if we wanted to call outside our area code, we had to ask our parents if we could use the long distance. Then we had to keep the call super short or else that darned Bell Atlantic bill would be outrageous! We didn’t have cellphones with unlimited long distance, or VOIP that lets us call across the world for free!
…we didn’t have electronic address books, much less contact lists programmed into our phones. If we wanted to call someone, we had to memorize their number or look in a phone book!
…if you didn’t know someone’s number outside of your calling area, you had to get connected to an operator and actually have a real conversation to get the number! There wasn’t an internet where you could look up anyone’s number in seconds!
…if you were lost somewhere, you had to find someplace with a phone. Sometimes you even had to put change in that phone to make it work. NO ONE had a cellphone! Driving down a dark road in the middle of nowhere had a whole different meaning.
…if you wanted money from your bank account, you had to take a bank passbook to a live teller and ask for the money. There were no ATMs!
…if you wanted to see a movie, you had to go to a theater or hope one of the 3 channels (no Fox) would show it in the next year.
…I was halfway through grade school before we got a VCR where we could rent a movie from a store. And movies didn’t have “Special Feature” sections. Those were called the credits!
…a “big screen TV” was 20 inches, and probably surrounded by a fancy wood casing. If you were rich, you could get a mammoth projector TV with 3 light bulbs displaying the picture.
…if you wanted to create a professional document, you had to use a typewriter. Yeah, you try fixing mistakes with a special ribbon that you had to line up perfectly, you spoiled brats! There was no Delete key!
…my first music player was a 45 record player. It came in a little suitcase-type box and I could listen to my mom’s old Lettermen singles or Alvin and the Chipmunks!
…blank audio tapes were your only way to record music. There were no MP3s back then!
…if you wanted to record a song, you had to sit at the radio until it finally came on the air and hit the record button just when the DJ stopped talking.
…I was in college before CDs came out! And there was no computer to rip the music. You actually had to protect those discs or else go spend another $25 at the music shop.
…if you wanted to listen to your CD on-the-go, you couldn’t move an inch or else it would skip. I was in college before anti-skip technology let me fart while listening to MC Hammer.
…if you wanted popcorn, you needed a popcorn-maker. We didn’t have a microwave, much less microwaveable popcorn!
…if you wanted to do math, you needed to know math! You couldn’t whip out a calculator in grade school and figure out 2+2! And not because they were expensive, but because we actually valued knowing how to solve a problem, not just how to get the solution.
…if you wanted to pay for something, you needed either cash or a layaway option. Most people didn’t have credit cards. You needed to be able to afford what you bought! (as a note, layaway is coming back)
…if you wanted to “text message” someone, you wrote them a letter or postcard, mailed it and waited a couple weeks for a response.
…you actually had to know how to write well because you only had one chance to get your point across.
…if you wanted to know how someone was doing, you actually had to talk with people. There was no Facebook or IM. You had to know how to say a response while the person was standing there looking at you!
…any toy that required batteries was a luxury. You had to use your imagination when playing! Now every toy requires batteries!
…if you wanted to buy something, you either had to go to the store or order from their catalog. There was no online shopping!
…if you wanted to take a picture, you had to make sure it was worth it. You couldn’t take 2,000 pictures on a single memory disk. There were no memory disks or digital cameras!
…if you wanted you car window down, you needed to wind it down yourself. If you wanted your door unlocked, you had to wait for the driver to reach across and unlock it.
…we didn’t have computers.
…we didn’t have the internet.
…we didn’t have cellphones, or even touch tone phones.
…we didn’t have iPods or CDs or MP3s or auxiliary ports in our cars.
…we didn’t have credit cards or ATMs or online banking.
So be thankful for all the conveniences you have today, rather than complain that you don’t have the latest plasma TV, game console, music player or other gadget. And be thankful you only have to memorize your own phone number and not every person’s you know.
Be thankful, because I know I sure am.
…if we wanted to call someone, we had to stick our finger in the right hole of a round dial and spin it around for all seven numbers! And if you screwed up, you had to start all over again. Your finger really got a workout!
…if we wanted to call outside our area code, we had to ask our parents if we could use the long distance. Then we had to keep the call super short or else that darned Bell Atlantic bill would be outrageous! We didn’t have cellphones with unlimited long distance, or VOIP that lets us call across the world for free!
…we didn’t have electronic address books, much less contact lists programmed into our phones. If we wanted to call someone, we had to memorize their number or look in a phone book!
…if you didn’t know someone’s number outside of your calling area, you had to get connected to an operator and actually have a real conversation to get the number! There wasn’t an internet where you could look up anyone’s number in seconds!
…if you were lost somewhere, you had to find someplace with a phone. Sometimes you even had to put change in that phone to make it work. NO ONE had a cellphone! Driving down a dark road in the middle of nowhere had a whole different meaning.
…if you wanted money from your bank account, you had to take a bank passbook to a live teller and ask for the money. There were no ATMs!
…if you wanted to see a movie, you had to go to a theater or hope one of the 3 channels (no Fox) would show it in the next year.
…I was halfway through grade school before we got a VCR where we could rent a movie from a store. And movies didn’t have “Special Feature” sections. Those were called the credits!
…a “big screen TV” was 20 inches, and probably surrounded by a fancy wood casing. If you were rich, you could get a mammoth projector TV with 3 light bulbs displaying the picture.
…if you wanted to create a professional document, you had to use a typewriter. Yeah, you try fixing mistakes with a special ribbon that you had to line up perfectly, you spoiled brats! There was no Delete key!
…my first music player was a 45 record player. It came in a little suitcase-type box and I could listen to my mom’s old Lettermen singles or Alvin and the Chipmunks!
…blank audio tapes were your only way to record music. There were no MP3s back then!
…if you wanted to record a song, you had to sit at the radio until it finally came on the air and hit the record button just when the DJ stopped talking.
…I was in college before CDs came out! And there was no computer to rip the music. You actually had to protect those discs or else go spend another $25 at the music shop.
…if you wanted to listen to your CD on-the-go, you couldn’t move an inch or else it would skip. I was in college before anti-skip technology let me fart while listening to MC Hammer.
…if you wanted popcorn, you needed a popcorn-maker. We didn’t have a microwave, much less microwaveable popcorn!
…if you wanted to do math, you needed to know math! You couldn’t whip out a calculator in grade school and figure out 2+2! And not because they were expensive, but because we actually valued knowing how to solve a problem, not just how to get the solution.
…if you wanted to pay for something, you needed either cash or a layaway option. Most people didn’t have credit cards. You needed to be able to afford what you bought! (as a note, layaway is coming back)
…if you wanted to “text message” someone, you wrote them a letter or postcard, mailed it and waited a couple weeks for a response.
…you actually had to know how to write well because you only had one chance to get your point across.
…if you wanted to know how someone was doing, you actually had to talk with people. There was no Facebook or IM. You had to know how to say a response while the person was standing there looking at you!
…any toy that required batteries was a luxury. You had to use your imagination when playing! Now every toy requires batteries!
…if you wanted to buy something, you either had to go to the store or order from their catalog. There was no online shopping!
…if you wanted to take a picture, you had to make sure it was worth it. You couldn’t take 2,000 pictures on a single memory disk. There were no memory disks or digital cameras!
…if you wanted you car window down, you needed to wind it down yourself. If you wanted your door unlocked, you had to wait for the driver to reach across and unlock it.
…we didn’t have computers.
…we didn’t have the internet.
…we didn’t have cellphones, or even touch tone phones.
…we didn’t have iPods or CDs or MP3s or auxiliary ports in our cars.
…we didn’t have credit cards or ATMs or online banking.
So be thankful for all the conveniences you have today, rather than complain that you don’t have the latest plasma TV, game console, music player or other gadget. And be thankful you only have to memorize your own phone number and not every person’s you know.
Be thankful, because I know I sure am.
So I was getting ready to put on my makeup and I wondered how long it took me.
So I timed it.
3 1/2 minutes. From naked face to finish.
Foundation (mineral powder), eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, gloss, eyeshadow, and blush.
I like to look nice, but I'm not going to take forever doing it.
K.I.S.S.!
So I timed it.
3 1/2 minutes. From naked face to finish.
Foundation (mineral powder), eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, gloss, eyeshadow, and blush.
I like to look nice, but I'm not going to take forever doing it.
K.I.S.S.!
In no particular order...
- My Heavenly Father
- Jesus Christ
- The gift of the atonement
- My wonderful husband
- My Teenager
- My Artist
- My Chocoholic
- My Princess
- Hair Blogs (I just discovered them and they are cool!)
- Calculators
- Heaters
- Air conditioners
- Oreos
- My mom
- My dad
- I could list each person individually, but I think that might be akin to cheating, so I will just say my family.
- Christmas music
- Christmas lights
- Fresh picked tomatoes from my garden
- Cell phones
- My job (Because since I have to work, it is the best job ever!)
- My boss (see above)
- My degree for allowing me to get a great job
- Toilet paper
- Feminine products
- Hysterectomies, which eliminate the need for #25!
- Fresh clean water from my tap
- Naps
- The color pink
- Blogs
- My planner
- My washing machine and dryer
- Food
- Flowers
- Square foot gardening, which made it possible for me to NOT have to weed my garden!
- Books
- The ability to read
- Music
- Piano
- The ability to play the piano
- A soft bed
- Chocolate
- Kissing
- The internet
- My Loopy friends (you know who you are!)
- My camera
- Scrapbooking
- Peppermint ice cream
- The ability to smell
- Scents
- The ability to taste
- When my daughter does my hair
- My own tools
- My husband having a good job
- My sisters (I know I covered them in #16, but I had to say them specifically)
- Old pictures
- Our prophet, Thomas S. Monson
- Living in the United States of America, and the freedoms that entails
- The Priesthood
- Random acts of kindness
- Sincere compliments
- Sleeping in on Saturday mornings
- Cold milk
- My computer
- When my children obey
- Being able to work from home
- The price of gas going down
- Apricot smoothies
- "Secret" bras
- Birthday presents
- My DVD/HD recorder
- Laughing
- When my husband cooks dinner
- Indoor plumbing
- A clean house
- Checking off everything on my to-do list
- Smiles
- Waves
- Shopping
- Window shopping
- Flip flops
- When my teenager hugs me (every day...I am not taking it for granted!)
- Leading music in Primary
- My health
- Ladybugs
- Remembering the feeling of a baby kicking inside me
- Knowing that I will never be pregnant again!
- Funny jokes from the internet
- ClearPlay DVD player
- Homemade chicken noodle soup
- My grandparents, both living and dead
- Ancestors who crossed the plains and suffered so I could be born in the gospel
- That my life doesn't revolve around sports
- That my husband's life doesn't revolve around sports
- My boys who are learning to be gentlemen
- My house
- Food storage
- Health insurance
- Love
- People who comment on my blog
I knew that at some point I would have to get The Princess' hair cut. I loved it long, but she never lost her baby hair and it would NOT hold a curl. Plus it was many, many different lengths because I had never trimmed it.
The following video is The Princess flipping her hair. She loved doing it!
So I decided that we would let it continue to grow until it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love. It had to be 10 inches. Finally, in February, it was time. She was so excited to go to the beauty salon and get her hair done.
Following are pictures of the process.
The following video is The Princess flipping her hair. She loved doing it!
I am in love my latest blog find...Hair blogs! Blogs where amazing Moms do amazing hairstyles on their daughters, and not only do they show them off, but they show how to do them!
Girly Do's By Jenn is so cool! She even had a giveaway, and though I didn't win, I was featured on her blog. Thanks! And I am hoping to win next week.
The Story of a Princess and Her Hair was my inspiration Friday. I did The Fountain and it only took about 30 minutes. The Princess loved it and I loved it.
I love to do The Princess' hair, and I have been putting it in piggies since she was 4 months old. Now that I have found all these hair blogs, I am devastated that we cut her hair because we could do so much more. But her hair went to a good cause.
What? You don't know about that? Hmmm, I have a really good idea for tomorrow's post!
Girly Do's By Jenn is so cool! She even had a giveaway, and though I didn't win, I was featured on her blog. Thanks! And I am hoping to win next week.
The Story of a Princess and Her Hair was my inspiration Friday. I did The Fountain and it only took about 30 minutes. The Princess loved it and I loved it.
I love to do The Princess' hair, and I have been putting it in piggies since she was 4 months old. Now that I have found all these hair blogs, I am devastated that we cut her hair because we could do so much more. But her hair went to a good cause.
What? You don't know about that? Hmmm, I have a really good idea for tomorrow's post!
So on October 24th, The Artist turned 12. I was so wrapped up in getting him ready to receive the Priesthood and everything that is involved with family coming over, and then Halloween, that I forgot to give him props on my blog. So here we go, better late than never!
Happy Birthday! I love you!
Happy Birthday! I love you!
A is for...Aprill and Ashlee, my lovely sisters.
B is for...Beautiful boys, whom I love deeply.
C is for...Cousins, and it's so hard to say good-bye!
D is for...Dinosaurs, especially when they are the cute, cuddly kind!
E is for... Everyone together. 2007
F is for...Freezing cold water!
G is for...Girls!
H is for...Hair. This is The Princess at 14 months old.
I is for...Itchy. I was bit by a spider and my eyes were all swollen and itchy!
J is for...Jumping.
K is for...Kite, and that is the highest it ever got!
L is for...Love. Even after 16 years!
M is for...Marriage, which comes after love!
N is for...Needs New shoes!
O is for...Oprah. Yes, that's me.
P is for...Pink. I love pink. I even colored my hair pink for Halloween one year.
Q is for...Quietly sleeping, with her bum in the air.
R is for...Race car, which he didn't even get to race because we were out of town, eating the weird potatoes (see X).
S is for...Siblings.
T is for...Tomato, which we grew in our garden.
U is for...Up, up, and away. That is the shadow of our airplane!
V is for...Very cute!
W is for...Wish.
X is for...X-tremely weird food (my sil's wedding lunch), those are crushed up Cheeto puffs on the potatoes!
Y is for...Yummy!
Z is for...Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
B is for...Beautiful boys, whom I love deeply.
C is for...Cousins, and it's so hard to say good-bye!
D is for...Dinosaurs, especially when they are the cute, cuddly kind!
E is for... Everyone together. 2007
F is for...Freezing cold water!
G is for...Girls!
H is for...Hair. This is The Princess at 14 months old.
I is for...Itchy. I was bit by a spider and my eyes were all swollen and itchy!
J is for...Jumping.
K is for...Kite, and that is the highest it ever got!
L is for...Love. Even after 16 years!
M is for...Marriage, which comes after love!
N is for...Needs New shoes!
O is for...Oprah. Yes, that's me.
P is for...Pink. I love pink. I even colored my hair pink for Halloween one year.
Q is for...Quietly sleeping, with her bum in the air.
R is for...Race car, which he didn't even get to race because we were out of town, eating the weird potatoes (see X).
S is for...Siblings.
T is for...Tomato, which we grew in our garden.
U is for...Up, up, and away. That is the shadow of our airplane!
V is for...Very cute!
W is for...Wish.
X is for...X-tremely weird food (my sil's wedding lunch), those are crushed up Cheeto puffs on the potatoes!
Y is for...Yummy!
Z is for...Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Today is my Mom and Dad's 39th wedding anniversary. They are amazing people who have taught me so much. They have had financial trials up the wazoo, and it was my Mom who gave me strength through the last 3 1/2 years. I could call her and cry and she knew exactly how I was feeling because she had been there, and worse. I love them both so much and I want them to know that.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
There is a big football game tomorrow. If you live anywhere near Utah, you will know what I am talking about. And on that note...
GO BYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We don't watch sports, except for the BYU/UofU game, and the Super Bowl. And we only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. So when I read this story, it just made me sad. Just because there is a rivalry, doesn't mean we need to act like idiots.
So after the game is over (and BYU has won) let's just be nice and not gloat or pout. And I welcome comments from UofU and BYU fans. Remember...
IT'S JUST A GAME!!!!!
GO BYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We don't watch sports, except for the BYU/UofU game, and the Super Bowl. And we only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. So when I read this story, it just made me sad. Just because there is a rivalry, doesn't mean we need to act like idiots.
So after the game is over (and BYU has won) let's just be nice and not gloat or pout. And I welcome comments from UofU and BYU fans. Remember...
IT'S JUST A GAME!!!!!
I have always been intrigued as to how people do things differently than me. Because I am OCD, I believe that my way is best. LOL But when something works for me, I go with it.
I have been facinated lately with how people pay their bills. I have read how some wait and pay each one just before it's due. I don't understand that one. So many things can happen...you can forget, don't have the money, the payment gets delayed, etc.
I am the type of person who is early for everything. If it starts at 7:00, I will be there by 6:55 at the latest. I HATE being late.
This translates to my bills as well. I refuse to let them be late, or even close to late. We have worked too hard to get our credit rating up, just to let it be dinged by a simple late bill. And did you know that credit card companies are searching for reasons to raise your credit rating, and will do so just because of one late payment?
Anyway, I have mapped out my bills in a ledger so that I know the exact date that each bill is due. When The Doctor got paid twice monthly, I wrote down his pay, then started subracting the bills from it. First and foremost is tithing. Nothing gets paid before tithing. That is just the way it is. And I know that is how we survived over the last 3 1/2 years.
So here is how it looked:
+Check #1 (payday was the 1st of month)
-tithing
-fast offerings
-1/2 of house payment (due on the 1st of next month)
-water/sewage bill (due on the 15th)
-credit card payment (due on the 15th)
-cable/phone/internet (due on the 20th)
-cell phone (due on the 20th)
+Check #2 (payday was the 15th of the month)
-tithing
-1/2 of house payment
-trumpet payment (due on the 20th)
-gas payment (due on the 25th)
-car insurance (due on the 25th)
-electric bill (due on the 25th)
What we had left over went to groceries, etc.
Did you know that you can call and request a due date? Most companies are willing to change it for you. That has saved us on several occasions.
Now that that The Doctor only gets paid once a month, it's trickier. Because it's easier to run out of money sooner. But I still pay all my bills when we get paid. So that means that some are paid ahead of time, and that's okay too. Because I would rather run out of money and not be able to go out to eat, than run out of money and not be able to pay a bill.
So how do you pay your bills? And does it actually work for you? ;-)
I have been facinated lately with how people pay their bills. I have read how some wait and pay each one just before it's due. I don't understand that one. So many things can happen...you can forget, don't have the money, the payment gets delayed, etc.
I am the type of person who is early for everything. If it starts at 7:00, I will be there by 6:55 at the latest. I HATE being late.
This translates to my bills as well. I refuse to let them be late, or even close to late. We have worked too hard to get our credit rating up, just to let it be dinged by a simple late bill. And did you know that credit card companies are searching for reasons to raise your credit rating, and will do so just because of one late payment?
Anyway, I have mapped out my bills in a ledger so that I know the exact date that each bill is due. When The Doctor got paid twice monthly, I wrote down his pay, then started subracting the bills from it. First and foremost is tithing. Nothing gets paid before tithing. That is just the way it is. And I know that is how we survived over the last 3 1/2 years.
So here is how it looked:
+Check #1 (payday was the 1st of month)
-tithing
-fast offerings
-1/2 of house payment (due on the 1st of next month)
-water/sewage bill (due on the 15th)
-credit card payment (due on the 15th)
-cable/phone/internet (due on the 20th)
-cell phone (due on the 20th)
+Check #2 (payday was the 15th of the month)
-tithing
-1/2 of house payment
-trumpet payment (due on the 20th)
-gas payment (due on the 25th)
-car insurance (due on the 25th)
-electric bill (due on the 25th)
What we had left over went to groceries, etc.
Did you know that you can call and request a due date? Most companies are willing to change it for you. That has saved us on several occasions.
Now that that The Doctor only gets paid once a month, it's trickier. Because it's easier to run out of money sooner. But I still pay all my bills when we get paid. So that means that some are paid ahead of time, and that's okay too. Because I would rather run out of money and not be able to go out to eat, than run out of money and not be able to pay a bill.
So how do you pay your bills? And does it actually work for you? ;-)
A middle-aged woman seemed sheepish as she visited her gynecologist.
"Come now," coaxed the doctor, "you've been seeing me for years! There's nothing you can't tell me."
"This one's kind of strange ..." she said.
"Let me be the judge of that," the doctor replied.
"Well," she said, "yesterday I went to the bathroom in the morning and I heard a plink-plink in the toilet; when I looked down, the water was full of pennies."
"I see," said the doctor.
"That afternoon I went again and there were nickels in the bowl."
"Uh-huh," acknowledged the doctor.
"That night," she went on, "there were dimes and this morning there were quarters! You've got to tell me what's wrong with me!" she implored, "I'm scared out of my wits!"
The gynecologist put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"There, there, it's nothing to be scared about . . .You're simply going through your change."
"Come now," coaxed the doctor, "you've been seeing me for years! There's nothing you can't tell me."
"This one's kind of strange ..." she said.
"Let me be the judge of that," the doctor replied.
"Well," she said, "yesterday I went to the bathroom in the morning and I heard a plink-plink in the toilet; when I looked down, the water was full of pennies."
"I see," said the doctor.
"That afternoon I went again and there were nickels in the bowl."
"Uh-huh," acknowledged the doctor.
"That night," she went on, "there were dimes and this morning there were quarters! You've got to tell me what's wrong with me!" she implored, "I'm scared out of my wits!"
The gynecologist put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"There, there, it's nothing to be scared about . . .You're simply going through your change."
I am in love...with my husband and with my boys.
I have wanted lights on my house forever. And I mean forever because I never had them growing up. Ever. And since being married, the money always had a better place to go than lights for my house.
Until this year.
This year, the The Doctor has a decent job with a decent income. 2 weeks ago, he casually said, "If you will buy the lights, I will put them up on the house for you." I just about wet my pants, I was so excited!
So Saturday, the man who has a fear of heights, climbed up on my roof and proceeded to string lights for me.
But did he do them alone? Oh no! My lovely boys all got up and helped. Granted, The Artist and The Chocoholic just wanted to climb around on the roof, which they did plenty of. But The Teenager was invaluable helping to put the lights on. I think it would be safe to say he did the majority of the work because he could climb around quickly. Our house has the lights on 3 different levels, and The Teenager did 2 of the levels by himself.
And it only took 1 1/2 hours to do. We bought the new LED lights, so you can string 87 strings of lights (that's 1,261.5 feet) on ONE outlet. Yes, one. We stopped at 8 strings, but they can be connected end to end, so no extension cords and no doubling up. Just one long string from one end of the house to the other. It's awesome!
Whoo Hoo!
But it gets better. I called my mom to brag, and she told how she has always wanted lights on the house, but my dad refused to do it. I told The Doctor and he offered to do her lights. She felt bad accepting because last week he ended up helping her move a piano, but he offered again, so she accepted.
And when we went over, The Teenager got up on the roof and did them all. He is a pro.
And did I grab my camera and take lots of cute pictures of all the kids climbing on the rooftops? Nope, dang it! But my boys want to do it again next year, and even start a business and get paid to put people's lights on.
So if you don't have your lights up yet, give us a call. They would love to get up on your rooftops!
I have wanted lights on my house forever. And I mean forever because I never had them growing up. Ever. And since being married, the money always had a better place to go than lights for my house.
Until this year.
This year, the The Doctor has a decent job with a decent income. 2 weeks ago, he casually said, "If you will buy the lights, I will put them up on the house for you." I just about wet my pants, I was so excited!
So Saturday, the man who has a fear of heights, climbed up on my roof and proceeded to string lights for me.
But did he do them alone? Oh no! My lovely boys all got up and helped. Granted, The Artist and The Chocoholic just wanted to climb around on the roof, which they did plenty of. But The Teenager was invaluable helping to put the lights on. I think it would be safe to say he did the majority of the work because he could climb around quickly. Our house has the lights on 3 different levels, and The Teenager did 2 of the levels by himself.
And it only took 1 1/2 hours to do. We bought the new LED lights, so you can string 87 strings of lights (that's 1,261.5 feet) on ONE outlet. Yes, one. We stopped at 8 strings, but they can be connected end to end, so no extension cords and no doubling up. Just one long string from one end of the house to the other. It's awesome!
Whoo Hoo!
But it gets better. I called my mom to brag, and she told how she has always wanted lights on the house, but my dad refused to do it. I told The Doctor and he offered to do her lights. She felt bad accepting because last week he ended up helping her move a piano, but he offered again, so she accepted.
And when we went over, The Teenager got up on the roof and did them all. He is a pro.
And did I grab my camera and take lots of cute pictures of all the kids climbing on the rooftops? Nope, dang it! But my boys want to do it again next year, and even start a business and get paid to put people's lights on.
So if you don't have your lights up yet, give us a call. They would love to get up on your rooftops!
Why, when my sisters tried so hard to get me to start a blog, and now that I have, why have they stopped posting?
Why is my daughter so energetic on the nights when I am so tired?
Why are my children so polite in public, and so rude to each other?
Why can we have such a fun day and go out to eat and my children have so much fun, and then when I say it's time for bed, they act like I have just asked them clean the toilet?
Why won't they clean the toilet?
Why is my daughter so energetic on the nights when I am so tired?
Why are my children so polite in public, and so rude to each other?
Why can we have such a fun day and go out to eat and my children have so much fun, and then when I say it's time for bed, they act like I have just asked them clean the toilet?
Why won't they clean the toilet?
Get a kleenex because you are going to laugh so hard, you will be crying!
Oh, I personally love the short shorts!
Oh, I personally love the short shorts!
Why I like fall...
- Opening windows again
- Wearing flip flops
- Leaves changing colors
- The smell of fires in fireplaces
- Harvesting the garden
- Warm days, cool evenings
- Back to school
- The smell of the furnace the first time you turn it on for the season
- Digging up the garden
- Spiders invading my house
- Getting a cold
- Getting cold
- Raking leaves
Why I like summer...
- Not cold
- Wearing flip flops
- Watermelon
- My anniversary (June 19th)
- Capri’s
- Boys' buzz cuts
- Shopping for swimsuits
- Wearing swimsuits
- Gets too hot
- Bugs
- Weeding
- Camping
- Dandelions
- Back to School (year round school)
Why I like spring...
- Opening windows again
- Wearing flip flops
- Shedding coats, gloves, hats, scarves
- Planting the garden
- Flowers
- Rain
- Mosquitoes
- Surprise snow storms
Why I like winter...
- Christmas
- My birthday (December 19th)
- Sweatshirts and sweat pants
- Sweaters
- Hot Apple Cider
- The first snow
- Christmas carols
- Watching snow flakes fall softly to the ground
- Fires (in fireplaces)
- Sleeping in the sun shining through the window
- Cold
- Black snow
- Yellow snow
- Cold
- Coats, hats, gloves, socks, boots, shoes, etc.
- Cold
- Wet carpet from the snow
- Wet socks from the wet carpet
- Cold
- Driving in the snow
- Cold
- Post Christmas depression
- Cold
- Can't wear flip flops in the snow (well, you can, but your toes get cold!)
- Static cling in my hair
- Cold
I hate Vicky. I hate Ed. I hate Heba. I am SOOOOOO glad Brady is gone. I hate them all, but I hate Vicky the most. I don't want to watch anymore. I am so proud of Amy for thinking for herself. She had to know that if it got down to 5, she would have been the first to go. I just hope 2 blue are below next week. PLEASE!!!!!!!
I have been thinking about why I like each season, and why I don't. So for the next 4 days, you will be treated to my "Why I love" and Why I hate" lists.
It started out as one post, but when I am trying to fill 30 days up, I will stretch things out where I can.
Gotta love NaBloPoMo!
It started out as one post, but when I am trying to fill 30 days up, I will stretch things out where I can.
Gotta love NaBloPoMo!
When The Chocoholic was 2 years old, he came up to me one day and said, "Mom, I need some chocolate." Well, me being the good mother that I am, I took him to the store and bought us some chocolate. We enjoyed it together and I look back on that memory fondly.
Starting in 2005, my mom has helped feed his addiction. She gives all the other grandchildren money for their birthday's, but she gives him chocolate.
This was 2005, and this cute bucket was full of chocolate syrup, candy bars, and a giant Hershey's kiss.
Yum!
In 2006, she took clear tennis ball containers, took the wrappers off, and filled them with Whoppers, tootsie rolls, and other chocolate items. Sadly, I didn't get a picture.
2007 brought 10 Cadbury chocolate candy bars. He was in chocolate heaven!
She asked him this year if he wanted money or chocolate and he immediately responded...Chocolate! He is so excited to see what she does this time!
Starting in 2005, my mom has helped feed his addiction. She gives all the other grandchildren money for their birthday's, but she gives him chocolate.
This was 2005, and this cute bucket was full of chocolate syrup, candy bars, and a giant Hershey's kiss.
Yum!
In 2006, she took clear tennis ball containers, took the wrappers off, and filled them with Whoppers, tootsie rolls, and other chocolate items. Sadly, I didn't get a picture.
2007 brought 10 Cadbury chocolate candy bars. He was in chocolate heaven!
She asked him this year if he wanted money or chocolate and he immediately responded...Chocolate! He is so excited to see what she does this time!
So I have a wide variety of hair length preference between my children.
The Princess got her hair cut last February, and we have both decided that we liked it better when it was longer. So she is growing it out again.
The Chocoholic likes his buzzed to the skin. Next summer, we are shaving it completely bald. He is so excited!
Now that he is getting older, The Artist prefers his a little longer, and is trying new styles in order to look older. I love his hair combed down in the front.
Finally, The Teenager. What can I say? I think the pictures tell it all...
This is all within 3 months. Yes, that is brown to blonde on top, then he went all blonde, but we didn't get a picture of that, then he wanted black highlights, but they turned blue! So he shelled out $45 to go to a professional and have it dyed dark, dark brown. I hope he goes back to his natural color soon. And he wants it long...the longer the better. I told him it has to be above his ears and above his collar. Oh, I hope it make it until he goes on his mission!
The Princess got her hair cut last February, and we have both decided that we liked it better when it was longer. So she is growing it out again.
The Chocoholic likes his buzzed to the skin. Next summer, we are shaving it completely bald. He is so excited!
Now that he is getting older, The Artist prefers his a little longer, and is trying new styles in order to look older. I love his hair combed down in the front.
Finally, The Teenager. What can I say? I think the pictures tell it all...
This is all within 3 months. Yes, that is brown to blonde on top, then he went all blonde, but we didn't get a picture of that, then he wanted black highlights, but they turned blue! So he shelled out $45 to go to a professional and have it dyed dark, dark brown. I hope he goes back to his natural color soon. And he wants it long...the longer the better. I told him it has to be above his ears and above his collar. Oh, I hope it make it until he goes on his mission!
So, I finally joined Facebook. I don't know why, I just did. So if you are on there, add me as your friend! I only have 3 right now, and that makes me feel really nerdy! LOL
The Teenager was bummed again this year because we still wouldn't let him go trick or treating (12 years old is the cut off), but he discovered something even better. He sat out on the lawn and scared the kids as they went by him. He had strict instructions not to scare anyone under the age of 10, but he got the teenagers really good! He is already planning what he is going to do next year!
The Chocoholic as a girl...his idea, not mine! Oh, and the heels? They lasted to the house across the street and back to our house to put on tennis shoes! LOL
The Princess went as a married fairy. Married because of the "veil" she was wearing. It looks a lot like the one I wore for my wedding, and she has already tried that one on, so she was married. It was so cute!
I love snow. Well, I love the first snow. And yesterday was perfect. I didn't have to leave the house (I work at home on Wednesday's), so I cranked up the Christmas music and enjoyed looking outside. I worked, I did laundry, I cleaned, I put away the Halloween decorations, I made chicken noodle soup for supper, and just had a good day.
And I got to wear sweats. It doesn't get any better than that!
This is the house we lived in 5 years ago, just after a huge snow storm. I just needed to put a picture in, so here you go.
And I got to wear sweats. It doesn't get any better than that!
This is the house we lived in 5 years ago, just after a huge snow storm. I just needed to put a picture in, so here you go.
I am not going to talk about who I voted for. I don't like to talk about politics...at all.
However, I am going to talk about this wonderful country. I talked with my kids this morning about how now that the election is over, we get up and keep going. We don't have to worry about riots or revolutions or anyone trying to overthrow the government. McCain is not going to gather up his supporters and force Obama out of office.
We say, well, this is what we have to deal with for the next 4 years and we move on. If we don't like what happened, we try harder next time.
God Bless the USA. I love this country.
However, I am going to talk about this wonderful country. I talked with my kids this morning about how now that the election is over, we get up and keep going. We don't have to worry about riots or revolutions or anyone trying to overthrow the government. McCain is not going to gather up his supporters and force Obama out of office.
We say, well, this is what we have to deal with for the next 4 years and we move on. If we don't like what happened, we try harder next time.
God Bless the USA. I love this country.
Enjoy!
"The gospel of Jesus Christ is not insurance against pain. It is a source in the event of pain, and when that pain comes (and it will come, because we came here to earth to have pain among other things), when it comes, rejoice that you have the resource to deal with your pain." -Carl Broderick
I cannot see Him. Sometimes I don't even know He is there. And yet, He is right by my side, helping me, cheering for me, crying with me. He loves me. He knows the pain I have gone through, the pain I continue to go through. The neuroses, the struggles, the temptations, the hurt and anger I have been through. He knows that I still struggle, on an almost daily basis. And He is there weeping for me, and bolstering me up. He believes in me.
"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." (D&C 24:8).
I cannot see Him. Sometimes I don't even know He is there. And yet, He is right by my side, helping me, cheering for me, crying with me. He loves me. He knows the pain I have gone through, the pain I continue to go through. The neuroses, the struggles, the temptations, the hurt and anger I have been through. He knows that I still struggle, on an almost daily basis. And He is there weeping for me, and bolstering me up. He believes in me.
"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." (D&C 24:8).
3 years, 5 months, and 5 days is how long we went from having one good stable job that The Doctor was happy at, to having another stable job that he was happy at.
1254 days.
30,096 hours.
1,805,760 minutes.
108,345,600 seconds.
I thought I should go through and make a list of the jobs he had during this time.
April 27, 2005 – let go from UVSC
July 8, 2005 – drafting job for Gold Medallion Homes
August 12, 2005 – Left Gold Medallion Homes
September 22, 2005 – electronics department at Wal-Mart
October 28, 2005 – Left Wal-Mart
October 31, 2005 – telephone survey job
November 3, 2007 – left telephone survey job
November 7, 2005 – Started working for Sysco
March 8, 2007 – let go from Sysco
March 2007 – teaching at Eagle Gate College
June 2007 – left Eagle Gate
June 21, 2007 – drafting job at TechniGraphics
September 7, 2007 – lost job at TechniGraphics
September 20, 2007 – Assistant Dean of Faculty at Utah Career College
March 2008 – lost job at UCC
May 2008 – substitute teaching
June 24, 2008 – photo department at Wal-Mart
June 25, 2008 – hired at Weber School District to teach drafting
August 9, 2008 – left Wal-Mart
August 12, 2008 – started at Weber School District
October 1, 2008 – got first paycheck for teaching (finally!)
As I look back on it now, it went by so fast. But during? Not so much.
I really struggled with understanding why this was happening. He is such a good man. Why didn't anyone want to hire him? I know that we didn't get some jobs because he wasn't qualified for them. I also know that we didn't get some jobs because he was over-qualified. He didn't care, he just wanted a job that would pay enough!
I can now see how much growth both he and I went through during this time. And I know there will be more challenges in the future. I love this quote by Stephanie:
"Life is full of changes and many of them make us sad and uncomfortable. But they always make us grow. I do look forward to the growth if not the growing pains."
Thanks Stephanie. I couldn't have said it better myself.
1254 days.
30,096 hours.
1,805,760 minutes.
108,345,600 seconds.
I thought I should go through and make a list of the jobs he had during this time.
April 27, 2005 – let go from UVSC
July 8, 2005 – drafting job for Gold Medallion Homes
August 12, 2005 – Left Gold Medallion Homes
September 22, 2005 – electronics department at Wal-Mart
October 28, 2005 – Left Wal-Mart
October 31, 2005 – telephone survey job
November 3, 2007 – left telephone survey job
November 7, 2005 – Started working for Sysco
March 8, 2007 – let go from Sysco
March 2007 – teaching at Eagle Gate College
June 2007 – left Eagle Gate
June 21, 2007 – drafting job at TechniGraphics
September 7, 2007 – lost job at TechniGraphics
September 20, 2007 – Assistant Dean of Faculty at Utah Career College
March 2008 – lost job at UCC
May 2008 – substitute teaching
June 24, 2008 – photo department at Wal-Mart
June 25, 2008 – hired at Weber School District to teach drafting
August 9, 2008 – left Wal-Mart
August 12, 2008 – started at Weber School District
October 1, 2008 – got first paycheck for teaching (finally!)
As I look back on it now, it went by so fast. But during? Not so much.
I really struggled with understanding why this was happening. He is such a good man. Why didn't anyone want to hire him? I know that we didn't get some jobs because he wasn't qualified for them. I also know that we didn't get some jobs because he was over-qualified. He didn't care, he just wanted a job that would pay enough!
I can now see how much growth both he and I went through during this time. And I know there will be more challenges in the future. I love this quote by Stephanie:
"Life is full of changes and many of them make us sad and uncomfortable. But they always make us grow. I do look forward to the growth if not the growing pains."
Thanks Stephanie. I couldn't have said it better myself.
You HAVE to go read this post:
Revelations
It changed my life. It changed how I look at my children. It changed how I look at myself.
Revelations
It changed my life. It changed how I look at my children. It changed how I look at myself.
I love music.
I usually have music playing while I am working here at home, and while I am on the computer. I have put every CD we own on Windows Media Player and love the eclectic collection I have.
However, I have a pretty strict taste in the songs I like. I dislike country because they either make me cry, or they are talking about sleeping around. I am very careful about the songs I listen to so I don't hear any profanity.
That being said, I usually don't care for other people's taste in music. I never have.
So, with that all out there, please don't be angry with me for what I have to say next.
Please.
It's not personal.
Here we go.
I HATE THE MUSIC PLAYERS THAT EVERYONE HAS ON THEIR BLOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whew, that feels good to get that out.
I hate clicking on someone's blog and suddenly over my music comes their music. So I either have to quickly scroll down and find their music player and shut it off, or mute my speakers, but that means I can't hear my music either. It's very frustrating. I guess that is another reason why I like Google Reader so well.
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular, I am pointing my finger at everyone.
I know I am going to get a lot of people who say, "Sorry, it's my blog I can do what I want."
I agree you can, but that doesn't mean I am going to enjoy it, or spend very much time on your blog.
Read and move on. That's what I do.
I usually have music playing while I am working here at home, and while I am on the computer. I have put every CD we own on Windows Media Player and love the eclectic collection I have.
However, I have a pretty strict taste in the songs I like. I dislike country because they either make me cry, or they are talking about sleeping around. I am very careful about the songs I listen to so I don't hear any profanity.
That being said, I usually don't care for other people's taste in music. I never have.
So, with that all out there, please don't be angry with me for what I have to say next.
Please.
It's not personal.
Here we go.
I HATE THE MUSIC PLAYERS THAT EVERYONE HAS ON THEIR BLOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whew, that feels good to get that out.
I hate clicking on someone's blog and suddenly over my music comes their music. So I either have to quickly scroll down and find their music player and shut it off, or mute my speakers, but that means I can't hear my music either. It's very frustrating. I guess that is another reason why I like Google Reader so well.
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular, I am pointing my finger at everyone.
I know I am going to get a lot of people who say, "Sorry, it's my blog I can do what I want."
I agree you can, but that doesn't mean I am going to enjoy it, or spend very much time on your blog.
Read and move on. That's what I do.
We'll see how this post goes. As I was typing the title, I misspelled "schedule" 6 times!
I thought I would give you an idea as to my typical week.
Monday:
4:55: The Doctor's alarm goes off. I try to go to back to sleep.
5:25: My alarm goes off. Get up and shower.
5:45: Wake the boys up and say family prayer. The Doctor leaves for work.
6:00: Scripture reading for 1/2 hour. We also sing a hymn at the end. We tried singing it at the beginning, but it always wakes up The Princess, and I need that extra 25 minutes before dealing with her!
6:30: Make breakfast. Monday is pancakes.
7:00: The Teenager leaves for school. I am getting ready for work and getting The Princess ready, and "encouraging" The Artist and The Chocoholic to get ready, do their chores and get their piano practicing done.
7:45: The Artist and The Chocoholic leave for school.
8:10: I drive The Princess to her cousin's house to play while I am at work.
8:50: Arrive at work.
12:00: Leave office, go to a client's office to work there.
About 1:00: Work done, go pick up The Princess. When we get home, I put her down for a nap, and usually have to finish up some work (I get on a computer remotely and work from home).
3:30: The Teenager gets home. Does chores and piano.
3:45: The Artist and The Chocoholic get home. The Princess gets up from nap. We all have a snack.
About 5:30: The Doctor comes home from work. We eat supper, then have Family Home Evening.
7:00: The Princess goes to bed, The Artist and The Chocoholic go to their rooms for reading time.
8:00: The Artist and The Chocoholic go to bed, The Teenager goes to his room for reading time. The Doctor and I finally get some alone time.
9:00: The Teenager goes to bed.
Somewhere between 9:30 and 11:00: The Doctor and I go to bed.
Tuesday:
Breakfast is oatmeal.
The Princess doesn't have to be to preschool until 9:30, so I usually get an hour of work done before we leave.
9:10: Leave for preschool.
9:30: Drop The Princess off at preschool, go to client's office and work.
11:30: Finish work, go pick up The Princess at preschool, go home.
1:00: Lunch, then naps. I work while she is sleeping.
The rest of the day, same as yesterday, only no Family Home Evening.
Wednesday:
Breakfast is egg sandwiches.
This is the one day that I don't have to go anywhere. But I work at home, so I am on the computer by 8:00. I try to wait until The Artist and The Chocoholic are gone to school. The Princess pulls out her Polly Pockets. She LOVES Polly Pockets, especially the Princess ones (go figure!).
10:00: The cousin who played with The Princess on Monday comes to our house today while her mom gets to go play by herself.
12:00: Lunch
1:00: Quiet time with a movie while I work.
2:30: The cousin goes home.
The rest of the day is pretty much the same as yesterday.
Thursday:
Breakfast is Cream of Wheat.
8:00: Work on the computer.
9:10: Take The Princess to preschool.
9:50: Get home. Work.
11:10: Leave to pick up The Princess from school.
11:50: Get home. Lunch.
1:00: Nap time, but I get to work!
The rest of the afternoon is the same.
5:50: Take The Chocoholic and The Artist to Scouts.
6:50: Take The Teenager to Mutual, pick up The Chocoholic and The Artist.
The rest is the same.
Friday:
Breakfast is hot chocolate and toast.
The rest of the morning is the same as yesterday.
1:30: The Teenager gets home from school, parks in front of the PlayStation.
1:45: The Artist and The Chocoholic get home from school, park in front of the computer. I go up to my bedroom and take a much needed nap!
6:00: The Doctor and I try to go out tonight and catch up with each other. Sometimes it's just going grocery shopping. But we are together, and we are alone, and that is what matters!
Saturday:
The Doctor and I sleep in. The kids have strict instructions to be quiet and pretty much give The Princess whatever she wants so we don't get woken up. Now, when I say I sleep in, that means I don't get up until 7:30. It's so lovely!
Breakfast is cold cereal.
The rest of the day we just play it by ear. Nothing scheduled if we can help it. I try and have the kids do yard work on Friday so we can just play today.
Sunday:
Everyone sleeps in since there is no TV allowed. I get up around 7:00 and shower and enjoy and nice quiet morning. The Princess usually gets up around 7:30, but we have snuggles and just enjoy the peace. The Artist and The Chocoholic usually get up around 8:00, and I wake The Teenager and The Doctor up at 9:00.
Breakfast is cold cereal, unless it's Fast Sunday. Then only The Princess gets to eat!
11:00-2:00: Church, but we have to get there by 10:30 so The Teenager can prepare the sacrament.
When we get home, we have a quick light lunch, and then The Princess, The Doctor and I go nap while the others play games or read the funnies or play outside.
Sunday evening is supper and family time.
I have started to hate Sunday evening because that means I have to go to work Monday. I just keep telling myself that I could have a much worse job.
I thought I would give you an idea as to my typical week.
Monday:
4:55: The Doctor's alarm goes off. I try to go to back to sleep.
5:25: My alarm goes off. Get up and shower.
5:45: Wake the boys up and say family prayer. The Doctor leaves for work.
6:00: Scripture reading for 1/2 hour. We also sing a hymn at the end. We tried singing it at the beginning, but it always wakes up The Princess, and I need that extra 25 minutes before dealing with her!
6:30: Make breakfast. Monday is pancakes.
7:00: The Teenager leaves for school. I am getting ready for work and getting The Princess ready, and "encouraging" The Artist and The Chocoholic to get ready, do their chores and get their piano practicing done.
7:45: The Artist and The Chocoholic leave for school.
8:10: I drive The Princess to her cousin's house to play while I am at work.
8:50: Arrive at work.
12:00: Leave office, go to a client's office to work there.
About 1:00: Work done, go pick up The Princess. When we get home, I put her down for a nap, and usually have to finish up some work (I get on a computer remotely and work from home).
3:30: The Teenager gets home. Does chores and piano.
3:45: The Artist and The Chocoholic get home. The Princess gets up from nap. We all have a snack.
About 5:30: The Doctor comes home from work. We eat supper, then have Family Home Evening.
7:00: The Princess goes to bed, The Artist and The Chocoholic go to their rooms for reading time.
8:00: The Artist and The Chocoholic go to bed, The Teenager goes to his room for reading time. The Doctor and I finally get some alone time.
9:00: The Teenager goes to bed.
Somewhere between 9:30 and 11:00: The Doctor and I go to bed.
Tuesday:
Breakfast is oatmeal.
The Princess doesn't have to be to preschool until 9:30, so I usually get an hour of work done before we leave.
9:10: Leave for preschool.
9:30: Drop The Princess off at preschool, go to client's office and work.
11:30: Finish work, go pick up The Princess at preschool, go home.
1:00: Lunch, then naps. I work while she is sleeping.
The rest of the day, same as yesterday, only no Family Home Evening.
Wednesday:
Breakfast is egg sandwiches.
This is the one day that I don't have to go anywhere. But I work at home, so I am on the computer by 8:00. I try to wait until The Artist and The Chocoholic are gone to school. The Princess pulls out her Polly Pockets. She LOVES Polly Pockets, especially the Princess ones (go figure!).
10:00: The cousin who played with The Princess on Monday comes to our house today while her mom gets to go play by herself.
12:00: Lunch
1:00: Quiet time with a movie while I work.
2:30: The cousin goes home.
The rest of the day is pretty much the same as yesterday.
Thursday:
Breakfast is Cream of Wheat.
8:00: Work on the computer.
9:10: Take The Princess to preschool.
9:50: Get home. Work.
11:10: Leave to pick up The Princess from school.
11:50: Get home. Lunch.
1:00: Nap time, but I get to work!
The rest of the afternoon is the same.
5:50: Take The Chocoholic and The Artist to Scouts.
6:50: Take The Teenager to Mutual, pick up The Chocoholic and The Artist.
The rest is the same.
Friday:
Breakfast is hot chocolate and toast.
The rest of the morning is the same as yesterday.
1:30: The Teenager gets home from school, parks in front of the PlayStation.
1:45: The Artist and The Chocoholic get home from school, park in front of the computer. I go up to my bedroom and take a much needed nap!
6:00: The Doctor and I try to go out tonight and catch up with each other. Sometimes it's just going grocery shopping. But we are together, and we are alone, and that is what matters!
Saturday:
The Doctor and I sleep in. The kids have strict instructions to be quiet and pretty much give The Princess whatever she wants so we don't get woken up. Now, when I say I sleep in, that means I don't get up until 7:30. It's so lovely!
Breakfast is cold cereal.
The rest of the day we just play it by ear. Nothing scheduled if we can help it. I try and have the kids do yard work on Friday so we can just play today.
Sunday:
Everyone sleeps in since there is no TV allowed. I get up around 7:00 and shower and enjoy and nice quiet morning. The Princess usually gets up around 7:30, but we have snuggles and just enjoy the peace. The Artist and The Chocoholic usually get up around 8:00, and I wake The Teenager and The Doctor up at 9:00.
Breakfast is cold cereal, unless it's Fast Sunday. Then only The Princess gets to eat!
11:00-2:00: Church, but we have to get there by 10:30 so The Teenager can prepare the sacrament.
When we get home, we have a quick light lunch, and then The Princess, The Doctor and I go nap while the others play games or read the funnies or play outside.
Sunday evening is supper and family time.
I have started to hate Sunday evening because that means I have to go to work Monday. I just keep telling myself that I could have a much worse job.
He passed! He will now be begging to drive everywhere we go. However, he needs a little more practice in the neighborhood before he goes out on the big bad streets! LOL But he is so excited!
I leave in 15 minutes to take The Teenager to get his Learner's Permit. So if you see him driving, honk and smile and hope that I am not having a heart attack! LOL
I will be the first to admit that I don't have a testimony of visiting teaching. I don't enjoy going, and I don't particularly like them coming. I don't know why. I just don't.
But it is a calling that I have, and I have failed miserably at it.
I pledge to do better. To at least go, and then to go with a cheeful heart and attitude.
How do you feel about visiting teaching?
But it is a calling that I have, and I have failed miserably at it.
I pledge to do better. To at least go, and then to go with a cheeful heart and attitude.
How do you feel about visiting teaching?
I hadn't realized it had been a whole week since I blogged last. I have been so busy, and then my fall allergies hit and I have trying to scratch my eye out.
Not eyes, just eye.
I hate wishing it would frost, but that is the only thing now that will relieve me.
Anywho...
I found this meme and thought I would pass it along.
1. Where do you fold your laundry? I fold each batch on my family room couch right after it comes out of the dryer. That way, it's just a little at a time. The boys have to do their own socks and underwear, and the person who has bathrooms duty that week has to fold the towels. They also have to put away their own clothes, which often leads to them doing their own laundry because if they don't put they away, I won't do their laundry for 2 weeks. Which then leads to this:
2. Must you be sure the dishes are washed before you go to bed each night? I used to, but I am learning to be more relaxed. If I have to do the dishes, it's because one of the children didn't do their chores. I will help out if they had activities, but if they goofed off, the dishes will be there in the morning for them, only the food will be crusted on!
3. Do you used caller i.d. to screen your calls? Every time. I love it so I don't have to answer telemarketing calls. I get fewer and fewer of those every day.
4. Do you let the low fuel light come on in your car before you fill up? Never. I try to fill when it gets to the halfway mark. That way I don't feel like I spent quite so much on gas! Plus, the needle goes down faster once it hits halfway.
5. Are you a registered voter? Yep. But the best part is, The Doctor and I signed up for them to send us absentee ballots every election. So I don't have to even go to vote. They mail them to us a couple weeks ahead, we vote and mail them back. It's lovely!
6. Breakfast for dinner is one thing, but can you eat dinner for breakfast? Absolutely! I love eating leftovers for breakfast. Macaroni and Tomatoes, casseroles, mashed potatoes...bring it on!
7. Do you click on the ads you see on people’s blogs? Nope.
8. Do you just want to yell at smokers who are clearly standing within 50ft of the door at a restaurant? Yes! I hate that I have to walk through their pollution to get into a building. I hate smoking.
9. What did you have for breakfast today? Well, it's Tuesday, so we were supposed to have oatmeal, but when I was cooking it, I found 4-5 little dead weevil body's! Ewwww! So I dumped it and we had Wednesday for breakfast...egg sandwiches. The kids did not complain!
10. What about your life today would surprise your teenage self? That I am working. All my life, all I ever wanted to be was a mom. I just wish I could have had a few more years to be with The Princess before I had to start working, but we can't have everything.
Not eyes, just eye.
I hate wishing it would frost, but that is the only thing now that will relieve me.
Anywho...
I found this meme and thought I would pass it along.
1. Where do you fold your laundry? I fold each batch on my family room couch right after it comes out of the dryer. That way, it's just a little at a time. The boys have to do their own socks and underwear, and the person who has bathrooms duty that week has to fold the towels. They also have to put away their own clothes, which often leads to them doing their own laundry because if they don't put they away, I won't do their laundry for 2 weeks. Which then leads to this:
2. Must you be sure the dishes are washed before you go to bed each night? I used to, but I am learning to be more relaxed. If I have to do the dishes, it's because one of the children didn't do their chores. I will help out if they had activities, but if they goofed off, the dishes will be there in the morning for them, only the food will be crusted on!
3. Do you used caller i.d. to screen your calls? Every time. I love it so I don't have to answer telemarketing calls. I get fewer and fewer of those every day.
4. Do you let the low fuel light come on in your car before you fill up? Never. I try to fill when it gets to the halfway mark. That way I don't feel like I spent quite so much on gas! Plus, the needle goes down faster once it hits halfway.
5. Are you a registered voter? Yep. But the best part is, The Doctor and I signed up for them to send us absentee ballots every election. So I don't have to even go to vote. They mail them to us a couple weeks ahead, we vote and mail them back. It's lovely!
6. Breakfast for dinner is one thing, but can you eat dinner for breakfast? Absolutely! I love eating leftovers for breakfast. Macaroni and Tomatoes, casseroles, mashed potatoes...bring it on!
7. Do you click on the ads you see on people’s blogs? Nope.
8. Do you just want to yell at smokers who are clearly standing within 50ft of the door at a restaurant? Yes! I hate that I have to walk through their pollution to get into a building. I hate smoking.
9. What did you have for breakfast today? Well, it's Tuesday, so we were supposed to have oatmeal, but when I was cooking it, I found 4-5 little dead weevil body's! Ewwww! So I dumped it and we had Wednesday for breakfast...egg sandwiches. The kids did not complain!
10. What about your life today would surprise your teenage self? That I am working. All my life, all I ever wanted to be was a mom. I just wish I could have had a few more years to be with The Princess before I had to start working, but we can't have everything.
I have a lot of things I want to blog about. But I don't feel like it.
I have funny stories, cute pictures, interesting opinions, etc.
But instead I am sitting here staring at the screen.
Nothing.
Blah.
I have funny stories, cute pictures, interesting opinions, etc.
But instead I am sitting here staring at the screen.
Nothing.
Blah.
Several years ago, for my Mom, I went through and typed up all of her recipes, then printed them and put them in page protectors and a 3-ring binder. Then I did the same thing for me. I loved it.
Then my sisters wanted copies, so we made cute binders for them. I also made one for my sister-in-law.
For my birthday, my sisters promised to make me a cute binder. I can't wait!
Why is so hard to be a teenager? I remember being one and the feelings and frustrations were enormous.
And now that I am the mom of a teenager? My heart hurts to see him going through things that I can't do anything about.
I can see now why Satan's plan would have been so appealing. I want to take away all his struggles and just do it for him so he doesn't have to hurt.
Because when he hurts, I hurt.
And tonight, we are both hurting.
I thought it was hard being a teenager, but it's so much harder being the mom.
And now that I am the mom of a teenager? My heart hurts to see him going through things that I can't do anything about.
I can see now why Satan's plan would have been so appealing. I want to take away all his struggles and just do it for him so he doesn't have to hurt.
Because when he hurts, I hurt.
And tonight, we are both hurting.
I thought it was hard being a teenager, but it's so much harder being the mom.
In honor of The Doctor, who is letting me go on an overnighter with my card group (not that I really asked, but still...).
100 reasons to be a guy...
1. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
2. Movie nudity is virtually always female.
3. You know stuff about tanks.
4. A five day vacation requires only one suitcase.
5. Monday Night Football.
6. You don't have to monitor your friends lives.
7. Your bathroom lines are 80% shorter.
8. You can open all your own jars.
9. Old friends don't give you crap if you've lost or gained weight.
10. Dry cleaners and haircutter's don't rob you blind.
11. When clicking through the channel, you don't have to stall on every shot of someone crying.
12. Your rearend is never a factor in a job interview.
13. (Deleted for content!)
14. A beer gut does not make you invisible to the opposite sex.
15. Guys in hockey masks don't attack you.
16. You don't have to lug a bag of useful stuff around everywhere you go.
17. You understand why Stripes is funny.
18. You can go to the bathroom without a support group.
19. Your last name stays put.
20. You can leave a hotel bed unmade.
21. When your work is criticized, you don't have to panic that everyone secretly hates you.
22. You can kill your own food.
23. The garage is all yours.
24. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
25. You see the humor in Terms of Endearment.
26. Nobody secretly wonders if you swallow.
27. You never have to clean the toilet.
28. You can be showered and ready in 10 minutes.
29. (Deleted for content)
30. Wedding plans take care of themselves.
31. If someone forgets to invite you to something, he or she can still be your friend.
32. Your underwear is $10 for a three pack.
33. The National College Cheerleading Championship
34. None of your co‑workers have the power to make you cry.
35. You don't have to shave below your neck.
36. (Deleted for content)
37. If you’re 34 and single nobody notices.
38. You can write your name in the snow.
39. (Deleted for content)
40. Everything on your face stays its original color.
41. Chocolate is just another snack.
42. You can be president. (I thought about deleting this one!)
43. You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger seat.
44. Flowers fix everything.
45. You never have to worry about other people's feelings.
46. You get to think about sex 90% of your waking hours.
47. You can wear a white shirt to a water park.
48. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
49. You can eat a banana in a hardware store.
50. You can say anything and not worry about what people think.
51. (Deleted for content)
52. Michael Bolton doesn't live in your universe.
53. Nobody stops telling a good dirty joke when you walk into the room.
54. You can whip your shirt off on a hot day.
55. You don't have to clean your apartment if the meter reader is coming by.
56. (Deleted for content)
57. Car mechanics tell you the truth.
58. You don't give a darn if someone notices your new haircut.
59. You can watch a game in silence with you buddy for hours without even thinking "He must be mad at me."
60. The world is your urinal.
61. You never misconstrue innocuous statements to mean your lover is about to leave you.
62. You get to jump up and slap stuff.
63. Hot wax never comes near you pubic area.
64. One mood, all the time.
65. You can admire Clint Eastwood without starving yourself to look like him.
66. You never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just to skeevy.
67. You know at least 20 ways to open a beer bottle.
68. You can sit with your knees apart no matter what you are wearing.
69. Same work...more pay.
70. Gray hair and wrinkles add character.
71. You don't have to leave the room to make an emergency crotch adjustment.
72. Wedding Dress $2000. Tux rental $100.
73. You don't care if someone is talking about you behind your back.
74. (Deleted for content)
75. You don't mooch off others' desserts.
76. If you retain water, it's in a canteen.
77. The remote is yours and yours alone. (Not in my house!)
78. People never glance at your chest when you’re talking to them.
79. ESPN's sports center.
80. You can drop by to see a friend without bringing a little gift.
81. Bachelor parties kick butt over bridal showers.
82. You have a normal and healthy relationship with your mother.
83. (Deleted for content)
84. You needn't pretend you're "freshening up" to go to the bathroom.
85. If you don't call your buddy when you say you will, he won't tell your friends you've changed.
86. Someday you'll be a dirty old man.
87. (Deleted for content)
88. If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become lifelong buddies.
89. Princess Di's death was almost just another obituary.
90. The occasional well‑rendered belch is practically expected.
91. You never have to miss a sexual opportunity because you're not in the mood.
92. You think the idea of punting a small dog is funny.
93. If something mechanical didn't work, you can bash it with a hammer and throw it across the room.
94. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
95. (Deleted for content)
96. You don't have to remember everyone's birthdays and anniversaries.
97. (Deleted for content)
98. Your pals can be trusted never to trap you with: "So... notice anything different?"
99. Baywatch.
100. There is always a game on somewhere.
100 reasons to be a guy...
1. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
2. Movie nudity is virtually always female.
3. You know stuff about tanks.
4. A five day vacation requires only one suitcase.
5. Monday Night Football.
6. You don't have to monitor your friends lives.
7. Your bathroom lines are 80% shorter.
8. You can open all your own jars.
9. Old friends don't give you crap if you've lost or gained weight.
10. Dry cleaners and haircutter's don't rob you blind.
11. When clicking through the channel, you don't have to stall on every shot of someone crying.
12. Your rearend is never a factor in a job interview.
13. (Deleted for content!)
14. A beer gut does not make you invisible to the opposite sex.
15. Guys in hockey masks don't attack you.
16. You don't have to lug a bag of useful stuff around everywhere you go.
17. You understand why Stripes is funny.
18. You can go to the bathroom without a support group.
19. Your last name stays put.
20. You can leave a hotel bed unmade.
21. When your work is criticized, you don't have to panic that everyone secretly hates you.
22. You can kill your own food.
23. The garage is all yours.
24. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
25. You see the humor in Terms of Endearment.
26. Nobody secretly wonders if you swallow.
27. You never have to clean the toilet.
28. You can be showered and ready in 10 minutes.
29. (Deleted for content)
30. Wedding plans take care of themselves.
31. If someone forgets to invite you to something, he or she can still be your friend.
32. Your underwear is $10 for a three pack.
33. The National College Cheerleading Championship
34. None of your co‑workers have the power to make you cry.
35. You don't have to shave below your neck.
36. (Deleted for content)
37. If you’re 34 and single nobody notices.
38. You can write your name in the snow.
39. (Deleted for content)
40. Everything on your face stays its original color.
41. Chocolate is just another snack.
42. You can be president. (I thought about deleting this one!)
43. You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger seat.
44. Flowers fix everything.
45. You never have to worry about other people's feelings.
46. You get to think about sex 90% of your waking hours.
47. You can wear a white shirt to a water park.
48. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
49. You can eat a banana in a hardware store.
50. You can say anything and not worry about what people think.
51. (Deleted for content)
52. Michael Bolton doesn't live in your universe.
53. Nobody stops telling a good dirty joke when you walk into the room.
54. You can whip your shirt off on a hot day.
55. You don't have to clean your apartment if the meter reader is coming by.
56. (Deleted for content)
57. Car mechanics tell you the truth.
58. You don't give a darn if someone notices your new haircut.
59. You can watch a game in silence with you buddy for hours without even thinking "He must be mad at me."
60. The world is your urinal.
61. You never misconstrue innocuous statements to mean your lover is about to leave you.
62. You get to jump up and slap stuff.
63. Hot wax never comes near you pubic area.
64. One mood, all the time.
65. You can admire Clint Eastwood without starving yourself to look like him.
66. You never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just to skeevy.
67. You know at least 20 ways to open a beer bottle.
68. You can sit with your knees apart no matter what you are wearing.
69. Same work...more pay.
70. Gray hair and wrinkles add character.
71. You don't have to leave the room to make an emergency crotch adjustment.
72. Wedding Dress $2000. Tux rental $100.
73. You don't care if someone is talking about you behind your back.
74. (Deleted for content)
75. You don't mooch off others' desserts.
76. If you retain water, it's in a canteen.
77. The remote is yours and yours alone. (Not in my house!)
78. People never glance at your chest when you’re talking to them.
79. ESPN's sports center.
80. You can drop by to see a friend without bringing a little gift.
81. Bachelor parties kick butt over bridal showers.
82. You have a normal and healthy relationship with your mother.
83. (Deleted for content)
84. You needn't pretend you're "freshening up" to go to the bathroom.
85. If you don't call your buddy when you say you will, he won't tell your friends you've changed.
86. Someday you'll be a dirty old man.
87. (Deleted for content)
88. If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become lifelong buddies.
89. Princess Di's death was almost just another obituary.
90. The occasional well‑rendered belch is practically expected.
91. You never have to miss a sexual opportunity because you're not in the mood.
92. You think the idea of punting a small dog is funny.
93. If something mechanical didn't work, you can bash it with a hammer and throw it across the room.
94. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
95. (Deleted for content)
96. You don't have to remember everyone's birthdays and anniversaries.
97. (Deleted for content)
98. Your pals can be trusted never to trap you with: "So... notice anything different?"
99. Baywatch.
100. There is always a game on somewhere.
This is my sister. This is where she blogs.
Today my car broke down at the grocery store. Just wouldn't start. I had the same problem 3 weeks ago, but we jumped it, charged the battery, and it has been fine.
I called her and asked what she was doing, hoping she wasn't working. She said she was having a lazy morning at home. I asked, no, I begged, her to help me.
And you know what?
I didn't need to beg. She came right away. Just jumped in her car and came to rescue me.
Not only that, but she jumped my car, then followed me to the mechanic. Then gave me a ride back to the preschool to pick up The Princess. Then gave us a ride home.
She stayed for lunch, and then left. 5 minutes later, the mechanic called and said my car would be ready soon. It just had a bad battery.
So I called my sister back and she immediately turned around and came back and picked us up and took us back to the mechanic.
Then she was able to go home.
3 hours later.
And you know what she said?
"This is what sisters do."
My sister rocks!
P.S. My other sister wanted to come too, but had to be home to pick up her son from preschool. We missed her!
I love little kids dressing up. They have so much fun. These pictures are from December 2001. We were at my mom's house.
Doesn't The Artist make the cutest little mouse?
Doesn't The Teenager make the cutest, uh..., well, girl?
Doesn't The Chocoholic make the cutest, uh..., well, dancer?
Thank goodness I finally had a girl so these poor boys didn't feel the need to be substitutes! LOL
Doesn't The Artist make the cutest little mouse?
Doesn't The Teenager make the cutest, uh..., well, girl?
Doesn't The Chocoholic make the cutest, uh..., well, dancer?
Thank goodness I finally had a girl so these poor boys didn't feel the need to be substitutes! LOL
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