2.for.Tuesday

I think I should just change the name of my blog to 2.for.Tuesday!

As this year is coming to an end I've been mulling over what I want to accomplish this next year. I'd say that this year has been pretty much swallowed up in new baby and damage control. I'd like to be more proactive and do less aimless wandering and "where to start" wondering. I have an appointment with a psychiatrist on the 19th. I hope to determine if the ADHD diagnosis I was given a couple of years ago was just a crock or if it's a hopeful jumping off point to more sanity.

Today I want to share something that was in my inbox this morning. I think you've probably all heard of this. I've been told how great it is numerous times and never did check it out. Once I turn on the computer all bets are off. Someone needs to create a "waste-not" big sister control where each time you get on the computer you have to type in the websites you can visit before the internet will open up the world to you. I frequently get lost in the world wide web (It's been two hours now since I logged on and I'm finally back to my inbox and getting this post done... )! That would ne such a help to me. I would have to think about what I wanted to accomplish and then be done once I accomplished it. So... back to my inbox and what I wanted to share:

one: Fly Lady. That may be all I need to say, but more specifically, this.

This is actually something I put on my "32 things to do..." list that I've yet to share with you. #31: go to bed with an empty sink.

two: a party hat template to make fun hats to bring in the new year. It's from Scholastic. I think the kiddos would have fun with this. Just gather up random art stuff and let them go. If I get around to doing it I will post some photos.

Enjoy the Journey!

2.for.Tuesday

craziness!

one: 365 project. Yes. Again. One of these years I wll actually accomplish this. Does anyone want to call me daily and ask if I took a photo today? The project is not news, but I have a link to a list for you: 365 Days/365 Ideas for Photos from Creating Keepsakes. A big thank you to them!

two: A super cute button wreath ornament from the 12 Days of Christmas Memories by Jeannette Herdman. I don't have a picture to share, but I can forward the e-mail with picture and instructions if you'd like them. Just drop me a comment. Sorry! I really wanted to share a picture, but that would mean that I've made one... hmm.

Enjoy the Journey!

If this is it until Christmas have a happy one!

I never sent any Christmas cards out. Costco cropped them wrong (even after I adjusted the cropping pre-ordering) I'm bummed about them. *B* says we still need to get them sent and he's right. I've lost my fire about it. So maybe you'll get them, maybe I'll sneak them into the trash in a few months. Whatever. Here's what you'd get if I sent them:

Merry Christmas! (the overlay is a slightly altered one from Ali Edwards for Designer Digitals).

Remembering

5.9.2008 - ultrasound
5.22.2008 - found *I* chilling under the neighbors apricot tree doing "nothing."
6.21.2008 - baby born. 8 lbs 6 oz. Doctors said she looked older... I was shocked she was a girl.
6.22.2008 - The girl loves to sleep on her daddy's chest. My milk arrived in the late night.
6.23.2008 - leaving the hospital. Grandma Mick comes to stay
8.6.2008 - *I* asks *B* how much it cost to have The Girl.
                  *B*: $10,000
                  *I*: You don't even have that much money...
                         It wouldn't even fit in your tiny little wallet.
9.20.2008 - He said, "you know I love you no matter what you look like", but I don't.

1. I want to sing like this: Dream 2. I want to be injected with follow through drugs. 3. I want to be consistant.

2.for.Tuesday

Wow! I say this every week, I know, but honestly... I can't believe it's Tuesday again already! For you viewing enjoyment today I have one incredibly cute yet obnoxiously involved project and one really easy made-from-found-sticks project. Enjoy!

one: A Paper Holiday Village. Claudine Hellmuth caught my eye a couple of years ago when I first saw her collages. I think they're quirky and fun (my sister thinks they're creepy). These houses are super cute. In all honesty, I will probably never make them. I will just hold on to the link and think that someday I will.

two: This one is from Molly Irwin. I love stars and I love stick stars even more. Today you can take a walk with your kids and gather sticks to make these stars. They're fun and easy and then you can hang them on your tree. Easy peasy. F.Y.I: I have made these. It is easy... I just liked Molly's photo better. Her stars are bigger!

Hope your all having fun reveling in the Christmas spirit!

Speaking of Christmas spirit. We had an angel drop by our house last night... A phone call + a message to look out on the porch + a mini tree dressed up with money = a huge blessing for us. We've had a lot of little (well some are not so little) things taking a huge toll on our financials this year and, well... whoever did this for us... Wow!

Spread the joy in whatever way you can.

Enjoy the Journey!

Snow Is Falling All Around...

Our true first snowfall was Saturday night but the boys didn't get to see it so it doesn't count. besides, a few snowflakes isn't much to sing about. Today... well that's another story entirely. It has been snowing all day and some of it is even hanging around. It's really is begining to look a lot like Christmas.

Here are some of the photos I've taken of our 12 Days project. It's been a lot of fun and they are so excited to write in their journals. Well... *I* is. The other little man just wants to color pictures of random things that he somehow always manages to tie into Christmas. i.e. he was coloring monsters and calling them snow monsters. He wants a gingerbread man for Christmas. I'm not sure where that came from or what it's all about, but I can do that. I can definitely do that.

So, tonight we're going to hit Target and let the boys shop for each other for FHE. *B* and I could really use some good guidance to get the shopping done for Santa and we're not really sure what the boys are asking for. Letting them shop for each other is great for Santa's helpers since mostly they want to get each other what they really want themselves.

Hot chocolate on the menu again tonight. What do you think of those candy cane "straws"? I love them! They're Bob's Sweet Stripes they have them at Wal-Mart this year. Wahoo! Try them. Try them. Try them!

Enjoy the Journey!

Twelve Days of Christmas Memories

I signed up to get e-mails from Jeannette Herdman (of SIStv) for making and preserving Christmas memories. Today the boys started their Christmas journals. I bought them a few of my favorite things: new composition notebooks (the cool kind with kindergarten style lines and space on top to draw/ color pictures), a fresh box of crayons, glitter glue, and a brand new pencil. They were so excited. *I* said, "Mom, this is the greatest surprise ever!" They wanted to fill the entire book up tonight, but I had to explain to them that these are their Christmas journals. They get to write/color something in them everyday. They can only work in them with me. They can only fill them with Christmas/December type stuff. When Christmas is over they will be packed away until next year when hopefully they will think they are fun and new again and in 10+ years we can all laugh and enjoy what they have written + drawn. Today they did, "What I really want for Christmas". Tomorrow I'm hoping to start on my own. I've been tempted for the past few years to join Ali in her December Daily project but still haven't given in. Maybe this will be good enough. I'm counting on not being able to remember anything when I get older since I can't remember anything now. I need to do something to keep these times alive. I took pictures. I'll come back and post them... Enjoy the journey!

2.for.Tuesday

I've been setting aside things to share on Tuesdays and I actually did something today so I wanted to share it before the day was over! Here you go: one: Have you seen the photo overlays that Ali Edwards sells on Designer Digitals website? I love them and I've actually used them a few times (that's what I used for the thank you postcards I sent out for The Girl). Today I made our Christmas cards. I'm not sure if I want to show the project or not though. I'd rather you be surprised... hmm. Tell you what, e-mail me (or leave me an extra comment that I won't send through to post... make sure it's extra. I want to post your comments but not publicize your address). I'll send you a Christmas card if you send me your address. Then you can see the project of the day! Deal. two: It's cookie week at Martha's. I know... Martha, Martha, Martha. But, you have to admit they still comes up with some really great stuff over there. Anyway, back to the sharing. It's a quiz. What kind of cookie are you? You'll never know unless you go find out! This is me: "You are undoubtedly Molasses-Gingerbread Cookies. You're warm, spicy, and multifaceted." Ha ha! I love gingerbread cookies! So, now you know what I am. What are you? Enjoy the Journey! P.S. I just made *B* take the quiz: "You are undoubtedly Sugar Cookie. You are simple and sweet, but can be jazzed up with some extra attention." Yep, I would say that's him in a nutshell. P.S.S. He whole-heartedly agreed with the spicy part of mine.

Caution: Long Post Ahead.

The universe is conspiring against me! I can't seem to keep any of my committments or get anything done. It's maddening. Just to catch you up... We spent part of Thanksgiving with *B*s family and the other part in the hospital. The girl had been sick for a while and she just kept getting worse and worse. The day before we were to leave for the holiday she was really struggling so I called to get her into the doctor. We got an appointment for the next morning. Wednesday: Murphy's Law dictates that even the sickest of children will be fine in the doctor's office. She was all blue eyes and smiles. We went home with the okay to travel up the mountain and an antibiotic Rx just in case... even though he could find nothing wrong with her. She continued to be happy and smiling the rest of the day. I started to relax a little. That night we didn't get much sleep. I don't think she slept for more than 10 min at a time and *B* & I alternated sitting up with her. It was nothing obvious; a low grade fever, super fussy, and a really strange new cry. Thursday: More of the same fussiness. We tried to get as much sleep as possible in between the fun. She slept a lot more this day, but still having a really hard time. We tried to see if the Instacare was open but I guess they get Thanksgiving too. Friday: More of the same only much, much worse. She didn't have the energy to eat or cry or lift her arms. I can't believe I let it go that far. I have this misconception that the ER is for people who are bleeding buckets. We took her to the Instacare. They listened to her lungs, looked into her ears etc., would you believe, at first it seemed like they were going to tell me it was viral and there wasn't anything they could. Thankfully, we had a wonderful doctor that I knew from my stint at the Instacare here in town. She is very thorough and she thinks out loud. The Girl was slightly dehydrated, her oxygen saturation was a little too low. Her heart was beating too fast. The doctor checked and rechecked until she decided that she needed an x-ray to ease her mind (or mine). In the words of the good doctor, "she has a very significant pneumonia" and they needed blood work. We were sent to the hospital for labs while she contacted our family doctor at home. When The Girl's white blood count results were posted on the computer our doctor called and told them to send us home, he was going to admit her to the hospital. That isn't something you want to hear. Ever. And no baby should ever have to be poked with a needle or have an IV or get shots of stinging medicine. And they should be allowed to sleep... All said, we spent four days in the hospital and they sent us home because her IV collapsed and they thought she was doing well enough to try it from home. She had more blood work on Wednesday and mostly it's back to normal except for the CRP (C-Reactive Protein) portion. I guess it's still really high and our doctor is concerned that when she finishes the antibotic course she'll start going back down hill again. I guess we'll deal with that when it comes. More labs on Wednesday. I'll try to get back into the swing of things, but no promises. Life is running over me. We are currently trying to set up Christmas while simultaneously running damage control. I tried to do it systematically bet the boys beat me to it. I am not the only tornado in this house. Enjoy the Journey.

2.for.Tuesday

Already? Here I thought I was doing so well coming up with a plan to keep me posting regularly and then the week ran away with me. Seriously... is it really Tuesday again? I apologize.

one: For your enjoyment today I bring you flower pinwheels from the amazing and talented Heather Bailey (the photo is hers). Seriously, browse her blog a little and you'll find things that will make you ooh and aah. I promise. Way too many of her creations are in my make + do folder (sadly they're just sitting there... in my make and do folder. Maybe a good challenge for me would be that I share what I make from at least one of the 2.for.Tuesday ideas. Don't hold your breath on that though).

two: This one isn't off of the web, but I remembered that I had photos of this great Thanksgiving project that I want to do again this year with the kids so I'm going to share it with you instead of the one I had planned to use. I'll share it next week. Besides, I've just challenged myself to share things I've actually done and I can't resist a good challenge! This is something I remember doing probably every Thanksgiving at my Grandma's house. I had a very artistic and "crafty" Grandma. Actually, both of my Grandmas were very artisitc in their own ways. I learned a whole lot from both of them. Anyhow, this is something from my childhood and I'm happy to share it with you. I still love it. You will need: 1 apple for each participant + whatever else you want to use. Traditionally we used raisins + fruit loops (or cheerios) + mini marshmallows. In the photos we used mini marshmallows + raisins + candy corns for beaks + candy orange slices for feet + whoppers for heads. Use whatever you think would be cute and easy (whatever you have on hand). So, there you go. Have a super great Thanksgiving and... enjoy the journey!

2.for.Tuesday

In an attempt to be more present here I've decided to implement a couple of new things that will encourage me to post something even though I feel blah about life at the moment. So, without further adieu, I give you 2.for.Tuesday. This post will contain two things that I think are super cool that I found on the world wide web. Enjoy!

one: On my list this year is to send 13 Christmas Cards. I try to set the bar low so that I don't feel overwhelmed and then when I go above and beyond the goal I get that boost of, "Hey, I'm pretty darn cool! Good job me!" ... Anyway, let me introduce you to Cheeky Magpie and her outrageous Christmas card:

I think I'll make a few for Grandpas and Grandmas and I think I'll make one to give away. It's a give-away people! So, if you'd like to get a "special" Christmas card from me leave a comment. Now go visit Cheeky Magpie and download your free template (make sure you read the daily post too... It sounds like I wrote it myself)!

two: I love office supplies. I love back to school. I love me a clean piece of paper and a freshly sharpened pencil. With that said, I also love systems. I think them up and borrow them from others. Somewhere there is a system that will work for me even after the novelty wears off. Here's a super cute idea that could be a system or could just be super cute:

It's from Design*Sponge. You can get the instructions and a template for the letters from the link. Look around a bit while you're there. Lots of fun and some really crazy stuff (one I am saving for a rainy day to share)!

Have fun and enjoy the journey!

Sunday Stories

I've been working on the Stories in Hand class assignments today. Personal History is a good Sunday activity right? I'll try to make "Sunday Stories" a permanent feature (telling my stories is one of the things from my previous "list" that I kept for this years list...*) . The purpose of the class is to tell your stories. Today I was doing the assignment from yesterday. It was to take something from your "snorkeling" list and go deeper. I was writing about my sister who is just younger than me. I have two other sisters, but with this one... WOW, we fought. We fought a lot. We fought over clothes and books and territory. Heck, we probably fought just to fight. I'm not talking about yelling here. I'm talking cat-fight fighting. Rip your hair out scratching/ clawing/ hitting/ kicking all out fighting. People got hurt. Doors were broken. We threw things. I mostly threw well aimed shoes. She threw knives. She says she was afraid for her life. I guess I was that mean. I'm glad we made it out alive. She is now one of my best friends. So... What were your siblings like and how did you get along with them? Enjoy the Journey! *Remind me to write about the new list PS: the "snorkeling" list comes from reading through prompts that Jessica has compiled and jotting down anything from your past that comes to mind so you can later go back and "scuba dive" to get more details down.

Stories in Hand

This is from the Stories in Hand class. I hope you all signed up because the class is closed. One of the things I kept on my new list from the last is to write something every day. This time I mean it!

Enjoy the Journey!

I Know You Deserve More...

But I just had to let you know... you can enter a contest to win these super cute baby legs. HERE.

The photo is lifted from the blog of this very talented woman... I hope she doesn't mind (and I hope she'll come and be a part of the collaborative project)! Check out her blog. It's super cool. I think I should really dress this blog up more. It would certainly be more fun! So... go to it.

Did I mention

that you can win 20 pairs?

Yes. that's Twenty pairs!

San Diego

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around life right now, but I promised so you got it! I've been meaning to change my banner for a while now, so that's what I did... with photos from San Diego. Jessica Sprague (same person who is doing the class on my to-do list... and hopefully yours too. After all, it is free)... Anyway, she has a fun (and free) template download for photoshop here. Just choose your photos and "wrap" them around the gray boxes using ctrl-g. I cropped it to get my banner. That's two things off my to-do list. Good job me! Photo info (left to right): *I* with the Belugas, Mr. Stand-on-One-Leg, *A* with a starfish, *A* loves the zoo, *I* nose to nose with an orangutan, *I* trying to pet the dolphin, Grandma petting the dolphin. I realize the crop cut out too much of the starfish picture, but that's just how it is. The girl is howling and I don't have time to fix it right now. I'll add that to the list. More to come eventually... Enjoy the Journey

to-do...

Inspired by my sister I decided that I really need to do some photo uploading and photo sharing. Now is not the time. The girl is non-cooperative. I want to do it though. Don't let me forget this:

1. San Diego
2. Halloween
3. Update on The Girl
4. anything else I keep forgetting about.

Seriously... KEEP BUGGING ME!

Playing Along

Jana has a tag on her blog. Upload the fourth photo in the fourth folder of your photos. Here's mine:

It's from when I was playing along with Ali Edwards "daily something". I can't believe it's been a whole year since I sold my scrapbooking stuff. I also can't believe that I've started buying stuff again. I'm crazy.

For those of you waiting... I'll eventually get around to sharing our trip to San Diego. It was super fun and now we're trying to recuperate. Any ideas for cheap dinners?

Enjoy the journey!

The Windows Are Open

And that is a big deal. It means that the weather is finally turning! I love the crisp nights of Autumn. The smells of Autumn. The feel of Autumn. Last week we went up Cedar Mountain and the colors were beautiful and it had snowed the night before and it was lovely. I took some pictures [just went looking for my camera so I could upload said photos... it's missing. I hope *B* hid it to teach me a lesson and not the very real possibility that a child wandered off with it. that would be really sad]. I taught the nieces/nephews how to whistle with acorn tops. We scared the boys getting lost on a muddy road. I think Autumn is my favorite time of year and I honestly think that it's the only reason I love Halloween. No, I think I might just love halloween for the candy. And the dress up. Can't forget the dress up. It's been a very busy week for me. Here are a few notable occurances:

• Tuesday I went and watched Les Miserables at Tuachan with the Y.W. I loved sitting in the open night air of the canyon. If you haven't experienced Tuachan you really should try to make it... in October. It's the only time of year that it's not sweltering (I'm sure there's a time in the spring too, but I can't decide when that would be. April maybe). When I got home the girl was screaming at *B*. Wonderful *B*.
• PTA meeting yesterday. Have I used the word stupid yet? ARGH! the girl cried the whole time. again.
• Last night was supposed to be my book club but it was canceled. I went to Krumpet's instead. They were having a halloween late night sale and the cashiers were all wearing blinged out witch hats. I loved them. I love halloween. Really, I think I just love to dress up but don't feel comfortable drawing attention to myself. That makes halloween the perfect opportunity and I don't feel like an idiot in the process. I should really get over that issue. I bought a few strands of jingle bell spider garland.
• I also had a church volleyball game last night. Finally I am feeling the volleyball in my blood and it's so good! It's been such a long time.
• Tonight the boys are gone camping again and it's just me and the girl. I have a to do list for the weekend. It goes like this (in order of importance/deadline):

1. make invites for primary get-together.
2. make changes to primary sacrament meeting presentation: cut out parts [2 sets], type in words to songs for teachers copies, make up program for for the presentation.
3. baby names. three of them.
4. scan collabo stuff & do a new post/call for starters (you know you all want to play...).
5. blog class assignments [that post about autumn up there... that's an assignment!].
6. finish slippers.
7. get long sleeved onesies and applique something to match slippers.
8. CLEAN THE HOUSE! This one is in desperate need of being numero uno, but it doesn't have a deadline. I guess it could technically go in at no. 4, but well... even though cleaning makes me happy I really enjoy that other stuff too!

I think I'll put some cider on the stove to make the house smell yummy. Or maybe I'll just simmer up some chai spices and have some chai hot chocolate. mmm.... Or maybe I should just go to bed so I can tackle that to-do list seeing as how I spent my night reading Percy Jackson and playing on the computer...

enjoy the journey!

Erin, This One's for You!

You know, if you'd call me you wouldn't have to cry for new posts... And for everyone else out there: Erin was laughing at me because I just finished a week long class called "Bling Out Your Blog" by Kimberly Brimhall... I "met" a lot of fun new people, but didn't do any of the assignments. As always, there is a very good reason for that. As always! Anyhow, I will get around to it. You need to check out her blog. I love it. Also, I've opened up my blog to the public so... I will continue to be uber-paranoid about protecting the innocent and would appreciate the help of commenters in the know. Thanks!

a reminder

a reminder, originally uploaded by shimelle.

I almost forgot I was doing this! It's something I found when I was reading past posts. See how good it is to write stuff down!

Ha Ha! Twice in One Day!

You'll never beg me for a post again! Since I was on the internet (and at the moment I can get a signal) I decided to go over THE LIST to see what I needed to do in the next month + 1/2 to meet my goals. As all things with me go, it took me a while to get there... I spent a lot of time reading past posts and laughing and just being genuinely glad that I've been blogging. It is so not a waste of time... I finally made it. Here's how things are standing:

1. In some areas I am doing better at doing less (like in the cleaning area...he he) I have really made an honest effort at simplifying and would be doing less if I hadn't joined the PTA. Again, stupid.
2. Attend the temple monthly... um, no. But I did get my recommend renewed on Sunday. I had no idea it had expired... in January!
3. Not so great at studying diligently. I read with the kids every night and for those of you who think I'm a little nuts (and those of you in book club), I did find one of the scriptures about "disaparating" (Harry Potter)/"turning yourself into the wind" (The Alchemist). It's Helaman 10:16-17. I'll see if I can find the others.
4. Pray earnestly. Well, at least we pray.
5. Serve willingly. I'm serving.
6. Rejoice. Hmm... maybe I should read the Conference addresses again.
7. Ponder daily the question, "Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch our family today?”
8. Write it down . I write lots of thing down... I just can't find them again later!
9. Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today . I'm very good at this. When I don't do something I know full well it's not for tomorrow.
10. Embrace being a nurturer. Working on it.
11. Get rid of my clutter. Working on it.
12. Paint a picture. Did it.
13. Frame it. No frame.
14. Hang it in my house. Done. It's stuck in the trim of my cupboards. Maybe you've seen it?
15. Take a photograph every day. Close...
16. Display pictures of my family. I have some. Just need to get them up.
17. Re-paint the upstairs bathroom. Next weekend?
18. exercise regularly. YES!
19. Take the boys to Sea World. Going next month.
20. Go to a Farmer’s Market. Done. I was a little disappionted... maybe someplace other than here would be better.
21. Make a collage/scrapbook page per week yeah, so I don't scrapbook right now... instead I'm going to donate 12" to Locks of Love.
22. Weekly Yoga class. I went back to yoga last night after a long break.
23. Perfect a whole wheat pancake recipe. We had them this morning. They are so good that you don't have to put anything on them.
24. Make my own Pesto. Done.
25. Put up all of my Christmas trees before Dec. 1 ...enjoyed the fact that I got a tree up at all.
26. Get our year supply caught up. We have really been working on that. I'll have to see where we're at and what we need to do to finish it.
27. Make out at the lake. Make out period... I seem to lack the focus for that since the naughtiness was taken out of the equation.
28. Chalk paint on the sidewalk with the boys. It's starting to be cool enough to do this.
29. Write down the stories of my life. That is what I am doing here.
30. Lose 31 lbs. keep... baby weight under 31 lbs. ... I guess I succeeded at this. I've got that much to lose again after losing nearly 30 with BFL. Now I get to start where I started before. I can do it though.
31. Enjoy the journey. Yes, definitely yes.

And now I will get off the computer and pay some attention to the girl who has morphed her cute baby nasal cry into a high pitched scream this week. It really irritates me.

I Want to Meet Amy.

Last fall I introduced Amy Krouse Rosenthal to my friends. I shared one of my all time favorite books "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" with my book club. I also shared a really great quote with you from this article: Heck, Yeah, I want a Medal. Now I want to share this video... "17 things I made" and this one... as she made the 18th. I think it's kind of fun and I think I still really want to meet Amy. Enjoy the Journey

And Photos to Go With It...

I thought you deserved the photos I wanted to share but couldn't supply because my internet service provider was down (aka: my neighbor!... for the record, they did say it was okay).

1. Yes, she's growing like a weed. We try to get our tummy time in but she usually throws up all over and then that's the end of that. I hoped to get a smile out of her, but it didn't happen this time.
2. The first grader with his best friends. I'm sure glad he has good friends.
3. no photo... because I'm anti.
4. don't they look yummy? I am quite proud of us and VERY grateful for the help we received from *B*s parents.
5. art journaling is a new love. I don't feel the pressure. when I find something I think would be fun I drop it into a bag of stuff I'm collecting to use and when I get an idea for a start I grab stuff out and throw it together. this one is a collection of Dove Promises. and yes, I really did eat the whole box.
6. babynames. I didn't even start. I will post a picture though... someday.
7. paid to take pictures. amazing. I might seriously consider it. this one is of melissa & her mom & her sister (who is tan from spending summer school at BYU Hawii). they're super cute and I don't think they'll mind being on my blog.

so, that's it.

enjoy the journey

If I have to...

I don't even know where to begin to tell about life these days... I've checked out (with the exception of a few random bursts).

1. the girl is growing like a weed. Two weeks ago she weighed in at 15 lbs. and was 24 inches. She is definitely ours. So far she still has beautiful bright blue eyes and her daddy is really hopeful that she'll keep them. Brother #1 had the same eyes but they've mellowed to a greyish blue now. Her hair is looking auburn/red at the moment. If I had to guess I would say she has a lot of my early days look about her. I have pictures of my 1st b-day and my hair is reddish. Maybe she'll follow my lead and start with red, move on to blonde, then to dirty blond, then to auburn/dark blonde. Then again, maybe she'll have dark dark hair like her daddy and bright baby blues like her momma. Isn't that what we all dream of? Unless of course you've got it!
2. School started. We've got a 1st grader this year. He likes riding his bike to school. He especially likes being in charge of himself. Don't tell anyone, but on the days I work I set the timer and tell him that if his friends haven't come by the time the beeper goes off he needs to hustle to school alone. He loves being his own boss for 2o min. He got 100% on his first spelling test.
3. I am kicking myself daily for being the PTA treasurer. Maybe it is an easy job eventually, but truthfully, nothing is really easy when it requires large chunks of time and you've got a nursing baby/small family. Stupid.
4. The cannery was giving away peaches (literally), so we got a bunch and made jam. 54 pints of it. I'm seriously considering taking some and trying to sell it at the farmers market tomorrow. They we're also selling really beautiful looking ones for $0.35 lb. We couldn't pass that up either so we bought 100lbs or so and canned 70 qts. so at least we have peaches in our food storage!
5. I've been taking a couple of art journaling classes on line and have really enjoyed them. I've done a few things...
6. I decided that I'm going to get my "best of" book for 2007 put together. Then I'll really have permission to play.
7. After I get two baby names done. I keep forgetting about them. I promise I'll do it. Maybe I'll do that now (when I'm finished giving this update).
8. I got paid to take pictures and was totally freaked out about it but suprisingly I enjoyed it and even more suprisingly they loved the pictures. I was so glad!
9. It's just me and the girl again this weekend. I have a huge to-do list and, as you can guess, I'm not getting any of it done.
10. Why is that not surprising?

There you have it. My top ten update!

Enjoy the journey!

example of a typical day:

• 8:30 a.m. - omlette + 1/2 large grapefruit + 2 c water
• 10:00 a.m. - apple + cheese + 2 c water
• 12:30 p.m. - tuna salad + 2 wasa crackers + 2 c water
• 3:00 p.m. - protein shake + 2 c water
• 5:30 p.m. - pita pizzas + salad + 2 c water
• 7:30 p.m. - 1/2 c cottage cheese + fresh peach + 2 c water

Recipes:

Omlette [238 calories] -

1. saute 1/2 c chopped mushrooms in 1/2 tsp olive oil + salt to taste
2. toss in 1 c spinach [just to wilt] when mushrooms are done. Set aside.
3. beat 2 eggs with 1 tbsp water + salt to taste. Make your omlette. I like to stuff the finished egg with the vegetables as opposed to adding them to the wet egg.
4. If you want to add parmesan cheese do it after you flip your egg so it can get melty. I like the shredded parmesan/romano/asiago blend kraft makes. It's in the refridgerated section.

Calories:

1. 1/2 c mushroom pieces: 8
2. 1/2 tsp olive oil: 20
3. 1 c spinach: 7
4. 2 whole large eggs: 148
5. 2 Tbsp cheese: 55
6. 1/2 large grapefruit: 27

Total calories for meal = 265

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

Snack total = 185

Cheese: Tilla-moo's medium cheddar: 90

Medium apple: 95

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

Tuna Salad [236 calories]:

1. 1/3 c each - (chopped) cucumber, tomato, avocado
2. 1 clove minced garlic
3. 1 Tbsp capers [chop if you like]
4. 1/2 lime juiced [2 Tbsp]
5. chop 1 c spinach
6. 1 can water-packed tuna
7. mix mix mix + enjoy

Calories:

1. 1/3 c cucumber: 8
2. 1/3 c tomato: 11
3. 1/3 c avocado: 79
4. 1 clove garlic: 4
5. 1 Tbsp capers: 2
6. 1/2 lime juiced: 5
7. 1 c spinach: 7
8. 1 can tuna: 120
9. 2 wasa crackers [multi-grain]: 90

Total calories for meal = 326

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

Snack total: 180

EAS Myoplex Lite - chocolate cream flavor

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

Pita Pizza [271]:

1. 4" whole-wheat pita sliced in half to give you two rounds
2. 3 oz grilled chicken strips - chopped + sprinkled on rounds
3. 1 c cherry tomatoes - sliced + added to rounds
4. sprinkle on 1/4 tsp basil + 1/4 tsp chives + salt to taste [ground together in your hands]
5. 1 string cheese - grated on top
6. toast in oven @ 400 until cheese is brown + bubbly

Simple salad:

1. toss 1 c spinach with 1/3 c each - (chopped) cucumber, tomato
2. top with 1 Tbsp capers + juice from 1/2 lime
3. salt to taste

Calories:

1. 4" whole-wheat pita: 74
2. 3 oz Tyson's grilled chicken strips: 100
3. 1 c cherry tomatoes: 27
4. part-skim mozzarella string cheese: 70
5. 1 c spinach: 7
6. 1/3 c chopped cucumber: 8
7. 1/3 c chopped tomato: 11
8. 1 Tbsp capers: 2
9. 1/2 lime juiced: 5

Total Calories for meal: 304

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

Snack total: 140

1/2 c low fat cottage cheese [2%]: 102

1 med peach: 38

DAILY TOTAL: 1400 calories

Numbers

numbers, originally uploaded by recovering lazyholic.

I am taking a couple of on-line art journaling classes and one of the assignments is to use a page from a book. Any book. I was looking around on flicker and isn't this the cutest page from an old book? I love it! I had to have a copy!

Enjoy the Journey!

I Have a New Goal

I will lose 40 lbs. I will! The only bummer about getting pregnant with the girl was that I had just lost 30 lbs. Well... now that number has grown and I've got my work cut out for me. I would wait a while still. I know it's early in the game. I just can't do it. I keep eating and eating... etc. I don't like myself right now. I feel gross and, to be perfectly honest, I look gross. I am getting fatter and that isn't supposed to happen after delivery. Especially when breast feeding. I'm not quite sure what exactly I will be doing, but to start with *B* and I have committed to not eat out for an entire month. I keep telling myself that I will stop eating added sugar, but my power to do that hasn't shown up yet so I'm going to have to say... I will go to bed before 9:30 p.m. and see how that goes. And I will go to the gym. I will. So, that's it. I will do this. And, I will spare you the before photo this time. You can thank me later. Enjoy the Journey.

Call Me Crazy...

I'm creatively brilliant at four a.m. and I have decided to actually do one of the brilliantly outrageous ideas I had. Check out the new "what I'm up to" link you can't miss it... it's the huge COME PLAY! bubble. That's what I've been up to. I'm trying to get it going. Today I'm sending out the first package to a woman in Australia. That will be fun! Enjoy the Journey!

This Girl

Wow, two days in a row! Feeling a little antsy and creative energy. It's been a long time and I'm having a hard time letting it back into my life. It tends to run my life... feast or famine. Binge and purge. etc. Oh well, I'll just ride the wave and try to keep myself in check. Besides staying up at 6:00 a.m. and trying to get a little chaos out of the way, this is what I've been up to today (this is still one of my favorite photos of her thus far...

The journaling is prompted by Shimelle's February 01, 2008 Write it Down. It reads: "This girl I thought was Ezra, but she's Emma. This girl is growing way too fast, but I'm excited to see what she becomes. This girl's daddy has a new sweetheart, but I'm okay with that. This girl has two big brothers that love her, but sometimes they love too much. This girl cries all day, but sleeps really great at night. This girl has stolen my heart, but that's a good thing." And one more thing: this girl slept for a six hour stretch last night. Wahoo!

I went out to eat with Jana (she's moving to Omaha on Saturday). I just wouldn't let her leave without eating at 25 Main and of course having a cupcake. Peanutbutter Cup is rivaling Orange Blossom as my current favorite (I shouldn't be eating cupcakes at all. Just yesterday I proclaimed that I would stop eating added sugar...).

I asked *B* if he was ever going to go there with me and he said probably not. I guess that's just going to be a place for me and the girls. His loss! Enjoying the journey

Checking In...

Hello there! Yes, we're still alive. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I had a root canal a week ago and my mouth just felt wrong. I went to the dentist again yesterday and he drilled off quite a bit of my tooth and now I feel much better (although it's possible that way too much of my tooth is missing. at least it doesn't hurt!). After we got back into town I talked*B* into going to Lowe's to look for a paint color to paint this dresser/hutch thing we got for the girl's clothes. She started howling and just wouldn't stop. I haven't really been in the car with her that it didn't calm her down. I had a flashback of when *I* was a baby and I would go eat with *B* at work (he was working swing then). I went just to get out of the house and give someone else a chance to hold the little man. He would scream at me all afternoon. The girl is the same way. We had to leave the store. On the way home *B* was gripping the steering wheel and I could tell he was totally agitated. We couldn't get home fast enough. Exactly what it was like with *I*. Does this mean she'll be a punishment for my childhood too? I don't think it's fair if I get punished for all of my brothers and sisters! Paybacks stink. Enjoy the Journey! P.S. Remember the list? I'll be checking in on that sometime soon. I've been doing a few things.

Wow.

Please notice my new quote. Also, this is my mantra for the day... "My boys are imaginative, playful, and creative children and I love them." I was reading about colic in a book I have and they said not to put a child under 6 weeks old in a swing but gave no explaination. Any thoughts as to why that would be? Lastly, I realize it's been a long while and you all want pictures. Here you go:

Trying...

Twenty-Five

It's just me and the girl today. Grandma had to go home to get some stuff done so she took the brothers with her. Daddy is gone to work. We've got a few projects to do...

1. Today is the 25th. It's picture day. I think I'll document the girl mostly.
2. I'm still working on getting "Eliza" finished. Today I will be painting.
3. I picked up The Holy Secret by James Farrell (The Peacegiver)... maybe I'll do a little reading.
4. I'll be doing a little online shopping... trying to find a blessing dress I can accept.
5. I will take naps. So will the girl.

I actually did the 25 thing last month. Here's what I did with it...

Enjoy the Journey!

Happy Tuesday!

We are home. We came home yesterday. We had really great nurses at the hospital this time, but it's still the hospital and it's good to be home. My mom is here helping and I actually got some sleep last night. It was wonderful! I really needed it. I was feeling swollen and bloated and just not good. I feel like a whole new person this morning.

Emma is a little piggy. I think I "fed" her for two days straight so when my milk came in Sunday night it came in full force. I am still trying to get rid of the engorgement and get the whole system regulated. Funny thing, now when she eats she falls asleep. I think she's exhausted from not sleeping those two days. She is just like the boys in that way... eating trumps everything else.

The boys love her. They just want to look at her. *A* is having a hard time staying away from my belly. He gets his feelings hurt every once in a while because he doesn't mean to hurt me.

So, as promised, here are some pictures. I am making a conscious effort to take a picture of her every day... possibly my new 365 project... but not making any promises on that front. Here are the first three days of her life:

What I know:

She has quite a bit of hair in the back. It looks strawberry blonde or light auburn. She came out crying big crocodile tears. In the hospital the only place she would sleep was on her daddy's chest. I love the little shirts they put on them at the hospital. I wanted to bring it home. Her middle name is Louise... after my Grandma Mick. She has huge long hands (fingers) and feet. Piano? Basketall? Volleyball? ... All of the above? I think she will be a thumb sucker and I'm okay with that. I think she's pretty special... for a girl!

Enjoy the Journey

Welcome Little...

Sister! Yes, apparently just because I am convinced it's a boy doesn't make it so. Go figure. Born at 7:21 a.m. she weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz and 19 1/2" long. She doesn't have a ton of hair, but there is hair and it looks like it's strawberry blonde or something similar. One of the nurses said she looks exactly like *A*... maybe we have another little imp.

[I have a picture but it won't upload right now... I'll try to get it up here asap]

Enjoy the Journey!

We're Having A Baby...

Tomorrow. Yes, that's right, tomorrow. I've decided to spare myself the possibly 2+ weeks of "what if's" and go ahead with the c-section even though the baby has turned. If my cervix was doing anything promising I would probably go the other direction. However, sparing all the details, circumstances and history being what they are... Why torture myself? I love that we'll have a baby by 7:30 a.m tomorrow!

Here are a couple of things I found today that I'm thinking about:

This is a shot from an album Ali did. I was wondering if I could make a collage type page like the one on the left and print it 5x7 or 4x6 or even just have it be in "the book". I like the interactive hand journaling. I also like the full page photo with just a lable on the right. I'm still working on trying to figure out what to do to document the boy's lives (and ours too of course!)

Leave it to elsie to come up with a really great to-do list. I love time wasters that are fulfilling too! Sometimes I think, "just stop thinking about it and do it." But then I remember that thinking about it is 90% of the fun!

I'll get you an update on the baby either when we get home or, if possible, in the hospital. Maybe we can pick up a wireless signal there. We'll have to see.

Enjoy the Journey!

Two Things...

I have been getting the biggest kick out of Little Man #2 lately. He does the funniest things. I need to get them down so I don't forget and they get lost in the wash. First off, we have finished with t-ball (which is an incredible waste of time and was really only enjoyable to *I* because of the treats and the trophy... he said the games were boring and he was so very right). After the last game we went out to celebrate at Ernesto's. As we were enjoying our chips and the best salsa in the world *A* reaches across the table and picks up the pepper. He very carefully placed a chip on his napkin and proceeded to shake a single speck of pepper onto the chip. Then he tasted it, shrugged his shoulders, and picked up another chip. This chip received quite a bit more pepper. He ate it. Next chip... buried in pepper. Before he could eat it *I* informed him that pepper is hot. He picked up the chip, patted the back side to spill off some of the pepper and then ate it. I enjoyed observing this totally random behavior and I wished I had my camera. The second happened yesterday. *I* was playing a soccer-type catch game with a little boy at the rec center. *A* was keeping score. It went something like this: "Four-finity! Eight-finity! Zero-finity! Microwave-finity! Garbage-finity! etc. " Nice counting big man! Enjoy the Journey! Oh yes, one more thing. FYI: we are currently facing at the possibility of another c-section. Is there something anatomically wrong with my body that my children feel the need to keep their heads in my ribs? Are they like their daddy and get sick so they have to be head up? Or are they just so stinking huge that it's more comfortable to lay across this way than be squashed up the other? I can't imagine that having their head bonking into my ribs is any more comfortable for them than it is for me...

New Quote and Randomness

Yes, and it's about time. I was reading Ali's newest newsletter and I loved this quote she used. "I will not die an unlived life." Similar to my no regrets attitude I had in college when I went on a three day hike with people I didn't know at all. Or when I climbed the climbing wall set up in the middle of campus just to prove I could because it scared me to death by humiliation. Or when I told this guy I liked him just so he would know because I'm not good at sharing myself... plenty of other examples. None of them earth shattering. Mostly just small, everyday stuff that isn't a big deal at all but seemed huge at the time. What happened to that? Until last week I had this sticky-note stuck to the window of my cupboards that said "nurture happiness". It was no regrets evolved. Regrets now involve my guys. I want them to grow up happy. To try new things. To explore life and everything it has to offer. I try to do this, really I do, but I'm not great at it. Right now I'm stuck in the "if only's". If only he would clean up all of the paper scraps he leaves lying around when he cuts out the entire ocean of sea creatures. If only he would ask instead of sneaking into my stuff like a little thief. It makes me want to scream. Sometimes I do. Then I feel bad and think I'm the worst mom in the world. I threw that sticky-note away because it kept falling on the floor. It had been there for a year at least. I think I need to make another one and keep trying. Get rid of the "if only's" and nurture happiness. Mine and theirs. Enjoy the Journey!

Baby Pictures

Erin took me out tonight and took some pictures of the baby. I've been playing with photoshop a little. Do you think I messed with them too much? I'm also wondering... should I re-do them with darker pants. If that's an option, of course.

I saw photos similar to these that Elsie had done on her blog a while back so I tagged them with the intent to duplicate them when the time came. Really, I love the fence.

Enjoy the Journey!

The Winner?

I still didn't love any of those ones. I had to play with it more. I love b/w photos and think I tend to use them way too much so I wanted to stay with the color but I also didn't love the color block. This is what I came up with (Erin gave me a good photoshop tip to get the photo lighter): I had also planned to put this as a two page spread in a 11 x 8.5 mypublisher book, but now I'm thinking that I will do the paper back option and it's measures 7.75 x 5.75... it's lots cheaper and I will be able to give it to the little guys and not have to worry if they trash the thing. I can always get a new one and it won't break the bank to do it.

One more thing... I thought that you could click on the page to see it larger and be able to read the journaling, but I've since realized that isn't true. So, here it is (sorry about the bullets. Somehow I've gotten into double spacing if I hit enter so I had to use the bullets to keep it all together):

• made a coloring book
• designed and built
• very cool paper airplane
• created a menu of
• things you can cook
• and opened the
• “yummy:food:restaurant”
• wrestled with Ammon
• bent the paper airplane
• came unglued and
• destroyed paper airplane
• proceeded to recreate
• said paper airplane
• played in the sink until chased
• from the bathroom
• played outside
• played t-ball

It was a very eventful day and he was totally cracking me up the whole time. Please note the way "yummy:food:restaurant" is written. He has trouble remembering to leave space between his words and has started to put the colon's there instead. I think it is very cute.

Enjoy the Journey!

What I Did This Summer

I'm thinking about doing a book about summer for *I* and probably one for *A* too. Here is a sample page:

I'm not sure how much I love the orange. I think I do like the layout though and that's a huge step for me. I'm also not sure if I'll leave the picture in color or change it to b/w:

and here's a full-bleed option:

Anyway, this was basically our day. I may have to add some stuff to the list (since the day isn't quite over) but I wanted to give it a go. What is your vote? Enjoy the Journey

The Greatest...

Husband in the world! We have been blessed with a hand me down van that has had a little shimmy/shake problem since before we got it. *B*'s brother-in-law tried everything he could to fix it and we have since tried a few things but to no avail. Two weekends ago the guys took the van up the mountain to the fathers and sons campout... we have had a very scary shake since then. To the point that we've been racking our brains trying to figure out how we could afford a car payment or afford to drive the Big Gas Hog (the Blazer). In desperation *B* put the car up on jacks and took the wheels off. I "drove" while he watched... he came up with a theory and tonight his theory proved to be true. Thus, our van is fixed (with the exception of needing a new radiator)! He is the hero of the hour. Which is true most days in my opinion, but honestly, I've never been more grateful that he isn't afraid to take things apart and have a go at it. In that same spirit, *I* dropped our cell phone and killed the screen so we couldn't see who we wanted to call, etc. I guess he was feeling pretty confident, because *B* took the phone apart and fixed it too. He rocks! On a different note...

The photo is from Shimelle's blog she has a photo fact sheet, emphasis on awareness that you can check out if you want to be more aware behind the lens (it's on her May 23rd post). I'm definitely going to try to document my day. We'll see how it goes.

Enjoy the Journey!

Testing...

So, I've been doing a little playing while *B* is at class. I'm trying to decide how to get the results I'm looking for in my saving/storing of information that I think is fun in one way or another. This is what I did tonight. This is a test. This is only a test. What do you think?

Notice that I used the Shimelle prompt from a couple of posts ago. 9+1 (nine things you love + one you hate). I also just used a picture I already had while keeping in mind that I would have to list nine things I loved about the subject. Anyway... let me know!

Enjoy the Journey!

What's Up?

I realize it's been a while. I've been wandering. I went to PTA convention... it was boring, but the company was fun and the key-note speaker was a riot. Shannon Hale (author of Goose Girl and a few other books on my list). Definately a highlight of the trip. Glad to be home, having a hard time getting back into the swing. *B* had my house torn apart when I got here. He had good intentions, but... well, my house is torn apart. Sadly, all of the things that need homes are mine and it's stuff I'm not ready to deal with right now. Put it back in the storage room! There is no longer a storage room. It has become the food storage room. The once was craft room is now the baby room and I have no place to hide my junk. It's really very sad. Something good of it all... I found the notebooks I made for the boys and can start transcribing all of the scraps of paper I have around with funny things they say and do. I've actually gotten started on that. Last night I copied all of the, "took first step" type notes from the five calendars that have been on my book shelf and I tossed the calendars. Just need to keep going. Someday I will also do something bigger and better. I will make a book for them to look at and enjoy. I will. I found this for those of you that want to join in the twenty-five project. That's this Sunday you know. If you need a little more direction/focus you could choose a color and just shoot things of that color. Hula-Seventy did it for a week. You could just choose your favorite. Here are some examples from her Pink/Red Thursday:

If you'd like to! If you do it make sure you document what it is and why it's important. You know, it's the story too! Let me know so I can be proud of you!

Enjoy the Journey!

Here's an Idea...

In my 20 min. surfing (that has "suprisingly"/consistently gone longer than originally planned) I found this idea... "Starting this Friday, the 25th of April, our masterplan is to photograph the day in full, then document that day in a scrapbook. And the same on the 25th of May, the 25th of June and so on…for an entire year. By then, we will have captured an entire year of life as we live it, with the changes, celebrations and obstacles that come our way. I would love for you to join us." Shimelle has designated the 25th of every month to scrap your day. Yes, I realize that I am no longer a scrapbooker, but am still having issues about getting my stories told in a way that is fun and non-obsessive and non-stressful and non-mess creating. I've still not found it. Blogging helps, but I like to look at and touch things. HMM. Anyways, I thought this might be fun to try. If you want to try it with me... Do you love that I keep changing my mind? The 365 project, though a very cool idea, isn't happening. I've not been able to find myself blogging and telling the stories I'd really like to keep. I have problems with follow-through... have you noticed? The link above will take you to Shimelle's Scrap Your Day introductory page. She gives a lot more details about it and some instructions you can choose to follow (or not) as well as a supplies list if you want to do what they are doing (it has something to do with a 15x7 spiral bound calendar by Making Memories). They started April 25th, but I don't think that really matters! So, the BIG QUESTION: Can I committ to carrying my camera all day on the 25th and write about it? Well, we'll just see. I think it might be fun. Come and play with me! Enjoy the Journey! PS: Shimelle has my number today I guess, I've added a link (under Check It Out) to a series she did in February called "Write it down". They are just journaling prompts (one for every day in Feb.)to tell stories and get you thinking about things past and present. It would only link up the main page so you'll have to scroll down to her 1/31/08 post to get to the begining of the exercise. It must be idea day.

Yes, It's Wednesday

But I can't find my journal right now. *B* helped me clean the house this last weekend (as he usually does). So... I love *B*! Today I was elected PTA treasurer. I actually chose the job early as one that would be acceptable in lieu of getting stuck with something that would cause me a lot of greif and stress. I hope it works out okay. They are having Utah PTA convention next month and Shannon Hale (author of my newest favorite books: Goose Girl, Enna Burning, River Secrets, Book of a Thousand Days, and Princess Academy) is a keynote speaker. I told Melissa (elected Secretary... with some prodding) and Kim (newsletter & Hospitality) that we need to have a girls break and go hear Shannon Hale. Who cares about PTA Convention? Anyway, I'm thinking that I'll see what this PTA thing is all about and maybe suggest we conserve our resources and switch to a PTO next year. I'm gathering my ammo! I also signed up to decorate a teachers/administrators door for Teacher Appreciation Week. I have no idea what they usually do and asI was checking out some of my favorite blogs before going in search of ideas I was inspired by this: It's from Elsie's blog. What do you think? Wouldn't that be a cool door if it said, "you rock!" or "We love you!" or something similar? I think it's very simple and cute and I would write on one of the stickies, "just a note:" I love the simpleness of it. I think it's the winner! Whew, that was just too easy! Lastly, I've been returned to the Primary Secretary world. The current secretary and I have traded jobs. I am so glad! Enjoy the Journey!

Yes, It's Me...

My sister, Erin, has a MacBook and you can do all kinds of crazy things with the built in camera. It's called photobooth. On a girls weekend we were getting the biggest kick out of the different pictures we got. If you're ever around a MacBook you've got to try it! Last night I nearly killed myself and my unborn child. We were having a neighborhood barbeque at my friend Melissa's house. *B* and I were in charge of cobbler and ice cream. When the cobbler was done I went to get the ice cream out of her extra freezer in the laundry room... as I was talking to someone. I totally wasn't thinking and I opened the door and walked right into her cellar. The stairs are very steep and there is no introduction. I walked right into nothingness and I fell. I still had the door knob in my hand and the when my full weight hit the door it swung me over to the wall where I hit hard enough to scrape up my arm and bruise my leg. My feet were still at the top. Heavenly Father totally blessed me, because in retrospection I have no idea how I kept ahold of the door knob (and for that matter, how the door & knob of that 100+ year old house held up my 200+ lbs). I couldn't stop shaking for an hour. Blessings. Lastly, I am looking for fun fabric to reupholster two chairs in my front room and possibly the dining room chairs. Should be fun (if I can committ)! Enjoy the Journey

Any Guesses?

I think this is the funniest picture I've ever seen... do you know who it is? I seriously can't stop laughing!

Enjoy the Journey!

Love Story Wednesday

This story is set on Dec. 15, 2000. It had been a really eventful day. *B*'s mom wanted to meet me so we went to Cedar and she taught us how to make cinnamon & orange rolls (I have no idea how to do that now, so don't ask). That night we went to my work Christmas party but showed up at the wrong house. Funny thing is, the people at this party didn't catch on any faster than we did. I just kept looking around for someone I knew... After making it to the right party we went to a movie and after that we spent some time chatting on the couch at my apartment. This is the question I got... "What am I going to do with you (like I'm some naughty little child and he's absolutely at a loss as to how to handle me)?" He got a question right back. "What do you want to do with me?" And then he got a, "Talk to me Bruce" (I always used to say that to him, and still do on occasion. I think it's funny. When I say it I try to imitate Tom Cruise in Top Gun when he is freaking out and rubbing his dog tags saying "talk to me Goose". I don't think that *B* realizes it, but one day he will and then he really will think I'm crazy. Maybe that's why I think it's so funny). Anyway, the poor guy was so confused... he just liked me too much. Me, the heartless (manipulative) wench that I am... This is what he got: "Do you think it's possible that you only like me because you're tired of being alone and I'm here?" He got a lot of how I was feeling told to him in a way that made it sound like he was feeling it. I told him to quit trying to talk himself into liking me. This is how I ended the day, "I think he's confusing himself unnecessarily. I wish he'd stop."

This is Too Cool.

I've been doing 20 min. surfing sessions. Trying to keep myself from getting lost... look at how cool this is. I think I will get some one of these days. Wouldn't they make a cool mini-album type thing? And you wouldn't even have to do much... They're called moo MiniCards. There are 100 cards (approx. buisness card sized) in a box and each card can have a different photo and you can write something different on the back of each one. I think they're awesome! Maybe I should be better at taking my 365 photos. I'm not doing it self portrait any more. Nice that I just want the stinking cards! Enjoy the Journey!

Love Story Wednesday

As you are well aware at this point, I was beyond irrational in this relationship. I was getting lectured regularly by a roommate... She said I was acting just like my brother (who played with her heart... and broke it). I thought I was being really blunt and straight forward. I just didn't feel any chemistry. So then I got lectured that if I wouldn't even look at him as an option, why would I feel chemistry. And for that matter... how do you know if he gives you butterflies if you never kiss him? I obviously didn't go for that one because it took six months for me to let him kiss me. And this is how it was... I knew he wanted to kiss me (and "date" me for that matter). I knew I didn't want to ruin our friendship. You know, this relationship wasn't going anywhere. I was informed that it was time. I had to let him kiss me to see what happened. And that's exactly what I did. I let him kiss me. Does it surprise you if I say that I felt NOTHING. It didn't surprise me at all. What did surprise me is that it made me really mad. I was starting to like him. Why didn't I feel anything? I should have felt something. So, now we were officially "dating" (I'm goofy... if you don't kiss and hold hands you're just having fun... hanging out) and of course we kissed more and things started to get more complicated. A few weeks after our first kiss *B* told me he was ready to make a bigger committment and that I needed to figure out what it was that I wanted. This is what I wrote in my journal... "OOPS!" Enjoy the Journey!

Twins?

So, my dear, sweet, say-whatever-comes-into-your-mind neighbor Lill asked me... "are you sure you're not having twins?" Yep, we're positive. There is only one baby in there. "Are you sure?" Yes! "I just don't know how you're going to last until July." Wow. What can I say to that? *B* had a great response approx. 6 hours later... "Oh, come on now Lill... I'm not any bigger than you are." I know, it's not very nice, but it sure cracked me up! Have I ever told you how much I love grilled cheese & tomato sandwiches? It's been a while. I LOVE THEM! I didn't think of it until it was gone, but I should have taken a picture. I seriously love them. *I* is stuck in his room for 3 hours today. He climbed into the cupboard to help himself to things that aren't his again. Nothing major, but *B* figured we should nip it in the bud now. He's right. Poor little buddy. Yesterday he was riding his "scooter" that the neighbor boy showed him how to convert into a skateboard. I had asked him not to ride it standing up until we got him a helmet/wrist guards etc. but riding on his knees got a little boring and he has been experimenting. Last night our neighbor girl asked him to race. He hit a rock and biffed it. He hit his eye and his nose and his mouth. I think he might have damaged two of his teeth. I'm really hoping he didn't (even though they're still his baby teeth). *A* has been packing around a little plastic doll I got to potty-teach a little a girl I was babysitting a few years ago (idea from Dr.Phil). So, it's his baby. Her name is Lisa and he takes her places. Tuesday he took her to *I's* soccer game and tossed her all around. Tuesday night she was nowhere to be found when it came time for bed. Today she was found. Hallelujah. Enjoy the Journey.

Love Story Wednesday...

On a Thursday. I figured that since this weekend is General Conference I'll tell about a little trip *B* and I took to Salt Lake in 2001 to visit with some old mission companions of mine. Since I've not kept any type of order I'll just share that we started to have a "kissing" relationship about a month previous and since I don't kiss people I'm not dating I was finally admitting that, yes, we were dating. I had been in such turmoil about our relationship up to this point. I really liked him. I knew that he would make a great husband to whoever he married. I had even been praying/ fasting/ spending time at the temple about the whole thing but I hadn't felt anything. I took that as an answer that we weren't supposed to get married. But I missed him when he wasn't around. So I guess I was just dragging him along... This was a rough weekend for us. I wasn't very nice. Everyone was asking about "us" and I wasn't shy about telling them that even though we were dating, it wasn't going anywhere. We were just having fun. This wasn't news to *B*. I'd been telling him this for months now... I don't know why he got so upset! It came down to this... I apparently made him feel like he was around for my own personal gratification and he in turn made me feel like a hussy. I was hurt and so was he. On the way home I decided that if we couldn't agree on what our relationship was and be happy about it then we should just be done with each other. So there I was, in the process of telling him (for what felt like the 100th time) that this just wasn't going anywhere and if we can't play nice then I guess we can't even be around each other... and it hit me that I was going to marry him. That was the answer I'd been waiting for and it totally shut me up... except to tell him that I was really sorry that I hurt him. Wow, I was going to marry *B*! Finally, I felt peace. Enjoy the journey!

I'm Going Crazy!

I have that obnoxious "I'm going crazy... why don't you come along" song stuck in my head. It's driving me crazy! Lately I've felt stir crazy. I keep searching the internet for something to do. I really want to paint something. I love this painting from the Black Apple lady, but I hate that she put eyes on the egg.

She calls it "a good egg is hard to find" and this is what she wrote in the description, "I am on the life-long quest for good eggs. Good eggs only need apply! This painting is a tribute to that quest and my distaste for rotten and dud-ish folks alike." I think it's the perfect tribute to a pregnant mother and motherhood in general. I'm thinking I'll plagiarize (I don't know what you would call it in art) her idea and paint one of myself'ish holding an egg... but I won't give it eyes. I feel guilty about that and if they weren't all sold out I would just buy hers (and try to over-look the eye thing) then I would have two black apples. Then I think, "what makes me think I can paint? I'd just be disappointed because it wouldn't look like hers." Still pondering on that. I am supposed to be painting "Eliza" for Melissa's new baby. Maybe I'll start that someday. Someday.

Enjoy the Journey

Love Story Wednesday

It has been a lot of fun for me to read back through my journal with a different perspective than it was written in. I think I am seriously the biggest geek in the world and am embarrassed by some of the stuff I've written. I also get a good chuckle out of how completely obvious it is that I was seriously afraid of committment. Truth told, I still am. That's why I can't make even the simplest of decisions. I have since discovered that this "flaw" in me is simply because I am a seeker... always looking for the best thing (and what if this isn't it?). I don't think it's a flaw... I just let people know up-front that I don't make decisions. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. I'll even do it over the top most of the time. Just don't put me in charge. So... getting back to the love story. The point of all of that is this: It is terribly unfortunate that I am in charge of my life... and (at this point in the story) had some big decisions to make. My logic went out the window. This love story is all about how great *B* was back then and how I knew it, but refused to see it. Today's story occured on my birthday in 2000. I turned 24. According to my journal turning 24 didn't bother me so much. It just reminded me that I was alone and in the middle of a crazy life. I wanted "someone to cuddle up to, someone I could cry to when I had a bummer day". Here comes the oblivious part... *B* made me a birthday cake, took me out to lunch and listened to me cry about my crazy life, then, when he brought me home, he rubbed my feet. "I think he's great. I love that he made the cake himself. I can't get over that he made it double layered and put frosting in the middle. Plus, he made fun little wavies on the sides like a cake decorator. His new name is Martha Stewart!" Then I proceeded to cry that I wanted someone just like *B* but not *B*. I closed with this: "*B* treats me like I'm kind of fragile and I'm liking it, because when it comes right down to it I know I'm not." Yes, I am fully aware of the irony in this post. That's why I chose to share it. I was in serious denial. Poor guy went through an awful lot to get me. I hope he thinks it's worth it. Enjoy the Journey!

I Tag You All!

I was tagged awhile back and I've been saving this for a day like today. I thought the questions were fun and memory provoking. That is always important. I forget more about my life every stinking day! 10 years ago I had just arrived in Bolivia as a new missionary. I cried almost every night because it was nothing like it was supposed to be. 5 Things on my to-do list today:

1. clean my house
2. clean my house
3. clean my house
4. clean my house
5. clean my house

I try to keep my to-do lists pretty simple, because when I end up reading on the couch as opposed to completing everything on my list it isn't such a big deal!

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. Whopper with cheese, no onion, extra pickle (though not a snack).
2. PB & J
3. I've been craving Reese's pieces lately but have yet to enjoy them... in my head they're my favorite right now.
4. I love vanilla wafers with peanut butter, but again, haven't had that for a long time.
5. I also love Caramello's dipped in peanut butter and haven't enjoyed that for a long time either.
6. I have been sneaking spoonful's of peanut butter lately too... the baby must like peanut butter.

If I suddenly became a billionaire I would finish our house the way I dream it will be. I would invest the rest of the money so I could spend the yuckiest parts of the year traveling the world for the rest of my life.

5 places I've lived:

1. Bunkerville
2. Ephraim
3. Bolivia (El Alto, Oruro, Cobija)
4. Cedar City
5. Saint George

5 jobs I've had:

1. Bagger at the grocery store.
2. Baskin Robbins
3. Lifeguard at the Casa Blanca
4. Security Guard at the Oasis
5. Convergy's

5 things you don't know about me:

1. I am uber-paranoid and have flashes of myself getting killed in random situations.
2. I almost agreed to marry a guy who had another girl on the side and was expecting a baby with her.
3. I can't remember ever being asked out on a date... unless you count my "friend" *B* telling me he was taking me out for my birthday.
4. I have eaten a guinnea pig... and I liked it.
5. I swallowed a live goldfish at our wedding luncheon.

Seriously, I tag you all. I read a blog a while back (can't remember who's...probably Ali Edwards) she tagged Oprah, and a whole bunch of other really interesting people. I think you're interesting. Mostly, I think it's important to think about things other than what we have to... on occasion!

Enjoy the Journey!