Happy New Year!!

It is 1:30am January 1st here in England so Happy New Year to all of you. We had a small gathering at our home so now all of the food is put away, the table cloth is in the washing machine and the cranberry apple martinellis has been cleaned off the carpet. Nothing like starting the new year off with a stain on the carpet - that can't be a good sign.

We did have a good time. My friend and I were getting a bit too picky about who else to invite over mainly because I didn't want a bunch of kids running through the house trashing the place. We ended up with just one other couple whose children are 11 and 14. I thanked them for having age appropriate children to satisfy the needs of the party. LOL We ended up with 2 5 year old girls and an 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14 year old boys. The boys just watched tv and played the playstation so that was easy. The girls - I think they drank as much grape soda and ate as many brownies as they could. Somehow they tired themselves out though and even with the possibility of a sugar high all 3 of my kids are asleep.

One thing we will miss when we leave England are the fireworks. We had quite the display right from our driveway. Even the neighbors up the street were letting fireworks off in their backyard. We're talking serious up in the sky fireworks. Their house is so close at one point we could hear them yell and there was a loud bang because one of the fireworks didn't go off right. Fortunately whatever the issue was nobody was hurt and they continued with their display.

Hope you all have a fun new years as well!!!

Sunday Story!

I think we've reached the end of my Sunday Stories. After 3 1/2 years I have been released from my calling(job) in Primary so I don't get to spend my Sundays with the children at church. I actually had to go to Sunday school with the grown ups. We had a new family stand up and introduce themselves, they moved from San Antonio Texas. Then we had some visitors from Saudi Arabia. Then I stood up and said I was from the primary. LOL Maybe if I keep that up I'll still have Sunday Stories to tell. I currently am unemployed when it comes to having a church calling but I'm sure that won't last long. I had a hard time sitting still, having this overwhelming feeling that I should go check on the nursery or go see if all of the classes had teachers. I'm sure that will pass soon too.

Well, I hope you all have a Happy New Year! One more week with the kids out of school and then I might be back to some regular blogging once again.

Merry Christmas!!!

Santa is just about to stop by so I just have time for a quick Merry Christmas to you all!! Hope your holiday is wonderful!!

15 Years!

Yep, I've been married 15 years. It is hard to believe that it was 15 years ago - seriously am I that old? Nah, because I got married when I was 19!! I think mostly it's been good. We've moved 4 times, had 3 kids, bought 2 houses, driven 6 cars and we've had 4 cats. Not bad for 15 years - and no we didn't have 4 cats all at the same time.

We got married December 19th (yes I'm a day late posting) in Idaho Falls Idaho. We got married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple - as did all of hubby's family and my parents. It snowed and my bridesmaids all had short sleeve dresses - downfall of being engaged for 8 months - when you buy dresses in June in California you aren't really thinking about December weather in Idaho. We had an open house at my mother in law's house because she was SURE nobody was going to come to a proper reception. It was in her basement and we had a line continuously down the basement steps. When the open house ended we loaded our stuff up in the car and drove to Jackson Hole Wyoming. Because it was snowing everyone tried to convince us not to go that night but we went anyway. They basically closed the road behind us - had we NOT gone that night we wouldn't have been able to go at all. We were snowed in at Jackson for 2 days before the road opened again - not that we were bothered. After our Honeymoon we spent Christmas with the inlaws and then packed up once again and headed to California where we had a wedding reception in my home town. It was everything I had ever wanted - and there was no line going down to the basement - and there were no little debbie snack cakes and blue kool aid. Oh but I digress. Anyway - it really feels like it was just a couple of years ago- not 15! Here's to another 15!

(I'll have to scan in a wedding picture later - I'm on the laptop so no access to any of that)

Yes Jordan, There is a Santa Claus

This has been the topic of much discussion at our house lately. A couple kids at church told Jordan there is no Santa. Plus there are so many movies, television shows that talk about believing or not that I'm sure the kids have it on their minds a lot. In our home we believe. If you want to receive you have got to believe. In one discussion Jared was rationalizing how there MUST be a Santa. If all of the parents stayed up that late to put presents under the tree AND they had to eat all the cookies and milk they would be really tired in the morning for Christmas and they wouldn't be hungry for breakfast either. Sounds good to me. Of course I'm wondering why he isn't thinking there is no way Santa could eat all those cookies - but then again Santa's the one with the belly like a bowl full of jelly.


-Sorry I've been absent lately from the blog world. Balancing working, kids, church and the loss of internet for 3 days I've been hard pressed to make an appearance in here.

Christmas Cards

We got a Christmas card the other day. It was addressed to Lucy and Gary. Lucy and Gary used to live in our house. We have lived in our house for 3 1/2 years and we get a LOT of mail for Lucy and Gary. We get bank statements and credit card statements. Some of the statements include their account numbers in full or even checks. We are nice and we shred them or send them back. We've gotten the usual junk mail as well. Some of it isn't surprising and some of it is just unbelievable. Well, Lucy and Gary got a Christmas card yesterday with a note written in it wishing them well this holiday season and signed with LOVE. I have to wonder how good of friends these people were with Lucy and Gary. Lucy and Gary actually divorced, sold the house and both moved. Yet 3 1/2 years later Jane and Glen are sending them a Christmas card. If there was a return address I would have sent it back instead I'm wondering how many of my "good friends" are sending cards to somewhere I haven't been in years.

Week in a glance

Ugh - I haven't been here all week. I've checked in and I've read a few blogs but I just haven't had time to sit down and blog myself. I guess it's just been a busy week. Jackson swam on the school swim team and that was a highlight. They ran races for under 8's, under 9's, under 10's and under 11's. He was an under 11 swimmer. The 8's, 9's and 10's all lost their races overall but the under 11's won!!! I don't want to brag, oh yes I do. The reason they won is because somehow Jackson is a great swimmer. He won ever race he was in giving the under 11's the win. Not enough points to win the meet but we were excited enough.

Jordan is preparing for her school Christmas play, the Grumpy Sheep. She brought home an Angel costume to be washed and sent back to school. I did just that and sent it back and THEN I realized I needed to iron it as well. Had to take it back home so that she isn't the wrinkled angel up on the stage. I'll let you know on Monday how it all went.

Jared the weird is doing just fine. Yes, Jared the Weird - sort of like Gandalph the Grey. As we were walking out to the car from school the other day this boy behind us tells his mom - that's Jared the Weird. Haha. The mom immediately told her son that wasn't nice and Jared says - it's alright I like being Jared the weird. Guess the name fits him then.

Hopefully this coming week won't be as busy but it probably will be. I'll try to come in a bit more.

The List Maker

Lately Jordan is a list maker. She has written her Christmas wish list then on to her birthday wishlist and finally a list of who she wants to invite to her birthday party. Her birthday is in February. I took a look at her invitation list and noticed most of her Sunday school class and most of her school class was on her list. There was also another name - Nathan. So, I asked her who Nathan was and she pointed to the young man sitting behind us at church. When I say young man - he is 19! She told me that she couldn't have a birthday party and not invite her boyfriend. Hahahaha. I told Nathan and he thinks it's pretty funny but he said he doesn't know if he's willing to wait 14 years for her. LOL I hope not because while it is funny to me now that she's 5 and he's 19 I am sure I will NOT think it is cute when I have a 19 year old who wants a 34 year old as a boyfriend. His mom also told me that she is NOT waiting that long for grandkids.

Busy Busy

You know they say when it rains it pours. That's pretty much the way things are here lately. I applied to be a substitute teacher at the school on the base as well as the job at the testing center. Last Thursday I was called to sub in the morning and then I went to the testing center for some training. I felt like I was back in highschool eating a bag of fritos and a coke for lunch. Hmmm wonder if that diet will put me back in a size 4? Probably not.

So, I taught at the school - Algebra 2 which is hilarious because I barely passed basic college algebra. The kids were on their own and it worked out fine. I went from there to 5th grade science. It's a small school so some of the teachers have a VERY big range of classes. 5th grade was a bit more of a challenge. 23 students instead of 6 (the juniors all went on a field trip) and they were wired. It certainly didn't help we had an unexpected assembly to top things off. We managed a bit of class time anyway and things went well, or so I thought.

On Friday I get a message from one of the teachers that shares the room with the teacher I subbed for. She wants to know why I erased a 5th grade child's name from the board for good behavior and that that is "not how things are done here". She did mention that good behavior does not excuse bad behavior from the day before and when I return her call tomorrow I will NOT give her my ideas on that comment. However, the point is that I did NOT erase any child's name. I actually discussed with the kids that even though they wouldn't have detention on Thursday they would when their teacher returned. I taught school for 3 years - I would be the last person to undermine the classroom teacher's discipline procedures and I'm actually offended that she would think I'm that stupid. I'll try to be polite when I call her in the morning but I'm pretty sure I'll decline if her name comes up for needing a sub in the future.

Thursday Thirteen #22

#22 Thirteen Concerts I've Been To 1. The Osmonds Back when I was a kid at the Oregon State Fair. One of the Osmonds actually came into the audience and kissed my friend. 2. David Bowie My first "real" concert. I was 16. 3. James Taylor I've seen him more than once - as the list shows. 4. The Jetts When I was at Ricks (BYU-Idaho) they came to give a concert. Students rushed the stage and they had to stop the concert for 10 minutes. No, I didn't join in - I sat and laughed. 5. Stevie Nicks Got these tickets for free because a friend at a record store had them - none of the employees wanted to go. It was a great concert. 6. Phish Actually this was a whole day concert Phish was the only band that actually became something. 7. Reba McEntire I went with my friend Becky in Salt Lake and she cried when Reba came out onstage. 8. Yes My husband is a huge Yes fan. We sat in the 3rd row. 9. Sawyer Brown My husband won 2 tickets when I put his name in the drawing box for free tickets at my work. I went with my friend Cricket. This unknown guy opened for Sawyer Brown - it was Toby Keith. 10. James Taylor I went with Cricket to see JT up at wolf mountain. I don't know who thought it would be a good idea to have concerts on a ski slope. Our sleeping bag padding kept slipping down the slope. 11. The Gin Blossoms This is cheating because they actually opened for #12 so it's just 1 concert disguised as 2. 12. Hootie and the Blowfish This is my brush with fame. We got backstage passes and ended up going over to the casino with the band and watching them play black jack. There is more to the story but we'll save that for another day. 13. Lt. Dan Band They came here with the USO so we saw them up on the base. I danced up on the stage during one of the songs and my daughter fell asleep on the floor. Guess it wasn't for everyone.

Gymnastics?

So I was asking Jordan what she did in school today. She had PE and they were doing gymnastics. She played on the trampoline, the balance beam, and the japanese.

Any guesses what the japanese is?

I Think I'm Done

I think I'm done Christmas shopping. Well, at least for the kids. Since living in England I do a lot of my Christmas shopping online. We have an American post office box so we don't pay international shipping and we make US dollars not pounds so we can't really shop on the UK economy. So, online shopping it is. Of course Jared wanted a stretchy scooby which is only available in the UK. I don't even want to say how much it costs with the exchange rate but more than I wanted to pay. He did ask for it for his birthday as well so Santa Claus guilt is kicking in.

Now if they would quit telling me all the "things" they want but that's not bound to happen. Tis the season!

Thursday Thirteen #21

#21 Thirteen Things to be Thankful For An obvious choice since today is Thanksgiving. 1. My husband. He works hard and provides for us and all that stuff. 2. My kids. They keep me on my toes. 3. Living in England. I might complain about it a lot but it is really a once in a lifetime experience. 4. My parents. They support us in all that we do. 5. My in-laws. They drive me insane but when the chips are really down you can count on them. 6. My friends. There are those few people that even when months and months pass by you know if you call them things just fall back in to place. 7. That it isn't raining today. Woke up to a beautiful morning with blue skies. 8. My washer and dryer. We brought our American washer/dryer with us and it has been a life saver. The tiny washer/dryer in the kitchen that came with the house is dead but when it was working I could do 4 loads washed and dried in my washer before it finished one. 9. Music. I can't sing but I love music. All types - I rarely get in the car without turning the radio on. 10. Listening to my kids read. This morning I didn't have the radio on I was listening to Jared read some adventure book with magical unicorns and gnomes. 11. Listening to my kids play and talk together. They all 3 get along really well for the most part and I just love listening to their conversations - for the most part until they get loud and I just can't take it anymore. 12. Jared's laugh. My kids all have great laughs but Jared's is just crazy. 13. The internet. I have made a lot of friends online and it is nice to know that whatever time zone I'm in I can still make connections through chat, blog or email.

Proof That I'm Losing My Mind

So my blog on Monday was admitting to the fact I tossed out my kid's school pictures. My blog today is admitting I am losing my mind. Jackson came home from school on Monday and handed me four picture packets - complete with pictures. I DID toss out the order forms like I had originally thought. I think I need a nap - or a brain transplant.

The girl with no teeth (and who doesn't listen to her mother and redoes her hair barrette anyway!)


The boy we hope will grow in to his teeth


The Prefect in his blazer


Here are all 3 of them - Jared must have been a bit surprised or something.

Why No Good Can Come

FROM CLEANING YOUR HOUSE!

I tidied up our computer room two weeks ago. The owners of the property were sending an appraiser over - probably to up the rent but we'll be leaving in July so more power to them. Anyway, I figured I should clean up some of the piles in the office. I went through a few stacks of magazines, catalogs, things we don't need and I tossed them all out. I then missed trash day so all that I threw out sat in our garage for an additional week.

As the hubs was going through our bills he asked what one particular charge was for and I replied - the kids school pictures. THEN I realized I didn't know where the pictures were. Wait I did know! In that one stack of magazines I remembered seeing something from the school picture place but sure it was just the old order forms - as I combined all 3 in to 1 order when I sent the payment in. I tossed it. They sat in my garage for a week after that and the DAY AFTER the trash was picked up I came to the realization that I threw out my kids school pictures. I didn't even scan them in to the computer. 30 years from now my grandchildren will be sitting down looking at scrapbooks (said as if I scrapbook) and will wonder what ever happened during the 2007-2008 school year. I suppose that can't be worse then when my husband realized how much money I paid for pictures I threw in the trash.

Friday Feast

Since I'm going to start working all day on Fridays I figured I should find something to put in my blog that day so I've picked Friday Feast - today is my first day to participate.

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?
I worked at Souplantation as a hostess. I started the day after my 16th birthday.

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
Creativity? I don't have much of that. Maybe I should find out where I need to spark it and go from there.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
my kids do or say things that I thought I had taught them NOT to do.

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?
A very strong work ethic and to appreciate what you have.

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Acid Washed Jeans
LA Gear tennis shoes with more than one pair of shoe laces
Pegging your pants and rolling up your short sleeve t-shirt sleeves.

Friday Feast here

Thursday Thirteen #20

#20 Thirteen Christmas Wishes 13 Things My Daughter Put on Her Wishlist! Jordan spent the other day writing her Christmas wish list. She then drew several pictures and made an envelope - handed it to me and said "here we need to mail my order to Santa!" We'll see how many of these Santa actually gets her. I'll translate her "order" for those of you that can't decipher 5 year old writing. 1. Disney Princess cooker 2. Gameboy 3. Gamboy Games 4. Guitar 5. Violin 6. Polly Pockets 7. Barbies 8. A new Ipod (she doesn't actually have an Ipod - she has a disney mix clip) 9. PSP - pink I think she actually means a DS 10. Radio 11. Webkinz 12. Unicorn (or maybe this was one thing a webkinz unicorn? I better ask.) 13. PSP for Jared that is blue. (Hmm maybe I should read her Tuesday's post so she will remember this is the brother that told Santa Claus she hadn't been good?? And I'm sure they mean DS on this one as well.)

Off The Hook!

Jordan was just invited to a birthday party. They will be riding horses. Actually they will sit on the horses and be lead around by someone else - but for 5 year olds this is riding horses. Jordan is really excited about being able to ride a horse. She did inform me however that I don't actually have to buy her a horse because Grace has a spare one that she is going to let Jordan borrow! Man, how can I be so lucky? Totally off the hook on that one - I mean I was going to start my horse shopping tomorrow - now maybe I'll just buy myself a sweater.

Sibling Rivalry?

I went to lunch yesterday with a friend. Not a particularly good lunch but I didn't have to make it so that's good. As we were chatting I remembered one of those priceless little stories and figured it was worth sharing in here.

A year or so ago we were at church with the kids. Jared leans over and whispers "Mom, what's the name of the guy Jordan follows?" "What guy?" "You know the guy that Jordan follows!" "What, Jared I have no idea what you're talking about." "You know, Jackson and I follow Jesus because we're good - what's the name of the guy Jordan follows?" "Jared are you talking about Satan?" To which he turns to his brother and says "hey Jackson we're good and we follow Jesus, Jordan is bad and she follows Satan!"

This is the same kid that told Santa Claus that he had been good but his sister hadn't.

Do You Know Why I'm Cute?

Jordan has this shirt that says "If you think I'm cute you should see my Aunt". My sister in law likes to ask Jordan why she is so cute and the correct answer is supposed to be "because my Aunt is cute!" This picture is a few years old but Jordan had gotten herself dressed that morning and had breakfast before I had come downstairs - this look was just too much.

Anyway - we often joke about why she is so cute and no matter what she will ALWAYS say it is because her aunt is cute. It is just not fair! Well, today I said "Jordan why are you such a brat?" I was really hoping she was going to say it was because her Aunt is a brat. Instead I got this: "I'm not a rat I'm a mouse!" WHAT??

Sunday Story

Today's lesson in Primary was about saying thank you. When asked why the children would want to say thank you we got a lot of great answers.
We say thank you so people know they are appreciated.
We say thank you because it is nice.
We say thank you because our parents teach us to (or tell us to).
We say thank you because Jesus taught us to say thank you. (Great listening as they had just all dressed up as lepers and only 1 of the 10 said thank you after being healed.)

The one that takes the Sunday Story award today is:
We say thank you so that people will give us more stuff next time.

Is It Naptime?

My friend dropped off her three girls this morning at 6:30 so they could catch a bus for Edinburgh for the day. The bus leaves at 7am and returns at 10pm. At 8:45 I had to load up 5 of the 6 kids in the house and head out to the first day of basketball. The 6th child is missing basketball to go to a lazer tag birthday party - I didn't give hubby the option of not taking him - just told him when to have him where. Should I feel guilty that 2 other families offered to have him tag along with them? No - I shouldn't. It's good for the 2 of them to spend time together. Then we spent 2 hours at basketball, had lunch at Burger King and now - yes it is naptime. However, I only have 1 that naps - the 2 year old. So it is quiet time in the house with 3 5 year olds and 1 8 year old? Should we take bets on how well quiet time is going to go?

Free Advice!

I know that is just what you came here for. But here it is: Don't take a job where the only person that actually knows what is going on is leaving the week you are hired.

Yep - that's what I did. The woman who ran the office left to pursue her dream and there are 2 other women that took over her job. I have been in the building several times in the last week and the door is closed, the office is empty. The promise of "Jane" being on hand to help me get everything done has come up empty as well. I've done all of my paperwork and then I'm told that I'm not in the system. I track down someone who might know and I'm given a phone number in Germany with the hopes they can help me. Now I'm stuck with a few more things to do but a 3 day weekend ahead of me - so no time to do it. Slowly and surely I WILL get it done.

Thursday Thirteen #19

#19 Thirteen Innappropriate Computer Uses 13 Innappropriate Uses For The Internet At My New Job! 1. Using Emoticons/Wallpaper/Screensavers. Apparantly these can give a nonprofessional look and could even be offensive to others. Okay - not everyone thinks my kids are as cute as I do so I won't turn them in to a screensaver. 2. Sending Personal E-mail. The work email is for WORK not for distributing jokes to our friends. My favorite part of this guideline is it says "sending out resumes" LOL guess finding another job is not work related. 3. Web Surfing. I wonder what I will do when the room is empty and all my paperwork is done? 4. Sending Chain Letters. Not something I normally do anyways so I think I can handle that. 5. Listening to Internet Radio. I guess this isn't very professional, could be offensive and takes up network bandwith. I don't normally listen to the radio on the computer anyways. 6. Using Instant Messengers. I guess this can open the computer up to hackers and also can reduce levels of productivity. 7. Chatting. Same as #6. 8. Playing Computer Games. This takes up too much bandwidth and once again reduces productivity. Guess I'll have to keep my Pogo at home. 9. Downloading Movies/Music. I guess this can open up the computer to viruses and all of that. Plus it uses up harddrive space and can decrease internet speed. 10. Storing Personal Data. Once again it uses storing your resume as an example. I'm wondering if there is an ongoing problem here of people looking for a new job?? 11. Generating Spam. Good thing I didn't put on my application that I once worked for a woman who did just that - she was a spammer. 12. Keeping Confidential Material Confidential. Probably why I can't send spam and all those personal emails using the things I have on the computer. 13. Destroying Equipment. Hmm so you think destroying the computer would be considered inappropriate use? Hey did anybody see anything about blogs in there? I didn't. LOL And for the record - this TT was completely composed at home.

Conversations About Cheese

This is the conversation my kids had in the car yesterday:

Jordan: I don't want the rest of this cheese anymore.
Mom: Why? Don't you like babybels anymore?
Jackson: I used to like them but I don't anymore.
Jared: You know that babybels are French cheese.
Jackson: Oh THAT explains why I don't like it.

Basketball

How is it that a basketball league that is supposed to have 1 practice during the week and the games held on Saturday has now turned in to a league with at least 4 games held on Sunday? If I thought it would make a difference I would complain but it won't - there is a scheduling problem in the gym - the school outranks any other activity - and this leaves me paying for at least 4 weeks that my kids won't play. UGH!

What Would Happen?

I really wonder what would happen if one morning I just didn't get out of bed. I wonder if hubby would even notice. Oh wait, he would. When the kids were on 1/2 term break he woke me up to tell me I was late getting the kids up and to school. I guess that is my answer. He wouldn't let me sleep - he would wake me up and still make me do it. Payback is coming though - I got that job and I will be working on Fridays from 8-4. That will put someone else in charge of the school run. I'm still pretty sure I'll be the one to get them up and dressed and get myself out the door on time. We'll see.

Sunday Story

Today part of the lesson in Primary the teacher asked if the children ever have brought anything home that their Mom was shocked by. You know, like the time Jordan brought in a GIANT earthworm and asked if she could keep it? Yep, stuff like that. The stories were crazy. Who knew that one of the children lived somewhere that they could wander around their yard and find a deer antler. Another brought in some pottery - sure she had found some ancient relic. The best was the newt. This of course prompts my son to say "She turned me in to a newt, A NEWT? well I got better."

This got a few smiles from various adults in the room and I just stared like I didn't know what he was talking about. I'm not sure church is the proper outlet for Monty Python skits - I'm sure he learned it from his dad.

Bonfire Night

Last night we went to the kid's school for "fireworks" night. This is in celebration of Guy Fawkes and the infamous Gun Powder Plot. This is the 4th year we've been in England for Guy Fawkes night (which isn't actually until Monday night but the school celebrated on Friday). The first year we had a bonfire, we had a "Guy" that we also threw on the bonfire in fact there was a contest for the children to name "the Guy". Then we also had fireworks. That was the year that we had a headmaster. After he left the school was handed over to a headmistress. I'm sure the main difference between men and women is fire. Men love building fires and throwing stuff on them. Women think it's more civilized to sell hotdogs and cupcakes and launch fireworks. Okay that's a generalization because I much preferred the bonfire. It had much more of a ceremonious feel to it - burning the "guy" and all.

Jordan wasn't enjoying the fireworks too much. At one point she said "I should have stayed home with Daddy, I didn't know it would be like this." I'm not sure what she THOUGHT was going to happen with fireworks being launched 50 yards from us but oh well. We bought our hotdog and our glowing toys, socialized with a few people, watched the fireworks and went back home.

Bean Hot Dogs?

It's dinner time at my house and as usual the hubby isn't home. We've been married for 15 years and I'm sure we've had dinner more times without him then we have with him. Before we had kids I used to fix dinner and hunt him down at the university and we would have dinner together. Well, that is when I wasn't working as well. Now he has a job that I can't really hunt him down at and I definitely couldn't go in to his office and have a meal. I've only ever been past the revolving door - who knows what is beyond that long hallway.

Anyway, back to dinner time. Because he is rarely home for dinner it seems lately I've rarely been cooking. When I do cook it is definitely child friendly - like last night. This is when I make chili dogs but the boys don't like chili and the girl doesn't like hot dogs. That doesn't sound child friendly at all now does it? So dinner ends up with the boys eating hotdogs and Jordan eating a "bean hot dog" which is just chili in a hot dog bun. I get lazy and sit at the computer and eat and eventually hubby wanders in and heats up some leftover chili dogs.

I have friends who would "never put up with this" and insist that their husbands come home for dinner. I suppose after 15 years I've just grown accustomed to the way it is. I do need to get out of the rut though and start cooking again. But with our schedule when am I going to fit it in:
Monday: Wolf Scouts every other week
Tuesday: Faith in God activity day every other week
Wednesday:
Thursday: Scouts & Ballet
Friday: Daisy's every other week and well it's Friday who wants to cook?? I won't even mention I just signed the boys up for basketball and so that will add a practice in once a week as well.

Thursday Thirteen #18

#18 Thirteen Halloween Costumes Hopefully the pictures show up - I have been having problems with blogger getting these up and then I've heard they aren't actually up. 2004 1 Black Ninja 2 Red Ninja 3 Wicked Witch 2005 4, 5, 6 Robin Hood, Cinderella & an Army man 2006 7 Snow White 8 Pirate 9 Skeleton/Death 2007 10 Return of the Red Ninja (but the 5yo girl version) 11 Roman Soldier 12 Death Warmed Over - a repeat of last years costume Well looks like the list is only 12 today that would be because I have 3 kids and 4 years and yep - 3x4=12. LOL I attempted looking in the depths of my computer for older pictures but I was at a loss as to where they were.

Updated Costume

So I was feeling like Jared's costume was, well, pretty lame. So I decided to add a little bit to make it less lame. Enter the man dress. Okay, so it's basically a toga but when we were in the car and I was describing my idea Jackson said "oh like a kilt - you know - a man skirt." Since it wasn't just a skirt we decided it was a man dress. Of course because it is cold here he still had to wear a shirt under it but here is my little roman.



I have to let you in on this secret. Jared is 8 but he's pretty tiny. That toga was actually made from a king size pillow case. No sheet for this boy - we just use the pillow cases. And in case you are wondering - Roman's wear jeans under their man dresses.

Entering the World

Of the Working!

I got the job that I applied for last week. I go in tomorrow to fill out the hiring packet. Kind of funny because I've never had to fill out a "hiring" packet for a job that was only 12 hours a week.

Halloween

We had our Halloween party and trick or treat yesterday so I thought I would share the pictures.
This is Jackson - our skeleton

Jared was a Roman Soldier (if this doesn't look like it was thrown together at the last minute I don't know what does - even though he had decided on his costume weeks ago)

And our Little Red Ninja - I had wished for Little Red Riding Hood but the girl has a mind of her own.

Thursday Thirteen #17

#17 Thirteen Things We're Doing or Have Done This Week This week is 1/2 term so the kids are out of school all week - let's see what is keeping us busy. 1. Runescape. This doesn't keep me busy but the boys play it. 2. Eating at Burger King. Our cheap options are limited so BK it is. We finally got the Arizona Cardinals little football jersey so the boys were happy. 3. Having dinner at the bowling alley with friends. Oh yes, we eat at the bowling alley more than you could imagine. 4. Pack Meeting. I now have a Wolf and a Webelos and the little wolf was awarded his Bobcat Badge. Bad mom for not taking the camera. 5. Applying for a job. Now this isn't fun for the kids but they must accompany me in the car as I go back and forth picking up and dropping off the application. 6. Flying kites. We have 3 little parafoil kites that fold up in to their own little sacks. They are easy to keep in the car and great fun. Of course my friend thought I was being sarcastic when I said we had been out flying kites - I think my windy hair-do should have tipped her off though. 7. Bowling. What 1/2 term is complete without a game or 2 of bowling? 8. Cleaning. Yes, let's get that playroom clean. 9. Homework! Homework during 1/2 term? Yes, especially for the boy who hasn't even started his TERM project on a mountain range and the term is 1/2 over. 10. Staying up late. Not too late though - with only 1 week we can't get too much out of the routine. 11. Sleeping in. This is obvious if you're doing a bit of #10. 12. Trick or Treating!! Our Halloweeen festivities will be this Friday. 13. The Pumpkin Patch. Usually the pumpkin patch would be the START of our October fun but this year it's at the end. We're just happy to find a pumpkin patch near by.

Proving Myself

So, I applied for that job yesterday. I got the application filled out, printed out my unofficial transcripts and created a new resume. Then I get a phone call saying she has some questions about my application. First she tells me that even though I have had a job as a teacher she is unclear why my transcripts don't show that I have a degree OR enough credits to have even graduated. WHAT???? So, I look at my stuff and she is talking quarter hours, my transcripts are in semester hours so you have to multiply them by 2/3 or something like that. I call her back and explain her error. She then says that nowhere on the transcripts does it say that I was actually awarded a degree. Well, it does it just doesn't have the date. It's an unofficial transcript so who knows what tricks they play to make you pay for an official one. Fortunately I had my teaching file here with all of my information AND an official transcript. This pleased her since not only did it say that I was awarded a degree it also was in quarters because the university didn't switch to semesters until after I graduated. The crisis was averted and it actually sounds like I got the job. Good thing I didn't get snippy with her on the phone - as I was getting quite frustrated at the time.

Jordanism of the Day

"Mom why do I have socks on if we aren't going anywhere?"

I didn't know that socks were a pre-requisite for leaving the house - I just thought it was part of getting dressed in the morning - shows what I know.

Call Me

Oh wait, you can't. You can call me, you can leave a message on my voice mail but I won't ever hear it ring. I can't pick up the phone and call you back either. Nope, can't do any of those things. I know we got a phone call Saturday morning at 8:30 - it was a wrong number. After that nothing. No calls in no calls out. Sunday afternoon I went to make a call and no dial tone. NOTHING. The phone company will be here on Thursday to see what they can do about our problem. Meanwhile we're using cell phones and remotely listening to messages people leave us.

Now I'm off to apply for a job. 12-4 on Thursdays and 8-4 on Fridays working at the testing center for Central Texas College on the base here. I was hoping the job was with the University of Maryland - that way I could take a free class each term - but it isn't. I have to say creating a resume was a challenge. Ten years ago it was full of work experience. Now it is full of volunteer work and skills I think I have. I wonder if I should have put that I manage my own blog that updates people on the details of my everyday life. Do you think that would help?

I Could Fill a Blog

I bet I could fill a blog each day with the things my daughter says to me. I did a Thursday Thirteen not long ago about the things all 3 of them said but I'm quite sure that one girl alone could give me enough material to take care of every day. This weekend I got:

"You should buy that make-up mom I bet it would cover up your freckles and your redness." Oh well thanks sweetie!!

Then we were channel surfing and came upon a music video by Guns N Roses. When I told her what their names were she first asked if I went to their concert as a kid. No I did not. Then she decided that the guitarists name was Slash because he looked like a Man/Woman. Hahahaha I'm sure Slash would be pleased that a 5 year old thinks he looks like a man SLASH woman. Even more surprising I didn't know she knew how to put the word slash in context. Hahahahaaha.

Okay now off to visit my friend Cricket's blog and see if she has A - had baby Lily and B - come home from the hospital!

Thursday Thirteen #16

#15 13 Random Facts. 1. 40% of McDonald's profits come from the sales of Happy Meals. 2. In 2005, each person in the world consumed, on average, 77 beverages made by The Coca-Cola Company. (I'm sure I covered some of you if you didn't drink your designated 77) 3. White Out was invented by the mother of Mike Nesmith (Formerly of the Monkees). 4. Only humans sleep on their backs. (I've had several cats sleep on their backs so I don't know about this one!) 5. Swallowed gum is not digested by the gastrointestinal system, it usually passes through within 24 hours. (No Comment) 6. The first toilet ever seen on television was on "Leave It to Beaver." 7. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning. (And here I've been drinking all that coke!) 8. The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca-Cola, and Budweiser, in that order. (This is when I realized I should have done 13 facts about Coke - maybe next time) 9. A giraffe has a 20-inch tongue. 10. "Go," is the shortest complete sentence in the English language. (What about: FINE! WHATEVER! - those are sentences right? I suppose the letter count is what's important here.) 11. A can of SPAM is opened every 4 seconds. (And how do they know this? Are people actually eating it or just opening it to look at?) 12. Every second over 7,000 Coca-Cola products are consumed. (I don't drink THAT much) 13. "Tom Sawyer" was the first novel written on a typewriter. (I am sure this would be worse then writing it by hand - I learned to type on a typewriter but haven't used one in years.)

The Naughty Step

I was reading over at Wherever Ewe Go and she had a post about her son acting out and her use of the naughty step. It got me to thinking while I responded to her and I'm wondering how much longer I've got the naughty step for. We are fans of the naughty step. Almost every home we've been in in England has stairs. My parents home in California doesn't have stairs but they do have ONE step. So, where ever we go my kids can be banished to the naughty step. I've been known to have a train of naughty children on the stairs before - at equal distances sitting quietly. I've had Jordan tell me she's tired and when I yell from the kitchen that maybe she should take a nap she's asked "does that mean I can get off the stairs?" Yes, I've forgotten about children on the naughty step......more than once. I just wonder how long this is going to last. We've got a good thing here. It's a useful tool in our house. But my kids are 5, 8 and 10. I certainly can't get away too much longer with putting a 10 year old on a naughty step can I? Do you suppose he'll get bullied at school if at 15 I tell him "when you get home it's straight to the naughty step for you!" Do you think he'll sit on the step at 15? Maybe I shouldn't doubt it - I should just take the ride for as long as it's willing to go.

Up To My Neck

In CubScout registrations. Or I would be if they would turn them IN. Whose idea was it to put mostly men in charge of these sorts of things? Men who can't respond to simple e-mails just asking for a list of the boys in their dens.

Money Tree Anyone?

I am pretty sure that the head teacher at the kid's school thinks that we all have money trees in our back gardens. We signed up Jackson for a ski trip to Switzerland. Not something we can really afford but seriously - what an opportunity so we budgeted the money. We payed the deposit and then 2 weeks ago we got a letter saying the remainder was due in 3 days. Um, we have to come up with HOW much in 3 days? That's not really allowing for our budget. Then Friday we get another letter about an outdoor education center trip in June and they would like the 350pounds for that by this coming Friday. Yep, I have an extra $700 just laying around for outdoor school. We just told the boy that he wasn't going. It's either that or we're living in a card board box when we move back to Arizona - fine in the winter time but they don't usually come with A/C for the summer.

Latest Chinese Toy Recall

If you have this latest toy you might want to think about taking it back.

Jordie Pordie

Puddin' and pie kissed the boys and made them cry. Okay, well the boys aren't CRYING but the girl is kissing. I told her she had to stop kissing the boys at school and she says "I don't anymore because now they run really fast!" Well, that's logic for ya. I suppose we're just lucky we don't live in the States where we would have the possibility of her being suspended from school or sued for some sort of sexual harrassment.

Thursday Thirteen #15

#15 13 Places that I Shop Online. Since living in England I have had to give up a lot of my favorite places to eat and shop. However, I've also done my share of online shopping. The downside is ordering things and not having them fit or look like you wanted them too. The upside is when it comes to Christmas shopping I get what I'm looking for and that's that - and if I order in good time it's all here and done early. 1. Eddie Bauer When I talk aobut things not fitting right this most often happens here though - while I have to pay shipping on returns it's still an easy process. 2. Old Navy I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of person so this works for me. And I know that their clothes fit my children so that's a bonus. 3. The Gap I'm not a regular here but they will ship to me so that's good to know. 4. The Children's Place I don't often shop here as it's hard for me to tell from their pictures if the clothing is REALLY bright or not. I'm expecting a few things for Jordan any day now though. 5. JC Penney For all of our normal housewares. Of course when I needed mini blinds for the entire house they wouldn't ship them so I got those from Domestications. 6. Walmart Don't be taken in by their lower prices - their shipping usually makes it equal or more to other sites. They are also weird about shipping some electronics. I know a girl who ordered all her Christmas gifts before Thanksgiving and nothing came until January. Luckily I've never had that issue. 7. Target Actually I've only used this for sending things to people still IN the states. Target is notorious for letting me fill up my cart and then at the end telling me they won't ship 1/2 the stuff to my APO. 8. Best Buy All those electronics Walmart won't ship? Best Buy will! 9. Toys R Us Not sure if we've shopped there since they went from Amazon to just their own shop but I never had any complaints. 10. drugstore.com Great site - keeps a list of things you frequently purchase and we got our new sonic toothbrush here MUCH cheaper than anywhere else. 11. Discovery Store They have all those techie toys my husband likes getting the kids. We once got a defective product and they shipped us a new one right away. 12. Tiger Direct For all of your computer needs. 13. Tire Rack Yes, we even buy car tires online. They come within a week - usually 2 tires taped together with a label stuck on them. I'll be glad when I can actually shop in person again. I should also clarify that we get paid in American dollars. There are plenty of places to shop on the economy but when it takes $2 to make 1pound you start realizing you're paying double for a lot of things and that's a bit rough on the pocketbook.

What to Say?

I have to be honest and say that I am not usually one to brag about my kids. I will brag about them on my blog but I'm usually not the person who goes on and on about how "bright" her children are or any of that. I am proud of my kid's accomplishments and when they do something really noteworthy I will share with friends. I am not the woman who says "oh I knew I should have discussed with the teacher how bright J is because when he isn't given enough to do he becomes disruptive and he shouldn't get in trouble for that he just needs to be redirected" I am NOT that woman. And in truth - isn't that every child? Anyway - this wasn't supposed to be about THAT woman. LOL

The other day Jordan was at a lazy, er Daisy, Scout meeting and they were all learning the girl scout promise. A few of the girls were repeating what the leader said and then Jordan picked up the paper and read it. She is 5 1/2. One of the mom's just freaked "she's reading? She can read? How long has she been able to read? Wow she can really read!" Of course my teacher mode kicked in and I gave the old "every child works at their own speed and your girls (she has twins) are doing just fine and they are at their age level." Seriously, I was almost embarrassed that Jordan can read so well - now isn't that a bad mommy thing to think?

Reading

Okay I seriously think I need to read more. That being said I am reading one book right now and I have another in the queue but still I need to read more. I am currently reading John Grisham's The Innocent Man
I picked up the book just thinking it would be an easy read - and not about football. I made that mistake with John Grisham once before - don't assume all of his books are about lawyers - they aren't. So, I flipped through it making sure it wasn't about highschool football and when satisfied I purchased it. I get home and begin reading and thinking to myself how all over the place the book is. Trying to piece together which character goes with which murder etc, etc. Then 1/2 way through the book there are pictures. How odd to have actual photographs in a book. Then the lightbulb clicks on and I flip the book over and see what I was missing. This is his first work of NON FICTION. I am enjoying it just wish I would have caught on that the reason it was written the way it was is because it is telling a true story.

My next book is by Nicholas Sparks - I'm pretty sure it's pure fiction but I better go read the back again.

Sunday Meme

I saw this on another blog - and since I'm not on my main bookmarked computer at the moment I can't remember the name of it. Nice, huh? Well, anyway here it is. (If you're wondering how I have the meme here without knowing where I got it - I had it half done and saved while my husband was napping then I relinquished the computer to him.)

What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? We only have one bathtub and it is in the kid's bathroom so some sort of grape suave body wash.

Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? Um, no - it's October.

What would you change about your living room? It would be clean. No wait, I would HAVE a living room and a seperate family room and THEN it would be clean.

Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Dirty. The boy unloaded them the other day and replaced them with dirty but not enough to run a load yet.

What is in your fridge? Depends on which fridge. The small one has drinks and condiments. The large fridge has various food items - tortillas, sour cream, cheese, leftovers.

White or wheat bread? White and proud of it! I have a thing for pb&j on soft white bread.

What is on top of your refrigerator? a rubbermaind container of drugs. LOL You want advil? You want sudafed? Let me check the box.

What color or design is on your shower curtain? It's a door. We do have a shower curtain we don't use - if the kids bathroom was shower curtain capable it would be in there - white with fish on it.

How many plants are in your home? 2 - each brought home from a child from school. Both living but at times I like to take them both to the very edge of death and bring them back. Gotta do something to entertain myself.

Is your bed made right now? No - it was but the hubs took a nap and well, now it isn't.

Comet or Soft Scrub? Comet. Comet, it makes your mouth turn green, comet it tastes like listerine, comet will make you vomit so get some comet and vomit today.

Is your closet organized? I have a wardrobe with dresses and skirts and my closet has shirts and pants - mostly organized.

Can you describe your flashlight? It's a black MagLight.

Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? A glass. And I use the same glass until the fingerprints on the outside creep me out. And we all wonder how I got strep?? I only drink water though.

Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Nope - I do not drink iced tea.

If you have a garage, is it cluttered? The half with the car is not the half with the bikes is.

Curtains or blinds? Curtains in the living room - they are custom and came with the house. The rest have blinds.

How many pillows do you sleep with? 2. 1 Select comfort memory foam pillow and the other is a king size pillow I have had since I was 10. I used to use it as my regular pillow but it's been moved to body pillow status.

Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Nope - no lights on at all. The kids don't either.

How often do you vacuum? Not as often as I should.

Standard toothbrush or electric? Electric. We just had to order a new one because it died.

What color is your toothbrush? White - mine has a little grey ring on it and dh's ring is blue.

Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Not since one of the kids puked on it.

What is in your oven right now? Nothing - I wish I could say cookies - but nothing.

Is there anything under your bed? I'm sure there is. Probably that long lost sock and a few shoe boxes.

Chore you hate doing the most? Mopping the floors.

What retro items are in your home? None that I can think of. No lava lamps or bean bag chairs.

Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yep.

How many mirrors are in your home? 5 - 1 in each bathroom, 1 in the guest room and a full length mirror in my bedroom.

Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Not that I know of.

What color are your walls? Most of them are yellow - they were like this when we moved in. Various shades - not all the same yellow in every room. The other rooms are white.

Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Nope. But with the trail of toys my kids leave on the floor a burglar would be hard pressed to make it through the house quietly.

What does your home smell like right now? Nothing.

Favorite candle scent? Vanilla, home sweet home, oh I don't know - I'm not a big candle person - that's why my house doesn't smell like anything.

What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Baby kosher dills. My biggest pet peeve is picking up a pickle and taking a bite only to find out it's a sweet pickle. I don't know HOW people eat those.

What color is your favorite Bible? Does the color really matter? My scriptures are black, hubs are blue, Jackson's are blue and Jared's are green. Jordan doesn't have her own set yet.

Ever been on your roof? No - I currently don't have a death wish of any kind.

Do you own a stereo? Yes.

How many TVs do you have? 2 - 1 British - in the living room for our regular viewing. 1 American TV - it's upstairs and is connected to the playstation.

How many house phones? 3. 2 cordless and then the phone in the office.

Do you have a housekeeper? I used to but she's addicted to blogging and is really slacking on her job lately.

What style do you decorate in? Whatever my mom has bought for me to hang on my walls. My kitchen is apples - I've tried and tried to get away from them but I keep coming back. It's easy and obviously I like it since I keep it going.

Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Solids or mostly solid.

Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes.

In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? I have a rubbermaid box with all my photos and scrapbooking stuff - I don't scrapbook but I have the stuff and my pictures are all in there. I would have dh grab our passports and the harddrive because that's where the rest of the pictures are.


-I used to have 2 comments but I couldn't figure out how to delete the 3rd - some spam insane comment going on so I just deleted the whole thing and reposted.

Thursday Thirteen #14

#14 Thirteen Things My Kids Have Said This Week 1. Jordan: I don't want to have a baby. I want to have children but I don't want a baby because you have to go to the hospital to get one and I don't like the hospital. (And the truth is she doesn't even REALLY know how babies are born) 2. Jared: That's okay - you can always get a baby from Panama like Curtis. 3. Jordan: What was daddy's name when he was a little boy? Stewart is a funny name for a little boy!! (I told her Jordan was a funny name for a girl and she didn't like that so much, lol) 4. Jordan: I would make you some soup, but I'm 5 so I can't. (It's definitely the thought that counts) 5. Jordan: Do not kiss me because it would be unhealthy. 6. Jordan: Boys it is time for bed! 7. Boys: Really? Did mom say? (I was 1/2 passed out sick on the couch and she was right it WAS bedtime - they actually all 3 went upstairs and brushed their teeth and went to bed - I should be sick more often) 8. Jackson: Pinch, poke, you owe me a sloke. (This is supposed to be coke) 9. Jordan: I know what a sloke is - well it's either a piece of really velvety clothes or what you ski or snowboard down. (Hmmm it's neither silk nor a slope but good try) 10. Jared: I don't need to learn how to cook - when I grow up I'm just going to go live with Grandma and she can cook for me. (Hey, at least I won't be burdened right?) 11. Jackson: I DID have homework but I didn't bring it home. (I hear this WAYYYYYYYYY to much) 12. Jared: Let's go to burger king for lunch and then we can go buy me a toy. (Um you stay home sick from school and think you're going to get lunch and toys??) 13. Jared: I know why the number 13 is unlucky. 13 is the start of the teenage years!

Amazed

It always amazes me the things that people will say with the choice of anonymity on the internet. I was just doing a search on a young man I know who was recently killed in an automobile accident. On someone's live journal the obituary was posted. In the article it says that the 18 year old was passing a semi-truck when it lost control, clipped the truck and went off the highway rolling several times. The 18 year old was returning to BYU after a short weekend visit in Washington with his brother who is in the military and was being deployed shortly.

What I read in the comments of this livejournal was this:

Why did the parents let him go be independent at 18? At 18, you're still a baby! With not enough experience to drive and you hear about people like this. It's kind of irresponsible of the parents for letting him drive alone on a road trip like that from a state 3000 + miles away. (It's 800 miles - maybe this person needs a road map as well)
He took on too much for a teenager. I hope the parents learned a lesson about not letting their other kids drive irratically or alone.

It is painful that his own parents could do a search just as I did and would be subjected to this. Let me tell you the real story. Jaron was in fact 18. He was at BYU and found out that his parents were going to Washington to visit his brother for the short time he was there. His mother told him NOT to make the trip. He called her after well on his way and she asked if he was alone. He said no "that the Holy Ghost was with him". She was still not happy with him coming alone but since he was already coming that was that. They enjoyed a nice weekend together and on Monday morning he took his brother to the airport and began the drive back to Provo. On his cell phone an hour before the accident he told his mother he was going to drive for just a bit longer and then pull over and take a nap - he had been up late with his brother the night before. At 10am he fell asleep at the wheel. The truck driver saw his nodding head and followed the protocol that they have, slowed his vehicle as to slow other cars around him and create minimum accident. Jaron swerved in to the semi and then off of the road.

I just don't understand how people who know nothing about the details could gain satisfaction at blaming the boys parents. How quick we all can be to make judgements when we know little of the details.

This Blog

Will return back to normal after its operator is well again. I have strep. Step back, wash your hands and hopefully I'll return again soon.

Two Videos for your Viewing Pleasure!

Pachelbel Bedtime
I love the ending to this one! I've seen it several times and every time the last 5 seconds just makes me tear up.

William Tell Overture for Moms

Thursday Thirteen #13

#13 Thirteen #1 Hits from the Year I was Born: 1973 1 "You're So Vain" Carly Simon Jan 6, 13 & 20 2 "Superstition" Stevie Wonder Jan 27 3 "Crocodile Rock" Elton John Feb 3, 10, 17 4 "Killing Me Softly with His Song" Roberta Flack Feb 24 March 3, 10, 17 & 31 5 "Love Train" The O'Jays March 24 - knocked Roberta out for a week. 6 "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" Vicki Lawrence April 7, 14 7 "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree" Dawn featuring Tony Orlando April 21, 28 May 5, 12 8 "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" Stevie Wonder May 19 9 "Frankenstein" The Edgar Winter Group May 26 10 "My Love" Paul McCartney and Wings June 2, 9, 16, 23 11 "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" George Harrison June 30th 12 "Will It Go Round in Circles" Billy Preston July 7, 14 13 "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" Jim Croce July 21, 28 I just can't stop with 13 so the other songs for the year were: "The Morning After" Maureen McGovern "Touch Me in the Morning" Diana Ross "Brother Louie" Stories "Let's Get It On" Marvin Gaye "Delta Dawn" Helen Reddy "We're an American Band" Grand Funk "Half-Breed" Cher "Angie" The Rolling Stones "Midnight Train to Georgia" Gladys Knight & the Pips "Keep on Truckin' (Part 1)" Eddie Kendricks "Photograph" Ringo Starr "Top of the World" Carpenters "The Most Beautiful Girl" Charlie Rich "Time in a Bottle" Jim Croce

Helium Hand

I have this problem. It is called helium hand. I'm not sure if you know what this is but let me tell you how it happens. You are put in a group of people and a question is asked. There are several ways these questions can start, let me list a few.

Can anyone.......
Would anyone be willing to........
Would you be interested.......

The helium hand is also a victim to statements:
We are in need of someone who can......
We need people who like........

or the simple

We need your help.
We need volunteers.

I have fallen victim to helium hand a few times in the past couple of years.

I am the primary president (in charge of kids church) at church. This is a job in and of itself. I didn't so much ASK for the job as the job asked for me. I gladly accepted.

I am the president of my bowling league. This was one I was nominated and voted in for but yes helium hand helped the process along.

I am the pack committe chair. This is where helium hand has seriously done me wrong. Helium hand first had me as a Webelos leader, which I have previous experience with, but the need was greater elsewhere and I found a good leader to take my place. That left my helium hand leading me to Pack Committe Chair.

The thing about helium hand is sometimes it can take you in to a role that is easy, passive, you just follow what has been done before and rely on those around you. Helium hand can also get you in to things you didn't expect. I was once a passive pack committee chair. I did all the behind the scenes computer work, registration, friends of scouting. The easy stuff. Now we have the Cub Master from heck (as we need to watch our language in the scouting program) and he just doesn't have what it takes. THIS is when my helium hand does me even wronger. It has me stepping up to the plate instead of hiding in the dugout. Instead of sitting back and watching things slowly fall apart that helium hand just doesn't give up. Now I've got to get things turned around, convince parents that this IS a good activity and actually take charge of things I've been letting others do. Curses to the helium hand!!!

Facts About My Mother Meme

Tagged: 8 Facts about my mother

Sandier Pastures has tagged me to answer this meme a few days back. I had a pretty busy weekend so here it is....finally.

1. My Mom came from a family of 13 children, she is number 10.

2. My Mom has 6 brothers and 6 sisters - making my Aunt Charlene the tie breaker for the girls - as my mom is girl #6.

3. My Mom was born in Molalla Oregon. Home of the Molalla Buckaroo - I've never been to it.

4. My Mom went to college at what was then OCE, Oregon College of Education. It is now WOSC - Western Oregon State.

5. My Mom was married at 19 in the McMinnville Baptist church - the church my paternal grandmother belonged to for more than 50 years.

6. My Mom had 2 children. One boy and one girl - in that order. She also has 5 grandchildren. Four boys and one girl.

7. My Mom is the only Member of the church in her family. She was baptized in 1979.

8. My Mom worked as a secretary for our local school district for 20 years - working in various elementary and highschools in the are.


I am supposed to tag 8 people but I've gotten pretty bad about that lately so I say - if you want to tell us 8 things about your mom go ahead - let me know so I can come over and read.

Flashback Friday

I saw this Flashback Friday theme on Stomper Girl's blog and it looked like fun so I thought I would play along today. Flashback friday is a flickr photo group - but I have no problem stealing the idea to share on my blog. LOL

The Theme for today is What Our Mums Did to Our Hair. Of course, since I am the queen of Moms not Mums - Mine will be appropriately called:

What Our Moms Did to Our Hair



I really could leave this as a wordless Wednesday couldn't I? I mean the picture does really say it all. I do have to defend my Mom just a bit and let you all know that the fact is that this was my Dad's attempt at a cute little Dorothy Hammil Haircut.



As you can see - it wasn't quite what I had in mind. My dad DOES have his Barbers license but in 1979 that meant he had a license to cut BOYS hair. This was the one and only time he ever cut my hair. My daughter was looking at the picture my mom so proudly hangs on her wall - along with my brother's 1st grade picture - and she declared that she will never let Grandpa cut her hair - she's a smart girl.

Thursday Thirteen #12

#12 Thirteen Boyfriends I forgot it was Thursday so this is what I came up with for a quick TT - 13 Boyfriends I Have Had. 1. John G. He was my boyfriend in the 1st grade. He brought me red licorice in his packed lunch even though he liked black. He also saved me a seat by the teacher at the lunch table. 2. Joe D. He was my boyfriend in the 5th grade. He broke up with me in a note saying I was immature - hmmm I was 10. I still have the note. 3. Brian T. 6th grade. I met him on the bus for our school trip to Expo 86 in Canada. He could raise one eyebrow - I spent hours perfecting this talent. 4. Shawn F. 8th grade. We sat next to each other in math and he was my neighbor. When I found out he smoked I broke up with him. 5. Dustin D. 8th grade. He gave me a pair of earrings for Christmas and I broke up with him - that's just way too much commitment. 6. Tyrone J. 9th grade. Let's just say my parents were a bit surprised at this pairing. 7. Joe Z. 9th grade. I still have friends that don't know that we went out. I was the "other woman" and I really didn't care. He was a senior and I didn't like his girlfriend so that's that. 8. Bryan C. 10th grade. We met at a church youth conference. I remember dancing with him to "Lady in Red" at one of the dances. He once told me that if he had a girlfriend that got fat he would break up with her. My mom ran in to him and his wife a few years ago and yep, you guessed it, they were both a bit on the heavy side. Karma I tell ya! 9. Todd M. Bryan's best friend. I think this was like the 90210 years - seriously I date you, you date my friend, I date your friend, we date again. 10. Mario C. 11th grade. The only boy I ever sent out on a mission. He went to Guatemala and the mail system there was not good. Once our letters started getting lost we quit writing. We did go out again after he came home. In fact I was at my parents during a college break looking for his sister's phone number to see when he would be home and my phone rang and it was him. One of those totally crazy moments. 11. Pete E. 11-12th grade. He was a Marine. I was 16. We finally broke up when I left for college. If I were to pick from the list which one of these would have been my "what if" he would be it. 12. Matt - the maintenance man. College. This was at the height of my flirting period. I actually yelled across the dorm courtyard to him to ask if he would open a jar of mayonnaise. He was from Kentucky and had a great drawl. He was 28 and I was 19 - that freaked me out so we ended it. 13. Stew - My hubby. He stalked me - I finally went out with him - the rest is history.

Had some fun today after finding THIS on Mama Lee's blog