I'm tired.
Good-bye.
Five for today:
1. Wonderful husband: made me breakfast.
2. Wonderful husband: scraped my car off because of course my first day of full-time work would happen in a snow storm so it takes 1 1/2 hours to get to work.
3. Wonderful husband: stayed home to take care of recovering son because I couldn't be there.
4. Wonderful husband: came home to a very different but nourishing, nutritious, use-up-the-leftovers dinner that I didn't have to make.
5. Wonderful husband: let me go to the gym because all I do now is sit sit sit. It's very exhausting.
Good night.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Whirlwind
Has life ever thrown you a curve ball? Like Stephen R. Covey suggests, I had my day planned out perfectly yesterday:
1. Take my oldest son to the doctor because of recurring headaches (I'm not using my kid's names anymore to protect their identity).
2. Check him into school late.
3. Go to work.
4. Come home, enjoy kids the rest of the day. Homework, dinner, laundry. The usual.
Here's what actually happened:
1. Took son to doctor's. Right before leaving, he throws up.
2. Vomits again at doctor's. Is now really sleepy and lethargic.
3. Doctor says to take him to the ER at Primary Children's Hospital. Now.
4. Vomits again on the way to PCMC. Happily, he makes it completely into the bowl.
5. Numerous X-rays and a CAT Scan are taken. 3 doctors come and ask questions. Boy is crying because he doesn't want to "live" at the hospital again. Mom agrees.
6. X-rays show that boys's shunt has broken off and is lodged in his ventrical. Surgery will be in 5 minutes. Boy is terrified that his head will be cut open. Mom is, too.
7. Boy emerges from an extremely successful surgery with a new shunt and nothing floating around in his brain. He gets up, walks around a bit, and asks for a pizza.
8. Boy declares PCMC's pizza as the best, watches movies with Dad, rests peacefully all night, and comes home the next morning.
9. Boy says he was the bravest kid in the whole hospital. Mom agrees.
It's not quite what I had planned, but thankfully everything worked out okay. We feel very blessed that his shunt malfunction was caught early and no brain damage occurred. So far he is doing great.
Do I dare plan tomorrow?
Friday Five:
1. My boy is home! He only had to "live" at the hospital for one night.
2. My boy is okay! Wow, what an ordeal. I'm grateful that we live so close to a great hospital and that everything worked out the way it did.
3. Darin: he spent the night at the hospital and stayed with my son today. Those hospital chair/beds are NOT comfortable. Neither is a night full of interruptions and beeping machines.
4. My other two children. I can tell that they care a lot about their brother and were so good to go to the neighbors, the hospital, then home again all in one afternoon. They were good sports. They even woke up early this morning (on their own!) so they could do their homework since we didn't get to it last night.
5. Neighbors and family. We have had so many phone calls and people stopping by to offer babysitting, dinner, anything! We feel very blessed.
1. Take my oldest son to the doctor because of recurring headaches (I'm not using my kid's names anymore to protect their identity).
2. Check him into school late.
3. Go to work.
4. Come home, enjoy kids the rest of the day. Homework, dinner, laundry. The usual.
Here's what actually happened:
1. Took son to doctor's. Right before leaving, he throws up.
2. Vomits again at doctor's. Is now really sleepy and lethargic.
3. Doctor says to take him to the ER at Primary Children's Hospital. Now.
4. Vomits again on the way to PCMC. Happily, he makes it completely into the bowl.
5. Numerous X-rays and a CAT Scan are taken. 3 doctors come and ask questions. Boy is crying because he doesn't want to "live" at the hospital again. Mom agrees.
6. X-rays show that boys's shunt has broken off and is lodged in his ventrical. Surgery will be in 5 minutes. Boy is terrified that his head will be cut open. Mom is, too.
7. Boy emerges from an extremely successful surgery with a new shunt and nothing floating around in his brain. He gets up, walks around a bit, and asks for a pizza.
8. Boy declares PCMC's pizza as the best, watches movies with Dad, rests peacefully all night, and comes home the next morning.
9. Boy says he was the bravest kid in the whole hospital. Mom agrees.
It's not quite what I had planned, but thankfully everything worked out okay. We feel very blessed that his shunt malfunction was caught early and no brain damage occurred. So far he is doing great.
Do I dare plan tomorrow?
Friday Five:
1. My boy is home! He only had to "live" at the hospital for one night.
2. My boy is okay! Wow, what an ordeal. I'm grateful that we live so close to a great hospital and that everything worked out the way it did.
3. Darin: he spent the night at the hospital and stayed with my son today. Those hospital chair/beds are NOT comfortable. Neither is a night full of interruptions and beeping machines.
4. My other two children. I can tell that they care a lot about their brother and were so good to go to the neighbors, the hospital, then home again all in one afternoon. They were good sports. They even woke up early this morning (on their own!) so they could do their homework since we didn't get to it last night.
5. Neighbors and family. We have had so many phone calls and people stopping by to offer babysitting, dinner, anything! We feel very blessed.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Miscellaneous Grateful Fors: (In other words: Not a Very Witty Blog Again)
1. Clean white towels in all the bathrooms.
2. Tootsie Rolls. For when you NEED chocolate but your expanding waistline insists you don't.
3. Snuggling with my son on the rocking chair on the front porch. It's too bad he had a headache. That's the only time I get snuggling in, though: when they're sick. The Tylenol did kick in, thankfully, and I enjoyed my 45 minutes outside in the peace and quiet holding someone I love.
4. I'm thankful that my week of self-imposed restraint has ended (one day early, but I'm rounding up). I played Solitaire and looked at the celebrity news. Didn't miss much.
5. Going to the park with my daughter and chatting with the other moms there. We all feel like we know each other even though we hardly see each other. We read each other's blogs! (Hi Jodee!)
2. Tootsie Rolls. For when you NEED chocolate but your expanding waistline insists you don't.
3. Snuggling with my son on the rocking chair on the front porch. It's too bad he had a headache. That's the only time I get snuggling in, though: when they're sick. The Tylenol did kick in, thankfully, and I enjoyed my 45 minutes outside in the peace and quiet holding someone I love.
4. I'm thankful that my week of self-imposed restraint has ended (one day early, but I'm rounding up). I played Solitaire and looked at the celebrity news. Didn't miss much.
5. Going to the park with my daughter and chatting with the other moms there. We all feel like we know each other even though we hardly see each other. We read each other's blogs! (Hi Jodee!)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Hula Hoopsters
The Easter Bunny left hula hoops! These are some pretty talented kids!
Post-Easter Five:
1. No school/work today!
2. Easter feast.
3. FHE. I love Mondays.
4. Finished the B of M as a family tonight.
5. allrecipes.com. I'll never waste food again. Go to the ingredient search feature and type in whatever is left in your fridge and it'll give you all kinds of recipes for that ingredient. I love it! We had a pretty sweet (actually spicy) Summer Sausage sauce over rice tonight. Delicious!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Pre-Easter Five
1. Kids that come in caked with dirt at the end of the day. It's a sign of a day well-spent.
2. Kids that come out of the bathtub on said days fresh smelling, clean and oh-so-huggable!
3. Painting Easter eggs and talking about the real meaning of Easter. We did this tonight as we all sat around the kitchen table.
4. The bright yellow tulips that are sitting on my kitchen table. My husband brought them home today to brighten my day! (I've got a nasty cold, and I think tulips help colds go away!)
5. The real meaning of Easter. I'm so grateful to my Savior who died for me and the Resurrection that makes it possible for me to return to Him someday.
I'm very blessed.
2. Kids that come out of the bathtub on said days fresh smelling, clean and oh-so-huggable!
3. Painting Easter eggs and talking about the real meaning of Easter. We did this tonight as we all sat around the kitchen table.
4. The bright yellow tulips that are sitting on my kitchen table. My husband brought them home today to brighten my day! (I've got a nasty cold, and I think tulips help colds go away!)
5. The real meaning of Easter. I'm so grateful to my Savior who died for me and the Resurrection that makes it possible for me to return to Him someday.
I'm very blessed.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
This Might Take a Second....
I'm sorry to say that my five are hard to come up with. That's bad, isn't it?
Anyway, here they are in no particular order:
1. Cough drops. And not because they taste good. (I remember in 2nd grade my friend would share cough drops at recess and we all thought they were sooo good! She was also the friend that shared her lip gloss. With everybody. I don't remember her but I sure do remember those cough drops!)
2. Spring weather. With enough cough drops and antihistamine, I can actually enjoy it. But what I really enjoy is the fact that my kids enjoy it. No more sitting in front of the TV for hours on end! They are actually outside moving and breathing real (pollenated) air and interacting with real people and everything!
3. The Book of Mormon. I can't imagine a day without it. I love the teachings, the stories, and especially the spirit that comes as soon as the book is opened.
4. Kid-proof eyeglasses. We frequent the eye glass store on a regular basis to bend frames back into place or replace lost screws, but they have never broken! (Knock on wood.)
5. The book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. I've been reading this book and it has given me the desire to actually start managing my money! Today I set up a whole new system of savings. I'm up to one dollar. I'll let you know when I become a millionaire...
Happy Spring Everybody! (cough cough, sniffle sniffle)
Anyway, here they are in no particular order:
1. Cough drops. And not because they taste good. (I remember in 2nd grade my friend would share cough drops at recess and we all thought they were sooo good! She was also the friend that shared her lip gloss. With everybody. I don't remember her but I sure do remember those cough drops!)
2. Spring weather. With enough cough drops and antihistamine, I can actually enjoy it. But what I really enjoy is the fact that my kids enjoy it. No more sitting in front of the TV for hours on end! They are actually outside moving and breathing real (pollenated) air and interacting with real people and everything!
3. The Book of Mormon. I can't imagine a day without it. I love the teachings, the stories, and especially the spirit that comes as soon as the book is opened.
4. Kid-proof eyeglasses. We frequent the eye glass store on a regular basis to bend frames back into place or replace lost screws, but they have never broken! (Knock on wood.)
5. The book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. I've been reading this book and it has given me the desire to actually start managing my money! Today I set up a whole new system of savings. I'm up to one dollar. I'll let you know when I become a millionaire...
Happy Spring Everybody! (cough cough, sniffle sniffle)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Not Guilty, Your Honor
I hate the phrase "guilty pleasure." To me you are having no pleasure at all if you are feeling guilt. The two do not go hand in hand in my book. There are things, however, that I don't feel guilt about but probably should. And I'm giving them up, today and now. At least for a week.
Confession: I love celebrity gossip. I like clean gossip (if there is such a thing), so I only go to the People Magazine website and I'mNotObesessed.com. Those two websites offer plenty of updates on the stars, but for the most part stay modest, don't swear, and aren't crude. See? I've justified my addiction well, haven't I? I call it "unwinding." Really it's just called wasting time.
Also a big waste of time that I enjoy: games. I love solitaire and freecell. I especially like to play them when I have whiny children or a messy house. I call it "coping" but really it's just ignoring and procrastinating.
So, I am giving them up. For one week. Just to see if there really will be a difference in my life. For one week I will "unwind" with a good book or some herbal tea, and will "cope" by listening to my children and doing the laundry. Maybe I'll put some music on or something.
I will report to you on this experiment next week. Wish me luck! (And if anything happens to Brangelina or Jennifer Aniston, call me!)
My Five for Today:
1. A peaceful and quiet and mostly clean house right at this exact minute.
2. Enrichment Night is tonight. We are celebrating the life of Marjorie Hinckley.
3. A bunch of books that I've had on hold at the library just came in.
4. A scrambled egg and cheese sandwich for lunch.
5. A son doing his math homework in record time!
Confession: I love celebrity gossip. I like clean gossip (if there is such a thing), so I only go to the People Magazine website and I'mNotObesessed.com. Those two websites offer plenty of updates on the stars, but for the most part stay modest, don't swear, and aren't crude. See? I've justified my addiction well, haven't I? I call it "unwinding." Really it's just called wasting time.
Also a big waste of time that I enjoy: games. I love solitaire and freecell. I especially like to play them when I have whiny children or a messy house. I call it "coping" but really it's just ignoring and procrastinating.
So, I am giving them up. For one week. Just to see if there really will be a difference in my life. For one week I will "unwind" with a good book or some herbal tea, and will "cope" by listening to my children and doing the laundry. Maybe I'll put some music on or something.
I will report to you on this experiment next week. Wish me luck! (And if anything happens to Brangelina or Jennifer Aniston, call me!)
My Five for Today:
1. A peaceful and quiet and mostly clean house right at this exact minute.
2. Enrichment Night is tonight. We are celebrating the life of Marjorie Hinckley.
3. A bunch of books that I've had on hold at the library just came in.
4. A scrambled egg and cheese sandwich for lunch.
5. A son doing his math homework in record time!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Why I'm Glad I'm Not a Convict
Before I get into today's featured article, let me give you an update on my employment status, since I know you all care. Deeply. I met with the University of Utah Admissions Office this morning and they offered me my old job back! They called a week or so ago and asked if I would apply for it. In a week and a half I will officially be the Supervisor of Freshman Admissions. Again. I can't believe that I'm coming back 8 years later to do the same job. I can't believe I wanted the job! But, life doesn't always work out the way you think it should, does it.
Since venturing out in to the world of job seeking roughly two months ago, I have had to fill out a lot of job applications. Okay, only about six, since I wasn't gung-ho about job seeking. However, I like to consider myself an expert - guru, if you will -on the subject of filling out job applications. For example, when it says to print your name, print your name! Legibly. But it never hurts to add little decorative dots on the top and bottom of each letter, just to show that you pay attention to details. Also, most employers want 2 references. I would add as many as possible,even going so far as to copy your ward list if necessary, just to show how popular you are.
The most important part of the application, I believe, is the very very end, when you are asked if you have been convicted for anything other than a minor traffic violation. You MUST answer NO (and it would help if you wrote a little note to let them know you don't even have a traffic violation. That's extra credit, you know.)
In my case, I am very lucky to be able to answer that question with a NO. Many of you (except my friend Elizabeth who has magically been with me when my most memorable experiences occured) may not know about my past dealings with the West Jordan Police Department. Many years ago (probably when I had my last job with the Admissions Office) I was hanging out with some high school friends for the evening. As I was driving my friend Elizabeth home, we witnessed a hit and run accident. Some young girls were riding their bikes across the street and a car hit them. The girls were okay, just stood up and finished walking across the street, but the car didn't even stop to say sorry. I felt it was my duty to do so. To make a long story short, I never did find the girls by the time I turned my car around, and at midnight that night the WJ Police Department called me in for questioning. I gladly complied, believing in my innocent heart that I could help find the meanie. Once I got there, I was informed that I was the ONE AND ONLY suspect in a hit and run. A car passing by got my license plate number, and EVEN THE GIRLS described my car and how I looked as the person who did it.
Fortunately I wasn't booked or anything. Once they found out that I was a straight B+ student in Criminology at the U of U, plus the fact that my story actually made sense and I had a witness (Elizabeth) AND there were no scratches on my car, they thanked me for being a good samaritan but informed me that my record would always show that I was a suspect in a hit and run.
At least I can truthfully answer that I'm NOT a convicted felon. Plus I've never even had a speeding ticket. (Extra credit!)
Here's my five for today:
1. I have a job!!!
2. I'm not a convicted felon, or even the one and only suspect in a crime.
3. My husband who made a yummy roast beef dinner for us and some lucky neighbors who happened to be over.
4. Except for legos all over, my front room is clean.
5. My daughter lost her first tooth!!!
Since venturing out in to the world of job seeking roughly two months ago, I have had to fill out a lot of job applications. Okay, only about six, since I wasn't gung-ho about job seeking. However, I like to consider myself an expert - guru, if you will -on the subject of filling out job applications. For example, when it says to print your name, print your name! Legibly. But it never hurts to add little decorative dots on the top and bottom of each letter, just to show that you pay attention to details. Also, most employers want 2 references. I would add as many as possible,even going so far as to copy your ward list if necessary, just to show how popular you are.
The most important part of the application, I believe, is the very very end, when you are asked if you have been convicted for anything other than a minor traffic violation. You MUST answer NO (and it would help if you wrote a little note to let them know you don't even have a traffic violation. That's extra credit, you know.)
In my case, I am very lucky to be able to answer that question with a NO. Many of you (except my friend Elizabeth who has magically been with me when my most memorable experiences occured) may not know about my past dealings with the West Jordan Police Department. Many years ago (probably when I had my last job with the Admissions Office) I was hanging out with some high school friends for the evening. As I was driving my friend Elizabeth home, we witnessed a hit and run accident. Some young girls were riding their bikes across the street and a car hit them. The girls were okay, just stood up and finished walking across the street, but the car didn't even stop to say sorry. I felt it was my duty to do so. To make a long story short, I never did find the girls by the time I turned my car around, and at midnight that night the WJ Police Department called me in for questioning. I gladly complied, believing in my innocent heart that I could help find the meanie. Once I got there, I was informed that I was the ONE AND ONLY suspect in a hit and run. A car passing by got my license plate number, and EVEN THE GIRLS described my car and how I looked as the person who did it.
Fortunately I wasn't booked or anything. Once they found out that I was a straight B+ student in Criminology at the U of U, plus the fact that my story actually made sense and I had a witness (Elizabeth) AND there were no scratches on my car, they thanked me for being a good samaritan but informed me that my record would always show that I was a suspect in a hit and run.
At least I can truthfully answer that I'm NOT a convicted felon. Plus I've never even had a speeding ticket. (Extra credit!)
Here's my five for today:
1. I have a job!!!
2. I'm not a convicted felon, or even the one and only suspect in a crime.
3. My husband who made a yummy roast beef dinner for us and some lucky neighbors who happened to be over.
4. Except for legos all over, my front room is clean.
5. My daughter lost her first tooth!!!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Leprachaun's Reportedly Make Messes
Who knows when disaster will strike? My family does. According to inside sources, every March 17th they wake up to chaos. The children can be heard every March 16th saying, "Please, no messes this year. We hate cleaning up after leprachaun's." Invariably, the messes continue from year to year. Rumor had it that the mother of the family was the mess maker. In an exclusive interview, Mom has denied the accusations: "Why would I mess up my own house when I work so hard to clean it everyday?" When the father was asked, he simply raised his hands in the air and gave innocent puppy-dog eyes and and said: "Who me?"
Below are the pictures used as evidence of the recent mess. Also pictured are the pictures of said leprachauns. A possible motive may include the temptation of eating green Cream o' Wheat, which the Lythgoe's had for breakfast. Anyone with information is asked to leave a comment.
May the luck o' the Irish be with you!
Here's my lucky five:
1. Leprachauns (who says they aren't real?)
2. Easter shopping 1/2 way done!
3. Leftover cookies from the farewell.
4. Folding the sock pile for FHE and then trying to make "shots" into the laundry basket.
5. Darin's new blog! Check it out!
Below are the pictures used as evidence of the recent mess. Also pictured are the pictures of said leprachauns. A possible motive may include the temptation of eating green Cream o' Wheat, which the Lythgoe's had for breakfast. Anyone with information is asked to leave a comment.
May the luck o' the Irish be with you!
Here's my lucky five:
1. Leprachauns (who says they aren't real?)
2. Easter shopping 1/2 way done!
3. Leftover cookies from the farewell.
4. Folding the sock pile for FHE and then trying to make "shots" into the laundry basket.
5. Darin's new blog! Check it out!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday Five
Here's my five for today:
1. My boys reading the Bible this morning together. Does it count as sacreligious if a seven year old says, "Let's start reading in the book of St. Luke Skywalker."
2. Cousins being good examples. We went to Trevor's mission farewell this morning and I am sooo glad that my kids have good cousins who love them and are good examples.
3. Mission farewells. One word: cookies.
4. Watching my daughter do tricks on the bar. She swung backward on the bar 10 consecutive times today!! That's her personal best!
5. Frozen pizza. The best answer to "What's for dinner?"
1. My boys reading the Bible this morning together. Does it count as sacreligious if a seven year old says, "Let's start reading in the book of St. Luke Skywalker."
2. Cousins being good examples. We went to Trevor's mission farewell this morning and I am sooo glad that my kids have good cousins who love them and are good examples.
3. Mission farewells. One word: cookies.
4. Watching my daughter do tricks on the bar. She swung backward on the bar 10 consecutive times today!! That's her personal best!
5. Frozen pizza. The best answer to "What's for dinner?"
Friday, March 14, 2008
One Word Answers
I've been tagged by Jessica. Here are my one-word answers:
1. Where is your cell phone? cupboard
2. Your hair? Wet
3. Work? Always
4. Your father? Average
5. Your favorite thing? Naps
6. Your dream last night? Repetative
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream car? Nonvanlike
9. The room you're in? Bedroom
10. Your fears? Poverty
11. What do you want to be in 10 years? Alive
12. Who did you hang out with last night? Darin
13. What you're not good at? Organizing
14. Muffin? Please!
15. One of your wish list items? Floss
16. Where you grew up? Bedroom
17. Last thing you did? Vaccuum
18. What are you wearing? PJs
19. What aren't you wearing? Retainer
20. Your pet? WHAT?
21. Your computer? Fast
22. Your life? Busy
23. Your mood? Good
24. Missing? Dessert
25. What are you thinking about right now? Kids
26. Your car/truck? Runs
27. Your summer? Hot
28. Your relationship status? Blissful
29. Your favorite color? All
30. When is the last time you really laughed with meaning? Hmmmmm....
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday
32. School? Done
33. Least favorite weather? Icy
34. Soup? No thanks.
35. Movie? ColinFirth
36. Tag? Everyone.
Good luck - it's harder than it looks!
Here's my Five:
1. PJ's
2. Temple
3. Neighbors
4. Friends
5. Ironing: Done!
Looks like I'm still in one-word mode.
Bye...
1. Where is your cell phone? cupboard
2. Your hair? Wet
3. Work? Always
4. Your father? Average
5. Your favorite thing? Naps
6. Your dream last night? Repetative
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream car? Nonvanlike
9. The room you're in? Bedroom
10. Your fears? Poverty
11. What do you want to be in 10 years? Alive
12. Who did you hang out with last night? Darin
13. What you're not good at? Organizing
14. Muffin? Please!
15. One of your wish list items? Floss
16. Where you grew up? Bedroom
17. Last thing you did? Vaccuum
18. What are you wearing? PJs
19. What aren't you wearing? Retainer
20. Your pet? WHAT?
21. Your computer? Fast
22. Your life? Busy
23. Your mood? Good
24. Missing? Dessert
25. What are you thinking about right now? Kids
26. Your car/truck? Runs
27. Your summer? Hot
28. Your relationship status? Blissful
29. Your favorite color? All
30. When is the last time you really laughed with meaning? Hmmmmm....
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday
32. School? Done
33. Least favorite weather? Icy
34. Soup? No thanks.
35. Movie? ColinFirth
36. Tag? Everyone.
Good luck - it's harder than it looks!
Here's my Five:
1. PJ's
2. Temple
3. Neighbors
4. Friends
5. Ironing: Done!
Looks like I'm still in one-word mode.
Bye...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I'm Officially Done!
So I started the day with a job interview,three loads of laundry to fold and put away,and a laundry basket of clothes to iron. I also needed to help three kids with homework, and do the normal chores of the day. I finished the day having had a terrible interview ("I'll be honest with you: you're not such a good candidate that we're going to offer you the job right away. You'll be put into a pool of 5 other candidates to choose from for 2 positions. Most of our other candidates are of very high caliber." He said this AFTER he grilled me for a solid HOUR.) I still have three loads of laundry to fold, a basket of clothes to iron, and one child who never did finish his homework, even though he worked on it for 45 minutes.
But I'm done for the day.
March 12 is officially over for me. Time to hit the sack (as my dad would always say). I'm turning in. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Good night.
Except here's my five for today:
1. Bed. Right now I'm really looking forward to it.
2. Really wonderful, awesome, sensational neighbors. Even if they are moving today, darn it.
3. A husband who at this exact moment is folding two loads of laundry so the bed will be cleared off so I can occupy it very very soon.
4. A school teacher that took pictures of my daughter with the Jazz Bear at the assembly yesterday and printed the pictures for her to take home.
5. Seein my neice Lucy in ballet class. She's such a cute little thing!
But I'm done for the day.
March 12 is officially over for me. Time to hit the sack (as my dad would always say). I'm turning in. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Good night.
Except here's my five for today:
1. Bed. Right now I'm really looking forward to it.
2. Really wonderful, awesome, sensational neighbors. Even if they are moving today, darn it.
3. A husband who at this exact moment is folding two loads of laundry so the bed will be cleared off so I can occupy it very very soon.
4. A school teacher that took pictures of my daughter with the Jazz Bear at the assembly yesterday and printed the pictures for her to take home.
5. Seein my neice Lucy in ballet class. She's such a cute little thing!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My Favorite Movie
Okay, so this isn't the "real" trailer, but now I'm sooo excited to see this movie!
My five for today:
1. My sister Jeanette, who not only sent me this YouTube video, but also saved my interview for tomorrow by being able to open the attachment on my email. Thanks Jean!
2. Target. I love that store. And I found some killer deals on clothes!
3. My interview today went great. It's for an office assistant position at the Family Enrichment Center. I probably will not accept the job, but the interview was great practice for tomorrow.
4. Tomorrow. I have an interview at Western Governor's University and I hope THAT interview goes well! It's the ideal job: after 3 months I would be able to work from home.
5. Darin for watching the kids after school so I could wander Target.
6. My son: today he came home with a bandaid on his wrist. I asked him why and he said he couldn't tell me. I told him to tell me anyway, and he said, "I could tell you but I will lie about it." Is there such thing as being honest about lying? Hmmm.....AND, I never did find out why he had the bandaid.
7. Good weather AGAIN!!!
8. Twilight. Such a good, good, good book!
Okay, so it was 8 for today. I guess it never hurts to be more grateful than you planned, right?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Five a Day
My friend Shelby (who lives across the street in the formerly pink house) has an awesome blog. Every time she posts, she lists 5 things that she is grateful for. It is so uplifting to read her blog everyday. For some time now, I've been meaning to copycat her. I just never think to ask her if it's okay when I see her, and hardly see her as it is, even though she's just across the street. So I'm just going to go ahead and copy her without her permission. Here's my five for today:
1. Shelby, who's changing the blog world one person at a time (another neighbor has already copied her five a day, too. So if you think about it, I'm really copycatting two people.)
2. Beautiful spring weather. I love jacket weather!
3. Practice time to be thankful. This is harder than I thought!
4. Job opportunities. I have 2 interviews this week and an offer to think about.
5. My dad's paper cutter thingy that cuts any letters you want in any size. I forgot the name of it, but I spent 4 hours playing with it last Saturday.
1. Shelby, who's changing the blog world one person at a time (another neighbor has already copied her five a day, too. So if you think about it, I'm really copycatting two people.)
2. Beautiful spring weather. I love jacket weather!
3. Practice time to be thankful. This is harder than I thought!
4. Job opportunities. I have 2 interviews this week and an offer to think about.
5. My dad's paper cutter thingy that cuts any letters you want in any size. I forgot the name of it, but I spent 4 hours playing with it last Saturday.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Why Would You Want to do That?
I hinted in my last post that I was going to get my kids involved in my diet. Kids are great at pointing out flaws and telling you like it is. So last night, as we sat down to a delicious dinner of turkey and stuffing meatloaf, homemade-from-scratch mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, and homemade-from-scratch gravy, I asked them to help me with my diet.
Me: "Kids, will you not let me get seconds at mealtimes?"
Kids: They look down at their untouched and "gross" dinner: "Why would you want seconds?"
Me: "Kids, will you not let me get seconds at mealtimes?"
Kids: They look down at their untouched and "gross" dinner: "Why would you want seconds?"
Friday, March 7, 2008
What's in Your Toolbox?
Each of us has ways of dealing with "issues" that come up in life. I like to call them tools. How do you deal with stress? You use a tool. How do you conquer your fears? You use a tool. What do you do when you're overwhelmed? You pull out a tool. If that one doesn't work, you put it away and pull out another tool. Here is my list of tools:
1. Blog. Writing just helps the blues go away for me. But not just any writing. If I write in a journal, I just moan and complain to myself, which makes me more depressed. But if I blog, I at least try to make my moaning and complaining funny. Then I'm not so depressed.
2. Read. I prefer very clean romances. My all time favorite books, are, of course, the Twilight series. There is nothing better than a million year old handsome vampire that wants to suck the blood out of you but resists because he loves you soooo much. And somehow, though you are not super pretty and not at all talented, not only does a vampire love you, but a werewolf too! What a world!
3. I tell my kids my goals. This tool is especially helpful when I want to have self-control and just don't. For instance: yelling. Believe it or not, I used to be a yeller. Nothing felt better than letting it all out of my mouth. Loudly. However, nothing felt worse than realizing I just let it all out on my very own children. It took two whole years, but they finally convinced me to stop. It's just not as much fun to yell at them when they respond: "Mom, you just broke your goal." And what's worse is when they respond: "Mom, maybe you should have another goal. Not yelling just isn't working for you." My next goal: not having seconds at dinner. I'm sure the kids will be more than happy to help me with that goal!
4. Take time out. I started this as a meditation moment. Take 20 minutes out of your day to lie down and imagine your happy place. If you're like me, you'll hit the pillow and conk out for 20 minutes. Doesn't matter. If you sleep or meditate, the result is the same: not having to live your life for 20 minutes. Plus you're a lot more ready to live it after the 20 minutes.
5. Let things go. I already told you how my therapist (which I no longer need, by the way) told me it's okay to not be caught up on laundry. Take a deep breath and walk away. Go play with the kids, make dinner, call a friend. Your house doesn't have to be perfect.
6. Last but not least, serve somebody. Send a card to a friend, call someone, watch some neighbor kids. Do something to get out of your rut. Anybody want to come over for dinner?
7. Okay, this is really the last one: do the dreaded anyway. Sometimes you can't sleep your way through a problem. Trust me, I've tried. The problem only goes away if you solve it.
That's my list. What's in your toolbelt? I would love to know. Meanwhile, I've really just got to go sanitize the dreaded bathroom, and do the dreaded laundry. I've been blogging, reading, sleeping, and letting things go long enough that I better JUST DO IT!
1. Blog. Writing just helps the blues go away for me. But not just any writing. If I write in a journal, I just moan and complain to myself, which makes me more depressed. But if I blog, I at least try to make my moaning and complaining funny. Then I'm not so depressed.
2. Read. I prefer very clean romances. My all time favorite books, are, of course, the Twilight series. There is nothing better than a million year old handsome vampire that wants to suck the blood out of you but resists because he loves you soooo much. And somehow, though you are not super pretty and not at all talented, not only does a vampire love you, but a werewolf too! What a world!
3. I tell my kids my goals. This tool is especially helpful when I want to have self-control and just don't. For instance: yelling. Believe it or not, I used to be a yeller. Nothing felt better than letting it all out of my mouth. Loudly. However, nothing felt worse than realizing I just let it all out on my very own children. It took two whole years, but they finally convinced me to stop. It's just not as much fun to yell at them when they respond: "Mom, you just broke your goal." And what's worse is when they respond: "Mom, maybe you should have another goal. Not yelling just isn't working for you." My next goal: not having seconds at dinner. I'm sure the kids will be more than happy to help me with that goal!
4. Take time out. I started this as a meditation moment. Take 20 minutes out of your day to lie down and imagine your happy place. If you're like me, you'll hit the pillow and conk out for 20 minutes. Doesn't matter. If you sleep or meditate, the result is the same: not having to live your life for 20 minutes. Plus you're a lot more ready to live it after the 20 minutes.
5. Let things go. I already told you how my therapist (which I no longer need, by the way) told me it's okay to not be caught up on laundry. Take a deep breath and walk away. Go play with the kids, make dinner, call a friend. Your house doesn't have to be perfect.
6. Last but not least, serve somebody. Send a card to a friend, call someone, watch some neighbor kids. Do something to get out of your rut. Anybody want to come over for dinner?
7. Okay, this is really the last one: do the dreaded anyway. Sometimes you can't sleep your way through a problem. Trust me, I've tried. The problem only goes away if you solve it.
That's my list. What's in your toolbelt? I would love to know. Meanwhile, I've really just got to go sanitize the dreaded bathroom, and do the dreaded laundry. I've been blogging, reading, sleeping, and letting things go long enough that I better JUST DO IT!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Field Trip, Groundhog's Day Style with Rosa Parks
I know, I know, I haven't blogged for awhile. But I have a very valid excuse: field trips. Those suckers just wear you out, I tell ya. They did as a kid, and they do as an adult. You all know that I have the ideal part time job working in a kindergarten class. The last two days they have gone on a field trip to the Ogden Treehouse Museum. Tuesday we took the morning class and today we took the afternoon class.
Yesterday I got to sit on the back of the bus with the rowdy boys (by "rowdy" I mean one of them had been suspended for a month for violence in the classroom. "Rowdy" is an understatement.). After the trip to the museum, which was very fun, I got to be the lone adult that sat in the back of the bus with 9 high-energy boys. Now, this bus didn't have shocks (do any buses?), so the back of the bus was worse than the white roller coaster at Lagoon. And it was so hot it was steaming the windows. Which I would have opened had I not been supervising 9 rowdy boys. Who were pretending to shoot guns at people driving by ("Boys, please, we do not play with guns, even pretend ones, okay?") Or who were trying to unlatch the emergency latch on the back door (BUZZZZ! "Boys, we are on the freeway. Please do not unlatch the emergency door. And don't shoot people, even for pretend.") Then my head started hurting. And one of the kids got a bloody nose ("Here's a tissue. Don't touch anybody. Boys! Sit on your pockets, don't touch the back door, and NO SHOOTING!"). And then I got cramps, which naturally come with a bad attitude, especially with the temperature in the bus soaring. ("BOYS!! STOP shooting! I don't care if you're aiming for the tires. And leave the back door ALONE! And here's another tissue for that nose.") I start sweating. The boys start writing their names in the steam on the windows. Good. I close my eyes and take a deep, cleansing breath. I open my eyes and some of the boys are standing on their seat to write their name higher on the back door window. They're fighting for valuable steam space. ("BOYS!!! SIT DOWN!!! KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF. NO SHOOTING. NO UNLATCHING THE BACK DOOR. NO TALKING!!!) The sweat is dripping, my head is pounding, my stomach is growling. Then I hear the swearing. (BOYS!!! DON'T TALK LIKE THAT!!! DO NOT SWEAR! DON'T SHOOT, DON'T STAND, DON'T FIGHT, DON'T UNLATCH THE BACK DOOR - how's the bloody nose doing? DON'T SWEAR!!!) I should probably mention that one of the boys brought his dad along on this trip (at the teacher's request). Said dad was 6 rows up asleep in his chair listening to his IPOD. Really.
By some miracle from on high, the trip ended. The bloody nose stopped. The kids piled out. I stumbled out, greatful for some fresh cold air.
And then, like the movie Groundhog Day, I got to do it again today. Minus the 9 rowdy boys. And, similar to Rosa Parks, I refused to sit at the back of the bus (though not for such a noble cause as she did).
And today was great!
Yesterday I got to sit on the back of the bus with the rowdy boys (by "rowdy" I mean one of them had been suspended for a month for violence in the classroom. "Rowdy" is an understatement.). After the trip to the museum, which was very fun, I got to be the lone adult that sat in the back of the bus with 9 high-energy boys. Now, this bus didn't have shocks (do any buses?), so the back of the bus was worse than the white roller coaster at Lagoon. And it was so hot it was steaming the windows. Which I would have opened had I not been supervising 9 rowdy boys. Who were pretending to shoot guns at people driving by ("Boys, please, we do not play with guns, even pretend ones, okay?") Or who were trying to unlatch the emergency latch on the back door (BUZZZZ! "Boys, we are on the freeway. Please do not unlatch the emergency door. And don't shoot people, even for pretend.") Then my head started hurting. And one of the kids got a bloody nose ("Here's a tissue. Don't touch anybody. Boys! Sit on your pockets, don't touch the back door, and NO SHOOTING!"). And then I got cramps, which naturally come with a bad attitude, especially with the temperature in the bus soaring. ("BOYS!! STOP shooting! I don't care if you're aiming for the tires. And leave the back door ALONE! And here's another tissue for that nose.") I start sweating. The boys start writing their names in the steam on the windows. Good. I close my eyes and take a deep, cleansing breath. I open my eyes and some of the boys are standing on their seat to write their name higher on the back door window. They're fighting for valuable steam space. ("BOYS!!! SIT DOWN!!! KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF. NO SHOOTING. NO UNLATCHING THE BACK DOOR. NO TALKING!!!) The sweat is dripping, my head is pounding, my stomach is growling. Then I hear the swearing. (BOYS!!! DON'T TALK LIKE THAT!!! DO NOT SWEAR! DON'T SHOOT, DON'T STAND, DON'T FIGHT, DON'T UNLATCH THE BACK DOOR - how's the bloody nose doing? DON'T SWEAR!!!) I should probably mention that one of the boys brought his dad along on this trip (at the teacher's request). Said dad was 6 rows up asleep in his chair listening to his IPOD. Really.
By some miracle from on high, the trip ended. The bloody nose stopped. The kids piled out. I stumbled out, greatful for some fresh cold air.
And then, like the movie Groundhog Day, I got to do it again today. Minus the 9 rowdy boys. And, similar to Rosa Parks, I refused to sit at the back of the bus (though not for such a noble cause as she did).
And today was great!