Happy Random Halloween Friday...or whatever

It's 10:35 and I'm still in my pajamas. My kids didn't have school today, and I was looking forward to sleeping in. I even let KJ stay up with my last night to watch Little Women on HBO. I love that movie. So, this morning, just before 7 am, when C woke me up to say morning prayers, KJ woke up too. And stayed up, dangit!!! Then she kept asking me for stuff. Like I wanna watch a show, get me a drink of milk, can I call a friend? (At 7:30 in the morning??!!!)

So much for sleeping in. And yet....here I am....still in my pajamas.

I did however, get one thing accomplish today. I was talking on the phone this morning with my sister Kris, who lives in OK, who is preggers with twins. (No, she is NOT the secret identity of TAMN. At least I don't think she is). Anyway, we were talking, and I was pacing in my bedroom. I pace when I talk on the phone. Do you? So, I was pacing, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw some movement in my window. So, I opened the shutters and saw a spider. Another one. This is probably the 17th spider I've seen of the same variety, in the same window. Do you think it's time to call the bug sprayer guy? So, I got out my cleaning spray. Sprayed the crack in which the spider scurried, then got out my vaccum, and did a thorough much needed vacuum/dusting of all the windows and shutters, and ceiling fan in my room.

So, see? I'm not completely useless today.

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My heart is STILL pounding from WonderWoman's awesome Halloween post. If I kill over and die of a heart attack, WW, I'm blaming you!! THANKS ALOT!!

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OK. I have a little confession to make. One, that just might offend some of you. But, it's time I stop living this lie. It's been eating at me for some time, and I just can't bear it any more.

Ok, here goes: I think bloggy awards are stupid. Whew! I said it. What a relief. And yes, I probably sound like a hypocrite, because yes, I've gotten then, and passed them along. I get it. Then I post it. Then I passing them around, and I just feel stupid. Like I am the biggest dork, and I'm just trying to beg this person to be my friend, by trying to fit in and give them some lame award.

I'm sorry. And please know, that this doesn't mean that I think any less of any of you who have given me awards. I truly appreciate them, and your friendship. Really. I just had to come out and be honest.

By the way, I do, however LOVE tags! LOVE them! Sorry, if that offends you, too.

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So, it's Halloween. And I stuck to my guns, and DIDN'T decorate. At all. Ok, maybe a little. Last week, when I had that murder party, I went downstairs, and got my little orange bowl with spider webs on it, and put Halloween colored M&M's in it. Oh, and I did hang up the little spider web art thingy that KJ brought home from school. So, I guess I did decorate a little. So much for sticking to my principles.

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So, I've told you all that TJ gets to be Bryantman for Halloween. Everyone at Clint's work wants to see the costume, and how he's got his son "pimping the product" for him, so we're going to work today to do some trick-or-treating, and show off TJ as Bryantman. Oh, and also KJ as a witch, and Peter as Cinderella. C told me that all of his secretaries are going to try to (and I quote) "out-slut" each other with their costumes. My first reaction? Clint, you hired these floozies?

So, I'm going to show up to Clint's working today in my sluttiest outfit I can find.

(Do you think the Crazy lady can pass as sexy. She could, couldn't she? Because that's about as sexy as it gets over here)

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My kids have been so naughty the last few days. I keep threatening that they won't go trick-or-treating. They don't seem to care, because they still keep being naughty. I'm think I just bought myself a ticket out of having to roam around the neighborhood in the freezing cold, begging my neighbors for candy. Sweet!

Ok. I think I'll go shower now. I'm sure you can all smell me from all the way over there.

Here are some tunes........

1. Chasing Pavements - Adele

2. Jesse's Girl - Rick Springfield

3. I'm Your's - Jason Mraz

4. Drops of Jupiter - Train

5. The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

6. Cheated On Me - Gavin Degraw

7. Waiting on the World to Change - John Mayer

8. New Years Day - U2

9. Crush - David Archuleta

10. Break Away - Kelly Clarkson

Bonus: Thriller - Michael Jackson

Photographer in Training....

My little TJ LOVES to take pictures. If I don't put the camera away, inevitably he finds it and starts taking pictures of everything from himself, to his sisters, to the TV, to the front porch, to his toys.

One time, a few months ago, I was uploading pictures from my camera to the computer, and discovered that he had taken the camera in his room, and taken pictures of his "parts." I was MORTIFIED! My husband thought it was funny, and that it's just natural for a 4 year old boy to be curious about his body. Needless to say, the pictures were deleted the moment they were discovered, and he and I sat down to have a very serious heart to heart about not taking pictures of yourself without your clothes, and not looking at pictures of people without their clothes, because it's yucky, and our bodies are very special so we need to keep them covered...etc.....

Have I told that story before? If it sounds familiar then sorry, but it's too funny not to tell.

Anyway, I think he's becoming quite the good little photographer. Some of his pictures, I think, are truly amazing.

Here are some example of the G-rated pictures TJ has taken.

8 things Tag...

Tagged!!

My cute friend from HS, Amberlynn, tagged me forever ago, and I just barely noticed. Here it is:

8 TV Shows

1) The Office
2) The Unit
3) House
4) Pushing Daisies
5) Dancing with the Stars
6) The New Adventures of Old Christine
7) Hannah Montana
8) The Suite Life of Zack & Cody

I couldn't think of more than the first six, but the last two are always on after 4:00. KJ takes over when she gets home from school.

8 Restaurants

1) Tepanyaki
2) Corbin's
3) Rodizio's
4) Little Ceasar's
5) Mcdonald's
6) 7-11 (that is a restaurant if you buy your whole meal there)
7) California Pizza Kitchen
8)

That's all I can think of. We NEVER go out to eat with the family, except Little Ceasar's makes an appearance on our dinner table weekly, and yes, we do go to 7-11 for our meals occasionally (especially C for the nachos and me for the Cherry Coke). The first three are the restaurants C and I rotate when we go out without the kids.

8 Things I did yesterday

I can't remember what I did yesterday, so I'll write what I did today:

1) Woke up late, with a sore throat and a knot in my neck!
2) Fixed KJ's hair because it's picture day, and the pin curls I put in last night made her look like Medusa (if you need a Halloween hair idea, I now know how to make you look like you have snakes for hair) Sorry, didn't think to take a picture til now.
3) drove KJ to school, because she missed the bus, then drove TJ & Peter to preschool
4) visited with my visiting teacher
5) hosted play group at my house, made cocoa rice krispie treats with M&M's and candy corns, played Spooky Bingo, broke up a fight, resisted the urge to scream, and lock myself in my room till all the Mom's came to get their kids.
6) Laundry
7) Drove TJ to karate, and sat in my car and read
8) Came home, plopped TJ & Peter in front of the TV, because I'm exhausted, and I feel like crap, what with the sore throat and all. I feel a sinus infection coming on...AGAIN!!!


8 Things I'm looking forward to

1) going back to bed, I need a nap
2) not being sick
3) my CD getting released
4)KJ's birthday in 2 weeks
5) getting the holidays overwith
6) Spring
7) Peter being in 1st grade
8) our Hawaii trip for my birthday in March (Ok, it's not really for my birthday, it's for work, but its the week of my birthday)

8 Things on my wish list

1) A nap
2) a grand piano
3) Rockband
4) for Clint to not have to work so hard, and to be home more, but to still get paid the same
5) for my house to be eternally clean
6) infinite youth and wisdom
7) my children to grow up to be well adjusted, smart, wonderful and righteous people, despite having an insane mother
8) Smaller butt, bigger boobs

I tag:
1) you
2) you
3) you
4) you
5) you
6) you
7) you
8) and you.......
Come play!

I've been Boo-ed!

I got boo-Ed, and now you are too!!! Mikki Boo-Ed me! What fun. Can't exactly send snacks through the blogosphere, so you get a cute Halloween picture created by Merrianne instead.

So here is how the Blogging Boo will go. Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been "B00-ED". Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween Treat (picture) and tell them to Boo their friends. (Then put the pic in your side bar so everyone knows that you've already been "boo-ed and to send the pic to someone else.)

Pasta, Passion & Pistols

Saturday night, we had the pleasure of hosting a murder mystery party. 3 of my siblings and their spouses came, dressed up as different characters to play. I randomly assigned the characters, and C wasn't very happy about his character as the soccer playing waiter son of the deceased. When I told him he had to dress up as a soccer player, he said, and I quote "I don't have any gay clothes."

For some reason or other my hubby is very much anti-soccer. And apparently there are many guys who agree with him.

So, sorry if you are a soccer fan and that offends you.

I got to dress up as the bereaved widow. So, C and I didn't get very creative with out dress up, but some of my siblings did!

It was a little bit weird and stupid to play the game, but also really fun.

We ate pizza and pasta, and the kids all got to have their own little party downstairs.

Pepi Roni was murdered in his restaurant. He is survived by his wife Rosa Roni, son, Marco Roni, and daughter Angel Roni, her boyfriend, Bo Jalais and brother Rocco Scarfazzi, his fiance Tara Misu, his priest Father Alfredo, and his fortune teller Clair Voyant, all of whom are suspects.

Funny names, huh.....

This is me, Mama Rosa, and my son Marco, the soccer playing waiter (Clint)

And here is Pepi's brother Rocco, the Italian gangster (my brother Josh), and his pregnant fiance, Tara Misu (his wife Stacie)

This is Bo Jalais, the french wine dude that works for Rocco (my brother Nate, who by the way does a mean french accent), and my daughter Angel, who is dating Bo to be rebellious (his wife Jess)

And this is Clair Voyant, my best friend and astrology advisor (my sister, Kat), and Father Alfredo, our Italian priest (her hubby Austin)

If you have never done one of these things, you should try it. It's lots of fun!

Random 10 Friday

Is it Friday already? Where has the time gone? This week has whizzed by so fast, I hardly noticed it. I feel like I've been constantly doing laundry all week, and I'm still behind. How do we go through that many clothes in one week? Seriously? Nobody went out of town this week. We had a pretty normal week, as far as clothes wearing goes.

I'm sure it has something to do with my two little dress-upers who like to change clothes every 15 minutes. I don't wash their dress-ups every time they wear them either. I seriously wonder if my kids pull things out of their closets and put them straight in their dirty clothes baskets (they each of a dirty clothes basket in their closets). I should probably pay closer attention. I just hate to risk not washing something that was worn, because that's disgusting.

Maybe I need to use Motherboard's method of laundry abatement, and make a visit to the D.I.

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For the record, the "niece" that wrote that Prop 8 post isn't MY niece. It's just a forward I got in my email, so I posted it. So, don't give me any credit for it. But, I do feel pretty strongly on the issue. I DO NOT want my 1st grader learning about sexual relationships. Period. Gay, straight, or otherwise. She is too young to be exposed to that. And it's been said that if this doesn't go through it could affect temple marriages being recognized as legal marriage. That is a huge deal people!! I know there are many who do not share my opinion on the subject, but that doesn't mean we can't still be friends.

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OK, sorry for getting serious. And BTW, sorry, if I've been a lousy commenter lately. For some reason, whenever I click on a link on any website that opens another page on the web, my whole system shuts down. It's happening ALL THE TIME. I think I have a virus or spyware or something. So much for the expensive anti-virus software I put on my computer.

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Tonight is our ward Halloween party. I'm kind of excited for it. Mostly because I'm sick and tired of my kids whining at me that they want to wear their costumes, and I won't let them so they don't get ruined before Halloween. So I'm happy for an excuse to let them wear their costumes. But, also because I got me a killer costume. Remember the crazy lady picture?

Remember her?

Well now, she's me. See?

I AM THE CRAZY LADY!!!!

What are you going to be for Halloween?

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And now, some tunes!!

1. Thank you for the Music - ABBA
2. We Will Rock You - Queen
3. Will You Still Love Me? - Chicago
4. Defying Gravity - from Wicked, Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth
5. Magic - Colbie Caillat
6. So Far Away - Dire Straights
7. I've Got a Crush on You - Frank Sinatra & Barbra Streisand
8. All These Lives - Daughtry
9. Mystery - Indigo Girls
10. Destiny - Jim Brickman

Bonus: Waltz No. 1 in E flat Major, Op. 18 - Chopin (my favorite composer, by the way)

Prop 8--TAG!!!

I got this in an email today, and it NEEDS to be passed around!

The following was written on the blog of my 13-year-old niece, Callie. She lives in California. I thought it may interest others, especially when written by someone so young. I also feel strongly about this issue and hope you will pass this information on to everyone you know. Very well written, Callie!!

Love,
Shauna

She writes:

I wish I could vote. --> I totally agree with everything here <--
Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children. If gay marriage remains legal, public schools will put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive “age appropriate” information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt churches. The court’s decision will inevitably lead to conflicts with religious liberty and free speech rights. Society will become more and more hostile to traditional beliefs about marriage and family. Over time, greater acceptance of nontraditional marriage will be demanded of all people. This could impact the ability of any religion to teach and practice its beliefs. Including adoption agencies.A YES vote will not hurt gays. In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits.For your information:On Friday, October 10th, 2008 a first-grade class took a field trip to witness a lesbian wedding in California. Click Here for the article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

A father in Massachusetts was frustrated when his twin kindergartners were taught about homosexuality at school by the teachers. He insisted he be notified in the future before such things were discussed so he could pull his boys out of school.He was taken to jail. Click Here for the story.

A Catholic adoption agency In the UK closed their doors because of the Government's new homosexual equality laws. The Equality Act forbids discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. The law was forced through Parliament last year despite past Prime Minister Tony Blair's recommendation that Catholic adoption agencies be exempted from the rules. Click Here for more info.

Earlier this month judges in Conneticut overturned the state law (just as the judges in California did) to legalized gay marriage. This is not just an issue in California. We voted years ago to keep traditional marriage as the only marriage recognized in the state of California, 4 judges overturned our vote…and we need to fight back. That is what this Proposition is about. This is happening everywhere and the leaders of the church and others have warned that the outcome of California’s vote will affect the way the other states vote.
So PLEASE…even if you don’t live in California, put this on your blog or email this on. The internet knows no state line. You know contacts in California that I don’t…and so do your friends. Please pass this on as it could eventually have an effect on everyone!'
Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, 'You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven't time to be concerned for others.' Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord.' --Thomas S. Monson
Click Here for excerpts from the Broadcast given by Elders M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook and L. Whitney Clayton.A good resource mentioned in the broadcast: http://www.preservingmarriage.org/October 20th: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot if voting out of state. Click Here to get one.October 27th: Last day to apply for “Vote by Mail” Click Here for info.
November 4th: Election day. Polls close at 8:00pm. Vote by mail must be received by this time and can be hand delivered if necessary.

YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED...Here's what you do: In the broadcast we were asked to 'go viral on our blogs, etc' by Elder Ballard. This is my way of going viral. If you feel this is an important issue I ask that you copy and paste this post...and post it on your blog. PLEASE keep it at the top of your blog through November 4th. which you can adjust each time you post under the 'edit post' option. The internet knows NO STATE LINE. You know contacts in California that I do not...as do your friends and their friends...and so on. Please do this. If not for your own children and the effect it could have on them some day...for mine! After you have posted this...email this to your contacts and TAG all your blogging buddies to do the same.

THANK YOU!

Stage One Complete

Ok, so I went to my recording session last night. They called yesterday morning, and bumped back my time and hour and a half, which works out nicely, so my hubby didn't have to get off work early for me to go.

As the hour quickly approached I could feel myself getting more and more nervous. I don't remember the last time I was this nervous for something. Seriously, I could play in front of hundred of people and feel perfectly at ease (except, I always got a little playing at my recitals, in front of my students. I think it was the pressure that they all looked up to me, and I was supposed to be perfect or something). But, I was crazy nervous for recording. I think it was again, that need to be perfect. It's like this is the music that is going to represent me to the world ( or at least Utah....or at least the people who know and like me enough to buy my CD).

As I entered the studio, I'm sure that their mega amp microphones could pick up the sound of my heart pounding in my chest. But, they gave me about 10 minutes to warm up, and get used to the feel of the piano. And once I got going, and got into the swing of things, I got more relaxed.

And it was really nice, because if I did make a mistake, which I did many, many times, I could just stop and say, Let's go back a few measures, and I could pick up where I left off and record over the mistake. Just like that. And if there was a section I didn't like, I could just play that little spot in the middle without having to do the whole thing over again. They call it Punching in. Very nice feature.

And the engineer would say, Check out this section, see if you want to do anything with it. He could pick up where I'd made a mistake, and point it out so I could fix it. I really liked that, because I'm so used to just trying to cover up my mistakes and keep going, like in a live performance.

So next week, I'll go back, and we'll edit and make sure everything sounds good. And then my brother, Spencer, is going to do some bass lines in some of the songs.

I wrote two new songs, and put in a hymn arrangement that Spence and I arranged a few months ago. I think it's going to turn out pretty darn good.

I'm soo excited!!!!!

Random Psychobabble

I've had a little bit...OK, a lot, I wanted to say, but the birthday boy took precedence over all my random crazy, so I didn't post it. I don't really remember very much of it either.

I've had a few moments in recent days when I feel like my life is a constant downward spiral. When did I completely lose control?


Last night at the birthday party, I had a brief moment of complete and utter panic. Anxiety. All of sudden everything just blurred and all I could hear was the blended blur of noise coming from the 20 people in my house. Then it was all I could see to stay in the room. At that moment I really, really wanted to go in my bedroom and go to bed. I don't do very well playing hostess. But, I do it, on occasion, for the people. The crazy thing is that it was just our families, and our good friends. I shouldn't feel that pressure to impress people. And, trust me, I didn't take very drastic measures to impress them. I just got a little stressed about the noise and the crowd.


Maybe I'm agoraphobic.

And then, this morning, Peter came in my bed at about 5am. She does this EVERY night, and I'm getting soooooo sick of it. And I was really tired, because I stayed up all night reading everyone's secrets on this site. Boy, you people are messed up! (Just kidding, please don't hate me)


So, at 7 this morning, both she and TJ woke up and were just whining at me. And I completely lost it! Ranting and raving, SCREAMING like a lunatic. The irony is that I was throwing a tantrum, yelling at Peter to stop having a tantrum. Huh.....I wonder where she's learned it from? Hmmmm.......



I went to the gym this morning, and burned some cal, and kicked up my endorphins, so I feel a little better. Then, I ate some cookies. Back down again. Crap. I was doing so well.

Ok, so, I've gotten some bloggy award things. Thank you to Wonderwoman, and Motherboard, who both awarded me with this:


And Motherboard also awarded me with these:

This is from Miss Mattie (Jan's daughter)

And this is from Thing 1 (Motherboard's daughter)

Thanks you guys. After the crazy lady came in a took over, this was just what I needed to pick me up!

I would also like to award: Andrea (even though Motherboard already awarded you, I love your blog), Mikki (a wonderful friend, who I've never met in person, but would really like to someday), Forney Four (my lovely friend from HS, that I reconnected with through blogging, and always cracks me up), and Mother Goose (who never fails to inspire me with all her wisdom)

Here's to a good week. And now, I need to go practice.....because I start recording tomorrow!!!

TJ's Birthday, continued....

Friday, C took the day off work, so we took Tyson and the fam to Chuck E. Cheese. Talk about mass chaos. And the prize counter? What a joke. But I won't get into it. If you've ever been there, you know what I'm talking about. But the kids loved it.

Here are some cute pics!

Then, we went to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Cute, and cheesy, as would be expected of a good kids' movie.

Here are some pics of TJ today at his little family birthday party.

The "store-bought" Ironman cake. I'm still feeling guilty about not making one, but also glad I didn't because I don't know when Iwould've found time to do it.

This is T's best buddy, Ryker. Ryker's dad, Troy is C's best buddy.

Gabe, Ryker, TJ & KJ

Look at what I got!!! Iron man, and a Darth Vader voice changing mask!

Ode to the Boy

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a woman, her husband, and their sweet little daughter. One day the woman became 8 months pregnant, with a sweet little boy. After 37 weeks of pregnancy she decided she was good, and had enough. So, one sunny October Sunday, she woke up, went to church, and starting feeling little pangs in her ginourmous belly. Every 10 minutes all through church, not stopping, but not getting closer together either. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands. After church, she made the family gather together on the living room couch, still in their Sunday best, and take the obligatory "before" picture. Then she changed her clothes, loaded the sweet little, not quite 2 year old, girl in the stroller, left the husband home to watch football (of course), and went for a walk. Not just any walk. She decided she would walk to her mother's house. The woman's mother live 3 miles east. To make the trek the woman would have to brave the busy main road that ran East in her beloved home town of Layton. On this road was the dreaded "dip." With a steep decline, and immediately another much steeper incline on the other side. As the woman trudged along the daunting hill, the pains became harder, and more frequent. "Good" she thought, "this is working just fine. And now I have a route to go for losing the after baby weight!"
Ok, short story long, she made it to her Mom's, and with contractions 5 minutes apart, she called her hubby to take her to the hospital.....
(sorry, that story idea was getting old)

T. J. Shepherd was born on Sunday, October 19, 2003 at 9:53 p.m.
He weighed 7 lb 5 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long (and yes, I am grabbing all this info from memory, so don't quote me on the stats) I'm pretty sure I have the date right, though.

Let me tell you a little bit about my boy. His nickname was "the boy" from the start, seeing as how he was....the boy. Later it was shortened to just "boy". He was a very big, fat, beautiful baby boy, and so, he's also been dubbed "fat guy" by his loving father. He has since lost all that baby fat, but still gets called "fat guy" by his dad.

Five things I love about my boy.

1) He is the most loving little sweet heart EVER. Several times a day, he'll come up to me, at random, for no reason, and just say "I love you Mom" and give me a hug. I love his little hugs.

2) I love that when he's excited to tell me something, he starts talking really fast, and he can't seem to stop talking to breath. He sucks in his words with his breath, and just keeps going. I can't describe it, or duplicate it (I don't know how he does it), but it is the cutest thing.
For example, this morning he came in to my room to wake me up and said, "Mom! Today's my birthday! I'm 5 now! I sang Happy Birthday to myself in my bed. Look at my feet! They're bigger! And I'm taller, too, Cuz now I'm five. Can I have five rotten (boiled) eggs for breakfast? Hey Dad!....."
Imagine him saying all that in one breath.

3) He has a deep love for life. He's simple, and it doesn't take much to entertain him or make him happy. He's a sweet big brother to his little sister, Peter, and tries his hardest to get along with his big sister, KJ.

4) TJ marches to the beat of his own drum. He always has. He does things his way, and some people might think he's naughty, but I love his personality, and flare that he has.

5) I love that when I praise him, or pay his a compliment, he grins, and nods his head in agreement. I feel like he is rewarding me for praising him, by showing me how good it makes him feel.

I LOVE YOU TJ! HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY!!!

Here is TJ, one day old, on his Spider man chair, that uncle Josh & Aunt Stacie gave him. He still has that chair.

4 Generations: TJ, Clint, his Dad-Grandpa Jim, and Grandpa Salisbury (C's maternal grandpa)

TJ in his blessing suit. So handsome. One month old.

Our Family, December 2003

Random 10 Friday

We're celebrating TJ's birthday today. His birthday isn't until Sunday, but C decided that it would be better to take the day off work today and do all the fun stuff, then he'll go into to work on Saturday, so he can catch up while no one is there.
So, our plans are to go to Chuck E. Cheese, and then go to my little neice's birthday party. She's turning one.
We'll do presents and cake, etc on Sunday.

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By the way, I decided to order an Ironman cake from the local bakery. I'm still feeling incredibly guilty about it.
I'll probably end up making another cake, too, anyway, just to feed all the family who are coming over on Sunday, and to reduce my guilt.

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Ok. I have a bone to pick. Yesterday I had 14 followers. Today I have 13. Unfortunately, I didn't have every one of my followers memorized, so I can't figure out who's missing.
Did I offend you in some way? Was there something I wrote about that caused you grief and pain? Or do you just think I'm totally lame?
If so, please accept my sincere apologies. And please....come back!
And bring friends......

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Isn't this a lovely photo? I swiped it from here. I don't know this girl or much about her, but I like her blog. I think it would be perfect for my CD cover. What do you think?

My recording session is scheduled for this coming Tuesday. I'm getting really nervous. I should stop stressing myself out, because then I'm guaranteed to make mistakes. Any mistake I make while playing will really cost me. Literally. I'm paying by the hour, so the better I do the first time, the cheaper it will be for me.
I wrote a new song last week. And I have a few new arrangements that weren't on my practice CD. I want to share it, but I guess you'll have to wait until the real CD comes out and you can buy it.
This is still really surreal and weird for me to think that I'll have an actual professional recording done of my music, that could be in stores, and on the radio.
I guess we'll see how it all pans out after the recording session is done and overwith.

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I was at the store the other day to buy face wash and lotion. I'm in a very awkward stage of my life right now. It's worse the puberty. I was getting so frustrated. Why don't they sell a face wash that works for both acne AND wrinkles? Seriously? I have the skin of a teenager (acne) and the wrinkles of a middleaged woman. Not to mention the big dark circles and bags under my eyes. Does anyone else have this problem?
Also, I've gained 7 pounds since the marathon. What the freak people!!!??? SEVEN POUNDS? That was less than 2 weeks ago, and now I'm just big tub o' lard, and getting fatter. Who knew that sitting flat on your butt for 2 weeks, and eating nothing but sugar and icecream would make you gain weight? Don't all the calories I burned during the marathon count for anything?
I'm starting to believe what everyone has been telling me about being in your thirties. This sucks. What happened to my youth? My amazingly fast metabolism? My ability to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and not gain weight? My clear skin, and healthy hair?
Did I mention my hair? Don't get me started. That's another post for another day. And my eyebrow (singular) is in dire need of a wax.
I'm going through a serious ugly phase. I'm getting old!!!!!

This is me when I woke up this morning.

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Ok, now that I've complained sufficiently, I'll share some tunes!!

1. Bleeding Love - Liona Lewis

2. Love Song - Sara Bareilles

3. Only Time - Enya

4. Walk of Life - Dire Straights

5. I Alone - Live

6. Message in a Bottle - The Police

7. Keep Your Hands to Yourself - John Anderson

8. Capri - Colbie Caillat

9. Far Away - Nickelback

10. Good And Broken - Miley Cyrus

Bonus: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

UEA

It's UEA. That's our Fall Break. That means no school today and tomorrow. I've already reached my statute of limitations pertaining to patience with my children.
We need to find something to do. I mean, other than me hounding them to clean their rooms and get dressed. (I'm still in my pajamas and my room isn't clean, either). I know, what a hypocrite.

So, any ideas on what to do today with the monkeys?

50 Things

I saw this little list of questions on Da Bergs and thought I'd do it, since I'm in a blogging rut, and have absolutely NOTHING to talk about. I have totally lost my mojo.

1. Do you like blue cheese? I've never had it, because I'm too scared.
2. Have you ever smoked heroin?No, but I've smoked salmon
3. Do you own a gun? Does a squirt gun count?
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I've never been to Sonic. I know, I know....
5. Do you get nervous before doctor Appointments? I don't usually go to the doctor, so No.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Hot dogs are Ok, Dodger dogs.....mmmm good.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? The Christmas Story, and I love Luke II, also.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water, and slim fast.
9. Can you do push-ups? I HATE pushups. I can do like 1 in a row.
10. Age? 29-ish.
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I have lots of jewelry, but I wear the same hoop earrings everyday, and my watch, and my wedding ring.
12. Favorite hobby? Playing piano, reading, running, blogging, watching movies, going out to dinner.
13. Favorite Actor: IDK.....Sean Connery, whatever happened to him, is he still alive?
14. Do you have A.D.D.? What was the question? I wasn't paying attention.
15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I love myself, I'm totaly awesome! But, if I could pick one, it's probably that I'm a little self-centered, sometimes.
16. Middle name? Lavina Trickleson
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment... (1) The TV is on too loud, (yells) KIDS, TURN DOWN THE TV!!! (2) I'm tired, and I'm NOT looking forward to UEA, that means no break from the kids (3) I haven't told my hubby that it's enrichment night tonight, which means he probably won't be home on time, and I probably won't go.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday/today? (1) milk (2) bagels (3) dinner at Chick-fil-A
19. 3 drinks you regularly drink? 1. Cherry Coke 2. Water 3. Chocolate milk
20. 3 Current worries?~ (1) my recording session next week (2) How to get the kids to stop whining (3) the elections
21. Current hate right now? COLD!!!
22. Favorite place to be? Home or with family and friends♥
23. How did you bring in the New Year? That was a long time ago, I don't remember.
24.Where would you like to go? Italy
25. Tag three people. Angela, Mikki, Wonderwoman
26. Do you own slippers? Yes, I bought them for the hospital when I had Monkey #1, 7 years ago, but I never wear them
27. What shirt are you wearing? a cream long sleeve henley with ruffles
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have
29. Can you whistle? YES!!!
30. Favorite color? RED!!!!!
31. Would you be a pirate? Aarrrrr!?
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? All of them
33. Favorite girl's name? Esmerelda
34. Favorite boy's name? Ferdinand
35. What is in your pocket? lint
36. Last thing that made you laugh? probably something funny TJ said
37. Best bed sheets as a child? I think I had Strawberry Short cake...or was that wallpaper?
38. Worst injury you've ever had? sprained my ankle, skiing in 9th grade. Had a green cast for 6 weeks.
39. Do you love where you live? Yup.
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? This is really embarrassing...four, we are total couch potatoes.
41. Who is your loudest friend? Hmm. probably Megan, or Camille's hubby Garrett (sorry guys)
42. How many dogs do you have? Sometimes TJ pretends to be a dog
43. Does someone have a crush on you? YES!!!
44. What is your favorite book(S)? I have lots of favorites
45. Where were you born? in a hospital
46. What is your favorite candy? anything chocolate
47. Favorite Sports Team? Clint is slowly converting me to be a Redskins fan, but I still like the Colts, and the Dodgers.
48. What songs do you want played at your funeral? Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Hie to Kolob, I know that my Redeemer Lives
49.What are you doing at 12 A.M.? Usually sleeping, or reading, or other stuff ;)
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? CRAP!! KJ's going to miss the bus (and she did)

This is Why I Don't Do Domestic....

Yesterday, while grocery shopping, the kids and I found this little Haunted House gingerbread kit. We thought it looked like fun, so we bought it, brought it home, and when KJ got home from school, we all decided we'd put it together and decorate it.

Well, even with good intentions things do not always turn out the way we would like.


Here is the picture of what the Haunted House should look like on the box.

And here is our little Haunted House.

It slowly fell apart within minutes of its construction. The kids didn't seem too upset. They were happy eating the candy that came with it. Sorry, if the pictures are out of focus, it's because I was laughing so hard at my lame attempt at creativity.

And to think, a year ago, I was decorating cakes, and cooking dinner everynight, and keeping a clean house.

I guess domesticity (is that a word?) is one of those skills that you lose if you don't use it. It's like exercise.

For example: I had rock hard abs 6 months ago, and decided I didn't need to do sit-ups anymore because I couldn't possible get any hotter. And now, I'm just a big tub o' goo. My leg muscles are pretty killer, still though, because of all the marathoning and what not.

Yesterday, I hit the gym, and did a rep n' step class for the first time in months. Rep n' step is 45 minutes of hard core weight lifting, and 45 minutes of multi-step aerobics. Multi-step is when you use multiple benches, instead of just one. It's a great workout, and I'm sure I looked awesome with the buckets of sweat I was dripping after the class. It felt good, though, and I'm really, really sore today.

I'm also really ornery. Probably because I turned off my alarm this morning, instead of getting up to run, and I'm feeling lethargic and guilty.


Anyway, I didn't mean for this post to get so random. My latest domestic crisis is deciding whether to make TJ's birthday cake, or just go buy one. It feels like cheating to buy a birthday cake. I have make my kids' cakes every year since the beginning of time. I've done everything from princess to Ariel to Spiderman. Ok, that's pretty much all of them. I think I've done a truck and a football, too. Oh, and one year, I did Wonder woman.

This year, he wants an Ironman cake. I LOVE the Wilton character cake pans. They make it so easy. I need to get with the program and go buy a pan, or get on their website and get a pattern or something.

What do you think I should do? Make the cake, stress myself out, and risk it being a total disaster? Or go against everything I believe, cheat, and buy a cake from Macey's?

Of maybe I should just hire my extremely talented cousin, Holly, to make his cake? What do you say Holly? I'm sure having 2 little girls and going to school full time isn't keeping you busy enough.....

Eat more Chicken

I got this in an email today. For those of you who live in UT, go to Chick-fil-A for dinner and make a donation.
I just spent the last hour reading this sweet kid's blog, and I am so touched by his story.
You can go here to read it.

A Day for TrentFund Raiser on Monday, October 13thFor the last 15 months, 8-year-old Trent has been bravely battling AML Leukemia.To help Trent’s family with the tremendous financial burden from medical expenses, Chick-fil-A of South Jordan will be donating 20% of the day’s revenue on Monday, October 13th to Trent’s family.Cash donations will also be accepted, and anyone making a donation of $10 or more will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich to be used on their next visit.In addition, Chick-fil-A of South Jordan will hold a silent auction from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Auctioned items have been donated by local businesses and community members. All proceeds will go to Trent’s family.Please help us in supporting Trent and his family! Call Chick-fil-A of South Jordan with any questions at (801) 727-2697 ******Southtown, Ogden & Layton will be giving a % of sales as well, but only the District Location will have an auction and coupons for donations.

Spread the word...and EAT MORE CHICKEN!!!

What the !@#%^?!!!

I woke up yesterday morning to this:

Yes. Snow. In October. I'm NOT happy. What happened to fall? We went straight from Winter, to Summer and back to Winter again. Half the reason I like living in Utah is because it has 4 distinct seasons. (the other half is that I grew up here, and never had any reason to leave).

What happened to those 4 seasons? For the past year, we just go from one extreme to the other.

I'm not prepared, mentally, for winter yet. I need some more 50-60 degree weather. Give me just one more month. Come on!!!!

Maybe I'll move to St. George.....

Random 10 Friday

I had all sorts of things to say an hour ago...when I was at the grocery store, with nothing to do but buy food, and think about stuff.

Now, I've forgotten all of it. My typical alzheimer's mind is at work again. Or not at work, whichever way you want to look at it.

Ok, here are some random thoughts, just off the cuff.

Taking children to the store to go birthday shopping for their sibling causes major drama. Last night we took TJ to pick out some birthday things. His birthday is next week. He going to be 5. Yeah, I know. I can't believe it either! Anyway, we got home, and KJ went into a major pout attack, because she thought that TJ was the favorite and gets everything he wants, because we didn't buy her anything. I tried to explain that he doesn't get all those things til his birthday, and she will get a chance to go birthday shopping when her birthday comes (in about 3 weeks).

Yes, I let my kids pick out their own toys for their birthday. I don't surprise them. I know, I'm lame. But at least that way, I know they'll like it, and it'll get used.

I promised her I'd take her birthday shopping just the two of us for a girl's night out (she's big on those as you can tell from her Q & A).

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

Clint finally came home last night!!! Yeah! He's been in Phoenix all week for work. I got home Sunday night, he left Monday morning. We joked that we just have joint custody of the kids. So, we really haven't been together for a week. I skipped my cousin's baby shower to stay home to be with the family (that, and because Clint didn't get home until 1 hour after the shower started)

Sorry, Camille, I hope it was fun. I cooked dinner for the first time in a week. Novelty, I know.

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

Has anyone ever seen this show?

I love it. It's dark, and strange, and funny, and romantic, and morbid.

I love Kristen Chenowith. She played Glinda in Wicked on Broadway. I still haven't seen it. I know.......I'm hoping to snag tickets when it comes to Capitol Theater next year. I'm sure they're already sold out. I have the music on my Ipod, and the sheet music and I love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbe1m30RS8c
I don't know if that link up there is going to work. I still don't know how to embed a You tube video within a post. Any help?

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

Look what Clint brought home for TJ yesterday.

He's so excited. My little Bryantman.

He also came out dressed like this the other day.

He's got a little Freddy Krueger thing going on. I had no idea boys like to dress up so much, til I had this boy. He also got an awesome Batman costume from Motherboard's Jefe the other night. Bless his heart, he watched my kids for me while we went to YW, while my hubby was out of town. Motherboard, Thank you for sparing your hubby for the sake of my kids, and thanks for the Batman costume!

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

So, then we had a random Photo op.

Don't be fooled by the pumpkins on my fireplace. I DID NOT decorate. My SIL gave us three pumpkins from her garden, and this is where I put them, until it gets closer to Halloween, then the kids and I will carve them, and put them on the porch.

Here's KJ showing off her moves....

Me & Peter

TJ (Freddy Spiderman Krueger)

And now....some tunes.....

1. Seasons Change - Corrine Bailey Rae

2. Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks

3. Super Trouper - ABBA

4. Amores Extranos - Laura Pausini

5. High Enough - Damn Yankees

6. Let's Dance - Miley Cyrus

7. Dreaming with a Broken Heart - John Mayer

8. Don't Forget to Remember Me - Carrie Underwood

9. Any Man of Mine - Shania Twain

10. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

Bonus: For Good - Kristen Chenoweth & Idina Menzel (Wicked)