So Long, Farewell!

Auf Wiedersehen! Goodbye! Ciao! Arrivederci! Adios! Au revoir! ごきげんよう！
Good Riddance!
Etc, etc, etc....

I'm leaving on a little excursion for some R & R with the hubs.

See ya on the flip side!

The Great and the Terrible, Book 3: The Second Sun - A Review

The Great and Terrible, Vol. 3: The Second Sun by Chris Stewart


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. Just...Wow.
This book terrified me to my core. I laughed, I cried, I stayed up late into the night, my heart pounding, as I turned the pages, wanting more. It haunted me long after I closed the book.
I'm dying to know what happens next, but I'm scared to know at the same time.
There were parts of this book where I wondered how the author felt as he was writing it. How painful it must've been to have these ideas in his head...how invigorating. And to speak so openly about Satan's minions....truly eye opening.

So...so good.
I highly recommend this book, but it is book 3 out of the series, so definitely start from the beginning.

View all my reviews >>

AI: I Think I've Had Enough

Let me start by laying out a little disclaimer. I really do like American Idol. I totally love Simon. He's awesome. Randy is pretty cool. And I definitely like Kara better than Paula. I'm glad Paula's gone.

Ok, honestly, I couldn't care less about the judges, or the show. The only time I ever voted, was once a few years ago, when KJ was like 5 or 6, and she really wanted to vote for Jordan Sparks. So I let her call. Other than that I have never voted.

But, I do watch it religiously. And when I say religiously, I mean that I turn it on in the background while I do other stuff.

And I've noticed a pattern. Something which irritates me to my very core. And honestly, I don't even know how to describe it.

It's that thing that the singers do, when they dip their voice at the end of a phrase. You know what I mean? Gah, it's like fingernails on a chalk board.

And the thing that irritates me the most, is those are the ones that the judges like. That ones who couldn't possibly just Sing. The. Melody! Oh know, they have to "make it their own", etc.

I'm just tired of hearing all of the classics completely butchered because all of the "good" contestants can't sing on key. And really, I think that's just what it is. It's a defense mechanism to avoid going flat on the sustained note.

Makes. Me. CRAZY!!!

Probably enough to stop watching the show.

Too bad I'm too old, and I'm not a pop singer, or I'd go show 'em how its done.

Note: I'm not saying I'm an awesome singer, cuz I'm not. Really, really not. Which is why I play the piano. I just have strong feelings about all those extra notes thrown in.

Inspiration?

I need to blog about this. I need to talk about it. I need your support and input. And maybe putting this out there will give me the tools to do what I need to do. Maybe, we'll see.

Last Friday, I called my gyno and made an appointment to get my IUD put back in. I've decided I'm at peace with being done having babies. My baby will be 5 in June, and I've been instructed by my endocrinologist to avoid pregnancy for at least a year, maybe more (because of the Grave's disease and radioactive stuff in my body). I've been on BC since September. Last time I refilled it was $45. Ouch. So, I decided it was time. I made the appointment for a couple days after we get back from our trips (didn't I tell you? Don't worry about it, it's not important right now.)

That very same afternoon, as I was driving my kids home from school or whatever, they all started randomly talking about getting another brother or sister. KJ & Peter really want a baby sister. TJ said he needs a brother to play with him. Then, KJ agreed, saying that maybe if TJ had a brother to play with, he would stop teasing her.

And my heart was wracked. My first impulse was to wonder if the kids talking about another baby is a sign, that maybe I shouldn't be preventing pregnancy. But, C and I have talked about it at length, and we both feel it is right for us to stop having babies.

Since that day, I can't stop thinking about it. I've had dreams. Then, a few days ago, the thought suddenly popped into my head, "You need to adopt an orphan from Haiti."

What a strange idea, I thought. This is something that I never would have considered or even thought about, but there it was. Out of the blue. And it's all I could think about, for days. But, I didn't think it was really realistic. I didn't think C would ever go for it, for real.

Then, last night, amidst dinner, kids, and getting ready to leave for book club, I jokingly said to C, "Hey, we should adopt a Haiti baby." Nothing more was said on the subject.

Then, this afternoon, I got a call from C. He usually calls me a couple of times from work during the day. We talked about his day at work, we talked about my day with the kids, we talked about dinner, and what time he would be home. Then suddenly, he asked, "Were you joking about adopting a baby from Haiti? Because on my way to work today, I was listening to the radio, and the thought popped into my head that maybe we should."

Immediately, I was overcome with emotion. And for the first time, I realized the very real possibility that these ideas about adopting a baby from Haiti are promptings from the Spirit.

If I'm feeling it, and C is feeling it, then it must be right, and what we're supposed to do. I don't get clear-as-day, can't-possibly-deny promptings like that very often.

We agreed we'd pray together about it when he gets home from work, tonight.

Thing is, if this is really what we are supposed to do, then all this waiting and wondering why we weren't supposed to have more babies after Peter, makes perfect sense.

I have no idea how to go about doing this. No idea, who to talk to, where to go, who to call. None, whatsoever. It's scary. It's daunting. I will be bringing another child into our home, our family. It will be hard. Really, really hard. And expensive.

I don't know what to do next.

All I know is how I feel, and I just needed to talk about it.

Random Sherisms and Random Tunes

Folks, I am stumped. I am in a very serious blogging rut. I have NOTHING to talk/write about. I guess that's what happens when life is going smoothly, and you are blissfully happy...you don't want to blog, you want to live your life.

In the past this blog has been my outlet, my place to vent and talk about my frustrations, and my sorrows.
Well, can I just say that for the past month I have felt absolutely FANTASTIC! Lord bless radioactive iodine! And Synthroid.
I'm feeling so good, in fact, that I'm almost euphoric. All. The. Time. Since I last wrote, I have totally cleaned out my house--a bunch of times, sold two of my TV's, almost sold my entertainment center (anyone want it?), purchased and installed 2 new flat screen TV's, read 4 1/2 books, spent time with my family, exercised almost everyday, gained 5 pounds (that's a good thing), put on some muscle (a little bit), ran--albeit very slowly (I got up to 4 miles on Saturday...I did it in an hour, but I did it!)

So, sorry, if you all feel neglected, but I'm just so happy, I need to be out living and loving. I'll try to be better at blogging, but I doubt I'll get to it much more than once a week from now on.

I am definitely open to lunches and phone calls, though. Feel free to shower me with those!

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

As I've been thinking over the past week about what I could write about, a thought crossed my mind. There's an interesting phenomenon I've discovered. And it applies to a lot of things.

For instance:
The more chocolate you eat, the more you want.
The more Coke you drink, the more you want.
The more Sex you have, the more you want it.
The more you exercise, the more you want to.
The more you blog, the more you want to.
And the more you write, the more stuff you have to write about.

I've been thinking about this phenomenon, trying to figure out why I've completely lost my desire to blog. And I've decided this has to be it. I weaned myself off, and I no longer have the craving. I've struggled the same with exercise. I went almost 6 months during which I didn't do much more that sit in bed and sulk, and I lost my drive to exercise. But, all it takes is a dose of those blessed, delicious endorphins, and I'm back. Even though it does hurt to start up again. Oh. So. Bad.
I think I just needed to log in, and start typing, and wait for the words to roll off my fingers.
It's totally working, already.

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

I have a tough conundrum, and I need your help with it.

I'm sure you know about the CBC. You know, the Casual Blogger Conference, being put on by MMB.
Are you SOOOOO excited?!!
I am!!

Well, I was asked to be in charge of entertainment for the event. I feel so honored! And of course, you know the person who would be at the top of that list to entertain you--Me! What an awesome opportunity to share my music with all of you! Of course, there will be other entertainers there as well. Any requests? (within reason--reason being somebody I have access to in Utah)

Here's where my dilemma comes in.
The conference is scheduled for May 28, 29th. Memorial Day Weekend. Great!
BUT....
My Anniversary is on May 26th. Not just any anniversary, but our 10 year Anniversary. And my husband's company sends him to Indianapolis every year to take customers to the Indy 500. He will be going.

So, do I skip the conference, and go to Indy with my hubby, and celebrate our 10th anniversary with a free trip? Or do I blow off the love of my life, to participate in the opportunity of a lifetime to play my music live for all of my favorite bloggers?
The thought has crossed my mind that I could come play at the Friday night social, and hop on a flight first thing Saturday morning.

What do you think?? Help me!!

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

I got a new Ipod for Christmas! An ipod touch! (My hubby got it for free from work, so it was a no brainer that's what he should get me for Christmas).

So, of course, I have downloaded a ton of new songs (and imported all of my CD's).....
...so here's my random 10 list.

1. God Bless The Child - Shania Twain
2. Por Que No? - Laura Pausini
3. We Might As Well Be Strangers - Keane
4. Tonight She Comes - The Cars
5. Enchantment - Corrine Bailey Rae
6. I'm Sensitive - Jewel
7. California Song - Brooke White
8. Stop! In the Name of the Love - Jonell Mosser
9. Daughters - Sherrie Shepherd (did you know my whole album is available on iTunes?)
10. Shower the People - James Taylor

Bonus: Con Te Partiro - Andrea Bocelli

p.s. I am still working on a giveaway, so those of you who offered to donate, I hope the offer is still good. It'll be coming, as soon as i get around to it.

Baby Sister

Peter wants a new baby sister. And since Mom can't make her one, she decided to make one for herself.



She took a decorative iron dress holder, put her baby inside the neck hole and put one of her night gowns over top. How's that for innovative?
This coming from a child who refuses to dress herself or even wipe her own bum.

All the kids love the new baby sister.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - A Review

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to.
I don't know what I was expecting, but I didn't think I'd like it so much. I finished it so fast, I was surprised, it was suddenly over. I wanted more.
I adored Juliet, the main character. I loved her snark and wit, and her passion. I came to love the people of Guernsey, just as she did...through their letters.
I abhorred Mark. He was pretentious and exhausting. I'm glad she dumped him.
I would have liked the book to read more as a novel, and felt maybe we would've gotten more of the story, if not for the entire thing being letters, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

View all my reviews >>

Catching Fire - A Review

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Loved it!
...but not as much as I loved the first book.
I was annoyed that Katniss couldn't decided between Peeta and Gayle, but I found myself indecisive on who I wanted her to end up with anyway, depending on who she was with in the scene.
I was all geared up for an uprising, and maybe a war, but was disappointed to find out they were just going to the Games again. I thought to myself, well this is exactly like the first book!
At that very moment, the plot twisted, and I was on the edge of my seat!

I loved the fight scenes, the blood and guts, and the intensity!

I don't know how I can wait for Book Three to come out!

View all my reviews >>

Wordless Wednesday

Snow Day

On New Year Eve, My SIL & BIL and I took the kids over to the Love farm and pulled the kids around on the sled behind the four-wheeler.

I was trying to pretend I know what the H I'm doing with my camera and took a zillion pictures:

This is the house my Grandfather grew up in. My sister in law lives there now. My husband's sister married my 2nd cousin. Small world, huh?

This is my Grandpa's barn, on the property they live now.

Cute monkeys! TJ (in back), Peter, 2nd cousin MaZ, KJ

The girls: MaZ & Peter on the sled, KJ, and cousin SL

Mommy it's too cold!

TJ Not happy I'm making him take a picture with me. Cousin S on the sled.They look like their being nice, but I happened to capture a split second moment between fighting over who's turn it was. They both lost their turn.Like my new turquoise beanie? I love it!TJ & Uncle Ben on the 4-wheeler, C's sister Barb, and S in the background.Me and my monkeys. See how happy they all are to stop playing to take a picture?King of the MountainAnd Queen...Look, Mom, I'm a Penguin!

Spoiled Rotten

Santa was good to us this year. It's amazing how we continue to be spoiled even when we've all been a little naughty.
I realized upon reviewing my pictures the day after Christmas that I really didn't take many pictures.
But of the few that I did take (or my siblings who stole my camera took) you can piece together the evidence of our Christmas festivities.



This is Peter. She's so stinkin' cute, I just can't stand it. This was at her preschool Christmas program a couple of weeks ago. Notice the signature dirty face. It doesn't matter how many times a day I wipe her face clean there is always something around her mouth, whether its lunch, chocolate or snot, that girls can't stand to have a clean face! And try not to notice that her skirt is too big and falling off, and the shirt is too short, therefore showing bare midrift. Gotta start 'em young.


On Christmas Eve, after C finally returned from his sportsventure, we went over the river and through the woods (I-15 NB) to my Mom's house for dinner. My older brother and his family were the only other adults sibling that went (plus my two brothers who live at home, and of course my parents, and my Grandma).


This is my brother's baby. I just love this boy so much! We were have a very serious conversation here about what he's getting for Christmas. My parents with the grandkids (who showed up that night) and my youngest brother


Of course we had to get a family picture by the tree.


After dinner, we went home and got to open one present before bedtime.


Guess what it is?


Yep. Christmas jammies!

Look What Santa Brought us!



Christmas Morning

TJ & KJ both got Heely's.

KJ got her "real" tiara and American Girl doll she's been asking for for years.

Peter got a baby doll, but I didn't get a picture of it. This is her with her "giant chocolate raindrop pointy thing." (It's giant Hershey's kiss).

And T got a skate board.
I think Santa wanted us all to break our necks this year. And I got a new comforter. I'm still trying to figure out how to make it go with everything else I already had for the bed.

C's parents, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sue opening their Christmas present. The kids all pitched in to get them an Alaskan cruise.


Kids sporting their new duds on the Sunday after Christmas.