How NOT to survive while your husband is away on a business trip

Why does all the crazy stuff only seem to happen when my husband goes out of town?  Fall is kind of his crazy time of year.  Business slows down, so that's when the company schedules all of its business meetings and trips.  C left for Florida on Tuesday morning.  I've gotten used to it.  I've lived with his traveling alot for many years now.  But a girl can only take so much chaos on her own.

Tuesday started out as a normal everyday Tuesday.  Sort of.  My plan was to wake up early for a run, so I could be back before C left for the airport.  Only, B has taken to coming into my room at 2 am every night crying about nightmares, so I didn't get much sleep, and therefore didn't wake up at 5 to run.  Instead, I slept in, kids missed the bus, and I raced to the gym for a quick Pilates class that I knew I wouldn't be able to finish because B had play group at 10:00.  Then, I went visiting teaching which usually takes about 2 hours longer than scheduled.  I can't figure how to make it shorter.  Seriously.
After a doctor's appointment, and rushing home for piano lessons, my day was already a little hectic.  Tuesday is my long day for piano, too.  I have 7 students in a row with now breaks.  AND the girl's singing group practices, which are normally on Wednesdays, were changed to Tuesday for a recording session.  So somehow between all of my piano lessons, I had to drive K and B, separately, to and from singing.  So, when I got back from dropping B off, I had one more student left, and then I was home free.  BUT,
I got home, and there were 2 "sister missionaries" on my door step.  I'd forgotten that I'd signed up to participate in our ward's YM/YW activities in which the kids dress up, and act like missionaries.  I was supposed to feed them dinner, and they would teach us a discussion to our family.  I let them in, and my last student at the same time.  I didn't know what to do.  So, I had them sit in my living room, and listen to me teach  my last piano lesson, then I loaded my T & K, and the two YW into my car, brought them with me to pick up B, and then drove them to the Wendy's drive thru for dinner. 

I really don't think it gets any more white trash than that!

I survived Tuesday, thinking surely, it couldn't get any worse!

But, then, I woke up on Wednesday.  Boy, did I speak to soon!

Luckily the kids actually caught the bus, because when I got out to drive to the gym, the car wouldn't start.  I tried for 10 minutes, finally got it started, and instead driving to the mechanic, I went to the gym instead.  Hey, I had steam to blow off, I needed it.  After my class, I called the Chevy dealership, and they told me to bring it in.
Thankfully, they gave me a rental car to drive home, so B wasn't late for school, and I would have a way home.  It's a sweet ride.  Probably the ugliest color of florescent blue I've ever seen, and it could probably fit in the back of my Tahoe.  I'm not used to driving little cars, but at least I have something to drive, so no complaining.

I got a call from the mechanic late in the afternoon telling me the final diagnosis was a bad fuel pump, and it's going to cost $1000 to fix it.  I called around to different mechanics, and there were a few that were slightly cheaper, but the dealership offered a lifetime warranty, so I went with it.

So, sorry kids, this year, instead of presents for Christmas, we get a new fuel pump for the car!

Happy Holidays! 

Guess we'll wait to see what today brings.

100 Truths

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, blogwise.  I really am.  So, I'm cheating and copying someone else's idea, because the creative side of my brain has completely shriveled up lately. 

Here you go, thanks to Amber and Sarah.

1. Last beverage: Water.
2. Last phone call: My neighbor, calling to tell me her daughter can't babysit because she broke her leg. 
3. Last text message: Dixie
4. Last song you heard: T trying to play Deck the Halls by ear on the piano, because he refuses to let me teach him the notes.
5. Last time you cried: don't know.  a Couple months ago, I guess.

HAVE YOU EVER:
6. Got back with someone you've broken up with: Yes.
7. Been cheated on: Yes, I was so naive
8. Kissed someone & regretted it: Yes
9. Lost someone special: Yes.
10. Been depressed: Yes.
11. Been drunk and threw up: Never

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:
12. Red
13. Turquoise
14. Hot Pink

THIS YEAR HAVE YOU: (2010)

15. Made a new friend: Yes
16. Fallen out of love: No
17. Laughed until you cried: Yes
18. Met someone who changed you: Sure
19. Found out who your true friends were: I guess
20. Found out someone was talking about you: Yes
21. Kissed anyone on your Facebook friends list: Nope, since neither by hubby or my kids are on FB
22. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life: A lot
23. How many kids do you want? I've been asking myself that question a lot lately.
24. Do you have any pets: Just the three monkeys, and some spiders.
25. Do you want to change your name: I used to, but I don't know what I'd change it to.
26. What did you do for your last birthday:  I can't remember!  I must be getting old.
27. What time did you wake up? 7:30
28. What were you doing at midnight last night? Watching TV, listening to C snore.
29. Name something you CANNOT wait for: The holiday season to be overwith, Going to the Redskins/Cowboys game in December (Go Redskins)
30. Last time you saw your mother: Last night.
31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: more babies
33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: Yes, I have an uncle Tom
34. Who is getting on your nerves now? No one, I'm home alone.  Silence is bliss!
35. Most visited websites: Facebook, google
36. What's your real name: Sherrie
37. Nicknames: Mom, Sharon, Sher
38. Relationship Status: Happily Married.
39. Zodiac sign: Pisces
40. Male or female: Female, last time I checked.
41. Primary School: Sarah Jane Adams
42. Middle School: North Layton
43. High school: Northridge
44. Hair color: Brown, dyed darker brown
45. Long or short: long, thinking of chopping it and donating to Locks of Love.  Trying to get up the nerve to do it.
46. Height: 5' 7"
47. Do you have a crush on someone?Totally.
48: What do you like about yourself? I'm genuine.  Real.  What you see is what you get.
49. Piercings: ears, 4 in my left and 3 in my right, but all but 2 in each have grown in.
50. Tattoos: I've also been curious, but probably will never go through with it.
51. Righty or lefty: Righty.

FIRSTS:

52. First surgery: Wisdom teeth, I was 24
53. First piercing: Ears, I was 11
54. First best friend: My mom, my sisters, and my neighbor across the street, Nicole
55. First sport you joined: T-ball.  2nd grade, unless gymnastics counts, then I was 6 or 7
56. First vacation: Colorado, to visit cousins
58. First pet: Midnight, a black lab

RIGHT NOW:

59. Eating: Northing, but thanks for reminding me, it's lunchtime.
60. Drinking: Nothing, but I could go for a cola.
61. I'm about to: take a shower, and eat lunch
62. Listening to: the dryer
63. Waiting for: me to get motivated to get off the computer and go take a shower

YOUR FUTURE:

64. Want kids?: Got three, trying to decide if I can handle more
65. Get married?: Probably not, since I already am, and plan on staying that way.
66. Career: I have been thinking about going back to school and going to to nutrition or fitness.
67. Lips or eyes: ? Um, I'm good, but after my Lasik 3 yrs ago, I'm needing glasses again.
68. Hugs or kisses: depends on who's giving them.
69. Shorter or taller: Taller
70. Older or Younger: Really?  is being younger in the future an option?
71. Romantic or spontaneous: Both
72. Nice stomach or nice arms: Both, I carry all of my flab in my butt and thighs.
73. Sensitive or loud: Loud
74. Hook-up or relationship: Relationship
HAVE YOU EVER:

76. Kissed a stranger: Yes, gross
77. Drank hard liquor: Never
78. Lost glasses/contacts: ALL THE TIME, thanks goodness for Lasik
79. Sex on first date: No!
80. Broken someone's heart: Yes.
82. Been arrested: no
83. Turned someone down: Yes.
84. Cried when someone died: Yes.
85. Fallen for a friend: Yes
DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

86. Yourself: Yes, but sometimes I let people talk me out of it.
88. Love at first sight: Yeah probably, but I don't admit it.
89. Heaven: definitely!
90. Santa Claus: Of course!
91. Kiss on the first date: No, since now I have daughters and I need to teach them to say no, and a son who needs to learn No means No.
92. Angels: Yes

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:

94. Had more than 1 girlfriend/boyfriend at a time: Maybe a little overlapping in high school
95. Did you sing today?: Yes!
96. Ever cheated on somebody: sigh.  Yes. 
97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go?: College.  I would figure out what the heck I wanted to major in, and graduate.  I'd be less boy crazy, but I wouldn't change a thing about meeting, dating and marrying C.
98. The moment you would choose to relive? My wedding day
99. Are you afraid of falling in love?: No
100. Are you afraid of posting this as 100 truths?: Nah.

Check out my New Release: Piano Hymns

My newest CD, Piano Hymns, has just been released is ready for YOU to hear it!

I joined a group of amazing pianists in this compilation CD. Piano Hymns has a variety of beautiful piano hymn arrangements that are perfect for a peaceful Sunday afternoon. You are going to love this!


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Coolest Orthodontist in Utah!

I'm serious!  Although, I really have no basis for judgement, being that I've never seen the inside of an orthodontist's office in my life. And I'm thankful for that, believe me.  But, if my teeth ever suddenly went crooked, or say, my kids need braces, THIS is the place I'd go.

Pobanz Orthodontics.  So much more than a place to get braces. 

Last Friday, I attended a fun little event put on by Mormon Mommy Blogs, Newspapergrl.com and Pobanz Orthodontics, in South Ogden.

This is the photo for people who didn't forget to call a babysitter for their kindergartner, and therefore were able to arrive on time.  (Hence the reason I do not appear in this lovely photo).
Chris, Amber, Janet, Veronica, Lori, Lesa, Kendra, Jessica, Cassie, Andrea, Judy, Elisa, Dr. Pobanz

We learned about the different types of braces, and new and cutting edge methods for fitting them.  I was amazed at the different options there are.  We learned about a new type of braces called Damon braces, where the braces work faster to straighten the teeth than normal ones.  We also learned about a cool procedure where they actual use a machine to shape the braces instead by hand.  I also learned, most importantly for me, that I need to bring my kids in for a FREE consultation to see if their teeth are growing in the way they should, even if they are too young for braces just yet.

Something that really interested me was Dr. Pobanz presentation about a new method to help kids stop sucking their thumb.  He explained that thumb sucking can cause mouth and teeth deformation.  I never realized that, I always just thought it was a bad habit.  Dr. Pobanz has a very positive approach to helping kids.  Instead of the traditional negative response to thumb sucking (the spiky thing they used to put on kids' thumbs, or in my family's case--Tabasco sauce), he uses a contraption that actually gives kids something to play with in their mouth to keep them from wanting to suck their thumb.  Check this out, it's pretty cool.

We all got fitted for a teeth whitening kit. I've had one before, but I could tell just by the feel of the trays that these are really good quality.  I'm excited to use mine!

Dr. Pobanz gave us a very imformative presentation on how to shop for an orthodontist and what to look for.  Dr. Pobanz also illustrated to us how he and his staff put the fun into orthodontics (the most memorable being that everyone in their office seems to have a thing with playing dress-up).

We were also giving a presentation by Elisa at MMB and Janet at Newspapergrl.com on how to write a review post (I hope I'm doing it right), and SEO.  Very informative!

Afterwards, we were fed a yummy lunch, and were given some serious loot!  Not only did we get the teeth whitening kit, but also a really nice electric tooth brush.  I got mine out and used it last night, and it's awesome!

But, the best part of the day was the drawing.  I won an Ipod Nano touch!  In PINK!  You can't tell, but I have my whitening trays on in the picture.  Super cute, right?

Thank you to Dr. Pobanz, MMB and Newspapergrl for a fabulous time!