Note to Self:

Next time, pay attention to the lesson in Sunday school.

Here's why:
After chewing out my kids for laying down and trying to take a nap, and not listening during sacrament meeting, I ventured into Sunday school.

I sat down next to Brother and Sister O., said Hello, then opened up my scriptures, preparing myself for the upcoming lesson.
I don't know what it is about Sunday school, but for some reason my mind begins to wander. Like the time a few weeks ago when the person sitting next to me whispered to me about the scripture we were on, and broke me from my stupor of thought--wondering if the bishop's wife dyes her hair or if it is naturally that black.
So, today, as soon as the teacher started in about why we need the Book of Mormon in the latter days, I started thinking about the handful of Hershey's kisses in my bag, and wondering how I could grab one, unwrap it and eat it without anyone noticing.
So, I started rifling through my bag, pulling out old used Kleenexes, past sacrament meeting programs and tithing slips, and scratch paper my kids had colored on. Underneath the trash was the old PDA C had brought to entertain the kids.
Temporarily forgetting about my chocolate fix, I grabbed the PDA and turned it on (thankfully it was on silent) and began to play. Eventually I found the scheduling thingy (whatever it's called), and started typing in the coming week's events, proud of myself that I was being so organized.
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something fall on the front of my shirt. In silent panic, I thought a spider had landed on me and frantically start swatting at my chest. Looking down, though, I saw a single, thin silvery strand of spit. While intently focusing on my task at hand, I had started drooling.
I glanced slightly to my right to see if Brother O. had noticed. Either he was snickering silently to himself, or he didn't see. Thank goodness.
Quickly, I put away the PDA and started listening.

Next time, to save myself the embarrassment, I'll just listen to the lesson.

Why Fake Trees Save Marriages

Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, I can humbly concede to the spirit of this holiday that is Christmas. I know I've been a stinker and a scrooge, and might have offended some people with my bah humbugging. Sorry.

To express my sincerest apologies, I've decided to spread a little Christmas cheer.

As promised, here is a little story about why I have recently purchased a "fake" Christmas tree.

To preface this story, you must know that my sister's husband family own a huge amount of farm property outside the town that they live. Part of that property is up in the mountains. So, early last December, I thought it might be a fun family experience to go all Griswold, and drive up to my sister's property and cut down a Christmas tree. We drove nearly two hours to get there, trekked through mud and snow and forest for hours scouring the slopes for the perfect tree. After searching, and searching, and not finding anything good enough for my humble home, I started hiking up a hill way off the road. Finally, I found a tree that I deemed worthy to be OUR Christmas tree. I called for my hubby, who came with the chainsaw. He laughed and told me it was too big for our house, and I just guffawed and said "This is the one! Cut it down!" Of course, he was tired of following me around the mountain, so he cut down the tree, dragged it down the mountain, and strapped it onto the back of his truck.

We got home, did "a little" trimming to fit the tree into the corner of our family room. One side of the tree was fuller than the rest, so of course that part went in the front. I immediately set out decorating the tree. I was so excited and was sure it was going to be the most beautiful tree EVER!

Later that night, after the tree had been lovingly decorated, the kids and I went to visit my Mom (leaving C home to watch football). An hour later, C called me on my cell phone, fuming, and said that the tree had fallen down, but he'd put it back up. I gathered the kids, and came home. Patiently, I re-decorated the tree.

The next afternoon, the tree fell again. And we patiently pulled it back up. And again the next day.

The next night, around 2:00 a.m., while sleeping peacefully in my bed, I was awakened suddenly, by a strange sound. I heard a slight whoosh, then a tinkle, tinkle, and crash!

My first thought in my half asleep state was that a burglar was in the house. Heart pounding, I thought what to do. Then I realized at once: The tree! I jumped out of bed, flipped on the light, and sure enough there was my beautiful tree lying awkwardly on its face in the middle of my family room. Shocked and stunned by my tree's suicide attempt, I decided to take it upon myself to save my little tree's life. Tired and frustrated, I shimmied behind the tree, and proceeded to attempt to pull up the damaged tree myself. Grunting and pulling, sighing and pushing, I tried every angle I could think of to get that damn tree up. But the enormous mass was just too heavy for weak little me. I wasn't about to swallow my pride and wake up my husband and ask him to help me, so instead I made the biggest racket I could, until finally, he stumbled out of bed and came out to help me on his own. Both of us, agitated beyond reason, having been disturbed from our precious sleep, took upon the task of righting this horrible wrong. He pulled while I pushed, and finally the tree was up, crooked, and cockeyed, but up. With ornaments and lights, strewn everywhere, I again, shimmied around behind the tree, to hold it in place, while C rushed out to the garage to find something to weigh down the back of the tree. He came back with several bricks, and handed them back for me to put into place. Screaming at each other, because it still wasn't working and I wasn't understanding what C was explaining, as he tried to tell me where to put the bricks, we, finally, got the stupid tree upright.

I climbed back out from behind the tree and assessed the damage. A huge puddle of water and sticky sap soaked into my carpet in the middle of the floor. Lights were falling off the tree, and ornaments were everywhere.

After having redecorated the tree so many times that week, I just couldn't wring any more creative energy out of my physically and emotionally exhausted self. So the ornament were literally thrown onto the tree, strings of lights left where they hung.

Covered in sap, sweat, dirt and tears, C & I finally stormed back to bed in bitter silence.

We survived that Christmas. Barely. So, now you can understand my distaste for decorating. I did it enough in that one week to last me for the next decade.

So, to save my marriage, this year, I chose to go fake.

And I will be burning a pine scented candle for effect.

No more Griswold Christmas' for me, thank you very much.

Happy Thanksgiving

"It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

Know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."

- Abraham Lincoln

Lost and Found!

My camera finally turned up today. I was thinking how sad it was that I'd lost, yet, another camera (I washed and dried my last one, having forgotten it was in my coat pocket, right before Christmas last year).

KJ was outside jumping on the tramp, yesterday, while locked out, because I wasn't home yet, and found it on the back patio.

TJ had taken it out there and left it. Thank goodness it didn't rain while it was out there!!!

Here's what I found on there, unedited:

Ok, I took this one. This was from TJ's last Belt ceremony for Karate.

The rest are by TJ, himself!

Stumped

I haven't written a post for awhile. Yesterday's post, I actually wrote sometime last week, and had forgotten that I'd scheduled it for Monday. So, when I read my email and saw how many comments I'd gotten I was shocked. Then I noticed that it was on the tag post.
I'm completely brain dead for ideas on what to blog about. This is a rare occasion, since I ALWAYS have something to say. I noticed how many of you are taking blogging breaks for the Thanksgiving holiday. And some of you are just quitting blogging all together. Smart people.

Lately, I've been thinking to myself: maybe this whole blogging thing is getting way too out of hand. It shouldn't consume me the way it does. Does anyone else have this problem?

Yesterday, I had a crazy busy day, and didn't even turn on the computer. Not once. It actually felt pretty good. I got a lot done. I did the dishes and laundry, then, my Thanksgiving grocery shopping in the morning, drove my kids to their respective friends' houses and went out to lunch with my lovely visiting teaching partner, Motherboard, and our beautiful friend, Andrea, who we visit teach. It was really nice. I'm loving all the lunches I've been going to lately. I could get used to this life!
After lunch, I had to drive across town to pick up the kids, then saw I had 30 minutes before my neice came over for her piano lesson, so decided to go buy that Christmas tree I saw at Hobby Lobby. (Yes, Robin, I bought a Christmas tree BEFORE Thanksgiving)

The guy helping me to my car was a complete idiot! First, while I was waiting in line to pay, my SIL called to say she was at my house, and where was I? Crap!! So, needless to say I was in a hurry (thankfully she was there when KJ got off the bus). The dude pulled the cart carrying the tree box out to my car, and while I proceeded to help Peter get buckled in he stood at the back, staring. Just standing there staring.
So I said, "Do you need help?"
He said he didn't think it would work. (Keep in mind I drive a full size SUV).
I, frustrated and maybe a little cynical, said, "Oh, then will you just deliver it to my house, then, because it's this car, or nothing!"
Of course, he said they don't deliver. He then walked to the side of the car, and without a word started trying to pull down the center row of seats while Peter was sitting on it in her carseat!! What a doofus!
Exasperated, I said let me do it. So, I pulled Peter out of her carseat, moved it over to the other side, pulled TJ's booster seat out, and pulled the seat down, so he could push the box in. Good thing I only had one kid with me, or I would've been up el creeko. Dumbass.

Anyway, so I cruised home (skipped going to pickup TJ from the neighbor's, even though I was supposed to get him BEFORE my piano lessons), and rushed through my neice's piano lesson. Then left KJ home to babysit Peter (please don't call CPS on me), and went to get TJ at the neighbors' house. Got home to find my Mom there with my brother, ready for his piano lesson.
Everything about my day yesterday overlapped. I just couldn't quite get the schedule together!

Finally, things calmed down a bit. The kids were awesome and helped me clean the house (after I lost it a little bit) Then, Clint brought home a P90X Yoga DVD from work, so for FHE the whole family did Yoga together. Something I never thought I'd ever do with Clint, but it was fun, and crazy hard. That is an advanced Yoga video! But, I loved it! Great end to a crazy day!

p.s. remind me to tell you sometime about why TJ was painted completely green, when I got back from our blogger lunch on Saturday. (Motherboard, care to email me that pic so I can post it?)

p.p.s. also remind me later, to tell you the story about why I am now buying a fake Christmas tree, instead of a real one. Funny story....

ABC Tag

I was tagged by Tink, one of my newest bloggy buddies! I'm pretty sure I've done this one before, but oh, well, I'll do it again. It's nice to have something for when I can't think of anything to talk about (like that EVER happens)
Here goes:

A--Attached or Single: Attached!

B--Best Friend(s): My sisters: Kris & Kat, Nis, Lisa, Motherboard, and Clint!

C--Cake or Pie: Pie. I'm not a big cake fan. I like pie on occasion. I'm more of cookie/brownie person
D--Day of Choice: Saturday! C is home, and I get to run a little later than normal, and then we can go out or play as a family!

E--Essential Item: my Piano (although I'd really like to get a grand piano), and my computer (I might be a little addicted)

F--Favorite Color: Red!!!!

G--Greatest Accomplishment: 1st: my marriage and children, then, writing my music, and running marathons.

H--Hometown: Layton, UT (I've ventured VERY far away from home)

I--Indulgences: duh, chocolate!

J--January or July: July! I hate winter. It makes me depressed. Plus, 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays.

K--Kids: 3: daughter, KJ (7), son, TJ (5), daughter, Peter (3)

L--Life is incomplete without: music, chocolate (OK, all food), my family, sisters, friends

M--Marriage Date: May 26, 2000

N--Number of Siblings: SEVEN! One older brother, 2 younger sisters, 4 younger brothers. My baby brother is now 11. There is a 22 year gap between the oldest and youngest in my family!

O--Oranges or Apples: Apples! But I like oranges, too.

P--Phobias or fears: Heights, my kids getting hit by a car, my husband waking up and realizing he's way too good for me

Q--Quotes: "Anything is good if it's made of chocolate"

R--Reason to Smile: Funny things my kids say, when people tell me they love my music, my hubby hugging me (and not so I'll smell that he just farted)

S--Season: It used to be Fall, hands down, but it's more and more Summer these last few years.

T--Tag 5 Friends: Ugh, if you haven't done this one, then YOU.

U--Unknown facts about me: I love to cross-stitch, my still haven't finished the last project I started when I was prego with Peter (3 years ago)

V--Very favorite store(s): Target. Hobby Lobby (I thought of this one because I went there recently)

W--Worst habit: losing my temper, sitting at the computer all day in my PJ's

X--X-ray or Ultra Sound: ultrasound, they are happy memories for me with my babies. X-ray usually means something is broken.

Y--Your favorite food: Uh, duh...chocolate!

Z--Zodiac: Pisces

Not Imaginary Friends, anymore!!

Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to lunch and meet some of my favorite blogging pals. I met with Motherboard, Frumpy, Wonderwoman, Redhoodoos, Binders, and Debbie.
Motherboard and I drove down together, belting Wicked songs at the top of our lungs! Gosh, I sure do love that woman! We are truly kindred spirits.

It was fabulous to meet everyone in person, and put a face to all the wonderful personalities I've gotten to know on your blogs. At one point, Wonderwoman said everyone was so much more beautiful in person. I couldn't agree more! It's a new experience to see everyone's faces, and hear their voices, and see their personalities in action, rather than trying to picture it as I read.
I know that many of you will be my friends for life!

Sorry, I don't have pictures. I can't find my blasted camera. I know exactly where I left it. It seems a little 5 year old elf swiped it and can't remember where he put it. He hid it good, too, because I have searched high and low, including his room, under his bed, etc. NO sign of that damn camera. Crap! I hope it turns up before Christmas!

I look forward to meeting more of you! (As long as you're not stalkers or serial killers or anything like that)

Ladies, thanks for a great afternoon!

Alright, alright...I give in!

I was chastised by many for not having shared my Wassail recipe, in a previous post, while bragging about it. I've made it my personal creed NOT to do anything remotely crafty or domestic on my blog, because that might possibly mislead you into thinking that I actually Do things that are domestic. (Sorry, to get your hopes up Robin!)

Well, back in the day, I used to fancy myself something of a culinary genius. I think we've all been there. Fresh from the alter, anxious to please my new husband with all my domestic brilliance. I made up recipes and cooked them for my husband and family. I even made a recipe book a few years ago, and gave it out to my family for Christmas. I've been told by some of my sister-in-laws that it's the only recipe book they use!

Now, before you pass out from shock, please understand that this was the younger, more ambitious and more energetic Sherrie.

There is something about having 3 children in 3 1/2 years, that can wipe the fun right out of you. Now, I'm lucky to have a meal cooked every night. And yes, cheese tacos, mac 'n' cheese, and frozen pizzas are regular menu items now days.

So, since I've been lacking in the holiday spirit, and the domestic department lately, I thought I'd unburden myself by sharing my Wassail recipe with you.

I started making Wassail for Thanksgiving when I was 10 years old. (So when I said 20 years ago, I wasn't exaggerating!) My 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Sevy, had the class all help make it one year. I was so excited to come home and share it with my family. That year, we (Mom and I) made Mrs. Sevy's recipe for Wassail. Over the years, I've altered the recipe slightly, adding an ingredient here and there, taking out things I didn't think worked. I've had some years when I tried new ingredients and it turned out simply awful. But the last few years, I think I've got it mastered! I have NEVER missed a year of making Wassail since that year in 1988. Now, I'm passing on the delicious blessing to you.

Are you sick of my talking yet? Are you thinking, well get on with it then, where's the recipe?

Now, I'm having second thoughts. What if I've hyped it a little TOO much, and now you'll be expecting some magic potion of youth and vitality, and you'll be disappointed when it turns out to be just plain old Wassail, delicious as it may be.

Maybe I won't share.........

Ok, I will. Here it is:

Best Ever Holiday Wassail

1 gallon apple cider (not juice, cider has more zip. Yes, that's important)

4 oranges (these are for juice, you could use frozen juice, but it's not the same)

2 lemons

ground nutmeg (I don't know how much--just shake the bottle, probably 4-5 shakes)

or about 1 tsp, if you are a measure freak.

ground cinnamon (same rule applies, only use a lot more, probably 10 shakes)

or 1 TB-ish

ginger (4-5 shakes, or 1 tsp)

1 bottle of stick cinnamon (just dump it in--about 10-15 sticks)

16-20 whole cloves (you can use ground cloves (1 tsp), but it's not as pretty)

Pour cider into large pot or crockpot, set on Low heat. Slice oranges and lemons in half. From each orange, cut a slice and set aside. Juice oranges and lemons with juicer (or just squeeze 'em if you're really strong), and pour juice into cider. Add spices. Stir. Stick cloves in sections of orange slices. Put slices in cider to float as garnish(now it's tasty and pretty. Simmer 1 hour. Serve Hot (duh.)

There you have it! Now you know I don't measure when I cook. I just dump stuff in and hope it tastes good. But if you're a OCD control freak, and HAVE to measure stuff, you can. I'm pretty sure it won't taste as good, though, if you measure it. I'm not sure why. I think a little dash a rebellion is my secret ingredient.

So, go try it, and then, tell me how much you LOVE it!!!

Things I Love....

1. I went to the music store yesterday while the kiddos were at school to look for choir music or Christmas and came across this:




For years, I have wished I could get my hands on sheet music from George Winston. And I was always under the impression that he doesn't publish his music in written form. Until now! I'm so excited. I've already sight read through the whole book! If you've never heard George Winston, you must!! He is a brilliant musician, and definitely one of my idols as a pianist.


2. Last night my hubby and I watched one of my favorite shows.



I'll admit that part of the reason I like this show is that is probably one of the very few shows that both of us equally enjoy watching together. If you've never seen The Unit. Check it out! It is so full of suspense, drama, action, plot twists, and whenever an episode ends, I'm lefting dying to see what happens next.

It's on Sunday nights, so we usually Tivo it and watch it on another night. You know, because of the Sabbath........oh, and Sunday night football. Whatever.


3. Last week I downloaded the new album from David Archuleta. Can I just say I love it! Especially this song:




My kids call it the "whistle song" It has a really catchy tune, and everytime I heard it I want to start bobbing my head and play air drums on my steering wheel. (What? Am I the only one who plays air drums to song I like?)

Anyway, take a listen. You'll be hooked!

Today, in a round about way, I love that I have all three of my monkeys home. Unfortunately, KJ woke up barking at 3:00 this morning. The Croup? Probably. But, I kept her home from school, and TJ is now home from school, so we're all just taking it easy today. I'm going to go cuddle with my little monkeys now.

I'm thankful for all these things today!

Giving back the Comment Love

Rule 1. List the first 10 people who have commented on one of your blog posts. I used my last Random 10 Friday, because it has the most comments.


So here's the list:

1. Little Miss

2. Kristina

3. Annette

4. Motherboard

5. Shelle

6. Deb (kitchen ditcher)

7. Mikki

8. Mary

9. Tink

10. Devri



Rule 2. The meme questions: 10 blogs - 15 questions



1. What is your favorite post from #3's blog? Well, I've only been reading her blog for a very short time, but I'd have to say Thanksgiving with the Apes. It has me reeling, seething and laughing all at the same time!

2. Has #2 taken any pictures that have moved you? Mostly the ones she posted last week with Christian Bale. Yum!! And her co-worker? A little weird.

3. Does #6 reply to comments on their blog? I have never gotten a reply from any of my comments on her blog. Seriously! What's up with that?!!

4. Which part of Blogland is #4 from? Oh yay! She's from my own backyard (or around the corner, whatev) in Northern Utah! She is also my own personal visiting teaching partner, my very good friend, and I love her to death!!

5. If you could give one piece of advice to #7 what would it be? Ummm......I don't know, she pretty darn near perfect if you ask me. Oh, I know. Now that she's gotten her temple recommend, make sure you keep going back often, because it's easy to get out of the habit and make excuses.

6. Have you ever tried something from #9's blog? She has another blog called Healing 4 Life.
It's about eating well, and following the word of wisdom, and I'm trying to follow her advice and improve my diet, in addition to exercising.

7. Has #1 blogged something that inspired you? Her very being inspires me! She is funny, deep, and intelligent, and I admire her immensely. But this post, written long before I found her blog, but which I found after we reconnected really says a lot about her! Also, this one, even though it didn't quite sway me to the other side, it still gave me a lot to think about!

8. How often do you comment on #10's blog? I'm pretty much hit and miss on everyone's blogs. I know I've commented a few times on Devri's blog, I could probably be a better commenter.


9. Do you wait excitedly for #8 to post? Of course! She is hilarious and I laugh at everything she writes! I would love to meet her in person someday to see if she is really that funny, or if it's just her blog alter-ego.

10. How did #5's blog change your life? I really loved her post about Hope. It lifted me up, and when I was very near rock bottom. Also, she is another one of my imaginary friends who I have come to know and love through blogging.

11. Do you know any of your 10 bloggers in person? Motherboard is my VT partner, and Little Miss was my best friend in 5th grade, and dated my husband, and we recently became reconnected through blogging!

12. Do any of your 10 know each other? Gee, I really don't know. Maybe I should do a post about that, and have everyone tell me who they know in real life. Maybe that'll bring in some extra comments!!

13. Out of the 10, which updates more frequently? Probably Motherboard with her bucket fillers.

14. Which of the 10 keep you laughing? Mary, Motherboard and Kristina!!

15. Which of the 10 made you cry (good or bad) tears? Shelle, with her post about hope when I really needed it, and Motherboard, whenever she leaves me sappy comments about how much she loves me!