This & That

Twitters I would tweet if I dared to twit

2009-07-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

I'm finding it difficult to find couches that are not overstuffed in this valley. Any grand ideas out there?

Ice cream is an acceptable dinner on a 100 degree day.

Bacon is a great idea, but the aroma overstays its welcome.

I just organized my books by color. I'm really freaked out that they are not sorted by genre. I may sneak into the family room and remedy that. Now.

Goodnight ya'll.

Independence Day, 2009

2009-07-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

Doesn't Independence Day sound better than "The Fourth of July?" It's a holiday for a reason.

We got up early (6 AM!) on Saturday (Independence Day!) for a flag raising ceremony and pancake breakfast at our church. I have no photos of this because we were tired and barely functioning.

We donned our red, white and/or blue. Here is my baby sporting her patriotic colors.

For a few hours, we continued in the vein of unpacking, ripping up more carpets.

Then, in the afternoon, we had an explosion. A big bang, if you will. Andy rushed in to tell me our power was out. Something important on our power pole (it's been explained to me, but I really don't remember) blew up. There was a small fire in the weed patch that will (next year) be a garden. Andy put it out with the garden hose. Within minutes we had an on-call power company guy at our house along with fire and police. I'm not sure how the fire and police knew what was up because we only called the power company. I guess that's what happens when you live so close to the fire and police stations.

After our power (along with 3,000 other power customers) was restored, we went to my brother's home for swimming, dinner and fireworks. The little guy was tuckered out and napped for the first couple of hours.

What you will...

2009-06-28T22:50:00.000-07:00

It's nearly midnight. I was up all night last night with my sick baby. (We've got strep and roseola!) I should be sleeping, but I am wide awake. It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks. I may never catch up. Catching up is overrated.

We're in that half-way unpacked, sort of disorganized state that leaves me feeling uneasy. That is likely the reason I'm still up. Also, as soon as I fall asleep, the sad crying from the nursery ensues.

If this feels disorganized, it is because it is. Period. That's my life right now. I'm in desperate need of a trip to Ikea for organizational things to contain my kids' stuff. While I'm at it, maybe I can find some mental compartments for filing the ideas floating around in my noggin.

Also, any ideas how I can furnish my new space on an Ikea-type of budget without looking like I bought everything there?

Here are some random, recent photos (in case you've had enough of the roses).

We stayed with my parents for a few days prior to the big move-in. The boys had separate beds, but I found them like this in the morning.

My baby has great dental habits and no teeth!

I sent my boy out to play and found him with the dog in the crate.

Baby making herself right at home...she loves the water.

(So, my comments are not showing up next to the photos. That's just life.)

Everything's coming up roses

2009-06-25T08:48:00.001-07:00

I'm still unpacking and we are in the midst of deciding on tile and then refinishing hardwood floors and then painting. You get the idea. Home Depot is my new Target.

I can't help but show you a few tidbits of our new place. I'm not changing a thing about these beautiful roses (except pruning them). So here is the first installment of Photos of My New (Old) House.

As usual, Andy is the photographer.

Because I feel like sharing

2009-06-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

I want to post, but I am buried beneath 50 packing boxes.

Here are a couple photos of my baby. She has a thing for books and she enjoyed her first frolic in the swimming pool on Memorial Day. She is even cuter in person.

My other kids are alive and well, surviving on cereal and a steady stream of Pixar, scooters and sidewalk chalk while I try to pack. I put them to work, but it only works for so long until they start packing trash in boxes. I don't like to unpack trash. The older three did clean the bathrooms yesterday. So, there's something. And then I handed them bags of trash to take outside the actual trash can. Fancy that.

I miss you.

This has become somewhat of a summer ritual...

2009-05-31T21:59:00.001-07:00

No good deed goes unpunished

2009-05-28T21:17:00.001-07:00

Here's how it goes:

Andy complains he's gained weight.

I cut off his supply of Nutella for two months, as per his reluctant request.

He gains 10 (more) pounds.

Today, I didn't think twice about buying Nutella again--the Costco two pack of course.

Getting rid of it

2009-05-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Stet is from the Latin, "let it stand." Editors or other weirdos like me use this phrase to say "Nevermind, put back what I told you to delete." It's so nice to have a word for my fickleness.

I'm doing my best not to go back on my commitment of getting rid of a lot of excess junk before we move. Sure, we're moving into a bigger space, but I don't want it to be crowded with all this stuff we've managed to squeeze into our living space now. And I hate moving a mess that I'll just have to deal with in a new house. Every time we move, I get rid of tons of stuff. Where does it all come from?

I need to try to remember the useful tips I read in this book.

And I know I'll have to purge some things while other members of my family are not looking. Sorry, my sweet little pack rats, this is for your own good.

On the horizon

2009-05-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

Apparently, we're moving. I say apparently because I can hardly believe it.

Barring any unexpected issues on our appraisal and/or loan, we'll be out of this place in less than 30 days. THIRTY DAYS. Man, oh man--I have a lot of packing to do.

But I am thrilled. If you know me, you know I don't have trendy taste in houses. We've found something that will suit us. Oh yes, there is some updating to do, but it is also livable, spacious, decent and in a great location for us.

You'll never guess what sold Andy on the house. (So I'll tell you.) The bidet.

Six Months

2009-05-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

It's a total mom cliché, but (my-oh-my!) how fast my baby is growing up.

Sometimes I look at her and I am astounded that she is here. That my body made another little human. Against all odds.

I can still remember her powerful newborn scream. My first glimpses of her in the operating room were when Andy brought her to me. She was so small and so perfect (and so hairy).

You'd better believe my parents taught me about work ethic...

2009-05-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

I got this meme/copycat/whatever thing some time ago. I don't remember where or from whom. If it was you, rest assured, I think the world of you even though I don't remember that you tagged me. Here goes:

Babysitter
Newspaper delivery girl
Tennis ball retriever
Daycare worker
Cashier
Dry cleaner
Sandwich artist
Dishwasher
Research Assistant
T.A.
Fajita cook
ROI specialist
Medical records analyst
Researcher
Technical writer
Editor

And now I am a mom, which is not really a job. It's a lot of work and much different than I imagined, but it feels weird to me when people say being a mom is their job. If I felt the same way about motherhood as I did about some of my jobs, then I'd be in a world of apathy. I enjoy snuggling with my kids, reading to them, bathing them, doing the dreaded laundry and even hauling them to school/dance/violin/soccer exponentially more than chasing tennis balls or trying to collect the monthly newspaper money or even writing intelligible articles on pool supplies and solar powered gadgets.

My daily life is full of less than ideal moments that don't reflect the life I had planned. So what? Sometimes it's hilarious. Sometimes it's frustrating. Occasionally I get a glimpse of something awesome in my kids, myself or my husband that surprises me. I like that.

Burning Questions

2009-05-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

So, I'm sitting here eating Guittard's milk chocolate chips wondering if it's a plausible arrangement to see X-Men and Star Trek on the same evening.

Andy's head may explode from happiness if he gets wind of this idea.

Shine

2009-05-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

My 10-year-old had dance performances this week. You don't get the essence of the whole dance from this photo. It was amazing. Sign language. Modern dance. Great technique. The biggest thing that struck me was how my daughter--my shy, sweet little girl--shined on stage. Right now, I am seeing so many of her qualities unfold. I am surprised by some of them, not because I thought she was capable of anything less, but because she continually exceeds my greatest hopes for her. She is articulate and graceful, silly and compassionate, loving and witty, giggly and discerning, well-read and artistic. And last night, she shined.

Some kind of crazy

2009-04-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

(image from here)

Yesterday I drove through a drive-thru.

Think about the above sentence for a second.

I ordered food and drove right past the window without paying or picking up the food.

My brain short circuits when life is too busy. I won't bore you with the details of my day, because in all likelihood, you successfully deal with more than I do. Then I'd just feel even more incompetent. And what's more incompetent than driving straight through the drive-thru?

Well, hello there!

2009-04-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

Has it really been over 3 weeks since I posted? What have I been up to? Well, life. I could complain about how busy and exhausted I am, but that's been done time and time again. I'll spare you the whine and give you a few glimpses.

First there was Easter. We had stake conference on Easter and I was in such a hurry to get there and hear Elder Richard G. Scott speak that I completely forgot the obligatory Easter photo. We even had somewhat coordinating outfits (for the kids anyway). Here is one Easter photo. My baby loves boxes and paper. (I can't stand Cadbury eggs, but Andy loves them.) She grabs at cardboard. It makes us all laugh. She also loves board books.

Then my older girl turned 10. Double digits, folks.

Which called for gifts, lemon cake and an arcade party.

She had friends and brothers come waste a billion nickels. It was a blast and very low stress on the parents. I've never done a party like this before. It was awesome!

Big surprise for this 10 year old.

Then came spring break. It was nice in the beginning.

But it quickly turned into Snow Break.

I have been house hunting and kid shuffling. The baby has been sick with ear infections (both ears twice in a month). So when I say I've been busy, it's nothing overly extraordinary. Just life.

PS I got my hair cut too.

Perspective

2009-04-06T21:45:00.001-07:00

I had a bad day,

but it wasn't as bad as this poor copywriter's day.

I feel better now.

It's a Miracle

2009-04-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

Something grand has happened. I'm completely serious.

My wart is gone. Gone, I tell you!

I've had a wart on the big toe of my left food for about 4 years. I've had it burned/frozen off twice to the tune of $200 each time (my insurance paid for it, but still).

It came back. And it came back again. With my last pregnancy, it grew to near epic proportions. It was my excuse for non-pedicured toes. Well that and I'm more Birkenstock than mani-pedi. My daughter recently begged for a mom/daughter date to get pedicures. I said, "Not until my wart is gone."

I was working up the guts to demand my dermatologist treat it for free, as in buy 2 ineffective wart removals, get one that actually works for free.

Now it's gone and next week my girl turns 10. I think it is just cause for some pampering. I never thought I'd ask this, but do you local girls know any reasonable places to get pedicures?

Copy cat post

2009-03-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm posting this One Word Answers meme because house-hunting is sucking the life force from me and I want to think about something else......

Copy if you want to, or not. I copied from -j. because she's cool.

Where is your cell phone? misplaced
Your significant other? atypical
Your hair? indecisive
Your mother? helpful
Your father? handy
Your favorite thing? tidy
Your dream last night? nonexistent
Your favorite drink? water
Your dream/goal? bliss
What room are you in? family
Your hobby? words
Your fear? snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 yrs? toned
Where were you last night? home
Something that you aren't? fit
Muffins? berry
Wish list item? instrument(s)
Last thing you did? laundry
What are you wearing? t-shirt
TV? off
Your pet? away
Friends? some
Your life? good
Your mood? stable
Missing someone? sometimes
Drinking? never
Smoking? yuck
Your car? needy
Something you're not wearing? shoes
Your favorite store? Costco
Your favorite color? teal
When is the last time you cried? dunno
Who will resend this? none
Where do you go to over and over? laundry
Five people who email me regularly? junk
My favorite place to eat? home
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? temple
Four people I think will respond: unsure

Right Here, Right Now

2009-03-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here I am.

No make-up, hair not done. Laundry neatly folded in piles on the couch (not put away).

I'm snuggling my sleeping baby. She's almost five months old. I can't believe it. She's had a bit of an off morning and she just fell asleep on me.

I'm going to put this photo on my desktop and remember how happy I feel. Later on, when chaos ensues, I'll be sure to look back at this.

Catching ADD

2009-03-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

I used to think I was good at multi-tasking. Afterall, I do laundry and dishes at the same time. I've realized I'm probably just catching ADD from certain members of my family.

Proof: here is what is going through my head. Right now.

I wish my dryer would stop buzzing.

It should be mandatory to have house tours for listings on the MLS. I don't like seeing N/A on tours. How can I know if I want to see a house if I can't get a sneak peek first?

I forgot to check my daughter's math homework. Again. Oops.

I need to buy that tankini top on LandsEnd overstocks before they're all gone. And order boardshorts later. Will this combination really cover a multitude of sins?

What time do I need to put the Irish dinner on to cook tonight?

Did I forget to send out email reminders for writing group this week?

I want an old house with style. No, I want a new house with trouble-free plumbing. No, I want an old-ish house that has been remodeled. No, I want a new house that doesn't smell mildewy. Mostly, I want a house not in need of repairs. I want a house in a good neighborhood. No, I want style. No, I want function and affordability. I think.

Why is it my job to correct 4th grade math?

I'm sure my realtor thinks I'm crazy.

Time to fold laundry.

Hmmm...is writing group this week or next?

Preschool pick-up is in 45 minutes. Remember this.

The dryer is buzzing again and the clothes are damp. Dang.

The sky is nice and blue today. Perfect for another afternoon at the park.

Baby woke up from nap. Time to mug on her kissable cheeks.

On days like today

2009-03-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache are necessary.

I didn't even bat an eye when my 5-year-old boy dropped his cupcake upside down on the kitchen floor. He was near tears. I handed him another one.

I wish all trouble could be handled this way.

Economy in the dumps? Have some chocolate/chocolate ganache cupcakes.

Bummed out about your job? Have some chocolate/chocolate ganache cupcakes.

Not happy about the spare tire around your mid-section? Have some choco....oh wait, that's not going to help me at all.

I'd better step away from the cupcakes...

Blessed

2009-03-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday was the big day. Our baby girl was blessed. She went to church for the first time. She met her paternal grandparents for the first time. What a day! Here are some photos.

Perhaps she was a little nervous before church.

Later on, she was happy to be cuddled by not just one grandma, but TWO!

We're loving having Andy's family around this week. I'll be back soon.

Rude or Necessary?

2009-02-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

Do you think it is rude to correct spelling errors on homework assignments? I am referring to spelling errors that a teacher made.

One teacher sent an email correcting a misspelled word on a spelling word list (deceive). Ironic, no? Another teacher misspelled secede in a history review word puzzle. For the record, I do like my kids' teachers.

Also, Andy downloaded our ward's calendar. Every Sunday I see choir spelled chior and I want to hurl.

I am a nerd. Here's the flip side-- this site often makes me laugh so hard it hurts.

A Mom Post with Gratuitous Photos

2009-02-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

Because it's Tuesday (and I'm feeling much less contradictory today), here are photos of my kids.

My oldest is little Miss Mature around here. She loves to help with the baby. She's incredibly artistic and very sweet. It sounds sappy, but I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. She also overhears everything I say and remembers what she overhears. Somehow, she doesn't remember hearing me say "Clean your room" or "Put away the milk."

This was taken on Valentine's Day. Nothing says I love you like a little Green Food Dye #3. He had a blast at his first preschool Valentine's Day party.

It was 38 degrees -- a virtual heatwave. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get this kid to wear pants and a sweatshirt. He wears shorts under his snow pants. He's counting down the days until June. And I am too. I get a little burned out with all the comings and goings (and ridiculous homework) of the school year.

My baby is four months old. She's sleeping better (9 hours last night!), eating better and growing faster than I ever imagined. It's hard to believe she was in the first percentile at six weeks old. Now she weighs close to 13 pounds. I'll get the official weight at her check up tomorrow. I'm constantly kissing these cheeks! She babbles all the time and I love her little laugh.

Happy Fat Tuesday! We're eating pancakes for dinner tonight. Are you?

Contradictory

2009-02-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

I am nothing if not contradictory.

I aim to be mysterious and erupt from the mouth in a stream-of-consciousness type of confession.

Weeks of healthy eating are topped off by four chocolate cupcakes.

Claiming exhaustion, I leave parties early only to play Bejeweled late into the night.

I consider a breakdown as a way to get out of being stable and responsible, but reject it because drama scares me even more than mountains of laundry.

I want April in February, October in June, and December in August.

I hate to be called indecisive. I reserve the right to change my mind.