MUDDY BOOTS AND DIRTY CARPETS

Jr Coupon-er in the making

2011-11-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Last week I had K help me cut coupons, I was behind and needed some help. She then started asking me when we could do it again. I wonder if it is just a novel idea or a new found passion for her. You can really never tell with her. She doesn't really have very many interests; Christmas shopping is so hard for her. I buy her things just to give, throw, or hand down things in mere weeks. I wonder how she would like a set of scissors and a newspaper subscription for Christmas...

Tin Haul boots

2011-11-20T05:45:00.000-08:00

Really loving this brand of boots. Cute, cute, cute... The down side is the price and the marketing ploy that they are for rebel cowboy teens. I just love them.

When times get tough: COUPON

2011-11-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

I have always been a cheap skate when it comes to buying food and things for the house. I have never spent $900 a month like a few couples have claimed on food. I have ALWAYS kept to the 100 a person rule/ more or less.
So, it all humbly began when I bought 10 pie crust on clearance sale last year after Thanksgiving. Who knew what I was going to do with them; they were just about $.50. I couldn't pass them up and I figured I would do something about the in the year. I haven't, but they have kept well in the year; I have used about 3.

From that beginning, I really started paying closer attention to the sale ads and stocking up somewhat on their sale items. My goal was to create food storage for our family. Earlier this year, my sitter suggested that we visit a known coupon-er, Shelly, to see what she does. And so it truly began in earnest.
I now have a binder with dividers where I cut coupons, sort, and store them. I get 3 Sunday papers and print on line all the free coupons I might need. I have about4 web sites that I skim each Sunday and Tuesday. I also haggle with stores (usually Safeway they have the hardest coupon policy)

My best deals so far: Argo corn starch WO HOO .$29... makeup where they paid me .$50...

Being Patient, Be Still, Be Prayerful-Listen

2011-10-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

As I try to weather the stormy events of our house, I keep reminding myself of all the conference talks that applied to our situation. I have been reminded strongly that I am remembered by the Lord, that he loves us all, that he knows our situation, that we are here to be better than we could imagine and with the Lord all things are possible. It is so so hard to believe that I am worth it. To have hope when it seems impossible. To humble myself and open my mind to possibilities that I didn't want before.

I use to read quotes, quips with those words in them and they really didn't mean much to me. I wanted him to love me in the direction I wanted to go. I still want things to be easy- who doesn't- but I am having faith to walk the invisible "Indiana Jones" bridge before we get to the treasure. I don't like this direction. On my low days I think we will be stuck like this. Yet, quite whisperings of encouragement help me not notice how bad it is.

Someone came to talk to me about our situation, to check in. I felt ok and told her so. Really ok. Do I HATE that our house is in the situation it is-YES!!! with millions of exclamations. But as I talked to her, I decided that I am really just embarrassed at the way we are living right now. I am not worried, or scared or hopeless-most of the time. I believed the words of hope I was giving her about us.

When this all started I told myself I know I had the strength to stand this for another year. Later, I was talking to someone about their problems and answers. I decided that if this year and trial was enough to help my hubby and myself become closer to the Lord I would gladly sacrifice my home and all that I know to be safe to bring him and me closer -individually and as a couple- to the Lord.
As we are walking through the trial now, I don't see how we are getting closer and I am worried that my thoughts are wrong- but maybe not. We don't see the good until we look back sometimes.

So I am dedicating this problem to my hubby's growth to be closer to the Lord, to my growth, and to an example of faith and trust to others. I am having patience to wait and see the miracles and blessings this will bring us. I will be still, be prayerful and listen.

I will be amazed at the impossible out come. I know this to be true in my heart, mind, and soul.

A slaughter, a massacre on a Friday in SJ

2011-10-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Got home finally at 10 last night after leaving the house at 7:30 that morning. The sophomore class had concessions for the slaughter of SJ/BR game last night. I quit looking at the score at half time. It was just sad. Who knew that you could be massacred without blood. Those poor boys tried so hard.
It was a little slaughter in the concession stands too. It really makes me realize who will go the distance and who is there to work harder at not working.

I have a respect for one girl that is just amazing; she is a true Christian among Christians, a good student, and really has things going on. No matter what her life choices are, I can see her as a success in life. I have never see a kid work so hard. It puts new faith in teens back into me

Now if I could just find the same faith in co workers- ones who say they are too busy to help and then forget what they said; show up where you are and then try to hid from you in a crowd... Really stupid.

Can you smile

2011-09-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

So sue me, I can't stop thinking about my role and place in our current trials with this house. All other trials seem like a walk in the park in comparison. Every one has trials: small and big in life. They are the roller coaster that makes life interesting. You can't have the good without the bad-I know this to be true and in all things around us you can see how opposites are designed to be the ying and the yang of each other. So there must have been good in our life that I didn't full recognize and the good that will be coming soon.

My question now is: how to I act during the bad, the horrible so that it will be pleasing unto the Lord? How can I be an example of faith, dedication and peace. I don't want to break down and have a fitful meltdown over this all. I want to believe the Lord has something in store for me bigger and better than I can wish, think, or hope for.

I want to be directed by the Lord in all things related to this trial. I feel like it is a turning point in my life- a moment that will define me, my character, and my relationship with both my husband and my Lord in my future. I feel this will be a point in life that I will look back upon. I want to see the memory with pride and gratitude and not shame and guilt.
I want to ask "Why not me- I deserve this opportunity for blessings" rather than "why me- why do I deserve this trial."

I have been urgently desiring to be "that woman" or to be growing into "that woman" . I want to be that sister at church, home, and work who is such a true and real spiritual beacon that even though my life isn't perfect that I am obviously on the right path. I want to be the matriarch in my family that is wise, good, giving, - a quiet leader in faith, peace, and true righteousness. I just didn't know how to get there- still don't really. I know what I don't want to look like, act like, and grow like. I see that in family and acquaintanceships.
While waiting for answers, I watch others I admire and try to be like them; I don't know what else to do. I read good materials both spiritual and temporal.
I practice smiling when it hurts. Today it hurts; the fear that first gripped me made it hard to hear the Lord's comfort as I prayed yesterday for what to do.
I don't know yet what to do; I am sure that this trial with be a big burden of growth and struggle. I am willing to bear it if it means my own growth and that of my hubby. How many people would sacrifice a year or so to get a set of spiritual blessings tailored to their needs. I have decided that I can and want it.

I can smile, even if it is only a little today.

Do I have the strength for this?

2011-09-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

I checked the mail and we got the check and reports from the insurance company. The reports were not totally accurate. In fact in one place the engineer said that we had left the water on for 6 weeks after we had discovered the leak and that is what caused most of the damage... not true so not true. That statement might be why we only got 35k for repairs.
Called the construction guy and he said he couldn't do the repairs for that much and to call the company that gave them the quote.. Funny their name doesn't appear anywhere in the reports.
Also read part of my policy and found that at initial review we only had a year to get a lawyer and that year ended last Friday... what a coincidence. They have done a good job of dragging their feet. I really thought I was up for fighting the company but I feel like I have no ground to stand out.

Scott was really upset with me when I called him. He said I was so negative about everything. He wouldn't talk to me much about it. It was a day that I felt lost with out my dad. He would listen to all my worries and then find a way to start solving them. It was like Scott couldn't handle my worries on top of his. He was so so so grumpy all night.

Where does this leave us? I dont' know. I called a lawyer anyway and got an appointment for at least an initial review for $150... so I am going to spend the weekend on my knees because there is nothing I can do except trust the Lord and what he knows about our needs.

Can I really battle this house and the insurance company?

Does Disaster come in 3's?

2011-09-23T06:36:00.000-07:00

We have been battling our house for a while. They wouldn't take my calls for like a week and then magically they said they mailed a check on the 9th of September. I know exactly what happened... they didn't want to tell me what was the low amount they wrote and wanted to make sure it got here before they told me they did it. I don't know what the amount was, but I am sure I am not going to like it....

I dont' know what the next step is. I need to call our contractor and possibly a lawyer...

Then Scott goes down for hay and gets T-boned. Truck totaled. We are so blessed again that we don't feel devastated and are not hindered by the loss. The bad thing is the insurance company is giving us the run around about who's insurance the claim will be processing on. "To speed things up" as they told Scott, they are putting it on our insurance but the girl who caused all the accident is with them too, I totally don't understand why they are doing it that way. I am getting to the bottom of this today. I am pretty sure they are giving Scott the run around.

So now what is next?

When 4.5 weeks can kill you

2011-09-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

When you don't turn in tests on time
when you steal tests and try to cheat and get caught
when you forget to do your homework
when you show up to class very late and then have to potty for like 20 minutes
when all of your papers are falling like trails of bread crumbs behind you
when your mom figures out the computer
when your teacher says "I told you so" in a no sorry sort of smiley voice
When you throw your papers in the trash
when you just don't care...

Dirt in My sheets and other events at 3:38

2011-08-26T04:50:00.000-07:00

It was 3:38 am when I finally gave up sleeping.

there is dirt in my sheets
scott had awoken (yes that is the correct verb conjugation: i checked) me 2 x with 2 lights

first to get ready to hunt
second to get his pillow and over night bag

a nursery rhyme and an unrelated song repeated over and over in my head while dozing
the kitchen light was left one
I had to go to the bathroom
I was cold and pulled the blanket up only to discover the amount of dirt on it from kid shoes
my day will be long
I am thinking about running
my body is about 2 hours ahead of schedule: 7 pm will be ugly

MISSING DOG Chicago Scarbrough

2011-08-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

At this point I am not sure we have much hope, but I have to do what I can to get our little dog back.

Yesterday morning we let our little dog out just like every other morning. She never came back. We looked under piles of stuff and called her name. We talked to all our neighbors and went through our neighborhood.

We couldn't find her body or anyone who had seen her that day. She is not a wander-er and I don't know if I believe she could be stuck under debris while she dug.

I think someone took her or thought she was lost and picked her up. I even called the pound just in case with no luck. I called the vet in case someone brought in a new dog like her for a check up. I am posting here for the same reasons. We sure don't have luck with dogs; they don't end in old age around here.
I think my heart can't take another dog.

Chicago: dapple, black, white and brown. Blue eyes. 12 lbs and a Chaweenie.

Barbie, babies, badinage, and a bivouac

2011-08-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

this is the last day of Freedom for me until 2012.
Goals were not met, but we got a lot of Barbie movies in. The baby and the rest of us can quote Barbie like no other.

The house is still under investigation; I have seen the insurance adjuster so many times that I feel like I can call him by his first name and call him on his personal cell phone. However, there is no real decision made. We are down to A. dump it and rebuild it or B. Band aid and it will be condemned when you're 70. (my little badinage; more on the big words later)

After careful consideration and lots of lazy involved; we have decided to live in the mess of this house and touch nothing until a decision has been made by the insurance company. They have taken ALL SUMMER and still not made a decision, although I have heard about the conference calls and emails back and forth. I wonder if they are busy or considering their options.
I am hoping they are trying to decided what to do. I have started praying for them to soften their hearts and just tear it down. I really don't want all the work that will go into rebuilding, but I think we will be sorry in the long run. Our contractor has said from the beginning that it really would be cheaper for the insurance company to rebuild. Yet, I am trying not to dream of new house plans and instead focus on living in a longer term bivouac to keep the dreaming down to a minimum. I ask all three of the people who read this to remember us in your prayers, too. I am seriously worried about the longevity of the house and would ask anyone to keep us in mind. I want to say "Thy will be done." but I hope His will is a new house and not a fix on this one.

In other "news":
Last night in a location to remain nameless to protect the ones to be mocked, I met my own sesquipedalian (one who uses big words with many syllables). This person said that they (how to you use a non gender-ed pronoun correctly) would rather "stay true to self, than play the game to get a better job". We were talking about being rejected for being too educated, using large unfamiliar words in a small town and I was trying to point out that a true intellect can speak correctly, yet not offend or embarrass less knowledgeable people.

This person felt it was a betrayal of intellect to get a job by having an "ace in the hole" so to speak or not showing all that you know- Playing the Game. I think intellectual superiority can only feed your soul for so long; your stomach growls get in the way.

Ya, you go with your bad self and minimum wage job. Good luck with that. What ever makes you warm at night while you can't pay the bills...

a pig in a poke: the littlest piggie went WHEE WHEE WHEE...

2011-08-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

... All the way home ....

During the Rodeo Wes signed himself up for the greased pig race. Scott is trying to tell the rules to the unruly. Good thing he has a big voice. It works well in little league baseball. (And as a Christmas Gift).

A thousand kids descended upon the pig like Egyptians at the Red Sea. As Scott pulled kid after kid from the dog pile, he found Wesie hanging tight to that stinky pig. I was leaning out the announcer's box telling him to put it back. NO PIGS FOR US. The stands were laughing, the announcer was laughing.. Wes was "hamming" (ham, pig, he he he) it up for the crowd. So, it was touch and go if MOM would get her way. I really wanted the chickens, to no avail. We have a freeze brimming to the gills with Ferdinand. Wesie sure was proud of himself and thought it worth the 2 dollars. Scott was shocked; held his head in his hand and shook it back and forth slowly with a "Oh Man" smile. I am so glad there isn't a picture of me hanging out of that booth like a fretful city girl. I really really didn't want the stinky pig.

...to someone else.We pawned him off on the Sanders family. (HE HEE He)

Shattered Glass

2011-08-01T14:47:00.001-07:00

Sunday as I was walking through the house I heard a shattered of glass. It was sickening to hear; then it repeated two more times I as I stood in the hall cringing at falling glass. My mouth was a capital O. I went to find the culprit and found nothing. NADA. It. Just. fell.

I called Scott and he said he thought it was a result of the house not yet fixed from the water leak. I got some winter plastic and doubled it over. I used the staple gun to attache it to the window seal. I thought it wouldn't' be so noticeable. Now I have doubled plastic over the gaping hole of my picture window. SO SO trashy. Maybe I will take it down and put it on the inside.

I called the insurance company. They said I had to leave a message for the claims office. They tried to tell me it was a new claim. NO WAY I told the lady. It is from the crack in my floor that you all are dragging your feet to assess and let it be fixed. We were told by the repair man that the floor would just crumble away as time marched on.

I bet it will stay like that until it is cold. Ugghh. I hate it.

When 10 days turns into week 4

2011-07-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

The engineer who came out to record our house said the report would be finished in 7 -10 business days. Yesterday was the beginning of week 4 20 business days.

I called the head adjuster. He hasn't see the report. He told me to call the independent contracted adjuster closer to our home. He wasn't in. The barley polite secretary said she would take a message.

I wonder how any of them would like to live in what I have lived in for the last 8 months?

St Johns 24th of July Pioneer Day's celebration activities.

2011-07-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

For anyone who reads my blog, I would like to post some information about the celebration this week. It starts off with Rodeo sign ups on Monday evening. But if you missed that you can call in all week until Thursday. This is something new this year. You pay cash at the Pay office trailer before the Rodeo starts. The Sr. Rodeo will be on SATURDAY this year and the JR Rodeo will be on FRIDAY. There is a roping at 9 on Friday. To avoid recreating the wheel here is a link to some information about the Pioneer Days. However, the flyer says you can only sign up on Monday where as it should say there are call ins all week.

http://www.sjaz.us/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=388

Here is a link to the White MTN Indpt. 2001 Rodeo Pics.
http://www.wmicentral.com/news/st_johns/article_db61d447-f684-515a-882c-0f670878eb21.html?mode=image&photo=3

Mud Bog Boss Fest

2011-07-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

I figured there would be a lot of swearing back and forth from two oldest children locked in seat belts, mud and helmets that don't allow you to hear everything. IT was better than I had hoped for.

I came to a grinding halt at the start line. I had to stomp on the old resistant breaks to keep the Chief from lurching forward I stood up and laid on the break while riving the engine up. At the "GO" flick of the start flag I stomped on the already floored accelerator and leaped into the sticky mud. I wanted to plow to the end so badly but it wasn't to be. The ruts were taller than my axles and I didn't hold tight to the steering like I should have.

I hit it hard and pushed to the first big hole. I pushed and pushed the mud which created a bigger hole for the rest of the boggers. I was third out and made it the second further-est. Our friend, Eric, skimmed over the top of the mud and was the only driver to make it through the entire two runs. I was disappointed that I didnt' finish, but taking 4th wasn't bad.

Did I find a new hobby with MUD?

2011-07-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

Some people are spectators and others are contestants in life. I am the first. I use to feel very guilty about it; like I was doing something wrong. But then about 5 years ago, I got ok with my spectatorship. I own it. This year I even admitted it out loud to Scott and told him to deal with it. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but Scott 2 years ago he has started "adventure birthdays". It always involved me doing something WAAAAY out of my comfort zone. Last year it was scuba diving. I didn't want to do it and was panicking until we went it. It was awesome. I loved it so much.
THis year?

THE THUNDER RACEWAY MUD BOG> yea. Driving in the mud bog. We went both nights; Scott drove Friday and I drove Saturday. Scott set it up by first telling everyone we knew that was interested that I would be doing. Thus ensuring that I would have a crowd to disappoint and not just myself. Then he got our "Car" friends to talk to me. Then he left me alone to stew about it.

10 years ago I would have thrown a huge fit, made a fool of myself, got into a fight with Scott and got my way. It wouldn't have felt like a victory; it would have been empty and wrong.

Now I weakly protest. I get sick and quiet. I stew and try to figure out how to get out of it.

But this year is the second birthday that I caved in and did it anyway.

My stomache was sick for hours before, swelling to a painful pit that food, drink or breathing wouldn't cure. I got in the 77 green jeep and listened to last minute encouragement. I was ready.

Give a Kid a camp ground.

2011-07-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

We were on the road again (...on the road again, just gotta get on the road again...) for the 4th. Major holidays are always lived in the horse trailer eating hot dogs and bologna. A vegan nightmare.

We hit Mormon Lake where the amount of people there outnumbered our little town. I should have stood on top of the trailer and took a picture of the instatown. Only 1/2 were ropers, the other 1/2 were out of the wood work, rubber necking, at the real, live cowboys "cities". These are the kind of people who cry when the cow is caught in team roping and cheer when it "gets away". BRO-THER.

But we slept, ate, shopped, roped and HUNTED.

Hunted. FOR. KIDS.
Yes, for three hours I couldnt' find my kids in a place that had more people than our home town. The last hour their dad hunted on horse back with me. I was at a trot trying to find them before he did. After packing the littlest one on my shoulders and almost running all over camp, I was unsuccessful.
They were lucky that he found them in a crowd of people. It is bad manners to beat your kid in a crowd.

"Get.Back. To. Camp." was all Scott said he had control to say. "RUN!" when they moped back.

"Where were you?!" I hissed at them when I came around for another look at our camp. They just looked at me with the wide-eyes of confused youth. They got into the trailer for the ride to the next roping. It was a good thing they did; we needed time to calm down and not throw threats over the front seats like worthless barbed arrows. They are grounded from the pool for two weeks... and some other stuff like no tv.

An Engineer to the Rescue?

2011-06-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

For the three people who read about my life and maybe find it interesting I have more to document about our water pipe breaking from last September. Recapping: we had weird smells in the front room. Then found the carpet totally soaked, water was RUNNING down a crack near the west wall. We were without water for 6 weeks because the plumber we hired (family) had more jobs "in line in front of us" (bull just more lucrative) 90% water redo and a call to a contractor. He advised us to wait the winter out for "settling of the dust" so to speak.
I put it off for 2 months when it got warm. I just didn't want to hear that the insurance company was weaseling out of fixing things that were wrong. But I put on my big girl panties and got the ball rolling.

Contractor came back out and did a recap. FINALLY got in touch with the head insurance adjuster when I told him our front door wasn't shutting anymore. It would just bang on the frame and bounce open.
We replace the door, but it is still 20% unfixed. Like all projects around here.
The insurance company sent an engineer out yesterday. He spent 5 hours walking around our house and taking pictures. He kept asking me questions in a way that made me feel like he didn't believe that we have never had damage in the house before. We haven't. He finally left around 7 and the only piece of info that I could get out of him was that he has seen worse and they probably won't total out the house.
I don't know if I feel sad or relieved.

A little Hard Work does a body good. Kid, you are NOT entitled to everything or most things.

2011-06-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

I am quoting an article from Meridian Magazine , "A sense of entitlement (which is the polar opposite of a sense of responsibility) is endemic among children today.

It is fostered by our demanding, narcissistic society where wants are confused with needs and where everyone seems focused on the notion that he deserves what everyone else has. Gone are the days when kids expected to have to work for something, even for acclaim. Everyone gets a trophy now, everyone is recognized, and everyone is special.

Kids grow up in a reality-show world, thinking of themselves as the central character on the stage. They have a facebook page, they are famous in their own minds, they are like rock stars, and to them there is no room (and no need) for true emotional empathy, or self examination, or personal responsibility. Nor is there much incentive or motivation to learn to work.

And they think they are entitled not to have limits or boundaries or discipline."

Today we had an attitude adjustment. Scott came home and K's attitude was bad. Working outside helped it out. It was hard for me to watch: not that I am a softy by any means. In fact, the other day at the park I was called the "Meanest Lady He had EVER Met". Ya me. But Scott made sure the attitude adjustment was real. It had to push past a boundary. And that is what dad's are good for.

And, you know what? she didn't die, she was pleasant all day and she did get to go swimming after her hard work.

Good-bye Ferdinand, Hello hamburger

2011-06-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we fed the steer for the last time. Ferdinand is our first calf. He was so lazy when we was born that if I hadn't fed him with a bottle for the first 48 hours, he wouldn't have lived. He just didn't have the oompa to get up and even eat. Later we tried to rope him, but he was the only steer who walked out of the box. Saunder out like a he was visiting the king. He has earned his name in every way.

For those of you who have seen Mickey Mouse cartoons he is just like the cartoon with Ferdinand the bull who would rather wear a wreath than bull fight.

As we drove through Concho, I see him sniffing the air and looking around. It was a little sad to know that his enjoyable ride would be his last. Then we pull into Pinetop to the butchers place. It was in a little subdivision off Porter Mtn. Road. Scott backed up to the pen, opened gate and Ferdinand jumped out.

He will be hung for about 10 days and then turned into all the good steaks in the world, roasts, and hamburger. Scott wanted the tongue, but ugghhh. I don't want that nasty thing in my freezer.

Today, I will be cleaning out the freezer waiting the arrival of Hamburger.

Dreamed of Hawaii last night

2011-06-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

I dreamed we all went to Hawaii as a family for vacation last night. I am sad that it isn't really true.

What it takes to lose the last 10 lbs.

2011-06-23T07:18:00.001-07:00

You should really go and read trainer momma at the bottom of my page. I have been trying to loose a couple of inches if I get the last 10 or 15 lbs off i wouldn't complain.

I didn't like what she had to say because it was so hard hard hard. :(

It will test all that I have in me to do it, but I have been trying to get it off for 2 years so her suggestions are welcome.

Little League Dinner Success!

2011-06-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of our season Scott told his LL BB boys that we would have a BBQ at the end of the season. Tuesday was the night it was scheduled. Aaron and Tracy Sherwood graciously allowed us to use their new and improved backyard as the location. They should rent it out for events to re-coop the cost of all their up-grades and it seems a shame that everyone can't see how Tracey really worked her tail off. So beautiful.
The backyard was to die for. Tracy really has done a wonderful thing. It was just a piece of a fairy tale heaven. Loved it.

The kids had a blast. Scott was the master cook. We had tons of food, music, and a good time. We ate the typical BBQ eats. (But I was good and didn't pig out yea me)
After dinner we had awards ceremony. Each boy got a trophy for the year. Again- we had the Sherwoods to thank for that. You should have seen the smiles on each boy's face as his name was called. Each face would light up in happy anticipation and joy. It was priceless.

The Kings were our assistant coaches who did a bang up job. Life couldn't have happened with out them. They were so dedicated. I really loved getting to know them both. I wish them well and hope they will be with us again next year. I hope they like the gift we gave them. :)

The only sad thing about the night was the missing boys: Dallas, Jacob, Cannon, and Bubba. I wish their families would have joined us in the night of fun. It was typical for them to be missing: three of them had missed 1/2 their practices and 3 of their games. In fact, we had to forfeit the last two games because we didn't have enough players. I wanted them to be there because now I feel sorry for those missing boys for not getting a trophy- I am sure they were not the ones wanting to miss games and this dinner. We missed each one when they weren't at games- they were assets to our team. But you can't have it perfect, I guess. I just hope those boys and their families have successful baseball seasons next year with their new coach. One mother sure did struggle with having Scott as a coach. Hope she is happier next year.
I hope through the disappointments, tears, and struggles that they saw success as we did. I know that everyone has a different style and that those styles are not bad. Some of the boys got to learn that a loud gruff voice isn't angry :) and that having practice a lot means faster successes.
It wasn't perfect,and some of the parents were hard to work with-but it is still something that Scott said he probably would do next year. WOW good for us, I hope. We grew to appreciate and even love those boys over the season. It is so exciting to see the growth and potential that they have demonstrated as the season went by. I am most amazed at the ones who did't come to everything, but still grew as ball players; it was exciting to watch. We sure will miss them I can tell you.
May all those little boys have dreams of the Major leagues at night!

A Father's Day to Die For

2011-06-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

I am not so good at doing the whole over the top recognition of events. Heck, I don't even recognize. (I once worked for a builder who thought it was a great moral builder to sing and have a company dance with a big yellow dancing chicken and pins and Crap... it was painful and I am glad I had the experience so that teaching was so much more appealing than that well paying job)

And so it was Father's day. I had bought Mr Darcy gifts- which we didn't give him because I thought that the shirts we now dumb and would be

A. mocked or B. not worn.
neither of the options I wanted to face. BTW- I am a crappy gift buyer/giver too. What a great combo in a wife and mom.

I did LET Mr D sleep in (he does what he wants).

I did make him his favorite breakfast- but I had to substitute sausage for bacon because I will not pay 6 $ at Wilbur's for bacon AND... we were out of potatoes so the hash browns were missing from the favorite breakfast. So, you could say, I didn't let him starve.

I warmed up his burrito from the night before and brought it to him to eat (which I would have normally done)

I did let him go to church and ditch out after sacrament. I didn't make him take the father's day gifts.

I did let him go to Home depot to buy the rest of the supplies for our door that due to the flood of '10, had stopped shutting and would blow open unless you put bricks behind it.

I did let him pick the restaurant to eat at and then suggest Native New Yorker and then be mad at the prices and the quality of food. (I was mad not him)

I did let him finish out the door he started the day before so that snakes wouldn't crawl in.

I did applaud him when he finished around 10.

It might be more of a day than I got.

I got to make my own Mother's day dinner, take the kids to church by myself while Hubs worked overtime. I feel bad about his day. I am a dud. :)

L to J Teaching ideas

2011-06-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Last year I was so pumped for L to J. Then the baby got a fever for exactly three days- the same number as the conference So bummed.

This year was the recap. I went even though I struggled with L to J and didn't relly do any of it right. I had to start. I am glad I went. I can do this. I now realize it is NOT a way to teach. It is a way to track the key concepts I am teaching. And not all the key concepts at a time.

So, I borrowed the English book on L to J. Going to read it all and then come up with a list of all the key terms I think a freshman should know. Then I am going to go teach like I do. Except I will add the L to J random test tracker element to see how well they did. Also, I am going to find the 8th grade Lit teacher to see what key terms are her favorite and what she hits hard- because I will not do those except as questions in review.

I gotta start somewhere. Then after I do all this, I will probably get moved to Seniors. Ha for me.

Rolls of little sausages

2011-06-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

The evening of the early morning sock episode came to a head when my oldest child asked her dad "why do you have your church socks on?"
My faced did the scrunched up and then an eye roll. Oh, heavens, really? She had to ask. I cringed, as I walked casually to the couch where the socks and things to be rolled were left. I didn't even look his direction as I pretend not to hear their conversation. I wanted to appear that I was now ready to fold socks instead of the conversation spurring me to do so.

"Because I couldn't find any socks; your mom didn't do socks." he replied. And thank heavens for my kids, because they replied in a chorus, "Uhh Huuhhh, we found more when we were folding our clothes.'

(Ahh.... So, grasshopper, the student has become the master?) Your kids are telling you to look better.

"You just didn't look hard enough, daddy." was another comment.

I just kept rolling socks and undies. I smiled while my back was turned to him. So, he didn't endure the sweaty foot-ed-ness for the day. AND he really didn't have to wear church socks.

I am not as lazy as some people think I am at 5:00 in the morning. Ha.

I am as fearless as a .... Chicken

2011-06-16T06:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I went into the local drs office to get the second round of my back shots- Prolo-therapy. I was fearless. I had spoken to Tobi O earlier about the same shots and she said the more aggressive the shots are the better they work.

I am A- FRAID of shots, needles, and scary liquid that burns/hurts/feels weird. I think I am the only adult in SJ that has gotten kicked out of a blood drive for being a baby, but I was determined. After sitting in the waiting room for an hour ( even went home gave a kid a hair cut and came back) and waiting in the room for another 45 minutes. (Can we reschedule you? No, these are monthly shots, I can't wait) I saw the dr. I tried to be short and sweet because I had waited so long.

I was fearless.

Until the shots came.

I started sweating.

Why did they turn off the air? Was the room getting smaller? No? Just ME? Huh...

I began doubting my ferocity. As I lay on my back, I was thinking about the flab around the middle as my lower back and upper bum was exposed. Thinking about my flab kept my mind occupied until I jumped at the pin pricks. My mind swung back and forth from those two thoughts like Tarzan traveling on vines.
It really wasn't bad, I guess. The needle felt like sticking a sewing pin into your bum, hip, and back. The serum was weird like hitting your funny bone or knee cap. But once in a while they felt as if they were hitting a nerve-bad. But this time he found the root of my back pain and went for it.
I told him I changed my mind about the aggressive nature of the shots. He chuckled,and said he could do a third syringe If I wanted.

Ugghh. Nope, I am good. And with that, I was out of there at 5:19-two hours later from the time I first walked in.

I will see him next month. I will pretend to want the same level of aggressive, but this morning as my back and hip are sore from the 15 shots, I am not sure I can be fearless. It is more like the chicken who crossed the road. She did it to get away from the needles.

I don't want to Brag

2011-06-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

When people ask me about my summer. I don't want to brag. It seems so mean to those who are still working during the summer. Many people would never teach school (especially when then find out the pay), but I think it is a wonderful trade off.
I happen to have a pretty good boss who is very understanding about being a mom and going to plays and things for the kids. He also is really busy doing my thing, and I think he trusts me to do mine, so he doesn't lord over me every minute of my day.
I am the master of my domain - all square inch of my classroom and what I say goes.

But SUMMER oh how I love Summer. Summer is everything good from getting a tan, going to the pool, working in the yard getting dishes done on time and watching my kids fight. :) I don't think I could stay at home all the time, there is a lot of pressure in that job too, but just having a 2.5 month taste of it is glorious.

How is my summer going- it is awesome!

When you only have one sock it is going to be a bad day

2011-06-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Two days ago Mr Darcy ranted that I never do laundry. Never? really, I wonder then what are the piles of things that people have yet to dig through, fold or gotten rid of out of my Laundry Room. because frankly, they are taking up some serious space.

Today, he could only find one sock. One. I remembered that I didn't do whites on Monday like usual, but I did last week. How could the man with 3 weeks worth of socks only have one sock?

I don't know either and he left mad for work. I have yet to look through two couches of clean unfolded laundry to find the mate- an hour after he has gone to work. Just not worth saying I told you so to a sleeping house.

I am slightly curious if he has one one sock only to make a point or if he wore church socks to work. If I text him the results could be disastrous.

Contemplating the Universe and the Fire clouds

2011-06-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

The wind picked up AGAIN around 11 yesterday which wasn't good for the fire containment. They were doing all they could to save houses in RV. A freind's dad's house became the lookout tower because it was tall and build into a mountain. It made the news. :) We drove back from the ball game around 7; the fire clouds burned a scarlet, brilliant red. It was depressing.

I have not been directly affected by the fire, but I still feel like a wrung out dishtowel. Yesterday in the afternoon, I couldn't shake it. It was still with me after the kids' ball game. I decided I needed to work and so I went to the barn to do the nightly chores myself. I cried a little, I prayed a lot and tried to get myself back straight again.
Because:
I feel I have 2 choices. A. not believe in God and this still will happen and I will not be able to make sense of it all alone. Not that smart.
or B. Trust in the Lord, remember the atonement wasn't just for sins but all pain, ask "What can I learn , what can I do and Help me have faith" instead of "Why me why us why this".

I am picking B.

The red in the clouds was magnificent and beautiful.

wesmcb.com

2011-06-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

I am going to pass on this blog address listed above. It is a family blog turned great info source for the Wallow fire. It is ran by a volunteer cousin of mine, Wes McBride. He is an amazing computer techno wiz (yes you are) and has spent so much of his time, money and efforts in helping our White Mtn. family stay together. I love the spirit of helping and giving we have here. Love all you guys.

Some highlights that really should be called lowlights: Eagar is mandatory evac. I think it is only the south side, but really it should be all Round Valley. If you look at Wes' conversation with a fire expert, you will see that it so close. At the closest it is as far as Patterson's pond is from my house.
Later they had a town meeting and someone mentioned that the fire was a mile and a half from somewhere I couldn't understand. That is to the Oversons or the Wiltbanks from my house. WOW wow wow.

And on an unrelated note: the baby jumped off the the tramp and landed on her back . She is ok... just stunned. Nothing an ice pack or medicine can't fix.

24 hours shifts, extra horses, and blue skies

2011-06-07T05:54:00.000-07:00

A quick note of random happenings: the horrid wind died down around dusk last night and as I was feeding animals in the dark at 9 there were stars in the sky-even when I looked back towards Round Valley. We had extra horses from friends who had dropped them off during Wes' ball game. I thought they would come back to stay with us, but never did.

Scott finally was home around 12. He will have to go back and be there by 6. Many guys from RV are taking off to save what they can- they estimated at last night's meeting that there was a 48 hour window to evac before the fire got to town and even though the others will be paid, they are still sacrificing time, family, sleep and etc. The most I can do as a good wife is support my hubs as he supports the job and co-workers. So no getting naggy at bad behavior until things get right.

At 5 this morning skies are blue and the only clouds are along the eastern horizon below our back yard tree line. I walked out to the end of our drive and peered through the snaggle of elms to see the smoke line. It is still tinged yellow/red and is most concentrated where RV would be. I don't smell the sick dead fire smoke smell and even the birds are cooing in the morning.

Good signs but I know things can turn on a dime and someone said we will probably be battling this fire until the monsoons when we will begin to battle the mudslide aftermath.
*sigh*

Lorax, Theeds and the Once-ler

2011-06-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in the 70's progress met environmentalism. Environmentalism won and so we did less and less controlled burns, roads to get to "nowhere" and population regulation. Everyone cheered about the forests going back to nature and how that awful man was not being allowed to ruin the forests.

What we allowed (were forced) to happen was the opposite of what the Once-ler did. Maybe it is all Dr. Seuss' fault for putting the vision of the dying forests in my generation's heads. For now instead of lowly little BarBarloots in their Barbaloot suits leaving their ruined forest in a sad endless trail downtrodden masses, we have our downtrodden masses of homeless families slowly leaving their smoke filled homes. http://youtu.be/lzYRkGIQpOs

The Lorax mentality of "I SPEAK FOR THE TREES" has done this to us. All the mismanaged, red-tape antihunting, anti-touching the forest mentality has outlawed roads, cutting permits and logging in the name of some "real" BarBarloots (like Mexican grey wolves). I even saw an article this week reporting on how the fires were affect the wolves. WOW. Yea, they ARE the real victims here. They have no where else to go poor things.

The real answer is moderation in all things. Man isn't the enemy and today is totally a victim. I wish all those who voted for less management would lose what we have lost this week.

Life marches on.

2011-06-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Even though the smoke is the worst yet, life still happens and faith grows and we just ... do. What else to do but keep busy.

I was going to throw the thing she has nested on away: I will wait

closer shot. Nature is still busy recreating life

I wanted to see how many time I could take her picture and how close

baby bird left after the mom flew away

crazy sun

same shot but pulled the lens back a little

Hanging In there 6.6.11 Worst smoke morning yet

2011-06-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

6 am 6.6.11 in my back yard

I went outside in the early morning: my favorite time and was hit with a wave of old stink and this view. My neighbors orchird is 1/4 mile from my barn. I can't see them.

sunrise red

pink glow above a red small cold sun

6/4 about 3 PM Wallow Fire Smoke in SJ

2011-06-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

I drove down the road and took some pics again. The smoke has changed for the 3rd time today.

at different times of the day, the smoke was being blown into town and at others it was being blown towards Sanders.

Saturday Jun 4th St. Johns: A day of faith, A day of heartache

2011-06-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

I heard the fire was 5 miles from Springerville. My family in RV is packed and ready to evac if needed. I am so sad for the loss of our mountains. It has really hit me hard this morning about the loss. I know most people will be ok and we will recover. I pray that we all are praying for divine intervention of rain or something good to come from this all.

Lord protect us from ourselves. I keep reminding myself that the Lord has a plan.

Around 8 AM outside our back porch: the sun was barely orange

A view from a parking lot: for you SJ-ers, this is the backside of the Padilla/Crosby places. No visibility past the road. Can't see the Davis place or anything in the horizon. The smoke smell was strong, eye-burning.

SJ High School District office and Tennis Courts. As you can see (not see) past the tree-line going to the JR high.

Another SJ photo: the Issacsons' hill and can't see beyond about 1/2 a mile as the crow flies. I was on the corner of 24th and 15 for these photos about 8:45.

Down N24th West street about 9:30 AM 6/4. Again, on the corner of 24th and 15th.

In Round Valley visibility is about 3 houses. They have not been evac'ed yet, but waiting. Check out inciweb.com for more information and horrific beauty in the photos.

**later** the wind picked up and blew some of the smoke out toward Sanders. I can see blue sky where in the pictures above 2 hours earlier, I couldn't. This is a mixed blessing. Windy days means more acres burned. It also means less smoke in the low lying areas.

Fire and Faith

2011-06-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

It would be nice to just be angry and the thoughtless ones who began the fire journey.

It is especially tempting when we have family and friends and associates who are even more worried than I am- living 35 more miles away from the scene of fear. I can't imagine what families in Alpine, Nutri, and Round Valley are experiencing. I see the clouds billowing up over the mountain tops and wonder how many acres it is burning right now and why it can't be contained and why the Lord is allowing this to happen.

At times like these that threaten my life with gut wrenching fear and worry, I have to listen to the still small voice of reason and faith to stay afloat, alive, and functioning. I have never had fire threaten my home, but I do face my own raging fires from time to time. I don't handle them well. I let them so preoccupy me and my physical self that I don't hear the spiritual self getting answers to my desperate pleas.

In calm times I can remind myself that fire helps regrowth even if you can't see it for a while. Fire helps grasses grow and there are certain types of trees that can't drop their seeds without fire. This fire is awful, but there is symbolism in it that I have been thinking about for the last few days.

Just like in our lives when we have a fire that seems to destroy everything we cherish, what can it help regrow? I follow NeiNei dialogues and I see the effects of fire in their lives and faith. It is awful and yet in her almost 30 year-old-life she has some amazing things too. I have seen such faith, out pouring of love and insights into the human mind that it helps me. I haven't had a big "fire" in my life for a while, just day to day stuff that can wear me down and make me forget what I am trying to accomplish. I hope I am not due for another rager burning through my life like 50,00 destroyed acres. I hope my little fires can push me along to that refiners fire as well. I seem to be able to handle the need to be ever watchful day to day more so than I can long bouts of evergreen and then a burn out.

And so we live by faith. What else can I do when it gets so bad I don't know how to fix it? One of our goals in life is personal growth and and attainment. I found some peace and faith in what Elder Richard G Scott was inspired to say on the subject.

"God has given us the capacity to exercise faith, that we may find peace, joy, and purpose in life. However, to employ its power, faith must be founded on something...God uses your faith to mold your character...character is the manifestation of what you are becoming. Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Your faith can guide you to those correct choices. Clearly, it is what you do and what you think about that determine what you are and what you will become...Faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is used...Why worry about future calamities or uncertainties over which you have no control? ...When challenges and testing do come, your faith will lead you to solutions. Your peace of mind, your assurance of answers to vexing problems, your ultimate joy depend upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, "

He said it so well. May I be the answer to someone's needs during this time of crisis.

A run that was almost fun

2011-06-02T08:57:00.001-07:00

Personal best mile for me 9:37. Found a groove and ran the whole time. I almost don't hate running.

A gift that cost me money

2011-06-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago my darling Mr Darcy ( and usually he is so so Mr Darcy for me) went hunting and used the truck I usually drive as his huntin truck. I guess I didn't clean it out well enough because when he came back with a deer, empty Vienna weenie cans and pop tart boxes, I found also ONE blue denim high heeled shoe.
ONE.
Mr Darcy kept quiet about said shoe and let me look and wonder where I put IT.

Somehow later he or his friend said the mate got ran over one day, but they didn't know about it until the next day when they were back at the same place, saw a ruined heel and though "HUMM" really? they knew.
So I said he owed me two pair of heels to make up for the loss. One pair to replace the shoes and one for the "lie".

And so one day in May Mr Darcy showed me shoes all beautiful and bought me two pair so quickly that my head spun. Love them. But I wonder how much I really love them now.

Because the bill was on my statement this month and not his.
Tricky, very tricky.
I will show him how tricky I can be at getting my money back out of him.

It is 7:46

2011-05-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

I love hard playin days. Kids sleep in and around here, sleeping in is 7:46... oh the joy of birds and just the fridge running.

I will start my 1st summer work out in 15 minutes. I promise.

Food for Thought: Julie Beck and the role of women

2011-05-31T07:09:00.000-07:00

While browsing the other day I ran across an article by Julie Beck. She talked about how the world tries so hard to make women esp. wives and mothers feel the need for more "Me" time. Not the me time we all should take during the day for personal fitness, scriptures and hobbies, but it seemed this Me time she was talking about was something more along the lines of ditching family duty, responsibility, and work to be me, more of the time.I will quote her, because when I try to explain what I read and how it affected me, I seem to get it wrong.

" A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."
Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.”

I have been getting this feeling lately and I am glad to have someone on my side reminding me of who I am and that personal revelation is the key. And that means that each of us will have a different "to do" list even if we have a similar situation.

I am so grateful for inspired women with inspired words. How do so many other people live without inspired words?

A cricket's life

2011-05-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

Today I envied a cricket's life.

His name wasn't Jiminy..

The first time I saw him by the wall, I was tempted to crush him. I hate, hate the irritating chirp they make. I have been known to cricket hunt at 3 am. Yet, I guess I just didn't have the energy to squash him today. So after drinking 52 oz of water, and seem him two times in the teachers' bathroom and decieded that at this point in time, life would be so much more simple as a little, black cricket in the ladies room. I was jealous of his little life. A black, little run-of-the-mill variety kind-he was not special or anything, but he was at peace- obvlious of my hate or desire to squish him.

I teach school and it is 9 days until the end and I have an endless stream of freshmen in panic mode.

Easter and Water

2011-05-01T09:22:00.001-07:00

I am a home body and love to spend time at home. Yet, this Easter I could not figure a way out of going to Mesa for Easter. I tried "the feeling sorry for hubs at work", and the "candy doesn't ride well" and "I am a homebody". Nope.

So we went. It was ok for me and I am sure great for my kids. Contracted a UTI (yahoo :( , but thank goodness for a PA bro-in-law). Saw the Easter pageant for the first time. Went to church, ate too much and gained 5 lbs, literally.

So, glad to be home. My Easter gift was city water while we were gone. Was hooked up on Monday. Hello endless supply of worry free water.

Spring Break starts off with a windy bang

2011-03-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

I sat on Monday morning planning our week: burning weeds, moving rocks, picking up trash, small painting and sewing projects and getting back on track with working out.

Yesterday the following got done:
working out 2 hours
all the dishes 3 times
dinner
a movie
Wii time
yard work, in the wind-1.5 hours
paperwork for school, mail and talking to friends
scripture study and stuff
making an aerobic's workout for my girls at school
eating right
listening to the many tattles of Kelsey. talking has been very important when you need to tattle
2 batches of laundry

Today:

You can't see it well, but this thing is full from yesterday's hard work. Hopefully we get something done today besides fighting over the remote...

St. Pat's Day and real meat

2011-03-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

How can you truly celebrate this day if you're not Irish? Oh, well it didn't stop me from cooking my first ever homemade, not from the can corn beef Irish dinner, sans the green dye.

We had real corned beef (on sale for 1.27 lb) and I was in heaven- thinking now that my genealogy IS a little Irish.

I could eat that all. the. time. I wonder if it is on sale other times of the year, because I love it. It was so so good. I wonder why I was ever afraid of buy and cooking it before? In my mind it was a long and drawn out process, with no guarantee of success on my part.

Cabbage, carrots and fried potatoes rounded out the meal. If I was a stay at home, I would have done Irish soda bread ( with store bought bread and butter as a back up, cause like Scott says "even when you follow a recipe each time, Ginee, it always turns out differently" )

We had enough left over the next night to make burritos out of the rest. I know, huh, ? ! Mexican Irish burritos. Scott was scared, but ate one anyway,'cause he is good like that.Guess what? my crazy idea was really good with cheese.... Ha I say. Cheese and tortilla are good with lots of things.

My poor Kennedy fretted all the previous evening about not owning green. The next morning, I dutifully fixed her hair with every green ribbon, Barret, and hair tie we owned. Then, I dug through her drawers and found that she owned green, just not a solid green. Wes wore his all green pjs. ( oh to be 6 again). I even wore a tan with black and green flowered skirt with paired with black and pearls. I didn't want it to look like I didn't plan on wearing green on St. Pat's day. After all, I am not Irish.... :) even though that corned beef was so good.

What is wrong with NOT wanting a flu shot?

2011-03-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

During the mass sickness in the school district, it found it's way into our home via the sitter's home. Kelsey, as usual, got it the worst. I called the oh so helpful and lovely local dr's office one Friday to be told to go to urgent care. We did't b/c all I wanted was a strep culture. I know how long those take and I would have done it myself if I had the stuff. SO,
the next Friday I called and asked if we could be seen THAT Friday, now b/c Kelsey had been running a fever for 5 days straight. Amazingly they were available in minutes. I just can't figure out how an empty parking lot means a full office...

In the office visit they asked if we had the flu shots this year. I said nicely "No, and we never do. I know they are most effective for last year's flu strain. We are so health, we never have gotten the flu. We are good without them."

I got the the disgusted face from the staff. I hate that face. We are not bad parents b/c we don't give our kids every shot known to man. In fact, I am uncomfortable being the first generation to get any new shots. I want my shots tried and tested for generations. Especially when they are shots for things that are not deadly. My sister in law is on a modified immunity shot schedule and her dr. thinks she is an idiot.

We don't have health issues, we are not chronically sick, we don't have compromised immunities. I can tell you the last time I was really really stay home from school as a teacher sick was my first year of teaching. I lost my voice for a week- but was not down in bed dizzy sick. I think I am managing and would like some non disgusted responses when I decline the flu shots.

Am I crazy? Is common courtesy too much to ask for? Not that I will change, but should we get every shot out there just in case?

I smell a conspiricy.

2011-02-21T11:55:00.000-08:00

I have a wonderful vac that I have not used in a year. The belts don't exist anymore. And so I have been suffering with our shop vac.

I finally found a place on 17th and Van Buren to sell them. AT. A. STEAL. $.39 each. Wow. but really the shipping and the small order fee is keeping from pressing the "complete my order" button.

What do I do?

A long jump back into reality

2011-01-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

While journaling my every moment in Hawaii has been fun for me, it is taking way to long to just do that, so it will be added to the round of posts as I think of new things that I remember.

So today I am hear to COMPLAIN about the weather. AND my water,... and yea, the weather and my water.

So seriously, -20? Glad that I was "just" sitting in 25 degree weather in Scottsdale and Queen Creek watching Scott rope. Cause, -20, I just don't know what I would have done. Esp, when we came home and found that the water pump in our well house has burst and then froze. And now- again- we don't have water. We will have to haul water for some unknown amount of time, figure out where and how to bath (thank you mom) and pay to do laundry. Yea, and Scott is at work all day. Because they can't live without him it seems and called him 4 times to come home to work even though he was not on the OT list.

I get to go out and break water- what is left of it- for the animals. Yea for me. This morning it was -7. *sigh* I want to move to Hawaii in a hut on the beach. I don't care if we are poor, just don't want to be cold. Hell would not be hot for me. It would be -20 with icy winds.

Come "fly" with me

2010-12-20T13:11:00.000-08:00

We drove all day. I love riding and seeing the sights anywhere if the driver is good. He was good. I hoped he loved driving as much as I loved riding. Here are some pictures of my favorite spot. It had camping grounds, Shave Ice, good parking, black rock beaches, a blow hole, a tunnel and a local grave site. Some locals were camping her for fun and I wondered how they felt about all the tourists. Love, Laugh or Hate?

The one-laned bridges and construction spots along the Hauna Hwy.

2010-11-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

After the falls we went to . The drive was so beautiful with so much green. The people had carved a life from the side of the mountain and into the jungle. Around some turns, we saw progress in action. I still can't understand how they tamed the jungle enough to live. The small huts I get. But when these huge pieces of equipment digging trees and vines. I wondered where the waste material even went. The car we took was hogging up the road, so I can't imagine how they maneuvered the big equipment. WOW. Often, we would have to stop and let another driver pass because the bridge or road was too narrow for both.

They sell t-shirts that say "I survived the drive to Hana". There are over 600 almost hair-pin turns and 50 something one-laned bridges. However, the fun for me was the drive there. We spent from about10 am to about 5 or 6 just driving and stopping and looking and hiking. I was in heaven.

A Hike On my Bird-day

2010-11-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

As any silly goose would know, my strong hubs likes the motto "why walk when you can ride" and thus believing so, we have never had a hike. But we did this day.

We hiked to the first set of falls. And up the slippery slope to the first swimming hole. It was far down and green and full of people and I had my contacts on so I held back like I always do and finally decided that it was not fr us. Now that we are not there, I would have taken more time there. Even it it was just to look. I am a looker and a watcher- a deliberator and a thinker. If any situation needs quick action and cat like reflexes don't call me. Ever. I will talk you to death, trying to think of the best way of getting the situation solved. I know it grinds Scott. Especially when we are loading and sorting cows. I like to think things through. And so I missed my opportunity to stay and be at the first set of falls.

Phone Call

2010-10-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

as we were getting out of the car to hike to the first falls, my FIL calls to wish me happy birthday. They didn't even know we were in Maui and it took a few minutes to convince him that I was really there.

"Well, you got a late start to Hana." was what he finally said when I convinced him. Late? in Hawaii? That is like saying more chocolate is bad. No such thing, besides what schedule did we have? None at all.

More pics of the falls. I think this was my favorite place.

A late start to Hana

2010-10-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

As this was a surprise trip, there were a few items that I didn't' pack.

We stopped into Safeway to get lunch and snacks then I popped in at Ross to get a Hawaiian dress and some shorts. We drove through the rest of "civilization" and started to Hana. It was said in the guide books that the drive can take up to 5 hours if you make all 10 tourist stops. The first stop was the waterfalls.

Hello the backside of Maui

2010-09-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

As Scott is zooming around each and every curve; loving every minute of it, I am slowly getting sicker and sicker. I hate that about me. After Wesie, I can't take anything like that without being woosie. And so and the next pull out with a view, I acted like I really wanted to get out and see the cloudy, misty sights. Really, I was just trying not to throw up two pieces of candy and a bottle of water. It was a pretty view of the back side of Maui, the side I bet most tourists don't bother with. It was wild and a little like Arkansas and Oak Creek canyon combined. After stalling as long as I could, we got into the car to zoom, zoom, zoom. The car was fun. Really, I love speed and driving with Scott.

We saw hunting grounds as we turned another corner. What in the world would they hunt here? Goats. Wild, feral goats. I imagined them standing on two feet and kicking at you.

Zoom on.

The road was getting more and more narrow and the sea was more turbulent. Finally we hit the back side of Maui and dipped into a little village. It was literally 10 houses set in the side of the cliff side. It was about 9 in the morning. Road side stands offering banana bread and "shave" ice were not open yet, but little boys were up and playing in the road. If you could call what we were driving on a real road.

Later I would find out that we were not to drive on the "dotted lined" roads as they were not deemed safe for tourists and rental cars. They have not met my hubs. The amazing driver.

We passed one or two more island villages and I was amazed at the ingenuity of building in such a confined space. They lived so much more simply that any of us do with such little space. I think most of the village homes didn't have electricity or running water.

After the villages, we started passing larger homes with horse farms, cows, and pigs. And then at one corner, I MADE Scott stop for a Happy Birthday... Throw-upping. Yep, TMI. good thing it was just water.

He laughed, I laughed and we sped on. Man, the sickness I fought around every corner was finally gone. And I was now hungry. We passed a few homes for sale. Horses, or writers lived at those places. Fun, and so not tropical. Very grasslands.

The road gradually got wider and we were going into to a town. For Breakfast-- at the golden Arches. So stupid. I hate McD's and we ate there when inHawaii. Ha. Funny.

Hana Birthday early a.m.

2010-08-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

As we drove left we didn't really see any stores or shops. It kept getting more dense and tropical. The road was thin at best, but the road was still paved. Around two corners we saw for sale signs. They said by appointment only and serious buyers. I couldn't see the house or the property from the road. And off we went around each corner and seeing more of the white capped ocean. It was about 8 and the weather off the mountains looked cloudy. We got to the tip of the island and looked back. A monstrous house peached an out cropped part of the island. It was ridiculously big.
That was what was for sale. I wondered if it was Clint Eastwood's house or someone like that. And off we spun in the little red challanger around the corners of the ever thinning road.
We came to a lee in the island where the road dipped down and it seamed like the ocean could spray across the road. There were a few homes on each side. One set were set back into the encroaching jungle. They were small by even mainland small standards. But these houses looked like they belonged to Hawaii. Unlike the ginormous houses that we had passed just out of the shops area. The other little houses along the shore were similar to its mates. Simple, open, tropical. I wondered how they kept wild life out. These little house didn't have a beach to speak of, but their cove was pleasant if they wished to boat. The shore was black pebbled rocky and narrow.
As we eekked around their hair pin corner, I saw a road side stand with hand printed lettering offering tropical fruits and such. Chickens slowly strutted across the street and we sped on.

OH, so this is Jet lag.

2010-08-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

4 am. I was awake. We had stayed up til midnight AZ time. But here i was 4 am Hawaii time- awake. I listened to Scott lightly snore for a while and scrunched my eyes up to try to sleep more. Nope, not much. by 5 I was watching it get light and the wind blow. It looked cloudy but I hoped it would clear up. I stood on the lanai watching surfers and boat from the privately owned beach. It was my 37th birthday. Remember, 37 is the new 27. I was up at the butt crack of dawn
in paradise.
I am truly a morning person.
I got dressed, took pictures from our lanai, and eventually woke up Scott. I was bored. After much deliberation and a few phone calls we decided to drive to Hana that day and go on a day trip on Sunday.
We got dressed in suites and stuff. We got down to the car, turned left at the light and drove. We were in search of a few stores and breakfast. On an adventure. On my birthday.

A luau for two

2010-08-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

We drove and drove through drying sugarcane and realized on our way to our first night in Maui that people there were slow as dirt. Kinda like the res only prettier. We saw miles of ocean and small beach pull outs. The beaches on our drive were thin and rocky. They were public parks. Odd.

We pull into the Sheridan and found parking. I was rushed out of the car and I was frantically thinking what I could dig out of my bag to change into. I was in plane clothes. Helllo..... Scott looked so much better than I did. Uggh. Annoyed and tried to forget it as we stood in line to get into the luau with women who had spent hours primping for dinner. Either Scott doesn't notice when I am ugly or he doesn't care. Probably on the doesn't care end. We were served free drinks as we stood in line and then I saw the Picture takers. I told Scott we were not getting our pictures. Hello Plane clothes?? I couldn't get out of it and you can tell in my picture that I am not totally pleased. That would be a do over for photo shop.

BTW what is up with the hang ten sign? All tourists are not interested in faking that they fit in.

Dinner was wonderful. Entertainment was wonderful the dancers were fabulous and exciting. We had seats in the very front row center. I didn't have to look over or around anyone. I had to stand up for my birthday, they were calling out newlyweds and anniversaries and birthdays. Luckily, I was overshadowed by an old woman who then became assistant to the MC. Maybe it was good that I didn't get to change, because the couple in cute matching outfits were called up to start the dance.

It was starting to rain but it paled in comparison to the food. Salads, drinks, the pig and the steaks were heavenly. I wish I could get a recipe. Not that I cook, but to say that I might cook it one day. The meat was salty and sweet. It fell apart in your mouth. Ohh, Poi on the other hand disgusting. It was purple grey and tasted blander than unseasoned cold pinto bean juice. It was watery and one lick was enough.

After dinner we checked into our hotel. By now it was about 11 our time and we were beat. What a wonderful way to start out vaca. The big king sized bed that was as soft as butter was a great way to end the day.

The only thing that could top it off was that Scott found a Hawaiian rodeo on tv to fall asleep to.

Are you sure This is Maui?

2010-08-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

After 5 hours of having Scott's shoulder on my shoulder (I had decided not to move; couldn't be away from him even one seat)
I had a crick in my back from sitting sideways, had to pee from the endless virgin whatever concoctions that I had drunk (I will not go in an airplane or a train or a bus bathroom; heck the teacher's bathroom is really to public for me.You see who pees, and to take a total tangent, I know from working a large construction office who washes hands and who doesn't, thereby making the door handle and pot lucks unappetizing, so no thanks airplane bathroom) The family , yes young family with a baby, uggh, what were they thinking, had a little one who cried and whined most of the time, thank you on board movie and head phones. Glad the kids were back on the mainland. Poor Kelsey would have been miserable.

Anywhoo..... I looked out the window and didn't see blue on blue anymore. We were descending and there it was! I saw island and green and blue greens, housing tracks and farmland grids, and then when we hit the run way, ugly brown.

Brown? The grass was yellow brown, there was patches of dirt, it looked like Arizona. What? Where were the, I don't know, grass blades as high as your head? Where were all the palm trees? Monkeys? Toucans? and tropical sands everywhere? .... What was this? Brown, tall, weed things. (Drying sugar cane I found out later. It was farmland, sugar farming.)

We landed and I decided not to heard through the passageway as fast as I could. I didn't want to be crowded. I am a touch claustrophobic; it kicks in when people are touching me too much ( ohh, group hugs) or in my personal space so that it feels like I am breathing their warm, reused air.

Plus, I wanted to savor the experience. We had now been traveling since 7:30 and it was about 2 their time. I think it was close to 5 our time. We got our bags, and by now Scott felt sorry for my heavy bag or he was tired of being slowed down by me carrying a heavy bag and switched me. I walked down the gang plank and into the tropical smelling building and no not like coconuts, more monkey house-ish. You got use to it quickly, but initially, it was zoo-like. Huh, didn't expect that.

After that, it was a lot of huhs.
Huh, no girl with lei's handing them out saying, "welcome to Hawaii" in an exotic island purr. Huh. One Asian business lady was holding a sign that said a name like Thompson. Very movie-like not exotic though. No man with a little person in white suits saying "Welcome to Fantasy Island." huh.
No hula girls. Huh.
No grass huts or natives working. Heck I didn't know what to expect. Don't laugh.
As we exited the ordinary un-tropical hut airport, I looked out on the horizon. Beautiful, but I could have been in Mesa on a windy October day. A storm was brewing. Man... it was humid but wonderful 80'ish. Huh. Mesa has a lot of palm trees. So does Hawaii, imagine that. :)

We walked around to the rent a car place. We were renting a car? Cool. I thought it would be nice to get a new-ish little car. But after talking and inspecting prices we got a red new two door Dodge Challenger. It was so fun. It was exactly for Scott. He loved every gas gallon wasting minute of driving it.
With bags in the trunk and maps of the island tourist traps, we were off.

Did we get on the wrong plane?

2010-08-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

For the seats were not made for a man-sized man. We walked to the back and kept going and going to sit in the last row on the left. I was watching the other passengers get on and praying that there was not a 3rd person for our row. It was like that frog game on tv years ago when the contestants would yell "Big Money" as the blinking sign would spiral around the frogs. " No third, no third, no third!"

The young girls from our connector flight were across from us. Again, how did they get the money to go? So so young. As we settled, I thanked my stars that there was no third. Not many people go to Hawaii alone.

I took a few pictures from my phone the bay was gorgeous. And we were off. The thrust of the plane was intense as we were in the back of the plane. Rising in the air we had lift off and I had a should over my should. I considered moving into the third seat to get some room. But I also wanted Scott to know that I was very grateful for this present and stuff so I didn't want him to get impression that I wanted away from him.

We played a game on the plane of guessing when we would be 1/2 way to Hawaii. The total trip time would be 5 hours. You had to calculate with guessing.

There was so much blue out our window. I couldn't tell where the sky stopped and the ocean started. It was crystal with a few clouds. We were above them for our 5 hour flight. The music and movie were pleasant- I don't remember much because of course why would the movie or the free drinks when you are flying to Maui be anything but a fleeting memory.

What was in San Fran?

2010-08-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

When we got off the plane in SF, I was a little dazed, things that come at me fast tend to over whelm me. So, it was easy for Scott to heard me to another gate without arousing suspicion. As hard as it was to believe, I really didn't know we were doing anything different than leaving the airport. I was trying to take all the sights and sounds in to make sense of it all. As we were standing in line he haded me another ticket. I blinked twice and squealed a little. No way, No way! The little ride over to San Fran was just the beginning.

We had tickets to Maui! I was shocked, incredulous. How did he pull it off? Did I have the right stuff in my bag? I told the ticket taker, and the flight attendant and they both beamed at Scott like he was the best thing in the world. Cause he was.

We got out bags stowed and were on our way to Maui. I started texting people I knew.

the plane ride to San Fran

2010-07-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

When the gloved TSA man was finished with me we walked through the terminal. We browsed the books and magazines, got Scott a water and trudged down the alley ways to the various gates. We chose to setting in seats that faced the walk way. Better people watching.

After they announced a delay til 9:10 we had about an hour 1/2 to kill. I only wish I knew how to take photos on the sly. For I saw and you will never appreciate the fullness of:

An elder couple who ate their weight in fast food and treats . Ugghh. I kept watching them put it away.
A lady that was so so so skinny that it was sick to see her in skinny jeans.
A million women- some good and some NOT in that leggings, long, flash-dance shirt combo.
Maybe a woman body builder or just a fit bowlegged girl.
Girls in pjs that should have looked in the mirror.
Men with their nips sticking out of their too tight shirts.
People who were going to get profiled.
Women - uggh just wear a bigger size it is ok!!!
Many business people in all states of hurry
A couple who, from the back, you could not tell if there were two women or not. The dude had beautiful hair and a beautiful bling bling belt that I am sure I have seen on a few barrel racers.
The list is so long. It was some good watching I tell you. I am sure some of them heard me giggling and "oh wow-ing"; I couldn't help it.
And then they called us up by section numbers. The pj girls and the man/woman couple were going where we were going. We were settled in the plane, belts on, bags stowed and off...

One of the pj girls were sitting next to Scott and me. She was not happy about being sat away from her group. She pouted and hogged the window. I noticed when she looked at her ticket that she was going to Hawaii. Wow, they were so young to be going there. I wondered who paid their bill. They sure didn't look like they had jobs that could do so.

The flight was only about 1 1/2 hour long. Good.

Part 2 of my birthday weekend.

2010-07-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

We decided to park in the cheap parking lot on top. I just couldn't get paying 20 a day for parking when there was an option for 8. We loaded up bags and I had the sense to dig through mine to clear out things. I vaguely remember Scott telling me he had to buy small travel sized things ; I had not flown since before 9/11. I got rid of my face wash and moisturizer (akkk), my mousse (akkk), big tooth paste, sun screen, and some manicure tools. I tried to be quick about it; Scott was worried that we would miss our plane.
I was slowly getting excited.
If anyone knows me, I keep my excitement in. I don't like to show it. I had to remember to show Scott that I appreciated it so he wouldn't get the wrong idea. You know the people on the Price is Right?
I am the exact opposite.

We carried the bags to the elevator, man was mine heavy. We crossed the terminal street, and we went in to the airport terminal at 7:45 am. We got the counter and Scott started checking in. I told one lady that it was a surprise and she was so cute about it and made me stand near the door. I saw San Fransisco on the terminal before I moved. Wow. Cool.
I let Scott have the surprise moment. It isn't often you get a nice surprise as an adult. So why ruin it? Hey, honey come here quick, or mom we have something to tell you is what adults often get.
While standing in line like cattle at the slaughter house, I realized why Scott prompted me to wear my flip flops. I thought back at the hotel it was because he had bought them for me and wanted me to wear his gift. Some times I think I am inconsiderate to his gifts. I don't mean to be, I am just self-centered and thoughtless, I guess.

We moved through the black tape lines fairly quickly. I was still getting annoyed. I do that. When something looks pointless and stupid people are running it, I get rude. I was trying not to let it get to me for Scott's sake and the sake that I didn't want to be beating with a garden hose for being a spy. We passed an elderly Asian couple looking for tickets.

I noticed one guy traveling alone. He stopped to dig in his back pack and we were told to pass him. The guard started making little gestures to other guards.
"Ahh, so this is how they profile," I thought.
He was a little suspicious. Unkempt hair, two-day beard, alone. Back pack. The "right" race look. Two women TSA employees followed him through the initial screening area. they kept talking to him, asking him stupid questions like they were trying to be nice and making conversation. Subtle. If I caught on, I am sure he did. I wondered if he got it a lot and why he didn't do things to stay under the raider and if Scott would get detained. I lost that guy in the crowd when I had to take off my shoes. gross, the floor.I tip-toed through the first security check. Then my bag didn't come out. Oh crap. What now?

I was not sure I had done it correctly. I didn't know we were flying and I didn't know about the baggie thing. SO, I was detained. Yea, it was fun. My pricey tub of lotion? Trashed. All my stuff looked through. Ugghh. I guess I am glad they didn't strip search me. And then they say "you should have checked the website" well, no duhh.
If I had known I was FLYING, I would have.
I told them it was a surprise gift and that I didn't know where I was going and that given the circumstances I did pretty well. I kept looking at the TSA guy and his gloves. I wondered what he thought about the contents of my bag. I felt embarrassed. They were not very nice and were taxing their mental skills at that job. Was it getting hot in there? I was sweating under my hair and trying not to make jokes.

Part 1 of My birthday weekend

2010-07-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

It was Thursday and I had told Scott I had packed for our trip to the Valley of the Sun. I had not. -I think he is just bossy enough that I sometimes defy him a little to get back at him. I spent much of the day Thursday trying to decide which of my ugly clothes I would take down to wear. By 3:30, I had most of the dishes done, the sitter arranged, and laundry done. My bag was packed. I was fairly satisfied with my choices.

I was ready and after dropping the girls at grandmas, we were off to Mesa for a weekend of fun and kidless dating. The baby cried a little when we were out the door; it caused me just a moment of regret for her- and my mom.

Wes was to hang with some family friends in Mesa who has a son his age .The trip down was uneventful. It was the same old trip we always take. We took the two horse trailer for on the way back we were going to bring back CC from the trainers. Wesie was very good; I attribute that to no sister in the truck. They have always squabbled a little, but lately it is a hitting and crying fest. We got to Mesa about 7 or 8 and the family was in an uproar. They hadn't answered our calls and then told us their plans had changed. Poor Wesie.
What to do?
He stayed the night with their parents. I felt so sorry for him. Not that he didn't know the grandparents- he does. They are like family, too. It is their house. Lets just say that their home is a candidate for "How Clean Is Your House". I hoped he didn't catch something while sleeping there. I told him to put his shirt over the pillow case where he was to sleep. Seriously.

We stopped in at a Walmart to pick up some things we forgot and I chose NOT to get more clothes. He wouldn't let me buy hairspray and something else that I thought was weird. What would he care?

Then, we drove to our hotel in the middle of Phoenix. It was nice. It was a La Quinta Inn. Full size beds, --weird. Scott is usually so picky about where and how he sleeps. But, Scott said he picked this hotel because it was close to where we were going to drop off Wesie and we would only be staying one night. Ok, I thought. I get that. He was being such a good sport about it.

Shower was good, room was a little hot, but nice and clean with a big bathroom and good blankets and pillows - breakfast was fine. Nothing to shout home about but was good, and it was nice to have peace and quiet. Besides, who cares about a hotel when you don't plan on staying in it much.

After checking out and eating breakfast, we loaded into the truck and drove off. As we pulled into the Airport terminal, I thought "What are we doing here?"
I still had no thoughts, I have spent so much time trusting what Scott does because it turns out ok in the end, that I didn't think twice about what we were doing.

The New 27?!

2010-07-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Blaine, is the only close "kid" relative who is older than I. I bear the burden of "getting" to turn 40 before even my hubby. On my cousin's birthday, July 6th, he turned 40.

FOUR-TY!!

I have hated my birthday for a while now. Forty has been looming for a while and I don't want to face it, I guess. I get grumpy- (er than usual )and humph around. If I get gifts I am frustrated and if I don't I am frustrated.

I remember when Blaine was maybe 16 or younger and I thought he was from the devil because he listened to AC/DC. I was about 12 or 13 and had no experience with music. I also thought he was the devil because he would do devilish big brother kind of things to me. I even remember swearing at him at him once (oh the awfulness!). The devil has grown up.

Now he is forty.
I am three years younger.
He said that forty is the new 30.

So, I will be 27 this year. Yea, me. I have something to look forward to.

Barely Missed a Right side up swirly

2010-06-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

"Did you see it" Scott asked as I carried the baby into the front door last night. She was asleep. It was late. My contacts were hurting. I can't see well at night.

"Ugghh, .... no. What?.... Seriously?" I instinctively ducked my head. Remember? Bat. Long hair. Swirly. Bad.

"Whatever, did you really see it" I questioned walking down the front entrance. Baby was getting heavier. Scott likes to kid; so you never know. Besides, when I looked back there was nothing flying in the dark.

"Well, it went in or came out of the eaves" he said.
The next morning Scott checked our room for bats.I check more carefully. I made a lunch a breakfast and a commitment to work out early. Scott was chuckling as he put his socks on when I walked back into the room. I left, maybe I was getting a bat surprise. A few minutes later I heard the screenless window shut.

Another one?

Did I mention we are selling our house? I am not Count Dracula, THE Count, Or any other bat lover. I have been weirdly jumpy all day.

Seven in One Blow! A modern-day Micky and the Giant

2010-06-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

"Ginee, do you hear the bats in the attic?" he asked as I slept. My only response was to cover my head. The incident was promptly forgotten amid sleep time.

I was talking on the phone while trying to water some plants and so missed the close encounter with the bat the first pass out the back door that next morning.
I walked right under a bat hanging on some curtains. I could have been killed! The second time by the curtains I realized how near death I was and with a little awkward trouble, moved the curtains, rod and all, outside. I waited an appropriate amount of time and put them back in. I was near death again, for the bat had not left, just repositioned in the folds of the curtains. Ugghh.

I went on about my day. Workout blown, I focused on getting the kids ready for church. I tried to put the baby down for a nap and a few other tasks; in the back of my mind I kept thinking that I would talk to Scott about the squeaking ceiling fan.

Little did I know the fan was not the culprit. In the low light of my bedroom, I finally saw the SECOND bat writhing in all vampire glory on the floor. How many times had I walked passed that? Did I almost step on it; and arkkkkk!

Memories of the mouse incident in the rental, a story for another day, flooded back as I frantically searched for a bowl and then something to slide under the bowl, "Where is Scott when I need him" I wondered to no one but me. He never replied to my frantic text.

After some maneuvering, I flung the cardboard, bat, and bowl out into the back yard. I was taking no chances. I have seen The Great Outdoors with Dan Ackroid and John Candy. I KNOW what havoc a bat can wreck.

And if you think two of them are bad, last year we had three in one night.

That night I heard the "fan" again. I wasn't fooled this time and went on the hunt. I found that icky sucker in our not finished master bath (yes, it is still not finished and again another story not meant for small towns). I quickly shut the door and stuffed dirty clothes in the crack at the bottom. Ha, he couldn't get out.

I was restless all night. The squeaking was intermittently waking me. At 5-ish I started breakfast and lunch for Scott. Whew, at least there were none in our room.

I came back to look in the last drawer from the bottom that is under our mattress- for socks. I left and came back and then...

Good Golly, Indiana Jones there were hundreds in our room!!

Not really, just three, BUT THREE!!!
The count has risen to five in two days.
I feel like the old Micky Mouse cartoon with the giant where he says "Seven in one blow" and then has to face the giant.

Two of them were intertwined at the bottom of the blanket, right next to where MY. HEAD. (!!!!!) had just been! I had avoided death once again. Scott was my savior and flung the three outside. Safe but spooked, I sit here retelling my horrific brush with death. We could have gotten rabies, bitten, or had them tangled in our hair! I have seen what then do in movies. "Ginee, those guys are just dumb in the movies, that doesn't happen." he said with a disgusted and amused sneer.

I remain unconvinced. In unrelated news, I have decided to get a short hair cut this week. And we are selling our house.

What do you get the man who has everything OR tastes that make you go "WOW"

2010-06-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

Having been almost married 12 years I find myself, once again, at a loss as to what to get Hubs for our anniversary. This should come at no surprise to some because I am a terrible gift giver. I hate junk and hate giving junk, so I talk myself out of buying a lot of things. I like plain and simple and hate doing the overboard. Hubs "says" he hates that stuff too. I just don't know what to get him, for after all, we share the same checking account and money spent on anniversary items shows up on the bank statements. How unromantic to see what your gift cost. Which mine always run to the cheaper end of the spectrum. Does that say to him that, THAT, is all he is worth or that I didn't plan out a gift or some third option that is equally stupid?

My other problem with gift giving is that Hubs has very expensive tastes. I think if it wasn't for me we would never buy anything at Wal Mart out of the realm of toilet paper and toothpaste. Lets just put it this way. I never owned a pair of pants that cost more than 20-25 dollars until I met him. It just didn't enter my mind to spend more than that. Now, 50 is a GREAT deal if I can find what specific brand/style he likes.

He also is not a "tryer" you know a tryer is one of those people who will get something new on the menu each time they go to the restaurant. Baskin Robbins 31 flavors were made for those kinds of people. Not Hubs: I can tell you exactly what he will get in just about every situation we are in. So the odds of buying him a gift that he will like are slim.

That would be the second problem

The third? I AM lazy. H-AT-E to shop. I would rather see a slide show of someone else's dream vacation than shop. Hubs shops (forces kinda) FOR/WITH ME me when I need something. My best stuff has come from Hubs. His worst? from me.

So what to do? I am open to suggestions that I may or may not take, but at least I have some ideas.

Maybe I will just buy him a level. He seems to like those. He only has about 8.

Yesterday was Monday

2010-06-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

And the day we usually clean up from an aftermath of a weekend. The kids can't swim unless they do their chores. They usually don't swim on Monday. I see this face A-Lot on Monday.

In the summers, why clean on the weekend when there is so many more glorious things to do: even if it is just shopping and getting hair cuts for the two shaggy Weses.

Monday madness descended upon us in full force. It wasn't limited to just cleaning. I guess it was an all out war.

With fists. and Pinching. Rude name calling. Lack of Personal Space.

It was really hard to like what these two were doing.

All. Day. Long.

At the end of the day, when I had had it with them, they, for all their bickering, were still buddies enough to sleep in the same bed listening to scripture scouts. For a moment at 9pm they acted like they liked each other.

More of us should be as little children.

The title could be misleading so there isn't one.

2010-06-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

I could title this "Mistakes people make" or "struggling" or I am Dumb and I know it... something like that. But I think the title would give the wrong impression to what is going on. First I was released from my Primary Secretary calling that I struggled to keep up with while teaching, momming, and wifying. But I did it, I thought well. But then I was released and not called back into the presidency. I suffered loss. All the time I was grumbling about my work load I was growing too. And now I feel like a stretched out rubber band. I have the room but nothing to fill it.

I have not gone to church and stayed for the whole thing since I was released. I felt awkward. I felt unwanted, glarish (yes it is NOT a word but I glared a little so it is an -ish) and stared at, and out of place. I know I could have had a primary teaching job any old time - subs are welcome anytime. But I TEACH everyday. I need a new challenge on my days off. I know I am being dumb. I know it.

Yet as I forced myself to sit in RS yesterday and realized that I was the only one, for a time, that didn't have grandkids in that room I almost got up and left the room. I did once to "check on the baby's diaper" then wandered around and checked on my other kids and then....

Forced myself back into the room where I should have been.

I need to get over this feeling, but I have had 1 other calling in the 6 years I have lived here. I don't know if my soul can take another wait of that long before I serve, officially again. It is taking all I can do to keep going. Ugghh. I will get it together soon I believe. Don't worry.

Not What I meant when I said it... but it was beautiful

2010-06-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

A few weeks or more ago I was released from my one and ONLY calling I have ever had since I moved to St. Johns. I was sad, and hurt, and confused (because I had this calling only a few short months), and relieved a little, I guess.

I made the statement something like "Well. now at least I won't be obligated to go to church any more If I don't feel like it." I was 1/3 serious; the rest I wanted to see some shock factor. It didn't shock much. It wasn't exactly what I meant but it has turned into that. Take yesterday as a point.

We planned on going to church and then helping Mr. S's uncle take some horses up on the mountain. I envisioned horses all ready penned up, ready to go, waiting for the unknown (to them). Not- we didn't even make it to church and had to round up all the horse, too. What I thought would take 1/2 an hour turned into most of the afternoon. Not enough sunblock and water in our little cooler. Who knew? Not the unprepared mom, I guess.

We drove over bumpy two-laned tire tracks into The Meadows portion of the ranch. We stopped at a set of metal pens and could see the beauty of high desert and mountains blooming in faint green forever. I saw from horizon to horizon. After unloading, the men got to work rounding up the horses. Soon a band of them thundered over the rise in a cloud of dust, mares, and babies. I rushed to get my camera. I missed the action shots.

after we loaded up went to springerville and dropped horses. They ran pell mell down the hill and out of sight. One little one was left behind and I thought he lost his mom. We loaded up and started home when what to our wondering eyes should appear but the horses meeting us in the next field. At the bottom of the first pasture, was an open gate! Again they rounded up the horses and put them in the correct field.
I thought we were going to have a stallion gelding fight when two unknown geldings came up to check out the new herd. But trouble was averted by the experienced horsemen.

B Reds burrito never tasted so good after a not so hard day on my part.

Lying's Rewards

2010-06-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

This last week was a end all for one of my to be name less kids. I had had it with the lies. I know everyone of us have weaknesses and strengths and some are less noticeable than others. I know that a weakness that is obvious has more opportunity for others to point at, but in the scriptures it says (and I badly paraphrase because I am too lazy to look it up) that the Lord can't look at any sin with the least degree of allowance. So hidden weakness is just as bad a public ones.

Thus said, lying is just as bad as anything else but I don't want to see my kid struggle with the bad bad habit of lying for the rest of his/her little life. So since soap, hot sauce, spankings, extra punishments have not worked on the lies, we tried another tactic. I will let you know how it

worked

Day one was to have said child get all clothes out of drawers and put them in a trash bag. This child can have 3 pairs of clothes, by which they must hand wash one pair each day to rotate out the clothes. This child can earn (and has done so) by telling the truth each day. This child will get a pair taken back each day he/she is caught in a lie. So far it is working.

I am not advocating this as a punishment for every lier. It may not work. We had to find something that would break the habit without breaking the kid. I do think we need to pepper the punishment with lots of praise and lots of set up situations so that said kid can feel the pleasure of the truth. I also think we need to have lots of discussions about the truth and why lying is bad. Not that we haven't done that in the past. It just didn't stick then.

What other lessons in life has any other parent used to break the lying habit? I am open to suggestions.

Siblings... You can't live with them because they are Married.

2010-06-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

I have decided and come to the personal revelation these last few years that it was much easier to live with family, siblings, parents and stuff as a kid then it is proving to be as an adult.

Some of it has to be that you can't hit, choke, or pummel your sibling into submission as an adult like some could as a kid. It just doesn't work and I bet it isn't as satisfying. Well, it might be for some, but you know...

Plus if said family member is married, there is another set of opinions to deal with as adults.

The His, Mine, and Ours Opinion. (Not a pretty sight if you think the in-law is an idiot, ....and no! why would I think I had one of those. Uggh, I am offended that you thought I was talking about ME, seriously, I was talking about YOU.)

I hear my kids fight and bicker realizing that they better figure it out now because flicking someone in the head,ear or eye will get them no where and probably worse off later.

Uggh, talking to some siblings is like kicking at the pricks and I am sure they feel that way about us, too. It is so hard to let them just live their dumb mistakes when my GREAT advice so unsolicited and unasked for would be perfect for them, ya know?

How does the Lord feel about each of us, I wonder. It must be so hard to sit back and watch the goings on when one simple (to him) change would make all the difference.

DOES the world need a little more choking and a little less talking out their feelings?

Anger is the only thing you don't get rid of by losing it. SO, more biting of the tongue for us all.

Musings with the Baby

2010-06-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

So we have a talker on our hands... almost. Today it has been alot of

"mom... Mommie.... mum"

"What Kelsey?" I say when it dawns on me that she is talking to me.

"UMMM...." as she is walking away.

Ha,it has been too funny. Now if I can just get rid of the hives and weird red splotches she acquired yesterday. It is all over her body. I have an appointment with the dr. tomorrow to check it out.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a very nice poem for the MIL in your life- if your hubby "forgot" his mom.

You are the other mother I received,
the day I wed your son.
And I just want to thank you, mom,
For the loving things you've done.
You've given me a gracious man,
with whom I share my life.
You are his lovely mother,
and I his lucky wife!
You use to pat his little head,
And now I hold his hand.
You raised in love a little boy,
and then gave me the man.

baptism Part 2 a little better or why do things take so long?

2010-05-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

Really, I guess I don't plan well. I loaded up a truck with the items I meant to take to the dump and wow did it take more time than I wanted and then even though you can be in the dump at 4:45, the dump master won't even let you enter the gates at 4:45 so for those who are going to the dump in the future really you need to be there by 4. grrh at him. I drove back. Wasted time Wasted gas.

Then I tried to hang curtain rods. No wonder I live in a yard sale. uggh so hard. I got the rods opened and put together and the pencil marks on the wall. I opened the curtains and REJOICE they were the exact color. Do I know my reds or what? Lucky me.

I folded clothes, made dinner- grilled elk steaks, broccoli, bread N butter, and mac N cheese, did 2 more loads of laundry and then it was magically 10pm. Went to bed after a shower. Up at 5:10 to make lunches, work out (GO P90X core work) for 35 minutes and then our day begins again.

Today there is dance practiceand a little league game. Plan on elk roast, carrots, potatoes and rolls. It is in the crock pot. Who knows if I get to the curtains tonight. I have to move the desk in and the table, entertainment center, and baby stuff out to the garage TO-night!

I got a text that I could do the baptism talk at Kennedy's baptism. As much as I feel for the person doing it- no way. I don't have time to take it on when someone else has the assignment. I am behind as it is. Thank goodness Kennedy is not the only one getting baptised. I would be crazier! I thought would hate the combined baptism- not when I found out what it takes to put one one. I still ahve to dig through the picture and stuff in case I need to do something girly. By the way, I have to call about the baptism outfit today! Mental and phone reminder- check.

Baptism Prep day 1

2010-05-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

Was mostly a flop. Unless you count an hour or less of pulling weeds in my front yard.

I had a 5 day plan that included me taking a 1/2 day off work and 1 trip to showlow for touch up paint and meal supplies.

Monday I was going to the dump and hanging curtains and rods that I bought on Saturday.( the the things that I am putting up is a whole other story involving two conversatons with my hubby and one with my sister) That didn't happen. We went to Showlow,; didn't get paint. I picked out two samples that I thought were the same color but didn't dare get them. What we did do was see a movie and have dinner. Went to Walmart and stood in a ginormous line until I thought that no one would notice if I just left the cart the kids and the hubby and drive off to Mexico or some other land accessable beach-alone. We got the paper products for this weekend. That is it. No moving or putting away anything.

Tuesday- have to go to the dump and move extra funiture to the garage and workout and hang curtains. I am not sure I am goging to get that done> Pray for me.

Menu Monday that should have been posted last Wednesday

2010-05-03T13:49:00.001-07:00

I will get it done maybe even this week! Thursday is the day that Wilburs has their big sale so my gola is to have my menus posted and plan including the shopping list by the previous Wednesday.
Not so last week.

Menus for this week are as follows:
Hamburgers
Elk Pot roast with green beans and carrots
Elk steak with something...
and some other stuff.
Ha maybe this I will update this evening. Hopefully. but maybe not. Need to have a crock pot dinner on Wednesday due to dance and a baseball game _ probabally the pot roast thing.

I also need to prep for a baptism on this weekend and spiff up my house. It looks like a yard sale I think.

15220139.96

2010-04-30T07:02:00.001-07:00

that could be the number of most anything. Minutes watched of TV, miles walked for a benefit, times eaten out in an average life time.

It is the number of KB used this month on our Verizon internet.

We don't have tv service and I guess we have watched a lot of movies this month= we meaning not me. We have unlimited contract with Verizon, but about a year or so ago they stopped selling unlimited plans. I was told in December that unlimited means unlimited BUT, now. The but comes in that when we go over the 5 GB (?) usage each month that our internet will slow down. I think that is wrong. If we are grandfathered, then they have to deal with us per our original contract.

They disagree. So when we go over that 5 amount I just try to/don't care to be careful and rack up the kb used. I mean come on. Honor the terms of the original contract; don't weasel your way out due to some unknown loop hole. We didn't even get the choice to choose if that was ok with us or not. I feel gypped. If I go over time, I should just leave the internet up and running 24/7.

So there, take that Verizion!

Cold Wind AGAIN What ?! You're wearing That?

2010-04-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yep, its me wearing Capri's. And opened-toed shoes. And fake tanner that gives me that orang-y golden glow. (Ha)
I want so desperately for it to be summer with the warm sunshine on my face and that hot feeling you get when you first get in a car (crazy, I know huh?) I live for those few short months that it is warm.
This is one reason I couldn't teach year round school. I need that mental baking that comes from too many days at the pool and watching my own kids (wondering how the paid sitter does it)

So I am pretending that I am warm. I dressed the baby in a cute spring dress with her elmo hoodie over the top.
SIGH SIGH SIGH

Maybe I should take more vitamins I might be low on Vitamin D or C or maybe vitamin S (summer)

Could we at least get some rain out of this?

Menus for the week: week 3 (ish)

2010-04-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday: cheese chrisps and tomato soup- we had gone on a trip down to the valley and we were still recovering that day. We had taken a horse home and that day we chose to break the sabbath and practice with that horse again. For lunch we had jerky, donuts, sunflower seeds and sodas from Brides. It was also fast Sunday, a day that I wished my whole family fasted for then I wouldn't have to cook.

Monday: Grilled BBQ chicken, wheat shells with cream of chicken sauce, french cut green beans ( and surprise the baby ate the green beans a no small feat I tell you) and bread and butter.

Tuesday: Hawaiian haystacks. I took the rest of the chicken and cream of chicken and put it in the crock pot. I will cook rice and make the "stacks" when I get home at 3;30. Scott got called into work for the next 3-4 nights so dinner has to be early. We also have baseball AND wrestling today. Since Scott is working (and I swear he planned it) I have to take the kids to both practices. OH Joy!

Wednesday- something with hamburger meat hopefully in the crock pot (beans?); Kennedy changed dance days to Wednesday. She got promoted up a class after the recital. Her class is from 4 to 5.

Check you later.

All it got me was more trips to the bathroom

2010-04-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

Catchy, yet a little inappropriate for a title I think.

I have been exticed and guilted into the spring health challenge. Not that anyone had to twist my arm. I guilted me into it. I recieved a chart by which I was supposed to dutifully fill out each day with how many miles, minutes and calories I was consuming.

I should have marked my acts of kindness, hours of sleep and good, positive thoughts.
Yea, OK. I will have to actually be kind to mark those boxes.

I filled it out for a day and 1/2. And then I put it on my desk and now I don't care to find it enought to look for it.

BUt I am trying to excercise more- like this morning when I should have gotten up at 5 and finally rolled out of bed at 5:45 to excercise except my back was not cooporating well. I am trying to eat better- six times a day.

They say water is good for weight loss so I divided my weight by 2 and then used that number as a guide for how many ounces I should drink in a day. I am trying to drink at least a gallon- 1. becasue that is how much I drink (just deal with it ok) but it gives me a way to leave my room in between classes and I use it when I need a pause in class- I go take a big drink to calm myself.

I am not loosing weight but that might be all the "snacks" I eat with my water and other stupid stuff.

All it is really getting me is more trips to the bathroom, where if you don't move fast enough, I might mow you over. ;)

negativity in my day

2010-04-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have a person in my life (for only 35 more days- whooo hoo) that every time I see this person he/she (I do this so you wont know the gender or name of said person- heck, maybe I should change the name ot gender neutral like: Chris, or Sam, or Ryan, or Dakota, ) So "Chris" is a negative negative NEGATIVE person. Ev-e-rE-day. Ugghh. Not one thing is good or postive or anything. It is so old. I wonder if you can be addicted to being negative?

There is the potential of seeing this person next year, but it is highly unlikely. I hope not. I think the negativity is catching. At least, that is what I am going to blame my inablility to quit yelling in the morning on...

Or maybe our house is so big that I have to yell to ge any attention.

Romeo has died and they can't tell me WHY

2010-04-22T13:40:00.001-07:00

I would love any suggestions from any wanna be teachers, any ex teachers or any current English teachers.
I AM TEACHING ROMEO AND JULIET

ha ha no that is not the problem nor the punch line.... thanks for laughing.
I actually don't mind teaching R&J: have you been to high school lately? It is the same thing, just a 400 year older plot line. Except Shakespeare says it with out LOL, TTYL and OMG's. He actaully has a real vocabulary.

My problem is: I tell them to take notes, I tell them that when I pause to explain something and say "this should be in your notes" that then they are not remembering what they wrote or what I said that was so "important" , which will be on a check quiz the next day or on the end of the Act test.

I can't get them to find enough value in what we are reading to see that R&J is part of our social collective knowledge and that many things that we discuss, laugh at or relate to come from classical stories like R&J. I can't get them to remember from on 24 hour period to another. I had a little success yesterday when we were able to act out the fight scene. But not every scene is "actable" there just isn't action in all scenes.

I don't want to movie them to death, I don't' want to spoon feed them more than I do ( read, pause to explain, give quizzes on the explanations and then... the grades are not great)

any viable non expensive suggestions? Romeo is dying here and they can't tell me why.

Menus Day ... whatever lost track

2010-04-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I tried to start a menu thing but I guess it, like so many of my other endevors, was not planned out. (hello Scott!) We had a super busy week that somehow the effects there of I let roll over to this week.

For 1: I didn't plan menus- no surprise there,
2. I didn't' get all my sale ads situated.
3. I haven't touched the office since the 3 hour clean up. Maybe I need to be mad at Scott being mad at me ;)
So, subsequently,

Sunday: steaks, potatoes, salad
Monday: Bean and cheese burritos
Tuesday: frozen Tony's pizzas or egg/green Chile burros
Wednesday: Pasta bake: rotini noodles smothered in cheese baked til it was bubbly.
Thursday: ?? No clue I know I have some frozen hamburger meat in the freezer so we could have goulash.
Friday: We might go to the valley to get a horse eat on the road. I should put something in the fridge to thaw so I can have a meal ready to cook when we get back on Sunday.

Another Day of Menus and busy days

2010-04-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

The next day was Wednesday; As you can tell I am posting on Saturday because the rest of my week was so busy I barely had time to sit down. I got home late from school and didn't have the crock pot clean that morning. Subsequently, I didn't have a dinner. I made breakfast- something I do about once a week. I had plenty of eggs, made waffles, fried bacon and made hash browns from some left over potatoes from Sunday.

I was trying to get out of the house so that I could help with a primary activity. It didn't happen. By the time I had dinner cooked and served it was 6:30. I would have been 30 minutes late and I wasn't sure how long the pizza party would last on a school night anyway.

Per the suggestion the kid at Safeway, I signed up for a Safeway mailer via the internet. Am going to do that for all the stores around.

I should have planned my menus for next week on Wednesday, so that I could take advantage of Wilburs Thursday sale. I didn't get home from RV until 8:30 on Thursday so I missed the sale this week. Still going to bust out menus before Sunday....

Menus Day 2 and the 28 day organization challenge(THE OFFICE)

2010-04-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

I made it through yesterday and last night fairly well. We had hot and sweet, shredded roast tacos. I did have to buy the corn tortillas even though the flour ones on hand could have worked.

a big roast in the crock pot that morning.
1c. brown sugar
sprinkled the top with Montreal steak seasons ( I like Tony's creole seasonings too)
1 c. of chunky salsa
4 cup of beef broth.

I shredded the roast that night and cooked the corn tortillas. We had a veggie,the fixin's for tacos, and we were good to go. The roast and its juices are so so good. I love anything sweet and hot. Since I only used 1/2 the roast (this is why I got a huge one) now I can have a meal for today- such a crazy day: dance, shopping, wrestling practice, and a primary meeting. Laundry? Workout? I hope so.

Why everyone has something on Tuesday is beyond me. I hate it.

Like I mentioned yesterday I feel I need a command post- a place where I can spread out and pile papers, think and plan that doesn't get moved for dinner. The office has not been utilized well in our 4 years there. It ebbs and wanes as a junk hole. In fact, it was so bad I didn't know if I could go through with touching it last night. However, 3 hours later and that voice that told me just do one thing and leave the rest, and I had the office about 1/2 to 3/4 done. I still want to move things to the garage, add a desk and decorate.

My hubby's roping papers is an enormous pile and I will tackle them later. I found some things to take care of and I will weed out the papers that are older than 7 years and I will date organize them too - later.

Menu Day 2- a version of french dip sandwiches. I have the yummy broth from the roast that is both sweet and spicy. I try to do a portion of my shopping ( only the sale items) at Bashas or Safeway on the Dance Tuesdays, I can get anything for this meal I might be lacking. I could go cheap and do the SOS style of sandwich with just toast or I can get store bought rolls. I am leaning toward the rolls since I will be gone and heaven only knows what goes on at my house when I am not there. I will serve with a salad and/or baked beans. I think I have no prep time if I get premade salad, and a good thing too because I will be late for my meeting just picking up the kids from wrestling.

When I am good at this whole thing, I will have the next FOLLOWING week's menu planned so I can take advantage of the last day of the sale on my dance Tuesday's. Then I can get the new circulars in the mail on Wed and have time to think, plan, take advantage of the Wilburs Thursday sale for that next week. (See where I am going with this, If, ya do, I am not sure I do)

Wednesday will have to be crock pot too because our primary president (without ask us if we could help her) told the kids that she was doing pizza at her house on Wednesday and she wanted homemade ones! Seriously? What am to do. Hubby says "DON'T GO", but I am too big of a

Menu's Day 1

2010-04-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

A few posts back I was worrying the subject of menu planning esp. in realtionship to sale items. As usual, I was hot hot hot over the subject and then it cooled down.

I am back on track and it may be day one of ONLY one. But we will see.

I am a visual person so I need to take notes with pen and paper. I am just transfering my notes to here when I have a full thought.

Thought one: find the sale ads on line or in hand of the places you would shop: on the drive home or a planned outing. For me these include Wilbers, ALCO, and the two dollar stores.( I can't plan to go to Wal-Mart, Safeway, or Bashas for reasons that are too weird and complicated for this post. So I dont') However, I hace decided to look at those ads for cost comparison and on the occation that I am in the location with time on hand.

Thought 2: Went on line and looked up the idea "menu planning with sale ads" I searched through the websites until I got bored and took down sites as I went that I want to go back to again. If there was a blog I liked, I stuck a reference on my own.

Thought 3: Decided that I need a command center - which is a HOLE now and I could organize.... thinking I am getting in over my head... HELP ok ok not help. I can take 28 days to get that room orgaized to USE as my room to plan and stuff. ok back to menus.

Need to find more ads before I finish my goal for the day and due to my schedule I need to have that part done tonight.

See Ya.

Redbox De-Lim-MA

2010-04-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

Last night as promised, we returned G-Force to redbox. We were told that it had to be there by 5:30. Hoping that 5:51 was not tooo too late, we took it in. Wind was blowing and if it was my redbox, it would had been worth another 1$ to put it off.

Since it was not my 1$, I dutifully took it in. The renter of said movie was still upset about the salad dressing and other comments from the previous day at lunch. I didn't want to push it.

Both of the kids argued all the way to circle K about being the one to return it. I hit upon a solution that made me feel so proud and good like those good moms I envy.

SOLUTION: One would push the button and one would hold the moive to be sucked in. PERFECT solution.

I didn't bank on a rebellion. Little man came back with tears in his sensitive eyes as he told me that Sister had done both jobs.

They argued all the way home.

The PUNISHMENT: I allowed little man to kiss his sister ( considered to be the bane of death by her) once on the cheek and twice if she ran away and three times if I had to hold her down.

As she sobbed from the three kisses and wiped them away before they were absorbed by her skin, I unsuccessfully tried to tell her that she was damaging his self esteem.

Sobbing was the only answer that emitted from her room till she fell asleep.

Sheesh. How Do perfect moms handle uprisings and insurrections?

I think it is Spring

2010-04-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

Cause I found my neighbor's pasture inching it's way across my road to my lawn. I think everyone one who has a west facing yard might be better than those with a east facing yard.

Hello Spring!! I am hanging onto a pole with my feet out waiting for summer!

You marry who you date

2010-04-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

My dad use to say all my high school years "You marry who you date.". It was his answer when he didn't want me dating non-member boys, when he didn't like who I was dating after he relented about the non-mormon dating, and it was his answer just in passing- mabe when he didn't have anything else to say. It went hand in hand with "Remember who you are."

During those years, I thought i was the adopted kid of a weird family. I thought my family was so odd and did weird things.

Now, I hear kids tell that their dads say the same things. so I guess we weren't so weird after all.

I think America has married who it has dated in regards to President Obama. I was listening to a radio station at lunch todaya and caught a piece of a show. Their topic was about our health care bill and who has actually read all 2,000 pages. The "quacks" read the bill. Their friends? Did Not. They were spewing and repeating what they had heard about the bill. People, really. Read what you can. Get information. You will find that what it says is not what you are being told what it says. Even President O has admitted at one point that HE has not read it all. Many dems. have to read it either.

Heaven help us.
Something comes to mind that I heard as a kid that I will mis-quote "when the nation hangs by a thread...." And we are not yet hanging.
Sad, huh?

Easter Holiday

2010-04-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter and all that from us. This weekend has been quiet and good. Poor Scott has missed most of watching the kids grow due to his outage at the plant. Except for a day off once, he has worked the whole thing straight. It would have been day 45 or something equally crazy like that. I think he worked 21 days before it started too. WOW.

I must say he is doing better than expected. Last summer I was trying to find people for the kids to visit for a week or so to keep the noise level down. Scott is handling the noise level better this year.

today the kids and cousins went on an egg treasure hunt. It included clues in eggs, that they needed some prodding from grandma to decipher. It ended with them digging like dogs in the sand box for their treasure. It had candy and trinkets. They were shouting and making a lot of ruckus.

When it was all over but the wind blowing- the wind had picked up minutes before we started the whole thing, my mom says to the kids, "Now wasn't this more fun than just plain egg hunting." the kids agreed.

Later one of them said, "Now can we color eggs to hunt them?"

I laughed.

Clinton the cousin and Kelsey were finally old enough this time to play. They were wary of each other when we first came over. Clint who doesn't like binkies, kept taking Kelsey. She didn't put up much of a fight, to my surprise. She finally had enough and took it back which ticked the little guy off. For then he picked up a corner of a kitchen rug and pulled on it. Kelsey shook her hand at him as if to say to put it down. His response was to shake the rug at her a few times and grunt at her.

It reminded me of an old couple doing things to annoy each other to see who will get mad first.

Woo Hoo Day off sort of.

2010-04-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

Today it is our FRIDAY. Tomorrow is good Friday. Many students didn't know what good Friday was about and this week I used good ole' google to make sure I was in the know and still retained my status as the Freshman concierge of useless knowledge. I was.

For those of you who do not know, here is what I confirmed about good Friday:

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Thank you, About.com.

I will be catching up on grades tomorrow, dying easter eggs, buying candy and such.

By the way, why does Google say TOPEKA today?

Busy Day

2010-03-16T14:22:00.001-07:00

Last week I had a million things to do and being lazy I didn't want to do any of them.

In one week I had to:

redo a primary schedule of talks, scriptures, and prayers for both jr and sr primary for the rest of the year
grade papers
grade more papers because my aides ditched out on me
teach - given
cook-given
call moms to remind them that their kids had stuff to do on Sunday- 6 calls
be wrestling mom
be dance mom
stuff and more stuff
sign up for little league
monitory the cafeteria for the whole week - bye bye lunch hour
other stuff that I can't remember that seemed so big at the time

Needless to say I felt overwhelmed. I cried on Tuesday b/c of my overwheled -ness.

Today is warming up to be as busy. I won't let it get to me . I won't. I tell you. Can it be summer now?

Menus

2010-03-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Once, years ago in a fit of trying to know what to cook before I was standing in front of the fridge I had DH write down everything he liked to eat that was homecooked.

Then I decieded it was too hard, and I wasn't ready to do it and lost the list. DH won't recreate the list for me.

So I am asking anyone who reads- all three of you- to tell me how you do menus, shopping and stuff; where you get your recipes and are they fool and foolish proof ( I am an experimenter when I cook and don't think it is a bad thing).

I am trying to do my part to live a frugal life and be as debt free as possible before the economy, my job, and (if I dare to be crazy enough to think - the second coming) rains down upon our family.

I think we well be $10,000 more out of debt by the end of the outage and I don't want to feel like I can start spending that money on unplanned dinners and eating out like we did before.

So, suggesstions, idea, and stuff sent my way will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, G

Can anyone say food storage and ??

2010-03-15T09:42:00.001-07:00

Here is another article sent to me> I am so sick that my tummy hurts thinking about it. We will be like Argentina soon I think.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 INVESTOR INSIGHTS
Bankruptcy of U.S. now certain
Exclusive: Porter Stansberry explains why major inflation is a sure thing Posted: December 11, 20098:03 pm EasternBy Porter Stansberry

It's one of those numbers that's so unbelievable you have to actually think about it for a while ... Within the next 12 months, the U.S. Treasury will have to refinance $2 trillion in short-term debt. And that's not counting any additional deficit spending, which is estimated to be around $1.5 trillion.
Put the two numbers together. Then ask yourself, how in the world can the Treasury borrow $3.5 trillion in only one year? That's an amount equal to nearly 30 percent of our entire GDP. And we're the world's biggest economy. Where will the money come from?
How did we end up with so much short-term debt? Like most entities that have far too much debt – whether subprime borrowers, GM, Fannie, or GE – the U.S. Treasury has tried to minimize its interest burden by borrowing for short durations and then "rolling over" the loans when they come due. As they say on Wall Street, "a rolling debt collects no moss."
What they mean is, as long as you can extend the debt, you have no problem. Unfortunately, that leads folks to take on ever greater amounts of debt, at ever shorter durations, at ever lower interest rates. Sooner or later, the creditors wake up and ask themselves: What are the chances I will ever actually be repaid? And that's when the trouble starts. Interest rates go up dramatically. Funding costs soar. The party is over. Bankruptcy is next.
(Column continues below) When governments go bankrupt, it's called a "default." Currency speculators figured out how to accurately predict when a country would default. Two well-known economists – Alan Greenspan and Pablo Guidotti – published the secret formula in a 1999 academic paper. The formula is called the Greenspan-Guidotti rule.
The rule states: To avoid a default, countries should maintain hard-currency reserves equal to at least 100 percent of their short-term foreign debt maturities. The world's largest money-management firm, PIMCO, explains the rule this way: "The minimum benchmark of reserves equal to at least 100 percent of short-term external debt is known as the Greenspan-Guidotti rule. Greenspan-Guidotti is perhaps the single concept of reserve adequacy that has the most adherents and empirical support."
The principle behind the rule is simple: If you can't pay off all of your foreign debts in the next 12 months, you're a terrible credit risk. Speculators are going to target your bonds and your currency, making it impossible to refinance your debts. A default is assured.
So how does America rank on the Greenspan-Guidotti scale? It's a guaranteed default. The U.S. holds gold, oil, and foreign currency in reserve. It has 8,133.5 metric tons of gold (it is the world's largest holder). At current dollar values, it's worth around $300 billion. The U.S. strategic petroleum reserve shows a current total position of 725 million barrels. At current dollar prices, that's roughly $58 billion worth of oil. And according to the IMF, the U.S. has $136 billion in foreign-currency reserves. So altogether, that's around $500 billion of reserves. Our short-term foreign debts are far bigger.
According to the U.S. Treasury, $2 trillion worth of debt will mature in the next 12 months. So looking only at short-term debt, we know the Treasury will have to finance at least $2 trillion worth of maturing debt in the next 12 months. That might not cause a crisis if we were still funding our national debt internally. But since 1985, we've been a net debtor to the world. Today, foreigners own 44 percent of all our debts, which means we owe foreign creditors at least $880 billion in the next 12 months – an amount far larger than our reserves.
Keep in mind, this only covers our existing debts. The Office of Management and Budget is predicting a $1.5 trillion budget deficit over the next year. That puts our total funding requirements on the order of $3.5 trillion over the next 12 months.
So, where will the money come from? Total domestic savings in the U.S. are only around $600 billion annually. Even if we all put every penny of our savings into U.S. Treasury debt, we're still going to come up nearly $3 trillion short. That's an annual funding requirement equal to roughly 40 percent of GDP.
Where is the money going to come from? From our foreign creditors? Not according to Greenspan-Guidotti. And not according to the Indian or Russian central banks, which have stopped buying Treasury bills and begun to buy enormous amounts of gold. The Indians recently bought 200 metric tons. Sources in Russia say the central bank there will double its gold reserves.
So where will the money come from? The printing press. The Federal Reserve has already monetized nearly $2 trillion worth of Treasury debt and mortgage debt. This weakens the value of the dollar and devalues our existing Treasury bonds. Sooner or later, our creditors will face a stark choice: Hold our bonds and continue to see the value diminish slowly, or try to escape to gold and see the value of their U.S. bonds plummet.
One thing they're not going to do is buy more of our debt. Which central banks will abandon the dollar next? Brazil, Korea and Chile. These are the three largest central banks that own the least amount of gold. None owns even 1 percent of its total reserves in gold.
All of this is going to lead to a severe devaluation of the U.S. dollar, which I expect to happen within 18 months. If you haven't taken steps to protect yourself from the coming devaluation – like owning gold and silver bullion, foreign real estate, and farmland – make sure you do it soon. The dollar rout is coming.
Editor's note: Porter Stansberry examines these issues in much greater detail in the November issue of his newsletter, which he considers the most important he's ever written.

This is so disturbing...

End of quarter 3

2010-03-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

Quarter 3 is coming to an end and like usually I have the slew of students who are just now frightened about their grade. I guess the hear after will be the same. I can imagine tons of people standing around God saying "you didn't tell me!" " I didn't know" or " You didn't tell our class that!" even when they knew, they were just not listening at the time- it seemed so far off in the beginning.

I wonder how and by what means He has learned to not fight or back down and say "I'm sorry"

I usually say that I am sorry for them and unless it is a special reason they were gone, can't make up their work and then at the last minute want to do it, their grades stay the same.

It is a hard but so necessary lesson to learn.

On a budget???

2010-03-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

We finally took an active roll in the budget process. We both blame the other for the overages spending (I guess if you count spending too much on food in the same category as spending money on fun)
. So we have two bank accounts. I manage one- the bill account. He manages the other- the "fun" other" roping ,or what you would call it. So far it will be rough in the first month to get it all straight. I want to be the manager of the fun-er account. :( But I have a bet with Mr Darcy that i can prove the overages will be because of him by April 1.

He won't admit it, but proof is in the pudding. Just yesterday he "borrowed" money out of the bill account until the other account gets money in it on the 12th. He said he will pay it back. We will see.

I will be busy with proving I am right. It is funny that I had a substantial savings account when I married Scott and he had none, and now that we are married I have never been able to get us to have one. .. Circumstantial evidence at best, but ... I still think I am right.

even when I am right, I am not right. Just ask Scott, he will tell you who is right all the time.