Word of the Year

Ali chooses a word each year as an incentive for the coming year. If yo uread her blog, I am sure you will find that she is more eloquent than I am and will better explain it.
The first I year (2007) I chose the word 'balance.'
Last year my word was 'harmony.'
I am trying to decide between two words today...'nurture' and 'grace.'
It's kind of fun to choose this as a goal. As something to strive for throughout the year. Something to look forward to and even attain.
I am not balanced, but I am better at recognizing what needs to be more in focus.
I am not in harmony, but I know when I am completely out of harmony and what I need to do to get there.
As a mom and business person I am trying to nurture my family and my business.
As a woman I am trying to find grace.
So, will you choose a word?
What will it be and why?

I had

a fun blog planned.
Then I got creative and made a mini book and looked at things to order for the store and got distracted by Bonnie ;) and didn't one done.
Oops.
Maybe tomorrow. Then I will share Bonnie's fantastic popcorn-y treat with you.
You know how I loves my popcorn.

in photos...

Hunter took this picture of Q and I have to say I love it...the only thing missing is the dimples.

The front of our hosue after the wind made a lovely deposit of snow...that poor little tree was buried so badly last year that it split. I so hope it makes it through another winter!



This is the view as we cross the RR tracks...I love it, it is such a reminder for whatever season we are in...as you can tell.

The poinsettia is from my brother. It is HUGE. I think it must be three feet across. It's nice to have a brother who works at one of my favorite places :) (Town and Country if anyone is wondering)




Carson and Hunter drew each others names for Christmas. Hunter carved a shark for my shark boy and Carson and my dad put together this box for Hunter's HAM radio equipment.

Q with the pillow I made him. Iam going to try and get pictures of all of the blankets and pillows I made for the boys.









My dorky boys at my inlaws house. I have no idea what they were thinking but it must have been good :)

Christmas in chaos

A brief rundown of what I think I remember:
December 24
430 get home from my store and Walmart the scariest place on earth on Christmas eve
715 finally get the &$%# cake frosted and head to Tootie's and Lori and Larry's for Christmas Eve traditional dinner of ham, funeral potatos and green beans. I brought dessert this year (red velvet cake and chocolate cake balls mmmmmmmgooooood...both were new recipes) Janet brought salad....this was yummy too.
1040 head home to finish up Christmas stuff
1am remember something is still in the cupboard at the store...Jeff goes to get it.
December 25, 2008
5am go to bed after a night of revelry and frantic sewing...and a bloody nose on the 9 yo.
6am boys get up. Jeff finds them staring at the Christmas gifts under the tree with eyes as big as saucers. Boys are threatened within an inch of their life if they wake us before 730
729 heard in the hall outside our bedroom "one minute guys...Tyler and Carson take mom, Quinton you wake up dad"
730 'MOM DAD it's CHRISTMAS AND IT'S 730 WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
740 boys have finally convinced us it is in fact time.
830 new movie in the dvd player we go in for a nap
1020 boys heard arguing, I give up and get out of bed to make breakfast.
12n Jeff gets out of bed
6pm put chicken in crock pot to roast
7pm we leave our house to take gifties to grandparents
825 Tyler says 'I'm so sad that Christmas is over.' Quinton replies 'don't worry, buddy, it will come again next year.' I start laughing because a) we never say 'buddy' and b) Q is only 3
10pm get home snack on DELICIOUS roasted chicken and stuffing...
11pm convince Q to lay down by me as boys watch Johnny Lingo remake...not sure about this one, I am a die hard original fan
12 mn I think the boys came in to say goodnight.

I really slacked on the picture taking this year, but I have some of everyone, so that's a good thing.
The boys of course made out like bandits.
Jeff and I didn't do too badly.
In case you are wondering, I did not finish all of the things I was working on. Jeff and I just got fabric in boxes because I ran out of time. And I need to edge Tyler's blanket.
And finish Christmas cards.
I hope all of you had a fantastic day!

A letter to my family

Dear Guys.
Here's the deal. If you don't get better soon, I am not coming home.
I have too much to finish to get sick...

Wait, this will sound better:

Get out of bed and help me clean...

No that's not quite right either. Maybe this:

I realize that the joy of the holiday season is to be spent with those you love surrounding you. However, as Hunter puts it, I am fed up with the 'sick germs of love' and if you want your gifties you will vacuum, clean and get well...

This is just not coming out the way I want it to...

I love you all and will be home soon.
Mom

So...

this could be an all over type of post...
I am looking for a book. It's one I had a little and I have no idea what the title is. I know it was about Santa and his workshop and there was an illustration of just him on the front...the inside (remember, I am on the verge, so the memory is fading) had one illustration of him in a rocking chair, there was one in his workshop, one of him reading a lsit of names...anyone? Please? I know it's not a lot of help, my descriptions, but I am kind of looking for this book.
I am feeling nostalgic today.
I have lost two grandparents.
My Grandpa Dale (as we call him for the kids) died 12 years ago. Hunter had just turned 6 months and he had a heart attack the Tuesday after Thanksgiving it was late that year.) He died 2 days later in the ICU (one reason I can never be an ICU nurse) and I miss him. My mom and I were talking this morning about candy and recipes (I was asking AGAIN for her molasses cookie recipe...it's soooo yummy!) and she started talking about divinity that she and my Grandma had seen at the Candy Cottage. I started laughing because one of the reasons Jeff gave me a kitchen aid is because at Christmas I was going through like two mixers a year on making divinity. The boys will eat it, Jeff says it's too sweet (I know, but he doesn't liek circus peanuts or cotton candy either...it's weird!) but I LOVE it. Apparently, so did my Grandpa. He used to ask me to buy him jelly beans every time he stopped by. He said if he bought them he would get in trouble, but if I did it was a gift :) I will be making divinity soon and thinking of him every bite I take.
Grandma Taylor (or Grandma Lila for the boys) died almost 4 years ago. She had been fighting cancer for 3 years and it had finally metastisized too much for any chemo to fight. She died gracefully with her family around her just before she turned 81. Grandma used to have this blue ceramic glazed bowl that I love (and really hope I get someday) that was always filled with hard candies. You know, the ones that are so nasty that you eat a ton of them just knowing your teeth are falling out? The ribbon shaped ones and rootbeer ones and cinnamon ones... I found a small container of them at Walmart last night. I think I will jazz the container up and set it on my table for my boys in her honor. I miss her. She had 7 children, 6 of which were boys and I really would love to have her advice sometimes! Q was 2 months old before she got to meet him, she had just been too ill. But I remember how she glowed the day she saw him and got to hold him for the first (and last) time. She loved babies.
Having sick kids has been a bit of a blessing, I guess. Yesterday I finished a family blanket. It was really simple, I just enveloped a piece of fleece and some flannel...the fleece has a sports theme, so I figure it will go into the truck for the sports seasons ahead. We will do a few family movies to go with it as well.
I have Hunter's top part sewn, Carson's top sewn, Q's is half done and I will finish up Ty's today. I need to cut and sew the one for Jeff (I hope it's long enough!) and get the fabric for two smaller ones and the backing for those two, mine and Jeff's. Luckily Joann's is having a sale.
Last night Hunter told me at 630 that he needed a gifty for his band party...of course, me being home with two sick ones I chose to create instead of shower, so I showered off really fast, finished my chicken noodle soup so the others could eat (um, yeah, by the way, Jeff has strep. Nice!) and we headed out to Porters for sewing needles (my machine was tired after a full day without breaks) and then Home Depot for family and VT gifts and then Walmart for him to get his friend gifts and the band doodad.
So today I am cutting vinyl for those, finishing up what blankets I can and going to a cookie exchange tonight.
Whew.

Carsonisms

Okay, I know I should have a picture with a blog when I am talking of a specific person. Hilary is really good about adding cute little pics and I am just so not ;)
I will make that my goal for next year.
So the other day Jeff and the boys were talking about the constitution and gun control (I truly have NO idea how this all came about...maybe that's a good thing?) and Jeff asked the boys if they understood the right to bear arms. Carson's answer 'the right to wear tank tops' :)
Yesterday I was home when the boys got there and was able to thwart their attempts and turning on the TV prior to getting homework and jobs done (this is a HUGE issue in our house) and told the boys to make their beds. Now, I am one of those lazy people who feels top sheets are unneccessary. We all have a blanket and a bedspread. It's fast and the boys don't struggle with it nearly as much as when we used the top sheets. Plus, it's warmer.
Carson appeared confused (granted, he was doing math so that could have been it) and asked what I meant (his sheet was on and the bedspread was on the bed, so what could I possibly mean?) and I said that all he needed to do was straighten everything so it looked nice. His reaply...'oh, so you want me to stretch it?'
He has always said 'hedabout' instead of 'what about.' I think that has to do with his hearing problems, but it still makes me smile...like when Tyler says 'bether' instead of better.
He likes to argue about who loves who more :)
He will go to bed without telling anyone.
He loves that he looks so much like his dad.
He loves fishing. Anytime, anywhere. Just mention it and he will do anything asked.
He is a really good helper.
I like this boy a lot.
Love him, even.

Christmas spirit

I was just reading this blog and I love the idea for her Christmas party.
It makes me feel more Christmas-y.
I have one blanket top finished.
I ordered two gifties for two boys.
I have a good solid idea for Christmas cards.
I have three sick kids and a sick husband...which means I have no sleep.
I am still feeling cheerful despite it all :)
I think it has to do with the lovely snow and having yesterday off.

Sick kids

Are giving me a headache!
Last week H was home off and on with various complaints...he is still complaining, but after missing so much school work (and Jeff forgetting to pick up his books) he is determined to go.
Carson is feeling better.
Tyler has a cronic case of procrastinationitis.
Q is the one that is making me crazy. Lately he hasn't been going to sleep AT ALL or really late. Last night it was 10 by the time he was in bed for good (we started this process at 730...where is Super Nanny???) and he was up at 1130 with a nasty fever and sad little cough. Poor punkin. Lucky for me, I don't want to take him out so I am actually getting a few things done today.
Maybe I can cross a few things off my list. And MAYBE I can convince this boy he wants to take a nap in my room :)
Hopefully if everyone is getting ill now, we will be healthy for Christmas!

Scrooge

This is how I feel today.

The problem is, I like to sleep. I don't EVER get enough and somehow Jeff is always sleeping in (not on days he works) and it makes me grumpy...church, he is ready in 20 minutes, why get up earlier. Days off, well, are days off, why oh why would I want to sleep in?

This is why I love school vacation!

So this morning, Tyler, my sweet jabber jaws, was in my room at 6:50 asking if he could watch cartoons...are you KIDDNG me? No. Because you see, this boy will wake up EVERYONE else in the house just by being out of bed. Bull in the China shop? check. TV up too loud? check. Talking just to talk? check!!!

Normally, it wouldn't bother me, but both Q and Hunter have been sick all week. I really want them to rest...they won't if Ty is up...

So, I let him come in and lay down by me. He was freezing cold. I was not. He was WIDE awake. I was not. So it ends up with me getting cranky and feeling mean and him just being completely oblivious to it all.

Why does this drive me so crazy? Why can't he sleep until 9? Does he not realize in a few short years that opportunity will be gone and we will laugh at him and say, we told you to sleep in while you could and you wouldn't...

So, in 7days I get to sleep in for 2 whole weeks. I am warning you now, if you call before 930, I will be irritated :) And probably not answer.

Just so you know. And boys, Christmas will not begin until 10 or 11 am. You may as well stay in bed.

Someday you will thank me.

How do you feel today?

"Like corn on the cob!!"

This is what Carson told me on our way to the orthodontist today. :)

It cracked me up.

Which I needed since in the past month I have had my side of the bed to myself a total of 7 times...sick kids apparently require mommy and I feel better when I get a little sleep with them next to me than no sleep worrying about them.

But I digress. This morning was all about Carson and getting his braces off. We thought that he would have everything removed today, but further xrays indicate he doesn't have enough space in his mouth for his incisors that are on the way up so now he has springs in his mouth. Poor guy. And the sad thing is we know he will get them again in a few years.

He really isn't as pale in real life as the photo shows, I think it's just all the grey he is wearing.

He and Jeff brought me a coke (sorry, Bernadine, but I REALLY needed it!) and all he could do was smile. Now I need to work on him getting the cheese out of his system so I can do a nice picture to send in those pesky Christmas (or Valentine's) cards.

15 days til Christmas

Okay, here is my check list...the ones with an asterisk are the things I have accomplished so far...
*Buy fabric for boys' blankets
Buy batting for blankets
Buy fabric for Grandma and Tootie
Buy batting for Grandma and Tootie
Buy ________ gift for boys
*H
*C
*T
*Q
Buy_________gift for boys
H
C
T
Q
Buy 12x12 tiles
*Buy 6x6 tiles
Cut vinyl for 12x12 tiles (x7)
Cut vinyl for 6x6 tiles (x7)
Design Christmas cards
Print photos
Decide photos
Write Christmas letter
Find addresses (this could be hard since our Christmas stuff flooded last June...did I ever thank that boy for causing the flood? I ought to)
Plan Primary birthday party
Sew blankets together (you thought I would forget this part!)
Make sure Santa has the lists
Figure out a Jeff gifty
Make neighbor gifts
Call Lori about Christmas Eve and what to bring

See, almost done.
And oddly, I am fine with it :)

50 things

50 things you didn't know about me until you read this...


1.What color is your tooth brush? red and white, I just got a new one
2. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? watching Harry Potter with Jeff
3. What is your favorite candy bar? babe ruth
4. Have you ever been to a strip club? I am the strip club...okay, maybe not and no I haven't
5. What is the last thing you said aloud? I'm going to go watch Survivor (on the laptop, which I haven't because I found a bright shiny thing instead and was distracted)
6. What is the best ice cream flavor? I have to choose? Um, mint chip or chocolate chocolate chip haagen dazs
7. What is the last thing you had to drink? water
8. What are you wearing right now? jammies of a sort, remember I am supposed to be watching Survivor
9. What was the last thing you ate? brownies for tomorrow night
10. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? last Saturday I did...
11. When was the last time you ran? probably chasing Q at the store
12. Who was the last person to send you a message/comment on your blog? Email was Bonnie, comment was LaTisha
13. Do you take vitamins daily? I should but I am sporadic
14. Do you go to church every Sunday? mostly
15. Do you have a tan? have you met me? My last good tan was in 1993.
16. Do you like Chinese food over pizza? probably not
17. Do you drink soda with a straw? Yes, other wise if you take off the lid it spills
18. What does your last text message say? I think it said 'from which account' and it was from Jeff...to someone was me telling Jeff I was hungry and needed food and a coke
19. Are you someones best friend? maybe. I'm not a very good friend, I love to be a friend, but I don't have (or make) much time for friends...they all have to be very understanding as I hardly am home and prefer to be there (unless it's card club...)
20. What are you doing tomorrow? it's the store's birthday, so I will be at the store teaching a class and frantically worrying about whether or not I will get home in time to take santa pics and finish dessert. or maybe talk Jeff into closing so I can do that as I think he has only taken like 4 shots with my camera
21. Where is your dad? at home actually
2. Look to your left, what do you see? my armpit...the joys of wireless internet and a laptop...I can lay down and do my blog or check websites...
23. What color is your favorite pair of shoes? I am an equal opportunity shoe lover...I think you can never have too many and I need more
24. Do you use chap stick? Jeff's if I do, but I am more of a gloss girl
25. Whats your favorite thing to do in your free time? What exactly is free time?
26. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? drive through which freaks Jeff out because he swears you should always go in to order and I argue that they wouldn't have a drive through window if they didn't want you to use it
27. Do you have a dog? I wish, no time for a dog
28. Last guy you talked on the phone with? Hunter (as he was leaving for his campout) or my dad...can't remember it was about the same time
29. Last girl you talked on the phone with? my mom
30. Any fun vacation plans soon? hopefully CHA winter...anyone want to go? but I'm not sure of that counts as a vacation
31. Do you dye your hair? of course, I am on the verge, folks, that grey just keeps coming!
32. Can you say the alphabet backwards? Yes
33. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Ha! have you seen my house?
34. Are you jealous of anyone? yes, it's my vice, or one of them
35. Do you love anyone? I do
36. Do any of your friends have children? most of them
37. Do you use the word Hello daily? yes, often sarcastically
38. Do you like cats? yes, I have two. Lainey the fat old lady and Gryffin...yes, his real name is Gryffindor, thank you for asking and he is a punk
39. Have you ever been to six flags? not yet
40. How did you get your worse scar? my appendix is the biggest, it was before the fancy lap appy came to be
41. What is your favorite smell? my boys...preferably clean especially Jeff right out of the shower
42. What is the last DVD you watched? on purpose? Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown was on at the store for Q, but I think I watched Kung Fu Panda last...can't wait til the 16th for Mamma Mia! Maybe it was Lord of the Rings...
243. Have you ever been to Disney world? no, but CHA summer is in Orlando!! Anyone???
44. What is your favorite number? 13
45. Do you toast your pop tarts? yes
46. Have you ever waited tables? no, but I worked at a deli and bussed tables after people ate
47. Where did you have your first kiss? Eagle Rock (that's where the guy I liked went to school, I was 14 and he snuck it in. It freaked me out and I didn't kiss anyone again for like thee years)
48. What should you be doing? sleeping, it is a precious commodity these days
49. Do you enjoy wasting time blogging? I think it is a great way to waste time
50. Who do you want to tag? Hilary, Joy, Billie, Tammie although most of you will see this on Julie's blog and do it anyway :)

Feed the World

I don't know if my comments will show up if I am not using HTML, but in case they do, how can you NOT appreciate the fashions of the 80's?
You know, when hair on super hot guys was cut into a bowl or permed past all recognition...when sweatshirts were the height of fashion :)
And talk about our environment...how much damage came about from the gazillions of cans of hairspray used in the video alone :)

Now, we all know NO one can sing like Bono...he makes my heart burst, and the part where Simon LeBon comes in...love it. Oh and Sting...pitter pat!

There is nothing like the original :)

The challenges of a lefty

My whole growing up life I wanted to marry a brown haired, brown eyed left handed guy with braces. Don't know why.

Fast forward a long time (from say 16 years old to say over 30-ish) and I am surrounded by guys and have a boy with braces (righty and blue eyed) and a lefty with the most gorgeous whiskey colored eyes who melts my heart. Talk about luck! I love that he is a lefty.

I love that he runs and kicks (or dribbles) consistently with his left foot (he's actually stunningly good) and writes with his left hand, eats with his left hand, throws with his left hand (has anyone ever noticed how HARD it is to find a mitt during baseball season for someone other than a righty???) brushes his cute little teeth with his left hand...I love all of it.

Except the paper cutting thing.

Granted he is only 3 and 5/6ths so it will come, but it's confusing me! I know that there will be many challenges and a huge learning curve, but I am honestly so glad to have this lefty boy! My husband is still cursing and trying to find that left footed soccer ball...

Update

My uncle is dong better. He has a long recovery ahead of him, but so far so good.
Thanks for any prayers sent.

Prayers please

One of my uncles is in surgery right now to repair some things that were done 20+ years ago.
His wife is extremely worried and I am sure his whole family could use the prayers. This is a pretty painful and complex surgery, if you are up to it, please pray for them...Charlie and Jeri Taylor.
Thanks.

Better

It seems that my household is on the mend.
Yay!!
Is it rude to say 'it's about time' even if it has only been a week?
Carson has been fighting a virus (although at one point after vomiting he told me he thought that he had gotten rid of the virus because it was a different color) and thankfully, did not have appendicitis, although he was tested for it.
Jeff has had some kind of bug, completely different than Carson and Quin's.
Quin was cranky and tired form a cold (he's still cranky, but I think it's because if he isn't in bed by 7:30 he is up until 10...not by MY choice!)
Thanksgiving is a whole nother post.
I have now cut all the parts to the boys' blankets...they just need to be put back together (why is it that we take apart perfectly good fabric just to put it back together?)
I have their 2nd gifts purchased (except one small part) and need to figure out what the third gift will be for each of them.
Yes, this year they are all getting 3 gifts from us. That's it. We figure the Jolly Man will bring one, plus the stocking stuffer, they have all drawn names and will make something for that selected brother and between their Grand and Great Grand parents, they will have plenty.
We have more than enough 'stuff' in our house.
More than.

On a more random note...
Hunter had a Court of Honor last night. Is it rude to say I kind of like that they only have a couple a year? I think quarterly or less is perfect! Plus it's only an hour :) Can we do it with Cub Scouts? All these boys are so fun, but pack meeting for the next 8 years could do me in.

I haven't started my Christmas cards. Nope. Not at all, at all.
But I have an idea. And I have my letter rough drafted.
They may go out this year.

My sister brought me lunch today.
Bonnie brought me Coke.
My VT brought me a gift and lesson.
It's a good day...people seem to like me :)

I have new papers to put and and figure where they go.
A fun project in mind.
I just need to stop procrastinating.

I would like it to snow.
Tomorrow night is card club and I can't wait because I have missed the past couple.

Off to get some stuff done. Ha :)

Thankful

That the boys have stopped arguing.
That I am closing early today.
That Jeff may be getting off early.
That I am able to figure out the answers to some problems (like, if two of my kids are sick and we are having dinner at another home what do I do...just sayin' IF that were to happen, say, tomorrow...)
That I can make HUGE long lists and cross a couple of things off.
I'm sure there is more, I just had to remind myself there were a few things right now, to be thankful for.

Did I mention heat? I am thankful for heat. Very thankful.

6 Things

So Bonnie seems to have tagged me clear back on Tuesday to post 6 things about 6 things.
Here we go:

6 TV shows I like to watch:
Only 6? please know that I NEVER get to watch them when they originally air. Ever.
1. Grey's
2. Life
3. The Mentalist
4. CSI anything (mostly Miami cause Horatio cracks me up)
5. Survivor
6. Brothers and Sisters

6 restaurants I like to eat at:
1. Cheesecake Factory
2. Cold Stone Creamery :)
3. Johnny Carino's
4. Texas Roadhouse
5. Outback (just their cheesefries and dessert)
6. Jalisco's

6 things that happened today:
to be fair, I got home really late from Twilight and then Jen and I talked until like 2...I am tired and have a sleep deprivation headache that is a combination of going to bed late and Carson (who NEVER comes in to our room) sleeping with us from 3 on...yeah, I mean HE slept.
1. I showered
2. I got Q some oatmeal
3. I came to work
4. I helped customers
5. I played with a couple of projects (note: I did not COMPLETE them)
6. I read blogs

6 things I am looking forward to:
1. Getting on with the holiday season
2. a nap after church tomorrow...wait, am I going VT? I should find out.
3. making dessert tomorrow :)
4. starting and finishing my boys' quilts (okay, Hunter's is started and I have the fabric for Carson)
5. snow on the ground to play in
6. two days off next week :)

6 things on my wishlist
1. a finished basement
2. all my bills paid
3. ALL of my kids to sleep ALL night long in their own bed. So far this week Hunter is the only one to accomplish that.
4. Mamma Mia for Christmas
5. a new lens for my camera
6. a new camera (ha! can anyone see Jeff's eyes roll besides me?)


6 people to tag:
1. Billie
2. Desi
3. Bernadine
4. Lori J.
5. Lori N.
6. Tammie


Okay, off to help another customer and figure out papers for a fun advent...yes, Tammie, I am working on one for you for a class. Do you want an actual clock or can it be something else?

The funny things he says

So, the other night we were all in the living room and (go figure) the subject of sports came up. We were discussing whether or not poker or bowling or gorging yourself with food were sports. Tyler the jock boy, who must have been a bit tired, said "Wake me up when sleeping and eating watermelon are sports."
Now, this boys LOVES watermelon. He will eat it for days. And days. And days. If we go to the store and a watermelon is on display he begs us to buy it. He has asked for them for his birthday (poor March boy, no watermelons) and when we go to Sizzler he will eat a gagillion eleventy pieces of watermelon, five chicken pieces and ice cream. One of Jeff's friends works at Sizzler as manager and he will just bring a plate to the table when he sees Ty. Yes, we are afraid of our food bill when he gets a little older. Very afraid!

This is adorable...said Q

and please bless 99

Me thinks, when ones three year old is asking for blessings on 99 and using terms like 'ballsack' and 'squeeze the lemon' a little too much of 'Get Smart' has been partaken of.
Anyone?

My treasure :)

Now, to many of you, this will be seen as junk. You know who you are. My husband is firmly on your side. He hates old stuff (what, you may say, he married someone older than him and he doesn't like old things...I know, weird, huh) and has this look whenever he sees another of my treasures. However, since opening the store, he understands that there is a place for such things. He just doesn't think they are in my house. Ha!!

Behold, my treasure:

Now, the dishtowel thing is most certainly going, as is that nasty color of brown...most of the dust and grime as well.

The back story on this is as I was driving my mom home one morning (I think Jeff had the boys fishing) we went past one of the culdesacs in her neighborhood with a garage sale going on. They had a fantastic, huge mirror (that sadly just gets shuffled from room to room as I can't decide where it fits best. Right now it's in the family room which is fine as long as it isn't reflecting the disaster that is usually in there.) So I offer the poor overwhelmed man $20 bucks for this mirror, he counters with $25 and I say how about that cool desk he replies "take it, I don't want it" Can you believe it? I mean, I know some of you can, but seriously, LOVE IT!! So, since that day it has been sitting in my parents garage because I was afraid of what Jeff would say if he knew I got it :) Now he's fine with it as long as it is here. I think it would be a great item for helping to sort the boys' homework, etc...LOVe the cubbies and the fact that they can be shut off from view if needed.

So, here is my dilemma, it needs a paint job. I have a friend who suggested painting the ugly diamonds a different color and then adding decorative knobs...I definitely like that idea and I really like the two tone color scheme. I'm thinking dark chocolate brown with either pinkish or turquoise on the inside...the blue fits with most of my house (not that it will be there for awhile) but I kind of like the idea of a nice orange or tangerine on the inside. Any ideas? I would love to hear them! Remember it took me like two months to paint the tables and FOREVER to choose paint for the store...have I mentioned my bathroom and laundry are still white. Blech :)

I do not think that means what you think it means

So lately Q has had an attitude (fine, for the past 3 years.) It is directly related to being the baby and as Bill Cosby put it as parents we don't want justice, we want quiet so give the crying child whatever he wants...within reason...no knives or guns, that sort of thing, but if you have a toy and he wants it, GIVE IT TO HIM NOW.
So as a result of this and the fact that there are occasions when H likes to antagonize Q, plus the fact that three big brothers are there to influence (for good and evil) Q has started calling names. I do not condone this and turn my head or leave the room when the ability to hold my laughter is in jeopardy, however, someone usually laughs. Which just causes more of said behavior. It's a viscious cycle.
So lately Q has been calling people "ah-dorable" in his angry voice. Yes, folks, there is really little one can do when the three year old is so angry he calls his oldest brother adorable.
You must laugh. So we do. Which just infuriates him even more and leads to more name calling of the adorable sort...see, viscious cycle.

Chom and Cherry

So Q was very upset that Chom and Cherry weren't on today. Of course, they may have been, but we had to come to the store. I am fairly sure that we have a Chom and Cherry collection somewhere...not sure where though.

When we got here he asked if I knew where Paskert was.

He really wanted to watch Paskert and could I please find it.

So apparently Paskert is a friendly ghost who lives in an old house.

Who knew? :)

And, for just a bit of history...guess who was Paskert for Halloween one year? Complete with the Paskert mask...yep, me baby :)

***and for those of you out there who read this blog, be prepared for a football onslaught in the next couple of weeks...it may take me that long...but tonight is the LAST GAME. Again.

PTC

The first for middle school.
It didn't suck.
Most of the teachers had funny stories about my smart, confident, participatory 12 year old.
I kind of enjoy it.
Makes me want to brag (just a little) about his 3.916 gpa (he missed a 4.0 because he had an 89% in algebra...sheesh get to work, slacker boy ;) ) His teacher said he should be doing better and that he can achieve a 4.0.
In other news. I love rain. It's a good thing, eh?

Dear person

who called and asked if I was hiring.

To whom I replied, "not at this time"

that got snippy and said "even seasonally?"

That HUNG up on me when I replied "not even seasonally."

You need to find your manners. I am sorry that I have no positions open at this time. Truly, I would love to be home when the boys get off the bus, at the very least to 'encourage' them to do their jobs. However, I would certainly not be hiring someone who called (not even bothering to come in person to ask) and then hung up on me. See, I do have caller ID, and if I ever am in the hunt for an associate, it will most certainly not be you.

Good day.

About the PSA

Seriously, I almsot fell off my bed laughing. If it offends you, I apologize, however, I have found my humor must have been influenced by a 13 year old boy.
Weird things make me laugh.
Like the shrinking balls video.
hehe :)

Public Service Announcement

Techy question

Does anyone know how to calibrate your computer screen to match the color in your printer and on your editing program? I am kind of tired of getting great images and colors (well, in my opinion) on the screen and having them print dark.
Thanks so much!

I forgot

that I had suggested to anyone that I would give out a prize if they knew why we got married when we did and I forgot to actually mention the reason.
It was deer season. Yes, my friends, we got married then because Jeff had 3 weeks off for deer hunting. It was the last year he got a deer.
Perhaps his luck ran out when his fiance cried her way up the aisle.
And Desi, did you notice that NONE of them look like me? Poor kids all look like their dad :)
Good thing I like how he looks.

His first cheese

Seriously, this boy cracks me up. It's not enough that he is funny. But he is really funny. And he knows it.

Talented too...not just any kid can shoot water out of his belly button.

So yesterday he did his first cheese smile. He didn't say it. He just did it. Too much time around big brothers, I think.

He's cute no matter how he smiles.

I like it best when the dimples show.

Anyone notice the lovely scars on his lower lip? They were the result of daddy watching out for him...every time (and there have been three...)

Fall gratitude

A few new pictures of the boys. I just need to get the reflections out of H's glasses and I will be super happy with this group. Anyone know how to do that? Hilary?

I love fall. I love the smell and the food and the warmish clothes...love that it has Halloween and it is the beginning of the holidays...

It makes me feel grateful. Grateful that I have these boys in my life, the opportunities I have and the friends I have.

I mean seriously, there aren't any cuter or smarter kids out there. I know. Well, maybe a girl, but not mine :)

What do you think of the black and white one? I am kind of liking it. Maybe for Christmas cards...

I am especially grateful that we got to go to the pumpkin patch, Jeff didn't freak, the boys didn't fight AND I got some good pictures...fast, two shots each and they were climbing again. Nice.

4th file 4th photo 4 boys

I saw this on Hilary's blog awhile ago and then Billie tagged me. Here it is, the fourth photo in my fourth file of my four boys. Kind of funny. And weird.

This is a typical pose of them, sitting on our bed, watching something so enthralling that none of them even noticed I was in the room.

Not sure how long ago, but I am guessing about a year ago. (this is the store computer, so my files aren't that old.)

Favorite TV time

So, I know you all are just dying to know what it is I love to watch on TV. Jeff will tell you I watch too much. I would agree. HOWEVER, in my defense there are only two shows I willingly ignore the kids for...
In no particular order here are my favorites.

Life.
The Mentalist.
Grey's Anatomy.
Private Practice.
Survivor.
Pushing Daisies. (I LOVE the colors of this show. LOVE them.)
Samantha Who?
Lipstick Jungle.
CSI: Miami (I like the other CSI's, but this is my favorite.)
Fringe.
Bones. (mmmm David Boreanaz)
Desperate Housewives.
Eli Stone.

Shows I do not enjoy:
Football.
Now, I realize I married the wrong guy to not like football. I will also admit to having a kind of crush on football for about 10 years until I married this guy. Now football means yelling at rowdy boys to be quiet, ignoring me, and no help with kids getting to bed...which is why I now don't enjoy football. Unless it is one of my kids. Then I am pleased to say I am starting to understand a few things. Like that Tyler's team rocks cause his first arena ball game was 36-0 and last nights game was 36-6.

As for all of the shows I watch...it's usually on the computer when I am doing displays. I create better when there is something on. Maybe that is why I am so slow...

This is kind of funny

at least it is to me. So a few years ago my Carson went through a HUGE thing with Sharkboy and Lava Girl. It's a movie about a boy who's dream book is stolen and in order to save the world he has to start dreaming again. Sharkboy and Lava Girl help him do this. There is more to it (I think) but what I am wondering is if anyone recognizes Sharkboy...Twilight fans...

Anyone want to guess?

Funny, huh :)

Things

I have been thinking a lot about things that make me happy and things that frustrate me or make me grumpy. I have decided to list them, grumpies first so I can end this on a happy note.

1. Children who argue. I realize that there is a point where kids need to be able to express them selves to grow and learn and be able to find who they are. I get that. I do NOT get it when kids argue for no reason. Seriously, if I round up to 8:05 and it is only 8:03, don't argue with me. It will make me mad and I will not send you off to school in a happy mood. Promise. For that matter, just once a day, agree with me. Please.
2. Dirty dishes in my sink. When I was little (and younger) I would do the dishes by hand because dishwashers were for other people. Not sure why. I would pretend to be a princess trapped in a castle and to get away from the evil witch I had to wash the dishes. I think perhaps now I am the evil witch and dirty dishes are just little reminders of how bad I am at time management and that makes me grumpy. Plus, even if the rest of my hosue is trashed, a clean sink makes me smile.
3. People who drive slow while talking on their cell phones. There is a fabulous invention out called a blue tooth. Invest and use it.
4. PMS
5. The word 'economy.' I get that we are in this huge national crisis and everyone is going bankrupt and we are all losing our homes and cars and jobs and pretty soon they are taking Santa away. I get it. Stop reminding me.
6. Feeling like I am not enough. Of anything, and it can change daily. I am not enough of a cook to satisfy my children's ever changing pallets, not enough of a maid, not organized enough, not nice enough...whatever. I just don't like it.
7. Not being a fast scrapbooker. I know that sounds like a weird one, but when you have a store and need things done quickly for display, you need to be fast. I am not.
8. Facebook. I don't get it. I am on it. I have a few friends (hi, friends!) but I don't know why I have a garden and flowers and squirrels and what do I do with them (they are cute...) and I do apologize to those who don't like friends without pictures, but well, I have none...unless you just want a generic whatever one...that I can provide. Or boobs. It seems that Q's angle is about that high and so when he takes a picture that's the image I get. (I wonder if he is being paid by Jeff?) Can someone explain...cause I just want to play the games.
9. Homework. And teachers who write snotty notes on homework in response to polite questions about said homework. Seriously. Be nice to me cause you don't want me mad. And really, I probably know my kid better than you ever will. Take my advice.
10. My size.

Things that make me happy.
1. My kids. They totally crack me up (when a certain one is arguing with me about everything) especially Q because he is coming up with some doozy's lately.
2. A clean house. It makes everyone happy, it's just taking some time to figure out that if the house is clean and I am happy, so will they be.
3. Someone surprising me and taking out the trash. I am the only girl, I should not EVER have trash duty...or toilets :)
4. Clean laundry that has been folded and put away.
5. Date nights.
6. Flowers.
7. My boys all sleeping in their own beds (ahem, Q...this means you!)
8. Sleeping all night through!
9. The minute I get to turn off the alarm the day before a weekend or a day our of school.
10. Snow days :)
11. Watching my kids play sports. Even football. Go Ty, who got a PAT last week. Woohoo!
12. Watching my kids read.
13. Watching my kids teach each other something, or just hang out together.
14. That no matter where I am, the kids follow. It makes for an interesting Sunday afternoon nap. And we all laugh that if I sit down somewhere, because the boys are all either on me or touching me.
15. Backrubs.
16. Dumb jokes.
17. Jeff watching 'Scrubs'
18. Being my own boss.
19. Seeing old friends and having the feeling that you see them everyday, even when it is years.
20. Baking

That's not so bad. Notice how I did twice as many happy things? Sly, huh :)
Now it's your turn.

10 years ago today

I woke up in a new house unsure of what to feel. I was nervous, worried, excited and kind of freaking out.
My Grandma and Aunt Lois stopped by to look at the house. I took a shower and gave Hunter a bath. Then promptly burst into tears not to stop until sometime around 5:30pm. Right after our wedding ceremony.
They messed up the music and had to start it over. I made old friends cry at the music choice...maybe even Jeff :) We used Canon in D by Pachelbel and Rose from the Titanic soundtrack.
I have heard there was food, don't remember it. I believe there was dancing (although if you ask Jeff very little of it was the two of us...he's probably right.) I know there were gifts...I still use the breadmaker. Can you believe the only two things we got multiples of were 9x13 pans. Weird.
All of his family was there. Most of mine was (Troy was on a mission and Randy my BIL had just flown back to Hawaii after his brother's wedding the week before.)
Hunter and Zakk took turns feeding each other cake like Jeff and I had.
We spent our honeymoon in San Diego and had a fantastic day in Disneyland and a day spent at Seaworld and Coronado Island.
Since then, we have added (in no particular order) three more boys, a dog, two cats, three lizards, two houses, four vehicles, a store, 3 job changes and a total of 7 years of school. There have been too many baseball, soccer and football teams to count, numerous swimming lessons and a few trips to the ER. (And many pounds, but we won't go there!) We have visited family in Nebraska, Wyoming and Washington. We have been to Utah a few times and every year he takes a weekend trip to Salmon for steelhead fishing (without me :) ) I have been to Disneyland twice (without him) and I think I am way getting the better deal.
So tonight we are having a fancy date of Roadhouse and then maybe renting a movie. Wow. we are so exciting. :)

**And happy anniversary to Dave and Julie. We decided to get married on their anniversary. Well, not really. If anyone can tell me why we REALLY got married this day I may just have a goodie for you!

What would you do?

If someone gave you theater seats?
I was reading this blog a few minutes ago and she mentioned how she had found these seats at a thrift store and my mind started wandering.
It likes to do that.
They would be fun to put in the garden at the side of my house where the trees we plant die.
Or do fun pictures of the boys, but we would need four.
Or use instead of a couch.
We could take them to the drive in :) If it ever opened again.
I am just looking at these and thinking of the fantastic amount of pleasure they would give me. Just think of the fights I could overhear on family movie night :)
*photo by Karen Russell

This kid

is killing me :)

The 'garage sale' at the store has begun. It has been a pretty busy day and with Q here it can be interesting. So as soon as our first round of customers had come and gone Q decides he needs me for a minute. In fact he said 'I need you for a minute, Mom' and really, who can resist that? So off we go into the kitchen/crop area.

Please be aware that in this little room are our chairs that go in the front of the store, plus the only two tables we didn't bring out and all of the other chairs. The floor is in desperate need of a mopping and it all just a big jumble. Q winds his way through the chairs and such and tells me it is now my turn. I am waaaay bigger than this guy and had to chuckle. We moved a few things and he turns to me and says 'take a seat, mom. we need to talk.'

Okay, how do you NOT crack up? I smiled and he begins to tell me of a TV show he and Carson watched and it had poh-er bears on it and there were some mamonts but the mamonts were on a different show, but they had really cool hair cause they were woowee mamonts and do you fink a poh-er bear is tougher than a woowee mamont and someday he is going fishing again with his dad and grandpa and the brudders...for 15 minutes this boy talked. Many of you may have encountered moments with Ty who I can honestly say, is able to out-talk just about any girl in the world...twice. I am afraid this is going to happen again with Q. Yikes.

But he is pretty dang cute and I totally love his voice and mispronounciations (I almost types mispornounciations and that made me giggle again...easily amused am I.) And soon he will be 12 and I will look up to him (it's inevitable, folks...have you seen this boy?) and wonder where my baby went.

**sorry about the tilty picture, I can't get this program to turn it the right way.

Out of the mouths...

Every once in awhile I have to laugh.
Often it is at my children.
Sometimes it isn't appropriate.
For instance when Hunter was working on his cell project for one of his classes and asked if it is a 'rectum' or a 'reculum.'
That could go either way, folks.
I stifled my laughter and asked to what was he actually referring.
'Endoplasmic' something...
'Reticulum?' I asked.
Then I burst out laughing.

Today's nugget was from my Qboy.
We ran to Papa Kelsey's for lunch and Q got a drink with his meal.
He wanted root beer, to which I replied, okay but it will make you burp loud.
Fast forward 20 minutes when the customer in the store looks toward the kitchen with big eyes and Q comes walking out saying 'you are right, mom. That drink does make big burps!'
This lady only had one child, a girl. Can you imagine her at my house when all the boys are around?

tagged

Like ninty bazillion years ago Lori tagged me.

I think I am supposed to do six quirky things about me.

There are way more than 6.

I will do my best to limit them.

1. I don't like feet unless I gave birth to them, and right now Hunter's are getting sketchy. The weird part, I LOVE pictures of feet. I know. It's weird.

2. My dishwasher has to be loaded a certain way. There is no one else in the house who does it the 'right' way ;) But I am learning to deal with it if it means that I don't have to do the dishes.

3. I am the ONLY girl in my house...not so quirky, but as the only girl I should, no I deserve the right to any pair of shoes that catches my fancy. Speaking of, I am still on the hunt for the perfect brown shoe...I think I found it last week, but have yet to purchase because I am afraid Jeff will notice. And I can't stop at one pair, if there is another cute pair (obviously of a different style, I must buy it as well.) Q fully supports this habit. Jeff, not so much.

4. I must have cute socks. It's the whole girl thing. I like to think I am only medium in the maintenance department, so cute socks are a necessity. Like milk or cheese or bread.

5. I don't like hot tubs. They freak me out. A lot. I can go in them at hotels, but I could never own one. Too many frat house stories...note I said stories, not experiences.

6. I don't like pedicures. They are nice once in awhile, but I much prefer a manicure. I can paint and trim my own toenails.

7. I am a paraniod mom. I watch them until the bus goes past. It comes from my mom telling us about every flasher and bad guy in the world when I was a kid.

So, I tag Bonnie, Joy, Julie and Lori. I would tag Hilary, but she doesn't like tags :)

Sonic

I am an addict. A coke addict. Sonic to be exact, but my spare change has gone towards other things lately, so my lovely addiction has had to be curbed. How sad am I ;)

Driving past Sonic yesterday morning on the way to the store Q says "mom, I really need a coke today. I am so firsty I could die." I say sorry to my dear child who has to my knowledge never been given even a sip (in the effort to stop this addiction at the source...ahem, me) to which he replied "but mom, it is such a coke day."

He was right...I should have stopped.

Time is flying by

The past weeks have flown by. I keep thinking that I will update and post and so far, well, you can see how great I have been at that!

The top picture is poor Q on the first day of school. Suffice it to say that he is missing 'the brothers' and has become my little shadow (okay, so he has literally been attached to my hip since birth, but still...)

I love the sun looks in the bus picture. I tried to rearrange the pics, but so far not so good, so they are out of order...oh well. Our most recent family photo :) I love that NO ONE has to be smiling and you can tell Carson isn't :)

H on the first day of school. Usually these sunflowers are so much taller, but the weird weather this spring made my flowers short. He is enjoying middle school so far, but is tired of waiting for little brothers to get out of the bathrooms to get ready (which has resulted in many mornings of missed bus!)

This pic of C running kind of cracks me up because I was running behind him to which Tyler said 'mom, I didn't know you could run.' Nice.

Football and fall soccer have started, but that's a whole nother post about standing around :)

First things first

I have been informed that I never announced what ended up

happening with Cody's team. These guys did awesome. They were plagued by a few errors that cost them one game and I think Cody must have had a record of some sort because he was hit 5 (FIVE) times. Twice by the same team in sequential at bats...the only team that beat them. Huh...suspicious me thinks. He took a short turn as pitcher and played 3rd and short stop. He was awesome at short stop. Now, I realize that Jeff and I were not there, but I KNOW he did well because we listened to the radio guy. Plus, he's Cody, which makes all the difference in the world ;)

They ended up second. Not too shabby considering the last game was rained out for a whole day and the guys were so tired. I'm pretty sure we're proud of him.

pins and needles

This is what I feel like I am sitting on :) There is a way to 'watch' Cody's games on the computer, so guess what I have been doing all day...shhhh, don't tell my boss. She may send me home early. HA!

They are up 10-1 bottom of the 7th...Cody hit a 3 run homer, as did another guy on the team (the gametracker doesn't do them justice...they are much taller than the little guys it shows on the field!) so proud of these guys. It's much cooler to know someone on a team like this than just be randomly cheering for any old team...

Super Sunday!!

We were able to head up to Bozeman Sunday after church to see our nephew Cody play in an American Legion tournament. I can't wait to share photos, but I can't wait even more to tell everyone that his team WON and now they are headed to NC to play in the world series for AL. So excited! Congrats, Cody and good luck!
I will post photos soon :)

So the picture of Cody and Tyler is kind of funny. Tyler is the same age Cody was when Jeff and I got married...he's grown a bit in 10 years, hasn't he. :) Ty loves his big Cody cousin. Poor Cody had pitched 126 pitches in the Saturday game and Ty (the smallish 67# kid) was trying to hang off his pitching arm. Jeff wanted a picture taken of he and Cody a few years ago mentioning that it would probably be the last picture taken with Cody being the shorter of the two...he is in fact taller now...and possibly in better shape...who am I kidding? He is in better shape :) The next one is of Cody's homerun hit. The cool thing, we have that ball :) Signed even. I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the pictures. I wonder if they need a team photographer for the series this weekend??? It would just cost a plane ticket and lodging...and well, possibly my marriage if I were to leave Jeff home...

Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy baseball?

Sad day

Two days ago my sweet little long tail lizard passed on to heaven.

We had services for him and I cried. Like a baby. Over a lizard.

I know that he wasn't a cuddly little creature, but he was stinkin' cute and always made me smile. Plus, my boys and Jeff got him for me for my birthday because they knew how much I would like one.

You can see most of him here, part of his tail goes behind the branch where one of the anoles is.

Bye, Mike. You are already missed.

Today is a cleaning day.

Wish us luck. It could get nasty.

Faster than a guacomole rabbit and acorns

First of all I just have to say I love that dimpled face...and the photo isn't too bad, if I do say so myself. Little urchin :) No matter how often this boy is cleaned he rarely looks it, so a mostly clean face is remarkable in our world.

We went up to Rigby Lake a couple of weeks ago. Actually, the first day Hunter was at Scout Camp. You know, back when it was only $2 to park for awhile. Now it's $5. I am pretty sure that unless we plan to make a huge event out of it, we won't be paying $5 to catch whatever cooties are floating around. Now, I am not saying that there are cooties at this time, but I am saying that paying to park somewhere that you know kids are peeing, fish can bite you (it was such a good idea to add fish...nothing like a good rusted hook in your foot to make you appreciate the sport...) and really, there have been times where cooties have been found (remember last year? Cooties from here to SLC) Maybe it's the sand we love so much...we seem to bring a lot of it home with us...can I just note that these pics were taken AFTER the boys had rinsed? Twice. And my boys do in fact wear swim shirts. All four of them. You see boy #3, in the red, has his momma's skin and it burns. Not pretty. So, all my boys get them...in fact they aske for them. Makes me a little less paranoid (and yes, I do still slather them in spf 50)

Summer is almost over for us and I am sad. It seems that there is never enough time in the summer to do all the things I want to with the boys. We missed swimming lessons...now football has started for Hunter and soccer and flag football will begin soon for Carson and Tyler.

As Tyler put it, time has passed faster than a guacomole rabbit and acorns...have I ever mentioned this kid cracks me up?