Dilemma

So Hunter went up to scout camp yesterday. I miss him. I hope he is having fun and I hope he at least thinks once of his momma. So this is where the dilemma is...there is a family night on Friday up at the camp. Dinner is at 5, you stay for the evening and then go home and the boys come home Saturday. The store closes at 6, so I know we wouldn't get there until later than dinner unless someone closes for me which brings me to the second part of the dilemma. Breaking Dawn. For awhile now there have been a select few of us (6-10 depending on the day) who are planning to hang out at the store cropping until 1030 or 11 and then heading to B&N and getting our copies...then in all liklihood stay up all night to read the book.
Do you see my dilemma? Much of my problem will be solved in either finding or not finding someone to be at the store. I am fairly sure we will be back in town in time for me to get my copy of the book, either way...my biggest issue is making sure those who are planning to come crop are taken care of and that my family can actually get out of here and up there in enough time to make it worthwhile for H. Because honestly, if we don't leave here until after 6, it seems silly to make the drive. But I have that momma guilt if Jeff and the other boys go up and I don't.
So frustrating!!
And in other news:

"MIDNIGHT SUN Edward's Turn Meyer has told her fans that Breaking Dawn will be the last book she writes from Bella's point of view. (''The reason the books have gone on so long is I have a harder time giving up Bella's humanity than she does,'' says Meyer. ''She's so quick to say 'No, give it all away, I'm ready to die right now!''') But the author already has half of Midnight Sun, Twilight as narrated by Edward, cooking on her computer. "

Giveaway

Okay, so I have lately become an apron fanatic and one of these days I will actually remember to grab my sewing machine and bring it to the store for my 'down time' to create a few more of these fun little kitchen additions...

Anyway, I saw on Lori's blog that there is a giveaway on this blog for some fantastic goodies such as

this purse and some fantastic fabrics like those in the picture. I can't wait to sign up! What fun fabrics and the shirt pattern is adorable! Now, if I can find my sewing skills I will be good to go!

Update

For anyone interested, Darren and Shelly are doing well. I guess he finally called Jeff back the Saturday and let him know things were good. I don't know how much they will need to monitor her, but knowing she is at least out of danger is a huge relief.
Thanks for all of the prayers!

At what point

will my boys learn it is easier to do things quickly? For instance, at 830 this morning three boys came into my room at different times, mind you, just all around 830, to ask what we are doing today. Each of the three was told that a certain room MUST be cleaned (ahemquintonandtylerspigstyahem) and they needed to spend sometime mowing then we would head to Rigby Lake. Fast forward 3 hours, the room is FINALLY picked up enough for me to say fine and the boys are taking a 'break' from the 10 minutes or less of work they have done in that 3 hour time frame. It's a good thing they aren't mom's, right :)
Seriously, there was a small pile of clothing to be sorted into piles, placed in proper drawers and then a few shirts to be hung. That's it. The reason they even had to do that is that for some reason a certain seven year old has found it easier to pile crap (this is all encompassing and to my knowledge contains no actual 'crap' it's just a lot nicer way of saying the swears that enter my mind whenever I see stuff piled in the wrong place. Piles have their places, kids and dressers, entertainment centers and tables are NOT where they belong) he pulls out of his closet or dresser that he doesn't want to take the 5 seconds necessary to put things away. I am already praying for this boy's wife as I love him unconditionally and he still gets on my last nerve about these things...the great thing is that he is teaching my sweet little Q-man this fantastic time saver...that then becomes HOURS of lost swim time.
So, now I get to encourage them to go mow while I shower and get ready to pack stuff up to go to said lake, pick up the couple of fixtures I bought from Kim when her store closed and hopefully save myself just a bit of energy as Jeff is planning on a date night tonight of some sort. You see, his parents are taking the boys tonight in the fantastic effort to save some of their summer vacation for a bit of fun instead of spending the whole day at the store with me tomorrow since Hunter is gone to scout camp (can I miss him already??) and therefore unable to help with even one of his brothers. Thanks, Shepherd's!
I think I am the master of run-on sentences :) Go me!

Fantastic News!!

Grey's season premiere is September 25. Two hours of Grey's excitement! I can't wait.
Oh and Pushing Daisies is October 1. I love fall tv. It's so much better than summer ;)

200 things

I saw this idea on another blog and thought it would be fun to do...
Things that have been bolded are things I have done.

200 Have and Have-nots!
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Commented on Hilary's blog

It looks like I have been pretty busy :) And everyone of those that I made bold has s tory, perhaps I should start writing them...
If you would like to do this on your blog, just copy and paste and insert my name for Hilary's.

Mamma Mia

LOVED it. But, I loved the play in Vegas as well...if you don't love Abba, you may not love this movie.

I do love Abba and well, Jeff took the boys camping so aside from taking everything out of the house and starting the whole decor thing over, what was I to do? It's totally campy, Pierce Brosnan will never be known for his singing voice, but it is totally enjoyable. Risque, but that cracked me up...and is not really appropriate for anyone you don't want to explain sex to :) And Mrs. Weasley/Mrs. Austen is one of the characters. How cool is that. :)

I will most certainly put this on my Christmas list.

Enjoy!

PS. 11 days until Breaking Dawn...contact me if you are interested in joining our little group of scrappers/avid Twilighters for info on a crop and book party August 1. Thanks, Lori for the suggestion!

PPS. Totally rocking out to the soundtrack right now! Jeff is going to LOVE me for the next couple of weeks. :)

Dark Knight

So Jeff conned me into seeing this last night.
Holy cow, Batman!
Let me preface this by saying in all honesty I am so not a superhero comic book kind of girl. At all. Didn't like Spiderman (it could have something to do with Tobey McGuire...but whatever) or Hellboy and well, the Fantastic 4 is okay...but really not my first choice.
However, I do enjoy a good Xmen flick (um, Hugh Jackman) and Iron Man ROCKED!! But with all of the business surrounding the late Mr Ledger, whom I can say I was smitten with in A Knight's Tale, I can say I really didn't want to go see it. Really. Like it freaked me out to even consider.
However, I must admit that I really enjoyed it. A lot. This is NOT a kid's movie. I don't know if we would let our boys even watch it at home on a small screen. Joker is amazing in his craziness and freaky quirks and Two Face is a nightmare. I know it would give at least 3 of my 4 'scary nightdreams' as my Q would put it. For a long time. It was a very dark interpretation. And funnier than we expected. And dark. Very dark. And fast. The movie is actually 2 1/2 hours long, but it doesn't seem like it. It goes and goes and I think there may have been one part when I wondered what would happen next, however, it just goes and goes.
Now I need to convince Jeff to go see Mamma Mia with me. I saw the play in Las Vegas a couple of years ago with my sister and loved it!
Enjoy your day!

PS. Christian Bale is HOT!!

Memory Lane

Memory Lane
I found this idea on Lori's blog. Please play it will be fun!Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Wait. What if no one reads this? Does that mean no one has memories of me?

ETA: Lori, the hyper link thingy works :)

Competition

When did it become okay to not be competitive?
When did we decide our children should grow up to be little pansies who can't take a loss and so there is not a first or second place? Seriously. Life is not fair and the kids need to learn that.
I first noticed this a few years ago with a soccer club one of my boys was in. Now, for the record, I like this club. They have good theories and the coaches are fantastic, however, at the time said boy was enrolled, they played without goalies. What? Yes, no goalies so 'yay, everyone could score.' I get it, I always want my boys to be the ones scoring (so far it hasn't happened a lot, but they're young) but I realize, as do they, there is always and will always be someone out there that is faster, stronger, better than they are. Period. Are they having fun? Are they learning and using their brains and muscles? Great.
I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Pine Wood Derby, but it's kind of the ultimate scouting event for cubs. With four boys I can assure you we are quite familiar :) It's competitive. It's totally a blast. The cars are fun to see, the dads are a crack up to watch (as they pace back and forth muttering under their collective breath) and energy in the air is so high! This year there was "no winner, we are all winners and this way no one gets their feelings hurt." What? Of course there is a winner, just because you don't pass out a medal or an award, the winner will indeed brag. He will be proud of his car (and hopefully the time he spent with his dad putting it together) and he will grin from ear to ear.
Last night was the Raingutter Regatta...which in my opinion is just a reason to get every kid in attendance wet, however, the kids have fun. This time, though there weren't even actual heats. Just kids lining up and blowing on their sail. woohoo.
I understand that no one wants to make someone an underdog. It sucks to be the underdog, the loser, the wimp, but come on folks, our lives are being played right now and we have to toughen up. Our kids deserve to win and lose. They need to know what that feels like so they try harder to win. Why put your all into something that just doesn't matter? Our lives are full of competition...who gets the bigger cookie, who gets to the car fastest to get the best seat, who gets in the shower quicker to get the hot water...competition is all around us. It's not all bad and maybe we need to let our kids compete in some of these ways so when they grow up they can be successful people. What do you think?

weird

okay, first of all, I apologize for not responding to any comments left because for some reason I am not getting notified.
I will also be adding some pictures at some point, hopefully today.
Desi, I agree with your comments.
Lori, it was so good to see you the other day! Can't wait for 15 days...blah blah blah :)
Off to post another one.