Worth a repost... OMG!!

How to Punish your Tween, Survivor Style

It's good for a laugh, but it reminds me how grateful I am to be the mother of three girls. Boys are just too.... boyish.

Zero is NOT a size!

Why would anyone aspire to be a Zero? What's the appeal? Zero is defined as "the lowest point, or degree," "naught, nothing," "amounting to nothing." If you stand on the street and call passers by Zeroes, you'll probably get socked in the face a few times.

On the other hand, there's Ten. Take Ten. The Perfect Ten. Olympians strive for Ten. Take those same passers by on the street and call them a Ten and you'll get smiles.

So, if I have to choose between a Zero and a Ten, I'm going to have to go with my tens. They fit better anyway.

Home Alone

Today is the first day in I-don't-know-how-long I've had the house to myself. I almost don't know what to do with myself! I can have the TV on any channel I want. I can use the computer when I want. I can put something away and it stays away. I can even run through the house naked if I were to choose to do so.

What a strange feeling this is. I remember back in the pre-employment days (back when I didn't have a job and Da Man did) when days like this were common. But with my work schedule, the kids being home on a too-long summer break, and no employment Da Man, it seems there is always someone underfoot. It's enough to drive any woman completely insane.

So, while me-time is few and far-between, I'm going to take full advantage of it while I can. I intend to plug in my iPod, crank MY tunes, soak in the tub, paint my toenails, watch my favorite movie and enjoy an ice cold beverage and the whole bag of popcorn that I don't have to share with anyone!! And, hey, I may even do the whole day naked, just cuz I can! Who knows when I'll get a day like this again....

Get Ready, Get Set, SCHOOL!!

Generally by this time of year, school would already be in session (for at least 2/3 of my children). I loved the year-round schedule. But with only two now in middle school, having the district change to a traditional schedule in the elementary school was of no big consequence. Only Squeakers remains, and while she's disappointed that she won't get any off-track time alone with Mommy and Daddy (and perhaps a quick jaunt to Disneyland) while her older sisters are in school, she'll learn to cope. So, now all three are on the same schedule and school starts tomorrow. It's not a day too soon!

The house is going to be so blissfully quiet. There will be no whining, no fighting, no screaming. The TV will remain on shows I want to watch and I won't be subjected to PBS or Qubo at all hours. No more declarations of "I'm bored" fifty times a day. Summer has never seemed so long...

Don't get me wrong. I seriously love my children and for the most part they are lovely, well-behaved children. But, for my sanity and well-being, they need to GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!

Starting tomorrow they will be receiving 6 hours of structure and education, and I will be receiving 6 hours of quiet vacation (with a clean house, no less!). Let the good times roll!!

And, she's back!

Okay, so my blog has been seriously neglected. I've been challenged to get back into it and I'm willing to meet that challenge head on. Who knew that I even had people in the blogging world who even cared??

So, to you, my one and only fan (stalker, perhaps?) I rise to the challenge to post here at least once a week. Thanks for the kick in the pants.

More to follow.....

Draper, Utah Temple

My family and I had the opportunity to go to the open house of the new Draper, Utah Temple. What an amazing experience that was to not only walk through the House of the Lord, but to be there together with my little family. This is the first time we've been inside a temple together. It was so peaceful and "right." My daughters, ages 12, 10 and 8, were awe struck and commented afterwards how strongly they could feel the Spirit while there. My 8 year old wished she could take one of the "sparklies" from the chandelier as a souvenir. I had to remind her that it is Heavenly Father's chandelier... LOL

I look forward to the day when I can be at the temple with my family after it has been dedicated. It is probably several years away, but I dream of the day it will happen.

We are so blessed to have temples on the earth today. It has been a while since I've gone to the temple, and I was reminded at how peaceful and calming they are. With all the stress I've been feeling in my life, I don't know why my first thought wasn't to go to the temple, lose myself in the service, and feel of the peace that is promised to those who attend.

I'm thankful to live where I do, where I can travel to several temples all within the space of an hour. Now, I just need to partake of those blessings more often. Maybe I can work that into my Resolution for the year....

Tough Week

It has been a really tough week here at my house... with the loss of our pet, turning a year older, stress and money woes, and the general January-blues, we've been dealt our fair share. I'm really looking forward to a night out! Thank goodness for friends, eh?

There's nothing quite like the company of friends to chase the funk away.

"One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives."
- Euripides, Greek playwrite