Just One of Those Days

Have you ever had one of those days when everything you do seems to fall apart? Well, if you have, then you can certainly have sympathy for me.

I should have known it would be one of those days for me because it started going downhill from the start. We've been having such nice weather lately that I decided to get my toesies ready for sandals by painting my toenails. So, I get out of the shower, get halfway dressed and sit on my bedroom floor to create some foot art. I picked a pretty color and started shaking the bottle. Suddenly, I feel something wet but I disregard it as I give the bottle a few more good shakes. That's when I look down and see my hand completely covered in nail polish. Somehow, the little shaker ball inside the bottle caused the glass to break, thus leaking polish everywhere: all over my hand, my arm, the floor, my clothes (brand new, first time worn, btw) and in my hair. I uttered a few choice words and went to the bathroom to clean up. An hour later, I have most of it off of my body, but my clothes are toast, and the carpet will have the pretty nail color spots for the rest of eternity (or until we get new carpet, whichever comes first).

Incidentally, my entire house now smells of polish and acetone, not a pretty combination. AND the weather decided to get all cold and gloomy so I can't even open my windows to help air the smell out. AND because of the cold weather, I couldn't wear sandals today anyway. Sheesh!

I made bread in my bread machine... the same recipe I've always used and it always comes out perfectly. I don't think I did anything different, but halfway through the first knead cycle I could hear the motor in the machine really straining. I checked the dough and it was a tough little ball, not smooth and elastic like usual. So, either I suck at bread making, or my machine is toast (no pun intended).

Frankly, I'm afraid to touch anything else. Maybe I'll just go to bed early. Nothing bad can happen to me there. If you need anything from me, it's probably best if you wait until tomorrow.

Be Ye Prepared

Just listening to the news these days is enough to send anyone under their covers never to resurface again. Each segment contains some form of doom and gloom... If you haven't heard already, there is a wheat and rice shortage here in the United States - the breadbasket of the world. For the first time ever we have to import those products, and other countries are keeping it for themselves, which leaves us empty-handed. I have to laugh a bit when the newscaster relates these messages with severe gravity only to follow it up with "don't hoard and don't panic." If that's not a contradiction in messages, I don't know what is!

I've never been great with food storage, even though we've been counselled to have a year's supply for as long as I can remember. I try to have a few cases of Mac-N-Cheese on hand, and a crate or two of Top Ramen, but that's about the extent of my supply. I think the whole "50 lbs of wheat" is intimidating to me. I mean, you have to USE what you store, right? What the heck do I do with wheat?

And, now, I couldn't even get any if I wanted to!!

My family is clearly not prepared, despite the fact that President Hinckley passionately urged us to get our affairs in order and BE PREPARED. We didn't listen. He knew what is to come, and we ignored it thinking that we have more time.

Time is clearly up. Unless the economy recovers in a big way, and fuel prices drop considerably, this is the way it's going to be. Scary thought, isn't it! You can believe I'll be doubling up on my Mac-N-Cheese/Top Ramen purchases... I still don't know what to do with wheat anyway.

How's your food storage situation?

RIP

It is a sad day in our home... We lost a member of the household today. We knew it was coming, but when it finally happens, you find you can never truly prepare. It was a typical Sunday where we woke up, had breakfast, attended church, came home and had lunch, and that's when we realized the inevitable.

Please pause a moment with me in silence.

:: sniff sniff ::

Our 12-year old GE Profile refridgerator has gone the way that appliances must go - the big kitchen in the sky. It has been with us since we purchased our first home in 1996. I was pregnant with our first child at the time and I was so excited to be getting my own brand new refridgerator, with ice and water in the door (I made sure that it had crushed ice, since I couldn't get enough ice munching through my pregnancy). We loved it so much we took it with us when we moved to our new home in 2001. But, today, it gave up the ghost and we will have to say goodbye.

My husband suggested we go out and get a new one tonight, but I reminded him that this is not a case of the "ox in the mire" since we have a spare refridgerator in the basement which will hold our dairy and frozen meats until we can have a new fridge delivered.

The girls weren't disappointed, however, since they got to slurp all the melted ice cream they wanted - nothing like drinking a milkshake straight from the carton.

Thank goodness we got a tax refund this year. Sheesh!!

We're Back!

We are back from our week-long adventure to Disneyland!! We had a fantastic time. My husband and I didn't tell the kidlets about the trip until we were getting ready to get in the car to head to the airport. Let me tell you, that's the ONLY way to go. Since they didn't know we were going, they couldn't bombard us with questions on how many days were left, or talk nonstop about what they were going to do. It was difficult living with such a big secret, but it was fun pulling off such a fun surprise.

We spent five glorious days in the Happiest Place on Earth and it was a great time of bonding as a family. I'm so glad we went, and feel that it was money well spent. Thanks, Mr. Bush... I hope this was along your line of thinking for economic stimulus!!

The only downside was the crowds. Disney was definitely filled to capacity. With easter being so early, it threw off everyone's spring break scheduling. Thank heavens for the Fast Pass!!

Our kids are already talking about what they want to do next time we go, but unless an extra check comes from the government on a regular basis, they may be parents by then, and able to pay for their trip themselves. Yay them.

Now, I just need to take a week off to recover from our vacation. I'm beat!!

Conference Weekend

I love LDS General Conference. I love it for many reasons, including (but not limited to) the fact that we don't have to get up and get ready for church, and the fact that we get to have an abundance of the Spirit in our home as we listen to the messages delivered as a family. I love hunkering down on the couch cuddled up with my husband and kids, snacking and discussing what we are hearing.

This year, I found a packet of activities for children to do while they listen to Conference. It has really helped them to listen and try to figure out what the main topic is for each speaker and pay closer attention to the actual message being given and not merely listening for words to cross off on a Bingo game.

It is such a special time for Latter-day Saints, and especially this Conference since we were able to participate in a solemn assembly - the first time for our kids, and the first time when I really had a testimony strong enough to care. It's such a beautiful thing!!

My testimony has been strengthened, and there's nothing better than that.

Merry Unbirthday to Me!!

April Fools Day in our home means it's A Very Merry Unbirthday to Me!! We have had this tradition for many years and it's been very nice. Because my actual birthday falls so close to Christmas, and we are partied out and have no money to spend, we found a day later in the year where we don't have any other birthdays and when we usually have our tax returns back... Thus April 1st became MY day.




But, my husband - sweet man that he is - said we wouldn't be celebrating this year since he acknowledged my actual birthday. I reminded him about the four very special three-word-phrases and that I got to pick and choose the day, he doesn't get to UN-choose for me. So, hopefully, he'll get his act together before getting home from work tonight. Fingers crossed.

Now, all I have to do to complete the day is find something to trick the girls with, and all will be well!!