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

Wishing tomorrow didn't have to come...

Monday is going to be a horrible day, and not just because it is a Monday... I'm going to have to do one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life... I'll be saying goodbye to my beloved pet and friend, Malcolm.

It's selfish of me to want him to stay, and yet I can't help myself.

I love him, my husband loves him, my kids love him, and he loves us too, but it's his time to go. He's too sick to be with us any longer.

Monday is going to be a horrible day. I wish it would never come.

Merry Christmas!!

It's that time of Christmas where you've done all you can do -- All the stores are closed, the mailman has fulfilled his rounds and won't be back to work until the 26th, Santa has already packed his sleigh... Now you just have to sit back and let the rest of the pieces fall where they may.

I think back on all the hectic hustle and bustle of the last couple weeks and reflect on my stress levels and attitudes. I had to cut back on some things: I didn't send out Christmas cards this year (sorry to friends and family who were hoping for the annual letter), I didn't buy gifts for everyone and their dog, I only took neighbor gifts to those I truly care about, I didn't search for that "perfect something," but rather for that "something pretty okay," (and I'm okay with that), we didn't put out all the decorations and over accent our house - in all, I didn't run myself ragged (completely).

But, I did find time to be with the kids more, we watched most of our Christmas movie collection together as a family, I wrapped as I bought, so I wouldn't have an all-out wrap fest, I embraced the all-Christmas-Music-all-the-time on the radio and I enjoyed it... basically, I tried to enjoy the holiday more from the beginning, instead of let it run away with me.

This is the season to focus on the Savior; He was born, He died, He lives and He loves us. He doesn't care whether we sent out cards, or whether we shopped at Dillards or at Pic-N-Save, or whether we took home-baked items to our neighbors or didn't even bake at all, leaving that solely up to them... all He cares about is that we remember Him, and try to be like Him.

We do what we can, and He makes up the rest. Now, if that's not love, I don't know what is.

Holiday Stress

Every year it's the same thing: December comes and stress hits. What is it about the holiest holiday of the year; the time when there is more focus on peace on earth, goodwill to men; the season of giving and love to all, that brings out the ugliness in people? Going to the stores is like taking your life in your own hands! Case in point, I found myself at Wal-Mart on Saturday (I need my head examined!) and I parked in the very back of the parking lot because it was the only spot available. When I got back to my car to leave, it took me at least 5 minutes to just get my car out of my space because nobody would let me out... and then when I did start moving, a lady who was driving up the aisle threw her hands up in the air and gunned her engine. As if I was putting her out trying to get out of my parking place. Luckily I braked, and escaped a fender bender.

There is so much hustle and bustle, places to go/people to see, gifts to get, money to spend... It's easy to forget the reason we are celebrating.

Our Savior came into the world to give us the greatest gift - through Him we receive eternal life; through Him we receive forgiveness; through Him we are never alone. I will make more of an effort to think of Him as I go through the motions of the holiday... even when the stress is enough to make me scream.

Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you have a wonderful holiday spent surrounded by those you love.

Beware the Doghouse

My poor husband can relate to the above video all too well. Our first Christmas together as a married couple (16 years ago) he got me 3 things: A step-stool, a bathroom scale, and some trashy lingerie. He still hasn't heard the end of that, though he has redeemed himself a time or two.

I post this here as a public service announcement to the men out there who feel a practical gift is a good gift to give. If you want to give your wife a dual-bag vacuum (or a step stool) do so on a Tuesday, out of the blue, and take her to dinner afterwards (preferably someplace they don't serve fries). If you expect brownie points, and a Get Out of the Doghouse Free Card, put at least a modicum of thought into the gift you give on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. You'll be much happier for it.

We women have VERY long memories. Trust me on this one.

There are still 16 shopping days left before Christmas... are you prepared????

Musical Fortune

I didn't have anything special to say today, so I pulled a rabbit out of my hat (translation: I copied a post from another blog) and came up with this. Enjoy.

1. Put Your iTunes/music player/cd player/radio on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. Write that song name down. (don't cheat and shuffle through)

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the music they listen to... This is what my music says about me:

WHAT BEST DESCRIBES YOUR PERSONALITY?
Shine Down - Godsmack
I supposed I have a happy, shiny disposition, spreading my light to all around me. See it? :o)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Argue - Matchbox 20
After the fight comes the makeup... Raawwrrrr!

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Lonely No More - Rob Thomas
It's hard to be lonely when everyone wants my attention... Is it time for the kids to go back to school yet???

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Lady - Styx
To transform this Eliza Doolittle into something more refined... The rain in Spain....

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Underappreciated - Christina Aguilera
Oh man, totally. Nuff said.

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Your Body is a Wonderland - John Mayer
Ummm.... really?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
1000 Kisses - Will and Jada Smith
Hmmmm, I don't think I've even had that many kisses from them in my entire life.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FREQUENTLY?
Kiwi - Maroon 5
Well, either I really like fruit, or I can't stop thinking about sex. It's all in the interpretation of the song. :o)

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
2 Late 4 Love - Tesla
Dude, I'm not making this up. That really is the song that came up. Freaky!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Last Beautiful Girl - Matchbox 20
She is beautiful, that's true. Love ya, Les!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Comin' Home - Lynyrd Skynyrd
I like my husband, and I like it when he's home.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Be Good to Yourself - Journey
That would be a better motto, but, whatever.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
El Beso Final - Christina Aguilera
When I'm old and gray, I'll still be smooching my love; even with my dying breath.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Follow You Home - Nickelback
Anytime, baby!!

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Alcohol - Barenaked Ladies
That's all my dad thinks about, whether it's about me or not. Go figure.

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE AT YOUR WEDDING (ANNIVERSARY)?
Big Fat Money - Van Halen
That better be what my husband spends on the anniversary gift.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Alive and Kicking - Mr. Big
Wishful thinking on their part?

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Side of a Bullet - Nickelback
Guess I need to take up target practice?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers - ZZ Top
Shhhhhh, don't tell.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Enter Sandman - Metallica
Maybe I need to get more exciting friends??

So, that's me in a nutshell. Take it for what it's worth. Now go do this on your blog and leave me a comment so I can come and learn all about you through your iPod. :o)

Late Thanksgiving?!?

Retailers are complaining because "Thanksgiving was so late this year" so now there are fewer shopping days until Christmas.

What the heck??

Isn't Christmas ALWAYS on December 25? Last I heard, there are 365 in a year (taking into consideration that we gain ONE day for leap years), which means there are exactly 364 shopping days REGARDLESS of when Thanksgiving is.

It's not as if stores have waited until now to start the Christmas season anyway... they were setting up their displays several days before Halloween! Give us a break already.

The economy is rough right now. Deal with it. It won't matter how many days there are between holidays, nor how early you open your doors on the ungodly Black Friday... sales will be down. Deal with it, I say!

Sheesh!

Two down, one to go...

It happened last night while I was out of the house enjoying the company of my ward sisters. Our ten year old confronted Da Man straight-up and asked, "Daddy, are you Santa Claus?" Like a deer caught in the headlights, and with our 8 year old sitting nearby, he ignored her. Not one to be put off, she asked again, "Daddy, tell me the truth, is Santa Claus real?" Unable to ingore her a second time, he quietly and subtlely took her out of earshot of her little sister and asked her why she was asking.

Bee said that she and some friends had been talking and they had said Santa wasn't real and she wanted to know for sure. So, succumbing to the fact that it was unavoidable, he told her, "Yes." He went on to explain that Squeaker still believed and so it was important to help keep the dream alive for her sake. She agreed. She didn't seem disappointed; only satisfied that her suspicions could finally be put to rest.

The dynamic of Christmas is changing for us around here. Only one of our children will hurry off to bed on Christmas Eve, straining to listen for the sound of hoof prints on the roof, struggling to go to sleep for fear that our house will be passed by, only to arise the next morning to find that Santa had, in fact, made his magical visit. Only one will re-evaluate her behavior when reminded that only good girls and boys get presents, while naughty children get coal. Only one will make a Christmas list with visions of tiny elf hands constructing the item of her desire. Only one will carefully think out what sort of treat to leave, including some carrots for the reindeer, and giggle gleefully when only crumbs are left on the plate the next morning. Only one will see the thank you note left in a hurried, jolly scrawl and know that her treat choice was just what he'd wanted. Only one won't notice that the wrapping paper is the same kind that was on sale at Wal-Mart when we were there a few days ago to get a few groceries....

Only one. And, for how much longer?

The thought makes me a bit sad. They don't stay little nearly long enough, do they.

Flat on my rear

That's where I am... flat on my rear end; that's where this cold has put me. It is KICKING MY BUTT!

I started feeling a little "off" on Monday night, so I immediately got the Airborne fizzing in a glass and got the OJ out of the freezer. I thought to myself, "I've nipped this one in the bud, no sickie for me!"

That's when the gamboo gremlin decided to prove me wrong. Despite the overload of Vitamin C and lots of fluids, I'm crashing. Hard. I look like hell, and I feel even worse. I am the poster child for the Nyquil commercials... the one *before* the I slept like a baby segment. I'm sniffeling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head-ing and feverish. Can you picture it?

Did I mention that I have a dentist appointment in the morning for a routine cleaning, I have a bajillion errands that need to be ran, I MUST get some housekeeping done around here (because, yaknow, the maid had to call in sick), I have Activity Day girls coming at 4, Webelos will be here at 5, and I'm hosting a Pampered Chef party at 7.

So, I'm going to go drug myself into oblivion. Everything will be so much better in 20 minutes. :)

Facebook: The New Crack

Seriously. Not since I first discovered eBay has anything on the internet called me so persistently...

I signed up for Facebook about a year ago because someone invited me. I didn't really give it much thought, didn't use my "real" name, and only checked when I saw that my friend had added new photos of her little son.

Then, somehow another friend found me, so I added them as well. On a whim I went through their friend list and discovered they were friends with two people I hadn't had contact with for years. So, I changed my name, added my profile picture, and went looking for more friends.

That's when I discovered I was hooked.

Now, I log on to Facebook at least twice a day to see if I have any new friend requests (and find myself disappointed at those times when there are none). It's like Christmas when I get a new friend or a new message. I've joined a few groups, so it is necessary to log on to those as well to see if there are new posts/members. I have to check what each friend is currently doing, and occasionally comment, as well as play a game or two. It amazes me that I've been able to reconnect with friends I had over 20 years ago!

It's not uncommon for me to spend 30-60 minutes "just checking my Facebook." At least with Facebook I'm not logging off lighter in the wallet like I always do with eBay.

It's so easy to get sucked in... and I go willingly.

Happy Halloween

The spooky holiday has come and gone again. Strangely enough, it was sort of a ho-hum year. It used to be that we would plan well in advance and gather supplies to transform our living room into a bone chilling chamber, complete with fog and blacklight. Trick or treaters were invited to come inside (if they dared). It was the highilght of Autumn for me.

But, the holiday has slowly dwindled to practically nothing. The girls were scrambling for costumes as late as Wednesday for our neighborhood party. I told them that if Disney can re-release movies and everyone loves it, then certainly they can wear their costumes from a couple years ago as well -- besides, this is probably the last year they will be together to go trick or treating, so it was the last year I could dress them all alike anyway.

Presenting -- in honor of the re-release of Sleeping Beauty to DVD -- the three Fairies: Flora, Fauna and Merriweather!

These costumes were made by my pal, Lammy, who is a wonder with the sewing machine. I added a bit of artistic ability by making the hats, but all that involved was some spraypaint and cleverly tied tulle. Aren't they adorable??

When it came to carving pumkins, even that was done half-heartedly. There was a time when we'd all gather around the kitchen table, sketching ideas out on paper, laughing (and some gagging) as we scooped out the pumpkin guts, and enjoying the product of our creations emerge from the orange fruits. This year, the pumpkins were attacked and hollowed out in the afternoon and kids came in and haphazardly drew faces on their pumpkin and Da Man carved them out just before dusk to put them out. Sigh.

Halloween night, the two younger girls were out the door by 6, but Skins refused to go with them, and would NOT dress like them. She went instead as a vampire. It sort of doused the effect of the Three Fairies being only two, but at least I got my photo.

I fear that family togetherness is going to become more and more elusive as the teenage years encroach upon us. Everyone has more important places to be, and things that used to be looked forward to and enjoyed have become blasé. It's inevitable.

And, so it goes.

Biden 4 VP....

If we're lucky, this will be the new National Anthem...



Be sure to rock your vote next Tuesday...

We need activities like this

I don't know these people (amazing what you can find on YouTube) but this has to be one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. You know one of these guys HAS to be their bishop.




I wonder why they don't do Road Shows anymore? I'm going to have to remember this one... I'm sure I could convince a few guys in our ward to do this... he he he

UEA Weekend

How we are spending the long weekend. Yay us.

Drat

Well, today there is good news and there is bad news.

The bad news is Skins didn't get elected to student council. Only 2 spots were available and she didn't get either one.

The good news is that she is very positive about it and says she will still stay involved in school activities. She also says that she will try again for 8th grade.

At least the experience didn't sour her from trying again. That's better than how her dear old mom reacted -- crawling into a hole and vowing off of school government the rest of her life. Sigh.

I can learn a lot from my children, can't I.

Who Wouldn't Vote?

This is Skins' campaign poster for her school's student council elections. Can you tell it's a sky, complete with white, puffy clouds? She was playing off her name and tying it into her slogan, "The Sky's the Limit"... whaddyathink?

She had to videotape her campaign speech, which will be played to all the seventh graders on Thursday. Elections are on Friday.

She told me that 16 people are in the running, but only 2 spots will get filled. Those aren't huge odds, but she's not letting that get her down. She's very optimisting especially after hearing some girls she didn't know comment on her poster hanging in the hall. They said, "This is totally the best poster up here!" That gave her a boost for sure!

Win or lose I'm so proud of her for even going this far... but I hope she does win. I think it will open up a lot of doors to her and give her a more positive experience in junior high. Seventh grade is the best place to do something like this since the cliques and popularity heirarchy really haven't been established yet. Best to get in on the ground floor.

I know that come Friday I'll be waiting anxiously with baited breath....

Lookie What I Did!!

I have been a busy little bee this last week. It is definitely harvest time!

I got 12+ jars of salsa, 10 quarts of grape juice, and 21 quarts of peaches (with half a tree still to go!).

I'm exhausted. Whew!

P.S. Skins sailed through the interview process for student council and will now be campaigning for votes. She's doing great. I'm so proud!

The Past Doesn't Have to Repeat Itself

Today is a happy day for me. Let me explain why.

When I was in jr. high school I had visions of being an SBO, or Studen Body Officer. I never wanted to be a cheerleader, work on the yearbook staff, or play any sports - nope, all I wanted was to be in student government.

The time came for elections and the first thing one had to do to run was get a petition and have 30 or so signatures. Once that was completed, the administration would interview each candidate and narrow the field down. It was so simple.

I eagerly went to the office and got my petition paper and hurried off to the cafeteria to start getting my signatures. And, that's when I overheard someone say: "I saw Angel in the office getting a petition. What is she thinking? Nobody is going to vote for her!"

I'd like to say that I ignored the comment, got my signatures, turned in my paperwork, wowed the administration and won my office. But, that's not what happened. Instead I ripped up my petition paper without one single signature and threw it away. I never tried out again.

And, to this day, that is the biggest regret of my life. Hands down.

BUT, I am so proud of Skins, who after just one month in junior high decided that she was going to try out for student government. I encouraged her and she followed through. Today she turned in her petition, loaded with signatures, to the school counselor and now awaits her interview slot. Even if she doesn't make it into student government, she'll never have to go through her life wondering "What if?"

I'm so proud of her. Win or lose, she took the first step... and that's more than her dear old mom dared to do. Vote for Skins!!!

Blech

TGIF - It supposedly means Thank Goodness it's Friday, right?

Well, not for me it's not. At least not today. Let's see... perhaps:

This Gut is Frustrating, or
Tummy Gluttonous: I'm Fat! or
Thighs Grotesque - Infuriating - Fat!

These things may or may not be true... but I just got home from 3 different stores trying on jeans. If you aren't a woman, you can't appreciate the impossible task this is. A guy can just walk up to the rack, look for his approximate size, and head to the checkout -- a trip taking approximately 2.7 minutes.

Not so for the female persuasion.

We approach each rack and scan for color. Next we grab the size we wish we were, the size we might be, the size we probably are, and each size surrounding these sizes (just to be sure) then head for the dressing room. We try on each pair (sometimes squeezing and stuffing ourselves into them), then examine our reflection in the dressing room mirror from every angle, step out of the dressing room to look in the multiple-angled mirror from every angle, then head back to the dressing room, check mirror again, take them off, and proceed with the next pair. By the time we get to the checkout it has been approximately 72 minutes since entering the store.

I found two pair that were a tad tight but I bought them anyway (spending a bit more than I intended). My rationale for that is that if I live off of tomatoes and water for the next 7 months they won't be tight on my anymore. As if.

I'll put them on for Da Man when he gets home from work and let him have the final say. If he likes them, then I'll be happy. If he hates them... well... at least I saved the receipt.

Thank heavens it's not swimsuit season anymore!!

FRUSTRATION!!!

I am coming to you tonight through dial-up. Yep, you heard me correctly D-I-A-L U-P. As in 48kb/sec. Yawn. It took 2 minutes just to load this page so I could draft this post. Kill me!!

For the last 3 years I've been with a local wireless provider whose speeds were rather nice at 2100kb/sec and a price I could live with. They've been fairly reliable for me and I've been pleased with their service.

The antenna for our area is on a home in my neighborhood - Maybe that's why my speeds are good. BUT, last year the couple who own the house where the antenna is located decided to divorce. That wouldn't be a big deal if either spouse was going to stay in the house... but alas, the house is now up for sale and nobody is living in it. If there is nobody living in the house, then there is nobody there to maintain the antenna, the tower, or the powerbill that gives the juice to said tower and antenna. We've had a few outages lately because of that problem, but my local ISP has been good about getting it back up and running within a few hours.

Until today.

We went down and I called to inform them of the problem. They said they were aware and had a technician on the way out here to get us back up and running. We could expect service within 30 minutes.

Four hours later I receive a call from the technician, who, after exchanging niceties over the phone, offers me these 5 little words: "We're taking down the tower." Silence. "Ummm, you're what???"

"We've decided that there have been too many issues with this particular tower, so rather than service it, we're going to take it down. We'll contact you with our DSL pricing options tomorrow."

So, that's it. No warning. No further explanation. No internet service.

I'm livid! Were it not for my "free" dial-up backup, I'd be completely without the internet for an indeterminate period of time.

Shouldn't there be some kind of restitution from this company? Isn't there some kind of law that says they have to give me a warning before disconnecting me? Give me some time to research other providers? I know I'm not the only one in this neighborhood that depends on my internet connection for work.

What the heck!! ::insert fuming emoticon here::

I'm so angry. And, now I'm going to hit "Publish Post" and wait another 45 minutes while it posts it to my blog...

Dial up sucks. Blech.