Missing: Time

I considered putting up LOST posters around town to see if anyone has found my time, because, clearly, I've lost it and I don't know where it has gone. If anyone knows where it is, please return it to me right away. You'll know it's mine because you'll see me with fewer wrinkles and younger-looking skin, much thinner, and I'll be toting around two toddlers and a pre-schooler.

Have you seen it??

I just don't understand how time got away from me. One moment it was there, and the next it was speeding away, not leaving me a chance to catch up. It was just yesterday that I was holding the hand of my preschooler so we could cross the street to go to the playground, but today I sent her off to junior high. I didn't even have a chance to blink!!

My baby started junior high today.

I think I need to say it again while pinching myself just to be sure. "My baby started junior high today." Yep, still true.

Junior high is such a different place from elementary school and there are so many new opportunities facing kids today. I only hope that Da Man and I have given Skins all the tools she needs to succeed, to say No, to make good choices, to make and keep good friends, and to survive all of the all-important teenage moments that we all had to go through.

My baby started junior high today.

If anyone has seen my time and can return it to me ASAP, I'd really appreciate it. I think I'd rather be taking my baby Skins to Kindergarten instead.

I Heart Tivo!

Tivo has been in my life for 8 months now... I don't know how I ever functioned without him. Before Tivo I'd have to either 1) have a blank tape ready for my almost-impossible-to-program VCR, or 2) miss my show.

But, now that Tive has come into my life, I never have to go without my shows again! Not to mention that my Tivo loves me so much, that he (yes, he) actually records shows FOR me, out of the kindness of his tiny little microchip heart.

AND, I don't have to tell him what time to start and stop... he just knows what shows I like and he makes sure to gather them for me. What a sweetie.

Oh, AND, it's all high definition. Bonus when I want to pause and get a better look at my Josh Holloway (Tivo understands my love for Josh and allows me that one indulgence).

Did I mention I heart Tivo?

However, lately I've been noticing a strange phenomenon occuring. Last Sunday at church the instructor said something and I missed it... I actually reached for my Tivo remote to rewind her. I PHYSICALLY reached down. Oy vey! And, tonight, our cats did something totally funny and my husband went to rewind so that we could all watch again.

Obsessed much?

Tivo has spoiled me. Next thing you know, I'm going to try to fast forward through dinners at my inlaws. If only it were that simple. Sigh.

Life in Fast Forward

The last couple week have been a whirlwind of activities... In no particular order we:

* Celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary
* Saw our youngest daughter being baptised (I saw, hubby participated)
* Attended Da Man's 20th high school reunion
* Hosted 2 parties at our house
* Sent the kids back to school (minus the jr. higher)
* Built onto our food storage
* Numerous day-to-day items not really worthy of mention

I'm hoping that the weeks to come will ease up a bit since I haven't even had a free day where I can go get my hair done... and BOY am I in need of a 'do!!

In the middle of all the rushing around I've been doing lately, I snuck into Wal-Mart to pick up the last book in the Twilight series "Breaking Dawn." So, add REALLY late nights onto my schedule because for some reason I just can't seem to stop reading. It's not even that the book is that good (it's not) but I just can't help myself. I'll give a better review once I've finished it....

Signed,
The Girl in a Whirl

Great Book

I just read a fantastic book.

I can't remember where I heard about it, or even when I put it on hold at the library, so when I went to pick up my holds, I was surprised to see this book sitting there. I have a stack of books I need to read and this was on the top so when I found myself unable to sleep Wednesday night, I picked it up and plunged right in. At 4:00 a.m. I'd gone through 2/3rds of the book and I wanted to keep going, but sleepiness was starting to win over and I had to stop.

Thursday was a holiday (Pioneer Day here in Utah) so I had to get up fairly early to get the kids ready for the children's parade and the neighborhood breakfast that followed. Man, was I bushed - like the walking dead. But, I made my appearance and then hurried home to get in some more reading. I just couldn't wait to finish the story.

The book is called The Art of Racing in the Rain by a man named Garth Stein. It's written from the perspective of Enzo, a dog. I had a dog growing up who I swear was a human in a dog's body, limited by his canine-ness in his ability to speak, but spoke volumes nonetheless. Enzo reminded me of him. Everyone should have a dog for their best friend at least once in life.

I loved this book so much that I've already purchased it to add to my collection (I had to give the library's copy back) and I will be reading it again and again. I recommend it to anyone who has loved a pet, or been loved by a pet, or who just wants a compelling book to read in the middle of the night.

One suggestion though... if you pick up the book, make sure you have a box of tissues nearby too. You'll need them.

Happy reading!

She's Off!

Skins is on her way to Girls Camp even as we speak. She was up bright and early this morning, ate breakfast and gathered her last-minute stuff, and was out the door by 7:00. I saw other moms dropping their daughters off at the pick-up point down the street, lingering while others arrived. But, not me, I just sent her lovingly out the door to walk over on her own.

Mom of the year? Not so much. But at least I made her change into socks that didn't have holes in them. Maybe I'm good for something.

For the past few days Skins has been a bit nervous about being away from home on her own. In the past she's always had her little sisters with her, but this time she's doing it solo. She walked out of the house with much trepidation this morning -- as a first-year Beehive she really doesn't know what to expect -- but I'm sure that she's going to have a great time. There are some great leaders up there with her, and they'll look after her.

Bee is sad that her sister is gone for three days. She's been looking through our scrapbooks with teary eyes ever since Skins left. She's going to miss her big sister. Awwwwww. Squeaker could care less at this point. She'll just be happy to have command of the remote control now that Skins isn't around to horde it.

Three days and counting...

Celebrate our Independence

Friday was the Fourth of July. We had planned to go camping, but Da Man had to go help his brother move early in the morning, so we figured that by the time he got back and we packed the trailer to go it would be too late to get a camping spot. So, we bagged the whole idea.

Instead, I stayed in bed and finished a book I was reading. Then, about 10:00 I got up and made sugar cookie dough with the girls. In order to make cookies, you have to refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, so we had two hours to kill before it was time to bake.

I'd made enough dough to get 5 large cookies with my handy-dandy Pampered Chef cookie mold that I bought several years ago to make 4th of July cookies. This is the first year I actually made them. Go me.

So, I baked the cookies. They had to cool before we could frost them... so they had to sit out. The temperature outside was in the high 90s, so the temperature inside was fairly warm as well, especially since I had the oven on to bake cookies. Our sugar hearts had to sit out for quite some time to cool down.

It is now about 3:00, approximately 5 hours since I set out to make 4th of July sugar cookies to commemorate the holiday. Time to make the frosting. I mixed up a batch and then went to get the food coloring out of the cupboard. I found blue... but where is the red?

I got a chair to get a better look, and while I was rummaging, I knocked a bowl of sugar out. I watched as it fell, hit the counter, and tumbled to the floor, where it literally exploded! Sugar and glass went EVERYWHERE. I've never seen a dish break like that. Apparently, it was tempered, causing it to obliterate into a million pieces. Man, what a mess.... and there was no red food coloring to be found. I had to use hot pink. Sorry, Founding Fathers, our great nation's colors are temporarily Hot Pink, White and Blue. Get over it.

I cleaned up the sugar and the glass and went to mix the icing, but the house was too warm and the frosting was runny. So, I had to chill it a bit before I could frost the cookies.

It is now 4:15.

But, take a look... don't they look nummy??

I wouldn't let anyone eat their cookie until we ate some real food first, so I ran to KFC for some dinner. (What? You thought I was going to cook? My kitchen was already hot enough!). We ate too much and nobody wanted a cookie after eating dinner... so we waited.

It's now 9:00; almost 12 hours from when I first started making these cookies and we are finally eating them. Not bad, if I must say so myself. When I asked the girls what they thought of these all-day cookies, Squeaker replies, "Mine is delectable!!" I looked at her and said, "they're what??"

"Mom, they are delectable - that means 'delicious' in my language."

I told her delectable means delicious in my language too. Where the heck did she get that word? Too funny.

Here she is with her DELECTABLE all-day 4th of July sugar cookie.

It will probably be a few more years before I make them again.

Happy Birthday Bee!!

The Bee officially turned 10 last week, and got her ten-year-old birthday party. Originally, she'd planned on having a "late over," but with the weather being so warm and summer-y she changed her mind to a "water party." So, the invitations went out to 8 little girls. The anticipation for the big day about did Bee in!

Saturday arrived... Party day! I was still frantically trying to get things organized and had to run to the store for some last minute items (it's difficult to have rootbeer floats with out the ice cream, or the rootbeer!). The party started at 2:00 and I got home from the store at 1:45, just as the first little girl was arriving.

By 2:30 most everyone had arrived and the party was in full-swing, set to the tunes of the Beach Boys, who really made the summer theme come to life. The girls jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath, they had a water balloon fight, played games with soaking sponges, and -- their favorite -- water hose limbo. I didn't have a lot of structure, allowing them to really just have fun. I only stepped in when I noticed someone feeling left out.

I offered melon wedges as a treat, but nobody wanted any... so I pulled out the Creamies instead. Everyone clambered for those. Duly noted.

The water ran freely for the duration of the party. It was 97 degrees. Good thing I had my bottle of sunscreen also running freely because there were lots of pink cheeks shining towards the end.

About 4:00 I sent The Man in to make the rootbeer floats. He came right back outside and asked me where I put the ice cream. I replied, "I didn't put it anywhere... where did YOU put it??" We both just stared at each other... realizing that nobody brought it in from the car after returning from the store at 1:45. Uh oh.

The girls had rootbeer soup for a treat while Bee opened her presents.

The last activity was breaking the ugliest pinata on earth, and melting their frozen water balloons with a bracelet inside (they had to get through the ice to get the bracelet out).

Everyone was gone by 5:15.

It was a fun party and I think everyone had a good time. I won't have to host another birthday party now for two more years... when Squeak turns 10. I'll start resting up.

Lookie, Mommy!!

I went to Sam's Club today to drop off some film and make some prints from our digital camera. I had The Bee and Squeaker with me since Squeaks had a dentist appointment earlier and Sam's is right next to the dentist's office (gotta try to get as many errands done in one trip as possible to help conserve gasoline).

So, while I was browsing through the prints on the nifty new-fangled print maker, Squeak announced that she desperately needed to go to the bathroom. I inquired as to where the restrooms were then sent the girls off on their own, with the instruction to hurry on back.

A few minutes later they returned. Bee was happily displaying something in her hand, to which she announced: "Lookit what I have, Mommy! It was free! What is it??" I glanced up from the kiosk to see her waving a Kotex box. I replied, "Something you don't need yet." She shrugged and passed the box along to me, slightly disappointed at not receiving some fantastic treasure... for free.

Ah, the disappointments of youth.

I did it!

The book club selection for this month is "Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell." This is the first time I've ever read it - I've never even seen the movie before now. The only thing I knew about the story is that it's about the old South and the line "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

I also knew the famous monologue featuring "With God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again." Finally, it makes sense to me!

I gave myself 2 weeks to read the novel. It is almost 750 pages in very teensy typeface. It started out sluggishly for me at first and I'd note the page number when I felt ready to stop reading and feel discouraged that I had read only 4 pages. As I got more into the story I forgot to notice the page numbers and I'd breeze through 30 pages in a session.

Margaret Mitchell spends a lot of time describing the surroundings, which I found tedious at times, but her descriptions were well-done and at times I could almost smell the damp red soil of Georgia. I also got bored with all the political talk, but since the story is about the Civil War and the politics behind it, it was necessary for the plot.

I finished the book in 16 days. I carried the book around with me everywhere I went so that I could sneak in a few minutes of reading here and there. Of all my children, The B was the most interested and often asked me, "What is Scarlett doing now, Mom?" She's anxious to read it "when she's a little bit older." The huge-ness of the book doesn't phase her at all. She's quite the reader for a 10 year old.

I got the movie from Netflix so I could compare it with the book. I was intrigued to see the film that beat out The Wizard of Oz for the Oscar that year. It's hard to believe it was almost 70 years ago!! It was primitive by todays movie-making standards, but I really enjoyed it. Even my husband watched the entire film with me, without falling asleep!!! Skins and Squeaker gave up after an hour, but Bee made it to the end as well. You gotta hand it to them... the movie is 4 hours long!

The movie was very well-done by book-to-film standards. Of course, no movie can ever be as good as the book, but it held true to the novel's main points and feelings. I felt that Vivien Leigh was EXACTLY how I envisioned Scarlett, and Clark Gable was a great Rhett. However, Ashley Wilkes was NOT how I pictured him... he was neither young, dashing, or handsome. Blech. I picuted him more like Josh Holloway... hubba hubba.

I don't know why I've never read this classic novel before. I'm glad I did.

Summer Vacation

The kids are officially out of school and on "Summer Vacation." It has been a total of 1.5 days and I'm alreadying hearing "I'm bored!"

It's going to be a LONG summer.

Angel's Tunes

You may notice that I've changed my Blog Playlist (above)...

Do you notice a theme?

I'm open to suggestions on what I can add to the list. Got some ideas? Post them in the comments and I'll see what I can do to add them in!!

I'm the Worst Mother!!

I AM the worst mom and I feel horrible today. Mother's Day was just over one week ago and my kids all let me know how much they love me. The Bee, sweetheart that she is, really goes out of her way to make a person feel special and important, and this Mother's Day was no exception. On top of the beautiful cards she made me in school, she also made little hearts that she scattered throughout the house that have chores written on them that she will do for me. For example, one says: "I will make your bed whenever you ask." And, she has held true to that statement and has made my bed for me.

She also made me the cutest sculpture of a duck out of clay. It was very colorful and came complete with a red tail feather. I say "was" because the duck is no more. We are experiencing very warm weather lately and the duck seemed to be getting rather soft and wouldn't stand up like he used to, so I did a Google search for baking Play-Doh to get the directions so that I could make Bee's duck last forever and forever.

I found what I needed, and popped Mr. Duck into a 300 degree oven for an hour or so. When I went to get him out, this is what I found:

I feel just HORRIBLE. I killed him. The Bee is going to be crushed when I tell her.

In my guilt, I went to the store and bought the most expensive pack of Sculpey Clay they had, complete with a 30 color palette. It is guaranteed to harden in the oven, not melt.

No "Mother of the Year" for me.

"Growing Up Beautifully"

Twelve years ago I became a mother. There I sat, in my hospital bed, holding my pink little bundle wondering how I was going to be able to handle this new stage of life. The fears and anxieties were weighing heavily on me and I felt so inadequate and unprepared.

And, here I am, again with many of those same feelings, wondering how I'm going to handle life as she prepares to leave the nest and make a life of her own. Have I taught her enough? Have I given her enough of the tools she'll need to make it in the world? I'm throwing my daughter to the sharks... is she protected enough? Teenage girls can be so mean and unforgiving... which side of the fence will she be on?

She had an interview for advancement with the bishop today. When they were finished he walked out of the office with her and, with a smile, said to me, "She is growing up beautifully." The comment bolstered me up a bit, thinking that maybe I did okay as a mother and that she'll be fine. Though, Ithink I'll always worry. That's my job. I'm a mom.

Happy Birthday, Skins.

The Universe is Out to Get Me!!

It's happened again.

Just like with Lime Pepsi, Queso/Jalepeno Kettle Chips, Bounty Bars (not sold in U.S.) Bernstein's Italian Dressing... and now with the most fabulous, delicious, mintiest little candy ever made... Mint Crisp M&Ms.

http://www.m-ms.com/us/about/products/mint/

I was shopping for a gift for my mom on Mother's Day when I came across a green bag of M&Ms with Indiana Jones on the packaging. Intrigued, I bought a bag. It was love at first taste. I went to get more and stock up and THEY ARE GONE!!

I know the package says: Limited Edition, but I didn't expect it to last a WEEK. Grrrrrrr.

What the heck? Why is the universe out to get me?

I'm fearful of ever saying I love another product ever again because inevitably it will be immediately discontinued. I'm jinxed, I tell ya!! :o(

Harsh Disappointment

On Saturday Squeaker, age 7, had an audition to be in a DVD production that the Foundation I work for is producing. She has practiced her part for weeks and had it down-pat. The audition was at a studio downtown and when we arrived the room was packed with other kids who were also auditioning (some for her part, and some for other parts). I'm sure I was more nervous than Squeaker was, and I asked the producer if I would be able to go into the room with her when she went in. I was told no. I worried that without my presence there that she would freeze up and act shy.

I needn't have worried. She walked in without looking back at me and the door closed. I could hear her voice through the door and with confidence she said her name and jumped right in - exuding all the personality she has (which is quite a lot!) into the lines.

She came out of the room all smiles, confident that she did a good job. I caught the looks of the producers and they too were smiling. I felt that she had the part in the bag.

Earlier this morning I got word that she was in the final 2 for deciding - the other kids auditioning for her part were cut. She was as good as in!!

But, I just got off the phone with the producers. They went with the other kid. They didn't choose Squeaker. I graciously thanked them for the opportunity and hung up the phone.

Because I am doing work for the Foundation who is sponsoring this DVD, I called my boss to talk to him about the audition and to see if he could give me some inside information on why Squeaker wasn't chosen. When he heard the news he was just as disappointed as I am, but he gave me a possible explanation: They needed a boy. The other child was a boy and the DVD needs an equal mix of boys and girls. The boys who auditioned for the older parts weren't very good, meaning that it came down to needing a younger boy. Bam! The Squeak gets bumped.

She is going to be so sad when she gets home from school today and I tell her. Dangit.

We really need some good news around here... anyone got any??

The Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Week

Yeah, that's what I had - a terrible horrible no good very bad week. The kind that can only come with emotional turmoil.

Hopefully, with faith, everything is on the upswing.

Next week will bring smiles and happy blogging. So, until then....

Sigh.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

It's Cinco de Mayo, so in commemoration I decided to make a Mexican dinner. I made chicken enchiliadas, mexican rice and pina coladas (without the rum, of course). I intended to also make churros for dessert, but I'm tuckered out from cooking and then cleaning the kitchen. I'm done for tonight.

In the past, I've always made mexican rice from a box (Rica-A-Roni is decent as a side dish) but tonight I wanted to do it as authentic as I could. My husband served a mission in Mexico, so he holds a special place in his heart for the food (as long as it's not rice and beans 24/7). I am including the rice recipe with my blog tonight because it is just so yummy. Even my kids liked it. My 7-year-old commented that this was "the best dinner ever" and that I'm a "really good cooker." It wasn't THAT good of a meal, but I'll take a compliment when I can. :)

Mexican (Spanish) Rice

2 T vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 small clove garlic, minced
2 cups water (chicken broth is better)
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes w/green chilies
2 teaspoons chili powder (or to taste)
1 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oil in deep skillet over medium heat. Saute bell pepper, onion, and garlic until tender, add rice and saute until the rice is turning brown.

2. Stir in water (broth) and tomatoes. Season with chili powder and salt. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.

It's better than what you buy in a box, and you can make a lot more. I wish I would have doubled this recipe so that I would have some for lunch tomorrow!! Mmmmmm.

Sabrosa!

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!!