I was in Fiesta Mall with my girls this week sitting in the food court, and we were watching the music videos playing on a continuous loop on the ceiling-mounted TV's.
Then I read the words: Up Next, The Classics!
Oh, good! Some Bon Jovi! A little Journey!
Do you know what the mall crowd thought the classics were?
Brittney Spears, "Oops I did it again." Seriously.
To me, the classics are 70's and 80's music. The 90's are forgettable, and the 60's and prior are oldies but goodies. I guess it depends on perspective. Brittney Spears released that song in 2000, 10 years ago.
I feel really old.
What is classic to you?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Scrapbooking my Blog
I know I've mentioned this before, but I've switched to digital scrapbooking and I've never looked back. All my pictures are digital anyway, so it just made sense.
However, all my family albums and all the cute journaling were being done...
on BLOGSPOT!
What to do??
People, I've scrapbooked my blog.
I simply took my uploaded pictures and fun posts (and the comments I thought were worth keeping), and put them into my scrapbooking software. Now my blog will be a tangible thing that my kids can thumb through and enjoy!
And regardless of what happens with this bloggy thing in the future, all those bloggable moments will be preserved.
However, all my family albums and all the cute journaling were being done...
on BLOGSPOT!
What to do??
People, I've scrapbooked my blog.
I simply took my uploaded pictures and fun posts (and the comments I thought were worth keeping), and put them into my scrapbooking software. Now my blog will be a tangible thing that my kids can thumb through and enjoy!
And regardless of what happens with this bloggy thing in the future, all those bloggable moments will be preserved.
Thrifty
Hello? Is anyone out there?
Don't feel like blogging anymore.
Or maybe just today.
Maybe I should make a poll for my sidebar, does anyone really read this nonsense?
Or maybe just today.
Maybe I should make a poll for my sidebar, does anyone really read this nonsense?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
California part IV
My Mother is amazing. I wanted to go to San Diego with my friends and Austin couldn't take any time off work to watch the kids, so I asked Mom if I could bring them to CA with me and leave them with her for two days. She agreed! She has always been selfless and willing to serve her kids, and I am so thankful for her example to me. I want to be just like my Mom when I grow up.
THIS is what was waiting for me when I got back from San Diego, she and the kids made me chocolate covered strawberries!
Grocery Store Confessions
I was at the grocery store today and I made a few realizations.
First - I spent $50 and saved $54. I'm the CEO and CFO of our family's finances, and I'm getting pretty dang good at my job :)
Second - I was at the store in my ripped jeans, flip flops, with my hair in a ponytail and wearing no makeup. I used to fix my hair, put on makeup and dress up to go anywhere, including grocery shopping. I also used to wear lipstick to the dentist, now who does that? It's just going to get rubbed off! I am just more comfortable in my own skin and more confidant of who I am that those extra things just don't matter as much. Now when I go to church or out on a date I still get gussied up, but is my cashier at Fry's really going to care if I'm wearing mascara?
Third - I'd rather hang 25 grocery bags on my arms and cut off circulation completely than make two trips from the car to the house.
The end.
First - I spent $50 and saved $54. I'm the CEO and CFO of our family's finances, and I'm getting pretty dang good at my job :)
Second - I was at the store in my ripped jeans, flip flops, with my hair in a ponytail and wearing no makeup. I used to fix my hair, put on makeup and dress up to go anywhere, including grocery shopping. I also used to wear lipstick to the dentist, now who does that? It's just going to get rubbed off! I am just more comfortable in my own skin and more confidant of who I am that those extra things just don't matter as much. Now when I go to church or out on a date I still get gussied up, but is my cashier at Fry's really going to care if I'm wearing mascara?
Third - I'd rather hang 25 grocery bags on my arms and cut off circulation completely than make two trips from the car to the house.
The end.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
San Diego / California part III
My favorite part of my girls weekend in San Diego? Campfires every night on the beach until midnight. Awesome.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
San Diego / California part II
My trip consisted of three parts.
Part 1: Mom & Dad's house for 1.5 days
Part 2: San Diego with Emily and Toni
Part 3: Back to Mom & Dad's for 1.5 days
So there's a couple experiences I wanted to blog about while they were fresh in my head. Like today for example. I just got home a half hour ago and I'm already blogging!
I left California at 10:00 AM. 'You just got home at 6:00??' you're no doubt shouting. Why, yes. I did. Here's why.
I forgot to put gas in the tank. Duh. That was the least of my problems, and it may have saved my life. It so happens that I also threw the tread on one tire and was just miles away from a major blowout. I thought I had just hit someone else's tread left in the road, but it was mine ripping away from the passenger side rear tire. I had no idea, and I drove on it like that for probably 20 or 30 miles. If my fuel light hadn't come on forcing me to pull over in a ghost town with three residents, I would have had a blowout going 80 miles per hour.
There was a guy living there who delivered five gallons of gas for $60, just enough to get you to the next major town. There's a special place in hell for people who take advantage of the desperate, especially a mom traveling alone with three young kids. BUT... he also put the donut on my van so I could safely drive to the Goodyear in Blythe and get replacements. He was also extremely polite and helped me out of a bind, so I hold no grudges about the cost of gas.
At this same ghost town there was a diner with one employee and one customer. (That brings us to a grand total of THREE people in this town... and I guess one guy was on vacation). I asked the nice waitress / owner if my kids could use the bathroom and she said no.
Why not? I asked.
We have no water.
Is there another one nearby?
No.
Well, where do you go to the bathroom when you have to?
I don't go.
Ever?
Not until I get home.
So what do I tell my five year old?
Tell her life is hard.
I rescind my previous comments... there's a special place reserved in hell for THIS PARTICULAR WOMAN. She couldn't have been more rude, while Grace was desperately doing the potty dance. I said a little prayer and Grace was able to hold it for another hour. Miracles do happen, people.
And prayers are answered. Before we left Mom & Dad's Ember said a prayer that we'd drive safely, the other drivers on the road would drive safely, and we would all get to where we're going safely. Her prayer was answered.
When the fuel light came on I prayed that we'd find a safe place to stop, and I wouldn't panic so I'd be able to take care of my kids no matter what. My prayer was answered.
After I discovered the bald and barely hanging on tire, I prayed that I'd be able to find someone to change the tire (I didn't want to do it with 3 kids in the car and 101 degrees outside, especially when I don't really know how to do it all that well). My prayer was answered.
I prayed that I'd be able to drive 50 more miles on a major interstate on a spare tire and get to the closest Goodyear without any additional problems. My prayer was answered.
So the drive home took 8 hours instead of 5, but we're all home safely (minus a little bit of sanity on my part). My prayers were ALL answered. I took the opportunity to tell the kids to say a prayer of thanksgiving, because when our prayers are answered, we need to acknowledge the higher power that answered them.
*whew*
In the words of Grace, I HATE this day. On a side note, I was in San Diego for the earthquake and I DIDN'T FEEL A THING. I'm slightly disappointed, I missed all the excitement. We were driving home from a restaurant and missed the whole thing! Feeling a little earth shake would have been exciting in a scary kind of way.
Even though I didn't feel the earthquake, I guess I got a scary adventure after all. Be careful what you wish for.
Part 1: Mom & Dad's house for 1.5 days
Part 2: San Diego with Emily and Toni
Part 3: Back to Mom & Dad's for 1.5 days
So there's a couple experiences I wanted to blog about while they were fresh in my head. Like today for example. I just got home a half hour ago and I'm already blogging!
I left California at 10:00 AM. 'You just got home at 6:00??' you're no doubt shouting. Why, yes. I did. Here's why.
I forgot to put gas in the tank. Duh. That was the least of my problems, and it may have saved my life. It so happens that I also threw the tread on one tire and was just miles away from a major blowout. I thought I had just hit someone else's tread left in the road, but it was mine ripping away from the passenger side rear tire. I had no idea, and I drove on it like that for probably 20 or 30 miles. If my fuel light hadn't come on forcing me to pull over in a ghost town with three residents, I would have had a blowout going 80 miles per hour.
There was a guy living there who delivered five gallons of gas for $60, just enough to get you to the next major town. There's a special place in hell for people who take advantage of the desperate, especially a mom traveling alone with three young kids. BUT... he also put the donut on my van so I could safely drive to the Goodyear in Blythe and get replacements. He was also extremely polite and helped me out of a bind, so I hold no grudges about the cost of gas.
At this same ghost town there was a diner with one employee and one customer. (That brings us to a grand total of THREE people in this town... and I guess one guy was on vacation). I asked the nice waitress / owner if my kids could use the bathroom and she said no.
Why not? I asked.
We have no water.
Is there another one nearby?
No.
Well, where do you go to the bathroom when you have to?
I don't go.
Ever?
Not until I get home.
So what do I tell my five year old?
Tell her life is hard.
I rescind my previous comments... there's a special place reserved in hell for THIS PARTICULAR WOMAN. She couldn't have been more rude, while Grace was desperately doing the potty dance. I said a little prayer and Grace was able to hold it for another hour. Miracles do happen, people.
And prayers are answered. Before we left Mom & Dad's Ember said a prayer that we'd drive safely, the other drivers on the road would drive safely, and we would all get to where we're going safely. Her prayer was answered.
When the fuel light came on I prayed that we'd find a safe place to stop, and I wouldn't panic so I'd be able to take care of my kids no matter what. My prayer was answered.
After I discovered the bald and barely hanging on tire, I prayed that I'd be able to find someone to change the tire (I didn't want to do it with 3 kids in the car and 101 degrees outside, especially when I don't really know how to do it all that well). My prayer was answered.
I prayed that I'd be able to drive 50 more miles on a major interstate on a spare tire and get to the closest Goodyear without any additional problems. My prayer was answered.
So the drive home took 8 hours instead of 5, but we're all home safely (minus a little bit of sanity on my part). My prayers were ALL answered. I took the opportunity to tell the kids to say a prayer of thanksgiving, because when our prayers are answered, we need to acknowledge the higher power that answered them.
*whew*
In the words of Grace, I HATE this day. On a side note, I was in San Diego for the earthquake and I DIDN'T FEEL A THING. I'm slightly disappointed, I missed all the excitement. We were driving home from a restaurant and missed the whole thing! Feeling a little earth shake would have been exciting in a scary kind of way.
Even though I didn't feel the earthquake, I guess I got a scary adventure after all. Be careful what you wish for.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
San Diego part 1
This weekend was my annual girls-only weekend in San Diego. We stayed at Paradise Point resort, with beautiful grounds and private beaches. It was so peaceful and beautiful. We also spent one day at Sea World, which was a blast. I've only been once before about 10 years ago, and it was great to go back. I got a small sunburn in just a few little spots, so I think the day was a complete success :)
The sea lions were begging for food, and they were so loud!
The dolphin show was my favorite, minus the cheesy music and dancers/divers. The dolphins were good, they should have been in more of the show.
My head next to a giant prehistoric shark's mouth.
Next to the starfish, which I got to hold. Emily is a goofball.
I don't know what this was, but it was way bigger than my hand :)
Me and Toni by the starfish.
The sea lions were begging for food, and they were so loud!
Sleepy sea lions
The dolphin show was my favorite, minus the cheesy music and dancers/divers. The dolphins were good, they should have been in more of the show.
Shamu was amazing, I love watching those killer whales jump.
My head next to a giant prehistoric shark's mouth.
Next to the starfish, which I got to hold. Emily is a goofball.
I don't know what this was, but it was way bigger than my hand :)
Me and Toni by the starfish.
Thanks for a great trip girls, I can't wait until next time! (Probably not next year, since Emily will have a 6 month old baby... party spoiler).
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Ah, Grace
"Grace, what are you doing?"
"Mom, you don't want to know what I'm doing, so just don't watch."
*facepalm*
"Mom, you don't want to know what I'm doing, so just don't watch."
*facepalm*
Monday, June 7, 2010
It's cool to be FIVE
Do you remember that episode of the Cosby show when Rudy is feeling sorry for herself because she's so small, and her Mom talks to her about how cool it is to be FIVE? It's from season 1 (1984), when they're sitting in a cardboard box in the backyard, and it's one of my favorites.
Who needs a fork when you've got fingers?
Happy Birthday, Grace Face!
Well today Grace is FIVE!
Who needs a fork when you've got fingers?
Happy Birthday, Grace Face!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
A house is not a home
My home is evidence that I am a working Mom.
My floor is constantly littered with toys and crumbs and shoes. My sink is always full of dirty dishes and the counters are covered with clutter. My bathroom counters are sticky with toothpaste and barrettes and the floor is hidden under a pile of dirty towels. My unmade bed is buried with unfolded laundry, while piles of dirty clothes accumulate in my basement. I don't make healthy meals for dinner and my grocery bills are always outside our budget, even with coupons.
Not only is my house cluttered, but my mind is also, with guilt and frustration. That's why I'm awake and blogging at 2:30 in the morning.
I have dreams that my bathroom cupboards are always filled with fresh, clean towels. That my kitchen sink is shiny and clean before I go to bed at night. That all the beds are made and the pillows are fluffed. I dream that I will be the kind of mother that my kids tell inspiring stories about in Sacrament Meeting on Mothers Day. I imagine that I have the energy and desire to make all these things a reality.
Mostly I disappoint myself, and I come home from work to a messy home and a weary heart.
Does the balm of Gilead work for stressed out working Moms? Do any other moms have similar struggles, and suggestions for coping?
Is there hope for me?
My floor is constantly littered with toys and crumbs and shoes. My sink is always full of dirty dishes and the counters are covered with clutter. My bathroom counters are sticky with toothpaste and barrettes and the floor is hidden under a pile of dirty towels. My unmade bed is buried with unfolded laundry, while piles of dirty clothes accumulate in my basement. I don't make healthy meals for dinner and my grocery bills are always outside our budget, even with coupons.
Not only is my house cluttered, but my mind is also, with guilt and frustration. That's why I'm awake and blogging at 2:30 in the morning.
I have dreams that my bathroom cupboards are always filled with fresh, clean towels. That my kitchen sink is shiny and clean before I go to bed at night. That all the beds are made and the pillows are fluffed. I dream that I will be the kind of mother that my kids tell inspiring stories about in Sacrament Meeting on Mothers Day. I imagine that I have the energy and desire to make all these things a reality.
Mostly I disappoint myself, and I come home from work to a messy home and a weary heart.
Does the balm of Gilead work for stressed out working Moms? Do any other moms have similar struggles, and suggestions for coping?
Is there hope for me?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Weekend in Overgaard
We spent Memorial Day Weekend at the family cabin in Overgaard, and it was amazing! Everyone had a blast, and Ember got to bring along a friend which made for a much friendlier version of Ember 1.0.
Austin spent some time playing with (and teasing) the dogs. Here's a funny shot of Lady looking psycho jumping up for her toy, and a video of the puppies attacking Austin. Don't worry, he asked for it.
The front porch swing is one of our favorite places to sit and enjoy the weather, and Lady joined me for a bit. Doesn't she look like she adores me? It goes both ways :)
We flew the flag out front on Memorial Day and it looked inspiring waving in the breeze.
We took the kids to Woods Canyon Lake for a picnic on Memorial Day and they had fun searching for minnows and crawdads. We saw a pretty big fish come really close to us, but we didn't have any poles or nets. Next time fishie, next time...
Austin wrestled with the dogs, and kids too!
Look at me, I'm crocheting so fast my hands are a blur. Awesome.
We're so glad you could join us Hope, it was a blast!
Ember wanted her friend all to herself, which I can understand, but Hope made an effort to make sure Grace wasn't left out of everything. She was so sweet with her, and Grace appreciated the attention.
We took the kids to see the Snowflake Temple on Sunday, since we didn't go to church (guess who forgot to pack Sunday clothes?) It's a very beautiful Temple, with waterfalls out front. We walked around and took pictures, then Mom taught a "primary" lesson on the blessings of the Temple. It worked out to be a pretty good Sunday.
I'm going to miss the weather in the mountains, but it's really good to be home. Except now I have a hundred loads of laundry to do :P
Austin spent some time playing with (and teasing) the dogs. Here's a funny shot of Lady looking psycho jumping up for her toy, and a video of the puppies attacking Austin. Don't worry, he asked for it.
The front porch swing is one of our favorite places to sit and enjoy the weather, and Lady joined me for a bit. Doesn't she look like she adores me? It goes both ways :)
We flew the flag out front on Memorial Day and it looked inspiring waving in the breeze.
We took the kids to Woods Canyon Lake for a picnic on Memorial Day and they had fun searching for minnows and crawdads. We saw a pretty big fish come really close to us, but we didn't have any poles or nets. Next time fishie, next time...
Austin wrestled with the dogs, and kids too!
Look at me, I'm crocheting so fast my hands are a blur. Awesome.
We're so glad you could join us Hope, it was a blast!
Ember wanted her friend all to herself, which I can understand, but Hope made an effort to make sure Grace wasn't left out of everything. She was so sweet with her, and Grace appreciated the attention.
We took the kids to see the Snowflake Temple on Sunday, since we didn't go to church (guess who forgot to pack Sunday clothes?) It's a very beautiful Temple, with waterfalls out front. We walked around and took pictures, then Mom taught a "primary" lesson on the blessings of the Temple. It worked out to be a pretty good Sunday.
I'm going to miss the weather in the mountains, but it's really good to be home. Except now I have a hundred loads of laundry to do :P
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