Does this explain everything or what??!!!!

Tonight is New Year's Eve.  It is the time when we can eagerly anticipate the coming year and all the wonderful experiences that lie ahead.  A time of excitement for the unknown.  Contemplating the possibilities.

It is when we reflect on the past year and evaluate the progress we made towards our goals.  We sit with our families and make new goals that will help us realize our dreams.  We look forward to the dates when individual milestones will be reached and prepare for the next ones.

Eating junk food and playing games all evening.  The cheering at the stroke of midnight, little shared unmentionables, smiles, and tender hugs.  A picture-perfect moment.

A picture is worth a thousand words!!!  Now, go back and look at the picture again.  A new year on it's way?????  Why do I feel like the cat???

I hate my washer!!!!

I have this wonderful washer -- or so I thought. These amazing settings for every type of clothing. Multiple settings for water temperature. Settings for how much of a spin you want. Even settings for how dirty your clothes are. How wonderful is that!!!

Okay, so with all those wonderful things, how come my clothes are still shrinking??? I follow all the rules. I check the "washing instructions" for each item. I even air dry most of my things. But, yet, I put the clothes in at a size "12" and it keeps coming out size "4". I swear, I'm going to sue the washing machine company.

See for yourself!!! Proof is in the picture. Pictures don't lie!!!!

Trying to be thankful

I read my sister's blog and my heart went out to her. I am healthy. I am strong. I can run. I can get up and move around without pain. I can cook and clean for my family. I can get out of bed in the morning and help my children get ready for school. I can send my children to school and be fairly confident they will return home to me without too many events in the afternoon. I can go to bed at night without wondering if I will be able to do it again tomorrow.

Wow, how easy it is for me to complain about having a headache or a little extra weight, the weather not being to my liking so I don't exercise, feelings of complacency and not getting things done, wishing the school day was longer, staying up too late and feeling lousy the next day . . . and I could go on and on.

How many times do I find myself wallowing in self-pity? Just spend a little time in someone else's shoes. I think Michael J. Fox made the comment, when asked if he could trade his trials for another's, if he put his trials on the table with everyone else's -- he'd pick his own after all.

I love my sister and she is a shining example of strength, perseverance, faith, endurance, service, and love to only name a few. Wish I could be there to give her a hug.

Pathetic . . . but he's so precious!!!

It's pouring, cold, windy, and very wet. Is it my fault dogs were made to go the bathroom outside??? They eat, they sleep, they poop. It's the way of life, honey. So get your behind out there and do your business.

I'm so cold hearted. If he eats my food he has to abide by my rules!!! If I give an inch, he'll think he's kingpin and I lose. Can I help it if he isn't tall enough to clear the grass? Suck it up, mongrel, there is no sympathy here.

And here I am sitting in pants that are wet from the knees down, shoes that squeak when I walk, and frozen fingers. Why you ask? Well, someone has to hold the umbrella for the little darling while he sniffs around for the perfect spot; checks the direction of the wind; listens for pending danger; turns his sad, questioning, brown eyes on me; does his business; then sits up against my leg until I pick him up to come back in the house.

Someone find me a rod to put in against my backbone. It's feeling a little squishy!!

Demolition Derby

I'm excited to say that we have our new insert in the gaping whole where the fireplace used to be. We are still waiting for the shield, but I am enjoying having an efficient fire. I'll send pictures when it is all done and pretty.

Yesterday, we took out the pellet stove from the kitchen. Have you ever had the experience of having an itch and once you get started you can't quit? My itch was the rock behind the pellet stove. Karsten tried one rock and it came off so easily that before we knew it all the rock and cement was gone. Yahoo!!!!! Kitchen looks pretty bare without the stove and it echoes, but can't wait for the next phase. Good bye wall!!!

The stone was so easy for the pellet stove we are getting ready for the stone on the fireplace. If it is as easy, we could see some great changes rather quickly.

Now, if we could just find the money tree we'd be set.

Where's my Advil???

Okay, so Saturday evening we went and played volleyball with some other couples in our ward. Lotsa fun, lotsa bruises, but wait . . . . Who are these youngsters? When did I graduate from "Beehive Bonus" to "Granny Give Back"?

So here I was laughing it up when I popped a serve into the net. No biggie, I was in good company. But, the kicker was when they bounced the ball back to me and told me that at my age I could try again. AT MY AGE?????? What in the blankety-blank were they talking about? I was hopping right along with the rest. For once I was definitely not the weak one on the court. How could they say such a thing? Who did they think they were? The audacity that they would even suggest I have advanced at all in age?

Then . . . . reality check!!!! I stopped for a split second and . . . WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN? I was the oldest one there. Who stole the clock?

Hmmmph. I am NOT going down without a fight. Bring it on world!!! Look inside me -- I'm still young. I've still got it goin' on!!!

AAAAGGGGHHHH . . . . gotta take a break. Gotta finger cramp and I can't remember what this was all about. Oh yeah, I'm still young . . . . Oh forget it, I'm going to bed.

The train has finally derailed!!!

I like to say that I am the type of person that uses time wisely and puts all resources to its ultimate potential. I like to say that I seek out all opportunities to maximize "dead" time. I like to say I have the fortunate blessing of going to bed at an early hour and when my head hits the pillow a soft sigh of satisfaction escapes my lips and I drift off into a wonderfully, peaceful slumber.

Last night was no exception. It was a day filled with errands, laundry, Hebrew lessons, homework, exercise, and of course, quiet time. The kids were all quietly in their rooms asleep, my better half was getting his beauty rest, the dog was safely tucked away, and I had exhausted my quota for the amount of reading I allow in a day. Lest I go to bed without utilizing my full potential, I finished the dishes . . . . It was the third load that day because I didn't step near the kitchen sink the day before -- but that is a story for another day -- we're marveling at my greatness THIS day.

I stepped into the laundry room to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer. I was doing my part in making sure I used the least amount of electricity by running my dryer at non-peak hours. Clothes were exchanged, lint catch was clean, dryer sheet was torn in half -- pinching pennies (I'm so good!!!), timer set, and button pushed . . . I know because my dryer is so unique it requires just the right touch to make sure the door is closed.

I finished my night time routine and laid in bed with a slight smile as I listened to my appliances doing their thing in the middle of the night.

Morning arrives. Sunshine awakes. Pleasant stretch for a new day. Pleased with myself because I could begin my day one step ahead. It is looking brighter and brighter. Kids off to school, honey out the door to work, paperwork complete, and I waltz to the laundry room.

Have you ever had those moments when confusion clouds your vision and you have to sit down and really think about things? I mean really scrunch up your forehead, screw your eyes shut, pucker your lips, and tap your head trying to make the brain connect? Was it my imagination? Was it in my dreams? Is there a gremlin in the house?

No, my washer and dryer were where they should be. All looked well. Grab the laundry basket and open the dryer. That moment hit me!!! I checked the garbage. Yes, there was the lint from the dryer . . . . couldn't miss it, there was at least a week's worth wadded in there. Checked the dryer sheets . . . . yes, there was a half a sheet . . . . and there was the other half in the dryer. And finally checked the washing machine. And there it all was. All those wonderful clothes had jumped out of my dryer and back into the washing machine. I know, because I put them in the dryer last night!!!!

Soccer Champions

Here are a couple of my winners!!





Morgan on the "Thunder Kickers"




McCade on the "Goal Kickers"

Team Tsunami

Here are the kids in their Jiu Jitsu class.



Kaela and Logan in the background, Andrew trying to get his opponent in "guard".




Shania grappling . . . . What are you doing on your feet????



Andrew and instructor learning a choke hold.




McCade finishing up the "scissor sweep".




Andrew trying to manipulate his opponent, Kaela and Logan in background grappling.




Morgan finishing up one of the many sweeps (I can't remember the name).




Kids in line to practice new moves.



McCade and the punching bag.




Logan learning a "choke", McCade triumphant.


Fun times!!!!

And I forgot to mention . . .

Shania's coach moved up to U16 and asked Shania to move up also. What that means is . . . Shania is 13 on a U16 team. Adds a little more significance to her being named team captain. Brag, brag, brag . . .

Brag, brag, brag . . . .

Soccer season is upon us with a vengeance. Our only players this year are Shania, Morgan & McCade. McCade is a no-brainer on the field. He is practically bigger than all the other team mates. He loves to run and for a 5 yr. old he is quite an athletic, if I do say so myself. And I do!!!

Morgan is our surprise. She flits around the field and you never know if she is dancing, running, or flying. But, she is the top scorer in her age group. She just gets in there whenever she gets tired of watching the other players fumble around with the ball and she takes it, runs it the field, and scores.

Shania LOVES soccer. Her improvement over the last couple of years has been fun to watch. She is really excited this year because . . . . she was put in as the first team captain -- there are three captains and she is the leading captain. We are so proud of her. She has worked hard for this. The coach talked to me this evening and he couldn't say enough about her. He has been her coach for the past 4-5 seasons and has helped her along the way.

I'm not living vicariously or anything . . . ., but it does me good to watch my kids succeed -- no matter how big or small the achievement.

It's a bummer

I'm having the time of my life. When school starts all fun ends at my house. The kids don't get to watch TV, play computer games, nintendo, etc., etc. Friday evening they are allowed to watch a movie and usually Saturday mornings they get to watch cartoons.

Life has ended as they know it. They are searching through movies and making a list of allowable titles. See . . . . I put a new stipulation on their viewing pleasures. The movie has to be rated "G". Are you kidding me???? There is nothing to watch!!! We are going to be soooo bored.

I told them they could watch HGTV, cartoons,food channel or the travel channel, Discovery channel, or PBS. Of course they are restricted by the "G" rating. How could you do this to us??? What are we going to do??? PBS -- those are baby shows!!! None of the cartoons are rated "G". This is so unfair!!! Can you just hear it?

Well, we had a discussion on free agency. They can choose their actions, but they can't always choose the consequences. I'm the boss . . . . I get to choose the consequences. You fight . . . . you lose!!! I love being in charge!

Lotsa babies . . . .

Since the kids got out of school, I have been watching two squirrels in our back yard. I have actually been surprised at how close I can get with Dexter before they scamper off.

This morning we have had the pleasure of watching mommy and daddy bring their little ones into the open for the first time. We have a wood pile in the field that has little squirrels peaking from it. They come a couple of feet into the open, sit for a minute, and then dart back to the safety of the wood. There are probably anywhere from 5 to 8. It is hard to keep track as they are scampering all over. Here are a couple of pictures. I'm not sure you can see them very well, but we tried!!!





This one is on the wood next to the green post.




Here's another picture of him




Here's one of mommy or daddy with two babies in front. This is a nature's version of "Where's Waldo?"




On the wood again.





Here's one of a little in the grass. Can you find it?

I want my baby sis to come and take care of me!!!!

The kids pitched the tent in the front yard a few days ago. I remember the days when we "camped" out in the front yard. The kids have been taking turns "camping" all week.

Last night at 10:00 p.m. as Karsten and I ran down to the shop to close trailer windows to an impending rain storm I thought of the kids in the tent. I couldn't believe they were still out there with the lightening and such. I had fleeting thoughts of bringing them in. Surely a little rain couldn't hurt anyone. It is an experience they'll remember. After all, I remember spending hours listening to the rain and being told over and over again not to touch the sides of the tent.

Off to bed I go, still listening to the rain at 11:30 p.m. Time rolls by and at 1:00 a.m. the front door opens and in walks the first victim. Kaela was soaked, freezing and crying. She had awakened in a puddle of water. Taken care of, warm clothes and in bed.

Back to bed I go. Still dodging the sleep-fairy, I put my relaxation tape in and settle down to what I hoped would be quiet slumber. At 2:30 a.m. I hear the door open and the last of the shelter seekers stagger in. So much for plans. Shania couldn't understand why she was sweating so heavily until she realized her playing cards were floating in water next to her. Logan was desperately trying to find other blankets to sleep with because all of his were off his bed and now were pretending they were life rafts saving all the sleeping bugs from drowning in the tent.

After settling the kids down, getting books, games and cards laid out to dry, all back in dry clothes and snuggled in bed, I was off to bed yet again.

It is amazing how the mind and body can still function after counting the patterns on the inside of your eyelids for countless numbers of minutes. Well, function is a bit of an exaggeration, but at least I'm physically in the upright position.

I'm jealous of my little sis. Sympathy for her ailments, but jealous nonetheless that our baby sis is there to help her. I think she should just finish her business in Utah and then move on to Cali to give care here, head down to Texas for her duties there, and then return to Montana. I'm sure her husband will understand. After all, he has her for eternity!!!

I'm an ogre!!!

I know I am the only parent that won't allow my kids to wear pajamas, slippers, bathrobes, sweats, dirty clothes, ripped jeans, or the like to school. I have come to accept the fact that I am medieval in my thinking, certainly not "up with the times", and archaic. I am backwards in that my children have to be dressed to go to school, their pants have to stay at their waistlines, their shirts must have sleeves and have to amply cover their belt loops, there must be enough material in their shirts (whether it is thickness or amount) to wipe up a 1/2 cup of spilled water, shoes need to be tied, hair has to be combed and I need to see their eyes, not to mention their clothes are boring because they are clean and the graphics "are for babies."

My boys are being stifled because their hair is above their ears and off their collars, aren't allowed to have tattoos (even fake ones), or piercings. My girls live in a convent because they can't wear makeup at 12, have to wait to pierce their ears, lingerie (and we all know what I mean) is not appropriate over clothes or under for that matter, and it isn't cute to wear shirts that show the color of their bra or low-rider pants that have turned all the girls into plumbers.

Yes, I am of the monster clan. They can't play video games rated higher than "E", they can't watch TV rated higher than "G", they have to have a language filter on all their movies, they don't have all the latest hand-held gadgets, and alas we are in the dark ages because they don't have a TV in their room and the computer is password protected.

But, I wear my "ogre-ness" with pride. I had ogres as parents and I think I turned out okay. So, here is a cheer to all of us ogres out there. May we live long, polish our horns, sharpen our claws, oil our muscles, and raise the meanest monsters we can!!!!

Demons out!!!

Gremlins came to visit and reeked havoc on my piano. A couple of weeks ago I was playing and two keys in the middle of the piano were sticking together and playing at the same time. An irritation, but livable. If you pounded hard enough, they would un-stick for a couple of measures and you could keep playing.

Yesterday, I sat down those two keys weren't sticking anymore, but further up the piano about five were. What in the world? I thought I was going crazy.

The piano tuner came today and my gremlins have been discovered. Bless my pointed, little children's hearts. They were shoving pencils down into the mechanisms. Major sighs of relief. Now I have to think of REAL good punishment -- 50 lashes with a wet noodle.

Yesterday is gone . . . Tomorrow never comes. . . Therefore, you're stuck with today. So get with it already, would ya???

Wow, I'm such a philosophizer, doncha thunk???

Whoever coined the phrase, "Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, today is a gift that is why it is called the present" -- or however it goes -- must not have had kids, bad hair days, cars that won't start, leaky roofs, yards full of stickers, white socks now dirty from walking on floors (inside the house -- icky!!!), smeared toothpaste on mirrors and counters, garbage strewn all over from neighbors animals -- and then leaving their mountainous deposits in lawn . . . Dexter might step in it and sink up to his neck). Not to mention running from kid to kid trying to catch projectile discarded stomach contents and all the other lovelies that go with it!!!

I think someone once said something about cherishing the moment because when it is gone you will long for it (like to ask them if they'd like to spend a day at my house so they can relive those glory days) . . . and stop and smell the roses (impossible with a clothespin on your nose) . . . and this too shall pass (I've had enough of the passing, thank you very much) . . . and when you look back you will wonder where the time has gone (I know where the time has gone, I charted every minute waiting for the blessed angel of sleep to knock the lights out of my kids).

In retrospect though, there is a silver lining in every cloud. I got to sit on the couch holding my babies and not feel guilty about "wasting time." I didn't have to cook because it wouldn't be eaten anyway. The energy level was quite low and there was minimal fighting. No one complained when they watched a movie they'd seen "one hundred times." Andrew didn't complain when he was late for scouts because ice cream was the food of choice. And, I got to go to bed early with the sickies.

I received an e-mail reply to my last earth-shattering blog post about waking up and saying "thank you" -- already in conversation with Heavenly Father. What a magnificent thought. I'm thankful for a new day to stop and reflect on the gift that I did have yesterday of "setting myself aside" and focusing on those things that truly matter. Will my kids be malnourished because they had ice cream? Nope! Can I open windows and air out my house? Yup! Can I sit and hold my babies when they are full of energy and it isn't "cool" to be sitting with Mom? Nope! Are their brains going to rot out of their heads because we did nothing but fry our eyes staring at TV, computers, or games all day? Debatable, but Nope!

And, above all, they are off and running today. Yesterday is already forgotten. It is true . . . Cherish the moments -- they can seem eternal, but are gone in a flash. Stop and smell the roses -- even if they are rotten and stinky -- at least it means your nose still works!!!!

Writing for the sake of writing -- nothing to say!!!

Ever sit down to your computer and that little voice in the back of your head tells you that you should be writing something interesting, there has to be something worth talking about, how boring can your life be, journals -- what are they for again, and who cares anyway. Well, that is me. I looked at all those cute blog designs and figured that if I changed my blog design then at least I'm exerting some effort.

Then I saw that you could print out your blog in journal fashion and I thought how pathetic life can be sometimes.

Then that little voice inside of me slaps me across the face and repeats some of the things I heard at Women's Conference a couple of weekends ago. "Aren't you glad Heavenly Father doesn't get tired of making one more daisy?" "Aren't you glad Jesus Christ didn't get tired and complain about one more healing?" Set priorities, do those NEEDFUL things and not necessarily those things you think you SHOULD be doing. OOOHHHH, I need to repent.

So, I have decided that I will look for at least one thing of beauty each day and point it out to my kids. Heaven knows I spend enough time in the car there has to be something beautiful out there. At which point Karsten pointed at himself and said how much further do I have to look???? He has a good point. Hopefully if he combs his hair just right he can cover it. Kidding aside. The beauty is right in front of me and sometimes I look over the fence to see what is growing over there.

Don't try and outrun the spirit. And, move forward by slowing down. In Doctrine & Covenants 109, this section is the dedicatory prayer to the Kirtland Temple and a great section in learning how to pattern our homes after the temple. It emphasizes the need to organize, prepare and establish. I spend a lot of time establishing and not enough time organizing and preparing.

Repent, repent, repent. Wow, I'm thankful for another day.

And -- let me try this again!!

This is the solo part! Pretty darn good for only 6 months!!!

Andrew's violin contest

We are so proud of Andrew. This was his first competition -- and he sure looked great! He is required by his teacher to "compete" at least twice a year.

Here is Andrew as the "lead" of the group.








There were about 50 contestants from all ages. This group is only a portion of those that performed. Andrew is on the right, second row. In Andrew's defense of these pictures, his mother is a terrible photographer and these pictures were taken while they were preparing -- so he isn't staring off into space, not paying attention.










Andrew was required to perform a solo and a duet. The songs for solo were "Heel & Toe", "Edelweiss", and "Cripple Creek". The rules state that you have 30 minutes before you perform to work with your guitarist. They are not allowed to have met or practiced before this. They are judged on things like: tonal quality, rhythm, if they are in sync with the guitarist (the guitarist cannot slow down or repeat anything), strong start of each song, correct intro so guitarist can follow -- just to name a few.



Here Andrew is playing in the "Twin -- youth/youth" division. They played, "The Old French Waltz." Again, he first met this young girl (9 yrs. old) right before the performance. Andrew didn't place in this particular event, but it was a good experience for him to have to play and listen to another violinist.



Here is Andrew with the top contestants in his division. He ended up placing seventh. He wanted to place higher, but was pleased with his performance. Having never done something like this, he did a wonderful job.

Romance

Something special? Those mushy, gushy moments that make all the women blush and the men roll their eyes? Cherished moments that I hold dear to my heart and brings a smile to my face.

Actually, the first romantic experience I ever had was when I was in high school. I remember it was Valentine’s Day. Somehow my dad figured out I was going to be missing out and when I came home from school there was a red rose on my pillow with a little note telling me he loved me. Wow!!! That was going to be tough to top.

But, my honey has done just that. You would think it was a huge event, much built-up excitement, flowers, fancy clothes, or incredibly exquisite food. No, it is in all the little things that endear me so much.

For example, when we were dating Karsten’s favorite cereal was “Honey Nut Cheerios”. He used to cut the front of the box and write on it with cute poems and sayings using the “Honey Nut Cheerios” words.

When we got engaged, he didn’t have a ring because he wanted me to go with him and get exactly what I wanted. For two weeks, I wore a string he tied on my finger. Corny?? You bet!!! Special to me??? You have no idea!!!

There were those times when I would find a note on my car window, an extra bit of cash in my wallet with “no strings attached”, a closed door in the morning so I could sleep in, breakfast in bed with special foods that he knew I particularly liked, a clean house when I got home late, making the bed in the morning when I’m in a rush, and many more things that I couldn’t even begin to list here.

Of course there were flowers and chocolates, fancy dinners, and diamond rings mixed in between. But the most romantic thing my honey has ever done? That would be to take my hand, walk me to the alter, kneel across from me, look me in the eye, and tell me he would love me and cherish me for eternity in one simple word, “Yes.”

Well, with that being said. All I have to say is I’m sooo thankful that he was young, naive, and didn’t know what he was getting himself into. If he’d been able to read the fine print that said there were no refunds when the warranty ran out – you know what I mean, aching bones, gray hairs, lost memories, sagging and droopy body parts, wrinkles, arthritis, weight gain – ooohh, I better stop before I reveal all my deep, dark secrets – I wouldn’t be able to tell you that the most romantic thing now is when he still looks in my eyes, takes my hand, walks with me, kneels across the alter, and in doing so for another tells me he still loves and cherishes me forever. That is true romance!!!

Why does this always happen to me!!!

Bad hair??? This cat's got nothin' on me!!!



Today was one of those days when you leave the house praying that there will not arise a situation where you will be seen in public. A simple drive to the school to drop off the kids. How adventurous can that be?

Procrastination is my fall back excuse -- which seems to get me into more trouble than I care to admit. But today was definitely one of those days when it bit me in the butt. I was out of gas. Now, you would think that I would have taken precautions before I left the house. I mean, how much more out of gas can you be when you are already on empty??

I made it to the school and spluttered to the gas station. Let me paint you a picture. I was in my pajamas, still had sleep in my eyes, MAJOR bed head, and halitosis that was killing bugs as they flew by. Bed head, you say. Well, that can't be any big deal. My current hairdo is the kind that you purposely stick up in the back. Can you imagine what it looked like after a night of tossing and turning (we won't even pretend there was any sleep in there).

To top it off, the gas cap on the car got stuck. So there I was in the rain, trying to get the gas cap off, the credit card swipe was beeping at me because it was telling me I had to pay inside, and I was not the only one at the pump. I'm the only one every other day, but today we were full.

A kind lady, who was probably snickering at the poor wretch came over to try and help me. She couldn't get the cap off so went over and asked the guy from the "coke" truck to come and help. While I was pathetically standing next to my car he came over and got the cap off. I could see his shoulders shaking as he walked back to his car. I wanted to throw the cap at him.



So, whenever you have a bad hair day -- here are a few pictures to help brighten your day.

I'm a dictator!

They say you can learn quite a bit about yourself in a few minutes listening to your children and the way they talk to each other, play, etc. Today my eyes were opened.

On our way back from grocery shopping, a task that I detest and wait until the ribs on the kids are showing before I realize they really do need food to survive, McCade was playing quietly in the backseat with his pirate action figure. There were a lot of "aaarrgs" and "matees", crashing sounds, and all those wonderful noises that pirates make. Among the chaos I hear(in a very piratey voice), "And get your chores done or you will never leave this place."

The light has dawned, the mists have cleared, the horizon has come into focus. Kids don't get to leave home until they learn to get their chores done. What an amazing paradigm shift. All I have to do is teach my children to do their chores correctly and they are out of here!!!! No wonder it takes until they are 18 and then the parents kick them out because they figure if they haven't learned by now, they never will.

Happy New Year!

I love to look at other's blogs. It helps me realize that I'm not as crazy as I think I am. Of course, ignorance is bliss.

On New Year's Eve, Karsten and I were invited to a murder/mystery dinner. It was great fun. Karsten was "Chubbie Cheddar", a rock star, and my character was "Barbie Q". Since I look so much like Barbie I felt the part was fitting. I was a recent divorcee, had an IQ of 140, had tons of money, and loved to wear my teenie-weenie, yellow, polka dot, bikini. I decided to foregoe the bikini as this was a dinner party and didn't want to ruin appetites, but had to go with the blonde. I wasn't the murderer, but I was definitely the "bomb".