The top 5 things I hate most about morning sickness:
1. Throwing up
2. The fact that for me "morning" sickness can last all day and is often worst at night. (which is why this year on Christmas night my dinner consisted of saltines and ginger ale--festive.)
3. The aroma of most food, especially food that I know is leftovers.
4. Sheer and utter exhaustion.
5. I'm sometimes not a very nice person. My poor husband never knows whether to hug me or just get out of my way--and the appropriate remedy can change from day to day, hour to hour.
The top 5 "silver lining" things about morning sickness:
1. I have no tolerance for cola so I have successfully kicked my Dr. Pepper habit.
2. My oldest is old enough to make dinner when I'm just not up to it and dad's not home. (Granted he makes Eggo Waffles and cereal, but at least no one goes hungry!)
3. This time I'm not changing diapers of older kids.
4. I'm not alone. I know at least a dozen people who are also pregnant. It's nice to talk to other people going through the same thing.
5. My second trimester officially starts next week and if past experience is any indication, I should start to feel better soon. (At least I really hope so.)
The top five random, neither here nor there, things I've experienced this go round:
1. I have wild cravings for Ruffles potato chips. It's got to be Ruffles and I've got to have them when the mood strikes. Which is a bummer because Ruffles are rarely on sale.
2. The only kind of eggs I can stomach are boiled and sometimes I really crave them. The texture of scrambled is icky and there is something about the buttery edges of fried eggs that totally grosses me out.
3. My belly seems to be growing up as much as it is expanding out. For the most part I'm still in my regular clothes but my body is just a really weird shape right now.
4. My doctor has suggested I take half a Unisom and 100 mg of vitamin B6 every night to help with the nausea and I can totally tell a difference. If I miss it I can almost guarantee I'll throw up the next day.
5. I don't know if I'm honestly sicker this time or if my memory is just bad. It's been almost six years since I've gone through this and it's almost like everything is a brand new experience. Perhaps it's just that there is a big difference between pregnancy in your late twenties and pregnancy in your mid thirties.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Shoe on the other foot
It's the time of year when we our minds turn to giving. We look for opportunities to serve, chances to be someone's "Secret Santa." Through the years I have participated in several such service projects and it always feels good to do something for someone in need.
I had never really thought about what it would feel like to be on the receiving end of such kindness. I never imagined that I would ever need it.
Until now.
Last night the door bell rang just as I had put the kids to bed. To my surprise there on the porch was a large fruit basket tied with an enormous bow. I was absolutely delighted. I'll take fresh fruit over sugary treats any day. I unwrapped the cellophane to retrieve the card inside only to find that it was unsigned and in it was a gift card for Walmart for a rather sizable amount. I was brought to tears. And then I was brought to my knees.
Words can't describe my gratitude. Gratitude for the chance to buy groceries with money that doesn't someday have to be paid back. Gratitude for friends who are aware of us and in tune to our struggles. Grateful for the lifting of my burden just a little bit.
I'll tell you it is quite a different experience to be on the receiving end of such service. It is humbling and gratifying at the same time.
I may never know who our secret Santa was this year. If that person happens to be part of my little blogosphere and is reading this right now, thank you. It means so much.
I had never really thought about what it would feel like to be on the receiving end of such kindness. I never imagined that I would ever need it.
Until now.
Last night the door bell rang just as I had put the kids to bed. To my surprise there on the porch was a large fruit basket tied with an enormous bow. I was absolutely delighted. I'll take fresh fruit over sugary treats any day. I unwrapped the cellophane to retrieve the card inside only to find that it was unsigned and in it was a gift card for Walmart for a rather sizable amount. I was brought to tears. And then I was brought to my knees.
Words can't describe my gratitude. Gratitude for the chance to buy groceries with money that doesn't someday have to be paid back. Gratitude for friends who are aware of us and in tune to our struggles. Grateful for the lifting of my burden just a little bit.
I'll tell you it is quite a different experience to be on the receiving end of such service. It is humbling and gratifying at the same time.
I may never know who our secret Santa was this year. If that person happens to be part of my little blogosphere and is reading this right now, thank you. It means so much.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Stretched
Lately I feel like that is the best word to describe my life. Everything seems to be stretching to its very limits, and in some cases beyond--my time, my bank account, my faith, my patience, my understanding, my energy, even my waistline.
In the world of fitness we know we must stretch before a serious activity so that we don't get injured when things get intense. My husband loves to work out and sometimes he does rather extensive stretching before hand. I've done a few exercise sessions with him and after a bit of "movement prep" (as he calls it)I'm tired and sore and ready to be done. He just smiles and says "We haven't even started the work out yet."
Sometimes I wonder if the current stretching of my life is just prep work for bigger, harder things that may be on my horizon. I wonder if the Lord is smiling at me and saying "Keep stretching. Your real work out hasn't even started yet."
And if that's the case then I'm grateful for the stretching. I just hope it's working and that I'm prepared enough to avoid major injury down the road.
Because that's what stretching is for.
In the world of fitness we know we must stretch before a serious activity so that we don't get injured when things get intense. My husband loves to work out and sometimes he does rather extensive stretching before hand. I've done a few exercise sessions with him and after a bit of "movement prep" (as he calls it)I'm tired and sore and ready to be done. He just smiles and says "We haven't even started the work out yet."
Sometimes I wonder if the current stretching of my life is just prep work for bigger, harder things that may be on my horizon. I wonder if the Lord is smiling at me and saying "Keep stretching. Your real work out hasn't even started yet."
And if that's the case then I'm grateful for the stretching. I just hope it's working and that I'm prepared enough to avoid major injury down the road.
Because that's what stretching is for.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
That's what I get for doin' my own thinkin'!
When we first moved into our ward and had our first meeting with the bishopric I was asked a question that no one had ever asked me before--"What calling do you NOT want to have?" At the time I was constantly wrestling my children at church each week. I had two in nursery who never wanted to attend and my oldest was finally content in Primary and I didn't want to disrupt that, so I responded, "I need to not be in the same place as my kids on Sunday." And our bishopric respected that. (A few weeks later I kind of wished I had responded differently to that question when I was called to be Ward Activities Chairman. . .but I digress.)
I have nothing against Primary. I have had several other Primary callings in the past and have very much enjoyed it, I just felt that it was initially not for me in this ward. But things change. I have had the opportunity to substitute in the primary twice in the last month and I started to realize that I could really make a contribution there. In fact as I sat in Primary last Sunday I had a strong impression that I was ready to give it a try again. Our current primary president had been serving for three years and with the program now out of the way everyone was pretty certain she would be released.
I have been in an instructor in the Relief Society for over two years and although I have loved it, I've kind of been feeling lately like I had nothing new to say. I was kind of expecting a change soon and was not at all surprised when the ward executive secretary called me yesterday and said the bishop wanted to meet with me. It was my week to teach so I got nostalgic thinking about this being my last week in Relief Society and I even started to plan out what I would say about leaving.
Well, "shock" is the only word that can describe how I felt when the bishop asked if I would be willing to be the Enrichment Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. I had to suppress the urge to say, "Umm...don't you mean Primary Presidency?"
But I had walked in there ready to say "yes" to whatever was extended to me so that's what I did. Turns out the previous Enrichment Counselor was called to be Primary president. So I wasn't totally wrong in my impressions that I would be somehow be involved in the leadership change in our primary. But this came totally out of left field.
My mind has been spinning ever since.
I don't know anything about enrichment. I'm not very good at being crafty and I have real aversions to things that are overly "special." I have to go to lots of meetings now and visit people and be a real grown up. AND to top it all off, I'm not even completely free from the whole teaching gig!
It never pays to try to second guess the Lord or your leaders. You just never know what's going to happen next.
I have nothing against Primary. I have had several other Primary callings in the past and have very much enjoyed it, I just felt that it was initially not for me in this ward. But things change. I have had the opportunity to substitute in the primary twice in the last month and I started to realize that I could really make a contribution there. In fact as I sat in Primary last Sunday I had a strong impression that I was ready to give it a try again. Our current primary president had been serving for three years and with the program now out of the way everyone was pretty certain she would be released.
I have been in an instructor in the Relief Society for over two years and although I have loved it, I've kind of been feeling lately like I had nothing new to say. I was kind of expecting a change soon and was not at all surprised when the ward executive secretary called me yesterday and said the bishop wanted to meet with me. It was my week to teach so I got nostalgic thinking about this being my last week in Relief Society and I even started to plan out what I would say about leaving.
Well, "shock" is the only word that can describe how I felt when the bishop asked if I would be willing to be the Enrichment Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. I had to suppress the urge to say, "Umm...don't you mean Primary Presidency?"
But I had walked in there ready to say "yes" to whatever was extended to me so that's what I did. Turns out the previous Enrichment Counselor was called to be Primary president. So I wasn't totally wrong in my impressions that I would be somehow be involved in the leadership change in our primary. But this came totally out of left field.
My mind has been spinning ever since.
I don't know anything about enrichment. I'm not very good at being crafty and I have real aversions to things that are overly "special." I have to go to lots of meetings now and visit people and be a real grown up. AND to top it all off, I'm not even completely free from the whole teaching gig!
It never pays to try to second guess the Lord or your leaders. You just never know what's going to happen next.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ten Ridiculous Things I Regularly Say to My Children
1. "No, I don't comb your hair just to make you cry."
2. "Remember, Mom has no sense of humor at dinner time."
3. "No one is allowed to touch anyone else ever again!"
4. "Don't annoy me."
5. "You shouldn't drink soda because you're still growing. It's OK for me because I'm already grown up."
6."Never walk around with a blanket over your head. That's a family rule."
7. "Today is not about you."
8. "Please, just watch TV." (when did I turn into that mom?)
9. "No one can eat anything else until the kitchen is clean." which is usually followed sometime later with "Do you have to eat now? I just cleaned the kitchen!"
10. "Because I'm the Boss Mom, that's why."
2. "Remember, Mom has no sense of humor at dinner time."
3. "No one is allowed to touch anyone else ever again!"
4. "Don't annoy me."
5. "You shouldn't drink soda because you're still growing. It's OK for me because I'm already grown up."
6."Never walk around with a blanket over your head. That's a family rule."
7. "Today is not about you."
8. "Please, just watch TV." (when did I turn into that mom?)
9. "No one can eat anything else until the kitchen is clean." which is usually followed sometime later with "Do you have to eat now? I just cleaned the kitchen!"
10. "Because I'm the Boss Mom, that's why."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Pure Light
I have a love/hate relationship with the lighting in my house. I love that almost every room has lots of lights--most of of which are recessed, which I really like. But I hate replacing the recessed bulbs at $3 a pop and I hate it even more when several bulbs go out at the same time.
Such was the case a few weeks ago. I found myself needing about eight new bulbs at once. I went to Costco and was delighted to find a big bulk box of 6 bulbs that cost about $12. What a deal! But I was sad to find that although the box proclaims these bulbs would provide a "warm white light" they actually had a slightly yellowish hue to them. I noticed right away that something was amiss with the color of light but I had already installed the bulbs and I figured I'd get used to it. But I didn't.
I found myself detesting the way these light bulbs made my carpet look orange,my walls a dingy cream color and my kids' skin look jaundiced. I discovered that I was keeping the lights off because I was so bugged. It bothered me so much that I could feel myself becoming agitated just by having them on.
We've had rather gloomy weather for the past several days and it became necessary to have the lights on during the day as well as at night. I realized that this odd yellowish light was actually making me feel uncomfortable in my own home. Something HAD to be done! (Yes, I have considered that I might be a little crazy.)
So yesterday I went out and bought all new, more expensive, recessed bulbs and replaced them. Right away I could see the difference, not just in my house but in my mood. How weird is that!
I have known for sometime that I am affected by light. Fluorescent lights make me crazy. I have even wondered if I have seasonal mood problems in the winter from lack of sunlight. This whole light bulb hullabaloo really confirmed to me that I need to be surrounded by pure clear light or I am just not right.
I've thought a lot about this today and wondered if there is some profound and thought-provoking gospel analogy I could learn from all of this. There probably is, but I'm too tired right now to articulate what it is. But at the most basic level at least I've learned that bargain light bulbs just aren't worth it!
Such was the case a few weeks ago. I found myself needing about eight new bulbs at once. I went to Costco and was delighted to find a big bulk box of 6 bulbs that cost about $12. What a deal! But I was sad to find that although the box proclaims these bulbs would provide a "warm white light" they actually had a slightly yellowish hue to them. I noticed right away that something was amiss with the color of light but I had already installed the bulbs and I figured I'd get used to it. But I didn't.
I found myself detesting the way these light bulbs made my carpet look orange,my walls a dingy cream color and my kids' skin look jaundiced. I discovered that I was keeping the lights off because I was so bugged. It bothered me so much that I could feel myself becoming agitated just by having them on.
We've had rather gloomy weather for the past several days and it became necessary to have the lights on during the day as well as at night. I realized that this odd yellowish light was actually making me feel uncomfortable in my own home. Something HAD to be done! (Yes, I have considered that I might be a little crazy.)
So yesterday I went out and bought all new, more expensive, recessed bulbs and replaced them. Right away I could see the difference, not just in my house but in my mood. How weird is that!
I have known for sometime that I am affected by light. Fluorescent lights make me crazy. I have even wondered if I have seasonal mood problems in the winter from lack of sunlight. This whole light bulb hullabaloo really confirmed to me that I need to be surrounded by pure clear light or I am just not right.
I've thought a lot about this today and wondered if there is some profound and thought-provoking gospel analogy I could learn from all of this. There probably is, but I'm too tired right now to articulate what it is. But at the most basic level at least I've learned that bargain light bulbs just aren't worth it!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Political Rantings
When I started this blog a year ago I promised that I wouldn't say anything political or controversial, that this would just be a fun place to record my thoughts and observations. Well lately my thoughts and observations are so consumed with the current events of the world that I can't seem to shut my brain off.
So I'm going to rant a little bit if you don't mind. If you don't want to read this that's OK. If you don't agree with me that's fine too.
In the past several months we have been bombarded with messages all over the place encouraging us to vote in the presidential election so our "voice can be heard." I have very strong feelings about liberty and democracy and the right to vote, yet I struggled with the concept that voting was going to allow my voice to be heard because none of the candidates were singing my song! The people who represented what I believe were out of this whole thing months ago.
As a small business owner and an Army wife, the things that go on in Washington have a very direct impact on my life. While it is clear to just about everyone in America that change is desperately needed in government, I don't think that change in and of itself necessarily means better.
I'm concerned.
I'm concerned that our new president has NO executive experience. Every other president in my lifetime has been either a governor or a vice president before taking office. This guy hasn't even been a business executive. I've conducted a few job interviews myself recently and on the job experience is always valued more than theoretical ideas. Why did we not require that for the most important job in the country?
I'm concerned that the proposed tax burdens on businesses will make it very difficult for our business to grow.
I'm concerned that there is support to unionize our industry--a move that will absolutely cripple us.
I'm concerned that one of the most pro-abortion legislators of all time is now in a position to determine who sits on the Supreme Court.
I'm concerned that there are plans to "redistribute wealth" in America. I'm even more concerned that people think that is a wonderful idea. In my mind, that is the definition of socialism.
I'm concerned that we as a people are willing to trade freedom for security.
But since there is nothing I can do to change any of this, I honestly hope I am wrong. I hope that my concerns can be resolved. I hope that our government will truly improve. And I guess that in all actuality I haven't really liked the men who have served as president for pretty much the past twenty years and I've managed to go on with my life!
What I need to focus on is the fact that MY president is Thomas S. Monson.
So I'm going to rant a little bit if you don't mind. If you don't want to read this that's OK. If you don't agree with me that's fine too.
In the past several months we have been bombarded with messages all over the place encouraging us to vote in the presidential election so our "voice can be heard." I have very strong feelings about liberty and democracy and the right to vote, yet I struggled with the concept that voting was going to allow my voice to be heard because none of the candidates were singing my song! The people who represented what I believe were out of this whole thing months ago.
As a small business owner and an Army wife, the things that go on in Washington have a very direct impact on my life. While it is clear to just about everyone in America that change is desperately needed in government, I don't think that change in and of itself necessarily means better.
I'm concerned.
I'm concerned that our new president has NO executive experience. Every other president in my lifetime has been either a governor or a vice president before taking office. This guy hasn't even been a business executive. I've conducted a few job interviews myself recently and on the job experience is always valued more than theoretical ideas. Why did we not require that for the most important job in the country?
I'm concerned that the proposed tax burdens on businesses will make it very difficult for our business to grow.
I'm concerned that there is support to unionize our industry--a move that will absolutely cripple us.
I'm concerned that one of the most pro-abortion legislators of all time is now in a position to determine who sits on the Supreme Court.
I'm concerned that there are plans to "redistribute wealth" in America. I'm even more concerned that people think that is a wonderful idea. In my mind, that is the definition of socialism.
I'm concerned that we as a people are willing to trade freedom for security.
But since there is nothing I can do to change any of this, I honestly hope I am wrong. I hope that my concerns can be resolved. I hope that our government will truly improve. And I guess that in all actuality I haven't really liked the men who have served as president for pretty much the past twenty years and I've managed to go on with my life!
What I need to focus on is the fact that MY president is Thomas S. Monson.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Happy Halloween. . .
from a ninja, a gardener and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!
I am actually very pleased that Halloween turned out to be a nice little event. It was perhaps the nicest Utah trick or treating weather on record. Nobody even needed jackets. I honestly don't like Halloween so it's sometimes a challenge for me to muster up enough interest in the whole thing to allow my kids to be kids.
We had a bit of drama with my oldest about what he wanted to be this year. The Halloween expectations of a third grader are kind of intense. There was no way I was going to pay $70 for the storm trooper costume that he really wanted and his dad's attempt to turn him into the Incredible Hulk with old green sweats from DI just was not going to cut it. Finally on Thursday he said he'd be willing to try the ninja outfit we had seen at Target last week (you know, the one to which he turned up his nose up and said "um, I don't think so"). Lucky we got the last one in his size and by then it was on clearance!
My daughter decided weeks ago that she was going to be a gardener--not a farmer or a cowboy, a gardener. She came up with that idea all by herself and put the costume together pretty much on her own (I put the patches on her pants but that's it). I was worried that as we got closer to the big day she would give in to the commercialism of it or seek the approval of her peers and change her mind, but she didn't. We didn't catch it in the picture but she carried around a little basket containing plastic vegetables, a spade and gardening gloves. It was adorable.
And my little guy is the perfect age to just be whatever is available. He wore the pirate costume from his birthday to the ward party and we dug out his brother's old ninja turtle outfit for trick or treating. He's generally pretty agreeable.
Most of all, I'm just glad that Halloween is over. Now we can focus on being grateful and eating pie. What could be better than that!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
My brain hurts
Do you ever feel this way?
It's kind of been the story of my life for the past several months. It started with two weeks of training in Omaha to learn our business, continued as I wrote our business plan (Research paper anyone? Seriously I hadn't attempted to write anything that technical in well over a decade and it was the first time I'd written anything that actually mattered!), and the real clincher was today when I tried to learn a new software program that is pivotal to our business. Ouch!
I don't generally think of myself as a stupid person, but there are times lately when I'm starting to doubt whether this old dog is going to be able to learn new tricks.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
4th Photo Tag
I got this one from my cousin Melissa. I guess the deal is you're just supposed to post the fourth photo in your photo library. I've actually seen this done in a more complicated fashion (ie: the sixth photo in your sixth folder or whatever) but I've ignored those tags in the past. But when I looked in my photo library and realized my fourth picture was this cute one I decided to play this time around.
This is my "baby's" 5th birthday party that was held two weeks ago. He wanted a pirate party (and by "wanted a pirate party" I mean that was what he picked out of about three theme choices available in the party section at the Dollar store!). My dear friend Heidi was so kind as to give him a pirate costume for a birthday gift so he could really play the part. There's a whole gaggle of little boys in our neighborhood his age, including one with a birthday the very same day, so we were able to have quite the party!
This is my "baby's" 5th birthday party that was held two weeks ago. He wanted a pirate party (and by "wanted a pirate party" I mean that was what he picked out of about three theme choices available in the party section at the Dollar store!). My dear friend Heidi was so kind as to give him a pirate costume for a birthday gift so he could really play the part. There's a whole gaggle of little boys in our neighborhood his age, including one with a birthday the very same day, so we were able to have quite the party!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Feeling Right at Home
Having my husband deploy to a war zone taught us both a lot of amazing lessons. Here are just a few:
Life is too short to spend your days doing something you hate.
The most important things are not things.
If your occupation is going to occupy most of your waking hours it should be meaningful and make a difference.
New challenges may be scary, but you open yourself up to untold blessings and growth when you embrace them.
We can do hard things.
With those lessons in mind (and for a bunch of other reasons I'm not going to go into) we decided that this year was our year to take a leap of faith and start our own business.
Mike has always wanted to be his own boss but wasn't sure of the best way to go about it. We contemplated several different options and finally settled on the idea of pursuing a franchise business. We felt that as business beginners it would serve us well to have a proven business model to work with, not to mention the support network that comes with it. We looked at several different concepts and even worked with a franchise consultant who helped us identify our strengths and articulate our goals. After extensive research into several different companies, a trip to Omaha and a lot of time on our knees, we eventually made a decision in May and signed on with a company called Right at Home. It was in an industry we both knew nothing about but it just felt right. I know that can sound like such a cliche, but it was really true for us.
In a nutshell, Right at Home provides non-medical in-home care and assistance to the elderly or others who may need it. We will hire and train caregivers to go into client homes to help out with basic activities of life (laundry, meals, errands etc.) so that those individuals can stay in their own homes. This allows them to avoid going to nursing homes before absolutely necessary and also relieves some of the burden on family caregivers. (whoa--sorry about the sales pitch, I really didn't mean it. I've just been living and breathing this non-stop for months and that just came out!)
Now I know you may be thinking, "How in the world is an Army officer and a school teacher supposed to run a home care business?" Believe me, I've asked myself that question a thousand times. In fact, that question was weighing very heavily on my mind when we returned to Omaha in July to attend our two week training class. It was an intense couple of weeks as we tried to learn everything about the industry in general and how to specifically make this business successful. But it was also very validating to get to know the others in our training class, people with more smarts and experience than I, and realize that we were among good people trying to do good things. And as we learned more about the ins and outs of this business we continued to feel better and better about our decision.
The past few months have been absolutely crazy as we have worked to get this business off the ground. I honestly had no idea what it took to get an office up and running. But our start-up check list is almost complete and as of today we are officially open to start hiring caregivers.
It's a big day for us and I am actually very overwhelmed (you may notice the time of day on this post--I can't sleep when I'm this anxious!). But I just have to keep reminding myself to take it all one day at a time, have faith and stay on my knees!
Life is too short to spend your days doing something you hate.
The most important things are not things.
If your occupation is going to occupy most of your waking hours it should be meaningful and make a difference.
New challenges may be scary, but you open yourself up to untold blessings and growth when you embrace them.
We can do hard things.
With those lessons in mind (and for a bunch of other reasons I'm not going to go into) we decided that this year was our year to take a leap of faith and start our own business.
Mike has always wanted to be his own boss but wasn't sure of the best way to go about it. We contemplated several different options and finally settled on the idea of pursuing a franchise business. We felt that as business beginners it would serve us well to have a proven business model to work with, not to mention the support network that comes with it. We looked at several different concepts and even worked with a franchise consultant who helped us identify our strengths and articulate our goals. After extensive research into several different companies, a trip to Omaha and a lot of time on our knees, we eventually made a decision in May and signed on with a company called Right at Home. It was in an industry we both knew nothing about but it just felt right. I know that can sound like such a cliche, but it was really true for us.
In a nutshell, Right at Home provides non-medical in-home care and assistance to the elderly or others who may need it. We will hire and train caregivers to go into client homes to help out with basic activities of life (laundry, meals, errands etc.) so that those individuals can stay in their own homes. This allows them to avoid going to nursing homes before absolutely necessary and also relieves some of the burden on family caregivers. (whoa--sorry about the sales pitch, I really didn't mean it. I've just been living and breathing this non-stop for months and that just came out!)
Now I know you may be thinking, "How in the world is an Army officer and a school teacher supposed to run a home care business?" Believe me, I've asked myself that question a thousand times. In fact, that question was weighing very heavily on my mind when we returned to Omaha in July to attend our two week training class. It was an intense couple of weeks as we tried to learn everything about the industry in general and how to specifically make this business successful. But it was also very validating to get to know the others in our training class, people with more smarts and experience than I, and realize that we were among good people trying to do good things. And as we learned more about the ins and outs of this business we continued to feel better and better about our decision.
The past few months have been absolutely crazy as we have worked to get this business off the ground. I honestly had no idea what it took to get an office up and running. But our start-up check list is almost complete and as of today we are officially open to start hiring caregivers.
It's a big day for us and I am actually very overwhelmed (you may notice the time of day on this post--I can't sleep when I'm this anxious!). But I just have to keep reminding myself to take it all one day at a time, have faith and stay on my knees!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Which Austen Heroine are you?
I'm Elinor Dashwood. But I bet if I had taken this quiz fifteen years ago I would have been more of a Marianne or an Emma.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Grocering
For much of my life grocery shopping has actually been quite a favorite pastime of mine. When I was a kid my mom would often send my older sister and me to the local market with a list and a blank check to shop for our family of roughly a dozen people. I sometimes made a game out of it and tried to sneak random items into the basket without my sister noticing--a coconut, kiwi fruit, cans of Fresca. My sister and I would sometimes get silly and giggle all the way through the store. We had a lot fun at good old Days Thriftway. I enjoyed it so much I created a word for it, "Grocering." Grocering is not merely the act of shopping for food, it is a fun leisurely afternoon spent in the supermarket.
Needless to say, I have not been grocering in a very long time. With the rising cost of food and a monthly income that is, shall we say "on hiatus", trips to the grocery store more closely resemble a panic attack than a joyous outing. I stand in the aisles, calculator in hand, for what feels like hours (especially when I have kids in tow!) and I try to calculate cost per ounce, compare sale prices at one store verses another, determine food storage needs and try not to go insane when I can't find apples any cheaper than $1.69 a pound (it's September for crying out loud, apples are in season!)
One big name store in particular honestly puts me in a bad mood every time I go there, which isn't very often. But this week they had a great sale on cereal and granola bars so I stopped in. I thought I'd pick up a few other items while I was there. That was a bad idea. I kid you not, the people in charge of pricing in that place are stark raving mad! They have this nasty little practice of inflating the "regular price" on things so later they can put them "on sale" and plaster their cute little yellow "savings" signs all over the place without actually saving anybody any money. Yesterday I saw generic brand cream cheese on "sale" for $1.99. Who do they think they are kidding with that?! That's more than the regular price at the store down the road. Or how about the chicken breasts "specially priced at just $3.99 a pound". What in the world?!
Sometimes I'm afraid that I may never go "grocering" again. Or perhaps my most recent shopping trips are just missing one crucial element from the the grocery store adventures of my youth. . . I wasn't paying the bill.
Needless to say, I have not been grocering in a very long time. With the rising cost of food and a monthly income that is, shall we say "on hiatus", trips to the grocery store more closely resemble a panic attack than a joyous outing. I stand in the aisles, calculator in hand, for what feels like hours (especially when I have kids in tow!) and I try to calculate cost per ounce, compare sale prices at one store verses another, determine food storage needs and try not to go insane when I can't find apples any cheaper than $1.69 a pound (it's September for crying out loud, apples are in season!)
One big name store in particular honestly puts me in a bad mood every time I go there, which isn't very often. But this week they had a great sale on cereal and granola bars so I stopped in. I thought I'd pick up a few other items while I was there. That was a bad idea. I kid you not, the people in charge of pricing in that place are stark raving mad! They have this nasty little practice of inflating the "regular price" on things so later they can put them "on sale" and plaster their cute little yellow "savings" signs all over the place without actually saving anybody any money. Yesterday I saw generic brand cream cheese on "sale" for $1.99. Who do they think they are kidding with that?! That's more than the regular price at the store down the road. Or how about the chicken breasts "specially priced at just $3.99 a pound". What in the world?!
Sometimes I'm afraid that I may never go "grocering" again. Or perhaps my most recent shopping trips are just missing one crucial element from the the grocery store adventures of my youth. . . I wasn't paying the bill.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Day the World Changed
I'm a nostalgic person, you all know that. Dates of historical significance tend to make me a bit introspective. Today is no different.
I remember that horrible day seven years ago. I was having a normal morning with my one year old when my husband called from his office and told me we were under attack. I was then glued to the television for the rest of the morning. I sobbed as I watched the towers fall. I was so confused and scared. It's a feeling I'll never forget.
That day ended up affecting me quite personally. One week before that fateful day, my husband had renewed his commitment to the Army and contracted to become an officer. I could have never imagined how the combination of those events would shape our lives.
After completing officer training my husband was sent to Afghanistan to help the Afghan army fight the terrorists. Nothing could have prepared me for the challenges of that experience. But the lessons I learned and the friends I made during that time are sacred treasures to me.
September 11, 2001 had a huge impact on a lot of people, some more than others. As I think back on that day, the day that set life-altering events into motion for millions of people, I try to count my blessings. I'm grateful for a nation that found the strength to move on and show those bad guys that they can't break us. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who can bring us peace even in times of chaos. I'm grateful for an eternal perspective that reminds me that this life is all about learning and growing, which often hurts, but we're better for it.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Fondue FHE
I always find great stuff at Ross Dress For Less when I'm looking for other things. (I once found a fabulous dress when I was there looking for pillowcases!)
Last week I was there looking for a birthday gift for my mother-in-law and found this awesome little fondue pot shaped like a Hershey's kiss. It uses just a little tea light candle to heat it up. Since my mother-in-law is not likely to use such an item and it was such a great deal (only $4!), I just had to buy it for myself.
Last night we had a ball dipping fruit and cookie pieces. After several weeks of trying to eat really healthy food my kids were blown away at the idea of sitting down to a bowl of melted chocolate!
Oh and PS: An update on the stained pants from my last post--I was so frustrated that I just left the bleach soaked pants in the sink and went about my day. I came back several hours later to find the dye spots gone!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
AHHHH!
Don't you hate it when an article of clothing you only kind of like leaks dye onto a pair of pants your daughter absolutely loves?! I feel horrible because it is totally MY fault!! I was in a hurry yesterday and put some wet clothes in the hamper "temporarily" and found this today:
I've bleached it to death and this is the best I can do.
I'm just so mad I had to tell somebody about it.
I've bleached it to death and this is the best I can do.
I'm just so mad I had to tell somebody about it.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
I'm Turning into My Mother!
That is a common phrase spoken in our modern world. The only thing I don't understand is why people act as if that's a bad thing. I'd love to turn into my mother. My mom is amazing. And every year about this time I remember just how amazing she is.
I have vivid memories from my childhood of the sights, sounds and often the stickiness associated with the end of the summer. We had a huge garden and my mom was (and still is) a master at canning--tomatoes, peaches, pears, applesauce, pickles--you name it, she could do it all. I remember how hot the kitchen got on those days, the sound of bottles rattling in the pressure cooker, the feel of the squishy peach peels as they magically slipped off the blanched fruit. But mostly I remember my mom and the countless hours she spent in front of the sink filling the bottles in her labor of love.
Last year I planted only tomato plants in my garden so by late summer I had more tomatoes than I knew what to do with. After a few weeks of eating all things tomato, I realized there was no way we could eat them all fresh and I decided I really needed to learn how to can--not just to save my tomatoes, but to be a faithful latter-day-saint. I had a fairly good foundation of knowledge on the subject from what I had learned as a kid and what I didn't know I was able to find on the internet. I bought jars and lids, dug my biggest pot out of the back of the cupboard and set out to have an uplifting, provident, faith-promoting afternoon.
Unfortunately none of those things happened. My experience was less than uplifting--more problematic than providential. I realized the learning curve on this particular skill was steeper for me than I imagined it would be. I think the only real lesson I learned was that canning makes me curse.
I did manage to produce four little pint jars of tomatoes--two of which are still sitting in my basement because I just can't bring myself to open them when I think about the pains I took to make them.
So as I approach a new harvest season, I find myself thinking about my mom and the never ending patience and persistence she's able to employ to fill her storeroom shelves. I'm determined to give it another try this year. Most of my tomatoes are still green but my one little cucumber plant is doing quite well so yesterday I made this:
And who knows, maybe after a little more practice I'll have more in common with my mom than just the same slender fingers.
At least I hope so.
I have vivid memories from my childhood of the sights, sounds and often the stickiness associated with the end of the summer. We had a huge garden and my mom was (and still is) a master at canning--tomatoes, peaches, pears, applesauce, pickles--you name it, she could do it all. I remember how hot the kitchen got on those days, the sound of bottles rattling in the pressure cooker, the feel of the squishy peach peels as they magically slipped off the blanched fruit. But mostly I remember my mom and the countless hours she spent in front of the sink filling the bottles in her labor of love.
Last year I planted only tomato plants in my garden so by late summer I had more tomatoes than I knew what to do with. After a few weeks of eating all things tomato, I realized there was no way we could eat them all fresh and I decided I really needed to learn how to can--not just to save my tomatoes, but to be a faithful latter-day-saint. I had a fairly good foundation of knowledge on the subject from what I had learned as a kid and what I didn't know I was able to find on the internet. I bought jars and lids, dug my biggest pot out of the back of the cupboard and set out to have an uplifting, provident, faith-promoting afternoon.
Unfortunately none of those things happened. My experience was less than uplifting--more problematic than providential. I realized the learning curve on this particular skill was steeper for me than I imagined it would be. I think the only real lesson I learned was that canning makes me curse.
I did manage to produce four little pint jars of tomatoes--two of which are still sitting in my basement because I just can't bring myself to open them when I think about the pains I took to make them.
So as I approach a new harvest season, I find myself thinking about my mom and the never ending patience and persistence she's able to employ to fill her storeroom shelves. I'm determined to give it another try this year. Most of my tomatoes are still green but my one little cucumber plant is doing quite well so yesterday I made this:
And who knows, maybe after a little more practice I'll have more in common with my mom than just the same slender fingers.
At least I hope so.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Ten Recent Observations
1. There is no such thing as a "quick trip" to Costco.
2. Even the most mildly humid summer afternoon in the mid-west is still way too humid for this Utah girl (although I do like how soft it makes my skin).
3. There is something disturbing about a self-flushing toilet that does its job with such vigor that your feet get wet.
4. Every unpleasant experience in life is made better if you have Gilmore Girls playing in the background--even getting your teeth drilled at the dentist.
5. Shoe shopping solo is a delight. Shoe shopping with three kids the week before school starts is torture.
6. It seems that not all people own full length mirrors, because if they did I'm certain they would not go out in public wearing what they do. Yikes!
7. You can sometimes find long lost friends just by "google-ing" them.
8. You can't buy love and homegrown tomatoes.
9. It is possible to drink too much Dr. Pepper. (who knew?!)
10. You know your marriage is in a good place if you can spend fourteen straight days with your husband on a stressful business trip and you not only still like him, but you love him even more.
2. Even the most mildly humid summer afternoon in the mid-west is still way too humid for this Utah girl (although I do like how soft it makes my skin).
3. There is something disturbing about a self-flushing toilet that does its job with such vigor that your feet get wet.
4. Every unpleasant experience in life is made better if you have Gilmore Girls playing in the background--even getting your teeth drilled at the dentist.
5. Shoe shopping solo is a delight. Shoe shopping with three kids the week before school starts is torture.
6. It seems that not all people own full length mirrors, because if they did I'm certain they would not go out in public wearing what they do. Yikes!
7. You can sometimes find long lost friends just by "google-ing" them.
8. You can't buy love and homegrown tomatoes.
9. It is possible to drink too much Dr. Pepper. (who knew?!)
10. You know your marriage is in a good place if you can spend fourteen straight days with your husband on a stressful business trip and you not only still like him, but you love him even more.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Summer Highlights
It's hard to believe that the summer is half over! Here are a few of the most interesting things I've done so far this summer.
1. The day after school got out my first born was baptized! The past eight years have gone by so fast. I'm so proud of him and the way in which he really was prepared for this. We had a beautiful day!
2. My husband and I took a giant leap of faith and bought a new business--which I'm sure I'll end up writing about extensively at a later date! The home office of our company sent us this cool welcome basket. The cookies were surprisingly quite tasty!
3. I'm learning to live on a tight budget. Not that we've ever really been living the high life, but our upcoming change in employment is going to necessitate a rather drastic change in lifestyle while we get things going. Some fun books I've read lately: "Beating the High Cost of Eating" and "You CAN Afford to Stay Home With Your Kids." I love the public library!
4. I planted a small garden. It's just tomatoes, a few herbs, a cucumber plant and some green peppers. Last year I planted only tomatoes and was so overwhelmed at harvest time that I decided to diversify a little bit this year.
5. My husband and I went to an amazing awards ceremony. Our dear friends Tyler and Meredith came home to Utah so that Tyler could be awarded the Silver Star for some impressive things he did while deployed to Afghanistan. Our friend Chad was awarded the bronze star in the same ceremony. It was actually quite a big deal. My husband is an incredible person and as an extension of that he has some pretty incredible friends!
6. My little brother got married! It was such a joyous occasion. We partied for two straight days. Thirty of my mom's thirty-two grandchildren came for the celebration so my kids got tons of "cousin time" which they love. My new sister-in-law is absolutely delightful.
7. I got to go out to lunch with "The Babes." For some reason I tend to have names for the people I hang out with. My high school friends were called "The Harem" and my college gang was called "The Babes"--I guess we were all fairly confident girls. We were so fortunate to have two of our out-of-state Babes here during the same week so we could all go to lunch together. Unfortunately one of the local Babes was out of town but we take what we can get these days (We missed you Meggen!). I love how true friends can go months, or even years, without seeing each other and when we finally get together it's like no time has passed at all.
8. I ran a race! One of my friends and I decided way back in January that we would run the Freedom Festival 5K together on July 4th. Neither of us really trained up for it but we figured that three miles would probably not kill us so we did it anyway. My sister decided to join us too, even though she hadn't trained either. It was quite fun actually. I was surprised how well I did--I honestly thought I would pass out as I crossed the finish line, but I actually felt really good. It inspired me to get into better shape and I've gone running three times this week!
Judging by the looks of my calendar, the second half of the summer is going to be just as interesting--if not more so. I think I might even be relieved when fall comes, maybe life will calm down a little bit!
1. The day after school got out my first born was baptized! The past eight years have gone by so fast. I'm so proud of him and the way in which he really was prepared for this. We had a beautiful day!
2. My husband and I took a giant leap of faith and bought a new business--which I'm sure I'll end up writing about extensively at a later date! The home office of our company sent us this cool welcome basket. The cookies were surprisingly quite tasty!
3. I'm learning to live on a tight budget. Not that we've ever really been living the high life, but our upcoming change in employment is going to necessitate a rather drastic change in lifestyle while we get things going. Some fun books I've read lately: "Beating the High Cost of Eating" and "You CAN Afford to Stay Home With Your Kids." I love the public library!
4. I planted a small garden. It's just tomatoes, a few herbs, a cucumber plant and some green peppers. Last year I planted only tomatoes and was so overwhelmed at harvest time that I decided to diversify a little bit this year.
5. My husband and I went to an amazing awards ceremony. Our dear friends Tyler and Meredith came home to Utah so that Tyler could be awarded the Silver Star for some impressive things he did while deployed to Afghanistan. Our friend Chad was awarded the bronze star in the same ceremony. It was actually quite a big deal. My husband is an incredible person and as an extension of that he has some pretty incredible friends!
6. My little brother got married! It was such a joyous occasion. We partied for two straight days. Thirty of my mom's thirty-two grandchildren came for the celebration so my kids got tons of "cousin time" which they love. My new sister-in-law is absolutely delightful.
7. I got to go out to lunch with "The Babes." For some reason I tend to have names for the people I hang out with. My high school friends were called "The Harem" and my college gang was called "The Babes"--I guess we were all fairly confident girls. We were so fortunate to have two of our out-of-state Babes here during the same week so we could all go to lunch together. Unfortunately one of the local Babes was out of town but we take what we can get these days (We missed you Meggen!). I love how true friends can go months, or even years, without seeing each other and when we finally get together it's like no time has passed at all.
8. I ran a race! One of my friends and I decided way back in January that we would run the Freedom Festival 5K together on July 4th. Neither of us really trained up for it but we figured that three miles would probably not kill us so we did it anyway. My sister decided to join us too, even though she hadn't trained either. It was quite fun actually. I was surprised how well I did--I honestly thought I would pass out as I crossed the finish line, but I actually felt really good. It inspired me to get into better shape and I've gone running three times this week!
Judging by the looks of my calendar, the second half of the summer is going to be just as interesting--if not more so. I think I might even be relieved when fall comes, maybe life will calm down a little bit!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
My Field Trip
If you look in Webster's dictionary a "field trip" is defined as: a visit made for purposes of firsthand observation.
A few weeks ago my husband and I went on a field trip. We went to Omaha to meet with the founders and employees at the headquarters of a business we were considering becoming a part of. My husband wanted "firsthand observation" of this business and the people we would be working with. For him, it was an intense find out mission. For me, it felt like a field trip to the land of the grown-ups.
For the past eight years I have been a full-time mother. Before that, I was an elementary school teacher. I started working in a local school my first semester of college and worked there almost until graduation. I have spent half my life being a kid, and the other half working with kids. So the two days I spent with my husband in Corporate America were like visiting another world.
I had the hardest time figuring out what to pack. My standard mom uniform of jeans and a T-shirt was just not going to cut it this time. I felt like Cher in the movie Clueless searching her closet for her "most responsible looking outfit!" We were told that business casual attire would be appropriate for both days. What the heck does "business casual" mean--especially for a woman who has been out of the work force for eight years?! I have exactly one pair of dress pants that I bought last year when I was invited to dinner at the Governor's mansion, otherwise all of my nice stuff is for church. In the end, I decided that it is better to be overly dressy when trying to make a good impression, so along with my good pants I also brought a skirt.
See how foreign this all is to me? I felt totally out of place and I hadn't even left my house yet!
In Omaha we were met at the airport by a chauffeur standing in the baggage claim area holding a sign with our names on it. Crazy, right? I thought that was something that just happened in the movies. We were given a short tour of town from the comfy backseat of a Lincoln Towncar. There were no crumbs on the floor or broken crayons wedged between the seats and no one was wailing "Are we there yet?!"
I could get used to a ride like that.
In the evening we were "wined (not literally!) and dined" at a well-known local steakhouse. The food was amazing but I had the hardest time getting over how expensive it was--even though I knew we wouldn't be paying! To be looking at a menu on which a single entree costs more than I spend in a week at the grocery store, is a little unnerving, at least for me. It was just a little bit outside of my Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger comfort zone.
We spent the entire next day in meetings. It was a whirlwind of new faces and talking and asking questions and scribbling notes. And all the while I'm hoping like crazy that no one sees that my cool and calm demeanor is all fake. At any moment I expected someone to turn to me and say, "You don't belong here. You're totally in over your head." At the end of the day I was mentally and physically exhausted. It's been a long time since I focused my energy so intently on one thing for an entire day like that. I'm used to days that are exhausting because I'm focused on too many different things.
All in all it was a very productive trip.
We learned a lot about this company and last week signed a formal agreement to begin a new business with them.
I learned that I can hold my own in an business environment, although I don't prefer it.
And I learned that even though I enjoy getting an occasional break from wiping my kids noses, I'd never want to be away so much that I'd miss the chance to wipe their tears.
A few weeks ago my husband and I went on a field trip. We went to Omaha to meet with the founders and employees at the headquarters of a business we were considering becoming a part of. My husband wanted "firsthand observation" of this business and the people we would be working with. For him, it was an intense find out mission. For me, it felt like a field trip to the land of the grown-ups.
For the past eight years I have been a full-time mother. Before that, I was an elementary school teacher. I started working in a local school my first semester of college and worked there almost until graduation. I have spent half my life being a kid, and the other half working with kids. So the two days I spent with my husband in Corporate America were like visiting another world.
I had the hardest time figuring out what to pack. My standard mom uniform of jeans and a T-shirt was just not going to cut it this time. I felt like Cher in the movie Clueless searching her closet for her "most responsible looking outfit!" We were told that business casual attire would be appropriate for both days. What the heck does "business casual" mean--especially for a woman who has been out of the work force for eight years?! I have exactly one pair of dress pants that I bought last year when I was invited to dinner at the Governor's mansion, otherwise all of my nice stuff is for church. In the end, I decided that it is better to be overly dressy when trying to make a good impression, so along with my good pants I also brought a skirt.
See how foreign this all is to me? I felt totally out of place and I hadn't even left my house yet!
In Omaha we were met at the airport by a chauffeur standing in the baggage claim area holding a sign with our names on it. Crazy, right? I thought that was something that just happened in the movies. We were given a short tour of town from the comfy backseat of a Lincoln Towncar. There were no crumbs on the floor or broken crayons wedged between the seats and no one was wailing "Are we there yet?!"
I could get used to a ride like that.
In the evening we were "wined (not literally!) and dined" at a well-known local steakhouse. The food was amazing but I had the hardest time getting over how expensive it was--even though I knew we wouldn't be paying! To be looking at a menu on which a single entree costs more than I spend in a week at the grocery store, is a little unnerving, at least for me. It was just a little bit outside of my Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger comfort zone.
We spent the entire next day in meetings. It was a whirlwind of new faces and talking and asking questions and scribbling notes. And all the while I'm hoping like crazy that no one sees that my cool and calm demeanor is all fake. At any moment I expected someone to turn to me and say, "You don't belong here. You're totally in over your head." At the end of the day I was mentally and physically exhausted. It's been a long time since I focused my energy so intently on one thing for an entire day like that. I'm used to days that are exhausting because I'm focused on too many different things.
All in all it was a very productive trip.
We learned a lot about this company and last week signed a formal agreement to begin a new business with them.
I learned that I can hold my own in an business environment, although I don't prefer it.
And I learned that even though I enjoy getting an occasional break from wiping my kids noses, I'd never want to be away so much that I'd miss the chance to wipe their tears.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Reflections on Women's Conference
Last year my life circumstances were such that I was in the habit of making a conscious effort to give myself "me time" on a weekly basis. I would have dinner with friends, go shopping or sometimes just spend peaceful time by myself. So when a friend suggested we attend BYU Women's Conference together I jumped at the chance for some uplifting "me time." It turned out to be, without a doubt, the most worthwhile "me time" of the entire year. I came away so focused and inspired. I had a better sense of self and a better understanding of my role in God's plan. Plus it was a lot of fun!
So this past Thursday and Friday that same friend and I again attended Women's Conference. And again I was inspired and uplifted and empowered to carry on.
Here are just a few of my favorite insights gained this year. (Most of these are not direct quotes--I can't take notes that fast!)
"We have more influence than we think. . .(As women of God) We are here to influence the world, not to be influenced by the world."--Sister Sheri Dew
The pattern of behavior used in the Temple is the same as the pattern we should have in our homes. We should use peaceful voices. Everyone is trained in their responsibility. Lots of Prayer! Kindness and order in all that we do.---President Bateman
The Lord's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our work is the same!--Sister Julie Beck
"There is no "they" there is only YOU.--Sister Julie Beck
Fear is:
False
Expectations
Appearing
Real
--John Bythyway
"Everyday is a special occasion!"--President Monson
"Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved."--President Monson
So this past Thursday and Friday that same friend and I again attended Women's Conference. And again I was inspired and uplifted and empowered to carry on.
Here are just a few of my favorite insights gained this year. (Most of these are not direct quotes--I can't take notes that fast!)
"We have more influence than we think. . .(As women of God) We are here to influence the world, not to be influenced by the world."--Sister Sheri Dew
The pattern of behavior used in the Temple is the same as the pattern we should have in our homes. We should use peaceful voices. Everyone is trained in their responsibility. Lots of Prayer! Kindness and order in all that we do.---President Bateman
The Lord's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our work is the same!--Sister Julie Beck
"There is no "they" there is only YOU.--Sister Julie Beck
Fear is:
False
Expectations
Appearing
Real
--John Bythyway
"Everyday is a special occasion!"--President Monson
"Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved."--President Monson
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Long Lost Friends
I've been extremely blessed with wonderful friends throughout my life. I am still in contact with many of those friends, however, I'm sad to say that there are many that I've lost touch with.
So I felt very blessed the other day to run into a long lost friend at Chuck E. Cheese's of all places. We haven't seen each other for at least ten years so it was such sweet, serendipitous event.
She was one of my best friends in junior high and high school. We, along with four other friends, called ourselves "The Harem"--although at this point I can't remember why. We all had some really great times together. I couldn't have asked for better friends to get me through the drama of being a high school freshman.
Marriage and careers and life in general have sent us all in various directions. Eventually we all became moms who are super busy with our own lives--which I guess is how it should be.
But I'll always be grateful for wonderful memories.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
My Bumpy Trip Down Memory Lane
Those of you who know me well know that I am generally a very nostalgic person. (I'm famous for saying things like "Did you know that five years ago today we were doing__________?" or "Can you believe that it's been 10 years since we_________?" or even more random, "Remember when we went to _________ and you were wearing _______?") I guess I've just had a really great life with lots of wonderful experiences to reflect on--and I might be a little OCD.
But over the past several weeks I've had a few opportunities to look back at some past events through the corrective lens of time and realize that either I'm getting old or my dad was right all along and I was, in fact, quite a twit.
A few examples:
1)There was a time in my life where the movie Newsies was pretty much an obsession for me. I saw it in the theater six times over the course of about a month, bought the soundtrack and listened to it until the cassette almost snapped and had an enormous crush on the main actor. My sister, knowing how much I liked the film, gave my family the DVD for Christmas last December. Since then, my children have become enamoured with the show and watch it at least once a week. It has been fun to hear the music again, but for the most part, every time I see it now I can't help but roll my eyes and think "What was all the fuss about?!" It's rather cheesy and contrived.
2)For our date night last week my husband and I went to dinner at a restaurant that was one of my favorite hang out spots as a teenager. We ordered "cheese fries" because you just have to when dining at this particular restaurant. I found them quite fun and tasty for about the first five bites and then they seemed to make me rather ill. I couldn't get over how greasy and fattening it all was--food attributes that never really occurred to me fifteen years ago. I had an upset stomach for the rest of the night and my husband had one into the next day. I just can't pack it away like I used to.
3) For most of my childhood I was preoccupied with getting my ears pierced. My parents were rather opposed to the idea and wouldn't let me do it. On several occasions I went so far as to try to pierce my ears myself but every time I either got caught or chickened out. I swore that on my eighteenth birthday I was going to drive myself to the mall and get it done. But my eighteenth birthday came and went and I didn't care anymore. (I did end up getting my ears pierced at the age of 23 during my semester abroad in the South Pacific--but that's another story.) Now I have a daughter, a daughter who is so much like me in her temperament that it's a bit scary. And you guessed it, she wants her ears pierced. I know exactly how she feels but I'm still not going to let her do it. At her age it's just too much hassle. The ten-year-old me would be shocked to discover what a fuddy-duddy I've become!
I think the most surprising thing about adulthood for me is that I don't mind being a "grown-up." I love to remember my younger years but I recognize that in a lot of ways I'm not that person anymore.
And that's fine with me.
But over the past several weeks I've had a few opportunities to look back at some past events through the corrective lens of time and realize that either I'm getting old or my dad was right all along and I was, in fact, quite a twit.
A few examples:
1)There was a time in my life where the movie Newsies was pretty much an obsession for me. I saw it in the theater six times over the course of about a month, bought the soundtrack and listened to it until the cassette almost snapped and had an enormous crush on the main actor. My sister, knowing how much I liked the film, gave my family the DVD for Christmas last December. Since then, my children have become enamoured with the show and watch it at least once a week. It has been fun to hear the music again, but for the most part, every time I see it now I can't help but roll my eyes and think "What was all the fuss about?!" It's rather cheesy and contrived.
2)For our date night last week my husband and I went to dinner at a restaurant that was one of my favorite hang out spots as a teenager. We ordered "cheese fries" because you just have to when dining at this particular restaurant. I found them quite fun and tasty for about the first five bites and then they seemed to make me rather ill. I couldn't get over how greasy and fattening it all was--food attributes that never really occurred to me fifteen years ago. I had an upset stomach for the rest of the night and my husband had one into the next day. I just can't pack it away like I used to.
3) For most of my childhood I was preoccupied with getting my ears pierced. My parents were rather opposed to the idea and wouldn't let me do it. On several occasions I went so far as to try to pierce my ears myself but every time I either got caught or chickened out. I swore that on my eighteenth birthday I was going to drive myself to the mall and get it done. But my eighteenth birthday came and went and I didn't care anymore. (I did end up getting my ears pierced at the age of 23 during my semester abroad in the South Pacific--but that's another story.) Now I have a daughter, a daughter who is so much like me in her temperament that it's a bit scary. And you guessed it, she wants her ears pierced. I know exactly how she feels but I'm still not going to let her do it. At her age it's just too much hassle. The ten-year-old me would be shocked to discover what a fuddy-duddy I've become!
I think the most surprising thing about adulthood for me is that I don't mind being a "grown-up." I love to remember my younger years but I recognize that in a lot of ways I'm not that person anymore.
And that's fine with me.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I've been LOST!
It's been several weeks since I posted anything, and to my faithful blog readers (all three of you), I sincerely apologize, but I assure you that you haven't missed anything.
I wish I could say that I've been so busy with my very exciting life that I just haven't had the time to write, unfortunately quite the opposite is true. Although, we did take a three day I-can't-stand-the-cold-and-snow-for-one-more-minute trip to warm and sunny St George and Mesquite for Presidents Day which was very invigorating and fun but not particularly thrilling (we played at the park and took a long walk--that's about it!).
One activity that has seemed to usurp a great deal of my free time lately is the television drama LOST. A few weeks ago my husband happened to tune into it one evening and spent the next hour mumbling "what the heck is going on". So the next day he went out and rented the first season on DVD and we've pretty much been hooked since. This show is so mind blowingly convoluted and complicated that it is an absolute hoot. I get particular delight in the fact that there is a very authentic Korean couple on the show. It's fun to not to have to read the subtitles all the time and in a few instances I've had a little bit more insight on a situation because I can understand both sides of the language barrier. It's kind of fun.
I've decided that watching TV on DVD is really the way to go--no commercials, no waiting around for a week to find out what happens next and no planning my life around prime time schedules. (yes, I realize much of that could be solved with a DVR but that's not going to happen for us anytime soon!)
We're about half-way through the second season, so if you're a die hard LOST fan don't spoil it for us.
See, I really haven't had much going on. I don't blog for weeks and when I finally do it's about a TV show.
Sad.
I wish I could say that I've been so busy with my very exciting life that I just haven't had the time to write, unfortunately quite the opposite is true. Although, we did take a three day I-can't-stand-the-cold-and-snow-for-one-more-minute trip to warm and sunny St George and Mesquite for Presidents Day which was very invigorating and fun but not particularly thrilling (we played at the park and took a long walk--that's about it!).
One activity that has seemed to usurp a great deal of my free time lately is the television drama LOST. A few weeks ago my husband happened to tune into it one evening and spent the next hour mumbling "what the heck is going on". So the next day he went out and rented the first season on DVD and we've pretty much been hooked since. This show is so mind blowingly convoluted and complicated that it is an absolute hoot. I get particular delight in the fact that there is a very authentic Korean couple on the show. It's fun to not to have to read the subtitles all the time and in a few instances I've had a little bit more insight on a situation because I can understand both sides of the language barrier. It's kind of fun.
I've decided that watching TV on DVD is really the way to go--no commercials, no waiting around for a week to find out what happens next and no planning my life around prime time schedules. (yes, I realize much of that could be solved with a DVR but that's not going to happen for us anytime soon!)
We're about half-way through the second season, so if you're a die hard LOST fan don't spoil it for us.
See, I really haven't had much going on. I don't blog for weeks and when I finally do it's about a TV show.
Sad.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
In loving memory
I’ve been thinking a lot about my dad today. You see, it was ten years ago today that he was killed in a car accident. At the time, I was living in Wisconsin with my brother and his family. Within hours of receiving the news, my brother and I were on a plane headed to Utah. I remember sitting in the Minneapolis airport during a layover, watching all the people rushing about and thinking to myself, “Don’t they know? Don’t they realize that the world was forever changed today?”
In the days that followed that tragic event I learned a great deal about hope, faith and goodness as our family and countless others came together to honor the amazing man that my father was—and is. The bitterness of losing him was made so much sweeter by the legacy of love and faith that he left us. His life was shorter than we all would have liked it to be, but he had no unfinished business. He never hesitated to tell us that he loved us. He enjoyed life and happily served everyone he knew. He taught us the truths that made his passing a celebration. We were sad, but not devastated. We miss him, but it doesn’t make us miserable.
My father was one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. I am who I am because of the lessons his life taught me.
My dad was his own man. He marched to his own drum and never seemed to care what other people thought of him. (He did, however, realize that I did care what other people thought so he took great delight in embarrassing me in public. Once as we sat in a movie theater waiting for the feature to start, he suddenly let out a long and loud Tarzan yell—just for fun. I whispered an exasperated “Dad, please!” to which he responded, “Who cares? You don’t know any of these people!")
My dad didn’t care about stuff. Even as a successful university professor he drove an old run-down work truck with a mismatched door and beat up interior. And he honestly didn’t care. He was known to use duct tape to repair everything, including his pants and found clever ways to reuse household items. He understood that money was merely a means by which to bless the lives of others and he was always generous.
My dad’s life was centered in service. Throughout most of my childhood my father was in fairly influential leadership positions in the church. I grew up understanding the importance of magnifying callings and giving of your time and talents. But it didn’t take a calling for him to help people in need. He lovingly looked after his aging mother, coached my brothers’ basketball teams, went the extra mile to help his students succeed and was always available when his children needed him. That’s just who he was.
My father understood the value of work and working together as a family. He was always busy. In addition to his career as a professor, he was a part-time beekeeper; apartment owner, plus we planted a giant garden every year. And he did all of that for us—his children, so that we would have the opportunities to learn t work and to spend time together. He often said, “I’m not just raising bees, I’m raising boys.”
My father’s greatest joy was his family. We knew he loved us, he told us and showed us often. Despite his many responsibilities in life—we always knew we were his greatest priority. He took advantage of little moments to give each of us kids individual attention. He would often take one of us along on errands or trips so that we could get some one on one time. I remember once when I was about twelve he let me skip a day of school and go with him to a meeting in a city about two hours away so we could spend the day together. He took me to lunch at a “real” restaurant and asked about school and my friends and he listened to me. I’m sure if you asked any of my ten brothers and sisters they could each tell you a similar story.
Some days I miss my dad terribly. I’m sad that my children don’t know what his laugh sounds like or that my husband never got to really know him. But more than anything, I’m grateful. Grateful for the example he was. Grateful that he is still ours in the eternities. And grateful for the inspirational and inspired life that he lived.
In the days that followed that tragic event I learned a great deal about hope, faith and goodness as our family and countless others came together to honor the amazing man that my father was—and is. The bitterness of losing him was made so much sweeter by the legacy of love and faith that he left us. His life was shorter than we all would have liked it to be, but he had no unfinished business. He never hesitated to tell us that he loved us. He enjoyed life and happily served everyone he knew. He taught us the truths that made his passing a celebration. We were sad, but not devastated. We miss him, but it doesn’t make us miserable.
My father was one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. I am who I am because of the lessons his life taught me.
My dad was his own man. He marched to his own drum and never seemed to care what other people thought of him. (He did, however, realize that I did care what other people thought so he took great delight in embarrassing me in public. Once as we sat in a movie theater waiting for the feature to start, he suddenly let out a long and loud Tarzan yell—just for fun. I whispered an exasperated “Dad, please!” to which he responded, “Who cares? You don’t know any of these people!")
My dad didn’t care about stuff. Even as a successful university professor he drove an old run-down work truck with a mismatched door and beat up interior. And he honestly didn’t care. He was known to use duct tape to repair everything, including his pants and found clever ways to reuse household items. He understood that money was merely a means by which to bless the lives of others and he was always generous.
My dad’s life was centered in service. Throughout most of my childhood my father was in fairly influential leadership positions in the church. I grew up understanding the importance of magnifying callings and giving of your time and talents. But it didn’t take a calling for him to help people in need. He lovingly looked after his aging mother, coached my brothers’ basketball teams, went the extra mile to help his students succeed and was always available when his children needed him. That’s just who he was.
My father understood the value of work and working together as a family. He was always busy. In addition to his career as a professor, he was a part-time beekeeper; apartment owner, plus we planted a giant garden every year. And he did all of that for us—his children, so that we would have the opportunities to learn t work and to spend time together. He often said, “I’m not just raising bees, I’m raising boys.”
My father’s greatest joy was his family. We knew he loved us, he told us and showed us often. Despite his many responsibilities in life—we always knew we were his greatest priority. He took advantage of little moments to give each of us kids individual attention. He would often take one of us along on errands or trips so that we could get some one on one time. I remember once when I was about twelve he let me skip a day of school and go with him to a meeting in a city about two hours away so we could spend the day together. He took me to lunch at a “real” restaurant and asked about school and my friends and he listened to me. I’m sure if you asked any of my ten brothers and sisters they could each tell you a similar story.
Some days I miss my dad terribly. I’m sad that my children don’t know what his laugh sounds like or that my husband never got to really know him. But more than anything, I’m grateful. Grateful for the example he was. Grateful that he is still ours in the eternities. And grateful for the inspirational and inspired life that he lived.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
I'm Drowning in Wheat!. . . or at least I should be
I made a New Year's resolution this year to improve my food storage. I get the "preparedness bug" every few years, so I go out and buy several cases of whatever is on sale and that always seems to makes me feel better. But this time I'm going about it a little more systematically. I've been perusing various food storage calculators to determine what to buy and how much. And today I have spent quite a bit of time pouring over the Walton Feed website trying to figure out what I need and what is available.
Honestly, my findings have been a little frightening.
Did you know it is possible to buy a 25 pound bag of something called "meat substitute"?! And it's available in various flavors? I'm a big fan of protein, but that's just not right.
I also had no idea that there was such a thing as shortening powder. Imagine that, powdered fat. (I've always followed my grandmother's advice: "Never be so poor that you can't buy butter." So I'm going to splurge and get powdered butter. Yum)
And it is recommended that for my little family of five, I should store almost 1200 pounds of grains. I'm all for following wise counsel, I just have no idea where I am going to keep all of it!
I realize, however, that if I'm going to go to the trouble of buying all of this stuff, I need to learn how to use it up. So today I made whole wheat bread. I don't think I've made bread since my newlywed days. (And even then I had a bread machine.) I used a recipe that consisted entirely of food storage items so that I could figure out if I will literally be able to put my money where my mouth is. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. And even more pleased that my kids loved it.
But for the most part, I'm a little overwhelmed with this project. I know that it is often recommend to just get a little at a time, but I'm kind of anxious to make sure I at least have the basics. I figure after that I can slowly work on getting the more non-essential items like cake mixes. Although, if you were to ask my sister she would tell you that cake mixes are essential items--the reason being that if you are ever in a stressful life situation in which you need to depend on your food storage, dang it, you're going to want cake!
(And the last time I was at her house, I counted twenty three cake mixes in her basement)
Honestly, my findings have been a little frightening.
Did you know it is possible to buy a 25 pound bag of something called "meat substitute"?! And it's available in various flavors? I'm a big fan of protein, but that's just not right.
I also had no idea that there was such a thing as shortening powder. Imagine that, powdered fat. (I've always followed my grandmother's advice: "Never be so poor that you can't buy butter." So I'm going to splurge and get powdered butter. Yum)
And it is recommended that for my little family of five, I should store almost 1200 pounds of grains. I'm all for following wise counsel, I just have no idea where I am going to keep all of it!
I realize, however, that if I'm going to go to the trouble of buying all of this stuff, I need to learn how to use it up. So today I made whole wheat bread. I don't think I've made bread since my newlywed days. (And even then I had a bread machine.) I used a recipe that consisted entirely of food storage items so that I could figure out if I will literally be able to put my money where my mouth is. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. And even more pleased that my kids loved it.
But for the most part, I'm a little overwhelmed with this project. I know that it is often recommend to just get a little at a time, but I'm kind of anxious to make sure I at least have the basics. I figure after that I can slowly work on getting the more non-essential items like cake mixes. Although, if you were to ask my sister she would tell you that cake mixes are essential items--the reason being that if you are ever in a stressful life situation in which you need to depend on your food storage, dang it, you're going to want cake!
(And the last time I was at her house, I counted twenty three cake mixes in her basement)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
50 things that make me happy
As promised, here is my list of things I love.
1. my husband
2. my kids
3. my goodly parents
4. date night
5. springtime
6. homemade bread
7. sleeping in
8. scriptures
9. getting email
10. rain
11. bubble baths
12. singing
13. my iPod
14. painted toenails
15. back rubs
16. my courtship story
17. flowers
18. cooking
19. sleeping children
20. Mt Timpanogos (the mountain, although I love that temple too!)
21. watching a great movie for the first time
22. freshly laundered sheets
23. being accidentally gorgeous
24. my garden
25. Family Home Evening
26. my sisters (and I suppose my brothers too, but its just not the same)
27. m&ms
28. eating out with friends
29. fresh fruit
30. Dr. Pepper
31. General Conference
32. my piano
33. love letters
34. my daughter singing songs she has made up
35. our soldiers
36. my soft and yummy bathrobe
37. summer nights
38. fresh cut grass
39. mild to moderate exercise
40. kids playing with cousins (they love their friends, but there is something special about cousins!)
41. Cafe Rio salads
42. my desk (my husband built it into a closet. It is awesome!)
43. family dinner
44. my big porch
45. Bubba's curly hair
46. a clean house (Stop smirking--it happens!)
47. my oldest son's thoughtful questions
48. The 4th of July
49. memories
50. being married
So. . .what do you love?
1. my husband
2. my kids
3. my goodly parents
4. date night
5. springtime
6. homemade bread
7. sleeping in
8. scriptures
9. getting email
10. rain
11. bubble baths
12. singing
13. my iPod
14. painted toenails
15. back rubs
16. my courtship story
17. flowers
18. cooking
19. sleeping children
20. Mt Timpanogos (the mountain, although I love that temple too!)
21. watching a great movie for the first time
22. freshly laundered sheets
23. being accidentally gorgeous
24. my garden
25. Family Home Evening
26. my sisters (and I suppose my brothers too, but its just not the same)
27. m&ms
28. eating out with friends
29. fresh fruit
30. Dr. Pepper
31. General Conference
32. my piano
33. love letters
34. my daughter singing songs she has made up
35. our soldiers
36. my soft and yummy bathrobe
37. summer nights
38. fresh cut grass
39. mild to moderate exercise
40. kids playing with cousins (they love their friends, but there is something special about cousins!)
41. Cafe Rio salads
42. my desk (my husband built it into a closet. It is awesome!)
43. family dinner
44. my big porch
45. Bubba's curly hair
46. a clean house (Stop smirking--it happens!)
47. my oldest son's thoughtful questions
48. The 4th of July
49. memories
50. being married
So. . .what do you love?
Monday, January 7, 2008
50 things that bug me!
Several years ago I began making a list of things that bugged me. I intended to eventually turn it into a cute and clever scrapbook page but since I haven't really done much scrapbooking since like. . .oh, 2004 maybe, it probably won't ever happen. But I think the concept is still valuable. It's an interesting way to learn about someone.
So here is my list, in no particular order and updated a bit (my old list included things like "leaky diapers" and "loud BYU students in my yard" which, thankfully, are annoyances that I no longer have to deal with.)
1. clutter
2. infomercials
3. rodents
4. whining
5. being cold
6. rap "music"
7. public restrooms
8. capers (and pimento for that matter)
9. junk mail
10. inflation
11. stepping on Legos
12. humidity
13. houses built on unstable hillsides (seriously, why do people do that!)
14. Cheeto residue on my fingers
15. weeds
16. B.O.
17. lying
18. long lines
19. static cling
20. food stuck in my teeth
21. mosquitoes
22. car sickness
23. stubbly legs
24. spontaneous combustion (this is actually more of a phobia than an annoyance)
25. the media
26. smoking
27. chalk dust
28. ingratitude
29. crime
30. pimples
31. hiccups
32. children fighting
33. ridiculous SUVs
34. sticky floors
35. spam (the email variety. . .but I suppose the "meat" version as well)
36. freezer brain
37. PBS pledge week
38. cleaning out the fridge
39. nagging
40. winter weather
41. getting old
42. headaches
43. being beckoned by my kids ("No, you come here.")
44. random piles
45. illness
46. dry skin
47. split ends
48. depression
49. sleeping alone
50. my resolution to drink less soda
And lest you think that I am an overly negative person--I also have a list of things I like. I'll post that later.
So here is my list, in no particular order and updated a bit (my old list included things like "leaky diapers" and "loud BYU students in my yard" which, thankfully, are annoyances that I no longer have to deal with.)
1. clutter
2. infomercials
3. rodents
4. whining
5. being cold
6. rap "music"
7. public restrooms
8. capers (and pimento for that matter)
9. junk mail
10. inflation
11. stepping on Legos
12. humidity
13. houses built on unstable hillsides (seriously, why do people do that!)
14. Cheeto residue on my fingers
15. weeds
16. B.O.
17. lying
18. long lines
19. static cling
20. food stuck in my teeth
21. mosquitoes
22. car sickness
23. stubbly legs
24. spontaneous combustion (this is actually more of a phobia than an annoyance)
25. the media
26. smoking
27. chalk dust
28. ingratitude
29. crime
30. pimples
31. hiccups
32. children fighting
33. ridiculous SUVs
34. sticky floors
35. spam (the email variety. . .but I suppose the "meat" version as well)
36. freezer brain
37. PBS pledge week
38. cleaning out the fridge
39. nagging
40. winter weather
41. getting old
42. headaches
43. being beckoned by my kids ("No, you come here.")
44. random piles
45. illness
46. dry skin
47. split ends
48. depression
49. sleeping alone
50. my resolution to drink less soda
And lest you think that I am an overly negative person--I also have a list of things I like. I'll post that later.
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