Question of the day

So did you get anything you weren't expecting for Christmas?

Why I am seriously thinking of never going to a theatre again.

Let me just preface this post by saying that I love movies, I love watching new ones, I love watching old ones. I love going to the theatre, and sitting down with a giant bag of popcorn. I love licking the salt and butter off of my fingers because I almost never remember to pick up a napkin. I love sneaking extra snacks into the theatre in my extra large purse. I love watching the previews that seem to last almost as long as the movie these days. I don't even mind it that in a really old theatre my shoes stick to the floor.

Well today we got the great idea that we would take our girls to a movie. This can be a stressful experience for us because a lot of theatres aren't exactly wheel chair friendly. Either we have to sit at the very front and try not to come out with a crick in the neck from looking straight up at the screen. Or we have to try to squeeze the wheel chair into the sometimes awkward slots that are "made for" the wheel chair bound. The best theatres are the ones that have an elevator that takes us up to the top so we can be behind everyone else and not be a spectacle. These unfortunately are few and fare between though. The one that we went to today is a dollar theatre, that was unfortunately none of these. It is an old one that is NOT wheel chair friendly. This particular one has one isle directly down the middle with about 8 seats on either side. The isle also happens to be very small. Which means that not only do we have to park the chair in the isle, but that it blocks anyone from getting past us as well. We have only been to this place once before and managed to make a good time of it so we figure... hey, why not. We chose a movie that had been given great reviews, The Fantastic Mr. Fox. We sat three rows from the front, because it was what was available when we arrived. It was a good location because it was far from the door, and hardly anyone would be tripping over us.

Now let me say now that my child that sits in the wheel chair is not a quiet child. She is a little noisy. We do NOT take her to adult movies, we take her to children's movies, ones where there are other children present. Other noisy children. As we sat in the theatre watching this particularly horrible movie, there were two girls sitting in the front row who were continually turning around and staring at my kid! Every time she made even the slightest peep they would turn around and stare at my child. Is it just me or is this incredible rude? I understand that it is human nature to look when you hear a startling noise, I can understand looking more than just once. What I cannot understand it turning and staring for 30 seconds each time. This happened repeatedly throughout the movie. Once I just looked at them and said "She Can't help it!" This was easily the rudest thing that has ever been directed at my handicap child.

Add to this the fact that this movie sucked! Which I expressed to my husband thirty minutes into the movie when I leaned over to him and whispered "this sucks"! It was like someone had had a sixth grader rewrite the script to Oceans 11 and then tried to put it in a cartoon form. By the time it was over we were so glad to get out of the theatre that we were even OK with the fact that it was snowing all the way home.

I came out of there so frustrated, and very glad that I did not pay full price to see this movie.

This seriously makes me want to never go to a movie theatre again!

THANK HEAVEN FOR NETFLIX!!!

Merry Christmas

Here is this years attempt at family photos. As you all know I have a talented husband who has a real knack for photography. You can see some of his work here. We have however decided that it might be better to have someone else take our family photos from now on. I hope these give you all a nice Christmas chuckle!

Hey! At least we are all mostly sitting still... kind of. Unlike these...

Don't we all look happy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wordless Wednesday (Mercy)

Sunday Thoughts #6

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Dear Santa

Something to think about

A Walk in Our Shoes

 
Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse
  
We tried melatonin 
And gave a hot bath
Asleep early for Christmas?
...an unlikely path
   
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When visions of Christmas 
Ran through my OWN head
 
Did I get the right gift?
The right color and style?
Would there be a blank stare
Or even, maybe, a smile?
  
Friends & family come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from bending his hands.
   
"Just make him stop it," some say
"Just tell him "no",
You must learn to be tough.."
On, and on they do go...
   
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The debate is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions….
  
But what some don't know
And what some don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity.
   
He said "hello"!
He ate something green!
He looked me in my eyes
He did not cause a scene!
   
He peed on the potty!
Who cares if he's ten;
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!"
   
Some others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope
   
But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride
   
We may look at others 
Without the problems we face
With envy, with wonder,
Or even distaste,
   
What we want them to know
What's important to see
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.
   
We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings
   
Children with autism
Try so hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.
   
They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky
   
So to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue
Take a walk in our shoes
And I'll assure you…
  
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at us all
With respect, even shock.
  
You will realize
What it is we go through
And the next time you see us
I can assure you
   
That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years I learned too
When the tables were turned.


utahmaks.blogspot.com

Some Randomness for Friday

I have been trying to exercise more frequently. Let me just preempt that statement by saying

I HATE TO EXERCISE!

Really I do not enjoy it, especially in the winter when it is too cold to go outside. We acquired an elliptical machine a while back it has been helping a lot. I get very bored doing it though. I have finally discovered the secret to not getting bored while working out on it. Iron Chef! Have you watched this show? I can seriously go through my entire work out watching it and not even realize that I am exercising. It is just fast paced enough to keep my attention and you really don't have to hear every little word that is said, which is good because that machine is LOUD! Try it some time its awesome!

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I haven't been cooking much. This is a big deal for me. I love to cook but lately I just feel burned out on it. The good thing is that when I have been cooking lately I have been making pretty big meals, so there are plenty of left overs that I can heat up for dinner another night. So that's nice for me because then I don't have to cook a real dinner.

Vicious circle I think.

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Every year my neighborhood has a New Years party. We have all the adults in one house and all the kids are at my house with sitters. Yes this idea was thought up by yours truly! It is one of the most fun things we do all year. I am looking forward to that more than Christmas. Is that bad?

So what do you do for New Years Eve?

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Honestly I was so close to telling off a couple of people this week simply because they seem to feel that driving laws don't apply to them. One lady almost cause a three car accident by crossing a road when she clearly did not have the right of way. Another was parked next to my car in the school parking lot, which isn't a bad thing accept that it was a no parking zone next to a handicap spot. Yeah the one with the bright yellow stripes across it so that people who have wheel chairs have room to get into their cars. Yeah that's right, she parked there with her engine running and her kids in the back seat so she could run into the school to pick up her other kid! I was so close to telling her off. Its a good thing I am such a non confrontational person!

REALLY I AM!

You don't believe me?

Well you obviously have never met me in person! I am sassy in private but a big chicken in person. Its sad really, you should pity me!

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Does anyone else out there find that they have more people to pray for since joining Facebook? Now that I am in contact with more of my old friends and acquaintances and they all post their problems and issues, I find that there are a lot more people to pray for. Our list of people that we include in our prayers has increased about ten times what it was before FB.

Weird huh?

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People always make fun of me for moving within my own neighborhood. Why is this? I live in an entirely different house. I could see making fun of me if I had purchased a house that was exactly like our old one but this one is bigger and has completely different floor plan. Plus I have the best neighbors ever so why would I move away from them?

Seriously I do have the best neighbors ever, hands down they are way better than yours! We even get together for dessert night about every other month. Everyone brings something and we all just sit around and talk and ignore our kids while they destroy someones house.

Its awesome!

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Has anyone noticed how often I use the word AWESOME? Or how often I use this symbol !!!!!!? I may have to start keeping count.

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Everyone have a great weekend!

Here are the tunes:

1. I'm Alive- David Cook

2. When Doves Cry- Prince

3. Love Etc.- Pet Shop Boys

4. Porcelain- Better than Ezra

5. Pork and Beans- Weezer

6. Hell Yes- Beck

7. Dig- Incubus

8. The Metro- Berlin

9. Iris- Goo Goo Dolls

10. Flightless Bird, American Mouth- Iron and Wine

Bonus:

Kings and Queens- 30 Seconds to Mars

Wordless Wednesday

Did you know?

I was really bummed the other day when I realized that I missed our Relief Society Christmas party. However they played a game that I don't think I would have been very good at. Everyone was suppose to write down something that no one knew about them and then they all guessed who it was. Not that I wouldn't have been able to guess some of them but I am an open book. I talk about everything, and every one knows everything about me. Five minutes with me and you will know everything about my entire life. So I was trying to think of things that no one knows. So tell me if you knew this stuff....

I was the first girl my husband every really kissed.

I kissed more than 20 boys as a teenager.

I have moved 18 times in my life.

The longest I have ever lived anywhere is 8 years. That was in the house we just sold last year.

I was born a red head, and my grandmother thought I was the mail mans kid.

I am a walking recessive gene. Everyone else in my family has dark hair, and dark eyes.

I have been almost every hair color there is, including green and orange.

I love dogs.

I do not consider myself a Utah Mormon even though I have lived here the majority of my life.

I weigh more now that I did when I gave birth to my twins. (Not something I am proud of.)

I have driven to both coasts, in a car with no power steering, or cruise control.

I paid $125 for my first car and repaired it with my own money and mostly with my own hands.

I don't like mushrooms, but I cook with them pretty often.

I love ice cream, I could eat it for every meal.

I hate seafood, but I will eat canned tuna, as long as it pickles and miracle whip.

I almost always have at least two pair of socks on in the winter.

I hate the winter

I have never lived anywhere that is warm for more than 6 months of the year.

New York is the coldest place I have ever lived.

I want to move to Orlando, or Phoenix just because they are warm.

I haven't been to Disney Land since I was a kid, but I have been to Disney World twice in adulthood.

I hate wearing black.

I love the smell of fingernail polish, I find it very relaxing.

I can't type more than 25 words a minute.

My sister is one of my best friends, but it wasn't always that way.

I have a brother. I am always surprised that people don't know this. I guess I don't talk about him much.

I love meeting new people, but I am very bad at maintaining friendships.

So there you go, a few things about me that you may or may not have known.

What should I know about you?

Random Friday

So I know I am going to be completely ridiculed for this but I really don't like Christmas.

There I said it!

We spend way too much money, we get too stressed out because of this and being over scheduled. December is just a very frustrating time for me. I don't even like Christmas music, too many years of listening to the easy listening station at work. I especially don't like that it has to start in October. There make fun if you like, but this is my blog and if I can't state my feelings than what's the point.

(I do like getting presents though!)

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I have been so tired lately. I feel like I could lay down and take a nap at any given moment.

Do you ever feel like that? What do you do? Do you give in?

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I hate cleaning toilets!

Nuff said.

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I think I may have an ear infection.

YEAH!

(sarcasm)

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I am panicked about my child breaking something on my tree. Not because I care if she breaks any of my old ornaments, but because I don't want her to cut herself. As an autistic she has some rather obsessive tendencies and one of those is that once you say no to her about something she can't leave it alone. I have to keep reminding myself that there is nothing glass on my tree.

Thus nothing she can hurt herself on. I had an actual nightmare about it the other day, it really freaked me out.

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Do you have anything on your Ipod (or other device) that you would never admit to having?

No!

.... yeah.... me neither.....

Why?

Oh just curious.

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No news on The Bug yet, but we did go see the neurologist yesterday and had yet another EEG. So maybe it will tell us something different than what we already know. We did learn there is something called reading epilepsy. Seizures that are brought on by reading and other types of cognitive stress. Weird huh!

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Here are the tunes:

1. When Did Your Heart Go Missing- Rooney( Just kind of a fun song, reminds me of summer, probably because of the video.)

2. Big Girls Don't Cry- Fergie (Milo you are so yummy!)

3. Rock Me Amadeus- Falco (Oh come on who doesn't love this song!)

4. Only the Lonely- The Motels (Classic 80's)

5. Makes Me Wonder- Maroon 5 (Love them!!!)

6. Stone Cold Yesterday- Connells (Again just a classic)

7. Paralyzer- Finger Eleven (One of my all time favorites!)

8. Stay- Oingo Boingo (These guys will always remind me of my sophmore year!)

9. The Killing Moon- Echo and the Bunnymen (Best band name ever!)

10. Here Comes Your Man- Pixies (Not my favorite of theirs but still good.)

Bonus:

What Have You Done Now- Within Temptation

(If You're Wondering If I Want you to) I Want you to- Weezer

Just Say Yes- Snow Patrol

1901- Phoenix

Just Breathe- Pearl Jam

Wordless Wednesday

Thankless

I have been feeling very sorry for myself lately. I have a very hard time when the weather changes from bright, warm and sunny to dark, cold and cloudy. It affects my mood a lot. It affects the way I see things, and it is really hard for me not to just give in to the depression that follows. It doesn't help that things with the kids lately have been... difficult. It doesn't help that things with my health have been less than perfect lately. It doesn't help that the "spend like there is no tomorrow" season is upon us. I have a tendency to wallow about when things aren't going perfectly. I sort of sink into the mire of life and settle in for the winter. I have even temporarily given up my only real outlet, blogging. Then here I am at 5 am reading other people's blogs. Just for something to do, because sleep is alluding me once again. And I run into this on one of my favorite blogs.

I cried.

This is what I feel like today, what I have felt like for quite a while now. It probably doesn't help that I haven't been exercising. It doesn't help that I have gained weight (seriously I had to go buy new pants people!) It doesn't help that I have had to clean up messes almost constantly, blood, urine, toys, you name I have cleaned it up lately. But that put it all in perspective. I will try to remember that there is a reason for what I am doing. There is a reason for all that happens, while I am doing what I am doing. I may not know exactly the reason right now, but some day I will and it will all make sense.

So here I go, trying to do what I should, even if only He sees me.

Wordless Wednesday

Gratitude

There are a lot of things in my life that I complain about but deep down I really am grateful for. Like my family. I know I shouldn't complain about them, but sometimes I get into this kind of habit of listing their faults instead of saying how great they are. So I am stating this here and now. I have a spectacular family. I have beautiful and loving children that have been a tremendous blessing in my life. I have loving and giving parents that have always been a good example of how to show love to others through service. I married into an amazing family of smart strong people. And to top it all off, I have a truly amazing husband, who is a great father, a worthy priesthood holder, and wonderful provider for our family.

I have some of the best people in my life.

I live in a time when there is so much plenty. We have food at the touch of a button. I have never gone hungry, I have never suffered, I have never really wanted for anything in my life. I have been blessed with an abundance of knowledge in my life. I have been blessed with the opportunity of receiving an education. I have had wonderful examples of intelligent and gifted people who have influenced me to better myself. I live in a time when tiny babies can be kept alive that would have been put in a bed to die just a few years earlier. I owe a great debt to modern medical science. I live in a house with indoor plumbing. No cold walks to the out house for me. Now that is a miracle! I have electricity in my home that helps to keep me warm, cook my food, and light my way in the dark.

Most of all I have been given the gift of life, and given the gift of choice to do with it what I will.

I am grateful for all of these things and so much more!

What are you grateful for this holiday season?

Sunday Thoughts #5

Doctrine and Covenants 122: 7 & 8

And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

Randomness for Friday

Have you seen this?

Holy crap people, I think this is taking it a little too far. I mean yes I have read the books (more than once), and yes I did see the first movie, and yes I will probably see the second. But don't you think this is a bit much?

Just sayin.

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I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays. (This list does not include Christmas, go ahead and harass me about it if you must.) I love cooking and I love cooking big meals. It is actually something that I consider fun. Some people think I am crazy but it is something that I really enjoy. As much as my family all make each other crazy too, I really like it when we are all together. I am hosting ours this year and very much looking forward to it.

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It is a week of blogger get togethers. I went to one yesterday, and going to one today. I am saving up for one big post.

Keep posted!

(he he... I crack myself up)

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Do you watch this show? If not you should. I need my weekly Sheldon fix. It makes me feel more normal. Same goes for Dwight.

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I have a book club that I started several years ago. Every time it's just the same five people. I have tried to get more people to come, but now I am thinking it's nice just keeping it small like it is. I wouldn't mind if others started coming, but it doesn't bother me any more like it used to. We don't spend the entire time talking about the book. Maybe if someone new came they would be irritated by that. We do a lot of chatting that is not about books. In fact every time we have one Emanhaud asks if we discussed the book at all. I tell him yes we did, for at least five minutes. He seems to find this very funny for some reason.

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It is 5:30am and I have been up since 4, so that is all I have the energy for.

Here are the tunes...

From my favorites list this week:

1. When Did Your Heart Go Missing- Rooney

2. Been Caught Stealing- Jane's Addiction

3. You Surround Me- Erasure

4. Devil Inside- INXS

5. Geraldine- Glasvegas

6. So In Love- OMD

7. Tremble for My Beloved- Collective Soul

8. If Everyone Cared- Nickleback

9. Satisfied- Squeeze

10. Breathe- Anna Nalick

It really Bugs me

I have something I have been meaning to write about for some time now, but I was waiting until I actually had something to report. There is a little bit of back story first...

This is The Bug...

She is 11, cute huh!

This is how The Bug Started out is life. Not so cute! This is after her chest tube had been removed. That patch that is blocking you from seeing her face is holding in the tube that is making it so she can breath. The patches on her back are measuring her breathing and heart rate. She lived the first two months of her life in a plastic box, surrounded by tubes and wires. She weighed 1lb. 12oz. when she was born.

This is not an easy thing to get over.

Nor does it happen quickly.

We are very lucky to have her. Blessed is the word we use. She and her sister are the best blessing we have ever received from our Heavenly Father. We are beyond flattered that he thought so much of us to entrust us with these amazing children.

I have a secret though...

Sometimes I get tired of fighting.

We have had a lot of fighting lately. Not with The Bug, about The Bug. (Don't worry we are not fighting with each other. We are fighting with the school district.) About 2 years ago The Bug was put on a horrible seizure medication that made her regress to the level of about a 1st grader. This happened right in the middle of her 4th grade school year. Because seh started out the year already behind, that year we tried to get her held back, so she could learn the stuff she missed.

We were told NO.

The next year we tried again to get her held back because she was SO far behind the other kids. We were told...

"It's not going to happen, stop trying".

So we have been doing what we can to help her try to keep up with the kids her age. She was behind when she started, and has progressively fallen further and further behind as the school year has progressed. Next year she enters the seventh circle of Hell, better known as Junior High.

I am terrified.

Not just because it is Junior High, not just because I don't want my baby to grow up. Anyone who knows me knows that I am more than willing to let my babies grow up. I have had 11 years of infancy for Heavens sake. This is not the problem.

I am terrified because I will be releasing my child that has an IQ of around 80 and the social maturity of about a 4th grader into the HELL that is Junior High. I have felt for some time like my hands are tied as far as the choices we have.

Well....Her teachers have finally caught on!

Her Resource teacher came to me the other day and said that the other 6th grade teachers approached her and stated that she should NOT be sent on to the next level. Someone actually asked me if I had thought of holding her back a year......

My response, you ask?

(Gigantic Pause!)

SERIOUSLY!

(Said in complete frustration)

Sometimes I just want to scream!

Long story short (too late!) we are having her tested for PDD-NOS which is a pervasive developmental delay, (like we don't already know that she has one) and are looking at putting her into what they call a learning center (a class for kids with behavioral issues). We have also had a very serious discussion with people from the district about holding her back next year. AND THEY ACTUALLY LISTENED!

So as it stands right now we are waiting....

and waiting...

and waiting...

to see what happens with our child. To see if people actually listen to us and realize that WE TOO have our child's best interests at heart. To see if we may have to go to more drastic measures, ie. home school.....

YIKES!

So as it stands right now we are... waiting... and testing.

Bottom line... change is coming. I will keep you updated as it happens.

Cross your fingers for us... would you please?

An open letter...

Dear Sun,

Please don't go away again. I miss you too much when you are gone. I don't like the cold, I don't like winter for that matter. I would like to see you for at least a couple of hours every day. I would even be OK with those days that are frigid cold as long as I get to see you at the same time.

Love you and miss you!

Sarah

Wordless Wednesday (nine o'clock at night)

I just can't resist Random Fridays

I know I posted that I wouldn't be posting much for a while but there are two things I can't resist. Wordless Wednesday, and Random Fridays. I just can't go without doing those two posts. Plus I have a bunch of stuff that is bugging me right now.

Like....

People who don't know how to drive should not be on the road.

Period!

So here is a simple little driving test for you...

1. Which lane do you turn into if you are turning left at an intersection (or right for that matter)?

2.When two people arrive at a stop sign at the same time who had the right of way?

3. What is the left lane on the freeway for?

These seem like pretty simple questions right? You would think that every person who has actually managed to secure them selves a drivers license would have at one point know the answers to these wouldn't you?

NOPE!

So tell me does anyone out there know the answers to these?

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I have serious issues with time. I am on time for everything, if not a little early. I do not like it when others make me late. I think it is a serious lack of respect for others and their time when you make them late. I do not care of you are late for something I do not judge, but you better not make me late too. I am a respecter of others time too. I hate being forced to wait for someone. You know like the cable guy who says that he will be there some time between 7am and 10pm. I especially hate the people who say they are coming over, so you wait....

and wait...

and wait, until you just can't wait any more and you finally decide that the stink coming off of your body has to be taken care of. So you decide that you will just take a quick shower and that is when they finally decide to show up. Of course you don't open the door the second they arrive so they go away. Now if that person had just been capable of showing respect for your time and telling you approximately what time they would be showing up, maybe that would have helped.

You think?

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I want to start an etsy shop for my jewelry... anyone out there done this? Anyone want to give me a tutorial?

Anyone?........

No takers.... OK then I guess I will have to try for myself.

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I was thinking of trying to assemble some people for a blogger lunch thing at my house. Anyone interested? Would it be worth it for you if you had to drive to Layton? Would you be willing to make that drive? Am I worth it?

DON'T ANSWER THAT!

Just leave me a comment if you think it would be worthwhile for you... K.

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I had to go and do something that I really did not want to do. I had to have my eyes examined. I know this doesn't sound all that traumatic, and it wasn't. It was the idea of having to do it. I started having bad vision when I was 14, my mom insisted that it couldn't be all that bad and didn't get around to taking me to an eye doctor until I was 15. By that time my vision was so bad I couldn't see past the end of my own arm. I had glasses all the way through high school. I had them right up until my girls were about three. That would have made me about 27. At that point I decided that I had had enough and I had lasik surgery done. I haven't had an eye exam since. That has been a little over 8 years. It is easily the best money I have ever spent. If anyone out there is thinking of doing it.... don't think anymore. JUST DO IT!

I was really afraid that I was going to go in and the doctor would tell me that my vision was so bad that I would have to go back to glasses every moment of every day again. Luckily I just need them to drive, and I don't even need them all that badly. He even said that my eyes are in better shape than a lot of people who had the surgery that long ago. I could have gone without, but they will help to make things a little more clear. Like those teeny tiny street signs that I can't read anymore unless I am standing right below them. So I am getting driving glasses... whats next... bifocals?

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We had a great Halloween this year. The bug decided that she wanted to be a ghost. EASIEST COSTUME EVER! Lou Lou was Snow White, grandma made her the costume as dress up clothes for Christmas last year so that was really easy too. We went to the neighborhood trunk or treat and The Bug left us within 3 seconds of us being there. She took off with her friend and we didn't see her again until after 8 o'clock. This was a first for us. I tried not to panic. I tried to be the cool mom that could let her child relax and have fun without being watched like a hawk. It was really hard for me! I am fully capable of letting my children grow up. They just won't. So when they do something that is obviously so grown up it is really hard to just let it happen. It was actually really cool to see her go and do that, and I have to extend a special thanks for the sweet young lady that came and asked if she could go and trick or treat with her. It was very kind! It made for a very relaxed night too. Too bad we ran out of candy after about 30 minutes and had to start pilfering from Lou Lou's bag!

----------

Here's the tunes

1. Ticket To Ride- The Beatles

2. Take the Fifth- Spoon

3. Ode- Creed

4. Hollywood- Collective Soul

5. It's a Sin- Pet Shop Boys

6. Traffic- Stereophonics

7. Wrong Way- Creed

8. Papa Don't Preach- Madonna

9. Tainted Love- Soft Cell (BEST 80's SONG EVER!)

10. I Turn My Camera On- Spoon (I misidentified another song as being the one that I heard on a Jaguar commercial, this is actually the one on the commercial.)

Wordless Wednesday

Gone Daddy Gone, the Love is Gone Away

I guess I should have posted today.

I am just not in love with blogging right now.

Maybe it has to do with energy level.

Maybe it has to do with laziness.

Maybe it is just because I don't want to.

I am still reading everyones posts though so I am still participating... sort of.

I promise as soon as I have the thoughts and energy to express them again, I will be back.

So don't abandon me, and don't give up on me either...

OK?

Whats in a name

I have been thinking for a while of changing how I refer to my husband on my blog. I don't think it is very original of me just to call him S, that is after all the first letter of his name but I keep thinking that I can come up with something more creative. So from now on I will be referring to him by the pseudonym that he has made up for himself. I present to you...

EMANHAUD

Doesn't he just look so happy to be here!

Wordless Wednesday (Chinchilla)

Menu Monday III

I posted something about having this for dinner last week and had several requests for the recipe. As I didn't really use a recipe I will do my best to try to remember what exactly it was that I did.

Here goes!

White Chicken and Garlic Pizza

2 skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces

mozzarella cheese

3 large cloves garlic sliced

pizza crust (whatever kind you like)

1 to 1 and a 1/2 cups Alfredo sauce (recipe below)

Heat a saute pan with some olive oil. Add chicken and garlic and some salt and pepper to taste. Saute chicken until done, set aside. Spread crust out on baking sheet, or pizza stone. Top with Alfredo sauce and a thin layer of cheese. Layer on chicken and garlic and top with more cheese. (Amount of cheese is a person thing and I am not going to tell you how much you should put on yours!) Bake until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

We used to get pizza like this all the time when we lived in Binghamton New York, but they would put this on it instead of just plain chicken. It was sooooooo good. I miss it!

Alfredo Sauce

1 package cream cheese

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese (DO NOT use the stuff in the can, it doesn't melt!)

1 stick butter

Melt butter in sauce pan, add cheeses and milk and cook on low heat until melted together and creamy.

Sunday Thoughts #4

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

- Joseph Smith

Randomness and Tunes

This has been a very expensive month. I had to repair and register my car yesterday. That includes replacing a circuit board, replacing the wind shield, an oil change and tire rotation, emissions inspection, and then paying taxes on it. Now we have to replace our washer and dryer. Yes both must be replaced... soon! Neither is working like they should and it is easier and cheaper to just replace both of them. Lets not even talk about all the co-pays, and prescriptions, and procedures that have been or are yet to be paid for.

I hate money! I hate the need for money! I hate that there is never enough money! I hate that even though we have been trying so hard to budget our money the right way, we have circumstances that don't allow us to do so.

Did I mention that I HATE MONEY!

------------

I have driving issues.

Not my driving, that is just fine thank you very much.

I have issues with the way that other people drive.

There is too much to say on this issue, so I am leaving that to another entire post all its own.

Let me just say, its going to be a doozy!

------------

I want dessert. I want to eat nothing but dessert all the time now. In fact I want to do nothing but eat lately. I think it has something to do with the fact that I have had such a hard time eating solid food for such a long time. I lost some weight while I was sick and I just know I am going to gain it all back because of the way I am eating. Part of me doesn't care. I am just so

hungry

all

the

time!

(I just remembered that I had a half of a turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich sitting in the fridge that I needed to finish. So I had to run upstairs, mid post, and get it so I had something to eat while I type... pathetic much?)

I am trying to resist, sort of. Food just tastes soooo good right now.

I know.... Be strong!

YEAH RIGHT!

----------

Everything on my ipod is set up in categories. I can't listen to classical and rock and... well anything else just all mixed up. I just can't do it! Here are the lists I have

Abba

Beatles

Books

Children's Music

Classical

Exercise Music

Favorites

Fun Music

Good Bands

New Stuff

Other Stuff

Primary Music

Sky High

Anything listed with a specific name is just that, Abba, Sky High (soundtrack) but the others are a little vague. Classical is obvious, Exercise Music is anything that has a good beat that will keep me going. Primary music is just that the primary CD's. Now the others are a little more confusing. For example other Stuff, is anything that I like that is a maybe a little older or just doesn't mix well with my other music. Like the soundtrack to Greese, or Paul Simon, or The Bee Gees, or the soundtrack to I Am Sam. (Which is also listed under Beetles.)

S thinks it is weird the way I organize my music, but I think it is weird that his is all in one file all mashed together. So when you listen to his you get anything from Depeche Mode to Kansas all at the same time. I just can't work that way. So today my random list comes from my favorites list.

---------

Tunes (With commentary)

1. Head On- The Jesus and Mary Chain (Reminds me of High School, nuff said)

2. Holiday- Madonna (Anything from this album will always remind me of a simpler time in my life, no mortgage, no kids, no drivers license. Someone else paid for my meals. Ahhhh 6th grade!)

3. Juicy- Better Than Ezra (I heard this one on what I swear was a Jaguar commercial and had to have it, still one of my all time favorites.)

4. Set Sails Free- The Origin (Again with the high school flash back)

5. Into The Night- Santana Ft. Chad Kroger (Love this mans guitar!)

6. I Caught Myself- Paramore (One of my favorite bands right now)

7. Angels on the Moon- Thriving Ivory (Not much to say about this one, its OK, I cant really remember why I have it.)

8. How I could Just Kill a Man- Charlotte Sometimes (LOVE IT, love the title, love the band name, love the reference, love the song!)

9. Everybody Hurts- REM (This one makes me cry. Every. Single. Time!

10. Girls on Film- Duran Duran (Holy 80's flash back Bat Man!)

Bonus:

Sorry no bonus song, been to sick to download!

Food

I spend too much on food.

Especially since my pantry is full pretty much all the time.

So I am issuing myself a challenge.

I just went grocery shopping, and spend an average amount for me, about $250.

That is what I spend about every two weeks, for four people.

In my defense I do buy a lot of fresh food, meat, produce, dairy, etc.

I am wondering how long I can make it last with what I already have laying around.

Am I capable of living off of what I have?

Can a family of four live mostly off of food storage, when the "fresh stuff" runs out?

I am thinking... yes.

So here is what I am going to do. I am not going to do a full grocery run for another 4 weeks. That doesn't count stuff like milk, and eggs that will most definitely expire within that time frame.

I will also make nutritious meals.

Healthy and tasty is what I am aiming for.

So here goes!

Anyone with me?

Jinx

I really shouldn't say this out loud,

or put it in print,

or even think it...

I'm feeling much better...

(Whispering)

I know I am totally going to regret that, but

it

had

to

be

said

After surgery, infections, drug reactions, and swine flu. I just don't know that there is anything else left to deal with....

OH, my car broke too!

Its drivable but it needs to be registered this month and must be fixed before I can do that. So on top of the medical expenses that would bankrupt most large countries

(not that they aren't already)

I have car expenses too. I swear I can't think of another single thing that could go wrong at this point....

of course Lou Lou might have an ear infection...

and we are having some issues with The Bug right now...

but we have had enough already...

right?

Schmoofta (I need something to laugh at right now... OK!)

S has a tendency to choose strange nick names for our children. Especially The Bug. Kujo, Twinkie, and Mush Doggie, just to name a few. The latest is Schmoofta. Why? I dont know! Anyway we were teasing her when she asked what a Schmoofta was that if you google it you just end up with a picture of her. So to play along...

The Elusive Schmoofta! Not so rarely caught on camera.

Wordless Wednesday (Just one months worth)

Challenge Accepted!

So one of my new bloggy buddies issued a throw down the other day. She challenged us to post a before and after picture of ourselves. I am not one to back down from a challenge so here goes....

This is me first thing in the morning, no make up, no hair done, nuthin!

Me right out of the shower, you will notice the only color I have in my face is on my cheeks, and that is only because I am flushed from the hot shower.

Me with the works. I even have on base, which I rarely wear. I do however wear all the other stuff every day, like I said no natural color in my face at all. I even have blond eye lashes. Everything else must be painted on!

So there you have it, I challenge all two of you out there that read this blog to do the same.

Come on what are you afraid of?

I triple dog dare you!!!!!

Sunday Thoughts #3

Yea and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto he Lord, that he may watch over you in you sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Alma 37: 36-37

AND THE WINNER IS....

There you go people! I want to thank everyone for the shout outs!

You guys are all AWESOME!

Everyone make sure you go congratulate M-Cat too! She had the most entries and got the most people to enter as well! Way to go M-Cat!

Randomness and tunes, and don't forget the give away!

I am so tired of health issues, it seems like every time I have a good day and things are starting to look up something else happens. I finished my antibiotic about a week ago. I am no longer in pain, which is a good thing. Right? Well on Wednesday I was feeling really good, I got a lot done, and have even managed to go walking twice this week. Well I should have known that wouldn't last long. I started itching badly that night. Just my elbow, and my stomach. I realized at about 10 that night that my elbow wasn't just itchy but it was swollen too, and I had red blotches on my stomach. I immediately knew that something was wrong. I went to bed that night and had a very uncomfortable night. I couldn't sleep past 4:30 in the morning because I had started itching in several new spots. I had giant red blotches all over the place. I made an appointment as soon as the doctors office was open and anxiously waited for the time of my appointment to come. I tried not to itch, but it is just so hard! by the time I got in both my knees were swollen to about twice their original size. For some reason it seems to want to attack my joints. It quickly went from itchiness to pain. The steroid shot I got did not help with that because it just added more pain. I am on the worse drug known to man now, and it still doesn't look like it is even close to clearing up. In fact it is worse. I don't understand why this has to keep dragging on! So in the last month I have experienced...

surgery

stitches

nausea

infections

pain

itchiness

and

swelling

I am tired of this.

I WANT IT TO STOP NOW!

I HAVE HAD IT!!!!

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I love finding old friends. It is so fun to catch up with people and find out what is going on in their lives. I have been doing that a lot lately, it is so fun.

---------

Sorry folks that is all the randomness that I can deal with right now.

---------

1. Staying Alive- Bee Gees

2. Wrapped Around Your Finger- The Police

3. Two of Us- The Beetles

4. Golden Slumbers- Ben Folds

5. Chicago at Night- Spoon

6. How Deep is Your Love- Bee Gees

7. Footsteps- Pearl Jam

8. Scarecrow- Beck

9. Hollywood- Zeromancer

10. I am the Walrus- The Beetles

Bonus:

Elevator Love Letter- Stars

Relator- Pete Yorn & Scarlet Johansen

Train Song- Feist & Ben Gibbard

(Got these off of a play list from this blog by my cute niece-in-law.)

Holy screw up Bat Man! Enter the give away below anyway, and could this title BE any longer?

I so screwed up!!!

The contest is for my 200th post!!!!

Not my 500th!

Don't know where my brain has wandered off to lately but there you go!

Make sure you enter anyway.

500th Post and HUGE Give away!!!!!!

TODAY IS MY ONE YEAR BLOG-IVERSARY!!!!!!!!

So here are the details and rules of the give away.

Rules:

1. You must leave a comment on this blog, if you do not you cannot win!

2. You will get a second entry if you list yourself as a follower, if you are already a follower you automatically get a second entry

3. A third entry will be added if you post about this give away on Facebook.

4. You will receive a fourth entry if you post about my give away on your own blog, make sure if you do that you come back here and post a comment to let me know that you did, same with the FB entry.

Here are the prizes:

This set of Jewelry made my yours truly (earrings not shown)

A $10 gift card from my all time favorite store

This truly funny book, from one of my favorite blogs

And a picture of your choice from here, all pictures are taken by my amazingly talented husband! Make sure to look at all of them and see what a great photographer he is becoming.

So there you go. You have until Friday at midnight to enter, and by the way if you are reading this off of Facebook, you MUST go to my blog and comment, and don't forget you get another entry if you list yourself as a follower. Just commenting on Facebook doesn't count! Don't know how to list yourself... just click on the follow button and follow the directions from there.

Good Luck Everybody!

What are you waiting for?

GO!

499 This is one of my favorite things...

TV!

I love TV!

I watch a lot of TV, don't worry all of you out there, I wait until my kids are in bed for anything that they shouldn't watch. I do not watch TV all day when they are in school either. I see my TV time as my vacation time, I don't get to go on trips much or have a lot of time away. So I use this as a little mini vacation every night. Some people ask me how I have time to do all of this TV watching... well.... I have no idea, I just do! I used to post about the shows I was watching a lot and I haven't for a long time so this post will cover that.

The old favorites:

Lost

The Amazing Race

Heroes

Eureka

Medium

Law and Order

CSI

Chuck

American Idol

(After last season though I don't know if I will be watching any more)

Burn Notice

In Plain Sight

Eleventh Hour

Leverage

24

Psych

Better Off Ted

Bones

Law and Order- Criminal Intent

The Big Bang Theory

The Office

The Mentalist

Castle

Dollhouse

New Additions to my line up:

Vampire Diaries

Eastwick

The Forgotten

Flash Forward

The Good Wife

Warehouse 13

Modern Family

Community

Shows that I could (and do) watch over and over:

The West Wing

Veronica Mars

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Alias

Food Shows:

Challenge

Iron Chef

Good Eats

The Next Iron Chef

So what are you watching?

Any suggestions?