papaya puree medium

Was the color of Prism cardstock I used to match the paint for this room.
HA! So handy to have a cardstock swatchbook. Sometimes scrapbooking comes in handy in other areas of my life.

Yesterday I painted the bathroom, took a quick run to Ikea for the photo frames, Costco for the enlargements, Wal-mart for the shower curtain and now I have a happy, bright, very bright bathroom.

Very bright. Did I mention bright?

Sam wants to know who else has an orange bathroom. Anyone?

The funny part about the bathroom, is that I had that poster of "The Doors of Puerto Rico" in the cupboard since our trip there. I carefully hand-carried it home, so it wouldn't get bent or mangled. I sort-of forgot about it, and then yesterday I realized that it might look good in the bright bathroom. Well, as luck would have it, it is a weird size for framing. No mats would fit it either.

So I took that thing to the sewing machine. I stitched the perimeter of the poster to the backside of the paper that came in the frame. I don't know that anyone would know the difference. Zig-zag stitched right in there. Go look.

Anyway, the bathroom needs a few more odds and ends.

Like maybe a decorative basket full of sun-glasses.

curses.

I bought these rechargeable batteries at Walmart, and inside the package there was this coupon for ten free prints when you upload them online and pick them up at the store. So I saved it. Cause, hey...ten free prints.

I used to get all my prints at Walmart. That was before Costco moved in, with the churros, and the cheaper prints, and the girls working in the photo lab who are actually nice.

No offense to Walmart, and Walmart photo lab workers, but really, I felt like everytime I dealt with the folks at my store, it was a battle of wills. They would somehow lose the order, print it wrong, or make me sign a photographers release form. And it seems like they always have a chip on their shoulder, like they are working a menial minimum-wage job or something. Also there were a couple of times that I got alllll the way home, and looked at the photos, and they were another family. Or someones pet. Argh.

Costco was an answer to my infrequent prayers.

But I had a coupon.

And I needed to go to Walmart anyway, so I uploaded, the computer went offline, I uploaded again...ordered. And now, I can't find the @$%# coupon.

All this for a savings of $1.90. Sometimes, if I weren't myself, I would be so mad at myself that I would write mean things about me on this blog.

hello Maui.

Looks like we are heading out on a little trip.
Taking the kids. Like idiots.

Not enough time for me to lose weight or anything. Sigh.
They still wear Mu-mu's, don't they?

what i did saturday and incidentally ruined my sunday.

Since we have traveled a bit in the last year or two, I have come to realize how lucky we are to live right next to such beautiful mountains. It is funny how you take for granted the things that make your "home" unique. We have friends that live close to the beach in California, and rarely go. We think they are crazy!

I think that is just how it is, that you know those things are always there, and living that close, you don't think often of how cool it really is. And maybe that whole last paragraph was just a rambling sleep-deprived mess. (We'll get to that one later.) Anyway, Saturday we took the Jeeps up to Mary Ellen Gulch, up American Fork Canyon. The trail is only accessible via off-road vehicles, and it really is beautiful.

Wild trees, wildlife, wild-flowers, wild kids....


It takes it all out of you, the whole jeeping thing. Plum tuckers you right out.


So needless to say, we were all exhausted. Sam had to work graveyards that night, so we busted home, and sent him off, and the kids and I fully planned (well, mom fully planned...) on going to bed early, at least by ten. And another half-hour would pass, and another, and another...until finally it was midnight.

All the kids haphazardly tossed around my bedroom in sleeping bags, giggling until we all fell asleep.

Just when I hit that good deep sleep, I hear Jayden asking Brendan what was wrong. And Brendan, very quietly sobbing into his pillow.

I am ashamed to admit. But I was so stinking tired that I was mad! Mad that every single night I get woken up for something. Just. One. Night. I would like to sleep!! I don't do well tired. So I get up, and check it out. Well, he has an earache. A bad one, and the poor thing has been suffering for two hours trying to sleep it off. Yes, if you are doing the math, it is about 2:30 am. So I give him some Advil, and we wait it out, all the while him writhing in pain...

Finally I can see that I have nothing to help him, so we load up, and haul over to the emergency room. After the traditional hour and a half wait, we get hooked up with antibiotics and...get this...Lortab. For my nine year old. I feel like quite the heel then, when the doctor assures me that he is in a whole lot of pain. The infection was horrible. The doctor was quacky, and I could go on and on about the emergency room doctors we have here, but that is a whole 'nother post. Brendan takes the meds and zonks on the way home. So now I have 70 pounds of dead weight to haul into the house. That was fun.

Poor kid slept until 1:30. He is feeling better. But, I, on the other hand, feel like the walking dead. I am going to bed early tonight.

Even if I have to drug the children. I will let you know how that goes.

A-HA!

Takin' you back to the 80's.

from this month's glamour magazine

And I quote: (cause I think the scan is too crappy and small to read)
*edited to add, if you click on the image, it magically enlarges to full size, but here is the text anyway...*

"FANNY PACKS. Your votes are in: Trends may come and go, but the fanny pack, like scrunchies, and exposed thongs, will always be a DON'T."


Ah. Crap.

just not cool.

This is how ridiculous I look when I am trying to be cool.

Pointing out that the sunglasses are Dolce and Gabbana. And um, yeah...we found them. I generally stock up on my glasses at the Dollar Tree. But, I thought these would spruce up the fanny pack ensemble. No?

Yeah, I don't think so either. And the worst part, is when I wear them, I have "My Humps" running through my head all day.

They treat me really nicely,
They buy me all these icees.
Dolce and Gabbana,
Fendi and then Donna
Karan, they be sharin
All their money got me wearin

Plus I look like a fly. But they are awesome for going jeeping. They keep all the dust out. Much like my mom's blue-blockers, or those disposable sunglasses they give you when you get your eyes dilated.

a new era

Here I am posting, the next day after a post...

What is up with that?

I took in the fireworks last night, which I gotta say, were AWESOME! My little one-horse town has grown, and dumped some serious cash into the pyrotechnics piggy bank. Every year they get better and better. Makes me that much more willing to ignore the pot-holes, and constant trains that rumble through allll niiight looong blowing their ear piercing whistles. Whoa, off-track, aren't I? (no pun intended)

Anyway, the fireworks. Now, as I mentioned earlier, I took some really great firework photos two years ago with my Canon 20d. And as you know, I recently purchased a little point and shoot- a Canon Power Shot, the A710is, to be precise. And it has a plethora(<---reference to Three Amigos) of automatic functions, one of which happens to be a "fireworks" mode. So, I thought I would give that bad boy a shot. (again, no pun intended)

Remembering that two years ago, when I pert-near missed the whole fireworks show, what with futzing around with my aperture and exposure, the cable release and tripod, I was a little hesitant about just lifting the camera up, and pressing a button. Granted it took some skillz to time it, I pressed the button when I hear the Boom! of the cannon, and hoped that the exposure was long enough to catch the sparkle of the firework. But really, that was it. Just pushing a button, folks.

It seemed like cheating. Especially when the photos came back, sans tripod,and dare I say...better than the 20d? These are unedited and straight from the camera. I am pretty impressed here.



And the best part, was Jayden reminding me that the camera has a video record mode. And I filmed the whole Grand Finale! Yes, I can have fireworks now, all year long. And if I am technically savvy enough, I will link it here, for you all too.

I am wondering then, when photography stops becoming an art. When any average Joe can pick up a point and shoot and produce professional looking photos? Where it doesn't matter if you have the right "eye" for the shot, cause you can just crop it later. That it is not a problem if the picture is horribly underexposed, or that there is a tree limb shooting out of your child's head, cause you can just photoshop it all better. It's a different world we live in. Bittersweet.

I remember poring through the pages of National Geographic and marveling at the photography there. Still in the days of film, when it was all a little dark-room tweaking, fabulous equipment, and raw talent. I am sad that era has passed.

But...it is secretly nice to be able to just push a button.

Happy 4th of July!

And for my Canadian friends, Happy belated Canada Day! And to the rest of my international friends, you will need to leave a comment, and educate me on your celebrations. I did not do well in whatever class was supposed to teach me those things.

But do you like my shirt?

Taking the Jeeps up the mountain for a picnic. I made potato salad, coleslaw and barbecued beef brisket. I know my kids will want nothing to do with any of that, so I am bringing a Costco sized bag of Doritos, and five multi-vitamins. Cause I am concerned about their nutrition like that.

Then later, the big fireworks show. I got some really great firework photos two years ago, and I just keep re-using those suckers, which makes it nice for me to just lay back and enjoy the show, without my camera.

Hope everyone has a safe holiday!

why.

Well, hey.

So here is how my week is starting out. I am in the middle of "project laundry room organization" and as you know, we have that new IKEA, and I bought a system that I think is really going to work for us. There is a deep bin for each of my kids, that slide into a rail system to keep it all neat.

I bought- let me see if this will link:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/rooms/laundry/11468/

Anyway, I am sure you will all be asking me to post pictures, and I will, when the thing gets done. And maybe, if you are lucky, I will also pose with my fanny pack. Won't that be a stunning visual delight? Stayed tuned for that.

So back to my crappy Monday.

All weekend long, I busted heinie getting my laundry back to a managable task. And dang! if I wasn't *almost* caught up. I mean, really caught up. Bedding and everything. Towels. All that stuff. Busted hump here. Alllll weekend long.

So Monday, I wake up to Mikayla tapping me in the forehead.
(Whispering..)"Mommy, are you waked up?"
"Mommy, I pee-pee'd in my bed."
And really, that would have been enough to make me not want to get out of bed, cause you know, the laundry WAS CAUGHT UP EIGHT HOURS AGO. But no, not only did she pee the bed (which included her bedspread, blanket, sheets, and several stuffed animals.)

BUT HER SISTER DID TOO.

Yee-haw.

This week is our hometown celebration.

There are family oriented activities the whole week long.

Thursday night is the first night of the Rodeo, which boasts itself to be the "World Famous" Lehi Round-up Rodeo. So I am sure you have heard of it, right?

Thursday night, at 6, there is a stock parade that winds through town, where pretty much anyone owning a horse, hat, and dinner-plate sized belt buckle can ride their horse downtown.

Someone a few years back thought it would make them more popular to throw tootsie rolls at the crowd as they trotted by. So now, a good majority of the horse riders throw some type of candy.

The kids love it, me, not so much.

Maybe it is because I find myself constantly scanning the road "Mikayla, DO NOT pick the laffy taffy out of that steaming turd!" Horses. Horse poop. Candy.
Brilliant!

The best part of the whole poop parade is the street sweeper, that cleans all the turds up. My kids are fascinated! And really, I think it is the only time the city is able to justify the expense of what that thing must have cost to purchase.

Then the World Famous rodeo begins. It runs for three nights. We can hear it, all three nights from our front porch.
"....Lehi, Utah, are you ready for the buuuuull riiiiides?!!"

Friday night, and Saturday morning we have a parade. There are floats, and bands, and miscellaneous sequined-clad "Royalty." Rodeo royalty in lime green wranglers and pearl button shirts to match. Our city, and adjoining city royalties in flowing gowns and hairspray crusted bouffants. All waving that elbow-elbow, wrist-wrist patented parade wave. I think I feel the worst for "Miss Onion Days." Not the best title to win.

Today is a sort-of fair in the park. The kids love it! We are heading out here in a minute to take it all in. And possibly see everyone we went to high school with toting their kids around too. We will eat cotton candy, and hot-dogs sold by local baseball teams. The Future Farmers of America from the high school will have a petting zoo for the kids, and maybe pony rides...you know, to train the next generation for the poop parade.

You gotta love small towns.

I stayed up last night until 4, finishing up my Karen Foster stuff, so I could bring it to their office today. 48 layout and projects. I kicked butt, and I am tired. I am sleeping in til noon tomorrow, and I don't even care what the neighbors think.

We had to get up early today cause we took the kids and the fanny pack to another amusement park today.

Sam and I were sitting there, people watching, while the kids took Mikayla on a bunch of kiddie rides, and yes--we were waiting for our near-vomit spewing stomachs to settle. Anyway, we were people watching, and noticing how much cooler we were than like 90 percent of the whole park. We notice it a lot, when we are out in public, how no one is cool like us, we still have "it." And we are in our mid-thirties, folks.

Then I remembered the fanny pack. That I was wearing it. By choice. Again.

Maybe not so cool.

And I appreciate the links to cooler alternatives, but you gotta know how handy this thing is. It has not one, but TWO water insulated bottle holders on the sides, and two zippered pouches.

I am like a camel. A cool, handy camel. No?

photo shoots

Sometimes I work of product lines that I have to do photo shoots for. I bribe the kids with some candy or a trip to the dollar store, and they are usually pretty willing to pose for my off-the-wall shots.

Without saying what the line is that I am working on...(betcha can't guess, wink)

I ended up with some pretty cool pics of my girls.



I did another shoot of the boys, I will have to share those another day. They were dressed more *ahem* masculine. I don't think any of my bribes would be worth them prancing around in tights and sequined tu-tu's at this stage in their pre-teen lives...

Of course they were a little younger, but it was of their own free will and choice. But really, who can resist dancing when the Fantasia soundtrack is playing?

Cannot.
Wait.
Until they start dating. Tee-hee!

face anomaly

So, it's that time of year, here in Utah when the mosquitoes are out in full force.

I woke up yesterday morning, and had a big red dot on my face. (No photos will accompany this post, you can thank me later)
Is it a pimple? Is it a bite?

I am a picker by nature, and had to restrain myself all day. "Just wait" I told myself. And I had to avoid mirrors as to not pick at it.

The day progressed, and when I talked to people, their eyes kept gradually shifting to the dot.

"Oh please...." I thought, "don't let it be festering, or oozing, or WHITE!! Please, please don't let me be walking around with a huge white zit."

But, thankfully it was just a huge red dot. It kinda hurt.

This morning I woke up, and it was gone. Weird.

In other news...I am frantically scrapping. I have 13 themes to create layouts or projects for. They ask that we create 4 projects per theme...so, if I am doing the story-problem correctly, that is 52 projects. I am starting on my fourth theme today. I will keep you posted.

A quick photo shoot

Some of my favorites of my beautiful sister who is expecting twins in a few weeks. Sick, isn't it? To look this good being pregnant?

And get this...I told her not to worry, because I can photo-shop her stretch marks out for her, and she said:
"Oh, I don't have any."

Sick.

loving my job

I got a trade show box today.

A whole box of brand new, never-before seen product for me to design projects with. A whole box that roughly translates into the next couple of weekends (at least) being holed up in the studio, with 80's music, and my 64 ounce insulated caffeine barrel. Yessssssssssss!

If you don't hear from me by the 6th of July (my deadline) send in some medics. With glue-dots.

If you are a retailer, start planning now. Karen Foster has soooo outdone themselves this time. There is not a single line this show that isn't darling. I don't think I can leak any info yet, but DANG if they aren't coming out with a certain item that is something I never knew I always wanted.

The certain thing is awesome!

Trade shows are a semi-annual reminder of how much I love my job.
See you on the 6th...

Thanks GUYS!

One of my favorite photos. Shianne (who is now 7 3/4) with her Daddy, ignoring the smell of freshly played basketball sweat, and just hanging on his every word.

Happy Fathers Day tomorrow!

To my own Dad, who never let me feel or see limits to my dreams.

To my husband, who became a Dad when I became a Mom, and provides me with humor and support while we awkwardly blunder our way along the path of parenthood.

To all the Dads and Grand-dads out there, who truly make a difference in our lives.

in honor of summer

Yeah, it's duct tape.

Weekend Trip

We got home last night from Denver, Colorado.

We were originally planning on heading back up to the cabin in Idaho, to stay with my family for a weekend. When my sister called from the cabin and said one morning they woke up to snow on the ground, I was out.

We would be sleeping in a tent there, and I am not a pioneer.

So, since we had arranged work off, we started looking online for destinations that would be quick. Sam found Elitch Gardens in Denver, and that was that. They also had a Children's museum, which was a bonus for the kids. They love those things, and I think I would have too, if they would have had them when I was a kid. For parents, however, they should have a friendly bartender, with a fully stocked bar. Lucky for me, I like to follow the children around and take pictures or I would have joined the herd of mom's and dad's on the top mezzanine contemplating throwing themselves to the cement below.


Elitch Gardens was funner than I thought it would be. I haven't been to an amusement park since embarrassingly, 1995. I distinctly remember then, that the tides had changed and no longer could I go on every stomach churning thrill ride. I wonder if as an adult your chemical balance changes somehow, so you can't tolerate fun in concentrated doses?

I expected this time to be the stroller mom, watching everyone go on all the rides, but this time, to my utter amazement, I handled them.

The park was pretty empty when we got there, so we were able to walk onto a bunch of rides. So here we were standing in front of "The Tower of Terror" and all of the kids but Shayne, my seven year old, chickened out. So I left Jayden with the stroller, and said I would try it out. Me, Shayne and Sam.

We strapped in, and they started taking us up. And up. Aaaaand Uuuuuup.

And Holy Crap. We got to the top, and THEN is when it dawned on me, that they were going to unhook us and let us free-fall to the ground....

Just before we started to fall, I said "Sam, I don't think I can do this."

And then we dropped.

And I heard this high-pitched carnal scream that sounded like what you would expect to hear when someones vital organs are clawing out of the body for survival purposes.

It was me.

So I want you all to comment and tell me how brave I was. Or how stupid. Cause that was pretty impressive for a stay-at-home Mom who gets nervous in a traffic round-a-bout.

I am not going to go on and on about our adventures, cause really, nothing is more boring than someone else's travel-log. But I will say there were some good times had by all, and there may have been some hard-core rebel hotel bed jumping contests...

Bringing function back.

I am going to buy a fanny pack.

If I can find one, I am thinking I probably need to hit a thrift store, since I am well aware that they stopped making those things, oh, say about the time WHAM! broke up.

You just can't beat the 80's out of me.

My hair is a little too poofy sometimes, and those wide-leg pants made me feel uncomfortable. Not to mention the listening to the 80's music, which is still the best.

I need a fanny pack. I have needed one for a while. When I go walking with the walking group, it could hold my cell phone, water, and heart meds. And unlike a purse or bag, my hands are free to pump weights...yeah, that's it....pumping weights....(oreatingdonutstokeepmystrengthup)

And now, we are making plans to go to an amusement park, and I am thinking that is would be perfect for my little camera, and cell phone and whatever. Maybe heart meds. And then I would have two free hands to wrangle kids with, or shove people out of line.

So, yeah, I am going to be that lady. With the fanny pack. Don't judge me. You know you want one too.

I hope they make them in XL.

Take THAT chucky.

"Mom, this doll is kinda freaky without hair, can we throw her away?"

And we did. Quickly. And in the outside garbage can where she couldn't crawl out later in the night. (((shudder)))

I never worry when I am stranded without paper on a toilet at home.

I know it is only a matter of about 43 seconds before one of the kids notices that I am absent, and might be (gasp) alone...and will come running to find me.

One of the only comforting perks of being a mom to a bunch of kids, no butt-ring from the toilet seat.

Look out Draper!

Guess where I am going today?

IKEA!!!!!!!!!! OUR BRAND SPANKIN' NEW IKEA THAT IS ABOUT 15 MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE AND YES I AM SHOUTING CAUSE IT OPENED WHILE WE WERE IN IDAHO AND MY IKEA HAS BEEN OPENED FOR OVER A WEEK AND HAS NOT MET ME YET!

So, I am hitting the bank, and loading up the suburban, and maybe a trailer, so I can fill my house with affordable snap together furniture and Swedish trinkets.

Just like that (snap fingers)

..we are back home!


Time flies even when you are doing nothing, especially when you are enjoying yourself by doing nothing.

I gave my new digital camera a good run. I can't believe I haven't blogged about it! I bought it for myself after Martha Stewart snubbed me over her dumb scrapbook contest. I bought a Canon PowerShot A710 IS. It is little, and does pretty well for a point and shoot. I was getting tired of carrying around the 20D for small events. It sure does eat up batteries, but they are only AA's, so no big.

In other news....
My pile of laundry is very wide and very tall.
Our guinea pig is still alive after fending for herself for almost a week.
Something stinks in the house, we think it is in the kitchen.
I had a huge box of goodies from Bo Bunny Press waiting for me on my porch.
I had a few assignment in my e-mail inbox.
I am a few pounds heavier.
But...I am relaxed and refreshed. In spite of being in a modest back woods cabin, with nine kids. Helps that there were three other card-playin', butter-eatin' laugh-til-our-sides-hurt adults.

And tomorrow happens to be the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR THE KIDS!
I will report on that later.
Off to the laundry room.

and we're off

The dentist went extremely well, thanks for asking!
And whoa, first time we have had dental insurance, so we didn't have to leave our only running vehicle as collateral. That was nice. We left having paid the whole bill. That was weird.
We are heading out tomorrow to this place:

Our family cabin in Idaho, where the cows and children run free.
There is no Internet.
No phones.
But also...
*no school
*no doorbells
*no obligations
*nothing to do
*nowhere to be
We will be gone for almost a week, so the old blog will not be updated until then. Have a great memorial day weekend!

the dentist.

No one likes the dentist, except Mikayla, who naively has her first cavity, and is looking forward to being worked on tomorrow. I am hoping she does better than her brother, Brendan.

Brendan has always been my accident prone child.
Ever since he was a toddler, he has run with one arm out in front of himself, ever vigilant about breaking his impending fall.

It wasn't a huge surprise then, when he fell, at the bowling center, and miraculously managed to hit himself in the face with a bowling ball,on the way to the floor, before landing on top of the same ball. I don't really even know how that was possible? But it happened.

It broke a molar...yep, a MOLAR in half. He had to go to "the shop" get put out, and have the tooth capped. This was when he was about five. The poor kid was miserable, and sick, and traumatized by the whole process. It took us a long time to pay that off, and an even longer time to dare venture back into a dental office.

Fast forward a year, and the poor kid has a couple of cavities. We take him to the dentist again. The dentist gives him a little shot, and that was it, folks. There would be no more dental work done on, or around Brendan.

The dentist tried to explain that Brendan was numb now, and would not feel anything. Could he please, just open his mouth, and let the dentist "look" at his teeth? He wasn't buying that. He knew a liar when he heard one. He recognized the smell of that office, fear mixed with Novocaine. Nope. Sealed shut. Water-tight. The vault was closed for business.

The dentist finally tricked him into opening a little. And seizing the opportunity, the dentist deftly, yet stupidly ventured in the treacherous cavern with his latex-clad hand...and Brendan promptly clamped down and bit him. With a look in his eye like "who won that round, O ye wielder of sharp objects?"

To my sheer horror and humiliation, we left, Brendan still numb, and still with his cavities. We waited it out and offered bribes, and finally took him to another dentist. One that had Nintendo. That cost a bloody fortune. And with sweat on his brow, he bravely got his measly cavities filled.

Well, that was two years ago...and now, we are going back. He has three cavitites this time. Please pray for the dentist.

a few faves.

I thought today, since I have still been recovering from Horsecrap day, I would share with you some trivial things that I have been liking lately, and if you try them or already love them, let me know. By the way, hoping the pictures work, since I stole them all off the internet. I guess I should take my own, and scrap about this. Noting for later...

1- Costco Churros. Let's be honest, at a buck a piece, these things are SAHM crack. I Must. Have. One. Everyday. Carbs be damned.

2- Wonder Pets. "The phone. The phone is riiiiiinging!!, This is sewious..." I think this may be the cutest kids show ever. I must admit, I really enjoy watching this, and I am not even on Vicodin anymore...

3- Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser. I don't have an acne problem, knock on wood. I got a sample of this stuff, and I ended up loving it. It is minty tingly, and the best part...it removes my waterproof mascara. A one action deal, that is a bonus for me, cause by the time I am ready to crash into bed, I don't even like to wash my face, let alone engage in some complicated four step process that includes an arsenal of various product. I need easy, and the tingly thing, that is an awesome bonus.

4- Chewable Calcium in Caramel and Chocolate. When my doctor told me I need to start supplementing or else I would end up a hunchback, I was happy to find calcium candy. They really are good. Especially dipped in a Churro. Okay, I haven't actually tried that...

5- Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer. I admit, my obsession with these little buggers is getting a little out of hand. I have one in my pocket. Always. I especially love the Cocoa shade. I did have a bad experience sending one through the wash, and dryer...wasn't pretty, but I am still a user. I have been known to turn the Suburban around, drive back home, just to get my Burt's. Try it, you'll see.

6- Borghese Bronzing Powder from, yeah, Costco. I guess I hang out there more that I thought...must be the Churros. Anyway, they gave me a sample of this stuff, and I used it the day I filmed my infamous scrapbooking video segments. For once in my life, I looked less like a nocturnal pasty-faced corpse, and more like a human being. I had color! I looked alive! So, I bought into it, and I like the subtle look of health.

There you go. My testimonial of some of my favorite things right now. I just wanted to point out what did not make the list...like a spouse, or exercise.

happy mothers day.

You know, had I blogged last night, I think I would have blogged a classic entry. A tirade of sorts about how much Mother's Day should be synonymous with "horsecrap"<---or something much less family friendly.

I have always hated Mothers Day.

I hated it as a young child, when it felt like every time I turned around, I had to be nice to my Mom for another WHOLE DAY.... like her birthday, wedding anniversary, Mothers Day...and when was there a "Kids Day" anyway? And my Mom would always tell me that "everyday was kids day" and I would roll my eyes at her.

And then I hated it as a single young adult, when I wanted to be a Mom, but was having a hard time finding someone that was remotely interesting to even date. The daydreams I would have of an idyllic Mother's Day, full of sunshine, and hugs, and smelling of lilacs.

Now I dislike the day for other reasons. For the fact that it is just another day, but somehow I always hold onto the hope that Sam will pitch in and make dinner, or look for the missing church shoes, or even for-go his own Sunday nap, to keep the kids quiet while I crash for a couple of blessed hours.

But no. Most of the time, I have picked my own gift, gotten gifts for my Mom and Mother-in-Law, made dinner(lunch and breakfast), gotten the kids ready for church, cleaned up after the meals, helped the kids make cards for the grandmas...all this while Sam takes in the Golf tournament on television, scratching himself, precious remote in hand.

I was so spitting mad last night, this year he "ran out of time" to take the kids to the Dollar Store to let them choose me a gift. He had to go into work. So I took them over. I waited in the car, and sent them in to choose presents. It is not that I wanted gifts, I just want to teach the kids to give. Not a hard concept, but "he ran out of time!??" Are you kidding me? Walmart started pimping out Mothers Day crap the day after Easter!

So I woke up a little crotchety this morning, expecting the worst.

And guess what folks?

It wasn't a perfect day. The kids argued like normal. Sam never did get me a gift, not even a card. My fat dress felt tight. We were late to church, and had to sit on the hard chairs. But...my attitude was different. For no other reason, then I think that my Heavenly Father wanted me to feel special, to feel like I am a good Mom, I had a good day.

I was grateful. Grateful for five little kids that call me Mom. Grateful for five fun foam picture frames that they made for me in their church classes. Grateful for a husband that picked up the ball today, and made sandwiches for everyone so I didn't have to. Grateful for the simple fact that we are all healthy. And yeah, grateful for the Dollar Store crap that my kids picked out...mostly to see how proud they were of the selections they made. (hair-brush, white-out, some colorful (fugly) hair bows, nail clippers, and Junior Mints)

See, it was all in my attitude. I am glad, that for today, I was able to find that happy place. (And without caffeine, I might add)

I know that some of you who read this probably struggle with Mothers Day too. Maybe because you are missing a child, maybe because you aren't able to have children, or your children are grown and gone, or maybe for the petty, annoying things I mentioned....and for some reason you didn't feel special today.

I want you to know that I think you are pretty wonderful.

That, Mom, everyday WAS Kids Day growing up in your home.

That, Jen, I was thinking of you--

And all of my "CB" friends, that I know at any given moment would let me vent about anything, pull my wandering toddler off of 780 west(with no "where the "H" were YOU judgments), or even vacuum my carpet if I asked.

I am amazed at all the women in my life, how even as impersonal as a computer hooked to the Internet seems, we have become friends.

That we all "get" each other, and strengthen each other, laughing at our stupid mistakes, and knowing that we don't have to pretend to be perfect to be good women and mothers.

Thank you all for your examples to me..and Happy Horsecrap Day!

Remember, tag in the BACK

Swimsuit season is nearly upon us.

This gem was caught on my camera phone, when Mikayla wanted to "dress self."

gotta have a hobby

Have I mentioned before that my father-in-law owns a bowling center?

I married into a semi-professional bowling family. It is inevitable then, that my kids would bowl, and even I would dabble a little in bowling.

For me it is purely recreational, but for them, well....that is a whole 'nother ball of wax.

The first year we were married was hard for me. Sam bowled on a couple of bowling leagues and "had a life" so to speak, outside of our happy little connected-at-the-hip coupledom. When we dated, he would drop bowling league to be with me...and after we married....meh. He begged me to get a hobby of my own...well, not begged, exactly, but said he would be happy to support one. (Thus, scrapbooking...) So, that first year we were married, he informs me that we would be going to Reno, Nevada to participate in "Bowling Nationals." I may have laughed. It sounded so official. Like it was trying to be the Superbowl. And it is! For bowlers, anyway.

I tagged along, and I was amazed really, how serious these bowlers are. Each bowler brings an average of five ball to bowl with. Each ball is for a different and specific lane condition. Are you ASLEEP??! Yeah, I was too. But apparently, if the lanes have been oiled excessively it warrants a ball with a certain shell on it, to perform better in the oily conditions. Then there is a ball for dry (not oiled enough) conditions, and a ball to pick up spares only...I am telling you, there is some sort of science to the whole thing. And these bowlers can carry on whole conversations about the oil PATTERNS on the lanes!? "Yeah, I had a rough time getting anything to carry the last few boards...I mean, it hooked so early..."

There is a whole new world in competitive bowling. Silly me, I thought you just had to aim at the pins, and knock them over...

They are very serious about the Bowling Nationals thing. There is a dress code, and you have to be very quiet, and they have to check the equipment in, to be weighed, and tested. It was an experience to say the least.

Sam and his family go every year. It is their tradition. I haven't been since the first time, but now that I have my own *ahem* hobby, I don't mind him going.

There is some good money to be won, if you bowl well. So far, Sam has done about average each year, basically paying for the trip, with a couple hundred extra. Of course, if you talk to him, he did awesome, and "made" $1200.00! But...realistically, by the time you take out entry fees, gas money, hotel money, food money, and somehow there is always a couple of mandatory golf games, he breaks even. That is where he was this weekend. Bowling his little heart out. (snicker)

I am glad he had fun.

But I am pretty sure that *I* made more $$ this weekend on my hobby what with the scrapbooking assignments and stuff.

hopeful

I am such a sucker for contests.

I entered into the Martha Stewart Scrapbooking contest, the winner gets a whole bunch of great crap from Hewlett-Packard. I was so mentally winning this thing, that I even stopped my search for a point-and-shoot digital camera, because there was one in the prize package. HA! The power of positive thinking, right?

Well apparently Martha didn't think my layout was a "Good Thing." Cause they are announcing the winners all next week, and I haven't been called, so I can safely assume that I am not going to meet Martha, nor get my HP package O' swag.

I am going to share the layout instead, with you all. And if someone wanted to send me a small digital camera, I would accept it.

I have moved on, and I have been working on some stuff for the Krylon Designer Challenge contest. So I have been spray painting the ozone layer away. I have some pretty acceptable projects, and even if I don't win....my nose has been producing technicolor boogers from all the stray paint particles, and THAT my friends, is entertainment enough.

In my neighborhood, they have this walking group, where a bunch of us SAHM's meet, with our strollers spilling over with toddlers....and walk.

"Walk" is apparently a multi-faceted word. What I consider walking, was not what we did today. Maybe it is the fact that I am short and stubby, and the other ladies legs hit me at about my armpits. I had to literally jog to keep up with them on our morning jaunt.

I already feel it in my hind-end. Not a good thing, cause I know tomorrow it is going to feel much worse. That drop-the-soap-in-the-shower-groaning-to-pick-it-back-up worse.

And my toes hurt. I broke out the flip-flops, and I am in the process of growing calluses in my toe-crotch yet again. It's the same thing every spring...

On the business end, I am finishing up a project I was given by assignment from a magazine! It feels good to be back in the saddle, well, it would feel good, if my butt didn't hurt.

here goes nothin'

I have lost all sense of pride.

Yesterday, I posted un-photo-shopped and horrid photos of myself, and today....well, I am linking you to my video nightmare.

Isaac, the videographer, did some miracle editing, cause I distinctly remember myself being way more embarrassing. Let me know what you think...

So, here it is: http://www.scraparatus.com/media/category_view.asp?cID=1
Sorry about the cut and paste, blogger has not been linking things directly for me?!

Anyway, if nothing else, check out the tool.

fine.

Photos by Mikayla age four. This was the best we could do. My camera is heavy for little hands....

spontaneous.

I don't really like my hair.

I haven't known what to do with it since the 80's. I try different things, and then I hang it right back into the ponytail where it belongs. I have donated to Locks of Love. I have had perms. I have straightened it. I have chopped it off into various bobs. And eventually, I always grow it out into a one length mop that hangs down the back of me.

It's healthy. I use Equate product from Walmart on it, and still get away with it. Aside from coloring the gray every once in a while, I am pretty darn low maintenance. The lowest of maintenance, in fact. Lower maintenance than me would be a cave dweller who didn't even own a pair of scissors, and whacked her hair between two stones when it fell in the fire.

When I was a little girl, I would listen to my Mom's Crystal Gayle record, and I would stare at the cover of the album and wish...."Oh, please, let me grow my hair that long....I just want to be able to sit on it (and I would be careful on the toilet,) and have it swish around by my knees..."
Sadly, I have never made it that far.

I get to the point I was at today, and I start browsing those crappy "Cute -N- Sassy Short Hair-cut" magazines at the grocery store. Those low-budget magazines with still frames of porn star looking girls, flaunting various wigs. Does anyone actually buy those?

I don't like to "do" hair, truth be told. I think a five minute hairstyle is about three minutes too long for me to spend in front of a mirror. Round brushes? Really? Can anyone with only two hands really do that?

So here I was, mulling over the options, and wanting change, but not change, ya know? So I put it on the back burner.

Off I go to run some errands, and lo and behold, like a beacon from karma itself...a $6.99 Haircut Sale balloon over at the Super Cuts. So I U-turned the 'Burban around, and Mikayla and I were the "Walk-ins Welcome." We were the only ones in the store, with four eager scissor wielding young ladies, which was either good or bad.

"What can I do for you?"
"I want my hair-cut."
"How would you like it?"
"I don't know."

And she offered some suggestions, and was very nice. And she layered it in some long layers, and she used a razor blade at some point. And then she fluffed it with a towel, and put some junk on it, and there ya go.

Seriously. That was it. And it looked pretty good!

Since the kids, I have developed this weird wave to my hair where it used to be poker straight, and it is such a pain in the butt to blow-dry out, and this chick....this SUPER cuts chick, worked it into something! She scrunched it up, and worked it.

I paid my $6.99, bought some product, and gave her a tip. I was feeling pretty saucy.

I came home just in time to slip in the door before the kids came barging in from school at 3:30.

"Hey Mom" child number one, runs past, doesn't even notice....

"Whoa" child number two notices...trying desperately to put his finger on what was different about me....shirt, no....pants, no...finally registers....."Where is your ponytail?"

Child number three "yeah, did you just get out of the shower or something?"

"It looks like you need a comb"<---child number four.

Happy Birthday Pickle!

Four years ago, right about now, I was recovering from my fourth and final! c-section. It was bittersweet, and I was trying to soak everything up, knowing I would not be experiencing another childbirth.

Mikayla is very loved, which is what you say when you are in denial about your child being spoiled. Not just by Sam and I, but by her doting siblings. In spite of being spoiled she is still a pretty sweet girl.

I love you little pickle. And I get you all to myself for another year before Kindergarten claims you.

Another spring catalog came today!

My youngest kid is turning four this Saturday. So I admit, it's been a while since I had a baby in the house....it is possible that I have forgotten certain things about the younglings as infants, but I am still pretty sure that I wouldn't want my baby spooning with a stuffed animal. Especially one with such a self-satisfied grin as that lion. ((shudder))




And this.....seriously?

perusing the magazines so you don't have to

Let's re-cap.

So, for $44.95 I could have one of these glorified beach balls, that guarantees that I will lose 28-33 pounds with its ergonomic "s" shape that molds to my body...AS SEEN ON T.V.!!

Sweet. Wish it had a drink holder.

The perfect remedy to a crappy day.

It doesn't matter what I have going on, if you ask me to go fly kites....I will always, always say yes.