Apologies to my democrat friends and family.
Have a terrific evening and don’t forget to brush!
Archive for October, 2008
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2008Thankful Thursday – 80s Edition
October 30, 2008So, this post serves two purposes.
It’s my first official Thankful Thursday post where I share a few random things I’m thankful for every Thursday. And since I’m participating in this “totally rad” event today, it’s my contribution to memories of the 80s.
Today I’m thankful that I have evolved from this 15 year-old girl.
The year was 1985. The trend apparently (for me anyway) was over-sized cable knit wool sweaters with huge mock turtlenecks. Accessorized with loads of matching teal sparky eyeliner extended out the sides to give the appearance of large eyes.
This was before my obsession with perms. I was accentuating my hair’s natural tendency toward wave and frizz. I must have relied heavily on my blow dryer to create wings off the sides and feathered bangs down the center.
Obviously it was also before I discovered my now-coveted pair of tweezers. Our family has an unbelievable propensity toward massive eyebrows. (But I’ll save that for another post).
And oh… the teeth. Whitening toothpaste is another essential in my personal hygiene regiment. Not so back then. Floss. Unaccounted for as well as you can see something black stuck between my eye tooth and first molar.
Sigh…
I am thankful this day that I no longer look like that. Just to prove it -
GASP! That woman could almost be her mother!
Have a great Thankful Thursday!
"What-in-the-heck" Wednesday
October 29, 2008There have been many “firsts” since moving to rural Idaho. To remember them, I’ll be documenting them here every Wednesday.
Last week, as I was schlepping kids around in my car, two “firsts” happened in the same day.
- I was a hair away from hitting a chicken in mid flight. It flew right out in front of my zippy Odyssey as I was going about 55 miles an hour. Jack and I looked at each other and busted out laughing. I didn’t know those things could actually fly. And aren’t they supposed to be fenced in or something? Maybe it was a “free range” chicken. Maybe that’s why free range chickens are so expensive. Only a handful survive long enough to make it to the slaughter house.
- As we were nearing our neighborhood, I saw something large on the side of the road. It was black and white and really round. As we got near, I was able to make out just what it was. Lying at the end of someone’s dirt driveway was a big, bloated, dead-as-a-doornail COW! It was lying on it’s side and was so bloated that its legs were almost straight up in the air. I don’t know if it got out of it’s pasture and had a run-in with a truck or what. All I know was that if I didn’t have a list of things to do that day, I would’ve stuck around with my camera in hand to document just exactly what that farmer would do with his dead cow. What does one do with a hugely bloated, expired cow? Hmmm….
As I write this, the local breaking news is that the freeway has been shut down due to a bull running loose. Go figure…
Tuesday Treasures!
October 29, 2008Since Christmas has been “right around the corner” since the beginning of September when Target purged their shelves of shovels and pails and started stocking up on lights and stockings, I’ve started thinking about my Christmas shopping. With the economy on its knees gasping for breath with no real hope in sight, we will be lightening up on the gifts this year. With a lighter gift load, and the big kids back in school, I hope to have my shopping done early this year. Living an inconvenient distance from anything other than a Dollar Store, a couple of pawn shops, and a merchantile, I will be relying heavily on online shopping. And I figured that as long as I’m scouring the internet for great gift ideas, I might as well share some of my finds with you. Check in every Tuesday for a newfound treasure.
Today’s treasure can be found in the 2008 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. You PROBABLY don’t have one of these. If you’re not yet feeling the economic crisis and have a little extra money to burn before the government gets a shot at it, this may be for you. A life-size replica in Lego bricks! 
Only $60,000.
And if you feel the hips were built just a teensy bit too big, just pop off a couple of bricks, and , voila! A new you.
What are YOU gonna be?
October 25, 2008So, today was the deadline for Halloween costume decisions here at our house. Since the kids had the day off of school, we headed to the nearest Savers to check out the remnants of this year’s costume hunt.
Once the choices were made, we headed home to try on our finds.
Master Vader, of course.
Aye, Aye, Matey!
After the magic of stage makeup, we’ll have a zombie.
The year was 1985 and the occasion was the prom.
While in the Halloween spirit, we decorated the house too.
How about you. How’s Halloween coming along at your house? What are YOU gonna be?
Because I'm in a Blogging Slump…
October 20, 2008Since I’m in somewhat of a blogging slump right now and can’t think of anything clever to post about, I will answer my sister’s request to blog about 7 Things You May Not Know About Me. I did a list of 100 random facts awhile ago so I’m not sure I can come up with more, but I’ll try.
7 Things I Plan to do Before I Die:
I’m not big on planning so none of these are likely to ever be done, but perhaps if I sit down and PLAN them, I may have a shot.
- Become a fantastic photographer
- Bike across Europe with Ralf
- Start Ralf’s genealogy
- Become a fantastic writer
- Go on a mission with Ralf
- Catch up on my food storage
- Own a beach house somewhere
7 Things I Do Now
- Get up at 4:45 most days to hit the gym. (I’ve been making it 4 days a week lately)
- Read every night before bed
- Spend time on the computer doing my church job, PhotoShopping, blogging, and Facebooking.
- Watch Biggest Loser with my older kids, Word World with my little one, and The Office with my husband.
- Go to the library every week with Will and read, read, read.
- Answer a billion and one questions from Will all. day. long.
- Cook and Bake. Thus, the frequent trips to the gym. I love getting my newest copy of Everyday Food in the mail.
7 Things I Can’t Do:
- Sing well.
- Play make-believe. I must have lost my imagination somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd kid.
- Pass up a bowl of ice cream. Thus the frequent trips to the gym.
- Remember names. Only if I write it down or see it written down can I remember a name.
- Keep my car clean. It is a perpetual war zone of crumbs, crayons, papers, wrappers, books, shoes, socks, jackets, cups, and change. And honestly, I hardly ever notice anymore.
- Remember birthdays.
- Make pie crust. I think I’m missing that gene or I just don’t care enough to figure out the secret.
Things That Attract Me To the Opposite Sex:
- Humor – Someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
- Sincerity – Don’t like fakers
- Humility – Arrogance is a turnoff
- Eyes – Tell a lot about a person
- Smile – Must have nice teeth
- Hands and Feet – Strong hands, well groomed toenails.
- Intelligence – Can carry on a conversation no matter the subject
Things I Say Most Often
- Did you brush your teeth?
- How was school?
- Put your shoes and socks on/away
- Love ya
- Hey! That’s enough!
- Awesome!
- That dumb dog!
7 Celebrities I admire.
Since I can’t think of any celebrities I admire I decided to change this one to:
7 Celebrities I’ve met or run into:
- Andre Agassi – Ran into him at a BYU Football game in the early 90s before he cut his hair.
- Wilford Brimley (the Quaker Oatmeal, Cocoon, diabetes commercial guy)- His brother was married to my aunt so we spent one July 4th at his house watching movies and doing fireworks.
- Steve Young – Met him and his family several times at our good friend’s house when we lived in California. They played together for the 49ers.
- Jim Belushi – Saw him this past July in the Dallas airport.
- Nia Vardalos – Shopping on Rodeo Drive when we went to LA to see Wicked last year.
- Molly Shannon, Regina King, John C. Reilly - We sat behind them at the screening of Year of the Dog at the Sundance Film festival 2 years ago.
- Huey Lewis – Was sitting at a table across from us at Lark Creek Cafe in Walnut Creek a couple of years ago. His daughter now works at my little sister’s boutique.
7 Favorite Foods:
- ice cream – Peanut butter and chocolate to be specific
- donuts – Krispy Kremes (fresh and hot)
- pumpkin pie – with real whipped cream
- Good n Plenty – must have for the movies
- Whipped cream – a shot straight from the can is best
- Cupcakes – Sprinkles in Newport Beach
- Edamame – With salt. Unfortunately I haven’t found anywhere to buy fresh ones here in Idaho.
Gee, looking at this list, it’s no wonder I’ve never been able to go off sugar for longer than a week.
Now I’m supposed to tag 7 people for this post but, I’m not going to. I’ll leave it up to you. If you’re in a blogging slump like me and feel the pressure to post SOMETHING, but having no inspiration for ANYTHING, use this as a writing prompt.
Have a great day!
Happy Fall!
October 19, 2008
Have a great weekend!
A Hometown Tour…
October 13, 2008We’ve lived here now for about five months and the place is growing on us. It’s so far removed from how we grew up that it has been very educational living here in ‘the ruralness that is Idaho’. It doesn’t have a single traffic light! It’s the kind of place that you have to see to believe. Or at least for people like me who have never lived in a farming community. It doesn’t even have a single traffic light!
So, I thought I’d give you a little hometown tour so you know what I’m talking about.
This may not seem small to some, but to me this is TINY!
Fine example of cinder block and canvas architecture.
We've never actually patronized this branch. We travel to the library in the"big city". There's a campaign under way to expand this lovely building. I guess that's part of the "future".
I have no idea what goes on in here.
As the town grows, the need for barbers has followed, and so we now have at least three of these. Luckily I've got a great neighbor who does hair out of her house so I haven't had the opportunity to visit the barbers.
One of two fine non-franchise eating establishments. A friend of mine took her daughter here right after moving from Portland and at the drive up window were two cowboys on horseback picking up burgers and shakes. No Kidding!
.
The other one. This is my kids' favorite place to get fresh banana milkshakes.
One of two in town. I guess folks never run out of stuff to pawn. Looks like Jim's got a monopoly on the commerce in this town.
Ok, so while I’ve had to get used to the fact that there is no Nordstrom in the entire state of Idaho, having to drive at least 20 minutes to find good groceries, Target, restaurants, movie theaters, and the gym, there are some things that I’ve always liked about living here.
Lots of roadside markets. (I wasn't kidding about the nectoren.)
Spacious rolling hills and snow capped mountains.
Lots of room to roam.
Good, down-to-earth, hard-working, genuine people, many of whom have lived here a lot longer than me.
And plenty of farm animals. We used to pay an entrance fee to visit a working farm when we lived in California. Now we have one right in our own backyard. This little guy represents food storage to most people around here. I'm not quite there yet.
One of the biggest reasons we moved here was to raise kids. There’s lots of room to explore. The schools are small enough that kids can be involved in whatever they want without the pressures of competition. There’s a good mix of socio-economic levels so the feeling of entitlement isn’t as prevalent here as in other places we’ve lived. There are plenty of opportunities for service. And while it sounds like we’re in the middle of nowhere (which it seems to me at times), we are only about 30 minutes from the cultural mecca of Boise, which has become one of my favorite little cities. Great shopping, food, museums, and parks. It even has an Anthropologie!
So while I never thought I’d ever end up calling Idaho home, It’s starting to grow on me.
Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Take some potatoes with you and come back soon!
Now, what do you love about YOUR hometown???
A 4 year old, a Spelling Lesson, and "Fresh Fruit"
October 10, 2008
This is Will. Will is 4. Will is a running fountain of questions. Will likes to be answered. If you don’t answer immediately, Will repeats his question. A little louder every time. Until you answer him.
Will is obsessed with letters. Will likes to know how to spell words. Will likes you to draw each letter in the air for him so he can copy you.
Will and I sometimes venture out of our little tiny town in search of civilization. Our drive goes something like this:
Will: Mom, Mom, Mom, what that letter says?
Mom: That sign says “For Sale”
Will: What letter is “For Sale”?
Mom: There are lots of letters on that sign, but it starts with an F.
Will: How you make an F?
Mom: Like this (Makes an F in the air)
Will: Oh, like this? Like this mom? Like this?
Mom: Yes, yes, yes Will. Like that.
Will: What that letter says? (pointing)
Mom: That sign says, “Fresh Nectoren For Sell”
Will: What a nectoren is?
Mom: Well, I think it’s supposed to be nectarine.
Will: How you spell nectoren?
Mom: Well, I don’t think you need to know how to spell nectoren unless someday you find yourself living in a tiny Idaho town on a farm, without spell check and a proper spelling education, selling “fresh” summer fruit from the side of the road in the middle of October. Then maybe I’ll teach you how to spell nectoren.
Will: What you said? What you said Mom? How you spell noctoren?
Mom: Never mind. It starts with an N and you make it like this…
Mom, Sorry I'm late…as usual
October 9, 2008
I’m just a day late getting to this post. Yesterday was a little too crazy to even sit down to think. I did at least talk to my mom on the phone to wish her a happy birthday yesterday. She’s probably been too busy to read this blog anyway. She’s hosting a “Sisters Week” with, who else but her 2 sisters, right now. So, when you get around to reading this, Mom, I hope you had a great day shopping, eating, crafting, and laughing.
As a birthday tribute to her, I listed a few things that make my mom unique:
1. Her favorite color is yellow
2. She never learned how to swim or how to whistle
3. She doesn’t like Halloween
4. She was once a Home Ec teacher
5. She has an uncanny knack for making things beautiful
6. She loves a good bargain
7. She weighs the same now as on her wedding day
8. She is super organized; her closet is color coded, EVERYTHING in her house is labeled, her life is planned out months in advance so if you want her to be somewhere, make sure to give her a few months notice.
9. She got engaged during high school. (Luckily ended up marrying my dad instead)
10. She has a sweet tooth and can appreciate a warm, gooey cinnamon roll with raisins and nuts.
11. Has a propensity for collecting unique, quirky, and eccentric friends.
12. Likes to be warm.
13. Likes to finish what she starts. She once refused to join us kids in the storm cellar during a tornado because she wanted to wait until her cake was done baking.
14. Appreciates a timely thank you note.
15. Has gift giving down to a science. Her gifts are personal, well thought out, unique, and memorable. (Except for men. They get gift certificates. And that’s just as well).
16. Doesn’t like chinese food, drafty rooms, horror movies, handing out Halloween candy, creepy old men leering at her, or uncomfortable shoes.
17. Since opening Flaunt with our little sister several years ago, she is always dressed in the cutest, hippest clothes.
18. Is generous with her time, talents, and gifts.
19. Since my dad passed away, she has paid tribute to him every year on his birthday by gathering the family together and focusing on one of his many qualities. It’s a time to remember, laugh, cry, and challenge each other to focus on that quality throughout the year. This year it is ‘generosity’.
20. She is an awesome mom and Grandma who is always ready to lend an ear, a shoulder, a glue gun, some rice pudding, a serving platter, or just some good sage advice.
Happy Birthday Mom!
Politics is not my thing … yet.
October 5, 2008
OK. I’ve never really been interested in politics. I’ve pretty much just gone with the majority without much thought behind it. I know. Very un-American of me. But, hey it’s true. That is, until this election. With our nation in the midst of a financial crisis without a solution in sight, I’ve been shaken into political consciousness and am taking a closer look at the candidates so I can make an intelligent decision. And if you want a passionate opinion of our financial crisis, read this post. It really opened my eyes!
The whole family has taken an interest in this election. We’ve been watching the debates together and discussing the differences between the candidates. But, honestly, it’s hard to tell where they stand with all the meaningless rhetoric and mumbo jumbo. So, when I was forwarded an email linking the BarackObamaTest, I was intrigued and clicked right on over. You’re asked several questions about the major political issues and your answers determine, percentage-wise, how closely you agree with Obama. I read a little more about the background of the test. Apparently it was written by a guy named Bradley O’Leary who is the former president of the American Association of Political Consultants. He wrote a book about Obama for this reason:
“I basically wrote this book for my six daughters and six of my grandchildren who can vote because a couple of them had told me they were going to vote for Barack Obama,” O’Leary says. “When I asked them why, they said because he was good looking, his rhetoric was wonderful, [and] they liked listening to him.”
That would have been me many years ago.
In response, he put together a test for voters to compare their views on the issues with those of Obama. ”You score one point every time you agree with Barack Obama and you subtract a point every time you disagree with him,” O’Leary explains. “And if you wind up in the plus area, then you should vote for him. If you wind up in the minus area, then you should perhaps rethink about who you’re going to vote for.”
So, of course I took the test. I’ve kind of been on the fence about the candidates but after taking this test, I was surprised at just how far on one side I scored. I’m aware that the author is probably biased, although I felt the questions were worded pretty fairly, but at least this opened my eyes to many of the issues.
Your turn. See if you’re surprised at your score.
I’m off to do more research… or maybe the laundry… No, research sounds a little better.
Coming out of the (school) Closet
October 2, 2008
Warning: Googling an image for "coming out of the closet" = bad idea!
I have a little confession to make. Remember how Gab spotlighted me on her blog not too long ago? Remember the interview I gave on how, where, when, and why we love homeschooling? Remember all the wonderful comments from all of you admiring, pondering, scratching your head, and considering my view about this alternately extraordinary way of life? Well, I’m counting on the fact that many admired my honesty on the issue when I make this confession. (Remember, I believe in being honest. ) Here it is:
My kids are now attending public school!!!
Now keep in mind, when I wrote the answers to Gab’s questions three weeks before it was published, I was gung-ho and ready to start another year of homeschooling. I had the curriculum ordered, the supplies put in their proper shelves and drawers. I was signed up to teach art at the local homeschool co-op and the kids even had new school pajamas. In fact, we dove in and started school and got two weeks into our studies before life took a U-turn.
In the spirit of Gab’s awesome interviews, and since I’ve been asked the same questions by many people, I thought I’d answer them in a mock interview with myself.
How did you come to decide to put your kids back into public school?
Maddy was playing volleyball for the middle school and thought taking choir would also be fun this year. So I contacted the school to find out if and how that could work. Maddy and I met with the counselor and in the course of that one meeting Maddy decided there were enough classes that she wanted to try that she might as well just go full time. So she started the following week.
That left me with the boys who were perfectly happy staying home with me. That weekend we went to a neighborhood family street dance put on by the crazy fun Bloglor family. It was then that I saw a need for my boys to become better friends with the kids in our ward and in our neighborhood.
Fact: To make and become a great friend, you must spend a consistent amount of time interacting with a person.
In our case, it was important to us that our kids make and become great friends with the kids in our church as well as the good kids in our community. The boys just weren’t getting that consistent time with these kids. They played with them after school and saw them at church activities but without the school interaction, they weren’t becoming close friends. So, while I saw no academic reason for sending them to school, I saw a need for them to strengthen “friend” skills. As lame as that may sound, I had a very strong impression that this was right for us right now.
So, three weeks after public school started, the kids joined the public school masses here in semi-rural Idaho.
How do you feel about such a big change?
Remember, I’m being honest here, right? I’m conflicted. Part of me is breathing a sigh of relief that the burden of educating my kids has been shifted from my shoulders to someone else’s. Although when I realize that that someone is the government, I shudder convulsively. But then I remember that learning does not happen only during the hours of 8am and 3pm. Learning happens all the time and we are still a huge influence on the education of our kids. I worry that the negative influences surrounding them at school might somehow contaminate their little souls. And then I remember what strong souls they are and what a solid foundation they have. I also worry that public school will be a big fat failure and that they will somehow resent me for sending them back. And then I realize I am more than equipped to bring them home if at some point we decide that public school isn’t working. I also have to remember and acknowledge that this was an answer to prayer.
What are you doing with all your free time?
Free time? You’d think I’d have lots of that now. I do still have Will for a year or two more and he’s been looking for someone to fill the shoes of his best playmate and brother Erik. So far that’s been a reluctant me. Although I do enjoy having him to myself, I am seeking out potential weeky 4-year old playmates. In the past couple of weeks though, he’s learned the names and sounds of half the ABCs. Poor guy. I didn’t realize how educationally neglected he’s been.
I was also recently called as the Primary Secretary to our brand-spanking new ward. That has kept me hopping and on the computer like a crazy person.
I am hoping to take some painting and photography classes in the near future. I would LOVE to hone my photography skills and get some great pictures of the kids.
What do you miss most about homeschooling?
That’s easy. I miss my kids. Honestly. When you are used to them being around everyday, all day, it’s a shocker when they’re gone for SO LONG everyday. By the time they get home, there’s only time for homework, piano practice, lessons, and dinner before they have to hit the hay. I relish days like today when they have the day off school to relax, play, read, waste time and enjoy being home together.
Do you consider yourself a homeschool drop-out?
Most definitely not. I consider our foray in homeschooling to be a great big success. We’ve all grown closer, we were able to piece together the links that went missing in a really screwed up experimental math program in California, the vacations and field trips we took cannot be duplicated, I have an intimate understanding of how each child learns and thinks that will be a huge advantage in the years to come, and my mind has been opened to people who choose to go against the grain and follow a road less traveled to create a better future for their family.
Is there a teenager in the house???
October 1, 2008
Now that she’s a teenager I know there’s a reason I was blessed with only one girl. Here are a few pearls that have exploded from Maddy’s sweet mouth this week.
“My hair just needs to go away. AND. DIE!”
” I can’t help it if my stupid math teacher still lives with his mother and plays with stupid action figures and takes it out on us by giving us all Ds on the test!” (This is an actual teacher at the public school that she is now attending. More on that in my next post)
“LOOK at my makeup! LOOK at it! You have to FIX it! I can’t go to school like this… MMMOMMMM!”
Can anyone out there feel my pain? My mom gave me some great advice when Maddy turned 13. She said “From here on out, don’t take anything she says personally, until she’s about 30.” That’s what goes through my mind whenever the screaming, stomping, and flailing begins. I hope I never forget that advice. I’ll certainly need it!