Saturday, January 8, 2011
Illinois Friends
Check out this post from my friend Maryann's blog Illinois Silly Laws. Most of guys break enough laws that you know about, I wouldn't want you to break any of these unintentionally.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Friday on My Mind
Sorry for the absence, folks. I can't believe it's Friday already! I thought this week would drag, especially after having 2 weeks off, but actually, it's seemed to just fly by.
It was good to get everyone back to school, including me. Sara stayed home on Wednesday with a bit of a cold and a sore throat, but she slept most of the morning and went back to school on Thursday. It's been inside recess all week due to the snow on the playground being covered in an inch of ice, so while I feel sorry for the kids, I'm very happy to be warm while I walk around patrolling classrooms. The kids are in their classrooms by themselves so I basically just roam the halls, poke my head in rooms and tell kids to stop running, stop throwing things, don't yell, get out of the coatroom. It's to the point where Jake ran into the kitchen last night and I automatically said "Don't run please" in my school voice. Scary.
Mitch started his weekend shift this week. He will be working Thursday through Sunday, 10 hours a day. Of course, he had to go in on Monday to do something and then Tuesday night they called and asked if he could come in on Wednesday, so it hasn't been real yet. Or real great for him, since he'll only have one day off this week and next Monday and Tuesday he needs to go to the Guard and make up the weekend he's missing. But it keeps him out of trouble, right?
I signed the kids up for baseball and softball this morning. I had to watch a 20 minutes video on "setting a good example" and take a quiz afterwards in order to get a secret number that I needed to register them. I hope this is a good system. Milwood Little League was so well run, I don't want to be disappointed. They don't have a Little League here, and I did an Internet search on "youth baseball in Utah County" and the one I'd been looking at was the first hit. They have a nice complex with about 7 or 8 fields, so I'm guessing it's a serious thing. We'll see.
Sara and I are going to the University of Utah Gymnastics meet tonight. We're very excited. I'll probably leave way too early, as I often do, especially being Friday night. But we'll find some place for dinner before and I'm not 100% sure where the building is so it should be good. I'm sure I've driven past it on the way to the Children's Hospital there, since we drive right through the campus.
Okay, I'm off to work now. I'm hoping that the overcast look that has erased the mountains out my window is due to poor air quality as opposed to snow. The kids have to stay in for poor air quality days, too.
It was good to get everyone back to school, including me. Sara stayed home on Wednesday with a bit of a cold and a sore throat, but she slept most of the morning and went back to school on Thursday. It's been inside recess all week due to the snow on the playground being covered in an inch of ice, so while I feel sorry for the kids, I'm very happy to be warm while I walk around patrolling classrooms. The kids are in their classrooms by themselves so I basically just roam the halls, poke my head in rooms and tell kids to stop running, stop throwing things, don't yell, get out of the coatroom. It's to the point where Jake ran into the kitchen last night and I automatically said "Don't run please" in my school voice. Scary.
Mitch started his weekend shift this week. He will be working Thursday through Sunday, 10 hours a day. Of course, he had to go in on Monday to do something and then Tuesday night they called and asked if he could come in on Wednesday, so it hasn't been real yet. Or real great for him, since he'll only have one day off this week and next Monday and Tuesday he needs to go to the Guard and make up the weekend he's missing. But it keeps him out of trouble, right?
I signed the kids up for baseball and softball this morning. I had to watch a 20 minutes video on "setting a good example" and take a quiz afterwards in order to get a secret number that I needed to register them. I hope this is a good system. Milwood Little League was so well run, I don't want to be disappointed. They don't have a Little League here, and I did an Internet search on "youth baseball in Utah County" and the one I'd been looking at was the first hit. They have a nice complex with about 7 or 8 fields, so I'm guessing it's a serious thing. We'll see.
Sara and I are going to the University of Utah Gymnastics meet tonight. We're very excited. I'll probably leave way too early, as I often do, especially being Friday night. But we'll find some place for dinner before and I'm not 100% sure where the building is so it should be good. I'm sure I've driven past it on the way to the Children's Hospital there, since we drive right through the campus.
Okay, I'm off to work now. I'm hoping that the overcast look that has erased the mountains out my window is due to poor air quality as opposed to snow. The kids have to stay in for poor air quality days, too.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Maryann's Monday Madness
You know the drill by now. Thanks Maryann for recovering from your sickness long enough to do this!
Have you ever gone cow-tipping?
No. I'm not a big fan of hooved farm animals.
What's your worst pet peeve?
People who make stupid sounds just to make noise. Jacob does this and it drives me crazy.
What's your favorite horror movie?
Ummm...I can't even think of one. I don't like horror movies. The last one I saw was Saw and I only saw 20 minutes of that. That was more than enough.
Do you do dance crazy when no one is looking?
I may occassionally dance, but I don't think it qualifies as crazy. Okay, maybe it does.
Do you like to sing in the shower?
No, I talk to myself. Of course, I talk to myself everywhere so I suppose it's not that special.
Whats your favorite colour?
Purple.
Do you like baths or showers?
Bubble baths.
Do you blow dry your hair? or just let it dry on its own, or towel dry?
I let it air dry for about 20 minutes or so and then blow dry it the rest of the way.
At the beach would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water?
I'd rather be at the hotel pool. in a nice sunny spot, not too far from the bar.
Do you think people should eat the fish they catch, or just let them go?
I like to eat them, and if you're not going to do that, you should just let them go.
Have you ever gone cow-tipping?
No. I'm not a big fan of hooved farm animals.
What's your worst pet peeve?
People who make stupid sounds just to make noise. Jacob does this and it drives me crazy.
What's your favorite horror movie?
Ummm...I can't even think of one. I don't like horror movies. The last one I saw was Saw and I only saw 20 minutes of that. That was more than enough.
Do you do dance crazy when no one is looking?
I may occassionally dance, but I don't think it qualifies as crazy. Okay, maybe it does.
Do you like to sing in the shower?
No, I talk to myself. Of course, I talk to myself everywhere so I suppose it's not that special.
Whats your favorite colour?
Purple.
Do you like baths or showers?
Bubble baths.
Do you blow dry your hair? or just let it dry on its own, or towel dry?
I let it air dry for about 20 minutes or so and then blow dry it the rest of the way.
At the beach would you rather play in the sand, or play in the water?
I'd rather be at the hotel pool. in a nice sunny spot, not too far from the bar.
Do you think people should eat the fish they catch, or just let them go?
I like to eat them, and if you're not going to do that, you should just let them go.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Blog Promo
My friend Catrina has started a blog - she even named it after me! I'm pretending it's because she loves me so much, not because she's trying to blame me for something I talked her into once again. After 25 years, you'd think she'd realize that I rarely know what I'm doing, but I always love for my friends to follow along with me.
So check out her blog - she only has one post so far - but maybe if she gets enough peer pressure, she'll post more! (She's a sucker for peer pressure. See above paragraph.)
Her blog is here: http://nancyknowsbest.blogspot.com/
See the name? That's because she loves me so much! Or something...
So check out her blog - she only has one post so far - but maybe if she gets enough peer pressure, she'll post more! (She's a sucker for peer pressure. See above paragraph.)
Her blog is here: http://nancyknowsbest.blogspot.com/
See the name? That's because she loves me so much! Or something...
Friday, December 31, 2010
Auld Lang Syne
Okay, so I did a 2010 in Review. So next up, logically, would be a 2011 New Year's Resolutions post, right? Well, all you guys probably read my 40th birthday post and my Thanksgiving post so I honestly don't know why you would think I would do something like that.
Oh, you hopeful, hapless souls. How I love your optimism. I laugh at it, but I love it nonetheless.
Here's what I WILL do for you, however. I will make resolutions for other people. Less pressure on me to perform, yet you still get a New Year's Eve post. Win-win.
For Sara:
Sara resolves to have no more health issues. She resolves to put those pre-teen hormones in check. She also resolves to help her mother more around the house.
For Jacob:
Jacob resolves to be less mouthy (despite the fact that it's clearly genetic). He resolves to wear something other than his University of Michigan hoodie every day. Following his sister's lead, he also resolves to help his mother more around the house.
For Mitch:
Mitch also resolves to have no more health issues. He resolves to watch less "Pawn Stars". He resolves to train this dog before I get rid of her.
For Gracie:
Gracie resolves to stop jumping on the furniture. She resolves to stop stealing things out of the kids' rooms. She also resolves to stop unrolling the toilet paper rolls, because that is really, really annoying.
For Jenni:
Jenni resolves to continue doing well without me there. She also resolves to call me as often as possible. She resolves to come out here to visit.
For Jen:
Jen resolves to continue being the #1 waitress/bartender in the Greater Kalamazoo area. She resolves to spread her gift of sarcasm at a global level. She also resolves to continue being a great support to me by helping me to laugh through my tears.
For Maryann:
Maryann resolves to keep me up to date on the goings-on at our favorite place of employment. She resolves to stay alert to any possible purple purses that I may enjoy owning. She also resolves to continue with her way cool nail art.
For My Brothers:
My brothers resolve to remember I am the best sister EVER. That's enough for them, I think.
For My Sisters:
See above "My Brothers" resolution.
For My Parents:
My parents resolve to spend more time with their grandchildren, by taking them for at least 2 weeks during the summer. (That's 2 weeks per parent, btw.) They resolve to send me cool presents for no reason. They resolve to do this often.
For The World:
The World resolves to stop doing stupid things like earthquakes, floods and fires. It also resolves to achieve that World Peace thing I've heard so much about. The World resolves to be a better place for everyone.
Oh, you hopeful, hapless souls. How I love your optimism. I laugh at it, but I love it nonetheless.
Here's what I WILL do for you, however. I will make resolutions for other people. Less pressure on me to perform, yet you still get a New Year's Eve post. Win-win.
For Sara:
Sara resolves to have no more health issues. She resolves to put those pre-teen hormones in check. She also resolves to help her mother more around the house.
For Jacob:
Jacob resolves to be less mouthy (despite the fact that it's clearly genetic). He resolves to wear something other than his University of Michigan hoodie every day. Following his sister's lead, he also resolves to help his mother more around the house.
For Mitch:
Mitch also resolves to have no more health issues. He resolves to watch less "Pawn Stars". He resolves to train this dog before I get rid of her.
For Gracie:
Gracie resolves to stop jumping on the furniture. She resolves to stop stealing things out of the kids' rooms. She also resolves to stop unrolling the toilet paper rolls, because that is really, really annoying.
For Jenni:
Jenni resolves to continue doing well without me there. She also resolves to call me as often as possible. She resolves to come out here to visit.
For Jen:
Jen resolves to continue being the #1 waitress/bartender in the Greater Kalamazoo area. She resolves to spread her gift of sarcasm at a global level. She also resolves to continue being a great support to me by helping me to laugh through my tears.
For Maryann:
Maryann resolves to keep me up to date on the goings-on at our favorite place of employment. She resolves to stay alert to any possible purple purses that I may enjoy owning. She also resolves to continue with her way cool nail art.
For My Brothers:
My brothers resolve to remember I am the best sister EVER. That's enough for them, I think.
For My Sisters:
See above "My Brothers" resolution.
For My Parents:
My parents resolve to spend more time with their grandchildren, by taking them for at least 2 weeks during the summer. (That's 2 weeks per parent, btw.) They resolve to send me cool presents for no reason. They resolve to do this often.
For The World:
The World resolves to stop doing stupid things like earthquakes, floods and fires. It also resolves to achieve that World Peace thing I've heard so much about. The World resolves to be a better place for everyone.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
2010 In Review
Copied from this blog http://duwaxloolu.blogspot.com/ . There are a lot of questions, but I'm going to give it a shot.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Moved to Utah, saw an MRI of my daughter's brain, quit a job after only 2 days
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My only New Year's resolution was to not run as many yellow lights and I think I did that. I'm still working on this year's - stay tuned
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My niece just had her 2nd daughter last week.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness. Unfortunately, several close friends lost family members, so I am sorry about that.
5. What countries did you visit?
Isn't Utah another country? No? Then no. You all should know I don't really like to leave this country.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Write more: blogging, fiction, whatever.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 1 - the day Jacob and I arrived in Utah
September 5 - the day we first took Sara to the ER.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Making that drive from Michigan to Utah with Jacob by myself. Five days and a million miles, but we made it.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Finding a real job here.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had some back trouble, but really, considering everyone else in this house, I'm in good shape.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
This laptop.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jacob really has adjusted to the move much better than expected, and he was amazing when Sara was first injured. He's a good brother.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No comment on a personal level.
And on a celebrity level, Brett Favre. Could he have gone out a bigger jackass?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Medical bills.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing Mt. Rushmore
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
1000 Miles per Hour - Ok Go
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Sadder
b) thinner or fatter?
The same, I think
c) richer or poorer?
Richer probably, but that's going to change shortly.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Listening
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Talking
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Here in Utah, with just the 4 of us. It was unlike any other Christmas we've ever had as a family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes - with my kids' new school :)
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Really? Law & Order: SVU, same as always, with Fringe a close 2nd
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't know about HATE, but my opinions of some people definitely changed for the worse.
24. What was the best book you read?
I cannot pick just one. Seriously. I really enjoyed the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, Sarah's Key by Tatiana DeRosnay, and the books of Cody McFadyen.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ummm.....
26. What did you want and get?
A Kindle - sorry Maryann and Jen, I won't talk about it anymore.
27. What did you want and not get?
Fiesta Ware dishes
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Eclipse. And Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 40 this year and we went to dinner at McGrath's. It wasn't great, but I didn't have to cook and it's seafood, so it was sufficient.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Moving all my friends out here to Utah with me.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Comfort and casual. Same as always.
32. What kept you sane?
My blogging friends and my facebook friends.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Again, bringing up my celebrity crushes. Christopher Meloni, obviously.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
35. Who did you miss?
Everyone.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Joshlin
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Seeing even one picture of your kid's brain is one picture too many.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Moved to Utah, saw an MRI of my daughter's brain, quit a job after only 2 days
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My only New Year's resolution was to not run as many yellow lights and I think I did that. I'm still working on this year's - stay tuned
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My niece just had her 2nd daughter last week.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness. Unfortunately, several close friends lost family members, so I am sorry about that.
5. What countries did you visit?
Isn't Utah another country? No? Then no. You all should know I don't really like to leave this country.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Write more: blogging, fiction, whatever.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 1 - the day Jacob and I arrived in Utah
September 5 - the day we first took Sara to the ER.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Making that drive from Michigan to Utah with Jacob by myself. Five days and a million miles, but we made it.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Finding a real job here.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had some back trouble, but really, considering everyone else in this house, I'm in good shape.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
This laptop.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jacob really has adjusted to the move much better than expected, and he was amazing when Sara was first injured. He's a good brother.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No comment on a personal level.
And on a celebrity level, Brett Favre. Could he have gone out a bigger jackass?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Medical bills.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing Mt. Rushmore
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
1000 Miles per Hour - Ok Go
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Sadder
b) thinner or fatter?
The same, I think
c) richer or poorer?
Richer probably, but that's going to change shortly.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Listening
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Talking
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Here in Utah, with just the 4 of us. It was unlike any other Christmas we've ever had as a family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes - with my kids' new school :)
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Really? Law & Order: SVU, same as always, with Fringe a close 2nd
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't know about HATE, but my opinions of some people definitely changed for the worse.
24. What was the best book you read?
I cannot pick just one. Seriously. I really enjoyed the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, Sarah's Key by Tatiana DeRosnay, and the books of Cody McFadyen.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ummm.....
26. What did you want and get?
A Kindle - sorry Maryann and Jen, I won't talk about it anymore.
27. What did you want and not get?
Fiesta Ware dishes
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Eclipse. And Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 40 this year and we went to dinner at McGrath's. It wasn't great, but I didn't have to cook and it's seafood, so it was sufficient.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Moving all my friends out here to Utah with me.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Comfort and casual. Same as always.
32. What kept you sane?
My blogging friends and my facebook friends.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Again, bringing up my celebrity crushes. Christopher Meloni, obviously.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
35. Who did you miss?
Everyone.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Joshlin
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Seeing even one picture of your kid's brain is one picture too many.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Under Heavy Manners
Mitch and I have always taken a “divide and conquer” approach to parenting. That is a nice way of saying what I generally say, which is that “Mitch wants to raise decent human beings; I just want it to be quiet.” Clearly this approach has some consequences, as I’ve noticed over the last several weeks that my kids’ have the table manners of small, clothed savages. This is wholly unacceptable and I aim to fix this immediately. I am searching Amazon RIGHT NOW for books on table manners for kids. But I keep getting sidetracked by books like this:
This 1910 classic provides helpful information, such as what to do if you’ve accidentally married an inefficient man for love. Foolish girl.
And then there’s this:
This fabulous 1832 book will help you to treat dysentery, educate one’s daughters, and prepare buffalo tongue.
Both are free books. It’s all I can do not to click “Buy now”.
This 1910 classic provides helpful information, such as what to do if you’ve accidentally married an inefficient man for love. Foolish girl.
And then there’s this:
Both are free books. It’s all I can do not to click “Buy now”.
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