I.CAN'T.WAIT.
I love this show. I am a total Lostie and a nerd to boot! I played the stupid lost game during hiatus between season 2 & 3...
oh.yes. I. did.
I read several of the Lost blogs ... THIS one, and THIS one, and THIS one and The Motherload... just to get the theories of course (not because I am a complete nerd) ... which BTW are rather good!
So. I love this show. I can't wait to see this season! The season finale last spring totally freaked Jefe and I out... I mean, flash forwards now?
The previews have been looking awesome! I love how it really is a thinking man's show... you can do freeze frames, and end up catching so much more. Its very interactive and just plain clever! So, you know where I will be... will you be there too?

My sister, ima10cow, sent me THIS link that is intended to help you figure out who it is you REALLY align with in this on going madhouse... err. I mean presidential election. It was very educational. I really liked how there was just a brief synopsis of each candidates position on each issue. That was very informative... I have been wanting to research where each one stands, but haven't wanted to wade through all the rhetoric. This site was excellent. It gives you a short survey to find out where YOU stand on the various issues, (which I think is the Key element!) then it shows you who you most align with, and who you are the furthest from. I have to admit that I was VERY surprised.
I figured that I would align more on the conservative side... however, after going through each issue in the survey, I found myself more on the Liberal side. I think THAT right there is why it is so important to research out the issues and not just assume... I think many people assume "Oh. I'm Christian, he's Christian... I better vote for him 'cause he's going to feel the same way I do about the issues." Not. True At. All.
The things that are important to me, are not important to Mitt Romney or John McCain. At least to the same degree... which frankly surprised me. I was more closely aligned with John Edwards and (gasp) Hilary. I almost hid my head in shame when the results came back. Not with regards to John Edwards. I have liked him ever since the last election.
But. Seriously. Hilary?
She bugs me.
Really, really bugs me.
I REALLY like Barak Obama... but, after reading the issues... we don't really see eye to eye. I am the furthest away from Mike Huckabee (whew. that guy seriously scares me).
Now I am in a quandary because the candidate that I most aligned with has dropped out of the race...
But. Putting all that aside... How totally cool is it that we finally have gotten to a place in our society where The President of the United States could either be a) a black man b) a woman or c) a Mormon. I think that if nothing else (all the issues, ugliness and rhetoric aside) THOSE 3 facts are amazing. And maybe, just maybe, show that we as a society are finally coming out of the dark ages and aligning ourselves more along with the European world (who btw has already HAD women prime ministers!)
So. Anyway. Go check out THIS site... and figure out where you stand on the issues... You might just be surprised who you align more with too!
Then, make sure you do something about it!

The other night I made BBQ chicken for dinner. Nothing special. Just chicken, and BBQ sauce cooked most of the day in the crock pot. Thing 3 thought she had died and gone to heaven. Seriously. She decided yesterday that was what she wanted for lunch. So, I dished up some of that yummy BBQ chicken, and she started going to town. After her second helping, she stopped mid-chew and asked me, VERY serious and even more worried: "Mama, whats this chicken made out of?" I told her Chicken and BBQ sauce.
"No mama. Whats the recipe?"
Ummm. Chicken and BBQ sauce.
She scrutinized me for quite a while, then let out a giant "Whew. Cause if it was made out of Lobsters, I was gonna be sick. I hate Lobsters. They're gross, and they eat bugs. I don't want to look like a Lobster."
Oh.
Well, then its good I don't use Lobsters as my choice of seasonings then huh?

Oh. BTW, did you know that Lobsters eat Mussels, crabs, clams, sea worms as well as dead fish, starfish and other weak Lobsters?
Yup.
We googled it, cause I was pretty sure they didn't eat bugs, and Thing 3 was positive you used them to spice up your BBQ sauce.
Thank you Google. You saved us yet again!

President Gordon B. Hinckley, the Prophet and President of my church died last night at age 97. For my friends who are not of the same faith as mine, this would be equal to the passing of the Pope. He was a revered man... one whom, I firmly believe, spoke with God on a very regular basis. I believe, and have tried to teach my children, that if they want to know what it is that God is thinking, they should listen to this man, The Prophet. That is how closely I believe he communicates with the Lord. He has led my church for almost 13 years. I remember when he was first ordained in April of 1995. I was pregnant with Thing 1, and Jefe and I actually went to SLC to see/listen to him be ordained. It was profound for me. I have a deep love for this man, as I think most people of my faith do. I would crawl on shards of broken glass, if he had asked me to. I know that he was a man of God, and that he would never ask me to do something that wasn't for my own good, or something that The Lord wanted me to do.
Sometimes, I must admit, that the things we are asked to do seem weird or "silly". Especially to those not of my faith. However, I firmly believe that it is a test from the Lord, of obedience, on our part... Just to see if we are willing. Being obedient can be, at times, difficult. Especially when the rest of the world is telling you that what you are doing is silly, old fashioned and unnecessary. "Everyone is doing it, so it can't be THAT bad."
That does make it hard. However, I do try to be obedient. I know I will be blessed if I am.
I love this man. He will be missed, however, the fact that the he was simply the voice for The Lord helps me to know that my church will not falter. It will continue forth, the same today as it was yesterday. The Lord is the head of my church, and President Hinckley was simply doing the will of The Lord. The next man to become our Prophet, will lead us in the same manner. Speaking ONLY the will of God. I know this.

I will post more thoughts later, when I have had time to gather them in a better, more organized fashion.

This chair has my name written ALL OVER IT!
Do you see it too?
Yeah.
I thought so.

It's January...
So. Instead of going Green like the rest of the world (mostly TV land)
I have gone Grey.
At least until the cold and snow go away!
Ugh.
My sister, ima10cow, put it perfectly...
January = blech!

"One doesn't have a sense of humor. It has you." Larry Gelbart

It's cold. It's foggy and there's snow everywhere. I am sick of winter, and just want to see some colors. Any color will do... Just some color other than white, or gray.
Seriously. This is old.
January really does suck.
Enjoy my very random 10 Friday today. What's your random 10?

1. I Was Just Thinking - Teitur
2. Screaming Infidelities - Dashboard Confessional
3. Closer - Joshua Radin
4. How's It Going To Be - Third Eye Blind
5. Back To Me - Bebo Norman
6. Here Is Gone - Goo Goo Dolls
7. Come Around - Sister Hazel
8. Old King - Neil Young
9. Raven - The Dave Matthews Band
10. Save It For A Rainy Day - The Jayhawks

Bonus: Maria's Bed - Bruce Springsteen *the boss!*

WOWZERS!!!
THIS is really weird! (click on it to read the article!)
I guess anything is possible... but I think I would have FREAKED OUT if they had told me later in my pregnancy that I was now carrying two babies.
Uhh.
WTH???

I have Insomnia.
I think that this time around, its mostly related to being 8 1/2 months pregnant, and thus I am just 100% uncomfortable. No matter where I sleep or when... I hurt and feel like crap!
I'm big and fat and can not sleep on my stomach which is my preferred method of sleeping. However, I have had Insomnia on and off my entire life. I remember getting ready for my mission, and one of my biggest concerns was that I wouldn't be able to sleep... all night long... then what would I do? I was seriously worried about this. As a child, I can remember laying in my bed for hours and hours on end, watching the clock tick each minute by... WILLING myself to sleep. Sometimes it worked, usually not. I was 100% blessed while on my mission, because as soon as I hit the pillow, I was asleep and I slept all night long. No problems. But, as soon as I came home, the sleepless nights started again.
I'm not always in a sleepless state. It comes and goes. Before I got pregnant, my sleepless state, I believe, was related to the anti-depressants that I was taking. The biggest side affect was Insomnia. Now, if I took the 1,000 mg of Tylenol every night, then I had no problem sleeping, or staying asleep. But, then I realized the damage that was doing to my liver... so I stopped that.
I feel funny even admitting this. People look at you funny... like you're from Mars-- just because you can't sleep like normal people do.
"You can't sleep like 12 hours? How weird! I could totally sleep all day long, and sleep in until noon! You are SO weird!"
Uhh.
Gee.
Thanks!?!

On numerous occasions, I have confided that I read... A LOT. People usually respond with statements like: "Oh. I don't have THAT kind of time." OR "My time is better spent taking care of my kids and family and home." OR my personal favorite: "Is your house just a total mess and your laundry never gets done?" .
Umm.
Ouch.
And No.
My house is clean. My laundry is done, and I vacuum my house every single day. I don't however spend endless hours decorating-- just because I really find zero joy in doing that little chore... and I really don't have the panache for it either!
I do, however, make a hot breakfast for my kids in the mornings (usually, unless they don't want one-- which Thing 1 usually doesn't anymore) and I try really hard to get one for Jefe in there too. Not all the time. But, I try.
I am not perfect. Sometimes, I slip up and I'm a flake.
Jefe can most definitely point 187 things that drive him nuts about me, and that I need to do better... But, really, I try.
I swear I am not lazy...
Usually.
LOL.
I just can't sleep.
I had a friend one time tell me that Jefe and I have a strange relationship, because if I fall asleep on the couch, he will just leave me there, and go on up to bed. "Doesn't he love you?" she asked me.
Umm. Yes.
"Well, then why doesn't he wake you up to go to bed with him? That's what people who are in love do."
Umm. Because he DOES love me... he lets me sleep wherever I happen to crash. Because, if he wakes me up... well. Then I'm up. And, its all down hill from there.
Sheesh.
Talk about pressure, and feeling like maybe we were weirdos... and headed for the nearest divorce court.
Just because I have different sleeping habits than she did.

My doctor, after I had Thing 2, told me that I shouldn't watch T.V. at night, but start reading. When I wake up, read a book. So, I did that. I wasn't a big reader back then. I read, but really, really sporadically. Then, Iheard a quote by Henry Kissinger that said, to paraphrase: "well educated people read a book a week." I knew there was NO WAY IN HELL I was going to be able to read a book a week, but I figured that I could read a book a month. So, thats how I started reading, and reading "so many books". I started my first book club with our friends who were in the same boat we were (read: poor) ... and we started reading and talking... and honestly-- growing.
When Jefe was in Law school, we didn't have cable, so my entertainment came from reading, scrap booking, watching the free movies you can check out from the library and my friends.
Now.
I do admit, that my Dr was right... the sleeping mojo did kick in when I tried to read in the middle of the night... that happened often. But, sometimes it didn't. And, I would find myself reading an entire book in 1 night.
Over time, I was able to go from reading that 1 book a month, to sometimes reading a book or more a week. My tastes have definitely evolved over time. When I was first starting out, I read every single one of the silly Mormon fiction books I could get my hands on. All the work and the Glories, all the Dean Hughes.
All of them.
But, then I got braver and started venturing outside of that little box, and it was like a whole new world opened up for me. It was astonishing. And, I realized that I really didn't like all that silly Mormon fiction stuff. I wanted to read things that made me think, and didn't assume that I was a clueless, pathetic reader that needed everything spelled out for them.

I don't read all the time when I am up, aimlessly wandering around the house. It goes in spurts. Honestly, I haven't read anything since the holidays.
Nothing.
Zippo.
Zilch.
I have, however, watched a lot of T.V.
CNN mostly. Lots and lots of CNN.
See? I do everything in spurts.
Sometimes its the TV, sometimes its reading. Sometimes its blogging, and sometimes its folding/doing laundry (not so much in this house, just 'cause the laundry room is upstairs in between all the bedrooms, and I would wake everyone else up doing that little chore).
I used to scrapbook a lot in the middle of the night... but I have sort of slacked on that hobby lately. Everything comes and goes in spurts. I don't know if that is healthy or not. But, it works for me.
So. Yeah.
I have insomnia.
And, researching photos for this post made me have to yawn.
A LOT!
Did you find yourself yawning while looking at the photos?
Yeah. Me too.
Maybe now I will be able to catch some zzz's... Before the Things need to start their day!

I want to do this to my kitchen cabinents...
I have been planning to paint 1 wall in my playroom with chalkboard paint, and this would be really cool too. Its from a blog that I like to frequent... the best ideas are "stolen"... ahem... I mean borrowed!
Now, I just need to convince Jefe that its a good idea.

This morning on Good Morning America, they said that January 21st, today, is the day when the most people in America hit "rock bottom" and are depressed. They were referring to it as "Blue Monday". They stated that it was because people were sick of the cold, sick of winter, and felt bad about not keeping their new years resolutions. I thought that was interesting.

I wonder if this penguin feels the same... (click on the photo to see what this penguin does to his buddy...)
I sort of wish I could do that! Sometimes. To some people. Well, not anyone in particular... just people who randomly bug me...
Anyway.

OK. We all know that I am crazy, and all that. But, seriously. THIS freaks me out a little. Well, truth be told A LOT! I mean. I don't really consider myself a food snob. However, the thoughts of eating cloned beef, or drinking cloned milk.
Shiver me timbers!
That really freaks me out. What kind of drugs and unnatural things will I be ingesting by doing this... even though they SAY its safe for human consumption... is it really? I heard on CNN a big debate about whether or not there should be labels on the cloned beef/milk. One host was all for it, the other just shrugged their shoulders as if to say "Who really cares? Meat is meat and milk is milk".
Ummmm.
EXCUSE ME!
But, I care! I really do think that I would have a problem eating cloned anything. I would seriously want to choose whether or not I consumed beef, milk, cheese, cream cheese etc from a cloned animal. Think about it. How much of the stuff we eat, if this actually comes to pass, could then be cloned? Pretty much everything. I find that terribly frightening.
What do you think?? Would you care if they started selling cloned food? Would you want there to be labels, or would that not bug you?
Let's chat!

"I know who I am. No one else knows who I am. If I was a giraffe, and someone said I was a snake, I'd think, no, actually I'm a giraffe." - Richard Gere


Umm. WTH?? Seriously. W.T.H.?? Don't you find yourself wondering if these stars ever think before they speak? They are sort of like toddlers... they say the darnedest things!

"It's Friday! It's Friday! Yee-haw its Friday!" Would usually be my chant. 'Cause that phrase would mean there would be a weekend full of fun and adventure. But, when its like only 9 degrees outside... Well the thoughts of it being a Friday send me into full blow nervous ticks...
What. To. Do. With. Children. And. Not. Kill. Them.
Nervous ticks.
Seriously.
If I won't go outside to even get the mail, how can I expect them to go outside and play? So, we all sit around like giant lumps... Watching T.V. and playing video games until we are sick of each other and ourselves... And we are mean, grumpy, rude, unruly and just plain gross.
So. Yeah. Friday?
I feel the ticks already.
I'm scared.

1. Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles
2. Unaccompanied Cello Suite in G minor - Yo Yo Ma
3. Yellow - Coldplay
4. Campfire Song Song - Sponge Bob Square Pants
5. The Best of Both Worlds - Hannah Montana
6. Kung Fu Fighting - Countdown Singers
7. Robot Rock - Daft Punk
8. Funkytown - Lipps Inc.
9. Bubbly - Colbie Caillat
10. Down To The River - Alison Krauss

Bonus: Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's

I'm lame. I get this. I actually know this. And, quite frankly, I'm OK with it.
Why do I start this post with a comment like that? Well. Because I have been obsessing over Crazy Boxer Dogs stupid wound. Obsessing. Like, not letting her out of my sight so that she wont lick her wounds. Waking up every time I hear her smacking her lips.
(which, btw, she does A LOT when she is sleeping. Is she dreaming about steak and big bowls of milk? Sheesh.)
Yes.
I AM tired! Very Very tired.
So, last night I gave the dog her various pills, and noticed that her wound was looking... well. Gross. I was thinking to myself that I needed to call the vet, when who to my wondering eyes is calling ME?? The Vet. He was calling me to tell me that they had been able to contain the cancer, and it was only a grade 1 mass cell tumor. I guess thats good news. He said it was. I tell him my concerns and he tells me to bring her in first thing in the morning.
So. I do. And her wound is now infected.
EWWWW !!
Gross. I now get to give to her 2x a day a lovely pain killer, anti-biotic, and peroxide her wound.
Yeah. Yuck.
Now, here is the lame-o part. I am actually doing it. With some concern and love... Watching the wound to make sure its getting better.
~ Sigh~
Lame.
I know.

I have the midas touch. Seriously. I know you are jealous, but you shouldn't be. I have this wicked awesome midas touch to break electronic equipment. It's actually quite annoying. My brand new camera, after having been aided with my wicked awesome midas touch, now has to be sent into the manufacturer to have the digital card reader fixed. I jokingly told Jefe that I break things in threes, and I wondered what the other 2 would be. I should have kept my big fat mouth shut, cause I really DO break things in threes. The next day, after opening an email, with an attachment (from someone I knew, mind you. I know. NEVER EVER EVER do that, unless you scan first... sigh. I know.)
I got a virus. And, not just any virus, but a really big, scary virus. It changed my wall paper to this blood red toxic waste symbol, and lovingly informed me that I had virus, and they were presently hacking into my system... ba-haaaaaaa!
Needless to say, I was a bit petrified... who was trying to hack my system? My windows anti virus crap was going wacko... There it was... Electronic Device Number 2.
Then, I went to use my cell phone... which BTW HAD been working just splendidly not 5 minutes earlier, and what to my wondering, horror do I see? My lcd screen upside down and backwards. I can still call people... I just cant tell if I am calling the right number, or who it is that is calling me!
Great.
Electronic Device #3.
Loverly!

So, I got THIS link in an email to find out what kind of Dog I am... (please hold the obvious jokes)
I found out I am a Bernese Mountain dog. I seriously did not even know that - that kind of dog even existed.
Bernese? I had to Google what kind of dog it was...
This is what I found.

Kind of a slick looking mutt, don't ya think?
Tough. Rugged. Friendly. Hairy. Yup. Thats me!

Isn't that just SO gross? Yeah. I thought so!



The Crazy Boxer Dog is back, and stressing the Things right out. The Vet said that we should keep her from licking her stitches.
Uhh.
Yeah.
Right.
That's a feat next to impossible. The crazy boxer dog thinks she is a Cat... she is always grooming herself! So, the Vet then said to put some shorts on her.
Oh.
OK.
That only lasts until she has shaken them off... and then can start licking again.
Seriously.
Thing 3 walks into the room where Crazy Boxer Dog is, and immediately starts yelling "boxer dog! Stop licking your butt!" Then I hear a VERY LOUD "Mom! The dog is licking herself again! She has to stop, cause she is going to get an infection, and that's bad Mom. Real Bad."
So.
We are now fighting with the crazy boxer dog to get her to keep her slick shorts on and to stop licking herself.
OH.
Yes I did. I cut a spot in the back of the shorts for her tail. You should have seen Jefe's face when I did that one!

So, I found this new blog that makes me smile, Crummy Church signs.
Seriously. One of my favorite things about living outside of Utah is the Church signs. I LOVED driving down the road and having gentle reminders about being good, and keeping my focus on God. I really do miss it. It was awesome at the various religious holidays to have these gentle reminders that the holiday was about God and NOT getting crap! (Say like Easter... I loved seeing those church signs and remembering the real reason we celebrate! But, not only that, it was awesome to see people sharing their feelings about God and not being ashamed. Sometimes I feel like its a taboo subject here... and people think you are a'goody-goody' if you get all 'churchy' on them. go figure. )
I say that in all honesty. I really like church signs.
Now, if they can be crummy and make me laugh too... well then hey! Even better! When I was a missionary, my favorite one was: "Jammin' with the Lamb and Rockin' with the Flock." My companion actually made up a rap song with that church sign as the chorus. It was hilarious.
Then there was this one: "Stop, drop & roll wont work in Hell." Thing 3 would LOVE that sign, seeing how we have been having "stop, drop & roll" education for the past month.


Don't those photos make you smile?
AND think at the same time?
I guess thats the point!
Have a good day!

Few things are more satisfying than seeing your own children have teenagers of their own. - Doug Larson

I would venture to guess that my parents will smile when they read that one!

The fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown. - Carl Saigon

It has snowed everyday this week, with the most snow happening on Wednesday... just a mere 10 inches at my house... at other peoples houses they got 24 inches. Not that much really, when you think about it.... Oh wait. That's like 2 feet of snow. Yikes. That IS a lot of snow! I have hit the point in winter when I feel eternally cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Always cold. This is when I start longing for Arizona. Hawaii. Or Florida. Or Texas. Or heaven forbid, even Mississippi (the gulf part of it). Warmth. Thats what I crave. Warmth. I hate having the only time I feel warm is when I have my feet thrust in front of the space heater (like right now) or when I have the heat in the car cranked so high normal people would throw-up. Seriously People. I hate being cold.
Anyway. Supposedly its going to be sunny tomorrow. We'll see.
Have a fun weekend!


1. Whiskey Lullaby - Alison Krauss & Brad Paisley
2. But Anyway - Blues Traveler
3. Bella Luna - Jason Mraz
4. Wild Flower - The Cult
5. Samson - Regina Spektor
6. One Sweet World - Dave Matthews Band
7. Bob That Head - Rascal Flatts
8. Crying Like A Church On Monday - New Radicals
9. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
10. Englishman In New York - Sting

Bonus: Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

My dog went in to have surgery today. She has cancer, and the tumor has gotten really big on her back leg.
I didn't realize what a great companion she has been for me, until she hasn't been here today. I have found myself getting up, and looking around for her... calling her name... then remembering that she isn't here. She is my shadow. She follows me from room to room. Sleeps wherever I happen to be parking myself at the moment. Sometimes I get major irritated with her, because more than once I have tripped over her, rolled my chair onto her, or stepped on her head because she parks herself right at my side. Quite literally. If I am in the office, she lays right behind my chair. If I am laying in my bed, she parks herself right next to the side of the bed... so that if I get out of bed, I will step on her head. Its irritating. But, in the same breath, endearing. I have missed her today. I am worried about her. I have called the vet's office twice to see how she is doing. All they will say is that she isn't "done yet". What is she? A roast? Seriously. I am sure she will be one sad little chick when she finally gets home. Sad and sore. I hope she will be fine. This is the third tumor (2 cancer 1 benign) that she has had. Jefe says that just comes with this breed... cancer.
I hate that word.
Cancer.
It's a scary word.
But, the vet said once we got the tumor removed all should be well.
We will have to wait and see.
Anyway.
I miss my dog today.

I took a bunch of photos yesterday of the snow storm... I thought maybe I could pass them off for some of my photo a day thing?!?
I really like the dark one of the crazy boxer dog... I dunno why. But, I think its cool.

OK.
So I pretty much suck at keeping new years resolutions. If you haven't noticed, I haven't posted my daily 365 for like... oh. I don't know. 7 -8 days.

Sheesh.

So much for keeping that goal for more than a week. But, in my defense, I have been uber busy.

If you remember, my little elementary choir was singing at the State Capitol Building. We have been practicing like crazy, and yesterday was the big day!

It was amazing! I didn't even realize how totally stressed out I was about the whole thing until the last child climbed on that bus to go home... and I heaved this gi-normous sigh of relief.

(It's important to note that the last time I took all these kids - 85 kids that time - to a Choir festival... the bus forgot to come back and pick us up... so we were stranded at the Choir Festival with all these kids to get home. Luckily we had parents there to help... but, I had 15 people in my little Van to take home and a drunk person following us, harassing us... Yes. It was good times!)

We did it! We survived! And we didn't loose any of the 77 children in attendance and the bus actually came and picked us up to go home. And we didn't get in a wreck. (hey. I'm pregnant. I can be neurotic!)

(it's also important to note that where I live, we did get 12 inches of snow yesterday, but there were places that got upwards of 24 inches of snow... at their house... in their driveways... that they had to shovel...)

Anyway.

It was an amazing experience! A couple of the kids were a little teary when they were walking down the stairs when it was all over. I hugged them and asked them what was wrong, and one little girl said: "This is just so cool... and you could hear America the Beautiful echoing! It is definitely the coolest thing I've ever done!"

THAT made me a little weepy too! Because I mean, lets get real people, That IS totally cool to be able to say that, as an elementary student, you have sung in the Capitol Rotunda!!

They sounded better than they have ever sounded before... they were awesome!

I am SO grateful that I was able to participate with this Choir. It has been extremely therapeutic! Because of the Choir, I can honestly say that I have been happier, and have felt some REAL fulfillment from it! I have also been blessed to meet some amazing people that have become my good friends! Had I not been involved with this, I would not have them as friends.

These two women have been my saving grace. They helped me to adjust to moving; they helped me adjust to moving and they have helped me keep my crazy lady chained up. They have become incredible friends-- all because of this little choir.

(Whew. That was sappy!)

So, here are some photos of the day! There were some really silly ones of me... I looked a little, to quote Thing 3, Ri-dic-eelous! But, really I was having a blast directing that music, and I must say that it shows in some of the photos with the faces that I was pulling! (read: dork alert!)

Here is our amazing childrens choir... made up of 3rd- 6th graders! They are dedicated kids... the are at school twice a week at 7:30am for practice. Let's be honest... It is a ton of work. Some mornings I groan as I get out of my warm bed to head off to school in the cold. BUT, it is also one of the best things I have been involved in. I love it!

What were you doing 10, 2o & 30 years ago?
Well... Me?
10 years ago was January 1998... I had a 1 month old baby boy and it was FREAKING cold in Chicago! Jefe was in his 2nd semester of Law School, and on New Years Day that year there had been a blizzard to end all blizzards! Apparently the worst snow storm they had - had in like 15 years. They called it a BLACK 10. We thought that was funny, and hurried to the store, and the shelves looked like the locusts had landed in Wal-Mart and eaten everything. It ended up being a REALLY bad snow storm... we couldn't get out our front door the snow had piled up against it! Jefe's dad called us up to tell us to make sure went and got some supplies and then we were told to "hunker down 'cause this is a doosey!" I had never heard the word "Hunker down" before, and it has since become my favorite! We still use that word, and snicker when we remember Jefe's father.

20 years ago January 1988... I was in my Junior year in High School, and I was 16. I had Geometry and I HATED IT!! My parents took us to Jackson Hole Skiing sometime during this month, and it was a total BLAST!

30 years ago January 1978... I was 6 (turning 7 in the summer) years old and in the first grade. My first grade teacher was REALLY mean. I hated going to school, and I hated her 'cause I was always getting yelled at -- for what seemed like to me NO REASON AT ALL!!
I was also painfully shy.
Ahh. The good ole' days of being a kid. The only thing you had to worry about was going to school, and making sure you ate your vegetables and watching plenty of cartoons!

Anyway. What were you doing 10, 20 & 30 years ago??

I am so thankful for my children... dirty faces and all.

Random 10 Friday... post holidays. I hate to admit it, but I am glad I don't have to listen to one more version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. I was really starting to hate that song. Seriously. Thing 3 loves that song, and every single time we would get in the car, she would beg to listen to Rudolph. Not realizing or even understanding that I do not have the super human powers or Harry Potter strength to make songs start and stop at her bidding! Praise Allah I can now just turn on a station, and she will happily listen and sing along. For the most part. Usually.
Today is a good day. It's sunny outside, and pushing 50 degrees. I love warmth. I am SO not a cold weather girl. It's gray, cloudy, cold and depressing. I do SO much better when there is sun, sun, and more sun! Seriously! So. In honor of that, I plan on taking some rockin' photos of this weird business that I drive by everyday. It has crates everywhere. Stacked as tall as buildings... seriously. I am hoping with the sun and the nice, warm day, that I can get some good photos of them in the afternoon light. That's the best light, just in case you were wondering!
Anyhoo.
Have a great weekend!

1. Fast Cars And Freedom - Rascal Flatts
2. Baby's Got Sauce - G. Love & Special Sauce
3. San Francisco Days - Chris Isaak
4. Don't Drink The Water (live Concert) - Dave Matthews Band
5. All The Wild Horses - Ray Lamontagne
6. Crying Like A Church On Monday - New Radicals
7. Bella Luna - Jason Mraz
8. Somewhere Over The Rainbow/ What a Wonderful Life - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
9. Never There - Cake
10. Off Broadway - Ryan Adams


Bonus: Big Me - Foo Fighters
Extra Bonus just cause its so freakin' nice outside: More Than Words - Extreme
* this is a rockin' song folks. Rockin! Umm. love it! its one of those tunes that you just HAVE to sing to! *

I hate laundry. BIG TIME!
But, since Jefe bought that new TV for the bedroom, the laundry has magically been getting done. I don't watch a lot of TV, but folding laundry goes SO fast when you do watch TV.
I bet Jefe thinks this was the best investment ever, cause there are no more piles... all over the house. I have been searching for clothes to wash so I can fold them and put them away... and not feel guilty about watching TV.

Ok. So this isn't entirely "wordless"... And seriously, have I ever been known NOT to be wordless?? No. I always have something to say. I am working on becoming more "wordless", but that is hard for me.
Anyway... I took this photo back in November sometime, and I seriously LOVE it. I totally dig the old rusty truck theme. (I wish I could have captured it better, but it was a construction workers truck that was working on the next door neighbors house... I really didn't feel like traipsing through all the mud and muck to ask permission to photograph is awesome rusty truck... So I had to be all stealth like!) It came up on my flicker slide show this morning, and I decided to use that one for my wordless wednesday post... it's TOO flippin' cold to be trying to get any photos right now. Although, for my Project 365 I will have to take a few photos today, but I already have my subject in mind for that. Stay tuned to see what that is!

Just messing around with my new camera. We had a fire today, and now everyone smells like they've been camping! I love that smell.
Anyway...
What do you think of the new camera shots? Pretty clever, I think!