Dear Self:

It's pretty slick that you are frugal. I actually really like that about you. You search for a good deal, and won't buy anything unless its on sale. However, I think there is being frugal and then there is being a cheap-skate. I think you have moved 100% into the cheap-skate category.

Giving yourself a pedicure at home is fine. But, giving yourself a home pedicure without one of these? Bad idea. Very very bad idea. You will probably end up cutting your foot, and it will bleed. A lot. And you probably will need stitches, only you're too embarrassed to go to the ER to get the stitches because then you would have to tell them HOW you cut yourself.

Yeah.

Then it would no longer be speculation about you being a cheap-skate, but a proven fact. The Doctor would laugh at you... and tell you $30 bucks is not THAT much money... You're a cheap-skate.

Next time you get the urge to give yourself a home-pedicure? Step away from the foot soaker. Turn around and run. Run to the nearest Salon and just fork out the cash to get the dang pedicure. $30 bucks is totally worth it-- 'cause then you can still walk. And not have throbbing pain. And not bleed. Like everywhere. Cause nothing puts a damper on the holiday spirit like blood does.

Just sayin'.

Thanks,
Motherboard

I watched this video today and cried like a baby! It was neat to finally see Mr. Nielson and hear his voice... I am still praying for NieNie's recovery. The music is beautiful and incredibly moving! It makes me believe even more in the power of prayer...

I know that there are people who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that!
- Tom Lehrer (1928 - )


I think I am in a turkey coma. I got up this morning and what do you think I had for breakfast? Yup.
Turkey, sweet potatoes and spinach artichoke dip.
Lunch?
Yup.
Turkey & gravy, sweet potatoes (which are gone now. sniff sniff)
For the next day or so, you can pretty much guess--with 100% accuracy-- what I will be consuming. My glorious Thanksgiving leftovers. I even bought extra stuff so that I could make more if we ran out... sick. I know.

It was a glorious day. We pulled out Rock Band, and even got my Dad to rock out on it! It was grand fun to watch him playing the guitar! My sister and her husband played straight for almost 3 hours... it was fun to sit and watch them having so much fun. I could hear Thing 3 and Mister in the playroom playing Mario Carts, and laughing like a bunch of crazy fools. The sounds and feelings coming from my home were like an intoxicating drug. It really was a good great fantastic perfect day.


Did you venture out this morning? I got up to go brave the crowds but I abruptly came to my senses. It was cold. I'm a pansy and I was tired. It has been nice to just lounge around the house today-- I even took a nap.
Gasp!
I haven't done that in a really long time. It felt great.

Then I ate some more food. (and gained like 10 lbs)


I have to let you in on my dirty little secret. Really. I think that once this little nugget is out-- you just may delete me from your reader.

Ahem.

I like Barry Manilow.

Did you hear the giant SWOOSH of people hitting unsubscribe?

Oh well. I really do like him. Mock me if you want. I don't care. Much.

He was on the Today show this morning... and I really like his voice. Not his nose. His voice. It's like butta!

{{I feel like I should go to confession now...}}

Do you have your lists made for all the gifts you are going to be getting in the next 27 days? Not to totally freak you out-- but there are 27 days until Christmas. I haven't even given it a thought as to what SANTA *wink wink* is bringing the Kiddos.
Nothing. Nada. Zippo. Zilch.
That is the other reason I didn't go out this morning... I had no agenda.

But the tree is up! Thanks Jefe.

We took the kids to ride the Polar Express on Wednesday night. We didn't tell them what we were doing-- we just packed them into the car and took off for our drive to the train. We put in The Polar Express to watch and every time they would ask us where we were going, we would tell them it was a surprise and they should just watch the movie. (All the while snickering at our sheer brilliance! WE WERE TELLING THEM WITH THE MOVIE!)

When we finally pulled up in front of The Polar Express, Thing 3 shrieked "Are we riding The Polar Express? We're riding The Polar Express guys!" She and Moxie were so fun to watch. Moxie danced, and shrieked and banged on the windows of the train. She thought the elves were brilliant and could NOT hold still. It was more fun watching the two little kids than anything at all. Even Thing 1 was getting into the magic of it all. The Christmas Caroling! The goodies! It was magic!

As soon as we pulled out from the station, they brought us hot coco and cookies-- just like in the book. Then we read the story together, and rang our jingle bells. Moxie really liked this part-- she rang her blasted bell THE entire. freaking. time.
And danced. Boy howdy! Did that baby girl ever dance! She loved it!

I wish I would have watched the movie BEFORE we got in the car though, because I would have made my kids wear their PJ's instead of their nice clothes... Everyone was in their PJ's!
Really, it was such a great way to kick off our holiday!

When we finally got to the "North Pole", Thing 3's face was priceless! That look of sheer wonder is seared into my brain for all eternity! She was thrilled!
And then!
THEN!
When Santa got on the train?
Oh my word!
It made me a little teary.
But then, so do Hallmark commercials.



1. Jingle Bell Rock - Straight No Chaser *These guys are amazing! All acapella!*
2. Amsterdam (Live) - Coldplay
3. Car Wash - Rose Royce
4. Colors - Amos Lee
5. Good People All, This Christmastide (vocal) - MoTab *the violin solo is haunting!*
6. Copacabana (at the copa) - Barry Manilow *its the remix-- wowzers!
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Straight No Chaser
8. La Cienega Just Smiled - Ryan Adams
9. River Flows In You - Yiruma *this is the song that I thought would be Edwards song to Dumb-Bell(a) in the stupid vampire movie* It is beautiful!
10. Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters

Bonus: A Baby Changes Everything - Faith Hill *This may be my favorite x-mas song so far! Secretly, I wish I was Faith...*

This is my first attempt at photo shopping a digital scrapbook kit. I think it turned out pretty good-- considering it only took me like 2 hours, and some hand holding from my sister. Sheesh. I REALLY want to learn how to do this... but lets face it-- its hard, I'm impatient and it's hard.

I guess, in order to learn this stuff, I am going to have to set aside time everyday to digital scrap. My kids will thank me... my house will not.

I am thankful for Thing 3. She brightens my day, big time. And, she is so much fun to photograph. That kid is a model, you know what I mean? (name that song)

Check out THIS amazing giveaway over on Jenn's blog. Can I just tell you how much I want those necklaces? How cool would it be to have our nicknames -- Jefe and Motherboard-- on those necklaces? Pretty dang nifty!

What? You didn't know those were our nicknames? You thought they were our real names??

{{insert evil laugh}}

Muwah-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

That's hilarious!

Now, go enter.

No don't, cause I really want to win them.

Fine, if you have to enter, then at least tell her that I sent you.

(I am so using my Jedi mind powers right now to win this giveaway!)

Today is my little sisters birthday. I say "little" very lightly, because she may be younger than me, but she is WAY wiser! She has always been an old soul in a young body.

I think our birth order may have been a little mixed up. She was probably supposed be born first, but me being the impatient and competitive one that I am probably pushed her out of the way and yelled "No! Me first!"

She has always been the one that we all turn to for advice and help. She has filled the roll of oldest child much better than I ever have. She is an incredible mother to her 3 children... homeschooling them all, running a small online business from her home, and being a good, righteous woman.

Happy Birthday, Sis. I sure do love you.

When I first to moved to my new neighborhood, I tried very hard to make new friends. I mean, who doesn't try that?

Umm, Yeah.

That didn't work out so well for me. I actually had 3 people tell me that they just didn't have "time" for friends in the their lives right now. They were busy with their own sisters , Mom's, kids and taking care of their family, so having friends just didn't fit into that plan.

Yeah. Can you say ouch?

I would complain to Jefe about the ridiculous cross country move, and did he even realize the sacrifice I had made to do this? Yeah, I was closer to my family, but by being closer to family, I had to leave behind all my friends. All of my friends that I loved and that accepted me and all my weirdness. Then I would cry because making friends in my new neighborhood wasn't working out too well for me.

Jefe is a wise man. He would say to me that the only reason these women in my neighborhood didn't "need me" was because they had never really experienced the level of friendship that I had. If they had, they would make time for real friends. I think on some level, that is probably true. When you have experienced, as a grown up, what its like to have real friends -- ones that let you be you-- it is something that you are not willing to ever go without.

As a "grown up", I have been blessed to have amazing women in my life that I call my friends. What a blessing these women are, and I think they may not even realize what they mean to me. Whenever I think about them, I think of this song. I have been changed for good by knowing them. They inspire me to be better a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend and just plain old human being.

Some of my friends I have not seen in a very very long time... like her, her, her, and her. It actually hurts my heart to think that it has been 2 years since I have seen some of them... but thank God for cell phones, email, instant messaging, and blogs. I think it would hurt more if it were like the olden days, and I couldn't get my daily fix of my dear friends.

The one thing that I always find amazing with regards to my Heavenly Father, is that he always knows exactly what it is that I need. Sometimes he makes me wait a long time to get it... but he always answers my prayers... eventually.

I finally have friends in my new neighborhood. It only took 2.5 years, but I finally have them. And it wasn't because I was a super outgoing person either. No, I had pretty much given up. But Heavenly Father hadn't. No HE intervened again. It seems that God always blesses me with the perfect friends... ones that I wouldn't choose for myself for whatever reason (usually because they are too beautiful, smart, funny or whatever...)

His intervention blessed with some amazing friends. A friend in my Visiting Teaching companion who is like my long lost sister. She is willing to sing at the top of her lungs with me, talk on the phone with me, and help keep my crazy lady chained up in the closet.

He also blessed me with another person to visit teach who has turned into another good friend. I have known Andrea longer than I haven't. She married the boy that lived next door to me growing up... and now I get to be her visiting teacher. She gets me. She accepts me and she is fabulous!

My co-choir director and pianist for the Elementary school choir have been by my side since I moved here... and I would never have thought we would be such close, close friends. It seemed on the surface, that we were worlds apart and had nothing in common that would help us to even be friends. But, the Lord had a different idea.

My new, crazy-Rock band-playing neighbor has been a great blessing because she & her husband make me laugh. It's the first time in a really, really long time (since MamaRn & Mw) that we have had friends that we both get a long with. It's nice to have friends that not only I like, but Jefe does too.

Then, of course, there is you, my blogging friends. You helped me when I felt like I had no "real life friends" in my new area. You were my imaginary friends, and my real life support group. Blogging, was in a sense, sort of like a big group therapy session for me. I have been able to vent my feelings and frustrations... and get comments back from you. I get to take a peek in your lives, and be inspired to try a little harder to be a little better.

So, today's Soundtrack Sunday is for all of you, my friends-- old and new, real and imaginary. I want you to know that I am who I am today because I know you. Each and everyone of you have left an imprint on my heart... the part that inspires me to be better. Thank you.

Well. I didn't get knifed. Whew. That was a relief! I told Jefe, when I was leaving for our little meet n greet, that if I never returned, he should look for me in the parking lot.

I will be honest... I was actually quite nervous. I love reading people's blogs. It sort of fits nicely with my voyeuristic personality! But, what if when they meet me in real life, my annoying part comes out? What if my breath stunk? What if I talked to much, or too loudly?

What if... what if... what if...

Someone actually mentioned it might be easier if we would have all brought our computers-- then we could have just left each other comments-- "Hey! I like you! You are even funnier in real life than on your blog!"

Sher and I rode down together, and had planned on making everyone our version of a craft... a tacky jingle bell necklace. But, we got so sidetracked singing Wicked tunes (harmony and all, thank you very much) that the necklaces were quickly forgotten. Oh well. It's the thought that counts!

We did, however, walk in with our own bells on. Carrying the left over jingle bells. I mean, I did say I would be there with bells on! And we were! Feather boa jingle bell necklaces. I know you're jealous! It was pretty sweet!

As I looked around the table at these strangers, I realized they really weren't strangers at all. It felt more like we were a bunch of old friends that just hadn't seen each other in a really long time. It was delightful!!

We sat and talked about infertility, Frumpy's tumor, my weird high school reunion, Binders craptastic health insurance and Sher's son's kleptomania (not really. He's 5!). We were excited for Wonder Woman's most excellent shoe party (oh how I wish we could have gone... shoes. glorious shoes!) and Red's most obedient missionary boy in Russia!

They were more fun in real life than their blogs are able to portray! And, my lettuce wraps were simply divine! I out ordered myself again. I got the wraps and some sort of chicken cashew almond thingamajig... but the wraps were incredible!

I think that I would like to do this again. Anyone interested?

“When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmm, boy." - Jack Handy, Deep Thoughts SNL


I am going to my first meet and greet tomorrow in Provo. (and I'm totally wearing RED too...) I'm excited and a little nervous. I told my friend Sher that she had to come with me. That way if they try to knife us in the parking lot, I can run for help and she can kung-fu fight them. I'm nice like that, actually running away to save my friend. (I am sure they won't, but you never know!)

I think it will be fun to finally put real life faces to these people I blog with and to hear what their voices sound like. They will move from being imaginary friends to real life friends. Cool. And weird. If you wanna come, email me. I'm sure Frumpy won't care if more people come... the more the merrier, right??

I'll be the one there with bells on. Oh yes. Bells. Just you wait. It'll be obnoxious as hell, but there will be no mistaking me for that hot skinny chick...

I got called a gear head yesterday. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or offended. Just cause I knew what was wrong with my car, and how to fix it doesn't really mean I am a gear head, does it? What it does mean is that the nice little mechanic treated me with a titch more respect, and knew he couldn't pull a fast one over on me! So, I choose to take it as a compliment...

I can not believe the incredible Indian summer we have been having here. Every day I sit on my porch and look around at the beauty. It has been fantastic weather! It reminds me of one year in Illinois when I was pregnant with Thing 2, we had Thanksgiving with Jefe's Dad. It was fantastic weather, and so we ate dinner on the back porch. I think that is one of my favorite memories... eating our turkey dinner on the back porch and enjoying the incredible weather!

I will not complain one little bit about there be no snow yet. I would prefer it to be this kind of weather year round. When I create my own world, it will be this perfect weather... all the time. And no banana's... they make me gag. I have a super high gag-reflex when it comes to bananas! If someone eats one around me, it takes all my self control to not start gaging. For reals. Blech. Banana candy? Seriously, shoot me dead but let me wash my mouth out with soap first. I hate hate hate bananas!



1. Wait Until Tomorrow (Live) - John Mayer
2. One - U2
3. I'm Movin' On - Rascal Flatts
4. Speed - Montgomery Gentry
5. Melissa - Allman Brothers
6. Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins
7. The Remedy - Jason Mraz
8. All Summer Long - Kid Rock
9. Fire & Rain - James Taylor
10. Down In A Hole (unplugged) - Alice In Chains

Bonus: The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani

Rule 1. List the first 10 people who have commented on one of your blog posts.

Jan
Lara
Kristina P.
Tracytreehouse
Mary
Sher
Tammy
Mikki
Mo
Aunty Em

Rule 2.The meme questions: 10 blogs - 15 questions

1. What is your favorite post from #3's blog? Shoot! That's a toughie, just because every stinkin' thing she posts is pretty funny. I think I liked the campaigning for Super-Dell and Christian Bale ones though...

2. Has #2 taken any pictures that have moved you? Umm. Yeah. Like every single one she takes. But, I loved her Ode to Elphaba Or at least that's what I called it...

3. Does #6 reply to comments on their blog? Yup. She emails me every time I leave a comment. Me likey that!

4. Which part of Blogland is #4 from? Lucky me, she is my best friend. I met her when I was assigned to be her visiting teacher back when Jefe was in Law School (here's her side of the story). She lives in Illinois, and we convinced her husband to go to law school AFTER we graduated. He must REALLY love her, because he is getting ready to take the bar exam AGAIN... so they can move back to Missouri. Which totally sucks for me cause it's not anywhere near where I live. (sniff sniff)

5. If you could give one piece of advice to #7 what would it be? Umm. Yeah. I dunno. She should be giving me advice... she's already done with her Christmas shopping! (I know!) Tammy, any advice?

6. Have you ever tried something from #9's blog? Yes. She is a financial planner (for reals) and helped me figure out where to put all my millions (Well, the millions I'm gonna win from the lottery by using The Force!)

7. Has #1 blogged something that inspired you? Yes. Her entire blog inspires me. Every bloomin' page. It is such a peaceful place to hang your hat for a while.

8. How often do you comment on #10's blog? Let's be honest, shall we? I am totally a hit and miss commenter! I am a complete comment whore, but I really like to email people back. All the time. (please, for the love of all that's holy, hook your email up to your profile!!!)

Aunty Em and I have been having rather regular email sessions lately. But, my new goal is to be a better commenter.

Pinkie swear.

9. Do you wait excitedly for #8 to post? Yeah. She is pretty hilarious! I wait with bated breath... hows that?!

10. How did #5's blog change your life? Mary's blog made me snort diet coke out my nose. That is pretty life changing!

When I got her blog submission to the Mormon Mommy Blogs, I read the entire blog in one sitting... then spotlighted her on the MMB -- the same day--because she is SO freakin' funny! I just had to share the good news of Mary... kind of like the gospel, ya know??

{{ducking from the eminent lightening strikeage...}}

Then she made me grateful for disposable diapers. Oh how grateful I am for those suckers!

11. Do you know any of your 10 bloggers in person? Yes. I am VT comps with Sher, Tracy is my bff, I lived with Jan's parents on my mission and Mo is my real-life cuz!

12. Do any of your 10 know each other? I dunno. Do you?

3. Out of the 10, which updates more frequently? Probably Jan or Kristina P. (We won't name who updates the least, will we Tracy?)

14. Which of the 10 keep you laughing? Pretty much all of them. I wouldn't visit them if they were Debby Downers. Remember, we got rid of those kind of people!

15. Which of the 10 made you cry (good or bad) tears? Again, all of them. That's why we blog, ain't it? (did I make your eyes burn with that horrible English? Good. Mission accomplished!)

Anyone can play along if you want. Let me know... I wanna see!

I have a ton of tags just sitting in my draft box, and they are all done ready to publish... 'cept I save them for when my brain freeze's and I can't think of things to blog about. So, if you tagged me, don't fret. It's coming. Sooner or later. It's coming. I promise.

Here is the 8 tag...

8 TV shows I love to watch
1-Heroes
2-Lost
3-My Name is Earl
4-30 Rock
5-Pushing Daisies (where did it go??)
6-The Office
7-ER
8-The Clone Wars Cartoon

8 Places I love to eat
1- Red Robin - yum
2- Training Table
3- Apple Bee's
4- Cafe Rio
5- Bella's Mexican Restaurant
6- Rio Grande
7- Cracker Barrel
8- Outback

8 Things that happened yesterday
1- Taught choir to 100 elementary kids at 7:30 am
2- did Laundry
3- cleaned the kitchen
4- went to Walmart
5- talked on the phone
6- Took Thing 2 to the Dentist (I think we may have paid his mortgage this month...)
7- Blogged
8- snuggled my baby

8 Things I look forward to
1- A clean house
2- Shopping with Jefe on Black Friday! Boo-ya (go dedicated savings account!)
3- Christmas morning
4- Vacation with my family
5- Student loans being paid off
6- eating (i have such an unhealthy relationship with food...)
7- The # 6 Harry Potter movie coming out
8- Pranking the neighbors

Things I love about Fall
1- The Changing Colors
2-Sweaters
3-The smell of fire in the air
4- Cool, brisk mornings
5- Football
6-Soup
7- Fires in the fireplace
8- Snuggling with my family members and watching TV

Things on my wish list
1- Relocate
2- Finished basement
3- European Vacation with Jefe sans kids
4- Disney world with kids
5- Karma Ghia (even though it's the "poor man's porsche"-- or so my neighbor calls it...)
6- Less contention
7- Happy Children
8- Jefe's Harley

Wanna play? Join in the fun~~ Just let me know so I can stalk you and find out all sorts of interesting things about you!

Recently I was having a conversation with someone about movies. She was telling me her favorite movie was some chick flick that I had never seen. She asked me what my favorite movie was, and when I told her I think her jaw hit the floor. (Band of Brothers! Thanks for asking! Just hearing the music makes me happy...) She screwed up her nose all funny and said "Ewww. How can you possibly LIKE those kind of shows? They are SO gross." I got a little irritated and said: "I dunno. How can someone as smart as you like dumb chick shows?"

Yeah. I have such great tact.

But, that's when I realized I am not your A-typical chick. I made a list of reasons, in no particular order, as to why my chick card should be revoked.

1. I love to watch sports and I like to play sports. I like pretty much all sports-- including the whole whack-a-do sport of mixed martial arts fighting. (Yes. I watch this with Jefe. I even know the dudes names... scary? Yeah. I thought so too)

2. I really really like science fiction stuff. Heroes? Yup. Lost? Check. Battlestar Galactica? Oh yeah, baby!

3. I hate to go shopping. Any kind of shopping. I try to like it. I fake it a lot... but really its just irritating. I will wait until I have absolutely NOTHING to wear and then I will break down and go to the store to get new stuff. This drives Jefe freaking insane. (Like last weekend when I went and bought a ton of new clothes... I think he had a minor seizure when he saw how much I had spent. I heard him mumble something about why can't you just be a normal girl?) I'm a get-in-get-out-get-on-with-your-life kind of shopper.

4. Decorating is NOT something I like to do. I don't get how to pick out colors or where to hang crap on my walls. Besides the whole not having an eye for it, I just don't like to do it. Sometimes, when I go into other people's homes, I feel really un-chick-like because of my extreme disinterest in the whole decorating department.

5. I like to shoot guns. Need I say more?

6. Chick flicks usually annoy the crap out of me. I can't think of anything else to say about chick flicks. I watch them... but usually find myself quite annoyed by the end.

7. What kind of flicks do I like to watch then? Well, Action/Adventure of course. Is there anything better than a good car explosion??

8. I have no idea how to put outfits together. I think I have told you about my tendencies to purchase 4 of the same shirts, just in different colors... But have I told you about my jewelry? I have lots & lots & lots of amazing jewelry that I picked up in Hong Kong (the real-deal stuff) but I have no idea how to garnish myself with it... so there it sits in my closet. In a box. On a shelf.

9. Most women get annoyed when their spouse plays video games. Me? Nope. I like to watch him play them. Sometimes, I even play too. (hello! Rock band!) What I really like to do is hang out in the same room with him while he plays and either work on the computer or do my other dumb stuff. He's doing his deal. I'm doing my deal. We're both happy. What's not to like??

This last one is the card-revoking-deal-breakin one...

10. I don't like to read Jane Austen. Or any other books like that. I have tried. Heaven knows I have tried. I have even tried to make myself like them... but I don't. At all. I usually feel like banging my head against the wall. Or stabbing myself in the eye with a fork. I fall asleep every single time I try to read them. Those types of books make me feel like I have taken about 10 Ambien.

For reals.

I left Thing 2 home yesterday-- alone-- playing with his friends outside while I went and got Thing1 from school. That's not a terrible thing... he's 10 for Pete's sake. When I drove up, they were on their bellies in the front yard, doing what looked to me like a grass examination.

Me: Dude, whatcha doin?

T2: Well. We were throwing our pocket knives at the grass, and lost one of them.

Me: {{stunned}} You were doing what?


T2: Throwing knives. It was pretty cool.

Me: Uhh. Yeah. I bet it was. Don't do it again... and good luck finding that pocket knife in this sea of grass...

That would merit CPS, but the glory of my wicked awesome parenting skills doesn't end there.

Nope.

I *should* have taken the pocket knives away... but doing that would have meant I was a candidate for Mother of the year. Which we all know I'm not.

I was later inside, sitting on the couch talking on the phone to Jefe. We were discussing the possibilities for world peace, the meaning of life or some other important issue when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I look out front, to see Thing2 running with an OPEN pocket knife-- and whilst running throwing the pocket knife at the ground. Then running past, laughing maniacally.

Trailing behind was my cute Thing 3 cheering wildly.

I sort of freaked out, ran outside to have another convo...

Me: Dude! Did you join the Circus?

T2: No.

Me: Yeah. I didn't think so. Circus performers are the only ones allowed to throw knives around here. Unless you have suddenly joined a traveling troupe, hand over the knives.

T2: {{looking at his friend}} That would be a fun job!

Grreeeaaat!

My kid, the circus performer. He's got the skillz... spit balling and knife throwing... he'll be wicked awesome!

Sometimes the mind, for reasons we don't necessarily understand, just decides to go to the store for a quart of milk. - - Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider


Did you see the moon last night? I was out driving around, rather late, and looked up to my mountains, and noticed something, uh-- glowing?! It was a little creepy at first... then I realized it was the snow and the moon was reflecting off it and that made it look like it was glowing.

Yes.

Glowing.

It was incredible. I wish I would have had a lens for my camera that would have been able to capture the beauty that was last night! The moon, the mountains and the glowing snow... it was breath taking!


Did you watch ER last night? Oh my goodness! Is it just me, or is this season one of the very best that they have had? Never mind the fact that its THE FINAL SEASON of show-- it just plain rocks! I have watched this show since it first started-- back in 1994. I remember being first married, home alone at night (Jefe was working nights) and watching the season premier of ER. I have been hooked ever since.

When we moved to Chicago, do you know what the first thing was that we did? Yup. We went and found the hospital that ER was "filmed" in. I have also been to the "top of the hospital" which is actually the Chicago Hilton & Towers-- yes. The roof of the hospital is actually the roof of a hotel. Anyway. This season has been the best one yet... and I feel a little verklempt over it ending!

Teenagers. ugh. I think that they purposely do things just to push your buttons, and to try and get you to go insane! Seriously. Thing 1 was supposed to be practicing the piano last night, but she was pretty ticked off at me. Why? Who knows. I asked her to please, for the love of all that's holy, COUNT! We argued for a few minutes... when she decided that she would try and push my buttons.
So, she played scales.
For 30 minutes straight.
It took all of the self control I could muster to not yell. But, then I decided that if she wanted to play scales for 30 minutes... then knock your self out sister. No skin off my nose! I just went to my happy place.


1. Eye of the Hurricane - Eye of the Hurricane
2. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
3. Feels Like Tonight - Daughtry
4. Home - Michael Buble
5. Kid - Amos Lee
6. Glass - Ingrid Michaelson
7. Voices Carry - Til Tuesday
8. The Dress - Blonde Redhead
9. Roll With Me - Montgomery Gentry
10. Relative - Gavin DeGraw

Bonus: Some Say - Rascal Flatts

I watched this "concert" the other night, and I think I may have fallen in love all over again. I have been a Def Leppard fan for like EVER, and watching them with Taylor Swift was incredible. I will be honest, I was a little skeptical when I saw they were going to be rockin' together-- they are polar opposites... but seriously? It worked. And rocked! I loved how she softened this song, but it still had the same Def Leppard sound!

Whoa baby! I think I just may listen to the whole concert again. And again. And again.

I wish you could see Moxie sitting here bouncing and "singing"... is it bad that I'm sort of excited my kid likes this?

I have been trying all day to upload these freaking pictures... but stupid, stupid Qwest is not cooperating! I hate Qwest. I really really hate them.

Anyway.
Here are some more photos of our little adventure to Jackson. Is this photo not the best one around? I love it!

Dear Qwest,

I hate you and I wish you would DIE a slow death.

You crash 27 times out of 25. Yes, I realize that the first number is higher than the second number... that should tell you just how bad your service is.

I think, since your service is so incredibly craptastic, you should pay me $25.00 every single time you crash. I would have made like $500 bucks today.

Seriously. You need to get it together, man.

Now, excuse me while I return to banging my head against the keyboard!

Sincerely,
Motherboard

Remember when I did this POST on how I did that silly celebrity look-a-like and the computer told me I looked like dudes? And, not just any dude, but Jeb Bush (George's brother-- which seriously makes my eye twitch...) AND Gary Busey?

As if.

But, the computer didn't end there. Oh no! It wanted to send me straight to the loony bin and told me that not only did I look like Crazy Gary ol Jeb, but I also looked like Whoopi Goldberg-- who is black.

And I'm as white as you can get-- including the lack-luster dance skills.

Yeah. That was a great self esteem builder day.

Well, my cousin MO has been doing this celebrity look-a-like thing on her blog, and I decided to play along. I mean really, how bad could it possible get? I've already been told I look black and like dudes.

Go Check it out, and tell me what you think! I'm quite happy with the results! The GIRL she picked is not only hot, but a brilliant actress... Sweet!

I'm just glad its not a dude. Seriously.

We spent this weekend with our friends chill-axing at a hotel. It was great fun, and very, very nice. Have you ever slept in a Marriott bed?
Holy Cannoli, Batman!
Those beds ROCK!
I forgot just how totally amazing they are, and I wish I could have figured out how to bring it home...

I told Jefe I was a little worried that our friends would realize what complete whack-a-dos we really are and decide that they should tell us to peddle our crazy somewhere else.

Only time will tell.

It was fun for me to watch my children play with the neighbors-- their friends. It was fun to see them swimming, and eating pizza until we were all sick. I think we *may* have scared some of the restaurant patrons with our antics (ok. really it was my loud mouth-- but whatever).

It was awesome (that was said dripping with sarcasm) when my son decided he should try to hit his Dad with a spit ball-- in a crowded restaurant-- only he missed, and hit the guy sitting 2 tables away-- in the side of the head.
That guy was NOT happy. To say the least. I have NEVER, in all my life, see a dirty look quite like that one! Truth be told, I was not happy either. Actually, I was really embarrassed-- that is until he left, and then it suddenly became incredibly funny!

However, I think my favorite part was when I was sitting at the pool, chill-axing, and I suddenly could hear this singing coming from somewhere else on the patio. I turned around to see my son, and his friend singing their little hearts out, doing air guitar and drums to Eye of the Tiger. I love that they were singing it, and doing the air stuff-- and it sounded great! It was echoing all over the place and it was SWEET!

I have posted before about how much my kids love this song! Whenever they hear "the real one", they all start doing the air drums and guitars-- and seriously? It's dead on-- even with the face melting solos! It makes me happy to see our Rock band usage coming to life for them. We have played this game pretty much every day-- as a family-- since we bought it. My son actually likes to tell me all about his day as he is trying to jam out with the guitar! That makes my heart soar when he does this because its like pulling teeth to get him to talk at all.

So, maybe this whole Rockband gig is not such a bad habit after all!

I may have bought this hoodie this weekend to wear. I tried to get everyone else to get one too-- so it could be our "official band uniform"... But they told me it was a little weird.

Whatever that means.

My good pal, Sher did this "Thanks for the Music" tag/twist on her blog! This was a brilliant one, and I just HAD to play along. (Did you think all this up Sher, cause seriously, this is kind of cool!)

Come play along...
1. Put your music listening device on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it makes you look.
4. Title this post what the answer to your last question is.
5. Good luck and have fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'IS THIS OKAY' YOU SAY?
Who Will Save Your Soul - Jewel

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF
Bob That Head - Rascal Flatts

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Hey Girl (Rolling Stones Original) - O.A.R.

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
That's How You Know (original version) - Demi Lovato (from the Disney Channel)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
What Do Ya Think About That - Montgomery Gentry

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
How Deep Is Your Love - Adam Garcia

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen (huh??)

WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
Dancing Queen - Original Broadway Musical Cast

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
If You Ever Stop Loving Me - Montgomery Gentry

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Times Like These - Jack Johnson

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
New Soul - Yael Naim

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
See Me Through - Rascal Flatts

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Stop This Train (Live) - John Mayer

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Rodeo Clowns - G. Love & Special Sauce

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Holes - Rascal Flatts

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Step By Step - New Kids On The Block

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Personal Jesus (acoustic version) - Depeche Mode

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS EMAIL?

Something to be Proud of - Montgomery Gentry

My My My.
That was weird, don't you think?
Kind of fitting, some of those song titles were... (wow. that was very Yoda-ish)

I never understood why some animals eat their young.
Until now that is.
I totally get it now.

They bug you, talk back to you or pop attitudes? No problem. You just eat them and then make another one... That looks just like them... And is hopefully a lot less irritating.

If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you'll look like a dummy and people will try to catch you because, hey, free dummy.
- Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy on SNL


My kids thought Old Faithful was boring.
I know!
I thought the same thing. They were really excited when we were sitting there, waiting for old faithful to do its thang... and then when it started, Thing 2 looked at Jefe and said: "That's it?? That's all it does? We drove all that way for THIS??" Then he rolled his eyes, sighed and said "I'm bored. Can we go to the store?"

Everyone around us thought it was a hoot that he did that. I was sort of embarrassed. I mean, what have I done wrong that my kids think the most amazing, natural- set-your-watch-by- it's- so- predictable- phenomenon be boring??

Kids. {{sigh}}

On our little soiree to the great white north(I really like that word) we saw Moose, Deer, Elk, Bison (or Fuffalos as the kids liked to say) a dead Porcupine and a dead Coyote. It was pretty cool. I absolutely love Jackson Hole & Yellowstone. I am so grateful that I was finally able to share those places with my city-slicker husband! (and kids too. even though they thought it was boring)

Is it just me, or is anyone else glad to not have to listen to election predictions anymore? I think that talking politics for the next 3 months (or longer) should be banned. And result in fines. Heavy heavy fines. Lets talk about candy, or soda, or hamburgers... just not politics. I'm sick of it.

Have you added your email to your profile yet? I am always so surprised at how many people haven't done that yet.
Seriously! Do it!
I want to email you...
and stalk you...
and creep you out...

Have you ever heard of Delilah? She's some freak-a-zoid radio DJ that fancies herself as some sort of therapist as well (think sleepless in Seattle). Seriously. She makes my eye full on twitch. I don't know why I punish myself by actually listening to her... but sometimes I'm masochistic like that. I usually find myself yelling "you're NOT a freaking therapist-- your a DJ!", and pounding the steering wheel. She really bugs the crap out of me!

The other night we were driving home, and Deeee-LI-laaaahhh (said in my obnoxious sing songy voice) was on. She was trying to solve some woman's boyfriend problems when I hear from the backseat "You're not a freakin' therapist! Shut up!" I spun my head around to see who said it (thing1) and Thing 3 pipes up "Yeah! You're not a fera-fist. so zip it!" I didn't even get mad, because I was thinking the exact same thing.

Delilah. She's a freaker.

There are 2 radio stations around here that are playing Christmas music. It sort of makes me want to stab myself in the eye with a fork. I really like Christmas music. I actually like it a lot... but I have been singing Christmas music since the beginning of October with my little Elementary school choir. Can't they wait until Thanksgiving is over before starting with the Christmas music?? It really bugs me that Thanksgiving totally gets skipped over by people. I wanted to vomit when I went into the stores and saw Christmas crap out and it was OCTOBER! Seriously.
That makes my eye twitch too.


Well, there you have it. The random stuff from my brain. I am pretty excited about it being the weekend. I plan on relaxing and getting caught up on life. I have a goal set to paint my house. I have white walls... and it's a little like living in an insane asylum. I just wish I were good at decorating... I sort of suck at it.
{{sigh}}

Happy weekend folks! Give me some new good tunes to listen to. I'm getting bored with my current selection!


1. Love Song - Sara Bareilles
2. The Game (Acoustic) - Echo & The Bunnymen
3. Message In a Bottle - John Mayer
4. Burn - Ray LaMontagne
5. Lulluaby (Goodbye, My Angel) - Billy Joel
6. Last Dollar (Fly Away) - Tim McGraw
7. Skin - Rascal Flatts
8. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) - Michael Jackson
9. The Remedy - Jason Mraz
10. Baby's Got Sauce - G. Love & The Special Sauce

Bonus: Little Black Backpack (acoustic) - Stroke 9

I am proud of my country today. Regardless of who you voted for, or what your political views are-- this was an historic event! We can tell our children and grandchildren-- when they are learning about this in school-- We were there. We saw it happen.

It was emotional for me to watch. I am proud of my country. We have come a long, long way.

If you have never watched MLK's entire speech-- Here it is. This was history-- back then. And last night my friends, we saw history being made again. I feel proud. (if you don't want to watch the whole thing-- then start at 5:45-- it is moving!It makes me a little verklempt!)

This election was the most participated in election in 100 years-- since 1908 when women AND blacks could not vote! We had 64% voter turnout-- that is 1% less than in 1908. People cared and people could see that this was an important event!

"Let freedom ring"... And last night, it did.

Dear Self,
Did you have a good time on your vacation? Yes? Oh good. I am glad! I would like to give you one teeny tiny piece of advice for next time.

When you go on vacation and the time changes... Yeah. I think it would probably be a good idea to change the clocks. You won't remember when you get home, and then you will wake up in a huge panic because it says 7:o6am on your clock(and you teach 107 elementary choir kids at 7:30)--- and everyone is still sleeping away, quite soundly. You will run around like a crazed lunatic getting everyone all riled up-- only to realize its really only 6:06am.
So. You lay back down to "rest your eyes" only you zonk out... and then it really IS 7:06 am and you really do turn into that crazed lunatic.

Yeah. Good times.

Your kids were really mad at you, weren't they?

Oh. And another thing. It would be a really good idea to check the calendar and make sure you didn't sign up for any stupid things... like, oh. I don't know...
Maybe Playgroup??
With 8 five year old girls.
Yeah. That wasn't fun either. You didn't have a good craft OR good food to eat.

It was the longest 3 hours of your life, you say?
Shucks. That really sucks for you.
I'm just bringing this to your attention so there won't be a next time!

Thanks,
Motherboard

Google reader tells me that you all have been busy. Very very busy.

595 posts to read.

Five-hundred and Ninety-five.

In 4 days. 595. That's a lot of reading. My eyes hurt just thinking about it all!

I hope you will forgive me while I hit "mark all as read" and start fresh... Cause seriously? I will never catch up!

595 posts...

I then opened my email and I had 111 emails (NOT SPAM!) That needed to be read and responded to... It sort of makes me want to go back to Jackson Hole...

ps. remind me to tell you about all the SWEET art that was left in my front yard... like tomorrow. I only wish I hadn't come home when it was pitch black... cause seriously?? I need photos...It was the funniest thing I have ever seen!