"You know my feelings: Every day is a gift. Its just, does it have to be a pair of socks?" - Tony Soprano from The Sopranos

Random 10 Friday. I got some good tune-age here today, and it was all random... Anything good come up on your player?
1. Curbside Prophet(Acoustic) - Jason Mraz
2. Back To You (Live) - John Mayer
3. Here Is Gone - The Goo Goo Dolls
4. Shadowlands - Ryan Adams
5. Sweetest Thing (Single Mix) - U2
6. Seasons Of Love - Rent, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
7. Short People - Randy Newman
8. Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe - Barry White * I can not help it, I LOVE this song. Must. Dance.Now.
9. 19 Somethin' - Mark Wills
10. Big Girls Don't Cry - Jersey Boys Original Broadway Cast

Bonus: Firefly - Tony Bennett/Kermit the Frog
**Ok. Another nerd moment. I LOVE to sing this song, and pretend I am some awesome singer chick!!**

Thing 3 and I were sitting on the couch watching "The Land Before Time", (did you know that there are like 9 of those movies now? AND a 30 minute cartoon show?? Talk about milking it...) when she started looking at my arm. "Wow Mom! Your arm is cool!" Huh? why is my arm cool? Cause you have polka dots. Polka dots here, and polka dots here and polka dots here and polka dots here....
Wow. My moles are polka dots.
I AM cool!

Look at what Jefe bought me today!!
YEAH!!!!
I have been out for a while... a long while. Well, at least a long while for me. I love love LOVE this perfume. I get so many compliments on it when I wear it. And usually no one has ever heard of it!! Its my absolute favorite.
Every year, Escada comes out with a twist of this perfume. They are called their limited edition perfumes, and they only sell them for 6 months... And boy are they HOT!
Escada gives them funky names like Rockin' Rio, Island Kiss, Chiffon Sorbet, Ibizia Hippie, Pacific Paradise, Tropical Punch, Sexy Graffiti and the newest one, Sunset Heat.
Man I dig this stuff! I have tried every single one. And I love them all. They aren't overpowering, and they are different.
I am anxiously waiting for the newest one to come online, 'cause that one is WICKED HOT!!
Thanks Jefe. Now I will stink pretty!
Yum!

I don't understand something, so please explain this to me.
My dog freaking LOVES bread. BREAD. I just don't get it.
I have to make sure that the bread cupboard is closed, or she gets up to the counter, and uses her paws to scoop the bread off the counter.
I guess I forgot to do that today.
I came home today to the dog happily carrying around a loaf of bread!
I found another loaf "buried" between the cushions of the sofa.
AND the wrapper to yet another loaf of bread in the office.
Good grief.
I mean come on, lets get real here. I understand why she loves bread. I love bread. Who doesn't love bread?
But, for Pete's sake. People. She is a dog. I just don't understand. She acts like a junkie when it comes to bread. What dog will bury a loaf of bread in your sofa? I came home a couple of weeks ago to the back door wide open. I had left her outside, but she has figured out how to open that door. She scraps at the door handle until it opens, then she pushes it open. Unreal! Anyway, I came home and she was in the backyard, burying a loaf of bread, and had eaten the entire brand new carton of butter. I am speechless. Its funny... sometimes. But, usually I just find myself perplexed. What is this weird obsession that my dog has with bread and butter?

"Dwight Schrute: Someone forged medical information, and that's a felony.
Jim Halpert: OK, Whoa, all right 'cause that's a pretty intense accusation. How do you know that they're fake?
Dwight Schrute: [reading from a sheet] Uh, Leprosy, Flesh Eating Bacteria, Hot Dog Fingers, Government Created Killer Nano Robot Infection. " - The Office

I love that show. It is freakin' hilarious!

1. The Long Way Around - Dixie Chicks
2. Elizabeth, You Were Born To Play That Part - Ryan Adams
3. Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
4. The Matador - Johnny Cash
5. The Early Years: A Scrapboook - Jersey Boys Original Broadway Cast
6. In Need Of A Miracle - New Radicals
7. I Am Weary (Let Me Rest) The Cox Family
8. How Deep Is Your Love - Adam Garcia
9. Everywhere I Go - The Call
10. Your Body Is A Wonderland - John Mayer

Bonus: Is She Really Going Out With Him (Acoustic) - Joe Jackson

Thing 3 came to me today, sniffing, and said: "Mom. I have a runny nose. Wanna know howcome?" I told her that she probably had allergies. She promptly said: "I do. Mom. I am allergic to werewolves, and I sniffed one outside. Thats why I have the coughs now. You better give me some medicine!"
Wow.
We have our own personal werewolf detector!
How 'bout that!

Thing 3 turned 4 today. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday...
Just yesterday I was sitting in a hospital room with Jefe watching the invasion of Iraq. Watching the invasion of Iraq... What a lovely thing to watch while you are waiting for you baby to come.
She is such a miracle. Such a STRONG little girl, she has been from the very beginning. She is stubborn, and everything has to be her idea, or its a no go. I am so grateful she is here, healthy, and happy. She is MY miracle, and I thank God for her on a daily basis... even if she does sometimes drive me nuts!
We opened her presents today, and she got a V-Smile... that was missing some of the most important parts. That was such a lovely scene! (not) After all the presents were opened, and the big kids were gone, she turned to me and said: "You forgot my little little little tiny puppy dog, my scooter and my new trampoline".
Uhhh.
Ok.
First off, she was never going to get a little little little tiny puppy dog, because that would mean getting rid of the big big big dog. Not gonna happen. Secondly, She wouldn't really tell us anything else that she wanted, other than the trampoline. (which is not going to happen either) She would just smile and say "You'll have to wait and see what I get." Not good. Not good at all.
So. We took the broken V-Smile back. She was completely uninterested it. She really wanted a doodle pet that comes in a purse. While we were back in the toy department, we found a little little little tiny puppy dog that has its own purse. PERFECT! She HAD to have it. I let her pick out some other stuff to have, using her money from the V-Smile disaster. She came away very happy, and entertained for the rest of the day. She had really wanted her little friend to come down and play with her new dress-ups, but Anonymous friend had the stomach flu, so that was a no go. I played with her all day... We played dress ups, colored, pet store, zoo, beauty store, and watched a movie. I would say all in all, it was a good day.
I still can not believe that she is 4.
F.O.U.R.
Where did all the time go with her? She is getting so big, so fast. She told me the other day that she didn't want to grow up. She wanted to stay little for me for forever.
I wish.
I really really wish.
My kids are growing up so fast, it makes me sad.
Thing 1 had Jr. high orientation tonight.
WHAT????!!
Am I really old enough to have a Jr. High student? I find that extremely disturbing.
I told my friend tonight, while I was watching all the boys check my daughter out, that I just wasn't ready for this. She started to laugh and said "Well Motherboard. Buck up, 'cause its coming for you whether your ready or not!"
Really?
Can't I just hang a sign outside my door that says "No Trespassing?"
I am so not liking this.
First Thing 3 turns 4.
Now, Thing 1 is registering for Jr. High School. AND the boys are checking her out!
What's next?

Anyway...
Happy Birthday Thing 3...
You're our Supa-star!

"Paula, all I can say is that you must [have been] starved of entertainment as a child." - Simon Cowell, American Idol Judge

Its that time again... Random 10 Friday. It seems like I just get my random 10 posted, and then its time to post it again. Does that mean that my life is on the fast track??
Did any good tune-age come up on your player??

1. 83 - John Mayer (Serendipity Soundtrack)
2. Slow Motion - David Gray
3. When You Know - Shawn Colvin
4. Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
5. The Human Heart - Once On This Island Cast Album
6. Pride (In The Name Of Love) - U2
7. After Noon Delight - Will Ferrell (Anchorman Soundtrack)
8. Wishing On A Star - Rose Royce
9. When In Rome - Nickel Creek
10. Shadowlands - Ryan Adams

Bonus: Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett

I have been a busy little reader as of late. I don't know why, but I have been reading like crazy. Must have something to do with spring... at least that's my theory for now!
I finished 3 books this last month! They are all by the same author. I was waiting for the one that I really wanted to read to come available, so I checked out some of this authors other books just to see if I would like her writing style. Boy oh boy, I really like her style. I have just one complaint, and that is that she throws a MAJOR plot twist in at the end of the book, and I do mean THE END. As in the last 2-3 pages of the book. I hate that.

The first one is The Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult I really liked this book. It was one that grabbed me from the first page and kept me coming back for more. I had never read anything about The Amish, and so this was a new one for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and my only complaint is that in the last 3 pages she threw in this major twist in the plot that I really did not like. I found myself screaming "I can't believe you are going to let them get away with that... but she did." Anyway, that being said, I would highly recommend this book.

The next one is The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
This book was interesting, and yet also disturbing. It felt like watching a car wreck happen. You know that you shouldn't watch, and yet you just can't help yourself. This book is NOT for the faint of heart. If what is going on in the real world with teenagers scares the tar out of you, and is not something you want to read about, then I would strongly suggest that you skip this one. I liked it, even as disturbing as it was.

Lastly, My Sisters Keeper is the one that actually started me on this journey of discovery. I had heard a lot about this book, and then my book club decided to do this for the month of April. I got a head start simply because I am a cheapskate, and don't want to buy a book unless I really LOVE it! Anyway, this was a very interesting book, and brought up some interesting ideas. It was a wonderful read and very quick. Again, in the last 3-4 pages, there was this major plot twist that just had me reeling. I really hated the way this book ended. It just seemed a little contrived and too convenient. I slammed the book shut with a great big UGH! However, that being said, I would recommend it as well. It should bring up a fascinating discussion at our book club... At least I hope it will.

It's always nice to discover a new author that is enjoyable... that means many many more books to read. YEAH!! Just what I need!! More books!
Jefe asked me what was in my Q to read now... I have to say that I haven't found anything that I am just dying to get my hands on. I will need to do some more investigating I suppose.
What have you been reading, and do you have any suggestions for me?

I found this new website that I am WAY digging. It was mentioned on one of the blogs that I frequent. I figured I better check it out, just in case I was missing out on a party or something! Let me just say... WHOA! Was I ever missing the party. I am totally digging it!!
Check it out... Pandora.com.
Let me know if you don't dig it too.

I noticed that some of you are TOTALLY digging projectplaylist.com.
Rock on!
Leave me a comment when you get your lists up and running so that I can check them out!

Thing 3 handed me her "other ankle" and said, pointing to a bump on her wrist: "My ankle still hurts Mommy. Right here. On my boob."
Huh?
My boob on my ankle hurts.
What?
"Mom", she says very exasperated, "My Boob. Right here on my ankle. It hurts."
Huh? Let me see.
Ohhhhh.
I get it. You have a BUG BITE, on your wrist. And it hurts.
Gottcha!
I thought maybe I was loosing my mind and had quite the anomaly for a child.

"Mom, my ankle hurts" said Thing 3.
Oh No! That's terrible! Here, let me kiss it!
I reached down to lift up her ankle to kiss it all better, and she groans, "No Mom! My ankle!" and hands me her wrist.
Oh.
Your OTHER ankle.

I HATE daylight savings time.
Well, let me be more specific.
I HATE daylight savings time in the mornings.

"I'm real sorry your mom blew up, Ricky." - Better off Dead

My Random 10 seems to be rather retro today. I'm a retro kinda girl! Whats coming up on your music playing device?

1. Short People - Randy Newman
2. Mr. Roboto - Styx
3. Everybody Hurts - R.E.M.
4. Magic - The Cars
5. Hanging By A Moment - Lifehouse
6. Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash
7. Englishman In New York - Sting
8. 19 Somethin' - Mark Wills
9. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face(Live) - Coldplay
10. Where The Green Grass Grows - Tim McGraw

Bonus: I'll Fly Away - Alison Krauss/Gillian Welch

My darling neighbor, Dancing Queen, showed me the COOLEST website!
I am totally lovin' it. I think that it is safe to say that I am addicted, and that I like it almost MORE than Rhapsody. That is saying a lot, cause I love love love Rhapsody!! This new site is cool, ' cause it has pretty much any song that you could imagine, for FREE, and then it gives you the code to post a player to your blog. The other thing that I love is that you can make the player either start automatically when your page is loaded, or make it so that people can choose to listen to your tunes. I like the latter, just cause there is nothing more irritating than a page loading and all of a sudden music blasting through your speakers... scaring the living day lights out of you. I say you when I mean me... I can't even begin to count how many times that has happened... Music blaring from the speakers unexpected, and me having to peel myself from the ceiling cause it scared the be-jeebers out of me!!
My current player has some of the current songs that make me happy! They are bound to change, since my favorites are always changing. I put the ones there that remind me of spring, and make me feel like bouncing & dancing away while we're driving down the road... much to my children's horror!!
Hee Hee
Anyway, Check out the cool new site HERE!

Thing 3 has discovered the joy of shopping. She likes to go and look around, and see what the world has to offer. This is a new experience for she and I. Usually, from the time she was quite little, I have avoided stores like the plague. She really didn't have the patience for shopping, and I didn't have patience with her. It was just easier to not shop. Lately she has been a joy to take shopping with me. She will pick out stuff, hold it up to herself and say "Oh! Cute Mama!" She likes to pick out clothes to take into the dressing rooms and try them on... " just like you Mama!" Its actually quite fun. She will try her clothes on, spin and twirl and say "Humm. What do you think?" Fun! Fun! Fun!
Today we had to take Anonymous Grandma to the airport. On the way home, we decided to swing by Daddys work. In order to see Daddy, we have to park in the mall. After our visit, Thing 3 was insistant on looking in all the stores in the mall.
Here is where I have now heard EVERYTHING! There is a kiosk in the mall that sells watches, sunglasses and stuffed animals. Thing 3 was happily checking everything out, and I was just patiently waiting for her. The sunglasses man comes up to me and says: "Would you like me to pick out and fit a pair of sunglasses to you?"
Uhhh.
No thanks.
He looks at me all serious like, and said; "No. Really. I am a professional. I pick out wicked hot sunglasses."
I gaped at him.
Wicked hot glasses huh and a professional too? Professional what? And without even blinking, he said "I am a professional sunglasses fitter." I started laughing and said "Well then. I guess you better work your wicked hot professional sunglass fitting mojo on me."


Did his wicked hot professional sunglass fitting mojo work?
I dunno.
These ones make my eyes hurt... I think its the rose colored lenses. I need the yellow ones.
Oh well.
It was worth a good laugh anyway!
Oh. And Thing 3 got some wicked hot sunglasses from the professional sunglasses fitter too!

I love music. It just seems to make life better, more fun.
A few of my shifts at work have been sans music... It really makes for a very "loud", long, boring night!
I just love music. I guess I live my life in moments punctuated with songs.
Thats why THIS is soo totally cool!
Check it out!
Now, I just need that danged lap-top so that I am not tied to my PC...

Last night I took these girls to help me "serve" at a dinner that my Mom was doing for Elder Dallin H. Oaks. For my friends who don't know who he is, he is a leader in my church, who is from Illinois. He is what we call an Apostle, and helps to lead and teach the members of our church. In the bible, they talk of the 12 Apostles (Peter, James and John...). Elder Oaks is one of the 12 Apostles in these latter-days. He is a "big whig" to state it plainly.
Anyway, I was asked to help out with the dinner, making sure everyone had food, and clean the kitchen once the dinner was over. I took these girls, and told them that once the dinner was over, we could all go to Training Table and have their awesome Cheese Fries.
Yumm. They are soo good!
I really didn't think that Elder Oaks would come into the kitchen, let alone shake all our hands... but he did. It absolutely thrilled those girls to death! For my catholic friends, it would be like being able to shake one of the Cardinals hands. It is a big deal! I told them to remember this moment, and cement it in their minds and then go home and write about it in their journals. It was a good experience for them!
We sat at the restaurant for a couple of hours, just chatting and having a great time! We ate 2 plates of cheese fries. Yumm.
I tried on several occasions to leave, but the older girls kept saying that they were having fun, and couldn't we stay longer?? Please??
At 9:30 I finally insisted that we had to go home... After I had delivered all the girls to their various homes, Thing 1 sighed rather loudly and told me how much fun she had had and how totally cool it was to get to meet an Apostle. Then she looked me squarely in the eyes and said "Mom. You are the coolest Mom. Ever!"
Ahh. Shucks. That brought tears to my eyes!
That means more than anything.
Bar none!

Now, doesn't that look like fun? They were having a total blast!! This is what happens when you close the door when you use the bathroom. Anonymous Nephew found the box of foam shapes, and promptly through them all over the house. You should've seen the look of sheer joy every time he did that. I would get the box almost all picked up, he would sneak over and grab the box and empty it out. At one point, he dumped the box, and promptly laid down and rolled all over in the foam. I gave up cleaning it up, and just let them throw them and toss them around. Once Anonymous Nephew was packed up and heading off to new lands to destroy, I started the cleaning up process.
45 minutes later...
But who cares?
I mean really!
They were happy and entertained for a long time. Its easy to pick up. Just embrace the mess, and you will feel liberated.
At least that is what I had those Tibetan monks chanting in my head!!
Anonymous Nephew came over the next night, and dumped every single bucket out in the playroom. I had just cleaned it.
Oh well.
"Embrace the mess. Embrace the mess."
I feel liberated. Sort of.
I wonder if those monks will make me a CD, all the while chanting:
Embrace you mess.
Don't touch your brother/sister.
Leave them alone.
Come here. Come heeerrreee.
Don't slam.... the door.
Put your bike in the garage.
Put your backpack in your room.
Pick up your shoes.
Clean your room.

Huh.
I think I could make millions off half-crazed mothers who are sick of chanting this themselves.

1,003 visitors to my little ole' blog?
Well, Gaaalllleeeee!!!

Hi.
My name is Cindy and I'll be your waitress/short order cook today.
Just tell me what you would like, and I will fry it on up for you.
Sheesh.
Thing 3 had 4, yes count 'em, FOUR things for breakfast this morning. Did she finish ANY of them?
NO.
She wanted yogurt. She got yogurt.
The she wanted ketchup eggs (scrambled).
She got them.
Then a pancake.
Then a dip-egg.
I was trying my best to be patient with her... but it was quickly becoming impossible.
She took a few bites of each thing, then would promptly push it away and say she was all done. She's not "hun-rey" any more.
THEN she comes to me not 10 minutes ago, crying, that she is going to die because she is sooo "hun-rey".
Uhhh. Too bad so sad chica.
Cindy has closed the kitchen until further notice!

"That bit at the end sounded like Paula talking. That's what you reminded me of, Paula judging this show. Blah blah blah blah..." - Simon Cowell

Random 10 Friday, Folks. Do you listen to music??

1. These Are The Days - 10,000 Maniacs
2. Freedom 90 - George Michael
3. Alison (Live) - Elvis Costello
4. 19 Somethin' - Mark Wills
5. Mahna Mahna - Cake
6. 1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
7. Rock N Roll - Ryan Adams
8. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - Jack Johnson
9. The Heart Of A Saturday Night - Tom Waits
10. Favorite Year - Dixie Chicks

Bonus: Hysteria - Def Leppard

"I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image, I must first change myself. Fish are friends, not food. " - Finding Nemo

It's Random 10 Friday again folks.
Are you listening to anything good??

1. Monochrome - The Sundays
2. In A Little While - Uncle Kracker
3. Linger - The Cranberries
4. Plush - Stone Temple Pilots
5. When The Lights Go Down - Faith Hill
6. The Hand Song - Nickel Creek
7. I Don't Trust Myself (Loving You) - John Mayer
8. Bring The Rain - Mercyme
9. To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) - Ryan Adams
10. But You Know I Love You - Alison Krauss

Bonus: Crazy Life - Toad The Wet Sprocket

Jefe went to the dentist today. That in and of itself is not noteworthy! What is - is the fact that this is the first time he has been to the dentist in 10+ years. I figured for sure he would have at least 1 cavity.
Did he you ask??
NO!
How fair is that?
For Pete's sake!!
I go to the dentist FAITHFULLY every 6 months. In fact, I go to the dentist soo much that I probably have paid for an expensive vacation to the Bahamas!
I brush 2x a day. I floss daily.
And for all that, I have teeth that resemble a Meth user!
Jefe doesn't go to the Dentist in over 10 years and he doesn't even have 1 tiny little cavity??
What's up with that??

I have a question. Its an easy question.
Why do little boys insist on wearing dirty clothes?
Thing 2 was getting ready for school today, and he came bouncing downstairs, all happy. Wearing the same clothes he had on yesterday. I told him he really needed to go and change, and put on clean clothes. He moaned and groaned and stomped back upstairs to change his clothes. He came down again, and had on the most filthy shirt I think he could find. Ewww! I said. "You can't wear that! It is filthy and has food and dirt all over it! You need to find clean clothes to put on!" He started hollering "Moooommmm! I don't care! No one cares Mom!" Uhh.
I care.
And further, You SHOULD care.
Change your clothes.
He came stomping back downstairs in a clean shirt and filthy pants.
Oh. My. Word.
What the flip is going on here?
He just rolled his eyes and goes "Mom. Its just dirt from playing soccer. Its not that big of deal."
Well.
Call me crazy, call me weird call me whatever. But there is one thing that I must insist on and that is my children leaving my house in clean clothes. I just don't understand it. He takes his filthy clothes, folds them nicely and puts them back in his dresser. Why? They are stinky, dirty gross. We had to go through his drawers this morning, and pretty much everything in there was dirty.

Sheesh. Guess I'm spending the day doing laundry.
But, why do little boys want to wear dirty clothes?
Why?

Last year Jefe was sitting by Thing 2 on the couch, and he goes "Dude. You really smell. You need to take a shower!" Thing 2 goes, I did. I just put my favorite shirt back on. Jefe made him take it off, and then he and I sniffed the shirt.
Oh.
My.
Word!
That shirt made me start to dry heave!! I looked at him all confused, and he said :" Well. Its my favorite shirt. I have been wearing all the time for like, a long time."
No kidding.
It smells like it!
Now, on a daily basis we have to look at what shirts he has on under his sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts... just to be sure we aren't having a repeat of last years stink mess.
I mean, lets get real. When a kid stinks. Who do people blame? The mom!
Now, peoples.
I am here to let you know, we Mothers of the stinky boys must unite! It, as I am coming to find out, is not entirely our fault.
We insist that they bathe.
We insist that they wear clean clothes.
They just don't.
I don't understand this, and probably never will.
But, I must tell you this-- you would've thought I was asking him to cut his arms off and beat himself with them when I told him under no certain terms was he leaving my house wearing those dirty, filthy clothes.
For heaven sakes people. Whats the big deal with clean clothes?
I just don't get it!


On another note...




Life is good when you're 3!

I thought I was going to blow past all the sickness that has been plaguing my home...
Not so.
I am sick. Boy am I sick. Thanks family for your generous sharing!
Jefe is STILL sick.
Thing 3 is STILL sick.
Thing 2 is STILL sick.
Thing 1 is enjoying the freedom that having sick parents presents.
Joy.
Rapture.
Cough Cough sniff sniff.
I'm going back to bed now.

Happy Birthday Jefe!

A song will outlive all sermons in the memory.
- Henry Giles

It's Random 10 Friday again folks... listenin' to anything good??

1. Spoken For - MercyMe
2. 100 Years - Five For Fighting
3. White Flag - Dido
4. Across The Universe - Jason Falkner
5. Jealous Of The Moon - Nickel Creek
6. Out Of Hand - Mighty Lemon Drops
7. New Years Day - U2
8. I Don't Wanna Die Anymore - New Radicals
9. Bend and Break - Keane
10. Out Of My Hands - Dave Matthews Band

Bonus: Bigmouth Strikes Again - The Smiths

The things went to school yesterday, so I figured we were on the mend.
I figured wrong. Jefe called me at work last night to stop at the pharmacy on my way home to get medicine for Thing 2... He had an earache. He was up all night, basically, with the earache, which means that I was up all night with him. Jefe was up most of the night, hacking away. It was a regular old sick fest. I felt so sorry for Thing 2 cause he was in some major pain. We gave him the over the counter ear numbing drops, Tylenol and then a hot shower. After that, he started coughing so hard, I gave him some cough syrup too. He was probably higher than a kite! Then I set him up on the couch all propped up with the hot pad on his ear... and he promptly went to sleep. At 4:30 in the morning!
I was able to get him into the Dr. today, and he has a double ear infection, with his right ear drum ready to pop. OUCH! AND the beginnings of Bronchitis. Oh fun. Thing 3 has Bronchitis too... and I wouldn't be surprised if Jefe did too. Fortunately Jefe got antibiotics on Monday. I am not so sure that they are working, but it will keep all the other yucky sicknesses at bay. Thing1 is feeling much better. She actually stayed home today, but I think it was probably good for her, just so that we can get her completely cleared up.

Anyway. Now we have the plague identified. The Lysol is being sprayed in heavy amounts. The anti-bacterial hand sanitizer is flowing like old faithful and the coughing is slowly being subdued. The Things all have their various medicines in them, and Jefe is slipping off to never never land with his codeine laced cough syrup. We have rented a slew of videos... so I have that to entertain us. When we run out of that, there is always The Sopranos! Yeah!

Is this not the cutest thing ever? This is what I had wanted to make for the kids to give out as Valentines. I thought it was cute, and non-candy related. Thing 2 looked at me with his head all cocked to one side and said "Pencils?" As if I had completely lost my mind. Then he turned to Thing 1 and said, "Mom wants us to give out pencils." Jefe over heard them, and asked them if they thought that was retarded. Thing 1 looked at him and said "Dad. That is gay with a capital G. " tracing the G in the air. Jefe looked at me and goes "Yeah Mom! Get with the program!" Oh. Ok. Here I thought we were being creative... so we went on Valentines card hunt this afternoon. I had not even bothered getting any, cause I had been planning on making the pencils, that are apparently stupid.
After going to 5, yes count that FIVE stores, I finally found some stupid Valentine cards. Thing 2 was being rather picky, and I held up his choices for him and said "Dude, this is it. You can have Bob the Builder, Blues Clues, Barbie, Brats, or Shark Tales. OR you can have those lame pencils."
He promptly chose Shark Tales. Thing 1 said that those choices were even lamer than the pencils. Thing 3 was happy with Blues Clues. So. Thing 1 and I spent all night making her Valentine cards.
From scratch.
All night.
All because the pencils were pencils and they were gay with a capital G.
Whatever that means.
So, here is what we made. Hopefully it meets those weird 6th grader standards that nobody knows about except the 6th graders themselves!

We have the plague here. Sick, coughing, sneezing, feverish, moaning, plague. Everyone is sick around here, except me. How that happened is beyond me. I have been going around to the various rooms, spraying the Lysol disinfectant spray as I enter, seeing if they need anything, then spraying as I leave... then promptly washing my hands. I have been using those Clorox wipes and cleaning the handrails, door knobs, tables, chairs... everything. I really don't want to get this gombu! It looks horrid! This is how sick everyone is... Jefe actually went to the Dr. Which tells me that he must be knocking on deaths door. He NEVER goes to the doctor. Ever. Unless he has 1 foot in the grave. It sort of made me a little nervous when he announced he needed a doctors appointment.
On the other hand, the Things have been getting along amazingly! There has been little to no fighting. They sat in the family room yesterday, and played with all the toys, happily. Being nice and kind to each other. Sometimes having sick kids is a good thing... if they are going to be so nice to each other, and play together, and all sleep in the same room together! Too cute!

Thing 1 had her first school dance today.
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN??
This growing up business?
YIKES!!!
She spent so much time in the bathroom this morning, she almost didn't make it to school. She looked darling. It was so fun to be there, and see her in her element... No! I wasn't spying! I was a chaperon, and I took pictures. I think I may have embarrassed her a titch when me and some of the other moms got out there and got a little jiggy with them. Oh well. I wouldn't be a cool Mom if I didn't embarrass her! Right? That's what I'll keep telling myself anyway.
Here's a photo of her doing her "thang"...
She is getting so beautiful, its sort of starting to stress me out!


P.S. Thing 1 said I did embarrass her, cause I looked like a big dork.
Oh well. Isn't that what Moms are for?

"Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by thouse who could not hear the music."
- Angela Monet

Random 1o Friday again... whatcha listenin' to?

1. Goodbye Earl (Live) - Dixie Chicks
2. Poses - Rufus Wainwright
3. Curbside Prophet - Jason Mraz
4. Scotch & Chocolate - Nickel Creek
5. Either Way - Guster
6. You & Me - Lifehouse
7. How Come - Ray Lamontagne
8. Flying - Chris Isaak
9. Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me - Faith Hill
10. I Don't Trust Myself Loving You - John Mayer

Bonus: Someday We'll Know - New Radicals

My computer is dead. Gone. Caput. Ceasing to exist. DEAD!!
It keeps giving me an error message... Jefe says that means that the hard drive is dead.
Oh No! That means that all my photos are gone. My scrapbook pages are gone. GASP! What will I ever do?? I have been wandering around aimlessly for the last 2 days. Not quite sure what to do with myself. My routine has been completely screwed up... I get up, get the kids ready for school, send them off... Get Thing 3 set up in front of her show, and then I check my email and work on the blog. Not being able to do that, has really thrown me for a loop.
Do you think that means I'm addicted?
Probably!
Does this suck to have go to the library to check my email?
Yes.
Does this suck to have people reading over my shoulder?
Yes.
Does this suck to not be able to upload photos?
Yes.
Does this suck to have a TIME LIMIT???
Yes.

Sigh.
I guess I AM addicted.

When I walked into the library today, the librarian knew my name. He actually hollered out "Hey Motherboard! How you doin'?
"Uhh... how do you know my name?" Is what I wanted to say... but I just smiled... just a titch weirded out. Is that weird?? At first I thought it was, but the more I think about it, its sortof charming. I mean... isn't that what small towns are all about? People knowing people? I guess I am still used to being incognito... anonymous... unseen. It takes a little getting used to... all this familiarity.
Anyway.
I needed to use the computer, 'cause mine has decided to take a vacation. It's probably some where warm like Bora-Bora. Or Thailand. Maybe Greece. Yeah. Thats probably where it's gone.
Greece.
Gee thanks for inviting me.
Anyway, I asked the Librarian, who knew my name, what one had to do to get hooked up with a computer... He promptly signed me up... name and all.
Uhh. I find that a little weird.
What does this all mean??
It means I need to get a life!

Da bears.
Dey lost.

How sad for us. We were all decked out in our Chicago gear... food galore. We actually did watch the game. Until the last 10 minutes. It was just too painful. They botched it big time. I guess I could say it was the weather... but that QB had 6 too many over-turns/interceptions. Thing 2 was sad. Thing 1, suprisingly, was yelling and screaming at the T.V. like she actually knew what it was that they were doing.
Too cute!

Da bears.
Maybe next year!

You know that you go to the library too much when the librarian remembers your name, and you don't have to show your card any more.
Do you think I need to get a life??

I did something a little crazy. Usually, if I am going to do something, that would cause me "exposure", I mull it over and think about it, and plot it, usually until its too late to do it. That usually works for me.
Today, however, I got this "brilliant" idea that I should send in an essay to the Prairie Home Companion show. They call it "First Person" and they want essays, short stories or poems. I didn't have either of the latter, so I wrote an essay. It could only be 1,000 characters. Most of the other essays had been on people and their childhood homes or childhood memories. I wrote one on my childhood home. I actually submitted it before I could over analyze it. I don't know if its any good, or if it will even be accepted. I also had to write something about me... so I did.
Here it is:

My Town

I was raised in a small town in Utah where there was only 1 stoplight, and 1 restaurant… a greasy hamburger joint called Hobo Joes. I thought we were all a bunch of hillbillies. I just KNEW that there were bigger and better things out there waiting for me.

I remember when we got cable T.V. I was amazed that my little T.V. could show me what was happening all over the world. I would watch the news in Chicago and tell myself, someday I WILL live there! It was right then and there, when I was 10 years old, that I decided that small town living was not for me. When I was old enough, I would leave this town... this state and see what it is that the world had to offer.

Once I graduated, I did just that. I got a job being a travel agent, and set out to see the world. And see the world I did. When I finally “settled down” I did so in Illinois… The place I had always wanted to live. I had my little family, and I started to realize something… I started to feel something. I missed home and MY town. My small town.

It was on a particularly difficult day that I discovered Prairie Home Companion. I was cleaning my kitchen, when it started. That familiar opening tune was singing to me from my radio. Suddenly, I was home again. I was there, in my small town, with my family. I grew up listening to Prairie Home. Now, when I was so far from home, I was being reminded that I could make home anywhere.

I found myself there in Illinois. It was there where I really came to understand life, and its meanings, and where exactly I fit into the scheme of things. It became “My home”.

Recently, I returned to live in the town where I was raised. I found myself having those same feelings. Those same pains… I was home sick. I missed the mid-west. I missed the accents, the tail-gating and people. I even missed the weather. Then, I found it again... Prairie Home Companion. That familiar opening was singing to me again. Reminding me that home is what you make it. Not a building, but feelings. Yes. I remember now.

I’ve come home to my town. I couldn't wait to leave it when I was younger. I saw the world. I lived in fabulous places. Now, I will raise my kids here, in My Home Town.

About me:

Indeed, I am living in my small home town again. Small towns for kids are a curse, for adults, they bring comfort. I have a fabulous husband and 3 amazing kids. I also have a very rowdy boxer dog, who thinks she is kid #4. I still love to travel, and still plot and plan on ways to see what it is that the world has to offer. In my spare time I read and write. Someday, I hope to publish that book that we all are secretly writing. Prairie Home Companion has been an integral part of my life... I say this often, but my version of heaven will be Saturday nights, with Prairie Home in the background, the kids laughing in the pool, the steaks slowly grilling, the fireflies blinking away and the cicadas serenading me. Ahh. I can't wait! Until then, I will tune in here in the west, and dream!

I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin' around accidental-like on a breeze. But I, I think maybe it's both, maybe both happening at the same time. - Forrest Gump

Random 10 Friday is here again folks.
Here's what came up all random like on my player...
What about you? Care to play?

1. My Town - Montgomery Gentry
2. Not Coming Home - Maroon 5
3. All the Wild Horses - Ray Lamontagne
4. Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams
5. Dice - Finley Quaye (The O.C. Soundtrack)
6. Bad Day - Daniel Powter
7. Theme From Jurassic Park - John Williams
8. Speed - Montgomery Gentry
9. Sparks - Coldplay
10. Musicology - Prince

Bonus: Escape (Pina Colada Song-Radio Mix) - Captain Jack

Norah Jones has a new album that came out today... Not Too Late
I am sitting here, happily listening to her work her mojo. She is amazing. She just keeps getting better and better with age. I am LOVING it! Her first album was breath-taking. I heard her the first time driving along East Riverside, in Rockford. I lost myself in my thoughts. I remember my jaw just hitting the floor, and thinking "Oh. My. Goodness. I must have this album." I was lucky at that time, cause I had XM radio, and they would scroll the artist and title of the song across the face plate of your stereo. I promptly went to Borders, and got that CD. It never left my side. I was pregnant with Thing 3... I played that over and over. It was calming to me. Today, when I play that CD, Thing 3 will stop playing and listen intently as if it sounds very familiar to her.
If you need something calming... give Norah Jones a whirl. You can listen to alot of her songs on her website... just click on the link above! She'll work her mojo magic on you too!
Now, I'm off to La-la land... With Norah!
~Sigh~

Thing 3 came to me the other day and said, "It's too bad that we're not a happy family, huh Mom?!" I was sortof shocked and said, "What do you mean? Why aren't we a happy family?" She just sortof sighed, and said, "Well, we're not a happy family. Know why? Cause you only have me, and Thing 2 and Thing 1. We would be a happy family if we had 5 kids. But, we're not a happy family. We're a sad family, cause we don't have 5 kids."
Oh.
I had never thought of it quite like that before.
Maybe she's right. I mean, we ARE a happy family. But, maybe there's something better waiting around the bend for us.

Deep thoughts by Thing 3.

I finished the 4th, and what I hope is the last in the Traveling Pants series. I loved the first 3 books, but this one I was a little disappointed with. She clearly didn't know what to do with the series, or story line. There was a lot of unnecessary sex and the plot, in the end, did not resolve itself. However, I had started this adventure of the pants, so I finished it. If you have read the other 3 books, then you MUST finish the series... and thank the stars above that there will be no more books. Don't get me wrong. It was a quick easy read... but I find it extremely disturbing that this series target age was 12-18 year olds. I found the content of this last book to be very inappropriate for young girls. It was an adult book, with adult themes.
Oh well.
Live and learn.

I'm in the mood for a party.
Not just a get together, but a Par-tay!
I want it to be warm, with no snow, and lots of loud music. I want there to be lots of grilling, lots of screams from happy kids, and loud laughter from all the people hanging out having fun! And music. Lots of it.
I don't think that's too much to ask. Do you? I mean. When you're in the mood for a loud, outdoor party... but the weather isn't cooperating, what do you do?
Well, you plan. And plan. And plan some more.
I'm going to have a party. And, not just a party, but a PAR-TAY!!
I know a girl who knows a guy (I sound like the Sopranos there) that is a DJ. I am fairly certain that I can convice them to do this "gig" for free. Won't that be fun? A neighborhood street party?? I have to go get the permit from the city, and then they will come and block off my street. I'm going to enlist several grills from the neighbors, and have everyone bring a dish to pass and their own meat to grill. What more does the party need then people, food and music? In my backyard, I am going to set up some volleyball nets, and in the front yard there will be croquet. I don't know about you, but I think that sounds like a total blast. I had thought that I would get the fire department to come and let the kids play with their hoses, and have the police dog come and do a demo... then have the little street dance... maybe. My cousin is a cop, and he has the robo-dog cop thing that goes around to schools. I'm fairly certain that I could convince him to bring it... if we just fed him and his buddies. I am totally going to do it this year. I have been wanting to do this ever since I moved here... but have been rather intimidated doing it because I don't have the monstrostrocity of a house, or park like back-yard... but I have come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter. If people don't come cause I'm one of the have-nots... well. Their loss. Not mine. I'm going to have the party. A loud, raucous, rip-roaring PAR-TAY! Come hell or high water.
Wanna come??

"I've never been in a ladies washroom."
"I have. They have a couch," - Two men selling purses on QVC

It's here again. Random 10 Friday.
Whatcha listenin' to?

1. In Your Eyes (Live) - Jeffrey Gaines
2. Be Here Now - Ray LaMontagne
3. Over My Head - The Fray
4. Dimonds On the Inside(live) - Ben Harper
5. A Complicated Song - Weird Al Yankovic
6. Get Out - Train
7. City Rain, City Streets - Ryan Adams
8. Gravel - Ani DiFranco
9. Hell Yeah - Montgomery Gentry
10. Stay (Live) - Alison Krauss

Bonus: The Shadowlands - Ryan Adams * steller steller steller song!!*

My kids amaze me. Often times, I find myself staring in amazement at them. How did these amazing kids come from me? I mean, I'm no super-hero-amazing strength- drop-dead gorgeous-killer brains-knock em -out -funny- kind of person.
I'm just me.
The Motherboard.
Plain and simple.
High maintenance, according to Jefe, but simple none the less.
So, how is that Jefe and I have such amazing kids? God knew we couldn't handle the pressure... so he just blessed us with these amazing 3 kids.

Thing 1 has scored in the top 2% in our district.
I know.
I gasped too.
I actually found myself saying: "Really? Are you sure?" I knew she was smart, but I didn't know she was THAT smart. Apparently she is, and I was wrong! We found out quite by accident. They (the school district) had wanted her to test for the gifted program that they have out here. We had done that out in Illinois, and Thing 1 really didn't like it. She LOVED the singing and dancing and all that razz-ma-tazz... but the 2hours a night homework was for the birds! She told them NO WAY! I honestly hadn't thought any more about it. Until we got a letter again from the district saying that she needed to attend the "gifted program meeting" that was being held at such and such time at such and such place. She and I sort of looked at each other, and shrugged. Whatever. Thing 1 said: "Just so you know Mom, I am NOT changing schools again. I want to go to MY JR. HIGH with MY friends."
Ok deary. Ok.
I was still curious, so I called and they said, "Well, her grades were so high, that we just found a spot for her. She is in the top 2%."
Uh.
Ok.
I find that a little scary!
She did the 6th grade spelling bee yesterday, and came in 2nd out of all the 6th graders. 2nd place!! I find that astounding. I remember when I would be in spelling bee's at her age, I NEVER made it to even the final 10, let alone the final 2. She said that she KNEW how to spell the word that got her out, but just sortof froze. Her mind went blank. She said once the letters started coming out, she realized she had spelled it wrong. Then she wanted to know what I thought.
Well, I think that is freaking amazing!! She did awesome! Who cares if she didn't get to go on to the district championship. She was the 2nd best speller in all of the 6th grade and thats wonderful!

Thing 3 came to me this morning, and handed me her foot, and started this little sniffling thing.
"Mom . (sniff sniff) My foot hurts. (sniff sniff) It has asthma."
Huh?
"My foot has asthma." she said again, exasperated .
When I asked her to explain, she said, "You know, my foot scratches like Thing 2's did. You should spray the asthma medicine on it."
Oh I see. Asthma. Athletes Foot. I can see how you would confuse the two!

"Here it is, Your moment of Zen." - Jon Stewart, "The Daily Show"

Random 10 Friday is here again!
La-dee-dah, and to-dul-dee-do!

1. Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of - U2
2. Spaceman - 4 Non Blondes
3 Comes A Time - Mutual Admiration Society
4. The Ghost In You - The Psychedelic Furs
5. Bad Day - Daniel Powter
6. The Way You Love Me - Faith Hill
7. Super Freak - Rick James
8. Knocking On Heaven's Door (Live) - The Alarm
9. Hurricane - Bob Dylan
10. Jolene - Ray Lamontagne

Bonus: 2001 - Melissa Etheridge

Thing 2 said the other night, that since Thing 1 has a cell phone, he wanted a car.
Well, that makes PERFECT sense!
I only see one flaw in his plan...
He's eight!

I woke up this morning and it was a nice 5 degrees... with a wind chill of -13.
Uhhh. That is freaking cold. When I left work last night at 10:30, I walked outside, and it was soo cold it literally took my breath away. This is like Illinois-Arctic-Blast cold. It's not supposed to be this cold here!
So, I am still dreaming of warmer places...

It's cold today. Cold and Icy. I can see the sun trying to peek through all the clouds. Its there, faintly. I don't do cold. I spend all winter trying to get warm. When we lived in Illinois, it was much worse. The only time I really was warm was in the shower in the morning, and in my car. I used to bundle the kids up in the car, and go for drives, just so that I could get warm. Now, I just jack the heat up, and turn on the fireplace. Seeing all the gray and just the faint hint of sun makes me long for summer. I want a warm place that I can kick my feet up, relax and just stare into oblivion not thinking about anything in particular... just vegging. Doesn't that sound inviting?
Maybe someplace like this...

Rock and Roll is the hamburger that ate the world. - Peter York

Random 10 Friday again... you know the drill!

1. Long Time Gone - Dixie Chicks
2. Gratitude - Ani Difranco
3. She Will Be Loved (Acoustic) - Maroon 5
4. Where You Lead Me - MercyMe
5. Rain Falls Down - Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband
6. The Hardest Part - Coldplay
7. Cosmic Girl - Jamiroquai
8. Sixty Eight Guns(Live) - The Alarm
9. The General - Dispatch
10. Collide - Howie Day

Bonus: I Don't Trust Myself (Loving You) - John Mayer

The Things missed the bus today. Actually, if we want to be PC... the bus never showed up. All the kids came trudging home saying that the bus never came.
Do you see that snow? This picture really doesn't do the amounts coming down justice. Its blowing and snowing... just like a regular old blizzard. The window in my office is plastered with snow! I'm not going out in THAT!!! We've been watching the people go up and down our road-- slipping and sliding all over, and they have 4 wheel drive. Can you imagine where I would end up? In a ditch somewhere! So, we are having school here today. I have sent each Thing to their respective rooms-- not because they are in trouble, but so that they can read in silence. While they are doing that, I am going to be printing off math worksheets, spelling worksheets, and Geography worksheets. Thing 2 informed me that today is music, so I should teach him some piano for music time. Oh. Ok. Good idea. I actually think this will be fun. Thing 3 was ecstatic... When Thing 2 told her he got to stay home, she started jumping up and down screaming: "Thing 2 is staying home! Thing 2 is staying home! YEAH!!!" She loves her brother!
Anyway... thats our day. Whats on your agenda?

A&E started The Sopranos last night.
I had always been intrigued with that show, but hadn't wanted to watch it when it was on HBO because of the language, sex, violence... yada yada yada. I suppose all the things that made it a good show. Not to mention the fact that I refuse to have HBO on any TV in my home.
Ever.
Period.
Anyway, when it started advertising that it would be on A&E... well we set the Tivo up. It will be another fun show to watch with Jefe. We are starting to get a good little groove. Heroes (which I LOVE!!) Lost. (It starts in 4 weeks!) Now The Sopranos.

NOTE TO SELF:
Not a good idea to watch The Sopranos at Midnight... because then you have mafia dreams ALL NIGHT LONG!!!
It makes for a tiring nights sleep!

I like my job. A lot.
Just how cheesey is it that I like being a checker at Kohls?
Pretty cheesey. But I do like my job. A lot.

"Strange things are afoot at the Circle K." - Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Here's my random 10 for Random 10 Friday. What are you listening to?

1. Gone - Montgomery Gentry
2. Today - Smashing Pumpkins
3. Studying Stones - Ani DiFranco
4. E-Bay - Weird Al Yankovic
5. Beautiful - Nick Lachey
6. The Nearness Of You - Norah Jones
7. Vultures - John Mayer
8. Seen It All Before - Amos Lee
9. The Drugs Don't Work - Ben Harper
10. I'll Fly Away - Alison Krauss/Gillian Welch: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Bonus: Alison (Live Version) - Elvis Costello

This is just 2 hours later...
Lots of snow...
Yikes!

Thing 3 says to me, almost daily: "Mom, why don't we trade Zoe in for a little little little tiny doggie? That would be more funner!"
I tell her she would miss Zoe.
No.
She says she won't.
I would like a little little tiny doggie...
But, I think that Zoe might EAT that little little tiny doggie.
Not really.
Sortof.
Anyway.
Thing 3 wants to get a new dog.
Especially when Zoe steals her food.
But, I still think she secretly loves Zoe.
Everyone has a love/hate relationship with the dog. They all say they hate her... but then I always find them secretly lovin' on her.
I like her, but thats cause she minds me.
HA!
I wanted a little little tiny doggie when we first decided to get a dog.
Jefe wanted a boxer.
He won.
Now, I wouldn't want anything else...
Well.
Except maybe one that wouldn't run away every time the front door comes open.
Or could be outside without being on a leash...
But other than that...
I love how they look, and how funny they are!

Finally.
It's finally happened.
Snow.
It's snowing here with such fervor that I think we may just finally be getting our blizzard!
I had been looking outside just yesterday thinking how sad it was that it was January 3rd, and there was NO SNOW...
Well.
Thats not a problem now.
There is snow.
Lots of snow.
Lots and Lots of Snow!
This morning when the Things left for school, there was NOTHING...
Now look at it!



And its supposed to snow all day... up to 5 inches.
Thats not that much, compared to what Denver got last week... but for those of us who are snow deprived, Its enough.
Enough to have to shovel my driveway, and make me go buy snow boots.
If I can find any that aren't hideous!

My cute neighbors that are in high school are all playing hooky and sledding down their driveway. Too fun!
It's finally winter here.

I have found my scrap booking soul mate.
Is that even possible?
Well.
SHE thinks so.
Thing 3 LOVES to create...
Cut, paste, stickers, color.
All of it.

It had gotten really quiet... thats is NEVER a good sign with Thing 3.
I looked around, and there she was happily on the floor cutting paper faster than she could find it. She looked up at me and grinned the biggest grin, and said "This is so fun Mom!"
Well.
That hooked me.
I immediately took her into the office, sat her up to the scrapbook desk, and started unloading all the papers, stickers and old photos that I will never use...
She was in HOG HEAVEN!!!
She sat there for over an hour cutting, pasting and creating works of sheer art!
She wanted to hang them all up on her door to her room.

How nice it is when you find something that you love!
Even better when its something that your 3 year old loves!!