"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