B-I-N-G-O

I snatched this shamelessly from fellow Okie blogger and seeming political misfit Kellyology. It has been brought to my attention that I'm not as politically informed as I could be. (I know, I know, but all teasing and sarcasm aside; it's still true.) The Republican debate is tonight and the Democrats will spar tomorrow. I read an email this morning from a good friend who described my frustration with closely analyzing the political process perfectly by saying this: "...none of them say a dang thing and they go in circles so much I get confused." To which I say "Here! Here!" Fortunately, the women of MomsRising.org have found a clever way to help us keep track! Go here and download your BINGO cards! You can keep a record of not only what the candidates say, but also where they stand (and where they keep silent) on the issues most important to us as moms. While I planned on half-heartedly watching the debates, now I'm really looking forward to them. Thanks Kelly (and the rest of you)!

6 Things to Love about Caroline!

1. She's a survivor! Three weeks after we brought her home from the hospital, she developed RSV and pneumonia. I spent several terrifying days in the hospital with her. Before we were even fully admitted, she aspirated some phlegm and began to choke. I've never been so scared in my life! But Dave had her breathing again before the nurses he shouted for could even get there. (It was one of his finest moments as a parent. As I was just sitting there watching her turn blue in horror-it was not so much one of mine.) Five days later she was ready to go home. When the nurse unhooked her from her IV and all her lead wires and handed her to me, I smiled for what felt like the first time in months. And her very first smile was in response to mine that day. Yep, I melted completely.

2. She is a princess! From the first time she discovered dress-up clothes and costume jewelry she has been obsessed with both. Her newest passion is make-up and it is a fight to keep her out of mine. She gets this from her Aunt Lanie who also knows much better than I the difference between a "pah-ty dwess" and one for "going at chuch" (not a typo, that's how she used to say it)

3. She is an OSU fan. She pulled a red snowflake off our Christmas tree recently because "it was Sooner red." She loves the Cowboys. I guess I have to blame Uncle Dirk for this one. (And no doubt he will be pleased to hear it when Aunt Lanie tells him.)

4. She wants to be a hairdresser or so I assume from the three times she's cut her own hair not to mention the stylin' do's she has created for her brother and her younger sister. Natalie should probably sleep with one eye open. Ironically, her Kindergarten teacher marked her scissor skills as slightly underdeveloped on her last report card.

5. Speaking of school, she is a little perfectionist. She gets her homework every day on Monday to be turned in on the following Friday. Only she freaks out if it isn't done (and done perfectly) before dinner Monday evening. Again, I'm thinking that the stork overshot Aunt Lanie's house and would up at mine instead.

6. And finally, my ultra-feminine,high-heel wearing, perfect student, sub-par beautician, and inexplicable OSU fan is 6 years old! Happy Birthday Baby! I love you!

May He Rest In Peace...

Gordon Bitner Hinckley

1910-2008

I feel rather inadequate to the task of a eulogy, for that I refer you to the official press release on lds.org. But, of course, I do have some reflections of my own. The first time I heard President Hinckley speak was at my first General Conference broadcast in early 1993. This was before any self-respecting cable company in Oklahoma would consider broadcasting something originating from Salt Lake City, Utah; so we all got dressed up and watched it via satellite at the Norman Stake Center. I remember that in the context of one of his talks, President Hinckley made reference to the difficulties of new converts to the church. As a young 20 year-old who had been a member for just over three months, I was stunned that an elderly man with pioneer ancestors could possibly have empathy for me and others in my same situation; and yet he described the pull of family and friends versus my newfound faith perfectly. As part of the First Presidency, I likely should have already been mindful of his name, but it wasn't until he made those remarks that I was able to remember it consistently. (I think this goes along with "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.") Afterwards, I always looked forward to hearing him speak, and it goes without saying that I've had several opportunities since then. I remember raising my arm to the square in Verona, Italy to sustain him as our newest President in 1995 where Italians in that stake were, to their delight, seeing their first live broadcast of conference. I remember his appearances on 60 Minutes (Which we watched in between sessions of conference which were, for the first time, being broadcast on a local cable channel. Christy and I were lovin' life on the couch in our sweats at her place.) I remember the announcement of the Oklahoma City temple, the dedication of the Conference Center, and the story of his tree being made into the podium he stood at to deliver his opening remarks. I appreciated his wit, his gentle nature, and his accessibility to the public, in particular the media, which was such a change from previous church leaders. I take comfort in knowing that, in his 97 years, he fully fulfilled his purpose here on earth and that he has now rejoined his precious wife Marjorie who passed away a few years prior to him. He will be missed.

Week In Review

Reading

The Innocent Man by John Grisham

I have to admit that I probably only read about half of the book before it made me so angry that I had to set it aside. If you are unfamiliar with this book, it is a non-fiction account of two men being wrongfully convicted of a rape/murder in Ada, OK and later exhonerated by DNA testing. The obvious blunders made in investigating and prosecuting this case made my head spin and my blood boil and I had to stop reading it for a bit to calm myself. After a couple of days, I indulge in a reading faux pas that I rarely allow: I skipped to the end because I knew I would like it better. It's not that the book was bad, far from it, it's just that I live in Oklahoma and I could picture the events playing out very similarly to Mr. Grisham's narrative and it made me furious at our legal system. I have read the defense written by the Ada D.A. who prosecuted the case, but it smacked of someone on the attack after getting caught doing something wrong. I was not very convinced or reassured by what he wrote. Still, I will allow that I'm not completely sure where the whole truth lies in this account (probably somewhere in between, as usual), but the content of it is one of the bigger reasons why I am opposed to the death penalty.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

The gift card I received in payment for cleaning the girls' room financed this purchase. I only started it yesterday so I will give a better report on it by next week.

Listening-

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

We finished this a couple of days ago. We arrived at many of our errands in tears as the end unfolded or, at least, I did. Poor Harry, so alone now and so wrong about a few key facts...Oh well, in about 17 more CD's both Harry and Natalie will know the real truth.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

We just finished the first CD this evening. Harry and the others are getting ready to leave the Dursley's. I tear-up every time Harry talks to any of the characters that I already know won't survive the end of this book. I need to put more tissues in the car-it's going to be a weepy few weeks.

Watching-

Heroes Season 2-

Only a couple more episodes to go before we are finished...then, I'll really start worrying about the writer's strike in earnest.

Reaper-

OK, so none of the other episodes are directed by Kevin Smith. This is still a wildly entertaining show. I like it!

Celebrity Rehab-

Seeing Jeff Conaway (a.k.a "Kenickie," "Bobby Wheeler," and "Sgt. Zach Allan) like he is now is just depressing. I don't think I can watch even one more episode of it.

Out and About-

The Ten Tenors-

The best thing about this show was that I made it out of the house and into the company of other adults. Also, I got to sit by Christina who explained to her husband "If you wanted me to behave, you should have sat me next to K" (K is another season ticket holder who may or may not want her name on my blog). I either loved what they were singing OR I wanted to sleep. There was no happy medium. Still, I'll sit through anything they want me to this season considering that the last show of it will be Spamalot and next season will feature The Color Purple and The Lion King.

By Request

This was supposed to be my 'Friday Flashback,' but Friday was a busy day and it didn't get posted. It was also supposed to be titled "The Many Faces of John." But it turns out that John only makes one face in all pictures. So, a day late and with no clever title, here are some hilarious pictures Chris and I found the last time I was at her house:

This one is John's outlaw pose. John was (is?) obsessed with all things Billy the Kid-related. He requested Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory" at every dance (funny how that one has never made it onto my iPod) and once had a vanity license plate that read "Lord T Kid." This was Chris' dad's leather gun belt. John loved it beyond reason and he just HAD to wear it every time he spent more than ten minutes at her house (provided her dad wasn't home). He probably would have absconded with it one crazy weekend had his fear of her Dad not been greater than his affection for that belt. What you don't see in this picture are Christina and I dressed in some tourist-y sombreros (Dammit-I KNEW there was something we forgot to buy on last year's Mexico trip!) dancing around him with maracas singing "Feliz Navidad" or "Ray Stevens' "Santa Claus is Watchin' You" ("He's everywhere! He's everywhere!") I guarantee it was happening, we were just smart enough to avoid the camera lens.



What you all don't know is that Dora the Explorer is really about 35 years old and used to date John in the late '80's. OK, that's not true. But, Dora would have been a far nicer girlfriend than the one behind her in the picture. (Who would likely sue me quite vindictively for daring to post her picture on my blog.) We'll call this picture "JOHN! I'm STANDING!"

OK, Let's Talk Politics

I try to steer clear of this topic as often as possible. Not because I don't have opinions and not because I don't enjoy discussing them. It's mostly because I don't have the time I once did to really research the issues and candidates and the last thing you want is to feel ignorant on your own blog when someone else who knows more becomes a regular in the comment section. And yet, I really do have some things to say on the subject, so here are my rather simple thoughts:

First of all, I am pretty much the definition of Libertarian. My personal choices are rather conservative. They work for me and I'm grateful to live in a country that protects my right to live and believe as I choose. Therefore, I am vehemently protective of everyone else's right to believe, or not believe, according to their own conscience too. I would never have an abortion, but I feel they should be safe and legal for any woman who chooses one. I missed blogging for choice on Monday, so I'm going to digress a bit on this topic. I named my blog what I did for a good reason. DIGRESSION BEGINS: Find me one person who has EVER made the choice to terminate a pregnancy without a lot of serious thought and contemplation. It's hard to do. I know there are a very small number of women who do have them habitually as a form of birth control, but think about the kind of people those women are. Imagine them as mothers. Now try and imagine them being unselfish enough to give up their babies for adoption. It's also hard to do. END DIGRESSION. In addition, I also support alternative lifestyles and certainly think all kinds of families deserve equal protection under the law. And since I'm already losing all my precious Christian readers (another reason I try to avoid political commentary as much as possible) I will also come out in favor of stem cell research and against the death penalty. If your beliefs involve harming other people, children, or animals; than you're on your own. (And you should likely be in prison.) Otherwise, I support you no matter how different you and your life are from me and mine.

Needless to say, voting for someone like Mike Huckabee or even Mitt Romney goes against my guiding principle of live and let live. I do still respect Romney as a person and I could once say that for Mike Huckabee. Then, he started attacking my faith and John McCain's age. Not cool. Putting it briefly, I'm not a fan. I do like John McCain, though we disagree on a few key issues. But I'm not sure he can be elected. As someone who voted her Ross Perot in her first election, I'd like to back the winning team for a change.

On the other side, we have Clinton and Obama (my political beliefs are the closest to Dennis Kucinich's, but even before he dropped out-I knew better than to place all my faith in someone who I recognized best for being Dave Letterman's favorite whipping boy). In all honesty, I don't have a problem with Hillary Clinton. But I do feel that too many other people do, and after eight divisive years in the White House almost behind us, I want to avoid four more if at all possible. I don't think people can unite behind her even though I desperately want to see a woman in the Oval Office in my lifetime. But as much as I want to promote my own feminist leanings, I think our collective interests as a nation should be satisfied first. As a country, we are screaming for something to reconnect us. And that, for me, leaves only Barack Obama.

I am the first to admit that he and I also differ on a few key issues. In all honesty, it's only during the recent primaries that I have really familiarized myself with him as a presidential candidate. But so far, I like what I see. My sister once said to me that one of the reasons my husband (and many other husbands) will never fully understand what women go through is because he has spent his whole life as a middle class white male. As a minority, Mr. Obama will likely be a bit more sensitive. And while I do not pretend I know what it's like to be a young, African-American male struggling to make a living in the inner-city, can you imagine the boost he would get from seeing an African-American elected President of the United States. Since the days of the abolitionists, since the days of the Civil Rights movement, for my entire life we have struggled as a nation to equalize things among all races. Frankly, I don't think we've made much progress. I can't help but think that an African American president would provide that huge push that we need to get us back on the path we seem to have lost in the days since Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. As teenagers of the 60's, my parents took care to make sure that their children were as color-blind as possible. I didn't hear my first racial slur until I started public school. When I asked my Dad what it meant, he told me it was a word that only stupid people used and that by the time I was an adult; no one would hear it anymore. Sadly, my Dad was wrong about that, but I can't help but think that with the election of Barack Obama that it might actually be true for my children.

Finally, in the most backwards recommendation ever, my 98 year-old great aunt who is very racist and very Republican had this to say:

"If there has to be a Democrat in the White House, I hope it's that young, handsome black man. I'm not going to vote for him, of course, but people get excited about him the way they once did about Kennedy and I like that."

For this starry-eyed idealist who wants a more unified nation in the next four years, that is endorsement enough.

So Much for a Relaxing Bath

So, I posted that last entry, ran the bathwater, and thought I was at the end of my troubles. Then, my three year-old decided to pay me a visit in the bathroom. I'm not usually bothered by her company, but tonight she crossed a line. The following conversation ensued:

Me (shouting to the other room): Dave? Can you come get Elisa?

Dave (shouting in reply): I'll be right there...(arrives in the bathroom) Come on Elisa, let's leave Mommy alone. What did you do to get yourself in trouble?

Me: She pointed at me and said "I hate your body Mommy, it's ugly."

Elisa: And I said it's crinkly too!

I would just like to point out that she is 1/4 responsible for the aforementioned ugly, crinkly body. And that now I really am going to bed.

To Blog or Not to Blog

Today has been 'one of those days.' I tend to have several of those in a row. Having four kids, three pets, a part-time job, and being the PTA President will do that to you. And so tonight I find myself with the choice of either writing a blog entry or taking a hot bath, curling up with my heating pad and my Advil, and going to bed early. And I've chosen the latter. Hopefully, I'll have time to write something good tomorrow. Maybe some kid stories, maybe a little politics, or maybe I'll finally introduce the newest member of our family. (The dog, no babies-don't worry.) Then again, I may just go to bed early again. I'll think about that later. But for now, good night!

Music Monday

Since all the cool kids did this over the weekend. I wanted to play too (even though I think I've already done this one.) Also, I uploaded some Radio Disney music for Natalie's new iPod and three of my Sesame Street boxed set CD's for mine. And I think that just might make this a little funnier (which means I'm using my iTunes library rather than my charging iPod):

Go to the music player of your choice and put it on shuffle.
Say the following questions aloud and press play.
Use the song titles as your answers. NO CHEATING!

How does the world see me?
Song: Ode to a Superhero
Artist: Weird Al
Comments: So I'm a superhero or a dork like Weird Al? I can live with either one.

Will I have a happy life?
Song: Someday at Christmas
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Comments: Maybe I won't be having my usual attacks of SAD because I'm in a sunny place? One can hope...

What do my friends really think of me?
Song: Gotta Go My Own Way
Artist: Gabriela and Troy, High School Musical 2
Comments: Dissed by a Radio Disney song...

Do people secretly lust after me?
Song: For Good
Artist: Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel
Comments: So, they lust after me permanently or they lust after me because I'm "good." You can tell I'm not cheating here, this one didn't make much sense. But I love this song.

How can I make myself happy?
Song: Sweet in the Mornin'
Artist: Bobby McFerrin
Comments: I'm not really a morning person.

What should I do with my life?
Song: Wait For You
Artist: Elliot Yamin
Comments: Wait for WHO?

Why should life be full of so much pain?
Song: Follow Me
Artist: Uncle Kracker
Comments: So, I follow him and the pain will less, more, what? That still doesn't tell me why.

How can I maximize my pleasure during sex?
Song: (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
Artist: Bryan Adams
Comments: Not lying, not making it up, that's the one that played. (I've really got to delete this song from the library no matter how much Dave loves it.)

Will I ever have children?
Song: Silent Night
Artist: John Denver and the Muppets
Comments: I guess that's a no. There are no 'silent nights' here.

Will I die happy?
Song: Couch Potato
Artist: Weird Al
Comments: I guess that's a yes.

What is some good advice for me?
Song: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Artist: Judy Garland
Comments: Maybe someday...(a little play on an earlier question, in case you missed it)

What is happiness?
Song: Hey There Delilah
Artist: Plain White T's
Comments: A long-distance relationship is happiness? Not really.

What is my favourite fetish?
Song: Circle of Life
Artist: Lebo
Comments: Does this mean I have a thing for exotic animal fur?

How will I be remembered?
Song: "C" is for Cookie
Artist: Cookie Monster
Comments: It goes right along with dying happily as a couch potato.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Yesterday, I sent a rather long email to a friend. I ended it by questioning what I could possibly blog about, after already writing so much. Then, I hit 'send' and checked my Inbox. My good friend Wendy had come to my rescue with one of those email quizzes! So, for today I give you "50 Things about Me"



1. Do you like blue cheese? No

2. Have you ever smoked? Yes, but only about 10 cigarettes in my lifespan

3. Do you own a gun? No, but Dave does, better stay off my front porch if you value your feet or knee caps (if I'm shooting-if Dave is, you really are in trouble)

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? Cherry and lime to my diet Coke

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Depends on the appt.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Good at football games (Ah! Memories of capping Cokes at the stadium-our yearly Rainbow girl fundraiser)

7. Favorite Christmas song? Religious: "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," Silly: "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? V8 Fusion

9. Can you do push ups? Not very well

Did I lose #10?

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? An inexpensive pair of earrings I bought myself that seem to go with almost everything I own

12. Favorite hobby? Reading, but I did just learn to knit

#13?

14. Do you have ADD? Probably

15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Temper, temper

16. Middle name? Louise

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment...
a. Need to exercise

b. take a shower

c. clean up the house before the kids get home
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.

nothing, sadly

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?

a. water

b. Diet Coke

c. V8 Fusion

20. Current worry? getting the girls' room painted and organized

21. Current annoyance right now? My leg is falling asleep

22. Favorite place to be? Upstairs in the recently re-organized reading nook

23. How did you bring in the New Year? Wishing Dave wasn't already asleep and snoring while I tried to calm down the over-excited kids.

24. Where would you like to go? Someplace warm!

25. Name three people who will complete this? ??

26. Do you own slippers? Yes, but I don't wear them.

27. What shirt are you wearing? OU sweatshirt

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Yes

29. Can you whistle? Yes

30. Favorite color? yellow

31. Would you be a pirate?No

32. What song do you sing in the shower? I don't usually

33. Favorite girl's name? That I didn't use on one of my kids? Alexandra or Susannah

34. Favorite boy's name? Again, we'll go with unused: Christian, Sam, Hunter

35. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing

36. Last thing that made you laugh? Reaper

37. Best bed sheets as a child? The ones at Aunt Marguerite's house

38. Worst injury you've ever had? It's a toss up between the bad ankle sprain in Italy or the ligament damage while pregnant with Caroline.

39. Do you love where you live? I'm trying to

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3

41. Who is your loudest friend? Chris

42. How many dogs do you have? 1

43. Does someone have a crush on you? I doubt it.

46. What is your favorite candy? Lemon Heads or Red Hots depending on the day

47. Favorite Sports Team? OU

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Rainbow Connection

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Feeling nauseous, but apparently it was only temporary. Thank goodness.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Do I really have to leave the house today?

Week In Review

Reading-

Again, I didn't read anything this week except a few chapters for Sunday School preparation. But, I did buy An Innocent Man by John Grisham this week. So maybe I'll have started it by this time next week.

Listening-

Book 6: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince-

I keep forgetting to add this to my reviews and we have finally almost finished it. Harry and Dumbledore just left to find the Horcrux. I am way too attached to these characters. I get very emotional listening to their Book 6 adventures when I already know how everything will end for them. We should start listening to Book 7 by the beginning of Feb. I've tried to warn Natalie that there is a lot of sadness to come, but she's just too curious about how all of it will end for me to stall reading or listening to the last two books anymore. She has shown marginal interest in the Lord of the Rings trilogy movies when we watch them, so I do think she can handle it. Now let's see how well I handle it twice.

Watching-

Heroes: Season 2

As you can guess, I finally got far enough into the series to see the debut of none other than Ms. Veronica Mars, I mean Kristen Bell. And she is not playing a very nice gal this time around. It's kinda cool to watch, actually. I'm just thrilled to see her back on my small screen. (Dawn Ostroff, you still suck for dumping Veronica Mars from the CW. But, as you will see with this next entry...I've caved on my CW boycott.)

Reaper: The Pilot

Did I mention this was directed by Kevin Smith? It's about a young man whose parents sold his soul to the devil before he was born. In this episode, he turns 21 and well, all hell breaks loose. It's hilariously clever and I adored the first episode. So much for my CW ban, but in these days of reruns and the writer's strike, you take your entertainment where you can get it. And this is some pretty good entertainment if I do say so myself. Best quote "Don't worry...I've seen how this ends. God wins."

In My Netflix Queue-

Hairspray-

I got this as a Christmas gift, but only just now got to watch it. It was very cute and clever. I loved the Ricki Lake cameo and John Travolta's signature moves at the end. I still give top props for an Edna Turnblatt performance to the late, great Divine. I will admit that I enjoyed Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Christopher Walken immensely in this and Nicki Blonsky could not have been more adorable. Still, this felt like the "lite" version compared to the original film or even the musical version I saw last year at the Civic Center. In particular, John Travolta's take on Edna was pretty soft. Still, it was fun to see him dressed in drag and singing again. (If you had told me when I was watching him in Grease all those years ago that I would see him like this as an adult I would NOT have belived it.)

Flylady Progress-

I got the downstairs bathroom cabinet organized and decluttered in short order on Monday. Natalie's bedroom was much more painstaking and she did NOT help at all. However, it is now cleared and ready to be painted tomorrow. I am not at all amused by how much work I had to put into this, how much clutter and other trash I found in her room, nor by how long it took to get it ready. As a result, I'm charging her $25 for my efforts. This comes straight from a Parenting with Love and Logic book, and she was warned that it would happen if I had to clean that room alone. She has, at the moment, $25 on a VISA gift card and two $25 dollar gift cards to book stores. I told her she could pick the two gift cards she wants the most and give me the other one. She has proclaimed me "the meanest mother EVER!" I disagree. This week is the Master Bedroom. I'm kind of looking forward to it after last week.

No Surprises Here

I Am A: Neutral Good Human Bard/Cleric (2nd/2nd Level)


Ability Scores:

Strength-10

Dexterity-11

Constitution-12

Intelligence-13

Wisdom-13

Charisma-12


Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.


Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.


Primary Class:
Bards often serve as negotiators, messengers, scouts, and spies. They love to accompany heroes (and villains) to witness heroic (or villainous) deeds firsthand, since a bard who can tell a story from personal experience earns renown among his fellows. A bard casts arcane spells without any advance preparation, much like a sorcerer. Bards also share some specialized skills with rogues, and their knowledge of item lore is nearly unmatched. A high Charisma score allows a bard to cast high-level spells.


Secondary Class:
Clerics act as intermediaries between the earthly and the divine (or infernal) worlds. A good cleric helps those in need, while an evil cleric seeks to spread his patron's vision of evil across the world. All clerics can heal wounds and bring people back from the brink of death, and powerful clerics can even raise the dead. Likewise, all clerics have authority over undead creatures, and they can turn away or even destroy these creatures. Clerics are trained in the use of simple weapons, and can use all forms of armor and shields without penalty, since armor does not interfere with the casting of divine spells. In addition to his normal complement of spells, every cleric chooses to focus on two of his deity's domains. These domains grants the cleric special powers, and give him access to spells that he might otherwise never learn. A cleric's Wisdom score should be high, since this determines the maximum spell level that he can cast.


Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

Hat tip to Chaz for the link.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That Magic Age

Natalie's pre-school teacher once told me that people are either "elementary" or "secondary" when it comes to kids. While I adore babies as much as the next gal, I've always been a "secondary" person. When you major in Latin, it's assumed you will teach. With that particular subject, you have to put in hands-on hours in both the younger and older grades. I didn't have to spend too many hours at the elementary level to know that I preferred the middle school and high school classes. Of course, I never did teach Latin except as a substitute, but the secondary ed part of my degree has been put to good use over the years as a Sunday school teacher for classes ranging from ages 12-17 and most recently as part of the Young Women's presidency. I feel I was very successful in those endeavors (in fact, the 12-14 year-olds used to sneak into my 15-17 year-old class-and knowing their teacher, I allowed it. Or, at least, I pretended not to know they were too young to be in my class.) I have also served in the Primary Presidency and taught classes of younger kids. This has not gone as well. (Nursery was OK, but really, how can you mess that up?)

Last night, my friend M dropped off Natalie and two of her friends for a sleep-over. It's only in last couple of years that these sleepovers have happened at MY house. It used to be that L would last about two hours, then cry to go home. No matter how much Natalie (or her parents) wanted her to stay, I never knew how to convince her to do so. Apparently, I don't speak "little kid." Now, things are different. It is after 1:30 p.m. They do not want to leave and I don't want to take them home. Since last night, we have watched Hairspray twice (I'll review it tomorrow), played DDR and DreamLife, walked the dog, eaten lots of popcorn and red licorice, made waffles, and looked at lots of funny pictures of me with big 80's hair. In short, we've had a blast. Right now, they are upstairs assembling "costumes" so they can re-enact the Miss Teen Hairspray contest.

All in all, it was worth spending all day yesterday shopping and cleaning. Ten and up is definitely MY magic age.

A Day in the Life-WPT* Version

*"works part-time"

6:00 a.m.-Jolt awake (not sure why, it's not my norm), decide to shower while everyone else is still sleeping.
6:30 a.m.-Wake the kids. Think that the alarm going off on my cell phone is Dave's and that he's left it here. Get annoyed. Find phone. Realize it's mine. Oops! Supervise getting dressed and breakfast-eating progress.
7:00 a.m.-Realize Elisa is STILL in bed after all my gentle and not-so-gently prodding. (A girl after my own heart, that one.) Go into bedroom, pick her up, stand her up, and offer her the choice of either getting dressed or going potty. She chooses to get dressed, then tells me she has to go potty. Story of my life...(And I know she should have just gone before dressing, but that kid has to feel like SHE decides every step she makes during the day.)
7:15 Unload dishwasher, instruct kids to put their breakfast dishes in it. Go to load washer and find favorite Trader Joe's detergent spilled on floor. DO NOT SWEAR, and use dirty towel to wipe it up. Decide to wash a load of dirty towels. Do not add any more soap to washer, just the towel I used to mop up the puddle.
7:25 a.m. Start car to warm up the frozen seats
7:30 a.m. Feed dog and cats, yell at kids to get in the car. (We are running later than I would like today)
7:35 a.m. Kids still aren't moving fast. Throw my lunch for work into a bag. Tell kids I'm leaving...NOW!
7:37 a.m.-Leave house
7:55 a.m. Arrive at school. Sign Tristan's homework while Natalie finishes listening to how Harry and Ginny had their first kiss (Harry Potter Book 6 on CD). Who was I interrupt her?
8:05 a.m.-Drop Elisa off at pre-school. Since it's a work day, this is one of the three days in her pre-school career that she grabs my leg and cries to go back home. Her teacher is able to distract her.
8:10 a.m. Run for my car before she notices I've left. (She was fine the rest of the day, I thought she would be.)
8:15 a.m. Stop at grocery store for V8 and bottled water (I hate being the first one to arrive at work)
8:20 a.m. Leave for The City
8:50 a.m. I am the first one to arrive at work. I manage to remember the gate code (something I had forgotten over Christmas break) I have, however, forgotten the security code for the office so I sit in my warm car and wait...
8:54 a.m. Someone arrives. They knows the code, but the lock is frozen shut. We both wait...
8:57 a.m. Someone else arrives. The door is opened.
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Spend most of the day working on updated File Maker Pro inventory, also clean out one desk and move stuff to the other. I like this because the other one is where the computer is. It is nice not to have to share one with three other people anymore. Break for lunch at around 11:45, but do not go out. Still trying to save $$ and be healthier.
2:00 p.m. Leave to pick up kids
2:30 p.m. Do not arrive in time for posh parking place in school parking lot, line up on the street with the rest of the latecomers instead. Realize I forgot to unLATCH Elisa's carseat and put it in the back of the car. Oops!
2:45 p.m.-Kids start to pour out of school, cars start moving
2:50-My group is piles into my car, I beg one of the younger ones to sit in the car seat. One of them does. Phew!
2:55 p.m. Drop off extra kids PLUS Natalie for a playdate. We will be back later this evening for Girl Scouts and I will pick her up then.
3:05 p.m. Arrive at Wal-Mart with just 2 kids to buy t.p. Exit store $67 later. I hate Wal-Mart.
3:35 p.m. Pick up Elisa. She is in new pants. Lovely. Bring home special tied-up Wal-Mart bag with us.
4:00 p.m.-Arrive home, get dog to stop jumping with a treat. Carry Elisa into the house because she is afraid of the dog. (This dog is SO harmless that I find that funny.) Stow everyone's coats and winter wear.
4:05 p.m.-Dave arrives. I collapse on couch to check email and read blogs. In the interim, we decide to eat out when we pick up Natalie
4:50 p.m. Move clothes to dryer, put "special tied-up Wal-Mart bag" clothes in the washer. Load up my camera, purse, and some other items in a bag for tonight's Girl Scout ceremony.
5:00 p.m. Leave to get Natalie
5:25 p.m. Decide on Burger King for dinner-THAT'S NUTRITION!
5:30 p.m. Arrive at BK
5:37 p.m. Sit down with food
5:40 p.m. Kids swear they are finished eating and beg to go play.
5:55 p.m. Kids are actually allowed to play. Dave supervises while I go back to the same grocery store I visited this morning for grapes, cheese, and crackers for my contribution to tonight's snack table.
6:10 p.m. I return to restaurant to collect family
6:15 p.m. We leave BK under mass protest, Dave informs me he "borrowed" the batteries from my camera for one of the kids' toys.
6:17 p.m. We stop at Wal Green's so I can buy batteries.
6:20 p.m. Cell phone rings, can Natalie's friend L come to the ceremony? Return to school, pick up L and her little sister on the way.
6:28 p.m. Arrive at school, unload.
6:30 p.m. Go to teacher's lounge and prepare snack. Chat with three ladies who spearheaded recent PTA-sponsored lounge remodel. Enjoy nice adult conversation, the lounge looks AWESOME! I can't stop thanking them.
6:35 p.m. L's little sister wants to go home. Dave takes her.
6:40 p.m. Set snack on table, watch kids prepare for ceremony.
6:45 p.m. Dave arrives, but leaves immediately to make popcorn in the school store. Something I asked him not to do because there was already too much food.
6:48 p.m.-7:00 p.m.-Wrestle my kids alone until ceremony starts.
7:00-7:20 p.m. Ceremony for both Natalie and Caroline's Junior and Daisy troops. I take a ton of pictures. Dave misses the entire thing making popcorn.
7:25 p.m. Snacks are distributed, Dave arrives with popcorn. Only half of it gets eaten. I almost bite tongue in half from not saying "I told you so." (He's worked the night shift until this year, and never been to one of these. This was my third one.)
7:30-8:00 p.m. Parents visit, kids goof off, kind of my favorite part of the whole evening.
8:05 p.m. Drop L off, wind up inviting her and another friend of Natalie's over for a sleepover tomorrow. (Now I HAVE to clean that bedroom.)
8:30 p.m. Arrive at home, try and cycle all kids through bath and pj routines quickly.
9:30 p.m. Everyone is finished and on their way to bed...do I want to watch Heroes or just crash. It's a sign of how tired I am that I can't decide...I also need to write out tomorrow's menu/grocery list.

I hope to be in bed again tonight by 10:30. Too bad I'm not writing one of these again tomorrow. There's shopping AND a slumber party looming. Thanks for reading!

Heroes Season 2 Update:

OMG! OMG! OMG! It's Kristen Bell! Kristen Bell! Kristen Bell!

I guess that tells you which episode I watched tonight. And just when I thought I couldn't love this show more...

A Day in the Life-SAHM version

5:45 a.m.-Alarm starts going off, hit snooze and listen to the sounds of Dave leaving for work.
6:15 a.m.-Finally quit hitting the snooze button and get up.
6:15-6:30 a.m.-Take 15 minutes for myself before waking kids (dress, breakfast, sometimes email depending on my mood)
6:30 a.m.-Start calling for the kids to come downstairs and dress
6:45 a.m.-Get ugly with stragglers who aren't dressed yet.
7:00 a.m.-Gather papers, errand items, start sounding "almost time to leave" warning
7:15-7:20 a.m.-Fix little girls' hair, give everyone a last-minute once over and start the car
7:20 a.m.-Feed cats and dog
7:25 a.m.-Leave home
7:45 a.m.-Drop off bigger kids at school
8:00 a.m.-Drop little one off at pre-school
8:00-8:30 a.m.-Small errands or PTA stuff at school (Today, I shopped at Wal-Green's)
8:45ish a.m.-Arrive back home, shower (it's worth coming back so I can do this with no kids in the house)
9:00-9:30 a.m.-Make bed, unload/load dishwasher, start laundry, fold laundry from dryer
9:30-10:30 a.m.-Try to check email and write blog but the computer is offline. Instead, I started taking down Christmas stuff in honor of anti-procrastination day.
10:30 a.m.-Call Dave and ask where the cat carrier is, leave message because he is no longer allowed to answer phone during work.
10:35 a.m.-Hear back, go to garage, see the mess and panic, spot cat carrier. Bring it inside. Pick up kitten who purrs in my hands. Feel guilty. Put cat in pet carrier.
10:45 a.m.-Drive to vet (I was just there with the new dog last Fri.)
11:00 a.m.-Drag cat out of carrier and hold him down for his shots. He can be neutered in a month. Thank goodness. He's already started spraying.
11:15 a.m.-Marvel that I'm already finished at the vet AND that it only cost $23 (the pup cost a bit more), confirm dog's booster shot appt. for next month. Schedule neutering appts. for both animals.
11:30 a.m.-Arrive home, continue to disassemble Christmas.
11:45 a.m.-Break for lunch, leftover tortellini soup, mmm!
12:15-12:30 p.m.-Watch afternoon news for winter storm updates. Not due 'till evening. Good. It won't interfere with afternoon carpool.
12:30 p.m.-The computer is back online, woo hoo! No time to blog, check email accts. read some blogs.
1:00 p.m.-Unload/load dishwasher, finish packing up Christmas stuff, straighten dining room a bit.
1:55 p.m.-Leave to pick up kids, it is drizzling and the roads are slick. Yuck!
2:15 p.m.-Arrive at school, there are already more parents than normal here. It must be the weather.
2:15-2:45 p.m. Attempt to entertain myself with iPod and knitting while waiting for the kids to get out of school (if you want a good parking place, you have to get there early.) Knit several rows. Wish I knew more than one stitch.
2:45-2:50 p.m. Gather up the 7 kids that I take home (3 are mine, 4 are either children of, or babysat by my friend M who lives around the corner from the school).
2:55 p.m. Drop off carpool kids
3:00-3:20 p.m. My Wal Green's trip this morning didn't allow me to buy the buttermilk, bananas, and some other seasoning I need for dinner tonight. Take three kids for quick trip to the grocery store, allow Elisa to eat 3 p.m. snack at pre-school. She gets mad if I get there early.
3:25 p.m. Pick up Elisa, feel like a circus taking three kids in and four kids out. What else is new?
3:30-3:50 p.m. Drive home (right now we are listening to Harry Potter Book 6)
3:50 p.m. Play with dog, work with him (when he sits instead of jumping, we give him a milkbone, still no luck with the leash)
4:00 p.m. Snack time for kids, I am expecting company and start some last-minute clean-up
4:30 p.m. Company arrives, a good friend from church. Her four kids are roughly the same ages/genders as my four. We all have fun.
6:00 p.m. Friend's husband calls to tell her she should leave before the weather gets worse (expecting icy roads later), say 'goodbye'
6:15 p.m. Start dinner (chicken fried steak, rarely served here but I had cube steaks I needed to cook)
6:50 p.m. Eat
7:15 p.m. Make sure kids clear table, load dishwasher
7:20 p.m. Collapse on couch, check email, don't feel like blogging, read a lot of blogs instead
8:00 p.m. Start telling kids to lay out clothes for tomorrow. Begin bedtime routine. See that clothes in dryer are still damp. Re-start it. Feel annoyed because the jeans in the washer are needed for tomorrow. Note that the dishwasher is full, but don't run it because you still need the washer. Annoyance abounds.
8:30 p.m. Send kids to bed, collapse on couch, watch Biography channel show about Andre the Giant ("Hello Lady")
9:00 p.m. Get bored with that when it switches to the life and times of Hulk Hogan (Hey! Was he in Princess Bride? I thought not, so why watch?), start blogging instead...For lack of a better subject, decide to do "day in the life" entries for today and tomorrow (tomorrow is a work day for me-different subject matter)
9:17 p.m. Finish entry, hit post, plug PC into TV and watch yet another episode of Heroes, Season 2 (we're about halfway through them now).

I anticipate collapsing no later that 10:30 p.m. tonight. So I can do it all again tomorrow (and you all can read about it. Lucky you all!)

7 Random Things

I was tagged by Atomic Kitten (and thank goodness, because I'm not feeling very creative today.)

1. Tristan made me laugh while doing all the desk work he didn't bother to finish at school today. He had to answer questions about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from his Weekly Reader (remember those!). As he grumbled about having to do it, and swore over and over that he didn't understand it; he came up with this: "Dr. King wanted freedom for EVERYONE, and I'm not having any right now." Apparently, our insistence that he do his homework is an infringement on his civil rights. And there goes his argument that he didn't "get" what he was reading.

2. Dave has been home for two days with a cold. My throat started itching at work today-how much do you want to bet that I will get zero days off?

3. The dishwasher is running, the laundry is folded and put away, dinner is simmering on the stove top, and I still can't bring myself to go upstairs and work on the girls' bedroom. Apparently, I'm more afraid than I thought.

4. Did I mention that I didn't make ANY of the mess up there?

5. After three years without any asthma attacks, I moved Caroline's nebulizer from the main bathroom to a storage cabinet yesterday. She coughed all the way home from school today.

6. Like Heroes Seasons One and Two, 30 Rock is on Netflix instant view! I'm still glad I bought the Heroes Season One box set, though.

7. The soup I'm fixing still has about an hour left to simmer, that's plenty of time to make some progress in the girls' room. And yet, I'm still sitting here on the couch. Did I mention it's not my mess up there? And that my throat feels scratchy?

Music(al) Monday!

Miss Wisabus made my day this morning by announcing that Mamma Mia! was coming to theatres near us this summer! I CANNOT WAIT to see it. It stars Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried (AKA "Lily Kane" or "Sarah Hendrickson" depending on what you were watching a couple of years ago. Ah...back in the old days when there were new episodes of Veronica Mars AND Big Love. Good times...Sigh) She was nice enough to include a trailer in her post. For lack of anything else to blog about, I think I will just pass along the good news and post a trailer too (mine is slightly different, I can't be a complete copy-cat, you know):

Week In Review

I won't be posting any Weekly Winners this Sunday because I seem to have forgotten this past week that I own a camera, (Except, of course, to take pictures of my new clothes on Friday which I'm sure was fascinating reading for no one but me.) So, you are stuck with my somewhat abbreviated Week In Review.

Reading-

Absolutely nothing. I think I will read Atonement now that I've seen the movie (reviewed below). I used to do that in the opposite order, but then I never seem to enjoy the movie based on its own merits because I'm too busy comparing it to the book; usually unfavorably.

Watching-

Grey's Anatomy-

What is it with this show?! I spend the first 20 minutes of each episode thinking "This show sure has gotten lame. I think I'm going to quit watching it." Then, I spend the last five minutes of each episode crying, more in love with the show than ever, and dying to see what happens next. I loved George's mom showing up for a visit and all the various interactions with her. I wanted to choke Bailey's husband (and hope they aren't breaking them up so Bailey can start fooling around in On Call rooms too-that's just not in her character). And I LOVED the way Bailey handled Dr. Hahn even though I also loved what Dr. Hahn said to McSteamy at the end. I could care less about the Rose/Mer/Der triangle, though I think a savvy nurse like Rose is supposed to be should know better than to get anywhere near McDreamy if she really is up on all the gossip about him. And was that the last new episode completed before the writer's strike? Time will tell.

At the Movies-

Atonement-

One of my good friends and I went to see this last night. I'm so glad I have her to go see movies like this with because, apart from about 10 minutes of gory WW2 footage, Dave would have hated this. I, on the other hand, could not have loved it more. Initially, I found the way the time and perspective jumped around a little confusing, but then you get to the end and all of it makes sense. I can't say enough good about this movie, it was like watching living art for me. I even loved Keira Knightly in it and I'm not her number one fan. (But would it kill her to eat a sandwich? Just wondering...) It is definitely not for men (as the annoying "talker" sitting down the row from me made obvious with his comments) and it is likely not as good as the book. However, I deliberately waited on reading the book because I thought the movie looked brilliant and didn't want to ruin it for myself. Mission accomplished. Now, I can read the book. (Though I suspect this movie will still hold up better in comparison than Love in the Time of Cholera did.)

Extracurricular Activities-

Momentum-

I was lucky enough to get tickets to this art show which highlighted the work of local artists under 30. It was held in an empty store in the OKC furniture district. Being part of the over 30 crowd, I wasn't sure what to expect; but I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of Norman artists, which always makes me happy. I also liked that a variety of mediums were on display. Of course there were paintings and sculpture, but there were also short films, interpretive dances, and digital art. A lot of the art was for sale and much of it was dirt cheap given the unknown status of most of the artists. In fact, I could picture certain pieces in the homes of my trendier friends with a sense of style. (Someday I'll figure out what mine is.) I think my absolute favorite piece though, was a series of receipts the artist collected over several months on which he wrote his perceptions and experiences with each purchase. I'm not doing it justice in my description, but it was brilliant. The show was a really nice break from my daily routine and not once did I feel "too old" to be there.

Flylady Progress-

This likely also falls under the category of "fascinating to no one but me," but I'm hoping that posting my progress each week will help me stay motivated. This week we were in the kitchen zone. This is the cleanest and most decluttered area in my house (well, this and the bathroom), but I made sure to spend at least 15 minutes there every day last week. I cleaned the ceiling fan blades and the oven, I organized the Tupperware cabinet, wiped down the cabinet facades, and scrubbed the icky baseboards (Which revealed that the original color of our grout is actually a lot pinker than I noticed when we were potential buyers for the house. I guess it matches our Pepto Bismol pink carpet. Not that I'm any more pleased by that.) I've already done a pretty thorough job of decluttering in there, so it was nice to do some deep cleaning tasks in 15 minute increments. I'm sad we didn't get to the pantry/laundry room which really needs work, but I was careful to keep my cleaning bursts to 15 minutes at a time. As FlyLady says, it's all about "babysteps."
This week is the main bathroom and one extra room. I may declutter the bathroom cabinet on Monday, but otherwise next week's project is almost exclusively the girls' bedroom. I'm afraid...very afraid!

Have Christmas Money, Will Shop

I finally cleared my schedule enough to go out and spend that Penney's gift card that my Grandmother and Cousin J so nicely gave me for Christmas. I am really partial to their Liz and Co. line which is as close to buying designer clothing as not only my budget, but also my cheapskate nature will allow. A lot of their stuff was 70% off. (My inner cheapskate LOVES that!) However, I am also a few weeks into the great wardrobe purge of 2008. So, I bought nothing without first deciding what it would replace. For lack of anything better to post, here are the swaps I made in my closet:
I got rid of the Pooh hoodie (I still love that silly old bear, but I'm uh...35 now)

And replaced it with this hoodie:

Here's a closer shot of it:

For this sweater:

I'm giving away both of these:

And I'm replacing the striped shirt on the right with the grey one on the left:


All in all, not a bad haul for $50 ($25 with the gift card).

National De-Lurking Day!

I almost missed it! Apparently, today is National De-Lurking Day. So, if you lurk here, leave a comment and let me know. As far as I can tell, about 75 people check in her daily, but only about 20 come back regularly. If you're one of the 20, don't be shy! Meanwhile, I am loving this "de-lurking is delightful" button that I snagged a long time ago from Paper Napkin where, on occasion, I have been known to lurk myself.

Another One Disappears!

Thanks to those few of you who read and responded to what I posted yesterday. At the time I hit "publish" it seemed like the right thing to do. This morning at 3:30 a.m., I was experiencing 'blogger's remorse' and saved it back to drafts instead. That way, it's not gone and everyone's kind comments aren't either. If you missed it, permit me to sum up:

I'm 35, I'm done having adventures, I have indeed missed out on some opportunities in my life that I will never get a 2nd chance to experience, I am married, committed to staying that way, and that's not always fun, and often life doesn't go the way I want it to. Rather than sit around dreaming of how things could change, I've decided just to accept those truths and deal with them. Dealing with them is kind of sucking for me right now. The End.

Now why couldn't I have put it that way yesterday?

Works For Me Wednesday: Backwards Edition

I have naturally wavy hair. It doesn't do the awesome ringlets that my younger sister's does, but there is some curl to it-though sadly it's not uniform, just here and there. For the past fifteen years, I've dealt with that either by getting perms (which my hair holds forever) or by straightening it daily with a hair dryer, but now I'm thinking...I kinda like it natural and I LOVE skipping the morning blow-drying. Does anyone know of any hair car products that will help me perk up my wavy hair after showering each morning?

Do you need some beauty/household/parenting tips of your own? Post your question and link to this week's Backwards Edition of Works for Me Wednesday hosted by the lovely Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

Music Monday

This seems to be my theme song lately, whether it's trying to get my house clean and organized, dealing with the reality that I most likely WILL be spending the rest of my life in Oklahoma, or acknowledging that there are certain paths that I really did miss my chance to pursue; I do feel pretty down and, for lack of a better word, stuck. My goal for 2008? To get unstuck. And to enjoy this band as much as possible, they are still one of my all-time favorites:

Weekly Winners

When Kelly, Toni, AND Jenny are all playing along; how can I resist? While I lack their talent for photography, I occasionally take a picture or two that I don't hate. Thanks to Sarcastic Mom for hosting this:

The only good pic I took of our tree

On the edge of 'home'

Reading time with Grandma T

BFF's and one jealous little sis

Pillow Fight!

I asked for some "calm," they gave me this!

Elisa Found the Only Mudpuddle in all of Arizona

Arizona Living History Museum

The Game-Not so good, The Pride-Excellent as always!

Vacation in Review

I survived:

• Putting together complex kids' toys with Dave on Christmas Eve with minimal arguing
• Aunt M's Christmas afternoon gathering (complete with her telling her home health aide that she didn't like "strangers" in her house, mom's usual amount of craziness, and all 9 grandkids in that touch-me-not house)
• Driving to Arizona through snow and sleet with a carload of fighting, screaming kids. (Yay for 4-wheel drive!)
• A Californian with some serious road rage just after we crossed into Arizona from New Mexico
• Dave falling asleep shortly after arriving in Tucson on New Year's Eve leaving me and my two older kids to celebrate alone at midnight
• Another crushing Fiesta Bowl defeat...
• The drive home (with many a West Virginia fan at every rest stop, Boise St. definitely wins the prize for gracious winners)
• Dave's stupid new navigational system creating more driving problems than it solved
• Taking my kids to see the huge meteor crater in Winslow, AZ without a single one falling in it.
• 500 "are we there yet"s/"how much longer"s/and "how many minutes" when still two days away from home.

I Enjoyed:

• Seeing Anne, Mom, the siblings, and their kiddos and watching them play
• The drive from Deming, NM into Tucson (except for the road rage incident)-that always feels like coming home and it always goes rather quickly
• our hotel in Glendale (gotta love mom's Marriott points)
• Anne's brother and SIL watching my kids during the game and telling me later how much they wished we could all get together more often
• Downloading Radio Disney stuff onto Natalie's iPod for her and watching her dance around with her headphones on
• Shopping at Trader Joe's and IKEA (I seriously need to rent a U-Haul and bring the car refrigerator next time)
• Seeing Anne's old house where I used to come and visit-it is For Sale right now and they let us come in and tour it. I did NOT enjoy what the previous owners did to it though.
• Learning to knit (a little), I'm about halfway through my first scarf
• Visiting the Arizona Pioneer History museum and the Meteor Crater in Winslow
• Listening to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince with Natalie (we are about halfway through it, the kids just came back to school from Christmas break, much like we will tomorrow)
• No carpooling, PTA duties, or dragging kids out of bed first thing in the morning
• Going out last night for our anniversary to see National Treasure 2, now why isn't MY museum job more exciting like that?

New Year's Meme

We got in late last night (Don't we all wish we could spend our 11th Anniversary on the road with 4 kids?) and I'm doing all the unpacking and laundry that such a road trip produces. I'm also feeling pretty blue and I thought I would spare everyone the long, sad diatribe about how I'm never leaving Oklahoma, I no longer know my way around Tucson, and that I spent the week feeling like I was in everyone's way (Anne, her brother's family, my parents, my sisters, you name it-I was somehow bugging them, I just knew it). And so, in such a lovely state as I am today, I thought I would do everyone a favor and post this meme. Be glad I'm not trying to write an actual post:

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Got a part-time job, a Master's degree, met several online friends in person, and took a cruise.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I'm not big on resolutions, but I did follow through with school and I got a job. Both were goals from last New Year's anyway.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Some good friends from church. My youngest sister is finally pregnant again and the pregnancy seems like it will be a keeper this time. (fingers-crossed)

4. Did anyone close to you die?

5. What countries did you visit? Mexico

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A clean and organized house, a bigger PTA budget for next year.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 12-graduation, Aug. 2nd-1st annual FRED gathering!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Definitely getting the Master's!

9. What was your biggest failure? The PTA budget shortfall last year and my home organizational skills, or lack thereof.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing I can think of right now.

11. What was the best thing you bought? We paid off Dave's car completely. That's been a relief each month.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? No one in MY immediate family-that's for sure.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Mine and, to a certain extent, Dave's. I haven't exactly gone from at-home mom, to part-time job mom with much grace or patience. Nor has Dave really stepped up to help out, not that I expected it-but I always hope...
I don't think I'm appalled by the kids, but I think I could be a better example for them.

14. Where did most of your money go? Kids, bills, and a little more travel than I normally do (I'm happy about that, though.)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My Master's degree, FRED, the cruise, and Lanie's wedding.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Don Henley's "Forgiveness" even though it was released long ago and "For Good" from the Wicked soundtrack.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? A little thinner and a little richer, but oddly also a little sadder.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Exercise and writing my screenplay

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Whining and yelling at my kids

20. How will you be spending Christmas? Next year? No clue.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? No, unless you count my infatuation with Tommy-kitten.

22. How many one-night stands? 0

23. What was your favorite TV program? Battlestar Galactica, Heroes-Season 1 (I just started Season 2)

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? No

25. What was the best book you read? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-what else?

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Pink and Avril Lavigne (I'm old and a little behind the times.)

27. What did you want and get? My Master's, closure, an awesome trip with Chris, Lanie, Wendy, Lis, and Mom, AND the new 8G iPod when it came out last Oct.

28. What did you want and not get? A couple of jobs I applied for, a cleaner house

29. What was your favorite film of this year? a toss-up between Harry Potter V and The Bourne Ultimatum.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 35 by going to see Billy Joel in concert and eating at P.F. Chang's for the first time.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Being more organized and put-together, I'm working on it...

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Dressing my age instead of like someone much older/larger.

33. What kept you sane? Blogging

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?No one I can think of.

35. What political issue stirred you the most? Stem-cell research

36. Who did you miss? Dave's mom, as usual

37. Who was the best new person you met? All the FREDDIES

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. As Steve used to say "I can do anything that I wanna do."

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: "And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine by being my friend." "For Good" from Wicked.

Dear Sooners,

I am sorry. It is all my fault. I am a Fiesta Bowl jinx. I promise to stay far away from whatever Bowl game we play next year. (Oh yes, we will, we are still the Sooners.) However, I'm getting pretty fond of visiting Arizona on an annual basis, so could you maybe try to play somewhere else next year? Thanks, and all apologies for last year and this one. At least I can still attend home games-you've won every one I've witnessed live, I promise!

Your fan,

Melessa

Boomer Sooner!

Well, it's almost game time (or will be once we've run some errands and dropped off the kids), so let me say it has been a wonderful trip and already worth the time spent on the road with or without an OU win. However, being a bit on the greedy side, I'll take a Fiesta Bowl title too! (And if a victory is not in the cards, may West Virginia fans be as gracious as the Boise St. fans were last year. We've met several here at the hotel and so far, so good...)

GO SOONERS!!!

Updates

• I had a great time in Tucson, as usual. Dave arrived last night and I discovered to my horror that I no longer know my way around town (had to turn around twice en route to the airport). He and the little girls were asleep before 10:30 p.m., so I rung in the New Year with Natalie and Tristan.
• We made it to Phoenix in very good time today. IKEA IS open on New Year's Day-woo hoo! I wish I was traveling with a U-Haul trailer.
• My kids can only be team players for one or two road trips per year. This is not that trip. Anyone want some kids?
• Aunt M is thriving at home with the help of two home health aides. I feel for them.
• I still love to road trip, but I just might leave the kids at home next time.