tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30868676780961001742024-03-13T09:02:02.686-07:00Thoughts on LifeDiscussions with my selfUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-56148448822433254812010-04-28T09:33:00.000-07:002010-04-28T10:40:20.642-07:00Bread?So I tried to make bread yesterday! I was so excited about it. I ground my own wheat into flour and everything. A family that I work with through the school I work for gave me what they called the easiest bread recipe ever. Apparently it is full proof you make the whole recipe in the blender and just put it in the bread pan to cook. There is apparently NO way to mess it up. I was REALLY looking forward to hot warm bread. What I created was in fact NOT bread. I am not sure if a giant wheat glob actually has a name bread pudding perhaps, but it was NOT bread. I kept hoping that some miracle would take place that it would change in the oven and somehow turn into bread. I am pretty sure the issue was that it didn't rise right but for the life of me I have know clue what went wrong. I am really not a domestic hands on type of person. It was not what I was made for. I would have died on the plains for sure. <br />I have told Darin for years that I am in fact not meant for domestic work. He doesn't quite believe me. I can not tell you the number of times I have hurt myself cooking or cleaning. I can't go a week without bruising, burning or cutting myself in an attempt to be domestic. I swear I am going against nature when I try to cook and clean at all. Nine years ago I was trying to clean my car by hand. I cut my finger on the tail pipe of the car and ended up with a permanent tattoo on my finger. I have a 1/4 inch black line on my right pinkie that will never go away ( I couldn't get the grease out of the cut). I deiced at that point that god was trying to tell me that I was not meant for manual labor. That the tattoo is in fact a reminder from the Divine that I should not even attempt manual labor. I agree, but since I can not afford to pay anyone else to do it. I make due.<br />Until recently my children thought that cookies came out of freezer or refrigerator packages. I know that they will eventually make cookies at a friends house and be confused when the person breaks out flour and sugar. More recently I have started using Betty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crockers</span> bagged cookie mix so they now know that some times when you make cookies they do not come from the container in the refrigerator. I think they might still be surprised when they see someday in the future that people actually make somethings from scratch. Almost all of my cooking involves cans, boxes or frozen food of some type. My children would truly suffer if I ever had to cook from scratch. Hopefully for them that day never comes. When I meet women or men who actually love to cook and clean I wonder about there sanity. I am sure that it all comes down to genetics or environment or some such. I think that my domestic genes may have been stolen by my brothers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-69896595095110406472008-09-24T18:04:00.000-07:002008-09-24T18:09:51.182-07:00Thoughts on things you don't say to your wife!<div align="center">So I don't usually share video but Darin sent it to me and it's pretty funny!<br />Enjoy! You might need to press stop on the music playlist at the bottom of the page before watching the video.<br /><br /><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/1659243/things_you_dont_say_to_your_wife.swf" width="400" height="345" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1659243/things_you_dont_say_to_your_wife/">Things You Don't Say To Your Wife</a> - <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/">Free videos are just a click away</a></span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-85330954198665757602008-09-20T23:30:00.000-07:002008-09-21T00:10:25.385-07:00Thougts on what I was doing ten years ago...I don't usually do these list things but this is for you Les...<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Ten Years Ago:</strong><br />1.) I had been married for almost two years. (I had been more than 4 years since me and Darin started dating)<br />2.) I had started my first official teaching job. I was teaching 3rd grade in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chualar</span>. (That was my most memorable class ever).<br />3.) Me and Darin were living in studio apartment above a barn (ya that's right).<br />4.) I was in my second semester at Chapman college.<br />5.) I was driving a green minni van (with no kids) pretty pathetic. All I can say is it was really cheap.<br /><br /><strong>Today's to do list:</strong><br />1.) Make it to church - and actually make it to Sac. Mtg.<br />2.) Sleep<br />3.) DISHES & LAUNDRY ( they are my personal nemesis). If I end up in hell they are the reason. You know the saying cleanness in next to godliness then right now I am a goner.<br />4.) Learning Records for work.. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">AHU</span> I hate Learning Records<br />5.) Try not to kill any of my offspring.<br /><br /><strong>Places I have lived:</strong><br />1.) San Francisco, CA ( I never left the hospital but I was there for three months).<br />2.) Oakland, CA (My grandparents for few months) I was not aloud to go to Mexico until I was six months old because my lungs were to weak (my parents were living in Mexico at the beginning of my moms pregnancy)<br />3.) Valley <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">de</span> Pueblo, Mexico (a few more months)<br />4.) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Capitola</span>, CA (two months)<br />5.) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Prunedale</span>, CA (18 years)<br />6.) Santa Cruz, CA (2 years)<br />7.) Royal Oaks, CA (12 years, we have lived in three places in Royal Oaks)<br />Royal Oaks is basically <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Prundale</span> so I have pretty much lived the same place since I turned one.<br /><br /><strong>If I were a millionaire: (Multi Millionaire?)</strong><br />1.) Pay off my house<br />2.) Get out of debt<br />3.) Buy a vacation house in the Netherlands<br />4.) Get a cabin at the lake<br />5.) Get a Maid and a Nanny (part time) just for my sanity<br /><br /><strong>Snacks I enjoy: ( I love all Snacks)</strong><br />1.) Dehydrated <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cesar</span> flavor green beans<br />2.) Dried Mango from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">costco</span><br />3.) Fruit Smoothies<br />4.) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Brussles</span> cookies<br />5.) Baked Cheddar Onion and Sour Cream Ruffles<br />(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">stroop</span> waffles and anything chocolate)<br /><br />I will try to write something in the next week or so......Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-37212453721892085442008-08-31T20:55:00.000-07:002008-08-31T21:02:05.912-07:00Thoughts on Guy Rules<strong>Here are some Rules for guys that Darin sent me afew weeks ago. I though I would share them with my readers:</strong><br /><br />Now here are the rules from the male side.<br />These are our rules!<br />Please note... these are all numbered "1"<br />ON PURPOSE!<br /><br />1. Men are NOT mind readers.<br /><br />1. Learn to work the toilet seat.<br />You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.<br />We need it up, you need it down.<br />You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.<br /><br />1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon<br />or the changing of the tides.<br />Let it be.<br /><br />1. Shopping is NOT a sport.<br />And no, we are never going to think of it that way.<br /><br />1. Crying is blackmail.<br /><br />1. Ask for what you want.<br />Let us be clear on this one:<br />Subtle hints do not work!<br />Strong hints do not work!<br />Obvious hints do not work!<br />Just say it!<br /><br />1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.<br /><br />1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.<br />Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.<br /><br />1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem.<br />See a doctor.<br /><br />1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.<br />In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.<br /><br />1. If you won't dress like the Victoria 's Secret girls,don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.<br /><br />1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.<br />Don't ask us.<br /><br />1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one<br /><br />1. You can either ask us to do something<br />Or tell us how you want it done.<br />Not both.<br />If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.<br /><br />1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.<br /><br />1. Christopher Columbus didNOT need directions and neither do we.<br /><br />1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.<br />Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.<br /><br />1. If it itches, it will be scratched.<br />We do that.<br /><br />1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.<br />We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.<br /><br />1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.<br /><br />1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine.Really.<br /><br />1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as SEX, CARS, the shotgun formation, or BASKETBALL.<br /><br />1. You have enough clothes.<br /><br />1. You have too many shoes.<br /><br />1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!<br /><br />1. Thank you for reading this.<br />Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-14887957957490531652008-07-27T15:33:00.000-07:002008-07-27T19:42:46.133-07:00Thoughts on Remembering Your LovedWe are all loved and hopefully it is not something we ever forget. My blogs entries are not usually overly religious. All though I am some what overly religious. Sometimes it is nice to get a reminder that we are loved. Last Saturday I was having a one of those days were everything seems to hit bottom and you find your self asking why. In the middle of my day the door bell rang and a friend stopped by to drop off my blue tooth and a hug. The hug changed my day and reminded me that I was loved. It reminded me that their were people out their who love me. Some times it is the small things that fall into place at the right time and remind us that we are loved and that someone is watching out for us all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-80761573787787700292008-07-17T11:00:00.000-07:002008-07-27T19:45:53.772-07:00Thoughts on LiteratureOK, so I have found myself with a literary dilemma recently. I have been obsessed with a series of books in which the writing is really not that polished and I can not pin point my obsession. Here is the basic question: What makes a good book?<br />I am sure the answer is different for everyone. Is it plot, characterization, setting, foreshadowing, literary language, genre or complexity? What is it about a book that makes us think I can not put this down. Does it have to do with being able to dive into another world so fully that the character's seem real that their experiences seem like your experiences. I am not quite sure. In general I love Fantasy, Science Fiction and Historiography. Since I don't have lots of time I like something that pulls me in and is easy to follow. I am doing to much to really enjoy anything overly complicated. I guess this book series does all these things.<br />So here goes I am going to admit it I am obsessed with the twilight series (and the host). I feel like I am admitting I watched Gossip Girl more than once (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">auh</span></span>). It's possible that I could even be categorized as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">twi</span></span>-hard. Really I think I am just obsessed because the last book in the twilight series is coming out in a couple of weeks.<br />I always get a little obsessed before a new book in a series of books I like comes out (I was checking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">JK</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Rowlings</span></span> web site and reading a bunch of fan fiction before Deathly Hallows came out). And Stephanie Meyers knows how to work the web. Something most authors are missing out on. If you are a fan of the books and have not checked out her site you are missing out <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html">http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html</a>. The story Outtakes, Extras, Missing Chapters, Q & A's, Quote of the Day and Book <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Playlist</span></span> really take the web site one step beyond most of the author sites I visit (Yes I visit the websites of all my favorite authors!). The first chapter of Midnight Sun on her site is also a must.<br />I promise I will only let myself obsess over this once. Here are a few of my favorite twilight sites: <a href="http://www.twilightlexiconblog.com/?page_id=17">http://www.twilightlexiconblog.com/?page_id=17</a> The Twilight lexicon is a must the character <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bio's</span></span> and personal correspondence give allot of background information not found in the books. <a href="http://www.twilightguy.com/">http://www.twilightguy.com/</a> The twilight guy because Kaleb Nation is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">freakin</span></span> hilarious. Stephanie's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">myspace</span></span> <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfmfuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=52906350">http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfmfuseaction=user.viewprofile&<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">friendid</span></span>=52906350</a> has some background info (though most of it is also on her website). Twilight mom's is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ok</span></span>, but doesn't really offer anything new or different <a href="http://twilightmoms.com/About.php">http://twilightmoms.com/About.php</a> (they have some interviews with the characters in the movie twilight). More tidbits Andy at the Normal Mormon is kinda funny <a href="http://mormonhusbands.blogspot.com/2008/02/twilight-series-for-dummies-and-totally.html">http://mormonhusbands.blogspot.com/2008/02/twilight-series-for-dummies-and-totally.html</a>. My favorite fan fiction is at <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/sortofbeautiful/">http://community.livejournal.com/sortofbeautiful/</a> & favorite writer of fan fiction <a href="http://borntobewild13.livejournal.com/tag/fanfiction">http://borntobewild13.livejournal.com/tag/fanfiction</a>. I would also check out the main characters <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">myspace</span></span> pages (each of the main characters have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">myspace</span></span> where they blog).<br />When I first read the books I liked them. Although I thought it might have to do with the fact that Stephanie Meyers was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">LDS</span></span>, Stay at Home Mom turned Best Seller who just happened to be my age. How could I not be supportive? It seemed like her books were written for an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">LDS</span></span> female audience (she was writing for herself and so it was for an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">LDS</span></span> audience). I wondered if other people liked them ,but couldn't find anyone that was not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">LDS</span></span> who had read them. It seems like her non <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">LDS</span></span> fans are as obsessed with her as her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">LDS</span></span> fans. I think her strength as a writer is capturing human relationships and emotions within non traditional genre setting. She has a way of creating interesting character dynamics within interesting worlds. She needs to work on giving her books more polish. She also is great at crossing genre lines. I love the way that she mixes romance and every day life with fantasy and science fiction. Just in case anyone cares I don't like Edward Cullen! I am a Jacob fan (even though he is not going to get the girl) I also like Ian from the Host (really how could you not). I am hopeful that Meyers can pull off a Rowling-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">esc</span></span> ending that makes everyone happy. I thought that there was know way that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">JK</span></span> Rowling was going to pull off an ending that people enjoyed for Deathly Hallows, but she did. I am pulling for Stephanie to tie up all her strings in Breaking Dawn. That's enough of my obsessing.<br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Some say the World will end in Fire.</div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v255/non-canon/this%20one/?action=view&current=icon1.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="icon 1" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/non-canon/this%20one/icon1.gif" border="0" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-58537305358085522842008-06-30T07:31:00.000-07:002008-07-27T14:51:54.311-07:00Thoughts on playing(I can't believe I have not posted since Mother's day). I find that I post more often when I am trying to procrastinate work. Having the older boys home also gives me less time to write. Everything feels like a chore with all four of the boys home. Doing errands is a complete joke.<br /><br />I have been worrying recently that I don't do enough fun things with the boys. It feels like I am always asking them to clean or just plain listen. I worry that I am not helping to create enough fun experiences. That we are not making enough memories. I get so caught up in everything that I am trying to get done that I rarely do anything meaningful with the boys. I rarely make the time to play on their level. <br /><br />I don't really remember my parents playing with me. I remember them reading to me. Talking with me listening to me. I remember them making time for me. Driving me every where. Being a part of my life and letting me be a part of their lives. I remember vacations. I don't know that I remember allot of "play". I played with my brother's all the time. I don't remember playing with my parents. <br /><br />As a kid I always admired the families that played together. The families that may have had less than my family but made each day their own. Made each day special and unique. Darin plays with the boys. I find it hard to play and create real learning opportunities. This is sort of a stupid thing to worry about. Sometimes I worry that their memories of me as adults will be of a mom who was always nagging always trying to get them to do something.<br /><br />Being a parent is so much harder than I would have ever guessed.I never thought that being a parent would be an Easy thing. I guess I though that there would be hard moments, hard periods, hard days. I didn't realize that those moments would happen so often. As a teacher it is easy to judge peoples parenting styles and to judge their children's behavior. It sorta comes with the job. But being a parent is much harder than it looks and so much harder than being a teacher. At least for me.<br /><br />I guess my main concern is that my children will not have strong memories to build on when they have their own families. That they will only hold on to the negative memories and not remember the positive. That I don't spend enough time making memories with them that will last. It probably sounds dumb. It feels like there is so little time in the day and they are growing so fast. <br /><br />I know that it is just a matter of prioritising my life to take the time to make each day my own. I guess I worry about this in all my relationships. That I don't give enough of myself. That I don't give enough time to make the lasting memories. I know I don't give Darin the time that he deserves.<br /><br />What do we really remember? What determines what we remember? It is so unique for everyone. Can I control what my children remember? Can I sensor there experiences. I guess it would be very naive to assume that I could. I guess the best I can do is help them to create more meaningful memories. Then hopefully the good will out way the bad. I am doing so much and have myself spread so thin that I worry that if I give more of myself I will fall apart. Crazy Huh!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-90009808374541871192008-05-10T13:13:00.000-07:002008-05-10T13:26:46.682-07:00Thoughts on Mothers for Mother's DayMany of you have probably read this little poem. It travels around the internet this time of year. I thought it was fitting and made small alterations.<br /><br />Mothers:<br /><br />This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Pepperoni Pizza and cherry Kool-Aid saying 'It's okay honey, Mommy's here.'<br />And all the mothers who still rub their teenagers backs while they are getting sick.<br /><br />Those who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses, diapers in their purse and binkies in their coat pockets.<br /><br />For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.<br /><br />This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.<br /><br />This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.<br /><br />And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers (sometimes in the cold rain) at baseball,soccer, football, and hockey games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. So that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, mom?' they could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,' and mean it.<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.<br /><br />For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight, Moon', or Curious George (46 pages) twice a night for a year. And then read it again, 'Just one more time.'<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.<br /><br />This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mom?'in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college -- or have their own families.<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches (been there done that) , assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.<br /><br />This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them. For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.<br />For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.<br /><br />For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.<br /><br />This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.<br /><br />What makes a good mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache she feels when she watches her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?<br /><br />The jolt that takes her from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?<br /><br />The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in her home? Or the mother who gets to tired from waiting all night and falls asleep in there child's bed.<br /><br />Or the need to flee from wherever she is and hug her child when she hears news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?<br /><br />The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation... And for mature mothers learning to let go.<br /><br />For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.<br /><br />Single mothers and married mothers.<br /><br />Mothers with money, mothers without.<br /><br />This is for you all. For all of us...<br /><br />Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray and never stop being a mother... For all the mothers in your life. 'Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall.'Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-3932889006424444582008-05-08T19:34:00.000-07:002008-05-08T20:16:23.930-07:00Thoughts on Guy MoviesReally what is up with the whole men's action <span></span>genre? I just don't get the average guy flick. Really what is the purpose of badly written action plots that lack characters, story development and comprehensible plot. I am currently watching clear and present danger. Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against Tom Clancy or Harrison Ford but why? This movie is actually good compared to most of the other films in this genre. Yet I am still sitting here and wondering why. Really action films have come a long way since Rambo but they still leave me asking why.<br />Here is a list of five of my least favorite action films of all <span>time. Judge Dread, Demolition Man, Tango and Cash, The Rambo's, under siege and any Jean-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ClaudeVan</span> </span><span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Damme</span> or Steven <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Seagal</span> movies. I couldn't really narrow it down there are so many crappy movies out there. I know I am forgetting some of my favorite crappy guy movies. I also don't understand the perfect storm. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-50492393141394384852008-05-08T19:10:00.000-07:002008-05-08T19:33:50.287-07:00Thoughts on Being SickI hate being sick! I doubt that anyone really likes being sick although an occasional "sick" day is nice. I am tired of being sick. This flu season our family has had our share of the flu and then some. I got a bad respiratory infection and spent most of the winter on antibiotics. Now my lungs seemed to be weaker than usual. Everything that I have caught since January seems to go straight to my lungs. Everyone else in the house is also coughing. I went to the doctor and she said I just needed to wait it out. I am really looking forward to being able to breath normally again sometime soon. Hopefully sooner than later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-57996266003663165182008-04-27T12:56:00.000-07:002008-04-27T14:34:36.123-07:00Thoughts on Children, Life and the Pursuit of HappinessI am embarrassed to say that I have been a little to interested in the Polygamy Child protective case in Texas. I am almost drawn to it. Desperate to understand their lives. Haunted by the fact that my life could easily by like theirs if my ancestors who practiced plural marriage had chosen to continue being polygamous. Why did the ancestors of these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FLDS</span> polygamist choose to continue practicing polygamy? Why did they choose to create there own religion? Obviously they thought that everyone else was wrong. The obvious answer doesn't seem like enough to me.<br />I have bin unable to pin point my obsession with this subject, but I think it is voiced in this article from The Salt Lake Tribune. In the article Peggy Fletcher Stack, writes: "<em><span style="font-size:85%;">Mormons, especially those with polygamist ancestors, feel conflicted as they watch Texas authorities separate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FLDS</span> families on the basis of alleged abuse. They <strong>don't</strong> support the practice of polygamy today, yet these <strong>Latter-day Saints see the faces of their great-grandparents in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">FLDS</span> women and children</strong>. They hear echoes of 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span>-century salacious - and false - rumors about their Mormon forefathers. And they worry about government officials having power to decide what's best for children</span></em>."<br />I think my curiosity slash obsession with this subject and the images of polygamous families comes down to this. I see my mother and her grandmother's as I look at images of polygamous families. Both of my mothers grandmothers grew up in families that practiced plural marriage at the turn of the century. I see something in there faces something in there eyes that draws me in. The curiosity is not entirely new. I had watched specials on polygamy and read about the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">FLDS</span> online for years (out of some kind of morbid curiosity). Always haunted by the little part of myself that I saw in them.<br />I <strong>don't</strong> support polygamy and have never considered what I would really do in the situation that they face. I am totally against sexual, physical or psychological abuse of anyone. I feel like the free agency of the women and children in this community has been restricted. That the restriction of free agency and civil liberties is wrong. And yet taking all the children away from these families seems more wrong. Another less sympathetic part of me thinks that they had it coming! When the church stopped practicing plural marriage in the 1890 the prophet warned that if people continued to practice polygamy the men would end up in jail, there families would be separated, that the government would confiscate their land and temples. That seems to be what is happening now. To these people. I read in an article somewhere, that men stood out side the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">FLDS</span> temple in Texas and cried as the police broke down the doors of their temple with battering rams. I can not even imagine. Why even have laws that protect our civil liberties if police can brake down the doors of a building of worship and search it. I am not sure where I stand. Abuse if there is any needs to stop. Young Adults should live in the real world for a year or two and then make a decision about if the polygamous life is what they want. People under the age of 18 should not get married at all! No one should be aloud to marry some one old enough to be there father in any society. But is taking away all their children and putting them in foster care facilities the answer. Darin does not understand my obsession at all. He thinks I'm a nut case.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-5515286626008430142008-04-13T10:45:00.000-07:002008-04-13T17:53:25.425-07:00Thoughts on Friends and Casual FriendsSince this blog is for me to share my thoughts and discussions with myself. I thought I would actually share some of my inner dialogue. Inner dialogue you say, yes I have it not all the time but occasionally.<br />After getting my hair cut I went to the store to get essential short hair stuff. I was looking at a shelf or curling irons. And saw a curling iron with bristles sticking out like a round brush for curling your hair under. I looked at it and thought that is exactly what I need and then I remembered a comment Leslie made on this blog a few weeks back about an unfortunate experience I had with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bristlely</span> curling iron in high school that got caught in my hair and had to be removed with fingernail clippers and a screw driver. I had completely forgot this ever happened until Leslie mentioned it as a response to a post. How do you forget getting a curling iron caught in your hair for two and a half hours! I am really not sure, but I did. As a was making Bacardi virgin strawberry daiquiri mix yesterday I was again reminded of Leslie. She introduced me to virgin strawberry daiquiris.<br />Then I started to think of how odd it is that we have some friends that we have forever and some friends that are just casual friends that really never make it to the friend- friend (or true friends) stage. I feel like most of my friends now are in the casual friends category. Although I have several people that are part of this casual friends category some of them know more things about me that my friends do. Is this weird? They know odd things that you might share at bridal showers or as part of party games. Is it odd that I would share things with casual friends that I have not shared with my friend- friends. Does this make me a bad friend? I hope not! I think it has to do with context. I don't usually call by buds and say, I had the most embarrassing experience! But these things come up in social situations. My core group of friends or friend - friends is made up of a few cousins, friends from high school, friends from college, sister in laws, my first teaching jobs, joy school and Eryn one of my current links to sanity.<br />I have decided to share some of my embarrassing experiences on the blog to help let go of this guilt. THIS is my most embarrassing experience of ALL time: (now I feel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ok</span> sharing this because I know that the only people that read this at all are my friend- friends)<br />Here goes... Lets set the stage properly. It is my wedding day! Well my wedding night to be more specific. We get to our room where we will be staying the night and Darin goes off to the restroom while I changed into something more comfortable. As I waited for Darin to come out I tried to get into a sexy position on the bed. Feeling pretty silly and a little uncomfortable I tried to get into a comfortable position. As Darin stepped out of the bathroom. I fell off the bed landing on my head rolled over and ended up sprawled at his feet spread eagle. Very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">unlady</span> like. I was mortified. Darin was a complete gentleman. He picked me up and put me on the bed made sure I was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>. Then he said, he needed to get something from the car. I found him ten minutes later sitting outside our room laughing hysterically. For ten years or so anytime I tried to wear anything suggestive Darin would burst into hysteric laughter. So there it is out there. When my mom heard this story <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">a few</span> years ago at a bridal shower she could not stop laughing. She called her sisters to share the story she thought it was so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hilarious</span>. I think she even called my brothers. So <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">embarrassing</span>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-80681622755816863252008-04-13T09:59:00.000-07:002008-04-13T10:42:50.466-07:00Thoughts on Momnesia & CloningI am not sure if anyone else out there has this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">problem</span>. My children look alike. I think they might really be clones with slight genetic <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">variation</span>. Although I can attest that they are not clones, because I remember <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">being</span> at each of there births very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">distinctly</span>. My children <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">especially</span> look alike as babies. I was looking at some baby pictures of my children <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">recently</span> and had to ask which child was in the picture because I was not sure. Ben is the only one that looked a little different as a baby. I really can't remember what he looked like as a baby at all (other than he was and is beautiful). I was looking at a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">picture</span> of a baby at my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">in laws</span> house a while back and asked who it was? I mentioned that Ben had an outfit exactly like the baby in the picture as a baby. My mother <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">in law</span> looked at me for a minute and then said, Meaghan that is Ben. Oh! At a baseball game this week when I glanced on the field to try and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">figure</span> out where my kids were playing. I looked up and thought I saw Ben playing one first base. It took me a whole inning to figure out that I was actually looking at Nate and that Ben was in the outfield. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Oy</span></span>! If you are thinking that I might be having <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">problems</span> with my eyes and that I should go to an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">optometrist</span>. My eyes are fine. My children just look very similar. I am not sure how people with triplets do it. I think it might be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">momnesia</span></span>. <em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Momnesia</span></span></strong> is believed to occur in mothers shortly after childbirth and it causes mental fuzziness and memory loss. USA Today reported on the condition on March 4, 2008. Researchers are unable to explain the way that motherhood affects a woman's memory but they are in agreement that a pattern is evident. Research has also shown that although fathers don't undergo the same severe changes that women do however they do experience a slight change in hormone levels.</span></em> I am a big fan of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">momnesia</span></span> and believe in it completely. Darin says it is a bunch of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">malarkey</span> and I need to stop making <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">excuses</span> for being forgetful and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">unobservant</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-81083823895486567892008-04-11T16:37:00.000-07:002008-04-13T09:49:44.819-07:00Thoughts Just Thoughts<div>I did it! I finally broke down and got a hair cut. My hair is now 14 inches shorter than it was yesterday. I have not had my hair this short since my sophomore year of high school (18 years or so). It's pretty scary to admit that it was so long ago. My hair was down past my waist so it is now shoulder length. It might not sound like a big deal but 14 inches is allot. I usually get a hair cut at the end of my pregnancies, but I didn't have time before Nick was born and it took eight months to finally brake down and make an appointment. I had an unfortunate hair cut in high school and I am still a little uneasy anytime I get a hair cut. I am still sort of in shock but the short hair is growing on me. And it is so much easier! I have been procrastinating a multitude of work and cleaning. I think I am officially behind in everything. My mom is still here and she will probably go home in a week or so. I am enjoying having her around but I am sure she is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tired</span> or not being at home and I know my dad misses her. This is the icon for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pantene</span> Beautiful Lengths <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">campaign</span> <a href="http://beautifullengths.com/en_US/index_home.jsp">http://beautifullengths.com/en_US/index_home.jsp</a>. After looking at my hair donation <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">options</span> I have decided to donate to beautiful lengths I like the idea of my hair going to another women.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188771147055672194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZZe4MX8lJbtkGAkxK-egn0dCPb2TsjZ8WAsveK-8WSXXE1-jYoCkpJEw3p2VLLcfDnekdHcSNvVi9bZ2rfow34SrY9yBsbfYbAvMpxl4cat7D2_3cxf5WC9xUg3TdwY5ylwDSg_mYdk/s320/dn_blog_img2.gif" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-88875958669147676442008-03-22T16:52:00.000-07:002008-03-24T15:23:10.428-07:00Thoughts on No ThoughtsThis week has been so crazy I am not even sure that I have any thoughts any more. Is realizing that there is a lack of thoughts an actual though? I am so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tired</span> I am not even sure how I am functioning. My mom has come to stay with us for a few weeks. She fell down and fractured both knee caps and is stuck in bed. I have been waking up during the night to give her medicine and help her go to the restroom. My mom and Nick are on different schedules, so instead of waking up three times a night with Nick. I am waking up six times a night with mom and Nick. I wanted to post something but I am not sure that this is of value. I will try to write something more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">substantial</span> at a latter date.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-74398812729526200232008-03-14T22:28:00.000-07:002008-03-15T16:29:34.109-07:00Thoughts on Grandamas and Han HaysOn March Third I wrote a post about some of my favorite places. One of the places that I listed was my grand parents’ living room. I had been thinking a lot about my grandparents and especially my grandmother that week. Some of you might read this and think Meaghan you must have more than one Grandma (True). But in my mind my Mothers Mom was Grandma and my Fathers Mom was Grandma <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sherlie</span>. My Grandmothers birthday is in a few days. "Grandma" (Joyce <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">VanNoy</span> Hilton) was born March 17, 1921. She was a St. Patrick's Day baby.<br />With out realizing it I posted the blog about some of my favorite places on March 3rd the day my grandmother died. No wonder I was thinking about her all week.<br />She died in 1995. I am not sure if I can say one thing that made my grandmother special to me. I loved her and she loved me there was never any question. We just loved each other and I will always miss her. She suffered with Parkinson diseases and it was hard to watch her body suffer. She went into the hospital about a week before she died. The doctors said, "that she would probably not make it through the week." I made the drive from UCSC (Santa Cruz) to Oakland four times that week. After my classes, work and studying I would hop in my car and drive up to Oakland spend about two hours with her in her hospital room and returned home. I would sleep two or three hours and start all over again. My friends took turns ridding along with me. They were worried I would fall asleep or that something would happen to me. They were great!<br />It was finally Friday after a very long week. My plan was to stay at my grandparents for the weekend so I could be close to the hospital and grandma. My friends convinced me to go to a church dance at the Blossom Hill Building on the way to the hospital, so that I could relax and unwind. While at the dance I had a very strong feeling that I needed to get a hold of my grandmother right away. I searched the building frantically and couldn't find a phone (what did we do without cell phones). I was starting to freak out when one of my closest friends Jason offered to drive me around looking for a pay phone. We found one at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mc</span> Donald’s on Blossom Hill and 85. Jason got out of the car and stood with me while I called my grandmothers hospital room. When I called my mother answered the phone (there was a lot of talking in the back ground). I heard my mom say, “Mom Meaghan’s here now she is on the phone and she wants to let you know that she loves you.” Then everything got quiet in the hospital room. My mother then said, “She is gone, she was waiting for you.” I think that this says more about the love I have for my grandma and the love that she had for me than anything else I could say. She was a sweet heart and I love her.<br />As I think about the last week that I spent with my grandma I think about my friends and all they did for me. Han Hays, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jasons</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Daves</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Jennys</span> Thanks! You always gave me a place to crash and a hug no mater what no questions asked. Without you guys I couldn't have never made it through college or survived being engaged to my hubby. To my college buds I pose these questions: What if we are Watermelons asleep and dreaming? Are we all living in Denial, or if we were in De-Nile wouldn't we be all wet? Are we all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">really</span> mutants?<br />I can’t take a bubble bath, make a two AM grocery run, have Marianne’s or Ben and Jerry’s , eat monster cookies, get milk shakes from Denny’s, watch the sunrise, see the Bay on a perfect clear sunny Sunday or write a totally bogus paper without thinking about you. Thanks for the Procrastination Club. I salute all the alumni of the NP Club even if I was not an official member. I love U guys. DUCKS are EVIL (raccoons TOO). Lastly may <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Exavior</span> live forever.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-77612196425535413162008-03-13T21:06:00.000-07:002008-03-14T22:18:12.745-07:00Thoughts on the SisterhoodI have been truly blessed with some wonderful friends throughout my life. If any of you are out there reading this you know who you are! I love you guys. I have been thinking about my grandmother and about how supportive my friends were when she died. I plan on blogging about this next. First I want to acknowledge the sisterhood. In high school me and a few of my friends (Once again you know who you are). Created a pact that we called the sisterhood we created a list of Rules "The Rules of the Sisterhood". I ran into these rules recently they are pretty funny so I will share them with all of you.<br /><br />The Rules of the Sisterhood<br /><br />1. Dating is not for male companionship but for free entertainment.<br /><br />2. Don't burn bridges he might have a cute friend (or Brother).<br /><br />3. If you've dated one brother you have dated them all.<br /><br />4. When a guy sweeps you off your feet check for a dust pan.<br /><br />5. A women needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.<br />5a- Even a fish needs to go on a ride some times (The MCI Rule).<br /><br />6. If a guy makes me stress he is not worth it.<br /><br />7. I am not looking for the perfect man he is looking for me.<br /><br />I am pretty sure that I broke all of these rules at least once. I am also embarrassed to say that the rules about dating brothers were there on my account. I had a tendency to date brothers. Who knew. I think I dated four or five sets. And by dated I mean I went on dates with more than one sibling in the same family. So I really was not a complete freak or anything. I never dated three brothers in one family and in most cases, I did not make out with more than one brother (but it did happen once or twice). I am also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">embarrassed</span> to say that the first two people I kissed were actually siblings. I am eternally grateful that my husband and his brother can not be counted as part of the above group. I have started to train my sons young. I have told them that they can never date someone that one of there brothers dated cause it is just wrong (and by dated in this case I mean made out with)! I am not sure exactly when the rules of the sisterhood were written. Some time in between 1990 and 1992. And if your reading this Leslie I still say Orange!And the world will always revolve around yogurt. Finally to the sisterhood thanks for helping me survive high school I couldn't have done it with out you. OK so maybe I could have but it would not have been as FUN and I would not be who I am today! So Thanks. I can't take a walk on the beach, watch Oprah, eat frozen yogurt, step into a stake dance or work out to a bad seventy's exercise video without thinking about you. Love - Peace - & -Eternal Marriage.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-84052650312389142522008-03-12T19:38:00.000-07:002008-03-12T20:08:15.117-07:00Thoughts on PersonalitiesI used to have a poem hanging on the inside of my bathroom door. I don't remember what it was called or even who wrote it. It was about how each person starts life with there own personality. That we are all born with our own strengths and weaknesses. In many ways my children are very alike. They have similar life experiences and interest but completely different personalities. Thank Goodness. It would be boring if they were all exact clones of each other.<br />A few weeks ago on a sunny clear February afternoon. I told the boys that as a treat we would be going to the beach. Nate my oldest said, "mom can we go to the library instead?" What, the library! I am glad that my children are interested in learning and love to read. But really the library instead of the beach on a sunny clear February day (those don't happen very often). The teacher and the binge reader in me was very proud, but the rest of me was thinking is this kid crazy. I realize that the best solution would have been a book at the beach. The boys decided to just stay at home and play around outside. They were not interested in the Beach. It is almost tragic how <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">rarely</span> we go to the beach. I am often <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">surprised</span> by how different my children are from each other and sometimes from me. I guess we do all have our own personalities.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-56889732874089286752008-03-07T22:58:00.000-08:002008-05-07T09:44:14.512-07:00Thought on the Raccoon in the Laundry Room<span style="color:#009900;">Yes! There is a raccoon in the laundry room. For any one who sees this post and thinks gosh that's cleaver a raccoon in the laundry room this must be a metaphor for life. No I am not being cleaver there is a giant raccoon in the laundry room. Maybe not giant but does a raccoon in your laundry room really need to be giant to BE giant. NO! I guess I should start at the beginning.<br />I live in the country, my family has an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">acre</span> or so of forest behind our house. Actually "we" have about two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">acres,</span> but there are several more undeveloped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">acres</span> of forest behind our house. Our laundry room has a cat / dog door that we inherited from the last owner. The opening in our laundry room door would fit a Golden Retriever or a Black Lab. We have a cat who is getting up in years and we keep the cat food in the laundry room. I noticed few months ago that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zoie</span></span></span></span> the cat seemed to be being beaten up by something. This is not new but what ever she was fighting with seemed viscous. I also noticed that her appetite seemed to have changed. She was going through cat food like crazy.<br />So, one night a few months back at around midnight I opened the door to the laundry room and there was a giant Raccoon hissing at me. I started screaming my head off and slammed the door. Holy Crap there is a raccoon in the laundry room! My three older sons jumped out of bed to come to the rescue with baseball bats while my sweet husband slept soundly. I am not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">exaggerating</span> the raccoon was the size of a Black Lab only much fatter. It was much bigger than my sons who came to help me. It could have taken them out easily. I have had a long standing fear of raccoons and possums. They are EVIL. When I was little my parents sent me out side to the freezer to get some juice when I opened the door to the freezer a raccoon that had gotten stuck inside jumped out at me (this was enough to scare the crap out of even the bravest little girl).<br />We had not seen my dear raccoon friend for awhile. Lets call him Ricky. So last night I went to change a load of laundry. As I opened the door I heard a large crashing sound as something that was not my cat jumped out the cat door. On the floor I found a container of cat food with the lid open sitting in the middle of the floor. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Zoie</span></span></span></span> is pretty talented and I am pretty sure she can open the door into the kitchen, but I know that she can not unscrew the lid of the cat food. My guess is that Ricky is back or a homeless midget <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">snuck</span></span></span></span> into the house to steal the cat food. What do you think?<br />You might be wondering how exactly could a raccoon in your laundry room be a metaphor for life. For any one who asked this question here you go.<br />The raccoon could be a reference to all of the things that sneak up on us without our consent and try to cause havoc in our lives. The raccoon in my laundry room could be a reference to my eternal struggle with the laundry. The laundry is always building up on me and taking over my life. We have six people in our house it doesn't matter how much laundry I do their is always more. It could be a reference to any of the many responsibilities and deadlines that sneak up on all of us. My life is often filled with many Raccoons usually they have not literally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">snuck</span> in the cat door to steal food. But they are real all the same. How should we deal with the raccoons in our lives?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-57081246053991218222008-03-03T09:51:00.000-08:002008-05-07T09:44:38.920-07:00Thought on my Favorite Places<span style="color:#ccffff;"><span style="color:#009900;">Recently I have been thinking about some of my favorite places. Places that I love to be or have loved to be. I thought I would share these places with you.<br /><br />My grandparents front room on a clear spring morning. My grandparents lived in the Oakland Hills (CA) and had a wonderful view of the San Francisco Bay Area from their front room. I loved watching the bay out their window while reading a good book or listening to music.<br /><br />My childhood bedroom on a sunny Saturday morning. I love the way sunlight poured into my room as a child. I always felt like a cat curled up in the window cell. It always made me feel safe and warm.<br /><br />Yosemite Valley in Spring. When all the waterfalls are full and there is still a slight chill in the air. I have always loved Yosemite especially in spring before the tourist season starts. It is a clear reminder of the beauty that can be found all around us.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tuolomne</span></span> Meadows in early June. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tuolomne</span></span> Meadows is in Yosemite's high county. It has amazing meadows and is the perfect place for a long walk. It is about an hour from Yosemite valley but is well worth the drive. It is the perfect spot to camp.<br /><br />High Way One driving south right past the Edge water Center in Sand City. As you come over the crest of the hill and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Monterey</span></span> Bay is laid out before you. I am always surprised by how beautiful this is. I have seen it hundreds of times but I am always touched by its beauty.<br /><br />UCSC anywhere on campus with a view. University of California Santa Cruz in nestled in the foot hills of the Santa Cruz mountains, its surrounded by redwoods and has an amazing view of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Monterey</span></span> Bay Area. It is a amazing place to live and attend classes. I am truly blessed to have gone to school there.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Monterey</span></span> Plaza Hotel in a room facing the sea at midnight. The rooms with the sea view sit right on the bay and have a wall of windows so all you see is water. At midnight the moon and stars reflects off the bay and you can see the lights of the surrounding towns in the distance. It is beautiful.<br /><br />Outside my parents house on a clear winter night. My parents live at the top of a hill and on a winters night it always looks like the whole sky is laid out above you. I used to sneak out side at night just to look at the stars.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pico</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Blanco</span></span> Boy Scout Camp in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ventana</span></span> Wilderness close to Big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sur</span></span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Pico</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Blanco</span></span> is a quiet beautiful camping area nestled between mountains in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ventana</span></span> Wilderness. I went there as a teenager for girls camp and loved it.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Pfeiffer</span></span> beach about a mile past the Big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Sur</span></span> valley. The hike in to the beach is not bad. Their are beautiful rock formations and it is great for a picnics. It is rarely sunny but is still one of my favorite spots on the coast. Julia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Pfeiffer</span></span> state beach is also beautiful this is about eight miles south of the Big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sur</span></span> Valley.<br /><br />The sealing rooms of the San Diego temple as light pours through the stain glass windows. Looking up the spiral stairway as light reflects down the stairs in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Manti</span></span> temple. Their is nothing quite like the peace and quiet of the temple.<br /><br />What can I say I love the nature, peace, quiet and light. There are tons of beautiful little spots that surround all of us. These are my favorites</span>. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-79150226892702533042008-03-01T09:14:00.000-08:002008-05-07T09:46:09.831-07:00Thoughts on Ben<span style="color:#009900;">I had a conversation with my son Ben (he is five) that kept me up half the night. Before I share the conversation I should give a little background on Ben. Ben is Beautiful. He has huge brown eyes and lashes that go for ever. He will have no problem with the ladies when he is older. He has had my heart from day one. To be honest he has had my heart long before day one.<br /><br />When he is happy joy radiates out of him. When he is sad it breaks your heart and when he is angry he is like a tornado. He is an unstoppable force of nature. Nothing is better than the joy that radiates from Ben when he is happy but he is not always happy. He tends to go with his emotions and his emotions change from one minute to the next. He also tends to be over dramatic about everything. Ben can do nothing small. Ben can also be the sweetest kid on the planet. Yesterday he stopped in a field on his way up from the bus and picked an arm full of wild flowers for me. I love Ben dearly, but sometimes his emotions get the better of him. Yesterday afternoon I asked him to Clean and it was more than he could handle. He became very upset and threw a tantrum. After the tantrum he was sad and we had the conversation that kept me up all night. :<br /><br />He said, that he didn't believe in God and that he thought God was Dead. He also said, that he thought I was stupid to believe in god because I can't even see him. He continued on to says he doesn't like Earth and he is not happy here. (Ben often says things to get a rise out of people but this hit me like a brick). I let him know that I believe that there is a god and that it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span></span> if he chooses not to believe in the same things as me. I told him that me and daddy would really like him to believe in god, but that we would love him no mater what he believed. I also let him know that just because he chooses not to believe something doesn't mean that it is not true. I told him that he has a right to make his own choices and to choose his own beliefs.<br /><br />As a laid awake thinking about my son. I thought about my own beliefs. I have always believed that there was something more than this life. I have always believed in something greater, someone greater in some greater plan. I don't remember ever questioning my faith. I just always had it. My older son Nate is the same way. He has always had faith and has always been in tune with his own sense of spirituality. He has never questioned he has always just believed. I guess I have always known that I would have a conversation with Ben about his faith at some point. I just didn't think it would be when he was five. What do you say to a five year old who says, that he thinks God is dead and that you are stupid for believing in things you can not see. I feel good about the things I said to him but I am haunted by the questions.<br /></span><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-88839258456474754712008-02-29T21:39:00.000-08:002008-05-07T09:46:38.992-07:00Thoughts on Questionnaires II<span style="color:#009900;">Thoughts on questionnaires. I guess I have no real thoughts on questionnaires. They are like the writing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prompts</span> that teachers put on the black board when we were kids. People fill out questioners when they can not think of anything to write about. I have had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">problems</span> getting this blog started. I thought that filling out some questionnaires might be a good way to start. I have seen this questioner <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">allot</span> this month. It is about relationships.<br />Enjoy:<br /><br />How long have you been together? Married 11 ¾ years<br />How long did you date? 2 years<br />How old is he? 33<br />Who said "I love you" first? Darin says he did but I don’t remember.<br />Who is taller? He is!<br />Who sings better? Him. I am tone deaf.<br />Who is smarter? Darin by far. I have more education but my memory is like a sieve.<br />Who does the laundry? Me and the boys. Darin claims he never learned how.<br />Who does the dishes? Me and the boys.<br />Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does, always. He says I do. I guess it matters how you look at the bed. If we are laying in bed Darin is on the right.<br />Who pays the bills? Me but he would be better at it.<br />Who mows the lawn? Lawn? He blows the leaves off the walk ways and uses a weed whacker for the weeds.<br />Who cooks dinner? <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Usually</span> me but He is better at it.<br />Who is more stubborn? Darin but I am tempted to say Ben he takes after his dad.<br />Who asked who out? Darin asked me when I was going to take him out and I said you mean when are you going to take me out and then he said tonight.<br />Who proposed? Darin but we talked about it before he proposed.<br />Who is more sensitive? Me but once again I am tempted to say Ben or Nate.<br />Who has more friends? Darin! He is much more of a people person than me. I tend to be shy and reserved.<br />Who has more siblings? Me four brothers.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-39678000122399828012008-02-29T19:46:00.000-08:002008-05-07T09:47:05.925-07:00Thoughts on Questionnaires<span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Thoughts on Questionnaires w</span><span style="font-family:georgia;">hat are they all about no idea. I thought I would include some anyway.:</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;color:#009900;">A Little About ME:<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 6 AM<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds or Moon Stone.<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">3. WHAT IS THE LAST FILM THAT YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? Bee Story (Lame)<br />4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Hero's, October Road, Grey's Anatomy, My so Called Life, When I meet your Mother, Friends.<br />5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? I don't usually have breakfast.<br />6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Elise<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Raw Tomato's and Sea Weed<br />8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? I Mix CD I Made of MP3's from high school.<br />9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Caravan<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? PBJ<br />11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? Addiction<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? V - Neck Tee Shit<br />13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Netherlands, Ireland or New Zealand.<br />14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? Very light Lilac (yuck)<br />15. FAVORITE HOLIDAY? Thanksgiving<br />16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? An Ocean town somewhere in Northern California or Oregon.<br />17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? My First (My Birth-Day)<br />18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Ice skating<br />19. WHERE'S THE FURTHEST PLACE YOU'RE SENDING THIS TOO? Boston<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">20. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No idea.<br />21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? No idea.<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">22. FAVORITE SAYING? I Love You<br />23. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? August 26, 1974<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">24. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? NIGHT<br />25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 8.5-9<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">26. PETS? Zoë our cat.<br />27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? NO<br />28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? Not a teacher!<br />29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? OK<br />30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Haribo Gummy Bears<br />31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Lilies, Irises, Daffodil's, Roses and Tulips<br />32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? May 2<br />33. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Meaghan Elise Salden (Farrell)<br />35. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Brownie Sunday<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">37. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Cream<br />38. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Foggy<br />39. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Cream Soda<br />40. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Jalisco's, Golden Buddha or Rodizio Gill (SLC)<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">41. SIBLINGS? Pat, Erik, Donald and Brenden<br />42. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Christmas / Thanksgiving<br />43. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? NO idea. Probably a baton.<br />44. SUMMER OR WINTER? SPRING!<br />45. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs<br />46. COFFEE OR TEA? Herbal Tea<br />47. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? chocolate!<br />48. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO EMAIL YOU BACK? Sure<br />49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? In Late January when I watched Bridge to Terabithia.<br />50. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? Everything! (socks, toys, pacifiers, ect.)<br />51. WHO IS THE FRIEND THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? My brother Donald.<br />52. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? Went shopping for dinner and spent time with my family.<br />53. FAVORITE SMELL? salt water taffy<br />54. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? It depends on the day. I have an over active imagination.<br />55. SALTY OR SWEET? Sweet<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">56. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? house, car </span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">57. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 3 1/2<br />58. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Saturday<br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;color:#009900;">59. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 2<br />60. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? No I tend to be shy by nature and often keep to my self.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086867678096100174.post-53055221920719898122007-11-04T17:36:00.000-08:002008-05-07T09:47:33.834-07:00Thoughts on Blogging<span style="color:#009900;">Thoughts on blogging. I have several friends who blog and I am often asked if I have a blog. Until now I always said no. Now I will need to say yes. I love reading the blogs of close friends and family members. I can almost hear their voices as I read their blogs like an on going conversation. These conversations take me back to places in my past. My apartment Junior year of college. Just sitting on my bed talking about life. My cousin's room my Senior year of High School listening to music and talking about what we wanted to do with our lives. I hope that as you read you are able to hear my voice like a conversation from your past.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0