Heigh-Ho

Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho
It's off to work I go.

A Good Day

Warm, Sunny Day



Caleb received a Cougar Scholar
award at school.

Spelling, Writing and Reading
Congratulations Bud!


Got frames for 50% off at Michaels



Now I don't feel so guilty for all the
pictures of the kids I want to order.

A Good Day.

Mormon Idol

While posting "Idol Craze" 4 things came to mind...

1. 4 Judges
   
2. Try Outs
   
3. U.S. Continent (maybe even Canada Carol)
4. Tabernacle Choir
   

First you take...

One Great Host

Lloyd

Then you add 3 Great Judges

Mac


Mack


and Simon

(we can't take him out of the line-up)

Put them all in one big pot and simmer up a little...

"Mormon Idol"

Oh, I mean..
"Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Idol"

Hey, I'm just trying to put a spin on the whole process.
(I claim dibs on "created by")

Idol Craze

-Katrina Darrell-
Was so Happy she never made the Top 36!

When eliminated, Playboy came calling...
Her response:
"My dad would kill me"
Well Katrina, my dad would kill me if
I auditioned for American Idol in a Bikini.
(oh Katrina, your so classy)

Tatiana Del Toro
(ha heee haa heee ha ha hee hee)

Not thrilled with the fact she made top 36,
thrilled she was eliminated last week.
(won't be surprised if she makes the wild card round
but lets cross our fingers she won't)

Nick Mitchell / Norman Gentle

Should not have made top 36 but...
How can you not Love him?
He is actually one I am sad to see leave.
(interesting to see if they bring him back in the wild card)

10 Ways to Deal with Negative People

Lately I have been lead to believe that I am a negative person.
Hmmm. (thinking)
Negative?
I always thought I was more sarcastic.
Hmmm. (more thinking)
Well (pause) I guess the only thing left to do is give you some advice.
What Advice could I give?
Hmmm. (thinking hurts)
Oh, I know.
Here are some tips on how to deal with my negativity
should we happen to cross paths.

(Thank You for the picture Cam)

Negative people.
They're like human black holes which suddenly come out of nowhere and just suck the life out of you. You try to stay positive and remain strong but their negativity ends up just completely draining you, you feel exhausted, and you may also start to feel depressed too.

(I sound like a Twilight character)

So what can you do?
Here's 10 strategies on how to deal with negative people:

(Such as Myself)

1. Where’s it coming from?
If you can understand where it’s coming from, it’s much easier to deal with.

(honestly... don't care if you understand or not)

2. Just smile and remain completely detached.
Whenever the negative tirade starts just smile and don’t say anything.
(you can smile all you want, just makes you look like the crazy one)

3. Say, “Now tell me something positive.”
Right after they've finished telling you some tragic story, say to them, "now tell me a positive story".
(might be a dumb idea since I'm not positive in the first place)

4. Imagine a bright white light surrounding you
Yes, this sounds silly but if you can do it, it’s amazing how much of a difference it can make. You'll feel that their negativity can’t touch you because you now have a force field protecting you.
(Luke...I am your Father. I'm going to try this one with my kids)

5. Is it a sign?
I find that the “universe” uses negative people as the way to get me to move on whenever I’m getting comfortable in a situation that isn’t challenging me anymore.
(sounds like a personal problem to me)

6. What does it say about you?
Negative people want to get a reaction out of you. And the only way they can is if they hit on one of your "buttons" or something that causes intense feelings for you.
(the only button I want to push is the one that locks the door)

7. Trying to feel needed
Is listening to the complaints of the negative person your way of feeling valued? Does it make you feel needed? If it does, then you need to start valuing yourself more and you’ll find that this just won't happen anymore.
(yes please value yourself a little more, I don't really care if your listening)

8. Try saying, “I love you, thank you, I’m sorry” over and over
This is kind of an "off the wall" kind of theory but it’s worth a try.
(how 'bout you not try this one at all)

9. It’s not your fault
You may be feeling that you have to solve the problems of the energy drainer. You’re not responsible for the person’s life nor their negativity.
(It is your fault, why do you think I'm negative in the first place?)

10. Be enthusiastic and focus on your own energy
If you can be higher energy than they are then your energy will most likely start to rub off on those around you instead of the other way around. Also, the less you pay attention to them, the less they'll affect you.
(I would hate for you to lose the "most energetic" award)

In a Nutshell...
Turn on that imaginary force field and stay the heck away!
(#4 is my personal fav.)

Hope this Helps.
-Love you All-

2 Months

My Lila Rachel



2 Months Already
(Sunday the 22nd)

Earlier today we took a trip to the pediatrician's office
to find out how are little princess is doing.

• Weight: 11 lbs 7.5 oz
• Height: 21 3/4 inches

Healthy and Happy

(well mostly happy...
sorry about the immunizations sweetie)

I Love You Lila
So Grateful for these Precious Moments

Putting on My Gnat Cap, Tying up My White Tie, Brushing off My Tails.

-Gnat-
Webster's definition...

: any of various small usually biting dipteran flies

— gnat·ty

Brittanica's explanation...
-any member of several species of small flies that bite and annoy humans. Several non biting insects, such as the midges, which resemble mosquitoes, are also sometimes known as gnats. In North America the name is often applied to the black fly, midge, fungus gnat, biting midge, fruit fly, and other small flies that hover about the eyes of humans and other animals. In Great Britain the name usually refers to mosquitoes or less commonly to crane flies (family Tipulidae).
Jeanell's interpretation...
-little, black, annoying, biting, swarming thing-a-ma-jigs that feast on human flesh and can be found in the once small town of Grantsville.
(I'm sure they have other vacation spots but I have yet to find one)

The Solution...

"The Gnat Cap"
(The homemade pantyhose/hat created by C.J./Mom to help ward off said beasts)

Where am I going with this?
I had the most terrible day yesterday.
It felt much like

little, black, annoying, biting, swarming thing-a-ma-jigs were
taking over.

It's a New Day

Time for a New Strategy


(as you can see I was out of the nude color...smoky gray will have to do)
If this homemade remedy does not help then I'm afraid my only other option
is to find those metal poles mom strapped around my waste. *see above photo

Tag your it! 6-6-6

I was tagged by Suzanne.

Rules:
Go to the document setting/my pictures on your computer.

• Choose your 6th file

• Choose your 6th picture

• Blog about it

• Tag 6 people

Devin blowing out his candles at his 8th Birthday party held at Grandma J.'s.
I can't believe that was almost 6 years ago.
Gheesh! Time Flies.

I Tag...

1. Rach
2. Carol S.
3. Whitney
4. Kara
5. Sandy
6. Nat
   

The "M" Jean

As I was getting dressed yesterday morning I realized that the only pair of Jeans that fit me were dirty. What to do? Think. Think. I most certainly was not going to try and squeeze into jeans that show off every luscious fat roll, so I decided to just throw on a pair of my maternity jeans. Yes, Maternity Jeans. I know there a little big for me now but I needed something right then and the usual pajama pants would not work due to the fact I was actually leaving the house.

While strutting around town in my "M" Jeans I had an epiphany and I feel I have found the answer I've been looking for. What was I looking for? I'll tell you. A 3rd hand. You know, the one that everyone wishes they had from time to time. Alright, alright, I will tell you what the answer is... drum roll... I can use my maternity jeans as my 3rd hand! Genius!
Oh, I was so excited about my new found conclusion and when I got home I used my "M" jeans right away.
I now have something to hold...

2 Boxes of Kleenex

The Milk

Lila's Diaper Bag

The Letter M

Crafts I am currently working On

and my favorite....
Popcorn, Movies and a Soda

I'm telling you, the possibilities are endless!

The moral of the story?
Get out those "M" jeans ladies, there's a new fad in town!

Phrases for Lila

Phrases for Lila that you might not hear me use with anyone else....

• "How's my chunky monkey?"
• "Are you Poopy?"
• "Can you give me big smiles?"
• "Your Mom is losing her mind!"
• "You're a big girl!"
• "You like being naked, don't you?" (Smiles)
  
• "Your brothers are Crazy!"
• "Look at those Chunky thighs!"
• "I bet this feels good on your bum!" (butt paste)
  
• "Should we let your butt air out?"
• "I know, I know, it's rough being a baby"
• " Uh Oh, What's that rumbling I hear down there?"
• "I put your diaper on wrong again!"
  

and while she loves every phrase, you might not give me the same reaction.

Life Up North

This was the scene... ( 2-16-09)

Can I just tell you how sick this makes me.


These are the troopers...



(he had already plowed earlier that morning)

Yes, it takes 3 people.

(Is he enjoying this?)

Just when you thought you were finished
she adds yet another layer.

Mother Nature, if you're listening...
we need to have a discussion.
**So grateful for my neighbors with their 4-wheelers and tractors, THANK YOU!

Pay It Forward

This is how it works...
The first 3 people to leave a comment on this
post will receive a hand made gift from me.
(with that post you need to include something or someone you're grateful for)
BUT... in order for you to leave a comment on my blog,
you must also post this on your blog.
(which means that sometime during the year you will pay it forward to 3 people as well)
**if you have participated in something similar you don't need to re-post on your blog
and are still qualified.
GOOD LUCK!

Celebrating Love Day

This past Friday the 13th when all of those superstitions surfaced and while many of you tried to avoid your daily ritual for fear bad luck would strike, I was out on the town with my Men and Little Lady to enjoy a nice Valentine' s Day dinner. Instead of spending money on cards, candy and stuffed animals (because the boys are much too old for that silly stuff), we took our dollars and a short drive up Ogden Canyon to the Timbermine Restaurant.

We thought we might avoid the crowd by going the day before the big holiday (not so much).
Our night consisted of 5 Lobster Tails, Prime Rib, Sirloin with Crab and the pleasure of spending some family time together.


I love you Guys!

**Thank You to my sweet husband for granting my Valentine wish and taking a day off from work so I could go get my hair done with the gals. I love you.

NOTME

I find it interesting, a bit humorous and most times irritating that whenever asked a question, the boys most common response is...
"not me".

So boys... You've inspired me and I dedicate these lines to you.

We have a new guest at our house
he/she's quiet as a mouse.
Someone I have yet to see,
and we call him/her NOTME.

Since the day that NOTME came
he/she always gets the blame,
for the toys upon the floor
and that dirt smudge on the door.



Hanging clothes makes NOTME cringe
and so clean clothes fill my bin,
now 10 loads I have to wash
NOTME does not care the co$t.

NOTME likes to run the faucet
he/she leaves open all our closets,
that smudge of toothpaste on the sink?
it's all NOTME'S fault we think.

NOTME'S favorite thing to do
is to take and hide our shoes,
leave his/her soda cans around
and the bath towels on the ground.

NOTME hates that our one wish
is to wash up his/her dish,
feed the pets and dust the shelf
the bed won't straighten up itself.

So to NOTME let me say
leave this place, be on your way.
Come on out from where you hide
pack your suitcase, I will drive.


**Maybe one day I will write a book about NOTME :)
(maybe Cam will do my illustrations)

Word Verification

You know... The distorted looking word you have to type in when you comment on one's blog. Thanks again Carol for your brilliance and for creating that spark I needed for yet another topic on my blog. You see, Carol likes to make sentences out of the word verifications in her comments and by doing so has created two monsters (Rachel and my Mother) who now can not comment without including their verification word. I have yet to participate in this fabulous event but came across the word "mancake" yesterday. Yes... "mancake". This has made me re-evaluate my career goals and as we speak I am now preparing my application to Word Verification Corp. USA (If you know where these headquarters are please let me know) if they won't hire me I think I'll try the fortune cookie industry.
Here is my sentence...
I like my mancake at Village Inn with whip cream and jam.

Yes... This is a picture of me with my "mancake".
I know we're weird but I wouldn't have it any other way.
(and by we're I mean... well, I won't mention names but you know who you are)

You Might Want to Re-Think That Man Crush

Sometimes it takes a good friend to help you see things in a different perspective, whether it be good or bad. Thank You Carol S. for spending your late night hours in hopes I won't make the biggest mistake of my life by planning a cross-country trek in search for Steven Tyler and the attempt for a Love Child. Thank You for also making me realize the importance of using facial cream daily so I can hopefully keep a somewhat youthful look as I age. Either way, those two hidden messages opened my eyes a bit.

You might want to re-think that old man crush Kara.
In my defense I have never found Steven Tyler attractive and was only trying to point out that my bed head looked similar to his everyday hair. However, wouldn't it be funny if this was a deciding factor for a future spouse or shall I say break-up.

**To truly appreciate this post you might need to go back and review...
"This is for you Hallie J." posted on 2-2-09

Hey, That's My Church Pew!

I find it interesting that when you walk into the Chapel on Sunday you find yourself entering in through the same door (whether it be on the left or right side of the Chapel), stroll down the same aisle and oddly enough sit in the same Church pew. What's not funny... How you feel when you accidentally walk in a little late or... extra family and friends of a ward member attend due to a blessing or farewell and you find yourself unhappily wandering back to the overflow and the "hard chair" section. What is funny... How you glare at the folks who are in your soft bench for the remainder of the meeting, after all that is your "assigned seat" (as if the Bishop made a chart) and just about every other Ward member is in their rightful spot. You also try to muster up the courage to roll up your program point it in their direction while screaming

"THAT'S MY CHURCH PEW!"
but decide not to because Hey, We're all Christians.
** I guess it's time to start sneaking out of Sunday School 30 minutes before just to place your Scriptures (seat savers) on "your pew" and then quietly sneak back into Sunday School hoping the ward members don't know your devious scheme (sad thing is... people really do that, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I miss the days when the Ice Cream Truck was exciting, I could get hugs and kisses and they would sit on my lap long enough for me to read them a book.

Now my days are filled with homework, fights, sports, oh yes... and a broken window in the neighbor's truck that 2 anonymous 11 year old boys failed to tell me about. (stupid me for thinking they could handle a BB-Gun) I always thought it would be easier as they got older.

That's what I get for Thinking.

This is for you Hallie J !

Cam and Nat posted a cute picture of Hallie and the similarities of an 80's rock band and bed hair.
Here is my bed hair...(can't believe I am actually posting this)

(This is my Rocker Face, dont you like it?)
and this is the rocker I think my hair resembles.
(His bangs are a little longer but still rest on our noses the same)

Yes, We're "Living on the Edge"!