Twilight Spoof

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You Don't Know What You Got, Til It's GOne....

Here is a example, I am currently using a Library computer to write on this blog, so I have to be quick...How many things do you have right now that you take for granted? Have you lost something, and then realized that it was missed or needed? Right now I can think of many things, some things I can get back and some I can't, and it sucks when that happens, because if you can't get it back, it seems like it was one of the most important things ever! Do you know what I mean?
I miss my computer. I did not treat it well, so it is now broken. My bad! I am now suffering the consequences...
If we were to make a list, it would be VERY long, but if you want to accept the challenge, go on and share it...
This is just something to think about, while I am waiting to get regular access again so I can talk about other things, like New Moon, which will be coming out soon, Yeah!!!!!

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I'm Fine...

That seems to be the answer that every one gives when asked, How are you? Why it is that people feel compelled to ask that always as part of a greeting? And then of course it's either, I'm good, things are going great, I'm Fine, or if your unlucky, it opens a whole can of worms of how things really are.
Some people lie, and just say they are fine but they aren't. I on the other had have resorted to saying, I am just Dandy! Well I know I have made some people the victim, when I decided to vent and unload on them. I am sorry! But it happens every once in a while and so I try to be more understanding when people do the same to me. I just thought this was a interesting observation, people need to start being a little less generic, and start being real. Then maybe when that one friendly face says hi, you won't end up scaring them with T.M.I.

The Hardship Letter

Pride is a awful thing...Once there was a stake guy who came to speak in a meeting, and he started out introducing himself and talking about how happy he was to see his children succeed on going on a mission. He stopped short before he used the word "Proud." And then he said something about how being proud, was a bad thing.

Well recently I had to write a hardship letter for something that needed to be dealt with, and to do so, I had to throw "Pride", right out the window. Have you ever had to do that? Allowing yourself to share all of your vulnerabilities? For some people I guess it comes easily but I have had to swallow it a few times, and it does not get any easier! In fact it is harder, and more depressing, especially when you think that this will be the last time ever, that we would have to go through something like this. Wouldn't it be nice to just succeed in every aspect in life? That there would be no worries, and we could be proud of what we have accomplished?

Life, whether we have religious beliefs or not, is just too precious to waste on crap! And the crap I am talking about, can be lots of different kinds of crap! This includes pride...

I don't want to waste it. I want what I need, and that is to keep a roof over our head, clothes on our back, healthy food, clean water and air, medication to keep my son alive, a running car to get to work in, and the love of my family, friends, and Heavenly Father. That is all I want, and what most humans would want, I would think. So why can't a company like a bank or hospital understand that? They are controlled by humans, aren't they? Sometimes I don't think so.

How do we feed the beast? We go along with their beliefs, and their wants and their needs. What are they? To grow larger, and prosper, right? I could not say for sure, I could just assume. And so, here I am, after I just wrote a depressing hardship letter. ( It's not fun at all!)

What A Vacation

In June, my in-laws came to visit Virginia for the first time. For old people, I was surprised how good they looked, and how they had the desire to travel as much as we did. Let's just say, it was not a boring trip! Here is a
First Day: They arrived at night on a Friday. We hung out for a bit and went to bed.
2nd Day: Went to breakfast with my parents and headed to Williamsburg to stay in their time share. They had a heated pool that was open late and we had our own private hotub in our suite.
3rd Day: We, I mean Jason, got lost in Williamsburg trying to get to Jamestown. It was a beautiful very humid day. We did the Jamestown experience for hours. Then we (Jason) got lost trying to find historical Williamburg, so we could walk the streets and see the reenactment of something with a fake George Washington. It was also our anniversary and we got to go to the Olive Garden.
4th Day: We went to Norfolk and took a tour of the Battleship Wisconsin. So cool. Then we went to the beach. We did not get lost, because I drove. But at the beach, I got too brave and hurt my self jumping waves! So dumb. I felt my knee go over to the side and it still felt like it was out of place so later that night, Jason and I spent the night in the worst ER ever! I returned to the hotel bound to not ruin our vacation no matter what.
5th Day: A day of rest. The kids went swimming as usual and to play mini golf.
6th Day: We heading to D.C. for the day, first to the Temple. It was wonderful. Then I took them on quest to see everything they could around the capitol. (I would not let Jason drive!) At the last minute, I decided to show them the National History museum. Thank goodness I had a wheelchair and pain meds. Then we went back to Williamsburg, and the kids swam.
7th Day: We got up early to head to Gettysburg, PA. The whole way there we hit traffic, storms, and the kids cried they had ear infections from swimming too much. It was torture but we got there, and I picked the first crappy motel I saw to stay in, which happened to be across from a cemetery. After a hour being there, the kids were spooked in our room, thinking they saw shadows on the wall. We then took a ghost tour around downtown which was awesome. I rode in a wheelchair, lucky me. Then later that night, Clark and my mother in-law saw a ghost through the peep hole of their room.
8th Day: Did not get much sleep. My in-laws and Jason went to check out the graves and then we did some other stuff. But mostly we had a long drive to Niagara Falls, NY. We were all tired, and we arrived around 10:30 pm. and went straight to the falls to see if they were lit. There was a lot of people, out so late at night. We got to the railings, fireworks went off. It was beautiful. The falls were rainbow lit. Then I ask if they wanted to stay until tomorrow to do a boat ride but everyone was too tired. So then we headed towards Palmyra. And got another crappy hotel room.
9th Day: It rained and rained. BUT we were bound and determined to see everything. So we arrived at the Visitor's center near town, and Clark got lost for twenty minutes outside in the rain. Then we went to the grove and toured the homes and went on the trail in the pouring rain. Even I did. I wanted to stay in the car. But the center had a scooter, so I went out through the puddles with Viv on my lap driving, in the pouring rain. We were soaked but we managed to check out the bookstore and at that moment, it was a rush to hurry home so we did not have to get another hotel room. We arrived home almost 2 am. Just so we could get ready to go to church the next day.
The went home on the 11th day and but I missed them already. Inspite of my accident it went well I think.

Excuses, Excuses...

I can come up with some good excuses to get out of stuff, but I hate it when my kids try it on me. Most of the time their excuses are unimaginative, and they just poor excuses so I can't stand to listen to them.

For example. When I ask a kid to do the dishes or clean up something, they will come up with the reply of " BUT it's not my turn! "Or, "What is the other kids doing?" Sometimes they say both, but out of all of my kids, Erick is the worst serial excuse maker, and there is a 98% chance he will say one or both of those replys. So what do I do? Beat his butt? I can honestly say that there is a switch that goes off in my head, that makes me feel the power of anger when he says those things.

Because of Erick's shinny example, the kids are picking up on this and they copy him. When I was a kid, I had good excuses, but most of the time, my butt would get beat if I did not comply. I on the other hand did do chores and what I was asked because I loved my parents and was grateful for the things they gave me and did for me. So does that mean my kids aren't grateful? Does that mean they don't love me?

The other excuses they come up with are, actually blaming Vivi for what ever reason why something happened, instead of just admitting their own mistake.

For example. The air conditioner falling out of a second story window a few days ago. It was Sabrina's window, but Viv was to blame. Instead of saying, there was a accident, Viv was trying close the gap in the window so the birds would not fly out, all of the kids said, "Viv is stupid! It's all her fault!" For one, I was surprised that Sabrina was allowing Viv to be in her room, and second, do you think Viv would actually do it on purpose? Poor girl, she did make a mistake, it's something we all can learn from. Their punishment will be, that it will be awfully hot upstairs this summer.

I want no more excuses!!! About anything, I just want straight up honesty! Erick has recently been making excuses about his behavior and why he can't do something because of diabetes. Which might be true, a fraction of the time. YES! I have sat down with them, and let them know about how their excuses tick me off and it's just plain disrespectful. I have punished them for their poor whimsy excuses when it comes to chores. But it's not working, grounding and taking things away are not working. Clark thinks he can get out of any chore by locking himself in his bedroom and crying himself to sleep, chores like drying the dishes!!!! Yes, to him, it's that bad. Oh Poor Clark! How dreadful! I am so sick of the excuses, and I afraid my kids are going to grow up just making excuses for everything! How do I over come this?

Tick Tock!

On our Memorial day, we went swimming, had a barbecue, and settled down to watch a family movie. Half way through the movie, Sabrina discovers something under her armpit, that made her itch. In the darkness, I saw something, and I sent her straight to Jason to check it out in the light. Guess what is was!

Yes, it was a tick! I guess that is what we get for going to the lake. It was not filled with blood yet, but it sure did have it's head buried in. Poor girl would not hold still, and we called a nurse's line for help. They said it had to come out no matter what! And now it's body and parts are in the freezer. Oh joy! But not really...Because we have to wait for a few weeks to see if she comes down kind of disease.

Ticks totally freak me out! I have had one or two before, and if they weren't potentially dangerous, I would not fret as much. Am I making your skin itch with all this tick talk? I am...Ever since this has happened, I have been on tick alert! I am now starting to second guess my lake pass, and the plans to spend a bunch of time hanging out there. I am also worried about ticks ruining my girl's camp experience in July. I will be out there, as a counselor, and the girl's are going to look up to me for help, and possibly tick removal. Yikes! That is not my thing...but I will suck it up, and do what I have to. In the mean time, I am preparing for my trip.( I am buying a mosquito net for bed space) Also, I am waiting and praying that Sabrina will not get sick from this experience.

Up, Up, And Away....

A few weekends ago, on a beautiful warm Saturday, we set out to have a full day of activities. The girl's had back to back games in the afternoon in Churchville, and at night, Sabrina had a play performance where I was doing make-up and hair for. As I had already ad plans, Jason decides to tell me he had something he had to do Saturday morning that was quite unusual...

He said he was going to be one of four guys to pull a plane for publicity at the local airport. Wow, that seems exciting, so we all went to watch him do that. BUT when we got there, the kids had a unexpected opportunity to fly in a plane. It's the young Eagles program, headed by Harrison Ford, where pilots teach kids how to fly small planes. So COOL! How lucky they were, no one was waiting in line, and it was so simple to sign-up that and just go, it made me nervous, especially with all my kids in the air at the same time in different planes.

The girls' rode together and Clark and Erick went by themselves, much to Erick's dismay. I thought he would never get off the ground, but he did. Here are some pics of the day....

The Great Boyfriend Debate

I have been told more than once to look out for my girls because they are cute and boys are going to be a issue when they are older. Well that time has come, already.

I can't lock her up, I can't dress her like a Amish girl, (though she would still look cute) and I can't let Jason threaten every boy that is a friend, that he is going to body slam him, like he did to her first boyfriend. Yes, that is true. It was no wonder that poor six grader boy Ryan #1, dumped her at Christmas time. I thought it was kind of sweet but he called Sabrina every day and rode his bike to her cheerleading practices to watch her. But she is only in sixth grade! I didn't have a boyfriend that serious about me in sixth grade! What is going to happen when she is older? Now I am kind of getting worried.

As for Ryan, he was history during Christmas break, and on the first day back, she got a new one. I had to check out this kid, did he look like a skater dude like Ryan? Nope, in fact, he was a cute little shorter than her kid, that looked like Jonathon Lipnicki. I thought, okay, no threat there. And after a week, she said he was boring. On the same day, Ian, her friend asked her out, she said yes, and she broke up with him in a hour, to go out with Woody. I kind of feel bad for Ian, he has liked her all along, not a bad kid, but Woody?

Yes, I met him, when Sabrina started making arrangements to meet him on the sledding hill. He called just about every day, and I had to get after him. He is popular, cute with black long hair, but the kind of boy I do not approve of. He told Sabrina he wanted our parents to meet and go out to dinner together sometime. He wanted to come over and visit, since his mom let's him ride his skateboard downtown. He told Sabrina he would not sit with her at lunch unless a certain girl was removed, and so Sabrina told her friend to move. I thought that was awfully shallow. I thought great, he is already telling her what to do and she is complying.

Woody was history last week, when Sabrina fell for a 8th grader, Ryan #2 (it's sounds bad) But I am relieved because is a really nice kid. He was the star of the play, and he looks like Erick. I met his mom, and he said she is the first girlfriend he ever had. She has no classes with him, and can't eat lunch with him, so basically, now the play is over, they see each other in passing in the hallway. (That works for me!)

It may seem weird that I might know just a little too much about her love life, because I rather know than not know. Growing up, my mom NEVER talked to me about boyfriends. She knew I had them, but never questioned it. I really could have used some advice. So, I am doing what I can to make sure she has support and so she is open with me. I want her to have high expectations, be treated like a princess, and never give in to a boy's demands. At this stage, having a boyfriend is more for reputation status. It's all about bragging rights. Thank goodness! But I know, that it will eventually change, and she will really fall in love, which is kind of scary. Right now, my message to her is...telling her that you can be friends with boys without being a couple. But does she get that? Hmmm, we shall see how long Ryan #2 lasts.

Things I Appreciate...

Things I Appreciate That Properly Go Unappreciated...

• Street Lights, sometimes I hate them, and sometimes I don't.
• Sidewalks
• Extra toilet paper in the restrooms
• Good windshield wipers
• Manners, such as opening the door or holding it for me
  
• The welcome I get when I walk into Food Lion
• Short to the point prayers
• A reminder call on the day before a Doctor's Appt.
• Spam and Pop Up Filters
• People saying Happy Birthday, on my birthday
• A waiter or waitress that actually care about their job
• People who stay to help clean up
• Coaches that let all kids play
• People who pick up trash along the roads
• My brother for giving me Direct TV
• Scripture Tabs
• Mile Markers, occasionally I have used them
• Gas pump shelters that cover your walk to the cashier
• Clean portal potties
• Railing where there are steps
• Missionaries, don't know what you got, until it's gone
• Friends who call to say hi
• When a baby smiles at me
• Free or Cheap ATM's
• Free Air pumps at gas stations
  
• Facebook, it has brought me closer to some old friends and some current ones
  
• Kids that do things without having to be asked or told
• Church programs
• Coupons
  
• People who do their church calling the best they can and don't complain
  

There are properly a billion things that I could list, but those are just some of the ones I can think of right now. I am sure some people can come up with even better things that I did not list or at least agree with me on some. What would be your list?

Let's Play Ball!

It that time of season again. I enjoy it. I never played girl's softball when I was young but I think I might have liked it. This year, Jason is help coaching Vivienne's team. This is her first time, and she seems to be a natural, so we thought. She was happy at first when Jason was going to be helping with the team. She likes to cling on him, and now, I think she is getting jealous of his attention to others.

Today is a cold day of practice, feels like it might snow. In the past it has, and in the past we had a hard nosed coaches that would make them practice no matter the weather, as long as there was no lightening. That is one of the reasons why Jason got involved. The unwritten rule of missing a practice was not a option, if someone did so, they would lose their position to someone else. Since Jason has helped out, he made it more equal. It's usually the parent's fault that someone misses.

I enjoy watching the games, not just because my kid is playing but for the occasional excitement happens. Like the last season, when our coach threatened the umpire, got thrown out, and the cops were called. Or when we got a drunken parent, who started a argument with the opposing team, and the cops were called because he waited in the parking lot to fight. Ahh, good times! The kids aren't so innocent too, there are some real charmers. Kids from the teams have these not so sweet little chants they yell out, to distract the opposing team that is batting. Like I said, good times! But really, since Jason has helped out, it has gotten better and this year, we are in a different league and hopefully we won't have all that ruckus! My kids of course are darlings. And because of that, Sabrina had a coach that told her that if she did not participate in the chants, that she must not want to play bad enough. That year, that coach was fighting with league officials and there was so much chaos, she finally got fired when we were in the playoffs. Nevertheless, softball is good for the girls, and we shall see how it turns out this year.

Something New...

I love new things don't you? So as unpredictable as I want to be, and maybe I am, I changed my background again! I like this one so much, that maybe I will keep it for a bit longer than I have been keeping them normally. I hope you like it.

Worn OUT!

I am worn out. But not burnt out. Here is a update of what is currently going on...

-I am happily teaching Seminary every weekly morning, preparing for at least a hour every day, & trying to read the scriptures so I know what I am talking about.
-I am hopefully going to have a successful Easter Brunch on Saturday, in spite of almost nobody confirming they are going to come.
-I have to prepare for another school dance, the last one of the year, call for chaperones and for ticket sellers. But I know no one wants sell tickets, and I am going to end up at the school doing it all week with this really annoying lady.
-Soon I am going to find out if I am going to be a part of the leadership in the dreadful P.A.T. ( which I know I said I was done with them, but if I am in charge, it can't be that bad, can it?)
-The girl's started softball practice, and Jason is going to asst. coach, so when the games start next week, we are going to be gone a lot.
-My parent's were going to throw out good dressers that had slight fire damage, so in order to put them in my house, I have to spend all of my extra time this week cleaning them up. (my dad is REAL impatient)
-I am tired right now because I stayed up all night trying to help birth kittens. She has one on it's death bed, and will it be wrong to end it's suffering? Sabrina whaling all day, does not help a thing either.
-Spring break is this week and we aren't going to do anything special. :( feels like a waste.
-Clark still is in a cast, and he is sick of it. His crutches are making him sore on his chest, he has no fat there, poor guy.
-Viv was invited to a birthday party at Build A Bear workshop during the Easter Brunch, should I let her go? I thought about saying no way, but the lady said, it's for her foster kid who is Autistic, and values Viv as one of her only friends. How can I say no to that? Now not even my own kid is coming to the Brunch.
-Our van started running real crappy, and the engine light came on. Jason bought a bunch of stuff to fix it, then claimed it was fixed, but it wasn't and bought more crap, and same thing happened. Now, he wants to buy even more crap, but we can't afford it. What to do? He did get a degree in this...
-I have a talk to write for Sunday. And Sabrina has one too. I keep telling her, she is writing her own but will I give in? I guess the longer hers is the better for me right?
Well that's all I can think of right now, I like to post these up dates for my friends who like to get the load down. I am going to bed.

I Admit IT, I AM A Flip Flopper!

Recently, I have been really thinking about what I believe in, as far a politics goes. I have been a Democrat forever, not because my family is, but because usually the guy I choose to vote for, promises something that I want. Well, as I have been watching the news, I have been a bit disappointed in the choices that Congress has been making and I have been praying to get over my stigma about being a rebel, and being a Mormon. What answer I got was through preparing my lessons in Seminary.

Contention is of the Devil. That is a fact. If politics is causing contention, than should I get as passionately as involved as I have been? I finally came across some scriptures, that Jesus Christ himself taught, "if we are not one, we aren't his." I was teaching a lesson about faith, and why it is important to band together as a members of our Church. That is reason enough for me, to put aside everything I have been arguing about to give in and have the faith to just not rebel anymore. It's not that I am conforming to running with the crowd, because most of my friends seem to share the same opinions of Gays and what not, but because the leaders of our Church follow Christ, if I am disagreeing on anything they say, I am not obeying Christ's teachings.

It is really hard for me to give in, and just allow myself to stop being stubborn and admit maybe some people are right. Though I am going to stop calling myself a Democrat, I am not going to call myself a republican either, in fact, I am not going to call myself a Independent either! I am not going to work at the voting booths anymore and I am not going to side with any political laws or views. If anything, I am going to start my own party, and consider myself a Middle Person. If I vote again, I am going to really consider what J.C. would choose if anyone. Being a Middle Person, does not always have to choose, like for example when you see two teams going to the Superbowl and you don't care who they are. Or when your parent's are fighting, you love them both, but each one wants you to take a side, that is a Middle Person. Why can't we all just get along? My view is, that the Second Coming is coming no matter what, and I have to live my life the best way I can, I am not going to waste it on contentious ideas. That is all I going to say on the matter, again. (or at least I am going to try to)

Margaret

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday, she is 75 years old. She lives in South Jordan, UT, on two acres in a house that she and her husband built over 40 years ago. I love her, and I wanted to let people know how wonderful she is.

She is a very generous and caring person. Not one person could ever speak ill of her. Currently she is a temple worker with my father- in- law in the South Jordan Temple. We miss her and hopefully in June, she will feel good enough to come here. Her name is Margaret and she is half Danish. Her family came from Holland as Saints. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and the sweetest smile. She really is like what a picture perfect grandma is suppose to be like.

Jason is the youngest of 12 kids. Four of those kids were adopted. Her heart is so big, that she litteraly had foster kids through all of Jason's life. He knew no different, he shared everything, even underwear. Two of the adopted where mentally handicapped. This was no challenge to her, she treated them as her own and I didn't even know they were adopted until a while later. She loves old horror and suspense movies, and books. She can also make anything from scratch whether it was food, clothing, or decor. She agrees with everyone, about everything, because she does not like contention.

She loves loves animals, and currently she has seven cats, three birds, 2 horses, and a bunch of dogs,and fish. Over the years, she had goats, pigs, turkey's, ducks, geese, chickens, a rooster, and a lamb she even let in the house. The city will no longer let her have her farm animals, after the horses are gone, she is not allowed to have anymore. Mainly because the neighbors have all sold their plots around them to home builders, and the home builders want their land. They live across a elementary school, and a church, that is beside that. Sounds like the perfect life huh? It's all because she made it that way. Jason's mom made it a big plus to marrying him.

Guns, Abortion, and Gays

Okay is this a hot topic, which everyone has a opinion on. When I vote, it's on the person not because of the party, though most people think I am one track minded like some other people I know. I am not, especially to the violent point like that some people, who seem to be very passionate about their beliefs. I don't push mine on others. My ability to look at things from both sides, sometimes makes life a little confusing for me. I think it is okay to own a gun, for sport. I think some people need it for protection. Our family owns several guns, and on special rare occasion, we liked doing some target practice. BUT, the truth is, no matter how much training we have or our kids have, having guns at a easy access is dangerous. NRA people say people kill people, and anti-gun activists say guns kill people. I say it's both. And the more likely you show your kid how easy it is to use your gun, the more likely I believe they are going to want to get it out when your not home and show their friends. For example, a young eight year old boy, Viv's age, who for what ever reason decided to kill his dad and his dad's friend with a gun. It was in AZ, and the boy said he learned how to shoot and use a gun through his own father. If a gun is around, the more likely that at the spur of the moment, maybe out of anger that someone would use it. Another example, crazy Phil Spector. He was obsessed with guns so much so, he would wear them in a hoister around the house. He would shoot at things at random in his own home out of boredom, and finally it ended up being a person. I don't want to take the rights of gun owners but I do believe certain kinds of guns, like machine guns are not made for hunting animals. Just because someone can create it, does not mean it should be available for just anyone to buy.

Abortion. This morning I was reading about the ordering of the FDA to have 30 days to allow seventeen years to go buy the morning after pill without prescriptions. I am against that. Because it's available, it will make it a excuse to have even more pre-martial sex without consequences. The pill is only to be used within the first 24 hours of unprotected intercourse. But how are the pharmacy people going to know that? I am worried that even more people, not just teens, will use it beyond the night after. I can imagine people getting mad, or having a bad day, deciding because it's there and so easy to buy, that they will use it to kill their fetus, no matter how far along they are. I can imagine the harm it would do, if it did not kill them but made them deformed and defected some way. It would be like a horror movie.

I don't get how some people can complain about their gun rights, saying government wants to control everything but those same people want the government to control the gays ? Aren't they hypocrites? I understand their reasoning behind it. Mostly because of their belief in God. But not everyone believes in God. Aren't they pushing their beliefs on others? It's just a observation. I love our country and the freedom we do have compared to some other countries. I supposed if anyone disagreed with our core beliefs, they have a right to their own opinion and they can move out if they choose. I understand we have to have certain rules to protect the innocent. Does that include two men kissing? Chances are, most everyone has seen it already on TV. So if we deny the gay people should have rights to insurance and civil unions, shouldn't we go as far as completely taking it off the air? I mean, in other countries, like in the middle east for instance, the media is controlled by the government or/& religion in power, everyone must believe in the same thing or else. Do you know the answer? Ellen is married,so she says to a woman, shouldn't we burn her at the stake?

Geesh, this is just such a hot topic and I am just sharing some thoughts. Like anyone of them matter, to anyone who is in charge. I know what I believe in, I don't push my opinion on others, and I am trying to remember that Jesus loves everyone, so should I.

Always Moving...

I have moved a lot. From State to state. Across the country. Literally, I moved 12 times, during all twelve years of school. I am not counting before school age or after. It took some serious thinking to figure it out, sitting down with my mom. It seems so unreal, that it had been so many and not due to my parents being in the military but because my dad was like a Jack of All Trades, and I think he had ADD.

I have fond memories of moving and some not so great. The earliest I can recall was when my dad was a trucker. It was the summer between kindergarten and 1 st grade when we moved from S.L.C. to a trailer town in the middle of nowhere called Wamcenter, Wy. The trip was a bad one because I remember having my kitten, Snowball (the one I stole) in the back of the sleeper in my dad's truck with me. It was night and as he was driving, that stupid kitten got her nails stuck in my thigh. I screamed and screamed until he stopped and he had to unlatch her from my leg. Then she got kicked out, she had to ride with my mom, who was driving a pick-up, and I guess, that kitten went crazy on her too.

I can recall just about all of my trips, but the ones that stood out, were times like when my father had the bright and brilliant idea of hooking a full sized semi-hay trailer to our pick-up and it ended up almost making us go off a cliff. It made us fish tail from guard rail to guard rail, and when the guard rail ran out, God saved us, because the trailer turned on it's side before we went off the edge. It was just me, my baby brother,my mom, and a cat with kittens, sitting in the front seat. Later that night, we stayed at a motel, and people in the town helped set up a huge bon fire where they burned all of our broken stuff. Including my doll house, that had a elevator.

We had good moments too, on all of our moves, we manged to take in any sites that were near by. I think my favorite time moving was when we came from Juneau to Utah, because we got to ride the ferry for three days during Halloween. The kids and I, literally ran from one end to another, and we found kids are board who would play tag with us, but the Purser sure did not like it! So we did get into trouble.

I could talk and talk about all of our moves, as an adult, I too tried to incorporate some sites for our kids. On the way here, we stopped at the Glen Dam in AZ, and we had plans to stop other places too, but it was a week before Christmas and we were sort of in a hurry. In Texas, we ran into some heavy fog going across the pan handle. And in Oklahoma we had snow and ice. The bad thing was, right before our trip we bought a duo DVD players and one of the kids stepped on the cord and broke it. Our heat went in our van, so then we were freezing. That made things miserable. I also tried a energy pill that I got from a gas station, and I remember thinking I was going to die because my heart was having some serious misbeats. I don't think Jason knew it was a bad as it could have been. The kids were great though, even Clark and Viv got along.

There was one other trip, I have to include, was the move from Ohio to St. George. We were on a deadline because Jason had a job to go to. And before the trip, I was sure to save plenty of money to go. But the days before we left, we had to clean our house. I had to pay my sister and her boyfriend to help because I was in such a rush. We gave them a old car, we gave them money, but it wasn't enough. She begged and begged, and we ended up giving her a total of $300, thinking maybe this would be the last time I would see her. When we left, Jason drove a huge U-Haul ,my brother in his car, which had two of my kids behind us, and I drove a old pick-up loaded with a 3 wheeler and stuff. On our move, we got a flat tire in Indiana, and then I lost a tire in Missouri going 72 miles per hour, late at night. Should have seen the sparks fly! It actually caused our back axle to break. So then we ended up getting a car hauler from the U-Haul, so we carried on. By the time we were in Colorado, we were just about out of cash. It was a big mistake to go through the mountains in the fall. We stopped in a small ski town and a nice lodge owner next to a gas station we were at, took us in for just $15.00. The next day, we did run out of money, and the kids ate pop tarts all day. When we arrived through the Utah border, we ran out of gas. So we had to wait for my parents to drive 6 hours to meet us. Talk about a trial and a blessing. Who knows what adventure awaits us in our next move, whether it be small or large. I miss the fun of having the CB radios, making a big deal out of seeing the state signs that greeted us at the borders, and all of the new places to see.

Modesty Should Be For All Ages, Especially In The Locker Room!

There is a problem. Well, I guess it's my problem. I have images burnt in my brain that I wish I could erase. I am sure my kids do too. Mostly because of being members at the Y.M.C.A. I know some people make think I am shallow, or overboard. But, honestly, shouldn't people try to make a effort to cover up when small children are around? ( or me?) Today, I walked right into the locker room and I could not look away fast enough when a older, non fit naked lady walked right towards me, in which anyone standing outside of the door could have clearly seen her. It is really difficult to train yourself to look at the floor when I walk by the Sauna and right there, in plain sight would be a old naked lady, sitting right in front of the window. It has happened more than I could count. We have dressing rooms, and even corners, but it seems like I am the only person who has a problem with this. I did not want to have the image of some nude person bending over, or what kind of scars they have. Even if I had a pristine fit body, I would still cover up. I know in other countries, nudity is no big deal. But what about the innocence of children? It's hard to keep Viv to refrain from making a comment, too.

The boys are having just as hard of time in their locker room. Their stories are grosser than mine. They have a steam room with a sign on the door saying you must wear a towel. But hardly anyone obeys. The fact is, I doubt those benches get cleaned often. Modesty should include not only young people but old. I know some people when they get older, that get past being embarrassed. All of the prodding and poking over the years by doctors, properly had something to do with that. I for one, believe that when I get older, I am going to make a effort to be modest no matter the circumstance. I just wish other people felt the same way.

Jumping On A Trampoline Is Better Than Playing Video Games, Right?

We have been sick for a while and then the weather turns out really nice. My parent's gave us their trampoline because they moved into a town home after the fire. So, what do you think happens when the trampoline has been up less than a week? Well...I just turned the computer on , which was upstairs, and I heard Clark screaming bloody murder! It's was loud enough to hear through the walls and closed windows. So, then I knew it must have been serious.

Before I got downstairs, I could hear the complaint. His right ankle had already begun to swell to abnormal size. Jason said it's just a sprain. But judging from the way it looked and how he was acting, I was not sure about that. I needed to stay calm, and remember all the times I had to teach first aid to Scouts. So, I called my mom. She said take him to the hospital. So I said okay. Then Jason said "no", but in my mind, I was conflicted. So I talked to Shawna, and she had the sense to tell me to call the doctor. So I did, and they told me if he can move his toes and foot, he will be fine until the morning. Huh? That is not what Web MD says! So, I told myself, just calm down, he stopped screaming, and I should just go ahead, wait, and enjoy myself at the RS dinner I was going to. And that is what I did.

When I got there, Lori, who is a RN, told me that if it started to heal, they would have to rebreak it in the morning, if it was broke. That would be torture on the little guy. So I left the party to take him, and I am glad I did. Hours, later, Dr. Carter (Stake Pres. Carter) let us look at the films, and sure enough, there was a difference in both of his ankles. A gap between his growth plate, which is right at the knuckle of his ankle. OUCH! What can be done about that? I don't know. And not knowing is making me sick. We are still waiting for the radiologist report. S

So, what to do about the trampoline? The last time we owned one, was back in the spring of 2005. One night Sabrina broke her arm on the neighbors, trampoline! It was a buckle break, ( where bone over laps the bone) near her right wrist. It could be visably seen, but she didn't seem to cry about it much at all, until we went to he hospital and her sweet smile was wiped right off her face when they failed to numb her enough to reset it! She had a awesome hot pink cast, for the whole summer, and even into September because it was having a tough time healing. Right after this happened, it sat in our yard, childless, until we decided to give it away to some friends. At first, I wanted to burn it, but what good would that do? It's great excerise, even I can vouche for that. (because I secretly get on it at night) Any suggestions?

Where's The Beef?

Yesterday, Jason, Sabrina, and I went to the Depot Grill. It was our first time there. Since I am so picky, I chose to have a cheeseburger well done. Jason tried the Bison burger. The waitress said that the Bison burger was lower in fat and had extra taste. So, I tried of piece of his, before he took a bite, and it was really good! He said it was okay. I was thinking I wanted more! (If anyone knows me, I do not try new things! Especially when I am on the verge of being a vegetarian.) But before I kept on to that idea, Jason said, "You know that this is not regular beef, it is actually Bison/Buffalo meat..." It took a minute to realize it. Then I felt sick. I couldn't eat anymore. How did I get tricked into this? The first time I had deer meat, I gagged! The smell was bad enough to knock me down. (Okay, you are wondering why am I making such a big deal? I need to get over it!)

Like I said, I do not like to try new things, it's sad that I am missing out on things. I could never do Fear Factor, or go on Survivor. And if I got lost in the woods for days, I would not eat maggots! My brother Dan is the same way, but he is far, far pickier than I. In fact, his fear factor would consist of any normal home cooked meal. Like that last thing he would eat is a cheeseburger! There was a time, I could never forget, that my dad offered $500 cash to my brother if he just simply ate a whole country fried steak. (my mom's steak was so good, especially when it was crispy) At this time, my brother was in high school, we lived at the farm, and my cousin Chad was there visiting from Utah. Danny said okay, with Chad encouraging him the whole time. I watched him to make sure he did not cheat. But he was taking forever to finish it! With each bite, he quickly washed it down with Chocolate milk. With a quarter of it left, everyone had left the table but Chad and himself. I went and sat in the TV room, bored. And it seemed like everyone else disappeared. Then it happened! He did not finish it! With just a few bites left. I could not believe what I was hearing, he was throwing up in the kitchen sink! I did not get up, I plugged my ears, and my cousin Chad came in laughing! Then my dad came in, and I tried to stop him, but before I could he went over to the sink. (my dad has a weak stomach) He gagged and gagged, and I laughed, and gagged, and laughed some more. My poor dad actually had to clean it up. Then I swear, never again, my brother will eat beef. So where's the beef? Oh yeah, it's in the kitchen sink! LOL

I just had to share this story with you!

I Am A Mutt!

I am a mutt... What I mean about that is, that I am a mixed breed of all sorts and in different ways. For one, I hate it when someone asks me where I am from, that isn't a easy question for me to answer. If you want where I was born, that's easier. Who are my ancestors? Well, that's tough and confusing too. I have Scottish, German, Irish, English, and Cherokee blood.

For the longest time, I didn't care about St. Paddy's day, because I have Scottish blood, and since I have always had a thing for Sean Connery, I thought sharing this small common thing, made me feel superior. (it's a funny thing, Sean portrayed a Irishman in a movie I loved him in, Doobie O'Gill and the Little People) But in time, I found out through genealogy, the Irish snuck into my family tree.

On my mom's side, her parent's were Irish, Scottish and German. On my dad's side, it was English and Indian. The heritage I have always felt closer to is, of course that of the Cherokee blood. Hence, my dark brown eyes and brown hair. It's the most blood that I contain,(I think) because my great grandma was full Cherokee. My grandma, Genny, was half. So she always use to tell me that I had her eyes, and I use to tan quite easily. Why I don't now is a mystery. So that's it, not much tell, I am a mutt, and so are my kids. What about you?

The Sweet Hearts Dance, the night I fell in love...

The Photo above is Not me...

When I moved to Utah from Alaska in November, I had left a boyfriend behind, promising to come back and be loyal to him while I was away. Ha! Of course that was too much to ask of me, I was only 17! Moving to Utah for only my junior year, seemed hard on a kid, but I did it, and quickly made new friends. I was loyal to my guy for about three months, the first week I was there, I was asked out to go to a Jazz game. But I had no idea what the Jazz was, and I said no.( I wish I had gone now) When I met my friend Shannon, I became part of a small pack of LDS kids, gone awry. She was in love with a boy, who happened to be related to Jason. At this point, I did not meet him. Because of Brian's strict parent's, they did not approve of her going out with him. So she had this idea that I would pretend to be his date, meet his parent's and then we would switch at the movies. The only thing was, her date, was his best friend, and he was not my type!

For one thing, I did not like to date guys my height or close to it. And that he was. He was nice, but he liked me more than I liked him, let's just say. Shannon thought our scheme was such a success, that she wanted to do it again. I went along with it reluctantly. Then things got unbearable, so I asked Shannon to find me another date, for the upcoming Sweethearts dance. So one day, about two weeks before, we were sitting in the commons area, Shannon told me about Bear. That is Jason, in high school, it was his nickname, people knew him by. I thought Bear? Oh brother...Then I saw him, Shannon told me he was as cute as Brian, tall with dark curly hair, but he wasn't. I admittedly said no way! Bear was wearing huge tinted glasses, the tightest pants I ever saw on a guy, and a deer on his sweater. I decided then that I would go with Aaron instead, so I did.

Before the dance, we went to a fancy restaurant all decked out. Aaron knew at this point that I was not into him, and he tried to make me jealous by paying special attention to Jason's date, Jenny. There were eight of us in total, sitting in the candle light. Jason and Jenny sat at our end. Aaron was not really talking to me, nor I to him. It was then, I noticed him, when he spoke to me and acted like such a gentleman. He wore contacts, a red bow tie, black slacks, with red suspenders. I thought he was so cute! He had good teeth, which was a plus and a must. I was smitten. And when we got to the dance, I told Shannon, we had to get rid of this Jenny girl. She agreed, and from then on, it was on to hatching more schemes, all in the name of love.

To Be Continued....

Procrastination is Of the Devil?!

Do you ever have those days where you know there are things that have to be done, but your just not doing it? Move body move, think brain think, you would think I was born a blond! (no offense to those who are) I just want to do nothing, I admit it. I don't want to physically do anything, but yet if I don't I will pay the consequences. Right now, I have about a million things to do, but guess what, I am on the computer! It's not that I am sitting being possessed by it or anything, I had a reason to be on here. But really, I having having some issues right now, and I am venting.

Oh great, now the kids are home! That makes everything even better! At this point, I love being home alone! I sometimes daydream of having my own apartment, everything is clean, and I am alone! (that sounds crazy huh?) I also think that my cat is pregnant, what a hussy...geesh she gets around. She had two different boyfriends a few weeks ago, hanging around our house. They are both orange, she is not. I would be relieved to finally get some kittens that aren't black. (not to sound raciest, but over the years that is all we have had pretty much) I guess I need to get over this and just do what I have to! The last few nights I have had a hard time sleeping thing about this dinner/dance at the church and then of course the hundred phone calls I had to make for the dance at the school next week, I am in charge of. I will be relieved to have everything done. I had a list of things to do yesterday, and it all got blown by being tortured by the dentist from 10:30 to 1pm! Then again today for a hour. Plus I have this guilt to drop everything and help my parents when they need it. Which they suddenly do, and the last three Fridays, instead of having our date day, Jason and I have been working for them.

So what lesson did I learn? If I would have made the phone calls along time ago, I would not be doing this now, at the last minute. If I had insisted to move and clean everything until it was done for my parents all at once, it would be done. If I would have gotten the cat fixed, I wouldn't be complaining. And if I would have stayed off this computer, I wouldn't be in such a time crunch. Okay, enough said. procrastination

Over the Hills and Through The Snow!

Yesterday it finally snowed good enough to enjoy it! I have got my fill now, I am good. Today it's about 13 degrees, bitterly cold, and I see that mother nature is still playing tricks on us. In a few days, the snow will be gone, and it will be near 60 again. Thank goodness we got our flu shot! Anyways, it seemed everybody got a snow day but us. The kids had to wait until they got home to go sledding. And so we did. Is it terribly wrong to laugh when your kid gets ran over by a girl on a tube? Or is it wrong to give a good push to your husband, who is much to big to be on a tiny round sled, in Superman position, which causes him to almost go faster than a bullet? Is it wrong to trick your kid into going down on the hill where I know there is a big bump in the way that will cause them to fly off their sled? I am bad, very bad....

When we went sledding on a Mary Baldwin hill, I was remembering how ruthless I was with my younger siblings that I never gave them a reason to trust me, but they still did. In my earlier blogs, I talked about having to sled to school down one of two hills from my apartment complex. Buttbreaker or Killer Hill. (I did not name them, it was known to everyone) The Buttbreaker path was the quickest route to school, it was a wide path through the trees and it did not go straight down. It was loaded with stumps from trees that had been cut down but not pulled out. When it snowed, they were completely covered. It really hurt sometimes to go down it.

Next was Killer hill. It was very steep, next to impossible to walk up. It was like a 90 degree angle almost. The only way up was hanging onto the smaller trees on the side of it. One dark day, I took my sister and brother to go sledding. Many other kids had the same idea, along with some people on skis too. I always talked the kids into connecting sleds and going down together in a big mob. And it just so happened that later, I pushed my little brother Danny by himself in a huge long sled. He laid down in it, because he was so light, as fast as he went he crashed big time. Afterwards, he did not get up. He laid there. And I had to slide down on my pants. I knew something was wrong, and I had that feeling it was my fault. He was acting funny, and would not walk. So I let him lay in the sled while I dragged him up, pulling myself with one arm onto the trees. When I got up there I was mad we had to leave, but he was asleep in the sled, and I took him all the way home by myself leaving my sister. I let him lay in the sled when I had to walk up the three flights of stairs to get my mom. I still remember this guilt I was feeling. I shouldn't have laughed about it, when it happened. My mom ended up rushing down, worried, He did end up having a concussion. Not a good thing. Why is it that people put sledding videos on America's Funnest Home Videos? Why do we laugh at it? Why do I?

Turning My Smile Upside Down...

Who ever said it took more muscles to frown than to smile? They are stupid!

Most of the time my smile is fake, even when I am happy. One day, about six years ago, I became friends with my pal Kristie. I was a Primary teacher at the time and my friend Kristie told me I looked mad, so she didn't talk to me much. I told her I wasn't, it's just my normal relaxed face, it's just too much effort to smile. Since then, I have made an effort to do so, and I noticed Jason had the same problem too.

With all the crazy crap that has been going on, I have been fighting it for years, I decided I am not going to fake smile any more. I am just too lazy! I am tired. Since I decided to do this, I notice that my look effects other people. People who are kind enough to ask what is wrong, and I just tell them nothing. Sometimes they don't even say anything, like a cashier's smile will wipe right off when she sees me. Inside, it makes me secretly laugh, because I am realizing that because of their reaction, it's making me grin. I have also noticed another good reason not to smile is because I don't want to get laugh lines. (wrinkles) Do you agree? Or am I just crazy? Okay, enough said....

The Five Things List

I was tagged and I thought it would be fun to answer...

5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago, At This This Time:

1. Jason and I were in negations for building a house in Hilliard, Ohio
2. I was the Enrichment leader in our ward
3. Clark was about 5 months old, Sabrina was 2, Erick was 4
4. I weighed about 40 lbs. lighter
5. My grandmother had just died of cancer, and we disowned my Aunts and Uncles because they put Royal B**** on her head stone and did not tell us that she had died until days later! (It's a story for Dr. Phil)

5 Things That Was On My List Today:

1. Clean the kitchen and dishes
2. Write on my blog and read my friend's blog
3. Finalize preparation for the school's carnival with guests
4. Watch the episode of Days, that I missed on Friday
5. Figure out how I am going to use the toilet paper holder my dad gave me

5 Snacks That I Love:

1. Buttered Kettle Popcorn
2. Carrots dipped in French dressing
3. Strawberry Toasted Strudels
4. Chocolate covered Macadamian nuts
5. Oreos dipped in skim milk

5 Things I Would Do If I Became A Billionaire!:

1. I would first Pay Tithing and thank the Lord
2. Pay off my debts
3. Move my family into a modern home that over looks the sea, in Auke Bay, Alaska
4. Invite all of my friends to come visit and I would find a way to pay them back for their friendship.
5. Invest in future technology that helps the environment, people, and makes more money.

I am tagging, Nikki, Kristie S. , Candy G.

The Literal Mountains, We Face.....

On Friday, I had a opportunity to go to Massanuttan with the youth group to go tubing. Though it had been 60 degrees earlier in the day, the machines there had produced a good enough snow pack to have fun on. It was our families first time there, and before we began, I told myself I was too chicken to go down it. I was afraid of getting hurt.

It's hard to believe that I am scared of heights, and Massanuttan is nothing compared to Park City, Utah or Eaglecrest, in Alaska. Everyone knows by now that I learned to ski when I was in eighth grade through our school in Juneau. It was part of our gym class. First I learned how to cross country ski, which was terrifying because the ski's are longer and thinner. If I ever tried to turn, I would just fall over. It was also quite a work out. Our school even took us out into the wilderness to go on these cross country trails. It was so much fun. After this, we leaned about downhill skiing. Which was a tad bit harder.

I can't remember all that had happened to me, but if you ever saw Goofy in a Disney cartoon about skiing, that was me! I got the complete outfit, and I tried really hard to never fall down. (It seems, if you fall down once, it happens over and over) I remember I was one out of a few teens that had to get the beginning lesson and I thought the bunny hill was frightening. I couldn't stay on the pole that took me to the top, and I would snowplow all the way to the bottom and past that. I had some friends who wanted me to go up with them, (to the tamest hill they said) on the second day of lessons. So I did. I can not count how many times, I had a accident.

The chair lift was scary, no seat belts! I learned to hang on to my poles, or else they fell down below. I learned not to click my ski's together, or else they would fall too. I learned not to ride the lift if it was blowing snow, because it would shake so badly, and I thought I was going to die.
I also learned the hard way, to be ready to get off the chair, because it was not going to stop! I learned through trial and error, it's amazing I did not get killed. That first trip, my friends rode right off the chair and left me. Though the run was wide, I still managed to find trees. I tried to do a zig zag down, and at some point, I ended up bombing it, and so I did what I saw over people do and held my knees together. I lived. I lived even though the time I slid down the hill with one ski on my back. I tried and tried and I got better. But then, I got cocky. And that was a mistake!

Don't we all do that in real life? We go to face a obstacle, it's hard at first, and then we end up able to manage it but if we sit there, and say, it's not so bad, it bites us in the butt? Well I did that. After a few times on the highest lift, a few years later, I let a boy talk me into going on this expert hill, that had mobiles and because he had been ex-ski patrol, I wanted to show off my skiing abilty too. It was a quiet afternoon, no one on the hill, and I when we got off, we had a corner we had to go around, he took off like a light! I wanted to catch up, and I tried, but before I knew it, I hit those little bumps in the run, and I did a flip! I remember sitting up and my legs were criss-crossed, my poles were lost, and someone came down to help me. To make a long story short, it was embarrassing, my gym teacher's dad was the ski patrol leader and he took me down in a sled to the medics office. I dislocated my knee again, and had to wear a neck brace for a few weeks. It's another lesson I learned the hard way, and since then I had only skied once, a year later. I was really careful, and I did not fall on the hill but I did, in the parking lot. The other night, before it was time to go, I faced my fear and went down on a tube. It was not bad, in fact it was awesome!

P.A.T. is like the P.T.A. but it's more like a secret cult!

In the past, I refused to pay the ten bucks to be a part of the P.T.A. This year, I decided to get myself more involved, because for one, I did not have to pay and for two, I haven't done it before and so I thought why not?

The group at the Middle School is called the P.A.T., I am not sure what it stands for exactly. It's like the P.T.A. but is not associated with the national group. When I did things for them before I just signed up to help out with a book fair or something small like that. When I lived in St. George, I went a little further and agreed to be in charge of creating a spook house for the middle school's Harvest Fair, and it was so much fun. Everything went according to plan, I got my whole family involved, and I still didn't have to join the P.T.A. to do it. That is far as I went with it, until this school year.

The reason why I decided to write about this is, because my fears of joining have confirmed exactly what I did not want to happen! In my recent experience, I have met some real power hungry moms that are the kind of people who ignite Lifetime movies and soap operas. (And I thought the cheerleading thing was bad) Why do people have to make life so difficult for the rest of us? The purpose of having a P.T.A. or P.A.T. is to help teachers and students, right?

My first impression of this group was strange, I signed up for a few things on a paper at the open house. I knew something was weird when a lady ran (yes, she did run!) out the door to stop me from getting in my van. She was the President of this group and she wanted me to be the a chairman for the middle school dances. I said okay, but I have never done it before. This should have been a warning sign!

My first meeting I found out how serious of a group they were, it last almost three hours! When I saw the money that they had in their treasury, (about 12,000!) I thought wow. Half of that was from a CD, they were going to cash this year. The police officers from Lee and the middle school asked us for a $1,200 donation for trailer for a go- cart they already bought. We also voted to buy projections for classrooms, I thought that was cool. Then it was also fundraiser time and I did not enjoy this process at all. For one thing, they tried getting me involved with it, and I when I heard that my President will not spend her usual $900 of personally buying stuff due to the economy, it made me sick. (because I hate buying anything from stupid fundraisers) I did end up buying the most cheapestly made $6.00 item in the whole magazine, so that my daughter was allowed to attend the fundraiser party.

My part in this fundraiser was helping sort the stuff at the school to deliver, and when I was there I had a chance to mingle with the President, Karen. She was stressed out. Apparently she was having problems with the fundraiser and getting parents to pick up the stuff. Some of it sat there for two weeks and she wanted to send it home on the bus but the Principle was against it. (he was not against the money it made!) She also gave me a warning. She told me that she could not wait to be out of it all, she also told me to watch my back, because I seemed nice and that some of these woman love to take advantage of others. She said she has never dealt with a more backbiting group than these people and if I ever was in charge of something, I would find this out! I thought this was really strange! She was really serious about it.

Why do I always have to learn the hard way? I could go into this in detail but to make a long story not as long, I will try to sum it up. Through this, I thought if I was just nice to everyone, I would be okay. Not true! I found out that I can trust no one, and everyone is my enemy, that is true. (as far as P.A.T. goes) I found out that looks could kill, and that e-mails will always be shared with others. I found out that some people can be very immature, in spite of their age. I found out that some people apologize and they never tend to mean it, and it's just another tool to use to be a meaner person. I will never be involved again! I am currently still in charge of the dances, and I am finishing up my duty with the school carnival, and then I am done. I will never get involved again unless I am directly helping a class or teacher. I even went as far to voice my opinion with some of the ladies and they agreed with me, in fact they want me to be more involved next year. BUT I do not have it in me to be their liberator, I don't want to fight with other people, not because I am not good at it, (I am actually really good at it) but conflict is of the devil, and I don't want to go there! I hope none of what I am saying is to any offense of other parents who love being involved with their schools, maybe for some reason, it is only this particular group that has mental problems.

Y.M.C.A.

We have the Y nearby and it's natural that we would want to go there to try to get ourselves healthier. It's cheaper compared to gold's gym and others, but because of that, we have to deal with things like poop in the men's swimsuit dryer for a week, the rest homes unloading people there for most of the day, towels that have yellow stains, and so on. We put up with it, because we desire to be healthier. (and it's a easy way to get our whole family showers at once!)

I remember when we first moved here, we got a pass. That spring, people were using the pool often to prepare for the Special Olympics. Michelle G. was working there as a life guard, and two times in a row, I am the one to discover poop in the pool! I learned not to step on a brown particle in the pool, it might smear! This problem, added with the rumors of gay men having a meet and greet in the locker room made us quit going.

This summer, we decided to go back since we moved so close. Surely those problems were gone. I am very cautious about things floating in the water, and I try to avoid old men who will sit in the hot tub for hours looking to start up a conversation. (Ulgh, no offense to anyone who is old that reads this, I consider any one old that is 35 +) I am no catch and I am not pretty in a swimsuit, but they always talk to me unless Jason and the kids are with me. Then the boys have complained that naked men walk around the locker room, even though there is a sign posted against it. The latest problem happened on Saturday, when we went. Clark discovered poop in the swimsuit dryer after a older man used it. The boys did not tell me about it until that night and they did not tell the staff. They figured that someone else would. Then we went there on Monday night before closing. Same thing! I told the life guard and she said it would be taken care of. BUT it was not. We went again on Tuesday night, THE SAME THING was there, and we told a friend who works there. (judging from the guy's reaction, I think he didn't want to deal with it) So do you think it was gone after that? Well...we went yesterday,(Friday) and Jason says there are tiny particles left. Gross.... I think every time I hear that song, I will think of that, whether I want to or not.

Cat Scratch Fever!

I am sure you have heard about what happened, this time last year. It was cold, I had been sick practically the whole month of December and I felt like I was never going to get better. I was demanding to be babied like Jason demands when he just has a cold. It had been real cold outside and the last thing I wanted to hear was that he had some kind of cramp. So then one day, a few days later he said he had a hard bump on his left pelvic region. It was true, and unnatural . It worried me and I told him that I would take him to my doctor. (He has rarely gone to the doctor for anything) Then suddenly after he had carried a bucket full of huge logs for the fire, he complained his pain was worse.

I called the quick care and they referred him to the ER. He gave me such a hard time, he really wanted to go, but when he walked in the door, he saw the people and ran out! (Oh brother!) After arguing with him about it, I called my parents and they told him to go in. So then he did.

At least a hour passes and we get in there, this was about 11pm. We were both so tired. What could this be, I worried. When we were there, we saw the doctor once, no test, and then a surgeon came in to our surprise. We had no idea what were they thinking when we were waiting. Jason wanted to walk out the door. The surgeon felt it, and then said he knew exactly what it was, a strangulated hernia! He drew us a picture, and said it could be fatal if he didn't get worked on right away. Suddenly my heart dropped, poor Jason! Here, I was being mean to him. The doctor said he had been working all day but he can get this done in 30 mins. After that, things moved really quickly. Too quickly! I called Bro. Swinson to give him a blessing and he arrived there as they were wheeling him away. Did I add that Jason was scared too?

We sat there, together in the waiting room. One am rolled around and Jason's surgery was a hour in. I had so many worried thoughts. It helped to know that he was there to comfort me. Then as the doctor came back, he tripped because he was so tired! (I thought that was not a good sign) He told me it was not a hernia, which could have waited until morning, but it was a infected lymph node that did not appear normal. He said it would go in for biopsy .

After a week of not knowing, we went to see the doctor. We prayed it was not cancer. He said it was something unusual. He said it was either one of two things, a rare disease found in Asian decent, or cat scratch fever. What? That darn cat! (We had three at the time.) He said if our cat was a carrier, any of us could of gotten it, and we still could get it. He didn't need surgery after all, if he would have gotten a simple blood test, he could of had meds for it. The disease could have caused swelling on any lymph mode. Usually happens in neck. It did for my friend Diana, who lived down the road from us. She contracted it in the spring and because the doctors were baffled, she went through some really scary moments and costly tests! Doctors from AMC told her because of it's growth rate, they thought she had cancer and they needed to get all five swollen nodes out! Which would have made horrible scars. The doctor sent her up to UVA to see a surgeon there. He was a older, more experienced guy and he had her tested for the diease, and yes, that is all it was! Now her neck is almost back to normal. Unbelieveable!

This was another lesson learned the hard way! I hope people who read my blog, will learn from all of my stupid mistakes! I write this stuff so that I may remember and not make these costly mistakes again! But it seems that I am still making them, when will I ever learn?

Happy New Year, GOOD-BYE CURSE!

2008 has been one of the worst year's ever in my life! Anyone who knows me well may have heard me talking about my curse. I truly felt that way. Every week something bad has happened. Of course good things happened too, I am aware of that. But because it was a year's worth of stuff, I can't remember everything thing that happened, but here is a example...

-In Jan. Jason had unnecessary surgery, which we believed for a week he may have had cancer, and it ended up being cat scratch fever, and left us with a big bill!
-Mortgage and house problems (too numerous to recount)
-The whole we are going to move and not going to move, and then did move thing, it was awful! That was two months of torture!
-We gave our dog away, that was sad for the kids
-We had problems with neighbor kids at our old house.
-My parent's having fights, and I got in the middle of it, which I should have not.
-Worrying about my parent's going to hospital for stuff.
-Dria almost lost her eye.
-Car problems with the black car and being stranded twice.
-Replacing 5 tires on the van, because of holes in the tires.
-Problems with neighbor over the cat.
-Having two cats die, in my arms, each suddenly, one week apart.
-I had a huge fight with old friends which resulted badly.
-My sister drama
-My brother drama
-Having the power off for a week because my payment was lost in cyber space, during the time I had company visiting!
-Laptop cord issues
-Issues with cub scouts
-Cheerleader disputes
-Thinking I got the art job again because I was asked to come back and then it was given to someone else, that was heartbreaking, it's one of the reasons why I didn't sub this year.
-Finding out why Erick had lost more than 50lbs in a few months time and why he was doing badly in school, is because he has diabetes. That was a life changing thing for all of us.
-Getting stomach flu more than a few times in my family.
-The dentist torturing my mouth more than once, and this final time, he really hurt me and half of my tongue is still numb on one side! This happened on Dec. 23rd, and the office is closed until the 6th, I don't know what I going to do about it.
-My big TV blew out
-Finding out jobs we thought were promising, didn't work out for Jason.

The list goes on and on. I guess I am just a complainer, and I know everyone has problems, we just have to get through them the best we can. I wish my curse was gone, but as we settled down on New Year's Day, we discovered that my dad's wallet was missing. So what is the magic words? Abra-ca-dabra? I would think the magic words would start out as "Heavenly Father..." Maybe I haven't been praying hard or sincerely enough to turn things around. What can I do? Well I guess I just have to try harder to do what the Lord commands, and maybe the curse will go away quietly. Here's hoping that 2009, will be better for everyone!