Happy New Christmas Year!

Well, that should cover it.  Merry Christmas AnD Happy New Year!  This year I struggled with a Christmas post on our blog.  I didn't send out Christmas cards with the traditional letter that tells you how wonderful each of us are (I hope those reading this can feel the sarcasm dripping from the computer screen-I really do send out ThOsE letters).  Presents to family are still sitting on the office floor getting no closer to the post office.  I feel silly talking about material gifts and I feel overly personal when I talk about my Savior.  My heart is turned to ALL the blessings we have received this year with our health, happiness and relative saneness.  The true meaning of Christmas is always close to my heart no matter the season.  I thought with the new house and "easy" Christmas lists that the season would be decked out and celebrated big.  But in fact, a neighbor/friend, politely pointed out that we were Grinches on our block with no lights on the outside and even the Christmas tree lights on the inside weren't always on (this is so not like me. I've been known to sleep on the couch to bask in their glow.)  I don't know why it was different this year.  We still had a wonderful time and have been resting well (translation: sleeping in all day long).  Blake's been sick this whole week, which means I've been running to the store for Pepsi and movies so he can move as little as possible (which is really fine by me because I'll probably get sick next and I can expect the same treatment in return :)
So, briefly.  Lane is enjoying his compound bow (it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye).  Paige Georgia (she wants to be called Georgia now. Wish me luck.) is singing around the house with her earphones in.  I'm typing on my new computer (I always say, "Once you Mac, you don't go back") and Blake finally put up our bedroom curtains with his new tools.  I have to interject that I thought that when the cost per tool increased that the frustration and sweating would decrease.  I'm afraid that DeWalt can't even tame my husband's handiwork.  Which leads me to believe it's not the tool it's the tool-er. (Whatever that means.)
I'm now looking forward to the new year and organizing my life, house, office, and pencil drawer. I really like the idea of being organized and everything having it's place, but it's so much work. So I guess I'll look forward to putting it off some more. Maybe I should organize a way to organize... hmmm.

Until the next time, I am thankful for all my family and friends, and friends who wish they could be a part of my family, and friends who I consider family, and family who wishes they weren't my family :).  I've been blessed to have people who care about me and people I definitely care about. I am lucky.  May this year be full of all good things or things that are good for us.

HaPpY nEw YeAr!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

we have a few inches of snow and it is cold. School cancelled classes for a couple of days. You know the drill: snow+ice = crazy driving. But now the kids are back into a schedule that doesn't include 3 hours of Wii per day.

I am thinking...

about jewelry, of course. I have a new necklace I'm working on. Maybe I'll have it up in my shop today.

I am thankful...

for a craft room that can look like a tornado hit it. I just have to shut the door and "wala", it doesn't exist. I still want to organize it but I keep messing it up.

From the kitchen...

I'm preparing a birthday feast for a wonderful friend. (Then I'll prepare leftovers for dinner and my wonderful family. Two birds with one stone.)

I am creating...

a stronger me. This new business is pushing me and stretching me out of my comfort zone. But for once I can say it feels good. For so long my kids have been such a big focus for me. They still are, but now that school is a big part of their lives it leaves me with holes to fill in my own life.

I am reading...

(don't laugh) Us Weekly and OK! magazine. I find it completely entertaining to see what the stars are doing and how people take their pictures doing normal things. (She bought a coffee here, and went shopping here, look she carries her own groceries, etc.) I guess if I stopped reading them, they would stop taking their pictures. It's an ugly cycle.

I am hoping...

my water pipes don't freeze this winter. Some of the water pipes upstairs seem really cold. Or maybe it's my needing instant toasty warmness wherever I am. Maybe I should hope my marriage will survive through this winter--I want the heat up higher, he wants it lower. :) Another ugly cycle.

I am hearing...

my cat playing in the Christmas tree again. UGH! Don't worry though my great parenting skills are coming in handy and he has received many timeouts sitting on the stairs. (I should mention that he just walks away from me so I've started giving myself timeouts on the stairs instead. More effective.)

One of my favorite things...

SuNsHiNe. After a couple of days of snow, snow, snow, I love to see the sun shining. It really does make me a happier person. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

I'm selling my jewelry at UHC tomorrow. Finish Start Christmas shopping. I'm saving my money to buy Blake a gift. Shhh, don't tell him.

A picture thought I am sharing...

I put up two photos to see which one I like better. Ignore my gimpy hand. These are the new necklaces that I'm working on. They are clusters of beads that are interchangeable on a single chain. I think I'll work in some leather cording on the chain for more interest with the chain. I made a really pretty "Amber Dust" cluster. It reminds me of my mom. 

Untraditional Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving started off in the normal way. Run to gas station to get the Black Friday ads (and a Mt. Dew), turn on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and just sit and ask the kids what they want for Christmas to see if it matches up with the ads. No such luck this year. No one was selling a youth compound bow for half off. Shucks. The untraditional part was that Blake was at the hospital all day on call. We were invited to other houses by thoughtful friends but without Blake it would seem weird. So off we went to the hospital with our turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the fixings to have lunch with "daddy".

They are doing some DX WWE Wrestling move. 

Don't ask 'cause I don't know.

We got the star treatment. We got a tour of the new hospital and the OR rooms. The kids had a million questions, I think I did too. It's a really nice new hospital and even though he had to work on Thanksgiving I am grateful for Blake's job. We have been extremely blessed this year with good health, good friends and family, and lots of happiness and love. Blake mentioned to me the other day that he was falling in love with West Virginia. I am too, but I think I can be happy most anywhere as long as I have my family and great friends. So I'm especially grateful this year for friends that become your extended family when your family is too far away. 

10 years...

ago was one of the best days of my life. I have a lot of great days so you can imagine how wonderful this day was. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we were going to have dinner with the In-Laws later in the day. I wasn't feeling well so we cancelled dinner. I think my "sickness" had something to do with being 41 weeks pregnant. Next thing you know...

This special little man joined our family. He was much more little then. Only a mother could love that face. He's been a blast and I've enjoyed seeing the person he is growing into. He is so into hunting and WWE wrestling. He cracks me up and helps put me back together by being such a good helper around the house. (Translation: He'll pause his game to take the trash out :) He is holding doors open for me and his sister and insisted that because today was his birthday that we should hold the door open for him. I quickly reminded him that gentleman don't take breaks even if it is their birthday. He giggled. I think even he knew the answer to that silliness. He still loves to have me around and will even hug me in front of his friends. I'm so blessed and am reminded everyday that 10 years ago today was a pretty awesome day. I LOVE YOU, LANE!

3 1/2 hrs. and finally RIC FLAIR

What? You don't know who RIC FLAIR is? "The Nature Boy"? Neither did I until a week ago. Unfortunately, my 9 year old son does. He is an "older" WWE Wrestler and because I am "Mother of the Year" I sat in a Walmart line for 3 1/2 hours so my kids could meet him and have one minute of face time with this "crazy big biceps" man. I even got my own signed autograph (which I used as a table protector for gluing crafts). This story gets even better when I tell you that I wasn't wearing any make-up and I was wearing very comfortable clothes (because I came prepared to sit on the germ infested floor of Walmart). Of course, as with all unprepared moments there must be a TV crew there and they just happened to interview the lady in front of me in line who almost cried as she spoke of her idol, Ric Flair. Are you kidding me? I felt like a caged animal- no where to run so I position myself right behind her and hoped the kids got on the 11 o'clock news but that I'd be blocked. Well, we got on the news alright. Stranger Lady, ME, Lane and Paige's hand. (Paige was crying that she didn't get on until she realized that her hand did.) Of course no one stays up to watch the 11 o'clock news... except for my friends. UGH!

Hopefully, I can download the photo off my camera. It's not working right now.

New News Alert!

I have been so blessed with a mother who can turn wheat into ice-cream, a wool suit into a beautifully hooked rug (dyed with kool-aid, of course), and raise 5 semi-normal kids while baking bread into the shapes of turtles, alligators, and snowman. Well, that's only the maternal side. My dad is a watercolor artist that makes nature scene just pop off the page (almost 3D-ish, not good for my vertigo). I know, right, they're amazing. Well, somehow it has rubbed off on me.  Not the "amazing" part, but the love of crafting and creating. I've been doing jewelry for about 7 1/2 years and I've loved it and challenged myself with new techniques. It all began when I had my baby girl. She just had to have a bracelet (or 20 of them). I've decided to take it up a level and open up a business to focus on my jewelry, watches, and anything bead-able (is that even a word). The new company name is Beaded Living and I have a new blog that will bring all my chaos together. To make it even sweeter for me is that I have two graphic design brothers. One of which begged to design my logo (coming soon). (Okay, I begged him or I was going to beg him if they weren't both so darn willing to help out their baby sister.) I feel as though I'm technically ignorant in all the computer stuff but I also have a SIL who is taking baby steps with me. Are you seeing how the star are all aligning just perfectly? I'm enjoying the challenge. Stay tuned and check in with the new business and pass it on. I think I'll even put it up on Facebook. Oh WOW, I'm crossing all my barriers. Watch out world.

New Old Bathroom

I have been waiting to show you our new bathroom once we finished it 100% but I just can't find the right green bamboo to put between the toilet and sink. If I wait too long the pictures will never go up. So, here is the before and after photos. (I think you'll be able to tell which came first--the chicken or the egg.) This is the main floor bathroom that probably gets the most use so I especially love the wool rugs that started the whole renovation. You know how it goes...If you give Jen some new wool rugs she'll want some matching towels to go with it. If she has the matching towels she'll want the walls painted to look pretty. When she realizes that she doesn't have enough paint for all the walls she'll decide that bead board is the answer. When she doesn't want to repaint she decides that the lights need to be changed. When the lights don't fit she'll realize that the ugly medicine cabinet mirror needs to come down. Then she finds the perfect mirror to replace it. But Jen wants the wood colors to match so she'll convince her husband that the whole vanity needs to be replaced. So when you give Jen new wool rugs she'll want a new bathroom to go with it. And so it began... and finally ended. (If you give a mouse a cookie... See the pattern.)

There are still a couple more finishing touches to put up but the main part is done and the faucet doesn't leak. Blake was handier than he thought and I have less patience than I thought. I wanted to start throwing things at one point in the project and Blake just kept chugging away. You know it's bad when I started to consider not using the sink and just having it be for show. But the leaking stopped and now we'll let you use it if you come for a visit.

Election Day 2010

In honor of election day I'm going to share with you Paige's Political Platform that she has been working on in 2nd grade.

What I would do to improve:

Education- provide more school supplies for schools.

Business- provide jobs for people that don't have jobs.

Parks- add more sandboxes and add more trees and plants.

Laws- give people enough money to buy a house and a car.

Town Pride- say the "Pledge of Allegiance" more often.

Can't tell if she's going to be a Republican, Democrat, or an Independent yet. But she's got her brain working.

What's in a name?

I have been in the mist of starting a new company and the hardest part for me is the name of said company. I started asking my family for ideas and these are some of the ideas they gave me...

1. Big Buck Crafts. That was Lane's idea. Can you tell he has his mind on hunting this season (or any season for that matter)? Just say that 10 times as fast as you can and you'll end up saying what I did... Big Butt Crack. Yeah, that one was vetoed.

2. BMC Designs. Which stands for "Buy My Crap". Yeah, vetoed.

3. Shiny Things & Things. That reminds me of some rabid animal spazzing out for shiny things. Yeah, vetoed.

I've been dealing with a bout of vertigo this weekend so let's just say that the ideas were getting worse and more desperate as the time went on. Any ideas?

Do as I say...

not as I do. Lane loves reading books filled with facts so it was no surprise to me that he brought a book home from school titled Don't Try This at Home by Laura Layton Strom. (I really don't feel like the title and author is extremely important but I figured I'd give her her dues for making my life harder). This book basically reinforces things we've been teaching our kids about from an early age. LDS families know of it as the "Word of Wisdom" which encourages a healthier lifestyle (no drugs, no alcohol, no tobacco, everything in moderation, early to bed and early to rise, etc.). This book gives cool statistics and facts and really helped Lane understand why these substances aren't good for us. So of course he had me stumped when he preceded to tell me that I was addicted. "WHAT?" (I think I know where he is going with this and I am quickly trying to come up with a very good parent response to save my skin.) He reads to me from his book, word for word,

"People can become dependent on things other than drugs. Some people feel the need to drink excessive amounts of a particular brand of soda every day."

See, we all knew what was coming. I just wish he wasn't so quick to put two and two together. My "very good parent response" was, "Well, I'm not drinking one now. Look, what am I drinking?" (yeah, it sounds a little bit defensive to me too). Lucky for me that day it just happened to be water. I'd already had my excessive amounts of a particular brand of soda that day. My mature response now is, "We can't all be perfect" (yeah, still sounds a little bit defensive). Maybe if I'm lucky they'll send me to rehab where I can sleep as long as I want, no stress, no running errands, and crafting or doing whatever I want all day.

Or then again maybe you could just give me a taco.

Cat Questions???

1. Is it okay to "banish" Jimi to the basement while we are sleeping and during the day when I'm not there or does that seem too mean? The basement has full windows, glass doors, litter box, food, and plenty of rubbermaids to climb on because I'm lazy and haven't put them away. Plus it has a cozy beanbag or two.

2. We think Blake may be allergic to Jimi. What is there to help him (Blake, not Jimi. He thinks he owns the house anyway)? Does Claritin actually work?

3. What do I do to keep him from jumping on the counters?

4. Is it normal for them to stretch their fingers and claws out and then pull them back in while they are laying on you and how can I get him to stop or will he grow out of it?

That's just a few questions for now and I'm sure I'll have others. I'm so animal ignorant. Lane told me that he wished he could have a deer for a pet.

We've added on to our family

Blake finally decided that we can have one. It makes our small family of four bump up to five. Paige has been wanting one forever. Here's Jimi (that's the name he had at the shelter and he's been there for 1 1/2 years so we thought we'd stick with it). Don't let that glare scare you he's really gentle.

He's a 2 yr. old Tabby and really easy-going. At least he was for Blake & I. Now that the kids are home and haven't left him alone he might not be so relaxed. I keep checking in on Jimi to make sure he's not cowering in a corner somewhere. He'll be smothered with love. So far our favorite toy is the red laser light. He goes crazy for it. He even stalks it like prey. It's neat to see his stealth. It'd scare me if I was a red laser dot. Blake and I went to pick him up while the kids were in school so this was a real surprise for them. Blake got a picture of their reactions.

It's a little blurry but sums up Paige's shock. Just went to check on Jimi and he was sitting in the litter box to get away from the kids. Desperate attempts... I think it's time to do homework. For Jimi's sake.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

it's a beautiful, sunny, crisp autumn day. I just wish the deer would not sneak up to my cozy porch at night and eat my mums. It really is a cozy porch, I can't fault them for having great taste (not the mums, my style).

I am thinking...

hmm... give me a minute. Nope, not thinking.

I am thankful...

for smart TV repair men even if they are a bit chatty. They fixed our flat-screen for free. Maybe I should be thankful for the warranty. Finally one came in handy.

From the kitchen...

I smell RAMEN noodles from last night. I know, gourmet. I really shouldn't out-do myself.

I am wearing...

a lightweight gray sweater that I bought on clearance in the summer and have been waiting for chillier weather to wear it. It's so perfect that I could curl up on the couch and snuggle with myself.

I am creating...

a new business. Shhh... it's still in the works.

I am reading...

nothing. I'm trying to be a productive mother, wife and all-around over-achiever. (Okay, that was for Blake's benefit in case he sees this. :) What I'm really reading is Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. She's the one that wrote City of Ashes, City of Bones, etc.

I am hoping...

that the spiritual habits we are trying to instill and achieve with our kids will continue and not get pushed aside for worldly things.

I am hearing...

the weird knocking noise my fridge makes. It sounds like there is a little man living back behind it and hammering something. I'm not going to move the fridge to find out the truth. I'll just leave the little man alone.

One of my favorite things...

are these fuzzy, fuzzy oh so cuddly blankets I found at Sam's Club. I bought 4 of them to see which colors I like best with the intentions of taking a couple of them back. But no such luck. I still have all of them. (Insert evil laugh: Mawhaha.) They're what you might think a cloud would feel like... Heavenly.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

to redo the PTA volunteer list (150+ names) for the 3rd time. I keep messing it up. I'm not very good with the computer stuff anymore.

A picture thought I am sharing...

Washington, D.C. Temple

This is from our trip this summer to D.C. with my parents. Beautiful. There was such a special feeling there and I loved being able to share it with my kids and to remind them that families can be together forever. Whether we like it or not. :) ha, ha!

Welcome!

We have now lived in our house for about 5 months and things are actually feeling like they are getting done. I'll share with you some changes that we've made. There are other rooms that are pretty much done but they have loads of laundry that need to be folded sitting in them so I'll save myself the embarrassment and not showcase them today.

Our front porch is finally done. And our flower beds are getting there. Sorry about the fuzzy photo. A humid day + a crappy camera= fuzzy photo.

Before.

(The door was actually green like the side panels. I just was experimenting and painted it black before I thought to take a picture.)

After.

Blake and I love sitting out here in the evenings before the mosquitoes get us.

Dining Room: Before.

Dining Room: Afters.

I love this green color. Blake was a little nervous but couldn't say 'No' to me when I was choosing. It looks a little more yellow in the pictures but I think that is because the sun is shining through the windows. The color is Spring Botanical from Lowe's but I had Home Depot match it because I like their Behr with primer brand.

(That's a real bird's nest in the middle of the table, not a pile of poo.)

So there is a couple of things we enjoy about our new home. It's fun to update it and put our touch on it. It's been a long time coming and we are still enjoying the extra space even though I'd rather not have to clean 3 bathrooms and Blake would rather not have to mow the hills of grass. But it all evens out when we'd rather not have to hear our kids screaming and we can yell, "TAKE IT TO THE BASEMENT". Oh, the joys. Now back to folding those clothes I mentioned.

38:42:47

Those are minutes, not hours. I finished the 5k and I'm glad to be done. I will admit that it's a wonderful feeling to have accomplished something I've only ever joked about doing. I was able to run the whole thing (if that's what you call what I was doing) except for a little stop to drink water. I haven't mastered the technique of drinking and running--too dangerous. Here are some pictures of the victors. Now I just need to powder my thighs--chafing has occurred.

(L to R): Roadrunners- 2nd place, Stewarts- 3rd, & Gibsons- 1st

Even the kids got in on the action. Lane and Andrew ran the race also and made their parents look bad.

The missionaries got the best dressed award.

12 years!

12 years ago yesterday I was lucky enough to marry "twinkle toes". We spent our day zipping across the sky and roller coasting down the mountain (minus the kids). We'd still like to think we are light on our feet and young at heart and then you see pictures like this and they make you giggle and think "maybe not so much". We had a blast and I'm acutely aware of how lucky I am to have him in my life (even if this picture makes you wonder... hmmm). He brings so much joy and love into my life. I've included a more "man-ly" photo below of Blake for his own sake.

These mountain coasters R O C K E D! Alpine slides have come a very long way in the 20 years since I've ridden one in Park City, UT.

This is more like it. I love you, babe, whether you're light on your feet or hanging from a tree! You're still perfect for me and I STILL choose you! Here's to many more adventures!

10:59:58 left!

Tomorrow is the day to run, walk, or crawl to the finish line. My sister had a great idea to make "Team Roadrunner" t-shirts but considering that my husband has twisted his knee and broken his toe it seems a bit arrogant (not that it wasn't arrogant before the injuries). There was one thing that I managed to make... my playlist. I'm hoping that it will take my mind off of the long and painful journey but I think it will merely become the soundtrack to my death. Hopefully this experience will not permanently ruin these great songs for me.

1. Something Beautiful- Needtobreath
2. So Obvious- Runner Runner
3. Secrets- One Republic
4. Animal- Neon Trees
5. This Afternoon- Nickleback
6. This Ain't Goodbye- Train
7. The Only Exception- Paramore
8. The Boys of Fall- Kenny Chesney
9. The Truth- Kris Allen
10. King of Anything- Sara Bareilles
11. You Run Away- Barenaked Ladies
12. We'll Be A Dream- We the Kings
13. Belle of the Boulevard- Dashboard Confessional
14. Into Your Arms- The Maine
15. Love Left to Lose- Sons of Sylvia
16. Like We Used to- A Rocket to the Moon
17. Stuttering- The Friday Night Boys
18, Superman Tonight- Bon Jovi

And there is the official list. I'm hoping 18 songs will get me through 3 miles. I know, I allowed a little extra music...Blake doesn't think my music is upbeat/obnoxious enough. I'd rather die with a smile on my lips and "angel-like" music in my ears.

I'm not 10 feet tall and bullet-proof

So I was invited by our church ward Scout Master (who happens to be my buddy Scott) on a youth activity to go whitewater rafting at Wisp Resort in Maryland. We had a great time. The only downfall is the fact I twisted my knee pretty bad upon being thrown from the raft in which my foot got stuck and I end up bent over backwards with my head underwater. After swallowing several gallons of water, I manage to unstuck myself and abandon ship. At this point the guide informs me I'll be taking on the other Class III-IV rapids on my own floating on my back. Just what I had in mind. I survived. Just barely. I think the others in our group thought I would drown. I thought so too. Anyway, this injury indirectly led to my mishap in the shower the other day in which I broke my big toe which leads to the probable withdrawal of the Labor Day 5K I'm supposed to run. My wife wants to trade me in for a newer model. One without so many miles. I can't argue her point. I just need to convince her I'm a collectable and will be very valuable some day. Enjoy the pictures.

5K Necessities- The Beginning

As I whip out this little diddy, I'm just trying to bide my time until I stop dripping sweat. Just finished running on the treadmill and the whole time I spent it trying to talk myself into running just a bit longer (and I hated every minute of it). When does the so called "runner high" kick in? Never mind answering that. I don't care and will probably still hate running. Wonder why I'm doing it? Get comfortable...

Once upon a time there were two families who were the best of friends (at least as close as friends in WV can be without being related). The wives of these two families thought it would be a good challenge to run a 5K. Wife #1 (we'll just call her "Jen") sometimes just says things that sound fun but she doesn't really want to attempt it or heaven forbid, accomplish it. She would even consider herself a tad bit lazy. Wife #2 (we'll call her "Riss") thought this was such a great idea that she tells a mutual friend ,who we should mention, loves to run triathlons and is in charge of church activities. Ugh, what have you done?! (Side Note: Riss did receive a phone call from Jen expressing in a very loving, friendly way her displeasure with her extreme enthusiasm.) Next church activity--you guessed it. A 5K. Family #1 and Family #2 discussed it. Threats, challenges and trash-talk was dished out. Losers take us (I mean the "winners") out to dinner of our choice and they pay. Now, Jen has a theory that misery loves company. She invites Family #3 to join in the fray. So now we have three wonderful families silently plotting the demise of the other families and spying on their efforts. Jen doesn't do well with challenges. She takes them to the extreme and spends her days and nights secretly plotting against her greatest friends (she inherited this quality from her father). I only share these shortcomings with you so that you more fully understand Jen's weaknesses. No, she's not perfect for all of those who thought she was. Stay tuned to see who wins. The Turtles or the Hares or the Stevensons (we'll call them the "Roadrunners").

P.S. I love family #2 and #3 and all this nonsense is in jest. Just in case you couldn't tell or don't know me very well.

Drum Roll Please???

Never mind. I'll roll my own drum because it's been so long and the return to my blog is a small drop in the bucket compared to the vast eternities. I wish there was an excuse, i.e. extreme busyness, important deadlines, or untiring service in the behalf of someone else but all I could come up with, honestly, is pure laziness. So let's recap...

School ended with a bang (and is about to begin again with a bang) and we celebrated at an ice cream shop. Four of those children aren't mine. You guess which four.

Memorial Day began in a canoe...
and ended out of the canoe with mom and dad pulling their sorry carcasses through the water.

(Caution: objects in picture are heavier than they appear.)

Paige celebrated #7 this year with water fights, tattoos (real ones of course), and a night at the movies.

Look how happy this crazy bunch is.

All cooled down and sugared up. Off to the movies for a parental break.

Water fights were rough on the grown-ups.

This was just the beginning... as the story goes. Up next: new house updates and demolition, family visits, swim team champs (in our book) and darker tans. In other words--regular summer stuff.

Home improvement = self impalement

So I was doing a few projects around the new house and was putting up some shelves in the pantry. I somehow managed to insert the drill bit pictured below into my knee just under my patella. How I accomplished such a feat is a story in itself...Lane held a bit of pressure at the puncture site whilst I proceeded to lie down and faint. A good friend came to get the kiddos and foolishly volunteered to help my wife carry me to the car. Quite a sight...these two lovely ladies hauling my disheveled self to the car. ER visit was unremarkable...images negative, lots of irrigation thru the puncture site, knee swells to the size of a baseball...I proceed to turn white for a second time and lay myself back down on the stretcher while the PA continues with the irrigation. Get a tetanus shot, some antibiotics, some pain pills for later, and I'm sent on my way. Being on the other side of provider/patient fence sucks. No more home improvement projects for awhile. What a way to spend my spring break vacation.

Drill bit next to foot for size and scale purposes

You can see the left over remnants of my knee on the drill bit.

What 14 "snow days" can do for you.

Seriously, another one. Today is #14 in one month. The snow really should be going to Vancouver and who ordered this much anyway. I wouldn't mind watching it on TV instead of out my window. There have been a few things we have accomplished.

1. Lane is mastering Mario Galaxy as we type.

2. I have forgotten that the world still has deadlines. I failed to sign Lane up for basketball. He handled it well considering that we have weeks of make-up games from his winter league.

3. The kids have exercised their muscles by knocking off icicles from our roof and no one was impaled. 

4. Blake thinks it's unfair that there are no snow days for him. Lane told him this morning that when he becomes a kid lawyer he'll make it so dads can have snow days and 2 hr delays, too.

5. The kids have gotten pretty sick and not had to miss any days of school. 

They (the weathermen) tell me spring is just around the corner. I'll believe it when I see it.

Time Out For Women (TOFW)

I just wanted to share this video. I know it's not new and most people have seen it. "Time Out for Women" Conference is coming to Pittsburgh and I've been asked to help out a little. I love these mini weekends. Blake takes the kids and I get a hotel with other women (it takes me back to High School and rooming with a bunch of cheerleaders-good times, good times). I've been able to go two other times. Once in Albany, NY and once in Richmond, VA. They have both been amazing and uplifting and completely hilarious. You know when you can't stop laughing and have to cross your legs and have tears running down your face because you can't breathe? It's that kind of laughing.

Hillary Weeks will be one of the presenters that will be in Pittsburgh. I'm looking so forward to hearing her speak and sing. I love listening to women who understand and appreciate the glamour (or lack of glamour) of being a mother, wife, and daughter of God and find humor in it. As time gets closer I'll share tidbits of other presenters that will be there. If you live in the Pittsburgh area, totally check it out. And if you live a little ways away (like old friends in Albany or CT) still check it out and come see me (consider me one of you own personal 'presenters').  Mark the date: April 23-24th.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

it's cold, wet, gray, and miserable. Pretty accurate for this time of year. I'm privately holding a grudge against a certain popular groundhog for telling me that I have to deal with it for 6 more weeks. Ugh.

I am thinking...

about what to have for dinner. Isn't this the dilemma for most moms?

I am thankful...

that we found a house and our offer has been accepted. Paige was doing a happy "we have a house" dance. I secretly think she just wants the kitty-cat daddy promised her.

From the kitchen...

dirty dishes are multiplying and I don't know how. Shhh, it's a mystery.

I am wearing...

clothes. Does it really matter and does anyone ever care? I'll just promise you that I'm wearing something.

I am creating...

a dip in my bed. You know, the dip that occurs when you can't get your butt out of bed. 

I am reading...

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima. A great YA book.

I am hoping...

that my husband continues to love and accept my inadequacies. Okay, loving my inadequacies is pushing it. Just accept them and keep coming home to me.

I am hearing...

the news. Nothing new going on in the news.

One of my favorite things...

Monopoly on my iTouch. I love being able to yell at the other computer pieces and not hurt their feelings. And when I'm losing the game I can just quit. Or when I'm winning I can drag it out and make it as painful as I can for the unemotional computer pieces. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

read to Paige's class, paper mache a president's head, PTA, and the greatly anticipated NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation) dinner. 

A picture thought I am sharing...

This was a new kid-friendly dinner we tried this week. Lane saw it in a Family Fun magazine and wanted to try it. Two of his favorites: noodles and hot dogs. Spear the 1-inch hot dogs with 4 angel hair pasta noodles and then throw it all in to cook together. Wa-La, squid dogs. Only problem: Ketchup or Butter?

Presidential Opinions

The other day I asked Lane to do something (can't even remember what it was). And of course as most children do, they don't do it. So I repeated myself and asked 'nicely' again. Blake always makes matters easier and said, "Man, your mom is a slave driver." To which Lane replied, "I know. I thought Abraham Lincoln did away with slavery a long time ago."

Lane's Firsts

I don't remember when Lane first started to sleep through the night, his first tooth or when his first word was spoken, but in the past couple of weeks Lane has had other firsts' that have been monumental.

He played the half-time at the WVU Women's basketball game. 

The full court wore the kids out pretty good. 

He also made it on the jumbo-tron with his killer dance moves.

TWICE.

We had court side seats but Paige wanted to sit in the highest seats they would let us.

I think the guy a couple of rows in front of us was irritated at us because the kids were actually cheering, most obnoxiously, for the Lady Mountaineers.

He was also inducted into the "Little Man kill innocent cute Bambi League". 

To be accepted you had to have the blood wiped on your face and smell the deer poo (Thanks Scott for making it up as you go.)

Lane shot this deer all by himself and made a perfect shot through the vitals.

Rather impressive and he gives all the credit to Cabela's Outdoor Adventures on the Wii.

Maybe there is an endorsement out there for this little man.

And last but definitely not least. His father taught him how a boy wears nylons.

Admit it. Everyone of you boys have done this.

Times may change but boys never do.

It was a pretty exciting month for us and dinner has been good.

You pick a good one, Lane.

Resolve to be Imperfect

I'll admit to the whole blog-o-shere (3 people that read this) that I'm horrible at resolutions for the new year. But year after year I still make and break the high expectations for myself. I've concluded that I purposefully fail at these meager attempts of perfection because my family and friends prefer me imperfect. Can you imagine hanging out with someone who is ALWAYS perfect? It would get very boring and probably make you feel insecure and uncomfortable about your own self. So for you all, here is my excuse: I do it for you! Now that we got that out of the way, here is what I've resolved to do this year.

1. Be more patient with our house hunting (shhhh, don't tell my mom. She thinks were still moving out closer to them.) I've been in a really bad mood off & on for no good reasons. Except that we can't find the perfect house/yard for the perfect price/free.

2. For the first time in a really long time, I'm not going to set a "weight loss" goal. My son likes the way I smell so I'll focus on that and be the best-smelling-mom this side of the Mississippi.

3. Allow more time for being creative. (i.e. get off the couch, stop reading 8 books a month, and be creative)

4. #3 leads me to #4. Note to Blake: Avert your eyes while you don't read this next one. I'm serious Blake. Look there is a pink elephant over there. Clean out the office. So I can be creative and not dirty up the rest of the house.

I'll stop there. Space out my small imperfections so that I have something to work on next year.

Seriously, I also have more spiritual goals to work on. Life's not all about smelling good. Well, to my boy it may be.