Pet Peeve

I have never been a good journal writer. I know how it is to be on a roll and write every day for weeks and even months and then have a lapse for a year or more.

And so . . . I don't know if this is really a fair thing to complain about. But since it is driving me crazy today, I will post.

When I first set up my blog I was disappointed that the address I wanted was already taken. It was even more discouraging when I realized the blog had been set up, posted one day, and never touched again. It was late at night when we came across the momenator idea. Kim and I thought it was kind of funny being a cross between a mom and a terminator.

I finally decided to look for a new blog address that suited us better and let's just say . . . a little more "cute." I had several really great ideas. They were all taken. But that's not the part that really bugs me. Most of those blogs had only been written in a few times and then vacated for years at a time. One hadn't been touched in over six years.

I do understand that sometimes things get put on the back burner. And I also realize that not everyone is semi-addicted to blogging like I am. But maybe they could just release there blog addresses back into the wild where caring bloggers would adopt and nurture them.

Battle of Wills

This morning the newness has worn off for little Nick. He decided to engage in a battle of wills with me. He was throwing a little tantrum this morning and I told him he needed to go sit on the red couch for 2 minutes and calm down before he could have breakfast. He is almost three and very smart. I know he knew what I was talking about. His tantrum lasted about an hour and a half. Several times I asked him if he wanted breakfast and then explained what he needed to do. Twice he even started walking towards the red couch. When he was about a foot in front of it he turned and looked at me and then turned around and went to the other side of the room and sat down on the floor. He did everything he could think of to get breakfast but I held my ground until he sat calmly on the red couch for two minutes. When he finally did it we cheered and he ate breakfast and all was back to normal, whatever normal is.

Invisible Pens

No, these are not the kind that write with invisible ink to send secret messages. These are the markers that a little two year old used to draw a picture. When he was finished all that was left were the marker caps. It has been two days and still no markers to be had or found.

Heavenly

Heavenly. Yes, that is her name. Her name is an adjective.


She smiles and giggles at almost every moment she is awake.

First Snow Fall

It started snowing last night. The kids were so excited. I took another picture this morning because I knew it would all be melted by the afternoon. We always have snow here each winter. It just never seems to last very long. Hopefully there will be at least one storm that the kids can play in and make a snowman.

The Recipient

Today I was the recipient of a sneeze from an eight month old baby who had a mouthful of chicken with vegetables baby food.

Pictures

You can check out pictures of our new foster kids on Kim's Blog.

Words Spoken

Words spoken by me on the way home from church yesterday:

Just for future reference, Thomas, please do not bring your handcuffs to church again.

Summary

I do believe this has been the longest I have been without blogging. There is too much to update everything so here is a brief summary.

We have two new foster children. Yes, I know. We are completely insane. Their names are Nickolas, age 2, and Heavenly, age 8 months. Pictures will soon follow.

Uncle Larry came to visit for a few days. Fun! The kids just love it when he is here.

We had a nice Thanksgiving with our family, Uncle Larry, and Tracy, Virginia, and Jeana.

No early morning Friday crazy holiday shopping this year. We slept in and bought a couple of things online instead.

Bought a couple cords of wood and Todd stacked it with the kids while I went to the store with Kim.

It is very very very cold in Idaho.

That's all I can come up with for now. I hope to get back on the blogging train again.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Miscellaneous Week

Events of the week:

2 nights of dry pack canning (and more today)

1st fire of the season in the fireplace

Cleaned and organized the costume / holiday closet

Lavell entered the MTC

Answers to 2 Truths and a Lie

I once sat in the backyard and chatted with the governor of Idaho, Butch Otter.

This is true. When he was campaigning he came to our neighbor's home and Todd and I both visited with him.

I once came in 2nd place in a poker, Texas hold 'em, tournament.

This is true. Last year at Todd's work Christmas party they had a Texas Hold'em tournament. We didn't use our own money. My prize was $30 or $40. And if you sat down today and played with me, you would have to teach me all over again.

I once climbed to the top of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.

This is false. But it is true for my husband, Todd. When we lived in Nevada he went with a couple of friends all the way to the top.

Black and White Visitor

Late Saturday night, about 11:00, I was laying on the edge of my bed watching TV. The little kids were all in bed and I was waiting up for Kim to get home. I started to smell a skunk. It got so strong that I started to look around to see if a window was open. I went to the office to ask Todd if he smelled something funny. He said, "Like a skunk?" I told him I could smell it really strong in our bedroom. And he told me he had seen one outside and thought he had chased it away.

I went back in the room and laid down on the bed. All of a sudden the smell was so unbearable that I sat up to see what happened. In walks our dog and lays down on the floor.

"It's the dog! Get him out of the house!" I yelled.

Oh, yes. Our dog got in a fight with a skunk.

He was banished to the garage for the night as we sprayed odor eliminator throughout the house. The next morning Todd spent bathing Bear, 4 times. He called the dog groomer for tips. The mixture that finally seemed to work consisted of Joy dish detergent, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.

He smells almost normal. If you get real close to him you can still smell it. He hasn't got much petting or attention the last couple of days. It might be time for another shave.

2 Truths and a Lie

I once sat in the backyard and chatted with the governor of Idaho, Butch Otter.

I once came in 2nd place in a poker, Texas hold 'em, tournament.

I once climbed to the top of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.

Can you guess which is which?

A Joy Ride

As I came out of parent-teacher conferences this morning at the school I called Kim to see if she was ready to be picked up. As I was approaching the car the wind caught my stack of papers and two of them went floating off into the wind. I tell Kim to hold on for a second while I race to step on and retrieve the papers.

I unlock the car from my key chain, open the door, and sit down. I notice there is two punch cards on the floor, one from Krispy Kreme Donuts and one from Dutch Bros. Coffee. "How strange," I say to myself, "that there would be a coffee punch card in my car. That must be Kim's because she sometimes goes to Dutch Bros. for hot chocolate and smoothies." I still have Kim on the phone. I say to her, "These must be yours." As I am about to explain what I meant I reach over and put my stack of papers on the seat next to me.

There is a strange purse on the floor between the two seats. I am about to ask Kim if she left her purse in the car when I realize I have never seen that purse before in my life. "Why is this purse in my car?"

"Is this my car?" I turn around to look in the back seat and there is a car seat that I have never seen before. "I am in the wrong car!" I hurry and grab my papers off the seat and tell Kim I will have to call her back in a minute. I shut the car door and take one more look at the car. It looks just like mine. I look up at the antenna. No pink Princess Minnie Mouse head. Wrong Car!

I look down the isle and spot my van. I climb in with my heart beating a little fast. I realize I still have the punch cards in my hand. I have to get the cards back in the other van but don't want to open the door in case the people are coming and think I am breaking into their car. I see people coming and wait to make sure they don't climb into to the identical twin van. They walk past and I quickly slip the cards into the window and walk away.

6:30 am

At 6:30 this morning I was relaxing in the hot tub with my husband watching the sun rise. What a great way to start the day.

Just Make Yourself Comfortable

After school I found Kim reading in the mud room.

Time to Relax

Looking ahead to this 4 day weekend, I decided to treat myself to some relaxation time before the kids get home. After I loaded the dishwasher and threw in one more load of laundry I went into my room and shut the door for 45 minutes. I turned on a CD and lit a candle that both remind me of being at a day spa. I then laid on my bed. It took a while for my brain to slow down and relax. I fell asleep for about 20 minutes. It felt so great! I think I am ready to tackle the world again.

In an Instant

I have had the same pair of sunglasses for a very long time, so long that I can't remember when I got them. I take very good care of them. They are usually in the car in a special holder unless I am driving or at an outside event. I am very careful to not get scratches or even fingerprints on them.

A few days ago I was getting out of the car at Walmart and realized I still had my sunglasses on. I set them gently on the seat of the car and made a mental note to remember they were there. When I came back to the car after shopping I hopped in the car. It wasn't until several minutes later that I remembered where I had left my glasses. I was sitting right on them.

They looked almost normal, just a little bent. Now every time I put them on, they just don't fit quite right. Those sunglasses that I took such great care of for so long are damaged in a short instant.

What to Blog About

It's not that I don't have time to blog. I always take a few minutes every day at the computer to check my email and read my favorite blogs. Even with all of the craziness that goes on at our house, I haven't found much to blog about lately. I hope that changes soon.

Halloween Candy Tradition

After trick or treating is over, all of the kids get to pick 5 candies out of their bucket that they really want to keep for themselves. Then everything else goes into the pot for the whole family to share.

You would think after 4 days that the candy in our pot would be much smaller than it is. It is still heaping full, even with 9 people digging into it.

To Lavell

We have enjoyed having your pumpkin on our front step. Thanks for sharing!