Last day of NaBloPoMo!!

I had almost made it, too. Forgot a couple of days in there - but oh well. Maybe next year, right? Maybe I'll have more interesting things to blog about than my random thoughts and complaints about this and that.

Today church was all about finances. ALL about finances. Sacrament meeting was about finances. I don't think Sunday School was (I didn't go, got sidetracked in the hall). Joint Relief Society/Priesthood was about finances.

I left third hour feeling pretty hopeless. I am not in any way harping on the teacher or the doctrine. I know we need to get out of debt. I know we need to be better at budgeting. The reason I felt so hopeless leaving class was because I don't feel I have an out now. We had the young men and young women join us and the Bishop showed them where all of our money goes. He used a pay scale similar to ours and showed where every penny (should) go. I think it opened the eyes of the youth a lot. But by the time he factored in $350 food budget, the budget was in the hole $7. That didn't even factor in medical bills, cell phone (which is required for Popeye to have), cable, internet, miscellaneous debt, etc... We weren't really given a plan of action, which is what I was secretly hoping for. I don't think I am alone in feeling the pressure of getting ahold of our finances. I wonder if anyone else feels as disheartened as I do.

So, that being said, Popeye and I need to come up with a plan. We need to figure this stuff out. Some of the random thoughts going through my head are:
~Do we take out a massive loan to consolidate debt (including the van payment) and then use the van payment to pay a new massive loan? This would also finish the fixing of the house.
~Do we make our creditors wait until February and then pay most of them off with our tax refund? And then save to fix the house?
~Do we make minimum payments and hope for the best?
~Do we play the lotto and pray (this one time) that we win (because really we could do so much good with $92 million)?
~Do we burden our bishop with our problems and ask the church for help?
So many thoughts with not a lot of hope.........

That's how I feel today. Popeye says it's because we didn't pay our tithing right away. I reminded him that we did. We might've waited until TODAY to pay our tithing, but none of our other bills have been paid yet and it IS the first Sunday after payday - so it's not like I'm ripping off the Lord.

Anyway. I know there must be a way out. Can anyone tell me how you're doing it and what has helped you? And if you're lurking - I hope you will answer this - at least this one time.

Random thoughts by Her Royal Highness

~Who thought to combine peanuts and hot tamale candies? Whoever it was is a GENIUS!
~Popeye found Princess Monkey Eyes' other church shoe today; hopefully we won't have the same drama that ensued last week.
~Princess Monkey Eyes' tutu is going to be freaking AWESOME!!! (She thinks it's for her cousin, but it's not!) I'm so sneaky like that.
~Photoshop is a really awesome program. I only wish I had a more recent version of it. But I DID manage to figure out how to tweak my family picture enough to make our Christmas cards easy and fast!
~Thor seems to have an infatuation with wearing scrunchies on his wrist. I remember having that same infatuation back in high school.
~What's up with people thinking it's cool to get drunk? I never got that in high school & I still don't get it.
~I know I said I love indoor plumbing but today has proven to be a rough day in the Royal Household when it comes to the kitchen sink.
~I can't wait for our Halloween candy to be gone. Thor has issues.

I guess that's all for tonight.

This & That

Yes, I was thankful yesterday. Well, I'm still thankful - I just forgot to blog yesterday.

I did all the cooking. Dinner was SCRUMPTIOUS! Popeye did the clean-up; it's a fair trade. He also took the kids to try and find "Space Chimps" at the Red Box but someone beat us to it. So he headed to VoldeMart and bought it instead. We had movie night last night. It was great. Cute flick - glad he got it. And thanks to Sara for her magical munchy popcorn!!! I totally made some for movie night and it was simply DELISH! I think I should've added a hint of salt to my popcorn while popping it, though - it would've complimented nicely I think.

Today Popeye braved the wilds of VoldeMart to try and get me that 500GB external hard drive. He didn't get it, even though he was one of the first ones in the door. Our VoldeMart wasn't too prepared for Black Friday. See, he normally doesn't DO the Black Friday thing. But since my computer isn't recognizing my CD/DVD drive and everything I've done to try and get it to recognize that drive hasn't worked, I now must back up my system & start over from scratch. I have seriously LOADS of files, pics, music, etc... on my computer. It's not going to fit on some dinky 4GB flash drive. So we first thought, "yeah, how can we back up the computer without a CD drive?" AH HA!!! An external hard drive! That's the ticket!

But they were nowhere to be found & Popeye left with only 4 pairs of jammies for the munchkins.

I then jumped in the van when he got home (because there were some other things I was wanting to try and get) and when I got to VoldeMart (10 minutes after Popeye left), I beelined for the section where they were supposed to be found & was told that "we're sold out". I asked how that could be since my hubby had been sent on a wild goose chase through the store for said item and they were nowhere to be found. (I was almost acting as if he should reproduce one just for me because I NEEDED it as opposed to others who just were in it for the deal.) Kind man that he was told me that by the time they even got pulled out of the back and got to his section of the store he was left with only one to display.

Stupid Black Friday Shoppers. So I went and perused through the rest of the merchandise and settled on a $4 food chopper (since mine kicked the bucket during my onion chopping fest yesterday) and a $4 crock pot (since my 6-qt one is about to go the way of my food chopper) for myself and a few other miscellaneous things. Hey, while I was there I might as well pick up some diapers, wipes & pull-ups, right? So I did.

Silly me forgot the elastic for Princess M.E.'s tutu, so I'll have to return tomorrow to get that and I also forgot the crazy glue to fix this year's ornament that Princess broke while playing with it.

Oh yeah - and if braving the crowds wasn't bad enough, our brakes on the van have seen WAY better days. Imagine, if you will, a growling, menacing tiger every time one even TAPS the brake pedal. So Popeye called the shop & they got me in right away. I sat there fretting about how much I was sure this was going to cost me.

$200 and 2 1/2 hours later, I left - but at least the tiger has been put to rest. (I was sure that the cost would be well over $400.)

So now I sit here wondering what else could go wrong today and find myself looking through pictures on my hard drive. This one cracks me up.

(*Note - I am not opposed to Norway and harbor no ill-feelings towards the country or its citizens - I just think it's funny.)

To make or not to make?

I know we all do it. We domesticated divas feel it is our divine right to enhance others' lives with our artwork. Some of us feel obligated while others take the initiative full force with enthusiasm and gusto.

I'm talking about handmade gifts. I've been known to make custom clipboards for teachers, paper crafted paint cans, scrapbooks, ornaments and cards - just to name a few.

This year all of my clients will be getting something homemade from me: wooden blocks with letters spelling out Joy in vinyl. My female family members will be getting something homemade as well. I won't tell though, because sometimes my family members lurk without telling me - so I want to keep it a surprise. The teachers this year will be getting homemade ornaments - little mini books with pictures of the class (or blank - depending on the teacher).

Princess Monkey Eyes LO-HO-HOVES to dress up. Not only does she have 3 ballerina outfits (care of my mother, not that I'm complaining - I'm thrilled that the ballerina costumes started this), but she also has 4 princess dresses as well. Most recently her fascination has been with wedding dresses. She wants one. And she wants a veil. In fact, she has me tape wipees to little figurines in the form of wedding dresses and veils. So I scoped out Target and they had one - but I didn't like it. So I'm going to make her one. Check out what it 'should' look like when I'm done!

Pretty, huh? SOOO frilly & foofy & poofy & flowy. Just like Princess M.E. likes it.

Today I went to my doctor appointment (It's an hour and half drive, one way) and I stopped off at JoAnn's to check out the price on tulle. Did you know today was the last day of their Merry Moolah sale? That included 50% off of tulle. So, what SHOULD have cost me $1.50 a yard was only 75 cents!!! I bought the rest of the bolt (16 yards). I probably didn't need that much. I thought I read somewhere that to make a super puffy tutu you needed 12 yards of tulle. But then again, I think I read it wrong. So I really only need 4. Maybe I'll make a few for Ladybug and Butterfly, too - or for the other girl cousins... Not sure yet. Anyway - all that tulle cost me less than $13!!!

So - are you making things for Christmas? Are you baking for your neighbors? (I am!) Are you one of those people that feels obligated and does it because it's expected of them (like being LDS and marrying an RM) or do you actually take joy in the journey? I'm a little bit of both - although Popeye isn't an RM. Are your gifts received well? I know at least some of the time I get it right & people have enjoyed my handmade treasures.

But as for Christmas this year - at least Princess Monkey Eyes will be thrilled with the newest addition to her dress-up box!

Share your ideas here!!! I'm game for more!

Tuesday Tip!

In the interest of time, today's post will be short, sweet & to the point.

Tuesday Tip:

When cleaning the bathroom, before you dust or wash anything that might be positioned above the toilet, make sure you close the toilet seat.

Have a good night everyone!

White beans and black beans

Have you ever had that moment when you realize that everything is out of control and it's time to put your foot down?

Popeye had that moment yesterday.

I know that it's more common than not that families bicker and fight on Sunday mornings. But we've been bickering and fighting more than just Sundays. We feed off each other, it seems. And it snowballs. Kinda like a bar fight in Podunk-ville - everyone wants a piece of the action. Popeye was fed up yesterday. On the way home from church he said, "As soon as we get home, everyone go sit on the living room couch." Uh huh. Apparently Popeye was just a teensy upset - because he doesn't do this. Ever.

So we sat down and he lectured us on our attitudes and behavior and how it WILL stop or there will be absolutely no Christmas in the Royal Household. THAT got the kids' attention. So after some brainstorming, we came up with a solution.

Beans. White and black to be exact. White beans for good behavior. Black for bad. The more white beans, the more presents (or more expensive the present) at Christmas. Black beans are for atrocious behavior: i.e. using words like hate, kill, stupid, etc... and fighting with extremities or "weapons". For little tiffs and arguments, it's just less white beans. But black beans have to seriously be worked off if you want it taken out of your jar.

The kids are all over this. They all woke up this morning happy, got dressed & beds made without asking. Mr. Fantastic even traded Princess Monkey Eyes his breakfast plate just to keep the peace. Who knew that rewarding good behavior would lead to such peace?

In this house, it's all about the beans.

100 Posts!!!

And I have nothing cool to do today for it. Well, I do. But I am so exhausted that I just can't bring myself to doing it today.

But yay me! I've posted 100 times on this blog. Quite the undertaking for the most part. Some posts were pretty funny. Others, not so much. Some have hurt people's feelings (which is never my intention and I'm still very sorry about that) and others have uplifted and edified.

So I am not going to do anything spectacular like post 100 things about me (because really, I don't think I'm that interesting) or a huge giveaway (I'm saving that for my birthday in March). Just know that I've accomplished something that I didn't think I would - and I'm proud of that.

And as an added thought (because I've been thinking of it a lot today, since the day started), I have been contemplating other religions compared to ours. I have a friend who was going to be out of town this weekend and I wondered if she would be going to church where she was at. But she's not LDS, so it made me think of where her services would be and what they would teach.
If it were me, I'd go to church with my inlaws or parents or just to an LDS church that I could find. And I'd know that what I was learning that day would be the same (relatively) as if I were at home. But is it that way for my friend? I don't think so. The pastors, in my understanding, just teach whatever they feel inspired to teach - and then it's to their understanding and interpretation of it. And I feel sorry for my friend and others in her shoes.
Just my thoughts today.

So, there's my deep spiritual insight for the day - for my 100th post.
And now I'll get some ice cream for everyone and then I'm heading to bed. Seriously, I'm going to bed at 7 tonight, I can barely keep my eyes open.

Spaghetti noodles vs. any other noodle

Mr. Fantastic hates spaghetti. He wasn't always this way, though. When he was a toddler it was his favorite food. We'd have spaghetti every Friday night just because we knew he would eat it.

Now it's the worst thing that we can ever ask of him to eat. I can't say it's like pulling teeth (he actually enjoys that). I guess I can liken it to having a family portrait taken where everyone is smiling nicely - aint gonna happen.

However, if I change the noodles, all is well. I can switch it out to penne (like tonight) or bowties or shells or rigatoni and he'll eat it all without grumbling. I can even switch it up with linguini and he's fine with it.

What gives?

Twilight? I don't think so.

Tonight half of my ward drove down south (40+ miles) to go see Twilight.

Not me. Not interested.

You know what I'm doing tonight? I'm dying my hair. That's right. I'm pregnant and I'm dying my hair. And because I'm dying my hair, baby #5 will come out with 3 eyes, 5 arms and 12 toes. I can handle that.

No, in all seriousness - we're having family pictures taken tomorrow and my hair color seriously needed some updating. I don't remember the last time I got my hair dyed, but it was long enough to grow out down to my ears. So the top part of my head was a natural brown, the bottom half a lighter brown. Couldn't have THAT in my family pics.

If I had more money, I'd go to a girlfriend who's a hair stylist - but since I don't have the money, I bought a kit at VoldeMart and just finished rinsing my hair of step one. Now I'll let it air dry for a while and then attempt to put some subtle highlights in it. Hopefully it will turn out okay. I've never had a botched home-dye job before - so I don't see why it wouldn't turn out all right.

But there's a first time for everything, right? I'll post pics when I'm done, unfortunately I didn't take before pics. Oh well, take my word for it - it really needed help!

And so it ends

The happiness and helpfulness that was earlier this week is no more.

I am oh. so. sad.

I don't have a whole lot to talk about today. I neglected to post yesterday (as much as I meant to) but fell asleep on the couch because I got up super early to get ready for my day. But if I DID post yesterday evening, it would've talked about the wonderful day I had.

I cleaned in the morning. And then I had card group for lunch - which I was pretty happy about the turnout of the cards this month. And after that I got ready for dinner. We had another cop come over for dinner with his family. They were wonderful. We sat and talked around the dinner table for over 2 hours. And we made plans for them to come over and have a candy making night while listening to the Forgotten Carols or other Christmas music. We're all so excited. TD really wanted a can of my peaches so I told him that was fine. But when they left, I realized that I had forgotten to give them to him. So Popeye called him back (they were just around the corner) and when Popeye gave him the peaches he also gave him a Book of Mormon. I went into the back room to get jammies for Thor and Popeye said that while I was back there, TD was seriously thankful and touched that Popeye would even consider giving him such a gift.
I had invited them to church and we hope to see them there soon. The Spirit was really strong last night.

Today I cleaned again. And then I went to VoldeMart to get some stuff for dinner & shirts for our upcoming photo shoot on Saturday. I'm so excited that Mr. Cap'n has agreed to take our family pictures. I'm not even sure if he's going to charge us for it or not, but what a great Christmas present from him if he doesn't. :D (Cap'n, are you reading this?) Even if he does, it will be SO worth it. So when we get them back, I'll be sure to post those.
the last time we had a family picture taken, it was taken by MOI - in our kitchen, wrapped in Christmas lights. I was pregnant with Thor. They turned out really good, but I'm no Mr. Cap'n. I might just have to put the photos on the wall. :)

Tonight I start working on the Christmas presents for teachers, friends & family. I'd post what it is, but then it would spoil the surprise. So once I mail/hand them out, I'll post pics of what I made. I'm pretty excited about it!

So I'm off! I will ignore the mess behind me, the disobedience of the kids and the crying and whining and just absorb myself in a world of cardstock, glue & creativity!
SERENITY NOW!!!

November is supposed to be WHAT?!

Today the radio DJ said it was "unseasonably warm" outside.

On average, here in my neck of the woods, the temperature ranges in the lower 50's upper 40's with some colder days in there, too. Snow even.

Today it was 80 degrees. No, that's not a typo. It seriously was GORGEOUS outside. Popeye even took pity on my growing inability to maintain my equilibrium and got on the ladder to finish painting the trim on the front of the house. And we took the kids to the playground where Mr. Fantastic beat Popeye at tether ball 2 out of 3 times and Thor got a kick out of putting rocks on the slide and then sliding through them.
I took pictures, but am too tired to post them right now. Sorry.

So, is it just me, or does it seem like 'Mother Nature' is confused with her seasons. Wildfires in California (so NOT wildfire season). We're experiencing summer temperatures. Anyone else out there have some funky weather going on?

Who are you and what have you done with my children?!

Stage setting:

1 mother and 4 munchkins sitting at the kitchen table eating pizza.
Mom: "Buddy, what were your highs and lows for the day?"
Mr. F: "My high was that I won in tether ball today. My low was when you wouldn't let me invite my friend over or go back to the school to play tether ball."
Mom: "Sorry about that. But I really didn't feel like doing anything fun knowing you wouldn't help me around the house. So, um, who cleaned the living room and dining room?"
Kids: "You."
Mom: "Yup. So we're going to do something tonight. Together. As a team. We're all going into each room together and helping each other clean the rooms."
*slight mumbling, but not as bad as expected.*

So after dinner we headed into Princess Monkey Eyes' room and I sat on the bed reminding to pick up and look under the beds, while ALL the kids worked together to put everything away where it was supposed to be.
And then we went downstairs to the boys' room and did the same.
And then we went into the family room and did the same.
And then I made a list of deadly chemicals and they were on a hunt to bring them all to the bathroom. They donned pink rubber gloves that reached to their armpits (or close to) and each one took a separate "station" in the bathroom. Mr. Fantastic was on toilet duty. Optimus Prime had shower and floors. Princess Monkey Eyes had the sink and mirror. Not only did they wait patiently while I explained each post but they did their work in such a way that I didn't need to go over it as badly as I had anticipated.

When they finished, we went upstairs, had two pieces of candy each and read scriptures. Popeye stopped in for a bite to eat while we were reading and he stuck around to see the proud tour of the house and have family prayer.

Then the kids got in bed.

And ALL of this was done with absolutely NO complaining. By anyone. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

What a glorious way to end the day.

Pressure cooking 101

Do you own a pressure cooker? Do you even know what one is? Do you have *fond* memories of your mother (or someone else - not YOU, of course) opening the pressure cooker before the pressure inside had subsided and beef stew or ham and beans exploding everywhere?

Tonight I cooked with my pressure cooker. It's not the first time. But close to it.
Popeye said dinner was fine. Ummm. He's a liar. I cooked a ham in it (after cooking the potatoes for potatoes au gratin). And even though I added 3 cups of water, the ham was a bit ... shall we compare it to saddle leather? I tried 'rehydrating' it with the glaze I concocted (which really was VERY yummy) but sadly, it did not come back to life.

It seems a lot of the meat dishes I prepare in my pressure cooker end up this way. Pork roast. Pork ribs. Ham.
HEY!!! Maybe it's the pig!!!!

Well, disregard THIS post, I just won't cook anymore pig products in my pressure cooker and I'll be fine! (Wilbur, you're free!!!)

Daydream Believer

Today I was reading an old issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine and saw that Becky Higgins made a little scrapbook about herself. I've done this before. It was before I got pregnant with Thor. I had a wonderful time altering a children's board book, taking pictures that defined who I was and what interests I had at that moment in time, recording my testimony of the gospel...
In Becky's book, she included her top ten. Her list included: What I'm NOT crazy about, modern conveniences I wouldn't want to live without, things - people - places I want to see before I die, average prices today, things I would totally splurge on if funds were unlimited, and the best feelings.

I didn't read her lists because sometimes it affects my own answers. But it got me thinking. And I think about this more frequently that I care to admit. With funds being as tight as they are (and always will be - face it, I married a cop) I tend to daydream about her top ten list #5 a LOT. Not always in the way she worded it (funds being unlimited), but giving myself a set amount to spend guilt-free. I admit, those Powerball jackpots are pretty tempting. In fact, one night about 5 years ago, the Powerball was up to 92 million dollars. yeah, you read that right. That's $92,000,000.00!!! A whole lot of zeroes if you ask me. I stayed up a majority of the night making lists as to how I would spend $45 million (face it - the government would take half of it). Seriously, I was up until the wee hours of the morning (like 2 or 3 A.M.) deciding what charities would I donate to. How much each family member would get. How much I'd set aside for the kids, retirement, playing, etc... It was INSANE!!! I drove myself insane.
But yet, I still do it. I don't know why I torture myself.

So after I read this little article, it made me think, "has my list changed?" If I had unlimited funds (basically $92 mill) would I split it up the same way or what has changed in my life that I'd alter?

So, here is my top 10, off the top of my head, in no particular order, of ways I would guilt-free spend unlimited funds. Today. (And maybe I'll do this a year from now - or five, to see if priorities changed again.)
1. I would seriously look into implanting Mr. Fantastic on his left side and pay for everything he's needing here and now. This is a $60,000 surgery and a lifetime of costs for upgrades, headpieces, batteries, mics and the ever-so-needed color cap accessories. Not to mention the lifetime check-ups at the audiologist that is out of network for our insurance company...
2. I would finally buy MYSELF some clothes that make me feel beautiful, sexy and young. I got the new catalog for Down East Basics today in the mail. I love most of their clothes - but I've never purchased from them, just because I can't justify the purchase. I'd pour through the catalog and buy those items that just scream, "I would look FABULOUS on you! I would make you FEEL so wonderful!"
3. I would give money to my parents. And Popeye's parents. They've given us so much that it's the least I could do to pay them back and help them out.
4. I would buy furniture. I'm tired of hand-me-down furniture and disorganization. Done. Yeah, done.
5. I'd get rid of all the creditors breathing down my neck by paying them off - in full. I created the debt, I understand this. I am responsible for paying the debt back. I wouldn't cut corners in trying to negotiate a lesser "deal".
6. Not only would the bathroom be finished, but it would be expanded to be bigger and an addition to the house would be added on as well.
7. I would buy my kids everything they want. Just kidding. Just seeing if you're still reading. But I WOULD buy my kids something - I don't know what, though. But they've worked hard lately for their allowance and I'm a firm believer that hard work SHOULD be rewarded.
8. I would give Christmas to a less fortunate family (or two. or three). And have the kids be a major part in it. Anonymously, of course.
9. I would take the family and travel. We'd go to Disney World, definitely! Princess M.E. would NEED to see those Princesses! And I'd want to show them the ocean - a place that will always be in my heart forever. So we'd travel. Maybe take a cruise or two... who knows. I would want to show my kids and experience for myself new cultures.
(Oooh, I'm at 10 - I better make this good.)
10. I would buy Popeye a harley. He deserves it. He used to have one when we first got married. But he had to sell it in order to move away from Colorado and I know he misses it so much. As do I. So, yeah, I'd buy him a harley.

So that's my top 10 things I'd do if funds were unlimited. Some of them people may think are a bit shallow. Some of them aren't. Some of them aren't important in the eternal perspective of things. Some of them are. But these are my needs and wants on this day in my life.
Sometimes it's fun to daydream. Because now I can look at this list, see what's attainable and maybe - just maybe - believe that I can achieve some of these dreams. Maybe someday they WILL happen.

Needing serious creative help

You ever feel like you're just stuck?

I've got a card swap coming up this week. I've known about it for two months now. And I've thought about what kind of card I might make for a lot of those two months. But I just can't seem to wrap my brain around an idea and stick with it.

The theme is "Thank you" but with fall colors/motif. Hmmm. I've copied a bunch of ideas off of random galleries online - to no avail. They all seem to have something that I love about them, but I just don't think I can pull this together. I mean, I HAVE to pull it together - but I don't want to present some mediocre card when some (most) of them are pretty spectacular.

So any ideas to help get my creative juices flowin'? I've got loads of paper. Some fall colored fabric, a few stamps (I'm more a computer generated junkie rather than stamper)... you know, the basics. I'm hoping that by blogging about this tonight it will help me to find that spark and maybe, just maybe it will take fire!

What I need is a crop night. I need to get back to my scrapbooking roots with my girlies and do an all-nighter like I used to do. We would get together at 5pm on Friday night and go until 5pm on Saturday. I was the one known to stay up until 3am scrapping, sleep until 6 and then continue through the day. I'd get a good 20 layouts done on those weekends.

So once all this holiday stuff dies down, maybe I'll host a crop at my house. I'll put in the leaves for the table, invite over some girlies and scrap to my heart's content!

But seriously folks, back to what I'm needing NOW. I need ideas! HELP ME!!!! Do you have any thank you cards that were given to you or you've made that I could get some ideas off of?
Maybe I should just scrapbook tonight and focus more on the cards tomorrow. Maybe that will help get me going...

How well do you know the music?

I'm getting older. Granted, not as old as Popeye, but older. My kids will attest to that.
Music has changed so much in the last 30 years.
So, do you know what kind of music was playing when you came into the world? What was popular? What was "hip"? What was playing on the radio as your mom was rushed to the hospital to deliver you?

For me, it was "Night Fever" by The Bee Gees. Umm, I don't really KNOW that song.
For Popeye it was "Hey Jude" by The Beetles. I KNOW that one. (Love it!!!)
Mr. Fantastic was "Come on over Baby (All I want is you)" by Christina Aguilera (Don't know it.)
Optimus Prime was "Dilemma" by Nelly (Don't know that one, either.)
Princess Monkey Eyes was "Goodies" by Ciara (I've never even heard of that artist!)
And Thor was "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce. (I know the artist, not the song.)

If' you're curious to know what the number one song was on the day YOU were born, click here.

Goes to show how much music has changed through the years, doesn't it?

Too Funny Not To Share

I recieved this FDA warning in my email box the other day. It was too funny not to share!

(Is that what I look like sitting on my exercise ball while folding laundry?)

Tuesday Tip!

I was talking with my client this morning about how her last two weeks had gone. Her mother in law is sick in the hospital (I think with cancer) and she was telling me how worried they all are about her. She then asked how I have been feeling, knowing that I had been sick the last time I went to clean for her.
I informed her that I was fine and that the culprit of my "stomach flu" wasn't actually the flu, but Tums. Go figure. So it was an easy fix for me. We went on talking about how it just really sucks being sick.
And this brings me to today's tip.
If you have a stomach bug (pregnancy related or not) that leaves you running to barf - your best friend should NOT be the toilet, my friends. No! Noo!! NOOO!!! The splash-back effect only enhances the grossness of barfing as does the common fact that the toilet isn't "clean enough" to stick your face in it. This I can attest to from experience. Case in point - while my upstairs toilet had been cleaned the day before my barf-fest ensued, the boys' toilet had not been. And one evening while watching tv, I found myself needing to run into their bathroom to barf. Can I just say, EEEEW!
No, my friends, do not use the toilet. Use the kitchen sink - but only if you have a garbage disposal. I kid you not. You can lean over the sink, turn on the garbage disposal and some cool water and you don't have to smell, see or feel the barf. Not to mention you have the cool water right there to wash your face, rinse your mouth & help you feel a little better.
I know it's a pretty icky subject to talk about - but that is my tip of the week. And it works. I learned this tip during my pregnancy with Mr. Fantastic. And it was wonderful - well, as wonderful as barfing can be.
Happy flu season, everyone! I hope whoever is sick out there gets over it QUICK!

The Latest about Hurricane Thor

No, it isn't a new hurricane watch for the Gulf.
Hurricane Thor hits my house multiple times a day. I kid you not. He comes behind me (or whoever else is cleaning) and undoes everything that was just done. It's tiresome & pointless to pick up while he is awake.
Today is no exception.
I took Thor to MOPS today with me (usually I leave him home with Popeye) so that the house could get picked up while we were gone.
We got home. It was all undone within minutes.
I think the worst part about Hurricane Thor striking is that his arms have grown - or they can stretch to obnoxious lengths. He is able to reach things now that he wasn't able to two weeks ago.
Case in point... The toothbrushes belonging to Popeye, Mr. Fantastic and Optimus Prime have found their way from the middle of the vanity to the toilet on more than one occasion.
Popeye's getting mad.
I'm not sure how to stop Hurricane Thor from striking or how to protect our home from this catastrophe. But I do know that I'm getting sick of the mess.
Off to pick up the family room. Again.

Ever eavesdropped?

I don't mean to eavesdrop. Okay, sometimes I do. Like, I'll be cleaning a client's house and the phone will ring. I'll take out my headphones to listen to the message - because on more than one occasion it's been for ME! (That's the only reason I listen to answering machines now.) But in public settings and such, I try NOT to eavesdrop anymore. It gets me into trouble.

But sometimes overhearing something can be quite comical.

Like the one where the little boy walked up to the bishop and gave him some money & said, "Here Bishop, this is for you." And the bishop responds, "You mean, it's for the Lord." And the boy replies, "No, I mean it's for you. My dad says you're the poorest bishop." (This is in NO WAY whatsoever aimed at my current bishop - he rocks! It really was overheard somewhere.)

So, if you're wanting a few funny "overheard in the ward" type things, head over here. Some of them are outright guffaw funny. My sister has even contributed a few times to them.

Who needs shopping when there's the internet?

I'm here visiting the in-laws this weekend while Popeye is at drill.

Suzy-Q (mother-in-law) told me to leave the kids and go into town to go shopping today.
Gladly.
The stores I went in to (mainly to try and find a few pregnancy shirts) included Old Navy, Target, Macy's and Motherhood Maternity. I also went to JoAnn's and almost bought a bunch of fabric for #5's baby blankets.
Can I tell you something.
I hate shopping now.
Target only had a black cami for me.
Old Navy and Macy's don't have maternity sections.
Motherhood is ridiculously overpriced.
I came home feeling defeated and secretly wishing I had bought some of that "Dead Sea Salt Scrub" from the guy with an accent at the kiosk in the mall. At least my skin would feel soft...
I just can't justify spending $40 on a sweater that I'm going to wear for the next 3 months and then never again. I just can't do it.
And I get the Gapmaternity.com emails telling me all about their sales...yadda yadda yadda. CUTE clothes, don't get me wrong. Just can't justify spending the mulah.
But it looks like Internet shopping is the way I'm going to have to go for this pregnancy. Hope it all fits!

I've been tagged

Since I'm not at my own home right now & the keyboard I'm typing on is one of those wavy ones that I have a hard time with, I thought this would be a good time to tell you Seven Things About Me.

1. My sophomore year of high school I sang back-up for Barry Manilow.
2. I have been to Hawaii twice, once for school and once on my honeymoon.
3. When I eat cereal (which isn't very often because I'm not a cereal lover like my kids) I always eat it from the bottom up because I don't want the cereal to get soggy.
4. I always fall asleep with Popeye's lamp on - always, even if he's out of town.
5. I am notorious for being able to kill flies with my bare hands (when needed).
6. I tend to only have deep spiritual insights when I'm sitting next to my mother in Gospel Doctrine. It's my time to show her I've "matured".
7. I hate moths. They give me the heebie-jeebies with their fluttering wings, sporadic flight patterns & dustiness. I'd much rather kill a spider.

I tag all those who need something to blog about but whose day was rather uneventful. And any others who just want to!

Popeye's big weekend!

At two o'clock this morning my answering machine picked up - but no one left a message.

I couldn't get back to sleep - so I came downstairs, paid some bills & did a little internet surfing.

At 4:30 the phone rang again & I almost didn't answer it, but being sleep deprived, my judgement was off, so I did.

And because I answered it, Popeye went to work early. Like, 7 hours early.
He got home at 2:00 this afternoon and will be home for the rest of the evening!

YAY!

Today Popeye turns 40. That's right folks, my hubby is 9 1/2 years older than me.

He was in 3rd (maybe 4th) grade when I was born.

He was just learning how to drive when I went into kindergarten.

He was in the Navy - just fresh out of high school - when I was going into the 4th grade.

He was going through the police academy when I started driving.

He was an established law enforcement officer by the time I got home from college.

He was about to be "kicked out" of the singles ward (for being too old) when I showed up and swept him off his feet.

Those first few statistics are a bit disturbing, no? But I wouldn't have it any other way.

So this weekend - in order to celebrate Popeye living this long (and I guess to celebrate his dad - Poopdeck Pappy - living this long), we will start the festivities tonight.

Chinese is on the menu for dinner with Strawberry Shortcake (the dessert, not the doll) for dessert. He also gets to open the presents I bought for him - which he should Lo-Ho-Hove!

Tomorrow we'll head to his Dad's house for more cake and a barbeque. His dad bought him a very nice present and I can't wait to see Popeye's face when he opens it. (Sorry Babe, it isn't a Harley. But I promise you'll love it.)

On Saturday he has drill and then he and I get to go on a date while the in-laws watch the munchkins. Can I just tell you how EXCITED I am to go on a date? Most couples continue dating after having kids. Not us. Our idea of a good time is Wednesday Night with an all-new episode of Ghost Hunters. The last time we actually went OUT, without kids, was on MY birthday to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. I know, that was FOR-EVER ago! So I'm pretty excited to go to dinner with him. And then we'll head up to the Adult Session of Stake Conference. Some people would rather go to a movie or do another activity. But not us! He hasn't been to the adult session in YEARS because of his work schedule. So it will be quite enjoyable.

So that is what we're doing for Popeye's big 4-0 birthday! He's not the partying kind, so I didn't think he'd be comfortable with a surprise over-the-hill party. He'd be most happy with a new Harley sitting in the driveway - but that 'aint happenin' this year. Maybe for 50?!

So, Popeye - Happy Birthday! You are seriously the BEST husband and father. I love you!

Picture Tag!!!

Some people are a little blue because of recent political outcomes. So I thought I'd do something a little more comical and upbeat.

It's that time again! PICTURE TAG!!! Instead of going into a certain folder & finding a picture, I want you to post a picture that makes you laugh!!!

Here's mine!

kids, pl. n.: a noise with dirt on it.

Election Day 2008

Umm, I'm a little afraid to admit this - but today was the first day that I have ever taken advantage of my right to vote. I know - I'm a loser. I always had thought that my vote really didn't matter. So I never did it.

What about the last election? Well, I WANTED to vote. I really did. I saw how close it was between Bush and Gore. I knew that voting was something that I needed to do. Unfortunately for me, I had not re-registered in my new jurisdiction to do so. So when I went to go vote, I was nowhere to be found because we had moved 1 block outside the county limits. So it didn't happen.

I made sure that I got it right this time. But walking into the building to vote, I was filled with a bit of fear thinking that maybe I didn't register correctly again. Popeye had the same fear. But there was my name! And Popeye's right beneath mine. PHEW!!!

Princess Monkey Eyes joined me and I did my part. Popeye will head over to do his part after the lunch rush dies down.

So today - for Tuesday's Tip - make sure that you register in YOUR CORRECT JURISDICTION before it's too late to change it. And go do your part! Vote!!!

What's up with that title anyway?

Have you ever felt threatened in such a way that made you want to scream and run in terror but knew doing so would only cause the perpetrator to pursue you with even greater vigor?

Have you ever gotten the heebie-jeebies by the visual of drippy boogers coming at you with full speed and all you can do is pray for Divine intervention that they won't make it to you?

Do you cringe when pudgy little fingers are dripping with chocolate, dirt, spaghetti sauce or some other foreign substance and you know that no one else is around to clean them up? And really, it's kind of pointless to clean them up right away, because the other hand is what's holding that icky mess.

These scenarios are what brought me to title my blog, "Would you feel better if I licked your face?".

My children, whom I adore most days, are this way. They LOVE to torture me with the ickiness that is childhood-bliss. They love to give me slobbery kisses, gooey half eaten candies, and tickles with chocolate covered fingers. They also find it hilarious that I can't stand it. And on top of that, they think it is the best thing EV-UH to try and lick me. They will chase me around the house barking and panting like little puppies trying to get a chance to lick any part of me. But extra points go to the one who gets my face.

And where is Popeye when all of this is happening? He is in one of two places. Either standing back and laughing or joining the puppies on their mad hunt.

Can I just say - EEEEW! I am completely grossed out even typing this and having to relive these memories in my mind. I think I'm having a panic attack... Must go make sure no one is sneaking up on me...

Spiritual Thought for Sunday

Today was a crazy Sunday to say the least. Even though I can't fast, I had a spirit of fasting in my heart. I fasted for unity in my ward (which coincidentally, we were repremanded for in an impromptu ward counsel after church). I felt my post about our ward Halloween party had helped to cause some contention between some of us sisters, and I am deeply sorry for that. I am in the process of apologizing to those who I felt I had injured, and if I HAVE injured anyone else, and not known it - I am truly sorry. That was not the intent of my post - which is why it has been removed from the blog.

Anyhow, I wanted the Spirit with me today so that I could apologize with a sincere heart - and I recieved that Spirit. I am grateful for that.

As I was reading my scriptures this morning, I was still debating on what my fast should be geared toward today. Mr. Fantastic was fasting that Grammy & Papa would be able to sell their house quickly. I'm thinking that Popeye fasted about something, but he won't tell me what. So, while I was reading, is when it hit me.

I was reading in Mosiah. I can't even recall the chapter (28 maybe?). But at the beginning of the chapter it talks about how the Church is under persecution and Alma goes to King Mosiah & asks for help in getting the Church more unified. So Mosiah tells the persecutors to knock it off and the Church begins to become unified and prospers in the land again. Then Alma's son, Alma the Younger, along with 4 of King Mosiah's sons head out into the land and start telling falsehoods and stirring the pot again. So an angel comes down, reprimands them and Alma the Younger is unable to talk or move his limbs for a few days as a result of it. When he "comes to", he has had a change of heart (along with his buddies) and they head out into the land to rectify the wrongs they made. It doesn't say they went to preach the gospel, it says they went and told the people they were wrong.

And that's when I knew that I had to apologize to 'President' and her counselors and also to Sherrie and a few others that I felt I had seriously wronged. I didn't know that so many people here in my little town read my blog & I felt that my blog post only helped to stir the pot of contention instead of building unity in our little ward. I also realized that I couldn't just go up to the pulpit in fast and testimony meeting to make a general "I'm sorry speech" and call it good. And the opportunity for me to make that speech (seriously a scapegoat for me) in Relief Society's testimony time was taken from me, too. Heavenly Father was teaching me a lesson. He wanted me to humble myself and say I'm sorry more than once. And so I did.

And I feel better. I have one more person to apologize to, that is our bishop. I tried to get into his office today to say it, but I was unable to - so I have to wait until Tuesday evening to do that.

But I'm sorry. And as much as I feel that my blog is an outlet for me to express my opinions and feelings, I still need to keep it in the spirit of unity and building Heavenly Father's kingdom. So this is what I will try to do from now on.

I really wanted to post about my relief society lesson this afternoon - because it was really good & I wrote down a lot of good comments from it - I felt that I should write this post first. I will save my insights into Family Finances for another day.

My first attempt

Today is November 1, 2008.

I am officially a member of NaBloPoMo. That's right my friends. 30 days. 30 blog posts. (I thank Ann over at Sharp Spiels for introducing me to this.)

I know. You're thinking, "Uh, yeah, okay HRH. We've seen how frequently you post on your blog. I don't think you can do it!"

Well, I'm going to give it a try. Starting today I'll be posting every day about SOMETHING. And I know EXACTLY what my first few posts will be about.

Shall I whet your appetite so that maybe you'll want to come back tomorrow?

A small list of things to come includes:
~Why my blog is titled "Would you feel better if I licked your face?"
~Picking up on Tuesday Tips again
~The WHOLE story behind Mr. Fantastic and what makes him so fantastic - this will be a series, I think.
~Some weird / interesting stuff that I found online

So, come back tomorrow for the next take on the happenings of me and my world.

I'm really looking forward to this!!!