The Chief's Tribe

I Love Quilting!!

2009-03-16T13:01:00.006-06:00

This is a quilt that I just finished for my sister-in-law Jamie. She has three beautiful girls and now just had her first BOY!! We are so excited for her. She asked for a different kind of quilt. She wanted one that had more muted colors, but I couldn't help myself. I loved all these fabrics!! If you look close they have bugs, and dinosaurs and BOY stuff all over it!! I love it. When I was making it, I kept thinking how much Marshall would have loved this quilt. So, Jamie I hope that you are okay with it. I had a blast making it. I am attaching a few more photos for all your sisters that didn't get to see it before I sent it off to you. I love you and can't wait to see your beautiful baby Cole!!

This shows the back with all the cute BUGS!!

This is just a closer picture to show the cute fabric!!

A Boy and His Dog!!

2009-02-26T16:12:00.011-07:00

I know I don't blog that often, and for that I am sorry. I took this picture this afternoon because I couldn't believe my eyes. My son was playing the piano and his dog was sitting right next to him faithfully supporting his practice! My son's dog is the most lovable idiot you will ever meet. I recently finished the book, Marley and Me and thought to myself that my dog is much worse than Marley, for heaven's sake Marley was potty trained. I can handle anything, if the dog doesn't poop in my house!! Then I walk up stairs from folding the laundry and see this...

How am I supposed to be angry with a dog that loves my son so much that she can't leave his side when he practices the piano!! I mean really, look at that face!! I am also a little sentimental these days with Marshall growing up so fast. He is taller than I am and almost smarter than I, almost being the operative word. He recently got into a gifted program for junior high that will mean that next year he will attend West High School!! He will still only be in 7th grade, but he attends his classes at West! I really am struggling with this concept, my little boy at a HIGH SCHOOL!! He seems fine, but mom is not handling the transition well.

I am loving the teenage boy, the soon to be teenage girl is another story however!! For Valentine's Day, Marshall may have given an anonymous girl some delicious homemade truffles, homemade by ME. The drop off was a little dicey, but really fun. Here are the said truffles that I made for the adorable girl...

These were so fun to make and so delicious!!

Sorry this post is a little random, but I never posted a picture of the quilt that I made my mom for Christmas and I know that there is at least one person that has been waiting for me to post it so here you go...

IT IS GREAT TO BE ALIVE!!

2009-01-23T10:53:00.007-07:00

Okay, I know that I don't blog that often and I don't really have that great of a reason most often, but this time I do! AND I have a great reason to be blogging again. It is a well known fact that I am a democrat through and through even to the chagrin of my parents and many loved ones. I am blogging for two reasons today and President Obama, oh how I love the sound of that, is only one of the reasons. Despite the actual horrible air that is permeating outside all over Salt Lake City, I am breathing much better than I have in many years for two very good reasons.

Reason #1- Barack Obama is President of the United States.
Reason #2- I received a pacemaker three weeks ago.

I will spare you all the diatribe I had planned on going on about FORMER President Bush and why I am so excited about the new administration because if you know me you have heard it; however, I would love to share with you about how great my new life has become. I received my pacemaker three weeks ago and I truly feel like a new person. I have more energy and life and think that if I had known I could live like this I would have had it put in years ago. Ryan of course continues to tell me that I am now a robot with my new device. There are several quirks to having a pacemaker that I am still getting used to.
*I can't use headphones with my ipod
*I can't answer my cordless handheld home phone
*I can't snow blow or mow my lawn (like I was doing that before!)
*I can only use my cell phone in my right ear
*I have to be patted down at the airport I can't go through security

Things like that aren't really that big a deal, the one I hope will go away is that I can't lay down on my left side. All things being said and done I feel like a completely new person. I am never short of breath or dizzy any more. This is a new lease on life for me. So talk about HOPE and CHANGE, I think I have it all covered!!

What's scarier a Witch or McCain?

2008-11-02T21:21:00.009-07:00

So, my kids were obviously a witch and McCain for Halloween! Kate had decided a year ago that she wanted to be a witch so her costume as been one in the making ever since. My mother being the best NaNa ever made her that beautiful cape you see that MAKES the witch so witchy and the rest of the costume was put together from different stores when I would find it throughout the year. Marshall had thought that he was too old to go trick-or-treating so he wasn't going to go until one of his good friends asked him to go with him. He was going to go as Obama so Marshall said "great I'll go as McCain!" They were adorable actually and got a lot of attention. Well, the sad part of it all was that they both decided to go trick-or-treating with their friends and not with us this year. So, Ryan and I got the boot!! We were unceremoniously discharged from our duties as parents and asked to go to dinner and drop them at their friends houses! Well, how do you like that. I immediately thought that I needed to go buy Geritol and some Viagra for Ryan because APPARENTLY we are OLD!!! I was really sad about this. My kids didn't want to trick-or -treat with me...those dots are tears......when did I get to that age? When did I become that parent? Some of my friends still have young kids and the ones that don't are, well, older than me. I had my kids young and then only had two, two beautiful kids, but only two. So, I am realizing that I am going to be an empty-nester in only EIGHT YEARS!!! Do you know what that means? I have to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. That suck!

Well, enough of my rant. Here are a few pictures of my cute kids who don't love me anymore and are growing up way too fast. Oh, and some pictures of a few of the quilts that I have been making. Apparently a good past time since I am OLD!!

Marshall as McCain saying, "My friends!"

I know that she is a witch, but I think she is way too cute to be a real witch!!

This is a quilt that I made for Kristen's new baby that she is expecting in December!

This is a quilt that I made for Katy's new baby that she is expecting in December!

I don't remember if I already showed you all this quilt, but this is a quilt that I made my kids life long babysitter and nanny, Amy for graduation!

DC "not down computer" but as in Washington!!

2008-10-28T11:31:00.018-06:00

So, it is official that I have not blogged forever and I am sorry about that. Really I don't have a good excuse other than at first I didn't have anything worth blogging about, then I just got out of the habit. So with my head down in shame, I return, to tell a tale of travel. We took our children to our Nations capitol for a week and what a week it was. We had so much fun and saw so many wonderful things. If any of you know my husband, which I am sure many of you do, allow me to describe what it is like to go to Washington D.C. with someone like him. You know that movie Vacation where Chevy Chase is kind of an idiot and does all that dumb stuff on their way to Wally World. He knows absolutely nothing about where they are going and then when they get there Wally World is closed and he goes ballistic! Ryan is NOTHING like that. Going to Washington D.C. with Ryan is much like going with Rand McNally, Rick Steves, and a Docent all in one. There really wasn't much he didn't know. It was amazing. Everywhere we went he was a wealth of knowledge. He gathered crowds at almost every museum that we went to because people either thought that he was the docent giving the tour or they just wanted to hear all the information that he was spewing forth for all to hear.

We walked everywhere and the weather was beautiful. We ate in the parks everyday and the children chased squirrels. It really was rather picturesque. We did all that we could squeeze into 6 days, so here it goes...Library of Congress..Supreme Court..Union Station..National Gallery of American Art..National Portrait Gallery..Holocaust Museum..Air and Space Museum..Archives Museum..Jefferson Memorial..White House Garden Tour..Mount Vernon..Old Towne Alexandria..Monticello..University of Virginia..The White House of the Confederacy..The Museum of the Conferedacy..U.S. Capitol..World War II Memorial..Vietnam Veterans Memorial..Lincoln Memorial..Arlington National Cemetery..Washington Monument..Forrest Service National Headquarters..Bureau of Printing & Engraving..Renwick Gallery!! WOW!!

What a great time. We loved spending time with the kids and spending time in our Nation's Capitol. It was just buzzing with the election only a week away.

Marshall was named after the Supreme Court Justice John Marshall, here he is standing next to a statue of John Marshall. There were many pictures and statues of John Marshall and I made Marshall stand in front of them all for a picture, he got so sick of it. I thought it was cute and funny!

Here the kids stand next to the President of the United States!! (We can only hope this is true by Nov. 5th!)

Me and the kids in front of the National Monument!

The kids and the Jefferson Memorial

The kids and the White House. We got a great tour right on the White House grounds, so the kids really are that close to the White House. We were able to walk almost up to the front door, only problem was there was a secret service guy telling us we couldn't go in. Oh, well.

The fam in front of George Washington's house. This was my favorite day. What an amazing estate! We got to see the very room in which he died and his property was so beautiful. This is a must see if you find yourself back east. We learned so much about our first President.

Cute rascals at the reflecting pool, I am sure not reflecting on what a great trip they are having; however, maybe when they are older they will remember how great it was.

Look how small the kids are with good ole Abe! I tell you these monuments are amazing.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives!!

2008-08-06T12:55:00.004-06:00

We took our family to see James Taylor in concert two nights ago. People often and when I say people I mean Heather and Byron often make fun of us and say that we never really listen to a variety of music, which might be true. I say not, but why bicker and argue. However, Ryan and myself have been life long listeners of James Taylor. I remember growing up and listening to my parents listen to James and hearing Fire & Rain in the background of my childhood. As I got older James was always a part of my life and when I started dating Ryan I can remember the exact moment I was sitting in his Jetta listening to James on his tape player and he was singing along to Copperline and I thought to myself, I am going to spend the rest of my life with this man. So it was obvious when I sat at my first James Taylor concert in California 7 months pregnant with Marshall that I wanted James to be a part of my children's lives. Once my kids were born Sweet Baby James was the first song their father sang to them and the last song he sang every night before they went to bed, so it seemed apropos that they both fell asleep at the concert when James Taylor sang Sweet Baby James.

James Taylor has been the soundtrack of our lives and has been there for us through many ups and downs. It was quite an evening to finally share it with our children and know that his music has passed through so many generations. So, thank you James for giving of your music so selflessly for so many years. And for "Showering the people you love with love!"

Hotter than H E double hockey sticks!!!

2008-07-28T08:42:00.005-06:00

Okay, so if someone would like to tell me exactly how I grew up in Las Vegas please feel free!! I am so sick and tired of the heat I think that I am going to SCREAM!!! When I say that I am sick of it I mean it. I am sick of going from one room to the next in my 1945 house and gasping for air because my HUGE air conditioner can't keep up. I am sick of my butt sticking to my leather couch. (wait, okay I am not naked on my couch, so it really is my legs that are sticking, but I am sick of in none-the-less!) I am sick of finally getting cool at about 4:30 in the morning and then it getting HOT again around 7! I am sick of having to go somewhere and getting into my car and thinking that I am going to die because there is no air and it is roughly 145 degrees in my car. I am sick of my grass looking dead and of course I am not going to water it to death, what a waste. Most of all, I am sick of food not sounding good because I am just to stinkin' hot to eat!!

So, this post is mostly me venting about how much I hate the heat. I don't know how I ever survived the heat in Vegas. If Ryan ever says that he has been offered a million dollar a year job in Vegas/Phoenix I will have to say have a great time, send me the checks! I am done with it and I mean D O N E with it. Just so you know, I am not an idiot, I know that it is going to still be hot like this for at least another 5 weeks or so and then I also know that I will post something very similar in the winter telling you all that I am sick of the cold. That is the reason that I tell Ryan he married me, I am passionate about everything.

So, in light of the heat wave, if that is what you want to call it. We took our kids up the mountains to get away from it all. We took them to Silver Lake for a picnic dinner and walk around the lake. It was just what the doctor ordered. Here are a few pic's from our nice evening.

One of the only times Marshall is not bothering his sister Kate!!

Isn't he so stinkin' cute!!

Speaking of Stinkin' Cute...

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-07-15T09:59:00.001-06:00

MILEY MONTANA!! oh and the beach...

2008-07-15T08:56:00.003-06:00

So, as you all know I have an adorable daughter that LOVES Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana, whatever her name is. Anyway, when she found out that she was coming to Utah's Stadium of Fire she went nuts and wanted me to "get tickets." As though that was the easiest thing to do. Well, Heather and I did our best on-line to "get tickets" like the rest of the mom's did and the tickets sold out in the first two hours. I told Kate I was sorry, but that I would be taking her to see Wicked in Los Angeles. She said it was okay and she understood and still thought that I was the best mommy in the world.

Well, little did she know that I actually "got tickets" (I am doing air quotes because it makes the story better!) on KSL.com. We kept it a secret from her. We were supposed to be driving to our beach trip on the 4th so we packed up the car and headed down "to the beach!" After a lovely stop at Grandma Patsy's we headed on our trip. We passed the stadium and were going up toward the temple "to park." Kate says, "Mom, did you know that Zac got tickets to see Miley?" (oh, those are real quotes.) I told her how great I thought that was for him and I hoped he had a great time. Kate then BURST into tears. Very unlike her. Saying that she was okay just sad that she wasn't going to the concert and upset because Zac had rubbed it in her face that he was going and she wasn't.

I was shocked. She was crying... I was thinking how glad I was that we "HAD TICKETS," Ryan then parked the car and said, "Kate, why don't we walk it off." She was so upset she said she didn't want to and wouldn't get out of the car. We finally got her out of the car and I told Ryan to give her the "TICKETS!" She went stone faced. She couldn't move. She said, "tickets, what tickets?" I then told her that we had had tickets for months and wanted to surprise her, she couldn't talk the whole way to the stadium. Needless to say, the "SURPRISE" went off without a glitch and she had the time of her life. It is definitely a memory I will never forget, one I hope she will remember for years to come.

Like I said we were on our way to the beach. That was the truth. We stayed at Grandma Patsy's that night and got up at 4 am and headed to the beach. We went with Grandpa Lynn and the entire gang. There were 25 of us. It was a cousin heaven. I think it was the first time I have ever spent an entire 9 days with my kids on vacation and not once did they say they were bored!! It was GREAT!! Here is a run down of what we accomplished while were were there.

*Three Major League Baseball Games
*Two Rounds of Golf (Ryan and Marshall)
*Disneyland (All 25 of us!!)
*Wicked (just the girls, it was great!)
*Doughnuts EVERYDAY!!
*Grocery Store EVERYDAY!!
*Shopping
*Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Smoores!!

Fun was had by all and now we are home and the kids start school in 3 weeks!! Summer is almost over. Here are a few pictures in the slide show at the top, enjoy!!

There's No Crying In BASEBALL!!!

2008-06-23T07:16:00.012-06:00

I have to say, I may be shedding just a few tears. Baseball is finally over. My feelings are joyful that it is over because baseball was six, yes, six days a week. That included a double-header every Saturday; however, I do miss watching Marshall play. Isn't he just the cutest thing?!!

His days now consist of golf, golf, and more golf. He plays golf I would say almost six days a week and sometimes twice a day!! He played 27 holes just the other day! I tell you that child is addicted to golf. The only bonus is that there are no stands to watch until he gets his PGA tour card. He has league and tournaments and then practices all the time. When I asked him the other day what he wanted to do after college he said, "you know mom, I think that if I practice really hard, maybe I could play golf for a living." I then asked what his "fall back" would be and he said DOCTOR!! Oh my! He is going to have to choose. I told him you can't be a doctor and a professional golfer, to be one or the other you have to dedicate all your time to do well at either profession. I said that he could probably be a Lawyer as a "fall back" profession. I mean how hard can that be? HE HE HE!!!

So, summer is busy, busy, busy. I feel like I have way more time when the kids are in school. Marshall is busy in golf and Kate has tennis, swimming, and a math class. I for one am pooped!! I am ready for a vacation; however, the thought of a vacation makes me sweat because I am sure that if I actually took one it would be more work than it is worth. They always are. So, I am thinking of shipping everyone off and staying home. So, if there are any takers for my kids and husband let me know. They are adorable and lovable (the kids I mean) and they eat almost anything (the husband I mean). You know my number, give me a call if interested.

Side note...I know that there are those of you out there reading my blog and not commenting. Shame on you!!! I would love to hear from you. I feel very alone with only 2 comments on my blog. Yes, all of my self-confidence comes from my blog and nowhere else, so, I want to hear from you.

IT IS WAY BETTER GETTING IT FROM YOUR PEEPS!!

2008-06-12T08:38:00.007-06:00

Okay, for those regular readers of my blog. I received my first blue box from Tiffany & Co. for Mother's day; however, the sweet story behind it was there was no sweet story (see post and tears below). I am not ungrateful for the gift from Ryan I feel a little jilted that he wasn't a part of the purchase. ANYWAY...

I have the best peeps in the entire world. I was in Vegas when I first chose the necklace that "said husband" bought for me for Mother's day. There were actually TWO necklaces that I loved and had a hard time choosing which one "said husband" was going to buy. So for my birthday, my two best friends in the whole world took me to Park City for dinner and a movie. When we were eating dinner, they said, "Present Time!!" and I kid you not they pulled out a BLUE BOX!!! Yes, my friends, my peeps, bought me the other necklace that I loved! I am telling you, I finally got that Blue Box feeling that I was wanting. I was almost in tears. I was so excited I couldn't believe how thoughtful my friends were. All I could say was, "how are you going to top this next year!"

Not to always quote movies, but...

"Yeah, I called her up, she gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her, or something , I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention." --- Dumb & Dumber

Thank you Judy and Dawn for always paying attention to me and listening to me and making me feel important. You are are the best friends I could ask for. Thanks for making my birthday so fun. (I know this really is just going into the void space of the Internet because neither one of you ever read my blog, but it needs to be said)

For Kristen!!

2008-05-31T12:18:00.008-06:00

So Kristen (my wonderful step-sister-in-law) or as I like to call her, my sister, has been the inspiration for many things in my life. The newest of which is my inspiration to learn to quilt. She has been this amazing quilter for years and I have always wished I knew how, so I took it up! I have a dear friend, Diane (not my sweet mom), that took it upon herself to teach me how. With her guidance and my mothers sewing skills, yes, skills, I have been quilting up a storm. My first quilt I blogged the square a while ago. I finished the quilt and then sent it out to be finished on top and apparently the woman who does it is raising the silk worms or the lambs for the wool to make the thread to then use to quilt on the top of my quilt. Either that or she thought that it was sooo beautiful that she is claiming it as her own and taking it to the world fair and winning a blue ribbon as we speak!!

Anyway, while I wait I decided that I would just make them on my own. So yes, I talked my dear sweet husband into buying me the machine of my dreams. Here is a picture of my next creation. It is a quilt that I have made for my sweet little niece Reese!! She will get it when I see her at the beach in July. I don't think that my sister-in-law checks my blog much so I think it will still be a surprise. Anyway, there are still many mistakes because I am learning, but I think that it is adorable. It is as soft as can be and I sewed a jingle bell in it so it makes noise! How fun is that.

The next quilt is a quilt in the making. I am making it for my other sister-in-law Tricia who is having a baby. I have a sneaking suspicion that she is having another boy so I have been making this quilt for her. If I find out differently then I will make another one, but I just have a feeling that it is a boy. Anyway, I think that it is just so fun with all the Dick and Jane fabric.

Anyway, this post is for Kristen to tell her thank you for all of your inspiration! You are the best. I only wish you lived closer so that we could quilt together. Now you only have to tell me what you are having and I will quilt something for you. I know that it won't be as gorgeous as what you can make, but I have learned in the short time I have quilted that it is all about the time and effort that goes into the quilt. It is all about the love and thought that goes into it. I can't wait to make one for you!

These are some cute pictures that I forgot to blog of my mom and Kate. My mom took Kate to go and see Annie when it was in town and these are from their night on the town!!

Rocky Mountain High COLORADO!!!

2008-05-27T13:09:00.016-06:00

This raging river is amazing and beautiful and a site to see; however, I tell you not quite a site as the beautiful, funny, smart, engaging, entertaining, and enjoyable lady that Sawyer has been dating!! Ryan and I took the kids to Colorado this weekend to go see Mike, Mikey, Michael, SawDawg, Sawyer and what a treat is was to visit him and see exactly what he has been up to. Let me tell you she is beautiful and I have been thinking that if things don't work out we may just have to keep her and get rid of the Dawgler.

The trip started out slow for we hit traffic, traffic, and then more traffic. Then we went into Spanish Fork Canyon and thought it would be a great idea to just put our car into park for about 2 hours. After we got to know all the cars around us and the kids got to run around for a while we finally rolled into Mike's place around 2:00 a.m. For all of you out there with kids, visit with me for a while that enjoyable fairy land where your kids think that you are going on a 5 hour drive and it turns into an 8 hour drive and they love each other so much that they giggle and laugh the whole way telling each other all the way that they love each other and can't wait to get out of the car so that they can HUG!! Yes, that was my car. I am so lucky to have such children that never fight or say things like, "stop touching me," or "No" or "that's mine, that's mine, that's mine." I really love when my children repeat things over and over and over again because hearing it just once is NEVER enough.

We did get to Colorado safely which is important. We got up and Mike made an amazing breakfast (maybe if my husband had been single longer he would have learned how to cook). Then we went up to Aspen. Talk about gorgeous!! We had a blast. Here are a few pictures from my camera phone because I forgot the camera. We went to John Denver's Sanctuary. Apparently that is what you do when you go to Aspen. I didn't know that John Denver was from Aspen and asked Ryan if he knew that and he said, "I don't know but I do know that his Grandma's feather bed is nine feet high and six feet wide and soft as a downy chick!" That man kills me.

Hanging out of the rocks of lyrics of John Denver Songs!!

We came back and had Bethany over, yes, the better half of Mike. Bethany came over and we had dinner then walked down by the river and went to a movie. The next day the boys went golfing and the girls went shopping and fun was had by all. It was a trip to remember. Colorado is breathtaking and I can see why Mike stays. He has quite the life there. He lives in the cutest town and is in walking distance to just about everything. Now he just needs to figure out how to keep this Bethany and all will be well.

Kids along the Colorado!!

Mike and kids on the bridge of the Colorado!!

Bethany, Kate, and Mike

In front of a huge totem pole.

Ryan, Kate, Marshall, and Mike in front of Mike's house and in front of Mike's POS of a car. Seriously, he hit a deer and backed into a pole and hit something else, but it is a diesel and worth a ton so he won't sell the stupid thing. It is a serious POS he can't even get in the driver's side he has to go through the passenger door. Whatever Dawgler!

Breakfast at Tiffany's???

2008-05-14T08:33:00.005-06:00

For Mother's Day this year I got my very first official "Blue Box"!!! Yes, that is an actual picture of my blue box from Tiffany & Co. The reason that I blog about it is not to brag about it, (which is so me to want to do), and don't get me wrong I am bragging about it too because I LOVE IT!!

I would love to share the exchange in which my Tiffany's moment happened.
Emily: (sent an email of the Tiffany's website) Hey honey, I thought that just in case you were wondering what might be a great gift for Mother's Day, here is an idea. I love you tons. Emily.
Ryan: Knock yourself out. Happy Mother's Day.

Yes, that is the end of the entire conversation. I tried to explain to him that it really is the thought that counts and I didn't care so much about the gift and that all he had to do was go to the website and click. I had tried to make it easy enough so that very little effort would have to be made on his part.

However, to my sad dismay he refused. So, yes, I did get my first blue box for Mother's Day, but I bought it, I picked it out, I called Tiffany's, I told them where to send it, and when it came I gave the blank card to Ryan and said, "here did you want to say anything to me on the card." His response....laughter.

I know wipe your tears. I just had to get it off my chest. But the real reason that I did was to remind myself that is the very reason I married Ryan. I know that most of you have heard this story so sit tight while I tell it again.

When I was first dating Ryan I was dating someone else. The kindest nicest guy I have every met, (for the purpose of anonymity we will call him Shawn). Shawn and I had gone to Vegas for the weekend and I was blow drying my hair. Shawn was in a completely different room of the house. I yelled his name, within seconds he was standing in front of me asking me what he could do for me. I was just wondering what time it was. I thought to myself, wow, he is really attentive. Not long after that I was in Vegas with Ryan. I was blow drying my hair yet again and Ryan was in the same different room so I thought to myself that I would do a little experiment. So I yelled his name. I hear him yell back, "What!" I ask what time it was and he yells, "Don't you have a watch?" I remember smiling and thinking to myself that this was the guy for me.

I told my mom this story soon after and she asked me why I would rather have Ryan and I said, "Shawn would give me the world if I wanted it and wait on me hand and foot, but I don't want that I want someone that I know loves me the world over and would give it to me only if I came and got it myself."

So, this Mother's Day was just another small reminder of why I married Ryan and didn't marry Shawn. I have to continue to remind myself that's what I wanted, but when I look into his big blue eyes it isn't hard to remember. Oh, and the fact that he still worships the ground I walk on...that makes it easier too.

This is the cake that I made for Ryan's mom on Mother's Day. We had a great meal at her house on Sunday and I brought dessert. Ryan said that this is the best cake that I have ever made. I am not sure if he was trying to make up for the Tiffany's thing or if he really loved it, but it was pretty tasty. It was a lemon lime cake with lemon curd in between the layers with butter cream icing. It was very spring and refreshing.

I hope that you all had a great Mother's Day. I am still on my Stephenie Meyer high because The Host was fabulous!! I loved the book, if you read it please post a comment because I am dying to talk to those that read it. And it has been a while since I had a movie quote, so if you made it though my rant here it is...

"She is expecting."
"What, a social security check!"

Obsessed Much!!

2008-05-08T19:18:00.001-06:00

Obsessed Much!!

2008-05-08T10:26:00.006-06:00

Okay you all know that I am obsessed with the Twilight series and yes I am sure I will love the movies also, because I LOVE movies. I naturally have an obsessive personality (which I am sure that my husband is grateful for, tee hee hee). So, the discussion begins. Now that you have seen the preview for the movie I have to say that I actually agree with the casting of Bella and Edward. I didn't even think to cast Cedrick Diggory for Edward; however, I did shed a mini tear when he died in Harry Potter and not because he was such a great character, but because he was so stinkin handsome and I was sad to see him go and leave Harry and Ron. What a British pity.

Anyway,Bella's cast is great because she is pretty and yet has that constant look of confusion. She did that well in Zathura also. I am already getting little butterflies of excitement in my stomach to see the movie. I am happy to be in Stephenie Meyer mode all over again. I of course have begun her newest novel.

For all of you wondering out there if it was just a fluke with the Twilight series, NO WAY!! I am again HOOKED. It is a page turner and just as fun. However, just to let you know. This might make it more readable, this is not a children's book, this is for adults. So, needless to say, I was all over it and loving it. Not, that I didn't love the Twilight series, but I am very glad that this is an adult novel. Once again, obsessive much!!

So, on to my next obsession. QUILTING!! I love it and want to do it more and more. I however feel like I am bothering my dear friend all the time because she is so sweet and letting me do it at her house on her machine. So, my new obsession, again that I am sure my husband it very excited about is...

The Bernina 230!!
I know that it is so beautiful that you all are drooling from the mouth. Well, it can be MINE with your kind donations. Please feel free to send cash, check, or money order to my address. I promise that it will be used with love and care. If you send money (over $50) I will make you a quilt of thanks. (size of quilt is determined on size of donation).

Lastly, I went to Las Vegas last weekend for my sweet niece Sarah's Baptism. She is the cutest thing ever and I am so glad that I went. I took Kate and she got to spend the weekend with her cousins. A fun time was had by all.

I took some girlfriends and stayed at the Paris Hotel and "did" Vegas!! I would love to give detail...but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but I will give you the top 5 things I learned going to Vegas that I didn't know before I went.

1. Apparently underwear is optional (we found this out first hand)
2. Apparently you have to have a drink in your hand at all times of the day.
3. Apparently being from Vegas is of no help when you haven't been there in 15 years.
4. Apparently asking the hotel where the closest movie theatre is, is not a common question.
5. Apparently two days is plenty of time to be in Vegas, but not enough time to eat at all the fantastic restaurants!

A Little Shock Treatment!

2008-04-12T13:19:00.003-06:00

Okay, serious animal and dog lovers need to move on and not read this post. You have been warned!!

Okay, it is true I have an adorable dog and I love her, however, she is not my "baby" I did not give birth to her. So, when she decided to BARK incessantly at my neighbors I decided that it needed to be taken care of. No, I am not going to have her put to sleep...but I thought that a little shock therapy might do the trick.

Boy was I right! I received the shock collar in the mail (after successfully buying it on the Internet, and having my credit card company calling me because they thought someone had stolen my card because I NEVER buy anything on the Internet!!) I put the collar on Peanut and sent her outside. She BARKED at my neighbors and then jumped back about 5 feet. It scared the crap out of her (luckily not literally). Then she ran up to my neighbors window and BARKED again and the shock treatment was successful and she bolted down the driveway directly into the house.

Now, I can tell you my dog has not in two days, BARKED, made and sudden movements, eaten, stopped shaking, or breathing hard. I am a little worried yet haven't quite wiped the grin off my face. Because did I mention that my dog hasn't BARKED in TWO days!!!

(*I did call my vet and they said that she was fine and will be fine and just get used to the collar, so no worries)

My last thought, this seemed to work so well on my dog, Marshall asked if he could try it. I of course told him no, but thought why don't they make a Sass collar. I would love to put one on Marshall for every time he Sasses me, I am not sure he would get the point as quickly as Peanut! What do you think?

Instead of a movie quote I am going to give you a quote from my kids that kill me everyday!

Marshall: "Piss, piss, piss, I need to piss, piss, piss, piss, piss is a funny word, piss, piss, piss."

Kate: "So is Shobalobadingdong, but you don't hear me saying it over and over, be quiet!"

Where is my EPI pen?

2008-03-25T09:04:00.003-06:00

This is great I finally found a Bee that I am not allergic to!!! A quilting Bee!! I am in love with it. I have this fabulous friend that has been quilting forever and is, well, a professional if she ever sold her stuff, which is GORGEOUS!!! Anyway, she took on the most difficult students, me and Judy.

I have been crocheting for years and what I love about it is that you don't have to be a perfectionist. Well, in quilting it isn't really the same. I keep going along and saying, "oh, that won't matter, will it?" Well, here is a picture of one of my squares. I have 19 others that look just like it. Feel free to brag and comment on how beautiful it looks for my first time. No need to point out my mistakes, I can see them!!

I invite you all to take up quilting and join my bee. We have great fun, lots of laughs, and as you know me, plenty of good treats!! Come on come all. And if you are allergic to bees like me, I promise you will be safe.

Bacon and Alice!!!

2008-03-15T10:04:00.001-06:00

Bacon and Alice!!

2008-03-15T09:07:00.007-06:00

Okay, so you all need to comment and let me know if you think I am crazy or funny. I for one think that I was funny and the lady working and Lehi Roller Mills was crazy. Now any of you that know me know that my husband doesn't find me very funny; however, most of my friends do, which is why I spend more time with my friends then I do with my husband. Just kidding, Mom. Anyway, so here is the story. Last week I went down to Lehi Roller Mills with my bestest friend to buy flour. The very nice lady working at the mill told me that I would have to drive around back and one of the workers would load my 25lb bag of flour into my car. I then (very seriously) looked at her and said, "I would like Kevin Bacon to load it into my car please." She then with a straight face said, "I think his name is Jess."

Okay, is she kidding me. I give her one more chance and say, "No, I would really prefer Kevin Bacon to put it into my car." She then says, "We don't have anyone here named Kevin."

Seriously!!!! Okay, so I of course think that if you live in Lehi it should be a prerequisite that you watch Footloose and know that Kevin Bacon worked at Lehi Roller Mills, (also a prerequisite if you live in Payson). But, this woman acted like she had never even heard of Kevin Bacon. What kind of person has never even heard of KEVIN BACON!!! Apparently, the kind of people that work at Lehi Roller Mills.

My kids were in their school play Alice in Wonderland. Marshall was the March Hare and Kate was the Ace of Spades. Marshall stole the show with his witty banter with the Mad Hatter and Kate was the cutest card on the stage.

Kate singing away!

Marshall and the White Rabbit

Targhee, Braces, Big Boy Clinic

2008-03-07T13:29:00.029-07:00

BRACES, BRACES, BRACES

Look at that cute kid. This is the last moment before we (meaning the mean parents) had the orthodontist put BRACES on that cute adorable boy!

Doesn't this bring back horrible memories for all of us. I mean seriously, it has been more than 20 years since I had my braces and when the orthodontist was putting them on I thought that I was having them put on all over again. (okay, maybe not ALL over again, there was a little bit of enjoyment seeing that it was my son and not me!)

Is is legal for him to still be that cute after getting his braces!!? They say less than 2 years with those babies on...seriously, I had mine on for FOUR years and I had a head gear!! I'm telling you, kids have it so easy these days. Plus, I think they complain way more than I used to.

Okay, his life isn't perfect. Marsh had the "big boy clinic" last week. I told him that I was going to go because I knew so little about boys that I wanted to make sure that I knew where all the hair grew and what was going to happen to him so that I was prepared. Mortified, he said no and I said yes. I told him that LOTS of parents went to the "big talk" and that I wouldn't be the only parent. I also told him that I would sneak in the back and he would never know that I was there.

Well, if any of you know me, do you think that is what went down. NO WAY!! I do what I say. I actually show up a little late (on purpose) and try to sneak in the back. I notice that the swarm of parents apparently didn't get the memo. Marshall's teacher sees me and says, (not in a quite voice, might I add) "Emily, oh here let's get you a chair, Oh, Marshall your mothers here why don't you get up and find her a chair!"

Is she serious!! I grab her arm and pull her to the ground as my son is quickly taking mental notes on what to tell his therapist. I ask her if she has a son, knowing that she does, and then it clicks with her what she has just done and then she quietly sneaks out of the room. I am sure that I do things on a daily basis that my son will record and tell a therapist or his girlfriend about that make me the weirdest or worst mom in the world, but, I now know where all the hair will grow and where all the blood flows and when the voice will change and exactly at what moment my boy will begin to hate me. Oh, boy am I glad that I went to the big boy clinic!!

On a side note, but a big side note. Our family, our entire family went to Targhee this last weekend. We had such a great time. We brought Thomas with us and skied our legs off and swam in the pool and ate lots of great food. Here are some pictures of the the fun weekend. (Oh, you are thinking right, everyone but me skied their legs off!)

Zac, Kate, Thomas, Marsall, all skiing Grand Targhee with the the Grand Tetons in the back.

Marshall crusin' down the mountain.

The kids couln't get enough of the pool. They loved to try and do this triple tower. This is Thomas, Marshall, and Kate.

How stinkin' cute are these kids!!!

Look at all these fun cousins!! Okay are you ready...

Madison, Lauren, Max,

Marshall, Thomas, Kate, Zac, Jared,

and Sarah!

St. George!!!

2008-02-21T11:24:00.002-07:00

Sweet Treats, Sweet Memories!! Oh, and St. George!!

2008-02-21T10:47:00.004-07:00

There are a lot of things that I have learned from my mother, cooking is not one of them. When I was in grade school I remember telling my mother that I needed to bring cupcakes to school. I remember her showing up with Hostess cupcakes that she had put in the paper cupcakes holders. She thought she was so clever, I just rolled my eyes and laughed. It is a memory that we still laugh about today.

Well, my daughter came to me this week and said that it was "Chocolate Week" and that she wanted to bring cupcakes. Well, you can only guess what came to my mind. My daughter has a caterer for a mother so she got a little different Hostess cupcake to take to school. I will probably still get the same reaction, a role of the eye. So, I don't think that it matters much how well you cook. But, I can tell you that the homemade devil's food cake and homemade icing taste a smidge better than Hostess...hee hee! Sorry Mom. Oh, and aren't they just so stinkin' cute.

So, when I am not cooking for my daughter's class, we went to St. George last weekend and took in the sun. It was a much needed vacation and we had a blast. We went hiking in Snow Canyon, went golfing, went to movies, went and saw G-ma, and RELAXED!!! Enjoy the pics.

Could You Say "NO"?

2008-02-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

So, since my last post I decided to take my own advice. My health being one of the reasons and this adorable girl being another. When she continued to come up to me and say, "Mommy, can't you quit your job so that you can just be there when ever I need you?" and then give me THAT face. What would you do. EXACTLY!! So, this post is to let you all know that I am back to the old me, the one that does what she really loves. No more, 60 hours a week for a non-profit. I am back to my kids and catering and real estate!! I love it already. "Why?" you ask. Well, here are the top five reasons I realized not working full time is great!!

1. I can stay in my jammies all day (if I want)

2. I am "never" late picking up my kids from school

3. I can read a book in the middle of the day and if I dose off, WHO CARES!!

4. If someone calls me and asks what I am doing, sometimes I have to make something up because saying "nothing" and that being the truth makes me feel guilty.

5. If I get the urge to see a movie, get a pedicure, go the the mall, go to lunch, call a friend, read a book, watch t.v., be on the computer reading blogs, bake some cookies, clean my house (not likely), take a nap, I CAN!!!

I would love for you all to share with me your own private secret of why you love not having to work full time. (I know being a mother is more than a full time job and it is truely harder...) BUT, what do you all like to indulge in that we aren't supposed to admit. We all do it so don't act like you don't. Okay, maybe Amber doesn't, but the rest of us do. So, fess up and let me know.

Oh, and here is a movie quote...I want you all to guess this one. I know it is probably too easy.

"Those of us that can't do, teach, and those that can't teach, teach gym."

Call 911!!!

2008-01-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it isn't that bad. But, I do have an idea. You all know that I have heart disease. About a month ago my cardiologist got this brilliant idea to hook me up to this "event monitor." They call it that because it is an EKG machine that you wear 24 hours a day and it records "events" of your heart. I think that they should call it what it really is, a "pain in the ass" monitor.

Anyway, this brilliant machine knows when your heart is doing something that it shouldn't and then it "beeeeeeeeeps" and records like a fax machine an EKG. It is actually pretty cool machine, at least it would be if it only went off a couple of times a day, not 3-7 times an hour. For me it has been kind of helpful because any of you that know me, I tend to be a little of a go getter. I tend to over do it a little. This machine has basically stopped me in my tracks for a little while. It has told me "hey, chicka you have heart disease and you need to SLOW down!!" Usually, when I don't feel well I just keep on truckin' and don't listen to my body; however, with this little machine it is hard not to listen. The dang thing beeeeeeps all day long telling me to sit my butt down.

So, I was thinkin' this may not be a bad idea. We should all have something kind of like this in our lives. Something that lets us know, "hey, take a breath, look at life!" We need something that makes us remember what is really important. So, this is the purpose of my post this week. I am going to be your "event monitor," only a little less annoying. I am going to remind you all to take a minute to take a deep breath and think about what really makes you happy. Is is your kids, your house, your significant other? What ever it is spend more time with them. Life is short, too short don't waste it doing menial things that in the end won't matter. Kiss your kids more, tell your husband you love him (when you are angry), it is the small things that make a difference. When you do these things just think, at least you don't have to have that beeeeping noise reminding to live life to the fullest!!!

What A Week I'm Having!!!

2008-01-12T19:46:00.000-07:00

I know that I am having longer and longer spurts in between my posts. I am sorry about that. This having a job thing is really killing me. I am starting to think that my life wasn't so bad before and I wondering why I said yes when they offered me the job. Oh, that's right I have a job with a cause and I love it. I have to remind myself that every morning; however, lately I feel like the people in the picture above. I can't tell you how many times this week I have done something and then said " oh, crap! what was I thinking" only to realize I obviously wasn't thinking. Don't get me wrong I know I did that plenty of times before my job, it just seems to feel like a bigger deal when I have a boss instead of an 8 year old laughing at me.

Anyway, I went to dinner with the Valley Girls (Jessie, Brooke, Tanya, Lori, H) the other night and I have to tell you it made my week. Being able to sit with the girls and chat and spend time with people that are in the same stage of life and yet can still love me even though they knew me when I dated ______please fill in the blank because I know that each of you will fill in the blank with said dork. I know I dated my fair share, I deserve it, but hey we can all admit they weren't all dorks right Heather.

Okay, so you know me and movie quotes. My movie quote is in the title and it is sooo easy that I feel a little bad for making it so easy. But, I wanted to tell you all about a movie that I just saw that is so good. I usually just quote movies and I don't talk about the one's that I just saw, but I am going to recommend a great one. I just saw Juno and I would highly recommend this movie to you all. It is funny, touching and thought provoking. It is one of the best written movies that I have seen in a long time. I would see it if I were you because there is a high probability that I will quote it in the months to come. If you have seen it, I would love to hear your comments on it. Thanks and I hope to be back soon. Sorry again for the long pauses.

Hap, Hap, Happiest Christmas!!

2008-01-01T12:45:00.001-07:00

I know it has been a while since I have blogged and I am sorry about that. I got this new job and now I find that I am so busy that I don't have time to see my family anymore. I am trying my best to get a grip, but it may take some doing. I loved reading over all of your blogs. Seeing that most of you had anniversaries was great!! It reminded me that OH, I did too!! Ryan and I have been married for 14 years!! I am still amazed that he has stayed with me all these years or visa verse!! Whatever it is it seems to work so far. Time sure flies though, it seems like yesterday that I married him, yet he brought to my attention that 14 years before I married him I was 5!! What was I thinking!! I know you do the math, I was way too young to get married. But, hey it's worked so far. I must say that Heather and Jessie are much braver than I am for posting their wedding pictures because theirs show progress, I have the same hair and have gained 30 lbs. GROSS!! I am leaving mine where they belong, in a drawer.

Christmas was like every year...CRAZY!!! I will quote a movie; however I know that you will all know this movie,

"No,no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny @%$@# Kaye!!"

I feel like that every Christmas. I think that the fact that I come out still breathing on December 26th is a miracle. It seems to never get easier even though every year we try something new. One day maybe. We did it all again this year. The Nutcracker on Christmas Eve, dinner at Grandma's, visiting all the parents, and getting it all done at home by Christmas morning if you get my drift!! In the end, I would still have it no other way. I love family and I love seeing family at Christmas. I was sad not being able to see the "dozens" from Japan and Cincinnati and Boston. It hurts to not have everyone near at Christmas. It just isn't the same. So, even though things are crazy and nuts we like having all the nuts here to share in the crazy!! We send our love to all of you this holiday season and hope to see you all very soon.

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY!!

2007-11-25T11:28:00.001-07:00

So, a lot has happened since my last blog... Kate turned 8!!! And, my KITCHEN IS DONE!!! Well, relatively speaking. The back splash isn't completely done and there is a few little odds and ends that need to be done, but I officially cooked Thanksgiving dinner!! I think that should count for something. I posted pictures of both momentous occasions. Kate's party was a huge success. I can't believe that she is 8 years old already (and not because I haven't lost the baby weight yet) because she is still that little premature 4 lb. nothing that I could pick-up with one hand and I thought would never gain weight. Why is it that when they are little like that we don't believe people when they tell us that they grow so fast because we think that we are going to be stuck in that poop and vomit hell forever. But, then we blink and they are 8 and wanting shiny lipstick and clothes instead of toys for Christmas. When did I turn into that Mom? The Mom that I remember growing up with, the one that I still remember having, not the one that I am becoming!! I am okay with being the Mom of babies, but the Mom of a girl that wants lipstick and a boy that is getting emails from girls and on the verge on needing DEODORANT!! What is this world becoming. I can't possibly be old enough for that!!

Okay, I am done with my little tirade. I am sorry about that. Now about my slide show. Kate's party. She invited all the girls in her 3rd grade class. And a few boys. I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of a crush between Kate and the boy in the striped shirt; however, as you can see he took quite a beating at the party. Kate has a great group of girlfriends in her class and I am grateful for that. It was a High School Musical Party and by all the screaming and laughing my guess is that it was a huge hit.

My kitchen, what can I say... I have never been happier. I have a friend who's brother had to take a job in another town and his wife refused to move so she said that he should go (because he was going to make a ton more money) and that she was going to stay "for the children." I told Ryan when the kitchen was done that if ever his job made us move that I was going to have to stay "for the kitchen!" It is such a delight not only to have a kitchen back but to have a dream kitchen to boot!! I want you all over to celebrate!! So, know that as soon as it is officially done and I get my act together I am going to have a party and you are all invited!! Enjoy the pictures and feel free to add oooo's and ahhh's in the comment section!

Oh, and it has been a while so I will put in a Movie Quote, I won't disappoint.

"Yeah, you gave me the wrong suitcase. Uh-huh. Yes, it's a black Samsonite. Uh-huh. OK, well don't you think that the Samsonite people, in some crazy scheme in order to make a profit MADE MORE THAN ONE BLACK SUITCASE!?"

I've Been Tagged!!!

2007-11-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

So as you all know my life has been a little crazy and I was tagged actually a few weeks ago and I feel bad because I haven't responded. I am finally getting around to doing it now. So, Starr, I am sorry for not doing it sooner. Here it goes...

4 Places I have lived:

Las Vegas, Nevada
Washington D.C.
Palo Alto, California
Salt Lake City, Utah

4 Jobs I have had:

Recreation Center Sports Liaison
Marketing Administrator, Bradford Adams Paper Company
Real Estate Agent, Keller Williams
Social Events Director, American Heart Association

4 Things I'd like to do before I die:

See my children have children and get married (not in that order)
See my husband accomplish all he wants professionally
Go to Europe
Loss 10 lbs.

4 Favorite Desserts:

Anything Chocolate
Anything Chocolate
Anything Chocolate
Anything Chocolate and homemade

4 Interesting Facts About Me:

I have two different colored eyes
I have a strange obsession to handbags
I love deeply
I can't stay mad or angry for very long, life is too short to hold a grudge.

4 Favorite T.V. Shows

Grey's Anatomy
The Office
Desperate Housewives
ANYTHING on Food Network

4 People I'm Tagging

Terri
Rach
Aubrey
Amber

I've Got HEART!!!

2007-11-06T23:01:00.001-07:00

Most of you already know this, but those of you that stalk my blog or don't know this, I decided to post my good news. Forgive me for being a little verbose, but it is late and my kids are asleep so I may feel the need. Most, if not all of you know that I was diagnosed with heart disease about three years ago. It came as quite a blow to me and my family. The news however, gave me a fresh look on life. I decided to stop staying angry at people, to laugh more (if that is even possible), enjoy my kids more, not worry about how clean my house is every second, to say "okay, so I'm not a perfect mom, but I am a pretty good mom and that is okay," to kiss my kids every day and tell them I love them, and lastly, to make sure that I had something in my life that was bigger than me that gave my life purpose.

Many of you know that I have volunteered with Huntsman Cancer Foundation for many, many years now. Well, about a month ago the American Heart Association called me, yes, you heard me, THEY called me. I was shocked!! Anyway, they called and said that they had heard about the work I had been doing up at Huntsman and they offered me a job to be their Director for their Go Red for Women Campaign. After I fell out of my chair I said I would think about it. I was flattered, but also concerned about leaving Huntsman (concerned, but then also remembered that they didn't pay me!). In the end however, I could think of now better cause, having heart disease myself, with a nephew born with a valve problem, a grandmother that just had triple bypass, and a sister that died of congenital heart failure, then the American Heart Association.

So, my good news is that today I accepted a job with the American Heart Association as their new Director of their Go Red for Women Campaign. I am in charge of raising $150,000. So, I will accept check, Visa, Master Card, American Express, or CASH!!!!

Don't worry I didn't forget in the midst of all my hustle and bustle to give you all a movie quote. Oh, hey, did you all notice my Heart music on the side!! Tee Hee, I am funny, right? You have to love that. I remember going to the Heart concert when I was in high school and thinking that I was sooo cool. Heather, don't mention what happened at the concert, we don't need to relive those bad memories, just the good ones!! Okay, okay, the movie quote.

Movie Quote:

"Do you want me to take you back to where your from, unemployed in Greenland?"

Hilton Head, Pumpkins, and Remodel!!!

2007-10-30T15:36:00.001-06:00

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to update my blog. I have been out of town, but I know, no excuses!! Anyway, please relax, sit back and enjoy the slide show of what I have been up to for the last week or so. The first set of pictures are of Ryan and I in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It is an island just off the coast of South Carolina and it is BEAUTIFUL!! I loved it. The weather was a little rainy, but that made the temperature nice. The funny thing was that the sweet southerns kept apologizing for the "unusual" rain. I laughed because it was the greenest state I had ever been to. I couldn't look 50 feet in any direction without there being a grove of trees so thick I couldn't see through them. I kept thinking this couldn't be such an anomaly, it has to rain 4 out of 7 days here, it is so green. Anyway, Ryan and I had so much fun and we ate great seafood.

We came home and took the kids to the pumpkin patch which they look forward to every year. They love to carve pumpkins. They have almost as much fun buying them as they do carving them. Marshall stuck his head in the vampire spot for a picture and said, "Hey, Mom, look I am your own little Edward!" I love that kid, he is so stinkin cute. They also had some fun raking the leaves.

I also leave for a week and when I get back LOOK AT MY KITCHEN!! I not only have floors, but doors, painted wall, and cabinets!! I am so excited and think I can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel. Please feel free to make yummy comments about my kitchen; however, if you don't like it keep it to yourself because at this point there is nothing that I can do and I am over budget and it will only hurt my feelings I am afraid. Anyway, I am loving it and so excited to invite you all over for yummy food!!!

I have missed you all and will keep you updated more. Sorry, for the long pause. I will post a movie quote soon. I thought I would do it in a few days. Enjoy the pictures. Love you all!!

Movie Quote!!

2007-10-16T11:22:00.000-06:00

I know that it has been a while since I have had a movie quote. As my last entry said I have been a little obsessed with the Twilight series. I now am done and trying to move on. So, I will put out there the next movie quote. I have a feeling that it won't get quite the response that the Twilight entry got. I have never gotten so many comments then when I discussed that series. So, I hope that you all still love me even though I am not going to quote, Edward, my lovely Edward, only because he hasn't been in a movie just yet!! Okay, so here is this weeks movie quote. Good Luck!!

"So, I'm not sick? Except for this terminal disease?"

I'm An Addict!!

2007-10-11T09:38:00.000-06:00

Okay, it is official, I got sucked in and I am an addict!! Let me start from the beginning. Most of the people that read my blog know that I stalk someone's blog on a fairly regular basis. To keep her anonymity I will not name her, but she is the funniest person I have ever read and I take her opinions pretty seriously because she seems like a cool cat. Anyway, she went on and on about this Twilight series of books and couldn't stop talking about how great they were. I actually didn't listen to her on this topic. Why? You may be asking yourself, because my son had read the first one and liked it. He is 10. Okay, okay, I am sooo prejudging this person that I respect so much and every other person that has told me to read these books. So, now you may be asking yourself, why did you change your mind? Well, here is my story (not really that deep might I add)

I went to Kate's soccer practice on Thursday night and was chatting with one of the other mothers there who is the friendliest women I know. She immediately asks me if I have read the Twilight series. I role my eyes and say "NO" and then she proceeds to tell me how it is the best love story that she has ever read and that she gets goose bumps every time she reads about Edward, then she tells me that it is a Tween book so she could do with a little more in the love department but that it is so well written that it keeps her heart pumping. WELL, need I say more, I said OKAY!! (I won't actually tell you what she said she wished would actually happen because I know that my grandma and my 12 year old niece sometimes read my blog, but you get the picture!) Now you know why I was on the bandwagon!! So, Friday morning I said nonchalantly, "Hey, Marshall, can I borrow Twilight." That was the last time I think I have spoken to my children or my husband. I have now read, Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse and I have to say I am in love, I am really in LOVE. I have many opinions about the book and I invite all of you that have read the books to join me in the discussion. If you haven't read them then stop right here and don't read my blog anymore because you have to read these books NOW!!!
I also have to say that I am so glad that I read all three books because I am not so sure I am going to let my 10 year old read the third one, it gets a little heavy on the lovey dovey part, which I couldn't have been more excited about, BUT he is only 10 so I think I will let him wait a few years.

Okay, so I don't want this blog to be forever long about these books, but this persons blog that I stalk, you know who you are and I just have to say that I couldn't disagree with you more on the Zac Efron thing. Zac could never and I mean NEVER be an Edward. I don't think that I have ever felt so strongly about something in my life so much so that I can feel it in the pit of my stomach!! I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, but the truth is that there really isn't anything in the world as great as Edward because I think that we all know that we are all married to Jacobs even though they have Edward moments they are all Jacobs. I am okay with that because deep down I think that it would bother me to have someone sooo devoted to me that every waking (which for Edward is 24 hours a day) moment was about me, I mean really I need ME time, but maybe I would feel differently if I was married to Edward, the most perfect man EVER...Oh, wait I am married to the most perfect man EVER!! (when he isn't watching sports!)

Okay, so to put the discussion on the table, here is my theory of the Twilight series...I think that Bella is something and won't be able to be turned into a vampire. There has to be a reason that Edward can't hear her thoughts. I'm not saying that she is a werewolf, but I am saying that she is some other kind of creature. Tell me your thoughts, I would love to know. Help talk me through this... I am now on the 12 step program to get back to real life. Convince me that I can do it.

Are You Kidding, I'm A Gummy Bear!!

2007-10-04T10:12:00.000-06:00

Gummy Bears

You may be smooshie and taste unnatural, but you're so darn cute.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofcandyareyouquiz/">What Kind of Candy Are You?

So, Jessica had this quiz on her blog and I innocently took the quiz, only to find out that who ever made up this stupid quiz thinks that I am a GUMMY BEAR!! Not, a cool candy, but a GUMMY BEAR!! Which of course reminded me immediately of a movie quote,

"I bet you've never smelled a real school bus before. Gummy Bear? They've been in my pocket, they're real warm and soft."

Can't you just see it. There is nothing cool about Gummy Bears. I mean who really eats those? Okay so my kids love them and eat them at the movies and I grab a few because they happen to be sitting next to me, BUT I would never buy them on purpose just for me. Okay, maybe if they were covered in chocolate and I was in the grocery store and I hadn't eaten lunch and was all alone and having a fat day and didn't care...then I might buy them, eat them, and then regret it five minutes after eating them because they aren't going to taste that great. Is that what this website thinks of me, that I look cute and fun, but in the end I am a big disappointment and regret? Well, I hope not, I hope that you all see more to me than just Gummy Bears. I am not saying that you shouldn't visit Jessie's website, it was fun (until my result appeared), but I am sure that you all will get better results then me. I am sure that you all will be such candies as, Snickers, Sugar Daddies, Junior Mints..I just pray none of you are a Gummy Bear or heaven help a Milk Dud!!

The Culprit and Movie Quote!!

2007-10-02T17:31:00.000-06:00

This may look like a sweet little puppy, but NO this is the culprit! This is the dog that did this... I don't know if you can make it out, but those are paw prints all over the NEW floor just laid in my kitchen!!!

Peanut has been a member of our family now for three years, but her time has come to an end. "How much is that doggy in the window" today, that doggy is FREE!! Apparently, after she ran through the freshly laid concrete my tile guy threw her outside where she promptly annoyed the neighbors who then gated her inside my property to keep her away from them!! She is a PAIN!! Oh, and Ryan is about to give away the cat because he is a true scaredy cat and meows really loud EVERY time the heater kicks on ALL night long. Oh, how we love our animals...

I think I should move on to my movie quote. I feel like nothing happens in my life other than horrible house events and movie quotes, but just so you know the movie quotes get me through my week. I love that you all comment on them, so I hope that you all love them also. Here is the quote for this week, just so you know this movie is kind of stupid, but for some reason I can't help but watch every time it comes on T.V. plus I have a secret crush on the main character!

"This place is so retro, it might actually be cool is it were on purpose."

Movie Quote!! & My nightmare of a house!!

2007-09-26T08:21:00.000-06:00

These very becoming pictures would be of the ceiling in my new kitchen after the refreshing rain that we received. Yes, it appears that my roof leaks and after much inspection needs to be completely replaced! So, now we are officially OVER, I repeat OVER budget!! One of the down sides of blogging is that you can't see the actual tears that I am shedding right at this moment! Trust me however, I was feeling pretty proud of myself for keeping this kitchen within budget and now I can just throw all my hard work to the dogs because we are going to be paying OFF this kitchen for the next 6 months.

Anyway, please feel free to take a moment of silence at this time, say a prayer, find your zen, or *57 the roofing gods whatever you must to keep my bid on the new roof under $15,000. That would be a great help to me. Oh, and also ask that it not RAIN for the next week too, that would also be helpful. Thank you all.

Now, on to something a little more fun. The movie quote. I have to say I am surprised that more of you didn't know She's The Man. It is a great movie and I challenge you all to go out and rent it and watch it this week and tell me how much you loved this movie. I will still come to my own blog and just watch the trailer and laugh. Amanda Bynes is sooo funny, she is someone that I think deserves her fame. You know there are so many famous people that don't deserve his/her fame in my opinion. Here are a few that I don't think deserve fame:

1. O.J. Simpson (maybe he deserved it for being an athlete, but NOT for killing his wife!)
2. Richard Simmons (So you lost a lot of weight, great, but if you can't find pants or a haircut in 25 years you don't deserve fame in my opinion!)
3. Paris Hilton (Just because your daddy is rich you shouldn't have fans, I never did)
4. Kevin Federline (There is absolutely nothing worth being famous about this guy and his wife does deserve to be famous, but is pushing it.)

These are just a few examples, because if you know me I could go on and on forever, like honestly why was Molly Ringwald ever cast in a movie I will never know, but back to what you are all waiting for which is this weeks quote. Oh, wait...if you have anyone that you would like to add to the list please do so, I love and obsess about famous people therefore, I love to gossip. So, if you want to tell me why someone should NOT be famous please join in on the rant, I would love to hear!!

Okay, this weeks quote. I hope you are all a little better at this one.

What color is my tongue, what color is it?"

"It's red, I dunno- red."

"Red red or tongue red?"

"Razzle red."

She's the man Movie Trailer

2007-09-23T10:53:00.001-06:00

Watch the entire trailer to see the movie quote! It is there at the end!

Movie Quote!!

2007-09-19T11:09:00.000-06:00

Last week's was too easy also, so let's see if you all can get this one. This is one that I quote often, but I don't say what it is from. Good luck and remember, NO CHEATING!!

"I've got a life time of knowledge."

The Golf Widow

2007-09-15T19:50:00.000-06:00

I have been "happily" married and I repeat "happily" married for almost 14 years. I believe the reason for my happiness is because my husband (okay and me too sometimes) lives a pretty pampered life. Most of you are aware of the fact that my husband is out of town on a somewhat regular basis (that is NOT why I am happy). He enjoys camping, backpacking, mountain biking and other sundries things. Well, this weekend my husband is in Oregon on a golf trip. Yes, I am sure many of you are wondering how Ryan could play any more golf, but yes, it is true. My happiness I have found stems from the fact that he always seems to return from his trips in a much better mood then when he left and therefore life is good. My mood however sometimes could use a little boost... let me tell you a little about my day as a golf widow left to care for the dear children all on my own.

6:30- day begins running to the bathroom because it appears Kate's stomach flu has been kindly given to dear mom (of course while dad is gone, never a day off!)

7:30- must get uniform out of dryer (load done at 12:30 pm when son reminded me it needed to be clean for the game) because Marshall is being picked up in 10 minutes for his game.

8:30- still running to the bathroom, must shower get Kate ready and get her to her soccer game, meeting NaNa at game.

10:00- meet NaNa at corner to show her where the game is and rush Kate to game (hoping there is a bathroom)

10:45- get a surprise call from mother-in-law that she is at my house, that looks like I feel, and wants me to meet her there and show her the living hell that I live in. Oh, with a smile on my face. Can't disappoint the mother-in-law!!

11:30- stop at Maverick for a Diet Coke, there is no way I will make it through the day without one.

11:32- spill my Diet Coke down the front of myself, while wearing all white!!! Buy treats for Kate because need to rush to ALPINE to get Marsahll from his baseball game.

11:40- Kate spills all her candy in the car. (I don't own a Mom car, I own a sweet ass Audi!)I hear "oopps, sorry mom."

11:41- I start laughing hysterically because it isn't even noon and my life sucks, I have Diet Coke down the front of me, I need a bathroom to safe my life, and my husband is off playing GOLF and the only thing that I can think to do is laugh.

It made me think of this one time I was in the car with Marshall and he was giving me smack...like always. I finally said to him, "Marshall, you should be nice to me, I went through the valley of the shadow of death for you. You have no idea. I couldn't even walk for like a week after I had you." You know what that kid said to me. He said, "You couldn't walk for a week, I couldn't walk for like a year!"

Life is hard and funny all at the same time. You are all probably reading this thinking that my day was probably not that bad, but to me it sucked. But, here are some adorable pictures of my kids at their games. So, in the end it is always worth it. And if my husband finds a computer and looks at my blog I have only one thing to say, "You better be having fun!"

Movie Quote!!

2007-09-13T19:54:00.000-06:00

Okay, it is a new week and therefore time for a new Movie Quote!! I do have to say that Katie is pretty good at this even though she cheated last week. No cheating this week Katie!! No looking it up on the Internet. Either you know it or you don't. And Lori can't guess because I already told her what movie it was from. So good luck to you all. Here it is.

"What kind of name is Poon?"

"Comanche Indian"

The Money Pit

2007-09-13T19:36:00.000-06:00

Okay, so here are some new pictures of my living hell and I thought that I would give you all a website that you can go to, so that you can see my new light fixtures!! I love them. I also was going to give you a website so you can see the furniture that I bought, but Campo doesn't have one that I could find. Sorry. Anyway, go link above named LIGHTS,LIGHTS,LIGHTS and in the search box put F1088-33 and F1081-33. Oh, and the beautiful front door that I have a picture of will be painted Black. Just so you all know that it doesn't stay that nasty color with white trim.

Just as a side note...you can't really tell but now I no longer can go down my stairs so I am forced to go in between the 2x4's of a missing wall to get to another set of stairs and go down those stairs all without lights because now none of the house has any lights. Ryan saw a RAT, yes a RAT outside our door yesterday and our cat has been going crazy under the stairwell as of late, so it appears we have stirred up a family of mice and rats that need to be taken care of. Also, I can't go anywhere in my house without sheet rock, plaster or nails following behind me. Shoes are required!!! This would be why I call it my living Hell!! Pardon my French. I am sure that I will love it when it is all done, but for now, I would love to stay in a La Quinta because I am already eating at Denny's!!

Movie Quote!!

2007-09-07T23:46:00.000-06:00

Okay, Okay, Amber gave me a movie quote in the comment section of my "Am I a Crazy Old Lady" post. Her movie quote was, "You're doing it wrong!" I have to admit I thought long and hard about this one. This was a good one because it sounded so familiar and I could see the face of the woman who said it but I couldn't place the name of the movie. But then I thought, "220, 221 whatever it takes!" I bet you didn't remember that line from MR. MOM!!

So, here is my movie quote for the week.

"No, he is an ordinary person, I could kill an ordinary person, I could kill a hundred ordinary people."

Good Luck to you all, especially you Katie!!

Am I A Crazy Old Lady?

2007-09-02T17:08:00.000-06:00

So, I had this lady come by my house today to look at some furniture that I am selling and a thought crossed my mind...am I going to grow up to be that crazy old lady? I am being totally serious. This lady was sweet as pie, but couldn't stop talking. Sound familiar to anyone. I often think to myself that, sure my obsessive talking was cute when I was little and then it grew to be mildly entertaining as an adult, but when I get old, I mean old, am I going to be the crazy old lady that you try to shut up and pat on the shoulder and give Oveltene or Postum to in hopes that the drink will quite me for even a minute or two, or even better, maybe I will dose off to sleep, you know like old people tend to do. I am feeling your pain already! I don't want you all to hate to be around me..maybe it is difficult already. However, my thoughts are that it gets more and more difficult as I get older, because less interesting things happen to me as I get older and I am being forced to repeat myself. Also, I may not even know that I am repeating myself!! I want to help you all so that you don't have to go through what I went through this afternoon. If (when I am old, not now) you are bored with what I am saying simply say, "Emily, that is so great can I interest you in _____"

Here are somethings to fill in the blanks:

*a good movie

*chocolates

*diamonds

*new cloths

*new shoes

*a famous movie star (I hesitate to name one only because whom ever I name now would totally be old by the time this list is useful and therefore not worthy of mentioning.)

*a new house

*diet coke

*a massage

*a pedicure

*a fabulous dinner

*an evening with Ryan that doesn't include sports

The list goes on, but I am sure that you get the idea. I apologize up front for my future crazy old lady state. I am sure I will turn into one and for those of you that last and continue to be my friends I applaud you. Thank you for sticking with me through all those years. I love you!!

Movie Quote!!

2007-08-30T18:44:00.000-06:00

Okay, no helpful picture this time. Just the quote and good luck to you all. I am hoping that this time it is a little harder. Here you go!

"Great idea, what's your major, town tramp?"

"No mom, the town already has one."

The Money Pit

2007-08-28T20:41:00.000-06:00

Note the lovely light still hanging, given by H (thanks Heather!) It might not last much longer.

Yes, we are still living in our home!!

These before pictures show the need to remodel!

Okay, okay, okay!! For those of you that know me there are three things that I can't live without: Diet Coke, DVR, and %$# in that order. However, I have an obsession that has taken over my life now and everyone that I come in contact with has to listen to me talk about it. That new obsession is my KITCHEN!! I am in the middle of a well needed kitchen remodel. At least anyone that knows me will agree that it is well needed. So I am going to take you all through the exciting process no matter how boring it may seem. I may have polls to ask your opinion on what you all think I should do. So it could be up to you to make my kitchen beautiful. To explain to the ones that are not completely familiar with my home. I have a kitchen and a formal dining room. I am getting rid of the walls between the two rooms and making them one big room, kitchen. It makes my only stairway obsolete so I am opening a secret stairway in another wall. Pretty Cool actually!! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!!

Kate's Growing Popcorn!!

2007-08-28T19:21:00.000-06:00

You are all going to think that I am making this story up, but I promise you it is all the truth. About a month ago Kate came up to me and asked if she could go and plant something in the yard. I asked her what she was going to plant and she informed me that she thought that if she planted some popcorn kernels that she could grow some corn. I tried really hard not to laugh. I smiled and told her to go ahead and knock herself out. Well, this is a picture of Kate and Sarah (my niece) in front of Kate's popcorn stalk!! She planted two popcorn kernels and now I have corn growing next to my basketball hoop! Who would have thought (other than my 7 year old) that you could grow corn from popcorn? I love being proven wrong by my children on a daily basis. I just love that she really thought that she could grow corn and then corn grew in my yard! I am amazed everyday when I see it grow taller and taller. We can't wait to cook it up with some chicken. I have had to tell her though that we already own a cat and a dog, I am not buying any chickens to go with the corn.

Oh, I know that one!!!

2007-08-23T09:39:00.000-06:00

I have friends, Yes, I have friends. Only a couple. But, they tell me I am funny. I always have to remind them that nothing I say is original, I obsessivly quote movies. I have always done it and love doing it. So I am going to have a section on my blog where I will put in a movie quote and you all try and quess what movie it is from. You will have to write it in the comment section. I will not accept calls (for those of you that I know are looking at my blog and not commenting!!) I will try and put the movie clip on the blog at the end of the week and then you will see who was right. I don't know how many clues to give or not give so for the first week you get NONE!! Just the quote. Good luck!!

Movie Quote #1:

"I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen."

P.S. No cheating, that takes all the fun out of it.

Want Some Candy Little Kid?

2007-08-23T09:12:00.000-06:00

Okay, so the pictures on the first day of school are out of focus of my kids and that is horrible of me, but the real reason for the post is to tell you all about what happened when I took my kids to their first day of school. I am one of those mothers who's own mother did nothing but embarrass me or try to when I was growing up; however, she would always say, "hey, look on the bright side you can do the same to your own kids some day!" Like that made me feel any better when she was dropping me off for Junior High and yelling, "Kissy, Kissy, I love you Emily!" out the window. It is amazing I am as mentally healthy as I am.

Anyway, back to what happened when I dropped my kids off at school. I don't really drop them off. I of course have to go into the school and introduce myself to the teacher and tell what an adorable child they are getting in his/her class. This is what embarrasses my children so badly. I love it. So I drive to the school and attempt to park my car across the street, parallel park. As you all know my 5'2" frame requires me to guess a little on the length of my car, so I might have "tapped" the car behind me. The crossing guard sees me do this and I am so embarrassed because I think that it is his car. I say nothing as my kids are laughing their butts off we get out of the car. Marshall then says loudly, "Well, Mom he deserves it for driving a Mercury!" I grab Marshall so quickly and tell him to be quite and I look at the crossing guard and ask him if it is his car and he says YES!! I apologize and tell him thank goodness for bumpers and walk off.

Moral of the story: I suffer through all of those years of humiliation only to go through child birth so that I can humiliate my own kids and in the end they humiliate ME!! I can't win.

The DAC (Has it really only been 10 years!!)

2007-08-21T23:17:00.000-06:00

Is it Ryan, is it Payne Stewart? I can't tell the difference!!

As many of you know my husband put together a golf tournament for himself and his friends from high school. It is called the DAC (the Damn Amateur Classic). This tournament has been an obsession with him and his friends. For those of you that know about it you understand. For those of you that don't I am not even sure that I can explain. He organized it 10 years ago this year, so to commemorate the occasion they decided to go to Pine Hurst, North Carolina for the tournament. According to Ryan it was a religious experience! However, I have met all of these "men" and I would beg to differ. But, in Ryan's defense golf is to him as cooking is to me!! So, who is to say. Here are a few pictures of the blessed event!

Fun Summer!!

2007-08-21T22:47:00.000-06:00

This is Marshall's attempt of putting on his own sunscreen. It makes me hurt just to look at it. He is doing better now, but he had no idea and told me that his back hurt and asked me to look and see if he had something on his back. I laughed so hard and grabbed the camera just so I could show him what it looked like. It's classic!!

Before I get into the kitchen remodel. I thought that I would show you some adorable pictures of my kids and some of the things that they have done this summer. No summer is complete without a trip to the BEACH!! We went with my best friend Judy and her family this year. FUN was had by all!! We were lucky and got to visit with Katie and Taylor also.

"How" long did it take me to get a Blog?

2007-08-21T22:24:00.000-06:00

Okay, so if you don't get the "how" joke... that is me trying to be funny with the whole Chief thing. Okay,okay, I'll stop. Here we are finally, on the web. I feel that I need to apologize up front for the posts that will be done. I am completely obsessed with my kitchen remodel. I will keep you all up to date as to what is going on with the construction. Even if you don't care. I have wanted to do this kitchen remodel since the moment I peeked into the windows of this wretched money pit I lovingly call HOME!!