Visit to Island Park

I just got back this morning from a short visit to my Aunt and Uncle who live in Island Park, Idaho. It's about 7 miles south of the Montana border and 12 miles from West Yellowstone. They have a beautiful home there and invited to come up for a few days. It's a short drive so I left Friday morning and was there by about noon.

My Aunt is the sister to my grandma on my father's side. My grandma died a year before I was born and I had a lot of questions about her. My dad says I've always reminded him of her and as I grew older, I wanted to know what that meant. There are getting to be less and less people who knew her personally that could answer the myrid questions I had so I took advantage of her relative closeness and went to her to ask the questions.

I spent about 2 hours videoing her answering the questions I had. She also had lots of pedigree charts, really old pictures and several letters and articles about our family. It's all so interesting! This pedigree she gave me shows our family going back to early 1700's. The more I know about that the more I want to know. I just wish I could have seen how those people lived. My Aunt just had so much to share, I was so happy I'd gone to see her.

My Aunt and Uncle have a quiet life there where they watch Jeopardy, do crossword puzzles, and eat breakfast in front of huge picture windows overlooking beautiful Henry's Lake. Sometimes they open up the back door for Lucy, their little dog who runs in and out barking at the chipmunks who climb the deck pillars trying to get into the bird feeders. The crisp fall air blows in and out and feels so good as you suck it into your lungs.

It snowed quite a bit while I was there. I was not prepared so my Aunt gave me a huge red jacket to wear, and I never took it off. Later, I walked down to the lake to take some pictures and wished I could set up a chair, sit and drink in the panorama. The fog was low and peeking from beneath it was snow-covered mountains. But the fog couldn't cover the fall colors that were becoming quite evident. The way the red and orange aspens intermix with the pine trees is breathtaking!

After most trips, I'm glad to be home but I wish I'd have stayed a few more days there. I had to come home because I missed my little pumpkin too much; she didn't come with me. Probably another reason why it was so relaxing for me. We ate, chatted, shopped, napped, read, and ate some more. If the pumpkin had been with me, I'd have spent 90% of my time throwing rocks in the lake. Maybe I'll take the fam next year.

I Couldn't Resist

I saw this video and couldn't stop laughing. It's a little long but hopefully someone apprecaites it like I do.

Junior High

Now that I'm back working at the school district for a time, of course I'm back walking through various schools. I spend 95% of my time in elementary schools but occasionally I have to go to a junior high and once in a great while, I end up at a high school.

I hated high school when I was there as a student, and I still hate high school as a grown-up. Junior high's are nearly as bad and I'll tell you why.

When I was 13, I stopped growing. I was a measly 5' 1", size 6 shoe, and never progressed further. So to step back into a junior high now, I find myself right. back. there.

And it hasn't changed. You can peg what groups are what by the way they collect, and walk and talk. You can tell who's feeling awkward or lost. The angst just rushes back!

But when I was at a J.H. last week, I thought, "wait, you didn't have a horrible junior high experience, what's all this emotional business?" I started to sort of analyze it and I think it's related to how I feel about high school. Junior high's these days are visually, so similar to high schools. I mean, the girls (yikes!), what are parent's letting these kids wear anymore? Half of them looked older than me! I don't remember my JH being like that - it was high school. My JH looked more like an elementary school with lockers but these schools here in Utah look like small renditions of high schools.

I guess JH wasn't an awful experience for me. In fact, looking back it was actually really fun! And then, halfway through my 8th grade year we moved from California to Colorado which was hard,but it was also fun starting new then. I was "the girl from California" and was instantly popular. It wasn't until high school (the marching band experience) and all those girl hormones that turned happy-go-lucky into nail-biting angst.

Here's me in 8th grade. Girls, do you remember that hairstyle?

Follow up to the Riddle

Well, I guess I'm the dumbest one around! But I have to say something:

When that riddle was told to me, I'm pretty sure that no mention was made about how the guy didn't walk, run or have an automobile leave him where he was or whatever. I think it went something like this:

A man lay dead in a field. He is alone and no one knows he's there. He's wearing a backpack. What's in it?

Would that have made it any harder?

Most of the riddles in that little book I got at the library I was able to find answers to by doing a quick google on them.

If anyone has a good riddle for me to post, email it to me. You can email me through my profile.

Have a great Sunday!

How Smart are You?

I've never had a good mind for riddles. They've always make me feel so confused that I feel like I want to run screaming away in frustration. So when I picked up this book at the library on riddles, I thought it might be a good way to challenge myself without feeling put on the spot. It did not help. I am just as confused as ever. I wondered how many people could figure out a riddle I'd heard in the past. Here it is:

A dead man lays in a field, alone. There's nothing in the field for miles but more meadow. He has a backpack on his back. No one knows he is there, dead. He was not murdered. He did not walk/run or arrive by an automobile. He did not die of starvation, dehydration, heat or cold. How did he die, and what's in the backpack?

You figure this out; I send you $5.

p.s. this is obviously easier than I thought since someone two people answered me within like 30 seconds. so if you don't want to know the answer, and ponder it for a minute, don't look at the comments. :) i knew money get me some responses! if all else fails - pay 'em!

All's Right With the World

After $1,000 worth of damage, my Tahoe is back in my driveway, repaired and once again, like new. I drove a 2008 Grand Prix in my Tahoe's absence and I have 1 thing to say...I'm Spoiled!

My new sidewalk is finally finished. The cones are still blocking my street (although I no longer try to make U-Turns in front of my house), the workers have moved along down the street, both macadem & concrete are poured and dried and I have full access again to my driveway (bless the Lord). It actualy was less painful than I had imagined.

I have been up at 5AM now for 4/5 days which for me is a record since January. I'm quite pleased with myself but owe it all to Courtney. Swimming yesterday was absolutely the most wonderful feeling. I love to swim; nothing else in the world can make you feel so free, lithe and graceful.

My husband is wonderful for so many reasons although today it is because he mercifully coughed up the $500 deductible for the Tahoe repairs (out of his "anniversary fund"). I had planned to pay for it out of my measly earnings, as a little "lesson to me" but I guess he was feeling especially generous to me today. Yes, we put our money together but the money I earn at my job(s) is my "play" money and that's the money I was going to use - hence, no playing for a few months.

I found a new store in Layton called "Rod Works", my new favorite store. I can easily see myself spending a small fortune in there in the next 6 months as I get to decorating my basement.

My daughter is now old enough to be of great assistance to me: today she was able to run and get me a roll of toilet paper when I was in dire need. We all need our own personal little assistant like that! And today, she said "Mommy, I want you to hold me." Now who can resist that? It's great being a mom.

We all must be grateful for the little things! They're what makes life worth living. Toodle-oo.

Blogging Awards

I've seen these awards floating around the blogosphere - someone gets the "You Make Me Smile", another person gets a "Funniest Blog in the Universe" award. I don't know where the original award comes from, nor what qualifies a person to get such an award and perhaps it's a e-pat.on.the.back.


My blog got an award this morning too. It's my very first one and I have to say I am rather flattered by the description. This award was giving to me by Andrew, of "Everyone Loves Coupons".The award, obviously, is the "Best Kept Secret" award. It's a nice award, so thanks Andrew!

I went to his blog personally to thank him, and I found the following description associated with my blog and why I received this award. I will share...

"Amy from You are a Fly - I haven’t been reading Amy’s blog too long and she may not actually be much of a secret, but you can sum her and her blog up in one word: sweet. I dare you to read one of her posts without feeling like you’ve just stepped into a very special episode of “Little House on the Prairie.” (And that’s meant as a compliment by the way…)"

Now many people might be offended to be compared or used in a sentence about "Little House on the Prairie". But I'm not and I'll tell you why (this is pretty much what I said to Andrew too).

The world is fully of ugly & yucky things to contaminate our minds & bodies with. It has a lot to do with beliefs & faith but I'd rather keep my mind and my life more on the innocent side. I brush over a lot of ugly stuff so as to stay in my rose-colored world. I mentioned to Andrew that I am flattered that he gleaned that from just reading my blog. I definately have had some terrible things happen to me in my life but most of that is over and turning over a new leaf is an invigorating and uplifting feeling. I'm so happy my life is the way it is now and that the aura I give off, even through my blog, is one of a more tranquil time. Thanks again Andrew.

I almost forgot - I'm supposed to share the love and pass along the award to 3 other secret bloggers. So, I've chosen the following:

Kelly - of Life and Times, is a good friend of mine and not as secret as I am even. Kelly is a fabulous cook, a great mom, and a fabulous blogger. Reading her blog is similar to picking up your favorite edition of BH&G or Martha Stewart's Living.

Jessica - of Jessica McCash has become a blogger friend of late. I read her daily because her posts are young, fresh, domestic and also sweet. I don't know her personally but her blogs give me the impression that there's more than meets the eye with this girl!

Jamie - of Fab Five is the good friend of one of my good friends, Katie. I love reading Jamie's blog because she is absolutely hysterical! I find myself in stitches nearly every post! Even with some of the most mundane things in her day, she manages to twist it into the most hilarious story that most moms, wives, whatever can relate with at some level.

Rules girls is that you have to send along the award to 3 others...or not.

A Mother's Perspective

When I was a brand new mother, still nursing this sweet little girl, I was the only person on the planet who reguarly saw my baby in this position. I'd look down on her and see her eyes and cheek and know I had a wonderful priveledge to see her this way as I held her to me. I knew I'd never forget how she looked but I was afraid as she grew, she'd lose that look and I'd never see it again. So, last night as she lay on the floor next to my office chair, I looked down and there it was! I had missed that look for too long so I captured it and now I have it forever. Although she's much bigger now, the way she looks, the side of her face as she looks forward, remains the same as the 2 month old baby I held in my arms so frequently. It's like I captured a little of her essence.

What's Up in My World

Today was a blissful day. For the most part, it stayed a cool 75'ish degrees, with a pleasant breeze (okay wind) that was almost a little blustery if it wasn't too warm for "bluster". I loved it. I got out a sweater, and wore it all day thinking of soup & rolls for dinner, especially after I talked to my sister Ellen and she was making one of my fav's: split pea soup & rolls.

I ended up buying a rotisserie chicken, store-made potato rolls & steamed broccoli for dinner but at least the thought of comfort soup was there.

I actually have been getting up early for the past few weeks to run, and it has changed my entire outlook on life! I hate myself when I sleep in until 9 because by the time I get myself & the kiddo dressed & "ready" it's like 11:00 and then what's the point...go back to bed. Well, that's an exaggeration, but I really do feel useless when I sleep in that long.

Today, other than Nat's dance lesson, I had nothing on the docket for a change. What a liberating feeling! I ran a few random errands, went to Costco with my other sister, Renee and then came home to watch Monster House & Blades of Glory while I finished some projects I've had on the back burner for a week or two. I don't often let myself do crafty projects in the middle of the day, not to mention watch movies so to do both was SO MUCH FUN!

Tomorrow morning, Courtney and I are going swimming at the rec center. We actually tried to go Tuesday morning, got over there at 5:00 AM, and there was this big sign that said, "POOL CLOSED DUE TO RESURFACING".

WTH? Didn't this pool just open in February? Why in the world does it already need resurfacing? Puh leeze! That was a little disappointing.

So that's an update in my world. Hope all's well in yours!

Here's my projects:

Dichotomy

We want a cold toilet at a public restroom because it tells our brains a little lie that

"of course your hiney is the very first to grace this throne!"

...it saves our minds from the hygiene dilemma.

However, we want a warm toilet in the middle of the night so as not to jar our dozey minds even though we've dragged our not-so-willing hiney from between warm sheets.

Food for Thought.

The Very Best Bookstore Ever

I have a special place in my little soul for a wonderful nook called "The Tattered Cover Bookstore" located in Denver, CO. At this splended location is a very old and historic building dedicated to bookworms like me. In this retreat, a book nut will be in their own personal form of heaven on earth. You walk in to a small, cozy little cafe with mismatched, spindly cafe chairs with the usual coffee-folk gathered around in huddled discussion. From there, you see a staircase headed up into sort of darkness and beyond the staircase begins the bookstore. As you meander through past the staircase, you must be on alert of you will topple over the many precariously perched stacks of books randomly placed...everywhere. Wandering further, you notice the floor to ceiling bookcases that appear to the casual observer to be mazes that one enters but never emerges, at least in the same place. You can be lost in the maze for hours! And somewhere in the maze, you'll chance upon a cozy wingback or chair that sucks you into its fluffy comfort. You sit for hours with your cup of liquid pleasure, a book you didn't expect to find, and no one knows where you are - not even you.

The last time I was at Tattered Cover was about 8 years ago and my sister snapped this pic of me somewhere on the 3rd level, I believe. I think I was lost in a book on aerial photography of lower Manhattan, which at the time was my desired abode.

I've always thought how great it would be to open a Tattered Cover franchise here in Utah. Its atmosphere is largely what draws its customers, and from what I've experienced, nothing parallels Tattered Cover...at all. When you want to lose yourself, and at the same time feel completely at home, you've got to go to The Tattered Cover Bookstore (online just doesn't do it justice...not dusty enough).

Finding Definition

It's something I hear a lot about lately. It's on little boards you can hang inside your hallway, sewn onto quilts, and it's the name of books on organizing and controling the chaos.

But what does it mean? If I want to simplify, and if by definition, I do...very much; does it mean I get rid of all my scrapbooking stuff and any other unfinished project that sits in the back of my mind? Does it mean throwing all but 1 cookbook away? What about all the stuff in my storage room - do I give it away? Or do I stop doing anything but the basics:

get up, clean house, make meals, grocery shop, make a pie or 2 for fun and go to bed again.

What would my life look like simplified... how would it feel? Would I like it as much? Would simple be fun?

Tell me...who has a grasp on simplification, other than the Amish, of course? Is that what I really want?

Changes

I found out Tuesday that the hospital I work at is going through some changes and won't be needing me to work as much until the Spring so they are releasing me to the wide open world! I'll still do evenings there but I called up the school district where I worked the past couple of years and I'll be going back there which is great! I really love working with the kids and teachers. I'll be sad to not be at the hospital as I love working there but it's only temporary and then I'll go back when school's out again, I think.

While I'm writing, I have to send a huge shout out against all Maytag appliances made in the past 5 years, which basically encompasses every major appliance I own! I have Neptune washer/dryer, microwave, double oven & dishwasher. I guess I don't have a Maytag fridge, it's LG and has been no trouble. However, in the short time (less than 3 years for the Neptunes) and less than 2 years for everything else, I've had to completely replace the washer once, and it's control panel twice. And even after all that, it's still on the blink. And, I've had the dishwasher serviced 3x now. No trouble yet from the microwave & oven yet but it's only a matter of time. The repairman knows me by name now and he visits frequently. I only wish I'd gotten the extended warrantly on all of them. I know people generally LOVE Maytag, but the repairman told me that there was a period of time when Maytag, as a company, was in trouble so Samsung was making all their crap - and that's a literal term. They recently got bought out and things are much better, he said. Now I find out!

How Long Did You Have to Wait for That Shot?

"cuz I do, I use Jazz Hands when I look in a window!"

There's this link to http://icanhascheezburger.com/ on my little sister's blog and so I went there. If you visit there, make sure you read the "About Us" link so you sort of understand. Anyway, funny stuff to share from that site.

Parenting 101

Why to Not Let Children Sleep in Mom & Dad's Bed

Reason #423: child will spontaneously throw up all over all bedding, everyone's pajamas and hair causing entire family to play musical sheets with any available clean bedding in the house, and require showers...all at 2:30 AM!

I "Just" Made Spaghetti

I'm racking my pea-brain but can't recall where I read this little thing the other day about how you know when someone TRULY cares for you. You can tell because they are concerned with how you sleep, and how you eat! I think I read it on someone's blog and it touched my little heart.

When you're sick, isn't it like a little beautifully packaged Christmas present when someone hands you a steaming bowl of your fav soup? Or when you're super busy and dying of hunger but can't break - and your significant other makes you a perfect, little sandwich?

Making someone a meal is one of the most special things you can do for someone else to show them that you love them! And when I JUST cook spaghetti for my family (it's the "Standby Meal"), it doesn't mean that I love them any less. It just means, I'm busy too, but not too busy to give you this big bowl of love with meatballs on top!

9/11

-Just remembering-

7th Book - Here I Come!

I'll admit it. I make fun of Trekkies and silly Harry Potter fans that camp out all night to see the next movie or buy the next book. Can someone explain the lure?

On the other hand, in preparation for a new Harry Potter book, I obsessively re-read all previous books with over-the-top frenzy. And I KNOW I'm not the only one. It's like we're a little club of Harry Potter re-readers. I've proably read Harry Potter more times than any other book (even Ride the Wind).

This time, I procured all of the books on CD and have had a mahvelous time listening to them all for a month (except for Book 7). Now I don't normally believe in the mantra "it can't hurt to ask" (most people are too nice to say no, and so give grudgingly if their heart's not in it), in this case I COULD NOT resist. And this kind soul was so gracious I wanted to cry in gratitude! I plan to do something nice for this awesome lady who so willingly handed me two huge CD cases full of Harry Potter books!

Well, yesterday I finally finished listening to Book 6, as I painted baseboards in my basement hallway. So now, on to Book 7! (i'm screaming like a silly girl inside) I've been so careful to avoid Harry Potter conversations, websites and anything else that would spoil it for me. The book's been out now for 2 months or something and I'm giddy, now that I'm ready for it!

I Just Had to Share This

I was 13. I spent the summer with my Aunt in Arizona. She was very free-thinking and enjoyed my experiments with hydrogen peroxide. She even threw some in her hair. My mom didn't recognize me at the airport when I came home. I was 13! What did I care what I looked like? It was fun! Don't I look happy?

I Feel Sorry for Women

Have you ever had a "friend" who for no apparent reason, stopped talking to you? Like they suddenly disappeared off the planet leaving you no explanation for their vacancy?

um, that's wierd right?

You'd never see a guy doing that.....what's up with that?

I've had a couple of friends do that to me in my lifetime. Isn't it sort of funny how passive they are? I mean, what a waste. How the relationships those people have will probably always be that really superficial type, because when it gets a little rough, they aren't "man" enough to suck it up and confront you about whatever it is that pisses them off.

What bugs me the worst is that I'm a woman too, and someone in my life probably wonders if our relationship will ever end up like that. Well, lemme tell ya - it won't be because of me.

I have 1 thing to say to those "friends" of mine: NOTHING GOOD EVER CAME EASY

Oops, I guess I have one more thing to say. I am grateful to have a bit of contention at times with my friends. It eases the anxiety that someone will desert you when it gets rough because you've been there a little already, AND you get to see a whole new facet to your friend's personality.

For example: I LOVE arguing with Katie. She is hilarious and I trust her. I know the disagreements end with the last word and the subject gets changed. WE'RE STILL FRIENDS! IT'S TRULY AMAZING!

Anyway, that's my verbal gush for the day. Take it for what it is.

I Cleaned My Desk

So, after 3 weeks of staring at the piles on my desk growing larger & more precarious, I decided I'd tear my eyes away from my computer [blogging] to address the natural disaster about to happen. It's amazing what you can find when you start cleaning! And to think, I'm teaching my 2nd "Cleaning on a Schedule" class in a couple of weeks. It's scary!

So now I'm sitting happily at my clean desk in my pajamas that Todd refers to as my "tablecloth" pajamas, and Natalie says, "mom, you look like a picnic"

"gee thanks fam, for that boost to my self-esteem"

But they're 100% cotton just like the sheets I'm about to climb in, and I'm utterly content with my little world at the moment.

Thought I'd make a little post about a booklist I've been generating for a couple of years. I've had so many recommendations lately from friends, family, patients etc. You'd be surprised at how many referrals I get from patients. It's usually the same ole' situation though: I go in their room, we get to talking and I notice a book they're reading and off we go... and they make a recommendation and it's usually "the best book they've ever read" which is typically good enough for me to put it on a list of should reads.

Had a brainstorm to list a few in case anyone was struggling with what to read next. I'll list the authors if I have them:

Dragonfly in Amber
Old Man in the Sea (Hemingway)
Girl With a Pearl Earing (Tracy Chevalier)
Crooked River Burning (Mark Winegardener)
A Widow For a Year (John Irving)
Anne of a Thousand Days

I can't vouche personally for any of these books but since they were all personal recommendations, I plan to endeavor them all in the near future.

Some of you might have read in my profile that my favorite book of all times was "Ride the Wind" by Lucia St. Clair Robson, which incidentally I just purchased on Amazon for 1 cent! I lent my book several years ago to an ex-friend who never gave it back! How rude! Anyway, it's about a Cherokee Indian abduction of a white woman and how she was integrated into their tribe and married their chief. It's a true story but the way it was written...WOW! I actually became that woman and seriously thinking, even now, about that Cherokee chief ....well let's just say, he became the subject of many of my fantasies (don't laugh, I have a fabulous imagination!) It's been many years since I've even read it and oh.my.gosh! He was delicious! Oh.kay. Whatever, I am SO a human female!

On to something else!
After a hilarious discussion with Katie, Kelly, Carly, & Julie over dinner the other night, I humbly concede about my mispronunciation of "machismo":


"machismo
One entry found for machismo.

Main Entry:
ma·chis·mo Pronunciation: mä-'chEz-(")mO, m&-, -'kEz-, -'kiz-, -'chiz-
Function: nounEtymology: Spanish, from macho1 : a strong sense of masculine pride : an exaggerated masculinity2 : an exaggerated or exhilarating sense of power or strength "

This is my Cherokee chief! No lie, one night my ex-husband woke me up for a game of footsie and I thought he was The Chief because I was half-dreaming still, and it was one of the best night of my life. ...who said that?

Confessions

I was always a little behind in figuring out what was cool. I was always one of the last to figure out the cues my peers were dropping such as...legwarmers were awesome..and then not, that riding the bus was definitely not awesome, backpacks were out and the big Esprit bags were sweet, or that playing a sport (or rather anything) was cooler than marching band.

I've reminisced somewhat about dancing and how it would have been my preferred activity as a kid but my mother was of a different musical nature. We (my sisters and I) started piano lessons before we could read and as soon as we were allowed to start instruments in school, we did. Course now that I think back, how did Renee escape that? She really never did an instrument, hmmmm. Anyhew, I started flute and did well with my backing in piano. I then moved to piccolo, a derivation of flute. Then I went on to saxophone and then clarinet. Flute was always my primary instrument but I also played sax a lot too. I still have my flute even.

From lessons I went to orchestras, and was in advanced orchestras nearly every year until I went into high school. Somehow I got into marching band where I stayed for 2 years (freshman & sophomore) years. After that, I just did orchestra & a little jazz band.

I look back now and am ashamed of myself a little. It took me almost 2 years to figure out that marching band was utterly un-cool and I let it get the best of me. It was actually really fun and gratifying as we marched around the football field in our costumes (Scottish; kilt & all) making the most awesome designs as we played our instruments. I played flute the first year and sax the 2nd. I really did have a great time. And I had a place there whereas when I quit, I never did quite find that place again. This pic is of me my 1st year in marching band. I was a freshman. [my mom was so proud]

I got thinking of my time in marching band because of that single experience then, it's how I measure distances. All of our patterns were based on the yard lines and from now on, I know precisely how far 10 yards is - it's about 8 paces for me.

A Little Something for Me

Talk about a grouch today! I don't know what's going on, but I seem to be furious with everything. In the Target parking lot, it was everything I could do to not intentially cram my door into the side of the van parked next to me (i was provoked, i assure you). I decided not to do that (hmmm, what would Big-J do?) Instead, I decided I needed a little "me" time.

I've never gotten a pedicure before and I decided it was high time I did. Wow! Ladies (to all the ladies), if you've never done this, I recommend it highly. How did I get to 33 1/2 and never have one before?

I sat in this great massage chair that was so awesome while the lady rubbed & massaged my feet, and made my woebegone toenails look so pretty! Meanwhile, another lady waxed my eyebrows, a task I normally put off then do myself with sometimes drastic results. It was wonderful!

Otherwise, took the Tahoe in for an estimate on bumper damage since there really is damage that needs fixed because it's a lease, and that was not good news. I have yet to find out what the Betteridge's car will need. Todd's partner owns a body shop so at least that's positive, and we won't get gauged too badly.

Had our 2nd dance lesson today which I think went better since I used the reward system, and I didn't stay with her during the lesson. I won't enlist gifts each time since that's a bad habit but I think it worked well this time. She's been dying for this Little People farm thingamajig which was a little pricey and I wanted to save it for a quid pro quo moment. It's good to always have a toy heating up on the back burner!

I have run 2 days now with Courtney and she's a great partner and I think she will challenge me although right now, she's just being patient with me while I try to get back in shape. Today we only went about 2 1/2 miles but hopefully by the end of the month, we'll be up to 4 which will be super! I'm so excited! Plus, we get along really well; have lots in common and lots to talk about. The best thing I like about her is that she's a talker too and will gladly fill in the empty spaces, much in the way I so appreciated Rachel for. So great!

Finally, found a very nice little blog Phat Mommy last night I wanted to share.

At Least I Have a Tahoe

So...not such a great day if you consider that as a result of the *&^%$#@ construction on my street, it caused me to get in a crash right in front of my house!

You wouldn't know by looking at my Tahoe that I'd been in a crash, which is the good thing about owning a humongous SUV. I could have driven over the poor fellow's car and hardly gotten a scratch. The poor fellow, none other than..... Dr. Ben Betteridge - on his way to work. Yes my friends - the husband of a good friend who only lives 4 houses down. Nice Amy, just great.

Unfortunately for him (and now me since I'm quite sure it was my fault), his poor little Honda Accord is in dire shape. He needs a new rear door & fender and I'm sure it's going to cost us a chunk. It's foreign!

Let me just say the nice doctor was so pleasant which was fantastic considering the verbal lashing I was going to give him until I realized who he was (wasn't I just talking about the treatment we give to strangers vs. those we actually know????) That very thought went through my mind as I saw him get out of his car. "Shoot," I thought - "now I have to be nice!"

Twilight Trilogy

It has been 1 week since Kelly first gave me this book to read. Exactly 1 week later, I finished the entire series of 3 books. I'm a little astonished that I read them so fast because they are all pretty good sized books. I read them mostly at night so it didn't impede my family-life too much fortunately. I remembered why I don't like getting into books though. I stay up way too late every single night and it affects the whole rest of the next day. A good book can wreck an otherwise perfect week.

These books were good books and recommended to the avid reader. I did have a hard time pushing myself to finish the last one though. In the end, I was pushing for Jacob - Edward started to lose his dimension. If you were a pathetic teenager like I was, and you can remember what that felt like, you'll definately be able to relate to these books & love them. However, Stephanie Meyer has been compared with J.K. Rowling and that is just a laugh.

Can't We all Just Be Nice?

I've been thinking about this a lot today and what an awful place the world can be sometimes.

I think that with people we are acquianted with, family, neighbors and such, it's much easier to be nice. Like if you're in a parking lot and you're vying for a spot, and someone you are acquinted with is also wanting the spot - how many of us would willingly offer the spot to them? That's an easy one, right?

But what about driving on the freeway when someone you don't know accidentally cuts you off? Well to start off, most of us assume malicious intent straightaway! Why do we do this? But answer this: are you mad? Do you swear? Are you rude and flip them off? If their intent was malicious, are you going to allow yourself to get down on their level? It just seems like a no-brainer.

I want to know why we, as a society, can't be nice to even people we don't know. Do you realize that if you got to know, even slightly, the person you just flipped off, you probably would never have dreamed of treating them that way?

I'm not perfect but this is definately something I'm working on. I just don't understand why we all have to be so mean.

It's the same thing on the internet with these community bulletin boards where it gives people the liberty to be outright hostile & ignorant to people they don't know.

Where is the love, the tolerance, the patience, the forgiveness? Please people, can we kill ourselves with kindness rather than hostility?

Fantastic News

I have finally completed the spare bedroom that has been in progress for a year! The only thing left I have to do is find a cute little old fashioned chair for the little desk nook. The room was actually completed this past Monday but my sister-in-law has been here and I didn't want to horn in on her to take pictures. She went home for a couple of days so I took the liberty of taking pics. I am so happy with the way it turned out! I sort of wish it was my bedroom instead of just a spare. Since it's clear in the basement and the last bedroom in the hallway, I can't ever just pass by the room & admire it. I have to actually be going to that room so it's sort of sad it's so hidden. I hope our guests enjoy it. I did my best to make it welcoming.

Another piece of great news is that I finally found a new running partner! She's sort of new at church and her name is Courtney. She's been wanting a partner for about a month but I've been so intimidated by her since she just looks like a marathon runner but my friend Rachel B. finally talked me into just calling her; so I did. Turns out, she's in about the same situation as I am; really been unmotivated, needs to get back in shape; probably can't run more than a couple miles right now etc. So, it'll be perfect! We'll start probably Monday or Tuesday and she can even go at 5 am like I need! How awesome! I'm so excited to start running again on a regular basis. Especially since it's going to start cooling down again soon; there's no better time to be running...it just feels so good!