The Fascinating Details of My Life

Rather than try to concoct some random tidbit you care nothing about, I'll instead bore you with the most interesting part of my day.

Well, my day was really actually full of mundaneness, mundanity, mundanishness. It was ya know, a typical day.

Except that I got my first Western Union. I received an hCG payment via Western Union today and it was my first experience picking one up. Wow, it's really sad when the most interesting part of my day is something so drab. However, I've always wondered how this process works and so it was interesting to me! Let me briefly enlighten you if you've never had this fascinating experience either!

So, a person sends you money. Period. They give you a WU number. You go to any place that "does" Western Union. You fill out a brief form, sort of like a shipping label at the Post Office. You have to identify who you're expecting $$ from, how much and them hopefully provide the number the person gave you. Evidently, WU has a server that stores the information and when your WU locale logs into the server, it identifies you (via a driver's license) as the correct recipient. Then your WU locale prints a check for you that you can cash right there, or take to your bank. You sign a little form saying you got the $$ and wah-la! You've got cash! It took 7 minutes and 43 seconds.

So...sorry to bore you with mundicracity of my life but there you go. Not all days can be supercalifragalalisticexpialadocious.

Something I've Noticed

A great number of healthy, little, old ladies have got their crap together! Like, their houses are perfectly tidy, everything is organized to the nines, they have a laundry day, a paperwork day, a gardening day, a day to ... I don't know...dust their miniatures.

They stick to these too. It's amazing!

Now let's scrutinize this a bit though. First off, they don't have as much going on in their worlds as when they had kids in the house, tons of hefty callings at church, a job to go to, an exercise regimine to adhere to, a crapload of errands to run, housework etc, etc, etc.

They also don't have a load of kids running around their house messing up everything that was just tidied. Their time for that was here and gone.

So I realize that old ladies have a better chance of sticking to these organizational routines that I lust after but I still want to have my organization nit picky like that too. My chances are nill right now.

Have you ever thought that these old ladies get it perfect after years and years of working toward it. And just when they've got it down...swoop the grim reaper comes and messes it all up! That's just so not fair! I want to wallow in my life-long-learned organizational bliss when I'm 90 for a few years before I have to give it up!

Re-Filling The Closet

Have I mentioned my terrible and boring taste in clothes? Ya, I thought I had. And it literally petrifies me anymore to go shopping on my own. I find myself veering toward the old lady stuff and while I won't go anywhere some unnamed stores (CC), I find myself in the "Women's" departments at department stores. More B.O.R.I.N.G.! Not to mention that I don't hardly have anything in my closet that either fits me, I can wear to work, or doesn't carry some emotional baggage with it. It was time to put some new things in there.

So I ran into an old friend at a wedding the other day, an old friend might I add that always has cutting edge style. I LOVE shopping with her. She opens my eyes to possibilities, stuff that I'd never normally go near. But she encourages me to try things on, look at outfits in a new way and imagine myself in clothes that have always been taboo for me for body shape reasons.

I set aside my whole day today to go shopping with her and I had A BLAST! Not only is she super fun to hang out with, she's like my own little cheerleader the whole time, telling me how cute this will make me look, how I should try this on, holding up accessories to me and literally expanding my horizons moment by moment.

I won't tell you how much change I dropped (but at least it was cash!) and I'm thinking of the things I bought and thinking how funny they must look among my drab wardrobe hanging there in my closet but it's a start! I bought leggings, short skirts, shrugs, those long draping sweater/shawl thingamajigs, a funky coat, and a few accessories that I'd never have picked out myself before, and a dress that I still haven't figured out how I'm going to pull off with my ...ahem...other underthingies.

Anyway, long story short - I need to get out a little more. Get out of my comfort zone. I found that I really do like to dress up a little bit. I'd forgotten how much I like to wear cute things. I can see perfectly that I'm creating a little monster. But at least the monster won't be wearing sweats.

Who Said I'm A Grown-up?

I mean, really? It's not fair. Why do I have to act like one when I don't even feel like one yet?

When I think of the word "grown-up", I think of a lot of things like parenting, buying a responsible car, writing checks, junk mail, flossing, terry cloth bathrobes, and enjoying the taste of beets. Did I just describe myself? Um, don't tell anyone I'm not cool anymore.

But what I REALLY think of when I think "grown-up" is financial responsibility. Uggh, the dreaded term! Makes me want to run screaming to Nordstrom to blow my whole paycheck! What IS financial responsibility? I'll tell you what it means to me. It means saving and investing and retirement and insurance and college funds. Blech! What about new shoes, going out to dinner, and a new couch? No, those are not on the "financial responsiblity" list.

It's been nagging me forever that I can't be considered grown-up in this category yet because I'm just silly with money. I never learned how to manage it responsibly and the same goes for The Marshmallow. His idea of saving is to go out to have Sushi and not spend $250, just $200. Yeah, I know. How do you think the poor homeless guys that are holed up in the shelter across the street from the sushi joint feel?

So, I'm doing something about it. I started several months ago and I'm really making progress! Bills are getting paid off! The savings account has more in it than it has since we sold our last home and we're going to actually take a vacation this year and pay cash folks. Real. Live. Cash. It's a miracle. I even, get this, opened a retirement account and have, for the past 6 months, diligently been depositing rather large sums of money into it and so far.....have not withdrawn even a penny back out for an emergency. I'm committed to the cash system. I haven't used my credit card in 4 months! You guys, that's serious stuff! I may even convince myself to cut up the credit card...but I'm just not ready yet. It would be like cutting off my pinky at this point. Still just too painful.

We have that independent health insurance where our maternity deductible is $5,000. Whew! It's been a killer for both kids! But I'm happy to say that we will have Tink completely paid off in 2 weeks. She will actually entirely belong to us, at long last, lol!

Well anyway, this grown-up stuff is boring even if it does make me sleep better at night.

Electric Fishes

We drove up to see the Capital tonight because it was dark and you could see it really well and Bugs wanted to see it closer. As we were driving around it, The Marshmallow was explaining to Bugs what went on there. He usually does really well by not talking down to her and using real words to explain things and characteristically, he said to her, "That's where all of the elected officials work."

And she said, "The electric fishes work there?" Honestly, I sort of heard it that way too.

Do They Still Make Paste?

Bugs told me this morning that her teacher kept her in from recess because she wouldn't stop talking. Oh the memories that brings back. It's not astonishing that this is my child because I can't tell you the trouble I used to get in for talking. Anyone who knows me personally will find this not a far stretch for the imagination; I do rather enjoy talking, just give me a subject.

So I told Bugs how when I was in 2nd grade I tried to glue my lips shut with paste. I literally took the dipstick out and smeared my lips with the goop and tried to wait until it dried. I vividly remember standing there looking outside as I stood next to the cubbies waiting for the paste to dry. What I do recall is that it didn't work, but I enjoyed licking the paste off my lips. Yeah, I was one of those paste-loving kids. And if you weren't one of them, then I'll bet you knew someone who liked the taste of that stuff!

Do you know what Bugs said? What's paste? I forgot! They have these awesome little things now called "gluesticks" that they use instead of messy paste. Seriously, do they even make paste anymore? And if not, many a child is missing a wonderful indoctrination by sticking their tongue onto the dipstick and experiencing paste-heaven. Little sweet, sort of gooey and that smell...I'll never forget it. Not like I'd be STILL eating paste, but it is sort of a funny, good memory.

Anyway, I asked Bugs if she wanted to take a gluestick to her lips and if she wanted to try it, it was just fine with me but she might get in trouble if her teacher found out. Amazingly, the child is still young enough to appreciate that I have already walked down that road and she can learn from my experience. For now.....

Tink's Birthday Is Here

My little Tinkerpot is one today. We'll have an extended family party on Saturday for her but today, we had a small celebration for her. It's such a hoot to see a baby eat cake.

Things I want to remember about her at one:

• the way she says "ooooooooh" when she sees something that interests her
• the way she sings to any song that comes on the radio
• her favorite song is the opener to the cartoon "Olivia"
• her fat little legs poking down from dresses
• when you say "I'm gonna get you!" she grins and runs right to you with her arms wide open
• when I sing to her at night before I lay her down, she immediately rests her head on my chest
• she'll have a binky in her mouth and one in her hand so when I take the one out of her mouth, I'll turn around and she'll have another one in there
• she tries to get both fists into the animal cracker jar and pulls out as many as she possibly can then shoves them all into her tiny little mouth
• I put her first ponytail in her hair yesterday. It lasted 1 hour
• if you say, "give kisses!" she pushes her face toward your face to give a kiss

Nicole (Tink), you, sweet baby, are what I prayed for, what I earnestly asked your Heavenly Father for. I don't know why he felt that I was worthy to be your mom but I'm so grateful to have you in my life. Your sweet bumbling toddler walk makes my heart want to explode with love whenever I think about you. I'm so grateful that you are in our family. We just weren't complete without you. Happy Birthday Tinkerdoodle.

Hershey's Best Loved Chocolate Cheesecake - The Report

As I said a few weeks ago, I decided to make some of the recipes that have been in my files for years. Tonight, because it was Valentine's Day, I decided to try this recipe first. It's actually a Hershey's recipe and since I am a devoted Hershey's chocolate fanatic, thought it would be worth a try.

Suffice it to say that mine did not look like this picture...but it will next time. And yes, there will be a next time. It was absolutely delicious! And I'm not the only one to say that. The Fam practically inhaled theirs and The Marshmallow, who isn't usually very verbal about foods he likes was very complimentary - and so that means he loved it.

I should have cooked it a bit longer but once it was refrigerated, it didn't make any difference other than it cracked big-time. It was very rich and chocolately and the flavor was very cheese-cakey. Worth every single second - and it was pretty easy so that's a bonus. Once I get the oven time right, it will be a recipe I can always make for company. I like those types of recipes. Good stand-bys.

If anyone wants the recipe, let me know in the comments and I'll post it.

One Year Decorations

So my new blogging friend, Lesley gave me a whole bunch of advice for decor for a one year birthday because I was in love with so much of what she did for her little one year old's party recently.

One of the ideas was a black & white photo collage which I thought was a great idea. Pick photos from the first year and decoupage them for the party and then use it as room decor afterward. I've always loved the idea of memorializing the first year in some way so this was right up my ally.

This is what I finally came up with after several hours manipulating photos and then figuring out exactly how I wanted it all to come together. I'm really in love with the final product and now just need to find a place on her wall to place it.

I think I'll do one for Bugs when she turns 6.

Etsy: For A Baby's First Birthday

Because of being a 2nd child, Tink seriously has as many toys as any 2nd child usually has - too many. There is no short supply of toys for any age of development around here since The Marshmallow is also extremely sentimental (more sentimental than even the kids) and has a difficult time parting with anything his precious children have ever played with. No, it's not that bad but close.

So for Tink's first birthday, it's been difficult for me because I don't really need to clutter the house with more toys we don't need and yet in fairness, I need to give her some presents. Not out of necessity but more because she needs to know as she grows that there are some toys that exclusively belong to her. I also need to demonstrate to the first child that not everything in this house is hers and that we do give things to Tink from time to time.

So, I turned to Etsy to see if there were any toys I could really get behind. Turns out, they did. Etsy never lets me down. Such very cute, creative and artistic things - they blow my mind, really! Compared to some of these artists, I have not even a smidgen of a creative bone in my body.

This is what I ended up buying for the baby. The ball is personalized with her name. I thought this was way cute!

I can just see her toting this little monkey all over the house. He's so sweet. I hope she loves him. If not, I'll sleep with him every night. I really always wanted a sock monkey. Weird huh?

There Are No Words

I'm just devastated about the recent, tragic deaths of those two sweet little girls in Layton who died (the youngest, 15 month Rachel just died today) as a result of vole pesticides that were used in the family's yard recently. Just look at those darling faces.

Rebecca died yesterday, I believe. She was 4.

The family has 2 older children but to lose your two youngest (well really, any of your children) just tears my heart out. I can't imagine what that family must be going through. I just can't reconcile these tragedies in my mind but just have to cling to my faith and know that it will all make sense someday. Meanwhile I can only pray for peace for this family, and ask for your prayers as well. They'll need them all to get through this.

Honing In On Goals

I have had a lot of big thoughts swirling around in my head lately. Mainly having to do with what direction I want to take my life. I blogged about this recently but that was more of the initiation of the thought process and since then, I've really been trying to figure out what big things I want to spend my time on and achieve.

Most recently, I've considered going to medical school which literally makes my heart race partly in excitement and partly in panic. I am really interested in neurology and always have been plus The Marshmallow is totally supportive with whatever I choose. Just the thought makes me giddy, however I've had to sort of put that on the back burner at least until my girls are in school though as it would completely monopolize my life and I'd miss out on some pretty critical years, especially for Tink.

But back when I did that initial post, I was seriously considering something I've been working on for several years...my novel. I've actually started several of them. But one keeps coming back to me, the one I've done the most work on. And so I've decided to finish it. It's what I want to achieve right now that is up and above any of my "other" responsibilities like parenthood, being a wife, my job, etc. It's something I've always wanted to do and would be a big sense of fulfillment for me if I could complete it. Actually this particular novel will end up being more like a trilogy but I can accept that. I love to write, and we all know I have a lot to say when I do write.

So, here I go. I'm actually going to get that thing finished. I don't know when it will be done but I'll set a few goals to get there in a reasonable amount of time. I know it takes some authors several years to finish a novel and literally, I've already been "working" on this one for a couple of years so it's high time I finish it. Maybe a year?????

It Wasn't An Allergy

...to penicillin thank goodness! After that horrible rash kept getting worse and worse, I finally took her back in to her primary care physician (I had been going to InstaCare because their schedule is more flexible - I'm not knocking InstaCare though, for sure!) and she took a good long look at the rash.

Turns out some children break out in horrible rashes all over their bodies as they are recovering from a viral infection! I had no idea! She said some of the cardinal signs are bumps presenting on the palms of hands and the bottoms of feet! Tink surely has them EVERYWHERE, poor girl!

So, there's basically not anything they can do for it besides wait it out. She said it's not very uncomfortable and Tink doesn't appear to be in any distress. The doc said it would take care of itself over the next couple of weeks which would be totally okay if her birthday party isn't scheduled for 2 weeks from today and I'd prefer that she didn't look like she's got chicken pox on a day notorious for being one of the biggest picture days of a child's life.

Pennicilin and Allergies Equal:

.....hives could be worse, she could have had a respiratory reaction!