Halloween Past

Just to prove to you that I haven't always hated Halloween, here's a picture.  This is KT and I the first year we were married, and also the last time I dressed up.  On a side note, I was propositioned that night by the host who told me if I ever got tired of KT, he'd be happy to help out.  What the crap?!  I must have been one hot Pebbles or he must have been drinkin'...I'm leaning toward the latter.

 

Don't Talk to Strangers

I am the bah hum bug of Halloween.  I let my kids go trick or treating until they turn 12.  After which, I just think they are too old to dress up and go door to door.  Nothing ticks me off more than a big High School kid walking around with a pillow case begging for candy.

Halloween has always bothered me as a parent.  We teach our kids not to talk to strangers, and we remind them to never take candy from strangers.  Yet, on one day a year we send a mixed message as we pat their little heads and send them out the door to go trick or treating.  They never went without a parent, but still...I remember as a girl, I went trick or treating with my mom.  There was this one house who handed all the children candy, but gave me an apple.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love apples, but this was back in California when people were putting drugs, razor blades and needles into trick or treat candy.  Maybe he had just run out of candy, and didn't want to disappoint my cute, sweet self or he could have been a psychopath.  My mom freaked out when we got home, and we threw it away.  That's something that has just stuck with me.

I have always put up a few Halloween decorations but, never gone hog wild due to my utter dislike of the holiday.  I know I disappoint my kids especially Ladybug, who asks me every year to make our house spooky and to put up more decorations.  I am such a disappointment.

I wish I were...

Today I wish I were in my old home of Colorado. Reading news on the internet, I see pictures of a white wonderland: My former home buried in snow. My thoughts bring me to my snow days of youth. I remember being all cozy and snug in the house with the fireplace going and a steaming mug of cocoa. What could be better? I remember my brother trying to wade through four feet of snow to borrow eggs on Christmas Day. I am most definitely in love with snow days.

WOWW

"Reputation is for time; character is for eternity."

~J. B. Gough~

Help!

Help me sell my parents home.  Let's sell it to someone really, really nice who will allow me the use of the pool next summer!

A Sunday Drive

The Monster Within

Once a month, I'll let you figure out the significance of that, there lives a monster in my body. It takes over all the space and then grabs a knife and tries to stab at the back of my left eye. This in turn makes my face go numb. Doesn't that monster know I don't enjoy the pain? I can't function. I can't clean.  I can't cook.  I don't really even want to interact with anyone. I just want to curl up on the couch with a blanket, a coke, some excedrin and close my eyes and shut out the rest of the world. I'm crabby and miserable and,  gosh darn it, that seems to be when my kids want to demand the most attention, and the one time a month that they want to be touchy feely. As I growl, "GET AWAY" (the monster also takes over all verbalization) I am plagued by my mom guilt. I try really, really, really hard to overcome the monster within. But they know...their dad tells them...and I just want to punch him in the face.

Grab my Button

If you are an avid reader and like my blog, grab the button on the sidebar and post it on your blog.

WOWW

"Insist on yourself. Never imitate."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

AND THE WINNER IS...

The lucky winner today is Tobi at Army Wilkinson's.  Thanks Tobi for being a follower!  I have loved getting to know you through the blogging world.  Congratulations Tobi!


This fabulous blogger has won the following priceless items from That's What She Said...

Because I just love Rascal Flatts.  Here and here

(If you already have this, I guess re-gifting isn't out of the question...)

Another little favorite mentioned here and here

AND An Idaho 2010 Calendar because no home is complete without the beauty of Idaho.

Happy Birthday to my Blog

Photo source

Happy Birthday to my Blog!

Today my blog is turning one year old. Just like any one year old. I have had to bottle and spoon feed it to keep it going. I've changed things a few times to keep it fresh.  We've even had a few tantrums together. What started out as a place to keep family up to date, has turned into my virtual diary; A place to express my crazy thoughts and ideas without worry about back talk from my equally crazy followers. No offense. I'm just kidding really. I love every single one of you...In fact all 19 of you!

For my blog birthday I am giving away a fabulous prize on Monday. You have only two days left to get in on this great giveaway. You know you want it. All you have to do is go to the original post and follow my instructions. I'll post the winner on Monday.

Defining Experiences

There are few times in your life that an experience can truly define you. Those experiences that show the substance of which you are made are experiences to be noted and recorded in the tome of your memory.

Like for instance the time I learned I was a woman of patience, long suffering, forgiveness and STRONG STOMACH.

A few years ago (like 14) I got a call from the missionaries in our ward to say that they were taking my husband to the hospital. With a two year old and three year old in tow, I rushed to the hospital to find out what was going on. My young at heart dear husband had been jumping off of tables in the church gym to get slam dunk pictures like this...

only to fall and break both arms that looked like this.

You could imagine the dilemma this caused for me. I was potty training the two year old, but quickly put this on hold to care for my dh. I will leave to your imagination the best and worst I had to do for him. If you have to ask it, then the answer is probably is "yes". I mean the man could not even reach for an itch. Much less other important tasks.  Next time I'm hiring a nurse named Big Bertha.  The purple casts were my form of punishment for highly inconveniencing me.

I knew after this little faux pas, that we were destined to stay together. At least I can say that there is no more table jumping taking place. AND, if I ask him to hold my hair back while I am throwing up, he'd better not complain!

The roar of the wind

The other night it was very windy.  I really don't like wind much as I feel very unsettled and nervous when the wind is blowing.  It doesn't bother me so much during the day as I have things to distract me, but night is a different story.  Lying in bed I couldn't sleep.  The wind was like the roar of a wild beast outside my window.  My wind chimes that usually have a pleasant tinkling were banging around most annoyingly.  The over sized willow in my front yard was bending and groaning with the weight of the wind, and I heard the snap and crack as branches were breaking off.  God's natural pruning...Even with my ear plugs in I could still hear the monstrous noises made by the air gusting around.  I visualized the roof ripping off like OZ, which really isn't so far fetched.  Several years ago I came home during a windstorm to find my 14 year old laying across the two story roof spread out trying to hold down huge chunks of roofing.  It wasn't the roofing that worried me so much as the 14 year old blowing off of the roof.  We have since replaced the roof for not a small amount, so I should rest easy.  But, I don't.

When I was a girl it didn't bother me as much. I remember my dad pacing the house during storms.  When asked why, he said storms just made him nervous.  I understand now as a parent and homeowner.  I worry about the willow crashing down into the house or a branch breaking off and blowing through Ladybug's window.  I worry about the roof blowing off again.  With my stomach tied up in nots, I decided to surf in the internet.  Did you know that there is a wind phobia?  Yup, there is...it is Ancraophobia- Fear of wind. (Anemophobia).  So there you have it, I have yet another thing that pushes me just a little bit closer to crazy. 

WOWW

Photosource

"By swallowing evil words unsaid,

no one has ever yet harmed his stomach."

~Winston Churchill~

Eagle Sunday

With much relief, I say "Thank goodness it's done!" I officially have an Eagle Scout.  He has been done with his project since 2007 and actually got the award in 2008, but with changes in leadership it took this long to get around to having his Court of Honor.  I would have been relieved to not have had to do it at all.  It's like hosting a big party, and we all know how I have social anxieties.  But, I couldn't do that to Miguel.  He has had some great scout leaders who were good mentors pushing him along the way.  I only pushed him through the write up.  Yeah, that sucked!

I put together a movie of his life.  (Mom's love to embarrass their kids.)  I also put together a display of awards and things that he has gotten over the years at school and scouts.  I'm not much for fluff, so this was a real stretch.  Displays?  Centerpieces?  Treats?  Programs?  Invitations?  Oh, pish posh!  Simplicity is my mantra...

Here are some picture highlights...

Please tell me I don't look old enough to have a 16 and 17 year old.  I was so pregnant when I was twelve. 

The One

A blogging friend at Quiet Like Horses recently blogged about The Moment You Knew.  The Moment you knew that your significant other was the one for you.  For her it, it was when he helped her cook her favorite meal of pad kee mao.  If I went off of cooking skills, I would still be looking for "the one".  KT's kitchen creations are limited to macaroni and cheese and frozen pizza.  I don't eat either of those.  Don't get me wrong, he can whip up a mean breakfast.  He is quite the chef in that capacity, but that wouldn't have snagged me either.  I don't cook breakfast...the extent of my breakfast cooking are poptarts, cereal and smoothies.  My kids are so blessed, but I digress...

 When did I know KT was the one?  I'd have to say when he asked me to marry him and gave me the ring.  It was more than just words, but action.  When he looked at me, and I could see on his face that he didn't want to live another minute without me.  When he was willing to take that risk, on me, just a girl.  You know, I walk around with confidence, but really, inside, I have so much self-doubt, even then.  I was just a girl wanting to be loved and to give love in return.  I wanted to be an adult, a wife and a mother.  KT offered that to me.  It wasn't perfect, in fact, I broke off the engagement.  I panicked...we were so different...different backgrounds...different religions.  I needed to work some things out.  I needed to know for sure...But, yet, he still wanted me and took me back.  Twenty years of marriage can sometimes dull those memories, but he can still give me butterflies...

When did you know?

A Reminder...

You have one more week to get your entries in for my contest.  Just leave a comment on the original post...And, what could be better than free crap from me?

Beauty Distorted

As a follow up to this mornings post, check out this quick one minute video.  Thanks, Amanda, for sharing this with us...

Our Image of Self Worth

Ladybug by Angie Batis Photography

I was talking to my friend Amanda recently.  She teaches a Life Skills class at the school which I work.  One of the units is on what you want to be when you grow up, what you want to accomplish, what makes you feel good.  She said that it broke her heart to read some of the responses from the 6th grade girls.  So much of their self worth is tied up in looking pretty and being skinny. 

Isn't that the way it is with all women?  Then I began to wonder about what kind of number I was doing on my daughter.  Am I really screwing her up?  If you mention that you feel fat or overweight, those little ears are listening and internalizing.  I must be fat too.  If mom is on a diet, I should probably diet, too.  The media sets us women up for that.  You're not gorgeous unless you have great boobs, beautiful skin, and wear a size 2!  Our little girls are hearing these messages and at younger and younger ages. 

I was curious what kind of message I have been sending to Ladybug.  I am not on a diet, but on a healthy eating plan.  I have been teaching her about portion control, calorie intake versus calories burned.  I have been talking to her about taking up running for her health.  I encourage her to go on walks and go for bike rides with me.  Am I screwing with my daughter's mind or merely educating her in being healthy.  Amanda and I tore through the papers she was grading looking for Ladybugs responses to those touchy questions.  I was pleased and relieved when I saw that she wanted to be healthy as opposed to the other girls who want to be skinny.  She wrote that she would like to run better and do more pull ups.  Good girl! 

She also said that she wanted to be prettier.  Oops!  I've always concentrated on telling her how kind and good hearted she is focusing on her internal beauty  She doesn't talk back, is so pleasant and always makes good choices.  I was afraid to tell her how pretty she is out of worry that I could create a conceited monster.  Perhaps I should tell her how perfect and flawless her skin is.  How her eyes are a gorgeous blue.  Maybe I should mention the beauty marks above and below her lips and how the boys will just want to kiss them. 

 Watch out boys, I  have a shot gun! 

Dove is doing a self-esteem campaign, and perhaps you've heard of it.  Amanda reminded me of this campaign, and I am going to check it out. 

We've only got one chance not to mess up these precious spirits.  I don't want my daughter to spend her teenage years hungry and always feeling like a failure. 

Need I say more?

KT is growing a goatee for me.  Nice!