"Mommy, where's my snuck?"
"Huh?"
"My snuck, where is it?!? WHERE!?!? I WANT MY SNUCK!!!!"
"#3, calm down. Your 'snuck'?"
"Yes, from park."
"Oh! You're nut?"
"NO! My SNUCK!!"
"You mean this acorn right here?"
"Yay! Thank you, mommy! My snuck!"
"You mean, 'nut'."
"NO! SNUCK!!!"
"Fine, whatever."
-----------------------------------------------------------
I ran 4.2 miles this morning. My body is rebelling against all this running and so RB (running buddy) and I have decided to run MWF and walk TTH. We're hoping it helps are tiredness.
------------------------------------------------------------
I have written 6 children's books. Three of them are ready to be sent into publishers. Then comes the inevitable rejection process (I've done my research, people, and it ain't pretty!). I'm prepared. Bring. It. On! I can handle the rejection! Well, at least that's what I keep telling myself.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Our Elementary School is TERRIBLE at Parking. Picking up and dropping off kids has turned into a nightmare. I'm writing a letter to the school district and the principal. Something needs to be fixed. Here's the scene:
One small parking lot. Drop-off lane in the morning; No pick up lane in the afternoon. No one is allowed to park in parking lot. Children are not allowed to cross parking lot. Everyone parks along street (only one side because it's not "safe" to park on the other) or up the four neighboring streets. Teachers are inside their classrooms. Only parent volunteers are there to help in the morning. There is one crossing guard for two cross-walks on one end and NO crossing guards for the other cross-walk on the other end. It is completely insane. And almost daily the kids are sent home with flyers telling us what we CANNOT do. "Don't park in parking lot, don't pull up to parking lot, don't drop off kids near curb, don't cross here, don't cross there, stop being impatient, etc." but the funniest one is: "Be on time when picking up your children." Umm, do they realize that unless I get to the school 35 minutes before school lets out to get the prime parking spot, I have to hike it to the school and I'm gonna be late? And what about my younger children? If I have to hike in, I've gotta take them with me. That will make me later. So, every day, I go 35 minutes early, park right near the school and my kiddies watch their movie/sleep and I read a book. Not a bad part of my day, really, but I have to plan it into my day. And sometimes, it's hard.
~sigh~
[Oh, and btw, if we want our children to ride the bus, we have to pay an arm and a leg. Thus the myriad of parent drivers. ]
-------------------------------------------------
I am SO excited for the RS Broadcast tomorrow! I just wish BYU would STOP planning games around it. Every single year, BYU plays during the RS Broadcast. It's rude. They wouldn't do it during the Priesthood Session, so why do it during our night? Brandon's promised to sort-of watch the kids --I'm hoping they survive. :)
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Too tired to Spell check (and report on last weekend!)
I am tired.
But I need to write the synopsis of the crazy cramming of stuff weekend, or else I'll forget those details (and Kanga5 asked me to!). This was a weekend I will never forget! Wait, I think I just contradicted myself. Oh, well. Hasn't been the first time.
Friday (Sept.21, 2007):
5:30PM: Drove to Oakland Temple grounds. Brought a "picnic" dinner; ate it. The YM and Elders in our Ward were asked to set up the dressing rooms and stage for the SUV choir's performance. Left Brandon at the Temple around 7:15PM and drove the kids to Aunt L and Uncle P's house. Left #1, #2 and #3 with their suitcase and instructions. #4 and I drove back home.
8:30PM: Pack. Brandon came home by 10PM; we finally finish packing and fall asleep around 11:30PM or so...
Saturday (Sept. 22, 2007):
3:15AM: My alarm went off. Jumped in the shower. Got ready. Woke Brandon. Put sleeping baby in car. Drove to Oakland airport. Everything actually went pretty smoothly at that point. We made it to our flight in good time; we were able to buy some food that we can eat without freaking out over the points (yogurt and fruit, people. It's all about the yogurt and fruit. :) ). We arrived a tad late in SLC, though.
10:15AM: Got our rental car and drove to Provo. Oh, Glorious Mountains! Sweet Sky of Forested Peaks! And it's AUTUMN, people! AUTUMN! Not in California, really, but in Utah, it is, and the leaves are just beautiful. Anyway, we went to our home in Provo. We had told our renters we were going to inspect the property that morning, and although we were almost 1/2 hour later than we had planned, we were surprised when they weren't home. No note, no phone call, not home. We looked at the backyard (Brandon did) and I just scanned the front; we were disappointed that our renters weren't there. And a little peeved. So, we visited with our neighbors instead. It was good to see them!
10:45AM: Dropped off #4 with some friends for the afternoon.
11:00AM: Tailgated
12:00Noon: Ate lunch in the Cougar Room and heard cool people talk about football (former players).
12:40PM: Went on the Field with Brandon's Dad who is in charge of the Cannon (Ol' George Q!). 1:00PM: Made it to our seats in time for Kick-off! GO COUGARS!!! We killed them. It was awesome. And Air Force is such a great team. I love watching them play because they are tough (AF) and kind. Seriously, they are way cool guys. It rained, but we had brought ponchos, so it was all good.
4:30PM: Picked up #4 and drove to Logan.
7:15PM: Arrived at my sister's place in Logan. My parents were there, too. It was great to see my sis, BIL, parents, nephew and NEW nephew!
Sunday (Sept. 23, 2007):
8:09AM: Drove back to SLC; visited with some awesome friends, who we love dearly, who have also just had a baby.
10:45AM: Head to Provo; have lunch with the FIL.
12:40PM: Attend our previous Ward's Sacrament Meeting. Oh, how I loved being there! The young men swarmed Brandon; the older women hounded me and I smelled like old lady perfume for the rest of the day. :) One of our "boys" (Brandon's first Deacons that are now going on Missions) spoke (his farewell address, basically), and that was our main reason for being there.
2:15PM: Stayed too long to talk to people. Went to the "farewell" luncheon. Stayed too long. Drove to SLC and got caught in traffic (accident!). Got to airport with just enough time to SkyCap our luggage, return the rental car, get through security, run to the gate, go into the wrong bathroom (wow, there are a lot of urinals in Men's restrooms!), get the bottle ready, arrive at the counter and be told that they had overbooked our flight and we probably wouldn't get on.
WHA?!
Luckily, some people missed their connection, and we did get on. Phew!
5:30PM (or so): Arrived in Oakland; got to our car as quickly as a shuttle bus can allow and drove 20 minutes to Brandon's Aunt's place.
6:30PM: Scarfed down some yummy dinner; left #4 with Aunt L and Uncle P.
7:30PM: Arrived at the Oakland Temple. Hiked up the hill and attended the SUV choir concert. (AMAZING! Only downer: the couple we invited to go with us didn't show --we found out later there had been an emergency).
10:45PM: Drive back to get the kids.
Midnight: Arrive home. Crash and burn, baby, crash and burn.
I'll report on the week since coming home, since it's been crazy, too. But I'll wait until tomorrow to do that.
P.S. Although the 48 hours I reported were completely insane, I have, no doubt, that I could do it again. It was awesome. I had fun, and it was just bliss to talk with Brandon during all the travel time!
P.S.S. Pictures to come later. You all know how late I am with pictures. :)
But I need to write the synopsis of the crazy cramming of stuff weekend, or else I'll forget those details (and Kanga5 asked me to!). This was a weekend I will never forget! Wait, I think I just contradicted myself. Oh, well. Hasn't been the first time.
Friday (Sept.21, 2007):
5:30PM: Drove to Oakland Temple grounds. Brought a "picnic" dinner; ate it. The YM and Elders in our Ward were asked to set up the dressing rooms and stage for the SUV choir's performance. Left Brandon at the Temple around 7:15PM and drove the kids to Aunt L and Uncle P's house. Left #1, #2 and #3 with their suitcase and instructions. #4 and I drove back home.
8:30PM: Pack. Brandon came home by 10PM; we finally finish packing and fall asleep around 11:30PM or so...
Saturday (Sept. 22, 2007):
3:15AM: My alarm went off. Jumped in the shower. Got ready. Woke Brandon. Put sleeping baby in car. Drove to Oakland airport. Everything actually went pretty smoothly at that point. We made it to our flight in good time; we were able to buy some food that we can eat without freaking out over the points (yogurt and fruit, people. It's all about the yogurt and fruit. :) ). We arrived a tad late in SLC, though.
10:15AM: Got our rental car and drove to Provo. Oh, Glorious Mountains! Sweet Sky of Forested Peaks! And it's AUTUMN, people! AUTUMN! Not in California, really, but in Utah, it is, and the leaves are just beautiful. Anyway, we went to our home in Provo. We had told our renters we were going to inspect the property that morning, and although we were almost 1/2 hour later than we had planned, we were surprised when they weren't home. No note, no phone call, not home. We looked at the backyard (Brandon did) and I just scanned the front; we were disappointed that our renters weren't there. And a little peeved. So, we visited with our neighbors instead. It was good to see them!
10:45AM: Dropped off #4 with some friends for the afternoon.
11:00AM: Tailgated
12:00Noon: Ate lunch in the Cougar Room and heard cool people talk about football (former players).
12:40PM: Went on the Field with Brandon's Dad who is in charge of the Cannon (Ol' George Q!). 1:00PM: Made it to our seats in time for Kick-off! GO COUGARS!!! We killed them. It was awesome. And Air Force is such a great team. I love watching them play because they are tough (AF) and kind. Seriously, they are way cool guys. It rained, but we had brought ponchos, so it was all good.
4:30PM: Picked up #4 and drove to Logan.
7:15PM: Arrived at my sister's place in Logan. My parents were there, too. It was great to see my sis, BIL, parents, nephew and NEW nephew!
Sunday (Sept. 23, 2007):
8:09AM: Drove back to SLC; visited with some awesome friends, who we love dearly, who have also just had a baby.
10:45AM: Head to Provo; have lunch with the FIL.
12:40PM: Attend our previous Ward's Sacrament Meeting. Oh, how I loved being there! The young men swarmed Brandon; the older women hounded me and I smelled like old lady perfume for the rest of the day. :) One of our "boys" (Brandon's first Deacons that are now going on Missions) spoke (his farewell address, basically), and that was our main reason for being there.
2:15PM: Stayed too long to talk to people. Went to the "farewell" luncheon. Stayed too long. Drove to SLC and got caught in traffic (accident!). Got to airport with just enough time to SkyCap our luggage, return the rental car, get through security, run to the gate, go into the wrong bathroom (wow, there are a lot of urinals in Men's restrooms!), get the bottle ready, arrive at the counter and be told that they had overbooked our flight and we probably wouldn't get on.
WHA?!
Luckily, some people missed their connection, and we did get on. Phew!
5:30PM (or so): Arrived in Oakland; got to our car as quickly as a shuttle bus can allow and drove 20 minutes to Brandon's Aunt's place.
6:30PM: Scarfed down some yummy dinner; left #4 with Aunt L and Uncle P.
7:30PM: Arrived at the Oakland Temple. Hiked up the hill and attended the SUV choir concert. (AMAZING! Only downer: the couple we invited to go with us didn't show --we found out later there had been an emergency).
10:45PM: Drive back to get the kids.
Midnight: Arrive home. Crash and burn, baby, crash and burn.
I'll report on the week since coming home, since it's been crazy, too. But I'll wait until tomorrow to do that.
P.S. Although the 48 hours I reported were completely insane, I have, no doubt, that I could do it again. It was awesome. I had fun, and it was just bliss to talk with Brandon during all the travel time!
P.S.S. Pictures to come later. You all know how late I am with pictures. :)
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Cramming of Stuff Weekend
Brandon and I will be flying, with little #4, to Utah early tomorrow morning. We will arrive with just enough time to inspect our house (and our renters), and make it to the tailgate party before the BYU Homecoming Game (hopefully we'll have enough frustration inside of us to KILL Air Force. Of course, I speak as if I'm on the team or something!). After the exciting game (please don't rain, please don't rain, please don't rain), we will drive north to see my New Nephew! I'm so excited! I keep buying presents!
The very next morning, we will drive back to Provo to attend a mission farewell in our old ward. Excuse me, we will attend Sacrament Meeting in our old ward where a soon-to-be missionary will be speaking as part of the program. Yeah, "farewell" is easier to say. :) On the way to said "farewell", we will be stopping to see friends in SLC and Brandon's dad in Provo.
As soon as Sacrament Meeting is over, we will head back to the airport and fly home, just in time to attend the SUV concert.
Luckily, Brandon's aunt and uncle are taking the three oldest for the weekend. THANK YOU! After hearing "MOHHHHM! I don't WANT to do that! WAHHHHH!" all morning from #3, I'm ready for a break. But looking at our schedule, I don't think I'll have time for a break, you know?
See you all on Monday! Go Cougs!
The very next morning, we will drive back to Provo to attend a mission farewell in our old ward. Excuse me, we will attend Sacrament Meeting in our old ward where a soon-to-be missionary will be speaking as part of the program. Yeah, "farewell" is easier to say. :) On the way to said "farewell", we will be stopping to see friends in SLC and Brandon's dad in Provo.
As soon as Sacrament Meeting is over, we will head back to the airport and fly home, just in time to attend the SUV concert.
Luckily, Brandon's aunt and uncle are taking the three oldest for the weekend. THANK YOU! After hearing "MOHHHHM! I don't WANT to do that! WAHHHHH!" all morning from #3, I'm ready for a break. But looking at our schedule, I don't think I'll have time for a break, you know?
See you all on Monday! Go Cougs!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Park in the Dark
I live in an area full of cul de sacs. The house we are renting sits at the end of one of them. I like the idea of cul de sacs because it slows traffic, it's easier to park (front in), and the neighbors are a little friendlier because we all face each other. Well, my neighbors are friendly, but not as much as I would like. To be honest, I think they're all boring and too quiet. But too quiet is better than loud, for sure.
Anyway....
Behind these cul de sac streets are a series of duck ponds, parks and a creek. Brandon built (with our owner's permission) a gate that leads from our backyard right onto the walk-way (greenbelt) that meanders through the green areas. It is most convenient, since otherwise, we have to walk to the end of our street, and then wrap around to get to the creek. This way, the little park is very close, the duck pond is close, etc. etc. It is also most convenient for me in the early mornings when I go meet my running buddy. I walk through our back gate, through the park, across the street, and up about 4 blocks to meet her. Without this gate, I would probably just drive.
In the early morning (5:35AM or so), the park is scary, though. There are lamps lighting the walkway, and there are wide open spaces, but it's still dark, and there are trees. I'm also tired, so I don't feel as alert, and that is a scary feeling, too. The ducks and sprinklers (which are actually annoying) somehow relieve some fear, and I highly doubt some person is waiting in the dark at that time to jump out and hurt me. [Of course, if I hadn't just finished the Twilight series, I probably wouldn't be as scared. Heehee!] But --when walking back through the park after a great run, and the sun is rising, the park is the most peaceful and beautiful place in the world. The fountains sound magical, the ducks waddling on the grass in their cute families are fun to watch, and the cool air feels good against my just-ran-3-miles skin.
I find it interesting how the park is the same --but the timing and the way I feel has changed. In the dark, the green area is dangerous, but in the light, the green area is peaceful.
I could get all philosophical and religious right now (since my faith permeates everything I think about), especially since I find the contrast worth talking about, but I'll leave it as it is and let all of you do the talking. Give me your thoughts (if you have any)!
Anyway....
Behind these cul de sac streets are a series of duck ponds, parks and a creek. Brandon built (with our owner's permission) a gate that leads from our backyard right onto the walk-way (greenbelt) that meanders through the green areas. It is most convenient, since otherwise, we have to walk to the end of our street, and then wrap around to get to the creek. This way, the little park is very close, the duck pond is close, etc. etc. It is also most convenient for me in the early mornings when I go meet my running buddy. I walk through our back gate, through the park, across the street, and up about 4 blocks to meet her. Without this gate, I would probably just drive.
In the early morning (5:35AM or so), the park is scary, though. There are lamps lighting the walkway, and there are wide open spaces, but it's still dark, and there are trees. I'm also tired, so I don't feel as alert, and that is a scary feeling, too. The ducks and sprinklers (which are actually annoying) somehow relieve some fear, and I highly doubt some person is waiting in the dark at that time to jump out and hurt me. [Of course, if I hadn't just finished the Twilight series, I probably wouldn't be as scared. Heehee!] But --when walking back through the park after a great run, and the sun is rising, the park is the most peaceful and beautiful place in the world. The fountains sound magical, the ducks waddling on the grass in their cute families are fun to watch, and the cool air feels good against my just-ran-3-miles skin.
I find it interesting how the park is the same --but the timing and the way I feel has changed. In the dark, the green area is dangerous, but in the light, the green area is peaceful.
I could get all philosophical and religious right now (since my faith permeates everything I think about), especially since I find the contrast worth talking about, but I'll leave it as it is and let all of you do the talking. Give me your thoughts (if you have any)!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
It's just a Video Day
My friend Denice sent this to me today. Must be a video day.
LOVE THIS! It's funny and very, very true.
LOVE THIS! It's funny and very, very true.
Awesome Video
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Lose a little, gain a little --good thing it's a little!
Update, Week 10:
Brandon: Gained .8
Me: Gained .2
Oh, yes, there are weeks when you gain. And I'm really not bothered by it. Brandon knows he gained because he ate junk (blame it on the football game on Saturday. Yes, the BYU one. Yes, the BYU/Tulsa game that I never blogged about because the pain is just too fresh. Losing to Tulsa was awful. I hid behind my book the entire night.) but I know I gained because I lost too much last week. Losing 4.4 pounds in one week, and then gaining .2 the next just averages out to approx. 2 pounds per week. And I'm cool with that. Knowing Brandon, he'll work his butt off (literally) and lose about 3 pounds next week, I guarantee it. :)
Brandon: Gained .8
Me: Gained .2
Oh, yes, there are weeks when you gain. And I'm really not bothered by it. Brandon knows he gained because he ate junk (blame it on the football game on Saturday. Yes, the BYU one. Yes, the BYU/Tulsa game that I never blogged about because the pain is just too fresh. Losing to Tulsa was awful. I hid behind my book the entire night.) but I know I gained because I lost too much last week. Losing 4.4 pounds in one week, and then gaining .2 the next just averages out to approx. 2 pounds per week. And I'm cool with that. Knowing Brandon, he'll work his butt off (literally) and lose about 3 pounds next week, I guarantee it. :)
Sleeping is Optional, Right?
My baby is sick. It's no fun being sick, but I think it's worse when you're a baby. He knows he feels rotten, but he's not sure why, and so all he wants is to be held.
It's hard to hold a baby 24/7 when you have three other children.
And it's hard to be sympathetic at 12:30AM and 2AM and 3:30AM when you have to get up at 5:30AM. Luckily, I have a husband who is sympathetic and took him at the 3:30AM shift so I could sleep before I got up to run.
(Here he is, NOT sick)
Also, #3 is now 3. Well, we all knew that. What I mean is that he is three. As in there's the "Terrible Two's" and then there's the "Unreasonable Three's". I named them that after #1 turned three. And believe you me, they are REAL. He's spent more time in time-out these last few days then he has his whole life. I know it will pass, but with sick baby and busy girls, it's driving me crazy.
(#3 is sweet when he sleeps!)
*In other news, we hear that my brother is safe and busy in Iraq. He fills orders all day long and doesn't leave the base. That's my favorite part. Not leaving the base. He seems happy --and we hear that he even gets to attend Church. Be safe, Big D!
*OH! And I forgot (which is silly, because this is cool), but Brandon just got called to be the 1st Counselor in the Young Men's Presidency! For those who do not know, Brandon served with the Deacons (12-13 year old boys) for FIVE years (before we moved here). Now he's graduated to the Teachers! (14-15 year old boys) He's very excited and I wasn't at all surprised. :)
It's hard to hold a baby 24/7 when you have three other children.
And it's hard to be sympathetic at 12:30AM and 2AM and 3:30AM when you have to get up at 5:30AM. Luckily, I have a husband who is sympathetic and took him at the 3:30AM shift so I could sleep before I got up to run.
(Here he is, NOT sick)
Also, #3 is now 3. Well, we all knew that. What I mean is that he is three. As in there's the "Terrible Two's" and then there's the "Unreasonable Three's". I named them that after #1 turned three. And believe you me, they are REAL. He's spent more time in time-out these last few days then he has his whole life. I know it will pass, but with sick baby and busy girls, it's driving me crazy.
(#3 is sweet when he sleeps!)
*In other news, we hear that my brother is safe and busy in Iraq. He fills orders all day long and doesn't leave the base. That's my favorite part. Not leaving the base. He seems happy --and we hear that he even gets to attend Church. Be safe, Big D!
*OH! And I forgot (which is silly, because this is cool), but Brandon just got called to be the 1st Counselor in the Young Men's Presidency! For those who do not know, Brandon served with the Deacons (12-13 year old boys) for FIVE years (before we moved here). Now he's graduated to the Teachers! (14-15 year old boys) He's very excited and I wasn't at all surprised. :)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Onslaught of Pictures!
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES! Finally! These are of #2, the UCLA/BYU game, and my 5K!
Here is #2, posing for her first day of Preschool (almost two weeks ago? Yeah, I'm bad at getting pictures up. By the way, she loves, loves, loves her class.
Here are the kiddies and me at the Rose Bowl. We took them to the Stadium the day before the UCLA/BYU game.
The next pictures are of the game. Lots of BYU fans! Brandon while we tailgate; Aunt Carrie stopped by to say hello; The final score (so, very, very sad).
HAPPY NEWS!!!!!!
Yesterday, I ran a 5K with my running buddy. It was my first race since June of 2006 and it was my second overall (I do not count the 8th grade track team because, well, I just don't.). We had a grand time. #1 even entered in the Children's Fun Run (one mile) and I ran with her. She did her mile in 9 minutes!! My friend and I (if you can see the clock) made it in under 32 minutes. We were pleased because the track was very difficult (a lot of hills). The surprise of the day came, though, when I won THIRD place in my age division! (20-29 Female). WOW! However, I'm pretty positive that there were only three women in my age division. My running buddy is now telling me that we need to sign up for a 10K. Ummm...okay! Bring it on! This girl won a medal, people!
Here is #2, posing for her first day of Preschool (almost two weeks ago? Yeah, I'm bad at getting pictures up. By the way, she loves, loves, loves her class.
Here are the kiddies and me at the Rose Bowl. We took them to the Stadium the day before the UCLA/BYU game.
The next pictures are of the game. Lots of BYU fans! Brandon while we tailgate; Aunt Carrie stopped by to say hello; The final score (so, very, very sad).
HAPPY NEWS!!!!!!
Yesterday, I ran a 5K with my running buddy. It was my first race since June of 2006 and it was my second overall (I do not count the 8th grade track team because, well, I just don't.). We had a grand time. #1 even entered in the Children's Fun Run (one mile) and I ran with her. She did her mile in 9 minutes!! My friend and I (if you can see the clock) made it in under 32 minutes. We were pleased because the track was very difficult (a lot of hills). The surprise of the day came, though, when I won THIRD place in my age division! (20-29 Female). WOW! However, I'm pretty positive that there were only three women in my age division. My running buddy is now telling me that we need to sign up for a 10K. Ummm...okay! Bring it on! This girl won a medal, people!
My letter to the Poop people...
"To whom it may concern:
My husband and I had the opportunity to attend all three summer plays this year at the Woodminster theater. They were so much fun, entertaining and professionally done. The music and dancing was always top-notch and we loved being able to come and enjoy these performances. We even brought two of our four children to the "Wizard of Oz" and they loved it!
Friday night (Sept. 14th, 2007), we attended "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". This has always been a favorite play of mine personally, and I have to say that Pierce Peter Brandt and Andrea Daniel were amazing!! Their singing was beautiful. The dancing and choreography was extremely well done. However, the part with Potiphar's wife was absolutely disgusting, appalling and humiliating.
The simulated sex on stage was defaming. It was akin to pornography. It was obvious, by the actions of the characters on stage, that this was meant to be FUNNY. I want to tell you that it was NOT, and 98% of the audience was not amused. The tension in the air was palpable. I was grateful that my children were not present, and absolutely horrified that some children were in the audience. I was even more horrified by the presence of the Children's Chorus on stage, witnessing this smut.
What made it worse, was the changing of the plot. Joseph RAN AWAY. He got himself out. This depiction of him and Potiphar's wife made it seem that he succumbed. How could we possibly root for the character --a Man of God --after changing the facts to make it look like he gave in to sexual desire with a married woman? The story in Genesis 39 clearly states that Joseph was not a weak man. After the scene on Friday night, I wanted to throw him in the jail myself.
I feel that we were deceived. The audience, as introduced in the beginning, was almost entirely made up of Christian Churches (including mine, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). We weren't expecting such filth.
Please know that we really love the outdoor theater and we love musicals. We want to be able to attend again in the future, but if scenes like this one will be in future productions, we will have no choice but to take our money somewhere else.
Thank you"
This is the letter I wrote. My friend wrote something similar and HERE is the response she got. I'm expecting something similar. I'll let you know if and when I get a response...
UPDATE:
Here is their Response:
My husband and I had the opportunity to attend all three summer plays this year at the Woodminster theater. They were so much fun, entertaining and professionally done. The music and dancing was always top-notch and we loved being able to come and enjoy these performances. We even brought two of our four children to the "Wizard of Oz" and they loved it!
Friday night (Sept. 14th, 2007), we attended "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". This has always been a favorite play of mine personally, and I have to say that Pierce Peter Brandt and Andrea Daniel were amazing!! Their singing was beautiful. The dancing and choreography was extremely well done. However, the part with Potiphar's wife was absolutely disgusting, appalling and humiliating.
The simulated sex on stage was defaming. It was akin to pornography. It was obvious, by the actions of the characters on stage, that this was meant to be FUNNY. I want to tell you that it was NOT, and 98% of the audience was not amused. The tension in the air was palpable. I was grateful that my children were not present, and absolutely horrified that some children were in the audience. I was even more horrified by the presence of the Children's Chorus on stage, witnessing this smut.
What made it worse, was the changing of the plot. Joseph RAN AWAY. He got himself out. This depiction of him and Potiphar's wife made it seem that he succumbed. How could we possibly root for the character --a Man of God --after changing the facts to make it look like he gave in to sexual desire with a married woman? The story in Genesis 39 clearly states that Joseph was not a weak man. After the scene on Friday night, I wanted to throw him in the jail myself.
I feel that we were deceived. The audience, as introduced in the beginning, was almost entirely made up of Christian Churches (including mine, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). We weren't expecting such filth.
Please know that we really love the outdoor theater and we love musicals. We want to be able to attend again in the future, but if scenes like this one will be in future productions, we will have no choice but to take our money somewhere else.
Thank you"
This is the letter I wrote. My friend wrote something similar and HERE is the response she got. I'm expecting something similar. I'll let you know if and when I get a response...
UPDATE:
Here is their Response:
The wonderful thing about a Democracy is that each of us can express our
opinions. You have expressed yours and I have read it with interest.
I disagree but will consider the source. Joseph did not succumb,
perhaps you misread the choreography, he was fighting temptaition all the way
and Andrew Lloyed Weber chose to have the husband interrupt. Joseph,
however, was punished briefly with a jail stint but that changed the direction
of his life and he was rewarded. 98% of the audience is not only amused
but we have to date, received over 300 positive responses and 5 negative.
You have a right to your opinion, everyone else has the same right. Not one
parent of the 48 children expressed concern about the scene. I hope they
took the opportunity to explain to their children what forms temptation can take
and how you can resist it. HJS
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Poop in the Brownies, people. That's what it was...
I have seen THIS play many times. I even saw it "on" Broadway with Donny Osmond.
I was never this uncomfortable. No, scratch that. I was never this humiliated/ashamed/appalled.
Genesis tells us the story of the Prophet Joseph. We know what happened and why he was thrown into prison. We know Potiphar's Wife has some serious issues. She's a total....adulteress. (I would use stronger language, but I'm trying to keep it clean).
What they did was reprehensible. Who is "they" you ask? Well, last night, Brandon and I (with a dozen other people from our ward) went and saw this play. It was the last play of our season tickets to the Woodminster Outdoor Theater. "They" are the actors and director. "They" are the ones that turned Joseph into a weak King David and made it seem he gave in. "They" are the ones that turned a "fleeing-away" scene into outright P*rn on the stage in front of us.
They thought it was funny. Witty. 98% of the audience was Christian (several other church groups were there; LDS, Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc.) and NOBODY was laughing. The tension was palpable. Several people had brought their children. Our Bishop was next to us. Our EQ President and his wife and their two daughters were behind us. The children's chorus was on the stage --of course. CHILDREN, people. Children. But I want to add something more to this --I was disgusted. Brandon was disgusted. And we didn't have our children with us.
The practically simulated sex on stage was bad enough. The defamation of Joseph was worse. Who can root for a guy that is so weak and immoral? It changed the story.
The singing and dancing was spectacular. The talent was amazing. But that scene, so disgusting and impressionable, will forever be there. Yes, it was like the poop inside the brownies, indeed.
Our incredible EQ President wrote them. His letter was amazing and kind. But he was strong. He encouraged us all to write them. And believe you me, we will.
I told Brandon: "This is the only reason I don't like living in 'the world'. You would never have to even worry about sex on stage at a play in Provo."
Sometimes, I still long for that innocence.
I was never this uncomfortable. No, scratch that. I was never this humiliated/ashamed/appalled.
Genesis tells us the story of the Prophet Joseph. We know what happened and why he was thrown into prison. We know Potiphar's Wife has some serious issues. She's a total....adulteress. (I would use stronger language, but I'm trying to keep it clean).
What they did was reprehensible. Who is "they" you ask? Well, last night, Brandon and I (with a dozen other people from our ward) went and saw this play. It was the last play of our season tickets to the Woodminster Outdoor Theater. "They" are the actors and director. "They" are the ones that turned Joseph into a weak King David and made it seem he gave in. "They" are the ones that turned a "fleeing-away" scene into outright P*rn on the stage in front of us.
They thought it was funny. Witty. 98% of the audience was Christian (several other church groups were there; LDS, Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc.) and NOBODY was laughing. The tension was palpable. Several people had brought their children. Our Bishop was next to us. Our EQ President and his wife and their two daughters were behind us. The children's chorus was on the stage --of course. CHILDREN, people. Children. But I want to add something more to this --I was disgusted. Brandon was disgusted. And we didn't have our children with us.
The practically simulated sex on stage was bad enough. The defamation of Joseph was worse. Who can root for a guy that is so weak and immoral? It changed the story.
The singing and dancing was spectacular. The talent was amazing. But that scene, so disgusting and impressionable, will forever be there. Yes, it was like the poop inside the brownies, indeed.
Our incredible EQ President wrote them. His letter was amazing and kind. But he was strong. He encouraged us all to write them. And believe you me, we will.
I told Brandon: "This is the only reason I don't like living in 'the world'. You would never have to even worry about sex on stage at a play in Provo."
Sometimes, I still long for that innocence.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Anything Worth Having...
...takes a tremendous amount of work.
I've written about this before, not sure where, could have been someone-whose-it's blog or something, and very possibly my own, however! It's time to address this again.
I tell my piano students this all the time. If they are LDS, it's easy to pinpoint an example. For example (did you see that fabulous segway!), our testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will only grow if we strengthen them. This comes with a tremendous amount of work: Church attendance, scripture study (my failing ~sob~), prayer, service, cleanliness, etc. However, the reward, the end result is AMAZING. And completely worth it.
Let's apply this to piano (thus the lecture my students receive). Practicing is HARD. Especially at around month Six and year Three. There's another "wall" at around year 8 or 9, but I haven't taught any individual that long, yet. Anyway, it's HARD. It takes work. But in the end, it's completely worth it.
Being healthy. For most moms, this is HARD. We have a million little people (seems like a million!) who need us desperately and take a lot of our "me time". But, as my previous post suggested, this work we put into healthy habits is completely worth it.
School. It's HARD. Completely worth it.
Marriage. It can truly be HARD. So very much completely worth it.
Grinding a path through Post-Partum Depression. It is beyond HARD. But in the end, it's completely worth it.
Writing a children's book and a young adult fiction novel. It's SO HARD. But will be completely worth it. :)
It amazes me how the world is set up and how it truly follows the concept of the Plan of Salvation (go figure!). We're here. We are strong. We are amazing. And we struggle. We fail. We try again. We work hard. We succeed. We fail again. We try again. We work hard. And anything that we accomplish is just one more step towards this fabulous feeling of contentment. All the hard work and the failures lump together and we relish in the successes, remember the work, and thrive in what was learned.
And, in the end, it's all worth it.
So, work hard people! You know you want to... :)
P.S. Subliminal message: Makakona, email me! Okay, so that's not very subliminal. But you still need to email me! cssavage at gmail dot com...
I've written about this before, not sure where, could have been someone-whose-it's blog or something, and very possibly my own, however! It's time to address this again.
I tell my piano students this all the time. If they are LDS, it's easy to pinpoint an example. For example (did you see that fabulous segway!), our testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will only grow if we strengthen them. This comes with a tremendous amount of work: Church attendance, scripture study (my failing ~sob~), prayer, service, cleanliness, etc. However, the reward, the end result is AMAZING. And completely worth it.
Let's apply this to piano (thus the lecture my students receive). Practicing is HARD. Especially at around month Six and year Three. There's another "wall" at around year 8 or 9, but I haven't taught any individual that long, yet. Anyway, it's HARD. It takes work. But in the end, it's completely worth it.
Being healthy. For most moms, this is HARD. We have a million little people (seems like a million!) who need us desperately and take a lot of our "me time". But, as my previous post suggested, this work we put into healthy habits is completely worth it.
School. It's HARD. Completely worth it.
Marriage. It can truly be HARD. So very much completely worth it.
Grinding a path through Post-Partum Depression. It is beyond HARD. But in the end, it's completely worth it.
Writing a children's book and a young adult fiction novel. It's SO HARD. But will be completely worth it. :)
It amazes me how the world is set up and how it truly follows the concept of the Plan of Salvation (go figure!). We're here. We are strong. We are amazing. And we struggle. We fail. We try again. We work hard. We succeed. We fail again. We try again. We work hard. And anything that we accomplish is just one more step towards this fabulous feeling of contentment. All the hard work and the failures lump together and we relish in the successes, remember the work, and thrive in what was learned.
And, in the end, it's all worth it.
So, work hard people! You know you want to... :)
P.S. Subliminal message: Makakona, email me! Okay, so that's not very subliminal. But you still need to email me! cssavage at gmail dot com...
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Connecting with Hubby
At this very precise moment, the dishes are undone, the laundry needs to be changed, my children are watching the boob tube, I'm teaching piano lessons in 40 minutes, and I sit here, blogging.
Oh, well.
So, last night, I got to have one of those amazing evenings of bliss. One of those times when I look at my hubby and think "I sure made the right choice!"
He had a class in SF (no, not Spanish Fork. San Francisco, people. That's where I live now!) and I took BART and met him in the city. Spouses/significant others/family members were invited to the last class of a 12 week Dale Carnegie course (btw, I'm thinking of taking it myself. It was so cool!). There was amazing food (samosas! Yumm!), lots of laughter, great speeches, and awards given. My hunky hubby won the top award for the class. Nobody was surprised; neither was I. Of course, little do these awesome people know that Brandon has had plenty of experience interacting with people and speaking to large crowds. Growing up in the Church and serving a mission can do that to a person.
Anywho....It was great to meet his class friends and hear such wonderful things about the man I love. It was fun to see the city at night, walking through the narrow streets, holding his hand, imagining what NYC might look like. It was great sitting on BART and writing my brains out and then being able to share those thoughts with Brandon on the way home. It was nice to be together and to connect, again, on such a personal and adult level. It's hard to mesh intellect when surrounded by the dishes and laundry.
Speaking of dishes and laundry....! Gotta go!
Oh, well.
So, last night, I got to have one of those amazing evenings of bliss. One of those times when I look at my hubby and think "I sure made the right choice!"
He had a class in SF (no, not Spanish Fork. San Francisco, people. That's where I live now!) and I took BART and met him in the city. Spouses/significant others/family members were invited to the last class of a 12 week Dale Carnegie course (btw, I'm thinking of taking it myself. It was so cool!). There was amazing food (samosas! Yumm!), lots of laughter, great speeches, and awards given. My hunky hubby won the top award for the class. Nobody was surprised; neither was I. Of course, little do these awesome people know that Brandon has had plenty of experience interacting with people and speaking to large crowds. Growing up in the Church and serving a mission can do that to a person.
Anywho....It was great to meet his class friends and hear such wonderful things about the man I love. It was fun to see the city at night, walking through the narrow streets, holding his hand, imagining what NYC might look like. It was great sitting on BART and writing my brains out and then being able to share those thoughts with Brandon on the way home. It was nice to be together and to connect, again, on such a personal and adult level. It's hard to mesh intellect when surrounded by the dishes and laundry.
Speaking of dishes and laundry....! Gotta go!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Here's the skinny on the fat...
Week Nine Results:
(Total)
Brandon: 25.4
Me: 17.8
Brandon reached 10%! He's so close to the end. If anyone noticed (and I didn't expect anyone to notice), I lost 4 pounds this week. It wasn't intentional, and I doubt I'll lose that much next week, but it sure felt great! I know the running is helping.
Here's some unsolicited advice for anyone thinking about weight loss:
1. Exercise. Grab a friend, and go walking everyday at the same time. If hubby is home in the morning, go in the morning. If hubby is home at night, go at night. If he's never home, break out the stroller while older kids are in school and go during the day. But whatever you do, just do it.
2. Eat less. Reduce your portions. Be reasonable. Rule of thumb: Half the plate is vegetable and fruit (mostly veggie). A quarter of the plate is protein (meat or beans). The last quarter is starch (pasta or potatoes). Keep stuff lean and low-fat and drink more water.
3. Consider getting help. I know some people are turned off by Weight Watchers, so if that's the case, just find someone to lose weight with you. No need to join if you don't want to. But find a walking buddy, a relative, your spouse, etc. to help! Having someone check in on you makes ALL the difference in the world. I LOVE having to get weighed in at a public place. I LOVE having meetings to attend where everyone claps for me because I lost 5 pounds. I LOVE having my husband do this with me. I LOVE having a friend to exercise with every morning. Without that support and motivation, I wouldn't do it.
I cannot tell you how many times, over the last 6 years I have tried to lose weight with no success. And I cannot tell you, in any simple way, how incredible I feel now to be healthy. To see my reflection and be able to get past the insecurity of how I look. And I still have 20 pounds to go! How incredible will it feel then?!
Warning! Ranting ahead....
I'm tired of the media telling us two extremes. For years it was always "Skinny is king! If you're not skinny, you're a loser and you're not beautiful!" Of course, the pendulum has swung a completely opposite way. Now you have Monique telling everyone that "Fat is gorgeous! Nothing bad about fat!" I appreciate Dove's commercials, because finally, someone is realistic. But I just have to vent about this:
Being fat can KILL YOU.
I'm not going to delve into all the medical studies done showing how being a healthy weight can save your life. We've all read them. Obesity is a silent killer. Sometimes it takes years. So it's hard to see the effects. But would any of us mothers pick up a cigarette and claim it's okay because we feel "fine"? Smoking is a silent killer, too.
I have asthma. I have/had heart arrhythmias. I had pain in my knees. I had blood anemia. Now, after the struggles of diet and exercise, my heart PVC's are GONE. My knee pain is GONE. My anemia is GONE. My asthma will always be there, but I haven't had an attack in 2 years. People, even my poop is healthier!
So, do it! Get out there and get yourself fit. You owe not only to yourself and your self-confidence, but to your children and husband who want and NEED a healthy mom/wife. Don't be afraid to try. You have nothing to lose but weight. And that would be the point! :)
If you need help, let me know. I'm all about the pep talks, people.
(Total)
Brandon: 25.4
Me: 17.8
Brandon reached 10%! He's so close to the end. If anyone noticed (and I didn't expect anyone to notice), I lost 4 pounds this week. It wasn't intentional, and I doubt I'll lose that much next week, but it sure felt great! I know the running is helping.
Here's some unsolicited advice for anyone thinking about weight loss:
1. Exercise. Grab a friend, and go walking everyday at the same time. If hubby is home in the morning, go in the morning. If hubby is home at night, go at night. If he's never home, break out the stroller while older kids are in school and go during the day. But whatever you do, just do it.
2. Eat less. Reduce your portions. Be reasonable. Rule of thumb: Half the plate is vegetable and fruit (mostly veggie). A quarter of the plate is protein (meat or beans). The last quarter is starch (pasta or potatoes). Keep stuff lean and low-fat and drink more water.
3. Consider getting help. I know some people are turned off by Weight Watchers, so if that's the case, just find someone to lose weight with you. No need to join if you don't want to. But find a walking buddy, a relative, your spouse, etc. to help! Having someone check in on you makes ALL the difference in the world. I LOVE having to get weighed in at a public place. I LOVE having meetings to attend where everyone claps for me because I lost 5 pounds. I LOVE having my husband do this with me. I LOVE having a friend to exercise with every morning. Without that support and motivation, I wouldn't do it.
I cannot tell you how many times, over the last 6 years I have tried to lose weight with no success. And I cannot tell you, in any simple way, how incredible I feel now to be healthy. To see my reflection and be able to get past the insecurity of how I look. And I still have 20 pounds to go! How incredible will it feel then?!
Warning! Ranting ahead....
I'm tired of the media telling us two extremes. For years it was always "Skinny is king! If you're not skinny, you're a loser and you're not beautiful!" Of course, the pendulum has swung a completely opposite way. Now you have Monique telling everyone that "Fat is gorgeous! Nothing bad about fat!" I appreciate Dove's commercials, because finally, someone is realistic. But I just have to vent about this:
Being fat can KILL YOU.
I'm not going to delve into all the medical studies done showing how being a healthy weight can save your life. We've all read them. Obesity is a silent killer. Sometimes it takes years. So it's hard to see the effects. But would any of us mothers pick up a cigarette and claim it's okay because we feel "fine"? Smoking is a silent killer, too.
I have asthma. I have/had heart arrhythmias. I had pain in my knees. I had blood anemia. Now, after the struggles of diet and exercise, my heart PVC's are GONE. My knee pain is GONE. My anemia is GONE. My asthma will always be there, but I haven't had an attack in 2 years. People, even my poop is healthier!
So, do it! Get out there and get yourself fit. You owe not only to yourself and your self-confidence, but to your children and husband who want and NEED a healthy mom/wife. Don't be afraid to try. You have nothing to lose but weight. And that would be the point! :)
If you need help, let me know. I'm all about the pep talks, people.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Where were you?
Inspired by Summer's post (and guilt for not thinking about this earlier. I did put the flag out. I didn't forget what today was, but my mind was so focused on selfish things (writing) that I didn't take the time to pause and remember. I'm embarrassed and apologetic for that. Forgive me.):
I was with my husband and 4 month old daughter (#1) on a houseboat on Lake Powell. It was a work retreat, and we didn't have cell phone coverage or television. We had NO idea it had even happened.
The next morning, when we pulled into the docks, people were telling us about it and we were all speechless. It was actually hard to believe, and it wasn’t until we stopped at a gas station to watch it being replayed over and over on the TV that we really believed it had happened.
The entire drive back to Provo was agonizing. Our aunt and uncle lived/worked in Manhattan, and we expected the worst. When our cell phone finally worked (AFTER Spanish Fork canyon, of course), we were able to find out that they were both fine.
The next week was spent in front of the television, horrified at what had happened.
I was with my husband and 4 month old daughter (#1) on a houseboat on Lake Powell. It was a work retreat, and we didn't have cell phone coverage or television. We had NO idea it had even happened.
The next morning, when we pulled into the docks, people were telling us about it and we were all speechless. It was actually hard to believe, and it wasn’t until we stopped at a gas station to watch it being replayed over and over on the TV that we really believed it had happened.
The entire drive back to Provo was agonizing. Our aunt and uncle lived/worked in Manhattan, and we expected the worst. When our cell phone finally worked (AFTER Spanish Fork canyon, of course), we were able to find out that they were both fine.
The next week was spent in front of the television, horrified at what had happened.
Want some peace? Don't write a book.
ARGH!
I was up half the night dreaming and waking, dreaming and waking. All I could think/dream/wake about was this book. And not just the book --the BOOKS. I couldn't stop thinking about new plot ideas, new characters, new places of interest. Then suddenly my mind would think about a great new children's book idea --and then it would switch to an auto-biography. A what?!? Yes, exactly. Why would I think that? But back and forth, back and forth.
When the cat fight outside our window (luckily, our cat survived) woke us up at 5:15AM (and I happened to NOT be running this morning, darn cats! Could have slept longer!), I was wide awake. I went downstairs and began typing, trying to get all my ideas out. It's been hours now (of course, I haven't been at the computer for hours --I do have children to raise and clothes to wear), and my mind is still completely cluttered and unfocused. Wait. No, it's completely focused on one thing: writing. But writing about everything I've ever done, said, experienced, lived, etc. etc. Once I think I have a great idea, I'll start and then scratch it and start over. The mantra "Write what you know" keeps cycling in my brain, and I can't help but respond "Well, dang it all! Jane Austen didn't write what she knew, now did she?"
Unfortunately, Jane Austen, I am not. Definitely not.
~sigh~
I was up half the night dreaming and waking, dreaming and waking. All I could think/dream/wake about was this book. And not just the book --the BOOKS. I couldn't stop thinking about new plot ideas, new characters, new places of interest. Then suddenly my mind would think about a great new children's book idea --and then it would switch to an auto-biography. A what?!? Yes, exactly. Why would I think that? But back and forth, back and forth.
When the cat fight outside our window (luckily, our cat survived) woke us up at 5:15AM (and I happened to NOT be running this morning, darn cats! Could have slept longer!), I was wide awake. I went downstairs and began typing, trying to get all my ideas out. It's been hours now (of course, I haven't been at the computer for hours --I do have children to raise and clothes to wear), and my mind is still completely cluttered and unfocused. Wait. No, it's completely focused on one thing: writing. But writing about everything I've ever done, said, experienced, lived, etc. etc. Once I think I have a great idea, I'll start and then scratch it and start over. The mantra "Write what you know" keeps cycling in my brain, and I can't help but respond "Well, dang it all! Jane Austen didn't write what she knew, now did she?"
Unfortunately, Jane Austen, I am not. Definitely not.
~sigh~
Monday, September 10, 2007
Maybe I'll write about family weekend vacations...
BYU lost.
Yes, I know, there was some weeping, wailing, and a little gnashing of teeth, but all in all, we are unscathed. The game was awesome. It was fun to just be there --kids were with Nana and Papa, there was shouting, amazing tailgating (those UCLA fans know how to tailgate!!), lots of people, crowds, cheering, jeering, bad calls, good calls, thrilling touchdowns, laughter, seeing great people, good food, and of course, the feeling that I was still in college, dating the best-looking, smartest, and most dedicated BYU football fan in the world. :)
We saw lots of family (Brandon's dad, mom, step-dad, sisters, BIL's, Aunt Carrie!, my aunt and uncle and cousin) and friends (B and Jen and Pete and L). The kids traveled well (as always). Funny incident:
DH (Brandon) turns off the movie in the DVD player when it was finished. Silence. Suddenly...
#3: "WOW! COWS!"
#2: "Look over here! I see windmills!"
#1: "Hey, guys, look at this!"
DH: "You'd think they never looked out the window before!"
Me: "I don't think they have."
The DVD player stayed off the rest of the trip and we enjoyed singing songs, playing games, and stopping fights. Such joy!
We got home in good time. It's nice coming home from a long drive BEFORE midnight. We did even better this time --7:45PM, baby! Plenty of time to unload the car, get the kids in bed, and pretend we want to unpack. Oh, yes, I said pretend. Anyway, it was good to get home early, get to bed early, wake up at 1AM with "nurse-me-now-or-I'll-scream-all-night!" little boy, and then run 3.2 miles at 6:15AM (yes, we are running a little later this week. 5:30 is a tad early, so we'll see how our schedule goes with pushing it forward). Of course, it wouldn't be complete without the ignoring of dishes and as of now, I should be doing laundry. You know, it's my favorite chore. A-hem.
Writing is beginning. I won't say much, but just know that it is happening. I won't be writing anything here about what I'm doing, because I'd rather be secretive and rude. Okay, not really. I'm not going to give samples or write here because I'm afraid of people stealing my ideas and words. See, if I'm not copyrighted, then what's stopping Joe-Schmoe from stealing my stuff and writing himself his own book? I once had a sham of a contest STEAL my poem. And it seemed to be a legit contest through school. I signed away the rights so it could be published and WHAMMO---my parents were out $50 for the book they bought. I couldn't care less about the book never coming --it was for my poem I cried. So, and thus, and therefore, and this is why I won't be sharing my book (or books?) on this blog. Maybe one day, when I'm rich and famous, or at least published (what a day!), I'll set up a cool little ditty of a website that will allow my adoring fans (I know I have at least two) to read my "works." In the meantime, I will blog as if writing never entered my heart. Okay, yeah, right! I'm sure I'll refer to "THE BOOK" several times. As if I could keep the fact that it exists a secret. ~snort~
P.S. I got some amazing shirts from HERE. They arrived Saturday and so coming home to new clothes was AWESOME!
Yes, I know, there was some weeping, wailing, and a little gnashing of teeth, but all in all, we are unscathed. The game was awesome. It was fun to just be there --kids were with Nana and Papa, there was shouting, amazing tailgating (those UCLA fans know how to tailgate!!), lots of people, crowds, cheering, jeering, bad calls, good calls, thrilling touchdowns, laughter, seeing great people, good food, and of course, the feeling that I was still in college, dating the best-looking, smartest, and most dedicated BYU football fan in the world. :)
We saw lots of family (Brandon's dad, mom, step-dad, sisters, BIL's, Aunt Carrie!, my aunt and uncle and cousin) and friends (B and Jen and Pete and L). The kids traveled well (as always). Funny incident:
DH (Brandon) turns off the movie in the DVD player when it was finished. Silence. Suddenly...
#3: "WOW! COWS!"
#2: "Look over here! I see windmills!"
#1: "Hey, guys, look at this!"
DH: "You'd think they never looked out the window before!"
Me: "I don't think they have."
The DVD player stayed off the rest of the trip and we enjoyed singing songs, playing games, and stopping fights. Such joy!
We got home in good time. It's nice coming home from a long drive BEFORE midnight. We did even better this time --7:45PM, baby! Plenty of time to unload the car, get the kids in bed, and pretend we want to unpack. Oh, yes, I said pretend. Anyway, it was good to get home early, get to bed early, wake up at 1AM with "nurse-me-now-or-I'll-scream-all-night!" little boy, and then run 3.2 miles at 6:15AM (yes, we are running a little later this week. 5:30 is a tad early, so we'll see how our schedule goes with pushing it forward). Of course, it wouldn't be complete without the ignoring of dishes and as of now, I should be doing laundry. You know, it's my favorite chore. A-hem.
Writing is beginning. I won't say much, but just know that it is happening. I won't be writing anything here about what I'm doing, because I'd rather be secretive and rude. Okay, not really. I'm not going to give samples or write here because I'm afraid of people stealing my ideas and words. See, if I'm not copyrighted, then what's stopping Joe-Schmoe from stealing my stuff and writing himself his own book? I once had a sham of a contest STEAL my poem. And it seemed to be a legit contest through school. I signed away the rights so it could be published and WHAMMO---my parents were out $50 for the book they bought. I couldn't care less about the book never coming --it was for my poem I cried. So, and thus, and therefore, and this is why I won't be sharing my book (or books?) on this blog. Maybe one day, when I'm rich and famous, or at least published (what a day!), I'll set up a cool little ditty of a website that will allow my adoring fans (I know I have at least two) to read my "works." In the meantime, I will blog as if writing never entered my heart. Okay, yeah, right! I'm sure I'll refer to "THE BOOK" several times. As if I could keep the fact that it exists a secret. ~snort~
P.S. I got some amazing shirts from HERE. They arrived Saturday and so coming home to new clothes was AWESOME!
P.S.S. Pictures of weekend to come later.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Leaving on a jet...minivan...
Ran 3.1 miles this morning. It felt awesome. The 5K is next Saturday. I'm ready! :)
Going to the UCLA/BYU game this weekend. We leave this morning (and we're not packed yet, darn it!). I'll give you all the details when we get back. Go Cougars!
In the meantime, please continue suggesting book genres (see previous post).
Going to the UCLA/BYU game this weekend. We leave this morning (and we're not packed yet, darn it!). I'll give you all the details when we get back. Go Cougars!
In the meantime, please continue suggesting book genres (see previous post).
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Suggestions for this hopeful writer...
Here is my embarrassing secret: I desperately want to write a book.
Why is it embarrassing? Because everybody wants to write a book! J.K. Rowling made the world realize that one does not have to be a professional to write a book. Now it's the hip thing to do! But it doesn't change how I feel. I want to write.
But there's a hitch.
The problem? (Besides no experience, no time, and no money?) I have no ideas. No...wait. That's not true. I have too many ideas. I've been fooling around with writing something for a good 6 years now --seriously for about 4. Now I feel this creative void inside of me is going to burst into flames unless I do something about it.
That is where all of you come in! Here is what I need: Suggestions! Honest and open ones. And not just from the people that frequently comment. If you read this (Mom, Grandma, Sister-o-mine!) you have to suggest something. If you are a visitor for the first time, and you've never read my blog before, but you are reading this, you must suggest something!
And please, you guys, take it seriously --if you can. I feel like I'm setting my heart out here on the computer keyboard as I type this. I'm vulnerable right now and I'm hoping for some support. But the suggestions are more important, so even if you think I'm an idiot for thinking I can write a book, tell me I'm an idiot, and then make a suggestion on what I could write about.
Thanks!
Why is it embarrassing? Because everybody wants to write a book! J.K. Rowling made the world realize that one does not have to be a professional to write a book. Now it's the hip thing to do! But it doesn't change how I feel. I want to write.
But there's a hitch.
The problem? (Besides no experience, no time, and no money?) I have no ideas. No...wait. That's not true. I have too many ideas. I've been fooling around with writing something for a good 6 years now --seriously for about 4. Now I feel this creative void inside of me is going to burst into flames unless I do something about it.
That is where all of you come in! Here is what I need: Suggestions! Honest and open ones. And not just from the people that frequently comment. If you read this (Mom, Grandma, Sister-o-mine!) you have to suggest something. If you are a visitor for the first time, and you've never read my blog before, but you are reading this, you must suggest something!
And please, you guys, take it seriously --if you can. I feel like I'm setting my heart out here on the computer keyboard as I type this. I'm vulnerable right now and I'm hoping for some support. But the suggestions are more important, so even if you think I'm an idiot for thinking I can write a book, tell me I'm an idiot, and then make a suggestion on what I could write about.
Thanks!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Hooray! It's the end of...Summer?
[UPDATE, Week Eight Total Results= Brandon: 22.8 Me: 13. 4]
Golly geeze, I'm busy! You wouldn't think the start of school would create such chaos, now would you? Well, you would be, once again, very, very wrong. (Not implying that my readers are wrong about anything. Just in reading my mind, I guess?).
Here is a synopsis of a busy day in my crazy world (Wednesdays work well. Let's do today):
5:15AM --Alarm goes off.
5:30AM --Meet with running buddy. Walk a mile; run two.
6:20AM --Arrive back home; shower, wake up kids, get dressed, breakfast, make lunch, say prayers, brush teeth, hair, crazy mess, some fighting, finding shoes, etc.
7:30AM --Brandon takes #1 to school. Remember to eat my own breakfast. Feed #4 cereal.
8:20AM --Take kids to drop off #2 at preschool.
8:35AM --Drop off #3 and #4 (with #3's tricycle) off with my running buddy and some of her kids at the nearby park while I attend #2's "mom social".
9:30AM --Hang out at park for a little while; go home, nurse baby (OUCH! Stop biting me!), finish reading Twilight (Yes, Denae, it is wonderful! Sorry, guys, but I likey!).
10:50AM --Go pick up #2 from preschool; go home, feed the kids lunch. Email, blog, dishes, etc.
12:30PM --Realize that #3 and #4 are asleep and #1 has an early day. Grrr! Call a friend --she picks up #1 for me. Thank you, thank you!
1:30PM --#1 returns home. Spend the next hour or so helping with homework, cleaning the house, and writing this post.
The rest of the day will go as follows (if it goes according to plan):
3PM--5:30PM --Teach 5 piano lessons.
6PM --Make and serve dinner; bathe the kids.
7:20PM--Scriptures, prayers, lights out!
8PM --Ice cream, novel, maybe some TV, me. :)
10:30PM --Brandon comes home (he has a class in SF on Wednesday nights). Fall asleep blissfully in his arms. Okay, okay. Usually, I fall asleep in a drool-infested stupor. But whatever.
I forget that the crazy busy scheduling is what my soul thrives on. I honestly have thought about the "sweet" days of summer without a schedule, and had to stop myself for believing that somehow I was "happier when". This new schedule will take time, but I'm believing that I'll get used to it soon enough.
Oh, and to all my faithful readers and fellow bloggers, I promise to catch up on all of your posts soon! I just don't seem to have the time, as my post above indicates. But oh, how I miss you...
Golly geeze, I'm busy! You wouldn't think the start of school would create such chaos, now would you? Well, you would be, once again, very, very wrong. (Not implying that my readers are wrong about anything. Just in reading my mind, I guess?).
Here is a synopsis of a busy day in my crazy world (Wednesdays work well. Let's do today):
5:15AM --Alarm goes off.
5:30AM --Meet with running buddy. Walk a mile; run two.
6:20AM --Arrive back home; shower, wake up kids, get dressed, breakfast, make lunch, say prayers, brush teeth, hair, crazy mess, some fighting, finding shoes, etc.
7:30AM --Brandon takes #1 to school. Remember to eat my own breakfast. Feed #4 cereal.
8:20AM --Take kids to drop off #2 at preschool.
8:35AM --Drop off #3 and #4 (with #3's tricycle) off with my running buddy and some of her kids at the nearby park while I attend #2's "mom social".
9:30AM --Hang out at park for a little while; go home, nurse baby (OUCH! Stop biting me!), finish reading Twilight (Yes, Denae, it is wonderful! Sorry, guys, but I likey!).
10:50AM --Go pick up #2 from preschool; go home, feed the kids lunch. Email, blog, dishes, etc.
12:30PM --Realize that #3 and #4 are asleep and #1 has an early day. Grrr! Call a friend --she picks up #1 for me. Thank you, thank you!
1:30PM --#1 returns home. Spend the next hour or so helping with homework, cleaning the house, and writing this post.
The rest of the day will go as follows (if it goes according to plan):
3PM--5:30PM --Teach 5 piano lessons.
6PM --Make and serve dinner; bathe the kids.
7:20PM--Scriptures, prayers, lights out!
8PM --Ice cream, novel, maybe some TV, me. :)
10:30PM --Brandon comes home (he has a class in SF on Wednesday nights). Fall asleep blissfully in his arms. Okay, okay. Usually, I fall asleep in a drool-infested stupor. But whatever.
I forget that the crazy busy scheduling is what my soul thrives on. I honestly have thought about the "sweet" days of summer without a schedule, and had to stop myself for believing that somehow I was "happier when". This new schedule will take time, but I'm believing that I'll get used to it soon enough.
Oh, and to all my faithful readers and fellow bloggers, I promise to catch up on all of your posts soon! I just don't seem to have the time, as my post above indicates. But oh, how I miss you...
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Oh, my TEETH!
My sister's Pediatrician has this posted in their office: At Treehouse Pediatrics, breastfeeding is always preferred. However, alternative feeding methods need to be employed in certain cases. We believe that the most important choice you can make is to "feed your baby".
She's been having some real hard problems nursing her newborn. They are solving those problems, but some of it includes formula. I like her Pediatrician's attitude. Of course it's better to FEED the baby, rather than make him/her starve all in the name of breast milk.
Now, I'm not going to delve into the over-analyzed and often heated discussions about breast feeding. To be frank (which is sometimes my weakness), I'm sick and tired of hearing how the breast feeding mom is a saint and the bottle feeding mom is not. It's stupid. Ignorant, stupid and just plain mean. Of course, I really like articles like THIS --places where moms feel safe. But anyway, I digress (as usual). I'm here to announce that #4 is on his way to weaning.
He got a tooth.
He's been biting me --no, no...wait. He's been gumming me for a good 3 weeks now. I noticed on Thursday/Friday that it was getting sharper. It didn't occur to me to check for a tooth until Saturday. Lo and behold! That shiny little thing (bottom left) is razor sharp. And he WON'T STOP BITING ME.
Now, he is my fourth child. I have breastfed ALL of them. #1 was weaned at 8 months because I wanted to go on vacation with my husband. Selfish? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. #2 was weaned at 8 months because she got her first tooth at 4 months. And just like her baby brother, she bit me ALL the time. Was it selfish? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. #3 was weaned at 10 months because he also thought biting me was funny. Was it selfish? This time, no. He was only down to one nursing a day anyway. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
So, of course, with #4, I figured I'd nurse until a year or beyond. But it ain't happenin' people, so just put that LLL on hold. I AM DONE. Brandon agrees with me that it must be time. Of course, he could just be saying that because I'm in tears every time I nurse the kid. I've tried methods I used with other biting children (i.e. Take him off, yelp in pain to scare the kid, etc.) and he just doesn't care. He looks up at me with those beautiful eyes and just grins at me, like I was a huge teething ring. ~sigh~ [Luckily, the biting only happens during the day. The early 4 or 5AM feeding is still blissful, so we'll keep that one as long as possible. But in order to save my breasts, we're gonna have to cut it off during the day.]
Am I sad? Yes. Is it selfish? Yes. Will it be worth it? My breasts tell me yes. And you don't say no to the breasts!
She's been having some real hard problems nursing her newborn. They are solving those problems, but some of it includes formula. I like her Pediatrician's attitude. Of course it's better to FEED the baby, rather than make him/her starve all in the name of breast milk.
Now, I'm not going to delve into the over-analyzed and often heated discussions about breast feeding. To be frank (which is sometimes my weakness), I'm sick and tired of hearing how the breast feeding mom is a saint and the bottle feeding mom is not. It's stupid. Ignorant, stupid and just plain mean. Of course, I really like articles like THIS --places where moms feel safe. But anyway, I digress (as usual). I'm here to announce that #4 is on his way to weaning.
He got a tooth.
He's been biting me --no, no...wait. He's been gumming me for a good 3 weeks now. I noticed on Thursday/Friday that it was getting sharper. It didn't occur to me to check for a tooth until Saturday. Lo and behold! That shiny little thing (bottom left) is razor sharp. And he WON'T STOP BITING ME.
Now, he is my fourth child. I have breastfed ALL of them. #1 was weaned at 8 months because I wanted to go on vacation with my husband. Selfish? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. #2 was weaned at 8 months because she got her first tooth at 4 months. And just like her baby brother, she bit me ALL the time. Was it selfish? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. #3 was weaned at 10 months because he also thought biting me was funny. Was it selfish? This time, no. He was only down to one nursing a day anyway. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
So, of course, with #4, I figured I'd nurse until a year or beyond. But it ain't happenin' people, so just put that LLL on hold. I AM DONE. Brandon agrees with me that it must be time. Of course, he could just be saying that because I'm in tears every time I nurse the kid. I've tried methods I used with other biting children (i.e. Take him off, yelp in pain to scare the kid, etc.) and he just doesn't care. He looks up at me with those beautiful eyes and just grins at me, like I was a huge teething ring. ~sigh~ [Luckily, the biting only happens during the day. The early 4 or 5AM feeding is still blissful, so we'll keep that one as long as possible. But in order to save my breasts, we're gonna have to cut it off during the day.]
Am I sad? Yes. Is it selfish? Yes. Will it be worth it? My breasts tell me yes. And you don't say no to the breasts!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Labor Day Weekend Whatevers
BYU: 20
Arizona: 7
Max Hall gave a good start. Can't wait to see him live at the UCLA game next week! Wa-hoo!!
I can almost run two whole miles now! Only 1 and a little to go before the race in 2 weeks. I think I need to push myself a tad harder if I'm going to make it for the 5K.
Being a Single Mom is hard. I've had to do it for up to 10 days before, but even 2 days are hard. Welcome back, Brandon! We sure missed you.
I was proud of my efforts on Friday. Not only was #1 up and ready for school early, but I got all of us ready early. By 8:15AM we left for Safeway. After unloading groceries and feeding #4, we went to Trader Joe's and then Costco. #2 and #3 were so good, I let us eat lunch at Costco. And we were still home by 12:30PM! Of course, being on top of things only happens once or twice a year for me, so, I would say my quota is done until January. :)
Church is going to be stressful today. I'm substituting for the Ward Organist, and then I have my own callings. Doesn't sound like much, but it means responsibility for every hour of church. With #4, that can be hard. But I'm glad I can be useful.
Tomorrow is Labor Day (of course). We're not planning much --just a barbeque at Brandon's co-worker's home.
What are you guys all doing for Labor Day? Are any of you on vacation/holiday right now?
Arizona: 7
Max Hall gave a good start. Can't wait to see him live at the UCLA game next week! Wa-hoo!!
I can almost run two whole miles now! Only 1 and a little to go before the race in 2 weeks. I think I need to push myself a tad harder if I'm going to make it for the 5K.
Being a Single Mom is hard. I've had to do it for up to 10 days before, but even 2 days are hard. Welcome back, Brandon! We sure missed you.
I was proud of my efforts on Friday. Not only was #1 up and ready for school early, but I got all of us ready early. By 8:15AM we left for Safeway. After unloading groceries and feeding #4, we went to Trader Joe's and then Costco. #2 and #3 were so good, I let us eat lunch at Costco. And we were still home by 12:30PM! Of course, being on top of things only happens once or twice a year for me, so, I would say my quota is done until January. :)
Church is going to be stressful today. I'm substituting for the Ward Organist, and then I have my own callings. Doesn't sound like much, but it means responsibility for every hour of church. With #4, that can be hard. But I'm glad I can be useful.
Tomorrow is Labor Day (of course). We're not planning much --just a barbeque at Brandon's co-worker's home.
What are you guys all doing for Labor Day? Are any of you on vacation/holiday right now?
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