What's up

with this wind!?!

I am absolutely terrified of the wind.  It could be that right after college there was a terrible windstorm that soured me on wind.  Maybe it was the fact that an old, very heavy iron awning almost fell on me and my mom.  No, that couldn't be it =)

I usually have Tim hear to calm me down when the wind is bad.  That plus I have ear plugs and his snoring that drowns out the wind.  Too bad I didn't fall asleep before it hit because I sure can't sleep now!

On the bright side, maybe enough shingles will fall off that we can get the roof re-shingled.  That is on our list of things to do.  Our maybe our fence will blow down - I haven't liked it much anyway.

Always trying to look on the bright side!

More ramblings!

Okay - so I need to add a comment concerning the last post.  I should have had patience anyway.

We said goodbye to Tim today.  He's off on another "vacation" away from me and Ster - he'll be back the first of February so it isn't too long.  I've had longer times apart from him, so a measly 5 weeks is easy peasy!  I hate saying goodbye.  I don't want him gone - but I hate the anticipation of him leaving.  I dread it.  I always get antsy and cranky just before he leaves.  Makes him all that much happier to be going on a deployment vacation!

On to other ramblings, remember me talking about trees?  Well, if I haven't blogged about it before, I will now!  Our yard is treeless.  Thanks to the two big trees being diseased and nice windstorms to help them out, we have no trees.  We are in desparate need to landscape our yard and to add a lot of trees.  For a couple of years I've been looking at trees for our backyard.  In my cranky moments, I want to plant trees in a line in our backyard to block the view of some unpleasantness behind us.  But then I calm down and realise that would be just tacky.  I still don't know how I want to landscape our property, but I had planned on saving $1500 to pay for trees for the backyard THIS YEAR - some bigger ones and some smaller ones.  I still didn't know where I'd plant them, but I was planning on sticking them somewhere!  I swore to myself that we would get some trees in the ground this year come heck or high water!

Plans have changed.

I also wanted a concrete patio.  Right now we have a small patio that is cracked and sinking in one area.  We were going to rip out the concrete and pour one twice the size.  I was so excited!  I wanted the concrete patio so I could get some patio furniture so I could sit outside in the evening reading a book.  Well, I'd be outside when it was quiet and not smoke-filled.  (If you know the neighbors behind us, you'd understand.  I love the homeowners.  Their kids - not so much).

Plans have changed.

We were also going to put some money into the spitfire.  I was hoping to get the axles bought and a couple of things Tim needs to work in it.  He really needs something to do with that car.

Plans have changed.

And my sewing machine.  I decided against a Bernina because I don't have the money to sew all the time.  Can't afford to get fabric all the time.  So a nice Brother would suffice.  My mother-in-law has an older Ffaff that she is going to give to me the next time I go to Texas.  But that isn't until next year.

Plans have changed

We need an oven - ours isn't working all that great.  But it does work.  I just can't make brownies or cakes or cookies or chicken without adding on lots of time.  But it works.

Plans have changed.

See, I went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago.  I hate the dentist.  My teeth are weak and gross.  I swear I get cavaties all the time.  Well, this time he had really good news for me.  One of my crowns has been loose for awhile and apparently - surprise, surprise - that isn't a good sign.  He said it looks like my tooth is cracked in a not-so-good location.  It looks like I'll have to have a tooth pulled.  Yikes!  I put off getting my wisdom teeth pulled until I was 35 years old because I am chicken.  The thoughts of having him pull a tooth sends me into fits.  Not only that, but unless I want to be toothless I have to have an implant put in.  (A crown probably won't work for me because my teeth seem to be very, very weak and I can just imagine what would happen with that!).  Guess I'm going to have to come up with about $3000 for that.

It gets better!  We have to have new windows.  We can't put it off any longer.  I had hoped to make it another 2 years, but it can't wait.  We'll be lucky to get thru this winter.  See, when I push on the window in my son's room - it moves.  Last year's wet winter really messed this house up!  It seems to have settled a bit.

So, you can see how my plans have changed.  I may be looking at another part-time job to pay for the mess.  Lovely.

I really wanted a patio!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!  I have truly been blessed.  I am grateful for the wonderful parents that I have and for the wonderful mother-in-law that I have.  I am grateful for my siblings - for all the fun we have when we get together (which is not often enough) and for the laughter and love we share.  I have a wonderful son.  Yes, we battle - but we also have the sweetest moments together.  He always loves me (even when he says he doesn't - I don't believe him!) and always has a kiss for me (even if it is a reluctant kiss).  He is so sweet.  My friends are priceless, too!  Listening to me ramble and complain.  We have good jobs - jobs that are study and provide us with the income we need to pay our bills and also provide us with health insurance.  I may not like my job most of the time, but I am grateful for it.

As I reflect over this Christmas Season, I am reminded of how blessed we truly are.  We had a wonderful Christmas morning opening presents and eating good food with my parents and sister.  As I sat there while we opened presents, I'm reminded of Christmas 2000 when I was reminded how blessed I was.

I was working at Deseret Industries part time.  I started the job when Tim went to Basic Training and then to AIT because I didn't want to be alone and we needed the extra money to pay bills. Tim was home by Christmas, but we still needed the money so I continued to work.  I really didn't want to work there - especially at Christmas - but I had a lot of things I wanted for Christmas. I had to work the day after Christmas and that was the last thing I wanted to be doing.  I wanted to be with my family enjoying what I'd gotten for Christmas.

Just before closing, when I was so tired from being on my feet and all I wanted to do was go home, a mom and six kids come to my cash register with a bunch of quarters each.  The younger ones started with their purchases first.  I'd ring them up, it would be more than they'd have, they'd go back and forth on what to keep and what to leave.  I was getting pretty annoyed.  I remember thinking that the mom should have helped them pick things out with the money they had - that it was stupid and annoying to have to keep changing things.  With each of the little ones, the older kids would pitch in a quarter or two so the little ones could get more of what they wanted.  Remember - I was really annoyed.  When the mother got to the register, I don't remember if she even had anything because I was so annoyed that I had to help a bunch of kids who didn't know how to add up what they had before they go to the register.  And it must have shown.  That mother brought me to my knees - not in a mean way because I don't think she could have been mean.

She thanked me for helping them (thanked me?  I was a brat!) and explained that this was their Christmas - that they had been given 6 quarters each to spend on the toys they wanted.  I was shocked and didn't know what to say. I probably just sat there with my mouth wide open.  But the family went on their way - with the little ones so excited with their little presents.

If only.....

If only I'd known at the start, I'd have let them buy everything they wanted and paid for it myself.  If only I'd known at the start, I'd have had patience.  If only I'd known at the start my attitude would have been sooooo different.

I was so blessed that Christmas and didn't even know it. 

No matter what is under our tree, everyone has the greatest gift.

The Gift of Eternal Life.  Because of our brother, Jesus Christ, who willingly came to earth and paid for our sins.  Because he loved us enough to suffer for us.  We truly have been blessed.

May everyone enjoy this Season and remember Christ and all he has done for us.

My luck strikes again!

Okay, so while we were filling out the military clearance forms, it asked for divorce information.  Tim has been divorced twice.  We (or rather he) talks to his first ex-wife, but not to his second ex-wife.  No reason to - no kids, no ties.  Anyway, we weren't sure if we needed the information because the divorce was over 12 years ago.  Oh no.  We had to have her birthday and her current address.  Really?  Facebook sort-of came to the rescue.  Since she is a "friend" of Tim's sister, we called her up but she didn't give us much information except her new husbands name.  Long story short - Tim had to call her up to get what we needed.  Her new husband didn't like the sound of another man calling her.  Don't blame him.  Tim said it was very awkward to have to call her.  I agree.

And we may be out of our house sooner than we think!  Okay, maybe that is wishful thinking.  Our mortgage company, the blasted Bank of America, sold our mortgage to Green Tree.  So, I mailed our payment to Green Tree as instructed in the letter we received.  I did not pay online because I was not going to pay a $12 fee.  I think I should have.

Green Tree is saying that we never paid our monthly mortgage payment.  Really?  So now I am at work (I just left work hoping not to return until January 3) sending a fax showing that our payment really did clear our bank - and waiting a few minutes for the fax to be reviewed before I call them. 

With my luck, someone else would have cashed the dang check and we will have the lovely hassle of trying to figure it out.

Merry Christmas!
(but I'm feeling pretty scroogy right now!)

Clearance

Tim has to apply for his military clearances again.  What a pain!

I want to make sure he has all the information at his fingertips before he spends the time entering what they need in.  So, we took the forms and started collecting information.  Now, I didn't do it all at once - I took the information out and looked at it, entered some stuff, got bored and set it aside.  I also had a couple of questions and so Tim called the dude who was supposed to have the answers.  Supposed to is the right words!  He didn't know - all he said was to do exactly as the form says.

Now, I know I'm stupid.  It tells you to have all of your financial information there, but the questions only refer to delinquent accounts or bankrupcy or other bad accounts.  And when it asks for account numbers, it only referenced problem accounts.  So where am I to enter in all our financial information?  Tim called the dude - he didn't know.  So, I'm now trying to go through our financial information for the last seven years.  All our loans.  Hello!  I didn't keep all that information for the last seven years!  Luckily I found one of those free credit reports from 3 years ago - so I thought I'd get our annual free credit report again.  Last time, we printed it all off that same day.  This time, 2 of the three won't do it.  Really?  I have to have the information tomorrow and I can't get it?  Just my luck.  And, when I go online to check accounts, I can't seem to remember the log in information!  yep.  I've been locked out of two accounts.

Great.

And on top of it, there is a potential conflict with Tim's brother's job.  Great.  If Tim doesn't get his clearance, he is out of a job.  Me, I'm worried.  Tim, he isn't worried one bit and tells me to relax about it.  Yeah, well I pay the bills and I know that my paychecks won't come near what we need to pay our bills.  Without Tim's job we are screwed.  If I look on the bright side, Tim loses his job - we lose our house and our lovely neighbors.  Maybe things aren't so bad after all.

Happy Birthday Sterling!

Today is Sterling's 10th Birthday.  He made it!  There were times I didn't think we'd make it to his 10th birthday - but he did.  We did.

Sterling is so precious.  I look at him and I realize how blessed I have been to have him in our little family.  He has a funny sense of humor.  He is loving.  He is sweet.  He is a cutie.  He loves video games.  He loves his daddy.  He loves his Duke.  He loves his mommy occasionally =)

We've had our struggles, me and Sterling.  He knows how to push my buttons and he pushes them almost daily (like today when I ruined his birthday because I made him shower before church).  We battle it out over and over.  But he loves me and at the end of the day he is so willing to give me a hug and a kiss and tell me he loves me.

He had such a list of presents he wanted - for his birthday and for Christmas.  I swear every day brought something new added to his list.  We settled on an Xbox game and a stupid Utah Utes Santa Hat.  We wrapped them up and put them under the Christmas tree earlier this week - and the constant "can I open one now" began.  For my birthday, they let me open my present the night before (why oh why did I do that?).  So, Ster asked if he could open a present early and we told him one present on Saturday.  Saturday morning at 7:10 a.m., he woke me up asking if he could open it.  I told him he could when daddy got home from drill.  Well, the garage door opens and I holler down to Ster that daddy was home - and Ster promptly opened his santa hat.  Tim thought I let him open it up early - but no, he heard that daddy was home and knew he could open it.  So I had to specify that he couldn't open up the other present until after dinner when everyone was here.

I sure love this kid!

(He was so excited to get this present - can you tell?)

(He lined up all the figures from his game)

I love you kiddo!

My not-so-Happy Dance

Well, my happy dance has disappeared.

One of my fears has been having my child teased.  That fear first became a reality at church when some kids snickered after Ster said a prayer and read a scripture.  Hmmm.....maybe that is why he is timid when it comes to getting up in front of people.  That fear has now become a reality at school.  And it hurts.  It also makes me angry.

I know my child is not perfect - but I have talked to him over and over about being nice to other kids.  I tell him it isn't nice to be mean or tease people or call them names.  I've told him that it hurts their feelings.  He's supposed to be nice to everyone and be friends with those who need a friend.  Again, I know he isn't perfect, but I've watched him interact with boys in our ward and I don't think he is being mean to anyone.  They usually don't have much to do with him.  And to get their attention he acts goofy - which, I think, turns them away from him.  I don't expect them to like him - but be nice to him.  We haven't had a problem at church for awhile - so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

But Ster told me the other day that there are some kids that are teasing him when he is at his locker.  He says they are calling him stupid and fat.  My first reaction was to come up with something to say back to them, but I told him that he needed to tell his teacher and to ignore them.  He says he has been ignoring them but they keep teasing him.  He didn't tell his teacher, but we did at P-T conference.  I didn't think much of it until he came home on Wednesday and asked if he was ugly.  I was taken back and told him he wasn't ugly.  He was so sad as he asked me.  He said they called him fat and ugly that day and he wanted to know if he was ugly.  Three times that night he asked me if he was ugly. 

His self-confidence has really taken a hit over this teasing.  I just cried that night knowing that my precious child is being hurt this way.  He isn't brilliant and he isn't skinny (although I will admit he has gained a lot of weight and is chunky now) - but gosh darnit he is one cute kid!  He doesn't need to go through life thinking he is ugly - he will have a hard enough time with his disability that he doesn't need any crap about his looks.

Hopefully the teacher can find out who is making fun of him and maybe get it taken care of.  And hopefully Ster can learn to ignore the hurtful things they are saying to him and keep a positive attitude.

If not - some kid(s) may get a swirly at that school!

Happy Dance!

I'm doing a Happy Dance right now.  Woot Woot!  Today was parent teacher conference.  Not something I look forward to. This started out as a typical P-T conference.  The teacher telling us that she thoroughly enjoys Ster.  (I guess if he is going to be good for someone, it better be his teacher).  I'm happy about that.  She also told us once again that he won't write anything for her - they are supposed to write every day, but he turns in blank papers all the time.  He can spell pretty good - but he just can't write a complete sentence.  He leaves out minor words like "the" "and" "a".  Minor words =)  Then, the bad news.  They did their mid-year testing.  Where Ster should be for mid-year 4th ---- he isn't anywhere close.  He is way behind.  It doesn't really surprise me - which is sad to say.  The teacher did say that she didn't think he was trying - and that if he put forth an effort he would be closer to his age group.  With his disability, he does get help with his tests - not answers given to him, but he can have someone read the questions to him (with the exception of reading).  However, he has to ask for help and he didn't do that.  So, when they do their testing in January she is going to put down that he needs the questions read to him.  For fun, she opened up some pamplet that had sample questions and answers and levels and crap like that.  She pointed out the level he should have been at and asked him to read.  He read aloud just fine and then answered the question (but I am 99% positive he saw the answer first).  She thinks he'd do much better if he was allowed to read the questions aloud - so she is going to put him in a separate room so he can read aloud to see if that helps.  (Ster's concern was which room he'd be in. Like that matters.)

I mentioned a happy dance, didn't I!  Well, after that news we went to see his Math teacher because he scored extremely low on math (like 1st grade level - and we know he can do better than that).  I asked her how much he was struggling and she gave me a funny look.  She explained that they are working with fractions and they are all getting the basics but seemed to be shocked with simplifying fractions (it has been so long that I had to ask what that was!).  Again I questioned what we needed to do to help him and she told us....hold your shorts!....that he was in the "upper triangle of the class - meaning that he was ready to move onto the next level."  WOOT WOOT!  My child, the child who is in resource for reading writing and arithmatic, is in the upper level!  She said he has caught on extremely fast - and that he is really good with his multiplication. But like the other kids, he is struggling with simplification - but they will be working some more with that.  She also said that she'd like more participation out of him, but if she asks him a question he always gets it right.

I can't express enough my excitement.  I'm usually being told how the teacher has to devout more time to him because he gets frustrated and worked up and then shuts down.  For once I'm being told that he is really good at a subject and isn't behind his classmates!  Woot Woot!!!  (Okay, so he doesn't have to write a paragraph so that is probably why he is doing better - but who cares - he isn't the lowest in the class!!!!)

That earthquake you just felt?  No, it was not an earthquake - just fatty patty dancing around.

Some people

need to learn when to shut up.  I'm one of them.  However, this isn't about what I said.

After church, I took my baby outside to piddle/poop.  I don't like him going to one section of our property because (1) I can't see him and (2) I'm afraid he'll take off around the corner barking at the people behind us.  Anyway, as I walk around the truck to keep an eye on Duke, my neighbor to the north hollers over that I'm looking good.  Personally, although my pants are looser, I don't think it appears that I lost weight.  I thanked her because it is nice to have someone notice.  She asked what I am doing to lose weight and if I was taking Ster's ritalin.  I laughed and said no, I'm not taking his ritalin - I'm watching what I eat.

And here it comes.

J:  Well, that will only get you so far.

Wow.  One, does she think I'm stupid enough to think that I'll lose 50 pounds just by cutting back?  Two, keep your mouth shut!  I didn't gain 65 pounds overnight.  I spent 12 years working on getting fat and I'm sure it'll take me a little bit to lose the weight.  It won't happen overnight.  I have got to start somewhere - and by cutting back I'm made an effort.  Next step is to start and keep up on exercising.

Bummer

All I can say is:  BUMMER!

I haven't mentioned much of my weight-loss on here because I didn't want to jinx myself.  After I had lost about 10 pounds, I stopped exercising.  Not because I wanted to, but because I was having headaches.  Not migraines (okay, so some of them were pretty bad and my eyes hurt - but I wouldn't classify them as migraines - although it sounds better if migraines were what stopped my exercising).  So between headaches and lack of sleep (I'd wake up around 2 am and not go back to sleep until close to 4 am - and then I'd drag my butt out of bed and get to work in the nick of time) and work stress, I stopped.  Funny thing - I still lost weight.  As of last Sunday, I was down to ...  yes, I'm going to embarrass myself and say it ... 185 pounds.

Whew!  I announced it!  How EMBARRASSING!!!!

Anyway, I was so proud of myself.  My pants were very loose.  My jiggly gut was not as huge - still jiggly, but I SWEAR my boobies stuck out farther than my gut - and that is a miracle.  I felt really good about myself - just for the fact that I was finally losing something.  And that something kept me motivated to watch what I eat.

Seriously - I can't decide if it is the meds I am taking or if it is because I'm watching what I eat that is the factor in losing weight.  I was leaning toward the first one, but now I'm leaning toward the second.

See, McDonalds has their Coke cups out.  Yes, stupid Coke cups.  But I'm OBSESSED with getting them!  Last year all we got were the icky brown ones and one purple one.  This year I was bound and determined and get either 7 more purples (so I could get rid of the brown ones) or 8 green or blue ones so I could have a set.

Stupid McDonalds. 

Between those stupid, evil, delicious french fries and Thanksgiving and that stupid, evil, delicious coconut cream pie in the fridge, I've put on a few pounds.  Oh no, not just one pount, but three pounds.  It is terrible!  I weigh myself daily just to keep tabs on what I'm doing - it is a BIG motivator for me if I see the scale up half a pound (and the truly amazing part is that it rarely went up - it was steadily going down).  I didn't get on the scale monday or tuesday or wednesday morning - but when I got on Wednesday night I wanted to scream.  And it hasn't come down yet.

So, I'm motivated to watch what I eat.  That coconut cream pie is going in the trash tomorrow.  The two candybars my VT's gave me for my B-day will be going to someone skinny.  The Mountain Dew in the pantry will just have to be consumed by me.  Slowly.  (I can't give up EVERYTHING!).  And next time I watch Harry Potter or NCIS or House Hunters International, I will walk in place and run during the commercials.

And if the scales go up any - be prepared to hear a blood-curdling scream.  Everyone will hear it.

Randomness

Every time I get on to post something stupid, I tell myself I should be posting pictures.  It isn't like I haven't taken any pictures.  But I still don't do it.  Here is one of Ster - this is the best I can get from him.  He just won't smile when I pull the camera out!

On another note....

Our neighbor has been having some unwanted visitors lately.  Twice they have had someone open their garage door.  Once, that person actually went into their family room.  Scary!  The first time, their daughter heard the garage door open and when her dad didn't come in the house she looked out and saw a man walking away.  The next time, it was after 10 p.m. and the hubby was supposed to be getting home.  She heard the garage door open, then the family room door open, the dogs started to bark and then the family room door closed.  When she heard the garage door start to close, she looked out the window wondering why her husband didn't come in but he wasn't even home yet.  I would be totally freaked out.  So, we are going to have to start watching our neighborhood a little closer.  We don't have much worth stealing - but I do not want anything to happen to Ster.  Good thing I know where Tim's gun is and a good thing our dog has a deep bark.

And lastly...

I have a new calling in Church.  I've finally been released from the RS Additional Meeting Committee after almost 3 years.  I'm now the Cub Scouts Committee Chair.  When people hear that, they start to laugh.  All I know is that I won't have to go to an RS meeting where the ladies don't seem to shut up and I always seem to get stuck in the kitchen doing dishes.  Except for the Blue and Gold Banquet and the Pinewood Derby, I show up at 6:30, it starts at 7:00 and then we leave no later than 8:15.  I am in charge of the 20 minute activity, but I think I can handle that.  I think.  Luckily there is a committee that can help come up with ideas.

I guess I should end now.  Bed is calling my name - but I hate to go to sleep because it means when I wake up I have to go to the torture chamber work.  On the bright side, only two days of work this week and then I'm off until December 1.

Thanks T-Mobile!

Our luck stinks!

Last Saturday we went to T-mobile and signed up and spent a nice chunk of change on phones.  I didn't get the phone I really wanted because we didn't have the money for it - but I did get a phone I liked so I wasn't going to complain.

Until now.  T-mobile is having a sale this Saturday.  And we could have saved $150 if we had waited one. measly. week.  Now it won't be worth it - unless they waived the stupid re-stocking fee if we returned them. 

Gotta love them salesmen!  I specifically asked him if they would be having a sale on phones after Thanksgiving - because I didn't want to find out I'd have saved money by waiting.  He didn't lie - he said after Thanksgiving the sale you would be seeing wouldn't be on smartphones.  Yeah - the sale is THIS saturday, not after thanksgiving.

Grrrrr.

On the bright side - I am absolutely loving having a smart phone.  I resisted for so long.  But I love it!

Dear W.I.C. Lady

Next time you go to Walmart and use 4 different WIC checks, please be considerate of the fact that I might be in line behind you.  See, I have no patience.  And I really didn't like to stand behind you while you rang up four different WIC purchases.  You know - couldn't you sense that I was in the store and that you should either (1) hurry up and get through the long, long line before I get there or (2) wait another, oh, 2 minutes to get in line?  See, I really didn't like waiting TEN. STINKING. MINUTES. as the SLOWER. THAN. COLD. TAR. checker rang up your four different checks.  And I really, really, really didn't like standing behind your fifth purchase of little girl tights, diet coke, dr. pepper, cups, and other items that seemed to me you could have done without if you need financial assistance.

Sincerely,

the MOST. IMPATIENT. PERSON in the world.


Okay, so I have no problem with people getting financial assistance.  Really, I don't.  But I really get annoyed to see such people buying non-essential things.  Like Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper.  If I don't have money, I don't buy those things.  Maybe I'm just strange - but if I'm getting money from someone because I can't afford things - then I don't buy treats.  At work, I see too many people paying their bills with checks from the LDS Church - and those same people have fake nails, hair that has to be dyed to cover gray or to add highlights, or expensive clothes.  Or the ones who come in smelling like smoke so bad that we have to lysol the office to cover it up (and that makes it so much worse in my mind) and then they complain because they can't pay their water bill. 

My all-time favorite story was when I was behing a couple at walmart who had a WIC check - and then bought bottled Corona (I checked - that stuff ain't cheap!).  On the way to their car, they hit a crack in the asphalt, the cart jerked, and the Corona crashed to the ground and some of it broke.  Hmmm.  Maybe if you'd stop buying that expensive beer you could afford to buy milk, bread, and cereal without assistance.

Again, although I'm complaining about it, I have nothing against people getting help.  As long as they aren't taking advantage of the assistance.

Heck, the only freebies we get are infant formula!

I wish some people would get a life.

I have people that I am not too fond of.  They have a tendency to point out every single mistake I make.  It doesn't matter that I actually do things right occasionally.  I think their goal in life is to make me miserable.

For instance, I posted an agenda under the wrong committee.  Pointed it out to me and asked me to be more careful.  Doesn't matter that I post on average 6 agendas a month and out of the last year posted one wrong.  Yes, it was a mistake.  But one out of 60?  I was asked to be more careful.

I've told you I am the dumb city newsletter (remember the "don't be dumbed down but wised up" comment?).  Yeah, well, I always find mistakes in that thing - no matter how many times I read it, there will be a mistake.  My boss called me in this morning because the thorn in my side told him I put a wrong date in it.  For the life of me I can't find where that mistake is.  But I need to be more careful.

I certainly hope I don't see that family anytime soon.  I may ask them if there is anything they think I can do right.

Maybe I should quit - then one of them could take my position and make sure everything is done right.

bummer!

I've mentioned before how I watch Sister Wives.  Well, I watched two episodes tonight and totally came away bummed.

They started going to a gym to help them lose weight.  When I found out how much Meri weighed, I wanted to cry.  I don't mean to be rude, but she looked a lot bigger than me. Alot.  But then she said she was a size 14.  WHAT!?!?!  My clothes are bigger - but I didn't think I was!  And, not only that, but then I found out she weighs about 25 pounds more than me.

Really?  I'm fatter than I thought!

BTW - I haven't lost a pound this last week.  Atleast I didn't gain any.

Pine Wood Derby

Yay - the Pine Wood Derby is done!  The anticipation just kills Sterling. He was so excited - and so sure his car would win.  I hoped his car would win - but prayed it wouldn't come in last!

Last year with Tim gone, I begged Ster to let me buy him a cut-out car that we could paint.  But no, he insisted on the colorful wedge.  It is his car, so I really couldn't force him to do something he didn't want to do.  But I hoped he'd change his mind.  This year, I didn't have to prompt him - he asked if we could get one and reminded me I told him he could have one last year.  So, we bought one.  And weights.  And one of those skin-things to cover it with.  Yikes!  After it was done, Tim had a friend help him with greasing the wheels (or whatever that is called).  The last couple of days all Ster wanted to do was play with the car. 

Finally, the night arrived.  The first race Ster was in, he came in 4th.  Oh, I was bummed.  Ster told us that the wheels were wobbly.  Really?  Crap!!!!  In his four races, he came in 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st.  Overall, he was 10th out of 21.  I can't tell you how relieved I was that he wasn't last!  The poor kids who were last =(  Whew - atleast it wasn't Ster!

I do have some pictures - but they were from a distance because Ster doesn't cooperate when the camera comes out.  (I'll post his school picture to prove that).

Off to bed - tomorrow I get to relax and sew more on my quilt.  I can't wait to post pictures of that!  (Maybe I can sneak a picture of Ster while I'm at it)

I call women who pop out kid after kid a "fertile myrtle" - okay, so maybe they don't pop them out one right after another but it seems like it to me.  Anyway...

Right now I feel like an infertile myrtle in a sea of fertile myrtles.

I got some Similac samples and coupons in the mail yesterday.  Really?  Who signed me up for that.  Like I need it - and I won't be needing it EVER.  So I called around to women I know who had babies to see if they could use it and none of them uses Similac.  So I called the RS President to see if she knew of anyone who could use it - and she started to rattle off all the ladies in the ward who are pregnant and due around March.  (Guess we know who was all celebrating the summer break!)  It seems like a ton - but in actuality it is only about 4 or 5 ladies.  But still!

Quilts of Valor

As I said earlier, I have been itching to sew.  I really want to sew some quilts.  I've been thinking of people I can make quilts for - grandkids, Ster, family reunion quilts, a friend.  But I came across a blog this evening that has really gotten me excited to make quilts - for wounded soldiers.  It isn't like I'll be able to whip out 10 or so quilts this year - but I think I should be able to whip out one, maybe two.  There is an organization that teams up quilters - one to quilt the top and one to do the long-arm quilting.  I'm so excited!  I have the red, white and blue fabric and I have several ideas for the design.  So, as soon as I get my mom's sewing machine back I am going to start working on my QOV.  By the time I have the top all sewed, I should have some money to get the backing.  Then off to the quilter!

I'm so excited!  They suggest the quilter write a letter to the wounded soldier and to possibly keep a journal of my feelings as I'm making the quilt.  I can do this.  And I can't wait to start!

Wild Child

Ster came in and asked if he and a friend could go to Walgreens on their scooters.  My first thought was "HECK NO!"  But, Tim keeps telling me I need to let him grow up.  So I reluctantly gave in and said he could go.  Walgreens is maybe a mile away - but you have to cross State Street to get there.  My heart was just racing - I was a nervous wreck.

So about 1 minute after they walked out the door, I decided to follow them at a safe distance.  I waiting for a couple of minutes and then took off - and caught up with them when they were maybe a quarter mile away from Walgreens.  So, being the nice parent that I am, I pulled over and waited.  I didn't want them to see me following them - so I waited until I thought they would be close to crossing the street.  Then I pulled out to where I could see them - intending to pull in a parking lot to watch from a distance.

Oh no.  My plan didn't work out.

I turned the corner, couldn't turn into the parking lot, and had to continue to the corner.  Right where they were waiting to cross the street.  Yep.  They saw me.  I got some funny looks from them, too!

After they were across the street I had to explain that I was just a nervous nelly and wanted to make sure they made it safely.  Then I left to get a drink down the road.

On the way home, I decided to drive by Walgreens to see if I could see where they were - and they were coming down the street toward me.  Of course, I was caught AGAIN and had funny looks tossed my way.

At least they were understanding.

Jayden

I came across some pictures of Jayden on my computer at work today.  Just looking at him makes me miss him so much - I miss his smile and his giggle.  He was just so little!  I wonder what he is doing.  How he is doing in school.  How many teeth has he lost?  How tall he is.  There is so much I am missing with him growing up.  I'm sure he doesn't remember us - but I think about him alot.  I don't cry when I think about him anymore, but it still hurts my heart.

I was able to catch Jayden when he was having fun!  Isn't he just so adorable?  Don't pay attention to the toys all over the floor or the blinds that are crooked - he was having lots of fun!

There are my boys!  I can't believe how little Ster is!  This is how I picture Jayden - little, cute, adorable!

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Remember how I was itching to sew but didn't have a sewing machine?  Well.....we couldn't afford a Bernina until next year....but our stove is now acting up and so it looks like the Bernina is NOT on the menu next year.  So I settled for a $200 Brother sewing machine.  I checked out the reviews and shopped around and compared what it came with.  I wanted a $170 machine, but would have to order it - and (1) I didn't have the patience to wait and (2) Tim told me to get the $200 machine because it had more stitches.  Of the reviews, most everyone liked them.  Only a few had anything negative to say.  So I bought the $200 sewing machine.  And I had "sew" much fun playing with it last night.  The stitches were awesome!  It was quiet.  It worked like a charm and I was "sew" excited!  I couldn't wait to cut the rest of my fabric and start to put my quilt together.

So I started playing around with it tonight using more of the stitches and practicing the blind hem (I am not so good at that).  And. It. Broke.  The STUPID machine broke!  The second day!  Are you KIDDING ME?  It jammed once and that was the end of that.  At first I thought "Great - this is the same thing mom's sewing machine does." But I pulled it out and worked on clearing it and it looked good to go so I started up again and BAM! it jammed.

I am so bummed.  So, I get to go exchange it tomorrow.  And I am going to sew, sew, sew like crazy the rest of the week - if it breaks again, then I'm taking it back for good.

But I'm going to give it one more shot.  Surely it was just a lemon machine, right?

update:  I opted not to get another machine right now.  I just didn't feel right about it - I didn't feel 100% right about it the first time and didn't listen.  Look where it got me!  So, no sewing machine for me.  I don't want to spend $200 if the machine ain't gonna work!

Wonderful

Just wonderful!  I have some *wonderful* news!  We have some new neighbors.  I'm just so excited!  This last weekend we saw trucks full of stuff but didn't know if someone was moving out (oh, we had such hopes) or if someone was moving in.  I can't think of where they put them, but.....




We have more stinkin' neighbors behind us!




I truly love C and B - but if another person moves into their house/trailer, you will hear me screaming.  Seriously.  Where the heck can they put another person?  We finally went from 9 cars (3 of which were permanently parked in the side/back yard) down to 6 but now we are back to 8. 

Oh. My. Heck.

my My MY!

Oh my! 

The weather is so beautiful - cool, not warm.  So I am enjoying having windows open in our house.  I'm not so much enjoying my neighbors. Yes, the ones that live in the trailer at her parents house.  However, I did hear the most entertaining conversion just now.

So our neighbor lady is giving a friend some advice.  Well, it is more like a lecture.  I should have recorded it so that I could play it back to her.  Because that is exactly what she needs.

"M" is telling "Jane" what Jane should do with Jane's 18-year-old son.  Apparently, the 18-year-old son is unemployed and has no desire to be responsible.  So, what was the advice that "M" gave her friend?  To stop enabling him and to tell him that he was old enough to get a job and take responsibility for himself. 

Really?  This is coming from the lady who won't get a job and who is living off her mommy and daddy?  The same lady who has taken thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars from them because they are supporting her?  (Her dad told us how much money they have spent on both their kids - and I was shocked)  Really?  Maybe her mom and dad should be telling her to grow up and get a job and start to take responsibility for her and her kids.

On another note - "M" did have some advice that actually made a little sense.  She told her oldest son to think about his decision (which was dropping out of school) and think about the consequences to that decision.  She told him that he was 16 and could decide for himself - but that would also mean he would be responsible for what comes after it.  Good advice!  Think before you act.  You are responsible for your own actions.  FYI - he decided not to drop out of school and is doing 2 packets a day to get caught up and he is doing so well that he will have an opportunity to do something that I couldn't hear - wild child walked in and started to make noise.

Did I hear all of this over our TV?  No.  Like a good neighbor I turned it off so I could listen.  Hey - if you want a private conversation, you don't stand in the driveway talking very loudly so that everyone can hear.

Sistas In Zion

I'm back with something positive and upbeat!  Didn't think I could do that?  Yea, I was pretty sceptical myself.

However, if you need a good giggle I have the perfect site for you!

www.sistasinzion.com

Check it out!  I totally forgot about that site - but found it again this morning and have had such a good giggle.  They have some of the most hilarious stories - check out the entire site for good giggles.  It also has some stories on African American Mormon Pioneers that are truly amazing.

My bubble burst

I was complaining to my sweetie that although I have lost 10 pounds my pants don't seem to be loose anymore.  Let me tell you how depressing that is!  Loose pants one week and loose-no-more the next - they aren't as tight as they have been, but they seemed so much looser last week.  (It does seem like my arms and legs aren't as huge as they usually are - still wayyyyyyyy to fat, but a tad smaller).

So my dear sweetie told me it was probably water that I was losing and that would account for the pounds I've lost.  Bummer.

However, I am motivated to exercise and (except for last night when I didn't feel good) have either walked off the pounds or danced my behind off with zumba every day this week.  Quite an accomplishment for me.

On to other depressing news.....

I am soooooo in the mood to sew.  Itching to sew.  But I can't.  My mom took her sewing machine back to use for a bit and so I don't have a machine.  Okay, so I don't have lots of fabric, but I think I have bought enough fat quarters to make my Turning Twenty quilt.  I've looked at Bernina Sewing machines but lack the $1500 for the one I want.  Maybe next year (I may be putting off trees another summer - I'd sew more than I'd hang out in my back yard!)

Tomorrow I'm sure I'll write something fun and upbeat!  Or maybe not.

More off!

So I'm excited to report I have lost even more weight.  I'm so excited!  The only time I have ever lost any weight was the day I had wild child - I lost a bunch of weight (obviously) all at once =) but have been gaining it back ever since.

So to step on the scales and to see it slowly creep down is just thrilling to me!

I have a couple of ideas on why I'm losing weight.  One, I started taking some medication.  Two, thanks to a couple of neighbors, I have actual lunch hours now and go home and eat (since wild child started Kindergarten I haven't had consistent lunch hours - I had to pick him up from school or cart him around to tutoring).  Either way, the pounds are dropping but my spirits are lifting!

I'm down a total of 10 pounds.  HOW EXCITING IS THAT!

Enormous Elephant

I am hoping that I go from being an Enormous Elephant down to a Chunky Monkey.

You see, last week my pants felt a little looser - so I hopped on the scales.  (I try to avoid the scales whenever possible).  To my delight, I was 7 pounds lighter than the last time I stepped on those dreaded scales (about six weeks ago).  I was also shocked.  I hadn't done anything to lose weight - not that I knew of anyway.

So I've been a bit motivated to shed some pounds.  I have been much more careful about what I am eating.  I am cutting down on my snacks.  I limit my Mountain Dew and Cherry Coke intake (I buy the Big Chill but don't drink is all).  And, I've actually exercised twice in three days.  Twice!  I haven't done that for years!  And I'm itching to Zumba off another pound tomorrow morning =)  (Okay, so I know I won't Zumba off a pound in one day - but the idea of that is nice).

It is amazing what the feeling of loose pants does to a person.  It is such a motivator!  I'm hoping to be a pant size smaller in the near future!

So appropriate!

This new blog is so appropriate for me.  For close family and friends, I do have a tendency to ramble.  And ramble.  And ramble.  Probably to the point that it is annoying.  But I like noise - so if it isn't talking, then it is the TV in the background or the radio on.

I decided to start a new blog. How many is this?  I can't keep track.  I've been on a quest to find the perfect blog name.  And I think I found it!  (Of course, I thought that when I decided on Everybody Loves Teri.  Because who doesn't?  Haha).

I'm also not putting this blog as private.  I don't see any sense to that.  I've learned my lesson and really, it isn't like I have an exciting life for anyone to start blogstalking me.

So, here's another blog to change things to.  Surprised?  You shouldn't be.