Sledding in Flagstaff

Despite my feeling like I was on my deathbed, I was DETERMINED to see snow this year and knew this might be our only opportunity to go, so Friday we packed into the 'burban and headed north to Flag. (For those of you wondering where to go: if you have teens, the two places on the 180 toward Nordic center are fine, but crowded. If you just have little kids, just go to NAU and find a hill!)

Bryce loved the snow, but was cold and shivering after about a half hour, so that was the extent of our sledding adventure. I was actually back in the car about 10 minutes before Todd and Bryce. But I loved seeing the snow! It was so pretty!

Allie stepped over the fence and into calf-high snow. Brrrrrrrrr.


The San Francisco Peaks...AZ's highest elevation at over 12K feet. Isn't it pretty?

I would like to live in that house...okay, maybe not, but what a great spot if you don't mind cold winters (I do).

And finally, me, freezing my buhjoinkas off:

Tracey, Are You Out There?

Growing up in the "State Streets" in Woodbridge, VA, I had a lot of great friends, some of whom I've mentioned recently after reconnecting with them after over 25 years.

One I haven't found yet is Tracey Bradley. I would love to find her. I want to remind her of the time we sat in my basement with my broken tape recorder and how we laughed so hard we could barely breathe.

My tape recorder was "broken" for all intents and purposes, but to us, it was greatly improved. See, if you recorded something, then flipped the cassette over and hit "play," whatever you recorded would play backwards.

We said everything we could think of backwards: our names, places, random words, the alphabet (did you know that "H" backwards says "sh!t?" It does, it really does!)

Our tape recorder hijinks memories came flooding into my head just now after Allie showed me a funny video she and her friend, Cayli, had made today with Allie's new Flip (a very fun thing, by the way; I wish Tracey and I had had one of those back in the day!).

I hope Allie and Zane...and someday Bryce will have great memories like the ones I have from the State Streets.


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No Crapstain

For those of you who've been wondering why there have been no posts for the past week, I have been sick sick sick sickly sick.

Coughing, sneezing, aching, stuffy, runny...whiney.

I was sick in bed all of Christmas day. So fun!

Friday I perked up enough to take a drive to Flagstaff to see SNOW SNOW SNOW, but haven't uploaded the pix yet. Well, I started, but then the upload crashed. Will do the rest soonly. Here are a couple that made it on; nothing great:

Saturday I was okay-ish. Sunday Todd and I gave talks in Church (mine on missionary work; his on unity) and I coughed and hmmm-hmm'ed through mine. But it went well; I'm grateful for the chance to give a talk.

Yesterday I had the most ginormous headache, and still have it today. Off to NSA to get my head put back on right! Then a stop at Sprouts for some zinc (since mine expired last April) and some olive leaf extract to kill anything in my body that doesn't belong there. (Thanks to my friend who suggested those things!)

So that's it! Yuck-o-rama!

Happy New Year!

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crapstain in the News

Go make one for you!

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The Twilight Before Christmas

BIG HUGE shout out to my sis in law, ERIN, for sending this flipping hilarious video!!!!!




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All I Want for Christmas is a Mother

This year for Christmas, I sent my mom a package with these yummy fruit and nut candies that Todd thought she'd love and a couple of games I thought she would enjoy playing with my brother, since he recently separated from his wife and moved in with our mom. I should have known better than to send her anything.

I called her this morning and asked if the package had arrived. She said that it had arrived yesterday. I asked her if she had opened it and she said, "Yes, and I tell you I was mighty disappointed. That candy is nasty; I might as well have opened a jar of jelly. And I don't even know if your brother likes card games." (One of the games was Phase 10; I thought she would like it because we grew up playing Rummy and it's similar.)

My heart sank. Why, why, why did I bother? Why do I do this to myself? Will I never learn? After 39 years of living with her special brand of evil, will I never stop seeking that motherly bond that I cannot seem to stop craving, even at this age? Even though I have a family of my own? Will I never stop allowing her to stab me in the heart?

I see other women with their loving moms...arms around each other in a warm embrace. I see the love in their eyes. I long for that. I ache for a mom to call and share things with; one who will understand and just try to comfort. Instead I get the lecturing, negative, everything is wrong in the world mother who is so very skilled at making me feel like crap. She's not the hugging type. She doesn't say, "I love you." I think I moved 2500 miles away so I wouldn't have to experience the pain in person. It's not quite as hard over the phone.

Diamonds are lovely, chocolate is divine, vacations are exciting, but all I really want is the love of a mom.



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Bryce and the Merry Christmas Sugar

This morning, Bryce dumped red and green sugar onto a stool in the kitchen. We have sprinkles of every color of the rainbow in the drawer, so how he happened to pick red and green--traditional Christmas colors--is beyond me.

After I told him he had chosen Christmas colors, he stood back to admire his work.




Then he peeked in the drawer to see if anything could be added. No, our child never wears pants, in case you were wondering.

Having decided that the red and the green were perfect all by themselves, Bryce was then free to taste his artistic creation.

And it was good.

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Hot Sweaty Cello Players

Metallica, courtesy of some hot, sweaty cello players. Just watch. Trust me.





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Proof of My Existence

You know those "Coming-of-Age" movies involving young friends who have such a tight bond that it just makes you all heart-achey and gushy? They share good times, tragedy, life changes, and they remain close through it all? You know, like Stand by Me, and all those. Those are friends who are so deeply rooted in your heart that if they're no longer in your life, you have a little hollow spot inside where they should be.

Shortly after my dad died in 1982, my mom and I moved from our Woodbridge, Virginia home, which I had lived in for the first 13 years of my life, to a small rural community in central VA. I missed my friends, especially Laura. My father's death had a huge negative impact on me; I was numb and barely functional for many years. I saw Laura only once in the years that followed. During that visit, I learned that her father had died like my own. That made our bond even stronger. After high school, I joined the Air Force and served mainly overseas in Japan. I never stopped thinking of my old friends back in Woodbridge. Laura and I tried to reconnect here and there, but missed by months or miles.

Yesterday, I thought to search for Laura on Facebook. There she was, right there on my computer screen. My heart skipped a beat; I quickly sent a "friend request." An hour later, a chat window popped up. Technology is great, but nothing beats the sound of an old friend's voice. We talked for over an hour on the phone. We laughed, reminisced, and I cried. A little hollow spot in my heart had been refilled. I can't tell you how much it means to me to be in touch with Laura again. And Wendy, and Tina.... You were all such a big part of my life back then. I look forward to more laughs and more memories in the making!

And now I'll stop being a sentimental (or maybe just mental) dork and post some pix from "back in the day."

Me, Laura, Sonya, Wendy on our way to a school dance. I thought I was hot stuff! These girls were so fun! Sonya and I used to roller skate and sing that song, "I want you to want me...." Wendy always thought up the funniest stuff. One little tune she sang once when we were goofing off at her house was, "Needles and pines sticking in your spines." That was soooooooo hilarious back then. Okay, it still is! Laura and I always seemed to be having seances. We summoned the spirit of John Lennon just a week after he died and when we did, the candle we were chanting to blew out, the electricity went out, and the phone rang once...spooky! We all used to do "light as a feather, stiff as a board." I remember doing that at one of Wendy's slumber parties...it worked, but I have no idea why.

Laura and me in D.C.

Me holding Shane, Laura's parakeet.

Heather, Laura, Wendy, and me holding the 13th Commandment, which we thought was just hilarious! I remember Heather giggling at my dad's funeral. Heather, Laura, Wendy and I had gone into the chapel alone and were sitting in a pew. Heather started giggling. Laura and Wendy were trying to get her to stop and be respectful, but honestly, I was grateful for the laughter. I needed it!

Laura, thanks for letting me steal these pix off Facebook! Not that I asked first....

I love you girls!



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Starry Sky Shutter

It's so fun to goof off with digital cameras, isn't it?

These were taken with the shutter left open for 15 seconds ("Starry Sky" setting on my Lumix). The one below is the Christmas tree mixed with Allie.

This is what we do when we're bored. And now so are you! Bwaahahahahaha!

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Dr. Faustman, I Love You! I Fall at Your Feet!

Forget my birthday! I declare today

Worship Dr. Faustman Day!


Phase 1 of her trial is underway to determine if the t.b. vaccine BCG can cure type 1 diabetes in humans and tests conducted so far has been successful!

Findings show that the human body can regenerate beta cells (the ones that produce insulin!) and that the T-lymphocyte cells which kill the beta cells can be safely destroyed!

A cure is on the way!

Allie will, within the next couple of years, be able to throw out all those needles and lancets and vials of insulin! I am confident in that!

http://www.massgeneral.org/diabetes/%5Claboratory_type1.htm

Dr. Faustman, you ROCK!

This is the best birthday present ever!

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Happy Birthday to Me!

I love birthdays! They are just so fun, even if we do nothing at all. I have no idea why I love b.days so much, but there ya go!

Look what my cute kids got me:

They know me too well! I'm the ultimate Hello Kitty freak. Heeeeeeeeey, I lived in Japan for two years...that's my excuse!





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Rare Video Footage of Todd (Hehehe)

Sorry these videos are so dark; we were hanging out in the light of the tree. It was such a fine family moment that Todd broke out in song. Enjoy these RARE videos!


The Dolphin Song:

The Sittin' on my Porch Song:

The Jailhouse Farm Song (When the Saints Remix)
Accompaniment by Zane B. (warning: Z was not warmed up :o)

~
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Happy Birthday, Allie!

Allie turned 15 today!

15!

She avoided my dozens of attempts to get a picture of her in her new silver pants and black ballet tutu, haha, but I got her holding my Japanese Black Black Gum!

I think Al had a good birthday. Last night, she chose The Cheesecake Factory for her birthday dinner. It was a fun night. Today we hung out together all day at home and Todd made cupcakes (I'm making an ice cream cake for her sleepover party next weekend).

I love you, Cheeky Cheese! Happy Birthday!

Big smooch from Mother Pony!






~
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Crazy Planetary Alignment is Messing With Me!

Okay, for reals, Monday nights are always a little chaotic at our house. I leave for Russian lessons when the kids get home from school. Todd usually arrives home before I return. Every week, I hope SOMEONE will have dinner ready or Family Home Evening prepared before I get back.

It never happens.

So, occasionally we just order out and this past Monday, we all wanted a sandwich from LaSpada (this fantabulicious Italian deli down the road). I phoned in an order and 15 minutes later, hopped in the car to retrieve it.

I pulled out from the garage and noticed this gorgeous crescent moon hanging majestically in the sky, adorned just to the south-right (from my view) with 2 brightly glowing planets (Jupiter and Venus).

Completely WOW'ed, I called Todd and told him to go outside with the kids and check out this amazing sight. They were equally impressed.

But ever since then, one "accident" after another has been happening to me. Just to name a couple, the eyeball incident I wrote about yesterday, and the putting-my-back-out incident I didn't write about yesterday, but mentioned in my status on FaceBook. (OUCH OUCH OUCH)

I'm blaming it all on this beautiful but meddlesome planetary alignment. Jupiter is, after all, my "ruling planet" since I'm Sagittarius (even though I don't live my life by astrology as I mentioned in my right sidebar).

Speaking of being Sagittarius, my birthday is Tuesday and I'm turning 39, which means starting Wednesday, the COUNTDOWN IS ON for my 40th BIRTHDAY BASH!


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Feeling a Tad RAMbunctious

I follow some blogs that are funny and witty and make me laugh. But some of the funny women who write them will occasionally drop the "f-bomb."

And that ruins the whole read for me!

Why do they dooooooooo that? They're bright, clever women! Surely they have more interesting words in their repertiores! If not, it would be more pleasing to me if they just made one up on the fly; it would show creativity.

And do they not care that their children will be reading that someday?

Instead, they use the completely unoriginal f-word.

BORING. A BIG TURN OFF. FLUMMADIDDLE! (That is a real word, by the way.)

Come on, ladies, surely you can do better than that!

And on another note, after my great computer registry fix the other day which left our computer crash-free and running smoothly, I still decided to order some additional RAM ($39 for 1 GB at Dell.com!) and it arrived yesterday.

I was soooooooooo excited to put it in, but I couldn't see! Bryce and I were playing on the floor--I was on my back and he'd jump into my arms and I'd lift him over me--the airplane, you know. Well, at one point, something fell into my eye.

"Hoinking crapstain!" I thought, as I ran to the bathroom to wash it out.

Too late; the debris (probably a rogue piece of glitter from the Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree) had already scratched my oh-so-very-delicate cornea.

It hurt soooo bad I wanted to just yell the f-word. Instead, I yelled, "Freaking flipping forking flibbidy freak!" Okay, those are all still f-words, but at least I tried!

So, after a long and torturous wait, and my friend and visiting teacher, Tiffany, thoroughly investigating my eyeball (now I know she would truly do anything for me--big smooch to you, Tiff!), and my friend Shawna driving Allie and Zane to music lessons, and Todd's 2-hour drive home from working in Tucson, I finally made it to Urgent Care around 7 last night.

Eyeball numbing drops are wonderful.

Dr. Brooks is wonderful.

Eyeball stain that makes your eyeball glow flourescent yellow is fabulous and should be available OTC.

Friends who are there for you in an eyeball crisis are super wonderful and smoochable.

Husbands who are calm and patient while driving their trying-not-to-shout-the-f-word wives to Urgent Care are delicious.

The goopey ooze in my eyeball this morning isn't so great, but eyeball antibiotics are just plain, yes, WONDERFUL.

And you, you are wonderful, too!


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Rebirth of Our Computer--a Great Fix You Must Know About!

Or maybe I'm the last to know, but anyway, our computer has been slowly dying for about 6 months now. The past few weeks have been pure torture. Seriously, I would click on Outlook Express, then go do something else while it opened. And if, Heaven forbid, we'd try to have more than two programs running at once...CRASH AND BURN, baby. It was super freaking annoying. I couldn't even do my job, so I quit. (That's kinda funny now.)

I figured my RAM was being sucked up by the million behind-the-scenes programs running. I did the anti-spy, the defrag, the clean-up, the lah-di-dah, the this 'n that, EVERYTHING.

Nothing helped.

So finally I ran across this thingamabob that claimed it could clean and repair my registry and my problems would be solved and life would be joyous again. I checked it out. It was $45, a little steep. But still, cheaper than a new computer, and if it didn't work I would argue with them and get my money back. Or at least, in my head I would get my money back.

So I shelled out the $45 and got this program. (It's just for Windows XP, by the way.)

I ran the diagnostics. In less than 5 minutes, it found like 300 errors in my registry. I click "Repair," and in less than a second, VOILA! Computer is running like new!

Life is beautiful!


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Thanksgiving Aftermath

Thanksgiving day, Todd and I prepared the house for the 8 guests who were coming for dinner, 2 of whom were Todd's parents. Todd loves to do things his mom would disapprove of, like shaving a bit of a mohawk in his hair. Snicker snicker....

Friday we actually went out shopping, even though I SWORE I wasn't going out. We didn't hit any Black Friday spots; I can't stand the ridiculous crowds. We just did the regular Costco thing and I actually dropped my rings off to be resized, since I'm a fat @$$ now. Thank you very much. It's nice to wear my bling again!

Saturday we went hiking at Usery Park. I put on 3 layers of shirts and it was so hot I had to have sweated off at least one slice of pecan pie:

Then Todd hung the Christmas lights. Zane helped.

And Allie decorate the Christmas tree:

It was a great holiday weekend. It was soooooooooooooo awesome having Todd for 4 days straight! All the kids were happy, too. I am so very thankful for my wonderful family. I love you guys so much!

smooch!

s

p.s. i posted 50 pix on Facebook...come find me!

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The BEST History Lesson Ever!

Being from Virginia, Thanksgiving for me is ripe with tradition and full of history. This little history lesson doesn't actually have anything to do with Thanksgiving, it's just flippin' hilarious!



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A Little Holiday Vocabulary For You!

Thanksgiving is only days away and I can already smell the apple pie baking, the cranberry sauce (my SECRET recipe with SECRET and MYSTERIOUS ingredients--SUPER FLIPPIN' YUM) bubbling away on the stove, the rolls rising and browning to a delicate perfection, Todd basting Tom...celery and onion sizzling, ready to be added to moist and flavorful stuffing, the pecan pie cooling on the window sill.... Crap, I just drooled on my keyboard.

Anyway, in honor of our pal Tom, here is a fun word for you. (Be sure to check back tomorrow for the best history lesson you will EVER get. EVER.

EVER!

Okay, here's your word:

snood, noun: 1. A fleshy appendage over the beak of a turkey. 2. A net for holding a woman's hair at the back of her head.

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Nostalgia

I am feeling really nostalgic right now. I got an email via MySpace from an old friend I was stationed with in Japan. And then I saw some pix of other people I used to know. Then that Beatles song started playing in my head..."There are places I remember...some have gone, and some remain...." Ah, the good old days.

And by the way, i quit my job today. it feels weird. good, but weird.


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Twilight, Take 2

I took Allie and Zane to see Twlight again last night. We had good seats; a great view, and I was all set to enjoy my favorite forbidden-love story for the second time.

Then, a group of rowdy, crude, inconsiderate and in-need-of-a-severe-beating 13-year-old boys sat behind us. They snickered and talked loudly during the opening scene. I turned around and asked them if they intended to talk through the entire movie. They said no.

They lied.

Finally, about mid-way or so through, I had to turn around again. I was PISSED. PISSED. One of the squirrely turds had just let loose the "f" bomb and said the most crude thing about Edward (!!!!!!). So, I turned around and, very forcefully, said:

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU! DO YOU NEED ME TO HAVE YOU REMOVED? ZIP IT!"

He zipped it.

The little @$$ completely ruined my happy Twilight night. That's okay, though, because the last few minutes of the movie were ruined by a commercial reel that suddenly started playing on top of the movie, so WE ALL GOT FREE TICKETS to come see any movie of our choice. Hehe.

One note I have to make: it was WAY MORE FUN seeing Twlight at midnight with the die-hard fans who swooned, gasped, ooo'ed and aaaah'ed than it was to see it with people who weren't so devoted. When the New Moon rises, I will be there at MIDNIGHT to see it with my sisters who love it as much as I do.

I highly recommend that to you, too.

Smooch!
s

~
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Crapping My Pants--NEW MOON is OFFICALLY in the Makes!

Summit Entertainment Announces TWILIGHT Sequel - NEW MOON
Last update: 1:00 p.m. EST Nov. 22, 2008

LOS ANGELES, Nov 22, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Summit Entertainment announced today that the studio is officially moving forward with the production of NEW MOON, the second installment of its filmed franchise TWILIGHT, the action-packed, modern day vampire love story. The movie will be based on the second novel in author Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series titled, "New Moon." The first movie in the TWILIGHT franchise, the self-titled TWILIGHT, arrived in theaters this weekend to sold-out showings.

Stephenie Meyer stated, "I don't think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment. I'm thrilled to have the chance to work with them again on NEW MOON."

Starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, TWILIGHT tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together ... even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. Their unorthodox romance puts her in physical danger when Edward's nemesis comes to town and sets his sights on Bella.

About Summit Entertainment, LLC

Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.
SOURCE Summit Entertainment, LLC http://www.summit-ent.com

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved


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Bite Me--I've Been Twilit

Last night around 9:30, my super cool friend Shawna and her daughter Cayli picked up Allie and me and we ventured off into the dark night to our local theater to see the much-ached-for-and-agonized-over TWILIGHT.

It's been almost 2 years since I read the book, and I wanted to keep it that way so I wouldn't spend the entire length of the movie comparing one to the other. I'm glad I did it that way.

The movie was romantic, dramatic and funny...the facial expressions on some of the Cullens, including my beloved Edward, were HILARIOUS and appropriate.

I thought it was really well done, especially considering it was done by a relatively small film company without the huge Hollywood budget it deserved. Actually, I think that made it even better (for me at least).

So, in short, I LOVED it and can't wait to see it again!

And in case you missed "Edward" and "Bella" on The Today Show yesterday:




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I Lost My Husband in the Backyard

Has your husband ever gotten so completely wrapped up (read: obsessed) with something that you were jealous of it?

I am jealous of my own backyard.

This past spring, The Toddster and I decided it was time to get the backyard finished. I wanted grass. Grass would lessen my guilt over sending Bryce out back to play. It would also mean less DIRT tracked into the house which would = less cleaning for me to do. So, even if I say I want grass for the benefit of our children, it's really all about me. As usual.

So it's late November now and do we have grass?

Absolutely NO.

And here's WHY NOT.

The grader dude graded our yard in a manner that took about 6 feet off the depth of the yard. It's a long story about how and why, so I'll skip those details and just say that I wanted as much of those 6 feet back as we could get. I need the space for my bad minton set. I do, honestly. I'm obsessed with bad minton.

So, our next door neighbor kindly offered to let Todd borrow his roto-tiller so Todd could take down the annoying, yard-stealing hill that sloped up to our back wall. After a month, YES A MONTH of tilling, Todd was satisfied that he could handle the remainder of the task BY HAND.

He shoveled, he leveled, he graded, he envisioned, he shoveled more, leveled more, re-envisioned, shoveled, decided to take the hill down a little more BY HAND with a PICKAXE.

Todd has been picking, shoveling, digging, raking...DAILY for

7 months.

He gets home around 7:30 pm from work and heads straight out to the backyard. I peer out the window at him, missing my husband. He looks up and grins sheepishly. I smirk. He comes inside and takes me by the hand.

"Just come look at this!" He exclaims, truly excited by his accomplishment.

I reluctantly and skeptically go outside and look. I don't see anything different.

"I raised this whole area to match the other end." He says, a bit dejected but still hopeful.

I roll my eyes and head back inside, arms crossed.

Todd rakes on.

I solemnly promise that if we do not have grass by SPRING, I will construct a home-made pipe bomb and blow up the entire back yard. Yes, we will have no backyard, but at least I will have my husband back.

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Not Caving For the Doctor

Nope, uh-uh. Not gonna do it.

They want me to be there at 2:50 for a 3:10 appointment. That's a 20 minute wait on top of the 20 minute wait we all know I'm going to have anyway.

So, no. I'm not going to wait for a total of 40 minutes at the doctor's office. That's 40 minutes I could've spent doing something meaningful, like shampooing the carpets or lounging sideways on the sofa, left hand delivering chocolate chips to mouth, right hand twirling hair.

Sure, it's my first visit with this doctor so they want me there early to fill out forms. But I've already printed them online and filled them out, so there.

To be there at 2:50 I would have to leave RIGHT NOW. But I'm not.

See?

I'm still typing.

Yep, still typing.

Still sitting at my computer!

Okay, I'm going, but I'm driving really slowly and sitting in the car for 5 minutes. I refuse to give in completely!

I am so obnoxious.

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Another Line of Hope?

Researches have found that 2 common Leukemia drugs can cure type 1 diabetes in mice. Todd called a few minutes ago to tell me he had just heard that on NPR.

I fell over myself trying to get to the computer to look it up. I found this article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE4AG78H20081117

I read it, then cried. This is the third line of hope in the cure for type 1 diabetes that I am clinging to.

Given how bad Allie's A1c's have been in the past year, how sick she's been lately and how bad her vision has been, these little strings of hope are all I have to cling to. They force me to stay on my feet, to keep pushing forward, to keep climbing back up from the depression that hovers at my shoulder every time I see Allie drawing up a syringe of insulin to keep herself alive.

Thank you to all the researchers who continue to search for a cure. I love you all.


~~~~~~~~~~
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AdSense is Making Me RICH!

Seriously? I've had AdSense on my blog for what? Two months now?

Guess what I've earned.

Go on, guess.

No, really.

You'll be amazed.

A-mazed.

Really, seriously.

Do you know how AdSense works? Google takes words here and there from my blog posts and picks what they deem to be "appropriate" ads for my readers. They suck at it. Sorry, Google, but seriously.

Then, when you guys click on the Ads, I make money.

And here's how much I've earned in the past 2 months:

20 cents.

Come on, girlfriends, let's rush out on a shopping spree!

WHOO HOO!

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Gonna Get Me A Gun

Okay, well, another gun, since I already have one. But this little "Baby Glock" is so much cuter than my current handgun.

Santa?

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Are They Flipping Kidding Me?

I've let loose a rant or two in the past about the Chinese government and the INSANE and DANGEROUS products they ship to us which are health hazards (lead paint on toys, tainted seafood, toxic plastics, melamine laced chocolate, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.,).

Now the latest:


Hair bands made from USED CONDOMS. The pictures were too gross to post; go see it at Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/hairband.asp

Are they just really flipping kidding me with this? Seriously?



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Happy Veterans' Day to Me!

This morning, I heard shuffling and whispers in the wee hours of the morn. Soon after, there was a knock on my bedroom door. I stepped out to find this:
And this:

Allie and her sweet friend Cayli had made me a yummy breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, strawberries and fresh whipped cream! Allie made me the sweetest card, too! Bryce helped me eat my feast :o)

What a great Veterans' Day! Happy Veterans' Day to all my brothers and sisters in arms, to my late father who served in the Navy in the Korean War, and my Uncle Wm. who retired from the U.S. Navy!

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Cheetah Toes

Yesterday Allie painted her fingernails in such a cute cheetah pattern, I begged until she relented and agreed to do my toes:

She's so creative and talented!

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Giddy With Russian

Saturday I Googled for "Russian Markets" in the Phoenix area and found a few. I was so excited, I talked Todd into driving me to a couple (I DO NOT drive in or near Phoenix). I was hoping they would have some Zemfira CD's, but no luck on that.

BUT, I did buy some Russian food (oh my Holy Yumminess) and lots of Russian candy.

AND the lady at the first store asked me, in Russian, if I was from Russia. I said, in Russian, "No, I'm American and I speak Russian badly!" She laughed and told me I speak Russian well. I know she was just being kind, but it totally made my day!

Outside that store, a young, adorable Russian guy was wandering around looking totally lost. I had a short, broken conversation with him. He told me he had only been in the U.S. for one month. He looked so lost I just wanted to take him home and teach him how to get around in Phoenix. Oh wait, I can't get around in Phoenix. Never mind! Good luck, cute Russian guy!

I got to speak Russian with the owner of the second store, too. He was funny and nice. He said I was Russian.

I was giddy the whole drive back. We picked up lunch and hung out all afternoon with Todd's parents. It was a great day!

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Walkie Talkies are Cool

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President Elect Barak Obama

Okay, I can see that you've all been waiting for my commentary on the results of yesterday's Presidential election, so I shall keep you in suspence no longer. :o)

And this is all I will say:

President Elect Obama is in my prayers. I will pray for him regularly. I will pray that he keeps the true Gospel of Jesus Christ in his heart and comes to understand it better; it will help him in the rough years ahead. I will pray that he does a good job for this country and brings us out from the financial crisis we are drowning in. I will pray that he will keep us safe and that he will protect family values.

That's all I can do. Best wishes and good luck, Mr. Obama.



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Crazy Rubbery Dude

WAIT FOR THE 3rd GUY...you'll know him when you see him (orange shirt).




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I Am a Russian Magnet

If there is a Russian or Russian speaking person within a mile of me, I will absolutely find him/her. I think I mentioned that when I took Allie to the dentist last month, we had a "sub" dentist and she happened to be from Russia. So, I to put forth a little bit of my Russian skills and decided I was ridiculously insufficient. Hence, the relearning of Russian every Monday.

There are many other instances I could list in which I have had the great opportunity to exercise my Russian tongue, but I won't go into details just now.

But yesterday, Todd and I arrived early at our Church's Regional Conference (we wanted good, cushy seats and not the hard ones way in back). The only empty bench was way up front--3rd row from the very front. Behind us sat a tall, sleepy man and his small, alert child. Soon, his wife and a few more kids joined him. Conference began and we started to sing our first hymn of the event. As I sang, I was quickly silenced by the words coming from the man behind me. He was--seriously--singing in Russian! I was so excited I leaned over to Todd and whispered,

"That guy behind us is singing in RUSSIAN!!!"

So Todd and I are quietly listening and Todd couldn't really hear it. He said I was nuts. Well, that may be the case, but the guy was still singing in Russian.

So, when conference ended, I stood and whipped around to face the guy in the pew behind us.

"So, I'm dying to know what language you were singing in!"

"Russian," he answered nonchalantly.

So in Russian I say: "That's what I thought! I speak a little Russian, too."

And so ensued a little conversation in Russian. It was absolutely thrilling!

I can't wait for my lesson today!

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November is so Yummy!

Halloween was fun; we let the older kids loose on the streets with their friends while Todd and I visited neighbors and let Bryce take in the flurry of activity and taste the excitement in the air (and the candy in his hands).

At home late that night, I began to drift away in thoughts of November, which was easing it's way into the spotlight.

One thing about November, I have loved it no matter where I've lived, from Virginia to Japan, California to Texas. And now, even in Arizona, I find I still love November. The crisp air, cool mornings, juicy apples in season. And this year...


many fun events are happening! For one, on the 13th, the 3rd book from the Vampire Academy is being released. Sure, it's a teen series, but I love it!

Then on the 21st, Twilight the Movie is opening. I am on the edge of my seat for it! Have you bought your tickets yet? If you buy them on Fandango now NOW PEOPLE, NOW! they will give you a code to download a song from the soundtrack, Bella's Lullabye!



And of course, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I can already taste Thanksgiving dinner...juicy turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, my secret recipe cranberry sauce, hot buttery rolls, pecan pie. Four days in a row with Todd!
.

Ahhh, November. Thank you for coming.



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Halloween Costume Preview

So I had no plans for a costume this year. At the last minute I threw on some make up and a dress and became a dark fairy:

Halloween is so fuN!

Allie's a zombie:

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Happy Halloween!

In honor of Halloween, here is a list of things I find really scary:

1. margarine

2. grasshoppers

3. outhouses

4. airplanes

5. fish heads

6. pantyhose

7. the desert

8. cats

9. bad grammar

10. this list


Happy Halloween!


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Mystery Solved--Why I Resemble A HOO from HOOVILLE

I have soooo many pictures that make me look like a Hoo. I couldn't figure out WHY I look like a HOO, but I finally have it. It comes from my dad's side of the family. That space between the nose and upper lip? Ours is vast. It's "Hoo-ish." We have no upper lip. I guess that's WHY we have the VAST VOID between there and the nose.

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Remember a week or so ago when I said my Russian lessons on Mondays make me so tired I'm asleep by 8? Apparently when I DO my Russian homework, it makes Bryce really tired:

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Adventures in Russian [ Music ]

I think I have a new favorite singer. Her name is Zemfira. Check this video and love it! See translation below (at least as close as I could get!!!) Beautiful song!



*Nebo Londona [London sky]*

I dreamed of the London sky,
I saw the long kiss in it,
We were flying not even holding on,
So, who's gonna fall first,
Smashing into pieces on the Tower bridge?
In the morning,
I'll find out in the morning,
You'll find out later
Nothing else's more precious
Than these dreams…

Without these little calls
I'm just a lonely animal
I'll miss, go out of my mind in the night
And no one will notice.
Still the same lonely animal
I count all the steps to the last point
Let’s go flying…

I dreamed of the London sky
I saw the long kiss in it
We were there walking in the clouds
Pretending to be the London rain
Drizzling together to the asphalt
In the morning
I'll find out in the morning
You'll find out later
Nothing else's more precious
Than these dreams…


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Fred On Election Day

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What Does Sandi Really Want?

A few months ago I did the "Sandi needs" tag which was pretty funny, so today I decided to Google the words "Sandi wants" to see if the results were as funny as the ones for "Sandi needs." I don't think these are quite as good, but it's nice to get back to goofy:

1. Sandi wants a chat with JFK (ummmm...sure, why not?)

2. Sandi wants the truth. (I do! I really do!)

3. Sandi wants to be the new Bond girl. (I don't! I really don't!)

4. Sandi wants me to pay more in taxes to fund the lunatic spending and corruption that is this city (hmmmm.)

5. Sandi wants you to check out her web site (Well, apparently you already are!)

6. Sandi wants to remind us, we have the opportunity to fall forward when we fall (cuz I care, and people like me)

7. Sandi wants to hear about your most memorable Saturday Night's out (Well? I'm waiting!)

8. sandi wants the truth wrote (and I also want it written)

9. Sandi wants knitting lessons (nah, Russian and cello are enough lessons for me right now!)

10. Sandi wants to offer her support to you (because, again, i care and people like me)

11. Sandi wants you to visit (ummmm. just call first)

12. Sandy wants to propose (I already did; actually I just dragged Todd off to Vegas, but he didn't try to stop me, right?)

13. Sandi wants to say thanks for wishes on her birthday on my space (thank you soooo much!)

Shrug. Your turn. Go see what other "yous" want.


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Introducing the Newest Member of Our Family

Yesterday, the kids' bus was 20 minutes late, so I drove them to school. On the way out of our neighborhood, I saw a sign that read, "Free to good home. 3-month-old Lab." Todd loooooves Labs and I knew he would want this dog, so (even though I really did not want a dog, since it's going to be mostly ME taking care of him and I already have far too much on my plate) I called Todd and told him about the sign. He asked me to call the number. I did and we now have the dog. And despite the fact that I didn't want a dog, he is so darn cute and affectionate, I'm finding him irresistible.

This is Shadow:


Allie loves him:
And Zane loves him so much he even slept next to Shadow so he wouldn't be scared:

He's not house broken yet, so he has to sleep in his crate. I'm a big fan of crate training. Shadow seems to be a very smart dog, so it shouldn't take long. He's already learned "sit" and "down." I'm sure we'll have many happy days with our new addition to the fam.

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New Addition to The Cast

I'm going to have to change the picture with us as "The Cast." There's a new addition to the crew.

Picture forthcoming!


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Happy Birthday, Toddles!

Thursday the 16th was Todd's birthday. This is what I got him:

No, not the car! A trip to Six Flags! We drove to Cali to spend the night Thursday then went to Six Flags all day (and night) Friday. Todd got to be Batman:

And convene with a bunch of goats....

We took Bryce on lots of rides. He LOVES rides! We even took him on some that he was a tad small for and he loved them. I couldn't get pix of his excited faces as the rides were going :o/ He just looks scared in this one:

I think Todd had a good birthday. I'm not sure what has happened to me lately. Okay, i do know. i've gotten old...er. I used to worship roller coasters. The wilder, the better. I find that has changed. I'm terrified of them, but love them at the same time. I let Todd take me on Goliath and the 255-foot hill (that then goes 120 ft. underground for a grand total of a 375 foot drop) nearly did me in. My leg was shaking so violently I can't even describe it. I lost all feeling in my hands and feet. I thought my heart would pound completely out from my chest and plunge to the ground below. After the ride, I was still shaking so badly I could hardly walk. It was an awesome treat for Todd, who got a huge laugh out of it.

Then we rode the Viper, which was much less tame after the Goliath. I love the loops; up-side-down is cool. Nothing is daunting to Todd; he'll ride anything!

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