Gus-isms

We are really discovering how very funny and creative Gus is lately. I just have to blog a few of his funnies so I don't forget.

-A couple days after Christmas he came downstairs with a cardigan on his head and said -"I'm Jesus"

-He loved the play dough he got in his stocking. He was playing with it one evening and came in to me and said - "Show me" which translates as "I'll show you". He took me into our front room where he had given our statue of Joseph Smith a bright green hat made from play dough.

- Gus loves giving blessings. I'm not sure where he got this idea - he has seen Les give blessings only twice or three times. He'll often lay his hands on our Joseph Smith statue, on daddy or mommy, and sometimes on stuffed animals and say a prayer.

- So much for being a spiritual boy. He took a Mike-n-Ike candy between his middle and ring finger and smoked it like an expert. Again, not sure where he gets this stuff. Probably from nursery - haha.

- One busy errand filled day a few weeks ago, while I was pumping some gas, Gus was deep in thought. "Look mom," he said, folding his ear in half, "Taco".

- Gus loves to wear head bands, gloves (socks on his hands), goggles, hats, a bucket on his head, and all kinds of other accessories. He'll typically go through 5 pairs of socks per day.

- Gus is obsessed with facial hair -he thinks it's hilarious- mustaches especially. He'll often put on a headband and move it down under his nose and wear it as his mustache.

Christmas Danger

I have a big task in December to try to come up with both Christmas and Birthday gift ideas for myself to help my poor husband.   I just can't bear the thought of him wandering around store after store looking aimlessly for the perfect gift.  Apparently I'm hard to shop for.  

Before I started brainstorming ideas I was satisfied with everything I have.  I was so very content. I really don't NEED anything.  In fact, every year the idea of collecting more STUFF makes me feel yucky.  

But, once I really get thinking and looking I can definitely find really cute things that catch my eye.  Danger.  Now I think I need this and this and this and maybe even a few others as well, and I have the burden of thinking about these things all throughout the day and how great it would be to have them.  I am so weak.  

Here Comes Christmas

Les's amazing cousin Jen posted this on her blog a few weeks ago.  I loved it.  I am in the process of planning our Ward Christmas dinner as well as the usual family Christmas planning and I keep going back to this message.  Whether you donate money or food or love or time, let's make this year one that is meaningful and one that we will remember. 

P.S. I want to know... what are you going to do this year to make Christmas more meaningful?    I need some ideas.

The Gas Station

A couple days ago I was filling up my gas tank at the local Smith's.   I, along with most of the people there, probably don't understand why the cost of gasoline is going down so drastically (anyone want to fill me in?)  But regardless, I dare say most of us there were in a good mood to be filling our tanks for 1.91/gallon.  (Smith's cost today is $1.85 - I can hardly wait to fill up again)

There were about 3 cars using the pumps, 5 pumps still available, when a suburban pulled up across from me and began waiting for a very old & slow gentleman to finish.  He was having trouble trying to get his Smith's discount to process.  The woman waited.  I looked at her and grinned a kind of - 'what are you doing' grin.  She rolled her eyes in response - like I might be understanding of her frustration.  Did I mention there were 5 pumps available?  She waited another few minutes and then made an audible huff and turned her car towards another pump.   Aren't people weird? 

Iron Man

Les and I finally watched Iron Man last night after so many people recommended it highly. I honestly wasn't sure if I'd like it or not....turns out I LOVED it. Les said at one point in the movie I was standing on my chair and yelling. I'll probably go ahead and make this picture my computer wallpaper.

It is really hard for me to not constantly write about our sweet little 2-year-old boy. But I figure this blog is really for me and only those that choose to will read this stuff...so, I can sneak one more little thing in about him, right?

Now that Gus has been talking more, Les and I have discovered that Gus is a very kind and considerate boy and here's the proof.

Example 1:
Whenever someone sneezes or even coughs - especially Les or I - he responds "Bess you, Mama" or "Bess you, Dada." Sometimes when I forget to 'bless him' he'll quietly bless himself, "Bess you, Gus."

Example 2:
Gus kisses all my boo boos as well as moles, headaches, made up owies, and he even tries to kiss away sleepiness. Actually, when either Les or I is acting sleepy he'll fetch a pillow and blanket and tuck us in wherever it is that we're sitting.

Example 3:
Gus likes to make sure we are well fed - when I'm done eating he'll ask in a concerned voice "Mama, More? Yes? No? Mama, Full? Mama, Bite?", offering me some of his food.

Example 4:
Gus is very liberal with his 'sorrys' and his 'thank yous'. It makes us feel bad when he says sorry when it's Les or I that owes him a sorry.

I'll guess we'll keep drilling that Thingamajig book, it seems to be working.

Diaper Boots

I love my 2 year old

Yesterday Gus and I were cruising down the road and I was singing loudly as I usually do to that "Almost Paradise" song from Footloose. From the backseat Gus says to me "SSSHHHHHHHHH".
I laughed a little and asked him "you want me to stop singing?"
Of course he said, "yes".
"Do you like this song?"
"Yes."

We kept driving down the road and I was really trying to hold back on some of the best parts of the song (I know, I'm sick). I started to kind of hum/sing really softly.
"Mom." small pause "No." again came from the backseat.

Humbled, I stayed quiet the rest of the song.

(Oh maybe the best part of the whole story was when Gus exclaimed "Colby and Amy" as the singers of Almost Paradise. He loves Colby's music and is always able to identify one of his songs. I'm glad he at least recognized it was a duet.)

Yearbook

(sorry about the poor quality - I just used photo booth. This picture is missing Adrienne & Amy)

It's probably a girly thing to do but I love pulling out the wedding video, old photo albums, or an old note from a friend and oozing over old memories. Last night I pulled out my yearbook from my Senior year at BHS to show a picture to a friend. I couldn't put it down. I got all nostalgic and scanned through the photos and read the cheesy notes for over an hour. It was awesome. I want to share a few good ones. (This will mainly be enjoyed by those I went to high school with.)

Thanks for being such a cute friend. I will always remember you.

Josh Hansen

(yeah, this came from a guy - weird. and funny. I noticed he was voted most likely to retire at 30...and, it could actually happen)

Here we are at the bridge of life. The times together are forever imprinted in my brain, from the short love affair to the silly fights and heated conversations. I will miss you while I'm gone. ..It is weird how things turn out over long periods of times. Although our friends aren't as tight as they used to be and some almost non-existent I will always consider you one of the best friends I have... It has been a high school to remember. I love you always.

Lucas

(he was leaving for boot camp in a few days. In person- really funny, in print - very serious)

Have a great summer.

Dede Hughes

(message #1)

Christy, You are so great! ... I really did appreciate the times I had with you. Hopefully, they won't stop here. I went to a XXX bar last night and it made me realize how much I like you. I think I'm a lucky guy to be this close to you. In all seriousness, I treasure the fun times that you were a part of. If you hold me, I'll hold you back and then some. Memories are good but you know what's better? Hamburgers and Hotdogs. Thank you baby.

-Tyler Sorensen "Stallone"

(maybe the funniest guy i know. currently in medical school)

...I thoroughly enjoyed the times that we shared, especially when we were sucking face. (*didn't happen) When I wasn't with you, I was always thinking of you. Please do not water balloon me or start a fire in my house. However, you can come to my window whenever you need a friend. Heart, Reese

(also in medical school. he was so fun to play tricks on - like the time we spelled REESE about 20x40 in the snow in his backyard - in the middle of the night)

Bateman -

You are hot! I love you!

Heart, Dede

(message 2)

I love you.

Heart, Dede (your best friend)

(message 3 - there are more)

How come cannibals can't eat people like you? Because they can't keep a good woman down! Thanx for being my buddy.

Roane

(sweet sweet seminary president)

Bateman -

You and me in study group were like mashed potatoes. It is likely that we were meant for each other since 9th grade. I wish we could be on the same team next year. Keep in touch -k-

Pimps forever.

Love, Sean Mawhinney #32

(not one of my immediate group of friends. smart guy, baseball guy as you can see)

Christy-

We've been through a lot of s--t together. I'll always consider you one of my closest friends. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I love you man.

DJ Rosevear

(great guy. good thing he wants to be my friend since he married one of my best friends)

Big City Girl

It seems like everyone I talk to or read about is taking a summer vacation. I'm feeling jealous. We're not taking our big vacation until November, so I feel like I need to reminisce about a past vacation to make myself feel better.

In January 2007 Les gave me a trip to New York for my Christmas present. New York was thee place I had always wanted to visit. I love big cities. I'm not really a beach vacation person. I like to be walking/traveling around seeing things. We saw Central Park, China town, Ground Zero, The Statue of Liberty, The United Nations Building, A Broadway Play, The Museum of Natural History, Time Square, The Museum of Modern Art, Lots of Subways, Rockefeller Center, Ellis Island, H&M about 8 times, and more. This was probably my favorite trip ever - even if the temperature was below freezing most days. We have several great friends living in New York City that I was able to site-see with and catch up with. It was dreamy. Honey, let's go back.

Here's a comment

My mom sent me this email which she said she would have posted as a comment(s) on my blog if she knew how.  After reading it I forwarded it to Les for his enjoyment.  His reply was "Let's be honest.  Your mom is amazing."  I agree.  

Oh my gosh, I just watched that Matt thing with the wigmen on your blog. I was laughing so hard. That was so I don't know what? Funny and amazing. The wig men were sure good-natured about the whole thing. Just looking at them you'd be afraid they were about to come after you with spears, but they were just laid back and cool, like yeah, whatever. I loved it. I'm editing right now, but then I want to watch the others. Where do you find these things?
Your pictures of the things you did last week (or the week before?) turned out great. I'm glad you could tell in the picture how cool those centerpieces were. Sometimes pictures don't do things justice, but that picture was nice. And the pictures of Gus of course couldn't do him justice because it would be impossible to capture his cuteness. Les looks so young. But then he is. Thirty is very young! What a week you had, Lady!
Oh, now weren't you supposed to tag some people after you met Alicen's challenge? (Good fears, by the way. Hey, you wuss, who's afraid of falling out of roller coasters? Certainly not me.) This isn't a hint for you to tag me, by the way. I don't want to talk about my fears, thank you. Who has that much time? It's just that I noticed you hadn't tagged anyone.
I would have put this comment on your blog, but I didn't know how. It's too long anyway. Love you mucho, Mom.

14 months, 42 countries

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

I'm a huge fan of impromptu dancing. This video put me in a good mood.

Event #2

The day after my work luncheon I was to carry out the Ward Campout. Our campout last year was my first activity being in this calling so it was pretty simple - not a lot of fluff. So, this year I tried to amp it up. And I might have gone overboard a little bit. Thank goodness for a forgiving committee. We had a chili cook-off for dinner, a game after dinner, we brought a projector and showed the Princess Bride, and then we had canoeing the next morning. I think I'm learning that the food is the main thing that people care about. Everything went well. No bear attacks. The campsite (up Weber canyon) was really beautiful. It was nice to spend some time in nature.

Gus scoping out the canoeing

Gus and Les hanging out in our tent

Our dope ward

Event Planner

The last week of July I was a busy girl with 2 big events to plan/carry out.  On Thursday the 31st we had a luncheon for work.   My boss wanted to impress several of the Realtors that bring him business regularly, thank them, and hopefully get them refocused on their yearly goals with the year being half over.  Crazy thought - 2008 is half over.   With a theme of FOCUS I bought and wrapped a pair of binoculars for all of the attendees.   At the last minute I realized I needed some centerpeices so I ran to Costo the morning of and threw these together.  Luckily they turned out really nice.  And we raffled them off after the lunch.  

Tag

My mom reminded me that I'd been invited by Alicen to participate in the following tag... so, here it is.

3 Joys:  Hanging out with Gus when he's in a good mood.  Hanging out with Les when he's in a good mood - just kidding Les is always in a good mood.  Having a good conversation with my parents.  I guess life is best when it's simple.

3 Fears:  Losing Les or losing a child.  I don't know - being tortured, or being in a pit full of snakes, being attacked by a bear, falling out of a roller coaster,  stuff like that.  It's dark, I know.

3 Goals:  I've always wanted to be able to identify trees, flowers, and maybe even some birds like my grandma can.  I'd like to have a successful interior design business.  And I'd like to raise good, nice kids. 

3 Current Obsessions:  Studying up on Landscape Design to try to make my yard beautiful... I'm still pretty stumped (I'd love any tips).  Cooking healthier.  So you think you can Dance... dance...dance...dance.

3 Surprising Facts About Me:  I refuse to read Twilight (at least for now).  I watch the Disney channel - Raven and Hannah mostly.  I sound old over the phone.

Thanks to several friends who loaned us the gear, Gus and I were able to go out for a bike ride yesterday morning.  I'm pretty sure Gus had a good time (he was silent the whole ride except for 2 blurts of "Fun, Mom").   I, however, had a super amazing time.  I felt like my childhood came rushing back as the wind blew in my face.  When it was about that time to return the bike trailer I passed right by Steph's house and did one more ride around the block.  I really didn't want to be done.   

So I guess I'll be buying a bike trailer.  Oh... and a bike.  (Thanks Hannah and Melanie and Steph for letting me borrow)

We've had a busy summer.  I have a lot I want to write about.  It'll come one of these days.

I needed a new side table in my dining room so I took a $10 table from TJ Maxx and a leftover piece of my back splash.  I had some green paint left from the downstairs bathroom and then I rolled on a little brown craft paint.  Kind of cute, right?  

Summer Project #1

I've talked about our bathroom project several times but I have never really showed you how things turned out... So here is a step by step of the progress of our sweet little bathroom.

Here is how it started out.  Aint she a beaut?

Here is after lots of demolition as well as some jack-hammering

We had the water heater and water softener moved to create more space

Pretty big jump here but this is after dry wall hung, and tiling started

Here is the final product!  We are so happy to finally have a 2nd bathroom!

What's for dinner

I have recently rediscovered the salmon at Costco.
I offer you 2 great & healthy salmon meal ideas.

1) Compliments of Colby - Rub and drench the salmon in pesto (costco). Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes until it begins to flake a bit. And that's it. Enjoy. (Did I do okay, Colby?)

2) Mix 1/4 cup butter (or substitute olive oil), 1/4 c. soy sauce, 1/2 T Worchestershire sauce, 1/2 t garlic powder and add 1.5 lbs salmon (1/2 of bag). Coat well. Cook on BBQ grill on heavy duty aluminum foil. Baste occasionally with leftover sauce. Cook until juices are white or until salmon starts to flake. Les and I coated it with pepper when it was done, which we thought made it taste just right.

Both are great served with steamed asparagus.

Go Jazz!

I better write this soon before the game tonight... we have Loved watching the very intense Jazz games this last week.  The Jazz are 2-2 with the Lakers and tonight's game is in LA.  Yikes!

On Monday night Les and I decided to go to the Gateway for some errands/dinner.   I was just browsing around Urban Outfitters when I happened to run into Kyle Korver.  In the past I have proven to be very un-cool around "famous" people.  So I am trying to overcome this flaw.  I non-chalantly walked over to him and said: (conversation almost verbatim)

       "I have a question - are you Dutch?"  

He said "Yes, I'm part Dutch."

"I'm Dutch too, and my Grandma told me that in Dutch your last name means 'basket-maker'."

He laughed and said "Yeah, it does."

"Good, because I've been telling people that, and sometimes my Grandma is silly and I don't know if she is being serious." Small pause  "Nice to see you."  And then I gave him my number and walked away.  not.

By the way, isn't this picture of him pimp?  And do you think he took it himself?

I'm sad that Gus wasn't with me.  At that moment Les had him in a different store.  Gus would have freaked out to meet an actual Jazz player.  He is obsessed with basketball - in case you haven't already seen the video.

P.S. On our way home from the Gateway we noticed that the marquee of The Depot read "Kobe is in town, hide your women."  

 

Saturday night and I ain't got nobody

On Saturday night Les went to a UFC event so I decided to find myself a project.  From midnight to 3:00am I was making this sock monkey.  Gus's latest obsession has been monkeys so I thought he'd enjoy it.  When Gus woke up Sunday morning (at 5:00am - great night sleep) the monkey was sitting in his bed - he adopted it immediately.  He gave it lots of kisses that first couple hours.  He decided to name the monkey - "two" (or is it too, or to?)

This is the 2nd sock animal I've made.  First was the horse Les name gluestick; I made him while I was pregnant.  I'm already kind of anxious to make more - an elephant perhaps or a giraffe?

HGTV

I watched Design Star on HGTV last season and I voted for the cute and sassy Kim Myles. And I know my vote counted because she won. I quite enjoy her show Myles of Style. I haven't loved everything she's done but she has a very accessible style. Here are two projects that I thought reflected some genius.

This mantle was made out of a dining table. I love this idea! I want to try it.
This second project was a family room/ media room. I love the spicy orange walls with the bold lime green. Check out the way she organized the books by color in the bottom photo.



By the way, I am really disappointed with the changes on HGTV. I'm sorry to say the designers we see don't come close to the rooms of those fabulous Canadian designers Debbie Travis for heavens sake, Sarah Richardson, My Parents House. I also loved Kenneth Brown. Where did they go?

Good Things

I really like this towel organizer I found on the Martha Stewart website. She has this amazing team of people that come up with ideas like this and then she gets the credit. This might make a cozy addition to our new remodeled guest bathroom.

Horton

On Saturday evening Les went to the Priesthood session and then to dinner with my sister's husband Mark and a co-worker. So, my sister and I decided to take the kids to see Horton Hears a Who. This was to be Gus's first ever movie in the theater and I was a little apprehensive about how he would act. (I was pretty confident considering how well he did at a Jazz game just a few weeks ago) I packed up lots of treats and I had a talk with Gus beforehand about what was going to happen... we were going to watch a "show" (his word) in a big dark room on a TV lots bigger than ours - and the movie was about a cartoon elephant. Gus loves elephants, so from that moment on, until we got to the movie, he was doing his elephant impression.

The movie was super outstanding. It is very rare that I leave a movie and think - I can't wait to buy that movie. Gus did so well that I kind of felt bad Les wasn't there to see his reaction to the new experience. At first he was a little nervous - it was loud and the screen was so big. I did put some tissue in his ears - (which he took out immediately and put in his mouth.) But, soon he was oohing and ahhing, at one moment he even stood on my lap and cheered.

Blake Family Cruise

Les and I have decided that the Blake family has waited long enough and we are finally going on a cruise! That's right - I said Family - we're taking Gus. We got what we think is a pretty sweet hook up from Les's cousin. We will depart in November for a 7 night extravaganza to the Mexican Riviera, on a boat that Les's dad already nicknamed the Tijuana Sea Witch. (We have some Grandmas & Grandpas/ babysitters coming with us - thank goodness)

Now I need some advice from all of you... has anyone been on a Norwegian Cruise? Is this a good cruiseline? Kid friendly? Non-drinker friendly? What about Mexican cruises - anyone experienced in this field?

Recipe 1.5

I have a follow-up to the blonde brownies post. These cc cookies (recipe from Les's aunt Sharon) are maybe the best homemade cookies I've ever tasted - crispy on the outside, soft inside. However, I have not yet been able to master them. For some reason mine come out too flat. Nevertheless, here is the recipe if you'd like to see if you can do a better job than me. And, if you find the answer to my problem please tell.

Cream together:
1 cup shortening (those crisco shortening sticks work really well)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
Mix in:
1 t vanilla
1 t soda
1 cup flour
Then add:
1-2 1/2 cups flour (depending on how much moisture is in the air - this is my problem!)
3/4 t salt

Mix together and add 6 ozs chocolate chips
Bake at 350 for about 13 minutes.

Boops

Gus in Boots (which he calls boops - a little too close to something else that he shouldn't be saying at this age)

Recipe 1

I love to cook and for a long time I have wanted to post delicious recipes but I have just not been able to find the right one to start with. But, today I think I found just the thing...

Blonde Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Measure 1 cup sifted flour. Add baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift again. Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Mix well and set aside.
3. Melt 1/3 cup butter. Add 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar and mix well. If shortening is used, add 1 tablespoon hot water. Cool slightly.
4. Add egg (beaten) and vanilla. Blend well. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing well.
5. Spread in 9 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

I actually doubled the recipe and baked them in a 9x13 pan - it did need just a few more minutes to bake. Also, I used milk chocolate chips and I mixed them into the batter.

Recipes compliments of allrecipes.com

The Captain

Next week my sister Nicki and her boys are moving back to Washington to get their house ready to sell which means...  Tyson is coming home!!  In the year (almost) that Tyson has been away he has accomplished some amazing things.  Although we as a family have never stopped worrying about and praying for him,  we are so proud of the things he is doing.  He has such deep influence wherever he goes.  He was recently awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in battle while under fire and also for capturing one of the highest ranking Al Quida operatives in Northern Iraq.  Tyson we love you and we can't wait to have you home with us again.  (He is on the far right in this photo -front row)

Happy List this Week /Life Changes

10. Les and I had a late but fantastic Valentine dinner at Epic - one of our favorite places. There was a great live musician, and the food was superb as always.

9. I know I mentioned it already, but we are finishing our basement bathroom. It should be done in a couple weeks. Just tonight Les jack-hammered the concrete so our plumber can reposition the toilet and tub. It is so exciting to see things rolling along. This poor house of ours has been in a holding pattern for too long.

8. We are highly enjoying Lost being back on TV and soon The Office. I'm hoping Pushing Daisies comes back soon too. Oh and, (gees I'm feeling like a TV junky) we are also watching those talented Mormon kids on American I. I convinced my mom to vote for the first time after explaining the costs involved - and boy did she vote - about 26 times until her fingers got tired of hitting redial. She's a corker.

7. Okay, now that you already know I'm a TV junky I must admit, I love the new technology to watch TV shows online. It has got to be the next best thing to tivo.

6. So now I need to counter balance those TV/lazy posts with the announcement that I have hired a personal trainer. Yikes. Don't expect anything too great. Knowing me, I'll last about 1 month.

5. Les and I refinanced our house and we're saving ourselves several hundred dollars a month! Yahoo!

4. So, of course we immediately went out and bought a new TV...will we ever learn? We are both spenders.

3. I am starting a new job with an employer I was with several years ago and who I loved. It will still be part-time and at home but I won't have to wake up quite so painfully early. I liked the other job, I just kept getting sick because I wasn't getting enough sleep.

2. Our very good friends are now going to be our neighbors. The Glancys are buying a house in Rose Park. We hope you guys like it here as much as we have! And we can't wait for late night game nights and BBQs with you. And maybe even a walking/running partner?

1. Dede and James are also moving back to SLC! It will truly be a summer of lovin' - friend lovin' that is. Don't get the wrong idea.

Let the tag begin

Ten Years Ago...
I think I was a Senior in High School. Waking up every morning around 5:00am for drill practice. I had really great friends that I spent a lot of time with studying, etc. (I am still close with most). I loved my AP English class that year as well as Creative Writing. I loved high school - I did all the social things.
Five Places I have Lived...
I lived in the same house in Cottonwood Heights from 0-18.
Since I've been married we've moved 7 times. Provo, Cottonwood Heights, Provo, Sugarhouse, Bluffdale, Cottonwood Heights, Salt Lake.
Never lived outside of Utah.
Five things on my to do list...
Which to-do list? I'm obsessed with lists so I happen to have like 5 to-do lists right now.
Pump air in stroller tires
Go to Costco
Rent Becoming Jane (is it good?)
Measure bathroom (we're finally finishing our downstairs bathroom- woohoo)
Gift for Les.
I enjoy...
Being with friends and family, the idea of Spring, finishing a project/crossing things off my list, spending the day with Gus and the evening with Les, having a clean house
Three bad habits...
I have too many bad habits
Leaving my shoes all over the house
Going to bed late
Biting my nails (which is chipping away my front tooth)
Five things you might not know about me...
Thanks to my 100 things there isn't a lot left that I haven't already said but I'll try.
I love making up games. I make Les play lots of my made up games... Invent an Instrument, Dance an Occupation, Be the Voice for TV characters, and so many more (this counts for at least 2 of the 5, right?)
I'm horrible at learning harmonies
I love house plants
My mom had a puppet and book shop when I was a pre-teen
Five jobs I have had...
in no particular order
Dry Cleaning - twice
Convergys in Orem
Graystone Mortgage
Jefferson Nationwide Mortgage
Mom

The Tongue

 A few nights ago Les and I were watching a program that highlighted some of the Guinness World record holders.  We marveled at the speed of the cup stackers, we gasped at the fat twins, the longest toe nails, the tatooed leopard guy, and the lady that popped her eyes out.  But one that really caught our attention was the long tongue record holder.  This was the one that we rewound again and again.  Immediately I went to my sewing machine and found a measuring tape.  As many of you know, Les has a very long tongue.  It is a family trait.  5 of the 6 siblings (I think) in his family have this abnormality.   We weren't exactly sure where to start the tape measure in order to get an accurate accounting in comparison to the Guinness record.  So, the next day Les actually got on the Guiness website, registered, and got the specifications.   Les's tongue is either the same or about 1/4 centimeter shy of the world record.  Impressive right?  Our next mission is to get a measurement of older brother Frank's tongue and sister Lisa's tongue who hold the family record.  This absurd tongue seems to be a strong trait - all of the grandchildren have it.   We might also have a record holder in our own little family.  

I Have a Confession

I must confess - my house is in total chaos today. Every room that I enter has things in it that really don't belong. Why, for instance, is the electric mixer in our bedroom, and Les's toothbrush face down in the carpet? (sorry honey). In the dining room we have a blender with one yellow rubber glove inside and several of Gus's books. The bathroom is home to most of my pots and pans as well as our dust pan which holds the other rubber glove.

I am really not on my game today. This morning while Gus was taking a bath in our kitchen sink he was able to remove a piece of the sink next to the faucet unveiling a hole which emptied into the under-quarters of the sink. He poured several full cups of water down the hole before I realized the problem. And while I was emptying the cabinet, trying to demoisturize it, I knelt down on a bottle of dish soap - squirting it all over the floor. Shortly after that Gus was able to get into some of my candle wax and he enjoyed a bite of the Candy Apple scent.

So, I just got a phone call and someone is coming over so I need to cut this short and actually do something about my situation rather than continue to talk about it. Darn.

New Hair

I don't know how to style it myself...I really wish I would have taken these yesterday.

Pardon me Sir, Do you have any Grey Poupon?

Last Sunday night, after having been sick all day, and lounging around the house doing nothing, Les and I were desperate to watch a movie. We scrolled through all of the On-Demand stuff that Comcast offers, as we often do, but found nothing of interest. So, then we stumbled across the The Singles Ward 2. Now, unfortunately, Les would rather shovel our driveway or change poopy diapers than watch this movie. He has been very disappointed with many of the "church" movies that have been made. And, frankly, he's sick and tired of seeing the same thing again and again. But, I am a more mild critic and I was actually in the mood to watch something that I pretty well knew would be stupidly laughable. I just wanted to relax with Les and watch something that we could laugh about. Somehow I convinced Les to join me. The movie very much lived up to our expectations.

Over the next few days I kept thinking about a few of the characters in the movie - the way they were written and portrayed. The story has the infamous Kirby, of course, and a girl from his singles ward and they are getting married. However, she is a convert to the church and her parents don't really approve of the union. It was the bride's parents that puzzled me. They were non-Mormon, non-Utahn people who had a lot of money. For some reason the screen-writer chose to stereotype the non-Mormon, non-Utahn rich people as being 1) divorced 2) snobby 3) very naive and disrespectful of Mormon culture 4) perceiving Utah Mormons as hillbillies 5) talking like they were someone's butler 6) money worshippers 7) psychotic. Why do we continue to perpetuate this stereotype of ourselves as well as the stereotype of outsiders looking in at us? (us = Utah Mormons). I understand that these characters were mostly the way they were because the movie was a "comedy"- term used loosely.

I can't ignore the message that it sends when Halestorm pictures and many others continue to give us characters like this. I just don't believe that our non-Utah, non-Mormon friends talk like the Fresh Prince's Butler - even the rich ones. I don't think we need to continue to put a chasm between "us" and "them". I prefer to believe that non-Utah and/or non-Mormon people are...well, pretty much just like me. Nice people trying to do what they believe is good and right. Trying to raise their children or do their job the best they can and trying to make a positive dent in the world.

Making me Happy

10. I finally got around to cleaning my car after all the holiday hub-bub as well as the Idaho trip. I LOVE a newly cleaned car.

9. Gus has a few new funnies. Lately when I try to reason with him about something for instance - "No, Gus I'm sorry you can't have another cookie because we are going to eat dinner in a few minutes." or "You have to put your shoes on if you want to go anywhere today." His response has been a very mature "Oh."

8. My new work set up... office chair, move over...hello chaise lounge.

7. Have you seen the new American Gladiators? Militia? Hellga? Crush? and of corse Wolf?! Les and I have watched the first few episodes and we laugh our guts off.

6. Juno, of course. It is as good as they all say. I did cry at the end. Next stop - The Great Debaters and The Kite Runner.

5. My newly organized kitchen drawers.

4. My cousin Sheryl, who I mentioned previously as being in China for a stem cell transplant, is back in Utah. The blood clots she's aquired are better treated in the US than China. Things seem to be going well.

3. Les and I spent a day in Provo this week. We combed through several shops that have been featured on YourHeartOut and spent the afternoon with good friends Colby, Amy, and Steven.

2. Gus and I are almost all the way healed after a nasty week of ear infection and strep throat, respectively. It is true - you really don't appreciate being healthy until you've felt sick for a while. Opposition in all things I guess.

1. Tyson is Home! My sister's husband has been in Iraq for the last 10 months and he arrived in Salt Lake last night for a 2 week visit. More to come on this!