Super Saturday

I may not have a life Monday through Friday anymore, but at least I have a husband to be my friend for two full days on the weekends!!! Yesterday, after Dr. KidDentist let me sleep in, (see his blog for a report) we began our day of adventure...(are you holding your collective breath in anticipation?)

We started by heading to the library to get our weekly supply of books, video's, and books-on-C.D. (D downloads them to the computer, then to my I-pod so I can listen while engaging in domestic drudgery.) After filling a few bags full, we got back in the car and drove to a nearby Nursery that I've been wanting to check out. We bought one 3-gallon Lavender, a pretty pink Geranium, two Rosemary's, and some yummy smelling ground cover for our stone path.

So far, my day was rocking! Two of my very favorite places to visit in one morning!!! I used to think my dream job was working in a library, but then I started thinking all the cataloging and computer work would get in the way of my reading. Now I've decided my dream is to work in a Nursery. Just imagine: You get to surround yourself with really beautiful plants and cool garden toys, and you get to read your novel when it gets slow! (At least in my fantasy world!)

Anyway, next we went to lunch at Newport Creamery. (HA UTAHNS!!! They have Creamery's here too!!!) One word: YUM! A few more words: really good hamburgers, seasoned fries, and ice cream. The kid meal is the perfect size for me so that made it a bargain too!

Next, we thought we would check out a few of the million garage sales in the neighborhood. We found a table and two chairs for $15, a cute wooden-framed mirror for $1, and most importantly, a LAWN MOWER for $20. [You may not think this was our best find, but that's because you don't know about the 3 broken lawn mowers sitting in our side yard. One, the previous owners left, one a neighbor gave us saying it worked for him, and the third we bought at another garage sale and used once before it died. Needless to say, fourth time is the charm and this one works great...so far.]

After this, we headed home. We may have tried to stop at a few more places but there was a table pressing into Max's head and a box of plants in my lap. Anyway, about one minute after walking in the door, DoctorDug got his first page and had to go to the hospital. He was only gone for a few hours though, and then we got to work on our yard until dark.

Last but not least, we went to a friends house for an Aquire tournament. (Thanks Stoddards for introducing us to the game so many moons ago!) It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

Thank goodness for Saturday!!!

So You Think You're Having a Bad Day???

This is not my story. I repeat, this is NOT MY STORY! This came via e-mail from a very good friend of mine in Colorado. Let's call her "Felix" just for kicks and giggles. She sent this very well written note followed by two pictures. After I finished laughing hysterically, I called her to ask if I could blog it. It is reprinted here with her permission for your enjoyment!- E Dub

So you think you're having a bad day???
Mine started at about 5:15 pm. Up until then I had been having a pretty good day- despite all the crying over Whitney's first day of school. I was baking a chicken pot pie from scratch and had pulled the pie out of the oven to wrap tin foil around the edges to prevent burning. Instead of that yummy pie crust smell, I kept getting a whiff of something else, something not at all pleasant. I kept thinking, "Why does this pie smell like poo?" As I leaned over to put the pie back in the oven, I glanced up at the microwave clock and realized Olivia had been napping for over 4 hours. And then I knew. I rushed upstairs muttering, "Oh no, oh no, oh, no!"

Oh yes.

I walked in, drew in a sharp breath, and walked right out. The odor was overwhelming. I debated: If I take pictures, she'll think this is a good joke. If I don't take pictures, I'll have no way to embarrass her when she's older.

What could be more embarrassing than a picture of you with poo in your mouth? So I decided to get the camera and lecture sternly, frowning while snapping pics. She thought it was hysterical, posing and saying, "Cheese!" Then clean-up began, which she wanted to help with. What do you use to get poo out of tiny cracks? I started with baby wipes, then moved to Scott towels, then got my exfoliating shower glove. I'm trying toothpicks next. This poo was like Mississippi mud - not so easy to clean once it's caked on and partially dry.

After a very hard scrub in the bath Olivia still smells strongly of the stuff. I haven't finished cleaning the crib and honestly wonder if it will ever be clean again. I had to put her to bed in the porta-crib in a different room because of the noxious fumes. Did I mention I have house guests arriving tomorrow for a wedding? Good thing I took pictures- it'll be a great excuse. "Sorry the house isn't so clean, I spent all night working on this!" If Olivia wasn't so cute, we'd be attending a funeral this weekend instead of a wedding.

Un-Proud Moments in Motherhood!

First thing out of Maxwell's mouth when Daddy walks through the door:
"Hey Daddy, guess what I got to watch today!?!?!? Buzz Lightyear, Mary Poppins, Bob the Builder, Brother Bear, Dora, Backyardigans, Noddy, Lazy Town, Winnie the Pooh......"
{Before you call CPS, please note that this is NOT a daily occurance! Fortunately Preschool starts soon!!!}

Quotable Quotes!

Doug in church giving a talk about missionary work:
".......pray for them by name as well."

Max listening while coloring:
"His name is not "Well", it's DOUG!!!"

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Max last night before bed:
"I'm as happy as a PIG!!!"
Then tonight before bed:
"I'm as fast as a PIGGY!!!"

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One of Sam's first complete sentences yelled in my direction:
"NOOO ING YA-YOU!!!" translation: "Don't sing 'Love You'!!!"
(In response to me singing "These Words" by Natasha Beddingfield while doing dishes.)

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Phrase said in childhood that takes on a different meaning as an adult:
"Let's go jump/play/sleep on the Tramp!"

The Bears and Six Years!!!

It has been a really great week!!! Sunday night our good friends came from Michigan to visit. The "Bear Family" lived two doors (20 feet) down from us in San Francisco and we used to see them every day. They have two kids and their oldest is the same age as Sammy.

In fact, it's been really hard not having them nearby because now my boys have nowhere to go when I take a shower in the morning. Kim and I used to trade off watching all the kids so the other could get ready without fear of the house being torn apart or set on fire. (That's why I've given it up and am getting in touch with my "earthy" side.) We had so much fun with them sight-seeing, hanging out, playing games, and letting the kids play together...I hardly know what to do with myself now that they're gone!

Anyway, yesterday Dr. Dub and I celebrated our 6th anniversary and they got to be here for it! Six years ago we were married in the San Diego Temple...one of the prettiest places in the world. We all went to dinner last night at a Seafood place down the street...four adults and four kids. It was great. They left this morning and it's very quiet here without them!!!

Luckily I have my anniversary present to console me. My gift this year was a little unexpected but extremely awesome. I've been telling the hubby we need to get something for our back yard to keep the kids entertained. After all, it's a big yard, completely fenced, and just waiting for something wildly fun to fill it. Yesterday I got my wish. D-Dub bought me a trampoline!!! It's huge! It's awesome! It's fun! I LOVE IT!!! I'm tempted to have a slumber party on it tonight like I did as a kid. Who knew 6 was the trampoline anniversary?!? Even better then the trampoline, though, was my second gift. (What could be better then a trampoline, you ask? I'll tell you...)

He also wrote me a poem which made me cry! I'd let y'all read it but it's none of your dang business. You can, however, come jump on my trampoline sometime. If you're lucky...
...like me!

Call to Action!!!

Hi Everybody! My sister Karie is doing the "Breast Cancer 3-day" and needs support! Read all about it here!!!

In November of 2003, I participated in a very special event to help raise awareness and money for the fight against breast cancer. It is called the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I’m excited to announce that this November, I’m doing it again! I will walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other people in San Diego, California.

More than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year and more than 40,000 American women and men will lose their lives to the disease. One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes. Every 13 minutes, the disease claims another life in the United States.

My life has been deeply affected by this disease. When I was young, my mom’s best friend and my church youth advisor, Maurine, died of breast cancer. A few months after her death, my mother was diagnosed with the same disease. I thought she was going to die. She didn’t because she caught it early. My mom is now a two-time breast cancer survivor. A dear friend of mine is currently battling cancer. I also have five other important reasons for walking; my cute kids. I never want them to have to worry about this disease harming them or anyone they love. I would be happy to walk in honor of your loved ones as well. Please email me their names at karie@getproof.com.

As a condition of participation in this event, I must raise $2,200 by October 13. A dollar for every mile that I’ll be walking would be wonderful, but I am grateful for whatever you can give.

Your donation is tax deductible and the net proceeds will help in finding a cure for breast cancer. This walk is about raising money to eradicate breast cancer. It's about making a difference. It's about courage and hope. It's about changing lives...one step at a time!

Just click the link below to go to my personal fundraising webpage to learn how to donate on-line, by mail or over the phone. This certainly promises to be another unforgettable challenge. I hope you will share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

With love, Karie
http://www.the3day.org/SanDiego06/karied/

Funny-ness, Disneyland, and The Fireside Song 2

I realize I haven't blogged for awhile, but there's a very good reason for that. Nothing the least bit entertaining has happened to me (or around me) for awhile. In fact, I've been feeling a little sorry for myself because how can I hone my sense of humor with no one to mock???

But of course, as I write this, I realize I'm mistaken. There is, of course, my darling husband.

Saturday morning he went golfing with his friend...we'll call him "Beaven" for the sake of anonymity. Anyway, Dr. Dub drove to Beaven's house, left his car there, and they drove to the golf course together.

A few hours later, Beaven's next-door neighbor came over and asked Mrs. Beaven if she knew who's car was in front because it had been running for the last few hours. Turns out, Dr. Dub not only left his keys in the ignition, he left the car running. It's even more unfortunate because the front window is stuck in the down position. (So the car wasn't exactly secure) I guess it's a sad commentary on the state of our beautiful new Honda that no one even bothered to steal it. Anyway, that incident was slightly entertaining but D took all the fun out of it by mocking himself before I even had the chance to. Hmpff.

Anyway, back to the real point of this entry. Since I didn't think I had anything funny to relay, (until I remembered the car incident) I was going to direct you to a relative of mine who's funny. It's almost like I'll seem funny vicariously through him. The relative is my cousin Allen Simpson*. (Yep, that's his real name.)

When I was a kid, we'd visit the Simpson family in Anaheim, CA every summer and take a trip to Disneyland with all the cousins while we were there. A favorite pass-time on these visits to the Magic Kingdom was to collect jaw-breaker-sized-pokey-green-things from certain of the Park's trees and while riding the Matterhorn, throw them at the Abominable Snowman.














Once in awile we'd get one in his mouth so it couldn't open and close, but usually they just stuck to his fur. Ahhh...good times, good times! Then at night we'd go back home and the boys would try to pin the girls and fart on them. Wait, did I say good times? Somehow, through the years I've managed to forgive Allen (and all boys in general) and I even helped him hook up with his beautiful wife. (Though actually, the rainbow colored couch on top of my carport had more to do with it then I did.)

Anyhow, now I'll proceed to prove that he's funny.

He, like the rest of his family, is extremely musically gifted and has written a new song. It's called, The Fireside Song 2. (You may correctly assume it is the second Fireside Song he has written) You can check it out at this website, www.thefiresidesong.com and buy it or listen to a sample.

You will find it hilarious if you are:
1. A Mormon,
2. An Adam Sandler Fan, or
3. Both (no, they're not mutually exclusive.)
So there you have it. I'm practically funny and practically famous all because of my very-famous-in-certain-circles cousin!

P.S. Allen, you owe me a buck for this plug.

*Name not changed to cause embarrassment to the guilty