Wish Me Luck!

I'm going to the hospital in an hour.  

Yesterday at my pre-op appointment:

Me:  "Can I just get a feeding tube so I wont have to swallow?"  (Haha, I'm so funny.)

Nurse:  "That would be like having spikes down your throat."

Nurse:  "It'll be better just to swallow.  Of course, that will feel like swallowing spikes too."

Me:  ($%&*#!!!  That's not funny at all!)  "Umm...how about an IV for fluids?  I'm...not good with pain."

Nurse:  "How many kids have you had?"

Me:  "This is way scarier than that."  (No one ever says anything about "spikes"  before labor.)

Later:

Doug:  You're banned from making any on-line purchases for the next two weeks.   (There may have been an incident in the past involving Lortab and over $100 of Cookie Lee Jewelry.)

Me:  Then I'd better hurry and submit my order to Amazon right now...!

Doug:  NO!  You're already under the influence of stress!

Even Later:

Me:  "Hey!  Maybe we can get the second season of "Lost" and watch it while I'm recovering!"

Me:  "But then I probably wont remember it later..."

Doug:  "Yeah...I already thought of that..."

This Morning:

Doug:  "What kind of ice cream do you want me to buy?"

Me:  "All kinds!!!  Every kind!!!"  (Every cloud has a silver lining.)

Speaking of nutrition, we have a WINNER!!!

I wish I were a winner...

See you sometime next week!!!

(check Doug's blog in the next few days to find out if I die of pain.)

Bring on the Percocet!

Dr:  What do you know about Tonsillectomies?

Me:  From the other ENT's I've talked to, I know they're excruciatingly painful for adults.

Dr:  That's right.  There aren't enough bad adjectives to describe how horrible they are.  They're just really really really gruesome for adults.  Ever had a canker sore?  It's like having two canker sores THIS BIG in the back of your throat.  You'll be down for a good two weeks.

Me:  What do you mean by "down"?  How down?  When can I take care of my kids?

Dr:   I'd give yourself 5-7 days.  But it'll be another week after that until you feel better.

How do you handle pain...?

Doug:  NOT WELL!

(such a reassuring visit...)

Tonsillectomy and Myringotomy: Wednesday

I can't wait!

Stay tuned to read me blogging under the influence! May include brief episodes of memory loss, hallucinations, and reports of extravagant on-line shopping expenditures!!!

P.S.  Contest ends tomorrow!  (my Monday.)

P.P.S.  Do NOT under any circumstances look at before and after tonsillectomy videos on YouTube.  (heave!)

P.P.P.S.  I'm going to request they save them for me in a jar.

The New Place in Town

I'd tell you the name, buuuut...

A smiling employee greeted us at the door and the rest of the employee's yelled a welcome when we entered.  They seriously have the best customer service here!!!

Sam just wants a Grilled Cheese Sandwich.  (Is that too much to ask?)

Notice the tissue box...most restaurants have these on the table in place of napkins.

Contemplating the menu...

at least I know my order will make me serenely happy!

Gabe and I will have the Gyoza and Rice...

"See these?  They're MINE!"

Doug ordered some sort of Ramen.  (The main offering at this particular place.)

Extra noodles for Sammy:

"I'll eat it.  And I may even like it.  But I WON'T smile under any circumstances!"

It may not have had Grilled Cheese, but we liked it anyway!  Can't wait for my next lunch date!!!

P.S.  Don't forget!!!  You still have a few more days so don't forget to enter the contest HERE!

Feeling Click-y?

If you haven't visited Doug's blog lately, you're missing out.  Now would be a good time to stop by.  Click here.

I'm doing a Book Review/Contest at my review blog.  You should add www.gratuitousreviews.blogspot.com to your Reader.  Then, click here.

When you're done with all those clicks and you want to watch something really super cool, click one more time: (found on the blog of Fabulous Photographer Jen) Click here!

Notes From The Trenches

Note 1:  I tend to track my children audibly.  I may not always have my eyes on them, but I'm usually listening and following their movements and actions through sound.  So the other day, when Doug and I were putting a rug down in the front entry way, I was well aware of Gabe entering the kitchen.

I heard him going in and I heard him pushing a stool around and then making noise at the counter.  Then I listened as he got down and started heading towards us in the entry.  I heard him do a little hacking cough a few times and immediately wondered what he'd gotten into on the kitchen counter.

As he walked down the hall towards us, he coughed a little, pointed at his mouth, and upon  reaching us, proceeded to yak on the new rug.  Yep, full on spew-fest on the new floor covering.

Doug grabbed him and carried him to the bathroom while I went for a washcloth and to see what in the world he'd eaten.  On the counter was a small jar of ground cinnamon.  In the open jar, was a baby spoon.

Note to self 1:  Approximately 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon, when swallowed, will cause almost instantaneous puking in small children.  Use this knowledge with discretion.

Note to self 1a:  Don't leave out the cinnamon.

NOTE 2:  The other day Sam walked out of kitchen carrying a can of Cheese Pringles and asked if he could have some.  Now, normally we don't buy chips, but these were on sale cheap so I couldn't resist.  Since I was on the phone and since he's so darn cute, I opened the can and let him have a few then stuck the can on my desk and forgot about it.  

A little later, Sam demanded a snuggle.  Gabe was asleep and Max still at school.  I was happy to oblige and plopped myself down on the couch for some cuddle-time.  A few minutes later, I was asleep and Sam was bored.  He got up quietly, and just as quietly got into the Pringles.  A minute later, a chip was pressed to my sleeping lips and a soft voice whispered in my ear "Mom, do you wanna kip?"

Note to self 2:  Sam is considerate enough to let me sleep, even while simultaneously waking me up.  And nice enough to share even if it is stolen property.

Note 3:  Max and I have been doing a lot of reading lately.  Every night at bed time, after he's in his jammies and has had his teeth brushed by Daddy, he meets me in my room for story time.  Since August, we've gotten through quite a few books and I'm starting to get desperate for age appropriate, appealing-to-boys-and-moms chapter books.  Which is what led me to pull The Adventures of Tom Sawyer out of my line of nice leather bound Children's Classics.  About one page into it, I realized I'd made a mistake.  Not only do I have to translate literally every paragraph because the language is so hard to understand, but Tom Sawyer is NOT a good example!  Which is why Max loves it.  Last night he told me "I wish I was Tom Sawyer!  That way I could do whatever I wanted a break all the rules!!!"

Note to self 3:  Quit giving your already mischievous son more ideas!!!

That's all I've got for ya.  Just writing this has made me tired.  

I'm gonna go take a nap.  

But not before I lock up the Pringles.

We Don't Make Resolutions...

We make contracts.

(Evidently.)

At least this year.

And it's probably all my greedy fault.

When I was a kid, to motivate us to read we got paid a penny a page.

Back-rubs and *shudder* foot-rubs cost my dad at least .50 cents.

Then there was always selling Bird Whistles at the 4th of July parade and lemonade stands the rest of the summer to earn money.

As I got older, I got paid for extra work around the house and yard, for filing at my dads office ($5/hour), and for babysitting. ($1-2/hour--Per kid, if I was lucky.)  

When I turned 15, I got a job at the only fast food place in town that would hire a 15 year old:  KFC.  I would come home with my hair and clothing reeking of grease, but MAN did I love that pay check.

My point here is, I'm highly motivated to earn money.  Always have been.  And it looks like my kids will be too.  

I asked Max if he'd go off of candy for one year for $100.  He immediately agreed.  And we're talking about a boy who really, REALLY loves candy.  

(In High School I went off Chocolate, Candy, and Gum for one year to earn $150.)

Later, we amended the rules a bit and he signed a contract stating that for every month he goes without candy, he can earn $10.  That way, there's still some wiggle room but even greater earning potential.  (He's planning to buy a Wii.)

Then Doug wanted in on action.  Not for himself, for me.  He's already bribed me to read my scriptures every day for a year by offering a lap top.  (Done and done!)  Now he's offered me $300 to give up ice cream for a year and the Eva Zeisel gift of my choice

if I exercise twice a week until Mother's Day!  

Of course, I agreed to both. 

(Though I do wonder why I now have to earn my Mother's Day gifts and I DID tell him I'll never exercise again after Mother's Day.  Just out of spite.)

So I don't know if this all is quite in the spirit of the New Year's Resolution, but I do know that this method is much much more successful!  

And you can't argue with results.

Happy New Year!

Notes from Church

"I know that this house of God is the word of wisdom!"  Thomas, age 6, in testimony meeting yesterday.

Doug: "Why did the Wise Men kneel down when they saw Jesus?"

Aubrey (age 5):  "Because it was low."


Doug:  "How can you get somebody a present without any money?"
Eva (age 5):  "With a CREDIT CARD!"

A Girl Has Needs

Doug says I'm the most sentimental girl in the world. And it's sorta true. I do love things with meaning. I loooove heirlooms, and antiques, and tradition, and things with symbolism and meaning and...symbolism! That's why I have a new place to shop! The NY Metropolitan Museum of Art On-line Store!!!   It has ton's of cool stuff.  All of which is somehow related to great works of art.

I stumbled upon the following items shopping for a new calendar.  I REALLY need a new calendar if I'm going to get my life in order in 2009.  I use mini wall calendars because they're small enough to fit into my purse, but cute enough to hang up at home.  Unfortunately, the BX bookstore only has two options of the mini variety: Dilbert and Mary Englebreit.  Been there, done both of those.  (Hey, I'm a woman of eclectic tastes.)  So I went to the Met store and I immediately found just what I needed:  

Season's of Impressionism Mini Wall Calendar.

This calendar features the work of famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Édouard Manet, and Alfred Sisley, among others. Bold brushstrokes convey the sense of each season, from the vibrant tones of the autumn harvest to the delicate hues of spring flowers, from the icy shades of a winter landscape to the sultry tones of summer.12-month format, including mini calendars of July–December 2007. 7 in. x 14 in. when open.
Original Price $8.95
Member Price: $2.02 each
Non-Member Price: $2.24 each

Hellooooo!  It's perfect!!

And even better, it's on sale!)

But who wants to pay shipping and handling on a $2.24 purchase?  Not me!  So I started looking at some other sale items and found these:

The Sumerian Ring

Ur was the most powerful of the Sumerian city-states in Mesopotamia about 2500 B.C. The ring is based on an original Sumerian pair of earrings dating back about 2600–2500 B.C. They were found in a tomb at Ur, along with vast amounts of other jewelry—testimony to the opulence of Sumerian life as well as to the skill of Sumerian craftsmen. Produced in cooperation with The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.
Sterling silver. Width 7/8 in. Available in size 6, 7, or 8.

Original Price $110
Member Price: $49.50 each
Non-Member Price: $55.00 each

The Spiral Filigree Ring

Marie Krivánková (Czech, 1883–1936), a famous designer in Prague during the first quarter of the 20th century, made abundant use of both filigree and spiral motifs in her work, and combined these elements in a sensitive, yet unconventional way to produce jewelry of timeless elegance. The design of our ring is based on an extraordinary silver brooch (ca. 1912) set with an amethyst stone. Produced in cooperation with the Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague-UPM.Sterling silver, lightly antiqued, with mother-of-pearl. Width 5/8 in. Available in size 6, 7, or 8.

Original Price $95
Member Price: $64.13 each
Non-Member Price: $71.25 each

Sutton Hoo Black Agate Ring

(kinda manly, but still cool.)

In 1939 in Suffolk, England, archaeologists uncovered the Sutton Hoo ship burial, which had remained undiscovered since the 7th century A.D. The burial chamber, erected in the middle of the ship, contained the extraordinarily rich belongings of a king, most of which are considered the finest examples of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship ever discovered. The design on this ring is based on the border of a jeweled purse lid found during the excavation. Produced in cooperation with The British Museum, London.
Sterling silver, hand-inlaid with black agate. Width 3/16 in. Available in size 6, 7, or 8.

Original Price $145
Member Price: $65.25 each
Non-Member Price: $72.50 each

and the

Viking RingThe Viking period began when Scandinavian warriors, driven from their homeland by social pressures, political strife, and quest for trade, raided coastal lands in the British Isles and Europe, even reaching North America. Aided by their swift, elegantly built ships, the Vikings (named after the Old English word for “pirate”) explored and colonized vast regions, trading from Greenland to Constantinople. Viking men and women wore jewelry as a visible badge of wealth and status. The decorative vocabulary of weapons, pins, brooches, pendants, and buckles made of precious metals and bronze was dominated by stylized animal patterns, sometimes reaching an abstraction of great complexity and sophistication. More simple pieces, such as neck rings and thick metal armbands, are notable for their size and extravagant use of gold or silver. The Museum’s ring is based on a torque-shaped armlet from the late 6th–early 7th century. The original is made of silver and was found in the Ukraine with a hoard comprising over one hundred silver objects thought to represent part of the treasure of an unknown local ruler. Produced in cooperation with The British Museum, London.
Sterling silver. Width 1/4 in. Available in size 6, 7, or 8.

Original Price $95
Member Price: $42.75 each
Non-Member Price: $47.50 each

This will be my on-line jewelry store of choice when we're rich.  (Which will probably be any day now.)

In the mean time, I'll have to make due with my mini calendar.

Post Script:  By the time I placed my order, the calendar was sold out.  As was the Van Gogh print that was on sale for $4.95.  DANG!  2009 is now a wash.

Back to Work

Today I went back to work for the first time since December 4th, 2001.  (The day before Max was born.)  

Starting on Tuesday evening, I'll be teaching two night classes for the base Arts and Crafts center:  Beginning Wheel Throwing, and Beginning Hand Building.  But part of my job includes working the occasional half-Saturday at the Arts and Crafts store.  

And today was my first day.  And yeah...it was pretty sweet.  I got to use a price gun, (Though it loses it's novelty after the first 100 or so orange stickers...) I learned how to use the register and credit card machine, and when there were no customers, I got to work on some of my pots.  (During down time you're encouraged to scrapbook or work on any other craft project you might have or the store might need.  Shhhweeeet!!!)

When I came home, the house was spotless (including bathrooms) and Doug immediately started making a gourmet meal.  (Sesame seed seared beef with noodles and veggies.)  Proving once and for all that he is a much better stay-at-home mom than I am.

BUT, I have one small consolation...while at work, I got a call from Doug.  He wanted to know where my nail polish remover was.  Evidently, while using super glue, some leaked out and stuck the container firmly to his fingers.

I think it's the simple pleasures in life that make it worthwhile!  

Don't you agree?

"'Live Forever' Might Be You!"

For those of you who are just using me for my Japan, here's a little photo essay of a recent lunch date Doug and I had off base.  (Obviously this was before we got two feet of snow.)

Introducing Cafe Live Forever:
Like many restaurants near the base, Cafe Live Forever caters to both Japanese and American patrons...but seems to try even harder for the American customer.  Not only do they offer menu's in English, but also some American-ish-style menu items.  Consequently, it was filled about half and half with Americans and Japanese.

The menu also offers an explanation for the restaurant name:

While waiting for my order, I took a closer look at the decor.  The pink flowers below are called "Live Forever".

I ordered the Mushroom and Chicken Pasta on the recommendation of an Airman at the next table.  It was actually very good, though I admit I didn't try the side salad.

Doug had the...I think....Sweet and Sour Pork?  I'm not exactly sure, but he did enjoy it!

After we ate, we ordered some of their famous scones to take home with us.  This time we tried the caramel.  They were good, but the chocolate is still my favorite.  The scones come with a little cup of butter and whipped cream to put on top.

Gabe was just there to look cute.  He's good at that!

So there's a little taste of Japan for you.  I'll try to post about an "off base" activity at least once a week now.  

Happy?

Alright then.  

GOODBYE!

Merry Christmas!

Pretend this came to you in an envelope!  

If I know you, (and your address) it will actually come in an envelope...hopefully soon!  If it never arrives, well...you have this...!

From the Mixed-up Files of the Douglas D. Warner Family

12/18/08

This year has brought many changes into our lives starting around the beginning of July when we (miraculously) sold our home in Rhode Island and moved far, far, (far) away...to Japan.

First and foremost, Doug’s wardrobe has taken a decided turn for the worse. Lately he’s been showing a startling inclination towards drab olive green and brown. It’s amazing I even let him into (or out of) the house like that! Strangely, though, it seems to be the trend in this neighborhood so no one even gives him a second glance! One of the biggest changes for Doug is that he’s no longer a student or even a resident. He is the Pediatric Dentist for the entire Misawa Air Force Base. (And yet, he still has to take orders!) He loves it and the kids all seem to love him.

As for me, Emily, I have been extremely traumatized by a sudden decrease in my usual retail shopping options. There are no Targets in our new neighborhood. No Costco’s, either. It’s been incredibly difficult going cold-turkey, but I’m making progress and finding some solace in on-line shopping, the “100 Yen Store”, and pottery. (Starting in January, I get to teach two night classes; wheel throwing and hand building!) Mostly though, I just chill at home and try to convince the boys that I really am allowed to use the computer and occasionally make a phone call during daylight hours. (Some things never change no matter where you live.) As for the boys, well...

Max (7) has been heard to exclaim both “I ate seaweed and I LIKED it?” followed shortly (when he regained his senses) by "I do NOT like Sushi”. He has discovered the beauty of martial arts (i.e., sanctioned violence sometimes involving swords and sticks) and is taking piano lessons. (So I’ll let him take drum lessons later!) He is now in first grade and has a marvelous and patient teacher who will probably be sainted by the end of the year. His favorite thing is reading at night with Mommy. (Turns out, Daddy stinks at doing different voices and accents.)

Sam (4.5) says he just wants to go back to New Yoke, (He never did catch on to the fact that we lived in Rhode Island) but is mostly happy because all of his Lightning McQueen cars made it to our new house successfully. He goes to preschool three days a week (sometimes even with SOCKS on) and has only been forced screaming into the carpool car a few times!!! Sam enjoys routine, his nightly lullabies, (including Rock-a-by-Baby cause it’s “so beautifoe”) routine, and things that don’t change. Ever.

Gabe (19 mns) is exhibiting disturbingly familiar signs of being yet another boy who loves wrestling and sword fighting. Despite being exposed to his mother’s collection of dolls and dress-ups (kept on-hand for small female visitors, of course!) Gabe is changing from our sweet and happy angel baby into a sweet little devil toddler. hmphf. Luckily, he’s still adorable so we love him anyway.

And we love you too! We hope you’re all doing well and having a fabulous Christmas season. Don’t ever change! (Please. Sammy is begging you.)

Best wishes from Japan,


The W's

As always, if for some strange reason you want even MORE information about our lives, you are welcome to check our blogs! 

Em: www.actegratuit.blogspot.com 

Doug: www.fromcoast2coast.blogspot.com

Blah Blah Blog...

I've sort of lost my will to blog lately.  Lots going on, only some of it good.  The good is, it's almost Christmas, we just got 11 inches of snow, and Doug has the next week off.

The boys are basically going crazy with joy.  

One bad thing is, we're away from all family this year.  This isn't the first time, and it wont be the last.  So for that reason, last night Doug and I were discussing what traditions we want to establish for ourselves.  We made a list of traditions we remember from our families growing up, and now I want to know if YOU, Gentle Reader, have any fun traditions you want to share. 

Something you did growing up, or something you do now.  It can be silly or sentimental or spiritual or whatever.  Help me out.  I need cheering up!

I'd turn this in to a contest if I had any will to mail, but I don't.  I have no will to mail.  So just do it as a favor to me.  If you want to enter a contest, go to Doug's blog.  Maybe I'll contribute a little something to HIS prize package.   And if I don't post again for another week, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

I've had some complaints

that I'm not talking about Japan enough. Well, it's true. I'm not. (buncha whiners.)

And I'll do better. Later.

WHEN I'M NOT DEATHLY ILL AND I ACTUALLY MANAGE TO LEAVE MY HOME LET ALONE THE BASE!!!

Alright, so I'm not actually deathly ill. And I did go to church off-base today...begrudgingly.

But after finishing two different simultaneous courses of antibiotics along with an oral steroid, my tonsils are still as big as grapefruit, and my sore throat has returned along with a snotty nose. Which always leads to tonsillitis. Which always leads to an ear infection. Which always leads to me being Miss Cranky Pants!

So lets just say I'm a little testy at the moment. BUT, being the stoic martyr that I am, I still managed to do this:

(Don't say I never gave you anything.)

Turn the volume up. It's a darn good song.

And stay tuned for more Japan adventures and cultural commentary.

(geez, it's like people don't even come here for my wit and/or cute kids...!)

Sayonara!

Remember How I Made My Bed...

the other day?

Well...last night when all the clean clothes had been dumped on the floor and "Psyche" had been turned on, I did something extremely out of character.  I IRONED!

Part way through my fourth shirt Doug said, "Can you stop ironing and help me fold now?"

I said "This is the third time in eight years I've ironed.  Are you SURE you want to discourage me?"

"NO!  I'm sorry!  You're right!  Keep ironing!!!  Sorry!  SORRY!"

Yeah.   I thought so.

Happy Birthday, Maxwell!

A few days ago Max had his birthday and turned 7.  He got to ditch school, have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, go ice skating, eat at 100 Yen Sushi for lunch, miniature golf with Daddy and Sam, and have Mac and Cheese for dinner.  It was pretty much an awesome day except for one thing:  I haven't had the heart to blog about it because the birthday cake I made him was such a dismal failure.  

Yes, I know his birthday shouldn't be all about me, but it just didn't feel right to do a birthday post in his honor which featured a cake that looked like a pile of bird poo.  It pretty much broke my spirit.  I haven't quite recovered yet.  But he still deserves to be honored so I'm going to tell you what a great kid he is.  Birthday cake not withstanding.  But first, an update:

This week Max was officially diagnosed with ADHD.  Now, for those of you who know him, right now you're thinking "Well DUH!  I could have told you THAT!"  But for some reason, I've always held out a little hope that he wouldn't take after his ADD mother and could just breeze through school like his Daddy.  No such luck.

See, Maxwell has always been an extremely busy boy.  As a baby, he was incapable of cuddling.  He was too busy looking around and smiling his big toothless, slobbery, open-mouthed grin to be bothered with relaxing his head on my shoulder.  At 10 months, he was walking--which immediately led to running and climbing.  Around 16 months, he started climbing out of his crib.  So we got a crib tent.  He learned to open it.  So we would safety-pin it.  And he'd open the safety pin and continue his midnight forays to freedom.  He was the same with all child-proofing measures.  He'd just figure out how to open them and continue on his way.  (Who knew bedroom door locks could be popped open just by twisting the knob really hard?!)

His intelligence and independence have been a bonus in many ways.  For example, when I got pregnant with Sam and was sick in bed every morning, Max--at 2 1/2--would get up and get himself breakfast.  

*First, climb over the baby gate into the kitchen.  *Next, climb up on the counter to get a bowl from cupboard.  *Open child-locked top drawer and get spoon.  *Get out box of cereal and quart of soy milk and pour.  *Eat cereal, dump bowl in sink, turn on cartoons.  *Later: sneak chocolate chips & de-fluff couch cushion.

All while I lay in bed groggily calling "Good job, Max!  I'll be up in a few....zzzzz..."  

As the years have gone by, Max has always had endless energy, and I've always been endlessly exhausted.  But also highly entertained.  And never, EVER bored.

Here are 7 things I love about Maxwell:

*He is diligently learning to play the piano because I told him he has to do that before he can take drum lessons.  (How cool is he for wanting to play the drums!?!)

*He can make Gabey laugh harder than anyone else.  Like, really really belly laugh.

*He still gets up and gets himself, and Sam, breakfast so I can sleep in.  (until 7:30ish.  He usually wakes up at 6:30ish.)  And he gets himself totally ready for school.  (If it weren't for the other two boys, I could sleep in until 10!  ...and I would.)

*He loves to be read to, and is trying hard to learn to read himself.   (His teacher says he has extremely high language and comprehension.) 

*He's good at sports and really good at card games.  (Thanks to Grandma W. giving us Rat-a-Tat-Cat a year or two ago.)

*He's a great photographer.  (Though is interest has waned ever since we actually gave him his own camera.  Evidently it's more appealing when you're using your parents camera without permission.)

*He's very good and finding diapers and wipes and delivering them to me immediately upon hearing me yell "MAYDAY!"

*bonus* He's very handsome and his beautiful blue eyes look a lot like his daddy's.  AND, he loved his birthday cake even though it was ugly.

I sure love my boy and I'm glad we have him in our family.  I can't imagine life without him.

I love you, Maxer!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!  

I (Doug) Need To Clear Up A Few Things Before I Begin:

(Get caught up here!)  

* First off, I'm more like Andre Agassi than the earlier Billy Jean King era of tennis. I never wore short shorts, except on the 8th grade basketball team. And tennis is awesome--as is country music. However, I think the country music animosity is the only reason my brother approved/s of Em. (The ONLY reason? That's the ONLY reason he let me into the family? Thanks a LOT Dave!!!)

* I wanted to defend Em's honor at the film shoot because just the night before in General Conference President Hinckley had lectured the world on respecting womanhood. And I didn't equate Playboy models as being an honorable tribute to women. I'm over it though. You're forgiven Matt.

For me this story is all about Tuesday's. It was a Tuesday when I felt strongly that I needed to break up with my then girlfriend. (Yes it was sudden.  Yes I may have been a jerk, but I felt compelled to do it and do it RIGHT THEN!) 

It was the following Tuesday when I decided to take a break after my O-Chem test and go climb at The Rock Garden.

(Did you get that people? We met a WEEK after he broke up with his girlfriend. Of course, he didn't tell me that so I was still feeling guilty I'd broken off an engagement so recently. HA!)

I can only recall one other time when I had even tried to get a girl's number, whom I didn't know. It was definitely not my style to hit-on girls in public. Yet I found myself sitting next to her on a bench watching others climb and talking to her, asking her where she was from, if she had been climbing long, etc. 

As I was leaving the Rock Garden I decided to go ask her for her number. I went over to where she was getting her shoes on and struck up another conversation so I could tell her I was going climbing on Friday with some friends and ask would she like to come. 

And I think the next Tuesday was a temple dedication that we attended together at the Marriott Center or something of the like.   (I'm pretty sure we did this separately but talked about it on the phone later.) (Yes, you may be right on that one, so that Tuesday must have been the one that there was a letter on my door from my ex-girlfriend...but that's another story.=))

After coming home from the Rock Garden the night I met Emily, I immediately went to find one of my climbing buddies. First, I found Jason who said he was otherwise engaged.  (Probably doing something lame with his girlfriend/fiancee.)   (You know he's totally kidding, right Christina?  Don't worry.  I tell him all the time that he's NOT FUNNY.)   So I got a hold of Mike, who I believe had sworn off all women after a BAD experience which involved buying a ring and losing possession of it and seeing it on the For Sale board in the WILK. (Now I would love to see that blog post Mike/Lindsey!) 

He agreed to go climbing with me on Friday. (But probably not before making some sort of snide comment.) The next day I looked at my phone list and called Emily. Unfortunately, I called the wrong Emily. After recovering and chatting with the other Emily for a while I hung up and called my new Emily. Emily's account seems to follow pretty accurately.

The next big event begins the following week when I called her up on Tuesday to ask her to do something. When she answered she said, "I was calling to see if you wanted to go camping this weekend?"

I need to interject here and tell my side of this story so I don't sound like a total hussy. That week, Anna and Travis were planning an over-night climbing trip. Anna told me to come along and invite Bryant. I said, flippantly, "Neh...If I invited anyone it would be Doug..." The thing was, I had no intention of doing any such thing. I was raised in a household full of very strict rules concerning girl/boy relations. Most of the rules were categorically ignored by me. 

Except the one that said "Girls don't call boys!" 

I tended to follow that rule very strictly with boys I liked. (Male friends and actual boyfriends, no big whoop. Suitors, no.) Not only did I not CALL them, but I definitely didn't call them up and invite them on over-nighters after only knowing them for A WEEK!

But Anna decided that that was indeed what I should do. After approximately two hours of arguing, I conceded defeat to her superior debating skills and intellect, and sheepishly and nervously went to my room to call Doug for the first time. To not only ASK HIM OUT, but ASK HIM TO JOIN ME ON A CAMPING TRIP.  I was thrilled when I got the answering machine. I left a quick message and hung-up hoping I hadn't just branded a scarlet A onto my forehead.

I was thinking, "I thought I was the one who called. Hmmm."

Then I said yes. I was excited to have such a huge invitation so quickly. I asked my brother if he thought I should go and he gave his blessing.  I, however, distinctly remember not asking my mom for advice on the unchaperoned camping trip with a girl I had just met and she had not met. =) Later that day I checked the answering machine for messages and found one from her. I thought "Ohhhh, now she doesn't sound so crazy." That next weekend we went down to Maple Canyon (located South West of Fountain Green Utah) with her roommate Anna and Anna's boyfriend Travis and I think Anna's cousin or something. (Yes. Cousin Reggie.) It was a very NICE date.

You can't beat new love, outdoors, campfire, darkness, a fire, and s'mores! We camped there overnight and went climbing the next morning. (Don't worry children reading this in the future: I didn't sleep in the tent with her. Reggie and I slept under the stars.) (Oh, and Tevas melt when they get too close to a fire, FYI!)

I remember she wore a white tank top and thinking she was so beautiful (Still is). She made a good tuna fish sandwich, which I had never before liked. She only dropped me about 8 feet while I was climbing. I remember thinking she was so awesome and fun to be with. We were always in good conversation together. Despite her Country shortfall, we had similar tastes in music. Right from the beginning it felt like we were great friends not awkward new dates. When we took that picture of us on the rocks on that trip I remember thinking it would have been a good spot to take an engagement picture. So even early on it must have already crossed my mind.

The last detail of this trip that I can find in my memory is when we were on the way to pick up the afore mentioned Reggie. She had some sort of note sticking out of her back pocket.  I found out she did not want me to see it. Naturally it became my only desire to see the note. It was a vicious struggle that unfortunately I lost after about an hour of driving and two or three venues. It turns out it was an e-mail she had printed out that day where she told her guy-friend Jayson that I was "the one".

So there is my account. I'll contract out one more post. It will be about the most controversial memory: the first time we held hands. Yes it is an innocent gesture, yet it symbolizes oh so much. Anyone can hug and most people can even kiss, but the first time you hold hands it tells the other person that you have much affection for them. And it is probably the only point upon which Emily is completely wrong (regarding our courtship that is. She has been completely wrong a couple/many times).

*Also, if anyone is faulting us for getting engaged/married so quickly you need to realize that if took all of our dates, hang out times, activities together, road trips, etc. and put them to once a week, then we dated about 1 year at least. That's how well we got to know each other. Yes, I too made fun of people like us who married quickly, yet we've been married over 8 years and still have never had a fight. Well, maybe I do lie just a little.

Well everyone, I hope you're happy.  You now have at least part of Doug's version.  And he's agreed to do at least one more installment.  In other news, I just found some old e-mail's, written to my family, about Doug, when we were dating.  So my job is getting easier by the minute.  

Until next time...

Just So You Know...

Since it's a rare occurrence, and no one will see it or appreciate it, I just want you all to know that...

I made my bed today.

Throw pillows and all.

Sometimes I just need to toot my own horn.

Sincerely,

Emily

And the WINNERS are...

#12.

#9.


#4. Number 12 and Number 9 tied for first place in the Reader's Choice  catagory.  

Number 4 was picked from my hand by Sammy boy who at first refused to cooperate, but was then bribed into compliance since he and Gabe are the only other two people in the house and I obviously couldn't be trusted to draw one from my own hand!

WHEW!  This has been quite the contest!  

Congratulations to the winners!  Ladies, please send me your first name and e-mail address to my e-mail address (emilydeon(at)gmail(dot)com) and I'll get the info to the proper place!  (I'm sending your info at the same time, Marni.)

Then go praise me on your blog and tell all your friends they should be reading my blog because I'm awesome.

If you didn't win, JUST BUY THE DANG BOOK!!!  It's only $30 with the coupon code GRATUIT and it's worth it!  Just look at those cute covers!!!!  (And let me reiterate, the INSIDE of the book is awesome too.  You'll love it.)   Plus, you're helping the economy.  It's pretty much a win/win, people!

And then you should go to your blog and praise me too, because I really did want you to win, also.  I really did!

Thanks for playing everyone!  It's been fun!

I have one more give-away coming up before Christmas, (courtesy of my Dad: Dale-Bud) so stay tuned!

NABLOPOMO is ALMOST OVER! & Here's your chance to PICK A WINNER!!!

This is my last lame entry!  SOOOO to celebrate, I will be giving away the LAST THREE "AMERICA AT HOME" BOOKS!!!!

If you haven't entered, you have one last chance.  If you don't want to enter, maybe you want to help PICK A WINNER!  (Get your finger out of your nose.  Gross.)

Go to Gratuitous Reviews now and vote for your favorite of 12 Custom Covers!!!

:)

P.S.  Doug says he's finished his (probably highly inaccurate) version of our Dating History but wants me to review and edit it--(as if I WOULDN'T)--so it'll probably be here tomorrow.  

I'd work on it tonight, but after the events of last night, my bum is too sore.  

So I'm goin' to bed.

Now GO VOTE!

Don't worry...

the gratuitous blogging will end in two days and be replaced with intermittent blogging that is actually inspired by more than just stubborn adherence to a pointless goal.  In the mean time, here's a run-down of some my extremely disturbing hygiene habits and medical traumas...

*WARNING!  This post includes graphic descriptions of an absolutely disgusting lack of personal hygiene.  Seriously.  If you're a man, don't read this.  If you're a woman, have a garbage can handy.*

Last night when after the kids were tucked in, Doug insisted I get out of bed and come watch a movie with him.  I'm not entirely sure why he wanted my company.  After arriving home from our Thanksgiving Feast around 7 p.m., I fell immediately into bed fully clothed.  With every subsequent trip to the bathroom, (there were MANY) I watched in total apathy as my appearance deteriorated from bad to worse; my previously styled hair getting ever bigger and rattier and my applied-specially-for-the-holiday mascara creeping farther down under my eyes.  I'm pretty congested thanks to allergies, but I'd wager my womanly pheromones were also ripening like a good cheese.

None-the-less, Doug demanded my presence and I was too weak to argue so down I went.  After the movie, (21 with Kevin Spacey.  Pretty entertaining but one or two fast-forwardable s-e-x scenes) I checked my e-mail, stared blankly into space for a bit, and then dragged my stinky, sorry, self back to bed at around midnight.  

And there I stayed.   

Until noon today.  

When I got up for the first time in 12 hours to go to the bathroom, let's just say my visage hadn't improved any from the night before.  The mascara that had started on my eye-lashes had reached my chin.  The grease in my hair had weighed it down a bit, so it wasn't astronomically high, but it's rattiness had only increased.  

And then there was my mouth.  I vaguely remember Doug bringing me cereal at some point this morning along with the Advil I requested (to dull the throb of my left eardrum.)  Well, I'm pretty sure there was an entire bite of Honey Bunches of Oats glued to the roof of my mouth indicating that I fell asleep mid-bite and couldn't be bothered to swallow.

Fortunately, my stomach had stopped acting like an active volcano and was no longer somersaulting tumultuously.  This allowed me to stumble, on weak legs, into the shower/power washer*.  Allowing me to leave the land of the dead and rejoin the land of the living.  

The day has been improving steadily since then.

----

later

Good thing I didn't push publish because my day just took a rapid turn for the worse...

It's now 10 p.m.

After tucking the boys in tonight, I decided I'd procrastinated long enough.  My sore throat and ear infection haven't cleared up on their own and I didn't want another night of crappy sleep.  So I went across the street to urgent care.

Where I was clucked over and and finally given...

TWO SHOTS IN THE BUTT!!!

Yes, that's right.

I have an abscess in my left tonsil, an ear infection in my left ear, and strict orders to come back on Monday morning to see an ENT.  Oh, and I need to get my tonsils out a.s.a.p.

Why aren't any of  you Med School friends doing ENT???  WHY????  I NEED YOU!

 Gotta go now.  Doug made Hot Chocolate to console me.  

Maybe this day isn't going to end badly after all...

See you tomorrow!

*We have so much water pressure that after my first shower here I felt like a battered woman.  Emily tested-Kramer approved.

Bah Humbug

Still sick. (see yesterday's post or Doug's most recent post.)

Will NaBloPoMo ever end???

Gobble gobble goo and Gobble gobble gickel...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

On thanksgiving in my family and in Doug's family before dinner begins, we go around the table and all say one thing for which we are thankful. We didn't get to do that this year so I'm going to go ahead and take the liberty here.

I am Thankful for:

My Family.

Now, since this is my blog, and because I can, I'm going to add a few more...(ADDED FRIDAY!) In no particular order...
*I'm really thankful for my printer/scanner. I was pondering it the other day and just had to stop for a minute and praise it's goodness. I mean, how cool is it that I can find a Thanksgiving nameplate template on Martha and immediately print it out in color? It's WAY cool! Even if I never made the nameplates...
*I'm also thankful for my relative good health. I've spent the last 24 hours either in bed, or on or near the toilet. Just so you know, I'm dying of dysentery with a throbbing ear infection thrown in for fun. And I've been whining like a nap-deprived two-year-old all day as a result. But in the back of my head I keep thinking..."at least it's not always this bad. At least I'm not ALWAYS sick..." And I am truly grateful for that.
*I'm thankful for having a good book to read today. I love reading. I love love love reading a really good book. Being allowed to stay in bed all day reading ALMOST makes up for the fact that I'm dying a slow, painful death.
*And finally, I'm thankful for T.V.! Because now that I've finished "Goose Girl" (started this morning) I'm going to find an old episode of Scrubs on "watchtvsitcoms(dot)com" to cheer me up and keep me busy while awaiting the return of my family from HSM3. And really, what more could a girl ask for?!?

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. What are YOU thankful for???

*BTW Doug has agreed to do the next installment of How I Met My Husband. It should be ready in the next two days, he's a bit slower than me. Which is sad 'cause I'm pretty slow.