A Great Old Song

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hKUBTX9kKEo

This is going out to Scott Fitzgerald. What up?

My poor husband is on his way to Memphis right now. I just got off the phone with him and he told me he's got the stomach flu. He's managed to keep the puke down so far, but he's not made it to the hotel room yet. Maybe this video will lift his spirits once he's better.

I love you, honey! Nothing like some "Baba O'Riley" to re energize you.

Take the Last Train to Clarksville

Here are some pictures from my visit home. Crazy kids!

Angelina Ballerina

We went to Gracie's open house at ballet today. I never thought I'd one of those moms who gets teary at a beginning ballet recital, but I am. Grace was so good!! She really was the best one! When they started playing "Silent Night" and the girls did their little routine, holy cow, it was all I could do to hold back the tears... and you know, it's funny, when did I become Nell Carter? I kept wanting to scream out, "That's MY baby!" or raise the roof. I did manage to control myself, much to the relief of my children!

Music to Cook by

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wzpynvxr7tA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rQRpFXo3wjM&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SmILdajWh3c&feature=related

Morrissey,Martha and Mormonism! The 3 M's, now that's a trinity.... I'm just kidding, gees. How about M for "Messiest Kitchen Ever!". Don't judge me.

I've been working like mad to get ready for the holidays. This year I'm a bit of a Scrooge. I think it all happened so fast. I normally prep by listening to Christmas music starting in June or July. We were so busy this year with moving and I've been totally preoccupied with trying to get my kids settled in school, sports and social stuff. They've had a harder time settling in at home because I've been indecisive about getting things unpacked and out. So, I'm frantic! Throw a tree up and call it a day. Bah Humbug!!!!!!

There's nothing like baking to the sweet sounds of Morrissey. So soothing! This year I have a long list of sweets. Chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter chip, sugar, spice cookie with butter frosting, pear cake, oatmeal cake, Russian tea cakes, pecan squares and brittle. Baking is good for the nerves and my kids love it too! I'll start dieting tomorrow.

OK, so has anyone gone to "My Space"? It's so weird and sad. An old friend contacted me the other day and told me about some mutual friends with 'my space' accounts. They used to be normal people and now they're not. Suddenly every one's Deepak Chopra with nose ring, tattoo's and very "open minds". I guess you really can't go home again, but I miss my old friends.

I admit it, I don't have deep thoughts. None. I'm lucky if I have a shallow thought once in a while. I haven't had a good night's sleep in 13 years! I love my family and I want to be a good person, that's all. I'm so incredibly grateful for the Gospel in my life and for the positive influences that keep me on the straight and narrow, especially good friends who are constantly trying to do better. Heavenly Father knows what we need even if it's not what we think or expect. Thank goodness, right?

Manipulation

While trying to convince my Dad to give her a ride to my house, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes away, Candice laid on a guilt trip and the conversation took a ridiculous turn.

Dad- "That's 40 minutes out of my way."

Candice-"C'mon, I thought kindess was what our family was about!"

Me- "Really?"

Candice- "Nah."

MY POOR DAD is giving her the ride. He's a good Dad.

Agoraphobia "fear of the marketplace"

I've been stuck in the house for almost 3 weeks now. The first week Sophia was sick, then Grace was throwing up the next + I hurt my hand (see Boulevard of Broken Thumbs) and this week Sophia's been throwing up. No time for Christmas shopping, but way too much time for this blog! The only break was going to see my family last weekend where I was accused of having agoraphobia, "fear of the marketplace" and then a "blog obsession". It is my only friend these days! Scott hates to read it and hates to hear about it even more. He 's so particular.

So, agoraphobia literally means fear of the marketplace. Basically, it's a fear of being outside in crowds. I don't have this. There's nothing wrong with not wanting to leave the house and be cold. Who enjoys the cold? No one, so if I don't have to go out, I'm not going! This leads to spending a lot of time at home, and I admit,over the past couple of weeks, I've spent more than a normal amount of time on the computer. I should have been painting furniture or doing my RS lesson, but I'm not perfect, OK? So what if I checked my friends blogs everyday and know more about their kids than my own? So what if I learned the words to "Time to Say Goodbye" in Italian? Culture, hello! And so what if I know the entire life stories of Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. He's blind you know!

It's always bad to throw yourself into a social situation right after a long period of isolation. You'll always end up doing or saying something weird, like laughing too much or being emotional and sharing inappropriate personal information. Unfortunately, I've got a cookie party tonight and I can't back out. This is not good. Candice you'll definitely be getting a phone call later. On the bright side, I might have some good material for my next post! So, bring it on.

Paul Potts

If you havn't seen this, it's worth the 2min watch. My brother-in-law, Dub told me about this contestant, Paul Potts, from this British show called "Britains Got Talent". He's a mobile car phone salesman who was always bullied and lacks self confidence. Then he comes on the show to audition, and this is what happens! It's pretty fantastic, so you might want to pull out the tissues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOytYLlhiQ&feature=related

Playing Picture Catch Up

I finally figured out how to post pictures, and oh boy. I added pictures throughout my blog so please take the time to look and enjoy! It's one of the only things I can do without the use of my crippled left hand.

Here are some photos from this summer at the beach and a few with my family over the summer at home. We love seeing Scott's sister Kelly and her family at Lake Michigan. That's her two kids, Becky and Christopher silouetted with Oliver and Spencer. Then my Dad and Candice with her Son Van entertaining us with Hillbilly teeth. Then Candice's daughter Betty and my Grace. Lake Michigan is WONDERFUL, let me know if you want info! My Mother-in-Law, Betty is an excellent travel agent!

Martha's Mag

If you don't currently subscribe, you should really check out MSL. (Martha Stewart Living). It's full of great ideas for the whole year and is not expensive, especially if you take advantage of her holiday sales. It's a good thing for yourself and/or someone really special. Just click on my link bottom right, or go to http://www.marthastewart.com/. There is so much to learn! She also has other specialty magazines and products in numerous stores. KMart, Lowes, Macy's, Michaels, etc. All the information is available at her website.

Boulevard of Broken Thumbs

I broke my thumb, or something like that. It's been swollen for two days and I can't really move it. So, I went to Urgent Care and now I have to see an Orthopedist. It hurts like the dickens and I feel somewhat like a cripple. Did I mention Grace has had the stomach flu on top of this?

So, I tried to clean house today and felt all brave. Soon there will be inspirational videos and movies made about how courageous I am. "Look how brave she is! She can fix her daughters hair with one hand and her teeth." My biography will be called, "Boulevard of Broken Thumbs" and I'll be on the cover with a brave but pained smile. Hey, maybe I'll be able to meet Martha or better yet, be on her show! I know we'll be BFF someday. So anyway, I have to wear a splint and a sling.

My posts will be short for a while, because I have to conserve energy. It's hard to type with your toes.

Good Times

I love my kids. They give me gray hair, but I just love them. There are some days, like Wed, when I call Scott crying saying I'll be back in 5 years "I promise" and then there's days like today.

Sophia made a beaded necklace in Nursery today without any help from anyone. Those chubby little 3 year old fingers individually beaded like 30 little beads. Then when she saw her big sister Grace, she gave it to her just because. -Later, when Sophia flooded the upstairs bathroom sink with toilet paper, my boys Oliver and Spencer cleverly used a scoop strainer to clean it out without making a huge mess and then cleaned up whatever mess was there.- To top it off, in church today, Grace who's 7 got up and bore her testimony totally unsolicited and without any help.

I was complaining the other day because there aren't any awards or any kind of instant gratification when you're a Mom, but a day like today it doesn't matter. Nothing can compare to the feeling you get when you see your child doing the right things because they want to and not because they have to.

A lot of people argue that staying at home doesn't make a huge difference in the way children turn out. There are a lot of really awsome productive people who had two working parents. I have to be honest, I don't know for a fact that isn't true. But-what a difference it has made in me! I would never trade the time with my little ones, or the lessons they've taught me for anything in the world. I know Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need to learn and answers our prayers. Maybe if we all looked at our trials as opportunities for greater blessings, we'd be more content and optimistic, eh?

Shut up Candice.

Weekend Recap

Happy December 1st. Can you believe it's the Christmas month? Wow, I'm so not ready.

We had a peaceful relaxing weekend with minimal fighting and screaming. How did this happen you ask? Well, I have decided to not make Oliver clean his room anymore. Ever. Scott is going to inspect it once a week or whenever but I will not enter again. The poor kid needs to feel like he's got some control over something in his life, and then maybe he'll feel more motivated to take control of other things. ie homework, chores, you know, typical 13 year old stuff. I admit, I'm too controlling, but honestly, with the best intentions! It's now time to back off and stop being a psycho about crap that doesn't matter!!!!! He is getting a haircut soon though, c'mon.

Fri night was so relaxing. The girls are sleeping in the rec room because I'm getting ready to paint their room and all their furniture, so they had a little slumber party. Spencer went to sleepover and I went to a great party next door at my friend Marie's house. Thanks Marie! (I know she's not going to read this)

We spent the next morning snooping around the various open and unfinished homes in our neighborhood. Does anybody else do this? I highly recommend it. I wish we could go in all the houses,even the ones people live in. Then we went and picked up our Christmas tree. There was a tree farm back in Kentucky we went to every year and it was so much fun! We would take a wagon out, search for our tree, Scott and Oliver would cut it down and then we would all go back to the barn for cider and cookies. Very Norman Rockwell! This year we went to Lowes. SO LAME! But, much cheaper and a lot less cold.

OK, off the subject, I think my friends are very funny people. If you havn't checked out the comments, please do, because what a bunch of comedians. So far, my sister has called me shameful, I've been accused of being a cat hater and have been compared to that irritating Chinese kid from Indiana Jones. Those funny gals! Oh, and my blog has already caused some family drama. I'm a regular celebrity. You know, the kind that has like 3 fans and lots of stretch marks.