Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for landscaping. The planning, buying, planting and mulching of my new landscaping has been a year in the works and it's finally done. Well, in the front at least. It looks really nice and I can't wait for the Spring to get the sides and the back going! Then I'll be thankful for that too.

I am thankful for Gorilla Glue. Have you guys tried this stuff? AMAZING.

I am thankful for The Magic Eraser. Another amazing invention. It cleans up almost anything with no effort.

I am thankful for online shopping. This is a landmark year of total online Christmas shopping and it's such a relief! I don't love shopping to begin with, but shopping during the holidays fills me with dread and dark thoughts. This year will be a happy jollier time filled with magical memories and free shipping! Hooray!

These Boots Were Made for Walkin'

Here comes winter, and at our house that means Renee pulls out the big guns. There are a few items in my wardrobe that are so dear to my heart I wear them almost daily. Are they attractive?... no, they're not, but oh so practical.

Number 1: wellies- I bought my wellies about 4 years ago via JCrew catalogue and have loved them ever since. I even made little bootie inserts with gellins so they can be worn for hours and I do. Sometimes I even wear them to church because you know what, it gets cold here on Sunday too.

Number 2: long puffer coat- This is another very unattractive item of clothing that I can't live without. I look like a fat chimney sweep in it, especially with the above mentioned wellies, but it's AMAZING!!! I might even buy another one and make a pair of pants out of it.

Number 3: scarf, any scarf: There's a trick to wearing scarves that is guaranteed to keep a girl warm and sassy. Fold in half the long way, then fold the short way. Wrap around your neck and pull the raw ends through the loop. Then fluff. FABULOUS. Unlike the previous 2, this is very cute.

So, what are your indispensable wardrobe items, good or bad?

Sign of the Times

I just got this email from the "Family Leader" and I'm appalled and saddened. To all my LDS friends, especially out west, be watchful, careful, but don't give up.

Prop 8 Protesters Target the LDS Los Angeles Temple

The LDS Temple in Los Angeles was under siege yesterday by 2,000 protesters angry over the Church's role in passing Proposition 8, forcing the temporary closure of the temple. According to reports, a gay activist called the temple saying they would be protesting outside the temple permanently until there is gay marriage.
Signs were hung from the fence around the temple and protesters screamed in anger, snarled afternoon rush-hour traffic and said, "This isn't going to stop us...If we do this we have a chance." "We're going to fight it until the world changes," protesters claimed.
"Shame on you," chanted the protesters. Outside the temple, grafitti was scrawled on the walls and signs hung, "Go back to Utah," and "Go to hell Mormons." Their signs said, "No on H8."
Protesters promised to go after the Church's tax-exempt status and harass Mormons who had donated to the cause, listed on a website Mormonsfor8.com. The promise was to make the Mormons pay for their role in the passage of Prop 8.
One LDS member in the area said, "I don't quite understand our police response (even though I'm one of the police). If this was happening at a Jewish synagogue or a Catholic church, we would be arresting people for hate crimes. As it is at the moment, protestors are sitting on the walls of the temple and the police are on the grounds inside. Church members in our area were called last night to come down to the stake center and spend the night protecting the building from vandalism -- it's like 150 years ago."
To see a news report on these events click here.
This was the politics of intimidation and harassment, targeting the LDS church, though many other churches had helped in the effort-and a sample of how the homosexual agenda has spread across the nation. It was like San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsome, said when he illegally started marrying couples in the city before that America was going to have this whether you like it or not.
It will not be about people being able to vote their conscience, or calmly assess the issues and consequences, but about threats and vilification.
Other churches who participated in the effort have not been similarly targeted.
The LDS Church is, of course, in no danger of losing its tax-exempt status. The only donation made to the campaign according to records was $2,078.97, an expense which covered the travel of church leaders who went to California to meet with the coalition. The Church insists that by law it has the right to speak out on moral issues.

Spooky

Halloween was fun, but hectic like every year. Little Sophie was a Korean princess, Grace was a witch, Spencer was a mummy and Oliver was a teenager with better things to do. Good times!

Just Curious

My sister told me about a website devoted to celebrity plastic surgeries gone wrong. It was awful/ fun. Lots of awful/fun pictures of expensive mishaps. It got me to wondering...

What "plastic" procedure would you have done, or would you? Be honest.

For me it would have to be a combo tummy tuck, breast enhancement. No question.

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls....

Tennessee is a beautiful state! We recently took the kids on a hike and saw a lovely waterfall... ahem, THEY saw a lovely waterfall. I made it to the smaller (shown above), but couldn't stomach the climb down the steep cliff to the bigger waterfall. Oh well.

Grace's Birthday and Baptism

Scott and Grace. What a great dad!!!

Grace, Sophia and cousin Betty.

The kids and the Miller cousins in front of the Nashville temple. What a beautiful day!

My parents with Grace.... so proud!

Grace had a wonderful ice skating party and a week later was baptized! She's such a sweet young lady and we are so very proud of her!!!

Karaoke Song of the Week

I know I've mentioned this song before, but it's one of my all time favorites and this is the best rendition ever!!! I love Debbie Harry (met her 7 years ago and she was awesome)!

You don't really need lyrics, right?

You like me, you really like me!!!

*Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself
* Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them
* Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog* Let the tagger know when your entry posted.

1. I'm 10 degrees colder than everyone else. Seriously, this is true. I think it's because I have low blood pressure which is another unspectacular quirk. I've had several nurses freak out a bit and recheck over and over. Wow, I'm really interesting, huh.

2. Like most good Mormon girls, I am cheaper than the cheapest cheap. I've even carted my own junk to a flea market and straight up bartered on the spot. People have a harder time saying no when you're right in their face, huh Scott?

3. I used to figure skate. Years ago I wanted to be Dorothy Hamill. I even got my haircut like her, and btw, it was way past in style. I had dreams of going to the Olympics and having a "Rudy" moment but then I realized, hey, I'm not that good. Also, I had no friends because I was at the freaking ice rink all the time.

4. I snort when I laugh, big time.

5. I've been compared to Valerie Bertinelli more times than I'd like. I don't think I look or act anything like her, but apparently there is a similarity because this has come up way too much over the years and I always say the same thing, "Hey, I didn't know Valerie Bertinelli was Korean."

6. I have so much road rage. I think I've blogged about this already, but it's worth mentioning again. I've done some crazy crap on the road because of this issue and I am ashamed. Once, when we were in Chicago, I almost got Scott into a fight with this huge scary biker guy and I wasn't even the one driving!!! Another time I followed a jerk doing hand signals like crazy. "I (pointing at myself) am going to call (hand to ear cupped like a telephone) the police (finger in the air going round and round). Remember Candice? A couple of months ago, I was so bold to actually pull up next to these two idiots and and scream it out. These are never my brightest moments, but I've gotten much better.

7. I love Martha.

I tag whoever wants to play and hasn't already.

The Snuggie

I saw this on tv earlier tonight and busted out laughing.... especially at the 1:03 minute football game scene.

I know what I'm getting Scott for Christmas. Shhhhh

89 year old lady arrested for keeping a kid's ball

BLUE ASH, Ohio – Police in Ohio say an 89-year-old woman is facing a charge of petty theft because neighborhood children accuse her of refusing to give back their football.
Edna Jester was arrested last week in the Cincinnati suburb of Blue Ash.
Police say one child's father complained that Jester kept the youngsters' ball after it landed in her yard. Police Capt. James Schaffer says there has been an ongoing dispute in the neighborhood over kids' balls landing in the woman's yard.
Jester said Monday she has received many calls and didn't have time to discuss the matter any more.
Jester is to appear in court next month. The maximum penalty for a petty theft conviction in Ohio is six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

KARAOKE song of the week

This goes out to my lovely friend Chelsea in honor of her 80's theme. I'm so sorry we can't make it, but here's a little shout out from one of the big time 80's queens, Ms Sheena Easton!

I wake up every morning
I stumble out of bed
Stretching and yawning
another day ahead
It seems to last forever
and time goes slowly by
Till babe and me's together
then it starts to fly
'Cause the moment that he's with me
time can take a flight
The moment that he's with me
everything's alright
Night time is the right time
we make love
Then it's his and my time
we take off

My baby takes the morning train
he works from nine till five and then
He takes another home again
to find me waiting for him (repeat)

He takes me to a movie
or to a restaurant, to go
Slow dancing anything I want
Only when he's with me
I catch light
Only when he gives me
makes me feel alright

My baby takes the morning train
he works from nine till five and then
He takes another home again
to find me waiting for him

All day I think of him
dreamin' of him constantly
I'm crazy mad for him
and he's crazy mad for me
When he steps off that train
I'm makin' a fool, a fight
Work all day to earn his pay
so we can play all night

My baby takes the morning train
he works from nine till five and then
He takes another home again
to find me waiting for him

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Mums. They're pretty, that's it.

I am thankful for "Word to Your Mother"'s Mindi. She has a most entertaining blog and just recently added the post, "Confession Booth pt II". If you have time for over 100 random confessions and need some big time laughs, a few shockers, and can endure a couple of "eewwws" and "what the hecks" (yes, I'm judging so step off), you have to check it out: http://wordtoyourmother-mindi.blogspot.com/2008/10/confession-booth-part-dos.html

Mindi's blog is always fun fun fun.

I am thankful for my new house. We've been in Tennessee for almost a year and a half now and it really feels like home. It's big and comfortable and I feel beyond blessed for the opportunity to be here. Our community rocks and our ward is so awesome, I can't even tell you all the ways! So, there you go, it's a wonderful life! I know too that all blessings are from our Heavenly Father, and things will come and go. So forever, I will be grateful for this lovely time in our lives and pray that I can feel inspired to do the things I need to do.

I'm Bringing Sexy Back

I've always wondered what life was like back in the day. Thanks to my lovely friend Chemenn, I can now at least see what I would've looked like.... pretty awesome. (BTW, that's what I wanted my hair to look like in the 80's, but no dice. I always ended up looking a little too ethnic after each one of my unfortunate perms.)

So c'mon, you guys have to try it, and post your vintage photos as well! http://www.yearbookyourself.com/

ps. Scott is a lucky man.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for window shades! I finally, after a year of being in this house, installed some lovely window shades. I found them on a website called http://www.theshadestore.com/ and fell in love with the selection. Check it out!

I am thankful for PERO. I recently found out through Alice, aka Funny Mom, that the delicious coffee substitute, Postum, has been discontinued. After confirming this info and working through the various stages of depression (shock, denial, anger, etc..), I was open minded enough to try another substitute. PERO is product of Switzerland that is made from malted barley, barley and chicory. It's great, but FYI, you have to use double the amount recommended per cup. Also, it's better with full fat cream rather than milk.

Finally, I am grateful for our new chapel!!!! Our bishop announced our new chapel will be built right here in town. This means a 5 minute drive rather than a 25 minute drive. With 3 kids in weekly church activities, and one getting dragged along, this is definitely reason to raise the roof!!! You know, if you're hopelessly out of touch like me.

KARAOKE song of the week!

A new feature! I'm going to start posting a great karaoke song once a week. Sing it, really loud, and I promise you'll feel awesome!!!!

I love the karaoke.

For You

I normally gag at anything heartwarming, sweet, and/or Maya Angelou, but I think funny is a cure all! I'm always good once I have a good laugh, and believe me, growing up, we laughed A LOT, and most inappropriately. Maybe I'm out of touch with my emotions, but I just happen to know someone who really needs a good laugh. This is my way of saying hello and hang in there!!!

“If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at the enemy, throw one of those small pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think how stupid war is, and while they are thinking, you can throw a real grenade at them.”

“It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man."

“If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."

The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why I didn't get more meat, I'll just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where I've hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?”

I can't stand cheap people. It makes me real mad when someone says something like, "Hey, when are you going to pay me that $100 you owe me?" or "Do you have that $50 you borrowed?" Man, quit being so cheap.

Thank you Jack Handy.

WWMD, What Would Martha do????

You all know my love for everything Martha, right? I've even started shopping at Walmart (gasp!) since I saw her lovely craft paraphernalia in the sewing section. You've heard about my Martha mag collection and how, her shows, new and vintage, can calm my nerves. Have you heard about all my recent paint choices? That's right, all Martha. She inspires me to continuously seek for ways to improve myself and be a problem solver!

For example, I have a built in desk in my middle hall that doesn't have a top. It just goes straight from the drawer, up and over. So, while casually looking through my Martha mag collection, I found the PERFECT SOLUTION! On page 80 of the October 2001 issue, she featured a "cork-top-table". She cut a piece of cork to size and, after lining it up precisely of course, attached it using contact cement and a roller. Then she tacked on thin pieces of molding around all four sides, carefully painted them to match, and VOILA a thing of beauty!

I am so doing it.

My favorite, by the way, is the September 1999 special decorating issue in which she featured her lovely home in Connecticut, Turkey Hill. I love that house, and was sad when she sold it, but totally understand now. + Her new farm is lovely! All of her renovations are beautiful and still very practical and functional. Did you notice I said "and" instead of "yet" or "but"? Beauty, practicality and functionality are not mutually exclusive.

So c'mon ladies, this is it... this is my in! Martha Stewart is running a blog contest of sorts. FYI, I took a look at the competition earlier and they've got nothing on me. What, so they're professionals and actually have marketable skills... who cares? I think a true Martha fan should be featured. Why?, I'm so glad you asked...

...Martha has made it possible for me to not only stay sane with four children, but actually enjoy being a home maker. This is a title I am not ashamed of and continue to find interesting everyday because of my friend Martha. Since I've been a married adult, I've tried to find ways to make a lovely place here at home for my family on a budget, by doing it myself. I know Martha hires a lot of her projects out these days, but HELLO, she's got stuff to do. I, on the other hand, benefit from her sacrifice by putting the brilliance to work through my decorating, sewing, cooking and crafting... not really crafting. I can't lie, I'm not a huge crafter, but I love Scrabble! I love it, ask my sister, Candice.

I'm entering the contest anyway. I'm doing it, I'm going to put a link to my blog on her blog. So, please leave a comment because I want her/ her staff (hey, Laura) to think I'm popular, tricky and cool. Maybe you could reference a wonderful post I've written with a witty Martha story or two.

Now I'm off to sew and whip up 2 delicious quiches. So what if it's almost midnight, I've got a brunch planned tomorrow and times a'wasting.

Memory Game

This was copied from Erika's blog, who copied it from Christian's blog. Play along, it's fun:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! (Even from last Sunday.)

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Guilty Pleasures

I had a fantastic lunch today with a good friend at Miss Saigon's in Franklin. (If you haven't been there, you're missing out. This is a family owned, authentic Vietnamese restaurant that is absolutely fabulous.)

Anyway, my friend and I were talking and somehow got on the subject of guilty pleasures. We all have them and I love, love, love talking about them because I feel much more comfortable with someone when I find out they watch "Intervention" late at night or listen to "Milli Vanilli" when no one's around. These are the things that go beyond the on the surface perception people have of each other, into the real nitty gritty. Oh yeah, girl you know it's true. I'll start because I have no shame.

Movie- SAVE THE LAST DANCE: After the death of her mother, Sara is forced to move from a Chicago suburb, to her father's ghetto apartment on Chicago's gritty south side. The new urban environment, adds to Sara's feelings of loss and frustration, and her misplaced guilt. But when she meets Derek, a popular African American student with a passion for hip hop dancing and a future brighter than his troubled past, her repressed ambition is released through a revitalized interest in dance. Awesome!

TV Show- LITTLE PEOPLE BIG WORLD: The show follows the daily lives of the Roloff family engaging in everyday activities. The drama of the show arises from the fact that many of these activities are made more challenging due to the height of the dwarfs in the family — Matt and Amy are 4'1" (124 cm), Zach is 4'4" (132 cm). Plus, they have the coolest gadgets.

Clothing- CHRISTMAS SWEATERS and STRETCH PANTS: Sometimes, in our hoity-toity haste to malign a tradition that is seen as perfectly normal in just about every part of the country west of the Hudson River, we forget the true meaning of Christmas — and, while we’re at it, the true meaning of Christmas sweaters. Especially the one's with the 3-D fronts.

Music- HALL and OATES: Hall & Oates is a pop music duo made up of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul".

PS. They're awesome. My personal favorite is "I can't go for that (No Can Do)"

Food- CHEF BOYARDEE RAVIOLI: They're meat-ee, chees-ee, sauc-ee... TASTEE! Even Mom & Dad love 'em for you because they have no preservatives. (I eat them really fast and furiously)

Restaurant- THE OLIVE GARDEN: I am a food snob who typically hates chains. But my love for the Olive Garden is so big. I even begged them via email to open a restaurant here about six months ago and guess what, they are!!! You're welcome.

Store- WALMART: Don't tell anyone... it's love hate, LOVE HATE!!! I hate it so much and I hate myself for loving it.

Celebrity Crush- I love you Seth Meyers.... and Jim O'Connor of Food Network fame.

Book- THE THORN BIRDS: Don't lie, you all know you love it too!

Everyone on my list is tagged.... especially Alice.