I'm so fortunate to have two girls here at home - Chicken Nugget and Noodle. But I also have two FABULOUS girls at work, though their names change weekly.
They're my mannequins.
OK, they're not mine; they belong to the store. But it is my privelage to dress them each week, and might I say, I have done a bang-up job!
And, yes, I change their names each week, just as I change their outfits. Because they get a new look, a new attitude, I believe they should also have new names. They're different girls every week.
No, I'm not crazy.
Sometimes they argue with me. I might want to choose the Levi's purse for one of my girls, when she would like to carry the Guess purse. I don't put up with it. I'm firm, but loving. And in the end, I always win.
The first week I dressed the girls, I chose the name Rebecca and Shondrine. Other names have included Sassy and Nina, Carla Gene and Lou Anne (those girls were for my Rodeo display), and Caroline and Sissy. If you have any name suggestions, let me know. Every week after I dress them, I introdue all the staff to them.
Truly, everyone is in awe of my flair for fashion when it comes to dressing those girls, and for naming them.
This week, my girls are wearing the best of Spring. Reyneesha sports a green and off-white floral baby-doll shirt and faded L.E.I. jeans. Accents include a lovely "Y" necklace, which is gold with gold and shell discs that dangle ever-so-delicately from the chain, as well as a tan canvas Levi's purse. Jean Anne is ready for the garden party as she wears an elegant spring dress, white and floral, which has a sweetheart neckline. The dress ties at the neck. As Jean Anne has lovely shoulders, this feminie dress is just right for her. Her off-white, bead and pearl necklace adds just the right touch without being too showy. She carries a simple off-white Guess purse.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Spring Has Sprung!
Aren't the Azaleas and Wisteria beautiful? They are in our yard right beside the driveway. Chicken Nugget wasn't sure if they were NA-Zaleas, A-Zaleas, or just plain Zaleas. A rose by any other name . . . they sure are nice, aren't they? Wish you were all here in person to see them and experience some of our balmy, 70-78 degree weather. Hint, hint.
Happy Spring, Everyone!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Carrot Juice Contemplation
Hello and here's a weird question -
Does anyone know a recipe that involved carrot juice?
I'm cleaning out my pantry today and I came across a can of carrot juice! A friend of mine visited several months ago and had bought it, but left it here.
I don't want to drink it. I also don't want to throw it away. I'd like to cook with it!
But if not . . . is it good for plants? Good for cleaning anything? Any other suggestions? Let me know if you have any!
Does anyone know a recipe that involved carrot juice?
I'm cleaning out my pantry today and I came across a can of carrot juice! A friend of mine visited several months ago and had bought it, but left it here.
I don't want to drink it. I also don't want to throw it away. I'd like to cook with it!
But if not . . . is it good for plants? Good for cleaning anything? Any other suggestions? Let me know if you have any!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Back on the Wagon
I had started writing a post several weeks ago about how hard it is to lose weight. I wrote about spiritual aspects and psychological aspects, and then scrapped the whole thing. That's because the bottom line is, it's easy to gain weight and hard to lose it.
Until now, the most I weighed was in college, before Eliza was born (I'm not talking about pregnancy weight). I've surpassed that now by a pants size. And the more I hear and read about how weight affects overall health, the more I want to do something about it, so that I can give my family the best of me.
As my friend KS in Iowa says, "I have a relationship with food." And it's true. Food always makes me feel better, and it's always there when I need it. But that's what self-control is all about. And I have self-indulgences in large doses, and self-control in miniscule doses. But I'm working on it.
So I'm getting there, one day at a time. Not because I want to be a size six (I'll never be one - these hips o'mine which have borne three children will see to that!), but I want to be healthy. I want to be able to run and play with my kids without feeling like a slug and having to sit down every three minutes. So I'm eating better and exercising more and really taking things at my own pace. I didn't gain it overnight; I won't lose it overnight. So I'm trying not to beat myself up and trying to stay positive.
And, yes, I'm looking at the spiritual side of things, and not to over-spiritualize things, but for me, this is a spiritual journey as well. If I'm supposed to be doing all things as if for the Lord, and if I'm supposed to be glorifying Him (as the Scriptures say), then that goes even for the way that I eat, right? So I'm trying to make changes not only as far as eating, but in how I treat my family, how I arrange my daily schedule, what I watch on TV, etc. . . . all in exercises of self-control, which is part of the fruit of the spirt.
All of this to say - I have such a long way to go to being what God wants me to be. But I'm so thankful that I'm hearing His voice guide each aspect of my life. Even the Weight Watchers part!!!!
Until now, the most I weighed was in college, before Eliza was born (I'm not talking about pregnancy weight). I've surpassed that now by a pants size. And the more I hear and read about how weight affects overall health, the more I want to do something about it, so that I can give my family the best of me.
As my friend KS in Iowa says, "I have a relationship with food." And it's true. Food always makes me feel better, and it's always there when I need it. But that's what self-control is all about. And I have self-indulgences in large doses, and self-control in miniscule doses. But I'm working on it.
So I'm getting there, one day at a time. Not because I want to be a size six (I'll never be one - these hips o'mine which have borne three children will see to that!), but I want to be healthy. I want to be able to run and play with my kids without feeling like a slug and having to sit down every three minutes. So I'm eating better and exercising more and really taking things at my own pace. I didn't gain it overnight; I won't lose it overnight. So I'm trying not to beat myself up and trying to stay positive.
And, yes, I'm looking at the spiritual side of things, and not to over-spiritualize things, but for me, this is a spiritual journey as well. If I'm supposed to be doing all things as if for the Lord, and if I'm supposed to be glorifying Him (as the Scriptures say), then that goes even for the way that I eat, right? So I'm trying to make changes not only as far as eating, but in how I treat my family, how I arrange my daily schedule, what I watch on TV, etc. . . . all in exercises of self-control, which is part of the fruit of the spirt.
All of this to say - I have such a long way to go to being what God wants me to be. But I'm so thankful that I'm hearing His voice guide each aspect of my life. Even the Weight Watchers part!!!!
Random Acts of Cuteness
That's one tired Banana . . . this is how he ended up falling asleep last night.
Life is hard . . . so sometimes you just gotta slow down, pour yourself a nice big sippy cup of ice cold milk, and kick back in the yard in your camping chair.
Breakfast is yummy! Especially waffles!
Friday, March 23, 2007
We're Almost There Folks . . .
It's been a long and trying process, but Noodle is doing GREAT - - - with potty-training!!!!!
We've gone back and forth on success. When we first started, I was taking her potty every thirty minutes, without fail, and I'd even set a timer. I'd give candy if she went.
Then, one day, there was a breakthrough! She pooped in her pants and BW told her, "Noodle, if you need to go poop, just tell me or mom. Just run in and say, 'I need to go poop!' and we'll put you on the potty and let you poop!"
The next day, it happened! I was so surprised, because I wasn't aware of the conversation between Noodle and her dad, regarding the poop. But she ran in, said, "I need to go poop! I need to go poop!" I sat her on the potty, and she went! Yay for Noodle!
We've had hits and misses since then.
You've probably read about some of them on this blog.
But let me tell you about yesterday - I am ready for this whole shabang to be over and done with - for crying out loud, the kid will be three in May!*
Well, I told her yesterday morning that if she didn't wet or poop her pants ALL DAY, that I would give her a treat. Even knowing that we had tons of errands to run, I said it. Well, let me tell you, errands and all, she didn't wet her pants ALL DAY. She did poop her pants, but at least waited till we got home for that! She was dry after her nap. She even woke up dry this morning!!!! I think we're almost there, folks!!!
*Chicken Nugget was not fully potty-trained until age three. It was frustrating beyond belief. She could go, knew what to do, how and when to do it, but would just look at me and simlpy say, "I don't want to." AAARRGGHHHH!!!!! Thankfully, she potty-trained fully after spending a weekend with a little friend of hers. After seeing her friend go potty all the time, Chicken Nugget would NOT be shown up! It was like magic. Noodle has taken to potty-training much more willingly that CN ever did.
We've gone back and forth on success. When we first started, I was taking her potty every thirty minutes, without fail, and I'd even set a timer. I'd give candy if she went.
Then, one day, there was a breakthrough! She pooped in her pants and BW told her, "Noodle, if you need to go poop, just tell me or mom. Just run in and say, 'I need to go poop!' and we'll put you on the potty and let you poop!"
The next day, it happened! I was so surprised, because I wasn't aware of the conversation between Noodle and her dad, regarding the poop. But she ran in, said, "I need to go poop! I need to go poop!" I sat her on the potty, and she went! Yay for Noodle!
We've had hits and misses since then.
You've probably read about some of them on this blog.
But let me tell you about yesterday - I am ready for this whole shabang to be over and done with - for crying out loud, the kid will be three in May!*
Well, I told her yesterday morning that if she didn't wet or poop her pants ALL DAY, that I would give her a treat. Even knowing that we had tons of errands to run, I said it. Well, let me tell you, errands and all, she didn't wet her pants ALL DAY. She did poop her pants, but at least waited till we got home for that! She was dry after her nap. She even woke up dry this morning!!!! I think we're almost there, folks!!!
*Chicken Nugget was not fully potty-trained until age three. It was frustrating beyond belief. She could go, knew what to do, how and when to do it, but would just look at me and simlpy say, "I don't want to." AAARRGGHHHH!!!!! Thankfully, she potty-trained fully after spending a weekend with a little friend of hers. After seeing her friend go potty all the time, Chicken Nugget would NOT be shown up! It was like magic. Noodle has taken to potty-training much more willingly that CN ever did.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Hanging Spanish Moss
I remember that road,
The one deep and by the river;
The one with the Live Oak trees
With all the hanging Spanish moss.
We talked that day -
Do you remember?
About how peaceful, how cool, how beautiful the sunset -
About how nice the river was
With all the dancing colors of the setting sun.
We liked looking at the houses up on stilts,
those vacation homes just near the banks of the river -
Red, yellow, blue and orange, those wooden homes . . .
Do you remember?
I talked about a cemetery I had once seen in a photograph,
with tall, proud stones under hanging Spanish moss,
with stone angels,
their wings folded,
their hands folded,
their heads bent over the graves . . .
It seemed so restful to me, and I said
I wouldn't mind resting there when it was my time.
You said that didn't sound so bad.
I remember that day
And the peace and the colors and the calm . . .
I hope that you remember it too.
The one deep and by the river;
The one with the Live Oak trees
With all the hanging Spanish moss.
We talked that day -
Do you remember?
About how peaceful, how cool, how beautiful the sunset -
About how nice the river was
With all the dancing colors of the setting sun.
We liked looking at the houses up on stilts,
those vacation homes just near the banks of the river -
Red, yellow, blue and orange, those wooden homes . . .
Do you remember?
I talked about a cemetery I had once seen in a photograph,
with tall, proud stones under hanging Spanish moss,
with stone angels,
their wings folded,
their hands folded,
their heads bent over the graves . . .
It seemed so restful to me, and I said
I wouldn't mind resting there when it was my time.
You said that didn't sound so bad.
I remember that day
And the peace and the colors and the calm . . .
I hope that you remember it too.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
In My Brokenness
In my brokenness
In my hour of darkness
I will lift my hands
And worship You.
In my brokenness
In my time of sadness
I will lift my voice
In praise to You.
Time stands still
As I kneel down before You
Life draws near
Like waves upon the shore You touch me.
In my brokenness
In these whispering shadows
I will lift the pieces of my heart to You.
In My Brokenness by David Meece
My heart is broken for my friend MHW, whose father died on Friday. He was too young and too full of life, and now my friend's heart is broken. Her family's heart is broken. They will miss him so much.
My heart has been broken these past few weeks for ESF, who found out that her father has aggressive cancer. They are coping, but still going through stress and difficult moments.
My heart has been in despair these past few weeks with all of this news, and with much more as I see the burdens of those around me. It makes me so sad. It makes me want to mend hurts, but I do not have the power to mend them. I can only kneel and beg for the only Power I know how to ask for.
But I've been angry - so angry, so confused . . . and I tell Him so. And I know that's ok. Angry that there is suffering for innocent people, for people who have lived good and honest and decent lives and certainly don't deserve to suffer . . . like my friend JB. She suffers and I don't know why.
I've got wonderful theological answers that make perfect logical, theological sense (as if there is perfect sense in matters of theology, but you know what I mean), but on a heart-level, they don't make much sense.
I remember when Anthony died, my friend Rachel caught me in the computer lab one day and asked me how I was doing. She and here sister Andrea had sung two beautiful songs at Anthony's funeral. I recited some of the lyrics of the above song to her, as my reply.
"So that's how you are feeling?" She asked, so gently.
With tears in my eyes, I nodded.
That's how I feel now. I feel angry and hurt and confused in a world with so much that shouldn't happen and with so much that doesn't make sense. My prayers are botched and they're not pretty these days, and I'm trying to make it through to do all the things I need to do for my family, and it's not easy . . . My prayers are not "proper," not full of big words; they're simple and honest and, yes, angry and hurt and confused . . . but they're prayers.
For now, I hope that will count for something. He's got to be listening anyway. I have to go on what I know, not how I feel. I know He's always listened before. He must be listening now too.
In my hour of darkness
I will lift my hands
And worship You.
In my brokenness
In my time of sadness
I will lift my voice
In praise to You.
Time stands still
As I kneel down before You
Life draws near
Like waves upon the shore You touch me.
In my brokenness
In these whispering shadows
I will lift the pieces of my heart to You.
In My Brokenness by David Meece
My heart is broken for my friend MHW, whose father died on Friday. He was too young and too full of life, and now my friend's heart is broken. Her family's heart is broken. They will miss him so much.
My heart has been broken these past few weeks for ESF, who found out that her father has aggressive cancer. They are coping, but still going through stress and difficult moments.
My heart has been in despair these past few weeks with all of this news, and with much more as I see the burdens of those around me. It makes me so sad. It makes me want to mend hurts, but I do not have the power to mend them. I can only kneel and beg for the only Power I know how to ask for.
But I've been angry - so angry, so confused . . . and I tell Him so. And I know that's ok. Angry that there is suffering for innocent people, for people who have lived good and honest and decent lives and certainly don't deserve to suffer . . . like my friend JB. She suffers and I don't know why.
I've got wonderful theological answers that make perfect logical, theological sense (as if there is perfect sense in matters of theology, but you know what I mean), but on a heart-level, they don't make much sense.
I remember when Anthony died, my friend Rachel caught me in the computer lab one day and asked me how I was doing. She and here sister Andrea had sung two beautiful songs at Anthony's funeral. I recited some of the lyrics of the above song to her, as my reply.
"So that's how you are feeling?" She asked, so gently.
With tears in my eyes, I nodded.
That's how I feel now. I feel angry and hurt and confused in a world with so much that shouldn't happen and with so much that doesn't make sense. My prayers are botched and they're not pretty these days, and I'm trying to make it through to do all the things I need to do for my family, and it's not easy . . . My prayers are not "proper," not full of big words; they're simple and honest and, yes, angry and hurt and confused . . . but they're prayers.
For now, I hope that will count for something. He's got to be listening anyway. I have to go on what I know, not how I feel. I know He's always listened before. He must be listening now too.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Some of my Favorites - This is Inteactive!!!!!
As I've mentioned before, I really like to blog. I like to write all about what goes on in Tasty-Names World, but sometimes I feel that it can get a little repetitive and even boring. Sometimes. Even for me. So I was thinking about what kind of post I could do that might be a little different, and this is what I want to do, and I've done something similar in the past, I think: I want to share some of my favorite times. I don't know really who all reads my blog, but I have been thinking of many things from many times that happened with many, many people. As I think about this life of mine, and what else do I write about but my life, I know that where I am and who I am is a credit to many, many people who encourage me, walked with me, kicked me in the hind end when I needed it, laughed with me, loved me, struggled with me, left me in awe of their own lives, and in essence shared this journey with me in good and bad. I hope that ya'll will comment with some of your own favorite times in your own life, or maybe write a blog of your own about them. I love all of you so much!
As I am Abstract-Random, these are in no particular order. I hope you recognize yourselves here . . .
Going to Grandma and Pappa's in the Ozarks.
Matt and Anthony making up stories to keep me occupied.
Mamma reading me Black Beauty and The Boxcar Children when I was about 4 years old, every day at naptime.
Daddy wrapping me up like a burrito on cold winter nights when I was very small, kissing me and telling me I was special and he loved me.
Giving Daddy millions of kisses before bed each night.
Mamma hugging me when I hurt my finger in the swing.
Anthony reading me "Curious Tarimisu" instead of "Curious George."
Matt and I listening to the Christmas records one night when Mamma and Daddy were at a Christmas party.
Not being able to remember not knowing Elizabeth.
Shane and the youth group.
Shane and Dianne and 3-hour collect calls from Florida (from me, not to me).
Church camp.
Cheaper By the Dozen.
Oklahoma!
Journalism class - convention, Pepperidge Farm cookies, birthday cakes each month.
Eating lunch in the library with David, Carrie, Amy, and Chuck.
Eating lunch on the front lawn with Samantha.
Eating lunch in front of the library with Di, Jana, and whoever else.
Up on the roof in a formal with Di and JF - watching for shooting stars, sparking life savers.
Running around the water bed, in formals, with Di and JF - "Will He Ever Come?"
Elizabeth and I, staying up talking way too late.
Elizabeth and I, playing with stuffed animals and pretending like we didn't have arms - when we were way too old to do stuff like that.
Courtney and me - finding each other in high school, finding each other again afterward, eating way too much ice cream, watching silly movies, laughing and comforting one another.
A glorious summer at FSBC Magnet Cove.
Lazy and wonderful Sunday afternoons with Shane and Di.
Chicken Nugget and me at the beach.
In a small apartment in Walnut Ridge, AR, filled with laughing people, bags of candy for door prizes.
In NE Arkansas, being Lucy in the play, making a friends for life in James, Kristi, my professors, Cara, Sara, Andrea, Holly, Rachel, Carrie, Jarvis and Kelly, too too many to name.
Snowy times in Iowa, bundling up to go to the church to teach a precious bunch of youth.
Kurt, Cindy, Tesa, Deb, Karly, Nikki, Michelle, John and Sharon, and too many to name in Winterset.
The great people I worked with at Winterset Middle School.
Scott laughing so hard he fell off his chair when I first met him - being endeared to him.
Getting engaged in front of Central's chapel.
Meeting people that were so dear to Scott's life, that now are dear to my life and I can't imagine life without them - Wade, Caryn, Mark, Kerstin, Mike, Jen, Grandma and Grandpa, Michael and Jackie . . .
Erin and Adam's wedding.
Ice cream picnics with Erin, Nic, Kresten.
At the beach with Nikki A.
Nikki and Garry, the best neighbors.
CARE Group.
My Arkansas brother and sister, Charley and Marianne.
Erin - "Ain't no thang but a chicken WAAAANG!!!"
Marita - singing in my living room.
Loren - at the beach, dinners at my house, watching Eliza.
Lots of people at my house at seminary for Thanksgiving dinner.
John - watching movies, checking on me and Eliza, going to the beach.
Nicole - driving around SF at night, eating ice cream, the best time, so relaxing.
Everyone up on that hill on Seminary Drive.
Drama classes and plays with Nathan, Brandi, Mandi, JD.
The Cast.
My kids being born.
Getting married to Scott.
Driving around Winterset with Diana.
Linda, Neal, Jeri down here in Texas.
My mission trip last summer.
Amy, Lana, and Jose from the mission trip.
Sitting out in my yard here in Texas on a clear blue day, watching my kids play and then closing my eyes and feeling the wonder of the day.
IKEA!!!!!!
Kelly and me, doing nothing in particular, but everything in the world.
Kelly, Nikki and me in Galveston.
Matt, Chicken Nuggets and French Fry and me down in Galveston.
Me and Matt and Anthony, playing football out in the yard at the Bauxite house.
Letters from Anthony.
Phone calls from Courtney, Elizabeth, Nicole, Erin, Diana, Kelly, Scott, Shane and Di, Amanda, Kerstin, Jill, and more and more.
Mandy, Amanda, Elizabeth, me - FPS.
Jill and me, laughing and laughing and don't even know why.
Jill and Courtney and me and everyone else - bar-b-que's at the Cox Street House.
Fun times at Stage in Benton.
My fun crew at Palais Royal down here in Texas.
Meeting the Bishop girls and their family.
Quality time with Kerstin.
Kelly and Wayne and Superstar.
Kelly and "Little Pig."
Arch Rival.
Walks with lots of people, up and around the hills of Marin.
Terry, Billy, Kees, John, Debbie, Melissa, Mike, Matt, etc. at Arch Rival.
Debbie and me, running the Pac Sun, Kees cheering us on.
At the beach house with Kees, Sandy, Andre, and Sister Bernadette and Sister Marion.
Elder McKewen, Elder Gubler, Elder Bristow.
True Love Waits at Winterset.
Jenny, Nikki and me that summer in Winterset.
Provo, Diana and her friends and cousins, 2001.
Tom, Gayle, and their kids, Mill Valley.
At the Pig Farm with the Hutchens family.
Scrapbooking with Elizabeth.
Hugs from too many people to name . . .
And too much more stuff to mention, or it would take up all the gigabytes from all the computer stuff from all around the world . . .
Thank you for making my world wonderful, and I love you all so so much and am sorry I can't name everything. You are loved, you are all very loved, those of you named in this blog and those of you not named.
As I am Abstract-Random, these are in no particular order. I hope you recognize yourselves here . . .
Going to Grandma and Pappa's in the Ozarks.
Matt and Anthony making up stories to keep me occupied.
Mamma reading me Black Beauty and The Boxcar Children when I was about 4 years old, every day at naptime.
Daddy wrapping me up like a burrito on cold winter nights when I was very small, kissing me and telling me I was special and he loved me.
Giving Daddy millions of kisses before bed each night.
Mamma hugging me when I hurt my finger in the swing.
Anthony reading me "Curious Tarimisu" instead of "Curious George."
Matt and I listening to the Christmas records one night when Mamma and Daddy were at a Christmas party.
Not being able to remember not knowing Elizabeth.
Shane and the youth group.
Shane and Dianne and 3-hour collect calls from Florida (from me, not to me).
Church camp.
Cheaper By the Dozen.
Oklahoma!
Journalism class - convention, Pepperidge Farm cookies, birthday cakes each month.
Eating lunch in the library with David, Carrie, Amy, and Chuck.
Eating lunch on the front lawn with Samantha.
Eating lunch in front of the library with Di, Jana, and whoever else.
Up on the roof in a formal with Di and JF - watching for shooting stars, sparking life savers.
Running around the water bed, in formals, with Di and JF - "Will He Ever Come?"
Elizabeth and I, staying up talking way too late.
Elizabeth and I, playing with stuffed animals and pretending like we didn't have arms - when we were way too old to do stuff like that.
Courtney and me - finding each other in high school, finding each other again afterward, eating way too much ice cream, watching silly movies, laughing and comforting one another.
A glorious summer at FSBC Magnet Cove.
Lazy and wonderful Sunday afternoons with Shane and Di.
Chicken Nugget and me at the beach.
In a small apartment in Walnut Ridge, AR, filled with laughing people, bags of candy for door prizes.
In NE Arkansas, being Lucy in the play, making a friends for life in James, Kristi, my professors, Cara, Sara, Andrea, Holly, Rachel, Carrie, Jarvis and Kelly, too too many to name.
Snowy times in Iowa, bundling up to go to the church to teach a precious bunch of youth.
Kurt, Cindy, Tesa, Deb, Karly, Nikki, Michelle, John and Sharon, and too many to name in Winterset.
The great people I worked with at Winterset Middle School.
Scott laughing so hard he fell off his chair when I first met him - being endeared to him.
Getting engaged in front of Central's chapel.
Meeting people that were so dear to Scott's life, that now are dear to my life and I can't imagine life without them - Wade, Caryn, Mark, Kerstin, Mike, Jen, Grandma and Grandpa, Michael and Jackie . . .
Erin and Adam's wedding.
Ice cream picnics with Erin, Nic, Kresten.
At the beach with Nikki A.
Nikki and Garry, the best neighbors.
CARE Group.
My Arkansas brother and sister, Charley and Marianne.
Erin - "Ain't no thang but a chicken WAAAANG!!!"
Marita - singing in my living room.
Loren - at the beach, dinners at my house, watching Eliza.
Lots of people at my house at seminary for Thanksgiving dinner.
John - watching movies, checking on me and Eliza, going to the beach.
Nicole - driving around SF at night, eating ice cream, the best time, so relaxing.
Everyone up on that hill on Seminary Drive.
Drama classes and plays with Nathan, Brandi, Mandi, JD.
The Cast.
My kids being born.
Getting married to Scott.
Driving around Winterset with Diana.
Linda, Neal, Jeri down here in Texas.
My mission trip last summer.
Amy, Lana, and Jose from the mission trip.
Sitting out in my yard here in Texas on a clear blue day, watching my kids play and then closing my eyes and feeling the wonder of the day.
IKEA!!!!!!
Kelly and me, doing nothing in particular, but everything in the world.
Kelly, Nikki and me in Galveston.
Matt, Chicken Nuggets and French Fry and me down in Galveston.
Me and Matt and Anthony, playing football out in the yard at the Bauxite house.
Letters from Anthony.
Phone calls from Courtney, Elizabeth, Nicole, Erin, Diana, Kelly, Scott, Shane and Di, Amanda, Kerstin, Jill, and more and more.
Mandy, Amanda, Elizabeth, me - FPS.
Jill and me, laughing and laughing and don't even know why.
Jill and Courtney and me and everyone else - bar-b-que's at the Cox Street House.
Fun times at Stage in Benton.
My fun crew at Palais Royal down here in Texas.
Meeting the Bishop girls and their family.
Quality time with Kerstin.
Kelly and Wayne and Superstar.
Kelly and "Little Pig."
Arch Rival.
Walks with lots of people, up and around the hills of Marin.
Terry, Billy, Kees, John, Debbie, Melissa, Mike, Matt, etc. at Arch Rival.
Debbie and me, running the Pac Sun, Kees cheering us on.
At the beach house with Kees, Sandy, Andre, and Sister Bernadette and Sister Marion.
Elder McKewen, Elder Gubler, Elder Bristow.
True Love Waits at Winterset.
Jenny, Nikki and me that summer in Winterset.
Provo, Diana and her friends and cousins, 2001.
Tom, Gayle, and their kids, Mill Valley.
At the Pig Farm with the Hutchens family.
Scrapbooking with Elizabeth.
Hugs from too many people to name . . .
And too much more stuff to mention, or it would take up all the gigabytes from all the computer stuff from all around the world . . .
Thank you for making my world wonderful, and I love you all so so much and am sorry I can't name everything. You are loved, you are all very loved, those of you named in this blog and those of you not named.
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Hat and the Dance
At work, we just got in a bunch of great big Easter hats - and not the kind for litte girls. These are huge, women-sized hats. And they're big. And did I mention that they are gigantic? They're all colors, too - black, white, yellow, bright pink, blue, purple, yellow . . . oh, yeah, and they are large. And pretty obnoxious. I like to put one on when no one is looking. Then, when I get called to the customer service desk, I can saunter my way up to the front and surprise everyone with what I'm wearing.
I also like to dance a lot in the store. I just can't help it. Our piped-in muzak plays such catchy tunes, and I'm such a great dancer.
Last night, just before closing, I noticed that someone had left one of those hats in the children's department. Lucky for me, it matched my black-and-white ensemble to a t, so I had to put it on. When the supervisor called me over and saw me in the hat, she told me how fetching I looked in it.
But when I walked up front, still wearing it, Mrs. Tangerine, a wonderful lady from the Islands, burst out laughing.
"Where's that Polaroid!" she said, "Girl . . ."
And then I started dancing and strutting towards her, and she laughed harder.
"Girl," she said, "You are so WHITE!"
I could not imagine what she meant by that. I just kept on dancing. I'm a very good dancer.
Ms. Pecan Praline Cookie just told me, "Girl, you know you are crazy . . ."
And Ms. Pepperoni Pizza told me that the hat was not my color, that I needed a black one, because it would match better. I found one with some gigantic flowers, bows, and feathers, and what do you know! She was right. So I wore that one for the rest of the night.
Ms. Peach Smoothie said to my supervisor, "I think we all need to wear hats like that. I think we'd get our work done a lot faster."
I just danced away back to my department and really enjoyed myself while I worked. If only there WERE some Polaroids, or better yet, digitals, that could have captured that moment. I'm sorry I'll have to leave the whole scene to all of your imaginations.
I also like to dance a lot in the store. I just can't help it. Our piped-in muzak plays such catchy tunes, and I'm such a great dancer.
Last night, just before closing, I noticed that someone had left one of those hats in the children's department. Lucky for me, it matched my black-and-white ensemble to a t, so I had to put it on. When the supervisor called me over and saw me in the hat, she told me how fetching I looked in it.
But when I walked up front, still wearing it, Mrs. Tangerine, a wonderful lady from the Islands, burst out laughing.
"Where's that Polaroid!" she said, "Girl . . ."
And then I started dancing and strutting towards her, and she laughed harder.
"Girl," she said, "You are so WHITE!"
I could not imagine what she meant by that. I just kept on dancing. I'm a very good dancer.
Ms. Pecan Praline Cookie just told me, "Girl, you know you are crazy . . ."
And Ms. Pepperoni Pizza told me that the hat was not my color, that I needed a black one, because it would match better. I found one with some gigantic flowers, bows, and feathers, and what do you know! She was right. So I wore that one for the rest of the night.
Ms. Peach Smoothie said to my supervisor, "I think we all need to wear hats like that. I think we'd get our work done a lot faster."
I just danced away back to my department and really enjoyed myself while I worked. If only there WERE some Polaroids, or better yet, digitals, that could have captured that moment. I'm sorry I'll have to leave the whole scene to all of your imaginations.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
THREE CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!
For Buffalo Wings!!!!
Since Christmas, he has lost 20.5 pounds!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, BW!!!!!
He has been participating in The Biggest Loser contest that the faculty has been doing at his school. Let me tell you, he's been going like gangbusters, too. He eats according to the Weight Watchers plan, and he exercises EVERY DAY!!!! He has totally showed me up, since I've lost about 5 pounds. OK, 3. But still, I don't care, because I am SO PROUD of all the hard work BW has done and he looks and feels great!!!!!
Today was the final weigh-in, and the winners will be announced by the end of the day. I will let you know if he is one of the Biggest Losers! And don't think this was any kind of friendly competition among friends. No, no. One of BW's colleagues was even stuffing participants mailboxes with bags of candy!!!!! Though BW has stood strong and not given in to temptation, he is looking forward to eating a hamburger! But he is going to continue with eating right and exercising.
Yay, BW!!!! I'm so proud of you! Congratulations!
Since Christmas, he has lost 20.5 pounds!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, BW!!!!!
He has been participating in The Biggest Loser contest that the faculty has been doing at his school. Let me tell you, he's been going like gangbusters, too. He eats according to the Weight Watchers plan, and he exercises EVERY DAY!!!! He has totally showed me up, since I've lost about 5 pounds. OK, 3. But still, I don't care, because I am SO PROUD of all the hard work BW has done and he looks and feels great!!!!!
Today was the final weigh-in, and the winners will be announced by the end of the day. I will let you know if he is one of the Biggest Losers! And don't think this was any kind of friendly competition among friends. No, no. One of BW's colleagues was even stuffing participants mailboxes with bags of candy!!!!! Though BW has stood strong and not given in to temptation, he is looking forward to eating a hamburger! But he is going to continue with eating right and exercising.
Yay, BW!!!! I'm so proud of you! Congratulations!
Monday, March 05, 2007
Noodle Tasty Names, Mickey Mouse exchange Nuptuals
After a rather painful breakup with Wish Bear (the star-crossed couple is pictured above as they shared happier days), it seems that the famous Princess Noodle Tasty Names has again found love! Ms. Noodle was wed to Mickey Mouse early yesterday morning in a private family ceremony.
The Tasty Names family interrupted their normal church preparations as Queen Chicken Nugget announced, "And now it is time for your wedding," and began to preside over the joining of Ms. Noodle and Mr. Mickey Mouse. The ceremony took place in the bedroom of the bride's brother, and bride and groom looked peaceful, serene, and very much in love as they stood in front of the play kitchen and exchanged vows. The wedding was attended only by the bride, her groom, and Queen Chicken Nugget, as per the bride's request, but parents of the bride were allowed to listen in from other rooms of the family home.
The happy couple joyously entered the reception, looking as starry-eyed as any toddler and stuffed animal ever have. The reception was catered by the famous Chez Mamma's restaurant, and Mamma herself lent her culinary talents for the occasion. The menu included bananas, graham crackers, Cheese-Its, chicken nuggets, cereal, milk, not to mention a fine 2007 apple juice from Mamma's private collection; It seemed that Mamma spared no expense! The feasting lasted until church time and then resumed after church, lasting most of the day and into the night, so festive was the celebration.
The bride was stunning in a blue and green plaid dress with smocking and puffy sleeves. To accent the knee-length ensemble, the bride chose elegant white tights and her very special "princess shoes," the black patent-leather variety with two straps. The groom was debonair in an orange shirt, blue slacks, and stylish orange and white tennis shoes. A classier couple one will never see.
As Mr. Mouse has been a family friend for years, the parents of the bride could not be happier with this union. The couple will reside in the Tasty Names family home indefinitely, but most likely until the bride is at least eighteen years old.
This and many enjoyable Tasty Names articles are funded by Chez Mamma's Famous Restaurant. Chez Mamma's is available for catering any kind of event, including business lunches, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, and weddings for toddlers and large stuffed mice.
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