"Mom, I was looking out my window and in the air there are like these tiny as small as I can see orange dots and they're moving just like airplanes. " [S.S. all in one breath, and in a most concerned voice] [Me, the deflator of fantastical imaginations after bedtime]: "Then they're probably airplanes." "Oh." via Facebook
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
December 31, 2014 at 09:17AM
Apparently I needed more sleep yesterday. I think I was awake for a total of 5 hours! Feel much more awake now, though :) via Facebook
Saturday, December 27, 2014
December 27, 2014 at 02:39PM
Somewhere in the dark, coldness of the night there was a bit of excitement. One girl came to tell me her sister was hurting and needed help. Long story short, there was a pretty nasty anxiety attack in process. Lucky for her, I'm a pro at those ;) so it eventually wound down just fine. I asked her to go back to her bed, finally, and to remember to let her sister know she was okay, and thank her for the help in the middle of the night. Her response? "Mom, it's not the middle of the night, it's, like, 7am." Okay, kid. First of all, it was totally 6:15, NOT 7. And second of all, don't you try claiming that either 6:15 OR 7am ISN'T the middle of the night! ;) via Facebook
Friday, December 26, 2014
December 26, 2014 at 07:58PM
We've been watching a whole lot of random food shows off Netflix today -- having finished off all the available episodes of Cupcake Wars and Cutthroat Kitchen. The girls tried pulling up Kitchen Nightmares and we had to change it almost immediately. We liked the concept, but we were shocked by the amount of extremely strong language. Bummer, since it seemed to have a solid concept. I'd have been content with standard tv editing, and was disappointed that that doesn't seem to be available. Up next: Chopped. We're running out of food shows, then we're going to have to find another theme to help us decide what to watch ;) Any suggestions or family-friendly episodic shows you've enjoyed? via Facebook
December 26, 2014 at 07:28PM
Michael really does work with some of the best people ever :) Michael sent an email to everyone at work so they'd know what's up since they usually go to him with problems. People from there contacted me within minutes to make sure we have everything we need. Another contacted us to see if we needed help getting the walks shoveled from the snow we've had today and came over to take care of that, then later brought dinner. We are extremely grateful that he works with such great people. It makes a difference in our lives to have such uplifting surroundings everywhere. via Facebook
December 26, 2014 at 12:19PM
What a... unique... Christmas we had yesterday! We managed to have both parents awake enough to open presents, though it was broken into two turns. We did breakfast, stockings, and a few presents before Michael and I both HAD to go back to sleep. Then, a couple of hours later we managed to get the rest of the presents open and had a delicious dinner my mom made and my brother/sil brought over. All in all it was a nice day. I think I managed to stay awake for a whole 5 hours (spread out) during the day. Definitely not what I was hoping for... but we do what we have to. The girls were excellent sports and seemed to enjoy the day. Michael is getting into that period post-surgery when it gets more uncomfortable, especially his throat, since they shoved things around to get back to his spine through the front. Really, sleep is the best option. We're extremely grateful for a friend who texted Michael this morning to see if our walks had been cleared. Since they hadn't, he came over and took care of it! A very thoughtful thing to do. All in all, it was a good Christmas indeed. Sabrina seems to be on the mend, though she seems to still run a fever a night and is still coughing, Lizzie is improving but probably a couple of days in recovery behind Sabrina, of course, but Kate is now wiped out on the couch with a temp over 101. We're glad we're used to low key ;) If we were used to running around and doing lots of things every day we'd be going nuts by now! Instead, we're enjoying a quiet day with some Cupcake Wars on TV :) via Facebook
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
December 24, 2014 at 10:44PM
When I was considering that I'd have to do all the Santa stuff alone this year I neglected some of the details. I do 95% of it anyway, so no biggie, right? Yeah... except that now I have to haul everything that has been salted away in the closet and in the shed to the living areas. That is the part that I usually have help with, has become vital that I have help with it, and that Michael isn't allowed to do, even if he could stay awake to do so. No lifting more than 15 lbs for probably 20 years (or maybe 2 weeks? who knows, every single person we talked to for information gave different instructions -- which is a totally different rant that I've worked hard to suppress) and no bending/lifting for the first bit unless absolutely necessary. Yes, I'm on shoe-tying duty. (I don't even wear tie shoes on my own feet so I don't have to do that! If that part has to continue then I don't care what anybody says, the man will be wearing Crocs. But I'm wandering into rant territory again.) So.... awesome. Now I'm wishing Santa had brought each child a single stuffed animal! Maybe I can turn Christmas into some sort of scavenger hunt!! ;) via Facebook
December 24, 2014 at 08:43PM A Dad Is Hilariously Illustrating The Things His 3-Year-Old Says
This made me smile :) And tonight my tummy feels like bad guys. She totally nailed that one. It's a shame adults forget how to express themselves ;)
December 24, 2014 at 01:33AM
I thought I handled today very well with all the frustrations and challenges. Especially since I had run out of one of my meds I should have taken this morning. Then a little bit ago Michael was finally able to call me for a minute. It's like when you're a kid and you keep a stiff upper lip until you see mommy ya know? Clearly all that "on-top-of-things" and "emotionally-stable" stuff was a load of hooey. At least the kids are asleep so I'm not freaking them out. I can do this. Though perhaps sleep would help... via Facebook
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
December 23, 2014 at 10:50AM
Our Christmas just got even more exciting: Michael has been admitted to the hospital and will be having surgery this afternoon. Hopefully he will be able to come home tomorrow morning. He has had a lot of problems with his shoulder in the last year. It finally got bad enough he had it checked out a few months ago with an EMG (nerve conduction study) that showed he had something really screwed up in his neck. Then followed the MRI that showed that sure enough, his neck was not happy. Last night the pain became unbearable so he went in to the ER. Thankfully pain meds there have helped him be comfortable. He has two bulging discs in his neck. The surgery will include fusing the vertebrae together and hopefully remove the problem (and the pain!) while not making any significant difference in range of motion. In the mean time, Kate (who we thought had gotten by with only a 24 hour fever and a bit of vomiting), started in on the same fever and coughing as the other girls. Thanks to new federal regulations, even though both sisters saw the doctor less than 24 hours ago with identical symptoms, they cannot prescribe the same medication for her unless we schedule and pay for a third appointment. Lizzie's and Sabrina's fevers are continuing, and Sabrina threw up at least half-dozen times through the night because she was coughing so hard. Now she can't keep anything down. She was up so much of the night she has just passed out on my bed again. BUT: we're ready for Christmas! The girls were hoping to shop for one another, but we'll be fine without. I was able to do the last grocery shopping yesterday, and everything else is already stockpiled around the house. So if they have energy today maybe the girls can spend time making presents for each other. Otherwise, it's all fine and good anyway. No worry there. Phew! AND: we're so incredibly blessed. I've already talked to both of our parents who are ready to do whatever they can, some other family, and even the ladies from M's work who are bringing dinner tonight. Bless their hearts! We're so grateful for some help! Yeah, we CAN do it all ourselves, but it's nice knowing we don't HAVE to :) *sigh* now one of the cats just threw up. Please let it be a hairball!!! via Facebook
Monday, December 22, 2014
December 22, 2014 at 06:45PM
"We'llllll be hooooooommme for Chriiistmaaaasssss!" Got the official word from the doctor. It's nice to know ahead of time that we'll again have to skip our (rapidly becoming "theoretical") traditions of doing things with extended family on Christmas Eve / Christmas Day. Lizzie and Sabrina apparently have some mycoplasma thing that they won't be able to kick in time and will still be contagious. Apparently it's easy for this thing to develop into walking pneumonia. We were expecting that part, though. It would just be nice if the girls would feel better so they're not so miserable for Christmas. That's the one hard part. via Facebook
December 22, 2014 at 01:04AM
2 more days before Christmas Eve. Lizzie was wiped completely out today with a fever over 103 even after a couple of hours of having both tylenol AND ibuprofen in her :( It was such a scorcher it just took a long time for them to get on top of it. She seems much more comfortable now that it's only about 100. Sabrina is perky and cheerful as ever, but is still running a fever -- on day 5 now. They are both also coughing enough to keep us all restless and awake half the night along with them, to affect my dreams at night when I do get some sleep, and to make a person's lungs hurt just listening to it :( Poor kiddos! Good news: They don't appear to be having any difficulty breathing, shortage of oxygen, or anything dangerous, they're just miserable. I'd guess we're at a toss up on whether we'll be clear for Christmas or not. (It was just Kate and me at my family's Christmas gathering tonight, and I avoided touching the kids!). Even if the girls are feeling better, by the time Christmas comes we'll all just be so ready for a solid and silent night's sleep we'll sleep until noon! via Facebook
Sunday, December 21, 2014
December 21, 2014 at 06:27PM
WOO HOO!!!! The days will only start getting longer. I'm so very excited to get longer days!!!!!! Happy Winter :) via Facebook
December 21, 2014 at 03:11PM Spotted Pepper Designs: New and improved
This beautiful printable will be available beyond the 24 hours for FREE!!! I'm getting mine printed at Persnickety Prints in Orem, UT as a press print on linen paper for about $4 for the 8x10. Can't beat that! :)
Saturday, December 20, 2014
December 20, 2014 at 08:00PM
I had to share this picture -- my grandmother wearing her dress for her wedding tea. She also wore this dress, minus the red velvet ribbon, as her wedding dress. I remember seeing this dress in real life. Even when I weighed 100 lbs at 5'8" it wasn't a roomy fit! So simple and elegant, though. via Facebook
December 20, 2014 at 02:40PM
Woo Hoo!!! I got to sleep in on a Saturday morning!!! No orchestra for a few weeks. I love orchestra rehearsal once I'm there, and I love playing still, but waking up has always been rough for me. And super early on a weekend is brutal. This morning (and, er, part of the afternoon...) was a wonderful sleep in holiday :) via Facebook
Friday, December 19, 2014
December 19, 2014 at 06:55PM You Don't Have To Make Up for Not Being a Perfect Parent
This is pretty awesome. I'm sure we all need to hear this at least a time or two each year. A few of my favorite points: "We can heal the past, but not by frosting it over with a fantasy holiday for our kids." "Don't worry, you don't have to make up for not being a perfect parent. No one is. You're modeling how to be a graciously imperfect human, how to apologize and repair, which is what your child needs to grow into a gracious human herself. Just resolve to keep choosing love as often as possible when you're interacting with your child. That's all anyone can do, and it really is enough." "Perfect just gets in the way of love. Real parents get reality holidays, complete with cranky kids, messy kitchens, and moments that move you to tears."
December 19, 2014 at 03:45PM
You know what makes me so happy?? Lizzie just came home from the last day of school before the holidays. It turns out she spoke to her teacher and got permission to leave class a few minutes early so she could go to Sabrina's classroom and pick up the Christmas goodies and homework she has missed out on the last two days. And? I didn't even ask her to. Also, Sabrina had been invited to a birthday party tonight and when she discovered she can't go Lizzie just walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her sister in a big hug. Sisterly love is a beautiful thing. <3 I hope these girls always remember how blessed they are to have such awesome sisters. via Facebook
December 19, 2014 at 01:27PM
Awesome. Another kid down! Kate just came home with a sick stomach. We'll either be finally healthy in time for Christmas or we'll be playing our own version of Viral White Elephant. via Facebook
Thursday, December 18, 2014
December 18, 2014 at 08:46PM Help Kiband - Child Safety Smartband reach its funding goal today!
Clearly my kids are about a decade too old. All the awesome tech has come out just after we've outgrown it! This is AWESOME! Luckily for me my kids were very happy with their "tails" (the harness things with a leash) so they were easy and comfortable for all of us to make sure we all felt safe and secure. If they had not liked them, though, something like this would have been a sanity saver! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear people (mostly people without kids) saying to "just watch your kids" and all that, but they've clearly never had a child determined to hide, had to price check the laundry detergent, or had children break in two (or more!) directions at the same time.
December 18, 2014 at 03:27PM
Yesterday we say the last Hobbit movie. Story was fine, though it was obviously dragged to the bitter end in order to turn that one little book into three epic movies. The costumes / makeup / scenery were all lovely as usual. And yet, it took me AGES to get "into" the movie. I don't know exactly if it's lighting, film type, film speed, or what, but it looked weird. Really weird. It felt like watching a docu-drama on Renaissance festivals. Or maybe were watching a play. It was absolutely bizarre. I was really rather disappointed. We were watching in 3D, so I don't know if that makes a difference. via Facebook
December 18, 2014 at 08:49AM Editor's Choice Holiday Gift Guide 2014 - Improve Photography
Taking notes on the items I don't have yet ;) ;)
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
December 17, 2014 at 05:03PM
Looks like Sabrina is sick... a whole WEEK early!!! *Maybe* that means she'll be healthy for Christmas? if it is strep, as I slightly suspect, then maybe we'll have someone else sick by then. We've skipped Christmas festivities the last two years because someone ended up sick. We were all healthy for Thanksgiving this year (the last 3-4 years we've had someone sick for that) so I don't know if that makes it more likely or less likely that we'll have a healthy Christmas! 'Tis the season! The funny part -- it hardly even phases me any more. It's just life. via Facebook
December 17, 2014 at 08:05AM
Sabrina has had a really heartbreaking morning. Last night she found an injured animal. She made a warm, safe place in her room for it. This morning she has been very concerned about finding the animal something to eat and a better place to live. She just came to me near tears to admit that the poor thing had died. I tried to comfort her with the news that boxelder beetles don't live very long anyway. On the one hand it was kinda funny, especially since we have been doing our best to rid the house of those very critters this fall since there have been more than usual. But mostly it makes me want to grieve a little with my daughter over her loss . And again I'm touched and amazed by the love this girl has for all living things, and her particular compassion for the sick or injured. What a tender, loving heart she has! Even for a stink bug with a broken leg. via Facebook
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
December 16, 2014 at 09:47AM
Happy anniversary, Michael! Our fortnight of married years as had never a dull moment, but I'd do it again anyway ;) Besides, I got to use the word "fortnightly"... even if it's not really accurate useage. It's still an awesome word and I like excuses to use it, even to claim 14 years. via Facebook
Monday, December 15, 2014
December 15, 2014 at 02:50AM
And here are some pics of Kate's fancy hair-do for the dance last week. Thanks for the inspiration once-upon-a-time Andrea ;) This was both harder and easier than I expected, lol. Only took twice to make it work, though! via Facebook
December 15, 2014 at 02:45AM
FINALLY caught up two more photo shoots this weekend. It may be nearly 3am, but I will wake up in the later-this-morning with that off my plate. It's wonderful feeling caught up! via Facebook
Sunday, December 14, 2014
December 14, 2014 at 01:15AM
Finally remembered to show pics of how long my hair is! Yes, that's a great deal of hair. via Facebook
Saturday, December 13, 2014
December 13, 2014 at 07:09PM
Kate wants more food. Lizzie just choked a little on a bit. Kate: "Can I have your burrito if you die?!?!?!" niiiiiice :P via Facebook
Friday, December 12, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
December 11, 2014 at 03:02PM
So grateful for family! My sister (in law) came over for a couple of hours today and helped me find Christmas :) AND Michael was able to help out at home too, putting up some lights outside, hauling boxes/tubs, running the vacuum, and getting me lunch. Thank you both!!! via Facebook
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
December 09, 2014 at 08:22AM
Sabrina is just telling me about when Lizzie was once being '"scartasctic'.... no, 'scarstatic'.... 'sarcstatic'? Oh, whatever!!!" via Facebook
Monday, December 8, 2014
December 08, 2014 at 03:42PM
Anyone else fighting the "holiday blues"? I've exhausted retail therapy, though that was actually pretty effective while it lasted, and I'm clinging to the remains and the wrapping from that project. I'm extremely grateful to have the means to enjoy the gift purchasing part instead of every tiny thing being a source of anxiety and stress. So that part is all just fine and jolly enough, I suppose. I cannot manage to get any decorating done, though. It's so overwhelming! The mess, the effort, the exhaustion, the pain, then to have to put it all away again... it's just too much. In my gift wrapping today I did box up the pj's for Christmas Eve and put them on the empty mantle over the fireplace so that's something. Then Kate came across the stocking and put them on their hooks there too. But that's it so far. The cold (even though it has been so unusually balmy so far here) and the dark are swallowing me whole, if not quite feeling 'alive'. I can't wait for it to be officially winter so the days will start to lengthen again! In the mean time, at least we have the stockings up and a couple of packages on the mantle. That's as good as a tree, right? *sigh* via Facebook
Sunday, December 7, 2014
December 07, 2014 at 03:31PM
Friends from the Spring Creek 8th ward -- Michael's sister, her husband, and their 5 kids are moving into your ward! They have 4 girls from 6th grade to just blessed today and a boy in 3rd grade tucked in there. It will be a few weeks or so before they're there, but watch out for the Saltzgiver family (Steve and Michelle), would ya? :) We told them you're one of the best wards ever, so don't go making liars out of us ;) ;) via Facebook
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
December 01, 2014 at 04:23PM
You know how excited I was on Saturday to have a new dishwasher? Yeah, it hasn't been working. Super nice dishwasher. Clean dishes. Dirty water in the bottom of the dishwasher. Rude. BUT then we figured it out. Hallelujah!!! We have replaced our garbage disposal since our old dishwasher turned into a dish-drainer, so we didn't notice then that we'd neglected to punch out the plug that allows the hose from the dw to drain into the disposal. WOO HOOO!!!!! We now ACTUALLY have a working dishwasher! via Facebook
Saturday, November 29, 2014
November 29, 2014 at 01:12PM
We have a working dishwasher!!!!!!! We've been using the old dishwasher as a super sized dish drainer for about a year and a half now. The new one not only dries the dishes, but it actually washes them too! ;) ;) And it's SOOO quiet. Ahhhh. Lovely. via Facebook
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
November 25, 2014 at 09:49PM
I like lists. And charts. And organization (though you wouldn't know it by my house most of the time). AND a fabulous deal on things I'd like to buy. Black Friday planning is, therefore, very fun for me. I cannot go out and join the party any more, but I have learned that I can buy the same things, at the same time, from the same places, at the same prices.... all without getting dressed or leaving the house. I love the internet. I have had my charts, lists, notebook-with-envelope-to-organize-receipts ready for a week or so now. I have created profiles with each online shop so my checkout information is saved for me. I was checking through the websites again today and discovered that two of them have already started their Black Friday sales online! Some (such as WalMart) have had a few special deals, but these stores have started their full Black Friday deals online only. SOOOoooooo between what I've already salted away and what I have now ordered I'm almost ready for Christmas. I have about 10 items left to purchase from two stores that haven't started their sales yet. Then I just need to pick up a handful of special groceries in the next month and Christmas can come whenever it wants to! It really is SUCH a relief to be able to sit back and enjoy the holidays now. Without worrying about gifts I can enjoy them instead! Also, over the next month I'll work on wrapping the presents (yes, I have the wrapping paper, scotch tape, and a pair of scissors hidden so nobody can lose it for me) a few at a time while everybody is off to work/school so I don't have to hide away while I'd rather be playing. I started doing that the last couple of years (even when I didn't always have all the presents) and it's very helpful. I'll even put on ribbon, but not bows, or they get crushed. Come Christmas Eve all I have to do is slap on bows and tuck things in stockings and under the tree. All that gleeful excitement shared, I really don't care if you are the 'buy the presents the last week before Christmas, stay up all night Christmas Eve assembling and wrapping, etc. etc. I've done it that way too. And there's nothing wrong with it. Stress is really hard on my body, though, so I do what I can to avoid stresses I can see coming. The holidays can be incredibly stressful so I'd rather save up my energy for spending time with my family rather than having to crash. via Facebook
Sunday, November 23, 2014
November 23, 2014 at 03:04PM
Utah County friends -- anybody know an easy to access area with plenty of evergreen trees? I have more photo shoots coming up and with the fall leaves gone and winter coming I want an evergreen environment. Alas, just popping over to Oregon isn't an option ;) via Facebook
Friday, November 21, 2014
November 21, 2014 at 10:08AM
Last night before going to bed I hid the Christmas list. Naturally I cannot find it this morning! via Facebook
Monday, November 17, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
November 14, 2014 at 06:24PM Mom Sews Incredibly Accurate Disney Costumes For Her Daughter To Wear At Disney World
I love this. I'd love to DO this!
November 14, 2014 at 07:55AM
Particularly for the music teachers to enjoy --- but this is fabulous no matter who you are :D
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
November 12, 2014 at 11:14AM What Normal Looks Like
There was a beautiful, though short, period of time between the challenges of particularly small children and the challenges of chronic illness when my house was pretty clean almost all of the time. Not immaculate clean; we live here! But clean enough to know which basket of laundry is clean, when the last load of dishes was run, and I didn't want to melt into oblivion when a surprise guest dropped by. Unfortunately, we're not normal any more! The great room is pretty darn messy. Yeah, I know. BUT what you don't know is that it's an ongoing game of chicken with an ADD child who can sit for three hours staring at the wall perfectly happily. The kitchen is a disaster most of the time. BUT it's also the only room left entirely to me. And the dictator of the kitchen is going to nuke the entire nation if they don't learn how to throw away their own garbage and rinse out a dish before piling it on the counter top! It's currently hostile territory. Don't worry, though, I only cook for others when things are clean enough to prevent the spread of ebola. It may be messy, but it's not going to kill anybody, and darn it -- I'm working on it! I could go on and on. It's part of life when mama has severe chronic pain. Part of the every day juggling act to get things done without overdoing anything. My house isn't messy because we don't care, because I don't know how to clean, because I don't want it clean. It's messy because we are surviving.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
November 11, 2014 at 06:23PM
Finally finished the most recent urgent project! Now, on to the next 10 on the list.... *deeeep breath* via Facebook
Saturday, November 8, 2014
November 08, 2014 at 10:49PM Artist Removes One Letter from Famous Movie Titles and Illustrates the Results
This actually had me laughing for reals out loud. Naturally I have a soft spot for number 1. And 17. And.... well, they're quite good.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
November 06, 2014 at 04:28PM We’re guessing you to be 41 years old!
I feel 80, the internet thinks I'm 41, my brain thinks I'm 25, today I actually turn 35. At least we're all sure I'm well out of my teens ;)
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
November 04, 2014 at 07:03AM "I Teach For Seven Straight Hours In Stilletos And Never Stop Smiling"—What Stock Photos Tell Us...
For all the teachers out there. May your classroom have 7 students who raise their hands, work independently, and may you never run out of apples in your immaculate classroom you grinning fools, you!
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Friday, October 31, 2014
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