Forsythia!

Many years ago, when my husband and I were brand-new home owners, I called a local nursery and asked when was the right time to put pre-emergent down on our grass.  I remember the lady saying, "Do you know what a forsythia is?"  I said, "Yes" (which I actually didn't but I knew I could find out from someone else and I didn't want to sound too stupid on the phone with her.)  And she said, "When the forsythia is blooming, you should put pre-emergent down."

I have never forgotten this rule or the fact that I didn't know what forsythia was and so every Spring, when the forsythia is blooming, I holler out whenever I see it, "Forsythia!"  My kids (my oldest was about 2 when I started doing this) all join in with me whenever we see a forsythia bush.  Because as a mom, I was often in the car with my kids and their friends, their friends started picking up on this and joined in.  So now, over 10 years later, the people in my car burst out into shouts of "forsythia!" all Spring long.  Even the "cool" pre teen boys in my car this Spring all hollered it.  It was so great.  

Well, this week, I finally planted a forsythia bush of our own.  I hope it takes.  It is in a spot that I have had trouble with in the past but I am hoping with all of the good vibes we send that plant in general, it will grow and thrive there.  I just can't wait until next Spring, when we can look out our window and all shout, "Forsythia!" to our own forsythia bush in our own yard.

My Swedish House

Years ago, when we were looking at floor plans for our house, I was struggling because most of the available house plans didn't have the "feel" I was wanting but I couldn't put into words what I wanted.  I then came across a book about Swedish design.  There was a line in it that struck me.  It said, "Whatever the size and scale of the home, however, an emphasis was placed on visual links between rooms.  Interconnecting doors would generally be left open, anticipating modern open-plan living, so that the eye was carried across the hall from one side of the house to the other."  (Swedish Style by Katrin Cargill)

It was then I met with the builder of our house and asked if certain walls could be moved on particular floor plan, so that my main level on my house was essentially one big room.  He agreed and my home was built.

I can't tell you how many times I have been so grateful for the design of my house.  It keeps us all together and interacting.  At night, while I make dinner, my kids and husband are all there, whether it be watching TV, doing their homework, playing a game, etc.  On cold winter nights, there is such peace looking around at my family and seeing all of us together in one spot.

One Saturday morning, I was sitting in front of my fireplace reading a book.  I looked up and two of my kids were having potato sack races, one was playing a video game on the TV and my husband and another child were playing a game of chess.  It was such a heartwarming moment for me.

I'm naturally drawn to blues and as I have decorated my house, my ideas always seem to be in line with Swedish design and colors.  Recently, I was looking at the art work of Carl Larsson (the Swedish painter) and I was so moved by two of his paintings, (literally having an emotional reaction to them),  I ordered them for my home.

Maybe it is my Swedish heritage calling out to me from the past (even though I have plenty of German and English in me as well), but there is something about Swedish design that speaks to me.  And daily, I am more grateful for it.

You can see some pictures of the blues in my house by clicking on the house stuff link on the side.

Greatest Love Song Ever?

Dentist husband and I are both talkers.  And, because we are both talkers, we talk about EVERYTHING.  And, often they are very heated discussions about things that aren't important at all.  Recently, a friend overhead us talking, thought we were arguing, only to discover we were "discussing" something very trivial.

The other night, the topic was the greatest love song of all time.  We, as a couple, don't officially have an "our song" and that led us to consider great love songs.

Here is what we came up with.  We couldn't put it in any particular order so we have just decided that these songs are all, "our song."  But, if we were ever on The Newlywed Game, we agreed "Fields of Gold" by Sting would be our answer, since that song came out closest to when we were dating.  (I was actually in Israel doing a study abroad when it came out and he was still on his Mormon mission in Minnesota.)  You can click on any of the songs to go to a Youtube link to hear the songs.  Feel free to comment and add your own songs.

1.  Fields of Gold, Sting

2.  The Book of Love, Peter Gabriel  (This is a cover, the original band to sing it was The Magnetic Fields but Peter Gabriel does it so much better in both Dentist Huband's and my opinion)

3.  In Your Eyes, Peter Gabriel  

4.  The Luckiest, Ben Folds 

5.  You and Me, Dave Matthews Band (The video is really worth watching.  Very cool.  Well done whoever came up with this video idea.)

6.  Walking After You, Foo Fighters

None of those songs were played on the radio when we were dating.  The songs that come to mind when we were dating are below.  All good songs but for various reasons, didn't make our "cut".

 I Go Blind, Hootie and the Blow Fish

Champaign Supernova, Oasis

Banditos by The Refreshments

Big Me, Foo Fighters  (Great video)

Oh and for those of you who are reading this and know what a huge fan my husband is of the band Rush, none of their songs made it because I am not a huge fan of the band Rush.  He can enjoy them as much as he wants (and he does) but with the exception of a few songs, I have to let him enjoy them on his own time.

Rainy Days and Red Lipstick

Most woman I know will admit, albeit reluctantly,  to having one feature on their face that they prefer over others.   They love their eyes, or their nose, or a dimple.  I have one friend, who because her husband told her that it was her freckles that he fell in love with, loves her freckles.  For me, it has always been my lips.  I have my dad's side of the family's huge teeth and even though my two front teeth are crowns because of a bike accident when I was 12, my mouth but in particular my lips are my "thing."

I am very happy with my lips and in my youth, I often wore chap-stick to highlight them and then, in my teens, I learned the advantage of wearing lipstick.  My friends, my husband and even my children know that I never leave the house without lipstick on.  I can be "makeup-less" no problem with the exception of lipstick. So, in most drawers, my purse, my car, my husband's car, my in-law's cabin, there is lipstick in various shades.  It is must for me and I own many colors and brands.  

Why this discussion?  Well, for the last month or so, we have had rainy cloudy skies, almost nonstop.    Many years ago, I decided weather was not going to affect my mood (even though I cannot stand endless hot days or endless gray skies), I push on and force myself to be happy (or sad when needed), regardless of the weather.  I will "be" regardless of outside influences.  When it comes to rainy cloudy weather, I have one tool I use to combat it--red lipstick.

On dark cloudy days, when Mother Nature is saying, "Gray it will be."  I say, "No, it will be red."  Take that Mother Nature.

Compulsive Snacking Update

About a week ago, I did this post about my current favorite snack item.  Well, thanks to my freshman year roommate, my snack choice has changed and it may have ruined my life.

During her last visit, my old roommate left her camera here,  so I sent it back to her with a few other "care package" items.  I learned about the beauty of a good care package from this roommate's mom.  Once a month, a big box would arrive at our dorm room.  It was always addressed to both of us (which I always thought was very generous of her) and it was filled with holiday decorations, exotic food items and often little gifts.  Our room had great holiday decorations all year long.  My roommate's mom was Jewish and for Chanukah, she sent eight presents to both of us.  At Easter, we got two huge baskets full of fun treats.  Honestly, I have been converted to "care packages" since then, and I try to mail care packages "just for fun" often.

Anyway, a few days after I mailed her care package, a box arrived at my house.  In it, she wrote a very nice note and said, "Here are some of our favorite Trader Joe's food."  Even though there is no Trader Joe's in Utah or Colorado, I know all about Trader Joe's.  I have friends who make specific trips to California just to fill up their car with their favorite Trader Joe's items.   I have one friend who moved here from New York and she said, "I might have to move back to New York and give up my yard and great house, just so I can shop at Trader Joe's."

I discovered their Spicy Black Bean Dip several years ago and I admit, I haven't been able to find anything as good around here and I have spent many hours buying and trying to do just that.  I honestly get that Trader Joe's is that good.  Am I willing to make a Why I Love Trader Joe's video yet?  No.  But that is because I only go to Trader Joe's when we are in California and even then, it is just a quick run in and run out.

However, that has all changed because of one item in the care package.  My roommate included a bag of their Honey Mustard and Onion Pretzel Pieces.  After a run (when I always crave salty things), I thought, "Why not? I'll eat these."  And, ten minutes later, with 1/2 of the bag gone and me realizing that I won't be going to California until August, I had a mild panic attack.   My first thought, "How can I make this bag last until August?"  Then I thought, "How can I not eat the rest of the bag right now?"  Then I thought, "When I go to California, how many bags can I fit in the extra spaces of my car?  10? 30? 40?"  Then the true panic set in.  "How am I supposed to run tomorrow if I can't eat these after my run?"

So, now you see, I have a big problem.  When you are compulsive about your snacks, you must only eat things that you can buy at your local grocery store.  And, now I have to go and write a pleading letter to Trader Joe's asking for them to open one in Utah.  A friendly care package may have just ruined my life.

Snacks

There is no question, I have a compulsive personality.  For the most part, it doesn't effect my life much but occasionally, it creeps up to the absurd and either I or a nice someone points it out and I have to readjust.  (Like my dear dermatologist who had to say to me, "I know you have had melanoma but you need to trust me, coming in once a month to have your moles looked at is ridiculous.)  I often like to think, "I'm not compulsive, just very thorough and conscientious ."

Anyway, one safe place for my compulsive tendencies are my snack choices.  I often get "locked" in a specific snack choice and don't vary from it for months at time.  When I was nursing my first child, and thirsty all of the time, I had to drink Fanta Orange soda daily.  It couldn't be any other brand.  I learned my local Crown Burger carried it and the workers there knew me at the drive-thru and I think would have it pre-poured and waiting for me.   (Ok, that now happens at my local McDonalds with Diet Coke, but that is another story . . .)

I've been through lots of these "snack phases".  Some examples, mint chocolate chip shakes, tomato juice, fiber bars, hummus, carrots, (I know carrots!), corn chips and in junior high school, be prepared to be grossed out, root beer and a Snicker's bar.  That sounds more like a pregnancy craving but once a week, I would buy those two items together and enjoyed every combined bite/sip.

So, lately, after running on the treadmill (I currently run three times a week--3 miles on two of those days and then a "long run" which means anything longer than 3 miles but it usually is 5-6 miles, but sometimes, 3.5 miles), I want two things and two things only.  A can, it must be a can, of Diet Coke and Natural Cheetos.  Honestly, those salty, slightly cheesy puffed snacks call to me during my run.  I often think, "Just  two more miles and I can sit down, drink a Diet Coke and have a some Natural Cheetos."  I am sure all fitness people out there are cringing and I am sure they are justified.  (I can just see that man from The Biggest Loser coming into my house and letting me have it.)  

So, I have confessed.  Anyone else "compulsive" about their snacks?

We don't just do commercials around here.

About a month ago, my husband's cousin, a film student at BYU asked if they could use his office to film a scene for a movie she and her classmates were making.  He agreed.  Shortly afterwards, she called and asked if he could be in the movie, playing the part of a "bloody veterinarian."  He agreed.  I think he had two lines.  

We're moving up folks.  Dentist husband is now in a "film."  We don't just do commercials anymore. 

Seven Favorites

I'm doing this instead of wiping down really dirty counters.  This is one of those "tag" things, so if you want to play, feel free.  Just leave a comment, so I know to see your answers.  Or leave your answers in the comments.  


1. Favorite piece of jewelry or hair accessories:  Ring I wear on my right ring finger that my husband made for me when he was in dental school.  We were dating, in love and he had no money, so he melted down all of his gold dental projects--none of which had been in anyone's mouth, and designed and created the ring for me.  It is the band, plus a smaller "band" intwined with the big band.  I love it more than my diamond engagement ring.  


2. Most important favorite thing - I am assuming family doesn't count, so I will say "books."  


3. Favorite Make-up - lipstick.  I always wear it. 


4. Favorite article of clothing -  My yoga pants from Lands End. 


5. Favorite drink - ~Diet Coke with fresh lime.


6. Favorite smelly thing -  I'm a cinnamon girl but I also love the smell of "fall" in the air and the smell of the earth after a fresh rain.  I'm like Kenny Loggins that way.  


7. Favorite food - Hamburger followed closely by guacamole.  

Gorham Melon Bud Flatware

Later this month, my husband and I will have been married for 13 years.  At the time we were married, my husband was in the middle of his 3rd year of dental school and I working a low paying job.  We were very poor.  When it came time to register for our wedding gifts, a good friend of mine told me, "Janice, just because you are poor doesn't mean you should register for cheap stuff.  Register for quality, last forever type stuff.  Don't look for trendy, faddish stuff either.  Think long term."  

I took her advice and went to a nice store and registered for nice dishes, china, cooking pans, and flatware.  (At the time, Target was the "new" place to register and I bucked the system and didn't go there.)   I had been advised by someone else to look at Gorham because they had been around forever and their stuff was good quality.  I found the above pictured pattern and registered for it.  It was one of the more expensive things on my registry and through good friends, my siblings and a few others, we ended up getting 12 five piece place settings.  

Well, today, as I was putting away my dishes from the dishwasher, I had the thought, "I never purchased the serving spoons with this set.  I LOVE this set.  I should buy the 'hostess set' and pick up a few more 5 piece place settings."  But alas, I couldn't remember the name of it.  Fortunately for me, I have kept all of my wedding planning things in a 3 ring binder.  I went there, found my original gift registry and was able to order more.  

Moral of the story:  When you get married, register for quality stuff and NEVER throw away your gift registry. 

New Favorite shoes

I have a new favorite pair of shoes.

http://www.zappos.com/merrell-oceania-navy-nubuck

Sorry folks, I got them on-sale, so I didn't pay this price but honestly, I LOVE them.  And, I would pay this price for them because I love them.  Now, I need to find some new Dansko clogs and I will be set.  Let me know if you find any on sale because while I love them, I don't love them enough to pay full price unless I find a pair I LOVE like these shoes, and then I might pay full price but I would rather not.

The Story of the Great Dress (or could also be titled, Having sisters can be really fun)

Two weeks ago, my sister came into town to attend a wedding.  She and her family stayed at my house, in my guest room and I was able to see her in between the wedding festivities they needed to attend. At one point, she came upstairs wearing the pictured dress.  (This is from the web-site, that is not my sister.)  

I said, "That is a great dress."  She said, "I bought it at Nordstrom three days ago.  It is a great dress."  

She went to the event and came home several hours later.  She walked in my house and I again said, "Wow!  That is a great dress."  She said, "It really is a great dress.  I got a ton of compliments on it tonight.   I am sure Nordstrom still has it.  You should get one."

I said, "You are right.  I should get one."  

My sister is always a size larger than me because she is 4 inches taller than me.  When either one of us has an article of clothing the other person likes, and we want to own the same article, we know what size to buy because we have figured out this system.  It works without fail, 99 percent of the time.  She said, "This is a size ---, so I am sure you would be a size ---.  It really is a great dress."  

Dentist husband came downstairs to ask us something and said, "That is a great dress.  Janice, you should buy one."  Dentist husband wears scrubs 97 percent of his life (he would wear them to church if he could get away with it) and that he noticed this dress, made it a great dress.  He rarely notices clothes of any sort.  This must be a great dress.

You also need to know, some great dresses on other people, are not great dresses on my sisters and me.  We have very similar builds.  We have very broad shoulders and backs, and all of us have these genetically huge, muscular calves.  (Seriously, even baby pictures show us with these round calves of ours but we have nice skinny ankles, so all is good.)  Any dress that comes mid-calf makes our legs look really strange.  Anyway, a great dress on one of my sisters means something and chances are a great dress on one of my sisters means it will likely be a great dress on me.   Great dresses are also fun to find.  

So, without leaving my house, I went on-line, and ordered the above pictured, great dress in one size smaller than my sisters.  It came today.  You know what?  It is a great dress.

The Pathetic, sad story of a suitcase

In front of you is one of the suitcases I got as a graduation present from high school.  This was the suitcase that I loaded up a bunch of clothes (the rest being boxed and mailed to my sister who lived in Utah and brought them to me at my dorm) and drove to Utah to attend Brigham Young University as a college freshman.  This same suitcase traveled many miles between Boulder, CO and Provo, UT during my time at BYU.  I also took this suitcase on a study abroad to Israel and carted this huge suitcase through Egypt and Jordan.  (I even dragged it with me on a train between Cairo and Luxor because I didn't trust the hotel that offered to store our suitcases for a few days.  Guess what?  Most people in our group got stuff stolen from their suitcases while their stuff was "in storage", so I was grateful I kept it with me.)   It then traveled with me to Argentina, and home again when I got sick and finished my mission on Temple Square.  Yes, you guessed it, it came with me there too.  I got married and packed for my honeymoon in this suitcase.  It has traveled to various places with me since I got married--California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, Ohio, Wyoming, etc.  I have taken it camping, on airplanes, in cars, trains and shuttles.  It's most recent use was a trip to Wisconsin over Thanksgiving to visit Dentist husband's brother. After that trip, Dentist husband said "Enough!  This suitcase is too big.  It doesn't work with a mother with four young kids and their luggage.  It is time to move on."  I will be honest, I got a little teary.  This my suitcase.  It has literally been my traveling companion for years.  And, look at it!  It still looks great and kept its functionality.  All of the zippers still work for heaven's sake.  

But then reality set in.  Next month, we are off to North Carolina to the Outerbanks.  That means six of us traveling with various layovers, hotel stops, etc.  We plan on flying to a few more places in the coming year and it would be good for each child to have their own suitcase to pull behind them in airports, hotels, etc.  

So, now you see our new "kid" suitcases.  They are small, colorful (easy to spot) and have easy pull wheels.  JCPenny's was having a great luggage sale and so I got these for a song.  

Will I ever get rid of the above mentioned suitcase.  As of right now, no.  Maybe later.  Time has a way of slowly easing my sentimentality and at some point, I might look back on this moment as silly but for today, it will go back in my storage room and hold all of the memories that I cherish with it.  So, it is not "bon voyage" but "until next time".    

World Cup Thoughts

When I started dating my husband, he introduced me to the wonderful writing of the TV show, "The Simpsons."  I thought I was "above" The Simpsons (remember, I was an English major who was "so" into cultured things) and based on the first few years, it really was a pretty base show.  Then, they were wise enough to hire some really outstanding writers (Conan Obrian for example) and the show became a great commentary on modern life.  Daily it seems something happens and my husband and I end up quoting a Simpsons line.  Because of who I am married to and my natural love for TV, we have seen most if not all Simpsons episodes.

So, what Simpon's line has been in my head the last few weeks?  "I've watched hours and hours of soccer and I almost saw a goal!"

With World Cup in full swing, I thought I would be fully invested.  Being raised in Boulder, CO, youth soccer was a big deal.  All of my friend's played it and in my high school, attendance at the school soccer games was big.  As a missionary in Argentina, World Cup 1994 was on and our mission president told us when Argentina was playing, if we could find an inactive member's house to watch the game, we should go there, since the whole country would be watching it and nobody would answer their doors.  True story.

While a missionary in Argentina, Diego Maradona was having his huge soccer come-back, after being suspended from the game for 15 months because of cocaine being found in his system.  He was viewed and is still viewed by many as Argentina's best soccer player and one of the best soccer players of all time.   Interestingly, his comeback was short lived because they found drugs in his system during the 1994 World Cup (not cocaine but ephedrine).   (I am still amazed I understood all of this, in that it was explained to me in Spanish and that at one time in my life, I understood the language fluently enough to really speak and converse in it.  Very cool.)

But before Maradona failed that drug test, all of Argentina was glued to the TV, to watch Maradona play including young, American me.  I LOVED watching the games.  I loved hollering, "Maradona" whenever he would touch the ball.  I loved breaking out into the Argentine National anthem when they would score a goal.  I loved walking on the streets and hearing the every house shout, "Goal!" as we made our way home to our apartment.  I even started playing soccer on my P-day when all of the other sister missionaries would sit on the side and watch.  I wasn't good but I imagined myself to be good.

So, again, I thought I would really enjoy watching World Cup with my nephews and kids.

Not so.  It must have been just a "I'm a missionary and really getting into the culture I am living in" thing because honestly, these games go on forever and nothing happens.  And then, when something does happen, it is called as off-sides and no goal happened.  Or we think the game is over but no because there is the time clock and then the official time clock and "stoppage" time.  Oh and Maradona, now the current head coach/manager of the Argentine National team, looks horrible.  So sad.  I learned (in English this time), he continued to battle cocaine use for many years and it almost killed him.

I have heard once that Pele wrote an article outlining ten things to make soccer a more interesting sport for the general viewer.  He suggested getting rid of off-sides, no kick offs, etc.  Maybe if those things would be implemented, I will watch again with interest.  Instead, I will keep on hearing Homer Simpson say, "I watched hours and hours of soccer and I almost saw a goal."

Barry Manilow Family

Recently, I heard a "new version" of the Barry Manilow classic, "One Voice." It was done by "Straight No Chaser" on their latest album. I was raised in a "Barry Manilow family" because I have a brother and sister who are 12 and 10 years older than me and they liked him. While many of my friends were raised in Neil Diamond families or Rush families or even Beatles families, we were a Barry Manilow family with a little bit of John Denver, Manhatten Transfer, Sergio Mendes, Billy Joel and later a lot Michael Jackson thrown in.

I know EVERY Barry Manilow song and album. I can honestly say I really like him but this song is my favorite, even though, "Copacabana" comes in as a close 2nd. The words to "One Voice" are a little more philosophical than Copacabana. Enjoy. You can listen to the tune here.

Just One Voice,
Singing in the darkness,

All it takes is One Voice,
Singing so they hear what's on your mind,
And when you look around you'll find
There's more than

One Voice,
Singing in the darkness,
Joining with your One Voice,
Each and every note another octave,
Hands are joined and fears unlocked,
If only

One Voice
Would start it on its own,
We need just One Voice facing the unknown,
And then that One Voice would never be alone,
It takes that One Voice.

It takes that One Voice.

Just One Voice
Singing in the darkness,
All it takes is One Voice,
Shout it out and let it ring.

Just One Voice,
It takes that One Voice,
And everyone will sing!

Now I am curious, what music was listened to in your house growing up?

Nostalgia/Urban Legends

I have spent the last few days cleaning out our basement in preparations for finishing it. It is a pretty brutal task because we have lived in this house for five years and even brought boxes from previous moves unopened to this house. In the course of living here, the unfinished basement has also become a major play area for the kids in which I rarely go down to see what messes they have made, and so it is a huge project I am undertaking.

To help with the tedium, I brought a radio down there and just turned it on. I didn't pick a specific station and the first song that came on was the Phil Collins classic, "In the Air Tonight." I haven't thought of this song (or Phil Collins for that matter) for YEARS. At one point, a boy I dated was a huge Phil Collins fan and I know a ton of his music because of it, so nostalgia after nostalgia came flooding in waves over me as I was sweeping up packaging peanuts in the basement. (Imagine a bunch of little kids finding a full box of packaging peanuts and having at it. I should have checked on them more often.)

So, back to my nostalgia. Do any of you remember the urban legend attached with "In the Air Tonight?" Snopes goes into all of its variations but basically, Phil Collins witnessed a drowning and he witnessed someone else watch it happen and they didn't help the drowning victim. Phil Collins then wrote this song and invited the "witness that could have helped but didn't" front stage to his concert and said, "Bob (or Billy, or whoever) this is for you."

This urban legend was talked about constantly when I was in junior high and even high school. Why were we so convinced this was true? Maybe it is many more years added to my age but when I think about this now, I am shocked at our gullibility. If Phil Collins witnessed this, why didn't he just call the police? Where did this happen? Were there more than just those three people at said event? Why did he wait years to spotlight the guilty party at his concert? Why didn't Phil Collins help the poor drowning soul? (Ok, urban legend said that for some reason, he couldn't help. That he was incapacitated in someway. Again, thank you urban legend for filling in the gaps.)

It then got me to thinking about the crazy stuff we are willing to believe. What will I look back at 15-20 years from now and say, "Was I really that gullible? Why was I so willing to believe?"

Anyway, those are my thoughts cleaning out a basement while listening to some unknown radio station when a Phil Collins song comes on. Pretty deep huh? :) For my fellow 80's readers, go here to listen the song.

FYI

I would love to sing Ave Maria in a duet with Michael Buble.

Dear Old Navy

Dear Old Navy,

Halloween is my favorite holiday and every year, I take my kids to Old Navy and let them pick out a new $5 Halloween shirt that I wash every night and they wear it almost (if not every) day the whole month of October.  However, this year, you did not carry "Girls" Halloween shirts.  You carried Women, Men, Boys, Baby Boy and Baby Girl items, wonderful warm Halloween costumes and even Halloween pajamas but nothing for girls sizes 5-16.  I gladly bought my sons their Halloween t-shirts and even a pair of orange with white ghost pajama pants for me but there was nothing for my eight year old girl.

Instead, I ended up at Hannah Andersson and paid $32 dollars (each) for matching darling Halloween shirts for my girls.  Instead of paying $10 for cute shirts, I paid (gulp) $64.  

Old Navy, I love you and have a great regular relationship with you.  Your jeans fit my sons perfectly.  I live in your lounge pants.  My husband wore one of your sweaters (which I purchased on a whim for $10) for our very expensive family photo last year.  

So, while I am not breaking up with you, I am having a "define the relationship" chat expressing that you are not fulfilling all of my needs and expectations.  Please reconsider bringing back Old Navy Halloween shirts in girls sizes.  My daughter and my wallet would appreciate it.  Thank you.  (And, keep up all of the other great things you are doing.  I'll see you again in July when we buy our annual 4th of July flag shirts.)  

Sincerely,

Janice

Money Saving Tip

On May 11th, the price of stamps goes up again, from 42 cents to 44 cents.   If you buy the Forever Stamp now, it will save you 40 cents a sheet once the price goes up.  I have been stocking up on them for the last few months.  No a huge savings, but still with this economy. . .

Not much going on but I still feel overwhelmingly busy

My life has been busy, my house is a mess but nothing has struck me to write about. So, here are some of the highlights of the past few days:

--I have been taking care of my 18 year old nephew after dentist husband removed his wisdom teeth. Great boy and my kids worship him. He is now on the road to Idaho. FYI: My black bean soup was a hit with him.

--Kids are out of school.

--My birthday was super wonderful. Thanks to all of you well wishers as well as my local friends who joined me at Noodle and Company for the lunch celebration. Thanks Lisa for organizing it this year. (On a side note, I ate out all three meals, McDonalds in the AM, Noodle and Company in the noon hour and Barbacoa for dinner. Yes, I need to lose about 7 pounds now.)

--Book club was super nice this month. Catherine's house had such a great feel to it--nice and cozy.

--My four year old (toothsome #3) had a pre-school program and had a solo as well as a speaking part. I knew about the speaking part but NOT the solo. Who knew he had it in him?

--I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting Christmas cards.

--While it has taken me awhile to get into it, all and all I really liked Glen Beck's "The Christmas Sweater."

--I am still wasting a ton of time on Facebook.

--And last but not least, I spent three days with a magic eraser getting all of the pen marks off my walls done by toothsomes 3 and 4. What in the world? Have these children never heard of paper?

Merry Christmas!

FYI

This Lands End jacket is currently on sale in their overstocks section. I picked up one in navy. Just thought you all should know.