Just Take A Look!

Never Mind, It Won't Be Colorado!
I was considering going in with my brother on a place in Colorado but the law they passed (or are considering passing?) is horrible! Good grief, what an idea, to not allow separate bathrooms because someone is not normal? Some people who wish they were the opposite sex that they are, someone whose physical body doesn't match their mental makeup, someone who is "deformed" determines how normal people live?!

Do we also have to plant a little pet area in the restrooms for those who are confused and think they're dogs? Do we have to outlaw running tracks because some people can't run? Outlaw school because some people are retarded and it's mean to make them feel abnormal?

They ARE abnormal. It's a sad thing and helping messed-up people is part of what we need to do, but to adjust the entire world to pander to (not the right phrase) sick, hurt, deformed people to the detriment of people who are not suffering that way is way out of line!

Bathrooms are about genitals, people! Take a look and go to the appropriate place!

Exercise, Exercise, Come On Everybody, Do Your Exercise

Last night I reminded D - and myself - that we no longer need to stay inside all summer, in Utah we have nice weather. It's not really summer yet, but the sun is out, birds are singing, breezes are blowing, it's perfect. When it DOES get too hot, I'm going to want some type of exercise machine. D has been interested in treadmills ever since he used my mom's - that was years ago!

He wants one to run a motor that will do something, we haven't figured out what yet. The boys' dad always said he wants one that is required to go a certain speed to run the TV. I love that idea but we don't watch THAT much TV. Their dad did but we don't. I'd like to try one that runs my computer but I'm afraid to hook it to my work computer. What if I don't have that much energy one day at 6 a.m.?

Exercise machines come with all sorts of entertainment options to hook to them. But this I don't get - they're not run by your exercise! They're just to entertain you WHILE you work out. So I'll be spending tons of money (or would be if I had it to spend!) for a machine to do artificial exercise on that D will take apart to make even harder to use!

Maybe I'm strange but it sounds like fun to me.

Doors and Alarms and Baby Tinys

My doorknob doesn't work! We're in a rental so we're limited in what we can do I suppose. Is the house settling or something? Suddenly the bathroom door doesn't close - it won't latch. I could find a new doorknob at Schlage, one that will properly latch. On my bedroom door, it isn't all that important, I'm rarely in there but the bathroom is a different matter entirely! Especially when the grandbabies are here! You know THAT routine, right? If it's a locked door, littles bang and cry and try to break in because you're not letting them in. If the door was open, they wouldn't care at all.
D's door closes but has no lock. For his friend's birthday, I bought a gift for the friend and one for D - alarm systems from SpyGear. Both the boys (D and his friend) have little ones to keep their stuff protected from. They've set up these alarms so that whenever a little crosses the beam of light, the first alarm goes off, then a bit later, a shrieking LOUD alarm starts blaring and THEN (yes, there's more :-) it shoots a rubber dart at the intruder! Very funny to watch the littles get caught.
I want a fancy front door. I'm thinking of looking for a home to buy again so I can do what I want with it. The toss-up is that then I'd have to do all the maintenance myself. Doors, blinds, painting, etc. - all that is fine, even fun. But for fixing water heaters and electrical problems I really prefer being able to just make a call for FREE help!

Now I'm All Set Up

Yesterday I stopped at Office Max after running a couple of errands. I decided just for the heck of it to see if they have any desks for use while standing. Naturally they don't. And I had to see that while talking to a guy at a desk that he used while standing! Grrr!
It was just a huge, high cabinet basically, something I really don't have space for. Or space that I don't want to use like that and they didn't sell any anyway. Instead of looking for a store fixture supply outlet, I asked the guy for something a little weird. You know the pull out tray for keyboards that are attached to computer desks? I didn't see why I couldn't just get one of those and attach it to my shelves.

THEY SELL THEM! It's perfectly normal to ask for one! Most likely they're intended to replace one that broke on your computer desk but still...

Could This Be The Place?

Yes, it's time to go hiking and camping but where? My oldest used to go up the mountain across the street, but we're now living down in the city area. Feels odd to have to PLAN a place to go hike. I prefer my own property to have enough space or at least nature that I don't have to drive to!

When I was a kid, we went mountain-climbing, camping, and hiking all the time. It was so incredibly much fun, especially climbing actual huge boulders, not necessarily on a well-defined path. We found streams, rivers, perfect swimming holes at the bottom of waterfalls. How did my dad always manage to find these places?!

Here's a place, I'd love to own property up here. Winter Park real estate. I love the name, the location, the property itself. Not the price though and I don't even know what it is, I just know it's way out of my reach! My brother, however... I wonder if he actually bought that land he finally decided on? This really looks like something he'd like. He's a city boy, very much so, downtown Manhattan city boy, but he likes to think he has some country in him. Wonder if I could persuade him? This is exciting, it could happen for real, he would come visit out west and we could have an awesome place like this to play! Luxury in the middle of the wilderness, can it get better than that?!

I just realized, the part of this offer that I wasn't sure of is probably exactly what would entice my brother into saying yes. You own this property but it's shared - I think. I didn't know why one would want to share ownership but that's better than renting for those looking for tax write-offs! This may be the key. Or not. I'm definitely not one of those who has ever needed such a thing! But another point to mention to my brother at least.

Home Is TOO Comfortable

If I'm not careful, I'll be looking for some Phentermine myself. You know those articles and blurbs that ask if you're just too busy to keep up with things every day? I'm one that says No. I'm not involved in any activities, it's a bit absurd how little we do here. It never bothered me too much before, I always was so active at work and D would be out playing and running around.

Now I stay mostly in one place to work, D schools at home and does everything possible to not leave the house. Home is so comfortable and comforting, and welcoming. I love to be home. But the season has changed, the weather calls me outside. Snow is the best in my opinion but I do love sunny days. Not hot days but sunny. When we have snow everywhere and plenty of sun, that's my perfect day, but they don't go together too well!

Little A has asked to go hiking so I guess it is finally time. D's friend leaves today for a camping trip with Scouts. It's time to listen to the young and get our blood moving!

Up and At 'Em!

Sitting all day will NOT work. Instead, I've moved my work computer up so that I can see it from a standing position, I put a large box on a tray table for my keyboard and mouse and work standing up and pacing and stretching. Much better! It doesn't look very professional but it'll have to do. I'm thinking of making (or finding to buy) a podium desk of some sort. Hmmm, or just a podium, one large enough to hold a keyboard, a notebook, and the mouse. Maybe I should be looking for a church supply store instead of office equipment.
Now I have to persuade everyone else that this computer should be up high too but that will take a lot of doing. Actually I don't think it will happen, they prefer sitting.
The stupid thing is that I adjusted my work setup so that I can be comfortable, then bought cookies, ate a whole row (five cookies) last night and then five more this morning! So much for feeling healthy and comfortable. Why do I do things like that?

Air Hockey Table and Selling Memories

In my dining room taking up way too much space is what I thought would be so much fun to have: an air hockey table. It was in storage with everything else for years so I was excited to have it out again and available for my son. To play takes two so I thought my oldest would play it with him and I would too. I imagined laughing family interaction, good times spent together. But my oldest openly told my youngest that he'll never play it, he doesn't like things like that. He sure did when HE was D's age!

Oh, well. At least D and I could play it and when D's friend comes over for the day, they could play it together. Yeah, right. D doesn't really want to play it and his friend, who LOVES air hockey, isn't interested when he comes over. All he wants to do is play computer games! NOT what I had in mind!

Poor air hockey table, sitting there taking up so much room, being used to pile junk on. I'm going to look up a good sale price for it and get rid of it I suppose. I hate to. We were so sad to have to pack it away, the boys all loved it so much before. Now nobody cares about it at all. I'll post a photo ad for it somewhere and see what happens. I thought grocery store bulletin boards had gone away but yesterday I saw one in Harmon's! There's also a laundromat with a bulletin board that I can try. Unless I decide the grandbabies are almost tall enough to use it. They do like it but since they're still short, they keep forgetting about it other than to play underneath it! It makes a good fort after all.

Can I Handle A Sedentary Job?

My new job has started and it's a drastic change of lifestyle. I sit all day, (well, half the day) at my computer. Normally I look for jobs that keep me moving as fast as possible all day. That's how I feel the best, enjoy my work the most, stay the healthiest. Suddenly I have to consider artificial ways to exercise!
I don't consider taking diet pills a viable alternative but apparently many people do. If someone's gotten so out of control that they're past the obvious ways to reach a relatively healthy weight, and need to use something to at least get started on the path to better health, they may be looking for help. There's a pill called Fenphedra that seems to be popular; it speeds up your metabolism and suppresses your appetite. Depending on what you need and your current state of health, it may give you the start you need. I'm sure I'll never try this but who knows? My new job keeps me sitting on my backside all day and my son keeps making brownies...

Plastic-less Trash Bags?

Lately I've been feeling a bit guilty every time I take out the trash. All these eco-friendly blogs pointing out the horrible impact of plastic on our environment have made me consider other options but I don't know what to do about this.
We have no yard so composting is out of the question. There's no recycling and I have no idea where a recycling center is. With the price of gas and my propensity for getting lost, I'm not convinced I'll save anything looking for one, but even if I do, how does that eliminate the need for plastic to line the kitchen can? Do people simply throw trash in it and clean the can every time? I don't have outside water either.
There's probably a very obvious, simple solution, what did people do BEFORE plastic? Of course, they didn't have so much packaging to deal with then either. Perhaps there's some kind of decomposable liner, cheap for throwing away though. I bet there is, I'm going to look in the eco blogs and find something!

Start Your Day With A Laugh!

What a great way to start the morning! I was dropping cards, got distracted by a funny sign on a blog (that's the point, right, I'd SO rather just go read all the blogs), and stopped to read. The post below the sign was a joke, the story kind. It was so funny! If you want to feel good this a.m. just by having a laugh, go read the latest on PoundingHeartbeat.com!

Scientific Principles At Work

Something else about those bathtubs, the walk-in ones I just posted about, I want to show D. It's the fact that the water pressure adds to the security of the door seal. We watched a Mythbuster show about a car going underwater and the occupants not being able to get the door open. They discovered that past a certain point, that's true. They could open the window but not open the door. I just think it's cool that this is used to make these tubs.
I considered something like this for the littles too, it sounds good for anyone. That's what got me started, I worried they would open the door and be thrilled with the resulting flood! But they shouldn't be able to. And I would be happy not to have to watch these tiny little people that have to climb out of a bathtub like the side is Mount Everest! Of course, that's assuming they'll wait and get out when they're supposed to - yeah, right! They don't want to be lifted out, naturally they're 'big' and can 'do it all by myself'. A door would be such a relief.
They're not going to be here this weekend, it will be a more relaxed weekend but I MISS THEM!

Another Way To Help

My parents are discussing moving into an assisted living situation, my dad is the one who wants to, my mother doesn't want to think about it. I don't know if my dad is worried about himself, worried about my mother if he dies or being able to take care of her because he's finding daily life so much more difficult. My mother has been having a lot of trouble with vertigo and I think my dad's afraid she'll fall and get hurt and that he won't be able to lift her to help. Scary. The whole thing is, my dad's always been a very physically active man.
I saw these walk in bathtubs and I think if they stay in their home, this would be a considerable weight off their minds. I like the idea that they have a seat available in the tub or shower. They look really good and they are made of safer acrylic instead of fiberglass which is supposed to be easier to clean. I've been discussing cleaning bathtubs with my friend, I don't think it's supposed to be so difficult to get a tub clean!
Besides my parents, my brother was crippled in an accident as a teen and hauls a chair into his shower every time. He keeps having to hire a cleaning woman because he can't do the work very well himself. Then 9/11 came along and he was hurt again, I thank God for those NY firemen! They're the only reason he's not dead today. Sorry, that was a digression I didn't need, always makes me want to cry. But I hate thinking of my brother alone in his home, he's fallen a couple of times and can't reach a phone. Things that make his life more manageable are always welcome.

Love In The Air?

The season is almost here, weddings, beautiful brides, handsome grooms; do you have someone getting married? Ever since my next to youngest came home with a girlfriend to introduce me to, told me they had both changed plans to attend the same college, acted all giddy and goofy around her...am I looking at another one of my babies getting married? Honestly at first, I expected him to announce their plans to marry then. He didn't. She's a delightful girl, that's the word that comes to mind whenever I think of her or talk to her. But they're both so young!
Putting that together though with the weather, and the fact that they see his brother now happily married and with a new beautiful angel baby, I'm figuring I'd better start looking at bridal shower invitations and being prepared. I don't even know the protocol, my mother-in-law and my other son's wife's mother did the prep for the last wedding. This may be yet another benefit of having all boys, I don't have to do all the planning! But I am a woman after all, it might be fun, am I allowed in on it too?

ANTS!

This morning when I opened my front door, I was disgusted to see so many ants that the sidewalk looks black! At least these aren't the fire ants of the south. It's been getting worse and worse; so far I've sprayed with 409 which worked great on the fire ants coming in when we were in SC. But it didn't work on these for some odd reason or else there are just so many that the next zillion came. Then I tried ammonia, twice I tried it but there seems to have been no results whatsoever. My friend just called and told me to try pouring a line of salt across the door ledge. She said it's a pain and gets tracked in but the ants won't cross it. It doesn't kill them but keeps them out of the house. A couple of intrepid explorer ants have crawled into the salt but that's all so far, we'll see. Time for ant killer! Any tried and true suggestions?

All Dressed In White

I got this new software, Framing Station, quite awhile ago and have really hesitated downloading it onto my new computer. I got the Ultimate Combo Pack and I was worried that it would be too much for my work computer to have all my work junk and my personal junk and still keep the pace I need it to, to keep up with customers. So, I have waited for my old computer to get back from "the shop" (my brother's house). but since I know that that is never going to happen, I just gave up and loaded it onto my work computer. I am happy to report that it does not seem to take up too much memory and has not affected my systems functionality at all.

So, I finally got this framing software loaded on my system and I started to play with it. Now, I have played with many, many different products and I can tell you, this baby is easy stuff! It is point and click and very simple. That is one of it's best features in my mind, but also one of it's worst. It is great for a beginner. Super simple, easy to use and lots of options. However, for a more advance user, it may be just a bit too simple. It is very limited as to what you can do with your pictures within the program and the frame is the frame, there is no changing it at all. (I am one that likes to tweak everything!) However, the selection is to die for, with literally hundreds of different frames to choose from, you will never be lacking. It came with SO many different disks with SO many different packs on each. The first one I loaded had Weddings, It's A Girl, Happy Birthday, Pets and World's Greatest on it. That's just one of like 14 CD's!!! It's amazing how much there is!

But the coolest part is you can use the frames and your pictures to make custom photo gifts like mouse pads, mugs and lots more from their website. This will totally make for some easy Christmas shopping! Mouse Pad for Mom, Can cooler for Dad, mugs for the Grands. We are talking easy breezy!

1900 House

This has certainly been fun today. At the library I found a movie set called The 1900 House. I remembered someone, my mom I think, telling me about this long ago. I've never seen it so today I watched the first of the two-video set. Didn't take long until my D-man was watching it with me. It was great! He kept noticing and mentioning things like, "That wasn't until the 1900s? Grandpa was born in 1936! It was practically new for him?" Then I was able to tell him my grandmother had had a wringer for clothes. Even the things that were for sale earlier weren't necessarily affordable for the general public for years afterward and he was completely interested in seeing the changes. So was I.
Then we get into the discussion that my dad was born when his dad was over 50 and that his dad was born when HIS dad was over 50 also. Over 100 years of difference between grandfather and grandson. It shocked me when my aunt was last here for a visit; she told me stories from her grandmother that she had heard as a child about her grandmother hiding family valuables from the Union soldiers before they took over their house!

The Bookshelf Rises Again

This is so odd to me; I keep wanting to eat but I'm not at all hungry. I decided to just go get something from the kitchen anyway, maybe I just want the taste of something delicious. But nothing looks that appetizing and it ALL looks like too much trouble to bother making. I considered a buttered bagel but really don't want it, so once again I'm sitting at the computer wondering why I want to eat! This is ridiculous. I already know I won't have the bagel, guess I'll just wait until a particular food settles its image in my brain. I'm thinking salad, that's sounding better by the minute. Once I overcome my lazy inertia, I'll go get some. You know that verse in the Bible about the man too lazy to lift his handful of food from the bowl to his mouth? That's me!

Perhaps you Utah people know about the Bookshelf, I wrote about its closing a while ago. I got some incredible Going-Out-Of-Business deals on used books. It was rather sad, rumors of a death in the family, retirement, who really knows? AND THEN...
Yesterday when my friend S and I went to the teacher's supply store, what do we see across the street?! The Bookshelf, open for business, same huge canopy sign, books in the window, ready to go. I'm thrilled but confused. They had a big closing sale to move two blocks down and across the street?

Money Tans

Have you ever noticed how white people like to be tanned? And think of how tans are described: skin the color of copper, bronze god, golden goddess...are we obsessed with $$?

As a teenager, I was annoyed that many of my friends wanted to spend the day lying in the sun. What could be more boring?! One summer I tried it too. By the end of the summer, I had almost caught up to where everyone else had started! (That may have been because I only managed two hours total the whole summer..)

Maybe I don't tan because I really am not that ambitious; I want enough money to be okay, but money just isn't incredibly important to me. Neither is the copper, bronze, or golden tan. Is there a connection?

I remember walking home with a friend once, we were wearing skirts. My hose had run so I had taken them off before leaving. It was already dark outside, we walked across an unlit school playground. Suddenly my friend started cracking up - she was laughing too hard to talk or even walk. When she finally caught her breath enough to tell me what the deal was, she said, "You're GLOWING! You glow in the dark!" Believe it or not, this is a true story. Does this mean I'm forever doomed to be poor?

SUBWAY!

Long ago, I found out that Subway was a franchise. Apparently, you can own it yourself but get the famous name business. This site has so many offerings for franchises that if you have any interest in such a thing (and the $$ for it!), you most likely will find one you want to invest in.
I wanted to get involved in running a franchise but I just invest in Subway by buying all their subs! It's my favorite place to eat, it's what I use to reward my son, it's where I love to buy cookies. I didn't see Subway listed as a choice but there are so many in lots of categories. Someday if I HAVE a net worth and qualify, I may do this.
I'm going to go look again and see if there's anything available for eco-friendly businesses. Oh, also if there's something like Zany Brainy - wouldn't it be great to find a toy store with different offerings than every other generic store around? See, this is why I'm not the right kind to own or run a franchise, I'm interested in the kinds of places that have gone out of business! Other than Subway, of course.

Work To Live, Is It All About Money?

I had a discussion with one of my boys about how frustrating it is to spend life working just to make money so that you can continue to live so that you can go to work to make money to ...

I'm not all that into money but I know it's almost the main point of life. No, I don't deep down believe that - I think our spiritual lives are more important but leaving our spirit untended won't kill us in this life, leaving our physical lives untended will. It puts what I consider way too much importance on the physical.

Over on Random Musings Of A Deranged Soul, Pisio seems to be feeling the same way. I like his idea of relaxation, going hiking. My favorite shoes are my hiking boots, my favorite childhood memories include hiking in the mountains. I also like the way he turned his feeling of hopelessness into a thank you for the soldiers that give him the opportunity to even be ABLE to complain and expect more out of life. Food for thought, whether you agree soldiers should be there or not. SOMEONE has fought in the past for us to have this comfortable present.

My Baby Boys Are Daddies!

Every once in a while I have to go into a little mini-panic at that thought!

Last night I called my daughter-in-law. I'm always afraid to call new parents, what if they were actually sneaking in some sleep? But I had to, I was hoping to hear the baby in the background squeaking or squealing, even screaming, I don't care! I want to hear my grandbaby boy!

Anyway, I have a pile of new baby things by my front door in a bag, waiting to be packaged and taken to the post office to mail. It's been there for TWO WEEKS! This is a loving grandmother? A loving mother? And my daughter-in-law Heather told me what she really needs and wants the most right now is a mobile for the baby's crib - that's what's sitting by my door among other things. How pathetic am I?

I'm off to the post office. Well, after a run to get the packing tape I forgot. In my defense, I'm in training for a new job, several stores were out of brown mailing paper, the grandbabies that are here have been horribly sick...even so. These gifts will go out today!

This so badly makes me want to go with the gifts, I want to see my boy and his new son. Two of my boys have boys of their own!!!!!! And one has a daughter as well! Where are my babies?

Cheaper To Fly?!

My friend just took off for a vacation with some of her kids. If you're considering a vacation yourself now that spring is here (or almost, depending on where you are), you may want to check out these travel deals. They don't just have offers for the U.S., nor do they only offer exotic destinations, looks like pretty much anywhere you have in mind! At the beginning they offer you their specials, they have a lot "on sale".

I keep thinking I'm going to drive to Cali but with gas prices what they are, some of the travel deals offered are better than do-it-yourself driving. I find that highly annoying! I enjoy driving on trips but I don't like finding places to spend the night. Since I sold my RV, it's time to reconsider how I'll make my next trip. Isn't it true that DRIVING yourself used to be the way poor people (and adventurous people!) were able to visit family and tourist spots? It's barely even feasible anymore!

How Is Asparagus To Be Cooked

My oldest (big A) bought asparagus, he knows he likes it but wasn't quite sure how to cook it. He asked me more than once to find out since I didn't really know for sure either. I told him I was pretty sure it needed to be steamed and that I think it takes a long time to cook.

So he fried some in butter. And loved it. So did the baby.

I think the reason he didn't save me any is because I never looked it up for him to be sure! Meanie.

Stay At Home Massage?

Little D was sick enough this weekend that big A had to go buy new covers. He got the down comforter he had been wanting as well as matching sheets. He needed a new pillow too and came home jazzed to have a memory foam pillow! So far he really likes it, I'm not sure I would or not. But I would like this, it's a mattress that acts more like a massage chair.

Ever since I sat in a demo model in a chair at a California mall, I've been on the lookout for this massager that has what feels like actual hands massaging your neck or back! It was amazingly, ridiculously expensive - but if I had the money I would have bought it anyway and considered it a perfectly good deal. I would, no doubt but I've never found it again.

These mattresses I'm seeing remind me of a super wide lounge chair some family friends had when I was a child, it was a vibrating chair large enough for two or three. The mattresses look even better than that, it massages instead of just vibrates. I think I want one.

Poor Baby

My grandson was horribly sick this weekend; his prescription from the doctor was for suppositories. Now I've never had these prescribed for any of my boys. When my son dosed him (the baby is 27 months), the poor little guy threw a fit, yelling and crying. My son told me he was impressed by how effective they are but he sure hated "giving" them to him. I said, Yes, I hear him crying. Hurts him, I guess. I loved my son's answer:

No, you know, I don't think it hurts so much as...well, it's more like he's just saying, "What the hell?!"

Photo Opp for Propaganda

I wonder how often things like I just saw are used to make a point when the situation is not at all what it seems to be?

There were two little boys at a dumpster, one was up on top, the littler was standing in front of the dumpster, EATING. Such a sad sight, right?

But the truth is this: the dumpster is across the parking lot from the kids' house, the dad had told the older boy to put the lid back down on the dumpster, little brother tagged along, snack in hand.

Safe Baths, Pretty Baths

Aha! I'm living in a rental now, but when the littles come over, I always remember that when the boys were still small, not yet daddies to their own kids, we always had the kind of shower head that could be pulled down off the wall to wash them with. The faucets had to be the right kind too so they couldn't accidentally get burned or suddenly turn on the shower. I'm looking for some of these features now that I can use even in a rental, I know there has to be something. Even if not, I'll probably try to buy a home soon and will need to be prepared to make it my own - decorated from the largest things to the smallest.

So many years I spent with a very practical home, five boys, a husband who rough-housed with them, decorating was not just low priority, it wasn't on the list. That will soon change! I can shop with the words "pretty" and "gorgeous" in mind.

My New Saying

Over on the site Platinum Pearls , there's a an ad with a quote in it that I'm going to use from now on - You're Not Getting Gray, You're Going Platinum. I like it!

Maybe it's not new, maybe it's from some old commercial, whatever, it's MINE.

No one likes to see my hair gray, I figure I'm a grandma now, I can be gray if I want to. I did dye my hair though when my youngest was still little because of what he said. He kept coming in to lie down with me and pulling out strands of hair, I didn't know why, I would yell at him, make him leave, pull one of his out, nothing worked. He finally cried and admitted he was trying to keep me from dying of old age! Poor baby!

Now that he's old enough to understand that I'm nowhere near old enough to die of old age and couldn't care less about my looks- everyone else minds! But now I have my new line to quote!

Platinum Pearl guy also talked about woodworking which I enjoy. It reminded me of when I carved a little bunny for my oldest when he was a baby. I want to do it again but all my tools are long gone.

New Lines!

Obviously our illustrious city leaders have been avidly following my every blogged word. They chose to take my sagacious advice to heart and immediately dispatched road workers; there are now freshly painted, clear lane lines in downtown Ogden!

To what worthy cause should my impressive powers of persuasion be turned next?

Not Allowed When I Was A Kid

When I was in junior high, I saw all these kids coming out of shop class with projects they had made - I loved working with wood but when they worked with some sort of plastic I was surprised. I signed up. Expectantly waited for the next semester to take shop. The first day I walked in and was met by the teacher at the door who informed me GIRLS WERE NOT ALLOWED! My name was slightly unusual but it seems obviously for a girl but they didn't realize it in time I guess. It did not ever occur to me that I wouldn't be allowed to take the best class because of my sex! GRRRR!

Enough whining. Kettering University - I've been seeing this ad everywhere and have looked into it twice already - now it's MY turn to write about it. They offer studies in polymers and plastics engineering for one. Am I too old? I haven't yet dared to click on "continuing education"...

Something else I see is they do apprenticeships! That's so perfectly, exactly what I believe in! My boys have heard me suggest this for years; this would be the perfect learning style and type of school for my youngest. Their engineering co-op programs starts in their freshman year and has them rotate study for three months, then work for three months. Excellent! It's hands on right from the beginning!

US News and World Report has ranked Kettering University as "the #1 University in the nation for Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering" in its annual "America's Best Colleges Guide for 2008. I've shown my youngest a little about this school but right now he's just interested in avoiding schoolwork, I'll give him another couple of years to get serious. He's young. But since he spends all his time making science experiments and researching (just don't use that word!) this sort of thing, this is where he needs to go. Industrial engineering is a field he should look into.

Tip For Parents Of New Drivers

This is a tip I personally found was an excellent and necessary thing to do when my kids learned to drive. It should save you and them frustration, gas, and hopefully avoid a logistical nightmare.

DON'T LET THEM GET OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THEIR HAND.

You know how you let them drive to school, they get out and leave the car running, you just slide over and drive home? Or wherever you're going next? Don't do it. Make them park if you have to, but don't let them out without the keys. It's not a habit they have yet, they aren't used to making sure the keys are in their hand. Make it a nuisance for you and for them. It's got to be trained into them, made into an automatic habit. Otherwise, you know you'll get that call from them late at night sometime, "Mom, I locked the keys in the car. Can you come get me?" Even having a spare in their purse or wallet may not work, some people don't always carry those. They need at least a month of ALWAYS having the keys in their hand when they get out of the car, they can hand them back to you through the window but don't let them get out of the car without them!

The Old Homestead

Right now, I'm renting a townhouse, not living in my own home. All my boys want me to find a way to buy back our old home up in the mountains, it's where they grew up and would like their children to either grow up there or be able to visit.

The last house I owned was a cheap little temporary place, I had no insurance on it, bought it outright, wasn't too worried about it. But when I choose where I plan to "live out my days", and especially if I manage to regain ownership of the "old homestead", I want mortgage life insurance on it. I just want to make sure the boys can keep it if I die. It's a really nice place, or was, near a river where the grandchildren can swing on rope swings and drop into the water, plant a large enough garden and/or keep animals to supply food for them all, go across the road up to hike and camp in the mountains.

Why am I worrying about the grandkids, I want to go back myself!

Really, this is something I think about a lot, my parents are STILL helping me and my siblings if we ever have any needs. Because of their example, I want my own angels to be able to count on me the same way. It's harder for me to care about money and material things, I just don't really. As long as I remember to focus on having money for my boys and their small precious ones, it's different. Besides, aren't we to help the poor and needy, the widows and orphans? I can't do that if I neglect everything financial. Also I DO NOT want to be a financial burden on anyone. Ever. Old or not.

Outdoor Days Are Here

So far, the most we've done about being outside enjoying nature is let the littles play in the front yard. Pathetic, isn't it? Yesterday, I mentioned to Big A that I would like to take everyone up to the mountains for a hike and a mini-campout. We'd bring the tent just because I like tents. I planned on building a fire to cook over but I'm not sure that's really allowed, it depends on where we go.

All my neighbors have grills out on their back porches or in the back yard. Then tonight, I was at my friend's house and her husband was making shishkabobs on the grill. Makes me want to eat something cooked outdoors - notice that I didn't say I want to cook outdoors. I think all these people should quit tempting neighbors by using a grill cover so I don't have to feel guilty for not making an honest effort at special meals. It seems like such a pain but smells and tastes SO GOOD to have a meal grilled outdoors. But mostly from childhood, what I remember is that it takes so long! We kids were always inside looking for something to eat until it was finally ready.

Gotta go close my windows, someone's out there grilling - I can smell it!!!

Luxury!

When I first moved in with my son, I found he had an old down comforter to sleep under but it was completely falling apart. When I shopped, I always had an eye out for a better blanket for him but didn't buy one because I knew I had blankets in storage. Yes, I found a couple, he uses one but what he really wants is a down comforter again.

This site looks great! They offer mattress toppers and whatever else you might need here - and there are definitely a few things I "need"! Not only do they have the comforters, they have pillows and everything else. Little A sleeps with me at night and keeps snatching my pillow instead of using her little one. If she insists (in her sleep) on a big pillow, she can have mine and I'll get me a nice, new, fluffy one!

Getting Results

That last post about the bad roads is really my reminder to find out what it takes to get results. Can I really call someone and get information about what is being or will be done about the problem? Or light a fire under someone to get the problem taken care of?
Part of me doubts it, because "they" have to already know, don't they? Where are all the workers and construction flags? I used to think it was Utah's state flag! I admit, it would be very difficult to find a good time to work on busy roads in a downtown area but it really needs to be done. You just can't have two lane lines for the same lane! And potholes that small cars can get lost in are totally unacceptable.

Ogden Area Roads

AVOID Riverdale Road.
AVOID Washington Blvd. through downtown Ogden.

Riverdale Road is full of potholes, deep potholes, very bad for your car.
Washington Blvd., the stretch through downtown Ogden has two sets of lines for the lanes. No one can be sure where they should be driving and it can get quite dangerous.

Time to write to the cities about these, it's totally unsafe in both places.

Baby Wears Daddy's Clothes

If you can handle the name of this site, you can find some funny t-shirts here. There are a few people in probably everyone's life that would laugh at these. Besides, warmer weather is coming, it's on its way, it's here! T-shirts are a necessary item. You can cover them with a light jacket if you plan to be outside when it gets colder later in the day. If you start early in the day, it's the perfect layer to strip down to. Seems like most people have something written on their shirts, it might as well be funny!

I enjoyed pulling out some of Big A's shirts from when he was little and putting them on HIS SON. That's so cute to see! Memories. Big A is 25 so these are from a l-o-o-n-g time ago. This past weekend, I dressed little D in a long Smurf thermal shirt that his daddy wore as a little one!

Hey!

I just read back over a couple of my posts and remembered that when I do these posts with links in them from advertisers, it works every time! I admit, my friend is the one who did them for me first, she knows what she's doing. She's not even 30 yet, she probably learned it right in school! Anyway, why is it so easy for the ads? That just takes a copy and paste, they tell you exactly where to do that and it works (almost) every time. Even when it takes a couple of tries, it works in the end. Their links always look more complicated than the ones I try to copy from the search bar though.

ENOUGH ABOUT THE COMPUTER. It's making my brain tired.

Tiny Phones and Renting Air

C.R. Morris from Cheaper By The Half Dozen left me a comment but I don't know what to do so I wrote a post about it. I managed to reply in the comment section of my OWN blog but how does that help her?
See, I would link her post but her title is totally different from what comes up in the search bar! I'm going to try it anyway, here goes:
Cheaper By The Half Dozen
My friend showed me how to make a link but it doesn't work in every situation. I don't know why. It's something about "alligator mouths" (that I call less than and greater than signs) and letter a's and parentheses and such.

Jocelyn left a message that said to link up with another site, that would be wonderful but I KNOW I don't know how to do that!

What C.R. told me is that she has a laptop, loves it and can take it everywhere! I still think I need something smaller, I had a laptop before. But maybe it's like cell phones - they used to be the size of a regular handheld, now you have to be careful not to drop it in your ear and lose it! A little laptop will be great.
She also said she has a wireless router. I have a router but it's not wireless, there are at least three wires hooked into it and it's hooked to another thing that has three wires in it. But they're different wires. Hmmm, at least I'm pretty sure one of them is the router.

How can I have a wireless provider anyway? What do you do, rent the airwaves around your laptop?! What happens if you walk around, do you rent a certain square footage? And how would anyone know which airwave signals my laptop is catching anyway?
Okay, I know that's not really how it works. You believe me, right?
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CLAIMER (as opposed to a disclaimer): Some of you may be dismayed at the number of computer illiterates clogging up cyberspace, but - here's the claim - it may just be me. I have several blogs and don't quite know how to run them. Maybe you just keep running into me.

Blogging is a lot of fun, reading them and writing them. I will eventually learn how to remember which name to use for comments (user name? sign in name? blog name? And which blog am I writing from this time anyway?) so I can comment on all the blogs I love to go to. At least I hope I'll soon learn, I have Notepad full of notes waiting for me to figure it out.
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My Baby Is Bigger Than Me!

The last one! The baby, the little one, my precious and beautiful small angel is no longer small - at all! Two weeks ago, he was still a bit shorter than me but last night...last night.
We were standing face to face, laughing about something and I realized it, that not only was I not looking just slightly down but not even eye to eye! He's taller by the width of a finger.

It caught him by surprise too, he was pretty excited to join all his brothers in dwarfing Mom. We had to run over to our measuring place on the wall and see it in writing. This is truly the end of an era for me. There are others coming because this baby is my LAST baby. Everything he does will be the last time one of my babies does it.

That sounds like it could be sad but I'm actually quite excited about it. It's just so COOL!!

Where Do I Put My Other Computer?

When we first moved in here a few months ago, I had an 8-foot long white heavy duty fold-up table. My parents had it in their house for a while with two or three computers on it (theirs, ours, and my nieces'); the children played there, worked there, it was great. My mother wasn't thrilled about the looks of it but it fit perfectly along the dining room wall under the window, it was also out of sight of visitors coming in the front door.
Eventually I got the table, then by a fluke brought it with me (it was the perfect size to act as a support for my household goods when packed in a moving pod), and set it up right in my living room. Here we had my two computers, various game components and consoles, printers, wires, books, papers, baby toys started accumulating...are you getting the picture?
The table is now in my son's storage and the computers, etc. are on shelves and entertainment centers I finally got out of MY storage after about 5 or 6 years. The problem with this is my computer is tucked into a little sideways slot on a huge display shelf setup, I can't even describe it. It actually works pretty well, my rocking chair is my computer chair! :-)

However. My OTHER computer has nowhere to go. It's not that big of a loss I guess because it shuts off after 30 minutes max due to overheating. But sometimes I still want to play (work?) online while D needs the computer for schoolwork. I've considered a laptop but am not quite sure if I can connect it upstairs in my room. If it has to stay downstairs, I may as well try to fix my other one. But I just found a site about laptop rental . I had never considered that. Forget buying one and finding out I can't use it after spending lots of money on it. This is a possibility. I can even try different brands and styles to find out what I really like first. This is sounding better and better, when you spend a lot of time on the computer, the setup needs to fit you well!

The Things They Remember

This weekend, my little granddaughter (little A) went with her mother and some of that family to the Disney Princess Ice Capades! I'm sure this will be a thrill for her and I'm happy she gets to go. When I discussed it with my oldest son (Big A), he said he remembers when I took him and his brothers to Disney On Ice; he still remembers that and it was about 20 years ago! So I'm very happy for my little A to have this chance, her mom watches out for ways to pet, pamper, and spoil her which is the proper thing to do! :-)
The funny thing about my son remembering is his main memory is of the cups we bought our snow cones in, he can still describe them. And so I reached up into a cabinet and pulled down...THE CUPS! I had just found them in storage and run them through the dishwasher that morning. He just smiled.

Everyone's Getting "Decked Out"

Everyone's talking about jewelry lately; that may have something to do with a jewelry party someone's sister-in-law just gave. I rarely wear jewelry myself but I love it anyway! Back in SC, I signed my niece and I up for a jewelry making class - well, I considered it. It would have been wonderful, I don't even remember why I didn't ever take her. I think it's because I panicked at the thought of trying to be creative. They had a lot of options, it was for making REAL jewelry, your own creation. Oh, yeah, that's exactly why we didn't go, all my fault, I couldn't even design what I wanted to make at home before the class and the people weren't really instructors - they just made sure you had what you needed. I needed far more than oversight, I needed close instruction, better yet, someone to make it FOR me! :-) It was a fascinating idea, I probably should have done it.

If you want designer jewelry made by someone who already knows what she's doing, you may want to check the site I just linked. There's no chance that at the end, you'll have a piece that is oohed and aahed over when someone thinks your five year old made it in kindergarten!

But still, trying to make my own would have been fun. I think.

I'm On To Her!

My friend S thinks she's fooling me but I'm on to her - she invites me over all the time, ostensibly to visit BUT...I always end up leaving with an armful of stuff! She thinks I haven't caught on, I know she feels there is too much stuff and junk in her house so DUH. She's using me to haul it away! And it doesn't feel so bad to get rid of stuff if your own friend can make good use of it. What she doesn't realize is that I fill her house when I get there and she's in another room - last night I sneaked in a rug...

We have a symbiotic relationship...

I Like Dilbert Comics

My friend told me she hates Dilbert comics but I usually love them. Like this one where Dogbert and Dilbert are sitting outside having a 'philosophical' discussion:
Dogbert - Isn't it stupid that the world economy is based on gold?
Dilbert - Yeah...no matter how advanced civilization gets, we still use rocks for money.
Dogbert - The dumb part is using a rock that's so hard to find.

That one's from Shave The Whales (by Scott Adams of course).

Same book, same characters, same setting, different day:
Dogbert - I have a stupid question.
Dilbert - There are no stupid questions.
Dogbert - That's ridiculous...if there are no stupid questions then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?

Since I just got so much stuff out of storage, this is one of my treasures - boxes full of books, comics, school books, scripture studies, dollhouse catalogs, this is great!

Where Was This When I Needed It?

Now this is something I wish I'd found a few years ago when I was traveling the country in my RV with the boys! I always had to find an RV park or campsite or a library to go online. It was often okay but I could have used this so many times and ways! I could have been working online instead of always stopping for a few months somewhere to get a job, build up savings and then take off again. It would have helped greatly with homeschooling the boys while we traveled too. It's a mobile router and it allows you to be online in a moving vehicle (even a boat!). It's for other things as well, but this is the first thing that came to my mind, I really, REALLY could have used it. I just don't think it was available 'back then'. I would have had to try hooking my laptop to my little cell phone and that didn't seem feasible. Of course, it WAS but it felt odd.
Next time I go on an extended RV trip, I WILL have one of these!

Utah Idaho Supply store

This is not a safe place for me to be - they have books, they have school supplies, they have educational toys for little angels. I spent so much money the other day, now I have to go be embarrassed and return some of it. I really didn't need all that! It's just so hard not to buy all these things that will be 'just perfect' for whatever crosses my mind at the time.

I bought felt dolls and outfits for little A; she always loves to do the dress up games on the computer but I'm not comfortable with that. Anyway, I just wanted a simple set but ended up spending $20 because I had to buy one large set just to get a doll, then I had no choice but to buy the special princess dresses set - that was the whole point after all.
Then I bought an overly expensive toy food set - little K can make sandwiches to feed the big stuffed alligator. I like that better than him feeding toy men to it!
And THEN...yes, even more. I bought history workbooks, the whole reason I was shopping was to get a time line, I found it almost right away, then decided this whole set of books would be better because they included a pull out time line in each book. Now I have to spread all the history paraphernalia on the table and choose what I'm really going to use and return the rest. I think I wish I had gotten the time line. But the...see what I mean? My deadline is tonight to decide. Unfortunately, I'm the one who made the deadline and nothing will happen if I don't meet it! Maybe I'll ground myself - yeah, that would work! No bookstores for two weeks if I don't get this done tonight.
I bought a few other things as well, what can I say? I LOVE this place!

I Won! I Won!

On Ebay, I got what i wanted! That really doesn't count as winning since I had to pay, but I SO wanted to be sure I got this book series I bid on. It cost way too much but still less than any other way I could have gotten these books so it feels like a win to me! It's a kids' historical fiction series I plan to use for ds's history. History is the big problem here, he totally hates it but reading historical fiction seems to be helping a bit. I like it too, it gives atmosphere to the period and helps me follow the story of history so I can help him do the same.

There are entire curricula based on learning other subjects through literature: Sonlight, Beautiful Feet, Learning Language Arts Through Literature, others. Ds hates to read and hates history so I didn't consider these before. And now I'm just making my own, we'll see how well that goes. Kind of like reinventing the wheel I guess, but I never expected this to be the way that would work. Part of being a mother, isn't it, having to change your mind and methods all the time as the kids change?

On The Way To Cali

California, that is. My newest grandbaby, a boy, was due Leap Year Day! He still isn't here though, he's holding on so he can have a birthday more than once every four years! I'll be going out there soon i hope. It's about a 12-14 hour drive i believe so I'll probably want to stop for the night. Where am I considering? Some little roadside motel in the desert? NOT! This will be a celebration trip and what better place than LAS VEGAS?! I don't gamble but that is so unimportant, there is so much going on there. Day or night, doesn't matter a bit. So far, every time i've gone through Vegas, I and whoever I was traveling with would wander around and explore the sights and shows, find a good restaurant, and then...go sleep in the camper in the parking lot!

Well, not this time. Las Vegas has some incredible places to stay and they don't always charge exorbitantly for staying - they know they'll get your money from gambling or shows! I'm looking into hotels in Las Vegas and prefer to book with a place that specializes in Las Vegas. I can't check the dates yet because the baby hasn't made his grand entrance (exit!?) quite yet. As a matter of fact, I think I'll go call my son right now!

Don't Have To Be In Utah For This...

My friend talked me into something today, she didn't have to try very hard. It doesn't matter where you live, doesn't matter how many littles you have at home, married or not, this is something we should all do:

***GET A MASSAGE ***

It was wonderful, marvelous, so relaxing, so indulgent! This was my first "professional" massage. I've had plenty of massages before; my mother, my friend, my husband (at that time), my boys have all done my back and I've done theirs in return. The boys really didn't often massage my back, i taught them to walk on my neck and back. Now the last one is too heavy but I'm working on training the grandbabies! They have to learn to balance, where to step, that they may NOT jump, drop onto their little knees...now is the time to teach them because when they jump or just drop suddenly, right now it doesn't matter, they don't weigh much. That also means they don't weigh enough to really feel them up there on my back but that was my excuse for such decadent indulgence today!!

The Treehouse

What can i say but The Treehouse is a wonderful place! Kids stay entertained there for hours and hours! I can take a book if i want and read while my granddaughter is happily and educationally entertained. Mostly i follow her around but on occasion it's good to lead her to something and discuss it with her. She enjoys finding out things. She loves the doll section and the dollhouse but was happy to listen to me for a few minutes discussing the different types of dolls and who they represent. Since she's four, she's enthralled with princesses and is therefore ready and willing to hear the history stories available upstairs with the throne, costumes and all that.

Now I have to get my son there so my 2 year old grandson can go too. I can't imagine taking them both at once with just me! They'll immediately head off in five different directions at once - and there are only two of them!

Lots of Books Cheap!

For those of you in the Ogden area or anywhere near, you may know of the Bookshelf. It's going out of business now, i think the owner died and the (wife?) is retiring.

They're having a liquidation sale, by now everything is 80% OFF!! I bought 14 books last night for FIVE DOLLARS! I love books, i made sure to go by myself because i can stay forever. Last night i was there for four hours! And I didn't get to finish really. These are used books, some well-used, very old, some classics, some new books that people read and gave away. Great Place for bibliophiles! That's ME!

I found some historical fiction to round out history lessons, ds just told me today he likes learning history this way much better than with just a textbook. I bought a couple about the west (he was born here after all!), a couple of kids in the Revolutionary War, one from the Civil War, Vikings, others, some were just for fun. He always says he wishes he could rewind time so that whatever annoying, bad, or sad thing just happened could be erased. I found a book called "Rewind To Yesterday". He grinned when he saw that one!

For My Homeschool Curriculum

Just playing around, trying to decide on a name and logo for curriculum and ideas that come from homeschooling my boys, I found a site where I can make a real, official logo design, and business cards. It's really easy to do, they lead you through five steps and voila! It's done!

The hardest part was figuring out a name, but there is a lot of helpful advice even about that. There's help through every step, they tell what things to consider. Then there are choices about what type of company you have so that you can match the type of logo to what you most want to emphasize.

I wanted to point out that my curriculum is to get kids' minds soaring, taking off in their imagination with every new thing they discover. At first, I looked at logos with brains, but that just wasn't right. They have a search box, so after looking at some of the possibilities (there was a comet for one), I typed in rocket and there they were!
It's really worth looking through the offerings; you'll either find what you want or find something even better than you started with. There are LOTS of choices. You can choose font styles, sizes, colors, then the templates give options I hadn't even considered. Not only is it a great business choice, I had fun just playing with it!

My parents should LIVE in Branson

The next time i drive across the US, something i do more often than most people, i HAVE to stop in Branson. My parents love it so much that it's become the meeting point for relatives from opposite sides of the country. My aunt from Texas, my parents from SC, and their friends who are usually traveling somewhere, always make that their meeting point.
My mom's favorite is, okay, ONE of my mom's favorites was the show where they have dancers from all over the world doing their different cultural dances. On one trip they took my nieces who both thoroughly enjoyed it as well, there are things in Branson for adults, kids, old, young, male, female.
Another one of the draws is the Elvis impersonator, my mom and her sisters and cousins have pictures of themselves with one of them in particular, a guy named Lou that they absolutely adore!
My parents don't usually avail themselves of the package deals but the relatives and friends definitely do. These packages cover your hotel, meals, certain shows, there are a variety of choices. If you don't find one that fits your needs, they custom design one for you! When i go, i'll need a package, even a tour, i get lost WAY too easily! With a package, you can be sure you don't forget or get distracted from the things you didn't want to miss, there's an awful lot to see and do so that would be easy to happen. Then the next time (this is one of those places that you will definitely go back to for more!), you just go with a different package to have a whole different vacation! Or just customize it to keep those things you love so much, you don't want to do without, and add a thing or two for the novelty.
I hear so much about Silver Dollar City, the Chinese guy with the violin, the Russian named Smirnoff who was so thrilled to see signs when he arrived in America saying, "America loves Smirnoff", he thought his fame had already reached overseas - until he realized it meant the vodka! I heard a lot about the Chinese acrobats from my nieces, they were quite impressed. There's a theme park with rides and such in Silver Dollar City so my son will like that part too. He loves hotels and FOOD too so this will be so perfect! It's probably expensive for me but there are all sorts of coupons too (my parents love coupons) to help with that.

I Found Things Today!

Last week i drove all over trying to find the north branch of the library (instead of the main one I usually go to), and two places where i wanted to apply for a job. I found none of them! Just drove around forever wasting gas!
Today, I found the library and it had so many things i needed. Saved me lots of money too, i would have had to buy way too many things for ds's schooling. Then i stopped at the bookstore and found two more books that were exactly what i wanted - on sale for $1.99 each!
The only bad part is that i was supposed to be here for my friend to drop off her son and i wasn't back yet. They were here early - totally unusual - and i, well, i had been at libraries and bookstores so of course i was late. I hope it worked out okay, i went to get him and all was normal after that.

Found A Place

Searching for land for my brother kind of backfired. I found Tennessee land for sale. The area is absolutely beautiful, it's on the east coast, it's between him and the rest of the family so it would be a good meeting point. Then he called me and said he found land in another state! That's alright, he can still look here, this is a good choice too i think. I remember driving through on my way to a concert (I go a long way for a good concert!) and LOVE it. Maybe someday when i have lots of extra money - 15 minute break here while i go laugh my head off! - I'll buy some here myself!

Free Imaginary Home Decorating

Since my mother-in-law bought her new old home - really, that's what it is - I've been imagining furnishing a house in that style. She's planning to refurbish in the style of the early 1900s, she'll have a wraparound porch (it had one, guess it's being redone), a large wood stove, wood floors. She did say she wants carpet. At first that surprised me but she said she'll sacrifice authenticity for comfort and efficiency on this point - she wants warm toes! Besides, they had carpet or at least rugs by then, didn't they?
I love wood stoves, used to have one and when the power went out, it was wonderful! We cooked on it, kept warm by it, read together by its light...
I tried to find things that fit the early 1900s motif, I found a site that has light fixtures , lamps, and chandeliers of all styles. I realize i'm looking at what i imagine to be the right old-fashioned style but then have to remember this is the old west. Kind of. There's pretty much some of every style here so something will work. What i like is the idea of a chandelier over the front door. Then again, maybe not, it's very windy in her area, would that be safe? I know she wants plenty of light, she uses a cane to walk right now as it is. And she would use the porch to relax and read, drink her tea, talk with her guests. Okay, i'm getting carried away, imagining something in the style of Tara in Gone With The Wind!
But that's the fun part in decorating someone else's house in your imagination! I can change styles as often as i want, spend as much money as i want, and reality doesn't have to intrude!

The Old Homestead

My in-laws have bought their old homestead in Nebraska, my m-i-l was born there. It needs a lot of renovation, the house was built in 1910, updated and repaired somewhere in the 70s or 80s. She was so excited about the plans, not so excited about the cost. But still, yet someone else is buying property - I want to!
Or not. One good thing about renting is that i have no obligations beyond the year or so; if i see a need to move, i can. The bad thing is i have no yard to do with as i will. But since my ds never goes outside, does it matter? I'm hoping this will change when he acclimates, SC to UT is a big change!
He's a native but he's been gone a long time, he's been through a lot of changes in his life.
What i love here is the weather, it's cold. No, i don't like to freeze, don't like to slip on ice, or spinout in the car because of snow. But dealing with this isn't as bad as the deadly heat of the southeast! At least, not to me. I did enjoy not having to find boots, coats, gloves, and all that just to run out and check the mail however!

All Good News

All the babies have been checked out by the doctor, they're all healthy, happy and wise! It seems that everything is just silly little daily life stuff and we don't need to worry. What a relief. I'll still be watching them but so far it's all good.

Looking For Property

My little brother still wants to buy land and set up a commune. He says he's wants a cult but doesn't want to run it. But then, after i get him off the crazy talk, he admits he wants a family property, a place he can come to and have all his family and friends gathered around him. He worked in the WTC and so did my other brother so family and safety, all that, have become way more important to him than ever before. He wants everyone gathered safely in one place!

He asks me to keep an eye out for good property, I told him about the land given away in Kansas (I think it was) but he isn't looking for tornado country! There is PLENTY of beautiful land here in Utah, I tell him sometimes about property I've seen but so far, he hasn't jumped. I'm really not sure he should do this here anyway, my sister and parents are well-established on the east coast. We looked in Virginia before when I was in Maryland, thought we found something he wanted but then he decided not to. I think the wild west draws his attention but practicality makes him look at the east - so he's pulled two directions and can't make up his mind!

Things I Found In Storage

My youngest will NOT be thrilled if i tell him about some of the things I found as I'm unpacking boxes from my storage. His old baby toys are amusing him, he's remembering and having fun. But I also found his brother's homeschool schoolbooks! I'm excited, he most certainly, definitely won't be! LOL! These are for 8th grade, my son now is in 7th but they can be adapted. The algebra he won't mind so much probably but grammar and writing?! I can SO see him running to his room, shutting the door, and blocking it with everything he can find! Then he'll be on his knees on the other side, moaning and begging, "Noooo, Mom, pleeeeeease, nooooooo!" This may sound like exaggeration but really - a 13 year old boy and schoolwork - it's no exaggeration!

Kids Can Be Frightening

My grandson is having some sort of trouble, hopefully nothing but we're checking it out. His feet turned dark red or purple like he's getting no proper circulation in them. The first time it happened I wasn't too worried, he had been sitting on his knees for a while at the table. When I went to stand him on the floor to take him to wash, he wouldn't put one foot down, just cried. I realized his foot had fallen asleep so i rubbed his leg and foot until he was better. But about 20 minutes later, my son was dressing him and I saw the baby's whole leg and that foot was still red. Then it happened again the next day, he was on the sofa after waking up from a nap, head down on the arm of the sofa and on his knees - it was really cute. But then i noticed his feet were dark, dark purple and he kept fussing. I don't know what this is but it's more than a foot going to sleep. My son wonders if he's got a pinched nerve, can babies do that?!

His mom has just had another baby (not my grandchild), this baby seems to have tremors, she's wondering if they're seizures. All this reminded me of a child named David I used to have in my kindergarten class. He was the handsomest little thing! Black hair (I love black hair), blue eyes and a mischievous grin. He had some sort of disorder though, something with his muscles, maybe nothing like these problems, just made me think of him. I think he had cerebral palsy. People were acting like this was a problem that would get worse over time but I just found this cerebral palsy therapy site that sounds like it won't. At least there are things that can be done, treatments that can help. This little boy was so sweet, and I was glad to see the compassion in the other little boys when they realized he couldn't run and play like they could. They found ways to include him.

I don't know what we'll find out about my grandson and his sister, hopefully all is well with them both. Kids can be so frightening, you never know if it's just something that will go away or something to be terrified about.

I Don't Want To Get Old

Though I'm not saying I want to stop getting older at this particular moment! Usually when i think of retirement plans, medicare, things like that, i think of my parents, not me! But as pointed out whenever you get a job, these are things to set up now, no matter how young or old you are.

I saw this site for a medicare supplement (why do they always show people in swimming pools?) and it reminded me of my dad's hinting about how much trouble he's having in daily life, my mom's denying its reality...my dad wants to move into a retirement home. I'm not sure if it's mainly for his sake or if he's thinking of my mom. It's easy for me to believe he's afraid she will be left alone and needing help if he becomes incapacitated or dies. Of course, it was only a few months ago that he was hauling cement blocks and building a patio! But really, he realizes he's not up to that anymore, it hurt him a lot, he has trouble working in the heat now. I need to take his example to heart and be prepared so i don't leave family in a situation where they wish they could help me but can't afford it, i need to start preparing for old age now. Besides, with some kind of insurance, it would be great to know that even my death could help my children. I would make sure they see it as NOT benefiting from my death but receiving one last gift from the mom who always taught them they are the best things that ever happened to the world.

Jumping For Joy!!

After 6 (7? 8?) YEARS my belongings are in my house! No more storage! YIPPEE!

I am finally in the same state with all my furniture, my knickknacks, my children's baby toys. It's been so long that I'm passing some down to THEIR kids! No longer do i pay for the privilege of not having access to any of my things. No longer am i sleeping on an air mattress while my bed is behind a locked door up in the mountains. My clothes are out of boxes and in real drawers, in my very own lovely dresser! The air hockey table that my youngest was too young to see over the side of is now here for him to play - with me, i really like air hockey! The table is bigger than I remembered, aren't things supposed to get smaller when you see them again in real life? WHERE is this thing going to fit? Especially now that i have my real dining room table again!

I am so excited about this! My friend crooked her little finger and sent two of her men scurrying to help me with the moving, they provided a trailer, and I have my things!!! Once again, YIPPEE!

Of course, she didn't really "crook her little finger and send them scurrying", it just amused me to phrase it that way. She asked (told) them I needed help and like the true men they are, they DID. Is it too undignified for me to jump up and down with joy like a two-year-old?

Pay Someone To Use Your Own Money?!

My friend moved out here, got a place to live, and was asking me about schools, banks, jobs, stuff like that. Everything is a question when you're new to an area (though she lived here before a long time ago.) She insisted on using a bank instead of a credit union no matter how hard I tried to talk her out of it. Then when she started complaining about the fees, I was nice and kept my mouth shut - okay maybe I didn't. :-)
If she insists on a bank, maybe she should look at this for her checking accounts - no fees, FREE. Why you would pay someone else to use your own money I just don't know.

Updating My House Again!

Now that I've got my kids keeping the bathroom upstairs clean, I'm turning my attention to the downstairs. My husband is helping me get my craft room moved out of the laundry room; soon I'll be spending more time in there and I'd really appreciate having a bathroom close by. When I want to get glue off my hands or something, I don't want to have to run upstairs when there's a bathroom right next door that only the cat uses.
This one is not all that wide and I'm looking at smaller bathroom vanities than the one in there now. I may keep the same color scheme (is there one?!) but then again, maybe not. So many choices and styles are available, I can pretty much do whatever I want.

Sun Soaked Beaches

My friends in the southeast regale me with tales of how terrible the heat is there, especially in the summer. But then in the middle of all the whining, sometimes they remember to mention THE OCEAN. One of them is only about an hour and a half from the Atlantic Ocean! She can gather her friends and kids up and take off for a weekend at the beach whenever she feels like it.

Of course, for those who don't want to make even that long a drive for their ocean get-away, they can choose from several Hilton Head rentals. If I ever do that, not that I can afford it, it will be so incredible! Looking out from the balcony at the ocean, having my own path to the beach, the kids building sand castles that they can come back to the next day, basking in the sun while listening to the waves.

Hmmmph. I just walked over to the window while I was daydreaming about this - snow everywhere! The snow is fine, wonderful, and all that, but my mind had conjured up warm, sun-soaked beach...it was kind of a jolt!

Fifty Years!

My friend was just telling me her parents are about to celebrate their 50th anniversary! They plan to take a cruise to Hawaii; I plan to stowaway in their suitcase, it's COLD here! They even have a share or something in a resort on the island. I would be jealous but really, they honored their commitment of marriage for a very long time - they deserve this.
One thing my friend is worried about is her mother's health. Combined with the fact that her mom is getting a bit forgetful, what if she forgets or runs out of medicine? Missing the cruise would be awful but worse would be getting sick on the cruise. I told her to look into some travel insurance, that way if they have any problems, there would be some peace of mind about money anyway.

Actually, I travel a lot too. Just because I'm not old yet doesn't mean something couldn't go wrong on one of our trips for me or my family. Wonder if I could be covered as a stowaway on a cruise ship to Hawaii?

Visit with Tia's son

I went with Tia to pick up her son and his girlfriend from the airport; her son was still using the luggage that she gave him when he moved out so long ago! A little ratty, the zipper starting to tear away...

Since she wants her boys to visit often, I suggested she check out Samsonite for some luggage that will hold up. There's enough variety for each of her kids to get what they need, even the one who likes hiking up in the wilderness areas. (Plus there's a really cute bag that she should get to replace that briefcase she keeps her "important papers" in.)

Anyway, we all went bowling at Spare Time where we had a lot of fun getting to know each other again and getting to know Brooke (the girlfriend). The kids were happy playing in the arcade as usual. I'm glad mine are still little, I don't have to look at their friends and try to decide if they're acceptable for a spouse to one of my kids!

Decorating The House

I have spent some time playing on the RC Willey's website, with their design a room program that lets me place furniture in a room and move it around until I find the perfect combination. Well, I have spent a long time working on getting my girls room planned out. This is not easy as they have 2 closets and a door taking up one full wall and a window on the other. Then they need 3 beds to fit in the room. What we finally decided on is making side by side raised beds with room underneath for them to put their things and play. I want to close off one of the closets and make it into a deep closet for the boys from the other side of the wall, close off the boys closet and turn the girls closet into more of a walk in closet.

But as I was designing it, I really got into it and was having SO much fun. They even have accessories, like I added a floor rug and a cat to Hope's bed. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any cat furniture, or toys to add to the room to make it more realistic! But in the end, I had managed to position 3 beds and a triple dresser in their room with space to walk and play. I am way excited to get started on their remodel!

Romance...

I think romance can be way overrated at times. My husband is not the typical "romantic" type, but I know he loves me. He doesn't bring me wine and roses, buy me chocolates and diamond pendants. He's more practical than that. He does things like make sure my gas tank is always full, get me my medication every morning. He does the laundry and dishes to help out, shovels me a walk way in the snow to my van and brings me dinner while I am working late. It's the little things he does that shows me he cares that makes my day a little brighter. It might not be the fireworks that light up the night, but just the little candle he left on the stairs to help me see my way to the bedroom after a long night at work.

Are You Superbowl Ready???

It's the Patriots and the Giants, facing off in what could be a monumental football game! The Patriots are undefeated and have beaten the Giants once before. The statistic's show that Eli Manning gets typically worse as the season wears on, but this year we saw a "matured" Manning take his team all the way to win the AFC Championships and move on to the Superbowl? But can he pull off another win against the Undefeated Patriots? It remains to be seen.

But now the even bigger challenge...
One Woman, many rowdy, hungry men and kids, a big screen TV and a comfy oversized couch. How are you going to handle the SUPERBOWL PARTY???

Here are some suggestions that might help.

1. Don't stress it. These are guys, they could care less if the knick knacks have been dusted or the floor vacuumed. They want cold drinks, lots of snacks and a good game.

2. Get into the game with them. This is a great opportunity for you to spend some time with your lover, on his turf, doing what he loves. After all, how many times has he gone shopping with you to pick out dresses? You kinda owe him! Read up on the two teams, do a quick get to know the players and who knows, you might find that you actually enjoy it, like I did.

3. Easy Snacks! You do not need to make fancy Hors d’oeuvre. This is a football game! Little smokies in BBQ sauce, chicken wings, chips and soda will suffice! I promise.

4. If you are not into spending time with a bunch of rowdy, noisy game watching football fans, then take some time for yourself. Prepare all the snacks, set them out in the kitchen and sneak off into your own quite part of the house and spend some time doing what you love. Read a good book, scrapbook or craft or watch your favorite movie. Let him have his day, you have yours!

5. When all is said and done, it's his party and he'll cry if he wants to. Win or lose, he needs to help you clean up. You clean up the kitchen, wash the dishes and let him clean up the spilled soda, the chip crumbs and replace the couch cushions that were thrown at the TV when the kicker missed a kick due to a bad snap. Whatever you work out, get him involved.

6. Enjoy the day! That's really what it is all about

Protecting Your Eyes

It is getting more and more important with each passing day for me to protect my eyes. I am not getting any younger, yet I continue to put my eyes through massive strain each and every day by spending all the time I spend on my computer, staring at the screen. It is not good for any ones eyes and as I get older I realize that I am not invincible and my eyes are suffering.

I heard that there are new glasses made specifically to reduce the strain on your eyes while working on the computer. I guess it is a special glass that reduces glare and protects your eyes. Well looking into it, they are running upwards of $200 a pair! Wow! Way out of my budget!

But then I made a Great Discovery: $ 8 Zenni Optical Rx Eyeglassess. Only $8 for eye glasses and they have some really great styles too. For someone that wears glasses daily, this is amazing. Now I am just hoping they have the special glare reducing glasses that I need!

Back to The Kindergarten Math Box

Here is a great little activity that just came home with my sons Math Activity box. You take your multi colored beans and help him make patterns. White bean, black bean, red bean, white bean, black bean, red bean, etc. Then you move on to more challenging patterns, white, white, red, white, white, black, etc. My little guy have so much fun doing this. Some were challenging, some were a breeze. then we made our own patterns for each other to copy. I would make one and he would copy it, then he would make one for me to copy.
It really helped him understand pattern and how they work and we got some great mommy/little boy time together, playing with beans.

Moving to Florida! (I Wish)

My dream this time of year..... Move to Florida, own a little condo on the beach where it doesn't snow, there roads never ice and large trucks do not drive around your cul-de-sac at 1am with their lights flashing, sirens going and air brakes engaged, all in the name of plowing snow into your driveway so you have no chance of ever getting out again.

I hear that the real estate market in Florida is really great about now and Florida Refinances are up. So maybe people are anxious to sell their homes on the beach and run this direction to enjoy our beautiful powder skiing, wildlife hikes and pleasant winter weather. If you are one of those people, let me know. I promise, it's great here! But remember, I am looking for cheap!

Do you worry?

When your child starts getting old enough to branch out and try new things, do you get worried? I do! I worried when he wanted to play flag football, then I really worried when he liked it and wanted to play tackle football. But he loved them both and wants to play tackle football again this year.

Then I get a permission slip home from his teacher, asking my permission to have him tested and put into advanced Algebra next year. Then this week yet another permission slip, he wants to be on the Student Council. I worry that he is pushing himself too much. I worry that he will be hurt if he ever fails, not that I have actually ever seen him fail at anything he really wanted to do, but still I worry. I just worry because, I want to shelter and protect him from all the bad, awful things in this world and I worry that doing that will cause him to miss some of the most amazing joys this world has to offer.

New Phones

Working at home like I do, there are a lot of requirements that have to do with my phone line. Sometimes I think it would just be cheaper and easier to install one of those small business phone systems. Not that mine is bad at all, but to be able to have multiple lines available for the quiet times in my job would be awesome. If my current phone system crashes one more time, I do believe I will be looking into something bigger and better! That way I can turn off my cell phone when I'm at work, and what could be bigger or better than that?

R

It's Tax Time

As with every tax season, I run around the house looking for things I can deduct. They never come out to much, even when you donate boats, and cars it just comes off of your income rather than off of your taxes. Most people don't realize that. It sounds nice to get $5000 off, think of the great refund you'll get. But it isn't. It takes your income down by $5000 so in reality you only see about $45 to $50 added to your return. Not that I'm not thrilled to get $50 extra here or there, it's just never as great as I think it will be! I need to look into IRA's and see if I can find something more there!

R

Hannah Montana Tickets

I this Hannah Montana show really all it's cracked up to be? My girls are dying to go see Hannah in person but my options are stand in line at 3 in the morning in frigid 10 and 11 degree temperatures or pay upwards of $500 a ticket from scalpers. Is it really worth it?

I could buy so much more with that! Even the super amazing, specialty car spoiler that my brother wants for his new car is less than what I would spend for two tickets to the Hannah Montana Show. Is it really worth it?

Do you think that they would settle for a Hannah Montana shirt and a Hannah Montana toy, it would cost me nearly 90% less than actually buying them tickets. Is it really worth it?

I just can't decide. I have checked into all the other venues throughout the nation, as it is so easy for us to get there, but then again, Is it really worth it??????

Moving To NYC

I just found out that my sister in laws older sister is moving to Manhattan! How cool is that? She's single--and it's really adventurous of her, but can you imagine, just picking up and moving? Sally is going to fly out to help her out as her mover NYC, I would love to join them, but with the kids, there is not a chance. It's always been my dream to visit and Christmas shop. The closest I ever got was Thanksgiving and the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. But really, I want snow, and hustle and bustle--and to shop at FAO Schwartz on Christmas Eve! Can you imagine?? Now I'll just have to call Emily--and hang out at her place!

Delta Faucets

When we moved into our house, you wouldn't believe the 70's motif that was going on in some of the rooms. Mind you, that's when the house was built--but come on, in 30 years no one found the time to update? The first thing we did was a bathroom redo. New toilets, shower and tub and best of all new Delta faucets! These are perfect! Beautiful, affordable, durable and stylish! I was mortified to bring people through that bathroom for the longest time, but no more! Everything is just perfect, and beautiful!

Hannah Montana Memorabilia

When I think of the word memorabilia, I generally think of sports memorabilia. You know, bobble heads, baseball cards, collectible jerseys. All things that my family really isn't interested in. But I found a site that specializes in memorabilia of all kinds. Sport, Movie, Television and for my family...Music! They have amazing choices from Hannah Montana to High School Musical. My kids would especially this Hannah Montana set.



On the movie side, I would love the Pirates of the Caribbean or Harry Potter sets myself--or even the Bourne Identity! I just find it amazing that all of these priceless items are available at very reasonable prices.

I would really want somewhere special in the house to showcase a beautiful piece like this, somewhere where the kids can't get to it and destroy it! Once I find that space--I will have to do some shopping. There is even a really amazing "Peanuts" set if you love the classic cartoon. I have a friend who has decorated her entire house in Snoopy stuff. From kitchen canisters to bedding. She's definitely going to want to see this for herself, because it would be perfect in her home theater in the basement!

If you are a fan of movies, sports, music or really anything--check out this site--they are bound to have something of interest to you!

Quick Last Minute Neighbor Gift

You'll need Oatmeal, Christmas Glitter, baggies and ribbon.

Fill each baggie with 1/8 cup oatmeal and 1 teaspoon glitter. Attach the cute little tags with curling ribbon and curl. Hand these out on Christmas Eve.

Remember to save one for your own little ones!

This has been a great activity for my family. We all gather at the kitchen table and each child has a job from the oldest to the youngest. My youngest will hold the bag open while the next in line adds the glitter, the next will add the oatmeal, the next punches the holes and cuts the ribbon and the oldest ties on the tags. We have hot cocoa and cookies, play Christmas carols and make a wonderful night of it. The kids look forward to it every year.

Then on Christmas Eve, as we are out and about heading to wherever we are going, the kids each get the opportunity to run up to the homes of our neighbors and friends and hand them the Magic Reindeer Food. They always know that we will have one left over for ourselves. Then just before bedtime on Christmas Eve, they run outside to find the perfect place to sprinkle the food. We sprinkle it on the lawn (snow), and head back inside for hot cocoa, cookies, bedtime stories and prayer before they are tucked snuggled into their beds.

I Love Christmas!

Medical Jewelry

We've all seen the Medic-Alert bracelets that people wear letting EMT's and doctors know just what they're allergic too, or what other problems they have. They were always very conspicuous. If you met a person wearing one, you knew exactly what it was for. But these days you can actually get medical jewelry. It does the same thing, but in a little less conspicuous way. There are really cool watches with the information printed on them, or a little dressier bracelet or pendant. Just something new to handle the same old problem. I think they are a great idea!

A Little Tape Will Do

If you walk by my computer you may just laugh! My cords are literally taped to the all with scotch tape. You see, my Cat 5 wire that connects my modem to the phone line is missing it's little tooth that holds it in place. So until I can get out and buy a new one, it's taped into place on the DSL breaker. Then the DSL breaker is also missing it's tooth and won't stay in the wall. So it's taped to the phone jack with scotch tape! Honestly, as bad as it sounds, it's a tremendous improvement over last month...they were all stuck together with band aids because I didn't have any tape! Ah, life with kids!!

Baby Needs

I just recently gave away my baby furniture. It was about time, and a neighbor was having twins and really needed all of the help she could get. I can't imagine needing two of everything! Plus, how much room will two baby cribs take up in the nursery? I had so much fun shopping for all of my baby necessities that it was hard to see some of it go. I'm done with kids, I do know that. But I honestly think that a part of me will always want "just one more". My husband is far happier to be done than I would like, but hey, not everyone can be as baby hungry as me! It's what I always wanted-and now that all of my babies are gone--I can't help but want more!

Student Loans

When I was younger and contemplating what to do after high school, I can honestly say, there was no such thing as a private student loan. You could get three different government ones, but nothing beyond that. And if your parents showed too much income on their tax return, you didn't even qualify for that. So basically, if you didn't qualify for one of the three--you were out of luck. I'm happy to see that there are now different options. More and more kids are being forced out of a college education because of the soaring tuition rates. Hopefully there will be many more opportunities for these kids to find the help that they need to finish their education.

Gifts For Dad

Does your husband wear a watch? Mine doesn't, must be something to do with the workplace. I honestly wish he would because then there would be one more gift idea every time a holiday rolled around. He gets nothing of the "cliche" dad gifts, no ties or handkerchiefs. No wallets or watches. He gets plenty of homemade cards and crafts and lets be honest, I think those are more enjoyed than the tie collection ever could be. But to go out and get him a really nice watch like an Audemars Piguet or a BVLGARI, heck even a pre-owned Rolex would be awesome. But since he's not that into watches, a beautiful hand colored card will have to do!

Kindergarten Math Box

My youngest son's kindergarten teacher sent him home with a Math Box, just for him, and for him to keep, and she sends home daily activities for him to do with it. It is absolutely wonderful for him, more of a game than learning, yet he learns SO much from it. It has been so great for him that I wanted to share it with you.

Contents:
Box
Folder for Activity Sheets
Chalkboard and Chalk
Attribute Shapes
Number Cards
Dot Cards
Clay
5 Paper Clips
25 Colored Toothpicks
25 Miscellaneous Buttons
4 Small Paper Plates
Red, White and Black Beans
Math Journal
Pattern Block Shapes
Adding Machine Tape
2 Tangrams (different colors)
Q-Tip
10 Pipe Cleaners
Yarn
5 Straws
1 Hanger
5 Clothes Pins
2 Dice
Pad of Sticky Notes
Calculator
Ruler

Put the loose items such as the beans, toothpicks and buttons in plastic baggies.

I will add daily activities to keep your child entertained and learning. Keep checking back for new activities and printouts.