Peeps Season

It's that season in my ol' mother hen's life

when one of my peeps is leavin' the nest.

That's right,

she is headin' over the west side of the mountains

towards that single adult mecca called

BYU.

Otherwise known as "Happy Valley".

Nana's going there to experience a little more of the LDS culture

for the summer before heading off to a mission next fall.

Some of the things I anticipate for her:

Fun Roomates.

Educational Experiences at the Library.

College Sports

Opportunities to stretch her political/social muscles.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors of Utah 

Practicing her Ninja skills to ward off would be suitors.

And realize that the world is bloomin' full of really sweet peeps.

Who love to have fun.

But not that kinda fun...

heaven help me.

No. No. No.  Not that kind!

Yes, it's time to give her the boot

outta the nest.

I miss her already.

Thinking of Spring

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.  

~Bern Williams

If we had no winter, 

the spring would not be so pleasant; 

if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, 

prosperity would not be so welcome.  

~Anne Bradstreet

No matter how long the winter, 

spring is sure to follow.  

~Proverb

It's spring fever.  

That is what the name of it is.  

And when you've got it, you want - 

oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, 

but it just fairly makes your heart ache, 

you want it so!  

~Mark Twain

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  

when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  

~Charles Dickens

Consider the lilies how they grow: 

they toil not, 

they spin not; 

and yet I say unto you, 

that Solomon in all his glory 

was not arrayed like one of these.

~Luke 12:27

*Forecast today in Colorado Springs: 6.9"  of Snow on the way.

Don't Do This At Home!

Peppermint Oil is supposed to be beneficial for many things
besides flavoring up chocolates and Doublemint gum
and candycane ice-cream.
It's touted as the world's oldest medicine;
it can be used for tummy aches, poison ivy rashes,
removing a tick (ewww)
and can repel bugs too.
It can also be used for congestion.

Peppermint oil's miracles are numerous, really.

So when my sweet friend, Heather offered to
send me a free sample of her
Doterra peppermint oil,
you bet I took her up on that offer!

It came at the perfect time too--
last week I had a miserable sinus infection.
You know the kind where your head is throbbing
and your teeth hurt?
Yeah, I was one big ball of hurt.

I had to run some errands for that bridal shower
I threw that night,
and on the way out,
I checked the mail and Heather's little package was there.
I opened the oil,
smelled it
and started driving down the street.
I had Nana open the little sample
and then dabbed a tiny bit of the oil
on my sinuses.
Immediately,
the aroma started opening my sinuses
and I thought I'd found the relief I was craving.

Then my eyes started watering,
like really watering,
running down my cheeks!
SO what'd I'd do?
I rubbed them with
the
same
fingers
I'd just dabbed with oil.
Oh yes, I did.

Owwwweeee.

I had to pull the car off the road.

Nana asked, "Mom, is it burning?"

My eyes are now tearing up so much
I can barely see.

"Yeah. Un-hunh. Tissue?
It's really warm and burning,
but also minty fresh."

Apparently, just a lil' dab'l do ya.


A well-applied tissue set me right,
so no permanent damage was done.
And this knucklehead learned a lesson.



Let that be a warning. On so many levels.

Short Term Memory Loss--What I'm Doing About It

I've been getting a ton of hits on my recent post,
"The Good Things About Memory Loss"--
which tells me one of two things:
a) alot of people are experiencing this problem themselves and looking for answers
or
b) it's the same person.

Which has prompted me to share what I'm doing to help my own self with memory loss.

So here we go:

• I talk about it. Openly. To my husband, my kids, my friends, my doctor, my kids' teachers--anyone and everyone I may be accountable to in any way.  They need to know I'm going to forget things--even important things--once in awhile, and I'm not an irresponsible idiot.  I can't control what "sticks" in my brain and what doesn't.
• I've had the medical tests run--Catscan, MRI, EEG or was it EKG?--the brain scan thing with the lights flashing, etc., blood tests, etc. done to rule out things like tumors, stroke, and whatever else can affect memory. I'm on Lipitor for high cholesterol--which does contribute to memory loss.
• I keep a pad of paper in my purse and pens so I can jot things down on the run.
• I make Lists: things I need to do, people I need to call, emails that have to be written, stuff I need to buy.
• I write notes on my hand. I do. I know that sounds tacky, but if I have to pick up a kid from piano lessons at 5:15, I know that I may lose track of time doing something else, so I have "P/U Ari 5:15 on my hand.
• I take vitamin supplements --a multi-vitamin, Vit E, Vit D, and three others specifically for Memory loss: one is called Recall Support and I get that from The Vitamin Shoppe, and there's two others that enhance it. They make a difference--ask my friends and family, they'll tell you! Oh and I don't take in phenylalanine or aspartame--both are known contributors to brain dysfunction and memory loss. No kidding. Look it up.
• I know what triggers my "bad days" ie: the days I don't drive, the days my words get jumbled up or my brain feels "foggy"--lack of sleep or unrestful sleep, not eating enough protein, and stress.  I go to bed early, I make sure to get some protein in me at dinner, and I give myself permission to let go of things that unnecessarily stress me out and deal with the real stuff more logically than emotionally. A new saying of mine is "It is What it is."  That line of thinking and dealing is good for me.
• I realize that I'm not in total control of what lies ahead, so I try to focus on what's really important to me and my family and do that.
• Exercising my mind. Things like reading, writing, learning something new, being creative all help keep the mind active and alert. And that helps.  Watching TV does not.
• Exercising my bahooey.  Taking a walk, a hike, Zumba class, swimming--whatever gets the blood going and pumping oxygen to the brain helps clear cobwebs too.  
• Humor. Laughing at the flubs helps alleviate the anxiety of the reality of losing my mind. 

So that's my stuff. Some days are rough and frustrating. Especially when I forget stuff that's really important to me, like appointments, phone numbers, names of people I know I should know, etc.  But really, most days are okay. Somedays I never want to forget, and those days, I take pictures, write notes, keep a journal, blog about, and say a quiet prayer of gratitude for.

Okay, now:

5 Spiritual Solutions for Everyday Parenting Challenges--Book Review & Giveaway

"We didn't create our children;

they come as who they are

from a Father who entrusts us

with stewardship for them."  

~ R. & L. Eyre

New York Times #1 Bestselling Authors
Richard and Linda Eyre
have a new book out:

I was invited to read and review this book,

and just received it two days ago.

I've never met the Eyre's in person,

but I've known them for all of my parenting years--

that's 27 years and counting,

as their books have always been a part of my quest

to be a better, happier parent.

So when I was contacted about their latest offerings,

I was very humbled at the opportunity.

I'm not finished with this book yet--

it's hard to read through tear-filled eyes,
did you know that?
Each page is so entirely complete in it's presentation,
that you don't just skim through them,
you inhale them...
slowly and deeply...
soaking the truths into your very core.

It's not just about Parenting your children,
it's about who we are as Eternal families,
and how knowing that truth
and understanding it more fully,
helps us embrace our roles with Clarity,
Purpose and Love.

I didn't even get through the prologue
without tears, seriously.

I sat in my room,
and read the book outloud
because I wanted to hear the words
ring in my own ears.

I brought my almost 16 year old up,
and read some pages to her,
and again
to my 20 year old
and again to my husband, Mr. Wonderful.

The power that is in the Eyre's message
is palpable.
You will find yourself nodding in agreement while you read;
you'll get goosebumps on your arms,
tingling at the crown of your head,
lumps in your throat,
and Joy,
absolute JOY
in your whole body while you read
and swallow up their beautiful, sacred message.

My copy isn't going to be pretty--
it's getting dog-eared,
highlighted,
tear-stained
and shared!
That's when you know it's a GREAT book, right?

Deseret Book has graciously offered a lovely copy of
5 Spiritual Solutions for Everyday Parenting Challenges
by Richard and Linda Eyre
to one of YOU.

So here's the deal to enter the Giveaway:

Leave a Comment relative to this Giveaway.

That's it.
You can tell everyone you know about it too, if you want.
I want every parent in the Universe to own this book!!
You may get your own copy at Deseret Book, too.
You need this book.
Your kids need this book.
Your friends and neighbors and everyone whose ever been a child
needs it.

Now, if you'll excuse I've got to get back to it!

* I was not paid for this review, only given a copy of it for my review and one to share. For which, I am entirely grateful.  Thank you!

More Fun Than A Barrel of Monkeys!

Yesterday I got an email from a gal over at The Barrel.
I had no idea what The Barrel was until then--
an online magazine.
Turns out,
the powers that be featured
a blog post of mine entitled:
"Why I'm Always a Day Late and a Dollar Short:
The Unmentionable Story"
on page 44 of The Barrel.

How cool is this?
Way.
You'll like this online magazine
mucho much.
Lots of interesting articles,
contests/giveaways
blog tips
and just good clean fun!

So thanks Melissa for choosing me
to be a part of something so unique!

March is starting off
more fun than a
whole heapin' barrel of monkeys!

Finding My Beat at Zumba!

I didn't want to go.
Really.
My head was still stuffy from this crummy cold.
Nevermind that I'd had insomnia night before last.

But the girls wanted to go
and when the girls wanna go,
Momza goes.

Got on my sweats and sneakers,
pulled my hair back,
grabbed a water bottle
and went.

I wasn't gonna last the whole hour.
I knew that.
Planned for it, even.
"I'll go for a few minutes,
and I won't feel guilty about leaving.",
I told myself.

Just as we walked into the gym,
the music cued up,
the latin beat filled the air
and
I
was
moving my bahooey all over the place!
No! it wasn't pretty.
No! I couldn't get it together--
not in the beginning
not in the middle
not even in the end!
But, oh man,
it was good.

Nana and Daisie kept me entertained while
I took a few breaks here and there
on the sidelines--
we are a sight to see,
I tell ya!
We laughed so hard--
at each other,
at our selves
as we
cha-cha
rumba
slide kick slide
pump and roll
shimmy and spin
left left left
right right right
single single double
single single double

all over the wood floors
that sometimes made me wish my feet
weren't so big,
in our little private dance class.

Zumba brings out the inner dancer in us!
The little girl that lives within
is loving the music and dancing with her friends!

It's been a long while since I've been,
the moves I had down pat a few months ago,
were all but foreign to me;
only a few of them were familiar--
and when they were,
it was like,
"Ohhh yeahhh. Got it!"
The repetition is probably good for my brain
with the memory loss stuff,
and by the time the music slowed down
and we were cooling down,
I'd made up my mind that
March is going to be better than I planned it to be
just that morning.
It's going to force blooms all over me!
I'm gonna find my beat,
my mojo,
my inspiration
not to mention my hips
all over again!
I didn't leave--
I couldn't!
There wasn't a better place to be
than right there!
Again, the time flew by
and as we're walking out the door,
I knew I'd be back for more.
Zumba is my new addiction.


Nothing feels better than taking care of your self.
I needed to be reminded of that,
and as cheesy as it sounds
I'm going for it!

What about you?
What're you doing these days that is
just
for
you?

The Good Things About Short-term Memory Loss

On the whole,
I think I've been approaching my medical diagnosis
of
encephalopathy, aka Memory Loss
all wrong.

Sure I stumble around for words of common everyday objects,
and embarrasing, but true,
cuss words have shot out of my mouth that shock my own ears,
as those inner censors have frayed edges and not sealed-tight lids
as they used to--
which sorta freaks me out on one hand
and almost always cracks me up when it happens.
Total brain fart, as my kids call it.
I forget where I'm heading when I pull out of the driveway
once in awhile,
and that is wildly frustrating
when I have to find a place to turn the car around
and head in the opposite direction;
but there are some bonuses to this whole deal too.

So here I go,
in no particular order:

I don't stay mad at someone very long.
Mr. Wonderful has become more wonderful
because I forget the stupid stuff he does alot quicker these days.
In fact,
the whole family benefits at times when memory is an issue--
sometimes I can't remember if I've told a certain kid
to do a certain thing,
and they use the "You never asked me to..." phrase.
Likewise,
when they're late they say, "I did call! And you said okay."
So they're making out okay on this sometimes.

Other things:
I can watch re-runs on TV and enjoy them.
Since I can't remember what my favorite foods are,
I like everything.
I never run out of cute things to wear.
The Boofus can wear the same hoodie sweatshirt several days in a row,
without hearing me say,
"hey, wear something different." or "is that clean?"
I meet new people all the time...nevermind that I've known them for years,
their names sometimes escape me.
Okay, that's really annoying, truthfully.
I feel like an idiot when that happens.

Okay back to my list:
Bad days are usually forgotten,
just as the good ones, unfortunately,
giving the term,
"throwing the baby out with the bath water"
a whole new meaning to me.
But on the sunny side,
who likes to remember bad days, anyway?

I forget whose my friend and whose not really,
if you know what I mean?
I greet everyone the same.
Even those who are much smarter than me,
more successful than I am,
etc.
In my mind, we're all the same;
'cept for the skinny ones,
I am pretty sure I never liked them
in the first place.
Which is how it should be anyway, right?
Social barriers are all in our minds to start with,
and memory loss doesn't hold onto social crap like that.

To clarify,
I know rotten people are still rotten,
and I remember who Hitler was and evil people like him,
but in my reality,
I don't know alot of folks who remind me of Hitler--
so I don't have to keep track of that.

Carrying on...
I can't remember three days' back,
so I'm more optimistic about today.
Sure I was up until 2am this morning,
tapping away like a madwoman insomniac,
and I've had just 5 hours of sleep,
but if I don't dwell on it,
I'll forget about it altogether and get on with my day.
This, from a woman who knows she needs 9 hours of sleep
to feel great.
But meh, I'm okay and have things to do.
Like clean for a Bridal Shower I'm hosting tomorrow night.
Is it ridiculous to clean your fridge for a party?
I don't wanna be judged by smeared butter,
shriveled carrots,
opened but uneaten yogurt cups,
two tablespoons of corn in a quart tupperware bowl,
and hard tortillas
inside my fridge.
If I'm going to be judged,
let me be judged by where I've come from
to get where I am today.
Not the state of my messy fridge and pantry
that has 421 half-eaten bags of chips in it, alright?

But here's the caveat,
even if I am judged by the contents of my appliances
and kitchen cupboards,
I'll forget all about it by the weekend.

I'm thinking of a new life motto...
Lance Armstrong has LIVE STRONG,
Colonel Sanders has WE DO CHICKEN RIGHT
and mine,
well mine could be
EMBRACE THE CRAZY!
Whaddya think?

Insomnia Vent To The Universe

I went to bed already tonight.
I've been really sick,
like,
in bed-only-rising-to-shower kinda sick
with a cold that makes me sound like a seal when I speak.
But I'm feeling better,
so today (it was Monday nite when I started this),
I ran up to Denver to see Dani and the Ninja Baby,
and to fetch Nana whose returning from her BYU trip.
Really,
I just wanted to see the Ninja Baby.


Anyway,
I was beat by dinner time,
and was in bed for the night
by 8pm.
But Mr. W wasn't ready to go to sleep,
and like always,
just about the time he's ready to turn off the TV--
the theme from "Hawaii 5-0" cues up at the end,
and
I wake up.
I try to talk myself into going back to sleep
but my brain starts churning
and won't shut down,
so here I am
three hours later
still alone with my thoughts.

Does anyone else do this?

I've been surfing online--
AOL
MSN
People
and the biggest time-sucker of 'em all:
Facebook.

Mr W and I watched
"The Social Network" via PPV over the weekend.
It was interesting,
well-written,
but not Oscar-worthy in my opinion.
When I was surfing Facebook tonight,
I looked and found Eduardo Savoren's name and bio
on the FB page--
yup it's there but listed in a past-tense way.
Which,
I'm betting just burns him up.
Unless of course,
his settlement was in the zillions of dollars,
then I bet he's just happy as a clam somewhere
in the world, eating bons-bons and watching Oprah.

When I was still laying in bed,
trying to talk myself into going back to sleep,
a wave of panic swept over me
as I realized we're moving at the end of May,
and I thought a recent post by Crash,
and how she had all this random stuff left over
from a drawer in her house after moving,
and how I have those kinda drawers
that I'm gonna have to go through and pack.
Ugh.
I hate packing.
I love tossing stuff out--
in fact,
I love EMPTY drawers altogether.
And roomy closets and cabinets too.
But with a large family,
it seems we fill every space there is to fill
and then some.
So just the thought of packing drawers
washed dread over me so much,
I couldn't rest and thus,
here I sit.

Nana is moving to Provo for the summer
before her mission.
I have mixed feelings about this--
she's finally out of the rotten teenager stage,
and I like her alot.
We spend alot of time together,
and once she leaves at the end of March,
(yikes, it IS March!)
I'm going to miss her guts.
It's probably going to do wonders for my relationship
with the almost 16 year old though.
So that's a good thing, right?

It's March 1st.
I don't like March.
I'm in a May-kinda mind...
where Summer is just around the bend
with hiking and camping,
sandals are pulled to the front of the closet,
and sweaters are pushed to the back.
I'm thinking tulips and daffodils,
the smell of green grass and new leaves
dancing in the air,
and pink nail polish.

March puts me off--
with the heater running and
the forecast calling for snow
again this weekend.
Sure, there's the lame holiday of
St. Patrick's Day
and hey! I'm even Irish,
but really,
if you don't plan on getting snockered
and eating corn beef and cabbage
in a bright green shirt,
what's the point?

One sucky  good thing about March--
the Caboose turns ten.
Double-digits, peeps.
Ugh.
She likes skinny jeans and lip gloss now,
and knows music like a teenager--
n' because she's the youngest,
she's more confident than the rest of us all combined.
Ever notice that with the youngest in families?
I tell her to stop growing up on me,
that I need her to stay little.
Shrugging her shoulders,
she says,
"Can't help it, Momzaaaaa."
See? March sucks for so many reasons.

IN a totally vain direction,
I'm thinking of dyeing my hair.
I think it's called "peer pressure"--
all the cool kids are doing it.
I like my hair color, I do,
but the gray on the sides bums me out these days.
Whereas before,
I have boasted about my gray hairs as "earned and fought for"--
now,
I'm thinking I'd just as soon hide my candle under a bushel
or something like that.
I won't be going BYU blonde...lol.
That's an inside joke with me and my girls--
everytime we go to BYU's Women's Conference,
we people watch,
and it seems like entire families of women
pass around a bottle of Clairol's Blonde No.145
in the dorm rooms or hotel rooms the night before,
sharing the bottle like a BYU mint brownie--
Thus, BYU Blonde.
Try not to think about that,
the next time you're there.

No, and I don't wanna look like a calico cat either--
you know those dye-jobs that scream for attention:
"I couldn't decide if I wanted to go blonde or redhead,
low lights or high lights--so I went with the Combo-meal 
of all of them. And some ranch dressing on the side with a Sprite."
And usually, with that kinda dye-job,
comes the
"I-stuck-my-finger-in-an-electrical-outlet,
and-my-hair-now-stands-on-end-from-the-crown-of-my-head-,
and-out-the-back--and-none-of-my-friends-will-tell-me-I-look- 
like-the-bride-of-Frankenstein-caught-in-a-windstorm."--
haircut.

Clearly, I have issues with women and weird haircuts.
My own mother,
who had a gorgeous head of auburn hair--
I mean, the kind of auburn women yearn for--
colored her hair every shade of the rainbow.
Platinum Blonde,
Streaked, Highlighted, Weaved and Poked thru a plastic cap.
Carrot top Red.
Elvis Presley Blue-Black
and every color in between.

So maybe that's where I get my
dye-job phobias and prejudices??
There was the 1987 and 2008 fiascos.
I dunno,
but I'm reconsidering the whole deal and covering these
grey tresses up with a Sharpie if I have to,
unless I come to my senses and focus my attention elsewhere,
like cute summer sandals and pink nail polish.
Or write my own book.

Is it just me,
or is everyone on the planet writing their own books
these days?
The saying goes that "everyone has a story to tell."
But seriously,
I've been to the Pikes Peak Library( to whom I owe a huge overdue fee, dang it.)
Barnes and Noble,
Borders
heck, I've even been to the British Museum
at Trafalgar Square,
where books literally line the walls--
is there anything left to say that hasn't already been,
you know,
said?
I even looked inward and asked the question:
Is there a book in me? And if so, what would it be about?
A large dull sound of nothing answered,
so I took that as a big fat "no" from the Universe.
Okay then,
I must have other talents, I tell myself.
Other, yet-to-be-discovered-talents.
Perhaps they involve
watercolors
or
landscaping,
or better--
learning how to love March and letting go of my children as they
trot off to college and skinny jeans and lip gloss.
Perhaps my talent will involve
just sitting still and being a quiet observer of
the seasons and BYU Blondes
with a Sharpie in one hand
and a Sprite in the other.

But honestly,
I don't see a book in my future.
Just crammed closets and junk drawers,
tearful goodbyes,
insomniac nights,
and Hawaii 5-0 as background music.
Lights out.

Disneyland: Getting There?

I've been to Mickey's World alot

when my oldest kids were young.

But the youngest two yahoos

haven't ever been,

and I'm trying to put together

a great vacation for this summer.

So I'm asking the question:

What's the best way to plan a trip to Disneyland

this summer?

Do I buy a "Package Deal" online,

or piece it together myself?

We're thinking two days is good enough for D-land,

then a day at California Adventureland,

two days in Santa Barbara (Mr W's sis lives there),

and a couple of days in San Fran (Mr W's bro lives there)

with a trip to San Diego's Sea World in there too.

Suggestions?

Ideas?

Thanks so much!

A Craigslist kinda Day

IN the true spirit of Spring Cleaning,
I gathered the "MUST GO'S" together,
and went to Craiglist to get a jump start on
my goal of having a clean garage.

First up:
the old navy blue leather sofa and loveseat
the solid oak entertainment center with ball/claw feet
the red plaid sofa from the basement

I got 6 hits within 10 minutes
and the leather stuff was OUTTAHERE!
The oak center has a "pending pickup" for this week.

Next:
The Trampoline Parts leftover after a windstorm
picked it up and carried it over the neighbor's fence.
The mat was still perfect, as were all of the posts but one.

I got more than 6 hits in 10 minutes on that
and it was gone in 30 minutes.
YES!!!

Next:
a Graco baby carseat/carrier with two bases.
I lost track of how many hits we got on that,
but it too was gone in an hour!

Still on:
Two kids' bicycles, 8 car tires (4 snow),
and the red plaid sofa.

At this rate,
I'll reach my goal next weekend
of a clean garage...
thank you Craigslist!!!

I love the ease of letting things go
to SIMPLIFY my life!!

What about your Spring Cleaning efforts?
Just getting revved up
petered out
or all finished?

"Hey, Mom"--the best phone calls begin the same

You know what's one of the best rewards of Motherhood for me?

Phone calls.

"Hey Momza."
 It's my son, David Scott's voice on the other end.
He calls me on his way to work nearly once a week.
Hearing his voice gives me joy.
I enjoy hearing about his comings and goings,
what he and his sweetheart bride are up to these days.
We talk about the coming summer and make plans
to go camping and hiking.
The conversation winds down just as he is pulling into
his work parking lot,
we say our "love yous" and "good-byes"
then hang up with a smile.
****

"Good Morning, Mom."--that sweet voice on the other end,
is my daughter-Mommy, Dani.
"How's the Ninja Baby?" I ask.
"He's {fill in the blank--sleeping, poopy, playing}.
We go from there,
talking about the coming days' events,
how school is for Mr. Idaho,
and eventually get around to talking about
the coming baby and names they like for a girl.
They'll be in Houston this summer for another internship,
which is a challenge as we figure out when I'll leave to go there
to help out with the new baby that will be born
while they're in Texas.
We talk about the other kids,
recipes,
callings,
and the weather--
which is always a topic in the Rocky Mountains.
I listen to the Ninja baby yell and squeal in the background,
giggling at his cuteness and tell Dani ten thousand times
how much we love that baby and we plan our next visit.
Then, as his voice rises in decibels,
we say our goodbyes and talk-to-you-laters
and I hang up with a smile on my lips.
************

"Hullo, Mom. This is Dean Johnson."
"Hey, Buddy! How are you?"
"Good. How ah you?"
When Dean calls,
it's as though there's a special button that goes off in my noggin,
as I know I must listen with different ears,
and try to read between the lines of what he's saying
and not saying.
Within the first two minutes,
he will ask me when we're going to see him again.
We talk about it in generalities,
because if I said we're going to see him next Saturday,
and it's just now Monday,
well he'll just stress himself out every day in between.
So I say, "Soon. We'll see you soon.  What do you wanna do while you're here?"
If I were a gambler,
I'd be rich by now, as I know his answers will be one of these, verbatim:
"Let's go out for dinner."
"How 'bout we go to da mall?"
"Can we go to da Park?"
Then, I'll ask if he needs anything,
to which he'll answer, "Yes, I need some more footwear."
Dean loves new shoes.
Before he hangs up,
he'll ask to speak to any- and every-one
in the house.
The phone is passed around until he's had enough
and hangs up,
sometimes with a "good-bye" sometimes without.
**********

"Hey, Mom." --a tired wispy voice on the other end
 greets me early this morning.
It's Nana, whose in Provo,Utah this week,
hanging out with friends.
"I had the BEST time last night...we went blues dancing,
 it was so much fun,
everyone was so nice, and we laughed all night long.
 Didn't go to bed until four thirty this morning,
but I'm already awake and Mom, it was so much fun."
She used the word "fun" a hundred times more,
describing her night,
hour by hour,
all the personalities,
the silly and the thoughtful,
until she is out of things to say.
And all I can think of is how grateful I am
that she wanted to share it with me,
on this side of the Rockies,
and how much I'm going to miss her
when she leaves for a mission this Fall.
**********

"Oh, hey, Mom. I have a question."--most of the conversations
I have with Miss Daisy begin with that opener.
Not always, but most.
We're still working on having good communication at her ripe old age of
almost 16.
Phone calls are not for catching up as much as they staying connected,
ya know?
"Can I go{ fill in  the blank}?"--seems to be on the other end at this age.
Our best conversations aren't on the phone,
but in person,
usually in the car,
or in a bedroom,
at the dinner table after everyone else has gotten up and left--
but those conversations in person are laying,
I hope,
the foundation for the phone conversations to come.
*******

"Hey, Mom. I did my homework. Can I play now?"--
the Boofus' voice is on the end.
I'm at work when he gets home from school.
I go over the list of chores and things he's supposed to do daily,
and once he's done, he's clear to go.
"Be home by five. I love you."
"Love you too. K."
click.
*****

"Hello, Mommy? This is Ari."
Her sweet 9 year old voice is like honey to my ears.
She doesn't know this, but there's rarely anything she could ask of me,
that I wouldn't give to her.
When she is cuddled on the sofa with me,
or I'm laying in her bed next to her at bedtime,
she asks me who my "favorite" child is--
I tell her that she is,
"but don't tell the other kids."
She giggles and says it's our secret,
then snuggles in closer.
Phone calls, at this age,
are pretty much the same as the Boofus'--
information seeking, permission seeking--
"When you get home, can we go to the store?"
"When I'm finished practicing piano and violin,
can I go play too?"
I try to say "yes" when there's no reason to say "no."
And we end with a "I'll be home soon, Love."
********

I don't know what my kids will tell their kids
about me being their Momza--
I could list the things I've done wrong in parenting--
and it'd be a long list alright.
Yet,
I hope I've done enough good to make up for the flubs and floundering.

A long time ago,
someone said to me,

"You're such a good mother."

To which, I replied, "Thank you. My hope is that my kids will want to come home and visit me,
when they don't have to."

To my yahoos,
I love hearing your voices on the other end of the phone,

                                                              "Hey, Mom."

My Nest is a Mess, Back up the Truck

I lost a clean nest.
My nest is a mess,
mainly because I haven't been cleaning it
this week.
Sickness,
Work,
Church stuff,
Yahoo stuff,
=
non-made beds and clutter.

Ever feel like backing up a big truck,
and dumping the contents of every junk drawer,
and over-filled closet with games that are missing pieces,
and shoes that are missing mates,
and random socks and cd covers
into the truck bed,
and just waving the truck driver goodbye
as you watch all that crap go down the road?

Yeah.
I can dream, can't I?

He that Hath Ears to Hear...

I work down the street from our house.

The Seminary building is next-door to my work.

So yesterday when I had a moment,

I noticed the Seminary teacher's bright yellow truck

still parked there after the class was long gone.

I went over and wanted to have a little chat with him.

You see, I suspected

my Super Sweet (almost) Sixteen year old,

is missing her early morning seminary class

more often than she is fessin' up to,

so I did what every Mormon Momza does--

she goes out and gathers the evidence 

so that when she confronts her rotten  inexperienced teenager,

she knoweth whatof she speaketh.

(I dunno why, but thinking about Seminary maketh me think about 

the scriptures, 

and thinking about the holy scriptures, 

doth make me speaketh like thith.)

Unfortunately-eth,

the teacher that satteth there, 

wath not Daisie's,

but he did gathereth up the attendance book

that belongeth to the other teacher

and I checked-eth it out.

The good news is,

she's going more than I thought.

So there will be no smiting or lashings.

The bad news is, well, it's not really bad, 

as more than "hunh?" kinda--

the different teachers call her by two different names--

her given name and her nickname.

Which inspired the teacher that was standing there(Bro. P) to call her 

"D-Squared". lol

I love Seminary teachers.

Since he and I had never met before,

and I have been blessed with the gift of gab,

I told him my whole life story--

well the part where I joined the LDS church at 16,

and was booted out of the house by my folks,

whereupon the members of the Church took me in 

as one of their own,

and one of those members was a Seminary teacher.

Thus, my soft-spot for Seminary teachers.

Eventually the conversation got back around to 

my Super Sweet (almost) Sixteen year old--

she's numero Cinco child,

and as has been noted before,

giving me a run for my money.

Brother P and I got to sharing our insights about 

rotten , er, inexperienced teenagers.

He noted that one of the challenges of any teacher

is to hold the attention 

of ALL of his students.

Some kids come prepared to learn

and some come prepared to yammer

while others come prepared to nap.

I shared that while my oldest son left the house

each morning with his sister and walked to the Church building

for seminary,

she went inside to class,

and he hung out in the parking lot, 

more than he'll admit.

Which causeth angst within mine heart.

(we're talking about Seminary again...thus the language of my fathers.)

Nevertheless,

mine son did go forth to serve a mission with honor and boldness

and did teach and baptize with the Spirit

causing many souls to follow the yearnings of their hearts

and come unto Christ.

And he did taketh up his bride to the Holy Temple

and there

sealed his love for Time and All Eternity.

Until at this time,

we see that he is the Gospel Doctrine Teacher 

in his ward.

And his sister doeth the same,

although her call is not as a teacher in her ward,

but she doth serve as a Secretary in her Stake Relief Society.

I also know of youth who went to Seminary faithfully,

and their light did so shine, yadda yadda--

but at this writing,

they are not active in the faith of their fathers.

So ya just never know what's going on between their ears.

And hearts.

But you can still show them love--

that's free

and always easy to understand 

in the language of their fathers.

**P.S.** I'm over at the Mormon Mommy Blogs Today!

Acts of Service

Yesterday in Church,
the topic of "Service" was discussed.
Service as in,
"as I have loved you, 
love one another"
kinda service.

The class was typically quiet,
with few sisters chiming in with their thoughts.
But my mind was whizzing, whirling and clamoring about
with all kinds of thoughts and feelings on the topic of
Service.

I coulda yammered for the entire hour
reflecting about the wonderful examples of
charity
I have seen in my life.
Seriously.

I wondered to myself,
if the hour had been handed over to the class
to share what kinds of examples they've experienced
within the realm of
Service,
what kind of stories would have filled the room?

But since I wasn't leading the discussion,
I thought perhaps,
I could get my fill here,
if I asked my fellow travelers
to share here an important act of service
from your own life stories.

So I'm asking.
Will you share a story from your own life?

Dear MTV: My Super Sweet Sixteen : An Open Letter

Dear Rich Parents of the newly-turned-sixteen-year-olds
featured on "MTV's" My Super Sweet Sixteen",

[Ahem]
One, you suck.

I have a soon-to-be-sixteen-year-old daughter
whom we shall call "Daisie".
Daisie loves to watch that show--
you know the one where you bazillionaire parents
fork over obscene amounts of money
to your teenagers
to mark their big "Sweet Sixteen" birthday.

I've even sat in on a couple of episodes
just to see what the deal is,
and frankly,
it was breath-taking.
As in,
I couldn't breathe as the dollar signs
add up on screen
along with the limosines,
sparkly venues,
humoungous Cinderella dresses
blinding blingy tiaras
and throngs of high schoolers
all come together
for one night of celebration
for a young person
who is approaching adulthood.

Daisie is turning sixteen
in April
and this past week,
as I was eating a ham and cheese samich,
she handed me
a 6-page party plan
of her own "Super Sweet Sixteen."
I am not kidding.
Six pages.

The theme: Masquerade Ball.
Dress: Formal.
The venue: TBD, preferably at a smashing local hotel.
With a Live Band or a Professional DJ.
Fifty Guests.
Now, just when I was about to cough up my samich,
I got to the bottom of one sheet
where she wrote out
Food: Pizza and Pop.

At least she was budget-conscious
when it came to the food.

Her older sister, Nana was at the table too,
and said, as only an older sister can say,
without causing permanent damage:
"Are you nuts?! One, we don't have that kind of money!
Did you not get the memo that Dad's car just died?
Do you have any idea how much money a party like that would cost?
For ONE night?!
And, no teenager is going to go all out for a tux or a formal for a birthday party
around here.  Do you even have fifty friends?
Have you ever been to a birthday party where teenagers danced?
Seriously Day."--and other sisterly mutterings.


Trying not to be the Crusher of Dreams,
I hushed Nana off her high horse,
and said,
"Let's compromise, Daisie. Tell me what you really wanna do for your birthday,
that doesn't involve thousands of dollars and we'll see what we can come up with together."

Scowling.
Eyes rolling.
Grimace, Grimace.

Do you see what you've created,
you rich, indulgent parents??

How could my teenager
ever be excited about a homemade cake with sprinkles on it,
and a few of her best buddies to share it with--
after seeing your children paraded around on stages,
carried in on platforms,
dropped out of airplanes,
riding up in carraiges or limos
to crowds of more than 500 of their peers,
some of whom exclaim on screen:
"I don't really know her (the birthday girl), but this is the party of the century!"

The truth is, rich parents,
I wonder what kind of people you are,
that you feel all that indulgence is healthy for a child
in the first place?
I get that 16's a big milestone...
that's when the real trouble begins around here--
car keys and dating in one fell swoop is insanity--
and should be celebrated while we can, right?

And one more thing:
how do you top a Super Sweet Sixteen the next year?
Inquiring minds wanna know.
Because once you've been to the top of the mountain,
where's the next thrill to be found?
Isn't it interesting that MTV doesn't have a show called
"My Super Sweet Seventeen"?

What's the goal here for your kids anyway?
What're you teaching them?
Inquiring minds wanna know.
Perhaps MTV could produce a show called
"The Fall-Out of a Super Sweet 16"
and have it focus on what proceeds the days and weeks
following the big bash.
I'd be willing to bet,
it ain't "Super Sweet" at all.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Momza

UpStaged! Tips for Updating Your Home

Spring's a-comin'--
being cooped up
during the winter months,
forces us Mother Hens to look closer
at our little nests--
and our noggins start cookin' up ideas
to change the looks of our nests, right?

Here are some ideas to give you a starting point:

Stand in your Entryway.
Look around at everything you see
from that viewpoint.
Take pictures from right there.
And get out your measuring tape
for wall spaces you want to fill,
window spaces,
walk ways, etc.

Alot can be decided from right there--
start with the paint--
when was the last time the house was painted?
If it was more than 5 years,
chances are the color is dated
or could use a fresh coat.
Note the textiles--
window treatments,
rugs,
carpet...
if you love 'em,
have them cleaned;
if they're faded or dated,
start shopping around to replace them.

The trend in the U.S. right now
is natural fibers:
linen
burlap
jute
raw silk.
The look is called
"Sanctuary"--
which brings words like
relaxed
calm
soothing
to mind.
The heavy Tuscan-inspired-blacks
are on the sidelines these days
as more and more people are creating
their own
"havens" to get away from the world.

Okay, so back to the Entryway--
look at the lighting sources from where you are--
the one in the entry
over the diningroom
table lamps
kitchen lights, etc.
It's amazing how much a difference
an updated light fixture adds to any room.
And replacements are usually very budget friendly.

The entry is a great place to start,
and it's the first glimpse our visitors get into our homes--
just after our Welcome Mat--
which could always be freshened up too!

I'll add some more tips this week
and pics of the home we're working on.
Don't forget to take your own Before and After pics
of your projects!!
It also helps to take the camera with you when you shop,
so you can visualize the space you're buying for with more
accuracy.
ALSO, take a notepad and measuring tape with you shopping,
I can't tell you how many shoppers come into the store daily,
and ask to use one of ours--
which is fine, because we have them readily available,
but it might be harder if you're in a store that would be
difficult to track one down.

Anyway,
if you're working on a project right now,
I'd love to see your post and share it here with everyone else.
So let me know!

Happy Updating!

Where I've Been and What I've Been Doing

I've been busy this week.
I would've loved to have blogged about it before now
but BLOGGER was messed up and wouldn't let me
create a New Post until now.

So here's the run-down:
Working with Kelly doing a Re-Design
for a friend.
We're loving this project--
mainly because we love this friend.
She's excited to work with us
and update her house.

Took Daisie on a tour of another High School
in the area...
the one Nana graduated from and enjoyed.
Can't say I really like the one Daisie goes to now
and I thought by just taking her to the school
she could see for herself.
So she's making a PROs and CONs list
to decide for herself.
The Choice date closes Feb, 25th.
We'll see.

Kids have been home sick...
coughing, throwing up, but no fever.
School says it's going around.
Ugh.

Found a really fun Decor store called
Real Deals here in the Springs.
Love it.
They're only open Thursday and Saturday.
I almost hyperventilated over the cute things there!

Went to another friend's hospital room to visit
as she is recovering from surgery for ovarian cancer.
That right there,
puts things into perspective real quick.
Things like hyperventilating over cute stuff
seems truly ridiculous.
Just teaches me that you can't wait for Life to give you
what you want,
you gotta reach out and grab it for yourself
and hold on tight to the people you love.
Enjoy every day you have left kinda stuff.
It's cliche, but so so true.

The weekend's nearly here
and I need a nap.

My Valentine

My Valentine I pray thou wilt be

Not for a day

But for Eternity.

I met Mr. Wonderful right before Christmas 1997.
By Valentine's Day,
we knew we wanted to keep the journey going.
He lived in Nottingham, UK
and I wondered what, if anything he would send me
for Valentine's Day.

That morning,
I went to work at Bank One in Peoria, Arizona
happy to have spoken to him that morning.

Just before the doors opened,
a Delivery guy knocked on the bank doors
and all of my co-working girlfriends were as excited as I was--
"It's for you!!"
Inside the box was a beautiful ruby ring and a love note.
And not 5 minutes later,
another delivery guy came
with flowers.
So we weren't together that first year,
but we're on Year 13
the ring is on my finger,
and he is still my
Valentine.

Developing Natural Abilities and Gifts into Talents

Do you have any talents?

When I was younger I wondered if I had any talents.

I wasn’t sure if I did.

My talents weren’t obvious.

As I’ve aged,

I discovered the secret to finding my talents--

that is to cultivate my natural abilities

and nourish them.

One of my natural abilities

is handwriting.

As a young girl,

I used to write my name

over and over and over again,

with different angles, loops, and styles.

Then, years later

my husband was in Chiropractic College,

I had a new baby at home and

didn’t want to work out of the house.

But we needed me to have, at least, a small income.

To say I was not interested in babysitting other people’s kids

is an understatement.

I’d have rather had my eyeballs poked out

one at a time than do that.

The new baby was number four for me,

I just couldn’t take on more kids.

I was already getting through post-partum depression,

and needed a creative outlet too.

I had a friend who began sewing window treatments

To make a little extra,

And another friend who started baking her famous chocolate cakes

For small restaurants in town to bring in some money,

And I thought, I could try something too.

So I went to the local public library

and checked out some books and videos (yes, videos)

on calligraphy and purchased a calligraphy pen and practice paper.

I taught myself how to calligraph each letter,

then words,

and practiced, practiced, practiced!!

A friend of mine had a baby

so as a gift to her,

I offered to do her baby announcements.

From that I got referrals doing wedding announcements,

graduations, work certifications,

you name it.

A business was born that I really enjoyed.

I still have opportunities these 20-some years later

to express that talent and make a little money on the side.

I’m always very interested in listening to others’ stories

about how they developed their natural abilities

into true talents:

Michael McLean, a popular LDS songwriter and musician shared

his experience at a BYU Women’s Conference

that he had submitted his own music to Deseret Book

years before the public heard it.

Many times.

And each time, he was rejected.

And lest you think he took it all in stride,

he generously shared that he’s struggled with depression

most of his life, so it’s not like the rejections were as

water off a duck’s back.

But he continued to develop his talents and passions

and finally someone at Deseret had the good sense to say “Yes”.

Sally DeFord, another renowned composer, songwriter, pianist

shared her beginnings in a Relief Society meeting.

She had grown up in a home where there wasn’t a lot of money.

A neighbor had an old piano they sold to her for twenty-five dollars.

It even had some missing keys.

Still, she loved it and nourished her natural abilities until

she was accepted at BYU’s School of Music.

She shared that once she got there,

she realized that was not where she wanted to be.

She heard music differently than how they taught it

and withdrew.

Still, she continued to develop her talents and as a member of her Stake,

I can tell you, she is THE source for our musical productions,

composing some of the most beautiful hymns I’ve ever heard.

And her website lets you download all of it for Free.

She said the music isn’t hers, she’s just the channel it comes through.

Karen Jones is an Interior Designer.

She just won her 13^th Parade of Homes

“Best Designer” and “People’s Choice” awards

last Fall here in Colorado Springs.

She did not go to school for Interior Design.

Karen has taught small classes to homemakers for years

on how to decorate smartly without a lot of money.

She also shared on a Parade of Homes Tour

I attended, that she looks at lots of magazines and books

about design and decorating to get inspiration for her own work.

She has her own Showroom and truly,

has a loyal following here in Colorado,

as well as clients from coast to coast.

I work for her in her All About Home Showroom.

My good friend Dotti Kirkpatrick is a mother to many.

After having a less-than-good birthing experience

With her first child,

She began looking at homebirths and midwives on her own.

Then after having some positive homebirths,

She bided her time until her eighth child was three years old,

And went to school to become a Certified Professional Midwife.

She is now the busiest Midwife in Colorado,

And women of all ages look to her for her wisdom, strength, and care.

She was my midwife and I have worked alongside her as a Midwife Assistant—

something I had always wanted to do since my own homebirth experiences.

I am inspired by others’ talents—

Whether they have the talent for making a delicious meal,

Or sewing their children’s clothing,

Baking bread,

Floral arranging,

Singing,

Writing,

Playing an instrument,

Or other “less noticeable” talents, like

expressing their beautiful talent of compassion,

a listening ear,

a willing shoulder to be leaned upon,

a kind word when none else are to be found.

Those are talents too.

And just like every other attribute, we humans have,

All the good stuff must be developed and cultivated, nourished

and exercised.

I have also met others who were not willing to share their talents—

There was a man in our ward who was an accomplished pianist.

He played with a city orchestra—he was that good.

Yet, he refused to play piano for Church meetings.

I know a sister who is a lovely painter.

specifically at tole painting—

I recall sitting beside her at a craft night and she shrugged off

the request of help to younger sisters just learning to paint,

saying she wasn’t there for them,

but for herself.

Obviously, her response impressed me,

because that was over 10 years ago

and I remember it clearly.

And never think you're too old to learn something new!

My mother-in-law, Doris went back to school at forty-two years old

and got her Masters' Degree in Library Science and Education.

She taught in a California Middle School until her untimely death.

But she was doing something she loved.

What an inspiration.

I find I am happiest when I get to express my natural abilities,

talents or gifts in any setting, for any person or cause.

The joy I feel is immeasurable.

What about you?

What are your talents and how have you developed them?

What inspires you?