What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Scrubbing this old house within an inch of its life.

Moving out has been terribly stressful. But it's over. Mr. T came over today, curious about the "issues" Hubby had mentioned the house had.  He was kind about the things we'd had to leave undone and told me the house looked great. That was a huge, huge blessing and relief to me; after he gave this compliment and left, I sat in the old green bathroom and cried.

O Christmas Tree

This girl received her patriarchal blessing from stake patriarch John M. today.

 

Her mother cried the entire time.
 

Dad may have shed a tear or two as well.

 

The blessings she was promised were so beautiful.

 

So grateful for her and for this wonderful gospel principle.

Meanwhile:

Decorating the tree, and not a moment too soon.  That's what happens when you move in December. 

 

Merry Christmas!

Birthday Boy

Our first birthday in the new house. Note the still undecorated Christmas tree in the background. :)

THERAPY KITTY

Now that we're in our new house, we're free to take the kitty plunge!

We adopted a kitten from a guy we found on Cr@igslist, a very kind, lovely man who will be known forever here as "Jeff Kitty Guy."  Our kitten was a foundling raised by Jeff and his family, who bottle-fed her from about two weeks old on - they couldn't keep her because their very large dog was eyeballing her and obviously dreaming of a furry little lunch.   They found her trapped in a hole they'd dug on Jeff's father's property, and were about to bury a pole in it for a new pole building.  Seeing the kitty, they fixed a tiny noose, looped it around her neck and carefully pulled her up.  Her mama was long gone by then, probably having tried without success to rescue her.  Poor baby!

 Tiny baby, after being rescued, posed next to the TV remote...

 

Two months later

 

We brought her home today and named her Catness. She's a tabby/white mix and the most adorable, crazy thing.

Poor H

We just had another tonic-clonic seizure. It's been six months since his last one. 

Mutual This Evening

 I'm driving the ward youth around as they go caroling... Bless my un-Valium-ed heart. 

LATER: It was fun.

Started Moving In Today.

THIS IS ME SMILING MY HEAD OFF :D

This house is on a busy street in the Couve - from our driveway, we back out onto a street where people are driving 35-40 miles per hour. Luckily, we have quite a few stop lights that keep traffic in check long enough for us to time it perfectly, and the middle of the street is blocked by a cement median, so we only have to watch the traffic coming from the west. We'll have to teach people how to get to our house, mostly because of that median - there's no turning left into our driveway, you can only turn right, so they have to take the back way and turn a few corners to get here. Hopefully that won't dissuade our family and good friends from still visiting.

The house is deceptively small-looking. Hanna told us there were 6-8 bedrooms depending on how we wanted to use certain rooms, and we looked at a picture of the house online and thought, NO WAY. But, sure enough, the first time we walked through, we kept coming up on room after room after room. The rent was cheaper, we like Hanna and she apparently likes us, the house was enormous, and she allowed pets. Hubby and I realized we'd be stupid not to rent the place, so we did.

Buy Some Pancakes?

Soccer fundraiser.

It's gonna feel real good. Shamon. Chaaaaaange

I'M STARTING WITH THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

Jim P: Might as well. I presume he's standing right next to you.
Kriste D: I'm asking him to change his ways... (So funny.. DH and I were singing this yesterday at the top of our lungs and the kids thought we were looney.)
Russell F: shamon....insert fancy footwork
Tori G: Russell stole my comment! haha
Ashley P: Love me some MJ!!!
George G: If the person in the mirror is a man, you should probably start right away...
Joni G: Yes. I am with George G on this. If there is a man in your mirror, I would DEFINATELY ask him to change his ways!
Me: unless it's my man. I'll probably just shove him out of the way so I have the whole mirror to myself.
Wynne U: "no mustache could beat any clipper" (my husband thought those were the words for "no message could be any clearer")
Me: Oh my heavens. Is your husband my sister??
Jim P: So you're saying your sister Melanie has a mustache that beats any clipper? I have a pretty mean clipper. We should sell tickets and make it an event.
Mel: That would have to be one heck of a clipper!
Wynne U: Nat, my husband could very well be your sister if we're living in a world where there's a man in your mirror when you look into it.

Purging before a move = awesome. Bri is going through his CDs and *gasp* cassettes.

The "keep" pile is on the right

We need more boxes and I need reassurance. Also, we need someone to come and get our huge, heavy basketball standard, since we can't take it with us.

I wake up every morning

....thinking about my cute new house. Can't wait to move in on December 1st.

Later: Okay, headache gods, I think you've made your point. 

I (gasp) ended up taking (gasp) two aspirin. 

(I hate pills)

Afternoon Nap =

Up all night, giggling and waking up hubby = sleeping in late. Good stuff.

LATER: Still giddy with no end in sight.  I actually cranked up Huey Lewis & the News in the car this morning.

Fun fact: Hubby has worked a couple of golf tournaments where Huey was playing and I think Huey has spoken to Brian once or twice.

Every time I hear I Want a New Drug, I think about Ray Parker Jr. ripping it off when he wrote Ghostbusters.

Overheard:

R: C, it's No Shave November.  So I can't shave my legs.

C: Neither can I!

I griped.

I griped on Facebook about our little tiny house, in which we live on top of each other like mice in a toilet paper tube at Petco.

Today I received this message from Hanna D, our friend from McWard:

My rental house will be up for rent on Dec. 1st. 6-7 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths 2 kitchens. I am sure you have seen it.

Well now... that's an idea. :)

Playing with my phone

 

Neenaw and Car

My cute grandmother, Neenaw, posing with my dad's latest find - an old Renault.  (They're FRONCH.)  Dad and Uncle John are planning to fix it up for her.  When Dad moved from Finley, Uncle John took it down to his house in Idaho where Neenaw is living now.

Saturday in the Cemetery

Today we went to our stake's day of service and helped clean up graves at Park Hill Cemetery. They fed us pizza and we worked hard and had a good time. Yay Day of Service!

Still Twelve Years Old

This was a fun Winco find, except that this sign originally said "Bath Poof". I found it amusing (who knows why) and posted it on Facebook.

Jim photoshopped it into the masterpiece that it is now. Thanks Jim.

The Blues

Got a bad case of the third-grader-can't-wear-her-church-shoes-doesn't-like-school-throw-herself-on-the-floor-and-bawl blues.

It's kind of worth it when she crawls into my lap for hugs. Usually she's such a happy little bird.

Willow, You Idiot

Saturday morning soccer - another autumn begins. We're hanging at W middle school (Brennan's first one). I've made my peace with it.

Random Willow quote: "It went away?? 'I dwell in darkness without you' and it WENT AWAY??!?"

This evening we're watching the BYU/U of U game with Y fans, the lovely Turleys... Lots of interesting football juju happening in this house.

And lastly: The bass line on Wild Night, by Van Morrison... yummy.

Just a Question

Is there such a thing as TMI between spouses? Hubby and I both know plenty of ways to gross each other out, which leads me to think "yes", but then if you can't discuss your most personal (possibly medical) stuff with your husband or wife.....then what?

Later: GROUP HUG!!! I went to orchestra and now I'm all gooey inside!

Yes, Blame Mom

I mean no disrespect to you Apple people, but the way they keep making you jump through hoops is kind of fun to watch. The new iPhone, when is it coming out, what should you do with your old phone... I'm always sadly behind the times but it's kind of a nice place to be.

I learned to text, like, two or three years ago and it was on a Walmart prepaid phone. Then I bought a BlackBerry and was all, ooooooh, a real keyboard. I love the phone I have now, but I'm not tech-savvy enough to care much about what it can do. Can it call, can it text, can it take pictures, can I go online, can I play Hearts when I'm bored?

I'm pretty sure that the day I die will be a Wednesday. At least, it's a one in seven shot. And it's probably my calling that will kill me.

Found this among Roz's school papers. She wrote it for an admirer:

"My mom won't let me date you"

I think I'll be framing it for her later... Then I have to wait till she won't die of embarrassment when I give it to her.

And finally: CLARITIN. I'm buying stock tomorrow.

GEEK

The Girl with the Flaxen Hair started up on my iTunes this morning and reminded me that ORCHESTRA STARTS THIS WEEK!

*dies of geeky bliss*

Musical Duh! Moment: Until a few years ago, I had no idea Blossom Dearie had done anything other than Schoolhouse Rock (she sang the song about adjectives), and here she'd been this wonderful jazz legend. Her voice and piano are dreamy. I'm having a great time listening to her stuff on YouTube - Someone To Watch Over Me and To Keep My Love Alive are my current favorites.

*dies again*

Meanwhile, the penny-counting continues. I now know there are more than thirty-one.

Ahhhh

Made it home. What a great weekend with the family.

At the Parents'

Meandered my way around Kennewick today. 

Our old house

Across the street: the Perrys' old house

 Helping Dad and Neenaw move...

Mel's old van

Dad gave me a big bowl of change!
Thanks Dad! :) 

Tonight: Hanging at Mom and Bob's.

HOLLA TC Peeps!!!

Came to Tri-Cities for the weekend. We've been driving down 27th in Kennewick with 80s on the radio... Surreal. When Sister Christian came on, and I was coming down the hill, seeing the bridges and everything, the memories were THICK! THICK I tell you!

Tonight: Spending the night at Neenaw's. Yay!

First Day of School 2012

Disaster threatened early when the new third grader woke up at 3 am with a fever and stuffy nose. She said she had a headache all day yesterday. Bad mama for not paying better attention! Fortunately, she was able to go back to sleep, sleep hard, and make it out the door with her siblings for this first day. 

Bella: 11th grade

Go Utes!

Carter: 5th grade. So cool.

Roz: 3rd grade! Giggle!

Their last year together in
elementary school.
Cue Mom crying

Harrison: 8th grade!
High school next year!!!

7:49 PM: Roz is now taking a great big nap that will hopefully last all night. 

OK, the terrible dreams can stop any time.

Mine have been about killing a raccoon that was trying to eat me and my babies, and this morning I had two, one about being a political prisoner/medical experiment victim and about the boys embarrassing me at church (which NEVER happens).

 I was also unusually high-strung in my dream and was butchering a hymn on the piano in Relief Society at the time. And the medical experiment thing was seriously gory, scary and frustrating and I probably had some PTSD. Nice huh? Really, brain, anytime you want to throw in something funny or happy, I'd be fine with it.

Later: I took some cute boys to get haircuts for back-to-school. Those cute little faces. I took them to my friend Marisa's and she did a wonderful job, but these boys have been attached to their longish hair for a while and Carter was still trying to deal with his shortened locks.

Take 'em to Burgerville,
that'll shut 'em up.
Look at H's cute smug smile :)

Along those lines, happy first day of school tomorrow... I'm going to enjoy it instead of thinking about Bella's senior year, Harrison's freshman year, and Carter starting middle school all happening next year. Waaaaaaa

Just.

Me: For YOU ARE THE MAGNET and I AM STEEEEEEEL

Brian M: I LOVE that song!

Mark P: I AM THE GOOOOOAAT!

Joni G: Wait...I thought it was "I am Rubber...you are Glue..." :-0

Me: The song would have been funnier that way.

Jim P: That lyric is a bit presumptuous - basically saying "You are strongly attracted to me".

Me: I thought it was more like "You're sucking me in, I'm a hapless victim".

Mark P: Hee, you said "hapless"

Me: I did. I don't have any haps.

Jim P: So you're saying magnets suck? No haps? I always knew you for a happy person.

Me: I hid away my dark side so no one would report me to the authorities

Joni G: Since you mentioned this song I have heard it 3 times. 

The Things You Hear Yourself Say To Your Child

"DO NOT make cymbal crashing noises during the opening hymn!!!"

It was "Come, Follow Me," and Hubby could hear it from two rows back. It was nice and loud. 

Mellonkalee

Missing my extended family this eve...

Trampoline Park

Mr. H

Miss R

We couldn't love you more if there were two of you.

YOWZA.

Our dryer works again!! AND it broke during summer, so we were able to use a clothesline. Very happy now that it's over!

Dryer rejoicing aside, I have to say that it's been a really great summer with the kids, but I'm getting to the point where I really might put a fork through my ear. They start school next Wednesday, not that I'm keeping track. 

The kids are so great and I love having them around, almost always, but I think we can all tell that the end is near and everyone's just a bit snippier than they've been. I'm getting tired of cranky and arguing.

This morning I helped a lady get something from the top shelf of the baking aisle at Winco... I felt so tall!....especially considering that I feel asleep last night with two huge Nerf guns at the foot of my bed. They're still there.

This evening for a snack, I made plain popcorn tossed with roasted almonds, olive oil, lemon pepper and a little salt. Mmm. 

Friendship

Had a proud soccer mom moment as Carter the Beast had one goal and two assists at his game this morning... Score 4-1. Best part was hearing a dad from the other team say of Carter, "Who's supposed to be guarding that kid?" 


Later:
Bella: Hey, are the Turleys home?
Me: Mmmhmmm
Bella: Let's go punch them.

More Than Meets the Eye

We just heard a small explosion, like a gun going off, and we have no electricity... Has Anonymous struck our neighborhood???

Later: It was just a transformer, you know, exploding. But it's fixed now. Hooray for some Friday morning excitement :) 

Wit

Roz: I forgot what I was going to say.
Me: You were going to say "I love you, Mother. You're the best mother ever."
Roz: No, that wasn't it. That's crazy talk. 

School Shopping, Etc

Just bought two Pee-Chee folders for Bella. I sense a movement about to begin. 

Pee-Chees were folders we used in school, in the 1980s and earlier. They had drawings of athletes on them. They used to be plain yellow like manila envelopes, but now they come in funky colors... I told Bella we used to color the athletes' clothing, draw eye patches and mustaches on them and of course she wanted a couple. 

P.S. The humidity is gross today. 

At the Beach

This is the one pic I can find so far of our family reunion with my mom and siblings.  :)

How deep is your LOVE? How DEEP is your love?

So I just spent I don't know how many minutes hand-adding all my iTunes from my external hard drive to my new computer hard drive, then discovered that none of the songs would play when I ejected, rejected, or whatever it is you do to something attached to your computer.  Then read that I have to let iTunes find them, or something.  Now they're uploading/downloading/whatever.

And I'm currently listening to this gorgeous, old, overplayed song.  I don't care, I love the Bee Gees.  It would take some serious deprogramming to get them out of my romantic little 70s girl heart.

My recently-turned-16 daughter has started dating.  In the last eight days she has dated the same boy twice - he asked her, then she asked him.  First a trip to P-town to enjoy the weird, then today a picnic and Frisbee at a nearby park.  He's a seriously cute kid and it's fun and exciting, but of course we're worrying our butts off.  Today I lectured her about the need for group dating and coached her about having double date buddies in the ward... Dude, I was just there.  Like, yesterday.  Ric and I went sledding on Valentine's Day and had a great time.  He turned 16 in October and I the next January, and he waited till I had my birthday so we could go on our first-ever date together.  The man was made of gold.

On a completely different topic, and kind of gripey, so just skip it if you want: 

Does it seem like Facebook is just a pain in the butt now?  It does to me right this minute.  The novelty has finally worn off.  The many arbitrary "upgrades" have killed the enjoyment.  I've caught up with most of the people I care to catch up with.  I'm kind of done.  

So, what's next?  Is there anything else left to conquer, out there in Father Al's glorious Internet universe?  I've decided to stay off Pinterest....

What are your thoughts, Hobson?

That awkward moment

When you find yourself praying 

"Please let it be hemorrhoids." 

A male child has reported seeing a "significant" amount of blood where it should not be, i.e., in the loo. Appointment with the doctor in twoish hours. 

Prayers are great. 

Snickering is fine too. His sister has already expressed her worry that the doctor will have to "look at his butt," which to her would seriously be a fate worse than death. The laugh cat is out of the bag already. It's OK. 

We Are the Champions

Hooray!!!!

Spotted in the wild

The manly man triumphs over the meadow-like local terrain.

Also:

Randomness

Some pics from Hubby's Facebook wall.
1) Hubby and Carter accompanied Harrison on a ward Young Men campout.

The group

Make a wish!  With Sean W

2) Harrison's track meet performing the long jump.

In other news: C has picked out the introduction to "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" on the piano. I love it so much.

Also: I found this note in one of the kids' school backpacks, and I'd like to know why Alyssa's homework neglect is my problem.

Mock. Si. Ing. Si. Bird. Si. Si. Si.

We're eating at Shari's and I'm doing my best Melissa Cordova music-over-the-PA analysis, especially since "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is playing.

Apparently Shari's targets 50-year-olds with an affinity for chicken strips and loaded mashed potatoes.

"Sometimes... All I need is the pie that I eat and to love you"

Epic Battle

Warm Stove Burner vs Potato Chip Bag

Quotes

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans..."

- John Lennon

"There are only two kinds of women -

goddesses and doormats."

- Pablo Picasso

Graves with the Family

We had a great weekend with my dad's family - Dad, Uncle John & Aunt Karen, Jen and her girls, Neenaw and Aunt Ramona all came and spent the weekend and decorated the family graves here with us.

Gran's great grandchildren cleaning his headstone

Camrynn, Sienna, Roz, Carter

Sienna & Roz, Harrison on Brian's lap, Carter

Neenaw's parents

Aunt Rose (Grandma's sister) and Uncle Kenneth

Uncle John & Neenaw

"Haudy", Neenaw's younger brother

Carter

Roz, Uncle John, Camrynn, Carter

Aunt Karen, Carter

Carter, Jetta, Roz, Harrison, Camrynn

Neenaw's paternal grandmother

Hubby and Uncle John

Rosalind

Jen & Hubby

Aunt Ramona, Neenaw, Hubby

Carter and Harrison playing Ninja

Camrynn

Camrynn, Harrison and Hubby with Uncle John Keithler, Neenaw's older brother