Look What the Cat Dragged In

Santa brought our family a cat for Christmas this year. He is a cute little white kitten with blue eyes. Santa named him Elvis - he even left a note informing the kids of this (which is good because Savvy said she'd rather name him Snowball, Jay wanted to name him Edward and Aussie wanted to name him Meoweth). Needless to say, the kids were very excited, surprised, thrilled beyond belief!

Unfortunately, the mother wasn't so excited, surprised or thrilled beyond belief. Everyone knows I am not much of a pet lover - and especially not a cat lover. Everyone that is - except for my DH. Apparently, he thought I loved cats. Where he got this idea I'll never know.

But, quite honestly, my kids have wanted a pet for a very long time (and DH has been adamantly against having a pet). So, when he told me a couple of weeks before Christmas that he had been on the hunt for a kitten--I was actually excited for the kids. I decided then and there that I could make the ultimate sacrifice-- and become a reformed cat hater.

When I was growing up, we always had a few dogs. But, these weren't really pets you nurtured, cuddled with or even loved. They were more annoying than lovable--always jumping up on you with muddy feet and such. So, I suppose I do come by my dislike of pets honestly. Living in a small town, with brothers and a dad who prefered "hunting dogs" over any other kind of pet--didn't leave much room for fostering a love for kittens. That and the fact that my brothers used the cats for target practice - or a good dog chase - didn't help matters either.


Obviously, Elvis adores me (he's actually curled up at my feet sleeping as I type-I know--it's embarrassing). But seriously, cats can totally sense when a person is not a cat lover - then it spends the rest of its days making it up to you. I mean, I am in my basement and my feet are kinda cold - and here's cute Elvis asleep on my feet. Oh great - I'm going to become one of those people who constantly tell stories about their cats. I wonder if there's a support group I could join--FCHA (former cat haters anonymous)?

Guest Post by Nic's Hubby

Dearest Loyal Readers (shout out to my cousin Jen - for coining that phrase in an email she sent me - her exact words were "I love all your comments back and forth. Your loyal readers are hilarious")--Anyway - I hijacked my DH's blog that he and his brothers maintain. So, DH posted a fab post about Jay's wild ride to get to the state finals--thought I'd share it with you.

Just thought I'd brag on my daughter a bit and let all the Wimps (it's Nic here - DH's brothers all call each other Wimps) know that Jay made it to the State Championships for her age group in the 50 Butterfly and will be swimming at BYU on Thursday and Saturday.

Her road to get there is what makes it all the more impressive. Her time starting the season (October) was 41.05 -- which could possibly win a WIMP swim meet, but was still a good 6 seconds off the time to qualify for state (35.29).

Her goal for the season was to make it to the state tournament but realistically she was so far off (6 seconds in a 50 meter race is huge) it was quite the stretch goal (kind of like 007 (DH's Idaho brother) or THC beating Wimp3 (DH's Utah brother) in the Tour De Pong :)

But she worked extremely hard - swimming a good 2 to 3 hours a day pretty much every day. She slowly improved over the season and had made it within a second with one meet left. They call it the "Last Chance Meet" and she had a great swim....only to come up 100th of a second short. Her time was 35.30 -- and she needed 35.29. Unbelievable.

Because it was the last meet they allow the swimmers to stay after the meet and time-trial the event to try and make it. She swam it that evening and gained a couple tenths of second. We went home pretty bummed that night but returned for one last time trial the following day. Despite being EXTREMELY nervous (kind of like 007 before he arm wrestles THC) she dug deep and pulled off an unbelievable time of 34.60. That time ranks her #16 out of only 23 that even qualified state wide in her age group.

So Thursday morning she swims in the Prelims, and if she can secure a top 16 finish, would swim in the Finals later that night. She is also swimming the 400 Freestyle Relay on Saturday night.

To really cap off her season, last weekend she pretty much dominated the B/C finale (basically the equivalent of the State NIT tournament), taking 1st, 2nd or 3rd in every event, posting a state Q time on the 100 Free (one meet too late unfortunately) and winning 1st place in her group.

Hopefully she can make it Top 16 and swim in the finals but regardless it has been an awesome experience to watch her work so hard and achieve her goal! (Update: Jay dropped 0.5 seconds from her time, finished 16th and was able to swim in the Finals that evening! Way to go Jay!).

365 Things About Me...

In honor of my one year blogaversary: Here are 365 Self Serving Things You Wish You Never Had to Know About Me (although some are pretty obvious)...

1. I love me some diet coke.
2. I like to craft.
3. I love making scrappy cards.
4. I have a fabulous husband,
5. 3 great kids,
6. and a cat named Elvis.
7. I have a great love for aprons! I love the vintage ones especially. I have even bought 2 or 3 apron patterns--but never had the time to sew them up.
8. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
9. I think I'm pretty funny and I've been known to laugh at my own jokes--which I realize makes me not as funny as I thought I was.
10. I come from a family of FIVE -- 3 brothers and 1 fabulous sister--(who used to blog and who also used to read my blog--but she's still fab--and since I know she won't be reading this it's really not kissing up for a good birthday present or anything).
11. I listen to talk radio (including sports radio).
12. If I love something...I really heart it...like weekly...
13. I am a procrastinator to the nth degree.
14. I don't really know what "the nth degree" means.
15. I'm pretty lousy at math...
16. ...except for multiplication..I rock at times tables!
17. I have boy and girl twins (people used to ask me if they were "identical" -- it drove me crazy!)
18. I graduated from USU...
19. ...with my B.S. in Journalism...
20. ...and a minor in...English...
21. ...and Psychology (hey, I know I'm spreading this out -- but give me a break--365 things is a lot to cover!
22. Oh--and I'm certified to teach all of the above in secondary education (high school) in UT.
23. Ummm--well actually, that license expired probably about the same time that Jay was turning 3.
24. My sis and I set up an Etsy account a few months ago--and still haven't loaded anything to sell onto it (we are the twosassymamas) -- hoping to get that going this month?
25. I have a hard time making up my mind.
26. I'm a little bit country...
27. and I'm a little bit rock and roll...
28. and I'm a little bit classical...
29. ...a little bit jazz...
30. ...a little bit classic rock...
31. ...a little bit alternative...
32. But, I hate Rap! YUCK!
33. I've been married for 14 years.
34. I grew up hating cats...but I have grown quite fond of our Christmas cat, Elvis.
35. I'm a name shortener-- I love giving people nicknames -- whether they like it or not.
36. As a kid, "Fantasy Island" scared me.
37. Sometimes I wish I was OCD -- but only so I'd have a clean house ALL THE TIME!
38. If I want to know the answer to something, I will Google it (this includes: 3rd grade math homework, definitions of words, who sings a song I like, stuff about famous people, how to make stuff...etc.)
39. I'd say the #1 argument (between DH & me) in the home is over the Tivo.
40. I wish I'd served a mission for my church...So then,
41. I wouldn't be such a crappy missionary now.
42. I tried to teach myself how to crochet in just one day (that was the name of the book).
43. In college, I took Italian because there were cute guys in the class.
44. And I took Sign Language...which had NO cute guys.
45. I've never watched a single episode of the popular show Survivor (I tried to a few times but couldn't feel the love!) or Grey's Anatomy.
46. I wish I took better pictures.
47. I don't like my handwriting.
48. I read trashy romance novels on occasion.
49. I belong to a book group that doesn't read trashy romances on ANY occasion.
50. I don't like most Reality TV shows--but I do like--American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, & Project Runway.
51. I over schedule myself frequently...and because of my procrastination it completely stresses me out!
52. I watched the first season of "Lost" and got totally ticked when it ended in a cliff hanger and the survivors didn't get rescued--so I've been boycotting them ever since. But, I will probably rent the DVDs once they get saved and I know the end is in sight.
53. I own lots of scrapbooking supplies--but rarely scrapbook.
54. Don't tell my DH--but I have 54 blogs I've subscribed to on Google Reader.
55. I like to collect stuff.
56. I'm the mother of a teenager!
57. I don't feel old enough to have a teenager.
58. My mom threw a surprise party for my 16th birthday and I still remember it.
59. I loved Randy Travis (country singer) in high school--and today whilst carpooling kids in the car one of his old songs came on and I knew it by heart "I'm gonna love you forever, forever and ever amen."
60. My memory sucks--except for remembering lame things like songs from high school or random phone numbers of my daughter's friends (not my own friends though--I have them on speed dial or I'd have to look them up).
61. I used to watch Matlock all the time (sometimes twice a day --it comes 3 different times/stations every day).
62. My favorite episode of Matlock is the one where Randy Travis is a down on his luck singer.
63. I'm embarrassed that I just admitted the above.
64. I LOVE to talk on the phone.
65. I dread getting stuck on the phone with someone you can't get off the phone with...but sometimes I think I might be that person!
66. I love having lots of hobbies.
67. I'm the only person in my neighborhood who thinks that having a Super Target up the street would be a fabulous thing...okay maybe across the freeway.
68. I would love to be a writer.
69. I'm more productive at the last minute.
70. I secretly wish I would've gone to beauty school and got my degree in cosmetology--it would be way more useful then my currently expired teaching degree.
71. I have told all of my brothers to marry someone that was a hair stylist--one married a dental hygienist, the other a business savvy girl by day/nail tech by night, and my last and final hope--my baby brother? Getting married in August to...a nurse. {A very selfish sigh.}
72. I'm a bit of a selfish person.
73. One of my New Year's Resolution's was to learn how to knit--didn't happen.
74. My favorite kind of ice cream is Pralines and Carmel.
75. I'm the jack of all trades--master of none.
76. I am a night owl.
77. I don't hate mornings...unless I've been up too late!
78. Sometimes it's just easier for me to do it myself!
79. I like vintage stuff.
80. I've been dying my hair for so long I don't remember what my true hair color is (the roots suggest dark, dark blond).
81. I wish I knew how to make jewelry like this -- I think they are extra cute.
82. I like going to the library.
83. I am tenderhearted -- and will cry over almost anything--just today I cried at this newspaper article. (I hid my face behind it so the kids and DH wouldn't see!)
84. I am a cheapskate! I refuse to pay more for stuff than I think it is worth.
85. My DH is an even cheaperskate...which makes him think I'm a spender--hehe.
86. Between me and my 3 kids--I have 4 library cards -- and all of them have a overdue book fee balance (It caps off at $5 -- so I just keep my running tally till around $4 and then I pay them all off...I call it my yearly library fee).
87. Sometimes I speak before I think.
88. My favorite food is Lasagna.
89. I made really cute cards for mother's day -- and then forgot to use them.
90. You know the book Summer of the Monkeys? Well, one day I'm going to write a book called "Summer of the Slaves" about how to get your children to work their fannies off for you during those dog days of summer (why do spring cleaning alone...when you're kids will do it with you during the summer?).
91. Sometimes when I give someone a nickname--it doesn't shorten their name--but makes it longer...for instance...Jill=Jilly & Pam=Pammi.
92. I love having girlfriends to do stuff with.
93. Sometimes I embarrass myself.
94. My favorite holiday is Halloween--but it's such a Pagan thing to admit that I usually just say Christmas. 95. I think my kids are pretty darn funny.
96. I own two watches--and both have had dead batteries for a couple of years.
97. I use my cell phone as my watch.
98. My favorite kind of cereal is Trix.
99. I love to make invitations for parties.
100. I once took a quilting class in Springville--it was a 8 week course in which we would have 3 glorious projects by the end. I thought it was so fabulous that I'd get to make 3 glorious projects in just 8-two-hour classes. There was so much take home homework that I pulled out after the 2nd week. Apparently, the only way you'd get the projects done--was with hours upon hours of quilting homework.
101. I would rather be cold than hot.
102. I like to go barefoot whenever possible.
103. I can drive a stick shift (that's the first thing I learned to drive -- was my dad's truck--I think I was 14?)
104. Sometimes I forget that I am 36 years old (I keep thinking I'm 33 for some reason...musta been a good year).
105. I play the piano.
106. I broke my foot two years in a row (age 12 & 13) playing catcher on my girls fast-pitch softball team (My dad sewed me a Levi boot with eyelet lace around the top--so I could finish the season).
107. I love Fall.
108. I love a clean smelling house--if someone would market a candle called "clean house" I'd totally buy it.
109. Since I became a whatever that means responsible adult I haven't dressed up for Halloween once--until last year--I was a Real Soccer Player--Mehdi Ballouchy--the jury is out on whether or not dressing up will become a tradition.
110. I love the color pink.
111. I type about 70 wpm.
112. I got married on March 17th, 1994.
113. I am always on a diet.
114. I am a fan of a girls night out--I think they should be weekly.
115. I hate scary movies.
116. I always get a turkey sandwich w/provolone at sandwich shops.
117. I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for in the Presidential election.
118. I saw Ironman last month with my DH and thought I'd totally hate it. But, I LOVED it (and DH thought it was kinda lame!).
119. I am not registered to vote.
120. I put things off (as long as humanly possible) that I don't want to do.
121. If my DH would let me paint all my walls in my house dirty butter yellow--I'd do it in a heart beat!
122. A Route 44 Diet coke w/lemon is a fabulous treat.
123. I'm a scaredy cat.
124. I have lived in UT for almost 3 years--and I still have my old AZ license (it's hard for me to change from a license that doesn't expire till I turn 65 -- to one that you have to renew every 5 years).
125. My kids all have names after cities in the US (not on purpose).
126. I have seen "Hairspray" on Broadway and the old Ricky Lake version--but not the one that came out last year.
127. Sometimes if something is really, really funny--and I'm really tired--I will laugh so hysterically--I cry.
128. When I was a kid, I really wanted a rock polisher for Christmas, birthday, etc. My mom never got me one--she said they were lame. When Jay turned 9, she had a bunch of birthday money and I encouraged her to buy a rock polisher at Michaels (hey, we used a 40% off coupon!). I should have listened to my mom - not only was it lame -- but it was noisy and took forever to get things polished. Add to that the guilt I had for pushing Jay into buying it!
129. I love flavored fizzy water (peach and strawberry are my favorites!)
130. My favorite kind of pie is Lemon Meringue.
131. I would love to travel to England.
132. I got glasses in the 4th grade.
133. and contacts in the 8th grade.
134. My daughter got glasses in the 2nd grade...
135. ...and contacts in the 6th grade...my how times change.
136. My favorite scent at Bath and Body Works is Coconut Lime Verbena.

137. If I'm new to a restaurant, I will try something as close as possible to something I like at another restaurant...i.e. Mexican=always chicken enchiladas, Italian=always Lasagna, etc.

138. Our family has flown (twice) over 1000 miles to Disneyworld--but has never made the short trip to CA for Disneyland.
139. For home decor, I love fall jewel tone colors.
140. I have never baked a pie before (why bake when you can buy em' already delicious at Marie Callendar's?).
141. I wore my contacts for so long for too long--that I had to stop wearing them for a few years because they were damaging my eyes.
142. I am a huge fan of the TV show "24" (missed it this year thanks to the writer's strike!).
143. This is getting painful.
144. I need more cell phone minutes.
145. I have blond moments.
146. I love the color of rookwood red.
147. My favorite quote from women's conference (a couple of years ago) is "Small Things Result in Eternal Consequences."
148. I knew a lady who got a tatoo on her toe in Vegas on her 40th birthday--mid life crisis she said. So after I heard that quote--I started joking with my friends saying that when I turned 40 and met them in Vegas--I was going to get a tatoo of the temple with "Small Things Result in Eternal Consequences" inside.
149. I love old bricks.
150. I do not appreciate Young Adult Literature that is too smarmy for adults to read?
151. I think "Fairest" written by Gail Levine is well written and a cute book.
152. I would love to see "Wicked" on Broadway (but wouldn't recommend reading the book--it was so naughty I threw it away).

153. I love(d) Ricky Schroeder!
154. It is easier for me to be on time to 9 am church than 1 pm church.
155. I worked as a secretary at a mortuary my junior year in high school--spooky!
156. I love to collect old red books - have bunches of red encylclopedias and a couple of red dictionaries.
157. I had a booth at the Quilted Bear in AZ (and it was nothing like the Crappy Bear in UT)! Promise!
158. I have gotten lost in Home Depot before.
159. I heart VW Bugs--and our family plays "slug bug what color?" on a daily basis (my fav color combo is light blue/black convertible top).
160. I am a creature of habit.
161. I love ribbon!
162. I have been known to spend $5 for every minute I'm in Costco--I try to limit myself to 30 minutes.
163. I can't wait for the Draper Temple to get finished!
164. I rarely get sick (virus' etc) -- but I get a doozy of a migraine every couple of weeks.
165. I have a patent pending on my secret combination for migraines: 4 ibuprofen + 2 tylenol + a big diet coke + a dark room + a 1/2 hour nap in silence = relief.
166. I am probably one of few people who actually enjoy serving in the nursery.
167. I love shopping at Tai-Pan Trading.
168. My favorite day of the week is Saturday.
169. I am not a try-er. If I'm at a restaurant I've been to before--I will get the same thing 99.9% of the time.
170. I worked at "Quality Thriftway" (a grocery store) my senior year in high school.
171. If I see a clock, I have a hard time resisting buying it.
172. I was born in Provo, Utah.
173. My twins were also born in Provo.
174. My oldest was born in Logan, Utah.
175. I am a fan of Stephenie Meyer's, Twilight series...but I wish my teenager didn't...kinda takes the fun out of it when I'm worrying about whether the subject matter is too much for her to handle.

176. I have only had one ticket my whole life. I rear ended a foreign exchange student on my way home from my last final at USU--a few days before I got married (barely a scratch in his fender by the by). But, the guy insisted on calling the cops. The cop apologized as he wrote me out the "unnecessary ticket"---but the guy insisted on me getting one.
177. Even though I've only had one ticket -- I've been in 3 car accidents (all in my wild and wooly youth). The first as explained above.
178. The second--I rear-ended a car crappier than mine my junior year in high school -- so nobody cared.
179. The third -- I hit a few of those construction thingy's on the side of the road when I was a junior in college--who knew they'd dent up a car so much?
180. Even though I use my printer all of the time, I don't know how to turn it on (I just tried--that's how I know).
181. I love having my sister nearby.
182. I love old keys.
183. I am a superstitious person--especially with the number 13
184. My twins were born on the 13th of October!! Spooky!
185. My favorite scripture is found in Doctrine & Covenants 88:119 "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;"
186. "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak is a great read-for both teens and parents.
187. All through college, I worked at the food court on campus.
188. I used the phrase "half asked" not realizing it was actually "half a$$ed" until I was about 30 years old and my DH corrected me (and I'm talking all the time - in all settings - including a few LDS enrichment planning meetings).
189. I send out a lot of emails.
190. I don't mind carpooling kids around town--if my car is clean and I have a diet coke on hand.
191. May 17th has been officially my unlucky day for the past 11 years. I used to be so superstitious that I didn't even leave my house on that day (for the first 5 years). This year was no different. May 17th, 2008=DH was out of town. Savvy got really sick and was diagnosed with a bad bladder infection, strep and the flu. Aussie threw up that night!
192. My kids go to charter schools.
193. Last summer, on the last night of school--I flooded my bedroom, guest room, craft room, 2 bathrooms & front room--whilst I talked on the porch with my good friend.
194. I like cutesy things.
195. My favorite place for lunch is Zupas.
196. I love my old doors (I got from my Grandpa in Lake Shore!)
197. My grandpa from Lake Shore reads my blog faithfully every day! Hi Gramps!
198. I worked at a copy center my first year of marriage.

199. When I was newly married, I worked for one day at Kmart--and immediately gave my 2 week notice!
200. I usually score an A to A+ on "High School Musical Sing it"for the Wii.
201. I make great pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
202. In my youth, I had a few nicknames: Nikki (my family-& some still call me that today), Nikki-Nikki-Tombo (from an Uncle), NCMO (high school and college friends--and NO it wasn't true! I promise mom!), Picky Nicky (my sis and a friend still call me that today), & Paisley (high school - and I begged to have my name legally changed to it--now one of my cute cousin's, Allyson, has a baby named Paisley! Love it!)
203. My favorite hymn is "Come thou Fount".
204. I was a goody-goody in high school (just ask my poor brother who was 11 months younger than me--hehe).
205. My favorite kind of cookie to make is peanut butter kiss cookies.
206. I'm not a fancy girl.
207. I like short hair.
208. Every guy I dated seriously--until I met my DH--was a year younger than me (DH is 10 months older).
209. I only speak one foreign language (and it is a made up one from Zoom). Dobo yobou knobow whobat obi obam sobayobing?
210. I once sang the entire song of "I Heard Him Come" in Ob (just in front of my college roommates).
211.I love shopping at Rod Works.

212. Every year from December-January-my brother and I are the same age.
213. Every year from January-March my DH and I are the same age.
214. My kids think I should enter my chicken alfredo recipe into the Disney cooking hall of fame.
215. I wish I would've gone into nursing--and I am trying to talk my 13 year old into it (it would be a heckuva lot better choice than marine biology).
216. My favorite kind of cake is yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting and a big glass of milk.
217. I taught at a middle school after I graduated college (I was the writing center coordinator--don't I sound all official?)
218. I love shopping at Tomorrow's Antiques.
219. "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale is one of my favorite books.
220. I also love "Austenland" by Shannon Hale...even though I was the only one in my book group to like it (awww c'mon...I thought after "1776" it was a dream come true!)
221. I am no good at most of the kids Wii games -- not enough coordination?
222. I did my student teaching at a high school--and it was then and there that I decided I should've gone into elementary education! Those big kids are tough!
223. I once killed a snake with my bare hands (well, I did have on DH's work gloves..but still!)
224. I wanted to major in music in college -- but didn't feel like I played enough musical instruments.
225. I had my wisdom teeth taken out the summer after I graduated.
226. I'm not a simple girl.
227. I love cheesecake (even though I've never made it!)
228. I think hound dogs are cute.
229. I have never mowed a lawn my whole married life...not even on the riding lawn mower.
230. As a kid, I always thought it would be fun to get my tonsils out (never had to though).
231. I kick butt on Mario Kart for the Gamecube.
232. My 3 children are better swimmers than me--I don't even like to put my face in the water when I swim freestyle--breaststroke and butterfly? Are you kidding me? No clue!
233. I am generally late for most things.
234. I love IKEA--but I've been banned from it (by my DH).
235. I sang in the (LDS Salt Lake) Tabernacle when I was in high school and it was the most magical thing experience ever.
236. I love my birthday--especially if it is on a weekend.
237. I love shopping at Interior Elements.
238. I have a hard time believing that gas is more expensive per gallon than milk.
239. I chew gum all the time--love it!
240. Once I tried to catch an enormous wolf spider (with a 44 oz diet coke cup) to show to my bug guy (so he'd know what to spray for). It ended up being a mama with thousands of itsy bitsy spider babies on her back. When the cup trapped big mama (on my front porch near the front door)--hundreds of her babies scattered...into my house. Our family not so fondly called it, "The Year of the Spider."
241. I love to play Hearts...but I rarely win.
242. I heart Michael Buble!
243. Iceburg Shakes are the best.

244. I just got a job at Jay's charter school as a Teacher's Assistant (yesterday!)

245. Interviewing for a job was very scary--I didn't expect that.

246. I think using wheat flour in cookies is just plain wrong.
247. I own 3 home organization books that I have never read.

248. My favorite number is 28.

249. I was born in 1972.

250. I have never had braces--but I always wanted them and sometimes pretended I had them with paper clips..which then caused some nice canker sores afterwards.
251. I have 3 nieces and 5 nephews (oh and 2 more nephews on the way in July and Sept).

252. I got married when I was 22.

253. My favorite candy bar is a Twix.

254. There have been many times that I've talked on the phone for so long during the day--that my ear hurts (workers comp?).

255. I have a thing for cute scripture bags.

256. I am not a super-competitive person.

257. I've only commented ONCE on a person's blog that I didn't know (and I read a bunch of them).

258. I do comment on blogs of people I do know, like my cousins: Allyson, Amy & Jen. My good friends from Arizona: Jolene, Pammi, Heather, KellyB, Shannon. My sister, Jilly and my sis-in-law, Ali. My brother Zach.

259. I think taking out the garbage is man's work...and I've been known to save it for DH to do when he gets home...even if it's overflowing.

260. I have a loud laugh.

261. I like to say (to the point that my kids finish that sentence for me), "that is the oldest trick in the book."

262. I went to a few events at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics (we traveled down from AZ on Valentine's Day).

263. I try avoid confrontations.

264. I heart Brad Paisley.

265. I'm a pretty good speller.

266. I'm sure my DH thinks all I do all day is talk on the phone, blog, do relief society stuff, and sometimes clean the house.

267. He forgot to add shop and drink diet coke.

268. I was voted as "Class Clown" my senior year--(the guy voted class clown with me-married my BFF and is now the bishop in my parent's ward).

269. I like to make silly sing-songy rhymes to wake my kids up every morning for school.

270. I love the song "So Close" by Jon Mclaughlin (from Enchanted).

271. I think I'm pretty easy going for most things...but some people may call me picky.

272. I have filled out March Madness (college basketball) brackets every year since I've been married (14 years baby)--and I think I've only beat my DH once.

273. I tend to make my picks for March Madness according to whether I a) think the coach is good looking b) like the mascot c) I like to pick the teams in the West to go far.

274. There was a time the first 2 years I lived here when I used to go to Sonic 3 times a day for a Route 44 DC--now I'm down to once every few days.

275. I am a BYU fan.

276. I love to write with a new pen in a new notebook.

277. My favorite kind of gum is spearmint.

278. I have to have on lipstick/gloss...no matter the time of day.

279. I am a snoop when it comes to Christmas presents.
280. Every Christmas, (during my childhood and youth) I would sneakily unwrap my presents under the tree using a butter knife--then seal them back up (which is why you will not see a wrapped gift under my tree until Christmas morning).

281. When I was a 10, we used to roller skate all the time in my unfinished basement.

282. There were 128 seniors in my graduating class in high school.

283. I have an unlucky purple flowered shirt that I refuse to wear--but I've kept it for luck (what if I D.I. it and then get a run of bad luck?).

284. My favorite Disney show is "Little Mermaid".

285. I made a Mermaid costume for Jay when she was in kindergarten...then tried to force my tomboy Savvy to wear it when she was in kinder (didn't work out so well).

286. People think I'm a perfectionist when it comes to crafting...it's truly not that...I just set high expectations for myself that if something doesn't turn out...I just have to fix it (or throw it away).

287. I re-purposed a clock that I made in enrichment into a "clock table" with an old bar stool (Did I mention that I hated how the clock turned out? I tried repainting it twice and there was NO WAY I would hang it on the wall--but it sure makes a cute table).

288. I got engaged on my birthday (Jan 10) and was married 3 months later in the Manti Temple.

289. I find myself often thinking...why didn't I think of that?

290. Many years ago, I entered a limerick contest in the SL Trib and won!

291. I keep going to the same dentist even though I think his breath stinks and I don't like him. 292. I love the pioneer quote, ‘Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without’.

294. But, that doesn't stop me from wanting a new kitchen table.

295. I love looking at fabric at the fabric store.

296. I think fabric is usually a rip off and refuse to buy it without a 40% coupon.

297. I refuse to buy most crafty things (over $5) without a sale price or coupon.

298. I love the smell of rain.

299. I love flip flops.

300. I love me some Krispy Kreme doughnuts..and I'm so glad there isn't one nearby.

301. I love LDS artist Hilary Weeks' music.

302. My favorite flower is tulips.

303. The prophet during my growing up years was Spencer W. Kimball.

304. I love living in UT--I missed the mountains, the seasons and my family.

305. I loved living in AZ and would do it again in a heartbeat (if the timing & job was right)--I miss the warm winters, friends & our swimming pool.

306. I should not be trusted to sew anything besides Halloween costumes and pioneer outfits. 307. A couple of years ago I made Jedi knight costumes for my twins to wear for Halloween...when they tried them on the robes were so big that my DH and I could've worn them. It took me 3 days to alter them down to kid size.

308. I frequently get behind on my laundry.

309. Punctuation usually puzzles me.
310. I would love to go to New York and watch bunches of shows on broadway.

311. I love Rascal Flatts--but I usually call them Flascal Ratts.

312. If I think a joke is really funny, I will tell it again and again...until my kids/friends/family fans beg me to stop.

313. I sunburn very easily.

314. My shoulders were blistered so many times as a teen that I've lost count.

315. My kids are forced will always wear 50 SPF sunblock.

316. My favorite kind of toothpaste is Crest original.

317. I got married on St Patricks day...so naturally my colors were mostly forest green (with a mix of mauve and ivory).

318. I am a registered republican..but I've been known to vote democrat (depends on the person running).

319. I am serving as 2nd counselor in the Relief Society presidency in my church.

320. I don't like eating foods with weird texture...for instance...

321. I like coconut flavored things...but not coconut.
322. Savvy wanted me to teach her cursive...so I did...and then her teacher informed her that her cursive was "all wrong!"
323. I hate to iron.
324. I like lime popsicles.

325. I think Clorox Cleanup is the best invention ever.

326. I have dry skin.

327. I have a fridge in the garage..that is primarily used for diet coke, Grandma Sycamore's bread (in the freezer) & popsicles.

328. I am allergic to watermelon, pineapple and canteloupe (my tongue breaks out) -- but I still eat em' anyway!

329. I love to play the card game "Phase 10" but I rarely win.

330. I wear a size 8 shoe.

331. I would rather shop for furniture in AZ than in UT...pickin's are slim in UT.

332. My 13 year old daughter has a bigger foot than me (size 9).

333. I am not a daredevil.

334. I go shopping the day after Thanksgiving every year with the masses...and every year I swear I will never do it again.

335. I love having a craft room.

336. I hate tomatoes.

337. ..and pickles.

338. I love receiving (and giving) handmade gifts.

339. I ran a 5K last year with my husband on our 13th Anniversary.

340. I love ice cream sandwiches.

341. I love quilts.
342. I love getting mail from others...but rarely send it (except for Christmas cards--I'm good at sending out those).
343. We own a lot of DVD's that I have never watched.
344. I do not like raspberry flavored things--but I love fresh raspberries.
345. One of my favorite movies is "The Holiday".
346. I wish I knew how to play the violin.
347. I used to go country swing dancing all the time in college...wouldn't remember a thing now.
348. Up until I turned 14, the carpet in my bedroom was lime green--and it was high fashion baby!
349. One of my favorite toys as a kid was my Barbie Townhouse!
350. I wish I had a rocking chair.

351. My favorite primary song is "The Church of Jesus Christ".
352. My dad taught me & my kids how to play the harmonica last year.
353. I totally designed, cut out, painted, shellacked, weighted, assembled helped Austin make his sweet pinewood derby shark car.
354. I would love it if someone would rub my feet every day--and I've been known to pay my children to do this.
355. I like chocolate...but not super-chocolatey things.
356. I can sing alto.
357. My favorite magazines are Paper Crafts Magazine and
358. Traditional Home and
359. The Ensign and
360. The Friend and
361. Country Marketplace
362. I love the quote, "Prayer Changes Things".
363. I love to hear my kids play together nicely.
364. I love my flat iron...couldn't do my hair without it.

365. When I decided to make this list of 365 things about me --I had no idea how hard it would be! But--I promise--loyal readers--if you make a list of 365 things about you I will read it cover to cover!

{P.S. As the ultimate cliff hanger (I do give myself a lot of credit don't I?)...I am still working on the prizes for my anniversary winner...watch for a post later today.}

The Sunday Funnies: Cowboy Up

My dad's 62nd surprise birthday party was yesterday. A good time was had by all. There was even a program.

Aussie, Dad & Jessika

My mom had asked all of the men in the family to read a selection of cowboy poetry. I tried to help find El Jefe a poem on the internet..but he told me he would take care of it himself.

El Jefe's Cowboy poem

{written by none other than El Jefe}

There once was a man on a horse.

He rode tall.

He rode fast.

His name was Lucky.

He rode the old West.

He rode with the best.

Never did he fall.

The man had a dog.

The sky opened up.

The rain fell.

The thunder roared.

Aliens attacked.

His dog was kidnapped.

This was not Lucky's day.

But he returned standing tall.

Riding through the West.

Riding tall, riding proud.

After the program, I overheard my dad complimenting El Jefe on his poetry skills. One of my brothers mentioned they really liked the alien twist at the end.

El Jefe proudly said, "I figured if Indiana Jones could have an alien...then so could my cowboy poem."

(P.S. T minus two days till the magnet board contest ends...the drawing will be Tuesday at 5 pm. If you wanna double your chances of winning and get an extra entry...comment on this post with your best original cowboy poetry)

The Scouting Chronicles

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

Dear Diary:

Went to Cub Scout Day Camp with Aussie and 11 other 8 & 9 year old boys today. It was a good time. I liked it better than last year--the theme was a kick--Superheroes. Best of all, there were only a few shenanigans to speak of.

Shenanigan #1--Missed out on doing the ever-important head count BEFORE we left the church. The gal I was carpooling with (forgot to bring her cell phone) -- pulled alongside me ON THE FREEWAY at 65 mph -- during rush hour -- and yelled through open windows. "Do you have *Eddie?

Quickly checking my boys, I yelled back, "No!"

"AHHH!" we both yelled.

I made a frantic phone call to one my girlfriends and asked if she had seen said *Eddie. She had seen him at the church.

I thought about it and remembered seeing *Eddie climbing trees in the church parking lot. As I pictured our lost cub scout crying in a tree--the boys in the back seat said that they saw Eddie get in my carpooling companion's (CC) vehicle. So, I pulled up alongside CC--and at the same time we both yelled--

Me: "You've got him in your car!"

CC: "I've got him in my car!"

Whew. That was a close one. Thank goodness the only witness were the 12 cub scouts--and who's going to believe what they say anyway?

Shenanigan #2-- Gotta love that canyon dirt. It provided better coverage than the sunblock our scout moms so fastidiously applied to their young. Of course, I remembered the dirt from last year--so I opted out on the sunblock and went straight for the dirt block. "Aussie! Stop! Drop! and Roll!" I yelled. He complied along with 11 other freshly oiled boys.

Shenanigan #3--They turned me loose with a BB gun. We had two fun Boy Scouts leading our group around the day camp. One of our rotations was a BB gun shooting range. Secretly, in my head, I wanted to shoot the guns. But, I tried to play it cool. Then, during the last rotation of boys there were two spots open--and our Boy Scouts asked if me and CC wanted to have a turn on the range! I locked, loaded, and pumped that gun like there was no tomorrow. {I only shot 6 out of 11 targets--don't tell my brothers!} But, it was the most fun I had all day. {And when our boy scouts said--time to put the guns down--I pretended I didn't hear and shot off another round. Aren't I a good example to our scouts?}

Shenanigan #4--Flies like me. With my new do, I have to use this stuff called hair wax. Who knew that flies would think my hair was honey--and get stuck in it a couple of times. NASTY!

Shenanigan #5--Cub scouts lose things. Note to self: next year tell parents not to send hats with their boys. Only 4 boys out of our 12 wore hats (mine was one of them--but he never lost his)--and I think I retrieved the same 3 hats at least 10 times each!

Shenanigan #6--Port-a-potties at scout camp. Do they ever empty them? Oh man! They were soooo bad that even the scouts didn't want to use them--and what do they know about sanitary conditions--they were covered in an inch of dirt? One of our scouts said to me, "I need to use the bathroom." I offered to walk him up to the portapoopies. He said, "No, those are gross. Can I just go in those trees?" We informed him that if every boy went in the trees then the trees would smell like the portapoopies. He opted to hold it for 2 hours (as did the rest of us). P.S. To the pregnant scout leader of troop 201--you are a brave and courageous woman. Every time I took a scout to the nasty portapoopies--there you were--exiting the nasty place--with a horrified look on your face. You my sista have earned a place in the celestial kingdom.

Shenanigan #7--Cub Scouts need a pack mule--and I'm a good one. At each station our scouts would get something to take home with them--a homemade map of their neighborhood, their fingerprint, an emergency number list, etc. As we walked away from each station, they'd hand them to me to carry (CC was smart and said no to the first request). By the end of the day, I was wishing I was a mama kangaroo with a pouch to put everything in.

Shenanigan #8--A twenty minute ride to the scout camp will turn into an hour long ride home if there is an accident on the freeway. Plan for a marathon game of I-Spy--and be sure to have extra snacks in the car.

As you can see dear diary, a good time was had by all. (and it only took 2 showers to get the dirt off of me and 3 showers for Aussie).

Sincerely,
One Sassy Mama

*names have been changed to protect the innocent...

...well mostly me

Things To Do...

Sunday:
*Spend a relaxing day at church and with the family.
*Deliver treats to the gals I visit teach.
*Put the kids to bed.
*Blog about Hawaii.
*Read "Prologue: The Brothers" by Chris Stewart - for book club on Wednesday (which I'm hosting).
*Plan lesson for RS for next week.

What actually happened:
*Relaxing? Hah!
*While delivering treats on a dark and rainy eve, fell down some porch stairs, sprained both of my ankles and my calf (didn't know you could do that).
*DH had to put the kids to bed since I was in bed with both legs propped up with ice bags surrounding.
*Didn't read.
*Didn't blog.
*Didn't plan RS lesson.

Monday:
*Post Hawaii - big time cleaning day.
*Cut out some RS wood keys for our board meeting the next night.
*Deliver cut out keys to RS president who promised if I'd cut them out she'd paint them.
*Take Jay to the dentist for her braces.
*Drop twins off at swim.
*Attend "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the pioneer theater with Jay and her friend.
*Blog about Hawaii
*Read book club book.
*Plan lesson for RS on Sunday.

What actually happened:
*Hobbled around all day on 2 sprained ankles - took me the entire day to load the dishwasher and do a load of laundry.
*Ankles hurt too much to stand at the saw and cut out 20 keys.
*Couldn't deliver the keys to the RSP--so now they are all mine to paint since she has to work Tuesday.
*Jay's braces took longer than expected (but she is so darn cute in them!).
*Twins missed swim because of the braces.
*DH took Jay and her friend to the play cause I was too gimpy.
*Didn't read.
*Didn't blog.
*Didn't plan.

Tuesday:
*Clean house for the book club ladies coming tomorrow.
*Cut out the keys, paint the blasted things, sand them, antique them, tie a ribbon through them, glue the magnet on the back of them, make tags for them with a cute quote.
*Buy a birthday present for Aussie's friend's party on Wednesday.
*Take Jay to swim and Savvy to Activity Days.
*Go to RS board meeting (bringing the lovely keys finished and complete for all to behold and love).
*Read book club book.
*Plan RS lesson for Sunday.
*Blog about Hawaii.

What actually happened:
*Cleaning? ummm - well I did load the dishwasher and throw in some laundry (but if this gives you perspective - Savvy walked in the house after school, looked at my kitchen table covered in paint, keys and sawdust - surveyed the rest of the house - and said, "Oooh Messy".
*I did cut out the keys, paint them, sand them, antique them, put ribbon through them and made tags for them. But at the ultimate witching hour 6:40 pm- the RSP and I were still assembling them with the tags as ladies started showing up to our meeting (I ask you - who really shows up to a 7 pm meeting on time--we figured we had at least till 7:10? Well - 2 ladies showed up 10 minutes early - and ended up helping us - we called it "Make your own handout night"-very lovely and very embarrassing).
*Jay and Savvy made it to their activities-and hopefully home?
*Aussie bought his bday present.
*After the meeting - had a unplanned presidency meeting till 10pm.
*Read the first 2 chapters in my book club book.
*Didn't plan my lesson.
*Didn't blog.

Wednesday:
*Go on an all day fieldtrip with Savvy and Aussie.
*Clean house for the book club ladies.
*Read the dang book club book - I mean c'mon it's at my house for goodness sake!
*Make pnut butter kiss cookies for tonight.
*Refrigerate beverages for tonight.
*Take Jay to swim & Aussie to his bday party.
*Pick up Jay from swim and drop her to YW.
*Be ready for book club at 8 pm!
*DH's in charge of Savvy and Aussie at the Jazz game.
*Plan RS lesson.
*Blog about Hawaii.

What Actually Happened:
*Well - the fieldtrip obviously didn't happen - it's a lot of walking and I'm still too gimpy (ankles aside - are you kidding me? I've got to clean this place till it shines like the top of the Chrysler building).
*The rest all better happen - or I'm faking an illness-maybe ankle surgery?!?

A Smelly Issue

On our last night of vacation, the greasy, fast food finally caught up to Aussie. It manifested itself in a smelly way. The kid had gas - and I mean bad. Nobody wanted to sleep with him--even his own mother banished him to the other side of our small hotel room. Of course, it turned into a game for him. His goal: to offend his sisters with his smelly smell of a smell (which did I mention was smelly?). Everytime he passed the lethal gas - Aussie would yell - "I must use my powers for truth and justice! mwahahaha!" His sisters were not amused.

Today, on the way home from swim team practice, Aussie again was plagued with poor nutritional (i.e. bad diet) gas.
Savvy said, "Mom - Aussie is so disgusting. He farts, he burps, he has bad breath -- he should be sent to juvie!"
The all knowing big sister, Jay remarked, "Juvie is for kids who break the law - they steal, set schools on fire or try to kill their parents." (sheesh!)
Savvy responded, "Well, what about brothers who smell? That should totally be against the law!"

I Heart My Combs

"It's called ratting daddy, and our

first lady Jacki O does it!"

Traci Turnblad, "Hairspray"

You may recall last week I posted about my 13 year old stealing my favorite comb (bottom comb in the picture) and taking it to girls camp (she also took my mirror--and broke it--of course she did).

I must admit--I never knew how much I hearted that trusty (albeit rusty) comb until I was without it. That was one LONG week--with some bad hair karma.

Now, I'm no beautician (although I've tried to marry off each of my brothers to one--see item #71), but I have to say the key to good hair is a good ratting comb (unless you have thick hair--lucky!). I suppose I should add--for really good hair, you also need a good roundbrush, a flat iron--and lots of hairspray.

The top comb in the picture is a pin comb and is great for ratting because it gives you the volume without that fuzzy, ratted look. They sell them at Sally's for around $20. It is a must have.

My most beloved comb cost only $3 (the comb on the bottom--and I have searched high and low for another one--to no avail). I call it my dream team comb. I totally heart it. It gives me serious air for my hair. This comb (note the missing pieces) has been with me for many years--it may very well be as old as my teenager who stole it last week.

So what's your favorite all-time-must-have-hair-do product?

The Name Game

I went to our RS Lunch Bunch today and visited with a fun group of girls. One of the girls (Misty) is pregnant and having a boy in June - so the topic of baby names came up. Misty told us her top boy names - her number one name was Colton (which I think is so cute).

Anyway, Misty said how she would never name any of her kids with a name ending in "Y" because it just isn't a name that a child can grow up with & sound smart. She referred to herself and said that when you think of "Misty" you don't think of a smart adult - you think of a ditzy, nice, fun, cute cheerleader. So, Misty's ultimate goal in naming babies is to give them a "smart" name that works with both a babe, toddler and adult.

Another girl commented that her friend had wanted to name her baby boy with a "strong" name - and named him "Steel". She said how it was almost awkward to hold this sweet smelling baby in her arms and call him a piece of metal.

Generally, I try not to pass judgement on a name (at least until I get to know the person)--but I have known children named Talon, Storm, Jaggar & Autumn who have lived up to my every expectation. One of Jay's swim coaches is named Thor. When she first started talking about him - I'll admit I had a Nordic superhero pictured in my head. When I saw him, I was a little surprised--he looks like one of my brothers--about 5'9, dark hair--no superhero tendancies.

Until I was fourteen, I was known as Nicki. Then we moved to a new town and I went with my given name Nicole. I still have a few family members who call me Nicki - and it's very nostalgic to me--I like it. But, if you were to ask me the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the name Nicki? I'll be honest - I'd say a stripper (not sure why - since I never entertained the idea of that profession-I promise!). I still like being called Nicki - but I'd never request "Post-Nicki" friends to call me that (unless I was entering a mid-life crisis and headed to Vegas--but that's a whole nother post folks).

After lunch bunch, Misty sent me an email. She signed it jokingly as "Love, Happy-Go-Lucky, cute-fun, but not so smart, Misty". I emailed her back adding other nice adjectives that I think of when I think of her name. But, it made me curious as to what she thought of when she hears the name "Nicole." So, I asked her. I gave her the whole Nicki to Nicole theory and this is what she emailed back.

Misty said, "Nicole is the perfect name!! I love it when you can have a kid name and then it works for (Nicki to Nicole) a grown up name!! Although Nicole does remind me of my cute friend who I used to get into a little too much trouble with--the kind that could talk her way out of any ticket...but when I think of Nicole I think of YOU--smart, talented, creative, but down to earth and a music record voice. So maybe people get more of the whole picture of me than I think. I do think I became my name a little though--chicken or the egg? Who knows."

Maybe Misty should add "extra humble and modest" to my name - since I'm posting her kind comments about me on my own blog (I did email her back and told her to add "kind and generous" to her Misty moniker). But, I LOVE what she said about how she "became her name". I think it's true. We are all given a name as babies - and as we grow up we can choose whether we are going to create good impressions or bad ones--our actions determine what others are going to think of us and our names.

As we were choosing names for our kids, it involved a lot of research, lists and discussions. There were names that I loved that my DH hated because it reminded him of somebody he couldn't stand and vice versa. I don't have any regrets with what named our kids-so I guess we did a good job (I suppose we'll find out later how well we did when one of them changes their name to Calliope or something). When I was JR. High age, I kept a journal -- filled with silliness about who I was going to marry and what I was going to name my kids. Scarlett ranked at the top of that list - my oldest can be grateful she dodged that bullet.

So, loyal readers - how do you feel about your name? Do you like it? What guidelines have you used in naming your own children? Inquiring minds want to know.

Dating for Romo is a big No-No

[My husband has a blog with his family - mostly it's just DH and his brothers doing the posting. They generally talk about politics or sports (insert snore here). Today I decided to spice up DH's blog with a little bit of sports mixed with some pop-culture - and since I haven't had a chance to blog for a few days I thought I'd post it here too.]


Dallas Cowboy football player Tony Romo has women troubles. Not that he can't get a date or anything - it's the dating aftermath everyone's worried about. Last week, with his new girlfriend Jessica Simpson cheering him on -- he totally choked.

It isn't the first time this poor jock has stunk it up while his girlfriend - and a national television audience - has watched. Last year, when then girlfriend, Carrie Underwood (I don't care if she now says they never dated - she's just saving face) - watched his game - he totally stunk it up.

Maybe all Tony Romo needs therapy - and the first question his therapist should ask is, "Are you a little bit country or a little bit rock-and-roll?" Hey inquiring minds want to know.

What Would it Take?

To get me blogging again?

Would it be all the hilarious Sunday Funnies that have been piling up over the past few months. {There have been some doozies.
My kids are quite hilar.}



Nah.

Would it be to journal about our awesome trip to California over Christmas break?


Almost.

Would it be getting released as the RS President
in my ward?

{A girl can dream? Can't she?}

Now, granted. All of these could have been worthy causes for bringing my blog back from the dead.

But, the true reason for my rekindled interest in blogging--was the conversation I had with El Jefe this morning...in regards to our recent refinancing of our home.

Me: So, what time is the finance dude coming tonight?

El Jefe: That dude is a lady.

At this point, I went Aerosmith all over the place.

Me (singing): Duh-duh-duh-duh---Dude looks like a lady! Duh-duh-duh-duh---Dude looks like a lady!

El Jefe: Not laughing.

Me: Giggle-snorting for quite some time.



I mean how could he not laugh? I guess he wasn't raised with crazy brothers who listened to Aerosmith like it was true and everlasting gospel.

{Sorry Mom}

{Still laughing, by the way.}

So, that's when I decided that some shenanigans are just too funny not to blog.

Hence. The blog returns.

{What a funky lady.}

The Sunday Funnies

Yesterday, I drove down to my sis-in-law's baby shower in my old home town...Oak City or the OC as my brothers have nicknamed it.

Somehow, my dad got schnookered into taking Savvy and her cousin Syd on a four wheeler ride.

They drove all over town, had a great time, and came home smelling like a campfire...mostly due to the happenings at one of the neighbors' weed burning parties.

When they got back, my dad was chuckling and shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"While we were on our ride, Savvy yelled as loud as she could...'Grandpa! Make sure you drive by the cat lady's house!' We happened to be driving by the cat lady's house...and they were sitting out on their front porch and heard every word," he said.

Me-ow!

{Truth be told, it is Savvy's goal in life to be a cat lady with hundreds of cats}.