'Tis the Season

You know how I love Halloween. Well, Christmas is a close second cousin. Here's what we got.

Vintage house=Vintage decor.

Psssst...Don't tell anyone on E-bay or at the antique shops that I'm collecting. I've gotten some great deals this year to add some starbursts and santas to the bunch.

Jason loves hitting his head on this chandelier in the living room.

Don't you love a flocked tree? I had to splurge on this Black Friday $25.00 getup at Wallie's.

Yes, that's a styrofoam plate. They've finally won. It's 4 against one though. I just don't have time to do everything right.

OOOOH OOOOOH OOOOH! Check this out! I got this from the lady we sat next to on the plane home from Alaska. Isn't is festive? She jingles all the way.

Delivered, Signed, Sealed

We are a bit mixed up in this family, but this is how it goes...

Mae had a busy week. Wednesday, finalization, Thursday, Thanksgiving, Friday, Sealing, Sunday, Blessing.

Our time in the temple was precious. The sweet little ladies working that day dressed the kids in beautiful white clothing. They came into the sealing room looking like little angels. Little Mae sat quietly cooing while the sealer performed the ordinance that would bind her to our famliy through eternity. He explained that no matter what happened in the lives of the parents, children who are sealed to their families will have the blessings of eternal parentage. He also remembered each one of our names (which is a feat because as Isaac said, "Mom, that guy was all white. He had white hair in his nose and white hair and his close was white!").

My mother-in-law, the Carvajal's, The Standifird's, and the Gurney's were able to attend with us.

What a blessing that Isaac and Liv will remember the temple. One more reason why being adopted is soooo cool.

We are a "peculiar people". If you want more info on the sealing and blessing ceremonies, see the church website.

What Goes Around...

Sometimes it sucks to get what you deserve.

Now, they didn't dance to "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go", "Billy Jean", or "Hungry Eyes", (in fact they had no music at all), but it was a "program" all the same.

For moi, first it was my best friend, Jewell. We jammed to Wham and Michael Jackson. We invited the neighborhood. Then it was Robbie (my cousin) and I. My grandma only had a record player with a radio on it, so we jammed to whatever happened to be on the radio. Do you know how hard it is to make up a dance to one song and perform it to another? We got mad skills.

A Thanksgiving Visit

Helen and Naloni popped in this week for a Thanksgiving visit... Here are some of our Temple Square high"lights"...

Shiny, Happy People

Here comes a blaring generalization, but people who shop at Sam's Club are happier than people who shop at Costco. OOOOhHH I can just hear the comments coming! I love starting something.

So. I generally shop at Costco for my industrial sized box of spanikopita, because, you know as my husband says, "cooler people shop at Costco," (and he could take back his tv up to 3 years after he bought it and say, "I don't want it" and they will take it back faster than you can say, "I really need the money right now"). I honestly don't care who shops where, but he pays the membership and I hitch a ride on the free spouse card express.

So, he got off his high horse and got one of those snazzy $10 for the rest of the year Sam's memberships. Today Mae and I ventured in (because I am in charge of the turkey for Olivia's class feast and never even strolled down that aisle?). Anywho, as we meandered along the enormous aisles I caught smiles and winks (just kidding), and the man who took my picture for the free spouse card was kind and efficient.

When I got to the end of my trip with only a gallon of 1% and a ready-made chicken (hey!? **just had a thought** can 1-3rd graders tell the difference between turkey and rotisserie chicken?), the couple in front of me (who looked like they were re-stocking their food storage), asked me to go first. When I fumbled for my Sam's card the Mrs. even placed my items on the belt. I totally caught the spirit of Christmas.

But before that came the Grandpa. You know, one of those grandpas who peaks at all the babes (the ones under 3)? He peaked over at Mae as we walked by. I almost sped up just to play hard to get, but he was too cute. She was wearing her super-cool knit cap, so I promptly removed it so he could see her curls. He looked at her and touched her hand and then, I'm sure noticing her almondy round, black eyes and carmel-colored skin, said, "She's very lucky." I said thank-you and proceeded to turn when he said, "...and you are too." He took the words right out of my mouth.

Sam's Club rocks the house! Take that you introverted, self-absorbed or just plain mean Costo shoppers. If you write a mean comment I'll just know you shop at Costco.

Grub Day

Well, I know my kids aren't the only poorly dressed at school today. I saw all their mom's at the Twilight premiere.

Why were we all so worried about Edward? Jacob was the ugly one (and I'm pretty sure not Indian). And the white make-up? That estetician (sp?) will never work in Hollywood again!

That movie could have been in another language starring the old Nick Nolte as Edward (see previous post) and I would have had fun. There was electricity in the air, the chicks behind us eating an entire Costco coffee cake they'd smuggled in, conversations about "levi loving", dodging the flash from every teen's digital as they pressed their heads together and smiled, and a 44 oz Cherry Coke. I don't know what it is about this story.? Had the time of my life.

Ladies, I had a DELIGHTFUL time! Let's do it again July 17 for Harry Potter.

Hot to Not

On my msn.com homepage was this story. See it and then proceed with the following commentary...

I laughed, I cried.

I don't care what you say, Vince Vaughn is still hot- funny men are hot.

And my beloved Jude. Oh Jude, a mustache? Ewww. I will always have my copy of The Holiday to keep me warm at night and erase the trauma of the mustache picture.

Can you believe I have an entry labeled "hot men"?

SHHhh, I need a cLuE

I have a secret (and it's not "GooGoo GaaGaa Fishes", or "Talk to me, Talk to me beh beh", those are Georgia's).

Well, I really don't have a secret (!!I NEED THAT CLUE!!), it's the local radio station I listen to that does. It's driving me crazy. They have a secret sound (!!FIRST CLUE, FIRST CLUE, SOMEONE PLEEEEASE) (you can hear it on their site...and hey, they do play the best mix of the 80's, 90's and today, so don't start). I've been the 13th caller twice. Is that a bad sign?

I picture myself winning a-la The Secret. Every time I dial I say out loud, "They're going to answer" and I can hear the voice of the dj on the other end of the line saying, "You're the twentieth caller!" and me on the opposite end wondering if I should use an alias or if that might void my prize.

It just so happens that they play the secret sound at 8:10 (while I'm driving Isaac & Liv to school), 11:10 (while I'm picking up Isaac), and 3:10 (when I go back to pick up Liv). I was sure I knew what it was. Then they started giving out clues. (OH THAT @#$@!%$ CLUE!) I've only got two (and I don't think it's fair if I share them with you here.) One of the clues fits my guess. The other one not so much. I missed Monday's clue !!!I GOT TO HAVE THAT CLUE!!!(and don't bother trying, they're not posted on anyone's blog or anywhere Google searches, I just tried). !!!I GOTTA HAVE THAT CLUE!!!

OK, so here's the deal. Call me if you think you know what it is. I'll tell you what I know, CIA style, and if we win I'll split the $$ with you, but the hot tub's mine. But, time is of the essence. Three dummies tried to guess today after the clue was given this morning so tomorrow is probably it.

PSSST...tHe eAglE hAS lANdEd

They only guessed wrong because the pot has been getting larger so I could pay cash for my next car. and give some to charity, of course

Enrichment

I ran across this book at Michael's (and incidently found it at least $5.00 cheaper on Amazon after I bought it). Doesn't it look wonderful? It's even better inside. The best part? There are printable pages inside the book in color in case you don't want to hunt down your own paper for the project!

I am in charge of Enrichment for church. I think I'm going to add to the list of meetings/classes to include a monthly "craft" including, but not limited to:

Chunky Wood hearts with raffia loops painted with the saying of your choice (as long as you put dots on the ends of every line in every letter)

A "Yule Log", cut from my neighbor's tree with fir and pine tree branches, pinecones, silk poinsettias, and ribbon hot glued to the top

One of these...

And a few of these

How 'bout some of this action?

(maybe even some of the bi-racial dolls as seen on either side of this jar)

Last, but not least, anything that says, "Back Door Friends are Best"

Now ladies, it is Church policy that you attend the ward in your geographic area, so you may suggest these to your Enrichment leader, but this is soley for my girls.

P.S. Do any of your husbands have a jigsaw and would be willing to make us some shelves with heart cutouts to stage our crafts on?

Home James

First of all, I consider myself so lucky that after having spent 5 hours in Seattle, and 6 days in Anchorage, I am so in love with my home that I am ecstatic to be here. My adorable sailor-mouthed neighbor devotedly collected my mail every day and when, last week, the wind "howled like the dickens", she place my pumpkins in front of the screen door so it wouldn't be blown off the hinges. My other neighbor called me to ask help in rearranging furniture. I drove only 3 minutes down the road to Walmart to restock, and while holding a conversation on my cel, a kind woman reprimanded my children right in front of me for touching the produce. Ok, well maybe not the last one so much. (Another entry you've got to read from the "bloggity blog"). I've been smiling all day as I clean up and unpack. What a wonderful thing to be home.

Here is my equivalent of a slideshow of my vacation. Look, if you do it here you won't have to do it at the next dinner party. (Like I have dinner parties!)

**I just received a text with an invitation to come back to Alaska** how nice**

P.S. Does that include Georgia?

Alaska Showed Us Right

Going into an airplane that carries tanks and helicopters and, knowing that your aunt and uncle fly it.

Spa bath in granite-surrounded tubs (remind me to tell you about "water discipline")

Sledding in November at 8 pm

Amazing Sushi, Salmon & Halibut, and Reindeer Sausage

A movie theatre with Pizza, Burritos, Salads, AND popcorn that you eat while watching

A boat trip through the Fjords (my dad passed his best genes to my brother and I. Colt got the 4 oz bladder, I got the seasickness)

Hop-Scotch on a Turkish rug

More to come. We are on our way home on the red-eye and it's back to business.

Birth Control

two words

George uhh

She is the reason my parents will end up having a total of 4 grandchildren.

We can no longer blame it on the Air Force.

OK in AK

Here we are! We arrived just in time for the first snow storm. We had dinner with the Carvajal's in Seattle on our layover (she'll post a pic soooo soon for me), and now we're in Beautiful Eagle River Alaska with my brother Colton (or as a super-cool pilot would be named, Colt), and Lisa (just Lisa). Jason says we came here to detox cause we had organic oatmeal and flaxseed for breakfast, and they grow lettuce under a grow light in their kitchen.

I'll post some pics asap and just FYI, Rachel, Midge and Kazzy??? are coming with me to Twilight! If Kazzy dumps me I'll offer the last ticket again.

Join Me

If you've been reading then you've been waiting for this movie. I've got 4, count 'em, 4 tickets to the 12:15 am showing on Thursday/Friday Nov. 20/21 at the University Mall Cinemas (brand new and beautiful!!! I heard great refreshments too!) If you want to come with me speak up! I got 4 for fear they'd run out and for fear I'd be going alone lol! Let me know if you're interested. Midge showed some interest. Are you going to put your money where your sleep is (should be)?

Also, I read another "bloggity blog" that had this goofy trailer (so much goofier than the real one ;) ).

HomeSchool

I had made some lame attempt to write about my feelings on homeschool and I've decided I just can't put my experience/decision into words sufficiently enough.

So it's gone.

It sufficeth to say that it is our new course.

Help a Sister Out

Someone get married already!

OK people, I had decided that my last shoot was the last of the freebies. I may go back on that, though I hate to. My mentor told me I could do free shoots for the rest of my life if I don't knock it off.

Anyway, I need weddings. I need engagements (I do have one scheduled in January-paying!), I need Christmas card pics. I need babies and preggies.

Send anyone you know my way in favor of a good deal (for the time being, I promised the guru I'd set some serious prices in stone soon). I am not advertising like I should be due to the inherent busy life w/ 4 children, but I'm missing the photog biz.

GRACIAS!

Thank-You Albertson's

I spent my morning doing something I used to do a lot. It was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I followed a sale. I mean REALLY did. I just stocked my food storage shelves with 149 items ranging from onion soup mix to deoderant to ice cream (Breyer's of course). Between manufacturer's and "preferred savings" I saved $314.17. I used my manufacturer's coupons (find them on PinchingYourPennies) and the $15.00 coupons I got after spending $30.00 (on certain items), at Albertsons. All told my debit card saw $142.41 worth of action for over $458.06 worth of stuff! 69% savings!!! AND, less than $1.00/item.

P.S. I still have another $15.00 worth of coupons to spend on my next trip to Albertson's! I left because I felt bad for the checker who was helping me, so I'll go back later. So technically I saved even more!!!

Entrepeneur

My husband is sooo cool. Check out his site. I am completely impressed that I had the brains to marry this man and that he had the guts to venture out on his own.

If the link isn't working go to www.webpagemodels.com

Cher-ing

I was just reading cjane and her latest post. It mostly dealt with charity. I loved this comment, "Perhaps my details are less clear because this process has taught me the value of charity. When you really care for someone you come to a point where all is yours, mine, ours. As in, what is yours to love, is mine to love, mine to love is yours to love."


I was thinking lately about my husband telling me I have no personal space and frankly I don't allow it to anyone who comes near me (this happened to be a funny conversation about someone else that made a u-turn back to me. anyway...). I have no secrets (since I published that last post). We were watching the DaVinci Code a couple of nights ago and it prompted Jason to ask me, "Can you know something and not tell it?" I can't. Don't tell me anything important. I think you all probably know that by now. I had to clarify to Jason that I have secrets, but if you tell me something I must stand very close to someone else and tell them. (ooooh, that hurts to say out loud, but of course, I must tell it. And lean in a little closer, there's more)...



I don't think I'm a gossip (gosh, am I?) I just like to share. Doesn't matter what it happens to be about. I don't do it for a rise...I'm not a drama queen (or am I?). I don't think I'm either. I honestly believe the above quote. I have a "yours, mine, ours" feeling about most everything in my life. I consider myself at home all the time. I've probably done it at your house.

I once walked into my oldest/dearest friend Diane's house and after staying for SEVERAL hours thought, "Maybe I wore out my welcome." I only thought of that after I'd ate all her food and spoke to her kids as if they were my own and asked to borrow some scrubs to lay around on her couch in. But as I said, she's the oldest/dearest friend and she's probably used to it after 15 years.

Sarah can't really count because she's way to much like me in this respect. I couldn't ask her, she'd tell me I'm perfectly normal.


Nobody has told me off about it. Maybe I'm not as bad as I think, but I've become so aware of myself lately that I am slightly self-concious about my actions. Don't get me wrong, I'm still sharing up a storm, laughing too loud, and punching the arms that I put within a couple of inches of me. I just want you to know that I know and I guess you could say I'm working on it, or better yet, working it out in my own brain. So don't get too excited about seeing a change in me.

This has taken a sharp turn from where cjane's post was going, but I just thought I'd share this with you (and anything else I kn0w).

of all the ...

Ok, this is really getting silly. Yesterday I left a message for a friend. It went a little something like this, "Hey Jane, just wondering if you had the third book...I didn't want to buy it if I could just borrow it...and if your husband gets this, please don't hold it against me that I'm reading these dumb books."

Then I walked into Barnes and Noble today (after looking at Shopko yesterday only to find a hardcover for $20), and searched and searched for the dumb thing. I could not SCRATCH THAT, would not bring myself to ask for help. Finally I found an entire table devoted to Stephanie Meyer and also found that this brilliant chickadee of course only published in hardcover because she (or her publisher) knew we couldn't stop at two AND #4 is also only in hardcover because it's the last book (but I already borrowed a copy of that one neener neener).

so...

I hereby (raising my right arm), swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me even if I am reading the Twilight Series. So if you see me with the kids in Carl's Junior and the jacket is off Eclipse , it is only because it is bothersome, not because I am ashamed. And I can't wait to see the movie.



It's a good story.

The End

What Gives You the Right?

First it was...

Then came...

Now it's like...

All because...

I hope you voted.

A Hoot and a Howl

Grandma came and we did it up. This year was more stressfull than previous years because Isaac's costume had to be done at the last minute and I'll be danged if that boys wraps would stay on his body. He was NOT happy. But, we had a full enough day that I'd say by and large he was pleased with it.

George would not keep her "head" on so she said, "Trick-or-Treat, I'm a horse."

Mae saturated the bow on her costume which in turn, saturated her caregiver (me or grams).

Here are some of the highlights...

Some things to keep in mind for next year...