EXAMPLES

If you haven't red my previous post, then now is the time to do so.

Read it? ok.

Here are some looks that I like: (however the mintish color light I like the shade not the three weird lights coming out of the middle)

THESE









NOT THESE

too busy to post

I've rarely been too busy to post, but I have actually spent the last two days at our new house, cleaning and painting. My sister came down and she is a Get it done sort of person--we worked and worked and worked. The house is looking great. We have the kitchen, front room and master bedrom painted and all of the ceilings done. Woohoo! I'm looking for some stuff and since a lot of you are super internet shoppers I thought if you had any spare time you could whip up some suggestions. My kitchen is an all white kitchen--and it is looking awesome. White cabinets/white walls. So I'm accenting it in pink, red and funky green. What I need is a chandelier or some sort of light to put above the table. I would prefer red or dark pink. Look around peeps an see what you can find! E-mail them to me at the address on my sidebar, then I'll post what you've found.

People ask what my style is, and I don't know the term for it. I"m starting to call it Scandinavian because I tend to love stores from those countries. I.E. IKEA and Copenhagen/Denmarket. So, something more modern I guess. HOwever I would go for a super funk Anthropolgie-esk chandelier. I'm up for painting it too, if you just find a plain color.

Budget: $100

I was going to post a picture of what I want, but then I didn't want to limit you. Go crazy, let me know what you find.

Whining

My friend Jenni C. asked me how I get my kids not to whine. She asked it in the comments and I didn't know if she checked them so I thought I'd post it here.

My trick for whining--same as my mother did: I make them change their tone. I started out repeating their whining request but changing it to a question and in a normal tone. then I'd make them repeat it and then I would give them their answer--and sometimes it was still no.

For example:

Mom Mom i want snack! Get me snack-I want popsicles wah wah wah

So I repeat in a polite tone:

"Mom can I have snack Please?"

Then I have them repeat it exactly like I say it.

then I say: "Yes, what would you like?" and if it's something like popsicles and I don't want them to have it I say "You may not have a popsicle right now, but you can have some crackers"

then if they keep whining I tell them they can whine all they want--in their room. And if one more whiney little tone comes out and put them in their room until they can use the proper tone.

my girls are so used to doing it that if they whine all I have to say is "Mom" and then they reform their question in proper tone and politely

My kids are in no way immune to being whiney brats--however they are not allowed to be whiney brats in front of me--they have to be whiney brats in their room.

That's how my mom did it. She did that with most things. We could throw tantrums all we wanted----IN OUR ROOM. But in front of her was not tolerated. Oh and never in public--we would get a look like "you're going to get it" and we would stop.

My mom made it clear from the beginning that she is an adult and we are kids and we may never address her on the same level. Many people think that treating a kid like a kid makes them feel invalidated blah blah blah. What it makes them feel is that they are safe, and they know where their place is in the world. My mom (and dad) raised 4 confident, respectful, independent, good work ethic kids. Not perfect--we have our fair share of misdeeds, but as for the big picture--they did an excellent job.

Maybe I should start a column "What would Gene and Kathy do?" and people can write in with their parenting questions. That could be fun.

Random Things

People will occasionally put random things about themselves on their blog. I've been wanting to do this for some time, but it seems that I always have something else to say. But right now I'm babysitting (or am I?) at my friend Darcy's house while she is out shopping at Forever 21. See, I'm not the only one. My girls and her girls are watching Casper and I don't want to so I'm keepig myself busy on the computer. Here are some of my random things:

*I'm registered as a Republican but I would actually vote for ANYONE who would actually get something done.

*I drive a suburban but would rather be driving a Toyota Sienna minivan

*I love to organize things--and love to organize other people's things

*I change my hair style about every 3 months or so

*I have a good group of girl friends that are all different yet so similar--I've never had that many girlfriends that all got along in my life

*I've never lived anywhere but Arizona and I'm pissed about it

*I think that personalized license plates should be obvious, and if they are not then one should have to add a bumper sticker to explain the license plate

*I used to frequent gay dance clubs(crow bar anyone?) because I love to dance, the music was great, and I didn't have to worry about getting groped by drunk creeps

*I'm good at basketball, volleyball and softball and was a total sporto in high school

*I have weird food issues. Like I have to have chips or something crunchy with a sandwich or I won't eat it. I have to make sure that I have equal portions of each item on my dinner plate so that my last bite will have one bit of each item. I have to eat dill pickle chips and chocolate milk when I eat grilled cheese. I eat sandwiches straight across like a typewriter and if someone takes a bite of it in the middle then I don't want to eat it anymore. Same kind of thing goes with Frito Lay's Bean dip. I have to skim the stuff across eating at an even layer. If someone dips a gouge in it then it makes me want to throw it away. Usually if someone does that then I call them a foul name and uninvite them from sharing my dip.

*I grew up in the small town of Heber Arizona and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. For some reason most people find it hard to believe I grew up in a small town.

*I was raised to be very respectful to adults. My father is from the South and he taught us to say Yes ma'am and yes sir.

*I have never said "no" to my mom. Honestly. We weren't aloud to--it was disrespectful and I feared a smack or something. If she asked us to do something you did it--because she is the boss. I would hear my friend's mothers ask them to do something and they would say No and I would cringe and wait for a smack, and they got nothing. Even then when I was young I thought they were being disrespectful. Funny thing is that my mom never hit me and is actually the most patient person I know.

*I think there should be more moms like my mom. I'm trying to be a mom like my mom

*I'm one of the few people out there who think that I'm not screwed up. In fact I don't think many of us are, we were just taught in the media and in college that everyone is disfunctional and that our parents are to blame. For real--we're all fine (minus some of you that legitimately have screwed up parents) we have jobs, are productive citizens and can keep stable friend and spousal relationsips.

*I hate when people whine. My kids aren't allowed to do it and if any of you are ever babysitting them and they whine make them change their tone--because that doesn't fly

*I have much more to say but think that this post is long enough

My own worst enemy

So I was listening to this Pink song on the radio "Don't let me get me" (it's the song that is playing if this is a fresh post). The lyrics of the song say:

"I'm my own worst enemy"

Since it was early in the morning and my mind was clear and not thinking of something else random, I thought . . . am I my own worst enemy? The answer to which is NO. But I have a few friends who are their own worst enemy.

A little fact about me: It is well known among my friends that I have an abnormally high self esteem. Basically I think I'm the shiz-nit. Not an arrogant shiz-nit. Just a well balanced and super confident shiz-nit. I have a good body image even though my post 3 baby body probably should be more based in reality. It's just something I've always had. Someday when I'm all sappy and caring I'll let you all know why my self-esteem is so high. I don't care to now because it will misdirect my point which is:

Are you your own worst enemy?

Think about these questions:

When you try something on do you think to yourself--man I look fat, my thighs are huge, my butt is mis-shaped etc. etc.?

Do you look in the mirror and see dark circles and think that you look horrible and tell yourself negative things?

Do you think that you are lazy and stupid etc. etc?

Think about it--what is your self talk? Is it something that a enemy would say about you or something a friend would say about you?

Because I look in the mirror and I see all those things like--my gut is too big and mis shaped--then I think--well hell yah it is I had three babies and then I start to admire myself for doing such a noble thing

I see dark circles and wrinkles around my eyes and I think--whoa I should do something about that. But then I think that it shows character and realize that for every wrinkle around my eye I have--it was caused by laughter that came from my family or my friends. Bring on more wrinkles

So I think I'm my own best friend. What do you think--are you your own worst enemy? If so, then you need to do something about that--only self talk things that your best friend would say about you.

Best friends are honest--but they are nice about it

So stop being a jerk to yourself if you are doing so.

Red's Artistic Talent

I pulled this paper out of Red's Kindergarten folder today.

My reaction:

WHAT??????????????

ME: Red did you show this to your teacher?

Red: Yes

ME: (Horrified but laughing) I love it.

Red: Yes it's a . . . . .


What do you think it is? I didn't see it at first--I only saw the top half and was a bit shocked (my children have a weird fascination with boobs. We have many a boob story)

What do you think Red said it was?

Photo Booth Tuesday

I initially took this picture to show off her black eye. That's what you get at this house for disobeying--even if you're only one. But then it turns out that Baby Kiz wanted to show off her new found fun. One can suck on a thumb and pick her nose AT THE SAME TIME. Now if she could throw in scratching her butt--that would be talent.

Oh--as for the eye--she pulled a chair down on it. Then later she fell off a stool and made her mouth bleed.

And yes I posted this on Tuesday. I made it with 9 minutes to spare.

Funny REad

Hy went to bed at 8:00. Poor guy--he's been working his butt off on our house and is plum tuckered. He took a nap today after church and still went to bed early. OH, by the way--I love the new ward. Super friendly and the lady who gave the lesson today in Relief Society was hilarious. Anyhoodles, I have been occupying my time by blog hopping and I found this super funny story about visits to the OB/GYN. If you have time--You'll get a good laugh.

Kmart is having a sale!

Kmart is having a 50% off clearance sale. That is that things that are already on clearance are and additional 50% off the clearance price. My sister told me--so I had to go. I didn't find much for my girls, but I did find these cute outfits for my friend Shelby who is about to have triplets. The outfits were $2 each. So if you want something for yourself, or you know Shelby and want to help her out. Now's the time. Kmart is the place.

Stupid lyric CHALLENGE

So as I was driving my kindergartner home from school, the divinyls song "I touch myself" came one. I know that it is probably inappropriate, but since I am a child of the late 80's early 90's I promptly started in with each and every lyric. When I was in high school (or was it junior high???) I listened to it all the time--we all did. Truly, I never really thought about it. I mean, I realized it was in appropriate, I just never REALLY thought about it. It was catchy.

So as I was singing along--I got to these lyrics:

When I think about you I touch myself

I touch myself

I touch myself

I HONESTLY do . .. I touch myself



At that point I tried to imagine the lyricist or artist--whoever came up with it---sitting on a couch, with a guitar on their lap a paper on the cofee table and a pen tucked behind their ear. Strumming a catchy tune all of a sudden they grab the pen out and quickly jot down some lyrics. Then they kind of sing the song in their head, nodding to the tune as they do so. Then an excited smile flashes across their face---the kind when you have a lightbulb moment. And outloud (although they are alone in a small apartment) the shout--THAT'S IT!!! I'VE GOT IT.

Then I imagine them picking up the phone and calling either another band member or their good friend (as I do when I have exciting news) and they say--Dude I totally have it listen:

When I think about you I touch myself

I touch myself

I touch myself

I HONESTLY do . .. I touch myself


Then (in my imagination) I image silence. Like on those cell phone commercials about dropped calls. Then the lyricist says--GREAT RIGHT??? DO YOU LOVE IT???


Now imagine being the person on the other line .... . . what do you say to that?

Option #1: I absolutely love it---it embodies what we all think and feel in a relationship. I touch myself--exactly. Very poetic

Option #2: I really like the HONESTLY part, it really drives the imagery home

Option #3 WHAT THE ???????????


I have many songs that I find have absolutely horrible lyrics. So I'm issueing this challenge:

Post stupid song lyrics

I'm not tagging anyone, because that is too much pressure and I have yet to respond to anything people tag me with. Not because I don't want to do it, it's just because I am already on the computer too much and if I did all the tags--I would have to go to MAA (MAC addicts anonymous). And it's also one of those things that either something will instantly pop in your head, or days down the road it will. So who's in???? If you do it, then comment on my blog and say you've done it so I can see--especially if you aren't someone I know.

PONY UP

P.S. if you're reading this as a fresh post, you're also listening to the stupidest lyrics ever penned

SOAP BOX

I have searched all over the internet for a picture of a soap box in the meaning I want to use it in:

Wikipedia says: A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject. It is also used to express concerns or to release frustration.

I've been wanting to do this for a while, and actually open it up for anyone to use. We all need to rant on our soapbox now and then. So if you read this and love to google. Find me a picture of someone standing on a soap box ranting, that I can use. This will become a re-occuring topic on my blog and welcome eveyone else to use it if they wish:

Today: CIGARETTES

I smoked two cigarettes today. Between 7:55 and 8:10 I smoked two cigarettes. I don't do this often--as you see--I think it's a fowl habit and is also not condoned by my religion--for good reasons. My brothers smoke and I am relentless in my pursuit of them to quit. I also used to travel around to middle and high schools teaching kids the adverse effects and countless reasons not to start.

So why did I smoke two cigarettes today? Well I never purchased a pack--and I never held either between my fingers--I never even saw them with my eyes. I did smell them though, and inhale the smoke into my lungs HORRID----RETCHED-----FOUL things.

I was driving Red to school to day at approximately 7:55, with the windows up and my air conditioning on. Then I smelled it while stopped at the stop light. Here it came . . . I knew it . . . someone was smoking a cigarette in a car in front of me. However they weren't polite enough to keep their windows up and drop the ashes in the ash tray. They have to dangle it out the window. And into my air vents it came. HORRID---RETCHED---FOUL thing. I smoked it. In fact, the guy next to me smoked it and the guy behind me probably got a bit of it too. All four of us got hits off of one cigarette. My 3 kids smoked it too, until I raced around the car, rolled down my windows and aired it out.

Then I dropped Red off. And as I was stopped at the stop light. 8:10. sure enough---HORRID-----RETECHED----FOUL cigarette came wafting into my car. Yes, my windows were rolled up and the air on. So I had to wait until I could pass the smoker, roll down my windows, make us all sweat because it's 100++++ frickin degrees outside, just to quit smoking a cigarette I never chose to smoke.

I know a smoker may be reading this and have some sort of rebuttal, but I know and love many smokers. And they, truly, have nothing to say. I'm right HORRID----RETCHED-----FOUL. And I shouldn't have to smoke their cigarettes. I don't make them eat the french fries I am enjoying in my car, because my windows are up and any smell or remnants of the fry I let stay inside my car, or somewhere on my shirt.

THINK ABOUT IT

Wow--I feel a bit better now.


p.s. I called to get a tetnus shot and the Doctor's office said they were too busy. TOO BUSY FOR A SHOT TO SAVE MY LIFE. I would have to wait until tomorrow. And as I have already put it off and WebMD says to get it within 48 hours. I'm just going to risk it. The receptioinist suggested I go to urgent care or the er. I was going to suggest that she pay for it.

Master and Commander

Do you know that part on Master and Commander where the Doctor gets shot and Russell Crowe had to pull the bullet out of his stomach making sure to get every piece of the shirt so that nothing is left behind to cause infection?

Well I did that today---but on a lesser---much lesser--level. I went to our house that is under construction and walked around while a nice man measured for carpet and tile. As I was walking I felt a sharp pain in the bottom of my foot. I lifted up my foot and pulled off a piece of drywall that had a nail through it that had pierced my flip flops and entered my foot



CRAP--now I have to get a tetnus shot . . .or do I???

So I came home and cleaned it off with alcohol and noticed something black inside it. I assumed it was a piece of dirt or house or something. So I tried to get it out with a cleaned off safety pin--to no avail.

So I left it alone, until tonight. I took a bath and softened it up and hoped it was dirt that would just clean out. NOPE. So I found a sewing kit I keep in my car (Thanks Cami) and I got the needle out if it.

I cleaned it off with alcohol and went to work. I saw the black thing in there and I patiently poked away until

YEEEESSS!!!! I got it. It was a tiny piece of my flip flop.

So I'm guessing now that I will not lose my foot to infection, and I may not now go to get a tentus shot--I'll gamble on that one, and then I'll see if they are casting for Master and Commander 2.

Red the hand model

It's Photobooth Tuesday. The day I showcase one of Red's works of art. I found these the other day and couldn't stop laughing. She usually is making funny faces in her shots. However she was expressing her artistic prowess by venturing into hand modeling. What is that she's holding???? you ask . .. . I have no idea. It's just funny.

Oh and if you're seeing this as a fresh post, you're listening to Informer by Snow. My new favorite channel on my in-law's super cable network is the '90's channel. It's all the stuff I grew up with--and enjoyed. . . yes enjoyed. So for some of you, you may be repulsed by the selection, for others--it will probably bring back a sweet memory.

You know what's going to be great???? When, pretty soon, these photobooth pictures will have a fabulously new background in our new office. I am biting my nails in anticipation!!!!!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet home. This IS our house. You can't really see it and that is why I posted a picture of my friend's house instead. Their house is what ours will look like someday, after we get this lame paint job painted over. We also need to get the tree trimmed. We'll keep the desert front, that way I don't have to worry about watering it. We do have grass in the back which is what matters. Hy already tore up most of the inside. We're now getting bids for flooring--carpet and wood. Does ANYONE have any suggestions? Recommendations? Even people who never have commented before. Ideally I would like wood throughout but we can't afford it. We had a crap laminate in our other house--I loved the look, but it wasn't very sturdy. So I would like a step up from that. Does anyone have anything they hate??? Love??? Who installed it?? Etc. Etc. Any tips or advice??? Help soon-I want to move in!

You are the Music in me

So what did y'all think? I admit--I am a huge fan of High School Musical -the original. My girls love it and so do I. I got it from Santa in my stocking last Christmas. Truth. So I was all stoked to watch HSM2, but I assumed it wouldn't be as good. Things rarely are. I didn't get to see it on Friday because we had a super fun Yoga Bunko. But today I got to see it at Darcy's (she tivo'd it). This is what I thought: The songs were made for radio disney play--not for the musical. The music was all digital and enhanced. I didn't like that. I liked a lot of the songs-pretty catchy, but I hate how they had made them. Hy or someone pointed out that it sounded like they made a cd first and then made a movie to match the cd. Stinks though--I liked the story line of the movie. I did like a lot of it, it took my back to high school days--just like the first one did (I am one of those rare people who had a fabulously fun high school experience). But I have to say the cheesiest and worst song/choreography of the whole thing is when "Troy" did his whole instrospective song and did weird leaps and hand gestures as he traversed across the Golf course. All time cheesiest part---the singing reflection in the water---WHAT???? I feel bad for the person who thought that was a good idea. So I'm giving it about a 6 out of 10. Entertaining, but nothing like the original. They should have stuck to making it a musical and not a cd. What about you????

Told you I was uncool. But I'm woman enought to own it