Calling all husbands everywhere...

High School Tag...

1. Did you date someone from your school?
Yes. at Bingham High, A cute guy and his cute best friend. At West High, a cute little 15 year old- my first kiss, didn't actually date, but "went together" whatever that means!!!

2. What kind of car did you drive?
I didn't drive a car. I didn't get my license until I turned 18

3. Were you a party animal?
Well... I always loved a good party, but I wouldn't say I was an animal.

4. Were you considered a flirt?
Uh... Ya!!!!!! Nickname... Hotlips.

5. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
I was cool... in the choir!

6. Were you a nerd?
I don't think others thought of me as a nerd, but looking back, I'm sure I was a total nerd, in a flirty, fun sort of way.

7. Were you on any varsity teams?
I was on the varsity team of "boy crazy"

8. Did you get suspended/expelled? No- just hit by a car.

9. Can you still sing the fight song?
I'm a lover, not a fighter. Did we have a fight song???

10. Who were your favorite teachers?
Mr. Davis- German, (he let me and my best friend get away with murder!)
J.D. Gailey- great choir teacher
Bro. Taylor- (no relation, fabulous Seminary teacher, and a drummer in a band!)

11. Where did you sit during lunch?
We all had to sit in the lunch room- school rule (except when I attended West High, everyone who was anyone ate in the seminary building. It was packed!)

12. What was your school's full name?
Bingham High, and West High

13. School mascot?
Bingham Miners, West High Panthers

14. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Heck no!!!!! Actually, knowing what I know now, maybe I would.... hmmmm....

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
Our student body president said a prayer and got his diploma witheld by a grouchy teacher.
I went to an all night party with my boy friend and fell alseep on his shoulder.
It was a great day/ night!

16. Where did you go senior skip day?
Some friends and I went to Hardee's restaurant. That's all I remember.

17. Were you in any clubs?
I was involved in 2 choirs, and seminary council- no time for clubs

18. Have you gained some weight since then?
I like to consider myself more well-rounded

19. Who was your prom date?
It wasn't called prom, but Senior Dinner Dance. I went with the Senior Class president, a real cutie, and we ended up dating for a while.

20. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?
I missed my 10 year, we were newly married and dirt poor. I wasn't too excited to go, anyway. I'm not big on the keeping in touch stuff.

Tag: anyone who wants to play! It's fun to walk down memory lane!

I'm an unfit bird mother!

I have a great bird named Rupert. Here he is:

I've had Rupert for about 10 years now, maybe longer.

Rupert likes to fly around the room and land on people's heads. His aim isn't really great though. Often, he will fly out of his cage erratically around the room looking for a head to land on, an inevitable lands on the floor, or in the garbage, or in some impossible place. He loves to kiss your lips, and absolutely LOVES cake and cookies.

Today, I dashed off to the grocery store for about 10 minutes. I had opened his cage in the morning to let him come out and say hello, and forgot the back door was wide open. He has never flown outside before.... before today.

When I got home, the house was TOO quiet. Often when I see he's not in his cage, I will just call his name and he will chirp for me to let me know where he is. Today, there was silence. I called all over the house and no Rupert. I called outside... no Rupert. We went into all the neighbor's back yards, and walked all around the block... no Rupert, and no feathers. (There are a lot of cats in the neighborhood.)

After a few hours of searching, I decided I'd better come in and face the music. I did keep going outside every time I heard a bird chirp, though. I'd call his name a few times, but no erratic blue birds came flying.

Finally, the last time I called, I heard a very familiar chirp, but couldn't tell if it was outside or in. I hung out at the back door and called again. Sure enough, there was my bird sitting on some laundry in the laundry room! I KNOW he wasn't in there before- I had searched and searched!

I'm glad he came home, but I don't know why. I wouldn't want me for a bird mother. I leave the cage open and the back door open, and.... and.... what was I thinking?!

I will be clipping his wings from now on so he can't fly away. I'm too scatterbrained to remember to close the doors, so I might as well clip him instead.
I know, I know... why punish the bird for my own faults? Well, he did decide to come home. Maybe this isn't such a bad place after all.

Garden of Art show coming....

Save the date and get your Saucy Frocks apron!!!!!

A Little Culture

Last night I had the oportunity to attend an art museum to view originals of impressionist, cubist, and surrealist art. It was amazing!!!!!

I have always loved art. I could spend days in the Smithsonian in D.C. I couldn't get enough of the art museums in Europe. So being able to see actual originals from greats such as Monet, Latour, Matisse, Modigliani, Van Gogh... well, it was an amazing experience.

So, here is a quick field trip through my experiences last night, and you'll see some of my favorites! (in order to fit most of the pictures, you will have to tilt your head to the side- sorry!)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

1) Latour's "Madame Lerolle"- this artist has such softness in his technique, yet captures the facial expression so well.


2) Monet's "Red Kerchief"- this was one of my absolute favorites. I love the contrast of the red against the wintery background. I want this hanging in my house.


3)Modigliani's "Portrait of a Woman"- I just love the lines and colors in this. While looking for this picture on the internet, I found another by him, which my hubby and I adored. We WILL have this picture hanging in our livingroom. I love that we have similar taste in art.


4)Matisse- Interior w/ etruscan vase- this picture was so colorful and bright. Interesting it was painted during WWII.


5)Van Gogh's- the Poplars at Saint Reiny- this picture is amazing to view in person and up close. It has such texture- the trees pop out and you can see all the brush impressions.

6) Vuillard- Cafe Wepler- this picture just drew me in. The lighting in the background made me want to look further and see the party going on. It is all very blurry, as though the noise and the excitement of the dinner party were overwhelming. I just loved this one!

7) Dali's The Dream- this is just bizarre, but totally cool. I love Salvador Dali. He has such an unorthodox approach to art. This one he has painted a dream- the person cannot talk, they have ants all over their mouth. So like a dream!


One that I absolutely could NOT own in my home is Karl Schmidt-Rotluff's "Self Portrait with Hat. It would give me nightmares every time I saw it, I'm afraid. I guess not all art is for everybody.


I hope you enjoyed your vicarious trip to the museum with me. Thank you for your patience!!!!

Confusing my son... one song at a time!

As parents, we are all destined to have children in therapy at one time or another. It is just part of life. You know- come to Earth, get a body, experience trials and learn and grow from them, go to therapy for all the things your parents did to you- die, live forever in the hereafter with the parents who caused you to go to therapy in the first place (just kidding, mom... mom?)

One way I am sure my child is going to be messed up for life is musically. To quote from a favorite movie of mine, "A Mighty Wind": "There was abuse in our home growing up... mostly of a musical nature".

I grew up listening to a variety of musical genres: classical, rock, folk and blue grass- a real mixture. I thought this made me a very well rounded person. I could appreciate the Beatles just as much as Chopin, or flip over and listen to Flatt and Scruggs or The Police.

When I got married, however, I realized I married a musical snob.(sorry, sweetie, but you admit it yourself!) He ONLY listens to classical, mainly choral music. I love choral music, don't get me wrong, but not ALL the time. Ok, in sweet hubby's defense, he will listen to the occasional "heathen" music, as he calls it- groups such as Cold Play- (one of my personal favorites), and Annie Lennox.

It was only recently while watching Mama Mia,(which I forced him to come see with me since he was racking up quite a large chick flick-to-action movie/sci-fi imbalance. Meaning, I had seen a lot more of HIS movies than he had of mine.) that I discovered his hidden passion for ABBA. Yes, the ever-popular 70's group ABBA. I'm surprised he didn't get up in the middle of the theater and dance around, he was bouncing his legs so much!

We went to the used music store afterword and bought a copy of ABBA's greatest hits.

How does this tie in to warping my son? Dear hubby tries to have him listen to the classical greats- which is great. My little buddy really likes Mozart and Chopin, and most other great composers. He goes to bed listening to classical music. He also gets quite a mix of "heathen" music from his mom- when dad's not home! hee hee

However, now he is utterly confussed. I put on ABBA one day on a long drive, and he made me play "Super Trooper" over and over and over again for the next hour and a half! He sings "sup-pa-pa troo-pa-pa--- light are gonna find me..." all day long! He knows his dad bought the cd, and I know he just can't put two and two together in a way that makes sense. Is ABBA a classical group? Is Mozart Pop rock?? What is going on here????? This is daddy approved????

So, thus begins the counseling. I am looking into a pre-payment plan at the local psychiatric ward- maybe they'll give me a discount if I pay 10 years in advance.

Actually, if he keeps singing that song, I may need to check myself in. Two for one deal, anyone????

Sorry... sorry... sorry...

In my attempt to joing the Cutest Blog on the Block- (which I failed at miserably , by the way,) I inadvertantly deleted all my blogging buddies. I added as many as I could find, but if you don't see your blog on here, please let me know and I'll add it. (send me your blog address)

Or, if you would like to be added and have never been on my list, send me your info and I'll add you, too.

Thanks

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am ready to throw my huge heavy computer screen out the window!!!!!!

I am trying to change my background- I'm bored with it. However, I tried to jump on the "cutest blog on the block" bandwagon, and it isn't working!!!!! The directions tell me to click in places that don't exist on my blog template!!!!!

"Cutest Blog on the Block"... my Butt!!!!!!!

So, for now, I have the Blandest Blog on the Block.

IF any of you are smarter than me... ok, ALL of you are smarter than me, HELP!!!!!

Utah Weddings

*sigh*
I have issues with Utah weddings. A friend posted about her issues with marriage in general, but specifically cited Utah weddings.(Her Utah wedding, by the way, was absolutely beautiful, and I did make her pale peach satin wedding dress- my first attempt at putting boning in a bodice- had angels helping me, for sure!) This gave me way too much fodder for my wedding fire, so I am posting about it all now!

Elements of a Utah wedding: Stark White poofiness, unnecessary bride's maids, nut cups, temple mints, mini eclaires,chicken salad croissant, slush, gym floor, streamers on basketball hoops, harp music, hushed voices, long lines, toasters galore, and temple cake topper.

Ok. How many of the items above matched your wedding reception???? Anyone????

Now, I actually LOVE going to weddings. I love seeing the happy couple dazed and in complete and utter shock- beaming from ear to ear. I love snickering about them ("they have NO idea what the 'first time' is really like- tee hee hee") as I sip my slushie drink and eat my mini eclaire and croissant. However, I hate the soft harp music, and feeling like I'm at a funeral. Everyone is all hushed and whispering, acting all polite and dainty. The bride's dress is always stark white (which I HATE), and the bride's maids dresses are always prom dress disasters in horrid solid colors.

I had a Utah wedding reception. To clarify: my wedding reception was in Utah. Yes, I did have to have it at the gym- that part was unavoidable as we weren't rolling in money. However, not much else was similar. There were no nut cups, no temple mints (although I DID get married in the Bountiful, Utah Temple- the bride's dressing room had yellow wallpaper and a purple velvet couch! Awesome!), there was absolutely no harp anywhere in the building, and narry a slushy drink or croissant to be found. We had no long reception line, and my bride's maids wore black tops and long silver or black skirts- not freaky prom dresses, and no temple topper on my cake.

I wanted my reception to be like a fun dance party- laid back and totally fun. I spray painted tree branches with silver paint, strung white lights across the ceiling, had lights shining up on the trees, and hung glittery silver stars from the ceiling and trees. The tables had cool white string orbs with faux candles in the middle, and silver stars surrounding them. Hershey kisses were scattered on each table. There was big band and jazz music playing and a large dance floor where people danced the entire time.

The refreshments were really dance party-ish as well. Chips and salsa, little smokies in BBQ sauce (my hubby's request) soda pop, something else I can't remember, and coconut snowball ice cream with a cookie stick in the middle drizzled with chocolate. My cake looked like wrapped presents with black and silver bows.

I also did my reception the day after my wedding, not on one long marathon day like most Utah weddings. I got married on a Friday and had a small luncheon after. Then we went to the Castle Creek Inn. The next day we drove to Providence, Utah to decorate for the reception that night. It was laid back, stress free, and totally fun!

So, I believe you can have a Utah wedding without having a "Utah Wedding".

Ready... Set... Wait... I'm not ready yet!

One week left of summer until my little guy goes to 2nd grade.
If you asked me today if I was sad the summer was ending, I'd have told you absolutely NOT!!!! But that was just today.

I have been panicking because summer is quickly coming to a close and I don't feel like I've done enough fun stuff with my little buddy. I feel like I missed a whole month while I was gone in Europe, and suddenly school is starting again. I was going to be the mom who took him to the zoo every week, the aviary, the aquarium, the swimming pool... life got in the way.

Oh, we've done some fun stuff, to be sure. But I wasn't nearly as on the ball as I had thought I'd be. I guess I didn't factor in laundry and dishes and sewing and all the other life stuff that gets in the way.

Are any of you other mothers the same way I am? I actually love spending time with my little guy. He is funny, cute, very smart- too smart for his own good, actually. But I find my time with him is entertaining and overall enjoyable.

He is growing up too quickly. I'm not ready for 2nd grade to start. He should still be in pre-school!

So, I will try to make the most of this last week together. I'm sure we'll both survive when school starts. But you tell me, could you send this cutie pie back to the gaping jaws of school? I guess I have to. sigh.

For you "Twilight" fans, and those who changed their minds after the last book...

This is pretty funny! It's a spoof of the trailer to the coming "Twilight" movie.

Go USA!!!!!

I am not, I repeat NOT a sports fan. I married someone who is not a sports fan. We don't rush home from church and watch football, we don't talk about the Utah Jazz over dinner, it just isn't done.

However- when the olympics are on, it is an entirely different story!!!! I absolutely ADORE the olympics! I love the opening ceremonies with all the countries coming together in friendship and usually friendly competition. I love hearing of the stories of the athletes who have overcome amazing odds to be there. I love the exhilleration when they win despite the odds. I cry at every opening ceremony and every medal won, and every closing ceremony! I LOVE IT!!!!

My favorite sport, however, has got to be the swimming. I love the gymnastics, but swimming is so exciting. I can't sit still while watching! So, if any of you saw last night's men's swimming relay, it was possibly the most exciting relay in history!!! I was jumping up and down on my bed, it was so intense! I cried when the U.S. came up and surprised everyone with a win! Those arrogant French didn't know what had hit them! (not saying all French are arrogant! Just the french swimming team.)

So, if you missed it, here is the clip from MSN. Watch it- it is inspiring and well worth it!!!!!!! (click on link below picture)


http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0811_HD_SWB_HL_L0194

GO USA!!!!!

Risk

I have a belief that those who are clumsy in body are clumsy in mind as well. That is the situation with me, anyway.

I cannot play games of logic or strategy to save my life. So, why is it that I have been sucked into a neverending game of "Risk" with my strategically minded hubby and my "can't separate reality from fantasy" minded 7 year old?

We began playing this game a few nights ago. It started out innocently. I begin any and all board games knowing I am going to lose. It's not a negative way of thinking, it is accepting reality and truth for what it is, and going with the flow. I find I enjoy myself much more if I don't have hopes of wining which can never be attained. Then, if by some totally unimaginable feat I end up wining, it is that much more wonderful!

My hubby, on the other hand, actually believes he has achieved total world domination (or in this case total Middle Earth domination, it's Lord of the Rings Risk), and wastes no time exulting in his triumphs, which are great and devastating. I can't help but feel completely defeated and decimated as his green men march across the board and wipe out all my little black guys in an enormous display of unmerciful destruction.

My son thinks all the cave trolls should be friends with each other, and hates when someone attacks him. "I thought we were friends!" I have to hand it to him, though, when it comes time for him to attack, he does it with fervor and enthusiasm. He has no problem wiping out all MY armies, as long as they all remain friends afterword.

So, we spend hours at a time bonding and destroying- laughing and grieving (well, I do, anyway. I seem to be the only one really losing here!) But it is family time, and that's what's important, right?

Dissappointment...

Dissappointment hangs thickly in the air around my head today.
Frustration
Confussion
Anger
Fatigue

"Pick yourself up and be strong" I tell myself.

"Get over it- Move on!"

But what do I get to do? I get to go to the dentist and inflict more pain and torture on my weak spirit! Please don't let me have any cavities!

Tomorrow will be better- and the day after that I'll be almost fine.

Such is life.

I LOVED IT!!!! What are YOU talking about?

I spent the entire weekend laying on a giant beanbag reading "Breaking Dawn". My pulse was racing, I was oblivious to anything going around me. I did manage to hold off reading it Sunday morning until after I got back from church, but it was hard.

I was so afraid the book would dissappoint me. I was afraid the ending would be sad. I almost didn't read the ending first, but caved in halfway through the book. It helped to know the ending so my pulse could calm down.

Verdict: I adored it!!!!! It ended exactly the way I had hoped it would! I predicted everything that would happen, and it did! I am so thrilled.

I thought it was different than the others, it's true. At first I wasn't sure I liked her change of format, taking Jacob's perspective midway though, but I soon saw how much more interesting it made the story, rather than sticking with Bella's perspective- especially through that difficult time.

I enjoyed the fact that the wedding was early on, I let a huge sigh of relief- and I thought it was cool she and Edward had a baby. I thought that would happen. Many of you hated this part. I thought it added excitement! I wasn't sure she would live! I loved that she finally felt like she belonged- like this was what she was meant for all along. I knew Jacob would imprint- and I suspected it would be on Bella's baby. Although I didn't get the whole imprinting thing, I did think it was cool.

I HATED the baby's name. Stupid.

All in all, I couldn't put the book down. I am re-reading it starting today.

So, the question running through my mind, and I am sure Stephenie Meyer's as well is:

Why the heck didn't you like it????
You people are all wackos!!!! (But, so am I, so join the party!)

Goodbye World... Hello Edward!

I purchased my copy of "Breaking Dawn" this morning. No, I didn't RUSH out to get it. I happened to be strolling through Walmart, and just happened to pass the book section, and just happened to noticed, "Oh, that new book is out by what's-her-name", and thought maybe I should pick it up. Perhaps I might read it one day.

Ok, so it wasn't exactly that nonchalant. But my child wasn't exactly running behind me yelling "Wait up, moooooooooom" as I streaked through the store looking madly for the books- surely they had to be there! No, I was quite calm and collected, until I couldn't find the display anywhere... then my heart started to race!

So, after I do my housework and feed my family, I will hole up and read this book. Yes, I will be reading the end first!

I'm doing a Boutique show!

Hop on over to The Garden of Art and check out the fun little boutique show I will be in in September!!!! My apron even made the little post card mailer thing! Woo Hoo!!!!!

http://thegardenofart.blogspot.com/