I Like Everything But I Like The Computer Best

Hi guys. Yup, I'm posting two whole days in a row! Can you believe it?!

Anyway, I was contacted by the bloggers who started Blossoming Bloggers and was asked if I wanted to do a Lunch Bunch post. All it is, is sharing a recipe and a prompt question. You can click over there to see the recipe, the question I asked was:

"Do you make time for hobbies and interests outside of being a mom and how do you do it?"

I'm supposed to write an answer to it as well, but I'm more interested in knowing how you guys make time for your interests--thats why I asked the question! heh

Since I have about a million and one interests (I'm easily amused....look a butterfly!!), I try and stick to things that are beneficial to my family (like decorating my house for cheaper than buying stuff) or things that I truly love so that the time I do use away from my family is worth it.

I've always liked photography, but never had an opportunity in high school or such to pursue it much, after I started having kids, I was of course taking pictures of them as much as possible. I've always loved art and drawing and painting, but to pull out supplies is messy and the time it takes to paint can be ridiculous when you have small children. Photography is instantaneous for the most part. *Click*--you have art. Its sometimes hard to go back to drawing, even though I miss it. Besides the fact that photoshop also fulfills that artistic need I have. One thing I've done this year to encourage my photography hobby was to join a 52 week project, each week we get a new prompt and have to take a picture for the theme within the time frame. Its fun because its not just pictures of my kids and it stretches my imagination, I've loved it. (If you want to check out my project, you can go to my photography blog here.)

I have lots of interests that I've put aside until my kids are older, like quilting and serious sewing and I mentioned painting as well. One of the interests I find doable with little kids is reading, we can even do it together sometimes! I made it a goal to read 50 books this year and will be finished with that goal within two more books. Exercising is another interest of mine, although I've fallen in and out of that so much. My husband and I started doing the "Insanity" work out, I got about four weeks into it, without seeing very good results. My goal now is to just do something active every day with my kids, and hopefully that will be a good start.

My biggest interest is the computer, so I encourage growth in that area by spending as much time as humanly possible on it... And I'm interesting in being extremely rich, but just haven't quite got it down yet.

Alright then, obviously since this is all about me, I could go on and on... :) But really, let me know how you make time to grow your talents and keep your interests...well, interesting!

Just a Quick Hello!

I know. I haven't posted in forever. I'm still tired and the baby is JUST starting to get back to normal. But I'm still tired.

I even went to bed at 8:30 last night. SERIOUSLY. I told my husband we were such losers for being in bed at 8:30, but I was getting a migraine and I just couldn't take anymore. My husband, he's just lazy.

Today is like the first day I've seen the sun shine in like a week or more. Its been raining, raining, RAAAAIIINING!

So I'm going to go shower, get the kids ready and we're going to the beach. Yup, it will be freezing. But the sun is shining and I want to take some pictures and let my son run around. It will be good and I will be happy for a break from potty training (i.e. little boy wieners).

Hope you have an enjoyable day too!

Christmas and Some Other Things

First up, Christmas was very nice. We ran all over Tacoma and Seattle and I was exhausted but it was a really good day. You know, besides the ridiculous amount of presents we got; by the time we got home there were literally toys crammed into our van, falling out when the door opened. It was insane. Don't get me wrong, of course I appreciate it and of course my kids loved it, but no one needs that much crap. And I don't want to have to find a place for it all and the clean up was crazy. So I hope your Christmas was as lovely as mine. Just less crap filled.

So now that I've updated on Christmas, I can blog about what I really want to blog about. And that is: nothing. I have about four ideas I've been working up in my mind but the thing is I am SO freaking TIRED I can't properly formulate them. I would like to know when the night will come that I am not woken up by a screaming child wanting me to hold them, or nurse them or rub their back...EVERY night. I'm also not very smart, because I haven't been going to sleep until like 1am most nights. I just don't get why I'm so tired...

Also I just wanted to throw out here that I hate those blogs that you have to click a "read more" button to actually read the whole post. Do you know what I'm talking about? It is SO ANNOYING. Why yes, I did come here to actually read the posts. So why do I need to keep clicking this stupid button to open up the whole thing? Then if I missed a post, I have to read the first one, click back to read then next one, click "read more" to read THAT one--when all I should have to do is scroll down. Dumb.

Hey guess what? My 8 month old is pretty much walking! Isn't that crazy?! It is so cute to watch his little legs carry him across the floor. Gosh I love him.

Also, I'll be back in a day or two for my wrap up of my favorite things of 2010!! Are you STOKED?! You should be. You should be.

Randomocity

I'm feeling better. Not completely Christmas-y but not so dark and gloomy and scary. So thats good!

I went shopping with my mom earlier and it was so nice to talk with her and get out some of my feelings, of course she has awesome advice and even some advice I think is dumb (mostly that she thinks I should wake up earlier, silly woman!) but she's one of the best people I know, so listening to her makes sense. (Except for the getting up earlier. That makes NO SENSE AT ALL.)

I have a busy weekend ahead of me. My cousin is getting married. I'm doing her hair, helping set up the reception, taking some bridal shots, and making like 500 asparagus roll ups. Pray for me that her hair turns out gorgeous.

I bought some of the Pepperidge Farms knock off Tim Tams. Pray for me that they're amazing. I'm going to need them.

I bought this potpourri spray that is really cinnamon-y and smells so good. I sprayed it on everything I could think of. Now its a little TOO smelly in here and I have a potpourri hangover.

Maybe I'm heartless but I didn't get that much out of Toy Story 3. I mean, I thought it was cute but honestly? They ARE just toys aren't they? I mean, is there supposed to be some sort of message about taking care of your toys? "Play with your toys kids or else they'll be sad!" or "If you accidentally lose one of your toys, they'll take over a daycare and make other toys miserable!!" I thought it was a little dramatic. Sorry.

I'm teaching Relief Society on Sunday, its about the sacrament. I wish I could just play this for them. I LOOOVE John Bytheway. Seriously. (By the way--OH MAN I'M soooo FUNNY!!--I saw him give this same talk live myself!--NO REALLY THOUGH, DID YOU GET IT??!!?--)

And I will stop here for tonight. Goodnight.

My Brain is Too Tired to Think of a Title

I'm feeling much better than I was last week. But instead of feeling depressed and hopeless, I feel anxious and overwhelmed. And mostly happy too. I've been laughing a lot more as well. Its nice.

The reason for the anxiousness and feeling overwhelmed is because did you guys realize that Thanksgiving is in three days?!?! And after that it'll be a blink of the eye and Christmas will be here! And I have about a million and fifty trillion things to get done from Thanksgiving to Christmas and it feels like it just snuck up on me and is pointing and laughing in my face now. And maybe kicked me in the ankle a couple times too.

Also, we're having a HUGE snow storm here right now. And by huge, I think we have like two inches. You see, when it snows in Washington it becomes a time to panic. To cancel school, to stay inside, to drive like a crazy person and freak out a lot, to write a million Facebook updates about it all. Its what you do. Picture people running around in circles, grabbing their faces and screaming WHY?!!? towards heaven. And cars sliding around and crashing into each other. And on the side lines, there's kids making snow angels, having snowball fights and building snowmen, laughing jollily and having the times of their lives. Also I think there's some explosions in there too.

So, tomorrow my daughter has no school and that would be fantastic if my husband didn't have to work either, but so far, he does. The best thing about a snow day, is sitting inside together all warm in blankets, drinking hot chocolate and watching movies. Or reading a book. I read three books this last week and I really want to read more but I can't get to the library because well, see the last paragraph.

I made a list today of all the things I need to get done. I feel less overwhelmed, but only a little. If I could get a car and a babysitter to watch my kids, THEN I'd be doing great. Also there's that weather thing, but what was I saying about that again?

I love the holidays...no really, I do. How about you? How do you handle the stress, the packed schedule, the crowds and the gimme gimme's your kids throw at you?

Funny, funny

You know how on Facebook you can become a "fan" of all kinds of stupid things? Like you can become a fan of "that one time when we stayed up all night and it was awesome." I bet you thats a real group on facebook, I bet you its true and I totally just made that up. Some of the groups I think are actually really funny and I shouldn't mock it at all since I'm probably a fan of 50 different ridiculous groups. I can't help myself when I'm bored, I get clicky and its something to do.

The problem with getting on Facebook and seeing all the things you can "like" is I think of my own groups all the time. I think of them, and then promptly forget them. The only one I can think of right now is "if Maleficent hadn't interrupted Merryweather what gift would she have given baby Aurora?" I know. Thats why I promptly forget them. Because they suck. BAD.

Doesn't stop me from thinking of them though.

Just like when I was watching a lot of comedy a couple years ago, I would try and come up with my own comedy routine. It also sucked. BAD.

I like Chuck Norris jokes. I think they're awesome. Did you know that Chuck Norris is 70 years old?! I can't believe it, the man is a freaking machine. Some of my favorite Chuck Norris jokes:

~Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

~Chuck Norris can start a fire by rubbing two ice cubes together.

~Chuck Norris CAN believe its not butter.

~When Chuck Norris was born the only one crying was the doctor. Never slap Chuck Norris.

~There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard, only another fist.

HAHAHAha! I love it!

Tell me in the comments your favorite Chuck Norris joke, because he is the man and you should love him too. :)

Flip Side

Negative:

My four year old puts her underwear on backwards pretty much every time she puts underwear on. Which is often because she's lazy and holds it until she pee's her pants. So she changes underwear more than should be normal. And she always puts her shoes on the wrong feet. ALWAYS. Do you think she's dyslexic?

My two year old looks ginormous now. It seriously makes me freaked out. Not only does he feel super heavier than before the baby got here, but his head...HIS HEAD. Its huge. I mean he looks like a handicapped child or something now, his head is just abnormally large. Its hard to look at him sometimes...

My seven year old threw the biggest fit today over wearing her tennis shoes as opposed to her church shoes for school. So huge a fit that she hid in her closet, wouldn't go with grandma (who's taking her to school right now), wouldn't get out of the car, wouldn't go into the school, until my mother in law had to bring her back home. I am so irritated by this, I can't even put it into words. Why are kids such snots? And the fact that she thinks she's going to have fun today?Ohhh she's in for a rude awakening.

The baby's beautiful dark hair is already like two shades lighter! WAAHH!

Positive:

My four year old is an independent girl who likes to pick out her own clothes and get herself dressed, I don't have to worry about getting her ready ever.

My two year old is acting like such a big boy! He is talking so well, its so fun to hear him come up with new sentences he hasn't said before "I dunno?" or "Mommy? Whad you say?" Its adorable and I love that when he sits next to me when I'm holding the baby, at random times he leans over and kisses baby's head. Sweet!

My seven year old. Grrrr, don't know if I'm over this morning yet. *deep breath* Okay, my seven year old is a good girl, who is probably too mature for her age and is allowed a break down every once in awhile when there's so many changes and hard things going on in her life right now. Maybe her mom needs to step back and spend some time with her so she won't feel the need to have major meltdowns.

This baby warms my wittle heart, I love babies!!

Smelly Pits

I got this new deodorant. I like a certain smell from Dove, but they didn't have that scent in the two pack so I got a different kind I thought would be fine. Dude. This stuff is STRONG. I feel like every time I move my arms I'm catching a punch to the face of flowery freshness. Yikes.

Remember when you were a teenager and the stupidest things you would find hilarious? Yeah, I had a friend where we thought the word 'deodorant' was the funniest thing we'd ever heard. You'd think we were drunk or high or something, but no. "Deodorant" HEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEE!! Then the word morphed into "deodrorent" and somehow that was EVEN MORE FUNNY! Wheee!

Teenagers are dumb.

I think its funny that I was totally a hyper, obnoxious, dumb and super silly teenager and those are mostly the teenagers that bug me the worst. Hmmm, whats that say about me? I don't know and oh well.

p.s. I've been reading CJane's birth story, and I feel this impending climax that I'm going to go into labor as soon as she gets to that part of the story, do you think it'll happen?! Nah, me neither.

Its Friday, and Its Random

*I like that the bottom of my socks have an "M" on them because even though I know it stands for "medium", I like to think it stands for "Melinda".

*Just because the juice bottle says "Cran-APPLE" doesn't mean its any less cranberry, I didn't taste ANY apple in there.

*I really hate Comcast, and I miss my old service provider a LOT.

*Why is it if my husband wants two different things, even if one costs more I'll get THAT one because its something maybe I like or I could use too...

*I'm really tired of stupid people. Why do people think they need to spew their opinions all over you when they have no idea what your situation is. I recently had someone I barely know make me feel guilty over medication I might take for some serious pain I've been in. Her explanation was that she's a hippy and thinks people would be better off taking long walks and getting more sunshine. Uhhhhh...seriously? So if I just went for a long walk on a sunshiney day, my back would stop hurting and my rib would magically go back into place? Or if someone went for a walk and sat in the sun, their chemically imbalanced brain would suddenly balance. Shut up. Thats so ignorant.

*Have you ever read "The Little Prince"? Its a children book, when I was in high school we had to do a report on it and I've loved it ever since. So for my boys' room, I painted this picture:

Pretty cute huh?

*Its been Spring Break here this week and I'm so glad I didn't have to worry about getting up and getting my daughter off to school or picking her up or ANYTHING. I did whatever I wanted this week. Which ended up being just going to the doctor a lot, but whatever.

*Ice....mmmmm....all day long I dream about ice...

Rambling...blah, blah, blah

I've been pretty busy this week. In a really good way. I've been working on projects and getting stuff done and I feel good about it! Right now I'm totally stoked because I finally broke down and bought a new computer!!

Our old computer was a cheapy Dell we bought about six years ago. It hated us. And it was time to upgrade, especially since I take so many pictures I had used up all the space.

So I didn't get just any computer. I got a MAC!! And its fantastic. The end. Run out and get one NOW, you won't regret it!

I've also made two pillows... and went grocery shopping. And had my brother in law put together a book shelf, and then I put the books in it. And I got paint to paint my crib--so excited! And I went to the doctor yesterday (yup, still a baby in there), and I took down the old computer and set up the new one...and I think there's more but yeah! I've been busy.

I've also read three books in the last week. And I just have to say, the HypnoBirthing book is actually pretty amazing. I love it, and would totally recommend it to anyone who wants to have a natural birth. Really good stuff! (Oh, and take the classes too, that would work extra good.)

I'm ready to strangle my children. Why oh why oh WHY can they not just be somewhat sane for thirty minutes or something?! I really could use a vacation. Really.

My mind is completely over-saturated. I think about all the stuff I need to do, want to do, should do and HAVE to do; and I am completely overwhelmed. I think "I'm going to do this today..." and that leads into something totally different, that reminds me I need to do this, and so on and so forth. I need to just get organized and start making more lists. (I currently have three calendars on my fridge and about five lists going, but its bound to start coming together right?) I can hardly read blogs anymore because my brain is so on "GO GO GO!!" I can't seem to get it to slow down enough to concentrate. It sucks. Make it stop.

And those kids too. Make them stop while you're at it.

Why Blogging has Ruined my Social Life

So, first off, I love blogging. LOVE IT. Can't wait to move and be in my own place and blog as much as I flippin' want. BUT, I noticed the other day that there is a drawback to blogging.

And that drawback is this:

Because I blog about pretty much whatever I want to (I do edit a little...sometimes...I think) and people get it and laugh at it or whatever, sometimes I talk like that in REAL life and I've noticed thats just not socially acceptable. You know, to just say whatever you're thinking outloud right at that moment, people don't always like it. And the other problem is, because I have bloggy friends on here that really get my sense of humor, I forget that not everyone else does! So I'll say something I think is totally hysterical and people look at me, like WHA???

Oh well, its the price I pay. (I like you guys better anyway...) :)

Rambling

Its Friday guys. FRIDAY. That means I have until Tuesday to get everything I need done before my mother-in-law gets here. Oh Lordy, help me! I think I just may be able to get it decent before that time, but man in the mean time I'm freaking out! Besides the fact that I need more boxes. If you see a lady rummaging around behind the gas station, its just me looking for boxes. Its okay.

I finally got up the nerve to ask for help though, you know to someone besides my husband who doesn't really help anyway. I don't know why its so hard, but I just feel so weak to have to ask someone to help me. Stupid I know, but thats how I feel. So my kids are going to play at a friends for a little bit while I pack up my kitchen. I'm just hoping the little break away from each other will be good for us. Because at this point everyone in my house hates each other. My kids are bored, there's nothing to do, mom's busy packing, so they get into trouble and are naughty. Lots of yelling going on here. Its fantastic.

I signed up to bring chili to our ward cook-off thing next tuesday. Why did I do that? All my cooking stuff will be packed away by then, I'll be leaving a day or so after that, why do I feel the need to over-extend myself? Its so stupid.

Okay, I'm done talking. Great on you for reading all this, since I know its super up-beat and happy. Can you tell I've hit my limit? I'm tired and I'm sick and I'm overwhelmed and I HATE PACKING. Okay, gotta get back to work, enough whining.

p.s. Do you guys watch America's Next Top Model? Because I am LOVING this season with the "petite" girls (i.e. SHORT). I totally missed my chance, I'll never be a top model now! waaah! Anyway, ANTM and Bejeweled Blitz are my only escape from reality. Bless them.

Re-Do

Oh snap! I just had a post almost done and stupid blogger just deleted it! Crappy!

Well, the point of it was this:

I want to paint our old jenny lind crib, it looks like this right now:


And I want to paint it turquoise. Wouldn't that be fantastic?!

I'm totally into these colors, and this look right now:


Isn't that just so fresh and pretty?!

I decided I was going to go through all my old magazines (mostly Better Homes & Gardens, and Family Fun) and take out all the old articles I wanted to save and put them in a binder to refer to when I finally get to actually decorate something. But since I've probably gone through atleast fifty decorating magazines, I REALLY want to decorate!!!

Can I come to your house and re-decorate for you?

And the List Goes On...

I like lists.

Have you noticed? I often make lists. About just about everything. When I have a busy day, I make a list of everything (and the time) I need to do and just list it out. I make grocery lists. I make lists of "blaaaaahhh", I like lists.

Its about as organized as I get.

I mean really I like to organize, just not with my kids around. They sort of ruin any sort of progress I might make.

But the list thing, they can't take that from me! Nope. No matter how crazy they get, I can always sit down and write what I WISH was getting done. Its so fulfilling.

Now I just wish I could find some magic paper and pens that made everything I wrote come true! How's that for power? That would be awesome...I think I'm going to make a list about everything I wish about...

He's A Great Man, but Seriously...

Okay, I'm back from my activity. I'm dead tired, and sunburned, but I'm baaaaaaa-aaaack.

Guess what? I'm tired. Oh yeah, I already said that, well I'm still tired.

Do you ever wonder whats wrong with your husband? What a stupid question, of course you do. The other day my husband and I had the following conversation:

Husband: "If there was a natural disaster and you had to choose..." (starting to feel stupid, because I'm giving him the "I'm already irritated with this conversation look".)

Me: "Yeeeessss?"

Husband: "Like if you had to hang on a pole during a hurricane or a tornado which would you choose?" (Kind of rushes through the question)

Me: "Well...there's really not much difference between the two is there, one's more wind and one's more water...I don't know...neither..."

Husband: "Come on, which would you choose?"

Me: "Is this what you talk about at work all day?"

Husband: "Shut up."



I wonder about him, I really do.

Back to the Bubble

You know, I'm having a hard time adjusting back to Utah life. See, if you've ever lived outside Utah, you know that there's a bubble you cross over to get into Utah, where life isn't the same as everywhere else.

I'm not meaning it in a mean way, its just the way I see it.

When we first left Utah, I noticed how differently everybody dresses. It didn't matter if they were 10 or 70, they were wearing a tank top and short shorts. Or people were actually smoking! Or cursing! Or they had piercing and tattoos all over!! Shocking I know, people really live like that! *note the sarcasm* The billboards went from "Temple Square" to "Triple X!!!"

It slowly came back to me, that oh yeah, this is normal. This is how it is everywhere. People are people and you're not surrounded by Mormons. I don't know why its so shocking, I've lived in Utah for five years, outside of Utah for over twenty, it shouldn't be that shocking. But when you see the same thing every day and then suddenly you see the exact opposite, it startles.

Not that either way is better or worse. Its the way it is. I'm just having trouble adjusting back into the Utah life where people have no idea how bad life can be. Where you don't see homeless people on every block. Or crack addicts walking down the street. Where your next door neighbor is a child molester or selling drugs. When police sirens are like background music, and gangs are just a part of life. Where all that is common. And where you deal with it because that's just life, and life is still good.
(I'm also not saying that those things don't happen in Utah, but I honestly just don't think its the same. So shoot me. No don't, I have so much to give!)

And really its not any one's fault, they don't know what its like "on the outside" (doo do doo do), I just wish they could see the gospel outside the border. Where the chapel is half full but people sing the hymns as loud as they can, where you see the missionaries every Sunday and there's new baptisms constantly. Where you have eight women on your visiting teaching list and you really have to pull together because your neighbor's a transvestite (although they're very nice and have great taste in shoes).

The Gospel is true wherever you go, I know that. Just sometimes I really want to pop that bubble. :)

I'm BAAAaacck!

Oh man, I only have a quick minute to get on here before I crash for the night!

First off, I MISSED YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH!!

Secondly, sorry I haven't been able to comment, I feel like a schmuck, but I'll try and make up for it, promise!

Thirdly, I'm exhausted, but I promise there will be many a post coming soon!

Lastly, I know you're dying to know about our trip, it was great, fun, much too fast, and sometimes frustrating, but we loved it so much and are sad to be back home (except for the part where my Victoria's Secret clothes came in the mail, that part I was happy to be home for).

Alright then, see you tomorrow!

Oh you know Oscar Mayer has a way...

Why is it that food you thought was so fantastic when you were a kid is so disgusting now?

Like raisins, you know the ones in the little red box? We used to eat those all the time just for a snack, I wouldn't eat raisins now because chocolate is my snack of choice.

And hot dogs, I mean most people like a hot dog every once in awhile at a barbecue or something, but as a kid, hot dogs are like AWESOME! Not so much anymore.

Or american sliced cheese, yuck. Or corn dogs, similar to hot dogs yes, but seriously corn dogs. Or spaghetti-O's! Seriously disgusting people!!

And the ultimate nasty kid food I can't believe I ate:


BOLOGNA!


Have you eaten bologna lately? I work at a daycare, so I am a connoisseur of these nasty kid foods, most of them I can stomach, you get hungry enough and you will eat it. But bologna? Nope. I can't do it. I try, honestly every time bologna sandwiches come up on the menu I think, "Maybe this time it won't be that bad!" so I take a bite. And then I gag, and then I spit it out. Because GROSS! And what is that ring around the outside anyway?! Nevermind, I don't want to know.

What are some of the kid foods you loved that you can't stand now?

The only thing that is a kid favorite that never gets old is PIZZA, everybody loves PIZZA! :)

(After writing BOLOGNA so many times, I now have the Oscar Mayer song stuck in my head:

My bologna has a first name, its:
O-S-C-A-R

My bologna has a second name, its:
M-A-Y-E-R

Oh I love to eat it everyday, and
if you ask me why I'll saaaaaaaay,
'Cause Oscar Mayer has a way
with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!

Gardening for Dumbies

I want a nice garden. I really do. And by "really do" I mean if I don't have to actually do anything to garden.

I hate weeding, ridiculous.

I never remember to water.

We don't actually have "dirt", we have clay.

Plants are expensive!

I guess I just have a black thumb, or I'm lazy. Either one.

How about you? Do you like to garden? Give me some easy gardening tips, please! (And by easy, I mean no work!)

Vacation or Punishment?

It's Spring Break here (have you heard that anywhere else? NO?!) and my boss is out of town, so guess who's left in charge? HMMmmmmm?! Yes ME, of course me!! Who else would you leave in charge of a daycare than someone as responsible and charge-worthy as me?!

Thats why I'm home right now, they didn't need me.

Really, they didn't need me. And I was super happy to come home and put on real pants instead of sweat pants. Ahhhhhhhhh, sweat pants, I love you on early mornings...

Anyway, how was your Easter? Mine was fantastic! And thats all I'm sharing with you, except these two pictures:

I seriously can't stop eating candy, it's a problem. I'm especially enjoying the Swedish Fish.

Guess what? My husband and I went and played laser tag the other night! It was super duper fun, we're keeping things young at heart, if you haven't played I seriously recommend it! Definitely hilarious, strategic, and you get a good workout.

I'm feeling a bit random still, can you tell?

I have to totally apologize to Funky, I hate feeling like a flake, I really missed ya and I hope you'll still be my friend! I really do feel like a total jerk...sorry again. :(

Hope you have a great Spring Break, I know mine will be filled with crying, whining, boredom, work, snow and showers! Yeesh...