I have spent a good part of my last week watching The Office. I know...many of you probably think this is a huge waste of a human being's time but I am crocheting an afghan anyway...so I might as well watch something interesting while doing it.

Needless to say...I am officially addicted. I asked myself why I missed the first three seasons but realized I had school Thursday nights. Now I am free on Thursdays to indulge in my new obsession. :)

Anyone else out there share in this obsession? What is your favorite part, character, episode?

I Love Dwight!!! Oh and Jim and Pam. And Micheal Scott. :)

Addendum to prior post dated December 26, 2008:

Was I high? I would have to shave my legs. Never mind! :)

Spending Daily Thought On....

(Peaceful Waters, Colorado - courtesy of here)

A most beautiful and lovely friend at work (Love ya Em!) sent me an email forward the other day. It was the perfect thing for me to read at that exact moment. It contained a short list of thoughts by the Dalai Lama which touch on the ways I want to think about and live my life. So my New Year's resolution/goal is to spend daily thought reading, thinking, and meditating on the following:

• Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
• When you lose...don't lose the lesson.
• Follow the three R's -Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Responsibility for all Your Actions.
• Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
• Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
• Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
• When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
• Spend some time alone every day.
• Open your arms to change, but don't give up your values.
• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
• Live a good honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you can enjoy it a second time.
• A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
• In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
• Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
• Be gentle with the Earth.
• Once a year, go one place you have never been before.
• Remember the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
  
• Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
• Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
• Exercise!! (This isn't the Dalai Lama's, but it is on my list!) :)

I want it. I want to fall in love again. And it's not just because I've been viewing Jane Austen-type novels and movies. It is because I am trying to get real with myself. I've been through hell and back...again...in the last five years. I'm in a good place now. I'm taking care of myself for once. I'm ready.

And...I don't want the dream, the romance novel kind of love, or even the Jane Austen ideal love. I want the down and dirty...puke in my hands because I don't want you to on our new carpet...tell me I'm acting like an idiot but still love me....lying in a hospital bed with my body riddled with cancer and reading me the Laughter's the Best Medicine pages in the latest Reader's Digest because you know it's my favorite...kind of love. I want a real love. I've fallen for the fake stuff many times. I'm ready for the real thing.

I want to look at someone and know I would rather be with them than anyone else. I want to have someone look at me like I am the only person they want to spend the rest of their life with. I want it. I'm putting it out there for all of you to see. Now...I think I have to move because what I want isn't in Utah. Every man is either already married, gay, or still living in their mother's basement playing video games. They just don't exist here. I missed the ideal Utah marriage boat...twice.

To be honest....I have been hiding from true intimacy forever. Even when I have been in relationships I have avoided going to that level. I'm deathly afraid that if someone knows the real me (who is wonderful, amazing, and completely crazy)...they will reject me. I've come close once...and they did. But I am at the point in my life where I am willing to try again. I'm older, I'm wiser, I'm completely overwhelmed and have no time for it...so I think it is time for it to happen. :)

Wish me luck.

"Merry Christmas, movie house! Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!" - George Bailey.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

High School Meme...

Here is a new one from a school chum of mine.

Instructions: Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes
2. Did you marry someone from your high school? No
3. Did you car pool to school? Nope, hoofed it.
4. What kind of car did you have? I borrowed my parents many flavors.
5. What kind of car do you have now? SUV
6. It is Friday night then...where are you? Hanging out with my on-again-off-again boyfriend or bored anywhere else.
7. Now...where are you? Bored anywhere else.
8. What kind of job did you have in high school? Wendy's and some others.
9. What kind of job do you have now? School Counselor (that is funny!)
10. Were you a party animal? Depended on who I was with. Usually not.
11. Were you considered a flirt? Nope...I mean yes...I mean no.
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Choir
13. Were you a nerd? Depended on who I was with.
14. Did you ever get suspended or expelled? No...but came close once.
15. Can you sing the school song? Yes...I still love that song.
16. Who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Carter, she is the only one who required me to work at it. I should say Jepperson because he is the only reason I got to graduate.
17. Where did you sit during lunch? At a table.
18. What was your school's full name? Bonneville High School
19. When did you graduate? 1993
20. What was your school mascot? An anchor...I think.
21. If you could go back and do it again - what would you do differently? Actually go to school my senior year.
22. Did you have fun at the Prom? Nope...my boyfriend flirted with other girls the whole time! 23. Do you still talk to the person you went to the prom with? My sophomore prom date...he's a drag queen now. :) Love ya!
24. Do you still talk to people from your school? Only on Facebook.

Fun Christmas!!!

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My Hippie Neighbor Is...


Running from the police...I think. His exact phrasing was..."I'm going to Mexico to hide from it all." He first said he was going to be gone a few days...then a few weeks...and then he said he may stay a month or two. He came over to give me some names of his relatives if anything happens with his house. I don't have any ABSOLUTE proof he is a drug maker/dealer. I have my suspicions mainly based on the continual parade of oddly dressed people coming by to visit him, his three extremely large window lights self-installed this summer on the back of his house - I hear these are important when growing certain "herbs" indoors, and the unmarked police car frequently parked across the street in front of my house glancing his way.

Anyway...I think my mom is the only person to actually meet and talk with this man mainly because she happens to be at my house early in the mornings when he comes home. He lives with a pretty low profile. Except for the large hippie buses (Yes..plural!) in his backyard and driveway. They are similar to the above picture but one is only painted a bright blue color.

The biggest crapper in all of this, besides the possibility of a drug house next door and the police coming to ask me questions, is....

I've lost my snow shoveler! :(

15 Days and Counting...

The kids get to spend the entire Holiday break with their dad because he is living out of state (even though they are spending the entire break in Utah). Believe me...it's not worth the fight or the money required to fight it....but geese! :(

Anyway...I am missing them terribly. We were so busy before they left that I did not spend much quality time with them. Divorce sucks!! But staying married to a psycho is worse.

I just had to put it out there that I am missing them. And love them. And hope they are safe and having fun. And hopefully going to call me tomorrow.

Anyway....hope you are all enjoying the few harried days left before Christmas.

Nite.

His Grown-Up Christmas List...


Bud has finally decided what he wants for Christmas more than anything....

"A Robot That Cleans His Room"

Ok...it's not working very well. But I tried. :) I will try to pledge something more doable for next week. :)

I Pledge to....Shush!

Have you ever just been sick of all the noise? Life is noisy. Kids are noisy. The TV, phone, radio, car engine, jets overhead, the hum of the heater, it's all there...in the background invading my head space.

Well...I can't change what other people do, what happens outside my house, and I am not turning off my heater. I can however, choose what I do.

And so...hold your breath....

I am going to stop talking so much (this may require more restraint then I have, but I will try). I am going to turn off the TV at night more and read. I'm going to turn off the radio in the car more. I'm going to encourage my children to use sign language (just kidding) but this does sound nice. And the best part of all...I am going to try and listen more instead of talking. Those of you who communicate with me on a daily basis may have your jaws dropped in disbelief right now...but have faith...and gently remind me of my new pledge.

Christmas Tag Fun

I was tagged by a bloggy friend.
So here you go...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Wrapping paper
2. When do you put the tree up? The day before Thanksgiving
3. When do you take the tree down? Hopefully between Christmas and New Year’s
4. Eggnog?? Depends on my mood...sometimes with sprite or little somthin' somthin'.
5. Favorite gift received as a child? Wooden Train Set
6. Hardest person to buy for?? My daughter...she refused to tell me what she wants. She says it's between her and Santa.
7. Easiest person to buy for? Me...It's all up to me now.
8. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail w/pics
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Ceramic anything.
11. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a wonderful life
12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Three days ago this year...but usually done by Nov.
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Hhhmmmm....Yes. ;)
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Alice's Mom's Party Mix (I call it crack).
15. Lights on the tree? Yes...finally I don't have to bother with them...I have a pre-lit tree.
16. Favorite Christmas song? Drummer Boy...or Do They Know It's Christmas Time.
17. Least favorite Christmas song? 12 Days of Christmas! Bluh!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually stay put. We may go stay somewhere for a few nights this year just to get away.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, but it's slipping.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both...jammies and one present the night before.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the things that happen on Tuesday night...the only night I have class now. I have to miss my daughter's performance and two parties. GEEZ.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like the bright ones my kiddos picked out last year.
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Grandma D's Turkey/Roast Beef dinner.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Clothes, books, clothes, jewelry, books, clothes, shoes, and oh yeah...books. :)


ANOTHER TAG!
These are a few of my favorite things.....

Five favorite treats during the holidays:
1. Alice's Mom's Party Mix (I call it Crack)
2. Caramels (homemade)
3. Pumpkin Pie
4. Grandma D's Toffee
5. Rice Pudding

Five favorite Christmas movies:
1. It's A Wonderful Life
2. Home for the Holidays
3. The Family Stone
4. Merry Christmas Charlie Brown
5. The Holiday

Five Traditions during the holidays:
1. Making and decorating sugar cookies
2. Christmas Village
3. Christmas Eve Pajamas
4. Festival of Trees
5. Our special route around the towns looking at Christmas lights.

The people I tag for sure...Stine, Kari, Emily, Keri, Erica, Tara, Christy, Jen, etc....

Happy Holidays!

Trees, Treats, and Treasures...

We went to the Festival of Trees late this year. We didn't get there until late Saturday. It was still packed. We had fun though. I even ran into one of my old friends I recently found on Facebook. She looks great and her kids are getting so big! :)

The kids wanted to do crafts in the Kid's Korner first this year. So we did. They made snowflakes, reindeer, and snowmen. They got a elf's wand and went through the giant bubble.

This year we only had five mean stares and one "did your daughter get burned in a fire." Geez.

We watched a really cute dance team for a while, walked through the trees a bit, and then ended up over by the treats. We got apples with yummy caramel on top. I bought some cute thank you cards at the gift shop and then we went home.

The kiddos were starving so we stopped and got a "Little Sleazers pizza and silly bread" for the ride home. :)

Fun night.

Her 1st Choir Concert!

(Sorry for the fuzzy pics...we couldn't get a good one.)

It brought a tear to my eye. She was SO nervous, and cute, and funny, and happy. It was great to see her doing something she loves to do. :)

Here are some more pics of Christmas Village and Santa!


Right before Bud's turn, Santa asked a little boy if he kept his room clean. Bud looked at me panic stricken because he knew if Santa asked him this he wouldn't get any toys this year! So funny!

Bug whispered in Santa's ear what she wants for Christmas (Darn it!). She is taking the song (Jolly Old Saint Nicholas) too literally! I still have no clue what she wants except for a new CD player and a disco ball for her room. :)

SO FUN!! I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS.

I borrowed this from a friends blog.
Totally cute stuff! :)
(My son answered these questions. He is four.)

1. What is something mom always says to you?
"Clean my room."

2. What makes mom happy?
"Not much." (I had just told him to clean his room.)

3. What makes mom sad?
"Being rude to her."

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
"Telling jokes."

5. What was your mom like as a child?
"A kid."

6. How old is your mom?
"Four"

7. How tall is your mom?
"200"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
"Play, play, play, play, play...and also play!"

9. What does your mom do when you are not around?
"I don't know...oh...homework."

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
"I don't know...talking."

11. What is your mom really good at?
"Writing numbers."

12. What is your mom not so good at?
"Building things." (Very true!)

13. What does your mom do for her job?
"I don't know...work."

14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
"Spaghetti" (NOT!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
"Writing numbers for me."

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"The mom on Toy Story."

17. What do you and your mom do together?
"Have snuggles."

18. How are you and your mom the same?
"Our shirts." (They are both striped)

19. How are you and your mom different?
"Your a girl."

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
"Hugs...hugs are stupid!"