Bill and Ted In My Head

TOTALLY BODACIOUS

William and I took a trip to Southern California this last weekend and it was most excellent. The journey was long, i.e. our butts were numb by the time we got to our final destination, however, the trip was worth it, even if we didn't make it to San Demis Water Park. And even if we didn't travel in a phone booth. Them's the breaks.

It is always great to see William's family. I don't know how happy they are all to see us, but we certainly enjoy them.

The reason for this insanely long drive.......David and Laura -- The Wedding.

Interesting things took place at DAVID AND LAURA -- THE WEDDING. Stephanie danced the tango with Daniel, if only for a second. Glasses were banged on by spoons consistently, very annoying. But every time that happened the bride and groom had to kiss. There was only one time when the chimes were going on that the bride had lost the groom. I honestly think he was hiding.


Jim started passing out cigars, I could swear it looked like dog turd, but it had a distinct smell of chocolate that I certainly could not mistake. William's brother, Ron, was without wife, but happy about it, (she stayed in Yosemite). I honestly think we were all happy about it. Stacey what a nasty thing to say....." I know I am sorry".


The food was great, the location was beautiful and the priest came from my home town of Las Vegas, so we both discussed why we don't live there anymore. The groom flung the garter a whole 12 inches, so there was an awkward moment between the men where they exchanged glances like "who's going to go get it?". The father of the bride didn't have a dry eye all evening. A strange tribal dance took place on the dance floor at one point. Some described it as a line dance without the yee haw. I am still not sure why I had never heard the song before because I was the only one. Smiles, hugs, tears, and maybe a few awkward moments took place that night. But boy was it fun.

William and I were the happiest couple there. He looked good, if I do say so myself. We were hot and tired by the time the night ended. AND I LEFT MY SUNGLASSES THERE..... DANG IT!!! The strangest of all things that happened, I didn't eat the complimentary personalized M&Ms. Even stranger I still haven't, they're in my pantry. Impressed? I sure am.

It was a most Excellent Adventure. One for the books.

BOGUS
We couldn't stay, we had left our children home in Boise, so we had to get to bed and leave early Sunday morning to get home to our children. Who, by the way, had been burnt to a crisp. I had to take them to the doctor on Monday to have her check out their sunburns. Severe second degree burns was the diagnosis. But she gave me some cream and told me to drug them. All is well. I took pictures of those burns but I don't want to freak anyone out!

MESSES AND MILESTONES

Well there are days and often weekends where you wonder what happened to the time. Well this was definately one of those weekends. William and I had a couple of projects to work on. He brought home his creeper from work and asked me to re-new it for him. The vinyl was all torn and NASTY and he had busted the wood backing. So in the whole "USE IT UP, WEAR IT OUT, MAKE DO, OR DO WITHOUT" theme we fixed it. It cost us about thirty dollars to fix, (new foam is expensive), but it was worth it and it was cheaper than buying a new one.

While that project was getting worked on, William was working on a truck that I had "pimped" him out to repair on craigslist. That was fun (sarcasm in the statement). Three trips to Boise and a little longer than William would have liked to spend on it. We got that done and he made a profit too.

Good Job Will.

The fun news was that in between all the chaos, I got the brainiac idea to teach Elizabeth to ride her bike without the training wheels. The surprising thing is, she got on that bike like she had been riding it that way for months. No falls, no pushing her, nothing. I was even surprised and a bit scared, because within an hour she started showing me how she could ride with no hands and she would stand up and pump the pedals while riding.

DAREDEVIL!

David saw that Elizabeth was riding on two wheels and decided he wanted to ride the same way. So off went the training wheels and David got on the bike. He took a little more effort to teach, however once he got the knack of keeping his balance he caught on fairly quickly.
The funny thing is, once they got the hang of it, it's like I got them a new toy. I couldn't get them off their bikes to even eat dinner.
Now I feel a bit older.

OH NO -- I'm a Pimp

Well with funds being tight and the economic crisis all around, it didn't help anything when my man told me that we have a tire situation. Well it was a bit more than a situation. I looked at those tires on the only car that we are able to drive right now and saw threads.

THREADS????!!!!

I didn't know tires were made of string. Well needless to say we were in a crisis. William did his normal "LIBRA" thing and shopped and shopped and shopped and shopped around until he found what he thought was the best deal. It really was good that he shopped around so much, considering the fact that the same tires locally cost around $1,000 and online they were only $600 including the shipping. I still couldn't believe it! $600 is a lot of money, I want to buy a computer for our entertainment addiction. But that would have to wait.
Without going into boring GUY details the rims on our Durango are a little off size so it's a pain to get the right size tire for them. In the meantime, we are praying and fasting and praying some more that our precious tires that we currently have on the truck will hold together long enough for us to save enough money to purchase the rubber that is necessary for a car to move.
Well, I felt inspired.....we have junk all over the house that we don't need. I will sell it. William is a mechanic he can do repairs for not just friends but strangers too. Where do you go when you need to sell your junk and your husband.
CRAIGSLIST

It was like I heard angels singing. I went, I sold, and sold some more. Than I found treasures I forgot I had and sold those too. I also sold my husband. I check Morning, Noon and Night to see who needs car repairs on craigslist. I make arrangements, give quotes, and shop for car parts online. William is going crazy!!! I tell him he has appointments and he needs to call this person and that person.

I am a pimp!
You know it's great being a pimp. Because we were able to buy our tires last night. It was a hard pill to swallow, but at least I won't have to listen to my man whore complain about his tires being bald anymore.

His Hands

They are strong. They lift such heavy things. They tug and pull and squeeze. The treamendous strength that are in those hands are unfathomable. The amount of work that has been done with those hands is limitless. When something new is demanded of those hands the task is met with the ability of a professional.
They are dirty. They are cracked and dry. They are course and unmanicured. There is dirt in cracks that seems to never get washed away. There is dirt under the nails and in the cuticles.
But they are so gentle. Those hands have lifted and held our tiny babies with such tenderness that even smooth hands would have been harsher. Those hands have held mine in difficult times, in times of happiness and sadness. They are injured. Frequently he comes home with cuts, scrapes and sometimes gashes in his hands, yet he never complains about it. He continues to work with those hands never ending. His hands have blessed our family with the divine Priesthood held only by those on the Earth that are worthy and have been given the power by authority through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Many times I think he underestimates the worth of those hands. I think he might think that I wish they were cleaner or I wish that they were smoother. However I don't wish either of those things. His hands are very special to me and I would rather have them cracked and bleeding than smooth and manicured. His hands show just how much love he has for me and for our kids. I love his hands, and I love him. Thank you William for your hands.

Surprise

My Iris bloomed this week. The bulbs were given to me by a friend two years ago. The first year that you plant Iris they don't bloom. So I have been waiting for two years for these blooms. Waiting and thinking,"Oh how beautiful those purple flowers would look next to my fence." Anticipating, and wondering is today the day that the buds will rise up? Is today the day that I get to see those huge purple petals? When the sun comes out hoping that this would be the day that there is enough warmth to make those buds burst open in a purple explosion. Well imagine my surprise when after two long years of waiting, I got a gorgeous yellow flower. I haven't seen yellow Iris before. I was actually quite surprised. However, I was more than excited after the initial shock wore off.
Isn't that like life though. We expect one thing and then get something totally different and I believe that it is even more beautiful than I initially planned.
It was worth the wait. I love my yellow Iris and I love my life in all the little imperfections. Life is more beautiful when we are surprised by the little surprises that Heavenly Father puts in there. If we all got what we wanted and if we were perfect at everything, there would be no reason for faith or hope. Two beautiful virtues that make us human.

STUCK AND UNSTUCK

Well, for the last week or so I have been stuck! Not stuck in a hole, not stuck to a board. No, not stuck like the dinosaurs in a tar pit. I have been mentally stuck in a rut. To be more precise, a bad attitude rut. One that keeps me from getting dressed, showering, or even brushing my teeth. Gross!!!! Well if I could have stayed in bed I would have, but having three small kids tell me that they're hungry gets me up and at least keeps me from making a permanant dent in my mattress or couch cushion.

Why do people get stuck like this? I normally pull myself right out of these episodes with no real repurcussions. But this time around I didn't manage so well. Yes, I cried and I ate more than I was supposed to. I think that with everything that is going on in the world today, I am not alone. A lot of friends of mine seem to be stuck in their own type of rut. What is the deal? Is it the economy.....probably. Is it just the overall feeling in the air......likely. I actually have no idea. I am just throwing this out into the cosmic void.

Things will get better. I will keep telling the voices in my head, "My husband has a job, the kids are safe and healthy, and I am blessed." Maybe one of these times, the voices will listen and I can stop worrying. Life goes on and on and on and on. We always look back and say, "That wasn't so bad." But at the time it always seems so hard. "Don't cry for me Argentina" I will get over this quickly, I have too much to do, and I can't spend my time wallowing in grief and self absorbstion. So for now this is my ranting.

My dream, well, I would so love to be young again, with no problems. Well, no real problems. I would like to be like my kids, so that when I say I am stuck, it quite literally means that I am stuck!!!

Now that this is all out of my system......

I AM OFFICIALLY UNSTUCK

Birthday Wish????

When I was a kid the days on the calendar seemed to go by so slowly. I looked forward to the holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, those elusive yet quirky three day weekends, and then there was the Birthday. Having a birthday when you are young was a big deal. A whole year has gone by, a lot happened in that year! In one year I started out adding one digit numbers and by the end of that year I was multiplying two digit numbers. Wow that is a lot in a year!
It is so different when you are older. I am having a hard time remembering how old I am, let alone what day my birthday is. The year went by fast. Nothing significant happened. My hair didn't even change, it only got longer.
I am not too impressed with birthdays anymore. I am judging my progress throughout the year on what my children are accomplishing. I only wish that doing that would slow the calendar down. It doesn't seem to be working.
Sydney asked me what my favorite cartoon was. I told her it was Phineas and Ferb. She then informed me we could have a Phineas and Ferb birthday party for myself. HMMMM maybe.

Why not? I make my kids fun cakes for their birthday maybe I will break down and make myself one this year. Nah. A round chocolate cake will be fine.
Well here we go again, another birthday. Let's see what happens this year. Maybe if I don't blink too often I will be able to catch some of it.
I do have to thank my family for being so nice on my birthday. I have had a nice delivery for my birthday, a ton of strawberries and an angel food cake. YUMM!! Thanks to the Binghams. I will break down and try to enjoy this birthday, it will be a chore, but I think I can do it. Maybe.