The Young and The Relentless

The Reason Calvin Won't Text Me.

2010-03-09T19:16:00.001-07:00

Calvin has a little more time on his hands at work right now since things are so up in the air about The Constellation Project. A little update on that situation is that Congress is not happy with the plan and there is a rumor that N.ASA is coming up with a Plan B that will include the project. This is great news...but I don't know if it will really happen or not. Either way...it will take a while for everyone to come to an agreement...unless they try to rush it through like the Health Care Bill.

Anyway, sometimes lately I get lucky and Calvin will have a textual conversation with me. I still can't get him to sext with me but I'm working on it. He tells me that Engineers can't do that...not even when I use words like Hardrive and Hyperlink.

Friday, 9:42am

Connie: If a Tauren falls in the Forrest, do resto Druids laugh?

Calvin: Funny. Did you get that from Twitter?

Connie: Yes.

Calvin: Got the Gas bill today. It is $91.84.

Connie: Down from $192?

Calvin:Yes. Yay!

Connie: Wow! I guess keeping the heat down is making a difference.

Calvin: Perhaps, Feb was warmer than Jan.

Connie: Maybe a little.

Calvin: Regardless, I think freezing our asses off has helped reduce our bill. Thanks Connie for reducing our expenses!

Connie: You're welcome. Are you sure you don't want a snuggie??

No response from Calvin

10:52am

Connie: I found out why UTAH doesn't double coupons.

Calvin: Why?

Connie: Because in most other states only 1% are redeemed...but 3% are redeemed here. Retailer lose too much money in Utah.

Calvin: Those Mormons are always looking to save a buck. When Arby's has a two for one, guys here eat there daily until it stops. Hehe

Connie: I know!! They screwing up my grocery shopping experience!!

Calvin: ROFL

Connie: In Dallas....they TRIPLE coupons! It's Coupon Nirvana!

Calvin: Stop you are killing me!

Connie: Okay. I'll stop....

11:27am

Connie: We need to get a freezer so I can buy a 40 lb box of chicken.

Calvin: Oh my, you are still cracking me up. LOL

Connie: Is that a yes or a no?

No response from Calvin.

11:47 am

Connie: Nevermind...I don't need a freezer. Jesus is coming....

Calvin: Yup are on Fire. And no, we are not buying a freezer. If we downsize to an apartment, what then would we do with it?

Calvin: That was *You as in You are on fire.

Connie: I got that. And you're right. I got all excited about saving $100 and I was trying trying to spend it.

Calvin: No more Texting privileges for you. I am in tears.

I think I know why I normally don't get a response.....

The Winners....

2010-03-08T17:48:00.002-07:00

And the winner of the Steady Days book is.....(insert drum roll here).......

Alyssa from Bloggin 2 Noggin who wrote:

Once again, I look forward to reading more of your posts. Steady Days sounds great; I'd love to win it. Plus I'm a fast reader and I'll pass it on quickly. You don't want the book to stay in someone's house forever, do you?

I'll be sending you an email requesting your address so I can mail you the book. Everyone...go follow Alyssa so that you can try to win the book when she gives it away on her blog.

Did you watch The Oscars last night? We had so much fun at our friend's party and I drank a little bit too much (I can't drink like I used to when I weighted 25 more pounds) and I've been sick all day! I keep having moments of recollection from the party and I'm afraid that I behaved like a crazy person. At one point I think I offered to breast feed my friends' baby. I hope they weren't offended and invite us back.

I was shocked that Avatar didn't win Best Picture and so pleased that Sandra Bullock won Best Actress! Her dress and her speech were amazing and I also loved Alec and Steve as the hosts. What did you think?

Another question for you....overall, all year (2009) what was your favorite movie? I have THREE...because I can't pick just one.

The Time Traveler's Wife
Julie and Julia
Sex and The City (I've seen it 3 times and bought the soundtrack)

Friends...and The Gift of Steady Days

2010-03-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge at Girly Gazette is to celebrate my friendships and things I've learned this week. This was perfect week for me to do this because I started off the week having coffee with a fabulous blogger, Jen from Steenky Bee (please note that I have like 100 friends named Jen now). We had a great time getting to know each other at Starbucks, she's soooo funny and I can't wait to get together with her again.

Then...last night I got together with The Real Housewives of the U.T. to celebrate Lauren's Birthday. These ladies are so amazing! I noticed the other diners at The Olive Garden staring at us...mostly because we're all pretty hot but also because of the constant conversation going on at our table. I don't know how we managed to eat and talk at the same time!

The Real Housewives of the U.T.

I'm really excited to tell you all about this book that I just read. It's called Steady Days by Jamie C. Martin and it's going to change my life! Back in January when I started my Focus on the Family posts, I told you that I wanted to be intentional and present in my children's lives. That is the end goal with making plans every month...in writing that I will then follow through with. The purpose of this book is to help you on your journey toward intentional, professional motherhood.

Sounds like it was written FOR me right? I got so many great ideas from this book and also from Jaime's blog...Steady Mom. I'm going to be implementing them over the next few weeks....a Steady Routine, a Home Planner and a Look At Me Binder. Many of the other ideas go along perfectly with my Family Journal and some are things that I've been looking for a solution for. The book is also full of observations from a veteran mom. Here's the one that knocked me off the couch.

Saying NO all the time steals JOY from the home.

There is a better way for me to say No and sometimes, Yes is the right answer. I took many notes....and I plan to review them every couple weeks so that I stay on course for what I want to do. This is a great book for any Mom that wants to make some positive changes in their home.

I'm going to give my copy away....and whoever wins my copy, after reading it...I want you to give it away to another blogger. And then that blogger has to promise to give it to another blogger. Each blogger that wins the book must their URL for their blog on the inside cover. I want us all to share this book!

So...if you are interested in reading Steady Days AND you promise to give this book to another blogger who promises the same. Please tell me in your comment that you want to win the book. You have until Monday at 5PM. If you can't wait to have this copy passed on to you....you can order your own copy here.

Why I Should Have Taken Dramamine

2010-03-04T06:01:00.007-07:00

We interrupt our week of Positively Girly posts to bring you a story....because today I'm supposed to talk about what makes me a Super Mom and I can't think of anything except the fact that I'm super organized and drink a fair amount of ~~vodka~~ wine. That's all I've got.

Talking about my short lived flying career yesterday reminded me of a story from my past. First I'll explain that my Dad had high hopes for me. The Plan was that I would get my pilot's license and be an Air Traffic Controller. I honestly don't know how this plan came about because my dream was to be a Mom and if that didn't work out then I wanted to be a Beautician/Avon Lady. Needless to say, once it became clear that I could never land an aircraft while puking into a air sickness bag...The Plan was abandoned.

And so it came to pass that my Dad would get me a job in his second favorite place. The Auto Parts Store. (Thank goodness I didn't have to work at his 3rd favorite place or I'd be a waitress at HOOTER'S) On my 18th Birthday, I began my illustrious career as a auto parts delivery driver. It was a good job and allowed me to buy a car and all of the ~~Coors Light~~ goodies that you need when you are a senior in high school.

And I met some boys.

There was one guy that was manager of the garage at K.Mart that took a liking to me. I liked him too...even though he was older than me, starting to bald and was a little bit shorter than me. We had that physical connection...you know, the one that Jake and Tenley didn't have.

He was older than me but we had something in common. He was a pilot. This pleased my Dad very much which I think is why he let me leave the state with this man on our FIRST DATE.

Wilber (because I can't recall his real name) asked me out on a date to fly to South Dakota for lunch. I met him at the airport on a bright and sunny Saturday in June and we flew off like a pair of panties. First he flew me past Mount Rushmore because I had never seen it before. It was so amazing and took my mind off the fact that I wanted to hurl.

Then we landed at the Rapid City airport and had lunch....but I could barely eat because I was so sick to my stomach. Luckily we sat there for a couple of hours watching the airplanes taking off and landing and I drank a ton of sprite hoping that I'd be well enough for the trip back home.

Finally, it was time to head back and I was dreading it because I still didn't feel that great. Within an hour of our trip I started to feel really bad. I was trying to look out at the horizon like my Dad taught me and was trying to keep swallowing but nothing was working. I had to tell Wilber that I was about to vomit in his airplane.

He didn't look happy when he received this news but he immediately started studying the map for a potential landing spot. He found a small airfield in the middle of Wyoming and he landed the plane.

I ran over to the only outbuilding at this small airport and tried to open the door....it was locked. This airport was so small that it was the kind of airfield that was not manned by a live person. I lost my lunch right there in front of my date and he stood there not knowing what to do. I walked around a little bit trying to get some air and kept pretending to kiss the ground...to lighten the mood. He wasn't amused. I told Wilber I was pretty proud of myself for not throwing up in his plane. He didn't seem that impressed but maybe a little relieved.

We arrived back to our home airport and he told me I could go ahead and go on home....I didn't have to wait for him to gas the plane and put it away. I thanked him for a great time and calculated in my mind what this little trip cost him.

Airplane Rental..................................$150

Gas for Airplane..................................$ 85

Lunch in Rapid City............................$28

Watching your date throw up.....PRICELESS

And he didn't kiss me. I really couldn't blame him since we left our spark at a little airfield in Wyoming.

He never asked me out again. When I would bring parts to him at his shop, it was uncomfortable and we didn't have much to say to each other. Pretty soon he stopped calling my store and started calling N.APA and dating one of their delivery drivers. Our outside sales rep Dave (cuz that's his name) banned me from dating anymore mechanics but I snuck one by him....and married him. (and then divorced him)

I should have listened to Dave.

Mama Kat

Come back tomorrow....I have something to giveaway!

I Found my Special Purpose

2010-03-03T06:00:00.006-07:00

Here we are on day 3 of Girly Gazette's super fun challenges! Here is the one for today!

Challenge #3: What is your gift?

Think about this…what brings you joy in life? What have you always been drawn to doing? Do you have a natural knack for a certain activity or talent? Post about your gifts or what you think they are. Now…

What are you doing with those gifts?

If you are not using your gifts, why not? If you are, share with us how you use them and how they enrich your life. Open up and tell us what you would be passionate about doing, writing about or teaching others. We want to know about you and what makes you special!

Oh boy...maybe I should have read all of the challenges for the week before I decided to do this. I guess the only way to do this is just jump in and do it. So...here we go a rough list of my special purpose:

Organizing

Making people laugh

Making men fall in love with me

Throwing stuff away

Planning

Researching stuff

Taking Action

Hand Quilting

Parking

Flying Airplanes

Now...what am I doing with my gifts? Well, I've been married three times so that falling in love thing has really worked out for me. I love to organize and my family loves to make messes so that keeps me really busy. I like to make people laugh so this blog is really doing it's job. I love to plan trips and the future which drives my husband crazy because A.) we don't have any money and B.) he can only think a couple of weeks ahead at a time. I rocked at flying airplanes when I was a teenager but I totally sucked at landing the airplanes. So...this skill is good to no one. I am the queen of researching crap....how can I use that skill for good and not evil. Anyone have an idea?

I do think that many of my skills are being used well in the raising of my kids. I really don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Good thing I have a couple years to figure it out.

What is your special skill? What are you doing with it?

P.S. Did you see the new show on NBC called Parenthood last night?

Jake takes a Wife. Kate and Ali get a Gig

2010-03-02T09:54:00.001-07:00

I've decided that when I watch the next season of The Bachelorette...I'm not going to read the spoilers and Reality Steve. The other day I told Calvin that I was glad that I already knew because I'd be less mad when he picked the wrong girl. But I wasn't....less mad. I was still irritated and disgusted. Next time, I'll be surprised with the rest of America.

I wasn't even going to watch the episode because of my TV conflict but then my husband needed to work so I watched it but I didn't take notes...and I missed the first 10 minutes. I came in when Tenley and Jake's Mom were talking and within a few minutes I was misty eyed.

Tenley is such a genuinely nice person. She just really wants to be in love again and for someone to love her. I could see that she was liked by every member of Jake's family and that she would completely fit in with them.

Then Vienna shows up. I just don't see this going well. There is tension immediately and uncomfortable silence at the lunch table. Vienna acts like a teenager going to her boyfriends house for dinner for the first time. The family asked her why she can't get along with people and her reply was that she is brutally honest. Jake's brother tells the camera that is the sign of immaturity. He nailed it. Some how...the family decides that they like her afterall...which just shocked the heck out of me. I just can't see Vienna fitting into this family. I see lot's of feuds with the Mom and Sisters-in-law.

On Jake and Vienna's little date...they played in the mud. Gross. Later she wrote him a note and gave him her Daddy ring since she doesn't need it anymore.

Tenley and Jake go on a boat and you can see that Jake isn't really there. He's lost in thought and no doubt the mud. He tells Tenley that he doesn't think they have physical chemistry...which he says is different than sexual chemistry. Something tells me that Jake flunked CHEMISTRY in high school and that's why he ended up a pilot. He hurt her feelings badly and I felt terrible for her and wanted to throw Jake off from the boat. Tenley deserves more than he's giving her.

Jake picks a ring...I fast forwarded through this part.

Tenley takes a helicopter ride to a beautiful estate. Jake tells her that he loves every about her and that she's perfect but he likes it rough and she's too breakable. He walks her to the waiting car and tells her that he loves her. She, being the wonderful gal that she is...thanks Jake for helping her love again. This is one classy lady.

Vienna shows up, he gives her the Daddy ring back and then he proposes.

The End.

After the Final Rose.....

Jake is wearing all black, I'm guessing for all of us that loved Tenley and are now in mourning. Tenley gets to talk to him and he tells her that there was a spark with Vienna that wasn't there with her. He would like to be friends. God I hate that.

Vienna comes out looking much better than she did on the show and they say that they are super happy and she's moving to Dallas. She also denied all of the tabloid reports that she's a skank. Yeah...right. Then Jeffrey Osborne came out and sang that awful song.

The best part of this whole show was when they brought Ali out and announced her as the next Bachelorette! I got goosebumps when they announced it so I must like her more than I thought I did. Go Ali!

Dancing with the Stars!

During the shows...they announced the cast of the next Dancing with the Stars. I've watched this show off and on but sometimes I have a TV conflict and sometimes I just can't take TWO nights of this show. I'm pretty excited about this line-up.

Pamela Anderson (actress/professional celebrity)
Shannen Doherty (Bad girl and star of 90210)
Kate Gosselin (MY GIRL)
Evan Lysacek (Olympic Figure Skater)
Erin Andrews (ESPN host)
Buzz Aldrin (astronaut and hater of the Constellation Program)
Niecy Nash (comedienne/actress)
Chad Ochocinco (crazy football player)
Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Doll)
Aiden Turner (Soap Star)
Jake Pavelka (maker of bad decisions and star of The Bachelor: On The Wings of Love)

I was really excited to see my girl Kate was chosen to be on this show! I've missed her so much since Jon made TLC stop filming ~~Jon~~ and Kate plus 8. I guess this explains her new hair do. I professed my love for Kate and some guy that was following me on twitter started cussing me out for liking her and was calling her names and saying she slept with her body guard. The guy thinks Jon is a freakin saint! I blocked his @ss.....because I can like who I want to like. It's a free country! I supposed he likes Vienna too.

Why, or why is Jake on this show? Doesn't he have a JOB? A pilot job? I hope he has two left feet.....

The show starts March 22.

Meet my Tribe

2010-03-02T07:17:00.001-07:00

Hey there! It's another beautiful day in Connie's World. I woke up this morning to see that someone unfollowed my lovely blog. That's fine, really...it is. I'm not upset because even some of my own family can't take all of my positive vibes and don't want to talk to me anymore. It's okay...I understand that the Negative Nelly's of the world don't like to think positive and would rather complain and be upset. I get it.

This makes today the perfect day to answer the challenge from Girly Gazette. They want to know Who is my Tribe? My group of friends on the internet is very special to me because these are ladies that if we lived in the same town we'd be fast friends. What I normally say is: they are my people!

Raising Z....I love this gal even though I don't know her name. She loves her family and doing activities with them as much as I do. And I think she named her baby daughter Connie...after me.

Liz at Sugar Plum Creations...beautiful, inside and out. Creative and a homeschooling Mom who is doing it so well that her daughter is excelling at math. She makes me what to be a better Mom.

Jessica at Baby Mine....I met Jessica when we were both posting our menu's at The Organizing Junkie and we immediately became friends. We are both super organized and love making lists. She's like a sister to me and now she's having a baby and I'm so thrilled for her. Why does St. Louis have to be so far away?

Beth at Manic Mother....I know in my heart that I'm going to meet Beth someday. She is the strongest woman I know and because of her struggle with her 2 year old's cancer, she's proven to me and herself that she can handle anything. Ezra is the luckiest little boy in the world to have her for a Mother.

Jen at Harried Mom of Four...Do you ever have someone comment on your blog and then start emailing with them and within a few days feel like you've known them forever. That's how it was for me and Jen. And now I'm friends with her husband on facebook. Jen is another fabulous Mom that has it right and I wish I lived on her street.

Chris at CSquared Plus...I wish I could remember how we found each other....we're both non-Mormon's living in very Mormon towns and we both love wine. She's like the slightly older sister that I always longed for growing up. She's smart and always knows the right things to say to make me feel better. AND I've met her in person. We just live a little bit too far from each other to get together regularly.

Tina at My Lipstick Life....we met on twitter and then in person on one of my trips to Denver. We are both struggling to lose weight and grew up in the 80's. She's a funny, wonderful gal and I'm so happy that we've become friends.

Amanda at Family of Shorts...We met because we were trying to lose weight and we bonded over our love of food and hatred of the scale. She's a wonderful friend that always has a kind word to share.

Amber at AeFilkins...I don't know how I found her but it's because of her that I found many of the gals that are listed above. She's the sweetest friend and creative as can be. She remains positive even when she is hurting and her devotion to God is inspiring.

Jen at Tatertos and Jello...I *think* Amber is responsible for this hook up too. Jen is the most fabulous person. She is one of the only Mormon friends that I have that completely liked me for who I was and didn't want to try to change me. She's the kindest, sweetest and most creative person I've ever met. AND she's stunningly beautiful. I had the pleasure of meeting her and some of her kids in person and I'll cherish that afternoon that I spent with them always. Oh, and she was on a local TV show recently making a burlap wreath...

Becca at The Texas Darlings...Pretty sure Amber's responsible for this one too. I love Becca's posts about her kids and all of the fun things they do together. And she has the most adorable baby boy who is growing up way too fast. She also has a fun new business called Darling Moments where she'll take your photo's and make a DVD for you.

Teri at Mighty M Family...Teri has the most beautiful kids and the hottest husband. AND she's a knock-out! I love talking to her on twitter.

Heather at The Magnificent Mayhem Maker...Heather is another one of my twitter buddies. I love chatting with her during the day and her posts about her daughter and her sister Molly are so funny!

Barbi at Fit Mom Now...another twitter friend but also one of the most supportive people in my weight loss journey. We have very similar backgrounds and goals and I know that we'll be Fit Mom's someday very soon!

My life is better because of these ladies and their support. There are more...I know I've missed someone but Mallory just woke up and I have to fetch her some breakfast and put together her puzzle again.

Who is your tribe?

EDITED: I knew I was missing someone this morning....a couple people actually. Thanks to the power of Sesame Street I can finish this post.

3 Men & A Lady...aka Mrs. D. Another of my favorite twitter people! She's losing weight too and her
stories about her Frito smelling dog are hilarious. She's a fun read!

Jennifer at Momma Made it Look Easy...this is one whitty gal and she still loves me even though I'm a Sarah Palin loving Republican. I can't wait to find out if she likes Kate Gosselin or not.

Jen at Buried with Children...we bonded over coffee at SITScaiton and we've been friends ever since. She's the mother of 4...three of them triplets. I think she's Super Mom!

Focus on the Family: March 2010

2010-03-01T11:46:00.002-07:00

We did great with our plan last month! I'm loving how this is helping us stay connected and making sure we do everything we can to make the month great. I just need to spend more time reading....

The kids loved our holiday breakfast for Valentine's Day and decorating the house was fun too. I'm looking forward to Easter and I need to come up with some fun things to do...I think they will really love searching for eggs this year.

Family Time....quality time together.

Family Outings (bookstore, movie, bowling)
Read more books
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day (crafts, stories, songs)
Decorate the house for Spring (and Mallory's party) on March 12th
Bake something together
Read Your Child's Strengths

Kid Time....play and preschool.

Mallory's Birthday Party!
Play date with friends
Visit the libraryGet a library card
Puzzles
Incorporate new routine (I'll be blogging about this on Friday)

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

Night Out with friends
Read Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
2010 Simple Living Book Club

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

Thursday Night Movie/TV night (No World of Warcraft allowed)
Date Night....March 5th
Oscar Party at Sara and Mike's House

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

Clean and Organize Master Bedroom/Bathroom
Finish planning Mallory's birthday party

Gratitude:

I am thankful this month for hope. I am really believing that God has a plan for us and it's going to be fabulous. I believe that a bigger and better opportunity is right around the corner for us and I can't wait to be able to share it with all of you! Soon....

What plans are you making for the month? Stay on track! Write a post with your goals for the month and link up.

Bring on the Fabulous!

2010-03-01T06:00:00.005-07:00

You all know that I love everything about positive thinking and making my life better. I think this little blog, which started out as a way for me to update my family on our lives here in Utah has become a place of therapy for myself and a way for me to journal my journey to make my life and my kids' lives the best ever. I'm so thrilled that I've made some wonderful friends along the way....friends that have the same goals and troubles that I do.

I started following a gal named Kadi on twitter a few weeks ago because I kept seeing her twitter handle showing up in my stream. And then I saw her super cute picture and I decided I wanted to know more about her and what she was talking about. She's been tweeting about positivity and being a change maker and you know I couldn't resist. Kadi is launching a new site called Girly Gazette and she's all about lifting women up. Here is a quote from the site that explains it beter than I can.

Girly Gazette is a sassy eZine, chalk full of of fun, fashion, social media, lifestyle, motherhood, shopping, celebs and so much more! It is a little bit naughty and a little bit nice for a good reason. We are all created uniquely and not all of us fit the Suzie Homemaker mold, so why force it? We at Girly Gazette celebrate our saucy ways and share our love of all things girly because we know we cannot be the only ones out there who’d rather shop for shoes than scrapbook. So pour yourself a martini and hang out with us for awhile! Don’t worry, we won’t bite…much. *wink*

All week I will be blogging each day's challenge. This will be a great way for me to further my journey to making positive changes in my life that will benefit my family and make me a better mom, wife and friend. And on Friday....I'm going to share something that has inspired me so much and will have a special giveaway! If you want to be a change maker in your own life, then go here and see what the daily challenges are and join me.

Today...Kadi wants to know What makes you feel fabulous?

I really talk a big game about Mom's taking care of themselves and having down time so that they can recharge their batteries and do their jobs better. We all NEED this time. The problem is that I don't always take this time because I feel guilty for making my husband take care of the kids while I ~~run away from home~~ take some time for myself and get some peace and quiet.

When I do get over my Mommy Guilt and announce to my husband that I need a break...the things that make me feel fabulous are:

Going to the Movies.
Drinks with my girlfriends.
Shopping with Calvin's credit cards.
Massage at a spa.
Weekend trip to a blogging conference.
Writing in my journal at Starbucks.
Date night with my husband.

But it's also all about the little things that bring me joy and make me feel so much better:

Freshly polished finger and toe nails.
First cup of coffee in the morning.
Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Drinking a Martini with my husband after the kids go to bed.
Reading a book in bed.
Bubble Baths
Listening to my favorite song.
Buying new makeup
Reading blogs that inspire me.
Cooking a favorite meal.
Losing weight!

Lastly, there are the things that just happen that make me smile from the inside out:

Listening to my children play and laugh together.
Play date with my friends and watching our kids play together.
A passionate kiss from my husband.
Sharing a big belly laugh with my sister.
Watching my mother in law read to my daughter.
Hearing my son tell me about a crazy dream he had.
Seeing my children proud of something they've learned or done.
A sweet message or card from a friend that was thinking about me.

Mostly, the feeling of happiness that I get from being home with my family doing regular everyday things like baking muffins, coloring and glueing paper, sewing a quilt, cleaning my house, playing with the kids and watching movies with my husband. Making a home and being a family. The contentment of being the person that I always wanted to be and living the life I always dreamed of. These are the things that make me feel fabulous.

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned ~ Maya Angelou

*Focus on the Family post!

The Connie Diaries~ February 1987

2010-02-28T07:19:00.001-07:00

Last month, Connie started off the new year by getting written up at her job at Burger K.ing because she didn't know she was supposed to work. She attended the funeral of her 5th Grade teacher who died of cancer and was really disappointed in herself because her grades weren't what she wanted them to be. Her parents agreed and they grounded her. She's going to go crazy if someone doesn't like her pretty soon....

My comments.

*******************

February 13, 1987 Friday

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I don't have a boyfriend. How long is this going to last? I don't work at Burger K.ing anymore...thank goodness. I was miserable and I never want to work fast food again. I'd really like to get a GOOD job.

I got a letter from my cousin Tara today. She has a chance to be a model but she's afraid her boyfriend will break up with her. I think that's pretty stupid. It should be obvious that the way to go here is to fulfill her dream and not worry about what a boyfriend will do. I wish I had followed my own advice.

I haven't been to school in three days. On Tuesday, someone called the school and left a message for Eric Mc Bride that my dad's airplane had gone down and they couldn't find the wreckage. It wasn't true as I found out later but I freaked out and I was crying so the school sent me home. I went directly to my Mom's work and talked to my Dad on the phone. I love my Dad so much and I don't know what I would do if something happened to him! I don't have any proof, but I believe that Eric McBride called the school and left that message for himself. He had a history of mental health problems and had spent time in a Mental Hospital. He was obsessed with my Dad and our family. After this incident, I stayed far, far away from Eric.

February 15, 1987 Sunday

Today has been a rotten day. I woke up with a headache and when I went to take a bath, all of the hot water was gone because my beloved sister used it all.

Something good has happened. The house that we want is ours....the owners accepted our contract and now we have to sell our house. We have three agents trying to sell it and hopefully we'll be moving into our new house soon.

7:00pm...Tonight at 5:30pm, I got into a car accident. It was my fault and I'm going to have 3 points taken from my license. My Dad is so mad at me right now and I hate it when he's this mad. I feel like he doesn't love me anymore. He's taking my car away....forever. I was pulling out of the Target parking lot making a left turn when Bobbi saw a car and yelled STOP. I did and the car hit my door. I was fine until the cop showed up and it was the woman that babysat me when Bobbi was born. And then I lost it.

February 16, 1987 Monday

I have a feeling that there's no way I'm getting out of this one. Dad said that my insurance rates are going to double and if I want to keep driving I will have to pay the other half. Well...there's no way I can come up with $120 every 6 months. That is just impossible.

February 18, 1987 Wednesday

I guess I'm going to keep driving, I just have to come up with $160 every 6 months. I don't know what I'm going to do. Hopefully I can get some babysitting gigs but other then that this is an impossible situation. Why does my life have to be so hard? Have you ever just felt so hopeless? I remember this time so well....I was so sad.

February 20, 1987 Friday

Tonight I went rollerskating with Lola and I was so bored. I did meet this one guy named Nat from Eaton. I probably won't ever see him again. I don't think I'm ever going to have a boyfriend again. Oh you silly girl....

February 22, 1987 Sunday

I'm bored and there is nothing to do. Dad's going flying but he's going with Eric Mc Bride so I don't want to go. I wish just me and Dad could go because I don't want anything to do with Eric. Good idea...that guy is trouble!

Boy Decoder:

Eric Mc Bride(non-boyfriend)~ family friend that works at Burger King

Chris(non-boyfriend)~ boy that works at Burger King

Dick Moore~ boy that Connie asked to Christmas Ball in December 1986

Derek Bees~ boy from French Class

Aaron Byner~ boy from West that Connie did *something* with in the basement of Shirley's house in November 1986. He then did *something* with Shirley too. We still don't know what *something* is.

Buddy Wagner~ Aaron's best friend. Has a great sense of humor.

Rhett Bryan~ boy from school that calls Connie a lot, met in October 1986

Phil - Senior that Connie met in August 1986 at Dora's house. Connie wore his class ring for 4 whole days before he decided that he didn't want to be tied down or Connie's Dad bored him to death while showing him videos about flying. Either way, Connie kicked him to the curb.

Jason- boy from Connie's 3rd hour that she ran into at a touch football game that likes her.

Randal - Best friend of Phil, works at Little Caesars with Dante.

Dante - Assistant manager of Little Caesars, 18 year old high school graduate.

Brian Flannigan - boy that Connie met and kissed in Canada in July 1986 that lives in Fargo North Dakota. He has a girlfriend named Melissa. Connie flew up to see him in October and he hit a parked car.

Andrew - boy that Connie met in April 1986 at the skating rink, lives in Ault, broke up with her because she was grounded for the month of May. They got back together before her trip to MN in July then he was never heard from again.

John - best friend of Andrew, possibly impregnated his girlfriend, Connie crushed on him while she and Andrew were broken up.

Berto - boy that Connie went out with from December 1985 to January 1986. She stalked him again in March 1986 and he told her they were just friends and to stop breaking into his locker.

Ollie- boy that Connie liked in March 1986

Chase is a boy that Connie liked and stalked in February 1986

Donnie - boy that worked at the grocery store that Connie stalked for most of 1985.

Greg O- boy that Connie stalked from off and on from September to December 1985

Troy- Connie's first real boyfriend that she went out with in October and November 1985, BFF of Berto. He also went out with Lola (BFF). Connie's Dad gave him an airplane ride for his 16th birthday and he may have threatened to throw him out of the plane....they broke up soon after.

Sean- Connie's first crush in 8th grade that wanted her to pull a tire around the track in exchange for wearing his football jersey.

Karma: Ready for the Times to Get Better

2010-02-26T08:49:00.003-07:00

I was looking for some uplifting songs to add to my new Hope and Change playlist and I came across this old song from the 80's. I always loved Crystal Gayle when I was growing up. I think good things are coming for my family. And you know I believe in The Secret and thinking positive thoughts and all that jazz.

I've decided to make this a regular Friday feature here at The Young and The Relentless. Putting positive thoughts and messages out into the universe! Leave a comment with your positive thought for yourself, your family or just in general! Join me in bring good things into our lives!

Have a great weekend!

When you're out on a limb...the whole world is at your feet. ~Author Unknown

Steve and Alec do The Oscars

2010-02-25T10:37:00.005-07:00

I'm a little bit excited today.

I love movies. I love the stories and the feeling of being somewhere else for 98 minutes. I love that some movies make me cry, laugh and not be able to sleep at night.

I love watching The Oscars to see who wins for best actress, actor and picture for the year. I really love when a movie that I've seen and loved wins. And Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin should be fun to watch don't you think?

I'm really excited because my friends Sara and Mike invited us to an Oscar Party!! As soon as I RSVP'd Yes....I went to check out the nominees for Best Picture and I was disappointed that I've only seen one of them. And the one I have seen...I've seen 50 times. That movie would be UP!

*Movies I've Seen

Best Picture
Avatar
District 9
An Education
The Blind Side

The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
Up In The Air

UP
A Serious Man

Best Lead Actor
Jeff Bridges.....Crazy Heart
George Clooney....Up in the Air
Colin Firth....A Single Man
Morgan Freeman....Invictus
Jeremy Renner....The Hurt Locker

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon....Invictus
Woody Harrelson....The Messenger
Christopher Plummer...The Last Station
Stanley Tucci...the Lovely Bones
Christopher Waltz....Inglourious Basterds

Best Lead Actress
Sandra Bullock....The Blind Side
Helen Mirren.....The Last Station
Carey Mulligan...An Educaiton
Meryl Streep....Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz....Nine
Vera Farmiga....Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal....Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick....Up in the Air
Mo'Nique....Precious

So....the plan for the next 10 days is to see as many of these movies as we can. A few of them are available on DVD and some are still in theaters! I'm really disappointed that I won't be able to see Up in the Air. There are theaters that are showing all 10 films over two weekends....so I could go see it, but you have to buy a ticket for all of the movies and I don't have that kind of time.

And of course, there is an iPhone App for The Oscars.

How many of these have you seen? Will you be watching? Which movie do you think will win best picture?

788, 922

2010-02-23T20:53:00.003-07:00

I know I've touched on it before....but I'm so in love with my life. Being here everyday with my kids and watching and enjoying every single thing they learn and do is the most amazing gift. Knowing that I got to be here with them for all of their moments will be something I always hold in my heart. And I know someday when they are teenagers and they don't like me...I'll be able to draw on those memories and remember when they were little people.

I've been in a panic for the last few days because I realized that Alex will be starting Kindergarten in 18 months. Did you hear that? That was the wind being sucked out of me again. 18 months will be gone in the blink of an eye. We've been in Utah for 41 months and it feels like we just moved here yesterday.

The time is going too quickly and I have to savor every minute of the next 18 months. 788,922 minutes. I have so much to do and thanks to my friend Sturgmom...so much to say YES to.

Oh, and can someone please explain to me how my baby...is about to be three years old? How the heck did that happen?

So to go with the theme of loving my life and enjoying my job as a Mom...I came across this video that proves to me that what I'm doing matters and I intend to watch this every day for the next 18 months.

Get a tissue....

The Bachelor: Women Tell it ALL

2010-02-23T07:24:00.002-07:00

I always enjoy the Women Tell All shows...they are usually very informative and this one didn't disappoint. The only thing that bugged me is how they jumped around all over the place on this one. My notes...are a mess. My husband worked on his laptop next to me while I watched and he said he thought this was one of the prettiest set of girls they've ever had.

The taped recapping of the season with Jake and Chris seems a little weird to me, I wonder when they taped it. He mentioned that Elizabeth was playing games with the no kissing thing and that crossed a line with him. He talked about how his relationship with Vienna blossomed when they jumped off that bridge together. And then he said what I've known all along...he and Tenley are a match made in heaven!

The segment where they showed the Bachelor Reunion Orgies in Vegas and Mexico made me really uncomfortable. But then I like how they tried to redeem themselves by doing charity work for homeless people. I still think Juan is as gay as a 2 dollar bill.

And then we begin....Chris talks about how they start out with 25 well adjusted women and that led to a segway of discussing Michele. There were several castmates that said she was scaring them and a little spacey. They put her in the hot seat and she did a pretty good job of defending herself. Because really what can she say? Chris asked the ladies twice if they did an honest edit job of Michele and everyone said there was nothing to edit...she was what she was. Bat Sh*t Crazy. Poor Michele....

I loved, loved, loved the comments that people had about Tenley. That she fell out of a disney movie, she sh*ts rainbows and dreams in cartoons. I love Tenley and she's been my favorite from the beginning and those were all completely accurate.

The comments and scenes about Vienna were right on as well. They described her as catty, drama, trailer trash and immature. They said she would say things without thinking and then apologize. After awhile...no one liked her anymore.

No one had anything to say about Ali but she defended some things she said and confirmed what I already thought...she's a mean girl. She mentioned that she needs to work as hard at love as she does her job and I would have to agree. I fully expected they were going to announce her as the next Bachelorette last night...but they didn't.

Gia took the hot seat and she said that she realizes that she didn't tell Jake how she felt and she normally bottles up her feelings. But she's learned from this experience and the next time she finds a guy to date she's going to be more like Michele. WHAT???? Oh god NO!

Rozlyn took the hot seat and it was very interesting. Earlier in the show they had discussed it a little bit and some of the girls told stories about what they had seen between Rozlyn and the producer in question, we'll call him ~~Dave~~ Ryan. She was obviously not in *the green room* watching the show because once Gia, Jessie and Ella told what they saw...Rozlyn said they were all lying and none of it ever happened. She says that she and ~~Dave~~ Ryan were just friends and he letting her use his cell phone to call her son. She also said when Chris confronted her on camera about this inappropriate behavior, she thought he was talking about the cell phone use. That's why she didn't deny it. She asked Chris to produce tape that proved what he's accusing her of and he explained that they do not roll film 24 hours a day, that there is lots of down time and ~~Dave~~ Ryan would know when the camera's where rolling and when they weren't. And she accused Chris Harrison of hitting on ~~Dave's~~ Ryan's wife in New Zealand. Are you kidding me?

So...last but not least, Jake comes out. They discuss some of the break ups and he talks about how his heart was crying and then it was telling him that one of the ladies was wonderful and then it was broken. Jake's poor heart has taken a beating!

The funniest thing of the whole night....the blooper reel. I had to rewind parts of it several times because it was so funny. I'm sure it will be on You Tube soon.

Jake says that he is happy with how the show turned out. Unfortunately, I've read the spoilers and I think I know who he picks. I hope I'm wrong.

Who do you think gets the final rose? Are you Team Tenley or Team Vienna?

TEAM TENLEY!!!

EDITED: The guys name is RYAN and you can see a sexy ass picture of him HERE.

Friend Makin Monday...Confessions

2010-02-22T09:04:00.002-07:00

Do you ever lay in bed on Monday morning and realize you have nothing to blog about? After drawing a blank this morning I was really hoping that Amber would have something good for me today to save me. And she did....she wants me to confess what I did this weekend.

It was a pretty lazy weekend really. We didn't do anything with the kids because they got in trouble for pouring a new bottle of saline solution down the sink earlier in the week so they lost their reward for doing their chores.

We don't go out to eat when I'm on the protocol so we BBQ'd outside since the temps were half way decent (38 degrees in Utah is a heatwave). We didn't eat outside....cuz that would just be crazy!

Calvin is working his tail off to learn everything he needs to know for this new project I was telling you about. Even though he's tired from getting only 6 hours of sleep a night...he's in a great mood and a joy to be around. I mentioned it to him last night and he said he finally feels hopeful about something. I told him that's some Hope and Change that I can believe in! I'm so happy that he's feeling so much better about life in general and I hope this is the beginning of something great for him.

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. ~ Allan K. Chalmers

Bobbi and I started working on some stuff for Mallory's birthday party. ( can't wait to show you) Bobbi is making something special for the gift bags and I was making her birthday invitations. I realized that I suck at making circles so we ran out to Michaels for some circle making plastic stencils....and then we went to Target because I'm melting out of my clothes. For a full account of what happened at Target....go to my fitness blog for Tales from the Fitting Room. The bad thing that happened at Target is the reason for my confession today.

I cheated on my diet again. Bobbi failed to keep me from purchasing and eating a little debbie Red Velvet cake. She is now fired from accompanying me to the store. Psst...don't tell the people that read my fitness blog. I didn't tell them about my slip up. I didn't feel too bad about the cheat because it was only 100 calories and 17g of carbs and I still lost .4 pounds. But I'm seriously not going to do it again. That was my LAST cheat. I promise.

I also watched the last 4 episodes of United States of Tara that I got from NetFlix. Have you seen this show? I just love it!! It's on showtime so I'll have to wait for the next season to come out on DVD but I seriously love all of the actors and I'm going to miss them so much.

Just like I miss Bill since Calvin cancelled HBO.

Home Alone....

2010-02-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

My sister~~wife~~ had the day off from work and she took my kids out for four and a half hours. I didn't know what to do with myself. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been alone in my house for more than an hour in the last 4 years. I ate my lunch (taco salad...hamburger and romaine) and then I lit some candles and turned on some music. I wanted to read...but I cleaned the windows instead. Then I moped the floors, vacuumed and cleaned a couple bathrooms. I even texted Calvin and tried to get him to come home for a little Afternoon Delight.....

I finally sat down to watch The Young and The Restless but I kept jumping up to clean or organize something. I think I have a problem.....

Then, I cheated on my diet and I ate a 1/2 cup of Golden Grahams. It was soooo good!! Then when Bobbi got back she brought more candy into my house and I had a couple jelly beans. I was so mad at myself and my punishment was a dinner that consisted of one hardboiled egg. I still managed to lose 1.2 pounds...don't ask me how.

This brings me to this problem that I have. WHY? Why couldn't I relax and do something for myself? Why couldn't I read a book or watch a movie? Or take a freakin nap? My head is still reeling at how panicked I felt. I think there must be something seriously wrong with me and I need professional help.

What would you do with 4 free hours?

I Love my Ordinary Days

2010-02-19T12:15:00.005-07:00

You might not know this, but I started my second round of the hCG Protocol this week. It's been tough...much tougher than the first time but luckily I had something to keep me busy and my mind off from food. My friend Angie ordered a Chore Chart from me and I like the one I made for her so much better than the one I made for my kids. I was so excited about it that I decided to share it with you. Angie gave me a couple colors that she liked and I tried to find some scrapbook paper to match...I love the birds!

You may also remember me telling you about the family journal that I'm keeping. I read a wonderful post this week from InCourage about a similar journal and it inspired me to add a little more to mine. Now each week, I will add my lists. It's the perfect addition to what I wanted for this journal and I can't believe I didn't think of it myself. My goal with this is to have something to look back on to see a snapshot of our lives. To remember and enjoy. My lists and thoughts on a page will be the perfect thing for the kids to look back on someday and help them really know me. My journals are my legacy...

And then I read a quote from a blog that I mostly lurk on. Do you have blogs that you read but don't comment on because they inspire you so much that you don't feel like you can express in words what they mean to you? I might be the only silly one but Enjoying the Small Things makes my life so much better. Today I opened my google read to find this....

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

Kelle's posts about her family are so touching and wonderful and her photographs...oh my gosh, she's just fabulous. So often when I read her posts I take away something significant that I want in my life. Today she helped me remember that I'm in love with my ordinary days and I want to cherish them. This is the life I always dreamed of and I'm so happy it's mine.

In other news...my darling husband is working night and day. After the children go to bed at night he has been working several hours on a project that could bring that job opportunity I told you about the other day. I wish I could tell you more...and I will when I can. Thank you so much for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers.

I'm a Geek Lover not a Greek Lover

2010-02-17T19:55:00.003-07:00

Before I show you what Stavros looks like....I need to explain something. I love nerdy guys. A trip to the Apple Store turns me on and if you really want to get in my pants...buy me a iTunes Gift Card. I won't even tell you what I did to Calvin when he bought me Apple TV.

For example...my TV boyfriends are all of the geek/nerd variety. Like.....

Dwight Schrute

Henry Grubstick

Then there's the guy that invented Apple Computers....Steve Wozniak.

And my honey bunny Calvin.

So it shouldn't surprise you at all that I'm attracted to brains.....

Garrison Keilor

This is who Stavro's looks like....about 20 years younger but very, very similar.

My Big Fat Greek Boyfriend: The End

2010-02-17T06:41:00.002-07:00

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Eventually, I took Stavro's phone calls and we met for coffee and he started coming around again. I wouldn't say we were back together but we were keeping each other company and somehow I ended up giving him back the key to my apartment.

In early June, my parents came to visit and I was planning to meet them and my sister at Old Chicago's for dinner. Bobbi had a new boyfriend and we were all going to be meeting him for the first time. I was on my way to the restaurant when Stavros called me and asked what I was doing. I invited him to dinner with us and he said no. I could tell he was upset about something because he was being short with me. He called back a few minutes later and said that he was coming. Great.

Stavro's arrived after we had ordered our drinks and acted kind of huffy that we hadn't waited for him. My family tried to make conversation with him and he was short with them too. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what his problem was so I asked him. He told me he was really angry with me for the way I'd treated his parents and that I'd ruined any chance we had at being together. I kept trying to tell him that we were never going to really be together because of our cultural difference and the fact that his Mom didn't like me but he just kept harping on things that I was doing wrong. This went on for 30 minutes...I kept telling him this wasn't the time or place to discuss this and he just kept at it. I was so embarrassed and I asked him to leave. He refused, so I ignored him.

Finally, he stomped out of the restaurant. And then he came back...to give me my key. Thanks! Then he came back a second time with $1.79 for his soda that he had ordered. Thanks.

When I got home....I discovered my journal on the couch. He had come to my apartment and read the entire thing. This is why he was so angry....he had read all that I had written about Ike and Tina and what horrible people I thought they were. I was furious that he had violated my privacy and I never spoke to him again.

~The End~

Three months later....I met the love of my life.

*Keep us in your thoughts...a job opportunity is brewing.....

The Bachelor: Torn Between Three Lovers

2010-02-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Have I told you lately how much I can't wait for this show to be over? I like Jake but he is so freakin boring and I dislike Vienna soooo much. I cringe through most of the show. This week I was able to watch it live since my favorite shows were repeats because of the Olympics. I checked twitter a few times and NO ONE was tweeting about it. Not even Trista Sutter.

This weeks show takes place in Saint Lucia and will include lots of pretend shocked facial expressions when the fantasy cards appear. Why do they always act surprised? We started the show with poor heartbroken Ali sitting in a hotel room in San Fransisco with 8X10's of Jake printed off the ABC website next to her bed, crying about having to leave Jake. She loves her job but her life is without love.

The first date belongs to GIA. Jake is hoping that she can move past her old relationships and move forward with him...at least for the day. They decide to take a boat to some shops because he wants to see her in her natural element. They buy coconut drinks and Jake tries to dirty dance with her in the street. This poor man has not an ounce of rhythm and seeing that probably killed any chance he had of getting laid. Jake also tried to fist bump a street musician who thought Jake was trying to punch him in the face. Luckily, someone quickly taught him the secret handshake so Jake could seem cool the next time they encountered a local.

They end the evening at Smuggler's Cove...a beautiful spot on the beach with candles and a giant hammock. Jake wants to take care of her and make her feel safe....at least for today. Jake tells GIA a bunch of crap that makes her think he is deep. This is probably because Hockey players don't talk about their feelings and cry like Jake does. Jake tells her that he is falling for her....at least for today. Gia accepts the Fantasy Card and says she's ready to go all the way. They arrive at their love nest and get into a bubble bath. My 2 year old was watching this with me and she wanted to know why they were taking a bath. I told her they were dirty.

Tenley arrives at the airport for her date and then gets to go on a tour of the island. Jake enjoys watching her excitement and is happy that they agree on so many things...like marriage and family. The copter drops them off at a rainforest and they have a picnic and then go exploring. She loves every little thing about Jake and he wants to have a boy crush on his wife for 20 years.

They go to a black sand beach and frolic in the surf. Tenley is worrying about the Fantasy Card that is coming because this is her chance to mention her ex-husband and the fact that she hasn't been with any other men since him. Tenley decides to throw all caution to the wind and accepts the card. Jake dances with her and she tells him she wants to dance with him forever. She trusts him with her heart and he can see she'd make an amazing wife.

Slutty Vienna meets Jake at the marina and they board the real Pirates of the Caribbean boat. Jake puts on an eye patch and then closes the wrong eye...dork. Then he and Vienna take turns licking each other. GROSS! Jake admits that he enjoys her immaturity. Cue On the Wings of Love music. GAG! They climb the mast and make out...now they are are over their fear of heights and then they jump off from the boat into the water. Jake needs to make sure that what they have isn't just sexual. Vienna tells him that she wants to be a Mom but not right away. Then he asks her what kind of ring she wants.

They arrive at the Fantasy Suite and she wants to show Jake that she can be elegant so she slips into a while satin nightie. And then I threw up.

The Phone, the phone is ringing!

Ali is on the phone....and she's a mess. She's made a wrong choice and she's sorry for what she put him through. And she wants to come back. He tells her he was falling for her in San Francisco but she broke his heart there so he left it in the trash. Plus, he just got done sleeping with the three remaining girls so he's so not in love with her anymore.

Ali can't beleive that his feelings have changed in such a short amount of time and she slumps onto the floor. Jake thanks her for calling....bye. Why does she sit on the floor everytime Jake makes her cry?

Rose Ceremony

Jake has fallen in love with all three womens. But he picks Tenley and Vienna to meet his family.

Next week: The Women's Tell All!

Crafting...Instead of Eating Cookies

2010-02-12T16:11:00.003-07:00

As many of you know...I've been on a super journey to lose massive amounts of weight and change my entire life by changing my eating habits. Since I was a little girl I've been an emotional eater and....

OH MY GOD YOU GUYS!! Chris Gorham just talked to me on twitter again! He tweeted this:

Then I tweeted this:

And then he said THIS:

okay...where was I? Oh yes, I'm an emotional eater and I've been changing my ways. I can no longer take my feelings out on a bag of cookies when things are stressing me out. I've had to find other outlets for my stress. I made a short list of things to replace cookie eating with and this is what I came up with.

1. Exercise

2. Sex

3. Crafts

4. Reading

5. Cleaning

Exercise and Sex had to be removed from this list because I don't like to get sweaty and ~~I can only call the dishwasher repair man so many times~~ my husband isn't always home when I'm stressed out. This leaves Crafts, Reading and Cleaning. I'm currently reading three books at the same time....got that one covered. And every time I think Calvin's going to lose this job I start throwing stuff out, organizing and cleaning. This brings me to the craft projects I've been working on. They were both Valentine's Day related so I was under some pressure to finish them.

I made this felt pillow by cutting out circles, folding them in half and quarters, sewing them shut...then sewing them onto a piece of felt that I turned into an envelope pillow cover. It looks so cute on the chair in our family room....but I can't get the kids to leave it alone.

I saw this felt heart garland featured on Tatertot's and Jello and I knew I had to make one! I didn't add as many embellishments as Frills, Fluff and Trucks did....but I think it turned out pretty cute. This seemed to take me longer than it should have because the kids kept stealing my hearts. And that glass vase on the mantel...it had MandM's in it at one time. Note to self: Don't decorate with candy.

I've had a few people ask me if I was going to be putting my Chore Charts in my Etsy Store. I wasn't planning on it but I've decided that if anyone is interested in one I'd be more than happy to make them on a special order basis. If you are interested in buying one...they are $24.

Happy Valentine's Day!

What A Friend We Have In Pez Jesus

2010-02-11T08:07:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks ago...Bobbi and I were grocery shopping at Wal-Mart when we found the most amazing thing. Pez Jesus. Okay...it wasn't really but it looked just like him and I had to buy it especially since there was only one. You got it, there is only ONE JESUS.

We took it home and showed it to the kids and they were so excited....about the candy inside Pez Jesus. Once the candy ran out....Jesus was discarded like an old toy. I collected Jesus from his forgotten spot on the floor and put him in the fruit basket.

Yesterday, Mallory went searching for a snack and she spotted Jesus with the apples. She was so excited and ran to me exclaiming that she had found Jesus and he loved apples!

Soon...a fight broke out. The children were fighting over Jesus. And then Jesus was found again, this time in the couch cushions.

Mallory carried Jesus around all day and then informed me that he wanted to sleep with her during nap time.

And then he went to dinner with us. Mallory, who usually isn't very friendly with strangers asked our waitress if she knows Jesus. Imagine....the shocked look on her face when Mallory produced a Pez Jesus for her to see.

As she was headed to bed last night....Mallory told me that she loves Jesus. Me too, honey. Me too.

My Big Fat Greek Boyfriend: Part 3

2010-02-10T06:55:00.002-07:00

Part 1
Part 2

After a few weeks of Nikki and Angelo trying to teach me Greek...I gave up. It was too hard and I didn't want to do it anymore. This made them angry....and the speaking of Greek in front of me became more frequent and now they were arguing with Stavros in Greek. I knew it was about me....but he insisted that they just talk louder in their language. I guess he thought I was dumb enough to believe that. During this time, I wrote long entries in my journal about how unhappy I was and I nicknamed his parents Ike and Tina.

I started feeling physically sick when I was at their house and would escape to my apartment more and more complaining of illness. They started getting upset with me for not spending more time at their house and it was becoming very obvious that Nikki and I didn't like each other. Every week, Nikki would rearrange and refold the clothes that I had at their house and one time after we disagreed about one of my outfits, she removed the items she had bought for me from the closet.

Then we viewed My Big Fat Greek Wedding together and I panicked! It was like I was watching a movie of my life!!

One weekend in early March, I woke up with cramps and a migraine and got my stuff together to go home. Nikki wouldn't let me leave. She informed me that I could be sick at their house just as easily as mine. We went round a few times and then I couldn't find my purse.....

I went up to Stavros room and I was crying because this bitch was holding me hostage in her house!! Nikki followed me and decided to have a heart to heart talk with me. She told me that I had better shape up and start liking her and liking staying at her house because Stavros doesn't do anything without her approval. If she doesn't like me I'm out of there and he will never see me again. She told me about another woman that Stavros was involved with that didn't get along with her. I told her that woman was pretty damn lucky if she got away. She made sure that I knew that she had all of the power.

I told her that was fine with me because I couldn't spend another minute in her company and that if she didn't give me my purse I was going to kick her ass. She sauntered out of the room like she'd won but I knew that I was the real winner and once she returned my purse to me, I grabbed my Hello Kitty slippers and I got the hell out of there.

Stavros showed up on my doorstep later, begging me to apologize to his parents. I told him I was never going there again and I would never say I was sorry because I didn't do anything wrong. He tried to tell me that things are different in his country and they haven't fully adapted to the United States. I told him that was ridiculous because they'd lived here for 20 years.

It took me a couple weeks to figure it out but I realized that Stavros was only stopping by my apartment for an hour here and there and we weren't going out on dates anymore. I guess I didn't mind because I loved my apartment and being alone! I asked Stavros if his parents thought we were broken up and he said yes. They insisted that he break things off because I was never going to be GREEK. He'd been sneaking around to see me.

And that's when I told him that I didn't want to see him anymore and I packed up the few things he had at my apartment and asked him to leave. We argued...about his parents and about our non-existent future, then he gave me my key and left crying.....

An hour later....he was back but I didn't want to talk anymore. He stood there for and hour and a half crying and pounding on my door. Finally, one of my neighbors got tired of it and told him they were going to call the cops if he didn't leave.

A few days later, I got a call from the manager of my apartment complex. She said a couple had left a box for me. I asked if they were old and had accents and she said yes. Nikki and Angelo had returned all of my stuff. I had to laugh as I went through the box because they gave me back their Christmas presents and stuff I had given Stavros. Crazy people!

To be continued....

Oh yes, there's more!

The Bachelor: De-Ice Jake's Heart

2010-02-09T09:47:00.003-07:00

ABC didn't have The Bachelor from last night on their website this morning so I had to pay $1.99 to see it. Towards the end....I wanted my money back soooo badly.

This week is the hometown dates. Normally, I enjoy these episodes but these meetings with the parents seemed forced and unnatural...except for one. But I'll get to that in a minute.

Stoop Sitting with Jake

Jake starts off in New York with Gia's family. She takes him on a boat ride of the harbor and they take cheesy photo's in front of the Statue of Liberty and she tells him more about her past. Including a bad boyfriend who slept with all of her friends. What kind of crappy friends did she have that they all slept with her boyfriend. Jake has dinner with her family and her Mom is very concerned about Gia's haut. Jake describes Gia as amazing and organic. Organic? Looks like someone was playing around with the thesaurus. Gia's brother with a little bit of a hair gel problem...threatens to hunt our sweet Jake down and brake his legs if he doesn't pick Gia. After dinner, Jake and Gia sit on a stoop and kiss.

When You Wish Upon a Leaf

Ali's hometown date takes place in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Jake says amazing twice and then Ali says it too. Because I'm watching this at 5:30am...my drinking game (i'm drinking coffee) includes take a drink every time Jake says AMAZING. Ali talks about her tradition of wishing on leaves that fall from trees but the trees are bare so Jake shakes a tree for her so she can make a wish. Jake is a big baby and can't take the cold weather so he and Ali break into her dead Grandma's house to warm up. She introduces him to her Ghost Grandma and they share a tender moment. He has dinner with her family and Ali's Mom invites him to come outside by the fire which really was just 5 tealight candles. Poor frozen Jake can barely form whole sentences because he's frozen.

Mom feels it in her gut that Ali and Jake are going to end up together and gives him her blessing. You can tell this woman is just itching to plan a wedding! Finally, a producer gives Jake his giant blue scarf and a cup of coffee because everyone insists on making him sit outside next to this *fire*. Ali thinks she's going to get everything she wants and they share a tender kiss.

And they dined on Red Herring

Tenley's hometown date is in Newburg, Oregon. They meet in the woods and she runs to him just like the producers told her too but someone forgot to tell her to wrap her legs around his waist so when he picks her up off from the ground...her legs are stick straight. Awkward! Jake has not returned the giant scarf and now he has added a red plaid blanket. He and Tenley talk about the kind of marriage they both want and they agree that being a team...a WE is very important to both of them.

Tenley takes him to a dance studio and dances for him. He loves it and is happy that she shared this part of herself with him. Tenley introduces Jake to her family and they are all moved to tears about the possibility of Tenley being with Jake. Her Dad admits to Jake that he watches the show and had wished that his daughter could hook up with him when he saw him on The Bachelorette. Jake asks for permission to marry Tenley. I think this is just a trick so that we think he picks Tenley who is so obviously made for him. Tenley says that her heart feels safe which is the kiss of death on this show. This hometown date had more substance and feeling than all of the dates put together. I'm afraid I'm about to be terribly disappointed.....

She really is Daddy's Girl

Jake joins Vienna in Florida and he looks so much more relaxed now that he doesn't have to wear 4 layers of clothes. Of course, Vienna is dressed like a big ole slut and runs to him in a swamp. They board a boat and take a leisure ride looking at native animals...turtles, alligators and tramps. She warns him that her Dad has never liked any of her boyfriends and that he's very protective of her.

Jake meets her family and Vienna's Dad can't keep his hands off from her. He's crying because he hasn't seen her in so long (what? 4 weeks?) and gives her 4 more hugs. He takes Jake out to the shed *cue the music from deliverance* and tells him that he had better treat his little girl like a princess. Jake agrees to the terms and says that he's falling hard for Vienna.

At dinner he tells her family that he loves that she is brutally honest and that she made the other woman crazy with jealousy. He describes her as refreshing. DRINK! Jake and Vienna go lay on a bed and she shows him the ring she wears that her Daddy gave her and says she'll take it off when he becomes her Daddy. Her Dad comes in and tells Jake to keep his hands off his ~~woman~~ daughter. And that he's just right outside the door.

Back in LA....

Ali shows up at Jakes hotel room and she's crying. She's pulling an ED and says that she has to decide if she will stay and lose her job or go back to work. She's looking for Jake to help her make a decision. Jake tells her he doesn't want her to go but that she needs to minimize her regrets. She leaves and then sits in the hall crying.

Jake talks with Chris Harrison and tells him he's fallen for all four women and he doesn't know how this is going to turn out. Ali asks to talk to Jake again and they spend an unbelievable amount of my time talking and crying and sighing and finally Jake asks her NOT to go so then she says well, I'm out of here and he walks her outside and tells her that he feels like she's slipping through his fingers and he doesn't know how to stop it. He has a breakdown (Jake cries...DRINK) when her limo drives away because his haut is broken.

And alas, there will be no rose ceremony. Next week...they go to the Caribbean and in the previews...Ali calls Jake.

Edited: I've gotten a bunch of emails asking for my drinking game. Here it is:

Drink (liquor in PM, coffee in AM) when Jake:

Says Amazing, Refreshing or Nice
Puts a girl's legs over his legs
Cries
Carries Gia like a baby

What I Learned from The Princess and The Frog

2010-02-08T07:51:00.001-07:00

Most of the time, the problem seems worse than it really is. Turn your focus to the knowing that it will all work out! ~Lesetz

I'm going to begin today by telling you a few things about me that you may not know. I'm not a feminist. I love being ~~barefoot and pregnant~~ a traditional wife and mother and that Dodge Charger commercial during the Super Bowl did not offend me. I thought it was hilarious!

I am a card carrying Republican, I love Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. If I ever run into Bill O'Reilly, I'm going to kiss him square on the mouth. Sometimes...when the kids are taking a nap...I watch Fox News instead of Days of our Lives.

There. All of my secrets revealed!! Okay...I have ONE MORE SECRET.

I'm telling you this to let you know that if you don't agree with me that is completely fine and we can totally be friends, as long as you stop blaming Bush for every freakin thing and let this new president take responsibility for his actions. Obama is absolutely behind the canceling of my husband's project. HE is the CHEIF and this is HIS BUDGET.

After stressing out all week about this Moon situation and panicing about what we're going to do...I finally decided that being stressed is a choice and I don't like how it makes me feel. So, I took a deep breath, put down the vodka and started listening to my new theme song.

Once upon a time
Not so long ago....

Calvin used to work on the Roc (ket)
Obama cut the cash
He´s down on his luck...it´s tough, so tough
Connie works at home all day
Working for her fam, she doesn’t bring home any pay
Just love - just love
She says we´ve got to hold on to what we´ve got
it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We´ve got each other and that´s a lot
For love - we´ll give it a shot

Whooaaaaaa! We´re half way there
Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand- we´ll make it - I swear
Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer

The Chore Chart is working out great! The kids' reward was to go to a movie and we still hadn't seen The Princess and The Frog so we went to that. What a fabulous movie! I loved the music and the animation reminded me of the old days when I was a kid. And of course the message was exactly what I needed to hear. Don't give up on your dreams! When you find out who you are, you find out what you need. If you listen to the Shadow Man your ASS will grow back. And the best one...Goodness and Love will win in the end! Why didn't anyone tell me that Obama was in this movie?

The plan, for now....is to carry on. The key is to be happy and believe in miracles. Take care of and love each other because no matter what happens....we are a family and that's all we really need. I can't believe that God brought us to Utah for this to be a dead end. Either that, or I need to be more careful what I pray for....

And if all else fails....we're laying the ground work to get Mallory on Toddler's and Tiara's.