Unfortunately Funny

Some things are just plain funny.  And some things you don't want to watch, but you can't NOT watch.  That was the case as Whitley and I waited in the return line at Wal Mart the other day.  Right as we walked up, a lady, about 50, with crazy hair and her belly roll hanging out of her sweater approached a cashier and proceeded to tell yell at her about the lack of help behind the counter.  I think her precise words were "with half of America out of work you can't even get someone to help behind a counter!"  We all looked at each other awkwardly as she stomped back to her place in line.  I was feeling a bit ornery so I said sort of loudly "well Merry Christmas!".  She happened to be the next one in line so we all watched as the train wreck continued.

She was really jittery, I thought maybe she was on crack or something.  She kept switching her weight from one foot to the other and flipping her unruly hair out of her eye. Which, incidentally, would fall right back into her eye.  We couldn't hear what was being said but we could see that she was returning soap.  Yep, two big jugs of Softsoap.  Kinda weird, but whatever.  When he asked for her ID or something, she opened her purse duffel bag and began to dig through it.  She dug and dug, flipped her hair back, dug some more, flipped again dug, dug, flip, dug, flip and finally came up with something.  The very nice man told her to go get new soap and come back.

She had a George Foreman in her cart and she didn't want that to be messed with .  She informed him she would just park her cart over here (next to the wall).  He told her that would be fine, then she decided that might be too risky and maybe she should choose another spot.  He told her it would be fine and he would tell this lady (a coworker) not to touch it.  Just as he said that, she gave him the big "talk to the hand" and told him she would do it because "she was good at giving orders".  Really!  She said that, she told him she was good at giving orders!!  At that point I could no longer contain myself and laughed right out loud.  Total LOL.  I'm pretty sure that made my whole day.  She left to go find new soap and as I stepped to the counter I gave the young man my praises for his ability to remain kind and without a single eye roll or snicker. 

It was then that he informed us that the reason she was returning the soap was because someone had broken into her house, stole her passport and "tampered with her soap".  Yep.  Tampered with her soap.  Not to go on a tangent, but is it really Wal Marts responsibility to replace your tampered with soap??  Anyway, the whole thing was just too unreal to not be hilarious.

However, later I decided I felt really bad for enjoying her situation as much as I did.  I think she probably really is a little skitzo.  Like, actually.  That made me sad for her to have to live a life so abnormally paranoid and crazy.  I felt guilty for laughing and making fun of something that she was very serious and obviously distraught about.  I can't help that it was funny, cuz it was... but I can feel more compassion and less ridicule.  I'm grateful for a clear and very useful brain.  I guess I take that for granted.  I never worry about my soap hurting me.  So in the future, I will think before I laugh, or at least shortly after (some things are just funny) to try and be more understanding of things I don't really understand. 

PS - If she was really on crack, I take it all back cuz that's self inflicted skitzo and then it's really funny again.

Black Friday Miracles

This year Black Friday was not like any other year and honestly, I didn't like it.  This year most of the big stores opened at 10pm or midnight.  Because of this, many people who wouldn't  normally go shopping on this day, did.  This caused, in my opinion, much more chaos.  Those people don't go knowing how crazy it's going to be, knowing the lines are long, and it's highly likely you won't get everything on your list.  I blame these people for the added violence, contention and aggression that I haven't normally witnessed.  Just my opinion.

This year, before I headed out at 8pm on Thanksgiving night, I decided to just jump on line and see if there was anything I could do from home.  Wow!  Both Target and Toys R Us had many things already available at their Black Friday prices.  (I know because I did my homework)  I was able to get just about everything I needed from both stores sent right to my home.  One was free shipping and the other was $5.  Now all I had to do was get what I needed at Wal Mart.

I headed out with Stephen in tow only to find that this particular Wal Mart allowed shoppers to tear open the cellophane wrapped pallets around 6 pm.  Thus, leaving many things empty or on short supply by the time I got there at 8.  It was seriously crazy.  Normally the pallets are guarded until the clock strikes, but not this year.  Stephen and I split up so we could find the stuff on my list.  We were able to find everything but one thing.  I was a little sad cuz I knew everyone else would be out of it as well.  We were allowed to get all our goods, but not check out until 10pm.  We waited just over an hour in the check out line waiting for it to be time.  While there, we saw many people we knew so we chatted to pass the time.  As I talked to a girl I knew briefly a long time ago, I mentioned the one thing I didn't find.  When she left, the girl in the line next to me pulled that very item out of her basket and handed it to me!!  She said they changed their mind and I could have hers!!  I wanted to cry right there.  Sweetness to the max!  We were checked out and driving home by 10:15.  I got a full 8 hours of sleep that night.

The next morning I was awakened by a text asking if I was sleeping and how was I not out shopping??  I got up and headed out again to look for my non essentials (that's what I call pjs and extra stuff like that).  I stopped at Target first and it was like a ghost town.  I parked up front, shopped with hardly anyone around and had several checker outers invite me to their empty lines.  Weird.  After that I went and met Tracie and mom for our tradional breakfast on this day.  We then headed to a few more stores, rounded up a few more treasures and then parted ways.  Tracie was pooped (she shopped all night) and Mom had to go to work.  I went to the mall.  This is where my 2nd miracle took place.

JcPenny had a coupon where you saved a certain amount dependant on how much you spent.  I was gathering the things that were a bargain and seeing how much that got me to.  I found something I wanted that was a seriously good deal and was so excited, but they didn't have exactly what I needed.  The guy says he can order it online and have it sent to my house for free.  I said that was great but I couldn't do it yet since I needed to find the rest of my items so I could use my coupon.  He said not to worry about it and let me use the coupon anyway!  SO, instead of paying $30 for the item (which is a great price), I got it for $20.  And mailed to my house!!!  The way everything worked out, I also got Katy's Christmas dress, normally $50, on sale for $25... for $15.  I would say that was a successful stop!!

We also had gotten a coupon in the paper for a free movie cup with purchase of a popcorn t-shirt.  Since we buy one anyway, we went to take advantage of that.  Bonus: they let us get a free popcorn and soda as well!!  Perfect treat for middle of the day!

Finally I was shopped out and had most of what I needed anyway so I went to deliver it to my secret hiding place, aka: Mom's house.  I had made plans with Tracie to meet up with our hubbies for dinner since it was date night, that was only 2 hours away so I took a quick nap and headed out for dinner.  We had a yummy dinner and then headed home for BED!  No, I didn't get up early, but man.. how a whole day of shopping can tucker you out. 

Once home I decided I would see if there was anything I still needed available online.  I was able to get the rest of what I wanted online, plus a deal I didn't even know they had that got me something free with what I was going to buy anyway!!  Perfect ending to a really crazy day.

Volunteer

vol·un·teer (vln-tîr) n.


1. A person who performs or offers to perform a service voluntarily
 
1. to offer (oneself or one's services) for an undertaking by choice and without request or obligation



This is what I do for Glee.  Volunteer.  I give hours of my time to give these kids an opportunity to learn and perform and have experiences they wouldn't otherwise have.  I stress about it, cry about it, laugh about it and take pride in it.  I leave my family to go be with that family.  I do my best. 
 
I have been truly amazed at the whining, demanding and down right offensive parents that have yelled, emailed, thrown tantrums right in front of the kids and just plain were RUDE to us as directors.  Really??  I can't think of one incident as of yet where a parent has come up and said THANKS for doing this for my child.  I've always been on the other side, as the parent, and I'm sure I have never really appreciated all that has gone on in behalf of my children. 
 
My request now is this: If you have a child that participates in anything where their leader is a volunteer.  Be nice!!  They weren't trained and paid to do what they do, they volunteered!  I don't need a gift card at the end of the season or a plaque, but some respect and patience along the way would be rather nice. 
 
*deep breath*  I do it for the other kids, the ones who come to practice, give a hug before they leave, follow direction and love being there.  Those are the families I volunteer for.  For them, I do it.

A Princess

Today I had to teach a lesson on Individual worth to my young women.  This is a tender subject to me because I have been the girl who felt like a nobody and I have also been the girl that has had a strong witness that I'm somebody.  It breaks my heart to think of any of them feeling like a nobody and it fills me with a sense of urgency to make sure they know they are somebody.  I knew I wouldn't get through the lesson without a few tears, but it wasn't too bad.  I just hope that at least someone went away with the assurance that they matter.  That Heavenly Father knows them and loves them and has a plan for them.  That is my wish.  During Sunday School, the teacher read a little excerpt from a story and it fit my lesson so well that I asked him if I could have his notes for my lesson.  This is what it said:

From the story A Little Princess:

The character Sara teaches the other orphans "I am a princess," she says.  "All girls are.  Even if they live in tiny old attics.  Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young.  They're still princesses.  All of us."

She behaves as a princess herself - not a princess who expects to be waited upon, but a princess who knows she is of value, and who serves others with kindness.  "Whatever comes,' she said, 'cannot alter one thing.  If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside.  It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one else knows it."

Not everyone can see the princess inside, or treat us like the princesses we are, but it doesn't change that we are.  We are daughters of a King.  A Heavenly King!  There are no nobody-s to Him. 

Underwear Buddies

Anyone who knows me well knows that I really don't like wearing pants.  In fact, just last night I came home from Glee, went to the bathroom and then went to sweep the kitchen floor.  Glade came down and said "Are you seriously out of your pants already?!"  So it should come as no surprise that when I take a nap (which I hardly ever do!) I take my pants off first. 

The other day Katy had on some jeans that were kinda tight on her.  She was saying they were uncomfortable and we were just about to lay down for our naps.  I told her to just take them off and sleep in her undies.  She thought that would be really silly, but I pointed out to her that I did it every time we took a nap.  She giggled and slowly took off her jeans.  She climbed up to the bed, and snuggled in.  She giggled again and mention how funny it was. 

A few days later, I was working on the computer and she came to the office door, yanked down her stretchy pants and said "I'm ready for my nap!"  I laughed and told her I would be right there.  While getting comfy, she settled in and said "We're underwear buddies!"  As strange and slightly awkward as that sounds... Yes, yes we are!!

1st Losers OK with Me!

I won!  I won!  Ok,  so I was the "1st loser"... as my kids put it...in a pie contest at our ward party.  I got second place with my apple pie.  I didn't feel at all bad about losing to Valerie cuz everything she makes is delectable!!  Wanna know what I won?  I should take a picture.  Maybe I will once I get my trophy properly displayed.  It's an 18x24 portrait of our first counselor in the Bishopric.  Yep, close up and everything.  I'm supposed to display it until the next ward function when I will then hand it over to the next "first loser" of whatever contest they have.  Until then I will look at this very large picture of Brother Clare and think "dang I make a good apple pie!"

We had a terrible lesson in Sunday school on Sunday.  It was about appreciating our trials and why they are good for us.  What always bothers me about these lessons is that we haven't really had any serious trials.  Nothing big and daunting or testimony shaking.  Life's been pretty easy for us.  Now, I'm aware that I'm only half way through my life, but all the comments are kinda hurtful.  You know, things like "if you're not being tested it's because Satan already has you" or "You must not be destined for great things".  I feel like we are doing all that we can to be strong and teach our kids.  I know there's always more and we're far from perfect, but really....Satan already has us???  Wasn't exactly an uplifting lesson for me.

Today I spent good quality time with Glade, Katy, Chelsey, Whitley and Bo.  Just little bits of time, but bits that make the difference.  Time that is just ours.  I just need to make sure we share the love!  Chelsey and I went jeans shopping.  Glade, Katy and I went to lunch and it was so sweet to see her snuggle up to him and want to be right next to him.  Whitley and I went for a run together.  Which, might I add, was a good run!  The fastest I have run in quite some time.  I even thought I might puke!  Whitley made the comment how she was a little embarrassed that her mother could run faster than her.  Uh-huh, that's right. 

I made lasagna for dinner.  That's maybe 3 times ever for us.  I love it, but kids always whine.  Today I just did it anyway and there was very little complaining.  It was very refreshing.  I ate way too much though.  I just love that crusty, burned cheese around the edges!!  After, we had FHE and Bo cuddled with me and we had a nice talk about smiling and how it can make someone have a great day.  He has such an awesome and sincere smile.  I just adore him. 

I'm on my 8th book of the Work and the Glory for the second time.  Now that the weather has cooled off, it's really hard not to just snuggle in my bed and read.  It feels good to be all cozy in the blankets and loving what you're reading.  Too bad there's not more hours in the day!  But since there's not, I guess I'll head that direction now.  Being grateful for my very easy and blessed life. (even if it means we suck Ü )

THAT kind of day

Some days are harder than others and some are just more enjoyable as well.  Today started with the anticipation of a few things I was NOT looking forward to. 
First, getting up early to take two kids to get physicals so they wouldn't miss the first day of tryouts... which start today.  Nope, doesn't start till Monday.  Ahhh. 
-Looking inside the fridge to notice not one person ate the left over pizza from last night...breakfast!! 
-Getting work over with first thing so it wasn't hovering all day.
-Saying a prayer and finding the thing you were sure you would never find.
-While searching, finding something you needed but totally weren't looking for!
-NOT having to run the the DMV today.
-Only being on hold for 3 minutes when you were expecting 30.
-NOT having to call the person and tell them you couldn't find the thing you really needed.
-Having 2 hours all to yourself to can apple pie filling
-Having exactly enough apples to fill just the right amount of jars to make two full batches.
-Having the exact right amount of cash to pay for preschool since you just ran out of checks (that was before I found an extra one)

All this before noon???  Should I be afraid?  Nope, just gonna enjoy all the little tender mercies.

Fat Pants

I'm sure anyone who has seen me in the last few months knows I'm not the same size I was last year at this time.  Actually a good 15 pounds heavier.  Totally sucks.  Well since the weather has cooled a tiny bit, I've had the opportunity to get out my jeans.  My last years jeans.  As you surely know, 15 lbs does not keep you in the same size!  I have squeezed my fatter butt into jeans they should not be in and even had to do the pregnancy rubber band trick a few times.  It's highly uncomfortable and extremely disheartening. 

Before we went to San Fran I bought myself some fat pants.  Ahhhh, sweet relief.  After our last camping trip, they disappeared.  What??  I need those pants!!  I stuffed myself into my old jeans for another couple of weeks sure they would turn up.  I questioned every kid, insisted they go through their rooms and closets to see if they somehow got up there.  Nothing.  Finally, the other night, I bought another pair.  I won't buy many cuz I'm NOT staying this way very long. (I've said that since January)  But really, not gonna do it.  I wore my new fat pants all day Saturday to Glee practice and out on our date that night.  It was wonderful.  Seriously.  I have no idea why people intentionally where tight jeans. 

So this morning I mentioned out loud (sarcastic voice totally included) that I bought new fat pants since my old ones mysteriously disappeared. Whitley piped up and said "oh yah, they're up in my room."  Are you kidding me??  I made her go get them.. at least I can trade off fat pants now.  Hmmm, they look vaguely familiar.  Let me check... yep..  exactly like the pair I just bought.  Nice, now I have two pair of identical fat pants.  Who could ask for anything more??

Stretching

I'm not super good at stretching myself.  It's uncomfortable.  My calling dealing with the young women is very far out of my comfort zone.  Trying to get back into running has not been at all comfortable.  Recently I decided to try my hand at directing.  I volunteered to assist the production of Glee at the theater.  It's not like Glee the tv show, just like a show choir.  I thought that would be fun and insightful.  Well, it's turned out to be a little bit of a mess and slightly chaotic and stressful.  You see, the girl who was supposed to actually direct it, who has experience.. decided to drop out about six weeks into it.  Had she done it close to the beginning, it would have been challenging, but being in the middle made a lot of pieces for us to try to put back together.  Unhappy girls and parents and a lot of catching up to do.  The really ironic part of all of this is that it left me and another girl, Sarah, to put on the whole show.  Neither of us have ever done it before and I don't sing and she doesn't dance.  Funny, huh?  We were left the sole responsibility to choose, choreograph and teach all 35 or so numbers for about 80 kids.  Still funny?  Not so much. 

We enlisted the help of a couple of other women and my daughter Chelsey.  They have been so helpful, but the drama that has transpired because of this has been almost unbearable.  Lucky for me I have been able to keep control of my tongue, for the most part, to complaining and critical parents and girls. 

I would never quit on them or shun my responsibility to them although it has not been the experience I thought it would be.  Because I know how much my own kids have benefited from the theater experience, I am committed to making the best possible experience for my Glee kids as I can.  It has involved a few tears, a lot of hours and much anxiety but it's finally starting to come together.  This last Saturday was the first time I could actually see that maybe it was going to all be OK.  The directer at the Theater, Molly, has been a lifesaver to us and is quite inspiring to be around.  I love the way she relates to the kids and the way they respond to her.  I can only hope for that kind of rapport.  We have about 5 weeks till our performance and it's filled with a lot of last minute cramming and teaching and perfecting.  I'm determined to enjoy it.  Sometimes we stretch a little farther than maybe is even good for us, but we always come out with learning and understanding and appreciation for things we didn't necessarily understand before.  I have definitely come away with that!  I just hope these kids walk away feeling proud and accomplished and excited for more opportunities.  That will make it all worth it.

Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa Whitley came to visit us a week or so ago from Illinois.  He got in very late on a Sunday night and stayed until Thursday afternoon.  On Monday, since the kids had school, we went to get the big kids and take them to lunch since they had already left before Grandpa woke up.  We went to Arby's and then a quick stop at Costco before taking them back.  That night we all went to see the kids do their final performance of Camp Rock.

The next day the kids had the play during the day for field trip kids to come watch so Glade took Grandpa golfing.  I don't know exactly how it went but they came home in one piece!  That night Glade and I had our final marriage class so Granpa got left for dinner duty.  He made his famous Maid Rite sandwiches.  I wolfed one down as I went out the door and it was delicious!

On Wednesday we let the kids play hookie from school and went for a hike in the San Tans.  It was a really pretty day to be out and we were able to make it up and back with only one skinned knee.  That night we went to the pumpkin patch farm and corn maze.  It rained on us just enough to get everyone wet.  I think everyone had a really good  time though. 

Thursday we mostly just kind of hung out till it was time to take him to the airport.  It wasn't terribly exciting and adventurous, but it was really nice to see him and have him with us for a short time.  Unfortunately he just got to join in to our crazy daily lives for a bit.  We sure wish Grandma could have made it with him!!

Halloween 2011

Halloween was cheap and easy this year.  I'm not sure I really bought anything.  The kids did great at coming up with their own things or buying it themselves from the dollar store.  We had our Ward Trunk or Treat on the Saturday before.  Some of the big kids left to go help with a haunted house their friends were putting on, while Nick was our diligent candy passer outer.  The little ones ran with their friends and collected goodies.  Always a family favorite event.

Stephen

Nick wasn't going to really wear anything and I found this shirt one day so I bought it.  It bugs the crap out of me that he uses the phrase "I'm too lazy" for just about everything, but I couldn't resist. 

Brooklyn

Rhett and his newfound love for the fedora. (I guess the girls like it )

Katy

Boldon

Dalin's costume just never really came together. I felt bad for him.  We ended up putting a blindfold over his eyes (with cutouts) so to be like zorro but that only lasted a short while.  Lucky for me he can be pretty laid back.

On actual Halloween we had some friends over on a last minute decision to not go trick or treating.  Instead, we ordered pizza, decorated cookies and played a few games.  It was a hit and there wasn't a single complaint about being home.  The big kids all jumped in the van to go visit a couple of haunted houses close by.

Whitley dressed up like a nerd. 

No shortage of children here!

Nick, and Whitley with one of their friends

Kenna and Katy decorating cookies

Tanner and Bo

Stephen and Cole

I didn't see much of Chelsey this Halloween, she's all big now.  This is a picture of her and Spencer at their ward's Halloween party.  Too cute! 

It Makes Scents

Glade says I have an overactive sense of smell.  I smell everything.  I'm pretty sure it's a girl thing.  I buy most of my beauty products based on smell alone. (Now you know why I look like I do!)  Yesterday I got the job privilege of babysitting for Chelsey while she was supposed to be babysitting so she could go the Temple with Spensy-poo.  Since I was required to stay out in the living room the whole time to make sure the nine year old didn't sled down my stairs again, I decided to get out my fall decorations.  Fall is definitely my favorite season!  Well it would be if we had one.  So I lit my pumpkin pie candle and outed all the orange and yellow fun stuff.  It was perfect that the high that day was only about 74 so having the door open was pleasant and I didn't sweat even once. 

Later that evening, my friend Jenny and I were able to have a girls night out.  Her husband was out of town and mine was happy to stay at work so I could do some girl stuff.  (Which was highly needed, but that's a whole nother crybaby post)  BUT, thank you Glade! ♥ We went to dinner at SomBurro and then went over to walk around the mall.  I haven't done that without a man or child in tow for a really long time!  It's just different without someone pulling on your pantleg or waiting outside tapping their toe.  We didn't need anything in particular, just to look at stuff with no restraints.  I was fortunate enough to have just gotten a $10 off  $30 in the mail for Bath and Body Works.  I haven't gotten anything there in a really long time!  We were able to browse and smell and chat and smell some more without any hesitation.  I walked out with a really cute little bag of good smelling hand soap and a few other cute things.  I get in trouble in that store.  I want to buy things just on the cute packaging alone!  While in a store, it rained... for a minute or two... but enough to wet the ground, send up the smell of dirt (rain), and chill the air.  Perfect!! 

Since the mall was closing, we decided to run over to Kohl's and roam around there.  It was so nice to just wander.  Although, by the time I was done with the night I really just wanted to go home and put up my Christmas tree!  I don't care that Christmas is not for another 6 weeks, I can thoroughly enjoy it that long.  While we were in Kohl's, we heard a really loud noise and stopped to listen.  Is that rain??  Rain so hard we can hear it inside a big store??  We went to the door to check and sure enough.  Only for a minute or two, but it was glorious.  Rain, cold weather, good smelly stuff, Christmas everywhere and a good friend.  Absolutely, positively, perfectly what the Doctor ordered!!

The Holiday Season

It's here, it's finally here!  While scanning FB earlier I came across an e-book about making this season simple.  Of course, that appealed to my very fried brain.  As I read it, it occurred to me.  It's actually here.  The season that is.  I'm so glad someone reminded me of it so I can enjoy every single day of it.  All year I look forward to these couple of months for so many reasons.  As my family gets busier (and it seems to every year) these months sneak up, fly by and are barely enjoyed. 

Last year I remember re-evaluating Christmas and thought "there just wasn't anything special about it".  It was fine and I got everything done and had some fun times, but nothing "special".  That's because I spent my time making sure I checked everything off, got it done, made the memories.  Only, I think I missed the last part by hurriedly doing the first two.  I swore that this year I would slow it down and do it right.  Well here it is November 1st and I haven't really taken even one minute to figure out HOW I was going to do that.  This little pamphlet asks some very pointed questions and helps to put a plan in order.  Not a "get it done" plan, but a "how's it gonna be" plan.  With everything else going on in everyday life, I am busy and sometimes even a little overwhelmed, but I'm not letting this Holiday Season pass by me and not suck every bit of enjoyment out of it I can.  And that includes a lot of slowing down. 

You can find the pamphlet HERE .  It's not the pamphlet that was so eye opening and inspirational, but the realization that I might have missed it and how sad that would have been.  I possibly could have gone through the next 60 days in a flurry of "get it done" and missed the good stuff.  Having wonderful and memorable holidays is intentional, it doesn't just happen.  Thankfully I'm now on my way to an intentionally fabulous Holiday Season!!