THE REUNION

Well, it came and went. Finally.


And boy am I glad. As soon as it was over, it was like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Seems as though I was harboring around an unhealthy amount of anxiety over the whole thing. Ten years. Seems kind of silly now. Okay, so here are my thoughts about the whole thing. Keeping in mind people, I am an out and proud pessimist. And I really, really, really, wish I could be positive. Read at your own risk.


Well, the reunion itself was completely lame. And I say that full well knowing that one of my best friends in the world was on the committee. Bless. Her. Heart. On the positive side, it only cost $30 per couple which, now that I've talked to some other friends, is apparently pretty cheap. But then again, our "entertainment" for the night was Mr. Moyle. I kid you not. Mr. Moyle. The science teacher. From Skyline. Yep. Poor guy got up there and gave updates of where all the old teachers are. Seriously. And then he blew fire out of his mouth. Which was impressive, but not worth $30. The location? Skyline Courtyard. Only about nine thousand degrees. The food? Ehh. Pasta. I think if I'm not mistaken, from Fazoli's. The table decorations? Glitter. Oh, and the madrigals sang. I felt really sorry for them. They were nice to do it, but they sounded, well, um, let's just say it wasn't their best performance ever. Although Eddy said he almost felt the spirit. So that is something.


Okay, so I know the only thing you all care about is the people. So, the people? Strange. So, so, so, so, strange. It was weird, and awkward, and strange. So weird seeing all those people again. It was funny cause all the, now I don't want to say popular, but well, the too-cool crowd were still just that. Too cool. Too cool to eat, to sit down, to really be bothered to be there. It was funny. I thought for sure they would have grown out of that by now. But apparently, they all think they are still very cool. But mostly people just kinda gravitated towards their same friends from high school, which they probably still get together with on a fairly regular basis. It was fun to see some old friends I haven't seen in ten years, but really I mostly just hung around my friends I see all the time. I really was hoping to see a few of my old softball friends, but no such luck.


But on the positive side, I did fall down flat on my face. That was fun. Before I left for the reunion I had a very serious conversation with my mom and Hubs about what shoes to wear. Hubs voted for high heels, so I wore them. And well, I shouldn't have. The only time I ever wear heals is at church. Where the carpet is short, and the floors are smooth. But yeah, I totally biffed it at my reunion. Awesome.


But the best moment of the whole night, is when our lame-ass class president bowed out of planning or being involved in any future reunions. What a horse face. Seriously. Is that not the only thing the class president even does? I mean, he knew what he was signing up for when he ran. And yes, we all do stupid things as teenagers--just see my previous post. And we continue to pay the price. So suck it up Spencer.


Except for the glitter fight with Eddy, good laughs with Jen, Abby, Matt, Trish, and Jill, I'm pretty sure the night was mediocre at best. But I do have to thank the committee for even being willing to work with Spencer. And for probably planning the entire thing. Thanks for the effort guys.


And thanks to the girls for a fun night out at Porcupine after. It was too much fun giggling like school girls about all our sweet high school memories.

CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN

Okay, so here it is. The post you've all been waiting for.





I seriously can't believe it has been 10 years since I graduated high school. It's actually really freaky. And tonight is the big night. And after thinking really hard about all the positives and negatives about reunions, I decided I better just go. After all, I did talk a little bit of trash about Spencer being to lazy to have a five year-er, so I figured since he got up off his lazy ace and planned a 10 year, I better go.



And yes, you can tell him I said that. Cause it's true. His only job as class president is to be in charge of reunions. Hey, he's the one who ran for the position. Anyways, that is old hat. Let's move on.





Okay, so my fear about tonight is a) I might actually run into Spencer and be face to face with the guy I've been talking trash about for 4 years now. Yeah. That should be fun. b) that I will run into someone and I won't remember their name. And yes, I realize they will have a name tag on. And that is what will be embarrassing. Cause I'll have to look down at their chest, and then say hi. Awkward much? c) then after then embarrassing myself the other alumni (the one I didn't know their name) will be standing there waiting for my apology for whatever horrible thing I did to them as a teenager. And I will just stand there, cause I won't remember what I did. And then that will just be weird. and d) now this is a slim chance, but I might run into Peter H.





Now, why would that be weird you ask? Well, let me tell you.





In honor of my 10 year, I decided to tell all of my delicious bloggers about my most embarrassing high school moment. Just for kicks. Plus, if you are a fellow eagle, you can read this today, see me tonight and then you might feel sorry for me and come say hi. And tell me that you are glad you are not me.





Okay, well it all started out the fall of 2005. Like a gift from the gods above I was put into Mrs. Friel's english class, and the fabulous seating chart seated me right behind my future teenage crush. His name? Let's just call him, for anonymity's sake, Peter H. His cologne? CK one. And I'm not sure if I was just drunk off his cologne, but I proceeded to fall hard. Really hard.


And like a sign from above that it was meant to be, as luck would have it the locker Gods placed us just three lockers away from each other. He probably didn't notice. I however, did. And found myself at my locker much more than necessary, you know, just in case Peter needed to happen upon his. You know, for like a book or something.


Well--okay--I must give a little back info here now. One of my best friends of my whole life Toni Smith--holla--moved away after ninth grade to a boarding school in Wisconsin. And I thought it was just about the end of my life. And so because of this I wrote her ridiculously long, and totally unimportant letters everyday during school. Mostly about my drama of not being noticed by Peter. Oh, and my un-dying love for him. Or so I thought. Okay, back to the story.


So, a few months into my first semester, I was lingering around my locker for no apparent reason other than to just maybe say "Hi" to Peter, when I saw his date from homecoming give him his pictures from the dance. He threw them into his locker and went on his way. Well, me being the over-obsessive, borderline-stalker, I had already memorized his locker combination months before. (Does this scare you?) And at this point, I was really excited I had. Because at that moment, for some reason, it seemed like a brilliant idea to open his locker and steal one of his pictures from the homecoming dance to send to Toni so she could finally have a face to put with a name. In my dramatic teenage mind I totally rationalized this by saying that the forced entry was for my friend. Not me. Apparently burglary is fine, if it has a good purpose.


So, I broke in, and while I was in the middle of my crime, right there next to his homecoming pictures (which I did in fact steal one sheet of) were like another gift from the gods, a few childhood pictures of Peter. From when he was like 6 or 7. So what was a loved-crazed teenager to do? Steal those pictures too.


Now, you are probably wondering to yourselves where the embarrassing part comes in. Well, right now, so hold onto your hats amigos.


Okay, so I now had the stolen pictures in my possession. Only one thing to do. Put them on my desk at home and stare at them. In the mean time, the next girls choice dance was coming up quickly, and since I have no sense of what is right and wrong as proven previously, I decided to actually ask Peter to the dance. No sense in having a crush if you can't do anything about it right? So, I ended up asking Peter to the dance by lame-ly putting a bag of chips and salsa on his doorstep with a picture that said, "You're all that and a bag of chips. Will you go to (whatever dance it was) with me?


And honestly, looking back. What was I thinking? Peter should have just remained a crush. Someone to admire from afar. He was, and I say this truthfully, way out of my league. At least in a looks sort of way. Ya know?


Okay, well, as luck would have it, for some odd reason I decided to pull those Peter photos out and write Toni a letter and send the pictures so she could validate my crush for me. So there on my desk I had the letter which professed my undying crush for Peter with one of his dance photos (with another girl) and his two childhood photos. Which I decided to write on the back of. Something to the effect of: Toni--This is Peter. Isn't he hot? With lots of hearts. And then, instead of putting the letter and photos in a envelope like a normal person and mailing it, I forgot about it and it sat on my desk for a week or two.


And in the mean time, don't forget that I had asked Peter to a dance. Okay, well, one weekend night Peter and all of his friends decide to answer me about the dance. So, they come to my house, and my brother, who at the time I didn't exactly get along with, sees them leaving the stuff on the doorstep, and asks them if they want to come in and put the stuff in my room. My messy, disgusting, teenage room. And I'm talking dirty laundry and clothes and underwear all over the place. AND THE PICTURES AND LETTER ON MY DESK. So the 5 or 6 guys that go to my high school, that I have to see soon, come into my mess of a room, and put the poster and candy down somewhere, and do they just leave? Nope. I guess Peter or one of his friends sees his picture on my desk. And they precede to read the letter, and wait for it, wait for it--they see the sheet of dance pictures and they don't just take them (cause that would be fine, cause you know, they are HIS.), nope. They cut one out and took it. Can you believe it? Yes, they actually took one, and left the rest for me. Ahhh.


And then I came home later. And Dave, my brother who I love so dearly, just starts laughing and tells me to go check out my room. My disgusting mess of a room. And I realize at that moment what has happened, and just how EVIL my brother is. I go to my room, and am MORTIFIED. He has seen my room. My dirty laundry. And my letter. And his pictures. And. he. took. one.


Oh man. The mortification. I was so embarrassed I was physically sick for two days. I seriously stayed home from school for two entire days and threw up non-stop. Finally, I guess I realized I couldn't drop out of school, so I went back. And my friends were super sweet, and just quietly laughed, and told me, "hey, at least he didn't change his mind and say no." And then it hit me. I'd actually have to not just go to school and try to avoid him, but go to a dance with him. And be his DATE. (On a side note, just cause I think it's funny, he told me he had this CD he wanted to listen to in the car--and guess what it was? Shaggy. It wasn't me.)


Yeah. I was a pretty awesome teenager. Anyways, I survived the experience, and for many years, well at least days, I learned my lesson about the importance of cleanliness. And kept it fairly clean for a week or so. And I went to the dance. And I survived. But it was amazing to me how quickly my crush for Peter evaporated once I had humiliated myself. Pretty soon I couldn't even stand to see him. And just the smell of CKOne was enough to make me puke.


My apologies to my friends who have heard this before. And ya know what? I even saw Peter H. at a bar a year or so ago, and my brother Dave was even there. And I said in the sternest voice that I could muster to him, "If you even for a minute think that it would be funny to embarrass me at this point in my life, I will never talk to you again." And he laughed and laughed, but didn't embarrass me. Wow. We really have made progress. And can you believe after what he did to me that I even talk to him still?


So there you have it. My most embarrassing teenage high school moment ever. I hope you enjoyed it. It truly was the worst day of my life, but has turned out to be pretty darn funny. I was just such a dramatic crazy teenager. And one thing is for certain, I definitely learned my lesson about stealing stuff out of lockers. You can bet your bottom dollar I never did that again.




See all you eagles tonight! Go class of 98!

STAY TUNED

I realize that I have become crappy at blogging.

But that's not for lack of things to blog about. In fact, here is my list of things I would like to post about in the near future.

• my upcoming ten-year high school reunion. Upcoming as in tonight. I hope to be able to share with you my thoughts about this today during naptime. Should be riveting.
• holy cow. It's about time for a Ragnar update. One word. Fan-freaking-tastic!
• this awesome article I read in the local Catalyst magazine all about families. Sounds boring, and my post might be boring too, but I think it's worth a boring post.
• SYTYCD. Now that a few weeks have passed, a few favorites have emerged. And I'd like to give them credit and call out the winner now, before it is too late.
• upcoming Master bath remodel. My ideas and thoughts, and then your ideas and thoughts about my ideas and thoughts. Upcoming up means sometime in the next 3 years. Hopefully.
• I took both my kid to Lagoon Wednesday. Too many funny things to not post about.

So yeah. Are you just on the edge of your seat? These are just a few of the blog posts a- whirlin' around in my head. For some reason Summer just seems to be crazy busy and exhausting. I swear, something every night, and the heat? Ri-donk-u-lus. So stay tuned peeps. The posts will be a commin'.

TUESDAY'S TIP REDBOX LOVE

Okay, so I know many of you already know of, and regularly enjoy your local Redbox, but I must say it again. What would I do without Redbox?


Pay more than $1 for a movie? That is just insane.


Well, today's tip (sorry for the belated-ness) comes courtesy of the Redbox. Okay, first off: The Bucket List Well, I have to say, this was an okay flick. Not my favorite, but definitely not the worst movie I've rented before either. I'd have to give it a B rating. I really liked Jack and Morgan, but I'm pretty sure without these two guys this movie would have been a bust for me. But these two guys are awesome, so I did enjoy it. Made me think about all the places and things I'd love to do before I kick the bucket myself. And so, if you find yourself standing at the Redbox looking for something good to watch, go ahead and get it. It's definitely worth a buck.


Okay, next flick: P.S. I Love You. So, I've seen this movie multiple times at Redbox, and each time I seem to skip right over it, cause well, pretty much I can't stand Hilary Swank. Just something about her that bugs me. Maybe it's her jaw, or her big teeth, I don't know what. Just something. This is going to sound way rude, but she kinda reminds be of a 13 year old boy. So, the idea of her playing the girl in a romantical comedy just didn't sit well with me. But I went ahead and got it anyway. And the verdict?

Bawled my eyes out. This is the saddest, sweetest movie I've seen in a long time. I don't remember crying this much since I Am Sam came out on video. Now, don't get me wrong, Hilary still bugged me the whole movie, but I have to hand it to her. The girl can act. In a awkward-she-looks-like-she-is-acting sort of way. But the story, and plot, was well, sweet. And sometimes it's just good to experience someone else's grief, if but for a short time, and in a fictitious way. Brings out the empathy in ya. And Ireland? I soooo need to go there. That accent is just delicious.

So there ya have it. Two easy ways to blow two bucks.

MY DUMBEST MOVE EVER

Um, yeah. So I'm not really sure what I was smoking when I signed up to coach Thing 1's soccer team.


Honestly, not my brightest move ever.


Trying to explain soccer to 12 three-year-olds in 90 degree weather? Yeah. Not-so-much.


But at least we have one kid on our team who knows whats up. He scores at least 12 goals a game. During our last game at one point he came up to me and said, "Hey coach, I've scored nine goals. (Then without skipping a beat) What kind of treats do you think we will get at the end of the game?" Three year olds rock. It's all about the treats at the end. That is so my kind of kid. Forget the goals. What's to eat?




But, don't worry, this post does have a point. And here it is. Here is a friendly tip for ya: if someone ever asks you to coach any sport ever for any reason for three year olds, JUST SAY NO! Trust me, you will thank me later.

Photo credit: Thanks Suzanne! I am such a picture stealer.

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT

I can't believe I am going to run this crazy thing in just two. short. days. And the only good I can possibly see about the whole thing, is the post race meal I am already planning in my head. Cheese fries from training table? Some oh-so-fabulous nachos at Porcupine? Something big and grand and preferably covered in cheese.

I am running at like 5pm (expected temperature only about 95 degrees), 2am (yes, it will be cooler, but dark and I don't think I've been up at this hour since I was still nursing Thing 2. Which really doesn't count. And that has been over a year anyway.) and then again at like noon the next day (another 95 degrees). Can you just feel my excitement? Now I am thinking I should have ran a few times in the heat. This is really going to be fun.

On the bright side, I only have one more training run till this ridiculous thing. I am really looking forward to Sunday. And not because it's the sabbath.

Go team Commerce. Woohoo.

TUESDAY'S TIP SNOW DIZZLE

It's time for the Tuesday's tizzle, wizzle nizzle. I'm talking about the snow dizzle.

Okay, so I am pretty sure there is nothing better than a little shaved ice on a hot summers evening. And luckily here on the east-side we've got plenty of options, and honestly I've tried them all. But the one that's stuck out and is the regular around our house is Bob's Brain Freeze on 33rd (used to be at Milo's. Now it's at Sargent Steam). Well, apparently it is everyone else's favorite snow shack too, cause the lines there can just be absolutely ridonculous.

So, a few nights ago when I was out doing a little grocery shopping sans kids I saw a new (at least to me) snow shack called Snow Dizzle. It is in the parking lot at Smiths on 33rd. So, just a few blocks east. And the shaved ice? Simply lovely. Might even, dare I say, be a bit (gasp!) better than Bob's. And the clincher for me? NO LINE. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all for standing in line for a great shaved ice, but if you can have a great shaved ice without the line? Heaven in a cup.

Oh, and the flavor du jour? Tigers Blood of course.

And the name? Snow Dizzle? Maybe that's what makes it taste better. It's the dizzle fizzle Yo!

PIZZA AND A POOPFACE

So, today after swimming lessons I had an hour to kill with my kiddos before we could head home, so I decided to take them to our local beloved pizza joint. The great thing about this place is not only the pizza, but the fact that they are super kid friendly. Especially at 11:15 when the only people eating lunch are the elderly and people with kids. Well, we went in, and as expected were the only ones in the joint. Perfect. No one to bother. We found our seats, placed our orders and waited for the loveliness that is Big Apple pizza. Not too shortly later our pizza came out and we began eating.

I wish this were the end of this little story. A quick plug for a neighborhood favorite. But it's not.

In walks a childless couple. And out of the 10 or so booths, and five tables in the place, they decide to plant themselves rightnexttous. So strange. Well, Thing 1 finishes his pizza, and being three, his 10-minute-long attention span having already expired, he begins looking over the booth we are in, to the one behind us at the couple that just came in. He wasn't saying anything, or yelling, or really doing anything but examining this new couple that had just came in. Now, I realize that staring isn't exactly polite, but he is THREE people. He was just checking them out.

Well, apparently the couple didn't think so. Cause they stand up in a guff, and walk away from their booth to go sit in another one on the other side of the store. Away from us. Oh, and the entire time, the male counterpart of this couple gave me the yourkidsaresoannoyingcouldyoupleasegetthemundercontrol death stare. This was a serious crusty.

Now, wait a minute. I don't want to sit here and say that my kids are perfect all the time. Or even insinuate that they aren't loud on occasion at a restaurant. But this, my friends, I think was maybe the ONLY time that my kids were actually sitting, well Thing 1 was standing--but anyways, quietly at a restaurant. Right before that had happened I was honestly thinking to myself, well, at least he isn't throwing food at them, or saying Hi or anything. Just looking quietly. I thought I'd give him a minute to check them out, then tell him to sit down, and finish his pizza. But I didn't get a chance.

Okay, so back to the death stare. Which doesn't phase me. I mean really, they are the ones that picked the booth next to a mom and her two kids. So I say (Maybe a bit too bluntly) "Are you kidding me?" He just shakes his head, and grumbles something to his really lucky friend/girlfriend as they pick their new booth. Then, (definitely too bluntly) I told him to "take the stick out of his ass before he sat down again." Then we got up, and I paid, and gave him the givemeabreakwithyourtoogoodforchildrenyourlifemustreallysucksinceyouhavesuchabadattitude death stare as we walked out the door.

I know. Straight to hell in a hand basket. a) for swearing in front of my children, and b) for not turning the other cheek. I need to repent and then go to the dentist. I guess that is what I get for being so evil. Cavities. But he was evil first. So there.

Stay tuned for Tuesday's Tip. It will be worth it. Trust me.

TUESDAY'S TIP MONDAY STYLE--canyon rim love

Okay, so I should tell you all that I really love my hood. It is the best. And I was reading in the local (really local) paper all about millcreektownship and all the awesome things that are going on this summer, thanks to a way-cool community. They are starting something fun this year called Millcreek Movie Nights. Free, open-air movies shown at the local parks at dusk. Sounds fun if you ask me. And just check out the sweet line up:

MILLCREEK MOVIE NIGHTS

JUNE 20 - SHRECK THE THIRD - EASTWOOD ELEMENTARY

JUNE 27 - ET - CANYON RIM PARK

JULY 11 - CITY SLICKERS - BIG COTTONWOOD PARKWAY

JULY18 - THE MUSIC MAN - EVERGREEN PARK

JULY25 - FIELD OF DREAMS - EASTWOOD ELEMENTARY

AUG01 - GOONIES - CANYON RIM PARK

AUG08 - THE WATER HORSE - EVERGREEN PARK

AUG15 - GREASE - BIG COTTONWOOD PARKWAY

AUG22 - NACHO LIBRE - CANYON RIM PARK

AUG29 - HAIRSPRAY - EVERGREEN PARK

There are a few in there that I will be hitting up for sure. Any other canyon rim-east millcreek dwellers that wanna come with?

There is also a Library Summer Concert Series that I might have to check out too. Gotta love free entertainment. To check out Millcreek Movie Nights, Libray Sumer Concert Series and any other events going on, check out the the millcreektownship website here.

WHO'S THE BOSS?

So today for swimming lessons Thing 1 decided to bring his plastic shark so he could play with it in the water at the end of class.

Thing 1: Mom! Oh no! I left my shark at home!

Me: Oh man. What a bummer.

Thing 1: Mom, we don't use potty words. Potty talk isn't nice.



Well, okay then.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DAVE & SALLY!

We hope you guys are having a great day!

CHANNELING MY INNER CELIA MAE

So, yesterday, like any good mom, I sat my children down in front of the tube and watched a movie with them.


And I'm not certain if it was because we watched Monsters, Inc. or not, but I'm pretty sure it was. Last night I dreamt that I had snakes for hair, and couldn't get them out. Mine didn't have smiling faces, were not nearly as personable, nor were they purple, but I do remember them being very itchy and difficult to remove. I wasn't really scared of them per say, more just annoyed.


Once I did remove one, my friend Sara (Rogers. Holla!) tried to catch it for me, so I could keep it--how very thoughtful of her-- but I just ran around screaming. Finally, she caught it in a blue triangle box and let it go outside.


I have no earthly idea what this dream means, (and any of you dream interpreters are more than welcome to give me your best shot) but for now, I am gonna remember that if I have any run-ins with any snakes in the near future, I will be sure to call my friend Sara. Apparently she is very handy with triangular blue boxes.

TUESAY'S TIP budget fun!

Okay, so I know you are all just dying to know this, but my tip today is something I've actually tried, and it works fabulously for me.

See this little envelope-sized expandable file? Well, I have one of these, carry it everywhere, and it has made my budgeting life much, much easier. I got mine at Smiths Marketplace in January, but I'm sure you could also get one at Target or any office supply store. Why is this little gadget so wonderful you ask? Well, let me tell you.



Pre-budget I was not a happy women. Sure, I was a well-dressed woman with lots of crap, but there was so much spending, and shopping remorse about my purchases, that I decided it was time to go on the ever-dreaded budget. But you know what? It has been really, really fantastic.


So, since I have such a small little mind and can't really see beyond a few days, my budget is planned out weekly, rather than monthly. If I were to see all that money at the beginning of the month, I would never be able to ration it well. I'd purchase some fabulous things at the beginning of the month, then we'd be eating Top Ramen for the entire last week. So, instead I just hit up Wells Fargo every Monday, withdraw my allotted cash, divy it amongst my files and walla, organization and saving all at once.

So here is the way I break down my budget, in case any of you out there care.

• So, my first file of my little folder is for gift cards, punch cards (Hello Rio) and any coupons I might have randomly clipped for some odd reason. They are there any time I need them and super accessible. This has been awesome for me, cause I used to just keep these at home, and then randomly look through them like every six months and be like, "Dang, I just bought X at Y, when I had $25 free buckaroos at Y." (Does this remind you of geometry? I am ashamed to admit that I watched 20 whole minutes of "Geometry Today" today on channel 9. My life is sad.)

• The second tab, or file, is for the grocery store. Mine says Smiths, but really it is just for any purchases or food/stuff you would buy at the supermarket. I usually always have money left over in this tab, since I now winder dairy (LOVE IT! and go to Costco every other week.) But it's good to know if I want to have friends over for a little barby, I can. Oh, I also take my Emma money out of this tab/file. Emma is my favorite lady. She comes every week and, confession time, cleans my house (said in a muffled voice). I know, I know. You may roll your eyes all you want, but this is the BEST $36 dollars I spend all week. I hate, hate, hate to clean, and really, so does Hubs. Plus, even though Emma comes, trust me when I say, I still clean. A lot. I have two kids after all. Plus, I realized if I just worked it into the budget, there was no reason to feel guilty. Some people spend money on cigarettes. Some on booze, some on gambling, some on manicures/pedicures. Not me. For $36 bucks once a week, for a few minutes my house sparkles like a Spic & Span commercial. And I can't tell you how much joy this brings me. And, Hubs and I no longer fight about who's turn it is to clean the toilet. Yay.

• The next tab says Fun. I know, fun already? But yes. This money is spent for dinners out, the occasional movie or a fun family night spent mini-golfing. (By the way, is there such a thing? Last time we went, Thing 1 kept golfing into the players in front of us. Fun times. For us, not them. And Thing 2 thought her golf club was a weapon. Turns out, it was.)

• Next is our Gift tab. Each week I put a certain amount in here for gifts. Baby showers, weddings, birthdays, Father's Day (here is your reminder), and anything left over at the end of the week stays put and goes toward Christmas. And I can already tell you that Christmas this year is almost completely paid for (based on what we spent last year). And I can't tell you the amount of stress this has lifted from my shoulders, not to mention Hubs'. Plus, it is only June, so really, if you are a relative and we draw you this year, your gift could be pretty sweet. You can thank my budgeting ways for your good fortune.

• Then, the next four tabs are labeled Amy, Hubs, Thing 1 & Thing 2. This is our own personal spending money. For clothes, shoes, whatever. And it is completely our own. No questions asked. It really doesn't matter if Hubs thinks I have enough jeans. This little tab has been a life saver. No more fighting about random purchases. And honestly, it's been good for me to see just how many "random purchases" there were. Now there are not nearly so many. Hubs--you are welcome. Plus, it's good for me to have a mini-budget for Thing 2. Otherwise I would spend ridonculous amounts on cute little crap for girls.

• The next tab is for extra cash. I keep 50 dollars in ones, so I can break money in other tabs if I need too. Any cash taken out of this tab is replaced from another. This is just cause I've found working life with only cash, sometimes it's nice to have something smaller than a twenty.
• And the last tab is for receipts.

And that is pretty much how it works. Everything I spend weekly is spent in cash. That way, if I don't have any, I can't get it. And anything left over in any tabs except the gift tab, goes into a savings account for our "big purchases" (remodelling our house, vacations, new couches, etc.)I do carry around my Amex--so I can pay at Costco when I go there every other week, but even there I have a budget. I can't spend over $200. Which really, seems like a lot of money, but isn't--trust me. I could spend millions at Costco. I just love that place. Which is why I am only allowed in there every other week.

All of our other larger expenses, like our mortgage payment, car insurance, health insurance, and utilities all come directly out of our online billpay so I don't really even deal with that.

And this my friends, really is the best tip I could give you. It is funny how much I resisted a budget. Thought it would be very restrictive, and boring, and no fun. But it has been really fun and rewarding to see our savings grow. It also is really nice to not worry so much about spending and our finances any more. I thought it would be restrictive, but it really has brought about a lot of freedom.

TAGGED Threes

3 JOYS:

1. Warm summer nights spent bar-b-queing with good friends.
2. The perfect dinner: Porcupine Nachos with black beans & a McDonald's $1 hot fudge sundae with my hubby and 2 kids.
3. Getting together with my girlfriends for no good reason, and talking until the wee hours of the morning.

3 FEARS:

1. That a republican will take office come November.
2. Getting cancer.
3. That 9/11 was an inside job (building 7).

3 GOALS:

1. Potty train Thing 2, and finally say goodbye to diapers FOREVER!
2. Be more thoughtful of others, and a little less all about me.
3. Finish all of my FHE file folder packets and then finish my quiet book I started making when I was 14. (It's about time don't ya think?)

3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

1. Cafe Rio Pork Salads (this is and always will be a permanent obsession)
2. Staying on my budget. I love saving money now.
3. SYTYCD

RANDOM FACT ABOUT MYSELF:

I've never seen Star Wars. Can't seem to make it past the sand planet. I always fall asleep.

I TAG:

1. Heather W.
2. Suzanne S.
3. Jenny O.

Thanks for the Tag Jen!

So, today in Washington D.C. Talk About Curing Autism had a rally at the Washington Monument to gather support and raise awareness about vaccines. Their campaign rally was entitled "Green Our Vaccines". And I would've given just about anything to have been there.

As many of you know Jenny McCarthy is TACA's spokesperson. I am just in awe of her and all the work she has done in behalf of this organization, and for Mom's and Dad's of children with Autism all over the world.

I know this is a really sensitive subject and people feel very strongly one way or another usually, but I wanted to get the information out to all my mom and mom-to-be readers so they could make an informed decision about vaccinations for themselves.

Green Our Vaccines are not anti-vaccines, they just think we need to take the toxins out, and reconfigure the schedule in which we give these to our children. Too Many, Too Soon is their slogan. Here is what their website says,

"Please join Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey for the most historical event of 2008, the Green Our Vaccines Rally. Jenny and Jim are working hard to eliminate all toxins from our children's vaccines and have our national health agencies reassess the mandatory vaccine schedule, as our children are receiving TOO MANY, TOO SOON. While Jenny and Jim support the vaccine program, like many, they feel vaccines are too toxic. This country has the ability to provide a safer vaccine supply and schedule to our children and they ask you to join them to demand this for our country's greatest asset, our children.

Demand Congress take action to Green Our Vaccine Supply while reassessing our current vaccine schedule. Ask Congress to reenact legislation that would eliminate mercury and other toxins from our children's vaccines, study the instance of Autism and other neurological disorders in vaccinated versus unvaccinated children, and to extend the statute of limitations to allow all children affected by vaccine induced Autism to file in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP)."

For more info, and to read up on the subject and make an informed decision please visit these reputable websites:

http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/

http://www.momsagainstmercury.org/

http://www.healautismnow.org/

http://www.generationrescue.com/

For those of you who don't think this is a big deal, it's bigger than anything else out there. One in 150 kids get diagnosed with Autism.

A new case of autism is diagnosed nearly every 20 minutes
There are 24,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. per year
The economic impact of autism is more than $90 billion and expected to more than double in the next decade.
Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.
There is no medical detection treatment, or cure for autism.

BETTER DIAGNOSIS? Some of suggested that autism is just being better diagnosed today versus ten years ago and that many cases of mental retardation are now being coded as autism. This would also assume that the experts diagnosing autism before did not know what they were doing.This is NOT TRUE. Autism is the only rising dramatically disorder while mental retardation, Down syndrome, and cystic fibrosis remain relatively the same. Autism is now more prevalent among California children than cerebral palsy.
GIRLS VS. BOYS: Autism often strikes boys more often than girls – roughly four times more common in boys. With statistics being 1 in every 150 children that makes it 1 in every 94 males.

This is an epidemic! Read up and educate yourself!

MY FATHER'S DAY PLAN

So, father's day is just around the corner, and I am trying in my mind to justify this as best possible.

Our camera sucks. Bad. Super bad. And we need a new one. Seriously, we got it cause it was waterproof, but it only sorta is, cause now it has like permanent water marks on the lense, so it takes semi-crappy pictures.

But don't worry. I have a plan.

And it revolves around this badboy pictured above. It is the Cannon 5D digital. It is one of those super awesome digital cameras with like 5 million mega pixels, and you can get an extra-awesome zoom lense, so you can capture raindrops on roses, or boogers in kids noses. You know, the good stuff.

I really, really, really, really, really, want one of these. So, I'm thinking that since Father's Day is right around the corner, I could get one for Hubs (but really for me. Hey, at least I'm being honest.). And he could benefit by having me take lots of fantastic photos of his beautiful children.

I could even do like a whole sitting with my kids and then give them to him for Father's Day. You know, so he doesn't open the package, and go, wow. A digital camera. That I will never use. Nope, instead he will just see these amazing photos of his children. And he will say, "Who took those amazing photos of our children?" And I will say, "oh, those old things. Uh, me. (This part said quickly, so that he almost forgets it after I've said it) With our fantastic new camera that I got for us for Father's day."

And then he will roll his eyes at me. And we will not return the camera.

LOOKING BACK vol. 1

Okay, so I decided to start a new little monthly series for myself entitled, Looking Back.

It will be open letters to my children, about the past month. Things they did, things I learned, things we will never do again. I hope these to be a little bit entertaining to you readers, but mostly, I hope they make my kids grin when they grow up. Okay, here goes nothin':



Dear Children,

Hi kids, it's me your crazy, hair-brained mother. And I thought I'd start a little monthly volume all about your lives, our highlights together and things that just plain made me giggle. I like you that much. So much so, that I hope I never forget all the fun times we have together. Cause frankly, you both rock.

May ot-eight was an especially interesting month. And the weather sure kept us on our toes. One day the sun was out shining like it was summer, and so we took full advantage. Blew up the HUGE pirate ship pool that we picked out together at Tarjay and we had an enjoyable time spraying each other with water, running through the Elmo sprinkler, sliding down the slide, and eating our home-made Popsicles (made out of vegie juice--ha ha. My little joke on you.).

The next day however we found ourselves holed up inside watching the rain and mother nature's downpour. You both sang "Rain, rain go away, come again another day." and "It's raining it's pouring the old man is snoring. . . " till I secretly wanted you both to loose your voices. Instead we just made Rice Krispie treats, so I could get some quiet. And that gooey marshellowy goodness did just the trick. Makes for lots of chewing and therefore full/quiet mouths.

May was a big month for you Thing 1. Unfortunately (mommy is still crying on the inside about this) preschool came to a big too-abrupt halt this month. Not sure why really, since the rest of the school in still in session until June, but oh well. You have missed your friends and ask me almost daily if you can go back. Unfortunately for everyone the answer is no. Mommy is waiting very patiently for the weather to decide it's summer so we can head to the neighborhood pool soon.

You also kicked some major heiny in your weekly tee ball games. We have been so impressed with your maturity. The league is for 4 and 5 year-olds, but you are doing so well, being the youngest, yet tallest child on the team. You can really smack that ball far, and I really think it makes your father secretly so relieved that you aren't into dance or something. Plus, you are good at and like something that he loves. It has been a joy of mine this month to watch you and your father play hours upon hours of catch and "baseball." And it has been so fun to have Auntie Jen, Uncle Scott, Kinnley, Grandma Rossi & Grandma & Grandpa Plant come and watch your games. Your family really loves you.

Your enthusiasm for terrifying your sister has taken an all-time high. You enjoy pretending to be a different animal everyday and sneaking up on her. And in your best, most loudest voice, scare the living daylights out of her. Which you love. Because of this, you have been spending more time in your room lately than I'd like. When you are being nice though, you let your sister be a mountain lion/ cougar / tiger with you and you roam around the house, climbing over the backs of the couches and pouncing all over everything. It makes me smile when you play nicely with your sister. Oh, how she adores you.

Speaking of sister. Thing 2 you are a joy to me daily. You have the sweetest voice, and it sparks such happiness inside of me, when I hear your little girl voice say "Mommy, I love you." It really melts my heart. I am not sure why, but you would much rather wear boy clothes than girl ones. Any Lightening McQueen t-shirt, Spider man, or Batman, really any of Camden's t-shirts are much preferred over your own. Except, under one condition. If the shirt I offer you is pink. Then you will wear it. Because apparently to you, pink is the most fabulous color around. And really, although I haven't been much of a fan in the past, your enthusiasm is beginning to rub off.

You love to read, and can often times be found in your room amidst a pile of books. I hope this continues to be something you love to do for the rest of your life. I have been to some amazing places and feel like I've experienced some amazing things thanks to the magic of reading. I hope you find this to be true as well. One of my favorite things this month was seeing how much you have your father tied around your little finger. He would do anything for you, and really does. I can see a special daddy/daughter relationship beginning to form, and it is all I have ever wanted for you.

Both of you were able to have a weekend with just Daddy while I went away to recharge my batteries with the girls. And apparently I wasn't missed too much. I fear you ate too much sugar, and didn't exactly get to bed on time, but you had a great time with your Dad and that is what counts. Then at the end of the month you were both scheduled to go on an overnight camping trip with Daddy and some friends from the neighborhood, but Thing 2, you came down with a 24 hour flu bug, so it was just Thing 1 and Daddy. They had a great time sleeping in the tent, eating hot dogs, and waking up at 5 a.m. (you sure are an early riser!).

All in all, this month has really been full of lots of fun adventures. Thing 1 you told me just today that you would like to be The King (from Cars) when you grow up. Then Thing 2 you spoke up quickly and said you would like to be Lightening McQueen when you grow up. And this is a perfect example of how life is now. Monkey see monkey do a bit different. And it is making my job quite delightful and very entertaining.


Thing 1, be nice to your sister. And remember it really is more fun to play together, than to sit in time out. Thing 2, please remember that whining is no fun for anyone.

I love you both, and enjoy watching the people you are turning in to.

Until next month. . . .


Mom

TUESDAY'S TIP ticks-b-gone

Okay, so first off, sorry my tip is a day late. I've been super busy lately it seems. So my tip for today has to do with ticks. I've never had one myself, but I just got this e-mail from Mary Jo and it seemed like good information. And it is the summer and all. Hope this helps!

This information comes from a nurse:

"I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it's some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way.

I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, 'It worked!' "

So there ya have it. Ticks-b-gone. Not sure why my tips have had to do with bugs lately. Maybe it's cause they are gross, and no one likes em.