Friday Five

So I thought I would take a break from all the heavy thinking I've been blogging about and just be totally superficial, shallow and not about anything where thinking was involved. So here we go with my Friday Five-

1. First order of business: My lanterns are lonely and my creativity is low so I need some feedback on what to fill my lanterns with-would a candle be to basic and boring, or would it be classic? Should I aim for something whimsical and funky? Yes, this is something I stay up nights thinking about among other things? I know you all are creative so I'm begging for some help.

Doesn't it look lonely?

2.If I had a Million Dollars-do you ever play this game? Ok after all the obvious things-if money weren't an object and I could just buy without guilt these are some of the things I would be buying. It never hurts to look(that's free).

This would be Phoebe's Easter dress-it's based on a vintage 50's dress from a new catalog in the mail from MINI BODEN. So cute to imagine Phoebe twirling.

These are shorts that my boys would love also from MINI BODEN(I'm telling you,it is all cute stuff).

These are beautiful pillows that would look absolutely lovely in my living room from Ballard Designs. (I tell you catalogs are wickedly fun).

This little gem is from Sundance catalog where everything is dreamy to look at. Wouldn't this be cute for the month of February with all the little kiss marks?

Another beauty from Sundance that would love my finger .

Can you tell I love jewelry?

Okay-thank you for window shopping with me-that was fun.

3.I totally love winter except for winter hands and lips. My hands look like sad, sad hands. My cuticles are peeling and bleeding, my nails rip constantly and my hands are so dry they look like alligator hands(that's what I call dry skin to my kids). And my poor kids lips look like they have stolen my red lipstick because they are so chapped. I should invest in a chapstick company.

4.Some of my favorite shows have started back up again-It doesn't take much to make me happy. I need something to look forward to-The Closer, Life, and Life on Mars.

5.And last, but not least another thing to get you thinking and hopefully your feedback. I was telling some friends how on MSN I had read an article interviewing people about what BOOKS that have INFLUENCED them? A lot of books I've loved, but ones that have really influenced me are: Harriet the Spy(I thought she was the absolute Coolest), Nancy Drew Books(I still want to be her. These books started my love for mysteries), Julie (First book I remember being emotionally connected to and crying over) Anne of Green Gables(I bought these books when I was young to save them for the girls I would hopefully have someday that now sit on my daughters shelves-I remember thinking I couldn't wait for my daughters to read these books-I loved them so much. Who doesn't love the redheaded spitfire of a girl growing up on lovely Prince Edward Island?) Okay, so now that I've shared, now if you feel so inclined what books have inspired you, for whatever reason?

I told you it wasn't going to be deep, but it was nice just to sit for a minute and think about things that really don't matter. Sorry I didn't mean for it to be such a long post. Have a happy weekend.....

Nothing Really Going On...

I noticed I hadn't posted since last Saturday, and I realized nothing of much importance has gone on. It's kind of hard to post when nothing out of the ordinary has happened. I try to keep in mind that in the ordinary, memories are created. But I thought I should post something, anything, a little something, so here's my attempt to make the ordinary seem somewhat exciting, interesting, bearable to read? Let's get started...

the boys on their way to school

1. IT'S ABOUT TIME-We finally woke up to snow. It's pretty late in the season for Colorado to just now get our first snow in the 2nd week of November. It's cold-but not for too long. Phoebe was desperate to get out and play in the snow. By midday the sun was out and the snow was melting,Phoebe said"It's not fair, the snow is just going to melt." It's supposed to be nice this weekend much to my kids dismay.Maybe some more snow is around the corner, or maybe it will come again in time Phoebe's birthday, that would be a good gift.

not much snow, but she'll take it

2.IT'S CONFERENCE TIME- Today Isabel had the day off from school because of parent teacher conferences. The boys conferences are on Monday. They only had good things to say-She got straight A's this quarter(I'm such a proud mom I can't help but share). It's sometimes nice to hear that I'm doing something right as a parent, when I doubt myself so often.

Isabel taking a self portrait

3.AM I A BEAR?- For some reason in the fall I start to feel the need to nest. Start organizing , clearing , and cleaning up neglected spaces. I like all the foods of autumn, cooking in autumn is much more enjoyable, making my house smell yummy and cozy. Am I ready to hibernate for the winter or what? Instead of spring cleaning, I like the idea of autumn cleaning(now if I can just get my kids on board).

4.ANGELS AROUND US-Last Sunday I went to a fireside, where Mariama Kallon spoke. She is a woman from Sierra Leone who lived through a civil war, and found the gospel. She was featured in an article in the November 2006 New Era. Read it here (http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=7d5a35c4ceeae010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1). Anyway she had such a warm smile, contagious laugh and her voice was filled with hope. She talked of her conversion, but over and over she spoke of the scripture found in D&C 84:88 "..there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." Still at the end of this week, she has stuck with me as well as her message. We do have the Spirit and we do have angels that come in all forms who are around us, lifting us up. Truly inspiring..She made me grateful for all that I have.

5. AGENDA FOR THE WEEKEND. So what's on my plate this weekend, let's see-Enrichment dinner tonight, temple with Trent in the morning. I've got to get a jump on two book club books,both of which are next week. We're reading Garden Spells, and Killer Angels(such contrasting titles don't you think?) and I've got to finish the book I'm reading right now, it's overdue at the library. I'm reading THE OTHER QUEEN. And of course more cleaning of my house. What's a weekend without it? With them all home all weekend, it gets messy really fast(I've got messy children who drop and leave anything, anywhere. Knowing that I can't stand it, I end up either yelling, begging or giving up and picking it up for them.)


So that wraps up all the "exciting" stuff going on in my neck of the woods(not really, I live on the plains,who am I kidding?). Hopefully next week I'll have something better to offer. But since it's finally cold, I think I'm ready for hot chocolate, whip cream, and cinnamon sprinkled on it, right about now. Have a happy weekend!

Am I Cursed?

I might be(if I actually believed in curses). Anyway on my way back from picking Isabel up from a sleepover we hear a noise. What else could it be but a flat tire? Why me? It only ever happens when I'm either alone or with children. In the past four years let me tell you how many times I have been stranded by the side of the road with a flat tire. here goes:

1. Pregnant with Phoebe, with the rest of my children in the middle of summer on the highway without a cell phone.

2.The day after Christmas on the way back from the dentist, on the highway.

3.Last year while Trent was in Reno, I ran over nails that had been placed in the middle of the road, and I ended up with 8 nails in my tire.

4.In the middle of winter taking Isabel to school, I slid into a curb while driving on ice, and popped a tire.

5.And then today (I need to learn not to be in my pajamas while driving, and I need to learn how to change a flat tire, you would think I already would have by now. Luckily,Trent is usually only a phone call away to come and rescue me.)

Flat tires seem to follow me around. Luckily, they replaced the tire today for free because the tire had a defect in it(also because they were freaking new tires that I had put on less than a year ago!) It never seems to happen to Trent, and really none of them were because of my fault. Is the streak never going to end? I'm tired of flat tires, can I just tell you? Ok, now I'm done venting...

Friday Five

Here are a few things that I find myself thinking about this Friday, some good, some bad.

We'll start with the bad:

1. I just keep telling myself I love her-My Phoebe, who was being a very naughty 3 year old, because she was mad at her dad, took scissors and cut my duvet cover on my bed. I don't even know what to do. I hope that in a few years I'll look back and chuckle and tell her stories of bad things she used to do, but for now I still have a little steam coming out my ears.

Now onto better things:

2.I'm trying to patiently wait for this new CD Gossip in the Grain to come in at the library for me. Unfortunately I can't run out to buy frivolous things that would make me happy or else it would've already been bought. Ray Lamontagne is someone I love, he could sing anything and I would listen. I have two of his songs below, so give it a listen if you want to. He's fantastic!

3. I find decorating for Thanksgiving very hard because the colors and things I use for decorations normally for my house look like Autumn already. I did find this picture of Tom Turkey on the Internet and printed it out, used a frame I already had and framed him up. He makes me very happy to look at on my living room table(I'm trying not to think about happily eating turkey in a few weeks).

4.This week history was made as we elected Barack Obama as our new Presidentt. Now that it's all over I can be a little more open-as I listened to his speech that night, I was so inspired and I am willing to hang on to the hope that he offers. My sister, Jenni and I sat on the phone taking in the moment. Now I know many of you don't like him but please don't leave disgruntled comments here, just let me be happy.

5. A little quote by Eleanor Roosevelt that I came across this week made me smile so here it is "Women are like tea bags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water." I find this to be a little true-I don't know what I can do until I'm stuck in the middle of it. Made me smile.

Have a great weekend! And don't you love November?(the crunchy leaves, the smell of fall, cold nights, remembering to be grateful, crisp apples, etc..)

I've Got A Secret

Trent and I won some movie tickets, but last night Trent gave up his to let me and Isabel go off to the movies together. We went and saw THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES. We loved it! I read the book a few years ago when it first came out and really liked it. Last night I was not disappointed. The movie is just as good as the book(which doesn't happen very often). It's a movie that makes you happy(which everyone needs). It's a movie about what family really means, and finding love in unexpected places. If I didn't already have a wonderful mother who loves me, I would want these 4 strong women in the movie to love me instead. The movie and book take place in the turbulent South in the 60's which adds to the story. I love most southern novels to begin with, it takes you to a different place. Anyway if you are looking for a sweet movie that even though there is some sadness, love triumphs in the end, then grab a girlfriend, your mother, sister, daughter, or a sensitive husband and go find out what the secret of the movie holds.

September Simplicities

I wish this was my yard

Do you feel it in the air yet? Fall is on its way. Maybe some of you remember the book Simple Abundance, it came out about 10 years ago. Anyway it's a day book and at the end of every month the author would give you ideas about how to enjoy that month which she called Joyful Simplicities. So here are some ideas from both the author and myself about how to enjoy your September. So maybe take some of the ideas and enjoy the end of summer and the beginning of fall!

1. Stock up on your own school supplies. Experiment with every type of pen you can find until you discover one that writes wonderfully. Get your own notebooks, markers, tape and scissors. Should the kids get all the fun?

2. Make caramel apples. Roll them in nuts, chocolate chips, toffee bits, drizzled chocolate, and sprinkles.3.Pack away your swimsuit. Bring out your sweaters.

4. Celebrate the autumn equinox with a festive dinner of fall favorites (make a pot of your favorite soup, chili, soup, stew).

5.Start making your Christmas list this month so that you won't be frantic in December(ok this is a good idea, we'll see if it really happens at my house, probably not).

6.Bring home a pot of mums for your front porch.

7. Make or enjoy something with apples. (apple crisp, apple pie, apple tart, apple cider, you get the idea) or even just try a new variety of apple that you haven't tried before.

8.If you have children, this is the time to have them decide on their Halloween costumes. Don't despair. They don't divide the children into two groups at school: those wearing store-bought costumes and those wearing homemade ones!

Halloween 2007

9. Take a walk and breathe in the crisp air.

10.Start feathering your nest for fall, put away the summer stuff and bring out the fall decorations.

11.Buy yourself a new fall scented candle and light it. So even if you don't have fall weather yet the smell will get you in the mood.

Just thinking about these things makes me excited for fall! I hope wherever you are September will be a wonderful month for you.

Crazy But True

I looked over at Stephanie's blog (http://stephanieandaddison.blogspot.com/) today and low and behold she had somehow in a chain reaction given me this award. I know, crazy but true. I still don't think I'm all that great at this blogging business but ok, it made me feel good. Thanks Stephanie!

Anyway upon accepting this my prestigious award, I am to list 6 things that make me HAPPY and then send on the award to 3 more "Kreativ friends"


So here it goes. By the way it's a little stressful to think of all the things that make me happy and only choose 6-maybe it will be easier for some of you to do.


1.I'm stealing this from Stephanie but really it is true: TALKING TO FAMILY ON THE PHONE, it must be the same for her, when you live far away-I need connections.


2.NAPPING. On Sundays I need a big long nap to recover from church. Plus I had a meeting at church at 6:00 THIS MORNING so that means yes, I had to wake up at 5:oo A.M. I'm really tired on Sundays. Luckily my family must know this, because they are really good about letting me snooze for awhile.


3. PUMPKIN: I like anything pumpkin flavored, ice cream, muffins, bread, souffle, pies, pumpkin roll, you get the picture. Fall is right around the corner. Do you think September is too early for it. I'm kind of counting down.


4. My husband TRENT for not getting upset when I need him to still help me with some of this blogging stuff. He's so good at it though. And one other thing He's back from RENO. I don't know how I did it for 9 months.


5.Those rare nights when I actually have time to sit down and watch TV SHOWS I like. Somehow I'm always gone or busy with kids homework that it is rare when I do see them. (The Closer, Project Runway, House, Grey's Anatomy) I'm just glad for Saturday marathons, and series dvds.


6.I know this is maybe taking the easy way out. But my family, really they do make me happy(except when they are hitting, fighting, whining, complaining, tattle telling) But I love them and to counter all those bad moments they have a ton of good ones, that make me smile, laugh, think they are crazy, and proud. take a look below.



Ok so here I am ready to give this award away to people. My blogging circle isn't very big because none of my family does it (even though they could-hint, hint) and I just started. Anyway I choose my friends Melissa, Kristy(they inspired me to get this going,) and if she happens to read this, my cousin Melanie(such a cute blog).

Thursday Thoughts

Here's a few things on my mind:

1. As much as I complained that I was ready for summer to end I almost want it back. I forgot about all the homework, the early mornings , activities that go into the night, and feeling busy, busy, busy. I long already for those lazy days of summer.

2.With the Democratic National Convention here in Denver this week no matter what side you are on- I felt inspired.

3. Where did my little boy go? I took Oliver to the doctor this week for his yearly check up and learned that he grew 3 1/2 Inches and gained 10 pounds this year. I couldn't believe it. He's soon not going to be a boy anymore but one day I'm going to blink and he's going to be a man.

Oliver at 2 yrs old

Oliver at 9 yrs old

4.I'm thinking about what I should do with my hair. Do I keep it long, cut it off? I'm never quite happy with my hair. I'm so undecided.

5. I wish that I could have family live closer. There are days that I would love just to sit down face to face with parents and siblings and just have a long talk. The phone is great but face to face is better.

6. I'm stressed out already about Halloween costumes. As much as I love fall and all that it brings. Costumes are one area I am not good at. I don't sew, I'm not creative in that area at all. Usually it somehow comes together, I just wish it wasn't so stressful.

7. Here are just a few things that I'm wishing I could have: for the upcoming season:

Halloween Countdown House

Glitter Halloween Wreath

8. I wish I had more time to read the books on my shelf that are waiting for me. Here are a few that are calling my name: Wednesday Sisters, Sugar Queen, The Way Life Should Be, The Godmother, Rachel and Leah, And Only to Deceive, Gossip of the Starlings. I just need a few quiet hours right?

Here is a few of the covers.

Now that I've emptied my brain, I can go to sleep. It's funny though, sometimes I can ask Trent what he's thinking about and he will say "nothing" Is he for real? I can't imagine that. This is just the tip of the iceberg of things I think about.

Feelings

My feelings:

I feel happy: when my house is totally clean, the first diet coke of the day, talking on the phone with my family.

I feel worried: about being a good mom.

I like: really good sunsets.

I hate: whining, a bad hair day, being hot, an unmade bed.

I feel nervous: making phone calls to strangers.

I'm excited: for fall to begin, the colors, the smells, the decorations, the food, the holiday, the whole bit!

I'm afraid: of failure, mice & cats(I know it's wierd and irrational but I have my reasons).

I'm glad: that this day is finally over.

I'm frustrated: that sometimes the days are too short, and others are too long.

I feel at peace: when I go and check on my kids at night and watch them sleep.

I feel stressed: that I haven't got everything done before my mother in law comes tomorrow.

I feel proud: when people compliment my children.

I feel enthusiastic: about cute projects that I see and want to do, trying out a new recipe.

I feel sad: when I see other people struggle, when my kids get their feelings hurt.

I feel bored: watching sportscenter for the umpteenth time.

I feel tired: when I watch my kids fight.

I love: my family, raisenets, and the smell of a new book.