Flashback Friday

Today we go back to 1999. We lived in West Des Moines, Iowa in a large apartment building on the third floor. It was government subsidized housing which means there were lots of students living there. The graduate school in Des Moines had a lot of different programs. (DO, DPM, PA, PT and HCA degrees.) For some reason there were many LDS students at the school. Many of us in that apartment building were graduate students, LDS and in the same ward! We always had one or two neighbors right next door to us or downstairs from us that were fellow LDS students. It was fun. The apartment was such that our front doors opened to hallways as opposed to the outside. The laundry was on the first floor. Just to paint a picture. During this time period, Mikaela was 2 1/2 and I was pregnant with Hudson. It was our last year in Des Moines but we didn't know where we were going for the next few years. Here are a few stories from that year:

I decided to go to the mall for some shopping. I didn't do this very often as we had no money and I didn't need much from the mall. I can't remember what I was going for but I decided to go. I got Mikaela ready and myself. I was wearing these chunky heeled shoes and we headed out of our apartment door. We got to the second floor where we ran into the wife of a fellow LDS student. She had three little kids very close in age. She was carrying a newborn in a carrier and holding a sleeping one year old over her shoulder and a little 3 year old trailing behind. I was pregnant and only had Mikaela walking with me. So, being the super kind self that I am, I offered to carry her newborn in the baby carrier. (You can probably see where this is going!) I'm helping. We walk down the stairs to the doors outside. I open them and let her and the trailing two kids out and I step out and take two steps. One of those steps happens to land half on the sidewalk and half on the grass. My chunky heels can't take it and I begin to fall. FALL with a newborn in a carrier in my arms who is NOT mine! I fell and luckily was able to save the baby from injury and place her down gently. (Baby was totally unharmed during this fiasco - even stayed asleep!) You can imagine my horror at almost hurting another person's baby. The mother was so nice, but I am sure she wanted to yell at me or hit me or something. But, let's face it, she was carrying two kids down stairs which was WAY more dangerous then what I did. Needless to say, I sprained my ankle really badly and had to go back upstairs and ice it and wrap it and elevate it. As you can guess, we did not go to the mall! My ankle hurt for a long time and was really painful. I remember going to Young Women's that week and back in Des Moines, we had to drive all over the place to drop the girls off at their homes. We had our activity which was bowling or something and then we had ice cream. I remember my ankle was throbbing at the ice cream place and by the time I dropped the last girl off at her house, I was crying. I didn't know how I was going to drive back to my apartment because I was in so much pain. It was awful and stupid.

I remember we used to get coupons in the mail for Arby's. You could get a kids meal for 99 cents. Kirstie (was one of my best friends in Iowa and her husband was in Podiatry school too) and I would head out every so often and run errands together (usually Target) and we would drive through the Arby's and buy 5 or 6 kids meals and go to her apartment and eat them. When I was pregnant with Hudson I craved Arby's sandwiches. I know weird and gross but even more weird because I don't eat meat! We could all fit in her mini van together and would go all over Des Moines together. Those were good times! I miss them!

I remember the one time we had to take cover from a tornado. You could actually see the twister off to the west. The weather was crazy. Kirstie and I were on the phone not quite sure what to do. The news was telling us to take cover. We lived on the third floor and I guess we were supposed to go to the first floor. None of it felt very safe. Kirstie lived in the pool house on the first floor so she said to come and take cover over there. I gathered up all the photos I could carry and Mikaela and I ran over to her house. It was dark and there was heavy rain. It just pelted us. The wind was blowing like crazy. I opened up the glass doors to her hallway and Mikaela ran in and it just blew right out of my hands and slammed shut on us! We stayed with her and her kids in their master bedroom where we were close to a tv and the bathroom. We were ready at any minute to jump in the bathtub with the couch cushions to cover us. Mikaela and Dallin (Kirstie's second child who was Mikaela's age) were jumping on the bed having a party. They had no idea what was going on. Luckily, we didn't have to take cover and it all passed and no one was hurt!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Oh ya...it's a cat!

To view a sweet slide show of the strangest cat you've ever seen go here: http://lifeasaredhead.blogspot.com/2008/11/very-princess-slideshow.html

Meet Princess. She is the cat that everyone SAYS they want...but don't worry...they don't. Except for the guy who currently has her. He makes no qualms about his feelings for Princess. His love doesn't run deep! He doesn't say he wants her and he means it! This is one of Jane's (Summer's old cat) offspring who is a hairless sphinx cat. What contributes to the freakiness is that she has severe neurological problems. Which means she doesn't walk right, run right, eat right or even hold her head up. She's weird! Derrek can't stand her. When she was born, Danielle wanted her but couldn't take her so Billy and Cham took her temporarily. That turned into permanently. Now Billy and Cham apparently love her, but can't take her to their new house yet. Derrek has since moved into their old house which apparently comes with the freaky cat! Evidently, freaky cat got invited to Glutton Fest '08...oh I mean Mutton Fest '08! I'm not bitter...

Apparently...

the neighbor asked us if they could replace the large dump truck parked on the road near our house with an even larger school bus!!! Now that is trash-tastic!!!

Someone...please rescue me...preferably a smokin' hot male, mid to late thirties or early to mid forties (I'm not picky)!!!

Flashback Friday

I'm starting something that I probably won't finish! Ah, story of my life...college, marriage, crafts, cleaning, etc. But, I have been having flashbacks of moments in my life and thought that I would document them. Some are interesting and some are boring. So, ya'll can just skip it if it seems too lame. It's mostly for me anyway. I thought I will call it "Flashback Friday" because I am sure I saw it somewhere and that is why the name keeps popping into my head. I have a sort of photographic memory. I remember stuff, but not where it came from. So, if you do this too, I apologize for stealing the idea. I don't know where it came from, but the name works. I'm not sure I will keep it up every Friday because I'm inconsistent like that but we will give it a try! I've been having some memories of Kindegarten recently. I don't know what this means and if someone is a therapist and can tell me then by all means...do! It's weird because I am remembering quite a bit from when I was 5 years old. I even remember full names of some of the people. Don't worry, I won't use them!

Kindegarten bus stories:

I rode the bus during Kindegarten year only. I remember missing the bus one day after school and standing there crying. I remember feeling like I didn't know what to do. Then, my neighbor who was probably a 3rd grader came walking by with her friend. She wasn't a nice neighbor, in fact she was a brat (more about that later) but she told me I could walk home with her. So, she so graciously let a 5 year old walk BEHIND her and her friend all the way home. I had to walk all that way down 126th! The thought of letting my Kindegartener do that scares me. Now, granted there are a million more cars on that road then back in the day but still. There are more stories about this 3rd grade neighbor but I'll save those for later as well.

Here's another one: I remember the bus coming to my stop (which was on the corner of my circle) and I stood up and this older girl stood up in front of me to let someone out of their seat and then she stood there till the bus started moving. When she sat down, I went up to the driver and told him that I just missed my stop. He asked if I could just get off at the next stop and I said "No." He ended up taking me on the rest of his route and driving me back to my stop. I don't think he was happy about it, but I was only 5! See, I needed to learn to speak up back then. If I had simply said "excuse me can I get past you, thanks." It all would have been fine. I was a scaredy cat dork even back then.

I remember riding home on the bus one day and I had decorated this cute Easter bunny. I had done an awesome job on it and I was so proud of it. The girl I was sitting by had an Easter bunny too, but hers sucked. She hadn't done an awesome job like I had and she knew it! So, what did she do? She wanted to TRADE! I didn't want to trade. My bunny was, as I said before, freakin' AWESOME! But, what did I do? I gave in and traded. I let her talk me into it. I didn't like it and I wasn't happy about it. After I got home, I showed my mom the sucky bunny and explained what had happened. I was so angry with myself! I remember plotting in my bedroom how I was going to go and knock on her door and demand my awesome bunny back! I never did it! I always have great plans and then I never follow through with them. Hmmm...I wonder where I get that from?

My mom told me that there was a boy on my bus that would sit by me and bug the crap out of me. I told her about him and told her that I had taken care of it myself. I just started sitting by someone else so he could no longer sit by me. See how I take care of business...I avoid the issue! I'm an avoider! Always have been. I'm working on that.

One last story to show how I avoid things. (Why am I confessing all of this?) The 3rd grade neighbor (whose name was Lisa) and I would sometimes play outside together. There really weren't that many kids to play with and I didn't really like playing with her, but she was sometimes all I had. Anyway, she wanted to babysit us kids. She wanted me to tell my parents that I wanted her to babysit us. She kept buggin and buggin. Finally, she pressured me enough to go in and tell my parents that I wanted her to babysit all of us kids. She waited on the porch. I went in the house. Closed the door. Stood by the door and waited a few minutes. Then, I opened the door and went outside and told her "they said No!" That was the end of it. She never asked again and I didn't have to ask my parents and risk them saying Yes. I took care of business the only way I know how!

Anyone need any Pampered Chef?

I know, I know. I hate this stuff too, but I like pampered chef products and I am trying to help a mom who really needs the help. If anyone needs or wants anything, let me know. She doesn't have her web site up yet, so we would have to do the order via the phone or in person. You can check out the catalog at www.pamperedchef.com or call me and I will drop one by. If you decide you want anything, don't order online or she won't get the credit. Call or email me and we will finalize everything. For those of you familiar with their products, they have 20% off their stoneware this month. Also, I absolutely LOVE their mini serving spatula. I buy them and people keep stealing them. They are only $4! So, they do have quite the price range of items. They do charge shipping so it isn't worth it to just buy the spatula but I love their garlic press and chopper and mini loaf stoneware too. I will probably close the party Tuesday of next week. Thanks!

This quote was sent to me today...and I liked it.

"Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts—these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith."
--Elder Neil L. Andersen, "You Know Enough", Ensign, Nov 2008, 13–14


I loved this talk from conference. I always live with fear. Fear controls me, which makes it hard for me to have faith. I have to work on it all the time. I have to remember to "choose the road of faith."

This morning...

I was awakened by "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" on the radio. Seriously?!? We haven't even had Thanksgiving yet. Talk about rushing through time and shoving the holidays down our throats!!!

On another note...an old man at our gym (there are a lot of them) asked Tamra and I if we were 16. Then, today as I jumped off my treadmill in the middle of my workout and passed this same old guy as I headed downstairs he made another comment about us teenagers working out. I laughed and thought to myself "Oh yeah, I'm a teenager. I can't even finish the treadmill without having to run to the bathroom!"

Anyone interested?

I might run this race, unless it is toooooo cold. I can't run if it's super cold. Who'mIkidding...I can't run if it's nice out. But, you can walk/run so it should be okay. It's for a good cause and I don't have my kids this Thanksgiving and I only have to make sweet potatoes and rolls. So, if anyone is interested let me know you're going and you need to pre-register by the 17th. (I think? Don't quote me...check out the site.)

http://utahhumanrace.com/

P.S. Alicia - all ya gotta do is roll outta bed and show up. Can't get easier than that!

Parents Spot

Here's my parents tip for the day...


Have you heard of sexting, salvia, and the pass out game? One is a felony, one is legal in some states and one can happen at the happiest place on earth! If you haven't heard about this, do some research. Stay one step ahead of your teens and their possible risky behavior. If you think your straight "A" student isn't stupid and wouldn't do something like this...think again. We all do stupid things and make stupid mistakes. No one is immune. Think of the dumb stuff you may have done as a teen, it's not an impossibility. And for any parents out there that don't understand what your first step should be in dealing with this...I'll be subtle...

Take the cell phone away!

Take the computer away!

It is not an invasion of privacy to view their texts and emails!

Do not drive them to the stores!

Do not give them money!

Do not drive them to amusement parks!

In other words...do not enable!

Let's put on our "parent's pants" and show them who's in charge!

*I do not claim to have all the answers or know everything, but I do know what doesn't work, I do a lot of research and I can learn from others' mistakes. I get tired of these kids thinking they run the world with their half-developed brains and their attitudes. Parents need to step up and be in charge!

Halloween

I'm finally posting the pictures from Halloween. None of the kids were in school that day so they all dressed up and went to the school at 9:00 am for the parade. Mikaela dressed as a pirate, Hudson was a vampire and Dalton was spiderman. Loren and Ari wear different costumes all week. I can't keep up with those two. Cham decided we should have black spaghetti for dinner so I am posting pictures of that and the trick or treating that night.

All the kids

Mikaela

Hudson

Macie (Nick's daughter)

Loren

Dalton

Ari

Dinner

Black spaghetti (I know it looks gross! But, it's not!)

Seriously?!?

I tag 10 people on my very first tag and not-a-one responds to the tag!?! Let's hope my google reader is just broken...ya that must be it! Otherwise, you guys suck!

Child Safety Tips

People that know me know that I am a huge child advocate. I like to help ALL victims and can appreciate even what adult victims have to endure, but I especially want to help children. Children have no voice or choice in these matters. Children need empowerment in order to protect themselves and in order for us to help protect them. So, with that being said, I am posting about child safety and trying to give you my helps in case this is something you have been meaning to do and just haven't taken the time to research it. Have this discussion with your children today! And, continue it as part of your lifestyle. (Just like the sex talk!)

Last week we had a joint FHE with Billy, Cham and their girls. We had a very nice and informative discussion about child safety and sexual abuse. It went VERY well and the kids are so amazing. They had great discussions and answers to questions. We used the program that they use in some of the schools here in Utah called "Good Touch, Bad Touch" and it is a great program. Here is the site if anyone is interested: http://www.childhelp.org/gtbt. Click on "safety at home." (On a side note, if your school does not yet have this program, you should really try to get it going!) I also used a sharing time written by the Primary general board back in 1987. It was a little outdated and lacked a ton of information, but provided me with a general guideline. I also used some of the information from the beginning of the Wolf scout handbook as they have some scenarios that are helpful. There are a couple of DVD's you can order to help with this subject. One is through the childhelp.org site and the other is here: "The B-Safe Video helps children ages four to eleven learn to say "No." It can be obtained from Citadel Broadcasting, 434 Bearcat Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, $7.00. It teaches children how to avoid being picked up by a stranger and encourages them to "tell" if there has ever been any form of sexual abuse." (This information maybe outdated as I have not attempted to obtain the video but, I plan to shortly. Will update you when I find out.)

Those of you that know me, also know that I am a huge fan of Dr. Phil. He is also a huge child advocate. So, those of you that can't stand him, put away your feelings for a moment and read this. (Also, I want to know why people hate him so much, but that can be for another post.) I watched one of his shows about child abductions and decided to also post the link to the top five tips for parents to keep your children safe. Please check it out. Also, he reminds us to always be aware and if we suspect something with neighbors or others, we need to call the police. Let them try to investigate it and if we are wrong...no big deal. It's better to error on the side of the child...ALWAYS!!! In the Shawn Hornbeck case, one neighbor saw Shawn 7 months after his kidnapping, but never called police and other neighbors heard screaming and crying and never called.

And last but not least, there is a movie coming out this month called "Gardens of the Night." It is a movie about kidnapping and it is a "must see" for parents. I do not WANT to see this movie because I know it will leave me feeling sick and disgusted and discouraged. But, I know it's necessary and along with all that yucky stuff is the knowledge to protect. And knowledge is power. We, as parents, need to see how predators are getting a hold of our children. We need to get fully plugged in and do whatever we can reasonably do to protect. This movie was done by Tom Arnold and it will probably make you hate him after watching it. He says on the Dr. Phil show that this character that he plays is created after a man who abused him as a child. He thought the man was his friend and was always so friendly, etc. So, it's time for parents to take action! Today is the day to take that action. Today is the day to get plugged in! And, while you're at it, pass it on!

VIDA 5k

I didn't sleep well Friday night so on Saturday morning, I woke up entirely too early. I was not happy because it was the only day I could've slept-in in a very long time! So, I got up and decided since I was up anyway I would drive to Provo and run the VIDA 5k all by myself! Humph! (fold arms, move up and down once, purse lips, frown and pout, pout!) I had asked a few people to go with me, but no one would do it. So, I ran it myself. It was through the tree streets in Provo which I am familiar with because Don's aunt/uncle and cousins live up there. The half way point was right in front of his cousin's house. It is extreme uphills and extreme downhills and the road is sorta tilted so most of the run was lopsided. Anyway, I totally lost ground on the hill and thought I would die but then made up for it on the down hill. I ran it a minute slower than my last 5k with Tamra. Considering I walked some of it and have been a slacker on the running, I was happy enough. My quads hurt and I have shin splints so I will have to slack some more till the splints heal. Basically, I suck at running but that's for another post. Here are the pictures Val took that I stole from her facebook.

As I was running I was enjoying the breath taking mountain views of happy valley. Yes, happy valley has some beauty to it (Kyle...Tamra)! The weather was a perfectly crisp Autumn day. It was a good day and a good day to do something good! Check out VIDA to see how great they are! Since I was already in Provo, I decided to stop and visit Stacey's grave. This is her birthday month (she would have been 40!) it was beautiful and peaceful. It felt good for a moment and then it started to feel sad. As I was leaving, I got a funny text from D-rock and made plans to go to the Real playoff games with he and Alicia and felt much better and less alone! It was a good day.

P.S. Halloween pics are coming. I can't download on my caveman computer so unless Val took pictures that I can steal from her facebook, I can't post yet. Gotta go to Costco and load em to a CD first. I hate that I don't keep up with the times.

So What or Be OK

I wrote a while ago about how I like to dance when I am alone (well...in public too). I often find myself without the kids and all alone. I can either wallow (which I do plenty of) or dance. So, if I am really mad and angry I dance to Pink's So What. If I just want to dance it all out and I am in a better mood, I dance to Ingrid Michaelson's Be OK. Both songs are on my player to the right. You can see how the one would feed my anger and the other is much more upbeat. Right now, I'm super happy so I will be dancing to Be OK. So I'm gonna run now...er...dance! Later!


*Going to the Real playoffs and I will post more about Halloween, the playoffs and my race later.