Gratitude

yes, it's another tag - don't say I didn't warn you... we're getting them all out of the way so that I can always say "oh yeah, I already did that one, it was fun - thanks for the invite though"...  

This one I picked up over that The Funny Farm...  her exact words were "consider yourself tagged" - and that's what I did.

1- If every job paid $50,ooo a year, and you had no physical or mental limitations, what would you do?

Given that I've decided that no mental limitations also means that I'd have a talent for it - I'd do some interior design...  of course, now that everyone's making 50 grand a year I might not be too busy - or wait, will this be like HealthCare reform?  oh, let's stop right there before I offend someone with a political rant.  Remember this is designated tag week - otherwise known as "I don't want to talk about all the other things that are going on in life and in politics so I'm filling my blog with nonsense week"

2-What is your current church calling?  What do you like about it?  What have some of your other callings been?

First - I have to give permission to anyone opting to do this after me to eliminate this question if it doesn't apply... I didn't write the questions people - I'm just answering them!  I currently teach the 6/7 year old boys and girls - they are a fun group of kids and I've grown to like a lot of things about the class... especially when they make me laugh out loud even when they're saying something that's off topic.  In the past I have served as (and I'm trying to keep these in order from my first calling nearly 20 years ago).  CTR 6 (Colorado), Nursery (College), Relief Society Teacher (Utah), CTR 7 (Colorado), Primary Secretary (Colorado), CTR 6 (Kansas), Relief Society 4th Sunday teacher (Kansas), CTR 8(Washington), Primary Secretary (Washington), Primary President (Washington), CTR 7 (Utah), Webelos Leader, Cub Master, Cub Committee Chairman, CTR 7 (all in this ward).  I have also greatly enjoyed getting to substitute teach a lot in RS while working with the cubs...  but I have a theory - we are called into a particular area for a reason - and we're supposed to learn something from that experience... so PLEASE somebody, clue me into what I have been missing all the many many times I have taught CTR 6,7,&8!

3- Name a person you regularly encounter (outside of you family) who brightens your day.

little neighbor A always makes me smile because she says my name "Ton-Eee-Yuh", how can that not help.  Also, I am privileged to start each day walking to school with neighb0r S who I regularly unload all my cares and troubles on...  and she tells me all the time that she doesn't mind even though I'm sure have more insanity than most :)

4- In 20 years, what do you think you will miss most about your life now?  Aside from my svelte figure and endless energy - oh wait, I'm going back 20 years again... umm, definitely my daily interactions with my children.  They drive me batty and then some most days - they are all incredible people with strong personalities...  I sometimes look forward to missing them, but I am sure I will... and then they'll visit and I'll change my mind :)

5- What's something you appreciate about your spouse?  This might be a long story - so hold on...  During the dark ages (the dating years) I met a lot of guys - and while you're looking for "Mr. Right" you tend to evaluate the potential field a little bit...  there were guys that made you fall head over heels for them and you (or maybe just me?) tend to change yourself just a tad to be more athletic/more brainy/ more witty so that they will like you more.  I knew Q was the one for me when I realized that I wasn't trying to be something different - that I could just be myself and we could be happy.  I loved him more because I actually liked myself more... Does that make any sense?  Okay, if it didn't let's just pretend I said I love that he tries to pitch in at home especially when he knows I've had a really nutso type of day.

6- What is your favorite routine, household chore?  really, I do tend to like clearing the tables and counters - it's such a rewarding result... until the next meal-time at least.

7- What's a book you return to occasionally (besides the scriptures)?

Oh, I have to go with Les Miserables - I don't always read it all the way through, but I love the intermingled plot lines and the history of it.

8- Favorite Small Pleasures:  blogging (entirely my SIL's fault), reading

9- Favorite Time of The Day:  I used to be more energetic and I'd do early morning walks - I would stand there on the sidewalk waiting for my friend  to come out of her house and be overwhelmed by the beauty of the morning pre-sunrise...  I love that each day brings with it a new opportunity to do a better job than the day before.

10- Name a person who performed what they thought was a small act of service, but ended up being a big deal to you:  When I was 8 months pregnant with my last child my friend Tara (who was pregnant herself) offered to come by and help me fold all the laundry that had been piling up...  it was clean, just not folded.  I had a doozy of a case of carpal tunnel at the time and really couldn't do much for myself and this one thing gave me a chance to feel like I wasn't months behind in the housework.  By the time she left I was more relaxed because I'd had a chance to chat with another adult and all the kids' sheets were washed and back on their beds - no small task for 2 pregnant ladies :)

11- Name someone who somehow changed your life.  This could be a LONG list.  I'll go with my oldest son though - all my kids probably, but him because he was the first.  On a daily basis he reminds me that I have a lot of growing to do in this world - and that despite being the adult I am but a child.  Maturity?  Yeah, we're working on it.

12- Consider what you do each day.  Think of one attribute or trait that you bring to your daily work that is a strength--what is something you do really well?  Crud... I'd forgotten that one was one there...  I'm going to go with perseverance...  because as many times as I just want to throw in the towel - I don't...  I don't WANT to stick to the budget, but I know I need to - I don't WANT to do the dishes/laundry/vacuuming/etc... but that's my job and it makes the house a happier place for my family.  

Ugh - this is not a funny post...  I suppose that's part of why I picked this tag to save for the end of tag week (well, almost the end...)

Tagging people:  I thought about tagging Ben - but he already posted about gratitude this week - and my list of other people that read here (and admit it) is limited to Kollen, Jenn, Heather, and Laura...  if any of you are feeling grateful, be my guest!

A Quick Trick Book Tag

Very Seuss-ian title - of which I am proud...

This is the tag in its entirety:  Grab the nearest book (no fair running around trying to find something impressive - just grab...) okay - got it?  Turn to page 56.  Go to the 5th sentence on the page.  Type it in your post.  Tell us what book it is... Ta-Dahh... one more down!

Okay:  my book is So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld - it's sitting here because I recently read it so that I could add a good two cents' worth to its review over on the book review blog.

The sentence:  "It was him, wasn't it?" Jen said.

oooh, that's mighty informative...  I'm sure you're dying to read it now :)  just be glad I didn't grab the second nearest book... it's a high school yearbook - here entirely because I don't frankly remember 2/3 of these people on facebook!  And believe me, that one guy looks TOTALLY different without the skater bangs covering his eyes!

Oh - and no, I'm not "tagging" anyone - just stick it here as a comment if you'd like - though you're welcome to do it over at your own blog if you feel the need :)

Ahhh... memory lane... this road really needs to be re-paved!

this 20, 10, 5, 1... is brought to you courtesy of Meg, and the number 20.  (I watched WAY too much Sesame Street as a child... but that was more than 20 years ago and thus the subject of another post entirely)  And yes, I'm doing 2 in one day - I'm getting tired of tag week so we're going to condense it a teensy bit!

20 years ago:  maybe not to the day - but I was finally of legal dating age and went out with some guy named Bryant to a Chinese Restaurant.  Trying to disguise my dislike of the food I'd  ordered I was talking a lot and gesturing with my hands - I know, that's a shocker.  Unfortunately my hands were holding a fork (no, I wasn't brave enough for chopsticks 20 years ago) and we were seated next to a short wall with a teensy little ledge which caught the edge of said fork and sent it flying... end over end over end... and it finally landed amongst a group of people just coming in to eat.  I used my embarrassment as an excuse to be done.  Funnier still - he continued to ask me out after that for awhile... I don't think we ever did go out again though.  Only guy I ever knew who really looked great with a beard.  OOoops, this was supposed to be a more general thing - working at a theatre in Downtown Denver, ditching my geometry class a lot... you know, typical teenage stuff :)

10 years ago:  Living in Wichita Kansas... wait, no - we had just moved AWAY from Wichita and were actually living with Q's parents for a little while (that being the code word for the fact that we overstayed our welcome by a tad...)  I was working at my 3rd KinderCare and suffering from a severe lack of respect for my boss - which was not entirely her fault I'm sure.  My two oldest were still but little wee ones and I had not learned the meaning of the words "basket case"  that came soon after though.

5 years ago:   Hmmm - why is this so hard?  We were living here, in this very house - though it looked VERY different at that point.  The kids were all doing well in school and I had yet to get super involved in PTA (ahh, those were the days).  I was teaching an occasional scrapbook class for the city, or maybe I was still on at Michael's then... details - who needs 'em?

1 year ago:  I was enjoying the beginning of school very much as the finally past-PTA president, it felt great.  The girls' awful summer haircuts were beginning to be manageable and I was beginning my Christmas shopping early!

Yesterday:  I listened to LDS General Conference on the radio...  it was good - I had small twinges of guilt that I will henceforth refer to as inspiration :)

There are no rules on how many I have to tag - so we'll go with... 2!  I'd like to see what Malinda was doing all those years when we'd lost touch - and since Becky and I seem to be twins separated at birth (aside from the whole birthday thing) I'd like to explore this theory a little further :)

Fastest Tag in the West.

This one wasn't originally part of tag week - but Mariann responded so quickly to mine so I'll return the favor... besides, once I dug out the right photo - 1/2 the work is done!

So here it is:  the rules of this tag were to open your photo program, go to the 6th folder, then choose the 6th photo in the folder...  easy peasy :)

The photo is from day one of the 2007 C family reunion (I think I'm right on the year...)  The athletic people in the family were playing tennis and the others (yep, that'd be me) were taking the kids for a walk.

I am just glad nobody wanted pictures from a few weeks prior when the girls chose to cut their own hair (after I let them watch The Parent Trap - apparently they wanted to be twins?)  a year and a half later and I still hate those photos!

TWO

yes, another tag - hey, I warned you it was tag week - what did you expect?  This Beauty is from my friend Janet who saved my sanity more than once while we lived in Arlington, Washington.

2 names you go by:  Mom and Tonya

2 things I'm wearing right now:  Grey workout pants and my t-shirt that proclaims "My Way or the Highway"  (I should have changed before answering that... or lied...)

2 of my favorite things:  my family and a good book

2 things I want very badly at the moment:  Sleep and for the laundry fairies to come and take care of the mountain of clean laundry I washed but cannot bring myself to fold

2 favorite pets you have/had:  Pinegar (a fish) and Ebby (a cat)

2 things you did last night:  Laundry, Dishes

2 things you ate today:  pretzel sticks, turkey tacos

Last 2 people you talked to:  my dear hubby Q, and M... she wanted something and now I'm wondering if I took care of it?

2 things you are planning on doing today:  oops, should have written this earlier - there's not much planned for the rest of the day...  study time with the family and making cookies together

2 longest trips taken in the last 5 years:  Florida with Q (first time we were alone in 12 years), and San Diego with the family - LegoLand rocks.

2 favorite holidays:  Christmas and Groundhog's Day

2 favorite beverages:  Wendy's light Lemonade, and Berry Flavored Water  (and no Janet, I wasn't copying you... I just happen to love the stuff too!) 

2 people who get to do this next:  Sher (my sister in law) and Kristelle (my good friend and neighbor whom I'm sure will still talk to me after this)

Would she even remember if I never did the tag?

That's what I said to myself back in early July when Erin challenged us to a tag - and now I'm sure the answer is "no" BUT... since I'm doing tag week around here, I can't leave this one out...  I'd like to say it's because I'm excited to answer her questions, but frankly - I don't remember what they are - so here goes nothing:

Favorite Day of The Week:  Monday?  yeah, not a popular opinion - and not LAST Monday in particular - but I like that my house is generally clean from the weekend cleaning burst of energy (and forcefulness) and that I get some time to just read to my youngest and relax before the week takes hold.  Actually, come to think of it - Monday was actually the best day even this week... 

Favorite Candy Bar:  I'll have to go with a PayDay bar... lots of sugar, lots of nuts, yummy caramel - and no nasty chocolate.  If you're surprised that I don't like chocolate you obviously didn't read the post yesterday.

Favorite Restaurant:  Hmmm...  Maybe Applebee's - there's some other places that I'd PREFER to eat, but don't because the price is a tad steep... so the practical side of me will stick with yummy and affordable.

Favorite Fast Food:  If Subway isn't fast enough for you I don't know what to tell you - Wendy's does have one good salad and I indulge in their lemonade as often as possible...  it might be a tie.

What City in UT would you most like to live?  Hmm...  I think I'm good, a smidge to one side or the other would be okay, but I like my city.  Who decided on Utah though?  

Would you prefer Hubby to bring home a bouquet of flowers or a pint of ice cream?  Neither would last long, but make it ice cream :)  And while we're indulging, could it be white chocolate macadamia nut cookie dough ice cream?

Anchorwoman or small shop owner?  Really this one's a toughie - but the ability to sit and tell the masses what I think... that's swaying my opinion pretty swiftly!

Magazine Editor or Big City Prosecution Attorney?  oh, Magazine Editor anyday...  as long as I don't get stuck at Car and Driver or something...

Favorite Household Chore?  does blogging count?  okay then, I like arranging the bookshelves... oh, I can hear Erin whining already - FINE - I pick vacuuming.

Least Favorite?  The competition is strong here - Bathrooms... there are too many boys in our family.

Favorite Cereal?  Rice Krispies... plain, no sugar...  or bran flakes... I'm getting old.

Favorite Season?  Autumn

Favorite ACTIVE activity?  Walking - as long as I'm with someone I like to chat with and we're not going so fast as to actually breathe hard.  

Favorite LEISURE activity?  Reading, no question there.

Do you take vitamins?  no, BUT before I get nasty e-mails... I am VERY conscious of the amount of nutrition in the foods I eat - so I do get the 100% of my iron, calcium, and a few others that I care about :)

How many tickets?  Oh, shoot, I don't remember this question being in there - I wonder if I could get away with not answering it?

What does retirement bring?  Well, I'm not counting on Social Security benefits - but since we're already living in the perfect area for retirees I think we'll stay put and plan to do some traveling.

What talent do you want to have?  Diplomacy...  that would really be helpful since the kids are entering their teenage years!

Oh, I'm supposed to tag people too?  umm, yeah - for today let's just share a few little tid-bits here in the comments section...  

When the going gets tough... the Tough go Tagging!

I have to say - it's been a REALLY rough week around here - and I'm just not feeling very witty and chipper - so instead of leaving it ALL week without a post... I'm taking the chickens way out and making it Tag Week... you see, I've been tagged 3 times this week... maybe 4 - and they all look like fun tags, so I'm going to do them... all of them - and here's the first - compliments of Becky (who happens to be one of the funniest people I've never met)

1- I spent about 75% of the time between the ages of 8 and 13 on crutches... stupid foot.

2-Although I grew up in Colorado I never went skiing until winter of 1998 - I hated it.

3-I like to re-arrange my furniture every 6 months... and coincidentally that's about how often I vacuum behind the entertainment center!

4-I don't eat chocolate... whether that makes me a bad American, a bad Christian, or a bad Woman in your eyes - I can't stand the stuff, it smells nasty to me.

5-I read obsessively.  This is not a good thing - Hubby knows by the big red box on the Calendar that a new book is coming out and that will mean 3 things:  Don't plan any family time, Expect Pizza for dinner, and make sure you have enough socks to get through the week 'cause this lady will only move from her reading perch for occasional sustenance and potty breaks.

Tag Break - man this is hard guys - who knew it would be such a chore to come up with 7 odd things about me... maybe I'm more normal than I thought?  Don't answer that.  I'm sure many of my friends and family could come up with... oh wait, that brings to mind:

6-I have just an itty bitty touch of OCD - my CD's are alphabetically arranged, my shirts are color coded in the closet, and if you ever play cards with me PLEASE don't make a mess of the piles... or discard three 6's in a row... it tends to make me a little crazy :)

7-Despite all those years on crutches, I've never broken a bone... unless you count my front tooth (but that's a WHOLE other post in itself... remind me sometime, it's a hilarious story!).  I've mis-aligned the growth plates in my wrist - I've had bones removed (a little tiny one in my foot) - I've had all SORTS of things go wrong with infections and the like, but no broken bones.

Okay - that's 7, and yes, it was crazy hard... now I have to pick 7 of you to tag... and you might just want to hold on because frankly there are only about 10 people that I KNOW come here often enough to be tagged... so you're gonna get it eventually, and maybe twice - so just save them up and do them all together?  okay, here are the lucky winners in no particular order because I'm just wracking my brain trying to come up with 7.

Chelsi - because I KNOW she laughed at all my medical mishaps and the OCD (and she's the only one I know who beats me to straightening the pile)

Janet - because one of these upcoming tags is from her

Erin - also because I've got an Erin tag on hold

Megan - because she's my kids favorite aunt... or at least that's what she says

Firefly - because she's lurking around here and I like to point out that some Non-Family DOES show up.  Besides - she's a cool yogini (I think that's the word)

Mariann - because she's been blogging about bugs a lot lately... and refrigerators... and I am dying to see what she does with this

Darcy - because she hasn't posted anything new in 2 weeks and sometimes girl - you just gotta put something mindless down!  Usually her stuff is nice and deep and meaningful (and beautiful, she makes some GORGEOUS quilts) and while that is a wonderful break from my "stream of conscious thought" writing - I just want to know what's UP?

Don't feel bad about being left out - and don't gripe about being tagged... I tell you what, if you really feel the need to comment you can just tell me what you think the proper spelling is for the sound the kids make when they stick out their tongues and blow a raspberry... I'm going with PBBLLTH for now, but I'm up for suggestions.  Are there differences according to regional dialects?  Maybe it's the #8 odd thing, but this question has intrigued me for years... (no, not really, who do you think I AM?)