No Treats For Jo

Poor Jo. She just had to go and fall on the wrong side of the law (just me...not the "real" law) just before Halloween. All of the plans she and Sarah had so carefully laid are now but a memory. Poor Jo. Let us heave a mighty sigh for our fallen angel. Whatever...she deserves it...rotten kid. But I did happen to get some choice pics of Jo and Sarah in their Halloween garb before they went and....well...did what they did. They were going for 80's prom queens but the thrift store only had precious gems like these. I think they are "vintagetacular" and perhaps a bit more 70's homecoming court instead. Happy Halloween Jail Bird!

It's The Great Pumpkin

OK, so maybe it's not THE Great Pumpkin...but it's pretty darn good. Jo and I carved pumpkins tonight. Kev was at work and Jim is in Chicago so it was just us girls. I was a little concerned, Jo and I with knives and no one to drive to the emergency room...always a risk.
Jo has had some issues lately so her pumpkin bears a political statement instead of a face. Silly girl. The Great Pumpkin doesn't grant wishes like that. All's well that ends well. We ended the night with no new gashes in our skin and Cloris got voted off Dancing With the Stars. YAY! Happy Halloween!!

It's Begining To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Yes sirree...I love a good snow day...Oh wait no I don't. Especially in October. When we woke up it was snowing. Not much but enough to cause a little concern. The wind was howling and the flakes were getting bigger.

We called the Branch President to get his thoughts on the matter, from where he was it looked fine...no canceling church from that end. I loaded the kids and all the posters and such I had made for the Primary Program into the car and we headed off to pick up John. I had to drive the bus to church because Jim has to fly to Chicago today. I HATE driving in the snow. I didn't want to over-react and be a big baby so we set out. It was really hard to see the road and the wind was scary...but I kept driving.

There were moments where I couldn't see the road at all...but I didn't want to be a weeny...so I kept driving.

Finally there came a point that there was no road and the slush was throwing the car all over the road. I called Jim and told him to call the other members in town and tell them to stay home. It was so risky...I would hate to have the Huberts in the ditch because I was trying to be tough. We got turned around and the flakes got bigger and the road disappeared for longer stretches. At one point John was sure we needed to stop in the middle of the road...but I kept driving. Needless to say, we made it home and are safe and cozy. Jo and I are making donuts and watching Teen Witch.

I am sorry that we have to postpone the primary program but I'm happy we are warm and safe and not in the snow.

Our Closet Preacher

The kids and I like it when Jim is on hydrocodone. He has the best dreams...and we get to hear them first hand. Jim talks in his sleep like no body's business. Last night Jim and I went to the church. I went for the Primary program practice and he went to catch up on the computer work (our Branch computer has been down for months). So we get home and tucked into bed. Jim has taken his narcotics like a good boy and then I wait. (Some nights the sandman is slow to find me) Kev rolled in around 12:30 and like the considerate lad he is, comes up to tell his over-protective mom that he is home. I was sleeping as well as one can with a head cold when I am rudely awakened by the sound of Kevin's laughter. It seems Jim was practicing his "Hell , Fire and Brimstone" sermon on me when Kev walked in. Of course Jim slept through the fits of laughter that ensued. Jim was waving his arms and pointing at Kev and muttering about the bible and the world going to hell. Kev could barely make it back down the stairs as he was laughing so hard. As he puttered around for minute before going to bed I could still hear him chuckle to himself in disbelief. So now you know why I look so tired every time you see me. Not only do I get up early...but I also have a front row seat at the church of Jim.

FYI

Just so you know...Jim is home and resting comfortably. The injection went well and he is playing couch commando for the rest of the day. They injected S1/L5 with Cortisone this morning at 7:15 and we were home by 8:20. He is feeling it a bit more that the last few shots... but that could be his age ((wink)). No problems so far and we are expecting full relief by Friday. YAY! Wish us (me) luck.

Happy Birthday Sarah

They say it's your birthday!!! Nah nah nah nah nah. Well, it's my birthday too.Nah nah nah nah nah. Whoo hoo! Happy happy day to you. I am so happy you came into our lives. I can hardly believe that we've only known you for a year. You are an irreplaceable part of our family. We love you Sarah Bear.

Happy Birthday Heather

So I am the last to get my happy wishes in for the day. I sleep in on Saturday...what can I say. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER. You have filled the hole in my life that I didn't even know was there. When I moved to this town...so far from home...all I could pray for was a friend. Who would have known that Heavenly Father would answer that prayer with an angel. It feels like I have known you my entire life. You are what I aspire to become in so many areas of my life. You are wild and crazy and sweet and sensitive and always there when I need a soft shoulder to cry on. I know it is selfish but I pray daily that we are in the same Branch until it is time for BOTH of us to move on. I love you and couldn't ask for a better (or prettier) friend.

Better Late Than Never

Anyone that knows me can tell you I am one of those "crazy Christmas people". I listen to Christmas music in August, put my tree up the first weekend in November, buy all the presents on my list before the middle of November and get my Christmas cards (complete with a friends and family letter) out before Thanksgiving. I'm not sure if it is subconscious or some form of rebelliousness, but this year I am a bit behind schedule. I've always had my Mom to help to feed this mania. One year we put her tree up 2 days before HALLOWEEN. Yep, in October. It was fantastic...Dad was not pleased. After that he made us wait until the first weekend in November. We have always had Christmas music all year and bought ornaments off e-bay in March. Without her here (for the first time) I must admit I am at a loss. Some of my friends have had their holiday music on a few times and my sisters have to put on a brave face because they have little kids that won't understand a rahbumhug for a Ma. I did have a gorgeous photographer take a pic of my contentious family for a Christmas card...but it turned out to be very stressful. I want to look forward to the season of joy, peace and love. I love commemorating the birth of our Savior. It fills our home with so much love and unity...usually. So as I try to focus on the reason for the season, perhaps I will be given the peace I need to carry on a tradition that started with my Mom. Wish me luck as I get out the Christmas music today. I'll probably bawl my eyes out as I sing along to our favorites; Mrs. Santa Clause, The Happiest Christmas Tree and Away in a Manger. If you've got time today...go find your CDs and sing along with Mom and me.

New Hair

I was very over-due for a haircut last month. Not just the inch trim that I get every time I color, but a real haircut. So I called Carla (because it'll be another 5 weeks before I get to see Amanda) and got on the schedule. I wish I had a "before" picture...but I don't. I can tell you that my hair is now 5 inches shorter and a teensy bit lighter. I love it and I know it will take about half the time to dry. BTW Don't let the make-upless face scare you. It was early in the day. ((sigh))

Pie Pie Me Oh My

When I was a kid we used to have the most wonderful Thanksgiving dinners with my Mom's side of the family. She has 3 sisters and 1 brother and most of them have big families. We would get together at Grandma's and everyone would bring food and we would play games with all our cousins. It was heaven on earth. My favorite part of the day was the pies that Grandma would make. The best part of Grandma's pie was the pie crust cookies. Since it's a bad idea to re-roll the crust, she would put the trimmings on a pan and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. They would come out of the oven golden and crispy and so sweet.
They went really fast since there was always a crowd in the kitchen...especially when Grandma was cooking. Today I was kinda missing my Grandma. The quickest way for me to feel closer to my Grandma is to pull out one of her recipes and cook up a storm. Usually I make a pie, and of course...pie crust cookies. I use the apple pie filling that I have canned (using on of her recipes) and it usually turns out just like Grandma used to make. Today I was not so lucky. The crust completely fell apart. I was so ticked. So as I stood, yelling at the pie, my (oh so understanding) husband told me to just throw it on the top. Or better yet, throw it away and just go topless (his joke...not mine). Of course I am my mother's daughter and just a touch stubborn. I tried to piece it together to look somewhat acceptable. I threw some sugar and cinnamon on the top and here is what I got. Not going to win any beauty contests but it tasted fabulous. All thanks to Grandma.

I Didn't Realize How Good I am at Tag

So here is the 4th picture in the 4th folder on my computer.This is Jo's birthday. Her friends had spent the night and she was opening her presents. Usually we've had to open her presents at 6:00 a.m. before Dad left for work so all her pics are of her scowling. This year her birthday was on a Saturday so everyone was well rested and smiling.

I was also tagged by my cousin to tell you 7 random things about me. What more do you all need to know. Sheesh. You're all like info sponges...sucking the information out of me. Here goes...

1- I get up at the horrible hour of 4:30 a.m. The Y opens at 5:00 a.m. and Jim and I go there that early so we can get home to get Jim to work at 6:30 and I teach seminary at 7:00. It's a pain. I don't stay up very late at night and I live for the weekend so I can catch up on my sleep.

2- I bought the series of Gilmore Girls on dvd for Jo and I to watch over and over. We love it. I also watch Charmed. I'm all about strong female rolls.

3- My first instinct is to say NO when my kids ask to do something. I blame that on my Dad. I am trying to constantly remind myself to get all the info...before I say NO.

4- I actually have 2 daughters. One is Jo the other is Sarah. If I didn't know better I'd swear they were separated at birth. I love her.

5- I have 4 colors in my hair. Brown, darker brown, blond and gray. Thanks girls.

6- I hate to clean the bathrooms. My kids are responsible to clean their own. That leaves 1 1/2 for me. I don't love it and short cut it every chance I can.

7- I am trying to decide how short to cut my hair. I don't love it really short, but I definitely need a change.

Just so you all know...all of these are things that my girls thought you all should know. Now I will tag...whom ever has the time and inclination to do it. I hate putting pressure on anyone.

Out With the Old...

I have been whining about my kitchen floor ever since we moved in. It's holey and stained and white. It has been the bane of my existence for 18 months. We have been going back and forth for 6 months about what type of flooring we wanted to get. We thought tile was the way to go. It's durable, adds value (sort of) and it's dang good looking. But on the down side...it's cold. I don't need any more cold surfaces in my world. We thought about wood. We have oak parquet in the living and dining rooms...but I don't love it and it CAN'T get wet. The laminate looked good...but I've heard not good things about it's durability.
So we landed on vinyl. It's not expensive, it looks OK and it's pretty durable. So today the floor guys, Archie and Chris came and made my floor pretty. I so do not miss the white vinyl. Next up, black appliances.

My Day As a Lunch Lady

Well, just let me tell you this isn't quite what I had in mind when I signed up to be a sub. I was thinking that the offices in the district would be a good place to sub. Good hours, no nights or weekends, home with my kids. Well, last year I subbed for the lady who runs the computer and charges the kids for their lunches. It was a fine job, but three hours in the middle of the day was cramping my style. So this year I thought I'd just stick to strictly office work. Wweeellll, except the the kitchen staff knows me pretty well now, loud laugh...always early...funky sun glasses. So when they needed a sub who do you think was first on their list??? It wasn't too bad. I was in charge of stocking the a la cart line and washing the BIG pots and warming trays. In our school district ALL the food is cooked in the high school lunch room and the dishes are washed there too. Yuck. I washed a lot of dishes today. I think my quota is filled for the entire month. Sorry kids. I did get to see Jo and I said HI to her friends...while rocking the fancy hair net. She was so impressed. Well, I think I can cross that off my "What do I want to be when I grow up" list. Pretty sure I don't want to be a lunch lady. Well, maybe something will land in my lap tomorrow. Stranger things have happened.