Christmas Contest

Let's play a game. Winner gets a copy of Stolen Christmas, autographed by me.

All you have to do is answer the following questions. You can answer in either the comment trail or e-mail me with your answers (sandra.sorenson@gmail.com)

I will leave this post up until Sunday, December 6th. At 6 pm. I will go through all of the entries. The one with the most correct answers wins the book. If there are more than one with the same amount of correct answers, I will put the names in a hat and have Brandi choose one.

Have fun!!

1. Where would you go to hear Silver Bells? ________________

2. Who was it that danced with the silk hat on his head? ______________

3. Where would you find Reindeer Paws?? ______________

4. What did the cattle do to wake the poor baby? ______________

5. When did I see those three ships? ______________

6. What size were those Kings of the Orient?? ______________

7. What is it that helps to make the season bright.? ___________________

8. Who wants a pair of hop-a-long boots, and a pistol that shoots? ________

9. Who still wants a hula a hoop? ____________

10. Who kept time to the drum? ______________

11. Who and what color was the animal that gave the hay to pillow his head ? _______

12. Where do the hopes and fears of all the years meet? _________________

13. What would keep me warm all the way home? __________________

14. What does Susie want? ___________________

15. Why does the child want his two front teeth? __________________

16. What was the other reindeer's name?? (she used to laugh and call him names)________

17. What was the horse in Jingle bells named??? ______________

18. When will I finally go? _______________

19. What color is Christmas without you? __________________

20. What is the parson in the meadows name? _______________

Extra Credit:
• Where does one go a wassailing? ___________________________
• ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ? ____________

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Indeed.

Redemption, Justice, Love and Mercy

We sang my favorite Sacrament hymn today. But I hate it when we only sing the verses that are inside the music staffs. My favorite verses are usually the ones underneath the song, as is the case with this song. In fact, the last verse is my favorite of all.

How great, how glorious, how complete

Redemption's grand design,

Where justice, love, and mercy meet

In harmony divine!

And those are some of my favorite words: Redemption, Justice, Love and Mercy.

---

Don't forget to order your copy of Stolen Christmas.
Indeed.

Thought from the weekend

*This game was COLD

*Don't try and buy a suit for your future missionary the day after Thanksgiving. There won't be any in his size that he likes. And the salesman at Dillards will try to sell you an ugly $800 suit for $200. Who needs an $800 suit?

*If you are the coach of a soccer team and you have 2 great players that play well together and make a good team and they move the ball down the field and put it in the goal consistently and there is 5 minutes left in the game, why do you take one of them out and put in your worst player? The one that usually misses the ball and when she does kick it it is in a random direction because she doesn't know where her team mates are? Are you really trying to sabatoge your team? Just asking.

*I am not the only one that wonders the above, all the other parents were asking it too. (because I wasn't going to say anything because the player she always takes out is my child.)

*When you see a dead animal on the side of the road, do you ever wonder about their families? I did this weekend. I was wondering how long the left behind animals wonder about the dead one.

*I wonder what the pioneers thought about all the red landscape when they got to Southern Utah. Was it extremely different from their homeland? Did they think it beautiful or weird?

*There is no good (meaning healthy) fast food.

*Why do stores not carry swim suits year round? Do they really think that no one swims in the fall and winter? Have they not heard of indoor pools?

* I got a new phone. Matt & Brandi have been using it non-stop. But not to make phone calls.

*Remember when you got a phone and all it did was call people?

*Overheard, "I have to figure out how to use this new camera." Remember when you used to get a new camera, take it out of the box and just point and shoot? But of course you then had to remember to wind the film, take it out, get it developed, pick it up, hope you had some good pictures....

*I saw the end of the rainbow. But unfortunately the leprechauns had already taken their gold.

*I loved watching soccer this weekend, but am glad to be home.

* I don't have cable and after a weekend of having a bazillion channels and nothing to watch, I won't be getting it anytime soon.

*I hope you all had a great week and a happy holiday.

---

Indeed.

Soccer!!!!

In St. George today for a soccer tournament. I'll post updates later after the games.

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Indeed.

Thanksgiving day

I was going to make a picture slide show of all the things I am thankful for, but for some reason my computer keeps crashing when I try.

So I'll just make a short list for you and then eat a turkey dinner and head to the hotel to be ready for Brandi's soccer tournament tomorrow.

Donovan, Kristina, Hunter, Jordan

Jessica

Trevor

Matthew

Ethan

Jacob

Brandalyn

Dawna, Rick, Lacey, Luke, Ashli, Shayla, Jason, Rian

Everett, Brandon, Brad, Emily, Brittney

Loretta, Wynn, Andrew, Leza, Drewann, Gary Dean, Morgan, Lexie, Tanner

Sharon, Jacob, Simon, James, Sage

Tawnya, Isaac, Sammy

Dustin, Cindy

Mom & Dad

The rest of my family

All of you, my friends

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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Indeed.

Students

We have great students at the highschool.

Yesterday during lunch I witnessed one such student.

One of our special needs students likes to knuckle bump with others. He has a whole ritual. Knuckle bump, open hand in an "explosion", wave it like a firework falling.

T, the special needs student stopped another student, they did the ritual and then both went their own way.

I asked the other student if he knew T or was his peer tutor or something. He said no, he had never met T before.

But he did the whole ritual to make a boy happy.

We have awesome students.

---

Indeed.

Thanks

Some 40+ years ago a salesman showed up on the doorstep, selling encyclopedias. Mom and Dad scraped together the money and purchased a set for us.

I am sun sensitive. That means I can't go out and spend large amounts of time in the sun because I get physically ill. It's not pretty. Trust me. And I grew up in an area of the country where the sun is brutal. We had 2 seasons- hot and hotter. (ok I exaggerate, it would rain in August and we did wear a jacket to school and carried it home in the winter) But trust me, I didn't spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer.

No, instead I set in front of the book case and read. The dictionary. and the encyclopedia volumes.

And sometimes I would move to the bookcase at the end of the hall and read a couple of volumes of Agatha Christie or Mark Twain or whatever else my hand touched that day.

But there have been times that I have loved that encyclopedic education. Today was one such day.

The Gov/Cit, history teacher had a family emergency and had to go get his son in SLC. He needed a sub. Fast. For his resource history class. The one that doesn't like to read or do work or anything that isn't handed to them. They were supposed to read a packet on the history of Thanksgiving and then write a summary on it.

Guess who wasn't doing it when I got to the classroom?

Thanks to the love of learning that my parents gave me when they purchased that set of encyclopedias, I was able to skim the article and have a meaningful discussion with the students, ask questions that led them to the article to find the answers and they read and they answered and thought and we all had an enjoyable class.

And even though I can find all kinds of information on the internet, I still love going downstairs and pulling out a volume and just reading.

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Indeed.

Just Because

In case you hadn't noticed, I've been having a bad couple of weeks. And I don't see an end in sight any time soon. Today has been kind of stressful, even though I have been trying to pretend its not. My classes are 6 weeks long. Except for that one that was 8. And the one I start today that is 3 weeks. I go to class on Wednesdays. Except this week when we asked if we could hold class on Monday instead because of Thanksgiving.

I thought it was a good idea at the time. But this weekend was spent writing the paper that is due tonight. And the 5 minute oral presentation that goes along with that paper. Also due tonight. I had 4 days to do them. I am not pleased with either one of them, but have no time to do anything different. And whether or not I get to continue in the program depends not on the straight A's I have gotten in the last 8 classes, but on this paper and 5 minute presentation. And one 20 minute interview in 3 weeks and whether I stick with the method I tell the teacher tonight that I plan on using.

I'm stressed.

Then Shelly called me from work because someone had just dropped these off at my office.

It was early out so I had gone home already. Shelly wanted to know if she should put them in the vase at work or bring them to my house. I said it depended on who they were from. I had her open the card to find out.

It said,

"Dear Sandra

Just Because

Have Great Week!"

Then it was signed. I had Shelly bring them to the house. And while I still feel stressed about the paper and presentation and class as a whole, it is going to be all right Because my friend that sent the flowers understands that in life, Nice Matters.

Thanks friend! Love you.

---

Indeed.

Stolen Christmas

Here are the official links and how to order stuff for Stolen Christmas.

Order here

By Lds Publisher, Roger Bonner, Don Carey, Laura Craner, Joyce DiPastena, Sarah M. Eden, L. T. Elliot, Gussie Fick, Melanie Goldmund, M. Gray, Taegyn Hutchinson, Angie Lofthouse, Lori Nawyn, Tristi Pinkston, Brian C. Ricks, Sandra Sorenson, Janice Sperry, Christine Thackeray

What happens when you're so poor you have to steal your Christmas presents? Have you ever taken a punch in the face as your Christmas gift to the girl you love? Or saved Christmas while hunting were-weevils?

These award-winning Christmas stories are the best of the best from the LDS Publisher Christmas Story Contests. From Christmases past, to present, to future; from sweet and inspirational, to zany and delightful-there's a story for everyone in this eclectic collection.

Seventeen stories to celebrate the season, from Sarah M. Eden, Tristi Pinkston, Joyce DiPastena, Christine Thackeray, Don Carey, and more.

Publication Date:Nov 18 2009
ISBN/EAN13:1931858160 / 9781931858168
Page Count:108
Binding Type:US Trade Paper
Trim Size:6" x 9"
Language:English
Color:Black and White
Related Categories:Fiction / Anthologies

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Indeed.

Things I miss

I woke up with a horrible headache. So did Brandi. And Jacob. And Ethan still has a cough and a slight fever. And Trevor still can't keep anything down.

We stayed home from church. And Donovan and Kristina, Hunter and Jordan didn't come for Sunday dinner.

Because I have class on Monday instead of Wednesday this week, I had to do homework. It took me 10 hours to put together a 5 minute oral presentation. About my professional growth in the last 12 months. I thought it would be easy. It wasn't.

Because we stayed home today, I was thinking about all the things I miss lately.

I miss my life:

Matthew is making a pie because I have no time to ever bake for the kids anymore and he wanted one.

I miss cooking and cleaning and the satisfaction that comes from a clean, orderly home.

I miss having time to read anything I want, anytime I want and enjoy it and not feel rushed because homework is waiting.

I miss going to church and partaking of the sweet spirit of others.

I miss taking the sacrament.

I miss really reading the scriptures. I mean really reading and not just listening to them on my iPod while I do dishes just so that I keep them in my mind.

I miss hanging out with friends and just chatting.

I miss visiting teaching- because really? I have let e-mails take the place. Not fair to my VT. sister. I only have one sister to teach and no partner, so how hard can it be? Apparently I have let it become hard.

I miss regular temple trips. The temple is 7 minutes away. You can see it from my front porch. But yet I have let stuff get in my way of regular weekly visits. I should stop sleeping in on Saturdays.

I miss good neighbors.

I miss dancing everyday.

I miss my family. I wish we could get together more often.

I miss Jordan coming every Wed. to hang out for a couple of hours.

I miss Hunter.

I miss me. If you see me, keep me there until I catch up. I know I'll appreciate it.

---

Indeed.

One piece at a time

Apparently when you have a piece of medical equipment, one that you need to have for the rest of you life, billing you for it is special.

Here's what happened. I received notice that I was being sent to a collection agency for non payment.

I was confused. Hadn't I just sent a check for $130? And the month before that? And the month before... You get the idea. The months when the statement came just 3 weeks apart and the months when the statement came 5-6 weeks apart. I paid. I promise I did.

I called the company.

ONE of my accounts is paid in full, ONE is current and almost paid off, but THE REST are delinquent.

The rest???????????

Um, exactly how many accounts do I have? I only have one machine.

Well, there is the account for the motor, (paid off)

The account for the humidifier (up to date and the machine does not work without it)

The account for the monthly filters (I have never recieved filters other than what came with the machine, oh, and this account is one of the delinquent ones- $1)

The account for.....

Are you kidding me? I have to pay for this stinkin' machine one bolt at a time? And you are sending me to collections over 1 stinkin' dollar.

Apparently it is ok to bill for medical equipment this way. And it is also ok to not send a statement every month for each part, but every stagger them so that each statement comes just as you have paid the last one. And it is ok to change the account number on each one by one number in the middle so when you just glance at it, you don't notice the difference. And it is ok to put only the mysterious account number on the statement and never ever identify what the bill is for. Because believe me if I had seen that this statement was for filters and that one for the motor and this one for the electric cord, and this one for the humidifier....

And when the customer asks for a supervisor to discuss this- the supervisor is never in the office. And she doesn't call back when the customer is told she will.

And apparently I am stupid and it is my fault. Ma'am.

So if you ever need a piece of medical equipment and the dr. uses Homelink as their billing agency- be warned.

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Indeed.

Just Dance

A new thing around here, Dance as found in my everyday life
Every once in a while I'll show you how it looks.

Here is the first installment

Dance at work

Niece and nephew dance

"The body says what words cannot"

One of my favorite sayings goes like this:

"Dancing is like singing a song, except I get to use my whole body."

So, just dance.

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Indeed.

Now that's what I'm talking about

Another day, another team, another outcome.

Tonight was the marching band banquet. I'll post pictures at a later date. It was an amazing banquet to top off an amazing year. But I want to talk about the team I had to help me with the banquet.

First is the band director. We sat down with the budget in hand and decided what we could afford to do food wise. Decoration was totally up to me. Once upon a time, I did party decorating. At that time I told him that as long as I had a student in the band, I would decorate for free, but when I didn't have a student in the band- he had to pay me. So the decoration budget is only limited by my time and money. Which this year were both at a premium.

Anyway, food was planned and part of it was ordered to be picked up today. I met with my committee and we kicked around ideas for themes and decorations and discussed how much time we all had to devote to each item. We came to an agreement on decor and who would do what. I told them that I probably would not send out reminder e-mails, so unless they told me otherwise, I was just going to assume they would follow through.

And they did.

I went to the cafeteria as soon as the bell rang this afternoon. Parents were there waiting for me. So were band members. They came and went in shifts. They covered the tables with paper. They set silverware and napkins on the tables. They put food in the warmers and set up the serving area. More food was delivered.

Dessert was donated by Kneaders.

Because the show the band did was music from Cirque de Soliel, we went with a circus theme and the colors were taken from the color guards flags- black and yellow. All I did was blow up balloons and put them together as bouquets.

At one point I said, "We should have done popcorn and peanuts. That would have been fun." One of my committee members was headed to the store to grab something for her. We had 90 minutes and everything was done. When she got back she had 1 lb of peanuts, which we scattered on the tables. She also had a couple bags of pre-popped popcorn and Jiffy Lube of Linden had donated popcorn bags. Then she dished the popcorn into the bags and we had them during the video recap of the season. It was a big hit.

After the banquet? I gathered the flowers off of the table and went to put them in my bag. I turned around and the tables were almost all cleared off. So I went into the serving area, picked up the 4 dessert boxes, took them to the garbage can, turned around and the rest of the serving area was almost cleaned up. I put the left over ham onto plates for the committee to take home and they had finished clearing everything else. So I headed back into the eating area. All that was left was to sweep. The band director walked in with three brooms and they were claimed by parents before I could even move.

The entire banquet area was cleared and cleaned in less than 20 minutes! The only thing I had to do the entire evening was blow up those balloons and then return the paper roll and cart to my office.

How do you thank a committee like that? They were amazing and I am thankful for their help.

Oh, and if you live close to Utah County, get a copy of this week's Timpanogos Times. Read page 5.

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Indeed.

Done

Not much to say tonight except,

I am so glad that class is done and over with!!! I changed learning teams for this class to help out another class mate. I now know why no one wants to be on this learning team. Can I just say, If you tell me I will have your part of the group project by 8 pm Tuesday so I can compile it and turn it in by 9 pm Tuesday, DON'T WAIT UNTIL 4:30 ON WED TO GIVE IT TO ME!! because I will turn everything except your part in on Tuesday at 9 pm as agreed.

AND if you say you can meet at 5 pm to do a quick run through of the oral presentation- THAT IS OUR FINAL GRADE, don't breeze in at 5:30 and then spend the next 20 minutes running off your individual assignment, finding out what chapter tonight's test is on, and deciding where you are going for dinner during the break!

Because that oral presentation tonight? I am not a happy woman.

Because I will be mad and when it comes my turn to give you your group grade, it won't be 4/4.

And that is a promise.

---

Indeed.

PGHS marching band- not marching

PGHS performs in the PGHS Got Talent competition

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Indeed.

Take Note

Memo

TO:Self

RE:For future reference

When you are working full time and going to school full time, do NOT volunteer to be head of the committee in charge of the marching band banquet. Especially when said banquet is held the day after the last day of class. The day after you have a test on 5 chapters of reading. The day after a 6-10 page paper is due along with 6 lesson plans and a group oral presentation.

Memo

To: Trevor

RE: Thanks

Thanks for cooking supper and doing the dishes tonight while I finished my paper. I appreciate the help and I was in bed before midnight. First time in the last 6 weeks.

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Indeed.

Today

This is for my friend. Today is the anniversary of the day her son left this life. She is a very strong woman. I can only imagine the pain and emptiness she has felt in the last 4 years. Has it really been 4 years?

I never wrote about this before. It was too painful, too personal, too emotional, too...... But today, Today I thought of him again and knew I had to write it down.

The phone call came from another neighbor. My first thought, well wasn't really a thought because I could not process what she was telling me. Hadn't he just been at my house 2 days before? In my garage helping Donovan with his car engine rebuild? Wait, What? I don't understand what you are telling me.

My second thought was, "Oh man, I have to call Donovan and tell him. I don't want to call Donovan and tell him."

Third thought, "Now I have to tell the rest of the kids. Why do I have to be the grown up? I don't want to be the grownup any more." But I told them and then we had to deal with the fact that it was Young Men/Young Women night and I had crying grieving children, a 6 year old that really didn't understand what was going on, dinner cooking, and an intense need to go to his parents.

I called Donovan, or Kristina, I don't remember who I ended up talking to. Either way it was not a phone call I wanted to make, as they were all three friends and class mates. I think the kids and I prayed, I don't remember, but would like to think we did. I turned off dinner, sent the older kids to YM/YW, where a loving leader helped Jessica make it through the evening because she really should have stayed home. Her grief was almost overwhelming. I packed a back pack with quiet toys, books etc for Brandi and we went up the street to his parent's home. And I just sat with them for a while.

It was a hard time for us, but I am sure it was even harder for his parents. I cannot even begin to understand the trial of burying a child.

But let me tell you about my freind's son. As a young boy he was full of mischief. If there was something going on, he most likely was there. But it was never malicious mischief, just boy full of energy mischief.

But he was also one of the most polite young men you have ever met. He was a loving caring person and would bend over backward to help you out if you needed it.

He once told me he wanted to be an architect and described some of the things he wanted to design and build. And he could have to.

The thing I miss most about him is his laugh. He had the best laugh in the whole world. And he laughed with his whole heart.

I don't know the answer to why he had to leave this world so early, but today, friend, know that you are loved and I am thinking of your family today.

(I am including this video because everytime I hear it I think of him)

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Indeed.

Personal Horn blowing ahead

I stole this whole post from LDS Publisher. But I can totally justify it, I am too lazy to write my own and copy and paste all of the links and stuff. Mostly because my e-mail program is all wacked out and it would take more brain power than I have right now, but also because it is just easier this way and she has written it so well. And with a title like this book has, well it was just begging for a stolen post, wasn't it?

Pre-order your copy now!

Title: Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season

Author: LDS Publisher, ed.

Publisher: LDS Publisher*

Release Date: November 21, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-931858-16-8

Size: 108 pages, 6x9, softcover

Genre: Christmas Short Story Collection

What happens when you’re so poor you have to steal your Christmas presents? Have you ever taken a punch in the face as your Christmas gift to the girl you love? Or saved Christmas while hunting were-weevils?

These award-winning Christmas stories are the best of the best from the LDS Publisher Christmas Story Contests. From Christmases past, to present, to future; from sweet and inspirational, to zany and delightful—there’s a story for everyone in this eclectic collection.

Featuring LDS authors:

Roger Bonner
Don Carey
Laura Craner
Joyce DiPastena
Sarah M. Eden
L.T. Elliot
Gussie Fick
Melanie Goldmund
M. Gray
Taegyn Hutchinson
Angie Lofthouse
Lori Nawyn
Tristi Pinkston
Brian C. Ricks
Sandra Sorenson
Janice Sperry
Christine Thackeray

Stolen Christmas will be available for order through Amazon.com on November 21st or you may pre-order copies through LDS Publisher now. Pre-orders are expected to ship on or before November 28th.

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Indeed.

An Angel on MainStreet

An Angel On Main Street

Kathi Oram Peterson

Micah Connors promised his mother he would be bood in their new town. But with Christmas only three days away, being escorted home by the sheriff does not bode well. Can the towering officer be trusted not to tell what happened? Perhaps the ramshackle stable that has appeared on Main Street will sidetrack him from spilling the day's events-- or maybe his interest in Micah's widowed mother will do the trick. The last thing Dawn Connors needs is to hear her son is in trouble. She has enough to worry about with her husband gone and her daughter, Annie, ill.

Even though Micah has told his sister the rustic structure in the middle of town is simply part of the town's holiday decorations, Annie is sure that unseen angels are building the crude stable-- which means baby Jesus is coming, and He can make her better. Terrified that his little sister might die, Micah vows to find the baby Jesus for Annie, even if it is only a plastic doll. But as Micah gets nearer to his goal he finds that angels are closer than he ever would have believed.

It snowed yesterday and with it came the urge to play Christmas music. I resisted. It was hard. And it was made harder knowing I would be writing this review today. I should have written it when I finished the book and it was 75* outside.

If I had just a few short sentences to tell you about this book I would say something like- It is the perfect Christmas read- not too long, not too short. It has all the requisite features of a feel good Christmas story- the rascal brother, trying to scrape by mother, sick sister, down on his luck towns person, crotchedy store keeper, mischeveous friends, skipping school, snow, local law enforcement and your Christmas miracle complete with angels and a manger. And I loved every minute of it.

Kathi has a way of writing that draws you into the story even when you are sure you know what is coming next. Though I will admit I never guessed who it really was that was building the manger in the center of town. Nor did I guess the rest of his secrets or how he would play an even bigger part in the miracle ending of the story. In any other story I would be cynical about it and say "not in real life, that is so contrived" but in this story it works and works well. In fact, I cannot imagine any other ending to this story.

If you are looking for a good story this Christmas season, I have two recommendations for you. The second recommendation you are going to have to wait for, but this is the other one. Get it, read it, love it.

Now for all the details and a contest:

Kathi is holding a contest. She says: I'm holding a contest called An Angel in Your Life Contest. Here's the lowdown on it. The contest runs from now until December 15th. Anyone can enter by simply emailing me at kathiorampeterso@yahoo.com and writing about an experience you have had with someone who became an angel in your life. The winner will be announced on my blog (http://www.blogger.com/www.kathiswritingnook.com). A gift certificate from either Seagull Book or Deseret Book will be given to the winner and an "Angel" in his/her life. This contest celebrates the selfless, kind acts performed daily, many times unnoticed. If you are like me, many people have helped you through times of trouble. Let's face it, life is tough and the small acts of kindness shown to us by others needs to be remembered and celebrated especially during the holidays. Christmas brings out the best in people and I wanted to give others the opportunity to thank those who have touched their lives in a profound way. Hopefully this contest will remind us of the angels in our lives.

Purchase the book here

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Indeed.

A question on a cold and blustery day

I have spent the day writing lesson plans. I don't really understand why she makes us write 2-3 lesson plans a week when they are in abundance on the internet, books at school supply stores, book available at school counselor sites, in the counseling departments of schools.... I do understand her having us learn how to write one, and even writing 1 or two, but seriously 2-3/week? In addition to the papers that are due and the 5 chapters of reading?

It was this line of thought that brought me to where I am now, comparing myself to A.A. Milne's Hundred Acre Wood residents. I have often thought that if I were to ever do a personality types survey, I would use these characters. Without doing a scientific study, or writing questions and answers, I would classify myself as an Eeyore.

Not just Eeyore, but this Eeyore. This sad, gloomy, rainy day, Thanks for noticin' type of Eeyore. If there is a down side to a situation, I see it. Anticipate it. Expect it. Am not surprised when it happens. And when it doesn't, I don't enjoy it, but wait for it to turn bad. Hold my breath, knowing that any second the house of sticks is going to come crashing down.

What is it that makes one of us Eeyore and someone else Tigger? We could get into the whole Nature vs. Nurture discussion and we will probably agree that it is some combination of the two. And we will probably agree that there are some Eeyores that are that way because of a chemicals mess up in their brain. Modern science has given us medicine to help with that. But when it is not chemical, others that share your same DNA and nuture conditions, what is it that makes you who you are?

And if personality is with us from the pre-existence, does that mean I was an Eeyore then? Could I not have been happy even then? Even when I could see the beginning and understand the end. Even when I didn't understand all the ins and outs of living as a mortal. Or is it being a mortal that makes me an Eeyore?

But if not Eeyore, then who would I be?

Rabbit? Too controlling and self righteous.

Piglet? To timid and afraid.

Pooh Bear? While he is caring and loving, he is too fluff headed. And fat.

Tigger? Too scattered. (He is Brandi's favorite and she is bouncy and happy like he is and I wouldn't have it any other way)

Owl? Smart, but obnoxious and a boring know it all so no one listens to him.

Kanga? She is smart and compassionate, loving and caring. But she is incomplete without Roo.

So I guess I am stuck with Eeyore. but maybe I can be this Eeyore
a little bit more often.

And this is fast becoming one of my favorite songs. I like it even better now that I have seen the video.

And tomorrow you get 2 posts. One is a book review for a blog tour. The other is an announcement.

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Indeed.

Heart Stompin'

I have had my heart ripped out and stomped on, time and again. And it stinks. But it is nothing compared to the feeling when it is your child's heart that is broken. And there is nothing you can do about it. Even when you knew it was going to happen eventually. And you didn't want it to because you love her almost as much as he does.

And this pain is so excruciating that it is hard to breathe. I hate watching him go through it, even knowing that his heart is young enough that it will heal.

But how do you tell him that it will be ok when you are still waiting for it to be ok yourself?

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Indeed.

Logo and Boutique and a winner

The Logo Jess made for me. The one where I told her

"Bangles Beads N' Baubles is my name and I want it to look like bracelets"

And she brilliantly made this for me.

I love it.

This is my set up at the Sweet Tweets boutique. This is my first boutique as BN'B and I hadn't planned on doing a boutique so soon, so I don't have a lot of display acessories.

I want some bars for the bangles and a couple of nice baskets for the bagged beaded stuff. I do have some trays that I bought at Savers and DI, but I need to spray paint them.

Right now they have a white base primer coat. I am not sure what color to do them. I was going to do black until I decided to use a black tablecloth. Maybe I should use the green and purple from the logo?

I was worried about my prices. Are they too high? Too low? Will people pay that for something they could make themselves? But as I looked around, my prices are right in line with the other vendors, so that alleviated that worry.

Now to who wins the custom piece. I am feeling generous this Thanksgiving season, so I am giving two pieces away. And those pieces go to:

Noelle and Karlene!

E-mail me and let me know what you want.(banglesbeadsnbaubles.gmail.com) Be sure to include color. And if you want me to mail it or hand deliver, since I am so close to both of you.

Lists of stuff

Please forgive the bullet point post again, but that is my life lately.

*I saw the podiatrist today. He thinks the swelling is being caused by, not a mosquito bite, but a spider bite that was a little deep and into the tendons. He thinks it got infected and then caused a ganglion. Basically a mass of fluid on my tendon. The best thing to do for it? Give me a shot of steroids. So he did. And it hurt. I am glad I know Lamaze breathing because I am not sure how I would have made it through a big, long flexible needle being inserted in my ankle and then wiggled and moved around as he put the meds in.

The good news is that the cold feeling running up my leg shortly after insertion of the needle? The ganglion moving up the mylene sheath, exactly as he thought it would. And within three day there should be no more swelling.

*More news from the podiatrist. The screw he put in my foot 5 years ago really no longer needs to be there. It hasn't needed to be there for 4 1/2 years. I only needed it for 6 months after he put my foot back together. So I have endured the pain for a long time for nothing. But the good news is this, I only have to endure it for a couple more weeks. Dec. 4 he is going to take it out, I can walk on it immediately, (just no running or jumping for 6 weeks) and I can be back to work in a couple of days. I scheduled it for a Friday and I should be back to work by Tue. possibly Mon. And because the procedure is so minimal and just 1-2 stitches and I can be back in normal shoes in 5-10 days, I can still go to my parents house for Christmas. Yay!!!

*I saw the proof to the Christmas story book that will include my story. It goes to press next week. I am so excited about it. Do yo know what it feels like to see your name on a piece of published material? That other people will buy? And read? and like? (or not) Heady stuff, that.

*Should I let my hair grow long again? It is at the point that I either need to cut it and shape it up or endure it until it is long enough to do something with. Opinions?

*Did you see this. I won't go into my tirade, but they didn't get it right. Ethan is pictured but he does NOT march for the AFHS band, he is wearing a PGHS uniform, (did no one notice that he is wearing blue and the rest of the pictures are of black and red clad band members) AND he is not holding or playing a tube but a sousaphone. And that is all I am going to say on that subject because anything else I have to say would sound like "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha".

*So when a friend stops talking to you for no reason and outright ignores any attempt at conversation, does that mean they were/are not really a friend afterall?

*Did I tell you I don't like the class I am taking now? Busy work and boring. But 2 more class periods and 2 more assignments, 2 more quizzes and I am done with it. I really should be reading my chapter right now, but...

*I finished 100 pieces of jewelry for this weekend's boutique. Don't forget to enter the drawing before midnight Thursday. And tell your friends. I would be wondering about the appeal of my work because I only have 3 entries so far, except I have had 3 custom orders and another bulk order for Christmas presents, so....

*I lost about 7 lbs this week. I don't suggest doing it the way I did. I won't give you all the gory details, but it includes being sick. At least it didn't involve anything with the word swine.

*I have used more hand sanitizer this past month than the past 5 years combined. I have also washed my hands more, used latex gloves more, sanitized my phone, pen, desk....

*I really need to go read a chapter and finish filling out the FAFSA update so I can pay my tuition in 2 weeks.

*Before I go I need to tell you that the marching band finished their season with a third place win in their division in Las Vegas. Their scores were good enough that they moved on to the finals. Only 12 bands get to go to the finals. Their are bands that range in size from 25-50 member to bands that are 250+ members competing agains each other in the finals. PG took 10th. Their goal was to be no lower than 10th. 3rd and 10th is an amazing finish to a great year.

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Indeed.

A proud birthday

The following is copy and pasted from The Marines web site.

During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps.

A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore.

The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.

As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.

Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

Semper Fie and happy birthday!!

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Indeed.

Boutique

Sweets Tweets Boutique

3314 W CHANTEL DRIVE

RIVERTON UTAH

November 13-14

I will have jewelry at this boutique, so if you are in the neighborhood, stop by and check it out. There will be all kinds of cute things there and you can start your Christmas shopping early.

Too kick it off I am going to hold a giveaway. Go to my jewelry blog and take a look around. See if there is anything you like and come back and tell me in the comments. Or tell me what you would have me create for you. On Thursday, after I set up at the boutique and am no longer stressed over getting enough jewelry made to make the boutique worth while, I will draw a name from everyone that has entered and you will get a piece of jewelry made with love, just for you.

If you can't make it to the boutique and want to purchase something, let me know and I will create it for you and then list it in my etsy shop as a special order.

Oh, and I needed a logo. I knew kind of what I wanted and asked Jess to create something for me. This is what I told her, "My business name is BanglesBeadsN'Baubles and I need something that says jewelry, mostly bracelets because I do them more than anything else. I am not sure what colors I want. Could you create something for me and then we'll go from there?"

I know, I am a hard client. But this is what she came up with, and I am so pleased. (and thank you Karlene for doing the business card file for me)

I am having a hard time uploading the logo. I am going to have Jess send it to me in a different format and then I will edit this post with to include it.

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Indeed.

15 years ago

Today the sun is shining and it is warm enough to go without a jacket and walk to church. 15 years ago today it was snowing. Hard. Roads were closed all over the state. How do I remember the weather on an exact date from 15 years ago?

Because I was in the hospital, close to death, in fact I almost did die- twice. But it was worth it. That near death produced something wonderful in my life. One of the best parts of my life.

From this, at 1 week, weighing him every single day to make sure he was gaining weight because he was 6 weeks early and only 4lbs

To this, 15 years old and a wonderful, handsome, kind, caring young man. Who will be getting his learner's permit this week. Yikes!!

Happy Birthday Jacob Hardy!!

I love you son.

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Indeed.

Bullet Points of Life

• When grown children come home from a war they should:
  

1. Get a job soon, please, so they can

2. either move back out and take their piles of stuff with them or rent a storage unit for their piles of stuff, because I really want to use my family room again or even just walk down the hall without having to turn sideways

• Why am I the only one in the house that knows how to work the toilet paper holder? Really people, its not rocket science.
  
• And as long as we are talking about things that it appears only I can do, add run the vacuum, the mop, a dust rag and the water in the kitchen to that list. But they have mastered the washing machine and dryer. I blame it on genes from their dad because he could never do any of those things either.
  
• We got a rabbit today. I said "Only if you build the cage, clean it, buy the food and take total responsibility. AND it can never, ever come in the house." But it is small and cute and brown with a cute wriggly nose and big black eyes. I am not sure how I feel about him aquiring an animal, though. The last time I said "Ok, but only..." I got stuck with the dog- until she mysteriously died last month. And I also have her puppy, that I never asked for.
  
• If you had told me 1 year ago that today I would watch a college soccer match and understand it, I would have laughed at you. If you had also told me that I would not only understand it, but enjoy it, I would have laughed hysterically and called you silly. And I would have been wrong because today I did.
  
• Brandi and I went to Barnes and Nobel after the game. I needed a book for class. I kept getting sidetracked. She said to me, after about 45 minutes, "Can we just go now? And don't stop to look at another thing, Mom. Just keep walking, and hurry."
  
• She likes books as much as I do. If she is not playing soccer or drawing she is reading. She talked me into buying her a book at the bookstore. She started it in the car on the way home and she is reading it outloud to me right now as I type this. I had to take it away until she cleaned her room. It is Diary of a Wimpy Kid- Dog Days, the only one in the series she didn't have.
  
• This is for my mom- Ethan is hoping he gets the new Leven Thumps.
  
• Jake just called me from Vegas to tell me that the marching band took 3rd and is headed into the finals so they won't be home till tomorrow instead of late, late tonight.
  
• Ethan just called me from Vegas........
  
• I wrote and article for the school district paper about the marching band's season. I have also been asked by a local paper to write an article for about the band. Maybe I will share it with you, if you want.
  
• I need to make 25-30 more pieces of jewelry for the boutique I am selling at this coming weekend. If you are close, come by and check it out.
  
• I hate the class I have right now. I probably won't get a 100% in this class. I also have a ton of homework to get done for it before Tues. evening. I keep putting it off because I find it pointless and boring. Hence the ridiculous, long list of things you never wanted to know.
  
• Did I tell you I have lost weight? I hadn't realized how much until I saw a picture of me taken about 15 months ago. And the only thing I changed is I no longer eat sugar. And by sugar I mean sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame... Grocery shopping was a pain for a while because I had to read every. single. lable. every. single. time. Now I pretty much know what does and doesn't have sugar et al added to it and what doesn't. But if I am buying something new, then I have to read. Oh, and no more white flour or any processed foods at all.
• The picture on the left, below is the one I ran across while looking for another one. It was taken about 15 months ago. The one on the right was taken last week. I hope you can see the difference. About 25lbs difference. By this time next year I would like to see another 25 lb difference. In fact this morning the scale said 2 lbs less than last week. Yay me.

• Brandi and I were dancing to this song and this one.
• But this one makes me cry.
• But this one just makes me lonely.
• Someday I will do a post of songs that make me__________

Ok, enough silliness and list making. I have laundry to fold and put away and about 3 more loads to wash, bracelets to paint, books to read, a floor to mop......
But at least I don't have to wait up for anyone tonight, they won't be home until about 3 A.M.

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Indeed.

Soccer? I thought you said Rugby

I was going to take Brandi to a soccer game yesterday. Getting the boys ready to leave on the marching band trip took all my time, so we didn't go. After seeing this, I think I am glad we didn't make it to the game.

I showed Brandi this clip when she got home today. Her response was this:

"Are you kidding me?!? I think someone has some anger issues. She needs a red card!"

Brandi and I are, however, going to the BYU/ San Diego soccer game tomorrow after her morning practice. Hopefully it will be a less physical game. Either way, we will enjoy ourselves.

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Indeed.

Now I remember

Today I was reminded why I want to spend my days with adolescent brats-- They aren't all brats.

One of our biggest "at risk" students or intentional non-learner student, or most likely to be sluffing/smoking/lying from last year did a complete turn around this year. I remember when she wanted to sign up for chemistry. We all scoffed at the idea. She, the straight F- student insisted, we finally relented to give her 1 term and then we would change her schedule to a more remedial class that she could perhaps pretend to care about and still not pass. Grades went out this week. She had straight A's. And almost perfect attendance.

Complete turn around.

I will admit that I was not thrilled when I realized that she was in my part of the alphabet. Tuesday I checked her grades and attendance and noticed that she had been marked unexcused abscent last week. I called her down to ask about it because that was uncharacteristic for her. Now if it had been last year? I would have been surprised if she had one day without an unexcused.

She has been court ordered to attend every single class, every single day and can only be excused with a doctor's note. She never cared. She would be in class for the week before she had to see the judge and show him her attendance record, then she would be gone again.

Life has thrown her some curve balls lately. Her home life is crumbling down around her and her parents are not being very mature about it. She has dealt with her mother's issues her entire life and she has had an attitude to prove it. And no one has ever been willing to help her or care because of it. I have made a point of telling her how proud I am of her change and how well she is doing. And I have cut her a little slack at times as a reward and let her know that it is only because of her efforts.

Today she called me from home. All that crashing life was too much today and she needed to stay at home and lay in bed and cry. I told her I would see what I could do because I was not sure how to excuse her absence without a medical note. But because I understood that she needed a break I would see what I could do. At one point in our conversation she, this tough "I don't need nobody" girl broke down crying because "finally someone gets is and isn't telling me to suck it up and get over it and cares about my feelings."

Wow.

I tried. I really did. I talked to the vice principal. I checked her records. We chatted some more. He wanted to excuse it if she would promise to take only one day and then push through tomorrow. And he had no problem with me just excusing her if we did not have a copy of the court order. We had a copy of the court order. Legally I could not excuse her without a doctor's note.

I really did not want to call her back and tell her, but I had to. She was not happy about it, but she didn't swear, get mad, yell or even hang up on me and last year all of the above would have happened. She came up with a solution that while not the best thing, I think will work. She had been to the doctor the day of that unexcused abscence and she needed to call him to get us a note to excuse it. She was going to ask him to write one for today as well.

Here is what she is learning, her choices in the past are messing up her here and now and her future as well. And she is having to pay the consequences. But she is learning it and making wiser choices now. I am not sure how I feel about her asking the doctor for a note for today. In the strictest sense of the word, it is not completely honest with the judge. On the other hand, she needed a mental health day and those are just as important as physical health days. And she has been working so hard. I just wanted to reach through that phone and pull her into a hug, something I think she has not gotten from a mother for most of her life.

And she needs a mother that cares. (she asked me to find out about options for what she can do do help her mother with her "issues" and I know what they are but am deliberately not stating them- they are issues that no kid should ever have to deal with and shame on mom) I was willing to call her case worker and see what we could work out, but she is afraid that she will be removed from home if I do. I didn't feel that she is in harm's way by staying because mom has moved out so it is daughter and dad and newly returned missionary brother (a big influence in her turn around).

I need to chat with her counselor tomorrow, but I am not sure how much help he is going to be, he is of the suck it up and get over yourself type of counselor with everyone- no matter what.

But her needing help and learning and growing and asking for that help reminded me that I am willing to spend my days with adolescents.

And why.

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Indeed.

So how's that working for you?

Somedays I reall love students. And other days I question why on earth I would want to spend my days with a bunch of adolescent brats. Today was one of those days.

We have a policy at our school- No cell phone use in the classroom. First time the teacher takes it away and you have to get it from the principal after school and you sign a contract stating the second offense a parent has to come get the phone and a third offence you need a parent and you are suspended for 1 day etc.

Miss the world bows down to me got her phone taken away for the second time today. She was in hysterics in my office wanting it back- after the principal told her she needed a parent and said parent told her too bad.

And when I say hysterics, I mean great big heaving sobs of hysteria.

She folded her arms and told me that she was going to force the school to pay her phone bill for everyday we had her phone. Her daddy would hire a lawyer and make us pay. When I told her that was a great plan, but she would lose and did she really expect daddy to pay for a lawyer for a losing lawsuit, she stated that she would force the lawyer to win and make us pay. And besides, she was not leaving until she got her phone. noT, nOT, NOT.

After dealing with her and trying to get her calm down, go talk to the teacher in a calm mature manner, trying to reason etc I finally lost it. I told her she was a spoiled brat and acting like a baby and throwing a temper tantrum was going to get her no where and she needed to suck it up and get over herself and the rules apply to everyone- not everyone except her. (well, my mom is a doctor and my daddy is a police officer so you have to do what I want! {we found out mom is really a nurse})

She flounced out of the office and went to the front office to complain to another assistant principal about the one that wouldn't give the phone back- even called her a 4 letter word. That really angered the first principal who called Miss red carpet and me into her office. The principal then lit into Missy and told her to quit being a baby, throwing a tantrum and acting like a spoiled brat. I don't usually lose my temper with the students and neither does the assistant principal so to hear the same words coming out of her mouth that I had just issued, made me feel a bit better about chewing her out.

One of my co-worker's children was the attendance office during this whole thing and said to me after it was over, "Now that was the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life!" And truly? It really was.

Remember this girl? (not my favorite movie, but this tantrum is a great example of what I dealt with today)



And she still doesn't have her phone.

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Indeed.

Reach out and touch someone

I need a new cell phone. About 3 years ago I got the free upgrade phone when I renewed my contract.

It was actually a downgrade. And I hate it, but I could never justify spending money on a phone. Something I carry in my purse as a just in case the kids need me when I am not at home. And mostly I ignore it. Something that is very aggravating to above mentioned kids.

But the buttons don't work half of the time. I can't assign every one in my contact list their own ring tone, something that is essential to me. How else am I going to know who I am ignoring? I can only have about 5 messages in the inbox before it tells me that I don't have enough memory and I need to delete something. Really? I need to delete a message I haven't even read yet so I can receive another one I won't read? And then I have to go through about 20 screens to find the place to delete the message.

The only good thing I can think to say about my phone is this- it was free.

I have T-Mobile. I was thinking of getting the new G-3 Myphone. Jessica said, "Um, Mom? I am thinking it might be a bit, how do I put this? technologicaly advanced for you."

Should I be offended?

I'm going with the story that she thinks it will have more aps than I will need or use.

I was thinking of that phone so I could do research and junk like that (read blogs and update twitter, really) while waiting for Brandi at soccer practice or games.

Here are my requirements for a phone:

• Assign everyone their own ring tone
• easy and intuitive to use
• larger memory than I have now
• ability to put phone on silent/vibrate mode
• easy to navigate menues
• ability to make and receive phone calls

Things I don't care about

• camera
• video
• tons of aps

But if it could sweep and mop the floor and do the dishes....

So knowing I am not going to switch from T-mobile, tell me what you like about your phone and why I should get one like it, and why I would use it.

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Indeed.