Summer- It isn't over until. . . . .

You do completely goofy stuff with a bunch of ALMOST strangers. (relatives) for an entire day at family reunion. It all started with some innocent disk passing between the legs and over the head.

Things got more serious when we had to really find out just how low you could go! My poor Brother in-law lost his hair on this one. Scalped I tell you!

Obviously my oldest takes after his dad on flexibility. "Hey Jake, don't forget you have a growth on your shoulders you need to get under that bar!"

And then when you are all good and sweaty, how about snuggling closely to a stranger for some three legged fun? (I think by this point I may have had sweat dripping to my waist line:) Attractive, I know!

A great way to end the reunion is to have a "Not So Newlywed" game. I think it may have been a way to end some marriages too;)

Sappy Sentimental Sunday

Mine was a romance meeting that others only dream of. I never thought that I would meet the love of my life this way but it happened. It was a usual day for me. I was 17 years old and looking forward to my approaching high school graduation. Along with school and the various things associated with that, I was working at the retail powerhouse at that time.

I was feeling pretty powerful after being promoted from Register Operator, who found myself repeating "TYFSOK" over and over as customers came through my line, to Register Supervisor, who kept those twits in line and reminded them to say "TYFSOK" (Thank You For Shopping Our Kmart- for those less fortunate who have NOT had the opportunity to work at Kmart).

Little did I know that this particular night would prove to be different. There I was, being all cool and stuff and then I received a call from the Receiving Manager. He was a goofy kind of guy with a bad perm and side burns. He wore geeky shirts from the 70s it seemed and was a bit odd in my opinion. He asked me if we were busy up front and I told him we were not. He then asked me if I could send some help back to him. He needed some people to mark merchandise and unload boxes. His final words to me were "I would prefer if you sent some good looking girls back here. . . some blonde ones!". Was I hearing him correctly? When it all finally registered, I hung up on him! How could he insult me like that? I had now added JERK to the list of things I had previously thought of him. I was (am) a brunette and I was NOT going to let that blonde bozo tell me that I was NOT good looking because I had dark hair!

Let's just say this relationship WASN'T love at first sight and we didn't exchange any nice words to each other until that fateful night when I didn't have a ride home from work. He offered to take me home and so I went but ONLY because I was desperate to get home! We talked on the way home and although I still thought he was goofy and weird, he was also pretty darn funny. I remember arriving home, getting out of his truck quickly and telling my parent's that a goofy guy from work brought me home.

Little by little, his rides home from work became more frequent and his calls to me increased. This time it wasn't for the cute blondes but to see how I was or if I could go out. He was funny and charming and would do anything in the world for me. I loved that we were so different from each other but we appreciated those differences. We ended up dating for two years (while working at Kmart) before getting engaged. Let's just say my husband Bob (nope, not his real name) was my Blue Light Special! And I mean that in a good way!

Who ever said you can't find anything good at Kmart? Not me for sure. . . No "Kmart Fall apart" here!

Don't ever say that I don't ever give you anything completely romantic and sappy. This is as romantic as my life gets! Enjoy it already dang it! I'm not a writer. I know that shocks you:)

I Remember When. .

I ran across this picture on the web and it brought back memories. I have felt much like this girl at times in my life. You see, I am vertically challenged. . with a surplus! (OK, I'm tall!) I'm not like a giant or anything but I am above average in height. (5 ft 8 1/2 inches ). I was a member of the drill team in high school and we would stand in a line much like this picture. But the difference was that there were five tall girls right in the middle of that line. We were the center of every formation and we called ourselves the fabulous five. (my height was 5 ft. 10 inches with my sexy white drill team boots-don't laugh, it was the 80's!) I will admit that being tall has its advantages and here are some I've observed: I was never called a midget (Like my sister Ang). I can gain 10 pounds and it's not as noticeable because it can spread over more area. I can reach things that some of my counterparts cannot. My feet don't dangle when sitting but can rest nicely on the floor.
Now here are the disadvantages I have observed: I have been called an amazon (thanks Dad). I have a hard time finding pants that are long enough (and stay long enough with washings/drying). I have monkey arms and big feet that make it difficult to shop, since all the cute things are in "petite". I have to be careful what shoes I wear so that I don't tower above all the men around me and the dating scene was difficult. (Yes, I'm beyond that now!) But there were many guys that were just too short to date. I remember my Dad asking me if I had to stand in the ditch to kiss my dates. Don't worry Dad, I don't have a complex or anything!

But with everything in life, it always looks greener on the other side and we tend to want what we don't have. I know that short people have their share of likes and dislikes about their size also. So, where are you on the scale of short and tall and what are your observations?

I Guess I Should Have Been More Specific!!

Nope! Ty Ty is STILL not old enough to pick out his own clothing for the day! In my frantic morning run around, I gave him the thumbs up to find his own clothes and get dressed to save me time. I'm not sure if he was going for shock factor or if he also is suffering from the Winter time blues but he was pretty pleased with his selection!! A padded swimsuit!! Perfect!! Should work nice for the day!!. . . And NO he doesn't have on matching socks ! That is how unfit I am as a Mother ! He had to rumage through the laundry pile I haven't folded yet and find his own!! Or maybe he pulled them from the dirty clothes?? It sure looks that way to me!! Truthfully, I don't know but was able to convince him to save this adorable ensemble for another day!!


When I looked at this pic though it reminded me of the good ole 80's and the shoulda ma' pads we wore in everything! Yeah, remember those? OH shut up those of you who are saying in your young sassy voices "I was barely born in the 80s!" This is what I say to you. . ." YOU MISSED OUT LOSERS!!" We all had small butts in the 80s. Between shoulder pads and big hair, our bottom half looked extremely svelte! I think we were really on to something then! What are we doing now to combat the problem?? Wearing low rise jeans and short tops that let our fat rolls hang out?? I don't know about you, but it's not working so well for me!! I'm not hiding anything!! I say we need to join together and bring back the big bangs and shoulder pads for all women!! What are we waiting for?? Sure beats diet and exercise anyday!!






HOT 80's BABES!!

What's With That Name?

I'm not sure what you make of this but I'm thinking this person (not sure if verbyl is a guy or girl) had parents who were not very fond of them! You seriously can't tell me that people don't do this kind of crazy stuff without thinking it through can you? I ran across this website of funny names and it reminded me of my middle school days. Now I know you are saying to yourself "She can't remember her middle school days! She can't even remember what happened last week!!" Yes, it's true. . I have a fading (very fading) memory but there are some crazy things I just happen to keep tucked in there somewhere. No, it's not the useful stuff that would really make one seem intelligent, nor is it the important stuff that would make getting through one's day easier. It's the completely useless and most often times crude stuff that sticks in MY memory. Anyway, back to those middle school days. I hung around with a group of girls and unfortunately, we all had normal names. (our parents must have really liked us!) So we got bored one day and in our young teen minds we thought we should make up names for ourselves. These would be our code names that we would address each other with. For some reason we got a kick out of saying poop and fart it seems because most of the names contained something of the sort. I only remember a few names (see my memory has failed me a bit here!) My name was Elegosnee Fartsaker, I had a friend Genevieve Gapoopanblow, and don't forget good ole Granilda Gruntanfart (another friend).

I remember having a birthday party and my Grandma Hill sitting in a chair in front of us and we had to line up and each one of us tell her our name. I swear I have never heard anyone laugh so hard in all my life! She was in tears with laughter!

I do the same thing when I see a funny name. And don't try to tell me that you don't do laugh !! I remember working at a physical therapy clinic and one of the patients was Harry Balls. As hard as I tried, I couldn't wipe the smurk off my face when I would hear his name called into the waiting room to have him come back. I was doing good with just a grin when I really wanted to just laugh out loud! There were times I would simply have to duck under my desk and pretend to retrieve something to avoid loud laughter, finger pointing and funny faces at the poor guy! Do these people have any self esteem? I'm just wondering! Oh well, Carry On!

I'M BACK AND I STILL HAVE IT!!

Oh yeah! I'm back from Vegas and although I ate a large horse while there, I have tested myself to see if I still have it. I may have put on a good (bad) 30 pounds from all that food but I can still do the jump splits!! Yeah, no kidding!. . . No, I'm really not! You clearly haven't forgotten that I test this out frequently have you? Don't you remember when I tried to impress the young women on activity night by doing the splits while 5 months pregnant? Yes I did get down and they were flat but getting up was a completely different story and I had to have an arm load of girls hoist my large butt up! Wasn't that impressive?? Then there was the time that I was showing off with family the day before going to Disneyland. . . . Let's just say, I got down and back up but the walking situation the next day was something to be desired!! (and there is a slight bit of walking in places like Disneyland!!) YIKES!!

But seriously (like I'm ever serious) you all know that I have grown up a bit from those days and didn't really attempt the splits and certainly NOT in front of a crowd (like in the picture). Alright already, I haven't grown up a darn bit from those days but I also didn't want people to think I was a circus act down in Vegas. There are enough freaky things down there without me showing off!! And don't worry. . . I didn't really gain THIS much weight and I will upload a few pics of the adventures and maybe a story or two later. . . just hold your darn horses already!! (or I may have to eat them too! I'm on a roll. . .or was that, I gained a roll. . or two. . or three).

THIS HAS TO BE ME!

No seriously, if I didn't know better I would think this was a picture of me. (When I was younger of course!) No kidding! Ask my Mom! I had the straggling, long hair, the big buck teeth and I pulled this face often! I would do it frequently around Grandma Maxine since she would absolutely FREAK! Then we would hear her yell out "Stop doing that! Do you want your face to stick that way???" That was just one of the funny things that she would say to us. To this day, we love to repeat her funny sayings and giggle about them. It keeps good old Grandma Maxine alive in all of us!

P.S. I'm here to say my face did NOT stick like that! I have the wrinkles to prove it!!

This Brings Back Memories. . . . Well sort of !!

When I saw this tub it reminded me of being a young child and bathing with my sisters in a claw foot tub. If I remember correctly, it was painted red on the outside and didn't have stripes and we didn't have a huge window behind us with an amazing view. But we did have a full service Glades Drive Inn right in our big tub! Yeah no kidding! Mom would fill that deep tub with a bubble bath and we would take in our cups and spoons and whip up the most delicious shakes, malts and drinks. Poor mom had to order a lot and then pretend to eat it. I think that all parents have to play that game in one form or another. My youngest child Ty-Ty has a play Mcdonalds set and I am eating hamburgers, McNuggets and fries at least once a day. I am blaming the extra pounds I've gained on all of that!!

I do think this is a fancy tub with a great setting! Not sure I would want to take a bath right out in public view though!! This is a modern take on a vintage tub and you can see it and more here.

What's A Crazy Fan To Do???

Adriano Moraes



One Of The Greatest Bull Riders Ever!

OK, I won't say it's to the point of obsession but I do LOVE Adriano Moraes and think he is one HOT cowboy! I do get very giddy when I am in the same building as he is and I have even gone so far as to grab his HUGE bicep as he was walking in the opposite direction as we were and I guess I also loudly said "We love you Adriano!" while grabbing his arm. The poor guy wasn't sure what to think! I also managed to run behind him, while he was sitting and signing autographs, and bend down to have a picture snapped with him (or two!) I also find myself secretly wanting every OTHER cowboy to fall off or get injured so that Adriano can win the round on his bull. I tend to get a bit crazed about it all. . . . but I don't think it's obsession. I just think that he is one GREAT bull rider and even more than that a great guy! Unfortunately for me (and everyone else who loves him), Adriano tearfully announced his retirement from bull riding and will make 2008 his final year. What will happen to the sport without him? He's the mentor, the cheerleader, the translator and last but not least the awesome bull rider!! He has even made me think that getting on the back of a bull might be fun!! The one thing that is preventing me from getting on a bull is my OLD age. They have said for years that Adriano is way too old to be riding and now he is finally retiring at the ancient, older than the dirt he falls on, age of 38. Being that I am well beyond 38 (I'm 40 ) the cowboys would say I'm ready for the grave!! OK, really there are many more things keeping from getting on the back of a bull and one of them is an ounce of sanity! You can only do it and do it well if you are a great like Adriano!

Well all I can say for the future is "Watch out Wiley! 2009 You are mine!!" I will try to keep from doing anything a crazed fan might do though. Like get after my husband for NOT getting an autograph while they are in the bathroom at the same time! heehee!

Who Ate My Chocolate & Other Horrifying Tales!

I don't know who took it but they had better fess up! I had a WHOLE one pound Symphony Bar (with almonds & toffee of course) all for myself. I was going to hoard it and eat just a little bit each day. . . maybe break off a bar or two. . . that would satisfy my chocolate madness! (or not) I quietly opened the wrapper so that nobody could hear me and broke off the first bar and quickly ate it. Then I stuffed the rest of the candy bar in my drawer, next to my bed. I tried to get far away from it and forget about that creamy, yummy goodness I had just experiences but to no avail. I had to have another piece! OK, I will just allow myself a couple a day and that will suffice. I think the second piece went in whole! I didn't really get to taste it! I needed to have another. . . . and so I did. . . and maybe another.

But from here on the rest of the chocolate bar story gets really fuzzy. Have you ever been busy and eating something at the same time and you go to have another bite and it's all gone? And you start looking around for the person responsible for eating the rest of it?? Well, that was exactly what happened to me and that Symphony Bar! I swear I don't remember eating the WHOLE thing that day. But when I looked for it the next morning it was gone! All gone! I became a detective and tried to piece together the events of the previous day and what led to my horrifying discovery. Darn memory is leaving me quicker than ever and I really don't remember what happened. . . . .After a good interrogation of the kids every move that day, I think I possibly could have eaten the whole thing! No really! I know what a hog I can be with good chocolate and this is my fav! I think I ate the entire one pound Symphony all in ONE single day!! (maybe even one sitting for all I know!) This whole thing has jogged my memory as to why I don't keep chocolate in the house. I'm a chocolate FREAK! So now I just continue on without chocolate in my grasp. . . . at least until I forget my problem AGAIN and go purchase another beautiful one pound Symphony Bar (with almonds & toffee mind you) all for myself! . . . . I just hope I get some this time!! Darn thieves anyway!

P.S. I guess the other horrifying tales will have to come later as I create them in my day!

I'M IT !!! OH GREAT!!

OK, here are the answers to the game- (Thanks a LOT Amber!)

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago?

I was 10 years younger! haha! I was preparing for my dear Sister in-law's wedding (oh, and my brother's! haha) I had 3 children at the time (and of course my husband) and I was SKINNY!! What is up with that? Now I just look at the pictures in awe and say "Was that REALLY me?"

5 Things on my To-Do List: (Believe me, I have a boring life!)

1. Get up and get my booty going! ( Oh fun! I love to work Saturdays!)
2. Drink a Diet Coke (or two or three maybe)
3. Tell the kids to accomplish at least ONE chore while I'm gone! (and complain only once!)
4. Return to land of MUCH laundry and NO help and get going on it! (vow to swear only a handful of times)
5. Have another DC (or so) and venture out into "the black hole of doom" (house) to make a path so that people don't hurt themselves.

Snacks I enjoy

Man! I'm trying to think of snacks I DON'T enjoy! That list would be much shorter!!
I'm all about my Diet Coke with Lime and some peanut (or peanut butter) M&M's or a Symphony bar (with toffee & almonds). Those top my list. But it could go on forever so I will stop!

Things I would do if I were a Billionaire:

Billionaire huh? I would be glad to have a thousand extra at this point! haha! Well, if I EVER did win that much (heavens knows I will not work hard enough to have it! )I would pay Tithing of course and then I would definitely pay off my house and of course update some things. I would invest in some annuities, (I would hire a real financial advisor for myself). I would take trips EVERYWHERE and take all my family with me. I would make sure my kids had college money and DANG I wouldn't work but would shop like a crazy woman EVERY day! I would drive something nice......I don't know what that would be since I try to avoid looking TOO hard at expensive vehicles at this point. I would definitely donate to charities. ( I had to say that to not look like too big of a snob! haha! Just teasing, I really would!)

3 Bad Habits:

1. Getting annoyed easy
2. Internet junkie
3. Eating a lot and not exercising enough!

5 Places I have lived: (I haven't gone far)

1. Salem, Utah
2. Provo, Utah
3. Spanish Fork, Utah
4. Small town, USA
5. There isn't a fifth place! Guess it's time to move!!

5 Jobs I've had: (Boy, this is starting to depress me!)

1. Kmart (fall apart) (Retail Crap!)
2. Home (Mother- Still trying to get promoted!)
3. Sweetbriar Cove (Florist, Accountant)
4. Peak Physical Therapy (Accountant)
5. UCMA (Accountant)

5 Things people don't know about me:

1. I have a terrible memory.
2. I have an obsession with groomed fingernails.
3. I love the feel of Q-tips in my ears!

what was the question again?...... Oh yeah!

4. I actually DO like dogs! I didn't know that either!!

5. I despise mean people. Can't do rude or obnoxious, it's an embarrassment!


I'm such a loser that I'm trying to come up with five names to pass this onto and I can't think of a darned person that wasn't JUST tagged! What is up with that?? I will keep soul searching!! Maybe something will come up!

Who REALLY Needs It?

Lo

I thought that we had finally done it! Hubby & I had finally broke "The Curse" he caused so many years ago......I can see now that I was wrong! It all started when Hubby and I were engaged and he was working in the Camera Dept. at Kmart. Kodak & Kmart were sponsoring a contest and the lucky name drawn would win a week long, all expenses paid, trip for two to Hawaii. Of course Hubs was not qualified to enter, being an employee, but for some strange reason this didn't stop him from filling out that slip and putting it into the box. It was all just for fun anyway and besides "what were the odds" he thought. It wasn't until he received a phone call at home from Kodak telling him he had better sit down because he was the LUCKY winner of the trip!! HOLY CRAP! He called me in complete shock and we both knew that there was no way to sneak around the rules.....He had done it! We would never win another contest again because our shot had been used up!! Our odds were NOT good now! haha! We were cursed!

Fast forward to 20+ years and I really thought that this time we were going to win a contest and a most delightful trip to Orlando. This trip was for BB Management and was a contest based on the fourth quarter figures and outcomes for 2007. They would be sending the management of the top 5 stores and their wives for a nice relaxing vacation to Florida. I didn't bat an eye when hubs told me about this. Nor did I get my hopes up when he would come home time after time during that quarter and tell me they were in the top five. I FINALLY thought we had a REALLY good chance when he came home the other day and told me they were in 2nd place and the contest was about over. I got the dreaded news last night that their store had slipped to 6th place by four measly points! WE HAD LOST AGAIN! I wouldn't be going to the place of a million dreams but would stay home in my bed of a few dreams and a whole lot of nightmares! OH well, who really needs it anyway? Don't those pictures above just say it all? I would rather freeze my buns off here than be in beautiful, tropical, sunny Florida any day! OK, OK. . . you all know me well enough to know that I am merely trying to convince myself of these things. What I really am thinking is "GET ME OUT OF THIS PLACE!!"