A Few Laughs

I have read some blogs the past couple of days that have really made me laugh. And since all of you aren't in the same blog "circles" I thought I would post a few links for your enjoyment:

First, Rochelle's hilarious and very disturbing BIRD SAGA. This is a three parter, so be sure to scroll down to start from the beginning.

Next is my cousin Kristin's hunt for a new family vehicle that will fit their soon to be family of seven. Dave's comments (her husband) still make me giggle when I think about them.

Enjoy! And as a side note, my psyche is in HEAVEN with this weather. I took Jaren to the park where he thoroughly enjoyed climbing up the steps and going doing the big slide BY HIMSELF. Ack!! I have a feeling my relaxing park trips where I sit on the bench and chat with friends are officially OVER.

Power of the Blog World

Okay, I am going to use this blog for something that I haven't had to use it for since the health concerns of my sister a while back: ask for the combined prayers of my readers.

This is my cousin Mandy and her husband Travis. Travis was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer and they discovered yesterday that it has spread to his stomach and that it is very aggressive. They meet with the oncologist tomorrow to discuss treatment, which with start soon and be very intense. Travis is in his early 30s and they have four young children. The oldest is just a few years older than Jillise and the youngest is less than a year older than Jaren. The faith of their family is strong and they will be relying alot on the Lord and on friends and loved ones as they work through this. If you could include Travis in your prayers and ask that his body be strengthened enough to fight off this horrible disease I know they would appreciate it. Let's put our combined faith to work for this young family with so much ahead of them. Thank you!

Music and Malls

Yesterday was our district Solo and Ensemble festival. Four of my students were performing so I got to get up at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday and make the long drive to the location. It was held in this picturesque little town on the coast. I had never been there before (shocking, I know) and I couldn't have picked a more beautiful day to go. The weather was PERFECT. Sunny, clear skies, and nice Spring temperatures. My students all sang very well. My bass is returning to the state competition and one of my sopranos qualified, too. So we will begin the hard work of getting a second song performance ready. My bass student won the state competition last year (as a sophomore), so he really has to step it up to defend his title.

After the singing I headed over to the outlet malls. I scored some $90 Bass leather boots for $25, some Van Heusen dress shirts for Brian for $10 each (and a new tie) and some new church clothes for me. I am in desperate need of dress clothes. As my weight went down I was pretty good at buying jeans and pants since I wear them every day. And it doesn't really matter if t-shirts are a bit big. But it became really obvious a few weeks ago that I had NO Sunday options anymore. I can hide a "too big" skirt under a big sweater, but not so much under a thinner top. I even got a new purse, a Spring weight jacket, and a cool long black knitted cardigan. The retail price on the cardigan was $218 (it is BCBG MaxAzria and the original tags were still on it). I got it for $15. And here's the best part -- I got all that stuff for less than $150. It was truly a fantastic day.

Today the weather is living up to the word "Sunday." The Missionaries are coming for dinner and due to some alleriges I was just made aware of we won't be eating the Mexican Lasagna I had planned. Those lucky ducks get bacon wrapped steaks on the GRILL. Mmmm. I can't wait.

Countdown Tag

So, my sister in law Gloria tagged me. February must be a slow blog month because I have seen alot of tags floating around. So here it is:

10 Years Ago -- I was planning my wedding. I was a junior high teacher. I was living in Utah. I was blonde and a size 4. I had absoLUTEly no idea what life (THERE, HAYDEN!! BETTER???) would hold for me.

9 Daily Uses -- Internet. Computer. Piano. Colgate Total. Eucerin Creme. Flat Iron or Curling Iron. Microwave. Charmin Toilet Paper. Mascara.

8 Things on My To Do List -- Dishes. Clean Bathrooms. Put Folded Clothes Away. Get Ready for Solo and Ensemble Tomorrow. Purchase Plane Tickets to Utah. Dust. Exercise. Change Jaren's Diaper.

7 Places I Have Lived -- North Dakota. California. Washington. Okinawa. Virginia. New York. Illinios.

6 Things I Enjoy -- Cake. Back Rubs. Happy Children. A Completed To Do List. Laughing. A Good Book.

5 Facts You Don't Know About Me -- I still remember the long distance phone number of my best friend from elementary school. I clean my ears with a Q-Tip after every shower. I spoil my children, though I know I shouldn't. I sometimes eat gummy bears while I am making dinner, but I tell my kids they can't eat because dinner is almost ready. I can never leave a zit on my face well enough alone.

4 Jobs I've Had -- Elf at Nordstrom. Sbarros. Toilet Cleaner at BYU. Piano Teacher.

3 Bad Habits -- Sometimes I leave the dishes for the next morning. I interrupt people. I roll my eyes.

2 Books I Last Finished -- Eclipse. The Last Harry Potter Book.

1 Favorite -- Painted Toe Nails

I tag anyone who has an "A" in their first name.

I Want This

Is this not the HOTTEST little black dress?????? Ugh. I am so wishing I had someplace to wear it. Because owning this would be motivation to lose those last few pounds, strap on some sexy peep toed shoes and hit the town.

But in reality I could never own a dress like that. I couldn't wear it to church -- it would end up with goldfish crumbs in the pleats and I would have to suck in my gut while doing sharing time, which just isn't going to happen.

So until we are invited to some big event that warrents knocking everyone's socks off, I will just dream.

Cruisin' Down the Road (in 30 years)

A few weeks ago I was at the post office and parked next to me was a really nice 2008 Ford Mustang. Red, with leather seats, fancy rims, the works. As I was getting kids in the car, the owner of the car came and got in. It was a 60 year old (give or take five years) woman, with nicely done hair and attractive clothing. Not one of those women who is trying to look 30, but just someone who is well taken care of and enjoying her empty nest years.

It got me thinking: What do I see myself driving in 30 years, when the kids are gone, I am a grandma, and it is just Brian and I? Assuming that money wasn't an issue, what would I choose? Would I drive a minivan like my mom? She is SO excited to have a minivan that she can fit her grandkids in. There is a grandma in our ward that drives a pimped out 2007 Suburban. Will that be me? Driving a sportscar like the woman at the post office? I don't see myself as a pickup driver. Or driving a Cadillac. A zippy little jetta? What would I choose?

I still don't know the answer. I think I would go for some sort of luxury midsize sedan. Like a Passat (although we learned the hard way to avoid VWs -- to expensive to fix). Brian sees himself in an Audi or a BMW.

How about you? What do you see yourself driving when you don't have to drive kids anywhere and it is just you and your hubby?

"Who Am I" Tag

Edited: I guess in my Sunday fog I forgot to take off some of Rochelle's older comments. So in case you are all wondering why *I* was catching snowflakes with Jana last week TOO, I have fixed them.

Rochelle tagged me. She tagged everyone who read her blog using Google Reader. Darn that Google Reader. I knew it would get me in trouble sooner or later... So here is more about me than you care to know:

My nickname growing up was... Paige. I never really had a nickname that stuck. I always wanted one, though.

My moms' name is Karla

I was born in North Dakota

What do you do to relax?? watch Project Runway, read Us Weekly or Shape/Fitness magazine

Favorite smell? Clean fruity/citrus-y smells. And Spring. I *love* the smell of Spring.

Favorite food?? A really good, well cooked steak

Favorite pie? I prefer cake.

Favorite holiday? Christmas

Favorite vacation spot? We don't normally "vacation." I loved Disneyland.

Favorite dessert? Creme Brulee. Or Maple Walnut Brownie from Applebees.

Favorite movie? While You Were Sleeping Favorite day of the week? Friday

Favorite salad dressing? Ceasar

Favorite brand of body wash?? Dial Antibacterial

Favorite toothpaste?? Colgate Total

My favorite gem? The Diamond is my birthstone. Can't go wrong with Diamonds.

Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle?? Four Doors

Favorite number?? Um, nine?

How do you see yourself in 10 years?? Pulling my hair out because I will have two emotional teenagers and a cubscout.

(X) Gone on a blind date ?

(X) Skipped school? (Don't worry, mom. We went to the Fort Stanwix celebration. Weee!)

() Watched someone die?

(X) Been to Canada? A couple of times.

() Been to Mexico?

() Been to Florida?

(X) Been on a plane?

(X) Been lost? When I was two or three.

(X) Been on the opposite side of the country?

(X) Gone to Washington DC?

(X) Swam in the ocean?

(X) Cried yourself to sleep?

(X) Played cops and robber?

(X) Recently colored with crayons?

(X) Sang Karaoke? Not well.

() Paid for a meal with coins only?

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Daily.

(X) Made prank phone calls? We used to call 1-800-holiday and try to make fake reservations. We were such dorks

(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? Grape juice. In first grade.

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue?

() Danced in the rain?

(X) Written a letter to Santa Clause?

() Been kissed under the mistletoe?

(X) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about?

(X) Blown bubbles?

(X) Gone ice-skating?

() Been skinny dipping outdoors?

(X) Gone to the movies?

() Body Piercings?

() Ever been to Africa?

(X) Ever eaten cookies for dinner?

(X) Ever been in a car accident?

(X) Ever been on TV?

() Ever steal any traffic signs??