Random things about me...

When I use a public restroom I always choose the first stall because supposedly it is the cleanest because nobody usually picks that one.

I try not to, but I get my feelings hurt pretty easily.

I love scrapbooking. I love the creative process of it. I love how it helps you in remembering past times, comtemplating life, the joy and pains, the whole package. I love the way I feel when I create a layout that just works. It makes me happy;

I think all things happen in 3's, like if I see a car accident, I’ll see two more in the next few days.

I have a fascination with the Regency Period of England.

I don't like nuts on my ice cream.

When I create, I make a mess that takes longer to clean up than it did to finish the project.

I love Lucky Charms.

My guilty pleasure movies are Moulin Rouge and Down with Love. Do you detect a theme here? Yes, Ewan McGregor is hot!

I love Scottish accents. (see above!)

I have an obsessive personality. When I get into something, I end up spending ALL my time on it and spending waaay too much money. Life around me ceases to exist.

When I start a good book, it's hard to put it down, and I will stay up into 2 or 3 in the morning to finish it. (Which is why I don't read many books when I'm teaching early morning seminary!)

I like the wind, a balmy wind, not a chilled to the bone wind. I once stood out on a dock on a lake when a storm was coming through. The wind was blowing so hard I could lean into it and it would support my weight. It was way cool.

I like my steaks well-done, or cremated, as my dad used to say.

Having a full manicure and pedicure is next to heaven. (Okay, I've only had it done once, but it was wonderful!!!)

Yeah, I've got a little thing about exclamation marks... I use them way too much!!!

I am very afraid of wasps.

I am a space cadet. I forget lots of things. Appointments, meetings (that I planned), taking medicine, paying bills. You name it, I’ve forgot it. Well, I’ve actually never really forgotten my kids. At least not completely. Late picking them up, yes.

I fell in love with the Star Wars limited edition dark chocolate M&M's. I can’t find them anymore.

I like to go to sleep on my side with my head sandwiched between two pillows. I can’t stand the light or noise.

I don’t like waking up early in the morning, but I love being up in the morning.

I really prefer the red popsicles...purple and orange yuck.

I lost the spelling bee in the sixth grade right after I had moved to Alabama. The word was “belle” as in a “Southern Belle”. I spelled it b-e-l-l. The teacher kept prompting me to finish… saying like “the Southern Bellle wore a beautiful dress.” But all I could think of was Southern Bell the telephone company. I lost a spelling bee with an easy word “belle.” What a loser. But I did come in second place for the whole sixth grade.

I have a half brother I’ve never met.

I grew up in Florida and we always were going to beach. I love everything about the beach...the smell of the salty ocean, the feeling of sand in my toes, the sound of the waves crashing, the breeze on my skin. I love a sunset or sunrise on the beach. I love making sand castles. I just love it all!

Somebody got a hold of my yearbook in Junior High and wrote “dog” “ruff, ruff” and other ugly stuff all through it. 7^th and 8^th grades were not kind to me, but then I was not a pretty girl, braces and all.

Everything. Must. Match.

I have arrived...

I am officially a parent of a teenager. I waited 22 years and four kids before I arrived.... my youngest, not actually a teenager at age 12, said he hated me. Okay, he didn't actually come out and say that. He said "I can't decide if I love you or hate you." He was mad (I think) because I didn't run out at midnight the night before and buy the book "Eldest" that just came out. And I didn't buy it while he was at school. Geez, you'd think I had a life outside kids or something. Anyhoo, all is well in our home now, because today, I bought the book. He loves me!

BACHELORETTE #1

This week I'm sans hubby. It's always hard because he does so much around the house. Like I have to remember to lock the doors at night now. The other thing that's kind of weird is that I hate to cook dinner when he's gone. Sometimes we go out, sometimes it's (confession time) cold cereal for dinner. Preferably Lucky Charms. Tonight it was Prego sauce poured over bowtie pasta. Threw some cheese on it and called it a dinner.

The fun part is I get to drive his car all week!!! He got a new Nissan Maxima and it is a blast to drive! And I feel much more {cool} than I do when I drive the minivan.

ch ch ch changes...

I am once again a lone woman in a household of boys. Daughter #2 left for college yesterday, so I'm way outnumbered now. I'll have to watch chick flicks by myself. Sometimes I can get dear hubby to watch with me. He's nice like that. But if we rent a movie to watch as a family, it will probably star Mel Gibson, Jackie Chan, or Bruce Willis.

Speaking of changes, school started today. The house is very quiet right now. I went from three kids at home, to none during the day! I'm one of those mom's who can handle the silence. If that makes me a bad mom, too bad, 'cause it's too late!

Lazy Days of Summer are OVER

I've been informed that it is once again time to update my blog. Life just keeps getting in the way, or I develop that blankiosus disease. I've been busy getting ready for seminary, started my new "Band Parents President" job, and am now teaching a flute clinic at the high school.

When my oldest started in band, I had a feeling that someday I might hold the title of "Band Parents President" for the middle school band, but didn't seek after it at all. Then last Winter the band director pulled me in his office and (suspiciously) asked me if I knew anyone who I thought would make a good president. (Since I've been around so long, this is my fourth kid in band and I know oh so many people! NOT.) Then he said, "how about you? I could use a musician around, someone that understands me." I knew then that I should just say yes. Time to put in my year or two. Josh will like having me around. So here I am, not really having a clue about my responsiblities, or maybe it's just not wanting to face them. The band director is great to work with, and lots of fun to hang with. It's not that big a deal, being president. There are only four meetings during the entire school year, plus chaperoning games, which I'd do anyway. And the board is very supportive. Everyone just does their job. So I think I'll be okay, and not too stressed out.

Same for seminary. I'm teaching for the fifth year now. This year is a repeat, so I already have my posters made, object lessons planned, and lessons prepared. I just have to read and review. So it too, should be stress free. Should. Maybe.

The flute clinic is fun, but I feel like they've heard everything I have to say, since I've been doing this for so many years now. Today they all sat there like bumps on a log. I wasn't exactly an exciting teacher today. Maybe the rest of the week I can figure out a way to get to them. The show is going to be cool, at least musically. It's called "Emotions" and has a medley of tunes demonstrating the emotions of Fear(Symphony Fantastique), Anger (Dies Irae- Requiem) Love (Nessun Dorma*** love this one, it's from a Puccini Opera, Fun (Gee, Officer Krupke from West Side Story), Happy (Get Happy), Sad (Schindler's List), Courage and Bravery (Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miz). They will actually sing the beginning of that on the field. Yes, band geeks singing. It should be pretty cool.

Oh, and I have concert on Sunday with Twick Winds. And school starts on Monday. The lazy days of summer are definately over!

Quote of the Day: "A man can stand a lot as long as he can stand himself." Axel Munthe