Common Sense? You're Kidding.

Nathan found this blog post made by a former professor, which I found interesting and well-written.

http://warp.byu.edu/site/comment/reply/117

This is what I think about it:

Hallelujah.  I don't even know what to say because this post says it all.  I am only 29, and our government's 'finger in every pot' habits already exhaust, annoy, and frustrate me.  Ctl+Alt+Del full steam ahead!  

P.S.  Can I just tell you how well-funded our retirement would be if we were in charge of our own Social Security withholding?  Even if we could guarantee full disbursement of what we are entitled to?  As for now, we completely discount Social Security funding when making projections for our later years, and sadly, have chosen to consider that as "gravy," taking the dim but financially conservative view that they May or May Not fix the system by the end of 40 years.  Just the tip of the iceberg, friends.

Disappearing Digits

I lost visual contact with my feet earlier this week.  Farewell, toes.  I'll see you in October.  

Flicked off

A word about today's title:  when I was little, I used to think that if someone showed you their favorite offensive finger, they were 'flicking you off.'

I saw this on a friend's blog, and I had to do a Flickr collage. It's really fun! Just answer the quiz below and search for each of the words or phrases on Flickr. Using only the images that appear on the first page (I cheated a little bit), select your favorite image, paste the URL's into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows), and you're done!

Here are the questions. . .

What is your first name? (Brenda)
What is your favorite food? (bread)
What high school did you attend? (Mountain View High School)
What is your favorite color? (red)
Who is your celebrity crush? (Colin Firth.  I love me some P&P.)
Favorite drink? (Slurpee)
Dream vacation? (London)
Favorite dessert? (boysenberry cobbler)
What do you want to be when you grow up? (the fun grandma)
What do you love most in life? (husband)
One word to describe you? (talkative)
Your Flickr name? (I don't have one)

First Day of School

As per tradition, these are our first day of school Porch Pictures. Aren't they super cute in their brand new clothes?  They picked them out themselves - I had dresses for my first day of school until 5th grade, when I decided it was dorky to wear a dress.  I didn't want to force Cassidy into dorkiness, so I gave her a choice (and checked it twice) but she insisted that she wanted a new dress to start school.  Braden didn't get to choose a new dress - boys only get to choose between a new shirt, a new shirt, or ... a new shirt.  

My brother jokingly asked if I was the kind of mom who cries sending kids off to school.  Nope, pretty sure I'm not. 

However, neither are they the type to be anxious either.  Both of them denied being worried yesterday, and both had faces lit up with excitement when we asked what they thought about school starting the next day.  

Braden started kindergarten and Cassie began 3rd grade.  They both came back with glowing reports about their fun new teachers.

Becca wanted in on the photo action, and wasn't to be denied.  Sorry to say, the way her birthday falls, it will still be a l-o-n-g time until she gets to have a first day of school picture.

I swear they taste different

Can someone please explain the allure of stuck-together pieces of cereal?  I have spent the last week picking out the Siamese cereal from the boxes of my kids' Froot Loops and Golden Grahams and snacking on them dry.  I can't figure out why they taste better.

Kindergarten Memories

When I was in kindergarten I was already in love with boys.  I remember thinking Bryan McCarty and Hantse (pronounced hont-see) Costas were sooooo cute.

I remember being so irritated that I had to sit by the class Bad Kid during rug time because his last name started with a 'B' and so did mine.  Poor John Barrientos spent a good share of his time in the time out desk at the back of the classroom.

Kindergarten is also the only time I remember wetting my pants.  I'm sure it happened before that when I was toilet training, but this was the first time I was old enough to know better and to be embarrassed about it.  We were told to use the restroom at the end of recess, and I tried, but the line was very long and I wasn't able to get in before the back-to-class bell rang.  We went straight to P.E., and I asked the teacher as soon as I got there if I could go to the bathroom, but she impatiently told me I should have gone at recess.  Unfortunately for me, she began the class by taking us all out to the basketball court and giving us each a hula hoop.  We set them on the ground, stood in the center of the hoop, and then she said, "OK!  Everybody straddle!"

You can't hold it when you straddle.

 Bryan McCarty (top row) is in the red and navy striped shirt.  Hantse Costas (second row) sports the Mickey Mouse shirt and stylin' tube socks.  Bad Kid John is third kid from the left on the second row, right next to me.  Hint:  click right on the picture to see a larger version.  This will give you full appreciation of Bryan and Hantse's attractiveness.  I'm sure you can also see mischief in John's eyes too...

PLUS, to brag about my astounding memory, I will have you know that I could name both first and last names of all but two of the kids in this class picture without looking at the cheat sheet on the back.

Go Me!

I'm 30 1/2 weeks pregnant and I am still working out on my elliptical trainer 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  I'm completely tooting my own horn, but I am so proud of myself!  I'm even doing the same workout, I've just reduced the resistance by one level for 5 minutes in the middle of the workout.  My goal from the beginning was to exercise as long as I could (I was hoping not to have to stop because of bedrest this time, and so far so good.)  Now with only 9 or so weeks to go, I'm actually thinking I might be able to exercise the whole time!!

Avon Necklace, circa 1992

This weekend my mom reminded me of a story that is too good not to share...

At the end of my seventh grade year, there was a boy named Paul who had a crush on me.  We had health class together and he sat right behind me since our names were close alphabetically.  One day, he came into class, dropped an inexpensive-looking necklace on my desk and said, "Here."  He stood there looking expectantly at me, and not thinking, I brilliantly assumed that he had found it on the floor in the hall.  I picked it up, and disdainfully handed it back to him, saying, "I don't want this!"  Poor Paul's face fell, and he said disappointedly, "...but I got it for you."  Realizing my faux pas and not knowing what to do about it, I responded sheepishly, "Ohhh.  Thanks."  And instead of graciously putting it on, I put it in my pocket!!!!

Upon closer inspection, the gift was what can be expected from any socially-inept 13 year old boy to an equally socially-inept 13 year old girl.  The chain was gold-colored nickel with tiny fake pearls and orange (yes, orange) colored beads.  There was a little Avon charm attached near the clasp.  As an adult, I completely realize I should have worn it to school the next day to erase the poor boy's heartache from my "I don't want this," but I didn't.  I was so embarrassed that Paul (whose love I sadly did not reciprocate) had gotten me a gift that I went straight home and put it in a drawer.  It did not see the light of day again until 2 years later when my mom happened upon it and asked me where it came from! 

My mom likes to tease me and tell me I was a 'clod' but really, in my defense, what was I to think of this 'gift,' so lovingly plopped without ceremony, wrapping, or bow on my desk in my 7th grade health class?? 

I think everyone probably has a similar story, so I call upon you ALL to search the crevices of your memory to find a story of your own teenage social blundering to post!!!!!

Cheating Fate and Up too Late

I stayed up too late tonight.  Partly because I was painting some wooden decorations for the wall in the baby's room, and partly because Nathan was working late, and partly because I was watching these two on TV until midnight.

And I ate two pieces of chocolate zucchini cake at 11:00 p.m.  I should be ashamed of myself, but I'm not, really.

I also feel like I am thumbing my nose at fate this week.  I have passed the point where I was put on bed rest during my last pregnancy.  I still have a recognizable belly button.  And this week I didn't gain the usual pound-a-week that is typical for the last trimester. Ha!  (Just for the gloating, I'm sure that next week fate will send me 2 or 3 pounds, 3 minute apart contractions, and the demise of my belly button.  But I gotta take my moment when I can!!)

Many Thanks to the Cashier Man

Last night, an employee at Checker Auto Parts told me, "You look like you're ready to pop pretty soon."  I responded, "No, not really.  Not till October, so not soon."  He replied, "Two months away isn't too bad..." but he wouldn't look me in the eye after that either.

But THANK YOU for the lovely compliment sir.

37 Obscure Facts About Me

First is the fact that I frequently use the word obscure in everyday conversation.  But that's not a real part of the list, it's just a side-note.  As with Kara, who indirectly tagged me, I encourage everyone who reads this to complete it, because I am dying, just dying, to know your opinion of hot dogs, slippers, and satin sheets.

1. Do you like blue cheese? In stuff, not alone.  And only blue cheese dressing if there is buffalo chicken to dip it in.
2. Have you ever smoked? Never.  Plus it stinks, so I've never been tempted.
3. Do you own a gun? No, and I don't think we ever will.  I would never keep it loaded or accessible, and if I really needed it, what are the chances I could get to it, get it loaded, and use it fast enough?  
4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? Purple, but my mom likes to tell how I drank a whole ton of it one time when I was little and it turned my, a-hem - poop - a nice bright shade of green.  On a pat-myself-on-the-back note, Cassie & Braden found a packet of Kool-Aid in the recesses of our cupboard a few days ago and asked why we had never tried Kool-Aid before.  I had no idea why I even HAD the packet in the first place, but I took small pleasure in knowing I had not served it until my oldest child was 8... I let them help me make it, and as they watched, Cassidy exclaimed, "I know why we've never had this before -- It has a TON LOT of sugar!!"
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No.  I like the doctor.  I do get anxious before every 'first appointment' of a pregnancy because I know just enough to know that there are conditions that can mimic pregnancy and then I get worried that I'm not pregnant after all... but then I always find out everything is fine.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I think they're horrible for you and I rarely want one.  I'm a respecter of hot dogs, and I will only eat name-brand.  Oscar Meyer and Ballpark.  That's it.  Generic ones are yuck.  I will admit that I crave a hot dog at least once or twice during every pregnancy - ideally with an orange soda!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas, hands down.  It has been my favorite forever, and I didn't use to be able  to wait till December - I've been known to sneak in a July viewing here and there.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Pineapple juice or milk.  Mostly I forgo the juice because of the empty calories.  
9. Can you do push ups? Girl ones only.
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? My new wedding ring.  Yes, I said new.  I lost my original one about a year and a half ago (long story short, Rebecca was little and in a throw stuff in the trash phase, and I think she tossed it in the garbage without my knowing), and I got to pick out the replacement as a Christmas gift last year.  I love the new one.  The other thing I love was how Nathan acted about the whole situation.  He wasn't mad or upset or frustrated even once - he said, "Don't worry about it.  It's just a thing.  We'll buy you a new one," just as if I had lost a favorite kitchen spoon.  And he didn't begrudge the cost of the replacement one bit - he just kept telling me "Make sure you get what you want, because I want you to be happy with it."  I did make sure to get an insurance rider on it this time though.  :-)
11. Favorite hobby? Reading.  
12. Do you have ADD? Is it possible to have negative ADD?  If it is, I have that.  Technically, I 'have' ADD, because I 'have' Nathan.  
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Reading glasses.
14. Middle name? Belliston.  It was my maiden name.  I wish I'd kept my old middle name legally though.  I still claim it, but I don't know why I didn't think to keep all four.
15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment. I should get in the shower.  I am proud of Braden because I told him he could pick a movie to watch since he's staying home sick from church today (we are normally a no-TV-on-Sunday family) and he picked The Testaments.  I need to wash the crib sheets and get them put on the newly assembled crib.  (Nathan worked like a stevedore on Friday night.  He got all the old furniture taken down to the garage.  He got the girls' new furniture moved into room & assembled, Braden's new-to-him bed moved from Rebecca's room into his, and the crib put up.  WoW!!!)
16. Name three drinks you regularly drink. Skim milk, water, and Crystal Light.  The C.L. is a pregnancy deal.  For some reason a craving surfaced a few months ago, and since it is calorie free, I saw no reason not to indulge.
17. Current worry? Money.  We totally have enough and are completely fine, but I feel like we have been hemorrhaging cash all summer.  We had quite a few moderately big-ticket projects (that were all admittedly completely discretionary), and although I am happy with all of them and feel they were good things to do, I'm tired of spending.  Nathan actually mentioned yesterday that he was declaring our house Officially Improved for the year.  Lucky we're having a baby soon, because everyone knows how cheap THAT is.  :-)
18. Current hate right now? Kids who get down from a meal saying they're finished.  I clear their places and they come back 5 minutes later asking for 'just one more thing to eat.'  When you get down you are done and don't come back!!!!
19. Favorite place to be? On vacation or fun outings anywhere.  
20. How did you bring in the New Year?  At our house with Nathan's siblings and spouses.  We played games, ate appetizers and treats and "near-wine" and everyone left at midnight-oh-two.  We're real party animals.
21. Where would you like to go? London, Mexico, NYC, Hawaii, Washington D.C., France, Italy, Glacier National Park and the Redwoods, Knotts Berry Farm again.  Okay, this would have been better if it asked where would you NOT like to go.
22. Name three people who will complete this. . LM, D'Neill, and Karen.
23. Do you own slippers? I do, but I rarely wear them, even in winter.  I think it's gross when they make my feet sweaty.
24. What shirt are you wearing? My bathrobe, which I love, because it was just what I was looking for and I found it on clearance for $8.  Long live the VF Factory Outlet!
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I wouldn't know.  It sounds like one of those things that is good in theory, until you find yourself slip-sliding to the floor all night long.
26. Can you whistle? Yes, songs.  But I wish I could do one of those loud kinds of whistles that gets everyone's attention so you can say the prayer at a large gathering.
27. Favorite color? Green.  I always say I don't have a favorite color because I like all the colors.  However, a week ago Rebecca was asking everyone's favorite color and wasn't satisfied with my 'all of them' answer.  She wanted A Color, so I just told her green.  Now if I don't say green when she asks, she informs me, 'Mom, you like green.'
28. Would you be a pirate? Nah.  They're too unwashed.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? For as much as I like to sing, I rarely sing in the shower.
30. Favorite girl’s name? I've always liked the name Lindy, but Nathan's not a fan.
31. Favorite boy’s name? I love, love, love the name Connor, but Nathan doesn't like it.  Sensing a pattern?  Sometimes I think our children are lucky their parents agreed on their names instead of opting for ID numbers.
32. What’s in your pocket right now? Air.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Braden's description of his headache
34. What vehicle do you drive? A 2005 Chevy Uplander.  What image?
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? I got a hairline fracture of the right wrist tripping over a garden hose in the yard when I was five.  (Graceful, as always.)  I went to the first day of kindergarten wearing a plaid dress and a cast.
36. Do you love where you live? Yes.  I've often said I'd like to 'move without moving.'  I love our house, I like our neighborhood, friends, & the kids school, but I wish we were closer to Nathan's work and my side of the family.  But every time I think about the work involved with moving it makes me want to cry, so we're not going anywhere.
37. How many televisions do you have in your house? Two - family room and master bedroom.

That is quite a headache

Poor Braden has been a little under the weather the past 48 hours.  He was running a fever and complaining of achiness yesterday.  

I felt so sad for him when he was tearily describing his headache to me:  "Mom, my head hurts so bad.  It feels like there is an orangutan beating on my head with his fists as hard as he can and he won't stop."

Los ojos

I had an eye exam today.  20/15 vision, thank you very much.  And I've been using reading glasses, but the doctor said I don't really need them.  I can keep using them if I want help relaxing my eyes for reading long stretches at a time.  I credit my father for my Good Eye Genes.  Thanks, Dad!

My Dad Talks to Strangers

Since my parents don't have a blog, I have to share their funny stories on their behalf...

They took a trip to California two weeks ago, and one thing they did was take my sister Katie to the Pantages Theater in Hollywood to see Wicked the Musical.  They had parked in a lot and were walking around seeing the sights and finding dinner while they waited for the doors to the theater to open.  They were waiting on a corner to cross the street, and in front of them were two "Dudes."  You know, long hair, earrings, baggy pants, the works.  Well, both my family and the Dudes noticed a small group of men approaching the other corner across the street.  The men were dressed in the conservative manner of Orthodox Jews, with black suits and hats and prayer shawls.  One Dude turned to the other and said, "Whoa man.  Look at those guys.  Do you think they're Mormons??"  My dad leaned forward and interjected, "No, they're not, but the three of us are!"  Dude appeared shocked, and said surprisedly, "Well then what are they?"  My dad responded, "I think they're Jewish," but it was apparent from their expressions that Two Dudes never expected to have three Mormon people standing with them on the sidewalk looking so undetectably normal!!!

Zucchini recipe Nathan even ate

Zucchini

Italian salad dressing

Seasoned breadcrumbs

Parmesan cheese

Slice two medium zucchini into circles.  Dip into Italian dressing, then roll in a mixture of 1/2 part seasoned breadcrumbs and 1/2 part Parmesan cheese.  Place in single layer on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

"My name is Nathan, and I approve of this recipe."  (But I really only ate it so that Brenda would make me chocolate zucchini cake later...)

Today's project was

I just spent over 3 hours going through all my old picture files and removing the red eyes from each one -- and I'm not even done!  I sure hope someday I think it was a productive use of my time.

Quotes from the Car - by Becca

Poop.  Poop!  (Giggles.)  Poop's funny.

Mom, I found this gross thing in my nose.  It's really big.  What's it called?

What sings this song, a boy or a girl?

What is this song called? Is it 'Who's Your Daddy?' 

Locks of Love

Ever since her friend Blake was diagnosed with leukemia, Cassidy has been itching to cut her hair again and donate it to Locks of Love.  

It was fairly long to begin with, but we've been waiting for it to be long enough to cut.  Yesterday was the day!  Aunt Noelle came up to do the haircut.  

Noelle straightened it first, and we were happy to see there was 11 inches to donate.  

As soon as the ponytail was cut off, she exaclaimed, "Whoa!  My hair feels so light, it's like there is nothing there!"

Cassidy was thrilled to "do service for other children," and she loves her new haircut.  In fact, as soon as it was finished, she looked in the mirror and proclaimed, "I look adorable!  Is that OK to say?  I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but my new hair is REALLY cute!!!!"

I think her new haircut is adorable, too.  She wore it straight today, and we'll see in the next few days after we wash it again if it as just as curly as it was 2 years ago when she cut it for her first Locks of Love donation, or if it is getting a little straighter as she ages.  

We're pretty sure it's still curly.  :-)

Now She's a Creepy Baby

I sat in the living room in a chair after dinner last night, talking the day over with Nathan.  All of a sudden I gasped, sat bolt upright, and eyes wide, said, "GROSS!"  The baby had decided it would be a good idea to give my insides a massage.  She took her foot and ran it top to bottom all along the internal wall of my uterus.  It was the most disconcerting and horrible feeling - almost like someone had snuck up behind me to run a finger down the length of my back - but it sure wasn't on my back.  

It begins:  the time period in which it can sometimes be not as much awe-inspiring as it is annoying to have the baby move inside me!

P.S.  I also had a dream last night that she decided to turn, and I could feel it happening in slow motion.  I was so excited in my dream until she got halfway around, decided it wasn't comfortable, and turned right back around the way she came.

P.P.S.  I just read an article on the internet that said women with breech babies experience more shortness of breath because the head crowds the lungs worse than the feet do when a baby is vertex.  I get winded going up and down the stairs, and lately when I've headed up to my room to work out for the day I've needed to take a one minute rest and sit down before I get up to work out for my 30 minutes- which seems totally counterintuitive!  No wonder I've been feeling like such an out of shape wimp the past few weeks!!