Stuff-n-Stuff

'Bout Time: What, Did You Just Have a Baby?

2012-02-08T18:15:00.002-07:00

I thought I would have so much more time for this. As my M-I-L pointed out, I have not been great about sending out photos for her (or others) to brag about. I am still in a baby time warp. Here's a sampling of my day:

Wake up late (anywhere from 9 am to 2 pm)
Take a happy picture of Oliver to send to Todd
Feed the baby and play solitaire
Hold the baby
Watch some Grey's Anatomy while holding the baby
Feed the baby
Hold the baby
Kiss the baby
Watch some more TV
Feed the baby
Remember to eat, eat a lot
Hold the baby
Feed the baby
Go to bed

I am loving it.

Mo came to help for almost 2 weeks. It was heaven. Mo has more energy than any one I know...cat naps helped her keep up the energy.

We got SO MUCH DONE! The nursery got finished, the loft was organized, and my mental health was restored.

I bought her an "Oliver-care Uniform" to match mine.

Mo was my angel!

And now for an Oliver-cuteness break:

While Mo was here, and while the Tyler & Brittany Rhodes were still in town, we blessed Oliver.

It was wonderful. We had our family and loved ones here in our home. The Bishop presided, and Todd gave the most beautiful blessing.

All of the Rhodes kids (and their kids) had been able to be together just after Christmas. We love being together!

Ollie loves Aunt Darcy!

While Mo was here, Abby and Lil' Boo came to meet the babies.

Lil' Boo is such a good big sister/cousin (regardless of OK's face)!

Also while Mo was here, another little baby boy joined us... Little SP!

Amy & Chris' little boy was born and got to meet his Aunts, his Mo, and his cousins. I should have a photo of Amy holding her boy, but we wouldn't give her the chance while we were in the same room as him! Mo was in grandbaby heaven.

Here's another Oliver-cuteness break:

We visited Grandma Green a couple of times while all the family was here.

We LOVE Grandma and LOVE to see her being so cute with our babies.

After Mo left, I finally made my terrarium that I have been obsessing about.

It took about 20 minutes to put together, and I get tremendous satisfaction from it.

It's a little bit of summer sitting on my table during winter.

So, it's been a FUN few weeks. Oliver is 9 weeks old today and it feels like it's gone by in a flash and yet, it's like he's always been here with us. Todd and I are still amazed at the love and support flowing to us and our very loved little boy. I am so pleased and amazed at how LOVED he is by so many people. People want to meet him, hold him, LOVE him. What a nice situation to be in when you enter the world. I hope he always feels this loved and included. I hope he will always have confidence in the love of his family and friends. What a blessing to go through life believing you were wanted and looked-forward-to and loved by virtue of BEING.

So to end this catching-up session... some more Oliver-cuteness:

It's a Wonderful Life

2012-01-21T12:47:00.001-07:00

I had a baby. He was 4 1/2 weeks early. He is wonderful, and he has changed my life forever.

Because I need to actually "write" it down before I forget (I am existing in a baby time warp)... here's the full story.

With the exception of the blip of the last post, this had been an AWESOME pregnancy. I am one of those obnoxious ladies who has loved being pregnant. I did not feel too sick or tired. I did not gain weight (except for some crazy swollen ankles and feet). I felt energetic and was able to juggle a very busy semester. However, one of the things I was looking forward to was for my baby to come on time (January 6th) so that I could get everything done that I needed to. I was not looking forward to an early baby.

Todd and I started our Hypnobirthing classes, we were on board with the method, and I was practicing my relaxation strategies at home.

Todd had a work trip planned in Singapore. I really did not want him to go, and we discussed it several times. But eventually I had a very distinct peaceful feeling, finally, that he should go and everything would be alright.

On Tuesday, December 6th, I canceled morning classes, taught afternoon classes, and rushed to Kinkos to do some photocopying before the Young Women's activity (I was bringing the supplies).

At precisely 7pm, I pulled the car up to the back door of the house to run inside and grab some supplies before I headed to the church. I stepped out of the car into the frigid air and my water broke. People always told me that it wouldn't be dramatic, that I would probably mistake it for wetting my pants, that the movies always dramatize it. Well, the movies didn't do it justice. It was a gushing torrent. As wave upon wave of amniotic fluid filled my Kenneth Cole boots I was thinking (imagine this in different font types and sizes...) no, NO, NO, no, no NO, NO, NOOOOO!

"This all wrong! This is WAY too early! I have to go to YW! I have finals next week. TODD IS IN SINGAPORE!"

I turned off the car and literally sloshed into the house. I called Marilyn, my very experienced friend (and the YW president) and asked her to come over and pick up the YW supplies and "oh, yeah, I think my water broke." Marilyn was a dream. She came over right away and was all calm and smiles. She was perfectly composed and collected. Just what I needed. She suggested that I get myself cleaned up and start packing a bag and she would run the stuff over to the church and be right back.

I left bloody footprints down the hall as I waddled numbly to the shower with "no, NO, no, no, NO" going through my head. I had no idea what to wear or what to pack. I am very methodical and like to plan ahead, and this was happening too soon. Just that morning, I had ordered my "birthing gown." I knew that I did NOT want to give birth in an ugly, shapeless hospital gown, or be nekked, so I had ordered a beautiful white night gown so that when my baby emerged from the womb he would think I was an angel.

I did have a "backup" gown, but it was cliche and a little grandma-y, white with pink rosebuds... So I packed the gown and a matching frilly bathrobe, and some RANDOM stuff onto a bag while Marilyn calmly encouraged me.

A lot of people wondered if I called Todd right away. I didn't. I didn't know what to say. I finally called him once I was cleaned up and my bag was mostly packed. I couldn't call him directly in Singapore, I had to e-mail him. My message had the subject title "Call me now" and the body of the message said, "my water broke, not kidding."

Fortunately, Todd's main duties at this event were winding down. He called me AS SOON as he got the message. He was very calm. I found out later that while he was on the phone with me, his co-workers at the event were already looking up flights for him to take home ASAP. The soonest flight he could take was leaving in 6 hours.

Marilyn drove me to the hospital (the University of Utah). While her demeanor was very calm, the only thing that betrayed her nerves was the fact that we basically missed every exit possible. I think it's funny that one of Todd's main concerns about delivering up at the U was that it was so far away and he was nervous we would have a baby in the car. Marilyn and I took the LONGEST ROUTE POSSIBLE plus a few "U" turns and we made it just fine.

I had called Amy and Chip enroute and was so grateful that they could basically drop everything to come be with me. Contractions had started in the car, this was really happening. Marilyn was relieved of duty and Amy took over. Amy had come straight from her own ward's YW activity, and Chip had a presentation the next day and still had a lot of work to do. But they were both there for me and I will be eternally grateful!

I changed into my gown, we moved into a delivery room, and Chip gave me a blessing. How grateful I am to him for that! He provided a service to me that gave me comfort and strength to face the coming hours!

My thoughts were very much with Todd. All I could think of was Todd sitting on a plane and feeling helpless. What a terrible situation. This was the birth of his firstborn! His son! Throughout our years of infertility I have never questioned why, or felt wronged, or that the universe was unduly unfair to us. I accepted our infertility with humility knowing that God was in charge of the plan. But I have to say that this situation I could NOT understand. Why, after all the hardship and heartbreak we had been through as a couple, was Todd not able to be with me now? We have grown so close through our trials, why the separation now? We both feel okay about how things turned out, and we have speculated on why we think God planned it this way (remember my good, peaceful feeling?), but this is one thing I will be asking about when I stand at the pearly gates.

So, labor commenced. It was fine, at first. My first shift midwife, also named Amy, was fantastic. I had my hypnobirthing scripts, mantras, and music. Amy and Chip were great hand holders, shoulder rubbers, and coaches. Now time had very little meaning to me during this time. Bless Amy and Chip, they took turns working and helping and dozing and doing some secretarial work for me, like contacting family members (I HAD remembered to call Mom and Dad before I left). If it weren't for them, I seriously would have forgotten to call anyone until it was all over. I DID ask them to contact my friend, Dominique, who was throwing me a shower the next day, and also my friend, Kara, with whom I was to have lunch. I also remembered to email my humanities professor to ask him if I could have an extension on the paper that was due.

Soon, the contractions really kicked in. They were a bit irregular. I didn't want to be hooked up continuously so I could walk around, but soon almost any movement caused excruciating pain. Later, I learned that the intense pain was back labor because baby had his head turned and was not progressing into the birth canal, he was comfy where he was. So the contractions increased but he was not progressing. I was meditating and for quite a long while I was doing well, but after 12 hours, the professionals agreed that something more needed to be done.

I was tired. Physically, and mentally. As things progressed, Chip graciously excused himself. There are things sisters just don't want to share with their brothers. There was talk of pitocin and c-sections. I was so mentally exhausted from the meditating through the increasingly intense pain. My contractions were so intense in my back and pelvis the nurse or midwife would climb up on the bed to push hard against my tailbone and pelvis. This was too much work for everyone. I felt like my pelvis was breaking. So I had to make a REALLY hard decision. It took a while and a few hard contractions, but I asked for the epidural.

Wow. What a difference that made. My epidural was wonderful. I could still move around and move and feel my legs, but I could not feel my "lady parts" at all. But even with the pitocin, baby was not progressing down the path.

Amy and I must have dozed, we chatted, and generally had a good time. Time passed, shifts changed, and the midwife I had been seeing through the last few months, Peggy, came on duty, how grateful I was! I am also so grateful for Peggy's knowledge and professionalism and that Peggy knew when it was time to involve the doctors. I felt like I was getting such good care!

But time was quickly passing, and we were approaching 24 hours since my water had broken on my driveway. I can't believe it was that long. It went by in a flash. By this time, I was on oxygen (which I really enjoyed) and baby was being monitored because his heart beat was slowing WAY down with each contraction. They needed to get him out ASAP.

There was talk of trying forceps first or else the c-section was imminent. I expressed my SERIOUS concerns of using the forceps, but I felt that I would rather try that option rather than the c-section. Apparently, the first pair of forceps were not long enough to reach baby, so they had to find and use a second pair. Baby was too comfortable where he was. Thank goodness for the epidural. I would not have been able to endure what they did to me without it!

So Todd was basically spared the blood and gore of delivery, but poor Amy was not. She was a fantastic coach helping me push. I didn't push very long, and with the epidural, it was not difficult. I guess I'm a good pusher. I could not feel anything horrible, but I could feel it when Baby OK emerged.

He emerged quietly and serenely. He didn't make a sound, he just opened his eyes and looked around. He was then wisked away to a warming bed (NOT part of my birth plan, but he was considered somewhat "emergency" at this point) where he made his first crying sounds. When they determined that he was indeed breathing, he was just chill, they brought him back to me. HEAVEN!

Little OK was perfect, and quiet, and still. I loved him instantly. He just wanted to hang out there on my chest, and I didn't want him to go anywhere, ever.

But they had to take him to the nursery and do the requisite "pre-term baby tests" to determine if he needed NICU care.

Fortunately, he did not. He was healthy, and breathing, and at 5 lbs 11 oz, doing everything he should be doing. What a blessing!

His face was a little beat up, he had a cut over his eye and bruises on his head from the forceps, but he was so calm. Finally, after what seemed like forever, they brought him back to me!

And we just looked at each other.

I just couldn't believe this was my baby. We looked at each other and I couldn't hide my amazement. He was really here and he was really mine... or ours.

Six hours after OK was born, Todd arrived in my room. Bless Amy, she had been through 24 hours of labor with me and she still went to the airport, got Todd something to eat, and dropped him off with his luggage and everything. I had gotten up and brushed my teeth and hair, and changed my clothes (there wasn't even a DROP of blood on my cheap nighty!). When Todd entered the room I was standing there holding OK in my arms and I said, "I had a baby!" It was a very sweet moment. Todd has been the MOST amazing dad. He has been tender and sweet and loving. He loves his little son so much. We had some very sweet hours together there in the hospital. Poor Todd was CRAZY tired, but he stayed up with us to talk and hold OK.

Little Dude was doing great. We were learning about breastfeeding together.

I remember the lactation nurse coming in for the first time and me thinking, "I wonder when I'll feel something going on there (in the breast-al region) and be ready to breastfeed..." and then the nurse squeezed me like a mammogram and there was something there! When did that happen?! It was a miracle!

Because OK was early and a little beat up, he became jaundice-y and we had to put him on the lights.

This was really hard (for me) because I couldn't hold him. So I sat close and held his hand. By about 48 hours, post partum, I was getting the hormonal weeps. Everything made me teary, and seeing my baby in that contraption brought on the waterworks (Niagra Falls, Frankie...).

But they let us go home!

Todd had to go buy a car seat and pick up clothes for our baby at the house (I didn't even think to pack any even though I had bought his "coming home" outfit 4 months earlier!).

It was WONDERFUL to have our little family together at home. Heaven on earth! The kind and loving ladies in the YW presidency had sneaked in to my house and cleaned up the chaotic mess. They wiped up bloody footprints and cleaned toilets and put things in order so that when we came home our house was orderly and peaceful. That was one of the most important and meaningful acts of service that has even been done for me. Other people cleaning my house is one of the hardest things for me to accept, but I needed it, and they did it for me. I love them. And I love that my baby came home to heaven and not filth!

Todd's mom came up the next day from St. George and was SUCH a HUGE help for the next few days. She did a lot of really unglamorous chores, like dishes, laundry, and baby-clothes-organizing, but again, it was JUST what I needed and she was willing to do it. She is also an amazing grandma and held my baby and loved him!

Those first couple of weeks were awesome. We had a lot to do before Christmas, like attend finals, grade projects, and finish getting ready for Christmas, but Todd was on vacation for the entire rest of the month, and we just enjoyed being together and getting to know this little baby. We had time to do a little newborn photo shoot at my new favorite photo studio, Fotofly, in Draper. There is SO much more to share, and I want to share it with you! More to come! Here are some photos of OK to enjoy.

Love,
The Insufferable Mom Who Thinks Her Baby is THE Bomb.com

It's Been Great Until Today

2011-11-14T22:31:00.003-07:00

So I've been enjoying a remarkably EASY pregnancy. When people have asked me "How's everything going?" or "How do you feel?" it has been a joy to be able to answer, "I feel great!" And I really have! I was never very sick, I never threw up or even dry-heaved, I have good energy levels, I sleep fairly well, and I have only gained 11 lbs in 7 1/2 months. That is until today...

I had a day. It started early, too early. As I was getting in the shower to get ready for a doctor's appointment I happened to weigh myself and I have gained 7 lbs in the last 2 weeks since my last appointment. I tried not to freak out in the shower, but I did a little bit, in my head.

Todd is out of town.

I spent all day trying to write a paper for my class. The whole pregnancy brain condition is very real for me. I have trouble formulating thoughts beyond the B+ range. This causes me MUCH frustration and consternation and often embarrassment, especially when I am trying to teach an important principle at school and cannot remember words, or when I lose student assignments, or forget to send them the assignment due tomorrow. It's been a whole semester of that.

After class tonight, I talked to my professor and while I don't think he could tell, I teared up a bit because I've gotten a B+ on both of my papers and also my mid-term. I am smarter than a B+ in this class.

I wore stupid shoes to campus so I had to take them off to walk back to my car.

I fell off the last stair while on campus and sprained my ankle pretty good. I sat there for awhile trying to assess the situation and then some really friendly students came by and I was just sitting there and they asked if they could help me up and I was about to say "no, I'm okay" when I realized that:

1. I wasn't okay
2. I was already crying
3. I am 7 1/2 months pregnant and I COULDN'T get up on my own even if I wanted to

It was awkward.

I cried all the way back to my car while limping like an idiot. I sat in the car and cried uncontrollably. I couldn't call Todd or a sister or show up at my brother's because I was crying so hard. I was crying because I am pregnant and sometimes it just doesn't take much. I texted Todd instead and he called and listened to my cry for awhile, then he talked about other things until I calmed down enough to drive home.

I got home and got in the bath to relax and was forced to confront the "body"... and the face. I have a very puffy pregnant face. My nose is huge and gorilla-like and my mouth is big, and not in a very voluptuous way. I know this is temporary.

I felt better. I finished my going-to-be-a-B+ paper and was getting ready to go to bed (finally!) when I noticed the gas smell. Apparently, when I reheated my leftovers dinner I leaned on the gas stove and the burner has been quietly leaking gas for almost 2 hours. I opened all the doors and windows and turned on the fan. It's like I have it in for myself. I called Todd and told him and now he is concerned. I can't be left alone. Maybe he won't go to Singapore in December after all.

So this is a little bit of a pity party. I still feel great. This pregnancy is still a piece of cake. But today was a rotten day.

No pitying comments please. Only hilarious anecdotes about yourself or someone you know.

Welcome Home

2011-09-12T12:51:00.002-06:00

It's good to be home.

After living in our all-white apartment in Norwalk, Connecticut I feel surrounded by color and comfort. I had no idea we had so many THINGS! I appreciate my furniture more, my kitchen, my multiple bathrooms. But I am also ready to get rid of a lot; I can live with less.

Our Connecticut digs were great. We lived in a lovey, clean apartment, and it was a great find thanks to some awesome ladies at Todd's office. We lived in SoNo (South Norwalk) which is a hip section of town full of cool bars and restaurants. It is also a historical part of town so the buildings were brick and colonial and charming and on the river front. Historically, this part of town was for oyster farming and fishing.

When I came home, Amy picked me up from the airport and we went to dinner and had some really nice sister time. I missed my family this summer. Todd's mom and grandma were at my house having spent a mother/daughter/genealogy week in Salt Lake. It was fun to NOT come home to an empty house that first night. We had some time the next morning to chat and I showed them ultrasound photos and baby clothes. I really enjoyed their company.

Now I am alone. And it's fine. I really like my alone time. I LOVE being with Todd the best, but I am REALLY alright being by myself. These are the last days of alone time for a LONG time. Soon I will have a baby with me 24/7, which will be great, but I will still love my alone time. I was talking with my grandma last night and she loves alone time, as does my own Mo. So maybe it's hereditary.

I came back early to start school, both teaching and taking a class. I am taking a humanities class at BYU to get back into the academic side of things in preparation for further education. And I am teaching three courses (in four classes) at LDS Business College this semester. It will be a busy Fall, but what a nice way to pass the time until Oliver comes!

I miss Todd, a lot. He won't be home for a few more weeks. I will go visit him and do some last minute sightseeing, and pretend for one more weekend that I have no responsibilities other than being with my best friend and having a good time.

I did find one interesting surprise the day after Grandma and Chris left. During July, the whole Rhodes clan was in Utah for a little family reunion and our home played "hotel" to 5 adults and three cute boys. I tired to prepare the house for their arrival and have things ready and available or "child-proofed" as much as possible (I will need to make more changes before Ollie gets here, the Rhodes boys were a good test run). I have found a couple of cars behind doors and plastic jets under couches, but my favorite find was laying beside the tower of headbands and the thank-you card from Grandma Rhodes.

Yes, it is a red-sequined, black-tasseled pasty of the "burlesque" variety. Some dusty remnant of a decade-old wedding shower. I found its partner in the back of a bedside table. I don't know who found it, but they obviously did not know where it went, and there is no way of knowing if they really knew what it was. A fez? So I am left with the image of the whole family surrounding the discovery and discussing its origin. A lovely, if hilarious, image. I may illustrate it.

I Am Grateful for Friends This Summer: Part 2

2011-08-22T11:08:00.004-06:00

I have more friends to be grateful for this summer. As I mentioned, Ben & Sara Jensen live in New Canaan. I knew Ben in college and was excited that we knew someone in the area we were moving to. It has been such a delight to get to know them better and to spend time with them! Both Todd and I feel grateful that they invited us to do fun things with them, and we feel that having their friendship has been such a bonus this summer while we are so far from family and friends in Utah.

Sara has been a delightful summer companion and a fellow "lady of leisure". Sara is smart and interesting, and we share many of the same interests such as food and cooking (and reality TV). When she told me that she used to eat green beans straight from the can I knew she was a kindred spirit. I know that doesn't say much about either of our food tastes, but I understood her in that moment and I liked her.

We talk a lot about food and life. I find Sara extremely refreshing in her "realness" and inspiring in her social attitudes. I am an introvert and she is an extrovert, and it has been tremendously helpful for me to have a friend that helps me think outside my comfort zone. All I really want to do is plan, cook, and host delicious meals at my house for friends, family, and people I want to get to know better, but my shyness, social awkwardness, and laziness get the best of me. Sara actually DOES those things! Spending time with Sara has helped me remember how fun it is to socialize and meet people, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. Now that I am leaving CT, I hope I can get enough doses of "Sara" to keep me motivated and on my toes! She has been sweet and good to me this summer. Thank you, Sara! I love you!

So it was fitting that Todd and I spend one more weekend with the Jensens before I come home. (It has also been so nice for Todd to have a friend in Ben.) They invited us to go camping with them at Burlingame state park in Rhode Island. Todd and I brought NO camping gear with us this summer, but thanks to some generous benefactors (the same generous benefactors that have let me and Sara use their pool all summer) we got hooked up with a HUGE tent and an air mattress.

On our drive up to RI, Sara had suggested we stop and check out the peach festival at Lyman Orchards near Durham, CT. There wasn't much of a festival unless you counted the face painting and the free balloons, but Todd and I spent a little time in the U-pick orchards.

Can you appreciate those rolling hills lined with hundreds of fruit trees? There were apples, pears, nectarines, and peaches with several varieties of each! It was gorgeous countryside. The peaches were GIANT and almost too beautiful to pick!

It was fun to just walk amongst the rows and rows of trees and feel the breeze and hear the bees buzz and smell sun-ripening peaches.

It sounds all very romantic because it was just a little. Todd is a farmer at heart, and he could not stop himself from picking peaches, even on a phone call.

We ended up with over 25 lbs of peaches. Some of the individual peaches weighed over a pound each! And they have been delicious!

That night Ben and Sara joined us and we ate foil dinner and had Nutella s'mores 'round the campfire. I'm telling you, don't mess with the chocolate bar nonsense, Nutella is the way to go.

Todd and I slept really well in our spacious tent and separate beds. We both had our electronics to wind down with.

Pregnant ladies need a little extra comfort when "roughing" it hence the multitude of pillows. And I was not sleeping on a hill as it appears I am. It was a good night's sleep.

The next morning we all loaded up our bikes and headed up to catch the ferry over to Block Island, RI. Block Island is only an hour ferry ride and it is a charming location with a small town of cute hotels, shops, and restaurants and cute houses and farms further inland. There are only about 900-1000 permanent residents, and the single school has 150 students from K-12. But during the summer, the island is full of cottage renters and day-trippers. It was busy but not overly crowded.

I am SO glad we brought our bikes with is this summer! Rosie has been a great bike and she is SOLID as a tank! We got to see a little bit of the island as our GPS lead us on a wild goose chase to find the restaurant we had selected. We ended up on a very hilly dirt road that ran past cute farms and cottages. I didn't mind the ride at all, but Todd's bike had a breakdown, and we had to walk and coast on our bikes all the way back to the hardware store.

We were hungry at this point and did not want to keep searching for this elusive restaurant that was at odds with our GPS, so Sara the extrovert asked the locals at the hardware store where they would eat and we went there.

We were all in the mood for some good seafood, and this place (Finns, in Old Harbor) served local catch.

We ordered local oysters (yum!) and BOTH fisherman's platters... the fried one AND the broiled one. And a few french fries. I swear there is a salad and some broccoli on that table somewhere! We ate fried cod, broiled flounder, scallops both ways, fried clams (I passed on those), fried shrimp, and lobster salad. Fresh seafood is the BEST. We have really not taken good advantage of that this summer. Here's the damage...

Clean platters are a good sign of good food. I know it looks like we did a number on lunch, but we saved a bit of room for the homemade ice cream served next door.

Don't you love summer and cute ice cream shops?

Lastly, we headed over to the beach for some nap time which was well deserved after our little bike ride and our huge lunch. The beach was full of revelers and music from a live band, but the weather was warm and sunny and we laid down and enjoyed the summer atmosphere.

What a lovely day spent with lovely friends! See why we feel grateful? (See my growing bump?)

Todd and I have loved being here in Connecticut. There have been small moments of feeling lonely for family and for the summer family gatherings that we have missed out on. It's not fun to be away from the people we love so much, but we have really made the most of this unique opportunity. We have seen so much and have had great adventures. My brother, Chip, pointed out to me that while our involvement with everything we do in our "normal lives" is great and fulfilling, there is something unique and special about taking a "vacation" from that and just being together for a prolonged amount of time. This has been a second honeymoon of sorts.

So thank you to friends who have enhanced this fun experience. We will always treasure this summer, and we hope to see you again soon!

I Am Grateful for Friends This Summer: Part 1

2011-08-22T07:36:00.003-06:00

I love friends.

Last week I had the privilege of spending some quality time with my two bestest friends, Wendy & Brittany. Since I am in Connecticut and Brittany is in New Hampshire, we felt so happy that Wendy would fly all the way out here from Boise to have a little "lady" time.

It was so kind of Brittany to host us considering she is recovering from Lyme Disease and she also has FIVE kids. But her home was as inviting and charming as ever, and she and the kids went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and at home. Thank you to Brittany's oldest girlies for giving up their CUTE and COMFY beds for us!

Wendy brought her baby son with her and he was our little mascot. He was sweet and quick to smile and laugh. He's SO CHARMING! We love him!

We were lucky enough to be able to spend some alone time together (thanks to her very busy Jake!). We love to just talk and reminisce about our school time together. We laughed over our 90's fashion, our good and bad decisions, the boys, the trips... We were definitely missing our 4th and (unofficial) 5th roommates, Jenna and Brooke. We LOVE you ladies and wanted to be with you, too! There will be a full Frolic Palace reunion in the future!

One of the highlights was seeing my high school friend, Susan.

Susan lives in NH and made a generous detour to come see us at Brittany's house. She has two DARLING little boys; I was very excited to meet them. Susan is so delightful! She is smart and interesting and she is such a cute mom (drool on the shoulder and all!). I loved seeing Susan as a mom. Life is a series of evolutions, and I was so happy to be able to catch up with Susan and see how things have evolved in a very happy way for her.

It was fun to stay up late watching movies and talking. We went to Portsmouth, NH for desserts and Maine for the outlets. Girl stuff. We shopped for books, candy, and baby clothes.

Another highlight was being able to go to the Boston temple. It was Brittany's daughter's first temple trip and both Jake and Britt wanted to be there, so Wendy and I tagged along. How lucky to have a temple so close (comparatively speaking... when I was a youth in Boston we drove down to Washington D.C. once a year, not a bad trip, but a logistical nightmare from my adult perspective!).

Jake was a part of the good old college days as well, and it was fun that he spent one of the nights looking at photos with us and reliving those cold, wintery Rick's days. Everyone had interesting stories that had been long forgotten and embarrassing revelations to share. No one was spared humiliation at the follies of youth. But we love each other, and those things are fun to look back on.

We ended the trip with a little trip for Brittany. She drove down to Norwalk,CT with us to visit a friend from the college days.

We all met Ben at Ricks, and I have become good friends with his wife Sara this summer as they are living in New Canaan, CT. We enjoyed a lovely meal at their home, and it was fun to catch up with another friend from those days. Thank you for hosting us!

I love that time and place do not affect our love and affection for one another. We are not the kind of friends that call all the time or get together that often. We make an effort when we can. But I know that I can call these ladies ANY time so share good or bad news. They put up with my personality flaws and love me anyway, and I love them. When we do talk or get together, it's like no time has passed, our friendship is suspended in time.

We have definitely changed over the years. We are (thankfully) not the same people we were when we knew each other in high school and college. It's fun to see growth and progress and happiness in each of our lives. I am so glad that these ladies have made choices that have led them to happiness. They are such good people! How did I get so lucky? I feel so happy that I can call these ladies sisters... or sister-wives as both Jake and Todd joked (I don't love them THAT much).

I love you ladies! When's the next get-together?

It's A Boy!

2011-08-08T12:26:00.002-06:00

Laying out these little clothes which we purchased on the way home from the ultra sound appointment made it a little more real for me. There will be a baby body in those clothes in 4 months.

I have been trying to hide my pregnancy a little bit in the last two blogs. I'm sure it has driven some people crazy that we haven't announced this yet (you know who you are), but A) it has hardly felt real, even still B) we have health reasons to be cautious C) we have enjoyed "incubating" this new bit of family life and keeping it for ourselves.

Todd and I have enjoyed being together here in our tiny apartment in Connecticut this summer. It has reduced our family life down to the bare essentials. We have some clothes, some dishes, a sewing machine (that needs using), a couple of friends, and ourselves. Oh, and a 17" TV. We share a car and all of our free time. There are no callings that distract us, and even Todd is done with work when he gets home, which is very fortunate this time of year.

We were lying in bed and talking the other night about how we wouldn't change the timing of this. Of course, we wish it had happened a little sooner, but we still wouldn't change it. I have had time to be with nieces and nephews as they have been little and have loved being the "available" aunt. I have loved my callings and my job. I have loved having ten years to be with Todd, to love Todd, to really get to know Todd, to become a team. Our relationship is so much stronger now than it was ten years ago when we began "trying" for a family.

There is a lot to be said for having children young, before you know too much about what you're getting into. Believe me; age and experience breeds fear. The older I've gotten the more apprehensive I've become about being a mother. I even reached a very comfortable level of accepting that we WOULDN'T have kids. That's a peaceful, quiet, enjoyable realization that not everyone can accept. But those of you who were fortunate enough to begin younger than 36 should also feel good that they had the energy and enthusiasm of youth! Good on you! Having your youngins young is the natural way to go!

So just to answer some commonly asked questions:

1) I feel great.

2) This was an in vitro (meaning "in glass"... yes a test tube, or rather a petri dish) I did have some of the same ovarian complications that I had last time, but that and the nausea passed by the 11 th or 12th week and I feel fantastic. In fact, only my growing stomach reminds me I am pregnant. I feel very "normal".

3) Yes, we have a name picked out. We've had 11.5 years of marriage to work out baby names. He will be Oliver Kent and you can call him Ollie or "OK Rhodes" until he asks you to stop. Oliver because it is classic and has a cute little kid nickname and I am a fan of Charles Dickens, AND if he is an only child he will be spending a lot of time with cousins and we thought it was an appropriate nod to the "Brady Bunch" that the only-child cousin would be "Cousin Oliver". That in itself is very Dickensonian. And Kent because that is both Todd's father's name and my father's middle name. It is a solid and masculine middle name and has the air of Superman about it. If you knew a kid named Oliver that you hated, or who was fat, or rude, or mean, or gay... we don't care.

4) Yes, you can babysit.

Even though I really thought this baby was going to be a girl, during the process of writing this I am getting more and more excited about having a boy. I mean, OF COURSE I am trilled to have a boy, but I was just really sure it was a girl and I am having to wrap my head around it a bit... buying some boy baby clothes has helped. But as a friend pointed out to me, "the world is in need of good men right now." And I cannot think of a better role model than Todd. This is the luckiest little boy in the world to have a dad who loves to camp and fish and skate board, and who will always have candy in his suit pocket when they go to the Priesthood Session of General Conference.

I feel really lucky. I am lucky to feel so good. I am lucky to be pregnant. I am lucky to have so much support for this little baby and so many people to love him. I am lucky that he is healthy. I am lucky to have a lot of favors to call in... just kidding, I won't be obnoxious. I will probably post more about this on the Baby Rhodesbud site, so check it out later. Meanwhile, I will continue to bask in my pregnancy "glow" (it's a tan).

Lobster Hunt 2011 & Todd's Birthday

2011-08-03T11:40:00.013-06:00

We have been planning this trip for a YEAR! We LOVE to visit Tyler and Brittany in Fort Lauderdale, and usually take the opportunity to do so in May when we go down for one of Todd's big events. But since they had a brand new baby in May, we decided to come down this year for the lobster hunt/Tyler & Todd's birthdays.

Now this is a hunt I can get into, not like deer hunting where you're just sitting around in cold weather waiting for a deer to happen by, only to shoot it with a big loud gun, have to watch the poor thing bleed and die, gut it, cut it up, haul it out of the woods, stick it in the freezer, and stick its head on the wall. Lobsters are quiet. They live in warm water. You don't have to shoot them with a gun. They don't bleed. You can eat them pretty much right away. They taste good.

After a nice relaxing weekend with the the FL Rhodes (and some minor repairs to the boat) we headed down to the Keys. We stayed in a nice little condo that was perfect to share. This was my first time to Key West. I've wanted to go there for a while. I helped design two Del Sol stores down there but never got to go on an install. I was surprised to see that it was more "civilized" than I had expected (and larger), but we'll get to that.

Tuesday was day one for the hunt. Tyler, Landon (Tyler's co-worker), Todd, and I went out in the AM to a spot Tyler and Landon hunted last year. Brittany stayed in the condo with the kids that day and put together a cake and decorations for Tyler's birthday party that night. Due to some storms off Cuba and Grand Caymen, the waters were rough and the visibility was not great. We stayed on the lee side of the keys where the water was more calm, but there was nothing but sea grass.

We headed over to the Atlantic side and braved the rougher waters in search of rock ledges and coral; as Tyler likes to call it "lobster condos." We were never in water deeper than 7' or 8'. There are so many sand bars and whatnot that sometimes we would be close to a mile off shore and could stand up in the water. Alas, there were no lobsters the first day. We did experience the company of a manatee as it swam along side us for a few minutes. I didn't see it until i put my mask in the water and it was swimming between my legs (in 5' of water). I freaked out a little; they are really big. But we followed it and then it followed us. Who'd ever thought I see a manatee in the wild.

We consoled ourselves with a little dinner out that night. No one ordered lobster. We are at Hogfish Grill. It's charming, outside, on the water...

That day, Brittany and the kids did this:

And then we did this:

Owen is really good at birthdays. He sings and everything.

The next day, we ALL went out on the boat. I am so glad because I wouldn't have had fun if Britt and the kids couldn't be with us. I think we were all a little nervous about having a 2 year-old and a 2 month-old out on the ocean for a whole day, but Owen and Collette were CHAMPS! Owen is a little sailor man and Collie slept pretty much the entire time in her tiny life jacket.

Todd and Tyler did a little reconnaissance that morning and with the use of an iPad and Google Maps found what looked like a great place for lobster condos. We used a GPS and Todd's iPhone (in a waterproof cover) to locate our spot. It was gorgeous. As the tide started going out there was a very strong current, but that did not stop us from hunting or from Owen enjoying a swim. He's such a good swimmer!

As the day wore on with no signs of lobster it was clear that while this was a great place to find them, they had probably been cleared out of their condos the day before. The radio had said that there were 20,000 to 30,000 people down in the Keys for the lobster hunt this year. So now we know where to go FIRST next year. Brittany and I were actually praying that we would find a lobster. I don't think Todd and I cared as much as Tyler, he was the host and I think he would have felt bad had we come all that way for naught.

And YAY! our prayers were answered! Tyler caught a lobster!

To celebrate, that night we went out for pizza. The condo was not adequate for cooking such a special catch. We walked up and down Duvall Street, the place where all the stores, restaurants, and people watching action is. It was HOT, but fun.

I love that first pic of Brittany holding a baby while taking a breathalizer test in a bathroom hallway. Only in Key West.

We were sad to leave the Key West. But the drive home was fun, too. There is a road side attraction called Robbie's where you can eat, charter fishing boats, and feed the tarpin. Tarpin are really large sport fish, not great for eating, but great for fishing and feeding.

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We all took turns throwing sardines and dangling them just right to get a tarpin to jump up with its giant mouth and swallow your fish. These photos are in backwards order, but I am too tired of writing this to fix it. This is me enjoying Robbie's.

I love this one of the boys all checking out the fish.

These suckers are 4' long!

The tarpin actually have big teeth. Sometimes they scrape a knuckle or two, but Todd was brave.

These are all of the object that have fallen out of pockets and off of heads as people have fed the tarpins. There are brand new phones, really nice sunglasses, and other really random objects hanging here.

The night we got home from the Keys we ATE the lobster.

Tyler cooked it up on the grill and slathered it in cilantro butter. It was yummy! We split it four ways...

On out last day in Fl with the Rhodes, we decided to take the boat out and cruise the canals of Fort Lauderdale. Tyler and Britt live in the historic section of town, so it's fun to cruise around and look at the big houses and the giant yachts anchored along the canals. These are in backwards order, too.

We ended up at a state park on the other side of a little canal from a huge beach. It was gorgeous and we played for a little while.

These are our gracious hosts. We always have such a good time. We miss them while they are not living in Utah, but we LOVE that they live somewhere so FUN to visit!

Here's Owen, the little sailor man.

This is the drawbridge near Tyler and Brittany's house. We affectionately call it the "Jack Donaghy Bridge" because the old-timey image on the bridge looks like Alec Baldwin's character on "30 Rock".

It's always sad to say goodbye to the Rhodes, but we are excited to see them at Christmas and to be together then. Thank you for having us in your home and on your boat! We love you guys so much!

On Monday was Todd's birthday, I don't know that I could top his birthday tribute from last year so soon, so you'll just have to scroll down and revisit it (you know you want to ). We spent the evening with Sara and Ben Jensen at their lovely apartment in New Canaan. They have a roof top patio with a grill, and Todd's birthday wish was to grill us up some New Yorks, so who I am to stand in the way of a birthday wish?

The menu was Todd favorites: New York steaks, sweet potato fries with a bacon-brown sugar dipping sauce (thanks for the suggestion, Tyler), tomato-cucumber salad, and green beans...

Here are Ben, Sara, and Todd enjoying the view, the after-rain cool evening, and the food...

Sara made Todd a DELICIOUS German chocolate cake in the shape of the "forbidden doughnut". It was darling. I need to get one of those pans.

Ben and Sara even got Todd a gift, which is more than he got from me... isn't the sky pretty?

We've had such an amazing summer. We are grateful to friends and family who actually want to hang out with us. We have been missing home and family so much not being with them this summer, but we have tried to take advantage of any and every adventure during this special time in Connecticut. I will be home on August 28th and Todd will be home October 1st. I have four more weeks of summer and those four weeks are packed with FUN. I can't wait for more adventures!

Summer Jobs

2011-07-31T10:45:00.002-06:00

Inspired by Inc. Magazine's article on summer jobs, I will join the conversation. The magazine shared a little informational tidbit that only 48.9% of 16 to 24 year-olds had a summer job in 2010. That is the lowest recording since the Bureau of Labor began tracking that statistic in 1948.

Granted, the economy is still making a comeback, and there are many jobs that are currently being filled by over-qualified adults who have been out of work, but I have to say that after working with youth from this age bracket in both church and school settings for over 10 years now, I am always surprised at how few young people get jobs either in the summer or once they turn 16.

I think family work ethic has a lot to do with it. It doesn't seem to matter whether these young people come from wealthy or not-so-wealthy families, the attitude of work comes from Mom and Dad. (I have counseled so many young people that they could have so much more freedom by being a little more financially independent!)

I remember with excruciating clarity how desperately bored I was the summer I was 14: too old to want to babysit (and lack of good opportunity living in New Jersey) and too young to get a real job. By the time I was 16, I was done with baby sitting, having been a regular sitter since I was 10 (gasp! I cannot imagine a 10 year-old watching a baby, but I did!). It was Mo who, tired of me hanging around the house, finally took the local paper in her own hands and circled some jobs for me in the Medfield Press. Thus began my career as a working stiff. Here is an account of my summer jobs:

General Office Assistant: Fred Davis Corp. (Medfield, Ma 1992-1993)

I was an office assistant at an energy efficient lighting company. I knew NOTHING about lighting let alone the energy efficient variety. I worked for Fred and Lucinda Davis who were really nice, post-hippies staring a company with a product they believed in. My main responsibilities were cold-calling lighting companies to ask for their addresses so I could send them a packet of information. This job taught me two things: 1) I hated using the telephone, and still do and 2) I had a talent for organization and efficiency. I revamped the assembly line of information packet building, and was trusted with shipping and receiving. I quit this job because I got a lead in the school musical my senior year. I remember Lucinda saying "Do you feel good about the fact that you would quit a job over a part in a play?" I remember saying, "Yeah." And I have never regretted it (it was my Senior year!).

Sales Associate, Intimate Apparel: Filene's Department Stores (Natick Mall 1993)

This was an awesome job. I worked in the lingerie department of a big department store the summer before I left for college. This was my first job where I had to dress like an adult (wear pantyhose). My co-workers were all moms in their late 40's - 60's who had held this part-time job for years. They knew everything about ladies underthings and fit and make, and they treated me like one of their own children, clucking and fussing over my college plans and lack of a boyfriend. My sense of organization came in handy, but the main thing I learned from this job was how powerful product information can be. I really loved the training and the detailed info about the different brands and models of everything from bras to thongs. I became really good at helping people find what they needed, and that was really satisfying. Besides, what teen-aged girl does not love having a 25% discount on loads of cute bras and underwear?

Lifeguard: Toucan Pool Company (Houston, TX 1994)

I went from being completely incapacitated, on my back, from mono for 34 days to a lifeguard training/audition. Luckily, I am a strong swimmer and was very determined not to embarrass myself by drowning in front of 20 other lifeguards-in-training. It was the perfect job to recover from a long illness. I worked at a newly-built neighborhood pool that no one ever came to. I was also the only lifeguard. I would get there in the morning and empty the filter baskets, check the chemicals, and get up on my stand with my giant water cooler and... sweat. I would sweat from about 11am to 9pm. Occasionally, there would be another lifeguard to cover part of the shift, but for most of the summer it was just me. There were three families that would actually come to the pool, but they came between 6 pm and 9 pm. I knew their names and they knew mine. It was like a little family. All I had to do was sit there and let my body recover and think my thoughts and drink my water and sweat. I think I lost 10 pounds, and I got very, very tan.

Lunch Counter Cook: Provo Pharmacy Lunch Counter (1995)
Waitress: La Dolce Vita Restaurant (1995)
Private Family Cook: Rich People (1995)

I had all three of these jobs simultaneously. I would get up in the morning and go to the lunch counter and make awesome breakfasts and coffee for construction worker regulars then spend my evenings waitressing at a local Italian restaurant. On my time off, I would grocery shop and cook for a rich family of 8. I got my first credit card, bought my first bike, and wrote a check for it that day (I knew how to build up good credit.) I was busy and I loved it. I liked making daily lunch specials like meatloaf and spaghetti and I loved serving customers and I loved cooking. It was a good summer.

Cook/Waitress: Brick Oven Pizza (1997 - 1999)

After my mission, I got a job as a cook in a local college pizza joint. I was the only girl in the kitchen (besides Emily who shared this summer job with me for a while). I made and cut pizzas and eventually worked my way up to the grill work. I loved being in the kitchen and still love eating there, but I got tired of smelling like food after work, so I moved over to serving and happily worked there through most of college.

Sales: Extended Pantry (1999)
House Painter: Student Painters (1999)

I am not a good sales person. I worked door-to-door sales for a company I really liked and believed in. It was such a great idea! But apparently I really stank because I did not make a DIME in 3 months of hard work (it was all commission). Because I had no income, I went into debt ($300 or so, maybe more, not the good kind of credit) and had to find other employment. My cousin, Jared, generously offered a spot on one of his painting crews and I painted houses for the rest of the summer in Provo. I really liked this job. Manual labor can be so satisfying. You feel tired and hot, but at the end of the day you feel GOOD. I can still drive by those houses we painted and feel good about my work; I even had my wedding reception in one of those houses!

And that was pretty much the end of my summer jobs. Every job I have had since then has been just my job. I like working, although I have discovered that I am not good with regular 9 to 5 type jobs. I need a little creativity, I need a little flexibility, I need a little less routine to be happy.

I currently work as part-time faculty at LDS Business College teaching a couple of design courses and I LOVE it. I have found my true calling as a teacher and I look forward to pursuing it.

Please, if you feel so inclined, share some of your better summer job experiences.

A Bad Day for Smokie: Todd's entry at Sundance

2010-11-05T16:12:00.002-06:00

Todd has a funny little brain. This is really an outtake of our shooting part of Mo's 60th birthday video, but it makes me laugh every time I watch it.

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Rest In Peace, Fiona (May 2000-September 2010)

2010-09-16T18:55:00.017-06:00

Some of you might be visiting my blog hoping to see about the amazing, wonderful, FUN trip we took to visit Mom and Dad in Stockholm. I promise that blog is coming.

One reason I haven't posted said blog is because Fiona became really sick when we got home and progressed really quickly until today when she passed away here at home with Todd at her side.

Fiona was 10 years old and had had a happy life. We are very sad and will miss her a lot.

Here are some things we will miss about Fiona:

...her eagerness to see us every time we came home... even if it was from getting the mail.
...her soft, soft ears.
...her love of sniffing and exploring everything.
...her love of swimming in any body of water deep enough to allow it.
...her love of playgrounds and slides.
...her corn-chip-smelling feet.
...people asking us if she was a puppy.
...cold noses asking for a petting.
...never having any food on the floor, ever.
...her love of sticks and "having a job" to do on walks.
...her sticking her head between your legs from behind and looking up at you.
...her singing.
...the good tricks.
...her love of learning new tricks.
...nosing her puzzle ball around the house.
...playing hide-and-go-seek.
...her snap to attention upon hearing "kitty" or "birdie."
...the begrudging way she posed for pictures.
...the way she ignored the nieces and nephews and refused to do anything they asked.
...how easy she was to potty train.
...her pretty eyes and they way she looked up while resting her head on your knee.

Here are some things we will NOT miss about Fiona:

...her waking us up on windy nights.
...her pawing the bed when she was ready to go out.
...her love of chocolate (and the aftermath).
...her making people cry when they rang the door bell.
...her relentless pursuit of items from the pantry including flour, wheat bulger, and mini marshmallows.
...her stuffing food down the corners of the couch and chairs.
...biting crotches.
...running her cold nose up the backs of ladies' legs in skirts.
...staring at me from halfway behind a corner.
...finding shoes and pantry items stashed away in her secret places.
...picking up her poop.
...her love of chewing through straps on purses, bags, luggage, and seat belts.

Here are some of our favorite photos of Fiona (if you can believe it, Fiona was born beyond the boundaries of digital cameras, so I will have to add photos of her earliest years later when I have time to scan some in).

Fiona in the Cone of Shame.

Fiona modeling some baby gifts.

Fiona and Cubby. See how she is leaning away...

Fiona keeping me company when I was sick.

Fiona doing her job on a walk.

Typical Fiona.

Fiona enjoying the sun.

Last night we went for a walk.

Poor girl, you could tell she wasn't feeling good, but she loves being outside.

Here's the part where I end with a nice dignified picture of Fiona, but I have to find it and scan it in.

Fiona brought us a lot of joy and was good company for us for 10 years and 3 months of our 10 years and 7 months of being married. In spite of her many faults, Fiona had many friends and admirers who will also miss her dearly. We thank you for your prayers and love. Please remember our little friend fondly.

An Ode to Todd: Happy Birthday, BFF

2010-08-03T16:28:00.004-06:00

So Todd was born on August 1, 1974. I am so glad that he was! No, really... I am SO glad that he was born.

This is my favorite picture of Todd. This is the REAL Todd. If ever there was a picture that captured the purity of the soul, it's this one. And I find that appropriate because with Todd, what you see is what you get. He is one of the most genuine, unpretentious people I know.

Wait... oops, I said real, right? Well don't let this picture fool you...

...or this picture.

Todd DOES NOT like to dress up. He likes to be himself. If he is ever seen about town as Elvis or a pirate, it is usually because I have coerced him into it.

Todd does not like attention. Not even positive attention. He gets embarrassed. He doesn't mind recognition, but attention is totally different.

He likes to be recognized for being funny, but by that I mean that he likes you to laugh at his jokes, but if you were to tell him, "You're really funny," he might be embarrassed, because the latter is attention and the former is recognition.

Todd is a lot of fun to hang out with. I am glad that if I couldn't have kids I couldn't have kids with Todd. I never get sick of him. Every Monday, I miss him because I had to him to myself the whole weekend.

That being said, Todd is really good with kids. He would make the BEST dad. He is silly and he makes up really good songs.

Wait, he can be tender, too.

Awww... He loves his nieces and nephews. I have loads of photos of him with the chlins', but my computer illiteracy prevents me from posting them.

Which brings me to things that Todd is good at:

Computers

Problem solving and figuring things out

He's way handy (he can fix just about anything)

Singing (and making up songs)

Making people laugh

Cooking meat (BBQ)

Gardening

Making his wife happy (and making her laugh out loud on a daily, nay, hourly, basis)

Here are some things Todd likes:

Corn dogs

Coleslaw

Fishing

Camping and the Great Outdoors

The smell of warm pine needles and mountain air

Humoring his wife

Kissing (his wife)

I feel very proud of Todd. I will try to recognize him for the following and try to NOT embarrass him...

Todd has done some really hard things. He has started a company. He got his MBA. He has held scary callings at church. I am convinced that his capacity for growth is endless. There is nothing he can't take on and conquer. And that brings me to another really good quality: he is a superhero. He IS unbreakable.

I can trust Todd. I know he will always choose the right thing to do. I don't have to worry too much about what he does or who he hangs around with when he travels. Todd is the kind of person other people want to be good for.

I know, this is getting embarrassing.

But I love Todd for so many reasons! I have to share, to celebrate him! He is the BEST husband and the BEST partner. Did you know that he has NEVER, in 10 years of marriage, ever said anything on purpose to hurt my feelings? He refrains. That's important. I know that when I am being bratty or PMS-y he could verbally jab me, but he never has. He never uses a "tone" with me or hurts me to "put me in my place." Even if it is deserved. I can "confess" anything to Todd and be totally honest with him because I know he is on my team. (Like the time I accidentally spent $250 on some silk fabric... it truly was an accident.)

I really don't prescribe to the notion that there is one true match for any individual. Actually, maybe I do because I always say "there is a lid for every pot." But really I just mean that about weird people. But Todd is the only one for me. I knew it the very first time we kissed. I know... that's so romantic, and I am not generally a romantic, I am a pragmatist, but the actuality is that I knew I wanted Todd forever. Who wouldn't?

So that's why I am glad that he was born. There is no one on the face of the whole wide world that I would rather be with forever.

Happy birthday, Tood, Shmoopy, Buddy, Sugar Plum, Sweetheart, Friend.

I Guess It's Time...

2010-07-26T13:26:00.004-06:00

So time is flying by at break-neck speed and I am not so good about blogging anymore or taking pictures of what I do. So here's a little recap.

We moved into our new home on March 1, 2010. We love it. I set to work right away getting some of the projects done that I didn't want to wait 7 years to do: like tiling the "chef's nook" and 1/2 bath, wallpapering a giant map, painting the master bedroom and dining room, etc. I will post more pictures later (especially of the stenciling projects I have been doing). But here is what we have so far.

Here is Todd welcoming you:

Here is the view from the front hallway into the family, kitchen, and dining rooms.

We had to consolidate all of our bookshelves and entertainments into the huge shelving unit. We also relegated our red sofa and chair to the basement and promoted the leather sectional up to the big leagues. Our sectional is wrong... it "L's" the wrong way, but it was not within the budget to buy another couch or rebuild the house, so... for now it is what it is.

Here is Todd doing some dishes...

We did quartz counter tops (Hanstone in "Tiffany Gray") and white cabinets, because I am still a white cabinet girl. Our floor is 12" x 24" gray porcelain tiles laid in a brick pattern. The tiles look like grass cloth and are Fiona proof.

Here is Todd looking into fridge to see if there is anything to eat... which there isn't.

Here is Todd sitting and laughing at something witty you just said.

The dining room wall is a stencil that I made from an Art Nouveau book. I will blog about that later. The stencil is not finished yet. It will have birds and flowers (you can see a small finished portion on the far left).

Here is Todd waking up in our lovely "winter" bedroom.

The trees are stencils from Urban Outfitters. The wall color is a wonderful slate gray from Restoration Hardware that I LOVE. I was worried that it would be too dark, but I really love the crisp white and gray with yellow and white bedding. There is a white wardrobe with a gray tree stenciled on it to the side. I also like our bedside lights that hang instead of sitting on the night table. I still need to hide the cords.

Here's Todd in his thinking place...

I am going to paint the bathroom a lighter gray and do something fabulous with tile. Someday...

Todd is still excited to go upstairs, even though the upstairs is decidedly not exciting.

I LOVE our carpet. It's a mix of low and looped pile and it has subtle stripes. It is wheat colored and has already weathered 5 ladies with the stomach flu and one dog who ate a 5 lb. bag of chocolate chips. It still looks great!

Here's Todd in the guest room. He didn't want to leave.

I imagine that this room will be beachy and tranquil.

This is the daybed in my craft room. He didn't want to leave here either, in fact, he didn't. He's still there.

Fiona is keeping him company. She also took his shoes. The craft room is still not perfect. I have a lot of stuff to organize and get rid of. It is also Fiona's secret hide out. If I leave the door open, she brings her "treasures" up here. If I am missing something like slippers or a 5 lb bag of flour or chocolate chips, it will be in her hideout.

This is the map papered 1/2 bath that I love.

I tiled the walls 1/2 way up on two walls and then the map covers the rest. It was the first thing I did and I love it.

Here's some other stuff I did this summer:

We went to Florida to visit Tyler, Brittany, & Owen. It was heavenly. They live in such a beautiful place. We miss them SOOOOO much!

I went to Connecticut to visit Emily & the little ladies:

I walked on air!

I drove a submarine.

I saw the old sites and some great "old" friends.

We went to Sturbridge Village and did old fashioned-y things...

We made headbands galore...

I was purposely trying to make that look awkward.
Then Emily & the Little Ladies came to my house... and got sick.

It was the stomach flu which we all got, even some of the cousins. But I did not throw up. How, you ask, can you get the stomach flu and NOT throw up? Oh, you can... you CAN.
We visited the Bingham Copper mine. It's a mile deep.

And then I lost my our brand new camera and don't have documentation of Sarah's visit or of Spencer and Sho and the wedding we all attended. Or of Todd's mom and dad's visit or Darcy's visit or of Tyler and Brittany's visit. Or of Girl's Camp. It's been non-stop fun. Just the way summer should be.

Moving On: the Progress Report

2010-01-12T22:02:00.003-07:00

So we are finishing a townhouse in Daybreak, which is in South Jordan, UT. Here's the outside again...

..turns out we will actually have a decent sized front yard and side yard which will definitely be fenced off. We want to have parties in this yard and allow Fiona some space to run around without biting people.

Here's the entry (Todd asked if he could be in the photos so I asked him to act out possible scenarios)...

Here is Todd standing on the far side of the family room by the future kitchen counter. He's welcoming you in...

Here is Todd doing some dishes...

Here is Todd looking into the fridge...

Here is Todd laughing at something funny you said over a delicious dinner in the dining room...(he's cutting his meat not riding a pony)...

Here is Todd waking up in the morning in our lovely main floor bedroom...

This is Todd in the shower, he really does this, he just stands there...

Todd is so excited to go upstairs...

He's standing in the corner of the loft, depressed already at all the bills he's going to pay from this spot in the house (the loft looks down onto the entry and also has a lot of nice windows, this is where I want to read books, and eat bon bons)...

Here Todd looks out the window in a contemplative mood. He's deciding whether or not to let you stay here in the guest room...

Here Todd is posing seductively in the "Carrie Office", he's practicing to seduce me away from my crafts for a moment... I think it's working ladies...

I can see the temple spire and Moroni from my "office" window...

And now for the exciting basement (that will stay unfinished for a while)... Todd said he was acting like Fiona, when she stares at you while half hidden by a corner... very creepy...

Here it is in all it's glory... at least it's a decent size...

If you're bad at my house, you will spend the night under the stairs...

I am very excited to see the progress as they actually begin working on our space. I hope it won't be boring to share the progress with you. It will be consuming my thoughts and will be the source of most of my anxiety for the next month or two... stay tuned.

Moving Day

2010-01-03T21:16:00.002-07:00

So we've moved. We finally sold our home on 620 North in Provo and have moved further north. It was a really hard decision to make, but we definitely felt led to do so, and who are we to deny inspiration? We need all the help we can get!

We lived at 2668 West 620 North for almost 9 years, which is almost twice as long as I've lived anywhere! We love the neighborhood and the people and the ward there. Todd and I pulled away from the house in separate cars and after a few minutes called each other to exclaim, "Are you fighting tears, because I'm trying really not to cry my eyes out!"

We were fortunate enough to be able to meet the new occupants and to appreciate what nice people they are. As I was going through all sorts of information about the house, neighborhood, & ward with the wife when she asked me, "Are you excited to go your new place?" I think she felt like I was really reluctant, and I was!

We had a lot of help from wonderful people who made us feel loved. I can't think of anything worse than to help someone move. I guess it's not so bad when you're not moving yourself, but having people come in and see the mess and chaos... I was close to by breaking point. But thanks to some key players (you know who you are) things got done even when I was basically catatonic and unable to make any more decisions!

While this house has it's flaws, I have loved living in it, and I loved visiting each room for the last time to see it clean and ready for someone new.

We are living in a temporary town home until OUR town home is finished (we don't know when that will be, exactly, as of yet). Right now we are living in Tyler and Brittany's home. They VERY GENEROUSLY moved out of their place early (they are moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL in February) so we could have somewhere to live and be able to have Fiona with us.

We are looking forward to the adventure ahead of us. The unknown is scary, but we are welcoming this change whole heartedly. The is an auspicious year for the Rhodes: 10 years of marriage and a move. A baby would round things out completely (but that's one thing we don't have a lot of control of).

I hope it doesn't become tedious, but I am excited to post the progress on the new house (town home). Our new address is 4353 Degray Dr., South Jordan, UT, 84095 (our mail is going there already). It is fun to able to make choices in this house that I didn't get to make in the last one. This new house will be totally contemporary (my little designer dream come true... I hope).

(This is our new house! Just kidding, this is 3 town homes... our unit is the one on the far left.)

This is our unit, it is "L" shaped and lovely!

Please come and visit! We have room for you at the new party house!

The Dress That Could Have Been: It's Called the "Laura"

2009-11-09T22:11:00.002-07:00

So my darling friend Laura (otherwise known as Yolanda) challenged me to enter the Shabby Apple dress design contest. It was just one of those things I just KNEW I had to do, not because I had a great idea, not because I am a dress designer, not because I don't know how to sew particularly well, not because I even felt like making a dress... it was like the surf lesson, and the reality show audition: it was just something I had to prove to myself.

So I slaved away, and spent about $145 dollars to make two dresses. The first one looked like this:

...so I took a different tack.

I made all that scalloped trim, you know.

I like pretty details.

The main fabric is an apple green eyelet with a buttercup yellow lining.

The hem of the underskirt has stars!

Fiona supervised the entire process.

After reading over the contest instructions numerous times, I neglected to note the actual due date. I thought it was tomorrow... it was a week ago. So who knows why I felt so inspired to do this. But I am glad I did. And in honor of the one who threw down the creative gauntlet, it is affectionately called "the Laura."

Something Out of Nothing

2009-10-14T22:43:00.002-06:00

Here's the time I made myself a dress and made the neck hole too small.

I was getting ready for church and had finished this dress and was so excited to wear it that I FORCED it over my large Swedish noggin. I had to wear that dress all day long because I couldn't face the reality of actually taking it off. I knew it would require a seam ripper. Here goes...

"Help me, Todd!"

I got the dress off.

The Possible Future Me...

2009-05-28T23:20:00.003-06:00

"This is the best thing to wear for today, you understand. Because I don't like women in skirts and the best thing is to wear pantyhose or some pants under a short skirt, I think. Then you have the pants under the skirt and then you can pull the stockings up over the pants underneath the skirt. And you can always take off the skirt and use it as a cape. So I think this is the best costume for today".
Edie Beale

Watching the Maysles brothers' documentary "Grey Gardens" tonight was interesting... hilarious... enlightening... scary. I felt like I was coming home; to an alternate universe. I saw the alternate ending to my life: I am an aging, decaying, impoverished aristocrat decomposing in my self-made prison, except that my mom is way nicer to me.

I laughed, I cried, I felt their anxiety over their filth. I applauded Little Edie in her "staunch" wearing of the scarf to conceal her alopecia, and her constant wearing of her swimming suit (I can SO relate!).

It was just a precious moment in my life. I wanted to share. Net Flix this documentary right now.

I'm not in any danger of taking myself too seriously...

2009-05-19T09:35:00.003-06:00

I love this photo:

I keep it on my desk, not in a frame, mind you... just out, because it makes me laugh and it makes me feel loved.

It was taken the summer of 1994. That summer, a few months after I had mono, I developed Bell's Palsy. The right side of my face was paralyzed to the extent that my right eye wouldn't even close or blink. My mom is taking the picture and saying, "Come on everyone, smile! Carrie, I said SMILE!" I am belly laughing. I am close to tears, but you wouldn't know it. That's what makes me laugh. Imagine walking around with that face (not to mention those high-waisted-pleated shorts and vest). I had to life-guard with that face... talk to people daily with that face...

The part that makes me feel loved is that my siblings (and even the dog) are about as sympathetic as siblings need to be. Largely, they are laughing AT me, but there's a tiny portion of their teasing that's laughing WITH me... which makes up for the facial paralysis.

Florida: The Finale and Denoument

2009-05-13T07:50:00.003-06:00

Good-bye fancy hotel and convention center.

Hello husband!

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

We made it!

All week I had been striving for a glimpse of Disney World. Remember how I even drove there trying to find it? Disney is cleverly hidden amongst acres and acres of forest so that you are suddenly surprised by it's presence when you are THERE. The reason I could not see Cinderella's Castle from any vantage point outside of the park is because it is TINY. I remembered it being SO much bigger.

So Todd and I, Disney novices, embarked upon a day at the Magic Kingdom. We weren't sure if we could bring in food and drinks, so I left my bag in the car. We could have used all the waters and snacks, but it was also nice to be unencumbered. We knew that food was expensive in the park and just expected to pay for it. Disney is not cheap.

This is one of the first things we saw...

Jesus 4 gives me for going to Disney World? OK. Since there are no sinister activities and no alcohol I guess I don't mind the blanket forgiveness.

It was VERY hot. 93 degrees + all the people + the highly reflective pavement. We embraced the sweating.

It seemed very crowded to me, but what do I know? There were a lot of school groups there, and thousands of people who had the day off like us, but the lines were never that long. The longest we waited was MAYBE 10 or 15 minutes. The only fast pass we needed was for the Peter Pan ride which is mysteriously crowded all day long. Maybe there were sinister activities going on in the line which we missed out on.

Although this photo just looks like Todd is smiling really big, we are going REALLY fast on Thunder Mountain...

I LOVED the Swiss Family Robinson House. I loved the movie growing up, and I was always jealous of their fine tropical wilderness contraptions. I wonder what a fiberglass tree house is going for in this economy?

Why do Americans throw money on everything?

We rode everything... except Splash Mountain. We really didn't feel like getting wet even though it was so hot. Besides, my shorts were really dark denim and they would have turned my legs blue. Most of the rides are kiddie rides, but we had a good time anyway.

My steering wheel was covered in glitter... only at Disney...

We stood in line for this mysterious ride called the Astro Orbiter. It was a glorified Dumbo ride except it was rockets. Maybe the ride operators, or cast members, want to be validating, but they never should have let both of us ride together. We delayed the beginning of the ride as the cast member came over and tried to help us better squeeze ourselves into the same rocket. He called me princess, as in "stand up there, Princess, and let him get his legs in there first." I wanted to punch him (the cast member). We are smiling even though this ride hurt more than my pride.

By lunch time, I was in need of some serious food. From the second I looked at the map I knew I wanted to eat at the Liberty Square Inn. I just hoped the food was as good as the Colonial decor. The menu was small and kind of had really heavy dishes like pot roast (who wants pot roast on a 93 degree Friday afternoon?). But our cheerful server suggested the Pilgrim's Feast (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy) and I said, "Bring it..." I was not sorry. It was really delicious, and even though it was a huge not-light lunch it kept me going for the rest of the day. I was SO happy with my cold root beer.

I had really bad sweaty-hat-hair all day long. It's better than nose cancer.

Cinderella's Castle is more like a tunnel from Main Street to Fantasy Land, but in that tunnel are some really well done and beautiful glass mosaics. They weren't too Disney... they looked like the mille flore tapetries of medieval Brussels.

I love the little girl looking up at the story. She reminded me of Mathilde. Sorry it's blurry.

I was amazed at how many people are employed at Disney. This guy's job was to play in a marching band a couple times a day. How sweet is that. And everyone was so friendly. It was just me standing there on the side walk, and he still waved.

This set up might become a series.

Remember this one time when Todd was riding a giant rainbow shrimp and was a little motion-sick?

Luckily for us, Todd was not motion sick the whole day. Maybe it was because his horse was so tiny...

I love that handsome face!

By about 4pm the heat had taken a serious toll, so we rode out to Tom Sawyer's Island on the Huck Finn raft and had a little relaxing time.

This was my favorite part of the day. Holding hands with Todd, sitting in our rocking chairs watching Old Man River flow on by...

Then the Liberty Belle steam paddler blocked our view, and we went in search of a cold drink.

It got more and more pleasant the further the sun went down, and pretty soon it was time for the nightly fireworks.

It was really fun to sit on the sidewalk with all the other families and wait for the show. It was just like the 4th of July or something. The anticipation had a pleasant feel. I couldn't wait for Tinker Bell to do her fly-by...

There she goes... She's hard to photograph.

I love fireworks. They make me cry, so do parades and choirs.

It was such a fun day spent with my favorite person in the whole wide world! This picture pretty much sums up the day...

It's interesting that by the end of the day, the Castle had grown HUGE! I guess the magic worked!

THE DENOUMENT:

The next day we were WORN OUT. Our feet hurt and we were weary. We had some time to kill and Todd really wanted to see some of the sites I saw, so we made a stop by the Mary, Queen of the Universe shrine/church, and I stopped by the Catholic store and bought myself a St. Martha figure (Patron Saint of Cooks). The cashier reminded me to go to the priest and have it blessed... I just said, "OK." Todd wanted me to, but I didn't.

Next we drove the 54 miles out to see if we could see the space shuttle. It was further out than we thought so we settled for the beach at Cape Canaveral.

This is all the beach Todd got. I felt bad seeing his wistful look at the seashore. He had worked SO HARD all week long. I hardly saw him, and I went out everyday and did fun things while he made sure everything was going smoothly. I am grateful he brought me with him. I love to see Todd in action, he is amazing. He is really smart and his clients and his co-workers think he is funny. They really like him.

It was a fun 9 days, but if felt good to come home again. This was a vacation that left me feeling rested and happy. What more could I ask for?

Florida: Part Cinqo de Mayo or A Lesson in Getting Over Oneself

2009-05-11T17:32:00.001-06:00

So on Thursday I had an opportunity before me. I had called the Cocoa Beach Surf Company in Cocoa Beach about a surf lesson, but they hadn't called me back (and I was kind of glad). But they did call Thursday morning so I had to make a decision. Here were the Pro's and Con's:

Pro's

Surfing is fun
It would be a challenge
It would be cool to blog about
I was successful last time I tried surfing
I might be successful again
I would be at the beach
When would I get to do this again?

Con's

I am generally a homebody (who happens to like to travel)... the pool is fine
I am scared to do it alone or without Todd
I am the fattest I have ever been in my life
This activity requires me to be in a swimsuit
I am recovering from OHS and it has had a dramatic effect on my body and energy
Due to that, I am REALLY out of shape right now, even for me
Surfing is rigorous

My Con's were weighty upon me. I have been frustrated over the past few years at how I have let my physical state diminish my confidence. It's been a huge problem (pardon the pun :) I have felt powerless and impotent and unable to change things and habits I don't like. Yoga has helped a enormously, but I haven't gone in months ( plus, the doctor said no yoga for a while after the OHS). But it would only add to my self-loathing if I didn't do this. So I called and set up a lesson.

I drove about an hour due east to the Atlantic coast, and on the way I saw the headwaters to the Everglades, a nuclear power plant, and Kennedy Space Center in the distance including the GIANT buildings in which they house the space shuttle. It would be amazing to sit on the beach and watch a launch.

I found where I needed to go and then, because I was early, I drove on to find the beach to wait and get myself psyched up for my adventure.

I couldn't find a public beach which usually has bathrooms or changing stalls so I had to change into my swimsuit in my Pontiac mid-sized sedan with non-tinted windows. I think the only skill I gleaned from 7th grade gym class was how to completely change my clothes without exposing anything. If we were to have been graded on that skill, I would have gotten an "A".

The beach was lovely.

The waves on this side of Florida were bigger than on the Gulf side (gulp). As before, I took some photos... as I gazed at the camera display screen I noticed that this side of the beach was WAY more populated that the other side, and as I zoomed in, I could see the surf board rentals and people surfing.

"Wow..." I thought. "There are a lot of people down there, and they are all going to witness my forthcoming struggle with the sea." That thought almost derailed my plans.

So I sat and thought about it for a minute.

One of my (many) problems is that in my head, I am just me, me at a constant. If I were to be plugged into a math equation, I would be "C". I feel the same as I ever did, in my head. I haven't really began to feel "older" yet. But then I catch a glimpse in the full-length mirror, and suddenly I am no longer "C"... I am now a variable, an unknown, a mere "c". I find it shocking. How can I reconcile my "C" in my my head with the "c" I see before me? Blind myself? Never look in the mirror again?

Going to the beach is always an exercise in self esteem. Initially, I compare myself to everyone. I feel a little grateful to all those people who care less than I. They are a little less well shaped and a lot more exposed. And then I notice that tan fat is really forgiving. In fact, it's downright handsome. Then I realize that most people (like myself) usually are only thinking of themselves and thinking that everyone is looking at them when really everyone is thinking the exact same thing and no one is really looking at anyone in a way other than mild bemusement. No one is really being judged, we are just being entertained.

Looking around I see how AVERAGE I am. There are always people that are going to be MORE something than me: more thin, more fat, more tan, more white, more exposed, more covered, more sober, more drunk. I feel my confidence rising as I revel in my averageness. Glory, I think I am ready to surf!

I parked in the garage of the surf shop and rode the elevator down where it opened right up in to the shop. I was immediately intimidated by the three muscle-y, deeply tanned, tattooed, pierced, and goatee-ed men standing at the counter. There was an almost unperceptable rolling of the eyes as I shuffled up and said, "Hi, I'm here for a surfing lesson." I felt as if two of them were gloating and one had lost a bet. I wanted to share in the joke, because believe me... I get it, and I'm laughing, too!

I was introduced to the scariest-looking one of them, but who had a name that matched his personality... Teddy. I signed away my life, paid my way, and Teddy ushered me into the "instruction room." Time to turn off the over-self-awareness, time to go with the flow.

Teddy gave me the run down on jellyfish, sting rays, and rip currents. Check. He was surprisingly shy considering his scary looks. We practiced laying on the board and standing. I found out I am leg-bidexterous. I was worried that in the tense moment of trying to stand up on the waves, my feet would fight for the front seat of the board.

I was an attentive student, and I avoided the full length mirror in the room. I was a "C" standing there in my cute, ruffle-y gold fish swimsuit, board shorts, and my second-hand rash guard jauntily thrown over my shoulders like a prepster having drinks with the dean.

"Let's go get your board," gave me a small jolt of adrenaline. Surfing is an equal opportunity sport... ladies carry their own boards. Luckily, the beginner board are long but soft, so with my board on my head, Teddy marched me out and down the two blocks to the beach. I tried to make conversation to put myself at ease, and Teddy happily obliged.

Once we got on the beach I struggled a bit more, but I focused on Teddy's voice and didn't look at anyone. If I looked anyone in the eye, they would know I was a counterfeit and that I didn't belong there. But "C" said I did.

For the next hour, the battle was not "C" vs. "c"... it was "C" vs. sea. Holy cow. The waves were 3-4 feet which is awesome if you are not holding onto an 8 foot rigid sail. I would get onto the board, Teddy would turn me into the waves, he'd say "here we go" and push me onto a good one, I would struggle to get my slippery feet underneath myself, try to stand and ride it out until I was dumped off or I fell off, and then I would battle the waves to get 100 yards back out to where Teddy was waiting. It... was... AWESOME!

I realized at one point that I was really focusing on my task at hand, so I told Teddy, "You know, I am having a really good time." I think he appreciated this because it was probably hard to tell. I was getting beat up. I got up a couple of times, and got onto my knees more, but getting back out to the starting point was the hardest part. I remember asking Teddy how much time we had left and he said we still had 30 minutes. I remember thinking, "This is my last run. I can't take this much longer." But what I lack in strength right now I make up for in stamina. After an hour, I felt great.

I kept assuring Teddy I was having fun. Walking back to the shop was harder. I was tired, but in that good "just-had-a-good-long-hard-swim" way, and I carried my board like a champ. The tragedy of the day was that I FORGOT TO TAKE MY CAMERA to the shop with me. I would love to show you how nice and friendly and patient Teddy was. I am not exactly the dream client, but he helped me have a fun time and unknowingly assisted me in my exercise of getting over myself. I had to settle for a drive-by...

So the lesson I take from this day:

C > c

Florida: Part Quatro

2009-05-07T20:01:00.003-06:00

So, today I went back to that really cute part of town where we ate at the restaurant Houstons. It is an area of Orlando called Winter Park, and it's where the rich people used to come down for the winter at the turn of the century (the one before this one). The streets are cute and narrow and tree lined and the homes are beautiful Spanish-style mini-mansions.

Park Avenue is the quaint shopping-dining-museum area. It was a little fancy.

The streets are paved in brick and the large oaks are dripping in Spanish moss. This is a Pottery Barn in an old Art Deco movie theater. It's a little bit of a travesty, but at least they didn't tear it down to build the Pottery Barn.

I went there to see the Morse Museum (more Morses... but this museum was put together by the McKeans) which hosts that largest collection of art created and designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, noted for his beautiful stained glass windows and lamps. I WAS IN HEAVEN. The collection held many large and small windows (these windows were not part of the collection), several priceless lamps, and examples of his pottery and jewelry. I was really impressed with the pottery. I have never seen anything like it; beautiful art nouveau motifs and gorgeous metallic glazes. Art nouveau and the arts and crafts movement are two of my very favorite historic periods of art. The highlight of the museum is the chapel that was created for the Chicago World's Fair. It was an exhibit that was built in New York and assembled on site. It contained an alter, a "podium" (I don't know what it's called, a baptistery, several large stained glass windows, and the coolest chandelier I have ever seen in the shape of a double cross. It was the fanciest thing I have ever seen... in a good way. It was inspiring.

I have been so impressed with the two museums I have visited. Both were small scale museums built by private collectors. These are people who have used their wealth to collect the works of artists whom they believe have really contributed to the history of art. These museums represent hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in investment. I am so grateful! So many works of art would be lost to the world without these collectors. I think it is a worthy way to "spend your legacy." Philanthropy is great and important, but I appreciate the art collectors also.

After the museum, I went across the street, got some white chocolate macadamia nut ice cream and enjoyed the park and the fancy shops.

I am grateful to be able to come on this trip. Have I mentioned how hard Todd is working? He leaves the room at 6am and is not finished until 8 or 9pm at night. All day long he is making sure things are running smoothly, and it is all done from this temporary room in the center of the registration area affectionately called the "greenhouse".

There are lots of skylights above this area which let in a lot of natural light... and HEAT! I love Todd. It is fun to be here with him, although I feel guilty going into the room to say hi and he and all of his co-workers are slaving away while I've got my beach bag on my arm! And to add to my guilt, they have been taking me out to dinner with them every night.

This night we went back to Moonfish, a beautiful and delicious seafood restaurant run by the company that owns Vito's (certain people who make the dinner decisions don't like to branch out much... they want to make sure they get an amazing meal, and I guess I don't mind, but when you eat AMAZING food every night it stops being so amazing.) I remembered my camera this time.

Such great details. The faucets in the bathrooms were dolphin heads, and the hooks were whale tails.

Here, like everywhere we have gone, has HUGE menus. Huge in actual size, not variety. But they were pretty!

Highlights of this meal were the coconut shrimp. Usually I am more of a fan of shrimp served cold, but these are A-mazing.

Both nights I have been here I have enjoyed my food (with one exception), but what I have REALLY wanted was the sezhuan sesame encrusted tuna steak, but it cost, like, $40 and I just felt too guilty ordering it on someone else's dime. Todd ordered it this time.

Oh, I love this photo. The tuna is seared and rare. Mmmmm... I love mussels and wanted to go a little lighter so I ordered the Red Thai curry mussels.

When they came out in their bamboo steamer I was so excited. I lifted the lid and it exuded a poop smell. No, you read that right... a poop smell. I wasn't the only one who noticed. Unfortunately, it tasted like poop, too; not a good kind of poop like some cheeses, it was just a bad taste combination. I actually sent it back. I felt like an idiot, and the the server (Bruno) and the manager made a big deal about it, but when food isn't good, it must go back. I helped Todd eat his tuna instead. Now I know, go with your gut... get the tuna.

I have had a really nice time with everyone at Wingate. I feel very self-conscious being the only wife and girl on this trip, but everyone has been so nice... they have even indulged my favorite dinner pastime of "tell me your story."

I still have three days to go! I am having a good time.

Florida: Part Tres

2009-05-06T16:01:00.002-06:00

So, in my efforts to not get skin cancer before I'm 40, I decided to forgo the pool and go in search of that elusive zoo that the GPS didn't want me to find on Sunday. I think the GPS had good intentions and was trying to save me a trip. But we'll get to that in a second.

First, I went in search of "Shell World".

I remember going to a shell-only store when we came to Florida for vacation in 1988. It was a magical place for a child who had until that point lived in a land-locked situation. I still have shells from that trip. So I was thrilled to find a Shell World just a couple of miles from the hotel, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Just out of the frame is an old man sitting in a rocking chair waiting for his wife who is inside. There are lots of rocking chairs. You can bet Todd would have been occupying one of them had he been there. He would probably rate shells just above linens and ladies shoes on his scale of awesome shopping. Now, if Costco sold shells he might think differently.

I want to cover EVERYTHING with shells.

Isn't that beautiful? Not very practical, but so beautiful!

I bought more than I needed with the thought of creating one of those flower collages made from shells. Or something like that. I'm sure I paid way too much for my shells, but there was something fun and mindless about searching through bins of shells to find just the right size and color... I promise that IF I ever actually do this craft I will blog about it!

I had looked the zoo up on Google Maps that morning, and all I saw was thick forest with a dirt road dead ending in the middle of nowhere. I took a chance and drove there anyway. There was a very nice sign indicating that there was a zoo, but for about a 1/2 mile this is all I saw.

Central Florida is very vertiginous... thickly so. I was on the phone with Suzie at the time and was a little grateful just in case I needed to say "I am being kidnapped! Call the police!" Even as I parked and walked in a "civilized" looking direction I said to her, "I'm not sure that this is a zoo." But I found a little kiosk that confirmed to me that this was INDEED a zoo by charging me ELEVEN dollars.

I agree with one of the reviews I read online: this was more of a nature walk with some animals sprinkled about. One review said that this zoo was stared when a circus pulled out of the near-by town of Sanford in 1939 and left behind a monkey and a goat. The monkey rode the goat. Thus, a zoo was born.

Right inside the "gate" was a little water park which seemed to be the main attraction. It just had fountains squirting up from the pavement and some sprinklers overhead, but it was crawling with kids of all ages and some nice Adirondack chairs placed in the shade. I was careful not to take too many pictures. A solitary visitor to the zoo is met with some suspicion, especially when they take photos of little children, so I abstained.

The "petting zoo" consisted of exactly 5 types of animals:

Turkeys (Would you pet this thing? People were actually trying to feed them. Their mouths are covered with multicolored hangy-downy things... *shudder*)

Horned sheep

Mini cows with long horns

Greedy, pushy goats

That guy was really uncomfortable with me taking his picture. He almost said something to me. He kept saying "Uhhh... Uhh."

And a llama standing in a bucket. We all know not to get to close to llamas.

This bird is going to run up my credit card. Just kidding, this bird said "hello". It had one foot.

I stood by the spider monkey cage for a while and couldn't see anything of the sort. And then he just came by and posed for me for, like, five minutes.

I was so close to a monkey! I looked really hard. I examined that monkey.

His tongue was out because he was hot. I was hot, but I have better manners.

Stupid glare.

The elephants looked SO bored, and they were stinky. Maybe they felt self-conscious.

That elephant looks like it's smiling. It was probably only doing that because I was taking a picture.

The jaguar was restless.

The Spanish moss was dangling.

The jungle was smelling of warm pine needles (there are pines interspersed with the palms).

The brontosaurus was too hot to move.

The random dinosaur in the woods did it for me. I felt that I had seen enough. I drove home hoping for something scenic, but ended up back at the hotel in time for Todd's team to finish up and we headed off to Vito's again (this time I had lamb). Vacation is fun. I am learning to enjoy the slowness of it all.

Florida: Part Deux

2009-05-05T15:39:00.003-06:00

So on Saturday, I decided to go to the Orlando Temple... just to see if they do everything right down here. They do.

I am becoming less shy of asking strangers to take photos of me. I just wish I had a stylist to tell me when my sweater is over only one b**b.

I am grateful to have the freedom of a rental call while I am here. Todd chose this one because it smelled good inside.

It's a Pontiac. The first Pontiac I've been in since our neighbors bought a fancy new Pontiac Sunbird in 1980. No I take that back... my college roommate bought a Pontiac Grand Am. It was like sitting on your grandparents comfy couch. Anyway, the car gets me around.

The rest of Todd's co-workers arrived and we HAD to eat at their favorite spot: Vito's. I have been hearing about Vito's since Todd came here last year.

This is a meat place, but a very fancy meat place. Our server, Abdul, brought out the meat platter. It was presented as if it were dessert, but it was raw meat. He used his little flashlight to show us the different cuts and to explain where they come from on the cow. He also detailed the cow's diet, lineage, and hobbies.

Sorry, that's as good as I could get. Vito's is very atmospheric.

When Todd's company dines together, they don't skimp. I am trying to remember to follow the Japanese tradition and take photos of my food, because on this trip, it has been wonderful! At Vito's we started with stone crab:

So yummy. Todd and I shared the T-bone which has a New York strip on one side of the bone and a fillet mignon on the other side. He let me have the fillet. The side and the desserts were OK, but our steak was amazing... and the bill was over $700. Apparently the economy has not hit the dining expenses yet.

Back at our lovely and HUGE hotel...

(It looks like a small city...) Celebration high school was having its Prom. It was interesting.

SUNDAY:

I looked up church times and got ready and went in search of an LDS chapel. The GPS led me to a liquor store, so I high tailed it back to the temple because there are always chapels near temples right? Not in Orlando. So I thought I'd try the zoo. GPS said no. I tried "Flea World". The GPS just wanted me to go back to the hotel. So I did. Is sitting reverently by the pool considered an appropriate Sabbath activity?

That night we were taken out again by Todd's company, this time to a charming section of Orlando called Winter Park (amazingly cute older houses). The restaurant was Houstons, a BBQ place. The napkins had button holes so you could just button them right on.

I was trying to go a little light, so I had the sashimi tuna salad (with HUGE chunks of perfect mango and avocado).

I shared Todd's amazing ribs, asparagus, and delicious braised red cabbage.

MONDAY:

I was off on an adventure and needed some special breakfast fuel.

I drove over to the west side of Florida, past Tampa, down to St. Petersburg to attend the Salvadore Dali museum.

It was well worth it. Here is a huge banner on the outside of the museum showing Salvadore and the museum's main benefactress, Mrs. Morse. Salvadore's in a cape, that crazy guy. His crazy mustache and a lot of his visual symbolism came from the artist, Vasquez. He paid homage, repeatedly, to his favorite artists, scientists, and philosophies in his art.

It was really cool to see so much of his work, from the very early years (one painting done when he was 14!) to his huge 20' masterpieces. I went on a tour and learned a lot about the background to many of his paintings. My very favorite on of the collection was not available in any prints or postcards or anything! But it was nice to go around at my own pace and read every placard if I wanted and I didn't have to worry about anyone but me.

The marina is just outside and it was getting me in the mood to find some ocean! But first I had to ask a stranger a favor.

How could I resist?

St. Petersburg is an interesting little town. There was a cute main street but 80% of the stores are boarded up I couldn't tell if it was on its way up or out, but here was somewhere I wanted to stop:

And here's somewhere I wanted Todd to see:

Here's the GPS telling me I am getting close to water!

The beach road was very retro with cool old hotels and souvenir shops.

You KNOW the Thunderbird was the place to stay in its prime!

I found a nice little parking lot with a changing room and made myself at home on teh beach.

I had such a nice time being perfectly warm and cooled by a breeze. I felt lucky.

Then I had to drive home. On the way was this huge RV sales place that had more Airstreams than I had ever seen before. They had so many they could afford to bury a few to make RV art.

Ahhh... home sweet home, and my husband waiting for me!

More adventures to come...

I'm tagging along in Florida...

2009-05-01T16:03:00.003-06:00

So, Todd had to go to Orlando to run a conference for 9 days, and I thought I would tag along. Now that we know that Emily, Clark, and the girls won't be joining me, I am left to my own devices.

Orlando is a lot like Texas: it's flat, it's a little humid (but not very this time of year!), there are lots of pine trees, there are lots of nicely landscaped things, there are lakes with fountains, and bayous... only the bayous here probably have alligators.

Our hotel is nice, and the convention is happening right downstairs so Todd and I will be close. There is a pool downstairs and a workout room, and the parking garage is only a HALF MILE away. Seriously.

I have looked up some attractions (live mermaid show!)and I am trying to put together a few things to do while I am here (on the cheap). I might try to go to Disney World, we'll see (that's not cheap).

This is what I did today:

I forgot to bring a tank top with me, which was key to several outfits I was planning to wear, so I headed to the fancy-pants outlets down the road. (Here is my testimonial for GPS units. We brought ours with us and it is indispensable!) I only bought a tank top (and one cute green shirt... very Kelly Wearstler, so if you see me wearing it and I am standing next to Todd, don't ask me where I got it!).

Last night as we were driving to dinner we saw a huge complex called "Mary, Queen of the Universe." We had a wee chuckle. That's a big name. Since it was right next to the outlets I drove on over today to check it out.

It's a huge Catholic church. I was in time to catch Mass. It was very touching. They hold weekday mass in a small chapel and it was totally full with people kneeling in the doorways. Some of these people were obviously tourists, and I was struck by their faithfulness at attending mass on vacation.

There were people in the main chapel (there is a name for this area, but my art history is failing me because I am also watching Seinfeld right now); people were quietly praying there. I asked ahead of time if I could take photos, but it felt strange to take photos in a place where people were praying.

All along the walls there were beautiful stained glass windows and paintings. Here are a couple of my favorites:

The resurrection.

Moses.

Mary, who was described in the placard as the "new Eve." I'm not sure what that meant, doctrinally speaking, but the window shows paradise on the left and the fallen state on the right, and the Mary is really beautiful.

These windows were so beautiful, and what a perfect vehicle for telling stories (way to go medieval churches of Europe!). It made me wish, just a little, that our churches were a little more... decorative. But then we've got the temple, and the restored Gospel... OK. We win. But again, I was touched to be in this beautiful space. It is dedicated to God, and the people there were earnest seekers.

This was a cool alcove. It depicts Joseph listening to a young Jesus. I liked the look on Joseph's face. He's really listening. I also liked the little hatchet on the wall behind them. Joseph was obviously teaching Jesus, too, but something Jesus is saying took precedence.

The main chapel was huge and quiet.

The crucifix above the alter was interesting. The cross is implied. But with all respect, the sight of the crucified Savior is not inspiring for me. I much preferred the stained glass windows and the hope of the resurrection.

Outside on the doors were other scenes from the Bible. This is the one I liked best: it is of the prophet Jacob.

You can see angels ascending and descending the ladder as he dreams, his receiving the birthright from his father, Esau asking for porridge, and Jacob wresting with the angel. It's cool, huh!?

There was an outside chapel called "The Mother and Child Chapel". It was lovely. All around this alcove were the names of people and families who have donated to this complex. They were from all over! Imagine trying to do that on a temple! I'm kind of proud that our temples are anonymous, they belong to everyone who paid tithing.

I appreciate how Catholics revere motherhood.

Motherhood and families are sacred institutions. I can get behind that.

I LOVED the gift shop. It was like the BYU bookstore for Catholics. I wanted to buy LOTS of things. I might go back and get more Virgin of Guadeloupe stuff, I just got a magnetic bookmark. I love that image, it is so iconic... and rainbow-y! With stars and clouds and angels! Yay! I also like that she is the patron of lost souls and the unborn. I also want a little St. Martha, patron of cooks, statue for my kitchen. I think I could get into making shrines. In fact, I would have been a really good Catholic. I like all the prayers for specific things and all the saints over specific categories. I like categories. But I can understand the frustration of feeling like you are getting the run-around. I like being able to pray directly to my Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus. Prayer! Done! How comforting!

Outside there were fountains and ponds with lily pads and beautiful blooming magnolia trees. I like the sturdiness of magnolias. Sturdy and delicate at the same time.

I really enjoyed Mary, Queen of the Universe. I will probably go back. If you have any requests for Catholic paraphernalia, please make your requests in the comments.

After church, I went to Costco: my other religion.

I worshiped at the big-box warehouse store for food I can eat while I'm here. I got bread, cheese, fruit, and candy to see me through the week so I don't have to eat out all the time. I have been to Costco in some pretty exotic places: Honolulu, Cancun, & Juneau to name a few. It's like a tradition now. A ritual: seek out the Costco and try to not buy onions or potstickers just because you know you are out of them at home.

Then it was pool time. I am not an advocate of "laying out" or "tanning" but I do like the look of my legs are greased up and tan-like. I'll take some (tasteful) photos tomorrow. Stay tuned... more Florida adventures to come.

P.S. There are two confirmed cases of swine flu in Florida. Neither were in Orlando county (is that a real place?... I just made that up. Neither county were where I am.). I am selfishly hoping that people don't go to Disney so much. There are at least two schools that have shut down in the country because students who had attended a band competition here fell ill (not with confirmed cases), but as Todd's co-worker pointed out: "Duh... wouldn't you fake sick with swine flu to get out of school, too?" Yeah... but just in case, wash your hands. Right now.

This is me in my lair...

2009-04-05T22:47:00.003-06:00

This is where I've been for two weeks...

This is who has been keeping daily vigil...

This is what I've been keeping close...

This is a list of what I had to keep within arm's reach during my convalescence...
Kleenex for the snotty nose
Flowers from Todd because he loves me
Flowers from Marie-Laure because she loves me
Fun craft book from Mo to plan future crafts
Little dish of Tums for the constant heart burn
Ibuprophen all the time
Lortab when it's a little bad
Percocet when it's really bad
Dulcolax to combat the effects of the pain killers
Birth control (weird, I know)
Ginger chew candies to combat the nausea
A thermometer for the constant low fever
The phone so I can see who it is before I don't answer
Gatorade or juice or soup - doctor's orders
Whole wheat gold fish because they sound good when nothing else does
Spicy Cheez-Itz because I am craving them
A pad of paper and a pencil to record everything that goes in and out
A good book
The TiVo and the DVD remotes
Heating pad
Laptop
Backscratcher to satisfy the constant itch caused by the percocet and to "guide" Fiona

The cause for me to be in my lair (chaise lounge with temperpedic topper & 6 pillows) is ovarian hyperstimulation (OVH). The drugs I was taking to get ready for IVF made my ovaries get really big as they made lots of follicles. The egg retrieval went really well. I was fine for two days afterward, a little tender and sore, but fine.

Apparently, my ovaries were supposed to stop and settle down after I stopped taking the shots, but as can sometimes happen, my ovaries kept getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. A couple of days later I was in severe pain and wasn't able to move very well. After seeing the doctor it was confirmed that my ovaries were in overdrive. They continued to grow for a few days and I kept having ultrasounds to see just how big.

Ovaries are usually about the size of apricots and they are located on either side of a woman's lower abdomen. My ovaries were so big, they were touching in the middle... not just touching a little, but smashed together. What this means is that everything else in my abdomen (liver, spleen, intestines, stomach, etc) where all being pushed upwards into my lungs, just as if I were in the last stages of pregnancy. In fact, I looked like I was about 7 months pregnant, but instead of taking 7 months to get that way my body did that in a few hours, hence the intense pain. My abdomen muscles were being stretched so fast, and my guts were being squished up tight!

There is no medicine to fix OHS, I just have to wait it out. The intense pain and nausea only lasted for about 3 days, and things continue to getter better day by day. I can eat fine (which is too bad because I can't do ANY exercising), and I can move around comfortably if slowly. I mostly feel pretty good so I go and do something and then I have to pay the consequences later. I have a hard time being patient and taking it easy. I don't like to sit still. I haven't even been able to sit up comfortably to sew.

I have appreciated everyone's love and concern. I have also appreciated everyone who has left me alone:) The doctor says OHS takes weeks to recover from and that I should have patience and take it easy even when I feel like I can do more.

In a few weeks (like 8), my body will hopefully be ready to implant the eggs they harvested and froze. We have 3 straws with 3 eggs each (so 9 total) and if everything goes well we could have 3 tries at implantation.

I am trying to be patient and learn something from this experience. Heaven knows I have had plenty of time for reflection. Todd has been wonderful to me. He has cooked and cleaned and purchased strange whims of appetite. He is my friend and my shoulder to cry on. He is my comfort and my balm (even when his jokes go unappreciated because I am in pain and cranky). He reminds me that we are in this together, we are a team. I love him and can't think of anyone else I would rather be going through this with. Team Rhodarson will get a Baby Rhodesbud yet!

They've got my number...

2009-02-15T10:35:00.004-07:00

I got called by Dial-A-Stranger (episode 63) this week. I signed up for it a while ago, and kind of forgot about it. It's a podcast that calls up "strangers" (people who voluntarily sign up) and ask them a question that a listener has submitted. They have you program their number into your phone so that when they call you, you know who it is.

They called me on Thursday night and when I saw "Dial A Stranger" come up on my caller ID the adrenaline started pumping. My TV wouldn't turn off and Fiona kept barking randomly because she knows when something is up. She could probably smell the fine film of sweat forming on my upper lip.

The male and female hosts chatted with me for a while about what I do for a living and then got to the question. My question was "Tell us about a time when someone really hurt you, and how did you resolve it?" I was a little disappointed because, and I told them this, I live a pretty quiet, non-confrontational life. But I am a good thinker so I thought of a lame time when my boss made an unethical decision and I told him so and then later I found out he almost fired me. Sadly, it's going to be pretty lame. I know I will hate the way my voice sounds and the dumb things I said: including, at one point, the joke I made about needing to "facebook" my TV...

Why I Love Rock Band

2009-01-27T21:23:00.002-07:00

The other night we got to party with the kids. We got Rock Band for Christmas and it's made us very popular in the aunt and uncle department. We were looking forward to doing something fun, but all they wanted to do was this:

Amy and Chris don't have cable. They don't have MTV or Cartoon Network... so I want to know how they know how to do this:

...or this...

...or this...

...or this...

...or this...

...or this...

I have to say I was pleased and a little proud that these kids are somehow just gleaning "rock" from the universe... through osmosis.

Shine on you crazy diamonds.

What I Learned in Church Yesterday...

2009-01-26T10:47:00.003-07:00

I learned what compassion looks like.

I learned that if you listen, you will be prepared ahead of time.

I learned that other people can help you make up for your own deficiencies.

I learned that we are not meant to be or do things alone.

I learned that people will keep their commitments.

I learned that service is a pure demonstration of love.

I learned that families are MEANT to be together forever.

I learned a little more how much my husband loves me.

I learned that my Heavenly Father will give me what I need, when I need it.

How do you like your eggs?

2009-01-12T10:16:00.003-07:00

Have you ever seen a soft shelled egg?

The other day I went out to collect eggs, and I saw that sitting on the floor of the coop and had no idea what it was until I picked it up.

The membrane just inside the shell was intact, but the shell was crumbly and not yet formed. It felt weird. A lot of people have asked me if I ate it. Would you?

This is Melon, the chicken. I love our chickens. They have been a delight to raise, and it is so fun to see them pecking around the yard and garden.

This is Dandelion. He's not so charming, and you can see I have caught him mid-crow. "But it is not morning," you say. Guess what? Roosters crow all day long. And if you happen to have about 50 roosters crowing two houses down, then they crow even more trying to establish themselves as the "head rooster." Who knew? He's up for grabs. We expect that he will be tasty.

Closing Out 2008 and Celebrating 100

2009-01-03T16:10:00.005-07:00

This is my 100th post. My first post was on November 21, 2004, so it seems fitting that I would close out 2008 with a nice round number.

This has been a very busy month to close a very busy year. For those of you who wonder why I don't write, call, or blog... here's why. This is SOME of what I did in December...

I wrapped up a GREAT semester at LDS Business College where I teach a 4 credit Space Planning class (so much fun, but it's a beast of a class for the students... and me).

I had AWESOME students this semester and I am proud of each of them. Here are their final projects:

Aren't they talented? Those are models of "green" modular housing completely designed from ground up and built by the students.

Next, I helped plan and execute the ward party for over 300 people...

Then, I made Christmas presents for some nieces and nephews and sister-in-laws...

Calvin's sweatshirt.

Ethan's sweatshirt.

Jenni's scarf.

Bunnies for everyone.

Abby posted instructions on how to make the bunnies here.

Decorated the house for Christmas...

Todd's stocking...

My stocking... the Santa dolls are courtesy of Darcy who made them for us last year. We thought they were voodoo dolls, but she assured us they were not. Mine looks like a nun in a Santa suit.

The jewelry Christmas tree and the nativity...

Spices and orange peels simmering on the stove...

Our beautiful Christmas tree... the skinnier the better. You can never be too rich and your Christmas tree can never be too thin... Isn't that what they say?

Hosted a cousin Christmas party...

We invited all of the Oscarson and Carr kids over so their parents could do some shopping or just have a date.

The kids were so great. We made a gingerbread house all together...

And then they got to eat it right up. They were thrilled.
I had this whole idea of serving spinach for dinner (along with chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes) and having them watch the movie "Popeye". I loved that movie when I was a kid, and I was sure that none of them had seen it. So all during dinner we made them try and guess the movie, and it became apparent that NONE of them even knew who Popeye was! They had never even seen a cartoon! "Oh well," we thought, "we'll stick the movie in and have some fun." But after all that build up, and the forced feeding of canned spinach (just a bite!) the DVD was cracked and we couldn't watch it anyway! Thank goodness I was a prepared aunt and had Prince Caspian on hand!

We made the family room into a pillow and blanket covered cozy den and watched the movie in our PJ's with plenty of buttery popcorn.

Next, I organized a 39th anniversary dinner for Mo & Poppa. We are so grateful for them. They have been such great parents and have been such good examples to us. They are a team. It was fun to celebrate with dinner and a little program. Our friend, Stuart Truscott, from Massachusetts was in town and came by for dessert. It fun to see him and fun to get caught up.

Then came Christmas Eve at our house. We had Grandma & Grandpa Green, Mo & Poppa, the Carrs, and the Oscarsons, so people total. We had yummy food and good company, and thankfully, we all fit!

You can see the roaring fire playing on our TV...

Then we had a nice little pagent complete with vintage angel BLING while Grandpa Green read the story of the Nativity from Luke 2.

This was the portion of the evening when we all sang Silent Night until someone hit the "Dance Beat" button on my electric piano and the evening disintegrated into discoing angels and shepherds. Amy tried to keep her composure and we just kept singing. Why fight it? It was a wonderful night of family and fun.

We opened a few presents, and the family had a surprise for me and Todd. Together, they had decided that instead of giving gifts to each other this year, they would take that money and give it to the "Baby Rhodesbud" fund. Siblings had written letters and nieces and nephews had drawn pictures. Todd and I were so overwhelmed there was nothing to do but cry. I still want to weep thinking of their sacrifice, and of the kids being willing to give up getting presents in order to bless us. We love you all so much!

Pretty soon the kids became seriously concerned about not being home when Santa came. Just as everyone was leaving we spotted a strange sight... a multi-colored flashing lighted vehicle of some sorts was descending in the night sky (we DO live close to the Provo airport...). The kids went nuts and quickly got into the cars.

Todd and I had a nice and quiet Christmas morning complete with hot chocolate and sausage rolls. We are so blessed, Todd is thoughtful, and our family is loving and generous. We used some Christmas cash and bought "RockBand 2". I came home one night after Christmas and found Todd thus...

His explanation: "I got hot." (Don't worry, he has pants on...)

Todd had the whole next week off, so we decided to finally finish our wood floor that was purchased (and has been sitting in our garage) and started last spring!

Our house went from Christmas coziness to utter chaos...

Fiona has been seriously confused. She's been confined to the upstairs, and may remain there for the rest of her natural life. She has put some awesome scratches in the floor we already laid prompting me to make her some special grippy baby socks with elastics to hold them on.. which she hates.

But is has been well worth it!

The new floor has made all the difference in the world! We are still finishing the kitchen and the mud room and then it will be over... I mean done.

We enjoyed a FUN New Year's Eve celebrating Ethan's birthday at the Oscarson home. Chip and Marie- Laure know how to throw a PAR-TAY! We had hors d'oeuvres and desserts all night as well as present opening, birthday cakes, and RockBand until 1:30am. Everyone got into the act and we all took turns singing, playing the guitars, and wailing on the drums (adults only... the kids watched a movie... miraculously!) It was a great way to ring in the new year.

What else can I say? I've been busy... What will 2009 bring for the Rhodes? We are grateful for friends and family and we hope to spend some quality time with you soon. I would like to beat my 2005 record for 56 blogs and become a regular once more, but if this year was anything like last year... we'll see.

THANKSGIVING 2008

2008-12-04T15:29:00.002-07:00

So Todd and I went to St. George for Thanksgiving. We were thrilled to be spending the week with Kent and Chris (Todd's dad and mom), see their new house, ride the bike paths, feed the fish, play with Tyler and Brittany, see movies, play games, and hike Zion's. We did it all!

It was fun to fix Thanksgiving dinner together. Brittany had a family reunion on Thursday, so it was just the four of us. But I didn't mind, that just meant more turkey for me!

Kent and Chris provided the turkey, homemade rolls, homemade cranberry sauce and gravy, green beans with almonds, fruit salad, and creamed peas with little pearl onions. Todd helped smoke the turkey with Kent, and I made cream biscuit stuffing with roasted pecans, bacon, AND sausage (I like to do a new recipe each year for the stuffing but we couldn't decide which one to do, so I combined the two!), and garlic & herb mashed potatoes. It was a FEAST!

I could barely keep my eyes open during the meal. I was in taster's heaven. It sounds like a lot of food, but we didn't go crazy. We had plenty of left overs for the rest of the week end (I was determined to have stuffing for breakfast every day we were there!).

Afterwards, the men cleaned up the carnage. Chris and I put the food away.

We went and saw "Australia" that night and managed to put away a lot of popcorn, but it was a fun day and a fun night.

We spent the rest of the week doing fun things. Chris took Brittany and I to her favorite shops and boutiques (bad idea if you are trying to save money), and the boys got to go fishing where Todd caught himself a pretty little rainbow... trout that is.

Miraculously, an old box of Todd's Capsela toys made it through several moves and he was able to relive his days of playing with wires, fans, and simple motors. It was definitely a BOY thing.

We really enjoyed the bike path that runs by their home. They live along the Santa Clara river and there are cool parks and ponds and tennis courts and gardens right along the path. Fall was just arriving in St. George, so we enjoyed the amazing colors.

We took bread and fed the fish at the fish pond. We wanted them to have a nice Thanksgiving, too. What do you suppose fish are thankful for?

On Saturday we took the yummy turkey anb cranberry sandwiches Chris made and headed to Zions National Park. It is only 45 minutes or so away, and now that Kent had his "geezer" pass, we all went in the same car. I volunteered to sit in the way back and I will show you why... it was pure selfishness.

Here is the view out the front:

But here was my view out the back:

Our back window rolls down, so I got amazing view (all receding) and fresh air instead of being couped up with other adults.

The weather was perfect: 60 degrees or so. You didn't even have to think about whether you were hot or cold. The park was PACKED so we chose just a couple of short hikes to see some sites. First we went to weeping rock.

This is a spot in the park where water just seeps out of an overhang. It is very lush and green (and muddy) with maiden hair ferns hanging off the rocks like a hanging garden.

The colors are so amazing (red, white, gold, and black) that they inspire a lot of picture taking, so bare with me...

I liked that one above because you can see Brittany's cute baby bump! We are so excited for "Marvolo" to arrive (Tyler prenames all Rhodes in utero with very silly names... he's probably going to be named Owen once he gets here...).

I am noticing that even in this picnic picture it looks like we are alone, but there are people all around us, and from every country. It's amazing that people make trips to Zions from all over the world!

Oh, cute, outdoorsy Todd...

We hiked around a little more to work off all the feasting we had done earlier in the week.

People I love: Brittany and Tyler.

More people I love: Kent and Chris.

The man I love...

On the way back I got the hankerin' to do some handstands (we do them in yoga as energy building poses, and by jings it works. Whenever I find myself getting a little spent I feel like doing handstands and it kind of restores my energy... hmmm...)

Looking at this it's amazing that I can hoist all of that up in the air, but I can!

Until I fall over...

This is what a handstand looks like from my perspective...

Every once in a while, Todd would look back and check on my to see if I was OK in the back. You can tell by my happy face that it was a fun, happy day.

The only blight on the day was that I broke ANOTHER pair of sunglasses. It doesn't matter if I buy fancy ones or Target ones, my huge Swedish head will eventually compromise their structural integrity...

Isn't that a disconcerting picture? Let's end on the happy one...

It was a great weekend to reflect on all the things I am grateful for. I am grateful that I have such a wonderful husband, no one gets me like Todd gets me. I am grateful for his wonderful and generous parents. They are so fun to be with, and I love them. I am grateful for Todd's siblings. They are like my siblings. I am grateful for my dear parents and all my amazing siblings, their spouses, and their darling kids. I am grateful to be healthy and happy, to have so many wonderful friends who love and support me (and listen to me vent). I am grateful for a job (and Todd's job), and a home, and food on our table, and clothes in my closet, and chickens out back, and yes, I am even grateful for Fiona the dog (but only sometimes). I feel more than just lucky, I feel blessed. My Heavenly Father has given me SO much more than I actually deserve.

Halloween at Lagoon!

2008-11-18T18:06:00.023-07:00

So every year my darling sister-in-law invites us to go to Lagoon for Frightmares (they put the whole park in a costume...), and every year I have said no. How sad! Maybe it was the wonderful Indian Summer we have been enjoying this Autumn, but I felt inspired to go. I was pleasantly surprised when Mo said she and Dad wanted to go, too! So we ventured out on a rainy (but weirdly warm) Halloween Night and headed to the park...

Our first ride was your classic "Tunnel of Love" style ride, but scary style. This is Todd in his sock monkey hat "costume". Please take note of the happy look on his face. I may call attention to that later in the post. The only scary thing about the ride was the ride operator who kept appearing on the back of our cart and making me scream. I don't like that.

So here's Mom and Dad coming out of the "Tunnel of Slight Annoyance". Mom's faking the scared face.

Next we rode the good old fashioned wooden roller coaster. I was psyched. I love roller coasters and have not been on one in YEARS! The first photo was in honor on Kacy's awesome roller coaster photo. The other ones are GENUINE photos from on the rails!

The entire ride, Mom was screaming "GET ME OFF!!!! GET ME OFF!!!" Not joking. Apparently, Mom doesn't like heights AT ALL. I did not know this about the woman who birthed 7 children...

So next we headed for something that did not leave the ground... a carnival classic, but Todd was out. He can't go on anything that goes in a circular motion, or he vomits.

This was a fun ride. Mom and I just tried to relax and enjoy it.

Mom was at least comforted by the appearance of this sign.

Dad was super brave and came on the Wicked ride with me. No it was a Broadway review with singing witches. It was a crazy ride that used electromagnets to propel the cars. It was crazy!

We were excited to see some other "classic" rides... like the bumper cars!

Notice Dad looking at me. He looked me in the eye and said:

Dad: "Carrie, you are about to see your mother's true nature."
*Pause*
Carrie: "Duly noted..."
Dad: "I'm just warning you..."
*Pause*
Carrie: "OK, Dad... thanks."

Luckily for us, she was stuck in gridlock the whole time.

By the time we got to the beautiful merry-go-round, everyone was feeling a little woozy (except me). It was the Tilt-a-Whirl that put the final nail in the motion sickness coffin.

Mom documented our various "rides", but Todd's is totally note worthy... it was a rainbow dragon shrimp. Lovely, but strange.

Remember Todd's happy face at the beginning? Let's compare and contrast (and keep in mind we're wet and getting cold to boot!)...

So we took a break and took in a show. You gotta love carnival shows. The costumes weren't bad, nor was the singing and dancing, it was just the very existence of the show what was deliciously campy.

All night I thought it was fun to see all the teenagers there, and a surprisingly large amount of parents with their kids (everyone else was trick-or-treating... we had the park to ourselves! No waiting!). I thought, "I'd bring my kids here..." and then I realized, I was here with my parents... I WAS the "kids". At 34, my parents are taking me to Lagoon for Halloween, the only difference between me and the 9 year-olds is that I paid for my own ticket.

And then to reinforce that thought, we went back to Mom and Dad's after and got into our warm PJ's and had hot-chocolate, tea, and popcorn while we watched a movie. I loved it. I love still being their kid. They still make me feel happy and safe.

So the invitation is open to all non-trick-or-treaters next year. We're going to Lagoon... rain or shine!

Happy Birthday to Me Follow-Up

2008-10-18T21:17:00.003-06:00

Thank you to everyone who IS making my birthmonth so wonderful! Thanks to Mom and Dad (for the beret and the shopping), Amy & Chris (for the soaps), Chip & M-L (for the soup and cookbook), & Mom and Dad Rhodes (for the gift of shopping.. I bought AWESOME yellow leather gloves to wear with my apple-green coat), thank you for all the cards, flowers, e-mails, and phone calls. I feel loved!

Happy Birthday to Me

2008-10-15T16:32:00.003-06:00

I can't believe I don't blog more.

Well, it's that time of year... it's Birthmonth time! A mere 24 hours is just not long enough to celebrate the anniversary of a birth, so I have declared October my birthmonth (it IS my birth month, but I am making it my birthmonth... one word... semantics are everything!) One day of celebration used to be enough. I think that celebration is proportional to age: soon I'll be celebrating my birthyear and then my birthdecade, etc. If I am 90 and want to celebrate for a decade, who's to stop me? Not you! You'll probably be dead.

I've been asked, "What did you do on your birthday?" Fair enough, just remember what I said about one day not being enough...

I woke up way too early and, not wanting to wake up Todd early on a Saturday just to make me breakfast in bed, I puttered around the house.

When Todd realized that I was home and NOT at choir practice he brought me my present. He handed it to me while my eyes were closed (he's not much of a wrapper...):

Carrie: "Oh, yay! I needed a new teapot. Thank you, sweetheart."

Todd: "Yeah, sorry the lid is so small."

Carrie: "That's OK, I don't need a big tea pot anyway. And the lid just needs to be big enough for me to put water inside."

Todd: "Well, some people like to put things inside their tea pots."

Carrie: "I just put in water."

Todd: "Well, some people like to put in other things."

Carrie: "Besides water? Like what?"

Todd: "I don't know. Just other things."

I just stared at him for a moment. It was still early. But then he LOOKED at the teapot and I got it... I may be older, but that doesn't make me wiser... inside the teapot I found shopping. I love shopping. That's one of the best gifts you can get me... shopping, unless I need a new teapot.

So the rest of the day was spent doing laundry and getting Todd ready to go to Orlando. I would have gone with him, but I could not fit it into my teaching schedule. I drove Todd to the airport and kissed him goodbye. I love that man.

I drove over to the Brigham and picked up Mo for the quickest IKEA run ever. We ran in, got what we needed, and ran out. Birthday efficiency! Mo broke a lantern, so what!

Then we drove over to Market Street Grill and met Dad, Grandma & Grandpa Green, Amy & Chris, and Chip & Marie-Laure for a wonderful dinner. The food was good & the company better.

So the birthday celebrations continue on! Thank you Mom & Dad for more shopping, and for the beautiful red beret! Chip and Marie-Laure, thank you for the wonderful dinner on Sunday night, a delicious harvest feast, and I have enjoyed phone calls and notes from friends everyday since. Thank you, everyone! Let's keep the party going for at least 16 more days! Hurry home, Todd!

My Impending Death... and the After Party

2008-09-06T16:39:00.010-06:00

I am not generally morbid. Nay, I am an eternal optimist, but I also like to be prepared. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to make my own funeral arrangements, because I am also a perfectionist.

I leave this post to you, the surviving party planners... if you REALLY cared for me, you will do by bidding...

*Please note: I am perfectly healthy and not planning on dying soon, this is just for the record... that if I die, you all will know what to do about it.

First, I would like to point out the F-U-N in FUNERAL. Unless, by some tragedy I have fallen away from the people, things, and institutions that I love (such as family, banana splits, and the Church...) my funeral should be a CELEBRATION and a PAR-TAY! Only be sad for the afore mentioned reasons, not simply because I am gone. I know where I am (or am going). I am happy to be there, and happy to see people there. This should be a fun send off... BON VOYAGE. In fact, maybe there should be a banner that says that... (Note to self, call banner company...)

Due to the nature of the following requests, you (the party planner) may want to consider NOT holding this funeral in the chapel even though it is free. A park might be more appropriate, or the gymnasium at the church, but I don't know how they feel about having fire eaters in the building... I will try to die in the summer. Or somewhere warm...

Dead bodies at parties are a downer not to mention really scary. My physical body is not to be viewed or even present if you can help it. I want a pine box of untreated wood (or a large brown paper bag) and a plot out in the middle of nowhere or somewhere where you can plant a large tree or rosebush on top of me. I want my physical remains to be turned into something useful. But if you feel uncomfortable eating apples or apricots that used to be me, then consider something that flowers instead. If you feel you really want to mark my spot, a large angel with wings spread or a giant, white marble obelisk will do.

Here's a rough outline of the schedule of events:

*Arrival time-

Socializing as the guests arrive, some photos of my life set up, things I made that remind you of me, & hors d'oeuvres (deviled eggs, pigs-in-a-blanket, pots tickers, & crab cakes brought around on trays).

*Food & Games-

Carnival stuff: games for the adults and bouncy castles for the kids. It would be awesome if you won tickets and then could choose prizes. Food should consist of my favorite foods from the state fair: hot dogs, nachos, pizza, pretzels, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and fried candy bars (you might want to consider having it catered by Hot Dog on a Stick (the girls in the hats are so cute, the guy in the hot dog suit is your call).

*Elephant rides-

You read that right... find them and book them.

*Eulogy-

Whoever wants to... or better yet, pass out a quiz about me and give a prize to whomever knew the most answers! Here are some things that can NEVER be said about me in a eulogy... I just want to get them out of the way:

"She was such a quiet girl."
"She never said a bad word about anyone."
"She never raised her voice."

*Slide show of my life and the people I loved for the duration-

Set to the music of "You Are My Sunshine", "Fly Me to the Moon", "Somewhere Beyond the Sea", and as the finale... "Danke Shcoen". No more, no less. If Wayne Newton is still playing Vegas and there is enough money left after getting the elephants, then try and book him as well, he can sing all of those.

Eat and play until you are tired and then go home. Take food and flowers with you.

Being the person in charge of funerals at the moment, this may seem daunting, but it is possible. Please make sure all the tables have tablecloths and that there are fresh flowers. If you can't get elephants just make sure of the tablecloths.

Todd and I have a little insurance, I made sure we would have enough for elephants. Just do your best. I won't be there in person, but I will be there in spirit making sure you all have a good time.

So Telling...

2008-09-01T16:46:00.004-06:00

So, Mom and Dad are selling their house and planning to go on a mission soon. They have asked some of the kids to "babysit" some items for them while they are "homeless". Dad and Mom and Chip spent most of Saturday loading a huge U-Haul to bring all this stuff down to Provo and it was 10:30pm before Dad even got to my house to unload.

All day I had promised Dad a nice cold drink and had made a special batch of limeade with pureed strawberries and Pellegrino just for him. Just as we were finishing up with the unloading, I asked Todd to go into the house and put ice in a glass and pour a nice cold glass for Dad. Todd came back with the glass sweating with condensation and Dad said, "Thank you," and took a huge sip and kind of just sat there.

We chatted for a moment, and then Dad said, "Well, I've got to get going..." He took another HUGE gulp, and I offered to put it into a cup he could take with him. He said, "Oh, no.. that's fine. Thank you."

As Dad walked to the truck I looked at the cold glass and since there was so much left I took a big old gulp myself. Instead of tangy-sweet strawberry limeade I got a mouthful of raw tomato juice. Todd had seen the pitcher of red liquid on the counter (drained from tomatoes cut up for salsa that day - so no salt or anything...) and had thought that was the limeade. Poor Dad! And he was too polite to say anything like: "I don't think this is limeade," or "this limeade sucks."

I laughed so hard and then ran to the truck and made sure my dear, sweet, hard-working dad knew that we had not intended to give him a cold glass of tomato juice. He gently said, "I didn't think it tasted right..." He would rather suck it up and drink the gross juice than to offend me in any way even though I could have handled the humiliation. So telling...

I love my Dad!

Dream a Little Dream

2008-08-26T00:32:00.002-06:00

"To sleep; perchance to dream..." wrote the bard. I love to dream. Dreaming is the only good reason to sleep. I have been fascinated with dreaming since I was very little and still remember some of my dreams from my childhood (and some of the nightmares which are not dreams... like I said, they are nightmares...).

While I have not come very far in controlling my dreams, I have become good at remembering what I dream. When I am almost asleep (meaning very, very relaxed and letting my mind be "loose") I tell myself "Remember your dream, be conscious of your dream...". It totally works.

From 1995 to 1999 I wrote down my most memorable dreams in a journal. You know how a dream is like a detailed movie sometimes with distinct feelings and emotions? Well when I re-read those dreams I am taken right back to those feelings and emotions with astonishing clarity. I can see the movie all over again including details that are not necessarily spelled out in the journal, and I can feel the feelings I felt the first time I dreamed it.

One of my most memorable dreams is the "Oh, Joe" dream:

I am standing on a stage in Scotland and I am a missionary. I am wearing thick, darkish nylons and white mary-jane tap shoes. The curtain is closed and I am waiting to dance with the other chorus girls in a performance at the church building in front of a large audience. The problem is: I can't remember the dance because I procrastinated rehearsing and now I have to perform. Yuck. In front of the curtain there is a trio of sister missionaries singing a light ditty to the accompaniment of an old church upright piano. As a diversionary tactic from my inability to remember the dance steps, I know that if I stick my head through the curtains and sing part of the song in a funny voice I will get a big laugh, and who doesn't like a big laugh? So I wait for the part in the song and stick my head out and sing, "Oh, Joe, I love you so, you do so much for me..." Instead of a laugh, I get crickets. I feel the sensation of a deep rush of blood to my face as I withdraw my head. I walk off the stage in disgrace.

I am also really good at dream interpretation.

One thing that has puzzled me through the years is the question of why I dreamed about celebrities for so long. I don't anymore, and I have never followed celebrity gossip, but during my college days people like Julia Roberts, Kurt Cobain, and Robin Williams were frequent guest stars.

These days I wonder why my dreams aren't more... wonderful. I am working on this. I have a lot more responsibility than I used to, now that I am a full-fledged adult, and I am concerned that I can't control my dreams to be more restful and pleasant. Once I am lying on my bed my brain can get out of control, so to reign it in I have an exercise (one that used to be more pleasant than it is now, but it is habit). I imagine that I am walking down my street towards my house and I begin with the exterior and imagine it in its perfect state (with all the features and amenities I could ever desire included... my dream house). There is a white picket fence holding back the roses, and a brick-paved path, and inside, everything is complete and clean. I imagine going through each room and seeing it is a perfect fantasy form. I rarely get past the front living room before I am completely loosed from my conscious moorings and "asleep".

I am glad that I dream. I feel sorry for people who say they don't. Dreaming can be an escape. It is a way for us to work through the day, or a way to work through or problems. It's self-therapy. I know what's going on in my head when I wake up and remember last nights fanciful scenarios. I can correct and move forward.

So go ahead and give yourself permission to dream a good dream. Lay down and think to yourself, "Remember your dream tonight, be conscious in your dream..." and see what you are trying to tell yourself. Sweet dreams...

Viva Las Vegas: Part Deux

2008-07-15T19:08:00.008-06:00

OK, this isn't going to be as much interesting as it is a practice in blogging more often.

So, in Vegas...

People at Todd's work like to eat good food, which I fully appreciate. We ate at Stack in the Mirage, Maggiano's at Fashion Show Mall, and Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn. Our meal at he Wynn was my favorite. I don't freak out at expensive food. It is one of the rare pleasures of this world. There is a magical quality to 5 star dining, which is why I was drawn to studying the culinary arts early in my education. As a true woman of leisure, I must attend a proper culinary school at some point... I need to get on that.

Todd's cousin Robbie is in the show "Spamalot" at the Wynn, and it was SO FUN to see him perform. He sings and dances for a LIVING. When I pointed that out to him he said: "I know, and I work like 14 hours a week." A sweet life. Robbie is a talented singer and dancer. He also has very muscular legs which were highlighted nicely in a certain number (he knows which one I mean...). He also gave us the backstage tour of all the costumes and props and amazing wigs that NO ONE is allowed to touch (not even the actors).

This is Todd being calmly bitten by the killer rabbit with the "sharp, pointy teeth". Robbie is helping the rabbit.

This is me holding the naughty, jiggly jello desserts from the "We're knights of the round table..." song.My face looks crazy in this photo, I must have wandered into an unflattering patch of utilitarian lighting.

It was funny to go to a "Broadway show" and have people there drinking beer from giant plastic "grails". We also got to see the actual albatross from the albatross skit. Robbie told us that the stuffed albatross was brought over from the UK for the Python's live performance at the Hollywood Bowl, but that they passed the endangered species act in the meantime and to take that albatross back across the ocean would be a criminal offense. So here it is at the Wynn.

On the last night we were there, HP (who was hosting the event) held a big bash for people who wanted to pay a lot extra, but since we were technically staff... It was held in one of the huge ballrooms and was decorated in a semi-swanky manner. The live performance was by none other than Bob Marley's son, Steve. Yeah, I didn't know about Steve either. But he sang good songs and all the ones you wanted to hear that his dad performed. For those of you who know me (and know me well) you know why I don't dance at dances or clubs. So I was a happy observer of the evenings festivities, and boy was I entertained. People generally don't dance well, add to that the fact that they are systems analysts, programmers, and other nerdly types. Throw into this mix, co-workers, alcohol, and reggae... and you have yourself quite an entertaining party.

Todd ended the evening with the largest shrimp we had ever seen. Everyone was dancing and drinking and ignoring the jumbo-est jumbo shrimp... only in Vegas. All in all, this was a great trip, one of the best. Good food, good accommodations, good shopping, everything I needed a vacation to be. It would only have been enhanced by family and friends, but having Todd all to myself was heaven. We enjoyed our time together, especially before we went to bed each night and we'd snuggle into our robes and gaze out at the artificial world before us. We felt like the King and Queen of... well of us. King Todd and Queen Carrie.

Todd has informed me that he will be going back to the Venetian in November. If anyone would like to join me, the details will be forthcoming...

A Word on Phlebotomists...

2008-07-12T20:35:00.003-06:00

Here's what NOT to say to the person drawing your blood:

"My left arm is better than my right, but I do have really small veins so my hand is usually a sure bet."

The phlebotomist hears:

"You can't do your job very well so let me tell you how this is going to go down..."

I can't figure this out. I am just trying to be helpful. Phlebotomists begin to sweat when they see my arms; while I am quite robust, my veins are puny, shy things that hide deep in my flesh... really deep. But throughout the past few weeks, I am beginning to see how the veterans are separated from the neophytes.

After my "I-have-small-veins" speech, the neophytes head straight for the butterfly needle (commonly used to draw blood from an infant's head... it's so small) and disinfect my hand, but the veteran will completely ignore me and tie off my right arm and begin sniffing out the best vessel. If the newbie decides to go for my arm they will draw the needle back and forth and side to side perforating my much abused vein and declare "I just... can't... seem... to get it." The master will poke the needle in way more forcefully than you think necessary, and immediately draw a vial.

Today's blood-letting was miraculous in many ways, but the best part of it was the phlebotomist herself: her name was Rose and she was as big as a house and as loud as a fog horn.

When we arrived at the lab there was a long line. If people are getting blood drawn on a Saturday, you know they HAVE to be there. The waiting room was small, and since Rose is most likely incapable of a whisper, everyone's "malady" was made known.

To the teen-aged girl, "Are you capable of urinating?" (They were still standing in the waiting room.) To us it sounded like: "ARE YOU CAPABLE OF URINATING!!?" After a mortified nod of the head Rose went on: "DO YOU THINK YOU COULD PRODUCE SOME URINE RIGHT NOW!!?" The poor girl went ahead, surprisingly not right there in her pants, and we then heard all the instructions on what to do with the sample and a reminder to wash her hands. The girl was unable to face us in the waiting room and waited for her mom outside.

The young boy before me was with his dad. Obviously, if a kid is getting his blood drawn it can't be that good. What we heard through the wall was: "ARE WE TAKING BETS TO SEE OF YOU'LL CRY!!?" Todd and I were agog and aghast buy this point and I was determined to say as very little to her as possible.

But by the time we got in there and she made a million phone calls on our behalf to make sure everything was going to be done on time, I was a fan of large-and-in-charge Rose. She proved herself to be a pro (a master!) and even managed blood out of my right arm. And then to seal the deal, she drew a smiley face on the tape covering my cotton ball... a smiley face. I am grateful Rose was there today.

Viva Las Vegas: Part I

2008-06-27T14:41:00.004-06:00

We are counting this as our vacation for the year, though it was a quasi-vacation at best. Todd had to be in Vegas for two weeks running conventions so I came down for a week to hang out with Abby and to “keep Todd company”. I usually hate Las Vegas, but had I known the magical time I was to have last week, I would have spent the full two weeks down there enjoying sister time, romantic evenings with Todd, and eating out at really good places on the company’s dime (so to speak).

We stayed at the Venetian, which was a pretty sweet deal. Our room was on the 33rd floor over looking the pools (including the “European-optional-clothing-pool”) and Treasure Island hotel and casino (so we could see their new “show” each night… totally lame with scantily clad “sirens” singing “let’s go all the way!” to crowds of adults and children).

Here is the view of the pools: the “topless” pool is the one at the very top. We had binoculars (a must in Las Vegas) but we didn’t see anything untoward. You know the only people who would actually swim topless would be real Europeans who you would NOT want to see topless.

This is our swanky room:

It was fun. I fell in love with the bathroom. It was perfect. Todd and I mused about selling our home and moving into a hotel. It had everything we needed. It was big enough, too, with the nice couch and separate “bedroom” area. I figure to live at the Venetian it would break down like this:

For two people…
Room (daily rate): $200 – ish
Small breakfast: $26.00
Lunch: $50.00
Dinner: $80.00
Daily water supply: $12.00

Daily total: $368
Yearly total: $134,320

So we’re not going through with that plan; it’s like having a monthly mortgage of $11,000 (although utilities and upkeep are included). Las Vegas is expensive. Throughout the week I had become so conditioned to my $4.00 water bottles that by the time Abby and I went to the movies I was thinking I was getting a screaming deal with $7.00 popcorn.

Speaking of spending money… thank goodness for gift cards. I still had my Anthropologie gift card from Mom and Dad from Christmas, so I hauled myself out onto the strip (I felt so exposed after being safely cloistered in the Venetian!) and headed to the Forum shops at Caesar’s Palace. So many details to mention and so little attention span. Each moment was an adventure. I found a dress

and a shirt

and a necklace.

I wore my heels out walking up to the Miracle Mile Mall. The H&M sucks there (yes, it can people) and Urban Outfitters is in a three story space and all the clothes are on the third floor. It didn't stop me from buying a lovely, light, luscious, tissue thin cardigan (a sophisticated lady layers... even in the summer).

I am SO grateful for the illegal vendors who sell ice cold water on the bridges. Seriously. They saved my life a million times... well, two times. I love them. They are the smartest people in Las Vegas. And what a bargain! Bottles water for a dollar! "May you be invisible to the cops..."

Here's what Todd was doing all week:

There he is!

This whole week he and the crew had to wear black shirts and black pants. They looked like hair stylists. But it was SO strange to have Todd so close, but so far away. I would walk down and say "hi" sometimes and feel so guilty for walking away and going to the pool...

One of Vegas's LARGEST attractions that week was hanging out with Abby> and Caleb

(again while her husband James slaved away... Oh, the searing conscious of a woman of leisure...). We went swimming, we ate, we went to the movies, we went to Target, we went to get our nails done. Heaven except for the 104 degrees (the fact that people spit their gum out on the pavement in Las Vegas is unconscionable... do you know what that kind of heat does to gum?) Here we are being pampered...

(See that full sugar Dr.Pepper? I know... who does that? Oh yeah, Metabigail McCoy.) This is Abby from the side:

She actually looks normal here, but the size of her bump loosed the mouths of every sales clerk and stranger we encountered. "Oh my gosh, are you having twins!?" "When are you due?" Abby handled it with grace, and now she's got a darling little lady to show for it!>

More to come!

Quiet Pets

2008-02-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

I've had enough. I cannot stand Fiona's barking. We've been through two bark collars already and it's time for number three. I realize that she can't help it. She LOVES the sound of her own glorious bark. The more ferocious the better. She bristles, she tears down the stairs (messing up the rug at the bottom of the stairs everytime) and jumps up on the window to make a visual and to make sure the person at the door KNOWS that SHE knows that you're invading HER territory. Stupid dog. It's MY terrritory, and I'm not barking! Cesar the dog whisperer himself couldn't break this tragic display of ferocity.

So I went to PetsMart and looked for bark collars. While standing at the locked electronic training display, I noticed a little girl holding a little Betta fish in a cup. I immediately noticed how quiet her new pet was. I got the new shock collar and walked right over to the fish displays and wieghed my options. I found a cute purple tank with purple rocks and a little green suction-cup plant (all in one package for $8.99!) and chose a red fish so he would stand out against all that purple. My new fish's name is Solomon, because he is "...arrayed like Solomon in all his glory...". And he's quiet. Fiona might be quiet if I put her under water, but I wouldn't bet on it without the bark collar.

Rule of Thumb: January 2008 edition

2008-01-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Rule of Thumb:

If you already did it, you can't do it again. If you haven't done it yet, go for it.

Example 1: If you wore leggings the first time around, you cannot wear leggings now. Let your daughter wear them.

Example 2: If you wore skinny jeans and high heels the first time around, you probably shouldn't wear them now.

Just a rule of thumb.

BUT... my question is:

How do you feel about leggings and tunics for the endowed?

My Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2007-12-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is how pathetic today is...

1. I have the flu and feel SO achey and sore and sore-throaty
2. I am having the menstrual cramps so hard
3. I strained my back while gagging on my toothbrush this morning so my back is spasaming and hurting so that I can't get up

Then, while trying to get the pillow arrangement just right I put one on the floor next to the bed and Fiona came over to lay on it so I had to lean over to get her off and when she got off there was a little black spider on the pillow that had JUST BEEN ON MY BED! That was the last straw. I called Todd. Who knows where the spider landed once I had flicked it off, but having Todd pretend to inspect the area where it may have landed made me feel better.

However, I have a lot more to be grateful for that to be pathetic for. I just wanted to complain a little because it helps when you have the flu.

Self-portrait of today

Our House, in the Middle of the Street

2007-11-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

It's about time I blogged about my house. After living in a basement and then a little brick cottage, Todd and I decided to buy our own little piece of heaven...right here in Provo, thinking we'd be here for 3 years or so...

We found this cute, quasi New England-style house in west Provo. It was brand new (we were so naive). But we have LOVED our neighborhood and our friends here, and the views, and the horses, and ducks, and chickens, and goats, and big grassy yard, and all the different configurations of furniture, etc. We decided to take some nice pictures of the house we love, and I wanted to share it with you!

This is the front room. Our TV is in the corner, you just can't see it (thank goodness). This is where we watch "The Office" and "30 Rock" and on Wednesdays I watch "America's Next Top Model". It should be called the Dining Room, because this is where we eat almost every meal.

This is the sitting room part of the "great room". The red sofa isn't really supposed to be in there, but the room started out one way and ended another, so for the time being, the red sofa lives here.

Here is where the food gets made, and if you are a guest we'll eat at the table unless one of the aforementioned shows is on. The kitchen is very white. And that's the way (uh-huh uh-huh) I like it (uh-huh uh-huh).

This is the mud room/butler's pantry. This used to be all shelves, but I de-junked and now everything fits into the two HUGE closets on the right (which you can't see but they're there!).

This WAS my funky, 60's inspired family room, and we loved having it upstairs. But it was more logical to have this be the bonus room it was always meant to be. So now this is where I sew and think about exercising. I can see the river trail from my huge window.

This is my sanctuary. This is where I sleep and read and blog and e-mail and shop on-line. I love our bedroom.

Maybe later I will add the other bedrooms, but for now this is us. Come and visit!

Can't a Girl Get a Break: This is Not a Pity Party

2007-10-17T11:53:00.000-06:00

I don't often blog about this because it deserves a whole site unto itself due to its graphic and hilarious nature, but this must be said: infertility is getting more and more hilarious all the time.

This last month, I thought I might be pregnant, the old-fashioned way: man & woman, not man & woman & doctor & nurse. But when I actually took the pregnancy test, the line telling me in no uncertain terms that I was NOT with child showed up before I could even get my hand to my sleepy face to look, as if to say "Come on! You're not pregnant! how many time do I have to tell you?!"

I decided that I will make a million dollars coming up with my own designer pregnancy tests. You will be able to buy a sympathetic test according to your needs. If you are a teenager, you should buy the test that, if negative, says, "Man, you sure lucked out, stupid, next time try a condom", and if it's positive, it automatically alerts your mom. If you are trying to get pregnant it's happy with you if you are, and if you're not pregnant it takes a while to show up, like it's really searching to make sure no hormone is there, and then it lets you down easy saying, " You are doing your best. Just because you are barren is not justification for all those guys who broke up with you. Your life has meaning after all. Just look out the window and appreciate the fine day you have without screaming kids, and look forward to your full night of sleep! I looked really hard, and there's just no pregnancy hormones in your urine today...but maybe tomorrow!" That's all I want. I want my pregnancy test to act as if it's making an effort.

Take Me Out to the State Fair: Observing Humanity in it's Most Raw Form

2007-09-23T22:45:00.000-06:00

Todd took me to the Utah State Fair last weekend.

We went on the last night of the fair, so people were out in all their fair splendor. I wish I had been a little more brazen about my photo-documentation. People dress CRAZY to go to the fair. Because we went at dusk, the nice people had left for the evening and the weirdos were out and about. We had not been there five minutes when we saw this:

Santa checking out the gas stoves...no joke. Later that night we saw Santa being followed around by little kids begging for pictures with him. Santa was there for a good time, not for publicity. Ah, the curse of celebrity...

Isn't this classic? Iconic? It was such a lovely night! Who can resist a fair?

By this time, we were scouting out the rides and looking for corndogs and funnel cakes. But we had to meet Tyler & Brittany and Tyanna & Chris. They were at the grandstand watching the tractor pull.

A tractor pull consists of various parts of machinery none of which look like tractors. I couldn't tell if the tractors were supposed to do the pulling or be pulled.

Brittany really wanted to go on some rides, but we decided to go see the animals first. This is really my favorite part of the fair...the animal judging.

This is the pig auction.

This is the pig being bullied and abused by the 4-H-er. She was also bullying and abusing us by telling us to MOVE! (Yes, she was talking to US that way and not the pig...charming.)

This sheep was getting a hair cut...a wool cut. Sheep are really cute from a distance, but up close, they are freaky looking.

After the animal viewing, we located the only ride Brittany wanted to go on. She plans on it all year, and had previously asked me to be her ride partner. I readily agreed. The tickets for the rides were about $.85 per ticket and each ride took 2-5 tickets. Fairs are not for the rich (or the wise). Brittany and I got in line and Todd got a corndog...a huge corndog.

Concealed with in the corndog was a deadly weapon. I'm glad he did not impale himself.

Brittany's ride of choice: THE ZIPPER

You get into a cage and get flipped around while going up and down. I guess the ride DOES look vaguely like a giant zipper.

Here is the nice carnival man who closed us into the death cage.

The cage is VERY small with a VERY tight bar that closes down over your lap. Here we go:

They only load every other car at a time, so we got off to a slow start, but from the second we got into the cage it was non-stop laughter. The anticipation was killing us as the slowly filled the other cages. Some cages stayed empty to what we speculated was vomit damage.

Once we got started it was non-stop laughing and flipping and screaming. The cage flipped over and over and my HUGE necklace kept hitting my teeth. I had to hold onto it with one hand and hold on to dear life with the other.

All those blue sparkling cages was a sight to behold. After an eternity of spinning and flipping and laughing and screaming, they slowed down to let more people off and on. Somehow our cage got forgotten and the ride started up again. For one scary moment we both imagined being forgotten for the rest of the night, and the bile began to rise.

One round was fun and hilarious, but the during the second round the laughter was a little more manic...tinged with slight panic. I had tears streaming from laughing so hard.

Oh the relief of getting off!

We made it!

We all had tickets left over, so we went on a smaller ride called Moby Dick. It was fun, too with lots of laughing and screaming. I was hoarse and beginning to cough up phlegm. I needed a funnel cake.

Weeeeee!

After a couple of $4 corndogs and $5 sodas, we found the funnel cake stand. We consumed our entire daily allotment of calories in one sitting. YUM! Then we watched Tyanna, Chris, Brittany, and Tyler play dodge ball. Way fun.

It was a $40 dollars well spent for some carnal pleasure at the carnival.

Join us next year!

Two Lady Chickens and One of Questionable Gender

2007-09-12T15:31:00.000-06:00

We love our chickens! They have brought us a lot of joy from the get-go. This summer, with the help of Mo and Dad, I built them a house of their own. A coop if you will. we looked at the fancy coops at the seed and feed, but it cost $300! So I took a photo of the professional one and copied it. Guess how much mine cost?...$294.78. So much for self-sufficiency and ingenuity. But here it is:

Since we don't know that much about chickens we don't know what they need. For instance, they have begun to lay eggs (!!!!) but like to hide them in the yard (they LIVE for escape) or under the coop where it is hard for us to get them. I know this is normal chicken behavior, but I think I need to build them a "safe place" for their egg laying. (I actually SAW an egg come out of Pansy, it was awesome. She just laid it and kept on walking. I think she had been holding it for a couple of days.)

Here are the grown chickens:

Rosie, the Rhode Island Red...

Rosie lays brown eggs. Rosie is the most friendly and unafraid. She will always come right up to me and let me touch her and pick her up. She likes people more than Pansy or Basil.

Pansy, an Araucana, yes, she is supposed to have those crazy neck feathers...

Pansy was our first "layer" and lays blue-green eggs...very Martha Stewart... Pansy is the most "worldly" of our chickens. She was the first to become "a woman" and therefore holds a "motherly" role in the flock...

And this is Basil, the other Araucana...

Basil got an herb name rather than a flower name because I was suspect of her/his gender from the beginning. I suspected that she might be a rooster, which she definitely is not, but she has yet to grow a comb (the red wobbly thing) and she doesn't yet lay eggs. She is the most shy and unassuming of the chickens and I love her anyway.

Don't chicken have a "raptor" feel close up? Like you could mistake a really big chicken for a non-flying eagle?

They are sweet birds who love their chicken food and fruit. They hate being penned up in the dog run (now the chicken run) because they are used to roaming free. But Todd and I became increasingly concerned the farther they wondered. When our friends called us one day to say that they found the chickens crossing the road (hilarious...I know) we decided to contain them a little.

But now they have safety, and constant shade, and shelter from sprinklers and rain. If anyone needs fresh eggs...we'll put in an order.

Really?

2007-09-06T00:06:00.001-06:00

Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Esme Cullen - Your maternal instinct to take care of people and be kind draw people towards you. You're compassionate and loving, yet firm when you need to be. You appreciate hard work and value the beautiful results of your dedication to any project.
Take this quiz!

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Graduation and Tea Parties

2007-08-27T23:38:00.000-06:00

My darling Todd, of whom I am so proud, finally got to walk in graduation this month.

He completed the Executive Masters of Business Administration program at BYU and now makes me call him, "Master Todd." It was two long and hard years of working full time (70+) hours a week plus school 2-3 times a week. He braved presentation after presentation and hours and hours of analyzing case studies and study groups. I did not see him much, but would reach over and touch his side of the bed at 2am or 3am to make sure he was there.

(Here he is doing the walk of glory with Tyler and Brittany.)
His parents were up from St. George and his brother and wife (Tyler and Brittany) came down from Taylorsville. Mom and Dad brought Grandma & Grandpa Green down from Bountiful. We were grateful for everyone's support. We met Marie-Laure and the kids afterward and had a nice lunch somewhere with lots of good meat.

Through it all, he remained cheerful (if sometimes forced) and in good humor.

(Like all good Masters he actually wore his hood and pretended to be the Emperor.)
We are grateful to have lived in Provo this long only if it meant that Todd could have this opportunity.

(You can tell it's Provo because of the "Y" on the mountain, obviously...)
Maybe if we stay long enough, I will have my turn at a Masters!

Way to go, Bud!

The other grand event I have attended this month was the Princess Tea Party at the Beehive Tea room in Salt Lake. The book club ladies dressed up and brought their little princesses along for some tea and cakes.

I brought two of my nieces, surrogate princesses to an heir-less queen...we are on the far right.

Queen Amy and Princess Hannah were in attendance.

We sat in a private room where the little ladies had a table to themselves.

Each little princess received her own silver tea pot of hot chocolate, a silver server of cream, and a tea cup and plate.

They also dined daintily on flower-shaped sandwiches and strawberries and cream with sugar.

I must say that all the princesses really put their training to the test. While there was much fluffiness of dress with lace and organza abounding, there were no spills or messes (except for the littlest princess whom we graciously excuse! She has not completed her etiquette training being not yet 2 years old.)

We had a lovely time and I invite all of you to high tea anytime you visit! I love summer!

Just to Break the Chain of Unending Monotony

2007-08-16T15:34:00.000-06:00

This is a gift for those of you who are tired of my ecstatic face. I am tired of my ecstatic face.

Well, all my good blogging intentions availeth me nothing. I fear writing about the backed up tidal wave of undocumented capers and adventures this summer. Why do I always think summer is going to be so leisurely and slow...too much reading as a child? Too romantic? Perhaps.

So here is the lowdown:

I love my life.

I sleep in.

I spend as much time with Todd as possible.

I am working on a library for an elementary school in American Fork: pro bono.

I am making temple dresses (for people who paid a long time ago!).

I am loving my chickens. They bring me joy.

I have a tan for the first time in YEARS.

I am busy with the young women at church: they are needy but very funny.

I have enjoyed sisters and nieces and nephews all summer.

I sew things that I like and make baby gifts and quilts.

I still manage to run around like crazy trying to get everything done that I need to. Once I list it all out I question how I can be so busy, but I am. How did I ever work full time AND travel?

All I know is that I wish I were spending more time with you, my blog people.

Till we meet again...

I Am So Happy Todd is Home

2007-06-11T11:24:00.000-06:00

After two weeks of no Todd, I now have Todd back, and I am so glad.

My Domestic Life

2007-06-04T22:23:00.000-06:00

I was tagged by YOLANDA...here are the gruesome details of my domesticity:

aprons- y/n? if y, what does your favorite look like?
A resounding YES. I often forget to wear them, but they are mostly vintage and are so cute. I have my Grandmother’s aprons and they are lovely and decorative
~
baking- favorite thing to bake:
I don’t really bake. I like to cook, but I’m not a great baker.
~
clothesline- y/n?
I wish…at least once a week I wish.
~
donuts- have you ever made them?
I think I made them once in Home ec in high school, but I keep frozen Rhodes rolls in the freezer in case I want to make scones. So yummy!
~
everyday- one homemaking thing you do every day.
Clean the kitchen. Not exciting.
~
freezer- do you have a separate deep freeze?
No. I often wish that I did. Why do they make freezers so small to begin with?
~
garbage disposal- y/n?
I have lived without one before…but, was I really living?
~
handbook- what is your favorite homemaking resource?
Martha Stewart Living…’nough said.
~
ironing- love it or hate it?
I LOVED ironing when I was little. My mom would indulge me and let me iron pillowcases. But then I burned my hand really bad (3rd degree) I still have a faint scar. Now Madsen Cleaners is my iron.
~
junk drawer- y/n? where is it?
I have one junk drawer in the kitchen but everything is in an organizer. Then in our closet T and I each have our own little tupperwear drawers that hold our junk.
~
kitchen- color and decorating scheme?
I didn’t have a plan in mind when I started. But it’s eclectic. Don’t be put off when I say it’s red, yellow, and blue…but it’s red, yellow, and blue. Tastefully done I hope.
~
love- what is your favorite part of homemaking?
Renovating. Tiling. Painting. Building chicken coops.
~
mop- y/n?
Sort of neither. I have a swiffer mop but I use bar towels as the absorbent implement. I just use a spray bottle and a towel with a long handle. So low tech.
~
nylons- wash by hand or in the washing machine?
I am generally opposed to nylons unless they are thigh-highs and absolutely necessary. I am more prone to tights or fishnets, but I machine wash on gentle in a lingerie bag and hang dry.
~
oven- do you use the window or open the oven door to check?
I have a widow, but usually look inside anyway which is why I totally burned my eyeballs the other day. They were SO light sensitive and watery for a couple of days!
~
pizza- what do you put on yours?
I am a simple girl. I like the margherita pizza: tomatoes, basil, & mozerella.
~
quiet- what do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Read if I have a good book or watch something saved on the TiVo.
~
recipe card box- y/n? what does it look like?
Family recipe book with blank pages in the back. And lots of paperclips holding things waiting to be transcribed.
~
style of house- what style is your house?
I don’t know. It depends what room you are standing in. I would like to build my own house someday, but I think it would be something old like from the 20’s…like a bungalow style.
~
tablecloths and napkins- y/n?
Yes! Vintage-y. Anything from Williams-Sonoma. Lots of paper cloths with plastic backing: white formal and toss-able.
~
under the kitchen sink- organized or toxic wasteland?
Organized.
~
vacuum- how many times per week?
As often as I can. I love my Dyson.
~
wash- how many loads of laundry do you do per week?
If it’s just me at home…like one a week. If T is home…like five!
~
x's- do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
Weekly list.
~
yard- y/n? who does what?
Yes. Todd does the vegetables and the grass and I do the herbs and the flowers.
~
zzz's- what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Cleaning off my bed and putting away clothes.

More of the Meme

2007-05-29T11:15:00.000-06:00

4 jobs I have held:
1. Secretary and general office lackey
2. Restaurant cook and private family cook
3. Store Planner/Fixture Designer/Merchandiser
4. Retail Exec at Macy’s

4 movies I can watch over and over:
1. Jumanji (I did watch it every day for 2 months straight)
2. Lord of the Rings – I want to make this a tradition on the Friday after Thanksgiving or something that we watch the entire series, the extended versions
3. Singing in the Rain
4. Xanadu

4 places I have lived:
1. St. Louis
2. Boston
3. Scotland
4. Utah – although this is still hard to admit, I’ve been here for over 10 years!

4 categories of TV programming I enjoy:
How ‘bout I tell you which shows I watch?
1. America’s Next Top Model – the only show I get really excited about
2. The Office & 30 Rock
3. Mo’Niques Charm School: Flava of Love Girls – I laugh out loud a lot when watching this guilty pleasure…it must make me feel better about myself
4. Heroes

4 places I have been on holiday:
1. Cozumel (my fave)
2. Hawaii (my 2nd fave)
3. Bahamas (we were there for work, but Todd got to come so we had a lot of fun with our $90 per diem)
4. Portland/Seattle/Houston/St. George or anywhere we have family

4 of my favorite dishes:
1. Caramel Apples
2. Bonzai Burger at Red Robin
3. Pork anything at Café Rio
4. Anything fatty and salty except for salted lard

4 websites I visit daily/weekly:
1. blogs
2. blogs
3. blogs
4. anthropologie

4 places I would rather be right now:
1. with Todd in Japan/China/Thailand – he’s having awesome sushi and he's blogging photos...check it out
2. in my bed with a movie waiting in the DVD player– oh wait, I’m there
3. riding a Stella scooter through town in a flow-y dress
4. with Todd in the garden

4 bloggers to do the same:
1. Spencer and Sho (both of you!)
2. Emma Jo
3. Blanche
4. Pretty Daisy

Who Shoots Gravel from a Cannon?

2007-05-21T13:04:00.000-06:00

Recently, I went to This is the Place Heritage Park with Mo and Dad.

We attended the "christening" of two new trains that will carry people around the park. Well there were supposed to be two. They wanted to have a mini golden spike ceremony to commemorate the mini trains, but only one train was finished on time. There were many "pioneers" there, and Brigham Young himself MC-ed the event.

This is Mo and Dad standing in front of the ZCMI replica general store. I think Dad is sponsoring the store this year. Doesn't he look so natural standing there?

As we were waking back to the car after the festivities, we heard a loud BOOM, and naturally, we stopped and sort of ducked. We looked up and saw a "pioneer" in the middle of the street with a small cannon. No sooner had we registered this sight than smoking gravel began pelting us from above. Smoking gravel. My first thought was "Who shoots gravel from a cannon in a public setting?"

As the gravel continues to rain down, we realized that it was salt water taffy. Little pieces of smoking salt water taffy were now all around, and out of nowhere kids were suddenly scooping it up off the sidewalks and off the dirt streets. Because, hey...free candy. The children gathered in like chickens as the "pioneer man" threw out fresh, un-charred pieces to the crowd. This is why I like replica pioneer villages.

Monthly Financial Summit

2007-05-07T12:28:00.000-06:00

Saturday night Todd and I had our monthly financial summit. This is where we sit down and look at the state of our finances, make plans, strategems, decisions... We plan for the future; access our needs, wants, and desires. But what it turned into was Todd making a really elaborate Excell spreadsheet while I tried on clothes from the closet. Go Team Rhodarson!

I Gots Chickens!

2007-04-16T11:56:00.000-06:00

I Gots Chickens
April 16, 2007

I have wanted chickens for so long!

There came a time, I’m not sure when, that I realized that you could just HAVE a chicken, that you didn’t really need a farm, per se, although animal rights probably help.

My friend and sister-of-the-heart, Brittany, had a chicken, sort of by accident, and it was a very cool chicken. It hung out, ate bugs, chased her toddler, and laid eggs. I have bugs, no toddler, and I like eggs. Perfect fit!

So I went to the local seed and feed, and procured me some chicks: fluffy, sweet, peeping chicks (and a farmer’s sense of grammar)! I took them home in a cardboard box with some shredded newspaper and made them a home I designed myself: a plastic drawer.

I researched chickens to get the ones I wanted. The ones I REALLY want don’t come to the local seed and feed.
They're called Dominiques.
Real farmers don’t have any use for fancy chickens or for chickens who don’t like to give up their eggs and those types of chickens tend to be one and the same: the prettier they are, the more temperamental. So I got me some Rhode Island Reds

and some Araucana’s.

But right now they look like this:

They are less than two weeks old and have feathers on their wings and are already testing their flight capabilities when they jump off anything they can climb onto.

The have not all been named yet. I am waiting for Mo and Dad to come down and do the honors for two of them. There is a Rhode Island Red named Rosie and an Araucana named Pansy. You see my chickens must have flower names. They just must.

And here is how they run.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Omelets at my house!

Carmel

2007-04-08T20:33:00.000-06:00

A month ago, I got to go to Carmel with my lovely ladies, Brittany & Wendy. Brittany's parents were generous to let us stay in their lovely home.

This is not a once or twice a year vacation home...it is a every other weekend vacation home. They keep clothes, make up, good food, etc here because they come here a lot. Can you blame them?

What did we do there?

We looked at photos (I brought a whole suitcase just of photo albums). Sometimes we could not stop laughing at the people we knew, the things we did, the boys we kissed, and the lack of supportive bras...

We brought music and danced (well I watched the dancing...I was feeling under the weather with the beginnings of a dumb sinus infection!):

Isn't that kitchen awesome? We ate some good grub in that there kitchen!

Aren't these girls great?

We brought good books and took long walks on the beach:

And of course we talked, and talked, and talked. We never ran out of things to talk about. I could talk to these ladies all day and all night.

Then we went shopping a little.

We went to Anthropologie and spent HOURS trying on beautiful clothes. I love being a girl (and I got a way cute skirt.)

Then we went to the beach some more...and talked some more.

And then it was time to say goodbye.

And we had to lock up the house and drive back to San Fran.

I love these ladies and we will always have fun being together.

Red Hearts and Red Rocks

2007-02-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

Red Hearts and Red Rocks
Todd and I had a lovely Valentine’s Day with our dear friends, the Faulconers. We stayed in and made dinner rather than fight the crowds and be cranky. We had a lovely time. Hence the red hearts.

Then we got in the car and drove to St. George to visit Todd’s parents. Hence the red rocks. We have been having a good time. On Saturday, we started off by going for a bike ride up Snow Canyon.

Rosie took her first road trip and did exceptionally well. I smiled every time we were passed on the trail by a light, aluminum, thick-tread tired mountain bike. I just rang my bell *ding*ding*!

We biked in about 3 ½ miles and then out again. On the way in it was hilly enough to make me breath hard sometimes, but on the way back I hardly had to pedal. I just put my feet up on the handlebars and coasted (something you CANNOT do on a mountain bike!). I felt so happy to be there with Todd and his Mom and Dad.

This is my new favorite picture of Todd.

After the bike ride we went to some of the local homes featured in the Parade of Homes. I found my dream home. Surprisingly, I really dig the nouveau southwest style: natural colors, natural stone, homes that blend into the surroundings, horizontal lines, a-doh-beee.

We had a nice BBQ dinner at Famous Daves and then home to a warm fire and book reading. I love my life right now. We have just had a lovely Sunday and we are looking forward to a lovely Monday.

Here are some things I need to do some catch-up blogging on:

Jobs or the lack thereof
Fertility and the quest to conceive
Home projects
Sewing projects (I just made my first dress with a pattern I made from a dress I liked and bought and copied and returned…this could be my next adventure!)

I am very out of blogging practice. I will do it more that I get better and more entertaining. If there is a subject you would like me to research and blog for you (like I used to do) please let me know.

A Fond Adieu to the Big Red Star

2007-01-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

After 14 months of good times, Macy’s and I will be parting ways. As part of the new restructuring, my store had to down-grade management, and as one of the younger managers there (longevity wise) I am out. This next week will be my last week.

I have had such a good experience with Macy’s. I will continue to be a loyal shopper (retaining my black “elite” card status), and might even consider part time employment in the future for fun money (and a discount!).

I really appreciate what Macy’s did for me personally and professionally but the timing could not be better. I have struggled with a “non-design” job for a little while, and I look forward to getting back to my artistic career (more about that when I know for sure!).

I will have the entire month of February off as I will be in between jobs, and I look forward to getting reacquainted with my blogging-buddies. One of the cons of retail is it’s irregular schedule leaves little room for anything else. I look forward to blogging, lunches, and home organization projects before it is back to the grindstone!

Let’s play!

Something Old...Something New

2006-12-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

I miss you people. I am in the throes of holiday retail, and Todd is wrapping up finals.

Occasionally, I get the hankering for a bit of nostalgia and want to watch that old "Domestic Diva" video. Todd helped me out by posting it on Youtube for me. It is still the best cinematic work Todd and I have ever done. I wish all our home movies were this entertaining. Enjoy.

Lift Up Your Voice and Sing

2006-09-11T09:29:00.000-06:00

Todd and I went to campus today to watch a conference broadcast, and something happened that could ONLY happen at BYU. The picture was fuzzy and the audio wasn’t working, but we could discern through the scrambled picture that the opening hymn was to be “Now Let Us Rejoice”.

Our eager student crowd did not miss a beat, literally. As soon as the squiggly conductor lifted his hand and opened his mouth our crowd was ready. I wasn’t surprised so much that people sang along to a silent, squiggly screen, I was surprised with the gusto, volume, and good quality of sound that burst forth…and in four-part harmony.

It gave me the giggles real bad. I wasn’t laughing because I was mocking their eagerness, I was laughing because I understand that some behavior is circumstantial; that BYU campus has this magical power to create obedient little participators. I was laughing because I’ve been to other churches before, and Mormons sing really well, especially BYU students.

I couldn’t get myself under control until the last verse, and it was then that I added my best shot at alto, because that’s what I had to offer.

Why I Hate the Republic of the Banana: or the Most Boring Come-back Blog of All Time

2006-08-27T15:29:00.000-06:00

I love the idea of having a Banana Republic card, but the reality is oh so inconvenient. I have been a loyal customer since it's days of safari hats and jeeps crashing through contrived display windows, but having grown up with the yuppie clothier I feel that their approach to in-store credit is severely underdeveloped.

I opened an account last year because I started a new job as an executive where the expectation was perpetual business attire. Where else to build a work wardrobe but the Banana? I wasn't even seduced by the additional 10% by opening an account, it was the free alterations and reward points system (any in-store account that does not offer money or gift cards back for frequent shopping is not even worth considering) that attracted my patronage.

However, to my incredulity and dismay, you cannot pay your account at the store. You cannot even pay your bill over the phone without a $10 service charge. You can only pay your bill with a check (or is it spelled cheque...who knows...who uses those anymore?) or online.

Well, their website has been down for ages and I get a bill for my fabulous sapphire-cut "diamond" ring which only cost me $37 and the bill reads $69. So I call customer service and reach "Jerry" in India and ask him to remove my late-fee as a one-time courtesy. (Did you know you could do that folks? It's true, if you are a responsible credit user and you incur a late fee most companies will waive that late fee at least once if you call and just ask them to.) Jerry complied, but I am still left with waiting for the web-site construction to wrap up. I searched around for some paper money devices on which you can write in your desired amount, but to no avail.

I hate you Banana Republic.

Cards that are worth having:

Costco's American Express (1% cash back, 2% on travel and 3% on meals)
Macy's in-store card and visa (use your macy's visa anywhere and receive 1-3% back in store gift cards plus free alterations and gift wrap services depending on your spending per year...i love it)
Southwest visa (Todd and I got free tickets to go everywhere we needed to go for about two years...we even earned enough for a buddy pass one year)

Not that I endorse credit. We use credit when it is to our definite advantage. We bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner through our credit card perks. But we rarely have a balance. That'll kill you. Be wise people.

Oh, yeah, one other bit of unsolicited advice...if you happen to decide to open a credit line at a department store or with a 0% interest card, you need to know that you shouldn't open an account to get the extra 15% off and then expect to close it right away. If you close a new credit line within 6 months, it actually counts against your credit rating; it can take as many as 30 points off your score. Wait before you close an account. On the flip side, if you have a department store line of credit (one or two not ten), and you pay on time or use it and don't carry a balance your credit report looks good. Just be smart.

Why I Love the Gastineaux Girls

2005-12-03T18:18:00.000-07:00

In my life, I hope I have the oppotunity to say to someone: "I'm not trying to guilt you, but remember the time I was in St. Tropez with ALL of my friends, and you were failing summer school, and I had to come take you home?" That would be awesome...

Working Stiff

2005-10-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

I have been an errant blogger. I apologize. I have been busy with my woman of leisure lifestyle, but that’s all coming to an end.

I got a job.

Because Todd has gone back to school, and I’m NOT pregnant, there is no good reason for me to “sit around the house eating bon-bons.” By they way, those are my quotation marks, not anyone else’s…

As we signed off on the first of two new $16,000 student loans, I decided to “take one for the team” and earn some moolah.

I needed a job that would keep me home (meaning in-state…better yet, in-town), a job that would be interesting, a job I didn’t have to take home with me, and a job that would make us some killer cash.

Done, done, & done…

I have been hired as the manager of the women’s Ready-wear department at Meier & Frank at the University Mall in Orem. Super exciting. I bought my “back-to-work” wardrobe, expensive shoes, and I will report to work at 8am sharp tomorrow morning. I am nervous because I have become accustomed to my ways (sleeping in, my exercising routine, my lunches with ladies, my whatever…).

Wish me luck. I am hoping that a new job provides me with lots of juicy blodder.

And now that our printer is working again, I will be able to upload some fun Halloween pics…so stay tuned folks…

Gag Me With a Spoon

2005-10-10T19:32:00.000-06:00

No seriously. It’s not my shtick to share these things, but some things are SO special, they must be shared with my blog “public.”

These are "hair drawings" made by someone I assume to be a college student living in the dorms sharing a bathroom with countless others. Here are the thoughts running through my head:

Who does these things?

Who willingly touches the hair left behind in a communal shower (such is the case here, my comrades)?

Who wastes their time this way?

Did they do this at the end of their shower or did they return later when dried and dressed to complete the project?

Did they have a vision?

Did they choose the hair they wanted carefully or just work with what was on hand…or er, wall?

I’m just so completely grossed out.

Or am I just missing out on all the beauty around me?

Speaking of Jeans

2005-10-03T22:25:00.000-06:00

You know how I am always on the lookout for perfect jeans? Ladies of my particular proportions are always being extorted in our efforts to find denim with appropriate levels of sexiness without wanton-ness, fit without discomfort, control without roll, and a price that will allow me to pay Provo City this month.

Well.

As I was strolling through Target the other day, as I am want to do, I was going to buy a new pair of the Mossimo low-rise bootcuts that make EVERYONE look good regardless of age, salary, or size…

…when I came across a NEW style in the “junior’s” section. They are Levi Strauss low-rise bootcut and they come in a couple of different washes…indigo and antique being the two best, in my humble opinion.

So I thought I would share my (correct-as-usual) opinion on how to buy jeans:

Fit:
They should be tight when you first try them on, but if you can’t button them comfortably, then they’re too small. Trust me on this. If you put on jeans and immediately think, “these are too small, I would never wear jeans this tight,” they are probably right. If you try on a size lager and think “that’s better” you are wearing jeans that are too big. Jeans straight from the manufacturer have been processed to death, wear them around the house for an hour, and they will loosen up. If you are in between sizes…sucks to be you, use your best judgment.

Rise:
No one should be buying high-rise jeans. NO ONE. I don’t care who you are, how fat you think you are, or how old you think you are. Jeans that come up to your belly button make your BUTT AND HIPS LOOK HUGE…even if you’re skinny.

For the most flattering fit, you should be wearing your jeans in a medium or low-rise. Low-rise does not necessarily mean that your crack is going to show; they usually call that super-low-rise or ultra-low-rise.

Be prudent. If you buy your jeans in the teenager department, low rise means one thing. If you buy your jeans in the respectable adult department, it means another. If you have a J-Lo-esque rear, wear a belt with your low-rise jeans, this keeps them from sliding down when you sit down.

Medium-rise jeans should come below your belly button. If you are wearing high-rise jeans thinking that it will control the roll situation, you are sorely mistaken. Medium-rise jeans prevent the roll. High-rise jeans create the “pooch”. No one wants to create the pooch.

Wash:
Most women look best in a modest, darker wash. Light washes are akin to white pants in that they can make you look larger than you are. The goal in mind with jeans is LONG and LEAN. Darker washes have the tendency to produce this effect. Stay away from obvious whiskering at the crotchal regions or obvious and unrealistic “sanding” at the thighs and buttal regions.

This is stupid. I often try and imagine what kind of activity could possibly have worn the jeans THAT way? Sliding down concrete embankments? The darker the wash, the more “formal” the look. Jeans are more acceptable in social occasions of, say, going out, if the jeans look nice and have a dark wash with not a lot of “distressing” and wear.

Colored jeans are not worth even talking about at this juncture. You shouldn’t be wearing them. Full stop. Black jeans are a little too 90’s and white jeans only looked good on Jackie O and supermodels vacationing in St. Tropez.

Cut:
Your best bet is straight leg or boot-cut. Flared jeans are somewhat trendy and youthful, but not flattering on most adults. The best line for ANY pant is straight from hip to foot. If your jeans come in too much at the knee then it accentuates the size of your thighs. If your thighs are the widest part of your leg (and we hope that they are or else you are some kind of freak with huge calves…) your jeans should fit you there and then should continue to the floor unfettered and unobstructed. A little flare is OK, but moderate to extreme flare is not.

Length:
Here you may balk. If you are a person who likes to wear boots or heels with jeans, you may need to consider buying jeans to fit with heels and jeans to wear with flats. Not kidding. One jean cannot rule them all, so to speak. If you are wearing a shoe/boot with a heel, the hem of the jeans should cover the top of the foot and be wide enough to clear the shoe and still have an inch before it touches the floor. If you are wearing heels and your hem touches the floor, your jeans are too long. If your jeans hit at the top of your heel, they are too short.

If you are wearing flats or street shoes (notice I did not say running shoes or hiking shoes or any specific sport related shoe…) the same principle applies. Your jean may have a “break” at the top of your foot above the hem (which means that the line of the leg may bend, not bunch, at the top of your foot) and the hem should cover most of your heel without touching the ground. “Heel length” jeans would be too bunchy at the bottom to wear with flats. Bunchy=not good. Long and lean=fantastic.

P.S. I was at Banana Republic today buying a gorgeous $168 pink silk dress for $12 when the woman in front of me was having the sales girl fill out an alterations ticket! For jeans! Genius!

My biggest pet peeve of fashion these days is this: just because they sell it in the stores doesn’t mean it’s “in style” or that it is going to look as good on you as it does on Giselle or SJP. You may be seeing some “skinny” styles coming back right now.

This does not mean this is where jeans are headed. This is a fad, a throwback to the 80’s, and you should not participate unless you are at or below a size 4. Seriously.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

2005-09-16T14:15:00.000-06:00

Not to imitate Kacy’s theme of self-loathing…it must be something in the air….

I thought I would share a triumph followed by a spectacular fall from coolness.

Yesterday, I had on my cool new jeans, the ones worth discussing in a subsequent blog. After a decent day of feeling decent in my jeans, I decided to stop by Kacy and Christian’s house. They were going out to dinner, and graciously asked if I would like to go along. Since dinner out is always better than lonely dark house, I accepted and we had a wonderful time.

Once back at their house, Christian valiantly put the kids to bed while Kacy and I chatted. We were tired and full of Korean food so we slumped down on their comfy overstuffed furniture.

During a particularly interesting and witty antidote I was telling, Kacy began to point and laugh at my crotchal region. (When you’re full with yummy Korean spicy pork lettuce wraps you are exempt from sitting like a lady.) I looked down and saw a single piece of rice clinging to my sexy new jeans.

“Oh,” said I. “I must have dropped some rice.”

“No!” Kacy laughed with increasing intensity. “There’s more!”

I looked a little further, and lo and behold, there was ANOTHER clump of dried rice! Yikes. It was getting embarrassing.

“Oh, I must have dropped more than I thought!” said I good-naturedly.

“No!” cried Kacy once more. “It’s all over!”

Without getting too graphic…I must have dropped a whole SPOONFUL of rice in my lap and proceeded to grind it into my crotch with my every movement. My new jeans! My pride! As I walked like a bow-legged cowboy to her trash can to throw away dried rice I discovered not only more rice…but a new level of humiliation. Luckily, Kacy and I are to the point in our relationship where I can pick rice off my crotchal region in front of her and she can laugh it up with no discomfort on my part, nor malice on hers. But I must say that I felt a strange new sensation much like the need to go home and clean out my fat rolls: negligent and slovenly…even *gasp* sloppy.

So much for the sexy jeans. The effect was ruined. I wanted to run home in shame. But, see, this is where everyone needs a Kacy in their life. Someone to ground you. Some one to help you “keep it real”. Someone to tell you when you have a LOT of rice smashed in to your crotch and then laugh it up uncontrollably. Thanks, dear friend. Thanks a lot.

A Chosen Vessel

2005-09-02T23:00:00.000-06:00

The other night as I was driving to pick Todd up from school, God blessed me with the rarest and most fleeting of gifts. For about 10 minutes, the combination of a long day and allergies allowed me to sing JUST like Billie Holiday. I was almost as good as David Sedaris. So I milked it, and all the way to campus I sang “All of Me” at the top of my lungs. Well, that was the only song I could remember, and only one verse of it at that, but perhaps someone along 800 North needed to hear Billie sing that song that night, and I was there to make it happen. Thank you, Lord, for making me a vessel for good…or for good jazz anyway.

Karaoke is Cheap Therapy

2005-08-23T15:24:00.000-06:00

So last Friday night was our Relief Society’s retreat. We called it “Girl’s Night Out” and truly did some very girly things. We stayed up until past mid-night eating good food (like nachos), doing Dance Dance Revolution, lounging and chatting on 6 foot bean bags, giving ourselves manicures and pedicures, and singing karaoke.

I love to sing karaoke; in fact, I provided the machine and all the song discs. But as an ardent people watcher, I LOVE to WATCH people do karaoke. For me, the Karaoke characters fall into the following categories:

The Diva: This is the person who chooses really hard songs. These people are hard core and usually pretty brazen. They will belt out a ballad including all the vocal gymnastics they sing along with on the CD at home. This person can usually sing pretty well, and is not shy about letting you know that. They get mad if they don’t sound good, and blame it on the bad acoustics.

Idols: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, or Celine Dion

Preferred venue: stadium or arena

Can’t perform without: pyrotechnics

The Beatnik: This is the person who prefers a smaller more discerning audience. They chose songs by folk artists, hippies, and acoustic performers. They often sing well although they are more humble about it. They rarely choose silly songs or crowd pleasers.

Idols: Sarah McLaughlin, Joan Baez, and Norah Jones

Preferred venue: Coffee house on poetry night

Can’t perform without: a stool

The Party Animal: This person doesn’t care what they sound like. They are usually mediocre-to-awful singers with either a healthy sense of irony or few social skills. This person chooses crowd pleasers with the intent of bringing down the house. Rarely does the Party Animal perform by him/herself; it is usually with other party animals or with reluctant wall flowers ripped from the comfort of their own chairs.

Idols: The Village People, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, or Meatloaf

Preferred venue: a smoky bar with lots of neon beer signs

Can’t perform without: pretending to play the instrumental section of the song be it guitar or keyboard

The Auditionee: This person loves country music and is convinced that if they could just get to Nashville they would be the next big thing. They only sing country karaoke simply as a step to getting closer to performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

Idols: Patsy Cline, the Dixie Chicks, and Shania Twain

Preferred venue: mentioned above

Can’t perform without: a twang

The Shocker: You would never expect this person to get up in front of others and have the guts to sing a song, but they do; and when they do they are GOOD! This person actually sings so well that the rowdy crowd settles down and people stop talking to listen.

Idols: Dido, Alison Krauss, and Juice Newton

Preferred venue: their own shower

Can’t perform without: a spotlight

Then we have the other familiar characters: The Producer…the person who incites other people to sing songs but who never sings him/herself. This person can be quite convincing. They prey upon people who are dying to sing, and who are just waiting for someone to ask them to. This person usually has the knack for choosing just the right song for just the right person…like, say…”Back In The U.S.S.R” for the two Russian ladies in the ward…

The Validator: This person sits dutifully in the audience and claps and shouts out encouragements during the instrumentals like: “You go girl!” “Sing it like you mean it!” and “Wooooo!” This person is vital to karaoke. Too often, people are so concerned with picking their song or waiting for their turn that they forget to give the support they themselves are hoping for. The Validator beefs up the crowd and incites audience participation without ever taking a turn…heavens no.

But in the end, who you are at karaoke night says a lot about you. Though what it screams the loudest is either “you need to get out more” or “you need a good therapist.”

Happy birthday, Emma Jo.

Brownies Gone Wild

2005-08-06T11:12:00.000-06:00

This week on VSoM we have been discussing Personal Progress vs. Eagle Scouts, and it wasn’t until today, that JLS brought up the Girl Scout program. While I am an ardent fan of the cookies…mmmm… Thin Mints and Samoas…. I am not really that excited about my girls being scouts. This is why…

You can teach a girl and mentor her…and give her everything she could possibly need in the world to be a contributing member of society, and this can still happen…

I could go on, but I can’t…I just can’t…

The Reluctant TV Maven

2005-07-28T17:17:00.000-06:00

When I fantasize about the questions I will someday be asked by Vogue journalists, I always rehearse my answers so that they will sound a) intelligent and witty and b) spontaneous and off the cuff.

If I were to be asked today by Hamish Bowels or Plum Sykes about what hot new shows I am watching this summer…here would be my answers…get your TiVo remotes poised and ready…

1. The Cut : While Tommy Hilfiger is somewhat of an enigma (he looks gay and designs as good as gay…yet he is most definitely not…), I am gaining more and more respect for him not only as a clothing designer (have you SEEN the new “H” line?...holy hot…Palm Beach here I come!...when I’m 45…), but as a rather decent person. Oh the show…? It’s about various designers and non-designers who are competing for a spot in his company. Why he is even bothering with non-designers is beyond me…but I am loving this show! Not every task is that great, nor is the show that slick…but it does have a sort of “je ne sais quois”…that satisfies the impeccably-opinionated designer in me…

2. Stella: Holy CRAP this is the funniest show around. While I laugh self-consciously at the crass but helplessly funny “Chappelle Show”, Stella is comedic art. Stella consists of Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Swain, three ever-suited “men of leisure” who fall haplessly into hilarious and improbable situations (read: no plot of which to speak). They have amazing A(minus) list cameos, who patiently participate in skits that are scout jamboree worthy. Get your season pass NOW. Don’t let this become another “Arrested Development” story!

3. What Not to Wear: a TLC standard. People of the world…if you need help…and I know you do…for heaven’s sake…watch this show! While I do not pretend to have Stacy and Clinton’s clothing savvy, I’m sure that if we were to meet (as we have in my dreams) that we would become the bosom-est of friends (how would they not appreciate my opinion?). While the show is terribly formulaic, through the wonders of TiVo, I can take in a week-end’s worth in one lunch. I would do ANYTHING to get on the show and have $5000 and Stacy and Clinton at my fashion disposal…but alas…you have to dress REALLY bad to get on…and I REFUSE to wear pants that are too short with huge white tennis shoes!

And there you have it. I am not a TV advocate. I am a “TV Art Enthusiast”…a patroness, so to speak. Seriously…I wouldn’t ask you to watch crap.

Pioneer Day or an Excuse to Get the Kids Out of the House

2005-07-25T18:56:00.000-06:00

We celebrate the 24th of July as Pioneer Day because it is the anniversary of the day that the first Mormon pioneer company, led by Brigham Young, caught glimpse of the surprisingly arid Salt Lake valley, and dear Brigham uttered the famous words: “This is the right place.” They entered the desert and made it bloom.

Here’s what Pioneer Day means to me:

Growing up everywhere BUT Utah, Pioneer Day meant getting dressed up in pioneer garb (yes, we had some because I think that as Mormons you are required to keep pioneer outfits in your food storage supply…in case we have to trek back to Missouri or something…), go to some park with as little shade as possible, eat bad picnic food, sweat a lot, be coerced into playing “pull the stick” which requires an uncomfortable amount of physical contact with a practical stranger, asking to go home a lot, and getting cranky.

As a young child, we (the sibs and I) sang songs of the pioneers, heard stories, visited Church history sites, participated in outdoor stage productions depicting said pioneers, and were generally immersed in the idea that pioneers were nothing less than superheroes, which I still do not dispute.

In Utah, the 24th of July is set aside as a state holiday. Most people get the day off work! (Although, if the holiday, ANY holiday for that matter, falls on Sunday, it gets bumped to Monday, like this year).

But it wasn’t until I visited my grandparents in Bountiful for the whole month of July in 1984 that I realized the extent to which Pioneer reverence was carried out. There are parades, fireworks, picnics, and barbeques(and if you DON’T live in Utah, lots of primary and ward activities held in said shade-less parks). Grandma and Grandpa took me and a bushel of cousins to Sugar House Park to watch sky divers, eat candied apples, and see the best fireworks EVA! This is the right way to celebrate a pioneer!

It was a magical day…although looking back, I might not have known it wasn’t the 4th of July. But never mind, I live in Utah now (purely by accident) and I love the extra holiday. I love that people set off fireworks and that I can smell barbeques cooking all day. I love that people still dress up as pioneers and re-enact the trek down the canyon into the valley.

Where ever we end up, will I make my future posterity dress in frilly calico and endure the shade-less July heat? Probably, because I think you cannot be called a true Mormon unless you have experienced this rite of passage or have been refined in the refiner’s fire…and I think this pretty much counts.

This Isn't My Blog to Write: Ribs and Ice Cream

2005-07-12T20:43:00.000-06:00

Although this story doesn’t belong to me…I will write it since no one else has…

The other night, Todd and I sat around Kacy and Christian’s kitchen counter, as we often do. We live just around the block, you see. When their kids go to bed, they give us the signal (one ring) and we join them at our usual spot.

Occasionally, we watch a movie or something, but mostly, we just sit and talk. Often, our getting together involves some sort of treat or goody. The other night, it involved New York Creams and cold pork ribs.

Imagine if you will, four adults, a few gallons of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, malted milk, club soda, and pork ribs… It was decadence. It was over the top, heavenly, indulgent eating at 11:00pm at night. You know you have hit a certain level of friendship when there is no embarrassment at how many ribs you can down (for the second time that day) or by the chocolate to ice cream ratio in your shake.

Christian and Kacy are a dream come true…there is no judgment, and always good leftovers.

But, as young children are wont to do…their kids’ heads appeared over the banister…lured by the melodies on iTunes, the peals of party-like laughter, and the unmistakable scent of ice cream. Yes…if you are a child…you can detect the aroma of frozen confections…you lose this ability at puberty…

Now a disclaimer: Kacy and Christian are really good parents. For reals…they do stuff together…quality stuff…they have good techniques…etc. But what comes next is not so much a comment on their parenting, but an epiphany on why we remember what we do from childhood.

So the kids came down on the pretense that they were “hungry.” Oh, foolish children…we know your bellies are not empty… And they enter the kitchen to find grown-ups making shakes and eating ribs. But as everyone knows, shakes and ribs, while fine between the hours of 12pm and 8pm, turn into child-poison soon after 8:15pm. Their only option, the only SAFE option, was to be offered a glass of milk and a roll.

Their first-born son’s eyes were large as he eyed the ice cream and the chocolate while his drink was poured, and in the meekest voice Charles Dickens could have imagined, he asked, pointing to a spill of cream and chocolate, “Can I lick that off the counter?” To which the magnanimous answer was, “Of course, you may…” How could such delights NOT be shared, poison or no poison? And then he was whisked off to bed…

To be sure, their son will not remember all the vacations…all the father/son camp outs, he will sit in his therapist’s dimly lit office and say, “…they had ribs…they had ice cream…and they gave me a roll…THEY GAVE ME A ROLL! And made me lick the counter…”

You know, we do the best we can. Some injustices cannot be avoided. Childhood is not fair. You have to put in your time…pay your dues…puberty sucks…and then college is a disappointment. But then, you get to be an adult…you arrive at the point when you can do whatever you want… We were just giving that kid something to look forward to…something to aspire to. Because if nothing else, being able to eat ribs and ice cream at 11pm at night is really something to live for.

I’m So Crushin’ On You!

2005-06-27T10:53:00.000-06:00

In light of my recent disclosure of my crush on a pedophile…I thought I would make a comprehensive list of all my crushes; both real and celebrity…because I know you’re dying to know if you’re on the list!

Here’s how I will organize it:

Age Person *(denoting celebrity status) Brief Description

3-4 Thomas Some Swedish kid (same age) who used to try and kiss me

4-5 Mark A kid in my pre-school with a head shaped like a strawberry

5-6 Jonathan Had a bad dream about him…plus he wet his pants at school

5-8 Josh McElroy So in love…first huge crush

9-11 Ronnie Galang First international crush…Ronnie was Fillipino

9-10 Michael Jackson* Crush produced first and only fan letter

9-current Gene Kelly* Handsome AND can sing and dance and be manly!

10-13 C. Thomas Howell* Ponyboy from “The Outsiders”

11-13 Wes White So in love…was like 8 inches shorter than me

11-13 Dave Baumstark Neighbor boy crush…first kiss; was gross

13-14 Doug Doyle Long time crush, first real boyfriend, I went to all his games

14-15 Jacob Osted Had lived in England ‘nough said…so cute

15-17 Stuart Truscott Hugest crush ever! Dated for over a year- soccer legs

18-19 Various Nondescript Guys of the jerk variety freshman year at college

19-20 Dana B. Thomas Great kisser but was the devil

20-21 Jason B. Merrill Totally got my heart smashed out

23 Jason B. Merrill Totally got my heart smashed out again after he kissed me

24 Dan Weber First adult boyfriend…should have let go like 3 months into it
25 Todd M. Rhodes SO cute…funny, can cook, had his own car

25-30 Don’t get big crushes anymore…I like Ewan McGregor (sings, dances, is manly), nerdy types, bookish fellows, brains are more sexy than biceps, Jude Law, I’m sure I’ll think of more because I’m so bad at making impromptu lists.

Who are some of YOUR crushes? Do tell…