Odds and Ends: Catch Up Time

Here are a few pictures from the past few months:

Ike turned 15 and celebrated at Red Robin with Brody, Will and Andrew:

Marching band season ended with the band taking 3rd in state! Pretty awesome considering they were like 24th 4 years ago. 

Can I give you some parenting advice? 

Enroll in a school with a band that is great. Get your kid in band. Doesn't matter if they are a nerd or jock or sophisticated or goofy. Let them pick the instrument they want to play.

And get them private lessons before they join band so they are good at it from the beginning. 

 Want to see more band pictures? Go Here.

This is what I want my stair posts to look like:

Way back in october we bought this accordian for Noah's Christmas present. It was a hit!

Odds and Ends

I have been asked to help my friend, Julie from Norway, with the food for stake girls camp. I am in charge of one day's worth of food for 350 people. In the next 5 days I need to make and freeze 500 muffins, 32 pans of rice crispy treats (and cut and put into ziplock baggies), cook up and chop 150 lbs of chicken, and make 10 lbs of garlic butter. Where am I going to put all that food??? Do you have a freezer I can use?
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The basement is done! We moved the food storage downstairs into the area built for it. I can't wait to organize it and label the shelves. I am stumped on what color of curtains to buy for my beige walls and red couch. Completely stumped.
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I listed a foosball table and a grill on Craigslist and they both sold for my asking price within 24 hours to very nice people. Success! What else can I get rid of on Craigslist?
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Noah will be home today! We get to have him for 48 hours. I have scheduled the entire time for him.
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Only 5 days of school left!

Odds and Ends: Burr

I have readers that have been snowed in for a week now so I won't complain about the bone chilling cold we've had. Anyone want to go to Hawaii with me?

"The King's Speech" and "Saw" are both rated "R". There is something wrong with our movie rating system because the previews of Saw gross me out but the The Kings Speech was such an amazing movie and cleaner and milder than most PG-13 movies. 

Julie P (my generous and talented friend who just moved back from Norway and the entire city is thrilled to have her back!) and I drove to Denver yesterday to buy me an amazing Pottery Barn couch she found on Craigslist. No score -it was such a cheap-o ugly couch. So we will watch the Superbowl on the old worn couches. I'm also looking for a granite topped kitchen island if you have one you want to sell me. 

Ike shaved his head (or rather, I shaved his head) in solidarity with a friend who has cancer in his leg and is starting to lose his hair. Most of Ike's friends have done the same thing. I think it is a wonderful way to show love and support. 

I like him too. 

His cast comes off on Wednesday.

Ike plays DJ in the car and picks great music. He has great pitch and when I sing it bothers him. I dance while I drive, you know, kind of a shoulder swinging, steering wheel tapping, and doing a modified John Travolta move that really embarrasses Ike. He completely turns the music off when I dance drive.

Did I mention that Ike is now 6 feet tall?

Roland comes home tonight. He was gone most of January - such a drag. He says his

2011 resolution is to stay home more and I am holding him to it.

Odds and Ends

Roland and Ike wrestle nearly everyday. Yesterday I was on the phone with a friend who asked, "Who is the girl screaming in the background?" It was Ike. He can take whatever Roland dishes out. I hover and hope no one gets hurt and nothing gets broken.

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Noah has senioritis pretty bad. It's kinda a drag to be with your dorky family when a big exciting world is just waiting for you. A world where no one will ask you to vacuum.

The last time Noah has to go to Priesthood Conference Session with the fam.

He managed to muster up some enthusiasm for his Easter basket.

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We celebrated Easter by using Jen's idea - but we did it all at once. Thanks Jen! It was great. We visited Grandpa Wade who was cheerful and complimentary to me. He loves to razz Roland in front of the kids. He loves to make them laugh at Roland. Roland laughs too. Mike and Chris fed us a delicious Easter meal and Roland and I broke our vegan vows - temporarily! I took pictures of the food but not the people! The food is on my Lean to the Sun blog. 

Mike - I know you are reading this - send me the people pictures please!

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I am in the process of transferring all my non-online bills to be online (except the piano lessons) and I am avoiding the work by blogging instead.

Odds and Ends

None of my boys know when my birthday is. (Hannah, you know, right?) They don't know Roland's birthday either. They know the date for their own birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, and the 4th of July, but not the birthday of the woman who has made each of their birthdays (70 in all) a fantasy of delight.

They think it is in March, for crying out loud.
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Gabe is coming home tonight! We haven't seen him since March!
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Noah and Ike judge my popularity and personal worth by the number of comments I get per post. (I judge my popularity and personal worth by the number of hits I get.) Thanks for all the votes on Noah's yearbook picture. It made Noah feel VERY popular. Even though Movie Star was the clear winner he insists on Piano Man and so it will be. I'll post my favorite later.

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September 21: it is snowing right now. Blowing sideways for crying out loud in a bucket.

Odds and Ends

I do love a yard sale. All in all we made $300 on Friday and got to catch up with the neighbors who weren't afraid to stop and visit. We celebrated our yard sale success by going to the Library (Diary of Mattie Spencer, Calvin and Hobbes, Orson Scott Card, and Barron's 2009 ACT Study Guide) followed by dinner at Pei Wei, their lo mein is so good. Then we saw Night at Museum (not as good as original..SURPRISE).

Every movie at the theater was rated PG/PG13 - when was the last time you saw that?
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Rolando is at the cabin and Hannah is joining him there after work. He said the river is running high and the cabin is clean and peaceful. It has been raining so the grass is lush and there are no brown spots. I am sitting here wondering why the heck I am not with him.
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I found a chocolate cake recipe that needs "fancy ingredients" (no cake mix) and the sky is threatening a hail storm so I am tempted to stay home from Stake Conference and bake that triple layer cake. Then I can put the boys to bed early and eat cake and read about Mattie Spencer until I pass out.

Okay! Okay! I'll go to church. It better be good.

Odds and Ends

Mother's Day was nice and easy. The picnic at Fox Run Park was cold and rainy but yummy. Roland forced the kids to play Sequence with me and that made me happy. Hannah and Gabe called to wish me well.
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Gabe is on a 3 day cross-country bus trip to Philadelphia. He doesn't ever want to live in Kansas and said that most of the people on the bus are sad. I offered to help him fly to Philly - but he wanted to experience the bus, and all that goes with it. Stinky.
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Star Trek didn't disappoint. The theater was packed and Noah got stuck sitting next to two women who giggled, gasped, ooohed and aaahhed through the whole show. Spoiler Alert: They were scandalized when Spock and Uhera kissed. It almost ruined the show for Noah.
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The basketball losing streak finally ended on Saturday when Ike's team won the double headers. What a relief. Playoffs are this weekend.
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After a little pestering from Hannah we bought the uncooked flour tortillas. Wow. I should have tried them long ago. I get mine at Costco and they have Carnitas there too (very high fat but oh-so-yummy). I make my own carnitas in the slow cooker. It makes a great meal or a substantial snack (at least at our house).

Odds and Ends - and help me, please

It's 10:00 PM and it is snowing hard. Ike put his PJ's on inside out and spit out the front door so we should have a late start tomorrow, if not a snow day. There is already one inch of snow and it's only been snowing for 45 minutes.

Have I mentioned, lately, how exciting the Colorado weather is? I love it.
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I spent the weekend with my bossy sister, Kristen, in Denver. She sells Scentsy and was at the Denver Woman's Expo. I helped her. If I were a documentary maker I would make a documentary about the vendors at Woman's Expos. I would focus on the:

• Scentsy dealer (of course)
• vendor selling dip mixes (I bought 4. Invite me to your next party and I will bring a fabulous dip, but hurry and invite me, these dips are going fast!)
• plastic surgeon who played catch with the D-cup breast implants.

They are fun to catch, in case you were wondering. The convention center in Denver is the biggest open space building I have ever been in. Ever.
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Roland just put on Sade's Lover's Rock. Such a great album.
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Noah had a recital today and I recorded it but can't download it on my computer. You know how you overfill a glass and the water will stay in the glass because of the tension on the water surface? That same principle is what enables my computer to work. Computer tension.

help me, please:
If you live near me, can I up load Noah's recital on my blog from your (less than 15 year old) computer? I will bring you a bundt cake and promote you on my blog (if you want).
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help me, please II:
I need to borrow a good book from someone. Who has one to lend me?

Odds and Ends

There is a one foot snow drift in my backyard. We had a 2 hour delay start at school this morning which was good because last night the whole family was running a fever. The fevers were gone this morning so I made everyone go to school.

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Yesterday I texted Hannah and Gabe and told them we had sold our Colorado house and were moving back to Idaho this May. April Fools. They fell for it.

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I blogged at Bossy today. Its all about having beautiful hair.

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Cadbury Mini Eggs are making me crazy. I have a bag hidden in the kitchen and mostly I forget about them, but right now I am thinking about them. I am excited for Easter this year and trying to figure out how to make an Easter egg hunt fun for teenagers. Any ideas?

Odds and Ends

This is the wonderful sauce that Katie Duncan brought us when she made PFChang dinner for us. It was so amazing. I have to hurry and return it to her because Noah practically drinks it. You need to buy some today! Katie, Where can we buy this?

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My yard thinks it is summer time. It is so exciting to see bulbs coming up and the trees all budding. I hope they survive the next blizzard. We really have had a mild winter so far. Only 2 late starts and 1 snow day. Boring.

It was so warm today I opened the windows and aired out the house. I need to water the lawn tomorrow.

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Noah got his Sunday morning Migraine yesterday. They are such strange migraines. They only show up on Sundays and they only last about 3 hours. He got away with it yesterday. But only because he is so cute.
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I made this hat for my very sweet nephew, Tucker. He is such a cutie! It makes me very happy that he wore it to ask me to be his Valentine. Tucker, YES! Yes I will be your valentine!

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Roland is flying today. He is trying to get back east and all the airports are backed up. Snow day back east.

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I am reading the Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card) series with Noah and Ike. Pretty good stuff and pretty mild for SciFi. If you have a prepubescent boy, give him this book. Teenage boys like it too.

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I got the old photo albums out today and nearly cried at how much I miss my young children.

One of these days I swear I am going to stop a worn out, overwhelmed mom at the grocery store and tell her to "Enjoy this time! It goes so fast!" And she will try to smile and say "thanks" while she is thinking, "ARE YOU FREAKIN CRAZY?!?!?"

Odds and Ends

Ike is playing basketball now. Poor kid, he is on another losing team. He tried out for Gold Crown and made it but the practices were on the same night as scouts and all the games were on Sunday, so he chose YMCA ball instead. He takes it pretty seriously when the team loses.
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I have had a cold for a few days. I lose perspective when I am sick. I start thinking that everything has always been and always will be miserable.
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Roland is in Chicago. Come home Roland! We like you and want you here!
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Puppy fever is very strong at our house. Even I have been affected by it. Noah has the worst case. But Roland is holding strong and resisting.
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Hannah comes home tomorrow! Yay!

Odds and Ends

When I came home from Manhattan Beach Noah leaned on/hugged me (actually it is more like a drape, he drapes himself over me and I can hardly stand up) and announced that he missed me. He really missed me. It is nice to be missed by a 16 year old.
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Ike's football bruise count is up to 16 now. Most of them are on his arms. It makes him proud.

It makes me proud that he comes downstairs on Sunday morning and reads the Friend (because I am the meany who has banned Sunday TV - only family movies in the evening).
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Bookclub is reading "The Ladies Auxilary" by Tova Mirvis. It is a great book and you should read it.
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I went to a model home auction yesterday with a few friends and bought a big red couch. I love it. Roland grumbled (as he heaved the huge thing into Mike's fancy truck with his big strong muscles, sigh, I'd buy 3 more couches just to watch him throw them around) about if we really needed that couch. The answer is YES.

But I am not sure how it will fit into the house.
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The weather has been beautiful. This is the Colorado Indian Summer I have heard about. If only I could get my garden to flourish, move the cabin into the mountains here, and transplant my family/friends here I could be perfectly happy. Dear Colorado Friends, Don't be offended by my honesty. I love Colorado, very much. But I love Idaho a tiny bit more. But you already know that...because I blab about it constantly.
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I get to teach 3 Nephi 8-11 today. How great is that! It almost feels like Christmas.

Odds and Ends

I am reading "Pillars of the Earth" because it was recommended by several friends on Goodreads.com. Darn book. I can't seem to put it down. I only have 75 pages left (out of 997). What will I read when I am done?

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Ike's football team is terrible. They have lost both games and not made one touch down. I blame the coach. Miserable.

Dorene and Mike brought Wade to the game. It was quite a production with the handicap van and wheelchair and the muddy grass. I sure wish I had a picture of it. I think it made Wade happy and I know it made Ike happy. Fortunately they left before the ref called the Mercy Rule to end the game.

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Paige insisted that I get a new purse in patent leather. So I did. I'm all about the patent leather now. Get one for yourself. It will make you happy in a material, temporary, artificial way. Nothing wrong with that as long as you know that is what it is. Mine is way cute and VERY cheap. Less than taking your family to Sonic for lunch.I wasn't sure I liked the picture of me. So here is the back up with Noah modeling. The purse came with a "free" little bag that I put this stuff into.

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I think I am over my Golden Oreo obsession. Whew!

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I miss Hannah and Gabe. And Sally, Emily, KK, and Melissa. And Suzanne and Ann. And my Mom.
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On Friday I went to the Castle Rock Factory Outlet with girl friends to celebrate Laurel's 23rd (?) birthday. I planned to buy nothing. I bought a ton. It was fun in a material, temporary, artificial way. Nothing wrong with that as long as you know that is what it is. (see purse item above)

Laurel and her Hunky Husband Tom. Happy Birthday Laurel!

We ate at a great restaurant: Old Stone Church in castle Rock on 3rd street. I highly recommend it.
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I think it is really cool how the last 3 weekends have been perfect weather. The storms happen during school. I know I talk about the Colorado weather a lot. It fascinates me.
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Still reading? Thanks for hanging in there to the end.

Odds and Ends

My sister-in-law Christine is visiting for the week. There are lots of wonderful reasons to love Chris but the reason I love her the most right now is because she has been my housekeeping fairy. The dishwasher magically unloads, shoes are placed in pairs by the door, the children's sweatshirts are neatly folded and organized, the kitchen is constantly clean. The jolt of joy that I feel when I walk into my spotless kitchen, that I didn't clean, is ridiculous.
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Roland's eye is healing right up. He can now walk and do light housekeeping (he was a little upset when the doctor said that). He is much happier now that he can work and sit up straight. The Dr. ( have I told you about his horrible bedside manner? ug. - but wow, what a great surgeon) was fully impressed with Roland's rate of healing. We have about 8 weeks until we know exactly how much vision he has lost, but it won't be nearly as bad as we thought. Thanks for all of your prayers and concern.
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This is Gabe's last week selling alarms in the the ghettos of California. He is excited to go back to safe quiet Boise! Very excited.
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Kim brought us rhubarb and I made rhubarb crisp. Thanks Kim! It was tart and sweet and has LOTS of fiber. Email me for the recipe.
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Noah was invited to play in Penrose Carnegie Library at the Amateur Pianists Celebration - basically an all-day piano recital. He was one of 3 students, the rest were adults. It was fancy. Sometimes when Noah plays people gush and go on and on and it embarrasses him. But no one gushed over him at this recital. No gushing, they all think they are the best pianist, so no gushing. Over-inflated egos don't gush.

Noah was also ordained a Priest yesterday. I am so proud of him.
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We are all officially couch potatoes as we watch the Olympics. I am anti-TV but I can't seem to pull myself away from the Olympics. I cried as I watched the marathon.
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This is the first full week of school. Yippie!

Odds and Ends

Noah is now a seasoned traveler who, after traveling alone, feels capable of going anywhere. He loved BYU Young Musicians Festival and his favorite thing to brag about? - getting up at 4:45 AM everyday to place scales for an hour (5-6 AM) in the HFAC. Its boot camp for musicians.
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Albertsons had Captn Crunch on sale last week and Ike has eaten so much of it the roof of his mouth is raw. We have no self control when it comes to Captn Crunch.
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Last week was father's day at your house. Today is father's day at our house. Roland was in Buenos Aries last week. I did something creative (amazing for me because YW camp is tomorrow) for Roland but can't post it now because he might read it.
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Hannah cut her hair short short short. Don't worry, The Famous O'Del did it, she says she looks darling.
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The neighborhood recreation center is behind our house. It has a nice pool with a splash pad. My desk looks out onto the rec center. I see my neighbors and friends there. I want to go play with them, and sip a DP in the sun, but I would never get anything done if I went there every time I saw someone I liked (I like everyone). So I allow myself to go after my work is done. It is like watching a birthday party you can't go to. Poor me.
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I worry about Gabe in San Jose. It is hard to have him so far away.

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I think Roland should give me some jewelry because I haven't collapsed into a quivering slobbering pile of tears over girl's camp. We leave tomorrow morning, so tonight could be the night I loose it. Although, I must say, I think the reason I haven't flipped out is because the women in this ward are amazing and have cheerfully helped and gone the extra mile. Yo, I'm sending my love out to my YW peeps.
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No blogging until Saturday. I will be at YW Camp having fun. Lots of fun.

Weekend Update

Noah got a Superior at Guild. What a relief to have that over. Whew. The competition was held at a piano store. I think if I were uber rich we would collect pianos. I love them all, especially old ones, and I don't even play. Next competition is State held at the first of June. Let the practicing begin!

Ike managed to play non-stop all weekend. His class had a field trip to the fine arts center and then there was his soccer game on Saturday. He loves to be the goalie. Ike wants to grow his hair out "high school musical" style even though he makes fun of that show.

Hannah finished finals at BYU last week and spent the weekend in Boise with Gabe. She is relieved to be done with a very busy semester.

Gabe is moving to San Jose today for his summer job of selling alarm systems to strangers. He will face rejection and I think it will be hard. But he plans to make lots and lots of big bucks.

Roland got back from Texas late last night. He brought back CrackerJacks for Ike, an Austin City Limits t-shirt for Noah, and a globe made out of fancy rocks for me - at least he tried to pass it off as a gift for me. We both knew it was a gift for him for speaking at the conference. He is taking it to his office today.

On the advice of my super smart cousin Kory we went to see Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. She has a great review on her blog.


I highly recommend this show. It isn't really entertainment as much as eye opening. As Kory said, I felt smarter walking out of the theater than I did walking in. I wish there were some way to get this show into the schools.

Advice to those going to see this move (and you all should): go with your "smartypants scholar" hat on. Not your "I want to zone out and be entertained" hat.