~ Highway thoughts ~

Most of my thoughts this week have been on the highway. I usually only go into the city once or twice a week. By the time Sunday comes....five days in a row I've been in the city. That's crazy.

New hair.... I have new short hair. It was time for a change. I'm getting used to it, I like it....it's not mega short...but shorter than I've had in a very long time. My stylist calls it my new spring hair...and says I should flip it around a lot. I'm not much of a hair flipping find of girl....I do flip other things at times....pancakes, eggs.....birds. : )

1. Children are expensive. This is not a new revelation, but one that I have pounded into me every so often when we need to get some new things. I took T & S to the city yesterday, as they were meeting up with friends to go to a movie. We stopped to look at the new spring clothes that are starting to show up....get their spring/summer wardrobes started. They're both at the point of caring what they wear....those other two boys I have do not care what they wear. This is very apparent when O is brought downstairs by his sister completely garbed out in Princess....

2. As I said....new hair. There is something very liberating about a good hair cut. I love my stylist...she's great. She's been cutting my hair for 8 years. I follow her wherever she goes. She gets me, gets my hair. I have a lot of hair, A LOT!. If you saw me you wouldn't believe. You'd think that it's just normal. That's because you're not watching me sit in the chair having pounds and pounds of hair textured out so that I have some sort of shape to my overly large noggin.

3. Did you know that the apple juice people are on strike. I did not. I inquired at my Wal-Mart why the big huge vat size apple juice that we usually buy have been out of stock for months. The apple juice people are on strike. What is there to go on strike about? The ladders aren't tall enough? The apples aren't red enough? The sun isn't sun shiny enough when they're picking? (these comments are not meant to offend or diminish the very important job of apple juice makers. They are important, especially at our house....but please stop being on strike) So what are supposed to do for apple juice in the meantime? One litres are like a drinking box to my children....we buy it in 4L jugs. Apple Juice makers are on strike....if the Q Tip people go on strike next....life as we know it may halt.

4. I was visiting a loved on in the hospital yesterday. It was a lovely day and we went for a walk to grab some lunch. What the heck are the people in wheel chairs with the IV hooked up doing outside smoking. Why are you in the hospital today my good man? I have lung cancer.....huh, that's a shocker. Like seriously. YOU'RE IN THE HOSPITAL TO GET BETTER! I know, it's an addiction. Apparently as hard to battle as heroin....or so the guy on Oprah said. But it makes me shake my head.

5. Do you have a good pair of jeans? I was reading a blog about jeans. Having that ultimate pair of jeans that you love, and love you back. They don't have to be expensive, just fit properly. I have a decent pair of jeans. They are not perfect...but for my price point they will do. They're dark, boot cut and lower rise, that's what the What Not to Wear people say I'm supposed to wear for my slightly tall, hour glass...but hold the weight in her legs....figure. So that's what I have. Is there a company who's sole purpose is to make bad jeans...cause there are some bad jeans out there. And there are people wearing them. What kind of jeans do you like? What is your dream pair of jeans? Why is it that life can be more fulfilling if you have a good pair of jeans?

6. Further with jeans....I have often mussed at the fact that everything is acceptable to wear with jeans....everything. Jeans are generally blue, many different shades and such, but blue non-the-less. Not all colors go with blue, and yet everything can be worn with jeans. Just a random thought on my part.

7. Jelly Belly's. My FIL sends home 'grandpa treats', as my children call them. He has to go to Costco to buy stuff for the company...and buys us stuff too. Generally granola bars, fruit snacks....a giant size bag of cheesies that I call and say "What the heck do I need this mondo size bag of cheesies for??". Anyway, he sent Jelly Belly's this time. Those are a gift from the heavens. A burst of scrumptious flavor in one pint size bean....I like the butter popcorn, coffee and cinnamon the best. Brian doesn't like it when we filter through the bag trying to find the kinds we like, throwing back the others. Yum....Jelly Belly's.

8. We took the kids swimming for Family Day this past week. When I told 3 1/2 yr old O that we were going swimming, his face lit up "We're going to the beach!??" .....uh, no. It's February and we live in Canada...have you looked outside lately....we're not going to the beach. He was very distraught that we were not going to the beach...and no matter how much explaining about snow and windchill factors...he wanted to go to the beach. I want to go to the beach too. I think that summer beach days are more fun than Christmas....not so much lead up, but so fun. Laying in the sun watching your kids play in the water and build in the sand....bring on the beach.

9. Girls night.....nothin' better. All mom's need a girls night. I think the church should add a new program to the curriculum. Monday, FHE....Tuesday, Activity Night....Friday, Girls night. This world would be a better place if all mom's had a weekly girls night with their pals. In fact I think world peace could be attained. You think it's men that are causing the wars and turmoil in the world. For he most part it generally is...but why? Because their wives have not had adequate girls nights and they're taking it out on them. It's not borders or politics or money. It's men that have stressed out wives. I'm going to approach the UN.

Dear Mr. Speaker,

Do you understand the term Happy Wife, Happy Life.

I'd like to further add....Happy Boy, World Joy.

Thank you.

~ Change ~

Change....do you like it, or not? I'm usually fine with change. It's good to shake things up a little. I was released as the Primary President in my ward today. I've served there for 2 years...and it's been a heavy calling. Our primary is big......big!! So the new girl will be great....different than me, as she's nice to people, but great.

So where am I now?? Nowhere...nothing to report. That's fine with me. I'm excited to go to SS and RS and actually start learning again. I feel like my knowledge has been paused for the last two years.

What are you all up to this long weekend?

We're still deciding. I want to go sledding with the kids...but there aren't any good hills in our town. We'd have to drive into the city. That likely won't happen, so we're still thinking about it.

My 10 points to ponder have been lacking lately....I thought I'd bring them back from the dead.

1. The Secret. I've watched the Oprah's shows about this, watched the video, I didn't ever read the book. Sounds great to me...think positively and everything will be attracted to you. We in the church tend to call all this by different names, but it's essentially the same. I often wonder though, if you think about something long enough and it will come to you, does that happen for the bad stuff too. What if my biggest fear is losing my husband. If I think about that too much will it be attracted to me and he'll be killed on the highway. They only ever seem to talk about attracting the good stuff....point to ponder.

In the meantime.....what are you attracting to your life with your thoughts?

Me.....

10 pounds less on the scale - it's only 10. It's not like I'm thinking 50. Come on laws of attracting.....attract the last 10 pounds off my bottom.

2 minutes less for my 5k time

Mini cooper, mini cooper....I want one of those mini coopers.

Everyone that talks about the laws of attraction seems to have Oprah on their vision board.....so fine. I want to be on the Oprah show, not sure why I'd be there, but add her to the list.

Clean house, with no effort from me, I would like the laws of attractions to attract the toys off the floor and the laundry into the drawers.

I already attracted that guy, but does he have to be so attracted to me all the time. Give it a rest for a minute buddy, I appreciate that you like me...but my eyes are actually up a little further.

2. I'm confused by the whole health food, organic food thing lately. I'm supposed to eat more fruits and vegetables because they're good for me and give me anti oxidants. But only the organic ones because the regular ones have pesticides on them and give me free radicals? So I'm supposed to eat apples or not? Goin' back to doritos...no pesticides on them.

3. I was never allowed to hang out at the mall. I've been doing it a bit lately as my gals and I have eaten there a couple times waiting for the movie to start. What are all those kids doing at the mall exactly? Sitting around. I am finally in a place in life that it doesn't matter who does or doesn't see me at the mall. I'm invisible there, 30 something mommy isn't exactly on the radar of the homies. So I can really watch people. There are weird people at the mall. Seriously, did you do your hair like that, it's right in your eyes. You can't see anything....but wow you sure look cool : {

4. Skinny pants. I don't get them. They look they've been painted on. How do they get them over their feet. Are they stretchy...like updated stirrup pants? I've been relieved to see that only the size 1 girls have been wearing them, they are definately a pant for a certain body type. When you take them off do they shrink into barbie sizes and then stretch again when put on the next time? Skinny pants....I don't get them.

5. I'm going to Women's Conference with my pals. The greatest thing about WC last time around...besides the upliftment and all that......the concert. That William Joseph guy was there the last time. He hadn't quite hit it big yet. I didn't know who he was. The other 20000 women in the Marriott Centre did. You'd think Brad Pitt had walked in. I think it's hilarious that 20000 married mommies are screaming for this 25 year old guy. What exactly are we screaming about, I include myself, it's riot mentality...you get caught up. Are we screaming cause he's so hot, he was. Or that he's so young and hot? Did we think he was going to pick one of us for something. What if he picked me was I supposed to swoon and sit beside him on the piano bench. What ever we were screaming about, it was pretty fun. Will be screaming again this year....bring on Brad Pitt.

6. Red Wagon. Monthly Visitor. Flow came for a Visit. No matter what you call it, I think if you're done having children it should stop. Dear Creator, I've populated as much as I choose to...I am no longer in need of the cramps, bloating, mood swings, water retention, weight gain and cravings. Thank you very much...my children are beautiful and I appreciate the ability that I was given to provide life. However I am no longer in need of the ability....please take it back.

7. Speaking of that....what the heck. There is no down time. One week of egg descent...one week of PMS, one week of the whole meal deal, then another week to get back into your jeans. That seems like a cheap deal.

8. The writer's have come to a deal. Fantastic. Only 6-8 more weeks for them to spit out the good shows again, right in time for the seasons to end. They better have some good stuff next year. I no longer need to watch beauty queens cry about how beautiful they are.

9. Why do all the shampoo commericals say that their products 'make your hair healthy looking'. Is it really healthy, or just healthy looking. Anybody can be healthy looking, put a little tan and a glow to their cheeks and they're healthy looking. So is my hair really healthy or not? After all, hair is already dead....how healthy is that? And who flips their head around like that anyway....you'd give yourself whip lash. They're all running and playing volleyball with their hair down and shinylicious. Whatever....pull it up and and hold it back with bobbi pins. Give me some more pesticide doused apples, maybe I'll be healthy looking.

10. Family Day. I'll tell you what would be a good family day....one where Brian and I are off and the kids have to go to school. That is a very healthy day for our family. Brian can stay home witht he kids and I can go shopping....that's good carma for our family. Happy Wife, Happy Life.

~ About Me ~

Two blogs in ONE night.....was blog surfing...and found a another cute questionaire. Boring to you...fun for me....whatever.

About me

1. What is your occupation? Stay at home mom running a bookkeeping business that is only supposed to be part time and a little cash on the side.....trying to keep it part time....

2. What color are your socks right now? Bare feet.

3. What are you listening to right now? My son crying that he wants apple juice right before he's going to bed....his father saying no because we don't want to change a wet bed. We'll see if it comes to blows.

4. What was the last thing you ate? If I was telling the whole truth, I'd have to say a chocolate covered cheesecake bite that was left over from 'girls night' last night. If I was staying in "I'm training for a Triathlon mode, Cantelope. I did have cantelope, right before I had a chocolate covered cheesecake morsel

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yep.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Brown

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Barb

8. How old are you today? 33

9. Favourite drink? Strawberry Margarita. Virgin, of course, except from when the waiters in Mexico got it wrong. I only took a couple extra sips just to make sure...yep, definately not virgin.

10. What is your favourite sport to watch? Lately, Triathlons...watch and learn.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yep....highlights all the time.

12. Favorite reality TV show? The Amazing Race

13. What was the last movie you watched? Step Up (Halla A&D)

14. Favourite day of the year? Summer beach days....even more than Christmas I think

15. What do you do to vent anger? Talk to my girlfriends.

16. What was your favourite toy as a child? Hmmm....I had a Cabbage Patch Premie that I was fond of....still have it.

17. What is your favourite, fall or spring? Spring for sure.....cottage fever dispelled.

18. Hugs or kisses? Can’t I pick both?

19. Cherries or blueberries? Neither actually.....

20. Favourite dessert? Anything that has cheese and cake...preferably together.

21. Living arrangement? "Lived in home" that's code for "generally messy all the time"

22. When was the last time you cried? Really cried...been a while, I'm not usually easily to tears...I'd have to think about that.

23. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes and a box of clothes that still needs a spot after the Extreme Makeover Boyd Edition.

24. What did you do last night? Watched a movie with my pals.

25. What inspires you? Love. Life. Living it. Good people making a difference. Family. Commitment.

26. What are you afraid of? Things that are out of my control.

27. Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? Cheesey

28. Favourite breed of dog? Black Lab

29. How many years at your current job? Mommy job....10.5....money job...8.

30. Favourite day of the week? Sunday...nap day.

31. How many states have you lived in? 0... I’m in Canada... but I’ve only lived in one province – Alberta

32. Celebrity crush? Recently...the guys in P.S. I Love you.

33. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? Quads and a tractor once... does that count?

34. Who is your favourite NFL team? Whatever Brian is watching...he's say the 49ers

35. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless? Yes, and I hate the thing, Jack is always twisting in it.

36. 10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather? If I’m at the beach, 100 degrees please. If not, I ‘d rather be cold than sweating like a pig.

Tag you're it....post me a link if you put this on your blog....would love to read it.

~ Beware of Sappyiness ~

Saw this on a blog...thought it was cute.

What is his name? Brian

How long have you been married? 13.5 years (the .5 is very important)

Who long did you date? 4 months
(might I add that from "Hi my name is Brian....until Will you Marry me, was 5 weeks)

How old is he? almost 36...he's really old.

Who eats more sweets? Me, me and me.....he's a salty guy

Who said I love you first? probably me, he doesn't say a lot

Who is taller? He is

Who can sing better? If you heard him, you'd say him, but he won't let you hear him. Though he sang a solo at our wedding...he was probably still trying to impress me then.

Who is smarter? Him all the way. He's a genious....but I'm not bias.

Who does the laundry? Mostly me, but he's been pitching in a lot lately. Probably because he's tired of the loads that are constantly in our bedroom waiting to be folded.

Who pays the bills? Me

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me.

Who mows the lawn? He does...and he's pretty anal about it too.

Who cooks dinner? As many times as I've told him "There's nothing sexier than a man that cooks....." I do 99.9% of the cooking.

Who drives? Him if we're together.

Who is more stubborn? = ) That depends on who's reading this...

Who kissed who first? He kissed me first...but I had to give pointers after that.

Who asked who out first? I asked him. A friend and I wanted to play laser tag and we needed some dates. So we asked 'those brothers'....and the rest is history.

Who proposed? He did.

Who wears the pants? Again...that depends who's reading this. = )

~ Quirky-ness ~

Saw this on a blog that I frequent....

6 Quirky things about Me.

1. The volume on the TV has to always be on an even number. It's weird I know. But I can't just randomly turn it up or down.

2. I fall asleep the exact same way every night. Right side, sort of on my side, sort of almost on my stomach. Right hand under the pillow, left hand out.

3. I hate anything touching my ears. The blankets on the bed, my children...having them whisper in my ear is torture. Interestingly, my hair on my ears is fine.

4. I cannot stand to hear chewing. My children learned very early that we chew with our mouths closed.....uh, gross.

5. I fold my arms the same way every time. (that's right, fold your arms a couple times and then the other way, feels wierd doesn't it)

6. I hate the taste of water. You're thinking...um...water doesn't have a taste. I know, maybe that's why I hate it. I have to be really thirsty to drink straight water. My two litres that I drink every day has lower calorie juice in it, just for some flavor.

That's all the confessions for today....I have plenty of more quirkyness for another time.

~ Survival ~

I survived. It was fun actually. We arrived at the Science Centre around 2:00 which turned out to be the perfect time because the school groups that were there, were on their way out. Which meant about 4000 less children. That gave my children space and me less stress. We spent a couple hours just looking at everything and taking our time. They've done some renovating and it's really great.

The next great thing....is we're currently experience Extreme Makeover Boyd Edition. Brian received some of his bonus this year in gift cards. We could pick anywhere we wanted. Since he's already bulging with electronics we asked for Ikea cards so we could redecorate our bedroom. In 13 years we've never even had pictures on our walls. Seems to always be the last room to get some attention. No more. Stay tuned for the dramatic reveal.

~ Before the fun day begins ~

It's 8:28 am. We all slept in a little because the kids have today off. They only went to school one day this week. Monday / Tuesday were snow days (aka freeze your pututty off if you stepped outside days). Wednesday they went to school, and Thurdsay and today were already days they were supposed to get off. I've had a lot of my children this week. That is not a good combination when I have deadlines. I'm a workaholic.....and not totally by choice. I have a job that can come down all at once. So I have not choice but to spend the time getting the work done. I make my own hours, control my own projects, take or reject new clients. It's all under my control in a sense. But there are deadlines, and those must be met or people pay money they shouldn't have to . Anyway, I don't love my job, I love aspects of it...but if I had the choice I'd be an event planner. So, I told the kids that today we'd do something fun. We've had serious cabin fever this week. I got quite alot of work done, and met the deadline in the cases that were under my control. We considered swimming, it's a bit freezy out there. So we're going to attempt the Science Centre. That's a crazy place most of the time, but I made a promise and I can't go back on it. I'm famous for promising them something and then I get caught up with phone calls and emails and I don't follow through. They're going to the Science Centre today even if it kills me, which it likely will. That place is my worse nightmare. Children running around unsupervised and touching things. Actually my worse nightmare is those indoor play gym places. That's a migraine waiting to happen. So this is may be my last will and testiment.

I leave my 4 lovely children to my husband....let him finally 'get' what it's like to be the mom.

I leave my clothes to K, she has multiple wardrobes from me already.

I leave all my baby stuff to D...not much left but if you can find it, it's yours.

Leave my books and craft stuff to J. It will finally be organized.

Leave my treadmill to T.....cause we're both still talking like we can actually finish the Triathlon.

All my daughters clothes to A, and all the boys clothes to K.

Will update after and see if I survived.