I'm up. I am better, save some residual aches and coughs. Yay.
Also, I don't have a choice, since everyone is home from school today (for conferences). Right now they are playing dress ups and listening to the Wiggles, so I am going to go take pix and join in the fun.
Thanks for all your loving care :)
PS: I don't know why, but I was thinking of Amelia Hapgood all day yesterday on her special 8th birthday. Sorry I didn't say it yesterday, but Happy Birthday, Amelia!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Confessional
Are you there, Reagan? It's me, Jamie. I have a confession...I'm glad that McCain lost. Forgive me.
Remember when I said I had a revelation at the DNC? Here it is…I think when you have different ideas, and then get politics and power involved, things get way more competitive than they have to be. I have some fierce friends on both sides of politics who cannot begin to grasp how the other half thinks, which is a very sad, very extreme and blinded place to be. Understanding both sides doesn’t make you weak, doesn’t make you a flip-flopper—it just makes you better informed and may even help you to be a better person. It doesn’t mean you agreee—it just means you can see where your brother is coming from and can therefore treat him with respect.
I admit to being flabbergasted by the lefties once in a while, but as I watched Obama’s speech accepting his nomination, I mostly watched the crowd. I understood that they really, honestly, with all their hearts believed that he can do what he says he’s going to do. And he says he is going to do mostly good things. These are things that everyone wants—life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (those are inalienable); equality, health, education, opportunity; I understand. There are very few people in the world who do not agree on the ENDS of our government. I think the disagreements come about the MEANS—about the government’s role in accomplishing the ENDS.
My idea is that the large federal government is unweildy and unable to address the needs of Americans on an individual and community level. I believe that I can do so much more for my community as a neighbor, friend, and servant than the President, or even my senator. I would rather work closely with my state and local government to solve problems than sit and wait for someone acroos the contintent (who has made a career of politics—don’t get me started on THAT) to come to our aid. I also believe in personal responsibility, and that most Americans will be more responsible with their own tax dollars (I am, thanks to THIS) than the federal government is (and the evidence of this truth is practically insurrmoutable—hello, Katrina?). However, I can clearly see where the idea of having a huge governent and welfare system can be attractive, too. It’s quite ideal, but unworkable due to the ever-present non-contributing sector of society. Fairness, sadly, is way out of our hands.
Anyway, as I watched the convention, and again as I watched Obama at Grants Park, I had the feeling that it’s worth a try. I think that the fierce idealism will be tempered by reality, and what’s wrong with a little fierce idealism when the country’s in the crapper? It's like letting a 9th grader run for Student Body President with the promise of A's and college admissions for all! Go for it, Sparky! The energy I saw and felt can certainly lift us out of the hole we’re in, and in two years we can elect people to ensure that we don’t dig ourselves another, deeper pit. Ya gotta love checks and balances.
I find the Obama story fascinating, riveting. His poor Grandma dying just adds to the drama. My heart really went out to him as I watched him speak Tuesday night—he was definitely sober, and seemed oddly alone (it’s a heavy mantle). I kind of look forward to watching the next few years unfold. But that may be because I face them like a spectator, from the log porch of my mountain home where I am mostly insulated from the craziness of Washington and Wall Street, with a basement full of food and guns. I have the luxury, if you will, of watching an experiment knowing my life won’t totally explode if the experiment fails. So count me in, peeps. I can’t deny there is magic in the air, so let’s roll with it. And git yer Welcome Jesus shirts on.
Another confession: there is something about Michelle Obama that I really like—as in, I bet if we knew eachother, we’d be friends. She is strong, accomplished, funny and still feminine, and regardless of politics, those are qualities I like in a friend. My hubby can’t stand her, so I like to annoy him by watching her speak, and then remind him, “Better Michelle than Hilary,” which is something upon which we all agree.
Remember when I said I had a revelation at the DNC? Here it is…I think when you have different ideas, and then get politics and power involved, things get way more competitive than they have to be. I have some fierce friends on both sides of politics who cannot begin to grasp how the other half thinks, which is a very sad, very extreme and blinded place to be. Understanding both sides doesn’t make you weak, doesn’t make you a flip-flopper—it just makes you better informed and may even help you to be a better person. It doesn’t mean you agreee—it just means you can see where your brother is coming from and can therefore treat him with respect.
I admit to being flabbergasted by the lefties once in a while, but as I watched Obama’s speech accepting his nomination, I mostly watched the crowd. I understood that they really, honestly, with all their hearts believed that he can do what he says he’s going to do. And he says he is going to do mostly good things. These are things that everyone wants—life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (those are inalienable); equality, health, education, opportunity; I understand. There are very few people in the world who do not agree on the ENDS of our government. I think the disagreements come about the MEANS—about the government’s role in accomplishing the ENDS.
My idea is that the large federal government is unweildy and unable to address the needs of Americans on an individual and community level. I believe that I can do so much more for my community as a neighbor, friend, and servant than the President, or even my senator. I would rather work closely with my state and local government to solve problems than sit and wait for someone acroos the contintent (who has made a career of politics—don’t get me started on THAT) to come to our aid. I also believe in personal responsibility, and that most Americans will be more responsible with their own tax dollars (I am, thanks to THIS) than the federal government is (and the evidence of this truth is practically insurrmoutable—hello, Katrina?). However, I can clearly see where the idea of having a huge governent and welfare system can be attractive, too. It’s quite ideal, but unworkable due to the ever-present non-contributing sector of society. Fairness, sadly, is way out of our hands.
Anyway, as I watched the convention, and again as I watched Obama at Grants Park, I had the feeling that it’s worth a try. I think that the fierce idealism will be tempered by reality, and what’s wrong with a little fierce idealism when the country’s in the crapper? It's like letting a 9th grader run for Student Body President with the promise of A's and college admissions for all! Go for it, Sparky! The energy I saw and felt can certainly lift us out of the hole we’re in, and in two years we can elect people to ensure that we don’t dig ourselves another, deeper pit. Ya gotta love checks and balances.
I find the Obama story fascinating, riveting. His poor Grandma dying just adds to the drama. My heart really went out to him as I watched him speak Tuesday night—he was definitely sober, and seemed oddly alone (it’s a heavy mantle). I kind of look forward to watching the next few years unfold. But that may be because I face them like a spectator, from the log porch of my mountain home where I am mostly insulated from the craziness of Washington and Wall Street, with a basement full of food and guns. I have the luxury, if you will, of watching an experiment knowing my life won’t totally explode if the experiment fails. So count me in, peeps. I can’t deny there is magic in the air, so let’s roll with it. And git yer Welcome Jesus shirts on.
Another confession: there is something about Michelle Obama that I really like—as in, I bet if we knew eachother, we’d be friends. She is strong, accomplished, funny and still feminine, and regardless of politics, those are qualities I like in a friend. My hubby can’t stand her, so I like to annoy him by watching her speak, and then remind him, “Better Michelle than Hilary,” which is something upon which we all agree.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Friday Fright Night
On Halloween, James and I went to Addie's class party while Heidi had a date with Aunt Debbie. After school, all three kids got their costumes on and we went around to the bank and grocery store (where the really awesome treats are). Then we met daddy at home and had pizza for dinner (CPK Margherita, anyone? YUM), then we went to the party at church. It was a cool carnival with trick-or-treating in the halls and a spook alley put on by the teenagers (Heidi was so funny in the Spook Alley--she was totally in character as Super Girl, karate chopping the mummies and finger-shooting the ghosts--so funny).
Addie the bride
Super Heidi
Dancing Girls
Sir James
Super Heidi, Sir James the Knight, and Addie the Princess Bride
Don't they look KOOKY in this pic?
Awesome poses, and so in-character
Sillies!
Addie the bride
Super Heidi
Dancing Girls
Sir James
Ready to slay some dragons
***
Super Heidi, Sir James the Knight, and Addie the Princess Bride
Don't they look KOOKY in this pic?
Awesome poses, and so in-character
Sillies! ***
I started feeling super exhausted Halloween night, but I thought it was just all the activity. Sadly, I got super sick by Saturday night--my throat is swollen almost closed, and I had a terrible migraine. I got the chills and I shivered so hard that my fingers went numb--what the heck?! I took two baths last night because I couldn't get warm, and now this afternoon I am sweating BUCKETS. James also has a bad cough, so we are having a little date at Park Clinic tomorrow. I keep trying to think of the "silver lining"--at least I was able to get all my Sunday stuff prepared before I felt super bad, and at least it was time to "fall back" so Rich had some extra time to get the girls ready for church. And at least my fabulous first couselor, Debbie, who was on call at the Bozeman Hospital, did not get called in and was able to handle things in Primary. I am so grateful for her!
Oh, yeah, lots of people have asked me how Primary is going, and the answer is so far, so good. I felt I should keep the Presidency that had just been installed in June, so my dear sister-friend Debbie Holm is my first counselor (she has been President and chorister before, so she is so experienced and inspirational!). My second counselor is Bambi Prosser--she is a gorgeous woman who is also a construction worker and rancher. You gotta love that combo. And she is so sweet with the kids. I am looking forward to getting to know her better. We have great teachers and scout leaders who have been commited and reliable, which is the ultimate blessing, I think. I've just gotta keep it going, right?
I forgot how lame this time change is...it's 4:40 and dark already. SIGH...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Love One Another
I need to vent a little bit about the Defense of Marriage initiatives that are being voted on around the country this coming Tuesday. I have some very dear friends who are gay, and I love them; I cherish our friendships. I think—I hope—all my liberal friends have an understanding where we "pro-marriage" folks are coming from. Or at least where I and other informed conservatives are coming from.
Let me begin by saying that neither I nor anyone I know wishes to take away anyone’s pursuit of happiness. For me, defense of marriage is a simple legal and religious issue. I don’t think anyone should ever be discriminated against in the courts based on their sexual preference or the gender of the partner they’ve chosen to spend their lives with. Any law that specifies a spouse as next of kin or inheritor should be re-worded to mean partner. I believe that gay couples should have the same rights under the law that married couples have.
But I don’t believe gay marriage should be legal. I don’t even believe that such a thing exists. Why? Because marriage, by definition, is a sacrament. It is a three-way covenant between a man, woman, and God, and marks the establishment of a family unit. It doesn’t exist outside of religion, no matter what we have told ourselves over the past century. And yes, that goes for heterosexual couples, too. I don’t mean to offend, but that’s just what I believe. I have deep respect and admiration for any couple that commits to eachother and strives to build a life together, and I believe every union deserves protection under the law. But unless you have invited God into your union, it’s not a marriage by definition. I could go look up all the Milton and Luther quotes flying around my brain on this subject, but I’ll just leave my thoughts there.
I also worry, as many other religious people do, about the repercussions of legal gay marriage for churches who continue to abide by biblical standards. Will refusing to sanction such marriages result in legal action? If so, we are no longer free and church and state are no longer separated, and good-bye America.
Then, in California, there is the whole issue of legislating from the bench—creating a dictatorship of the court. It should never, ever be okay for the court to overturn legislation that has been voted upon by a majority of the people. WE THE PEOPLE rule this country, and we must defend our right to rule and not be dictated to by an elite few who think they know better than the majority of citizens.
All of these things can and should be done in a spirit of love and respect--two things I have seen very little of on either side.
Let me begin by saying that neither I nor anyone I know wishes to take away anyone’s pursuit of happiness. For me, defense of marriage is a simple legal and religious issue. I don’t think anyone should ever be discriminated against in the courts based on their sexual preference or the gender of the partner they’ve chosen to spend their lives with. Any law that specifies a spouse as next of kin or inheritor should be re-worded to mean partner. I believe that gay couples should have the same rights under the law that married couples have.
But I don’t believe gay marriage should be legal. I don’t even believe that such a thing exists. Why? Because marriage, by definition, is a sacrament. It is a three-way covenant between a man, woman, and God, and marks the establishment of a family unit. It doesn’t exist outside of religion, no matter what we have told ourselves over the past century. And yes, that goes for heterosexual couples, too. I don’t mean to offend, but that’s just what I believe. I have deep respect and admiration for any couple that commits to eachother and strives to build a life together, and I believe every union deserves protection under the law. But unless you have invited God into your union, it’s not a marriage by definition. I could go look up all the Milton and Luther quotes flying around my brain on this subject, but I’ll just leave my thoughts there.
I also worry, as many other religious people do, about the repercussions of legal gay marriage for churches who continue to abide by biblical standards. Will refusing to sanction such marriages result in legal action? If so, we are no longer free and church and state are no longer separated, and good-bye America.
Then, in California, there is the whole issue of legislating from the bench—creating a dictatorship of the court. It should never, ever be okay for the court to overturn legislation that has been voted upon by a majority of the people. WE THE PEOPLE rule this country, and we must defend our right to rule and not be dictated to by an elite few who think they know better than the majority of citizens.
All of these things can and should be done in a spirit of love and respect--two things I have seen very little of on either side.
Don't Drink the KoolAid!
I'm voting early. Rich already did. And it's fun to tell the pollsters who call our house 5-10 times a day that we have already voted...HA!
PLEASE don't be cynical and pessimistic. I know the electoral college makes you feel insignificant if you're not in the majority, but just let your voice be heard. Read on if you need a boost, listen to Lenny, and know, "Baby, it aint over til it's over!"
From http://www.hillbuzz.wordpress.com/ (comments 10.27.08)
I work for a campaign and can’t wait for this week to be over.
I was doing it for a job. I was not a fan of any candidate but over time grew to love HRC.
The internal campaign idea is to twist, distort, humiliate and finally dispirit you.
We pay people and organize people to go to all the online sites and “play the part of a clinton or mccain supporter who just switched our support for obama”
We do this to stifle your motivation and to destroy your confidence.
We did this the whole primary and it worked.
Sprinkle in mass vote confusion and it becomes bewildering. Most people lose patience and just give up on their support of a candidate and decide to just block out tv, news, websites, etc.
This surprisingly has had a huge suppressing movement and vote turnout issues.
Next, we infiltrate all the blogs and all the youtube videos and overwhelm the voting, the comments, etc. All to continue this appearance of overwhelming world support.
People makes posts to the effect that the world has “gone mad”
Thats the intention. To make you feel stressed and crazy and feel like the world is ending.
We have also had quite a hand in skewing many many polls, some we couldn’t control as much as we would have liked. But many we have spoiled over. Just enough to make real clear politics look scarey to a mccain supporter. Its worked, alough the goal was to appear 13-15 points ahead.
see, the results have been working. People tend to support a winner, go with the flow, become “sheeple.” The polls are roughly 3-5 points in favor of Barack. Thats due to our inflation of the polls and pulling in the sheeple.
Our donors, are the same people who finance the MSM. Their interests are tied, Barack then tends to come across as teflon. Nothing sticks. And trust, there were meetings with Fox news. The goal was to blunt them as much as possible. Watch Bill Oreilly he has become much more diplomatic and “fair and balanced” and soft. Its because he wants to retain the #1 spot on cable news and to do that he has to have access to the Obama campaign and we worked hard at stringing him a long and keeping him soft for an interview swap. It worked and now he is anticipating more access. So he is playing it still soft. This is why nothing sticks.
The operation is massive, the goal is to paint a picture that is that of a winner, regardless of the results.
There is no true inauguration draft or true grant park construction going on. There will be a party, but we are boasting beyond the truth to make it seem like the election is wrapped up.
Our goal is to continue to make you lose your moral. We worked hard at persuasion and paying off and timing and playing the right political numbers to get key republican endorsements to make it seem even more like it was over and the world was coming to an end for you all.
There is a huge staff of people working around the clock, watching every site, blogs, etc. We flood these sites. We have had a goal to overwhelm.
The truth is here. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
I am saying this because I know HRC was better for the country, and now realize this. I was too late by the time I connected to her. To me Barack was just a cool young dude that seemed like a star. I didn’t know him or his policies, but now I understand more than I care to and I realize his interests are more for him, and the DNC and all working like puppets with Dean. I always thought a president wanted the better good for the country. The end result I see is everyone dependent on the government, this means more and more people voting for the DNC. This means the future is forever altered. I don’t see this as America, so I am now supporting John McCain.
Sarah Palin is a huge threat, and our campaign has feared her like you can’t imagine. If it seems unfair how she has been treated, well its because she has had a team working round the clock to make her look like a fool. This is a big conspiracy and I am so shocked that its not realized.
We released a little blurb the other day that the Obama campaign was already working on reelection and now putting our efforts towards 2012. This was to make it seem like it was above us to continue caring about 2008. Trust me, its a lie. David is very smart, but its a sticky ugly not very truthful kind of intelligence.
It's not over yet, but I think the machine is working. And it's a hill to climb.
I will be quitting my post on nov 5th and my vote will be for John McCain. Fortunately, my position has been a marketing position and I don’t feel I had any part of anything I would feel guilty for. But I look forward to getting out of this as the negativity and environment upsets me.
I wish you all well, and good luck.
PLEASE don't be cynical and pessimistic. I know the electoral college makes you feel insignificant if you're not in the majority, but just let your voice be heard. Read on if you need a boost, listen to Lenny, and know, "Baby, it aint over til it's over!"
From http://www.hillbuzz.wordpress.com/ (comments 10.27.08)
I work for a campaign and can’t wait for this week to be over.
I was doing it for a job. I was not a fan of any candidate but over time grew to love HRC.
The internal campaign idea is to twist, distort, humiliate and finally dispirit you.
We pay people and organize people to go to all the online sites and “play the part of a clinton or mccain supporter who just switched our support for obama”
We do this to stifle your motivation and to destroy your confidence.
We did this the whole primary and it worked.
Sprinkle in mass vote confusion and it becomes bewildering. Most people lose patience and just give up on their support of a candidate and decide to just block out tv, news, websites, etc.
This surprisingly has had a huge suppressing movement and vote turnout issues.
Next, we infiltrate all the blogs and all the youtube videos and overwhelm the voting, the comments, etc. All to continue this appearance of overwhelming world support.
People makes posts to the effect that the world has “gone mad”
Thats the intention. To make you feel stressed and crazy and feel like the world is ending.
We have also had quite a hand in skewing many many polls, some we couldn’t control as much as we would have liked. But many we have spoiled over. Just enough to make real clear politics look scarey to a mccain supporter. Its worked, alough the goal was to appear 13-15 points ahead.
see, the results have been working. People tend to support a winner, go with the flow, become “sheeple.” The polls are roughly 3-5 points in favor of Barack. Thats due to our inflation of the polls and pulling in the sheeple.
Our donors, are the same people who finance the MSM. Their interests are tied, Barack then tends to come across as teflon. Nothing sticks. And trust, there were meetings with Fox news. The goal was to blunt them as much as possible. Watch Bill Oreilly he has become much more diplomatic and “fair and balanced” and soft. Its because he wants to retain the #1 spot on cable news and to do that he has to have access to the Obama campaign and we worked hard at stringing him a long and keeping him soft for an interview swap. It worked and now he is anticipating more access. So he is playing it still soft. This is why nothing sticks.
The operation is massive, the goal is to paint a picture that is that of a winner, regardless of the results.
There is no true inauguration draft or true grant park construction going on. There will be a party, but we are boasting beyond the truth to make it seem like the election is wrapped up.
Our goal is to continue to make you lose your moral. We worked hard at persuasion and paying off and timing and playing the right political numbers to get key republican endorsements to make it seem even more like it was over and the world was coming to an end for you all.
There is a huge staff of people working around the clock, watching every site, blogs, etc. We flood these sites. We have had a goal to overwhelm.
The truth is here. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
I am saying this because I know HRC was better for the country, and now realize this. I was too late by the time I connected to her. To me Barack was just a cool young dude that seemed like a star. I didn’t know him or his policies, but now I understand more than I care to and I realize his interests are more for him, and the DNC and all working like puppets with Dean. I always thought a president wanted the better good for the country. The end result I see is everyone dependent on the government, this means more and more people voting for the DNC. This means the future is forever altered. I don’t see this as America, so I am now supporting John McCain.
Sarah Palin is a huge threat, and our campaign has feared her like you can’t imagine. If it seems unfair how she has been treated, well its because she has had a team working round the clock to make her look like a fool. This is a big conspiracy and I am so shocked that its not realized.
We released a little blurb the other day that the Obama campaign was already working on reelection and now putting our efforts towards 2012. This was to make it seem like it was above us to continue caring about 2008. Trust me, its a lie. David is very smart, but its a sticky ugly not very truthful kind of intelligence.
It's not over yet, but I think the machine is working. And it's a hill to climb.
I will be quitting my post on nov 5th and my vote will be for John McCain. Fortunately, my position has been a marketing position and I don’t feel I had any part of anything I would feel guilty for. But I look forward to getting out of this as the negativity and environment upsets me.
I wish you all well, and good luck.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Recent Pix and a Recipe
James took this picture of Heidi on Monday
While we were making pies on Sunday, James did this with his rolling pin machine gun.
Silly Boy!
On Saturday, the Barbies had a jacuzzi party in my guest bathroom without asking.
***
Last night I made stuffed mushroom caps with a totally made up recipe and they turned out great. Try this (if you like spinach and mushrooms, that is...):
You need:
Baby Spinach
Grated Italian Cheese
A box of Stove Top Stufffing (water & butter to prepare it)
A carton of large mushrooms
***
Get a bag of baby spinach; chop it and wilt it in some garlic butter; squeeze a tiny bit of lemon juice on it and set aside (I ate some of this spinach for lunch and then saved the left overs--you only need half a bag for stuffing).
Preheat oven to 350
Cover a large baking sheet with foil
Prepare a box of StoveTop stuffing (any flavor will do, but you'll only use half)
Before you cover the ST stuffing and let it stand to steam, add the spinach and 1/2 cup italian cheese blend (or plain ol' mozarella); stir it up and let it stand.
Remove stems from mushrooms (I used a carton of large white shrooms from Albertsons--there were 12 in the carton). Hollow out the mushrooms caps and chop the stems.
Mix the stems into the stuffing
Spoon the stuffing into the caps, then sprinkle with sesame seeds (totally optional)
Bake for 20-25 minutes...VOILA!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Out of the Mouths of My Babes...
Last Monday, on the way to dinner with Grandma
Heidi: I don't want to be a mommy when I grow up.
Me: Why, Heidi? Being a mommy is fun!
Heidi: I don't want to cry and get bleedin's--it hurts to have a baby [she's obviously scarred from watching her birth video]
Addie: Then you won't have any sweet little babies, Heidi! Don't you want your own little baby?
Heidi: No! I will cry!
Me: Well, Heidi, the doctor can give you some medicine so it won't hurt. Besides, it only hurts for a minute, and then you have a BABY!
Addie: Yeah, and after that, they're just tears of joy.
Sunday Night, laying by Heidi, toward the end of a LONG conversation trying to figure out why she won't stay in her bed
Me: Do these elephants above your bed scare you in the night?
Heidi: No, I love all my elephants.
Me: Then why do you keep coming down to mommy's bed?
Heidi: Because I love you more than elephants.
Heidi: I don't want to be a mommy when I grow up.
Me: Why, Heidi? Being a mommy is fun!
Heidi: I don't want to cry and get bleedin's--it hurts to have a baby [she's obviously scarred from watching her birth video]
Addie: Then you won't have any sweet little babies, Heidi! Don't you want your own little baby?
Heidi: No! I will cry!
Me: Well, Heidi, the doctor can give you some medicine so it won't hurt. Besides, it only hurts for a minute, and then you have a BABY!
Addie: Yeah, and after that, they're just tears of joy.
***
Sunday Night, laying by Heidi, toward the end of a LONG conversation trying to figure out why she won't stay in her bed
Me: Do these elephants above your bed scare you in the night?
Heidi: No, I love all my elephants.
Me: Then why do you keep coming down to mommy's bed?
Heidi: Because I love you more than elephants.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A Few of My Favorite Things
First of all, HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY (yesterday), JILL! We're finally the same age!
I love you, sis!
Secondly, Happy Birthday to Will, my brother and pal! I love you, too!
***
1. PUMPKIN SPICE KISSES
Yeah, you read that right! Thank you, dear Hershey's, for making the Pumkin Spice Kiss. It's the only candy I like as much as dark chocolate. It's on my gratitude list this Thanksgiving!
Yeah, you read that right! Thank you, dear Hershey's, for making the Pumkin Spice Kiss. It's the only candy I like as much as dark chocolate. It's on my gratitude list this Thanksgiving! 2. HEIDI'S PHOTOGRAPHY
How else would I record this mommy-pose?
Don't mind the foggy spot, just enjoy the Heidi-cheese!
She caught James enjoying Diego last week
And yet another charming self-protrait! 3. RUSK THICKR MOUSSE
Hope In A Can for the practically bald (that's my hair category--my hair is so fine that I am practically bald; most three-year-olds have thicker hair than I do)! I have never, ever been able to use anything but a light hairspray on my hair because EVERYTHING weighs it down, and mousse was out of the question. Until two years ago when my long-time stylist busted out this stuff. I though she was crazy--she knows my hair and she never weighs it down. "Trust me," she said, "This isn't like other mousse--you'll love it." And I do! It's like a fat suit for my hair. In combination with volumizing shampoo & conditioner and a quick blow out, I look like I have a full head of hair.4. QUEEN HELENE COCOA BUTTER LOTION
In addition to my baldness, I have the dryest skin! I have spent a fortune trying to find the perfect remedy, and there's lots of good stuff out there (Curel and Eucerin, I love you). But for the day-to-day moisturizing (it takes longer to moisturize after a shower than the actual shower--if I don't do it, I literally can't bend my joints without cracking!), you can't beat the cheap stuff! Here's the routine: two layers of Queen Helene with a sealing coat of Curel on the rough spots. I got through about 2.5 of these each year, and I have been using it since I was a starving student. It's only $1.99 for this huge bottle at Walmart--I love that. It's the only cheap lotion I have ever found that doesn't irritate my skin. Yay for QH!
In addition to my baldness, I have the dryest skin! I have spent a fortune trying to find the perfect remedy, and there's lots of good stuff out there (Curel and Eucerin, I love you). But for the day-to-day moisturizing (it takes longer to moisturize after a shower than the actual shower--if I don't do it, I literally can't bend my joints without cracking!), you can't beat the cheap stuff! Here's the routine: two layers of Queen Helene with a sealing coat of Curel on the rough spots. I got through about 2.5 of these each year, and I have been using it since I was a starving student. It's only $1.99 for this huge bottle at Walmart--I love that. It's the only cheap lotion I have ever found that doesn't irritate my skin. Yay for QH!5. Lastly, at least for tonight: Bring Your Torches, Jeanette, Isabella by Manheim Steamroller
I am making pies with Addie, listening to our family Christmas Mix CD (it's the Sabbth, it's about Jesus, so don't tell my it's not time for Christmas, cuz IT'S ALWAYS TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!). The Manheim Steamroller version of this song is just SO CHRISTMAS to me. It really captures the spirit and feeling I have, just puttering around the house with my loved ones over the holidays. I love, love, love it! I couldn't find it on youtube, but here is a pretty version.
I am making pies with Addie, listening to our family Christmas Mix CD (it's the Sabbth, it's about Jesus, so don't tell my it's not time for Christmas, cuz IT'S ALWAYS TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!). The Manheim Steamroller version of this song is just SO CHRISTMAS to me. It really captures the spirit and feeling I have, just puttering around the house with my loved ones over the holidays. I love, love, love it! I couldn't find it on youtube, but here is a pretty version.
***
Happy Sabbath, and a wonderful week to all y'all!
Friday, October 24, 2008
It's Friday, I'm in Love
Oh, wow, WOW... I just read on cjane that they are going let Nienie wake up tomorrow. I am so excited for her progress, but I feel so sad for her. Imagine waking up from a "nap" and finding that two months have passed, your children are living with your sisters a state away, and your gorgeous body has been melted and grafted several times over. That is a lot to take in in a moment, but then I remember this, my theme for the past week or two:
- "...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." --DC 84:88
Tomorrow is also Jill's birthday, which I am so excited about, even though she already got my present (a subsciption to Real Simple). For her bday, Jill gets to take her girls to see High School Musical 3 and my sis Dana gets to go, too...I am SO JEALOUS! ;) I know they are going to have a great day! Then Sunday is brother Will's bday and my first official presidency meeting, and Tuesday my brother Michael and Rich's brother Jess celebrate bdays, too. Then there's Halloween and October is over...that was fast! (and if you think October bdays are crazy in my family, November is just as nuts with FIVE girls from Rich's side, plus my dad, uncle, and BIL).
Anyway, the days keep rollin' along, don't they? I am kind of in a Primary bubble, with the Primary on my mind and the Spirit giving me bits of guidance here and there, everyday. It's pretty neat and I am genuinely excited to make stuff happen with my awesome counselors. I am amazed at how HF can teach me even in the busy and sometimes chaotic state of my life. Last night at Stake Training Meeting, I was jotting down some of the impressions I have had the past few days. One of the most significant was that this is the first time since my mission that I will be teaching people the gospel and preparing them for baptism. All the priciples of the old commitment pattern have been coming to mind--now I know why:t hese are people who are just starting to grow their own testimonies and they need learn to "feel and recognize the Spirit" and to "build relationships of trust" with their leaders and teachers so there is a strong foundation upon which to build a testimony and life-long activity. YAY! And I am so excited about the 2009 Theme of My Eternal Family.
So yeah, I may be a "kid person" after all.
Speaking of kids, my two little ones have requested a bubble bath and they're gonna need it after what they've done with their yogurt. Have a great weekend, and keep Nienie's family in your prayers, as well as the Livingston Ward Primary, if you please ;)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Old Fotos
We took Rich's camera to Europe, so mine just sat here for a month, until I took it to Helena last week. I was surprised to find these pictures from September 16th on October 16th--exactly a month after I took them. Back on 9/16 we took the kids out to the Pop Stand for a good bye dinner, then we went to the fall open house at Addie's school. Here are pix at the Pop (ooo, I hate that word--it's SODA!) Stand.
Addie watching the TV
Dad and James eating lemons
James with his James train
Addie watching the TV
Dad and James eating lemons
James with his James train(Lisa Anderson--you sent that train to him when he was born, but I never gave it to him until his second birthday and now it's his very favorite thing!)
Kids by the sign
Look at those hams!
***
I also found some Heidi masterpieces...
Books on her bedroom floor
Babies in her window
A Lovely Self-Portrait
My sillies on 10/02 with their Euro-booty...*girls wearing their lebkuchenhertz (gingerbread hearts) from Oktoberfest
*Addie wearing her Neuschwanstein castle pendant
*James & Heidi wearing Bavarian T-Shirts
*James holding his UK Taxi, double-decker bus, and Cooper Mini
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