Christmas is over

Well the Holidays are coming to a close and I feel a little sad at times and then I feel relief that I survived another year. I am very thankful for the season and all of my blessings. It snowed something fierce the other day and it was so pretty. I really love snow and now I feel it can melt so I can walk the dogs. I don't trust the drivers around here with the snow on the sidewalks. Some people don't even shovel their walks and driveways. It is really annoying. My dogs haven't been walked for about 2 weeks. I feel bad for them. Anyway, I am really happy and my job is going well. I hope all is well with everyone as we head into a new year. Yeah!!

The twilight Girls

Some More Christmas Pics

Christmas at home

Merry Christmas

Tomorrow is Christmas and I am so excited. I really love Christmas and all the joy that it en tales. I love the look on my children's faces when they open their presents. I love the food and the way we can snuggle in and enjoy the day. I will be thinking about all the other family members who can't be in with us and hope they will enjoy the day. I will be thinking about my Father and his life and his time with us that seems like eternity to me. I miss him so much. I hope he knows how much I love him. I want him to know that I will always think of him and cherish his life. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ who is the reason we celebrate this time of year. I hope every where peace will be spread throughout the earth. Merry Christmas!!

Closing In On Christmas

My life has taken on a new dimension with being a manager. I really don't like being a manager. It really is hard at times. We had to fire a stylist the other day and it really has upset me. I can't get over how dishonest some people are. I can't get over how catty some women are. I really am not in the greatest of moods to be blogging, but I just am so frustrated. I don't want to be working my guts out and have to cover shifts. I can't do it with my kids. And now we are starting into the Christmas break and my kids will be home. They will be home with their father, but I can't leave them alone right now. They don't get along too great at the moment. I think teenagers need their parents more in the teen years because that is when they can really get into trouble. I want my kids to grow up to be good citizens, and to be kind to each other. They are in the teenage mode where they take it out on each other. I can't stand it. I have to chaperon them all the time. And then with work being the way it is, I some times want to run away. I am happy, it is just that I am stressed with all the holiday stuff and I want December to be over. I don't want to ruin Christmas, it is just so hard some times to get into the spirit with all the crap in the world.
My knee is killing me because I have so much weight on it and then it is arthritic and it hurts. I can't walk the dogs like I want to because of the pain. I am going to be getting my weight off, and when I do I think that the knee should calm down. It hurts really bad. I am probably needing knee replacement surgery. It's called getting old. Well, I have to go get ready for work. Yeah! Not!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!

I feel really bad that I didn't get to blog yesterday when it was Sarah's special day. I am so happy that I had her and that she is my daughter. I was enjoying some music the other day and it was about how the love of a mother is so great. I am so glad that I am a mother and that my children are mine. They always seem to amaze me daily and I love them more than words can say. Sarah had a wonderful day. She wanted a guitar and so we got her a beautiful one and she was tickled pink, and then she got a hoodie and some shoes. Then she went to breakfast with us and then we took her out to dinner. She got some more clothes and money. She wanted chocolate pies and so we went over to my mother's house and we had some fun. We played the Wii and was bowling. It was fun. I can't wait for Christmas. Having children sometimes can be rough, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a mother to these two beautiful children. I am so blessed. I love my husband for helping me create them. We put up our Christmas tree and now the house is helping us get in the spirit. It is snowing right now and it is just right. I am thankful for Jesus Christ. No matter how poor you are or how rich you might be, the fact of the matter is that Christ was given to us as a gift from our Heavenly Father and He is the reason for the celebration. I am so glad that He was born and that He is who He is. If you concentrate on that instead of getting things it is easier to deal with all the Santa Claus stuff, and the commercialization of Christmas. Ho Ho Ho

Team Edward

I am all for this romance. I am in love with this series. I have a new obsession. I think Stephanie Meyers is a brilliant author. I am so happy that she was inspired to write these books. I have read Twilight and I read New Moon in a day, and now I am reading Eclipse. If you have not read them, I encourage everybody to get on board and read them. They are good.

Here's A Funny Story

Well, in all my years as a hairdresser, I haven't had the experience like the one that I am about to share. It was this past Friday night and I was tired than usual. I had had a very busy night and I was looking forward to going home. We listen to rock music on the radio and I work with a co worker that likes the same music as me. It is fun and it makes the time go quickly. Well, this lady walks in and wants her little boys hair cut. She asks for a children style book and we don't have one, however, we have a poster with kids cuts on it and I directed her to it. She had an attitude from hell. I could tell that she thought that was appalling. I asked her who wanted to go first and what kind of hair cut I needed to do. She said short and I asked her all the right questions and we settled on a number 2 fade. It it used with clippers and short on top. (The woman was a Hispanic Princess) So I started the hair cut and was doing a great job, and she was watching very closely while holding a baby on her lap. I was getting nervous, and was trying to do a perfect job for fear that she would find something wrong and start yelling at me. Well, I got half way through the hair cut when she comes running over and starts to inspect the hair cut. What she was inspecting was his eyebrow that I managed to shave half off!! She was so mad. I can't blame her, but I denied it because I couldn't believe it. I was so taken back that I almost started crying. I told her that I would not charge her for the haircut, and then she started to make me feel so inept. I was reeling. Could I have done it?? My co workers were understanding and nice and was trying their best to defend me. They even went so far to say that his brother shaved off his eyebrow before he came in and blamed me. I can honestly say that I don't think I did it. It is baffling. So this is where it gets interesting. I took so much of her insults that I told her that I would cut her other son's hair for free if she trusted me. She hesitated and then asked her other son and he agreed. So I got her to trust me, but she still hated me. I learned a lesson, that I am not perfect. I do make mistakes. She left and while she was walking out the door, she told me that I should concentrate on hair and not the music. (My coworker and I was discussing music while working) It was harmless. She made me mad with that statement. I am a very good hairdresser and I take pride in my cuts. She pushed my buttons. It ruined the rest of my night. The next morning I told myself to let it go. She called and said that she had left her kid's hat and she would come and pick it up. I wanted to run for the bathroom. She did come back and I was the only one available to help her. I handed her the hat and she said Thank You. I refused to let her ruin my day and she didn't. I just find that I am compelled to always be nice and not to make mistakes. I do make mistakes, but I don't like to broadcast them. This experience exposed me. I hate that feeling. Oh well, I only hope that she forgives me and that she comes back and let's me show her what kind of hairdresser I am. I truly am sorry and I don't like it when people are mad at me. I will probably look back on this someday and laugh. So much for my career.

Stress And More Stress

I don't think I could live my life without stress. I mean, it is in every thing I do now a days. It seems like it is in every minute of the day. I know it could kill me. I am not complaining, but I am tired of it. I am stressing about my job, my kids, my finances, my house, EVERYTHING!!! Today was my day off and I was able to do one thing that I love, and that is reading. I am glad that I have that stress relief. I was able to spend some morning time with Tom. We had breakfast together and then we did some shopping. I love him so much. He released my stress at times. My daughter is really sick right now and is giving me a hard time about going to Young Women's tonight. I am sick of my kids talking back to me. I need a strategy on how to diffuse my children's behavior. I know it is part of the territory because they are teenagers. I am sick of teenagers. I love my children so much, but I need a break. I am getting excited about Thanksgiving and I hope that we have some fun. I want to, I need to have fun. I am sorry to be venting like this, but the way the economy is it causes stress. I am thankful for one thing though and that is the price of gas. It is lower and it makes me happy.

Well, I feel like I live at Fantastic Sams. I can honestly tell you that I probably had too much time on my hands before I became manager, and now I don't have enough time. I am sorry I have not kept up with my blog. I am so tired when I come home that I don't have enough time to update. I found a little time tonight and I will try to fill you in on things. I am loving my job, even though I feel like I don't have any breaks. It is going to get better because we now have keys. The co op shut down the last salon and asked my bosses to buy another franchise. The other owners took every thing and so it has been a long battle trying to get this salon up and running. The keys were made, but something went wrong and they didn't fit. So we changed the locks and it took forever for my boss to get the keys. I was having to go every night (even on my days off) and close and open the shop. It was getting old. So we have the keys and every body is trained. I am so glad about the staff, however, we were 20 dollars short tonight. I had a lady come in and yell at me because of the haircut done on her son. I diffused the situation and actually the lady hugged me at the end. I didn't do the initial haircut, the stylist I hired the other day did the initial hair cut and I don't know what went wrong, but it was a bad haircut. So we gave her some product and fixed the hair as best we could. It just was not a good day today. I am tired. I am excited though to be able to be a manager and I hope that it gets better with time. Everybody else is doing good. Sarah is at a school dance tonight and has a bunch of boys in love with her. Andrew is doing good at school and is at the movies with one of the boys that likes Sarah. Tom is working swing shift and is happier. Teddy and Max are still the cute dogs that they are and are growing bigger and stronger. I am reading Twilight. Yes, I broke down and am reading it. I love the sound track and I will be seeing the movie next month. It is so big here in Salt Lake. I swear every middle aged woman, every teen and even some men are all in love with Edward the main character. Every where you go, I will hear " Have you read Twilight?" I am tired of hearing it. I listened to the soundtrack and I became interested. I love it. So I hope things are good with every one who reads this. I will be a better blogger now that things have slowed down.

Happy Halloween!!

Today is Halloween and I love this holiday, I can't help it. I love the little kids as they go from house to house in hopes of candy. I love the fall leaves "crunchy" as you walk and feel the cool air on your face. I love getting together with family and having chili and cornbread and watching a scary movie. That is what we are doing tonight. I have to work, but will make it later. My kids are bring Guitar Hero and entice Aunt Kathy to play. She is hooked on it and didn't want to leave the other night, she kept saying "One More" It was funny. I remember trying to play and every body would bug us. We rented Guitar Hero 4 and it is so good. We will carve some pumpkins and have a great time. I am totally looking forward to it.
I have some work news. I am opening our new shop tomorrow and will be managing it. I am so excited. I am a little worried, and hope that we can keep it up and that I will do a good job. I am looking forward to being the best manager I possibly can be. I want to have the staff like me and respect me and I want to be fair to them. I have to go over there today and help clean it up. I then have to work a shift at the other salon and then go over to Kathy's and have a Halloween party. Our lives are about to change into hyper speed it seems and I am going to be so busy the next few months. Take care and have a scary, but fun Halloween.

Happy 45th Birthday Tom!!

Well today is Tom's birthday and I say we have gone full circle in the drama's of life. It was a year ago today that he became so sick and that was an awful thing to go through. I am grateful for this past year that has taught me a lot about myself. I am grateful for my husband. He is such a good person and sometimes he forgets that. He would do anything for anybody, if he has the time. Our problem is time. I am so thankful that I was able to meet him and marry him when I did. We met at church when he was investigating it. I felt bad that he was sitting by himself. I went up to the front of the church to ask someone something and I turned around and I caught his eyes. I will never forget that moment. I love his eyes and I felt like I was looking at my best friend that I had not seen for years. It has been a bumpy road and yes at times I will admit I have felt like bailing, but I can not deny the love we have for each other and our children. Everybody has problems and I don't care who you are, I think we are meant to have problems to help define us. I am grateful for trials and tribulations. At the time it is hard to think that way. This past year I have grown more aware of my surroundings and have become a lot stronger. I am glad that we will be able to celebrate his special day and that he can know how much he means to me. I love him so much. I hope he knows that.

The Woes Of Hair

Well, as a hairdresser, sometimes we don't have the best hair advice even when it comes to our own. I thought I was this seasoned hairdresser that knew a lot about hair and I feel like a newbie today. Monday night I decided to perm my hair. I don't know why, I just thought it would be a good idea. Well, my husband told me not to do it, my kids told me not to do it, my friend who is a hairdresser told me not to do it, and what did I do? I did it. I ruined my hair. I worked so hard to grow out. I now have the short sassy cut a while back. I didn't want to to have that haircut right now, but I have to own it. I will own it with dignity, but i just hate when that happens. I had to cut my own hair too and I feel like I didn't do a very good job. Oh well, I will let it grow again and this time when I get into one of those moods to perm my hair, I told my husband to tell me about this story. A reminder. To give him credit, he did remind me and I relented. I am going to need something different if it happens again. I will be thinking about something. Oh ho hum.

I've Been Tagged

5 Things I Was Doing Ten Years Ago:
1. I was 34 and was living in Taylorsville with Sarah 6 and Andy 2
2. I was a home maker and not working a outside job
3. I did a lot of tole painting
4. I was the piano player in Primary
5. I was reading Harry Potter
5 Things On My "To Do" List Today
1. Clean up the kitchen
2. Get ready for work
3. Care for my family
4. Go to the store
5. Start dinner
5 Snacks I Enjoy
1. Doritoes
2. Popcorn
3. Sun flower seeds (Dill Pickle)
4. Carrots
5. Pickled Beets
5 Things I Would Do If I Were A Millionare
1. I would give everybody in my family 1000 dollars
2. I would buy off my house
3. I would fix up my house ( have someone do the labor for me )
4. I would save the rest so we would be able to be debt free
5. I would go on a vacation to somewhere I have always wanted to go.
5 Places I Have Lived
1. Salt Lake City Utah
2. Mountain View Wyoming
3. Indiana
4. New York
5. Virginia
5 Jobs I Have Had
1. Waitress ( Little America Wyoming)
2. Store Clerk ( Mountain Meadow's)
3. Hairdresser ( Sears in Salt Lake)
4. Janitor ( Salt Lake Temple)
5. Dental Assistant ( New York)
5 People I Tag
1. Tom my husband
2. My daughter Sarah
3. My son Andrew
4. Traci my friend
5. Joyce my mom

There, I hope you enjoy the answers. It has been a good thing to do. Brings back a lot of memories.

Nice, Sabbath Day

Sweet little Isla has gone bye-bye and we sure do miss her. She went to visit her Dad in Georgia. It was so much fun to see her and Melissa and Scott and Carlleen. I am so thankful that we are a family and I have them to look up to. It is snowing right now and it is the Sabbath day and so it is cozy in our home. I am making enchiladas for dinner and we are going to settle in for the night. Halloween is on it's way and I can't wait. I love this time of year. I have such a good husband and kids. I love them so much. Today we talked about trials and how everybody in the world has trials and tribulations. Nobody is exempt. We are given trials to make us stronger and humble. I am thankful for my trials at times even though it seems I have many. I know that I am blessed and that I will be taken care of. The Lord has promised me. I believe in His power and His promises.

Visiting With Isla, Melissa, Scott and Carlleen

Well as you can see Isla is visiting with us along with her mother Melissa, and my brother and his wife. I am so happy and I have longed to see them. I just wish they lived closer. They are in just for this week. Isla and Melissa fly out on Friday to see her dad, Brad. I know they miss him and that it is so hard to be away from him. Scott and Carlleen, Melissa and Isla have gone down south to see her family and show off Isla. I think she is a beautiful baby and she has the funniest personality. Melissa is such a great mom. My family sure loves them all. I felt bad that my other nieces Michele and Katherine couldn't make it down to visit because they had to work. I miss them so much. I hope they know how much we love them. Bye for now.

Conference Weekend, yeah!

Today, I get to see my big brother, Scott, his wife, Carlleen, and their daughter Melissa, and her daughter, Isla. I am so excited. I feel bad that Michele and Katherine can't make it down because they are grown up now and have jobs. It really bites when you can't get time off to take a trip. I am going to have to work today also. I also am excited for Conference weekend. I love Conference and the messages that are spoken. I love the church. I am looking forward to it. I am really tired. I tried to sleep in this morning and I couldn't because the dogs are so into the schedule of getting up at 6:30, they can't tell the difference on Saturdays and Sundays. So they got us up at 7:30. I guess an hour is better than anything. Tomorrow I would like to sleep in alittle bit more.
I am looking forward to visiting with my family that I haven't seen forever. It has been 3 years since I seen Scott and Carlleen, and like over 5 years since I have seen Melissa. I am so excited to see baby Isla. She is a cutie. I want to hold her and kiss her and make her laugh. I will write more later, I have to go eat something before Conference starts. I also have to get the kitchen cleaned up, and start dinner for tonight.

No Cast For Shelley

Well, I finished my book, Pride and Prejudice, and I totally loved it. I am sad because it ended. I am stuck where I don't know if I can take another Jane Austen novel at the moment. I love her writing, I just get really bored if I don't know the story. I think I am going to go get Manchester Park DVD and watch it and then read the book. I think it is more enjoyable that way. I've decided to read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I am looking forward to that and I hope I like it. I know I will. The foot doctor called me the other day and said that he wanted to see me. I reluctantly went and he took another film of my foot and said that I needed a cast. I didn't really want one, but decided that maybe it would be better than the boot. I quickly found out that it is not. I hated it. I say that in the past tense, because I took it off yesterday. I am a horrible patient. I didn't want it on anymore and I called and asked if they would take it off a.s.p. and he wasn't in the office. So I had to go to work and and during clients, I took my cast off. I did it with a razor blade and screwdriver. I feel so much better. I have decided that I will go get me some really good tennis shoes and wear them everywhere. I don't want to be told that I need something as extreme as a cast and not be able to do anything. I don't think I could ever wear one again. I hope that I don't have to. Andy got his stitches out yesterday and his fingers are healing nicely. Sarah is doing well and loves school. Andrew loves school too. Tom is doing well in his nursing classes and will be getting good grades. It is hard to balance work and school and family. Max and Teddy are getting along great. They love to play with each other and wrestle around the house. We just got done with our walk and I have to go get busy. Another day off and work to be done.

Yard work in the heat of the day

I am here at home and contemplating going outside in the heat and do some yard work. It is my new thing now that we don't have any cable. It is amazing what you can get done when you have no t.v. We have the normal channels and they are all so fuzzy. It is not enjoyable to me. So I find myself wanting to read a book instead. I am in the middle of Pride and Prejudice and I love it. I can't put it down. I want to read all day, but I do have other things to do. I weeded the yard yesterday and I am going to go out and do some more tonight. It is kind of therapeutic. I love it. Everything is going good. The children are out of school tomorrow and I will get them out there in the morning to help me. It will be good for them. Andrew cut his fingers really bad on Sunday night. He was on our new trampoline and he fell off and cut his fingers on the springs. It was bad, and he came inside the house and dripped blood all over. We took him in and he had to get 5 stitches in two of his fingers, 10 all together. It was so sad how he screamed when they put the shots in his cuts. It was so hard to watch. He is doing fine now and doesn't really want to get on the trampoline so soon. I am keeping them from getting infection. He gets his stitches out in about 5 days. I will let you know. I am going to go outside and do some yard work, and do some therapy.

Today is frustrating

Life I think is frustrating these days it seems. At times I am totally happy, the next I am worrying about our finances and other things. We have really cut back on certain things and it just seems like we are not making ends meet. We are working our guts out and are not getting anywhere. My poor husband feels like a failure, and in return it makes me sad. I don't know what it's going to be like in 5 years, but things have got to get better. I am so sick of the way things are with the President that we have now. I am totally voting for Obama, but I just read that Biden hated the commercial that the democrats ran on McCain. That was kind of a joke. I don't know how I feel about the election. I am so scared for the economy and the way things are. I cut this lady's hair today and she has been retired for 20 years and she has 2 houses. One here and one in Arizona and she gets to go there for the winter and then come back for the summer and I thought to myself that I probably have to work the rest of my life. I will never get to retire and do quilting all day. Who gets to do that? I wonder how things will be when I reach that age. Will I be some 60 year old cosmetologist cutting hair? We need a change of government. I am so sick of this election and the mud slinging that always happens in an election year. I am scared about Obama's experience and if he has enough. I hope things are going to change and that we can be not so frustrated. The little people of the country need a break.

The "tails" of Max and Teddy

Dog training is so hard at times, but so worth it. I have really fallen in love with Teddy. He is so cute and so good. He really tries to go to the door when he needs to eliminate. It was a good decision to get him for a companion for Max. Max absolutely loves him. He is so protective of him and always is there to see that he is taken care of. They love to go with me in the car to take the kids to school and get them from school. They wrestle on the way there in the back seat. It is so funny. They got kicked out of our bedroom the other night because they wouldn't settle down and sleep. I was so mad and I told them to settle down and they ignored me so out they went. They were kind of annoyed at me in the morning, but they learned their lesson. I love them so much. I think they are the cutest dogs ever. I take them on their walks and I get the biggest kick out of watching them walk. They trot and prance and it is so fun to watch. Teddy sleeps in the funniest position and so we took this photo of him. He has a nasty habit though and he loves to play in the water bowl. He gets his paws in it and trails water every where. He lays on the floor with his hind legs out and it is hilarious to watch. Max is being the alpha dog and he is teaching him things. It is really a science to watch that take place. How they communicate with each other. I know that Max tells him things with his body language and Teddy understands. It is just like the cats. I know that the cats are into telepathy because they can read your mind. I will think " I need to go do this " and they will be on that very place you thought, so you have to move them. I am not so mad at my cats, however I still think we have too many, but I am outvoted in the house. I will still get my way. I think they are cute and interesting, but I don't like naughty behavior. I have to go now and walk the boys, they are waiting at the door and looking at me with those sad eyes.

Another Day Off

Well, it is my day off today and I wanted to do something relaxing, so maybe I will read my book. I have been reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I love it. I love the AandE movie. I know that it is run into the ground, but I can't help but love the story of Elizabeth Bennett. I think that she is a true heroine. I love the way Jane Austen writes, and I think way back when she was alive many people didn't think she would be so famous, as she is today. I love the stories and I think I will read Emma next. I am going to play my Indiana Jones game too. I have a wonderful friend, Terry, and she got me on to Indiana Jones Legos for the Wii. I didn't have much time to spend on the Wii so I got the DS version and I love this game. It is the cutest game I have ever played. I know that they are going to make a Batman one and then I want to see about Star Wars. I love Legos and I love how they copy the movies. Indiana Jones is hilarious. I am about done with the levels and then I am going to go back and freeplay all of the scenes. I haven't seen the new movie yet, and so I will wait until it comes out on DVD, and then I will own it.
I am going to go get some groceries, and I have to pick up Sarah's dress's at this nice place we found yesterday. It is called Modest by Design. She found two dresses to wear to church and she can wear one to Homecoming. She isn't going with that boy to Homecoming. She didn't want to date until she was 16 and she just doesn't want to go with a boy. She was nervous and scared and so we had a talk in the dressing room of the dress store and she started to cry and I told myself it is useless to force someone, especially your daughter, to go out with someone she doesn't know, and doesn't like. I had to apologize and she was a lot happier. She called him when we got home and told him she didn't want to go. I guess he was stalking her and trying to get as much info from her friends about her, and it freaked her out. So she is going to go stag with her good friend Courtenay. I think they will have a good time. I just want her not to grow up too fast and hey, if she never dates, then that it ok with me because I don't want boys sniffing around here anyway.
Everything else is ok, Andrew is enjoying his school so far, and is getting hyped about his convention that is coming in October. He love Anime and so they are having a convention and he gets to go. I love that he loves Anime and he is a good boy.
Teddy our new dog is fitting beautifully into our family. He is a good dog and loves his brother Max. Max is the alpha dog and anything Teddy gets, Max wants. So we have to be fair and watch out for that kind of behaviour. They play so cute together. I will take a picture of it soon. I will go for now and get ready for the day.

Some older pics

I borrowed my sister's camera and I found these pics on it and I wanted to put them on my blog. I love these because it shows our happy family.

My Daughter and Me

I just wanted to post a picture of Sarah and her Joker outfit she wore to church today. It is amazing. She is obsessed with Heath Ledger's joker in Batman. I haven't seen it as of yet, but I am told by my children and husband that is is a good movie. I want to see it this week. So I will take the kids to it. I just got back from church and it was a good day. I loved it better than last week. Some weeks are weird and some weeks are great. You have to take the good with the bad I suppose. I live in an older part of Kearns and there is a lot of older seniors in our ward and so it is trying at times. However I love seniors and all that they do. I made a new friend and her name is Klista. She has been inactive for 3 years and today she decided to come to church. I sat by her in Relief Society. I hope that she starts coming on a regular basis. I was so sick yesterday. Like a stupid person I thought I could stop using my Lexapro, because I thought it was making me lethargic, and so I said that I didn't need it. I stopped and my body let me have it yesterday. I got so sick to my stomach and then I threw up and had a migraine. I take Lexapro for anxiety. I will never stop taking it again. I made a mess of everything. I couldn't go to work and I let down my boss, and then Tom had to come home from work and take care of me. The kids went to the show and my mom helped too. I feel better, a little groggy, but I am functioning. I learned that I am O.K. I don't need people telling me that I am not getting things done. I choose what I live in, where I live, and what house cleaning I am going to do for the day. I am O.K. I feel happier. I just have to take it one day at a time.

Hope For The Weary

The question of the day is : Is There Hope For The Weary? I am so weary at this point of my life that I don't know if writing this is such a good thing. I am out of sorts today and I feel like my life is out of control. I am trying to introduce the cats to the outside and it is not working. I feel like I've created this world and it is failing. I have so much work to do around the house that I feel like giving up. The thing that is scaring me is that I don't care. I have lost my will to clean. I thought I would never get like this, but it has happened. I am going to get some therapy. I don't have the tools to do the things that need to be done and spoken. I don't want to cause fights and contention, and then I let everything and everybody step all over me. I have to get some help. I don't want to seem like a Debbie Downer, but I am down today. I did however take a walk and I felt somewhat better. I am listening to my favorite band, Chicago and I am playing a really cool video game, and I am reading a good book. So those of some of the things I do enjoy doing and I am doing them. I just am not cleaning my house and cooking, and those of the things I really enjoyed in the past. I don't know what is going on. Maybe it is just the phase in life that comes with teenagers. I hope so, because I know it does not last. Oh, one note, Sarah was asked to Homecoming by this boy named Zack and he then came up to her at school and said that he couldn't go and so she came home and said that she was glad because she didn't want to go. But she said something to this boy in her last period dance class and that boy asked her to homecoming last night in the cutest way. He had a note with fishes on it and a bucket full of Swedish fish and out of all the fishes, there was some fishes with letters on them and she had to unscramble the letters to reveal who it was that asked her. It was hard. Andrew ate a fish and we were worried that we wouldn't be able to figure it out. I figured it out, and she wasn't too thrilled. She still is not. I hope she cheers up and has a good time. He is a junior and I thought it was an honor to be asked at all. I will write more about it. We have to find a dress. More later..

Rain, Rain Go Away

Well, August suddenly went away with a rain shower and my children decided to go play in it with our good friend Courtenay. They walk and played in the rain and now today they don't feel so hot. Hum, I wonder why? Today it is Labor Day and it is cold. What weird weather we have. I don't think it will stay cold for long I don't know. I am glad that fall is coming. It has rained all night and early morning here. I love the rain. I mopped my floors and now you can't even tell. Oh, well. The kids have started school and they are loving it. I am so happy. Sarah is in social dance and she loves that. She does these little jigs all around the house. It is fun to watch. Andrew is loving Choir class. He ran the mile in P.E. and I was so impressed. They are going to do good. Sarah got asked to Homecoming . He is a big guy like Andrew and he called last night to ask her. She is excited. She wants to go and get a dress and shoes. I am excited for her. I had an MRI on my foot and I have a stress fracture. I am so heavy that I broke my foot while standing on it! What does that say about my bones? I am going to lose weight, I am so embarrassed. I don't know if they will cast my foot or they will say to keep off it. I have to go and see what my doctor says. I need for it to be healed so I can do the things that I love, especially walk the dogs. I had a melt down the other night because my cat Charlie pooped on my bed for the last time. He is mad at me because we brought another dog into the house. I was so mad and still mad at him. He is banished from my bedroom and this next week when the rain stops, he will be outside. I have too many cats and I would just be fine with the 2 dogs, but the kids don't want to lose the cats. I don't like it when they get mad and then they take it out on your nice stuff. They are vindictive that way. So my advice to anyone who is looking to get a pet, get a dog. They are so loving and non judgemental. Cats are nice if you only have one or two in the household, however they are sneaky and they can mark places and do things to your stuff. However they do love you in their own sick way and they love you on their own terms. I hope the rain doesn't stay around long. A September that is cooler is nice, but I don't want to go into Winter too soon. I love the Fall and I want to have a long one this year like we had last year, so we can enjoy the season. I love Halloween and then Tom's birthday is in October. I love Conference and Thanksgiving. I can't wait. My brother and his family is going to be coming down from Spokane and I am looking forward for that and especially meeting our newest member of the family, Isla. She is adorable and I can't wait. Well, I have to go and get ready for the day, I shall write more later.

Some Recent Pics

My First Real Day Off

Today is my first day off without my children. I am going to clean my house. I mean spring clean. I kind of let it go because the kids just mess it up. I am sick of being a maid. I am so happy and relaxed. I was able to walk Max and Teddy today. Teddy didn't get the knack of it and I tried to let him follow Max. He wouldn't. I had to carry him all the way. I didn't mind because he is so tiny. Max loves his walks and today is the first day that it is cooler. We were in the 100's. We went to Lagoon on Saturday and it was a joke. We always have the bad luck when we go there. The kids were only able to ride a few rides because of the lines. We had to park in North Ogden (ha ha) because the main parking lot was full. They herded us into this field behind Lagoon and then we had to walk into the front of the park. I have a bad foot, and so by the time we got in the park, I was not in any shape to have fun. I went for the children. They seemed to have fun, but was hot and tired and grumpy by the time we left. I would have preferred Frightmares in October. I just don't do well at amusement parks.
I have to go get a MRI on my foot tomorrow. There is always something wrong with your body when you reach 40. I am sick and tired of going to doctors. I have to get a Mammogram today and I am dreading that. It is my first. I hope they don't find anything.
I am enjoying work more and more. I want to be totally professional in everything I do. I watched this show on Bravo about this hairdresser who gives salons that are not doing very well a makeover. I love it. I love the hairdresser, her name is Tabitha. She has been in the industry as long as I have. I want to be like her. I want to use my techniques in every way to build more of a clientele. I have a pretty good one right now and I want more. I cut Sarah's hair. It is way cute. She wanted a neck bob. I took her length there but we razored the crap out of it. I think it is adorable on her. We will post pictures tonight. Well, I have to run for now. I will write more later.

Today, The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year

Today is the most wonderful day of the year because my children are back in school and that means I survived summer vacation. I can tell you that I didn't think it was that bad. I know they got bored and fought a lot. I am so happy for them and thrilled that I have this time to get the things done that I so desperately need done. Sarah was so scared and nervous and so was Andrew. They were really quiet when they were getting dressed and ready. I hope they are having a good time. I really want them to be happy. Andrew is going to find out about the Anime club they have at his school. I hope he gets in. He loves anime and that is all he ever thinks about. I have to go to the foot doctor today and see about my foot that is hurting. I need to go get ready and I will write later.

Introducing..Theodore Brower (Teddy for short)

Well I told you that we were dog shopping and guess what? We adopted this cute dog. He is a silky terrier and is so adorable if I do say so myself. His name is Theodore Brower. It hasn't been too hard so far. He was outside on a farm and he likes to go to the bathroom outside, although he is not potty trained yet. He growls at the cats and tries to play with Max and is kind of not taken seriously. Poor Max is out of sorts. He is alpha dog and he knows that Teddy is going to stay, however, he is very, very protective of him. He yelps and Max is there. So it is a change for us in our household, or should I say zoo. I love my pets and I keep wondering if there is something in my childhood that I missed out on to have me keep so many pets. I know I drive my mother insane, but I can't help it. I have a sickness and it is pet love. I love animals.

Woes Of A Dog Owner

We have a dog that is totally spoiled. It is clear to us that he is acting weird. We took him to the vets yesterday because he seemed to be more depressed and detached from us. I found him laying in the kitty litter which he never does. So we had his blood drawn and was examined by a different vet and they said today that his blood tests were normal, but his white blood cells were a little elevated which meant that he has some inflammation in his mouth. He was alert and happy to be at the vets. He is a very social dog and I think he is some what depressed and so we are thinking about maybe getting him a brother. We are looking for dogs. I am a little apprehensive because I know what dogs in tales. They are hard work at first. I just got Max where I want him to be and it takes patience and skill. It is kind of exciting though. I love dogs and I think they are wonderful pets. It takes hard work but it is worth it because they become such wonderful friends and companions. The cats are mad because I used to think that cats rule. I know that dogs drool but they do rule. Cats are different. I love cats still, but they are so disobedient. They throw up on every thing. I can't have anything nice because they think it is there for them to do what they like. I can't even put down my bathroom rugs because I go into the bathroom and they have them all messed up. I really am not happy with my cats right now. I want them to mind. However I do love them and I am not getting rid of them. I am just venting about them.
The kids are getting ready for school, we have to go school shopping!!!

Closer and Closer

Today I am in the middle of a mess. The funny thing is, I don't care. I don't care if the floor hasn't been swept for a week, I don't care if the bathroom stinks. I don't care if there are dishes piled to the ceiling. I have a wonderful family. I am so blessed. I am getting closer and closer to the summer ending and I feel a little sad. I have had my children around my feet all summer and I honestly say I am going to miss that when they start school. But I am so excited for them to start school. Sarah is going to go to Taylorsville High, and Andrew is starting at Bennion Jr. I am so happy they got a special permit to go to those schools outside our boundaries. I just think you have to listen to your children. They make it what they want. I am going to be nervous when they start, but I know you can't hold your children's hands forever. They have to do things on their own.
Our Max is sick right now. I have to take him to the vet. I think he dislocated his jaw when he was chewing on a bone. He won't open his mouth to yawn. He yelps when he does. I am worried about him. He acts weird when something is wrong. I guess that is a good thing, however, I don't like it when one of my children or dog is sick. I guess it comes with the territory.
I am staying at my job and have a renewed appreciation for it. I love to do hair and make people happy. I love to be my own boss and not have to worry if something is wrong. I get along with my boss so well and I have a good job.
Tom is in therapy with his neck and back. He went to the doctors last week and doesn't need surgery. What a relief. I hope he gets feeling better with physical therapy.
I have a wonderful family and they are going to get up from their sleepover and clean up the house for me. I have to take Max to the vet. Write soon.

The Boy Who Loves Anime

I have a son who is into the craze Anime. His passion is his collection of figurines that are slowly turning his bedroom into a museum. I don't know what to do. He want to get more figurines instead of school clothes and says that he has clothes. I don't understand. We have had to put our foot down and say that he can only get figurines as gifts. I think they are cute and interesting, however there is a gas and food crunch going on and things are getting expensive. I told him that this is like a king's hobby. He is a good boy and I appreciate his passion. I like to collect things also. I am proud of him and his collection. He likes to show them to people and wants so desperately to have them interested. He is starting 7th grade and I am so excited for him. We have to register tomorrow. My children are out of sync with their body clocks. They stay up too late and then want to sleep all day. Tonight they will be going to bed on time so they can get their bodies back to normal. I can't wait for school. It is almost here.

Max Being His Cute Self

I thought I would write about Max today. He is doing really good. He loves to play and wrestle with me. He hasn't been out on a long walk because of the weather. It gets really hot in the mornings and afternoons and so he doesn't like the heat. I can see why. I would hate wearing a coat of fur all year round. He gets cool baths and he jumps for joy and runs all over the place. It is so cute. He is over a year now and is good about going outside to relieve himself. He knows what is wrong and he tries very hard to be a good dog. He doesn't like to get in trouble. I am the same way. He is my baby and I love him very, very much.

Good News!

I got my test results back today and I am happy to report that my doctor said that I wasn't Celiac. What a relief!! I was so happy. I asked him why I had that pain in my side and he said that I may have had an infection and that gluten kind of irritated it. I am not to go hog wild on wheat and gluten, but I can have it non the less. I am so happy. The diet is expensive and hard. I have a whole new respect for my mother who is so good about her diet. I don't have to worry about it. It feels weird. We went out to eat to celebrate. It felt really good to eat bread again. Nothing else to report other than I don't want that other job. I decided to stay where I am because I love my job and I love the clients that I have and I don't want to let them down. I am just going to do it my way and I am finally feeling better. I guess I had to go through some torment and realize what blessings I do have in my life. I was just feeling down about me. I am on the mend.

August Is Here!!

Ahh, July is over finally and it is on to August. I don't like August too much. It is miserably hot and I just suffer through it. I don't know what people do that don't have air conditioning. I know a lot of people in my ward that don't have it and I feel for them. I am glad that July is past us and it is on to fall. I am one of those people who complains about the weather. I want it my way. It's just I really love fall and all it's crispness and the holidays. I know that we don't think of the holidays this time of year, I am. I want to be prepared and don't want to have to worry about it when Dec. is here. I do appreciate the weather, and the beauty of the earth. I just don't like the heat. That is why we stay inside. The kids at this point are bored to death and they are trying to find things to do. I think the heat gets to them too. Andy has started wearing a knit hat and I think that is hot. He looks like a ski bum. He is so cute. Sarah is getting ready for Concert Choir. She made it and has to go get fitted for her dress. Tom is doing better. His back went out the other day and so he looked so uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. He is going to a specialist on the 7th of this month. I hope they will give him some relief. He is putting in for a afternoon shift at work and I am going to apply for this dental tech job. It sounds like I would enjoy it. I would get benefits and more money an hour. I would work mornings so Tom would be home to get the kids off to school and then I would be home by 4 so I could get dinner and etc. I hope he gets it and I hope I get the job. I don't know anymore. I just need more security in my job and more money. Nothing else to report, other than I am feeling better on the Celiac diet. I can't wait to find out the results of my test. I shall go and get my work done and talk later.

The Wee Hours Of The Night

My child Sarah, and her friend Abby were doing a video show in the wee hours of the night. I saw these photos and had to upload them because I think they are so cute. I wished Abby was going to High School with Sarah this year, however she will be there next year.

I am feeling better. I had a Endoscopy yesterday and don't remember a thing which I think is a little creepy. I wasn't asleep, they gave me medicine where you can't remember anything. I don't like that. I would much rather remember what I did when they shove a camera down my throat. I just remember laying on my left side and sleeping. It takes a long time for it to wear off. I was groggy the rest of the day and my wonderful family helped me. Tom is so good to me, especially when I am sick. He is a great nurse which is why I think he will make a great one when he graduates. He is so compassionate and kind. I love him so much.

I can't believe that it is the end of July and I made it through another month, and we only have 3 weeks until the kids start school. It is sad, and I love my kids so much they are a great help to me. I am excited for them to be starting this new chapter in their lives.

Early Morning In Utah

The summer has gotten intense this past month. I know Utah is a desert and it is dry and hot, but this is a hot summer. I remember 5 years ago it was hot like this when my father passed away. His funeral was July 30 and all I remember is that it was so hot at the cemetery. I went to use the bathroom and couldn't get off the toilet because it was so cool. So we have seen intense weather. I went to Lagoon the other day with my kids and their friends and I thought I was going to die. I had to leave them there and go home and and then go back and get them. They wanted to stay until it closed. They had a great time. I am not a big fan of Lagoon. I have a problem where I get really dizzy when I ride the rides anymore. I have become an old women. I remember going to Lagoon as a child and young adult and my grandma and grandpa would sit and watch us ride the rides. It is hilarious that I have turned into them. I have no desire to ride rides anymore. Something happens, and I don't know what it is, but it is not fun. So Lagoon is out of the way for the summer and I only have about 3 weeks left before school starts again. We will be concentrating on getting school supplies and clothes. I love this time of year. Not for the fact that my children will be in school, I just love the fresh air in the morning and getting ready and how excited the kids are. It will be double exciting this year as my children are going to new schools. Sarah will be at Kearns High and Andrew will be at Kearns Junior. I am getting really nervous just talking about it. Kind of like Harry Potter when he goes to Hogwarts every year. I was walking Max very early this morning because once the sun comes out, that is it for outside. It was 6 in the morning and the sky was pink and yellow because of the sunrise coming, and it was beautiful. I love mornings like that. I am tired, but I have to get ready for church. They are changing our building and I am happy about that. We will be meeting in the church house I grew up in. Neat huh? Oh, and I didn't get that job at ebay, it was for the best. I will stay where I am for now. I do love my job, I am just tired and I will be taking a week off in August to catch my second wind. Well, I must be off, I have to go to church and get a roast on so we can eat today.

Today Is Pioneer Day

I was thinking the other day about the pioneers who settled this valley and I don't think enough is said about them. They are pretty amazing people if you ask me. I know that I probably couldn't have handled leaving my home and trucking through the harsh wilderness for a another place hot and dry and without trees. I love the pioneers and I will always have a special place in my heart for them. I love singing songs about the pioneers and I love hearing stories. I am grateful for my ancestors. I know that living in harsh times was not easy. We have it so easy today compared to them. However, I know that if they were to come back and live like we live they would probably say the same thing about us. Technology makes life faster and with it there is a whole set of problems that the pioneers didn't have to think about. Survival was their goal and they had to do everything hard by our standards. They had to make their own bread, and cakes and they had to build their own house and they had to make their own entertainment. Today is Pioneer Day in Salt Lake City, Utah. I think we are the only city that celebrates pioneers. I am grateful for the people that settled this valley. I know it was hard and they suffered a lot. I don't know what I would have done if I lost my whole family to diphtheria. That was common, and I have heard the stories. They break your heart. So I hope that the pioneers know that I am thankful for their lives and the legacy that they left behind.

Hair Color Rocks

This is my kids and me when Sarah's hair was blond. I just colored her hair red and I think her red hair rocks, however I love her blond hair also. My hair is a little longer. I am growing it out into a bob. Andrew looks angry. He has a temper at times. I love my kids so much. They are my best friends. I love to color hair. I colored Sarah's friend Conner's hair yesterday. It is jet, blue black with green pick a boo highlights. I love it. I did a lot of color yesterday. My favorite brand of color is Chi. It is so nice. It is vibrant and shiny. So next time you think you might want to change your look, think of color. It is so fun and uplifting. Have a good day.

Needing A EGD(esophagogastroduidenoscopy)

I just got back from the doctors and I have to get a Endoscopy next week. They need to do a biopsy of the small intestine to determine that I have Celiac disease. Amazing enough he told me that sometimes the blood tests are positive, and they do a biopsy and it can come back negative for Celiac. Chances are though, I do have it because the pain has gone away with me being on the diet. I have felt much better. I have had an endoscopy before in New, York. It was when they were pioneering the procedure. I remember that I was gagging and burping and so embarrassed. I told the doctor today and he said that is what you are suppose to do, because they are pumping air inside your stomach. So I will have it done next week and hopefully I will have the results soon. I am feeling really good now. I contribute it to the diet that I am on. The bloating and gas is almost gone. Anyway, nothing else to report. I still haven't found out about the job at ebay. I feel guilty about applying for the job now, my boss is so nice to me. I guess if I don't get that job, I won't worry about it right now. I don't know?? I always go back and forth. Oh well. I am going to work and I have to get the kids all settled. I will write more later.

Goodbye To The Bug(weep)

Well, our car was finished yesterday and we had to say goodbye to the bug and it was sad. I will miss that car. Someday I will have one. Anyway we got our old car back and it is good as new. I am thankful for our car, and that we didn't have to have it totaled. It was an awkward experience of getting our car back, I had to take the bug back to the office on state street and they said they would give me a ride to the garage where my car was. So, I had to get in a truck with this guy I have never met before and we had to drive to this garage on 40th west. It was so awkward and I hated every minute of it. What made matters worse was the construction on 35th south street that he decided to take. It was so long and uncomfortable. He was a pretty nice guy, and we talked mostly of politics, but I hated it none the less. Anyway, we are trying to get back to normal. I am feeling so incredibly better since I have been on my diet. I am so thankful for the knowledge, because I would still be in pain if I hadn't taken that blood test. I am so thankful that my mother suggested it. The kids are grounded from there friends today because they were goofing off yesterday that they forgot to take out the trash and as I am writing this, I hear the garbage trucks coming down the opposite side of the street, which means we missed them. My children are testing the water. The more they are grown, the more boundaries they try to break. I guess they are doing their jobs, but it is frustrating as a parent. I have to get going and get some things done before I have to go to work today. I don't know about the other job yet, because they had to do a background check and it is pending on that. So I might not get the job. I will find another one if that be the case. I am not worried. I am in happier spirits because I feel so good. Thanks to all for your concern and love and support. It means a lot to me. Take care.

A Lot To Say

Well, I have a lot to say today because a lot of things have happened. So please bear with me. So the kids are home and they are doing great. In the time that they were away, I wanted to do all these things and found that I was fatigued and generally not feeling good. I thought it was because I was overwhelmed by the fact that I was alone and could do anything I wanted. It turned out to be that I started experiencing a burning ache on my left side and it was very painful. I went to the doctor and she took blood and gave me an exam. I then had to go get an ultrasound done to see if I had a kidney stone. It turned out to be normal. I then wondered why this pain was so intense, and looking up ulcers on the Internet at night when I couldn't sleep because of the pain. I got my blood work back the other day and it turns out that I am a Celiac. It is a disease where you are allergic to wheat. My mother is one, and it is genetic. It blew me away. She kept saying that she thought I was celiac, but I was so stubborn that I didn't want to hear it. It is a really restrictive diet. I thought maybe it is a blessing because I want to get healthy. I also had horrible cholesterol. I need to get that down. So I have done a 360 and am following a strict diet. I am seeing a specialist and they will give me more answers. Since following the celiac diet for the past two days, the pain is less and I have felt better. I am still not 100 percent, but I know that I will get to it. Tom on the other hand, had a MRI done on Friday and they found that he has a bulged disc in his neck. It is causing all this tingling and funny sensations in his arms and legs. He is headed to a neurologist, where he will be having physical therapy. I am worried because he can't go with out his neck brace,or as one of his friends puts it, his neck warmer. Ha Ha He is a good sport about it. They also found a benign tumor in his sinus cavity. He went to the ENT yesterday and he confirmed it to be benign. Thank Heavens. So all this stress????? Yes, all this stress. I am making a life change in my career. I have decided to stop doing hair all together and get another job. I went to ebay's job fair yesterday and I got a job there. I am so excited. I am going to be in a less stress environment and not having to stand on my feet all the time. I will do exclusive people at my home mostly my family and that is about it. I just am so burned out, and I have to start thinking about my future and my health. It is going to be so difficult to say good bye to the clients and friends that I have made. I know my boss won't understand, but I have to do this. So I am pretty happy right now. The pain is going away, I have a new job, Tom is going to get better, the kids are home and now I can concentrate on the things of the home.

My Kids Are Home!!!

I just wanted to post this picture to show off my kids and their friends. They are home and back to normal. Andrew got home on Saturday and had a wonderful time. He even ate fish and that is a plus. I love fish. The two friends are Elijah and Gabe Anderson. They are his best friends. I think they are great. Sarah's hair is red now just like her hero Haley Williams. I think it looks wonderful on her. I am so glad they had fun and that they are home. They are my life and I love them so much.