Headaches

The dreaded Migraine has made an appearance.
I CAN'T stand it!
I am inclined to believe it's from the poor air quality-smoke.
I have woke with a headache for the past three days.  Urgh!
I always get them in the winter when we have an inversion,
but usually in the summer not so much.
Today I woke with one, was able to get rid of it...
and now late this evening I feel it coming back.

I HATE taking Migraine medication.
Not that it makes me sleepy or anything, I just hate taking it.
Plus it costs a  fortune!
I wish I knew of other ways to treat/get rid of headaches.
If any of my friends have suggestions, I am open to them.
I put ice on my head and that helps.
I try drinking Diet coke....For medicinal purposes only...ha! jk.
I've tried Ben Gay on my neck, Tiger Balm on my temples,
I've tried a sinus decongestant,
All of these things help sometimes, but not always.
The only sure fire way to get rid of it is to take 1/2 of a pill
that costs me about $33.00 each.
I'm a whiner.

Jipped

Brooklyn and I were trying to make a dinner choice the other night.
It was just her and I as the guys are on a man trip
We decided on Panda Express.
We LOVE Chinese food.
Plus you get the bonus of have a Fortune Cookie.

We both enjoyed our dinner while watching Secretariat
then decided it was time for the Fortune Cookie.
I love reading the Fortunes in these cookies.
It has always been a fun thing for me.
Once upon a time,  in High School,
 my friend Kathie and I went to the Grocery Store
and bought a WHOLE bag of them. 
We cracked every one looking for great fortunes.

So with anticipation I cracked open my Cookie
to see the great fortune awaiting me...
Nothing!!
It was empty.
I was totally jipped!
What good is the cookie with no little paper predicting your future inside?
NO good is what it is.

Nostalgia

Today I saw This Video and it made me cry! 
Not because the video is sad in any way
But because it made me miss my babies!

I love all the phases my kids have gone through.
Infants, toddlers, little children, preteens, teens and even Bailee as an adult.
What fun each of these stages has been and continues to be.

But watching this made me realize how fast time is moving
and how much I miss those days when my children were babies.

I look forward to the next stages;
more dating stories, adventures, love stories, broken hearts, mission, marriages and grandchildren.
I'm sure it will all happen faster than I can even blink.

But for a minute I am going to feel nostalgic for the baby years gone by.

Battle the Bulge

URGH!!!
This is just how I feel about this topic.
Why does losing weight and having self discipline with your eating habits have to be so hard?
The last few days of October I started doing Weight Watchers. (on my own)
By December first I had lost 15 pounds and it was relatively easy.
I didn't struggle to eat the right things, didn't feel cravings, didn't feel starving.
Then the dreaded December came and I went off the diet and just sorta watched what I ate.
I wanted to enjoy the holidays and not worry about every party I went to etc.
Then in January the plan was to get right back in the saddle.
Herein lies the problem.
It's now February and I am still not doing it.
Each day I say.... "Today is the day"  I will get back on it.
And each day I start out good...then fail!!
I have NOT gained any of the 15 pounds back, but I'm not doing what it takes to lose more.
You would think I would be more motivated.... I have to put on a swim suit in about 5 weeks for our cruise!!
I need further motivation!
I know I can be successful, I just want to drop 10-15 more for now.
Maybe I should put on my swimsuit now and look in the mirror...that might do the trick!
I wish I had the body of my Senior year back, and you know what?  I thought I was fat then!!
Wish me luck, I need it!

Empty Nest

Have you ever noticed when saying this "Empty Nest" fast...
It sounds like emptiness.

Lately I have been getting a taste of what it will feel like to have an empty nest.
This is the second night in a row my house has been empty of children.

I DON'T LIKE IT!!
It just feels like emptiness.
No sound.
I have to talk to the dog or cat for conversation.

Benjamin will be on a mission in a little over a year.
Bailee will still be living at college.
Thank goodness Brooklyn has a few years left.
Hopefully by the time Brooklyn moves off to college
Linc will be home more...
or I will be lonely.

I am not ready for the emptiness of an Empty Nest.

The Thunder Rolls

Today the Thunder Rumbled for about two hours.

I LOVE the sound of thunder.

I love summer rain storms.

Today we had a lot of both.

Dark clouds

Thunder

and Rain.

 

It felt nice.

I was looking for a poem about thunder

and storms

and found one about story of thunder.

I kinda liked it and thought I'd share

It's cute....

As thunder rumbled, wondered I:
How come this grumble from the sky?
And lightening flashed and tore asunder,
This very sky that I stand under!
Hot and humid was the day,
In that sticky summer way;
And hot air thought it would be wise,
To take it's stifling clouds and rise.
And so the clouds of cumulus,
Gave themselves an upward thrust.
At break neck speed, they did collide,
With cold air on the other side.
Hello! said hot air to the cold,
(which made the clouds upset, I'm told)
For at their tops, in their defense,
They carried anvils, quite immense.
But hot air flashed cold air a smile,
Which could be seen for many miles,
And cold air cried in great delight,
Which shook the sky with force and might.
Clouds, unimpressed and unafraid,
Began to rain on their parade.
But people just below on earth,
Alarmed at hot and cold's great mirth,
Dropped their chores and ran for cover
To give privacy to these two lovers.
For love, although we think it warm,
Can be as violent as a storm.

The bad things about summer rain...
I just washed and waxed my car yesterday, bummer
and it makes the air humid.
Otherwise I  think I could live in a place where it rained
well...maybe only twice a week.

GAS

The current price of gas is killing me!!!

I drove to Ogden 3 times this week to see Bailee perform in a variety of different things. Filled my van with gas twice and am having buyers remorse. Buyers remorse for gas?!?! My gas bill for last month? A whopping $603.00! Seriously!!! Now this does include gas for Lincolns truck Ben's car, Bailee's car, and my car. But really.... I think by months end the sign at the gas station will have upgraded to this..... Maybe I should warn Bailee that she is in peril. :) What is really frustrating is that I don't drive around excessively. Other than recently with my trips to Ogden. I will be making one more there next week to move her home. Otherwise it's just around Riverton-Sandy usually. How can gas possibly cost so much? If this continues I might have to grease the chain on my bike. In all honesty I think by the beginning of summer the prices will look like this....... Hopefully not more. Road Trip anyone?

*Again I am having difficulties getting my blog to post in the format I wrote it in. Anyone else having this problem? If so how are you fixing it? It is IRRITATING me in a big way.

Because of this....

Yes you heard me
Because of this.....

I have sore arms, a sore back and feel like I've had a huge workout.

So 2 hours and 45 minutes later...

because of that....

my house looks like this...

The beds aren't made.

The Christmas decorations still sit in their boxes

all over my living room

and the laundry is not done!

Sigh....

Remind me why I love snow?!?...

Blue

It has been a dreary week.
Cloudy and Rainy.
I love rainy days.
But for some reason my mood has been melancholy
all week long
So the stormy days aren't working for me.
Even though they make for beautiful contrasting skies.
I found this thought....It applies.

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”

I'm ready for the rainbow.

Or just a new week to chase away the Melancholy.

But I will concede that the skies are beautiful, even cloudy.

Lack of Light

They days are getting shorter
This morning at 7:00 a.m. ish
I looked to the window, open with a cool breeze blowing in
It was not very light out.
I assumed it was overcast.

No
The sun had just not come up yet.
~sigh~
The days are getting shorter.
A sure sign winter is on it's way.
I love love love fall
But I don't like the darkness
the darkness that comes with the changing season.
I love the long days with light far into the evening.
When your kids want to be outside till nine.
Soon it will be dark at 6:00.

Soon we'll have frost on the windows
the smell of fires burning,
or the smell of dust as we turn on the furnace.
Coats and gloves.
I'm not ready for winter.

Mow it down

I know you were hoping by the title for some great blog post
about some type of road rage or something exciting...

But, No it's just what it is.
I am SICK SICK SICK of the lawn needing mowing.
Truthfully, I have only had to mow a handful of times
this summer
The kids have been doing it for money.
It is one of the only chores we will pay for.
$5.00 for both lawns.
Slavery pay really.
My husband said he'd pay them minimum wage for it.
It doesn't even take them an hour...so $5.00.

Sadly...school has started and now I must mow.
I really don't mind it
you have instant gratification with any yard work.
I love my yard looking nice...
I just wish my lawn would NOT grow sooooo fast.

This is my rant.
That's all!!
Anyone up for a scone at Jim's? I think mowing deserves reward.

Flash!!

Woke up this morning to bright flashes of light
followed by loud crashes of thunder
and a terrified dog.

I personally love lightening and thunder storms!
The pets in my house....not so much.
The children....I think they love them too.

Nature at it's powerful moment.
I really enjoy it when I can just sit and watch.
I also love the sound and smell of a good rain.

However, today I really need to mow my jungle of a lawn
I'm thinking that is not going to happen b/c it's too wet.
So maybe mowing tomorrow.
Today, just enjoying the show.

P.S. anyone need an umbrella?
I have a few.
When Bailee and I were in NYC we bought one
from a street vendor, during a down poor.
Then the next day when we didn't think we'd need it
Well.....we wound up buying another,
from a street vendor, during a down poor.
You can never have enough when it's raining. ;)
I'm thinking my college student was wishing she had one
this morning when it must have been raining at her place too.

Eve...

Tonight is what I think of as High School eve...
Benjamin starts his junior year at Riverton High tomorrow.
He is THRILLED!! I'm sure of it...
somewhere in the deep recesses of his brain and heart. ;)
We're hoping for a healthy full year of class.

Summer is over, as far as having the kids home.
Brooklyn has been back in school a little over a week.
Bailee is off to WSU.
And tomorrow the last, Ben starts school.

I find myself feeling a little lonely.
Last year this time I had a part time job to fill the hours.
This year I'm not quite 100% sure what I'm ganna do.
Of course I have a list of tasks that require my attention.
Things I have let slide the last few months:

Yard work
Scrap booking
Sorting boxes of files
Deep cleaning my house

But, I'll be honest. If I got right to it this might keep me busy for 1 week.
(minus the scrap booking, it's an endless job)
So again, I find myself wondering how to fill my time.
Suggestions?
I feel a heavy sigh coming on.

Donut Delivery!?

Last Thursday some sweet soul left me Dunford Donuts!
Yep! I came home from visiting a friend and there they were,
hanging on my front door.
Four, huge, chocolate, puffy donuts!!
My favorite, by the way.
They go best with Diet Coke.
Which I did happen to have in my house at the time.

I did share! I mean really, 4?
I am trying to stay on my diet....
not working so good every day.
Most days, but not every day.

Now if you received a treat on your door who would you assume it was from?
Me, I assumed my visiting teachers.
They visited me tonight, NOPE not them.
I find myself at a loss....
who could deliver me donuts in the middle of the day?

So to the wonderful soul who obviously knows what I like
You Rock!!

Clarification?

Have you ever just NEEDED something right away that you did not have?

For example:
Chocolate
Cough/Cold medicine
Feminine Hygiene
Bread
Diet Coke (or drink of your preference)
etc.

You get where I'm going with this right?
Something that you feel necessary at that exact moment.
Don't you always find yourself needing an item on Sunday?
The day you shouldn't just run down to the store and buy it.

This has happened to me on more than one occasion.
I will not tell a lie.
I have broken the Sabbath for certain items.

• Cough/Cold medicine for a very sick child.
• Feminine Hygiene.....I mean really it was an unexpected need, you can't go without.
• Bread. It's true! One Sunday morning the Deacon's quorum could NOT find bread at any home. So I lied and said I had some, and off to Albertsons before church. What to do? Not have bread at the Sacrament.
• Diet Coke for medicinal purposes for a BAD migraine.

Now, I have not broken the Sabbath for chocolate. I have, however, borrowed chocolate chips from a neighbor so we could make cookies to appease our chocolate fix.

I planned ahead and now have an agreement with a few friends in the neighborhood who keep Diet Coke on hand to always provide me in an emergency.

Now for the clarification part. Today, I wanted not needed a Diet Coke. (I am really trying to cut back so I don't keep it in stock) So, having heard what a brother (who will not be named) that lives in my ward does to get his Mountain Dew fix. I did what he does.

He goes to the vending machine that sits outside Petersons Marketplace. Is this technically breaking the Sabbath? You only put coins in a machine. It does not require anyone to work to serve you. It is not a place of business. It is a vending machine sitting outside. :) I popped by on the way home from church. Ridiculous I know.

But now the question....Is this technically still breaking the Sabbath? Just wonderin' your thoughts. Some random thing to think about.

Just a Peek...

Don't bug me.

I'm resting.

Can't you see I'm hiding.

Some days I feel just like this.

What is needed, does it require me, can't I stay right here?

Can I just take a peek, and stay?

But out I come.

Things to do, people to see.

It's always worth it.

Ooh, but one day wouldn't it be nice to just stay there.

Just for a little while. ;)

P.S. I didn't put the kitty there...

She burrowed all on her own.

But Oh, did it look inviting.

Absent Minded...Or just plain Absent?!

I figured since I have been absent from my own blog for quite a while, I would check in.

Spring Break is over... :( this is sad indeed.
I am always sad when it's time to go back to school after the two week spring break. It's just so nice to be home with the family and relax. Luckily there are only like 9 weeks of school left. This thought alone keeps me going.

It still feels like winter... :( this too is sad.
Utah in the spring is always so full of surprises. Sun, Snow, Sun, Snow and Sun again. My yard is getting green, my daffodils are on there last leg, but the tulips are getting ready to burst forth. Speaking of Tulips, don't miss the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving point starting today. It's gorgeous.

Car Trouble... :( This is extremely bad.
My car had to be towed after making a HORRIBLE noise and losing all power steering, this cannot be good. I was about a mile or so from home when the sound happened. No way was I pulling over and possibly becoming stranded on the side of the road. I nicely inched it home. It has something to do with the power steering. The reservoir was empty when I got home. I filled it, and it promptly drained all over my driveway. You can see why towing was necessary. I haven't gotten the word yet. I am only hoping it doesn't take much of my remodel money.

The Devil Dentist took me for 112.00 and change for a co-pay.. :/ this is good and bad.
Last week our whole family took ourselves for our bi-annual check up to the dentist,where all but Bailee got an A. She had two cavities. So one week later, back to the Devils Den for some work. Man, white teeth can be expensive. I am grateful, however, to have dental insurance so I only had to pay a co-pay and not the whole amount. I do like Dentist Noorda and his staff, they ROCK, but I would still rather see the Gynecologist for 5 minutes than spread my mouth for 30. It's true, I'm not ganna lie.

My sister Brenda and her son Damon spent the week visiting... :) now this was good.
It's always nice to have the sister come for a visit. She came bearing new clothes for me. I love the stores in Las Vegas. She also cut and colored my hair. This was desperately needed, my gray was showing. We had fun and stayed up way too late almost every night. The biggest bonus of her visit is that I found a home for the 100 year old piano. It is sorta a family heirloom and I didn't want to sell it to strangers, so when Damon wanted it, I was ecstatic.

The kitty is almost walking pain free... :) this is awesome!
Poor poor kitty. It has been a long road for her. Had I known I would have rethought the whole declaw. It's hard to know. I couldn't have my house ruined either. She has had phantom pain. Yes, you know like an amputee has. Brother! But after kitty anti-depressants and anti-inflammatory she is walking nearly limp free. Soon she will be back to running through the house torturing the dog.

Now that I've nearly written a novel. I will just say it's been an eventful few weeks. I wont take so long between posts again... Well not until something else comes up.