In a week or so my family and I will be going on our annual family vacation to "The Cabin". Its in Wyoming. I am already stressed! See I love the cabin, I look forward to going...and yet I HATE it at the same time. To start I am going to list the reasons I love the cabin and then why I don't.
Things I Love:
1. it is gorgeous
2. there are no phones or internet (so I don't have to listen the constant chirping of Brad's I-phone or his sheep as he plays Farmville)
3. it is a cute, rustic cabin
4. i think about grandma reese in the tiny kitchen and her cooking a "big breakfast"-cleaning up and starting on lunch-cleaning up and starting dinner-cleaning up. We make it a point to have a "big breakfast" in her honor at least once
5. the lake is cool...but the lake on a boat is FANTASTIC! Hours of fun and sun!
6. the stars from the front deck are incredible. At night you can see falling stars, identify the different constellations...and see the satelites rotating with the earth.
7. Brad is not cheap when we are on vacation!
8. The mom and pop shops in town are cool. As are the mom and pop diners/restaurants. The city doesn't even have a McDonald's. In fact the closest fast food is like two hours away. How refreshing is that?
9. I get tons of uber-cute pics to scrap!
10. We do have a lot of fun
So I know you are all thinking, what is there to hate. My number one thing is that once the sun goes down, I do not like being there! I asked Brad 2 years ago if we could spend the DAY at the cabin and then go to town and sleep in a hotel at night! He looked at me like I was crazy and mumbled something about my being a princess. I don't care...at night this cabin becomes...scary...and I dont sleep!
See I never sleep well when I am away from home (even when I bring my own pillow)
I just can't seem to relax anywhere, but at home. But at the cabin, my insomnia is worse.
Every noise makes me jumpy! And trust me it has a story
It was 5 years ago and I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Brinley. the 6th Harry Potter book had just come out and I was reading it at 3 am. Brad and Em were sound asleep. I hear a rustling and look up from my tale of Harry and the Half Blood Prince to see what I think is a bird fly by. I wake Brad up...he tells me its a moth and to go to sleep. So I go back to reading and listening to this "moth" flap its wings in the next room...when it flys over my head and practically dive bombs me and I realize it is a BAT! I scream! Brad sees it and yelps! The bat flys into the room where Em is alseep! We get her out of there and Brad shuts the door and says it's trapped in there we will all just sleep together and take care of it in the morning. Just then ANOTHER bat flies past him! We high-tailed out of the cabin and spent the next 5 or 6 hours driving around western Wyoming trying to figure out what to do.
The next year we go up, and a bat lands on me while I am asleep. Even worse a baby bat gets trapped in our towels and we bring the little bastard home with us!
The bat problem has been solved. there haven't been any for two years. Still I do not find the cabin restful at night. I lay awake all night, jumping at every little noise. freaking out when an actual moth brushes by. At about 3am I have to pee, and will lay there until I can't take it and run to the bathroom, turning on every light and ducking my head the entire way. I lay awake until the sky goes from black to milky gray and then I fall asleep. I put in my ear phones to drowned out the noise, but then think that if some crazy mountain man breaks in I won't hear us being murdered, so I take out the earphones, and then hear every bump and moth fly by...its a vicious cylce! My imagination comes ALIVE at night! Its why I can't sleep.
Other things to dislike:
1. True nature is pretty...but it is dirty and like bugs live in it. Last year (or maybe two years ago) I had 65 mosquito bites! Brin had 33! Yes I do realize they make bug spray, but I am a concerned parent and have read all of the warnings about DEET. But that year my girly and fresh smelling bug spray did nothing to deter the blood-sucking bugs! I had to contaminate my kids, my self and the ozone with deep woods off-which contains a ton of DEET.
2. there is no phone service-so we can't call anyone to help us out when bats dive-bomb us. Along with that there is not a TV. Which seems like a great idea, until you are trying to do something and can't tell your kids to go watch Disney channel. Not that I EVER do that-it would just be nice to have the option ;)
3. It is a rustic cabin-with only a septic tank (a very old tank). So the motto is "if its yellow let it mellow...." you know where I am going with this
4. the dirt road is very narrow and I refuse to drive down it. Heck 3 years ago I made Brad drive down when he had kidney stones. I just can't do it. I even make my sister drive our van down to the boat dock because its so narrow!
5. The lake is COLD...Butt cold...I do not see how my kids can swim in it
6. I do not get any sleep at the cabin!
I guess my list of dislikes is shorter than I thought.
Still it would be nice to go to a hotel.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Funniest Blog EVER!
some of you may remember my hormonal rant the other day. Well I have found a blog that expresses all of my frustrations in a sarcastic and HILARIOUS way! I found the link on Beckie's blog and have been reading all of the older posts for 2 days straight! I have laughed so hard -I peed! Here is a link:
http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com
It is a fabulous look at the mormon mommy sub-culture we live in. Looking at it like this- proves how pathetic and judgemental we become when talking about motherhood, our callings, our crafting, and even our choice in hair styles.
The blog makes fun of everything: from working moms to women who have babies after 30. Since I fit into both of those categories and have heard all of the cliches (which of course are not directed at me, but said loud enough for me to hear). I find it VALIDATING to see these judgements done in a sarcastic way.
check it out!
http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com
It is a fabulous look at the mormon mommy sub-culture we live in. Looking at it like this- proves how pathetic and judgemental we become when talking about motherhood, our callings, our crafting, and even our choice in hair styles.
The blog makes fun of everything: from working moms to women who have babies after 30. Since I fit into both of those categories and have heard all of the cliches (which of course are not directed at me, but said loud enough for me to hear). I find it VALIDATING to see these judgements done in a sarcastic way.
check it out!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I Miss The Bubbles
I have recently, like 4 days ago, given up Pepsi. It was a decision only based on elimating caffiene from my life. Yes I know I should have done it because it is empty calories and probably contains chemicals that will kill off my internal organs, but I did it for the caffiene. I didn't even get a caffiene headache, I just miss the bubbles! The syrupy, delicious fizz. Heck, I even miss the fizzy nose burps that it can cause when I drink it too fast!
Three weeks ago, I had a conference on BYU's campus and there wasn't a caffienated drink ANYWHERE! I smuggled one in my purse and poured it into my cougar eats cup...IN THE BATHROOM! Brad thought this was a little extreme. But I was worried that if campus security caught me they would put me into outer darkness! As I was telling another teacher of my sinfull behaivor she said "now you know how an alcoholic feels". Which in itself is a tell-tell sign of how she views caffiene-right up there with vodka and immorality. But it did give me reason to think that I had become so addicted to something that I was hiding it, IN A BATHROOM at BYU!
I guess I can try rootbeer or something else. I will not try sprite or 7-up. It reminds me of being sick as a kid. But then, I think about all the empty calories and chemicals that will kill my internal organs.
Still...
I really miss the bubbles.
Three weeks ago, I had a conference on BYU's campus and there wasn't a caffienated drink ANYWHERE! I smuggled one in my purse and poured it into my cougar eats cup...IN THE BATHROOM! Brad thought this was a little extreme. But I was worried that if campus security caught me they would put me into outer darkness! As I was telling another teacher of my sinfull behaivor she said "now you know how an alcoholic feels". Which in itself is a tell-tell sign of how she views caffiene-right up there with vodka and immorality. But it did give me reason to think that I had become so addicted to something that I was hiding it, IN A BATHROOM at BYU!
I guess I can try rootbeer or something else. I will not try sprite or 7-up. It reminds me of being sick as a kid. But then, I think about all the empty calories and chemicals that will kill my internal organs.
Still...
I really miss the bubbles.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Mother-Daughter Party
Last night was the activity girls mother-daughter party. The theme was flip flops. The leaders brought each girl a pair of flip flops and told them to decorate them for the fashion show. Of course, Emily wanted to decorate that very night! But being the procrastinating person I am, we waited until the day of...Poor Emily...all she wants is a mother with definate PLANS. unfortunatley, she ended up with me.
Each girl got an award, Emily's was most patriotic! 
After the show we had yummy treats; Emily especially loved the little umbrellas in the drinks! She brought them home to put in the "childhood memory box" she keeps under her bed. (Sometimes we argue over the stuff she gets to keep and the stuff I get to put in scrapbooks-I let her keep the umbrellas!)
The party was a lot of fun, the moms painted their daughters toes to get ready for the fashion show. Then each girl got to strut her stuff and show her creative flip flops! We named Emily's "party in the USA"
After the show we had yummy treats; Emily especially loved the little umbrellas in the drinks! She brought them home to put in the "childhood memory box" she keeps under her bed. (Sometimes we argue over the stuff she gets to keep and the stuff I get to put in scrapbooks-I let her keep the umbrellas!)
We had a great time, it was nice just to spend time with just Emily. Sometimes being the oldest has a lot of responsibilty. I am glad we were able to have fun and not worry about other stuff.
Thanks to Erin for taking the pics and emailing them so quickly!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Clear light of day
So my husband read my 2 am rant and asked if I needed a Midol or st. johns wart for my "ladies day" (that's from the everybody loves raymond episode.) Let me first state that the blog I was refering to is not someone I know in my real life...it is also not anyone I knew in my younger life. It is a random blog I came across one day...and I was tired of this blogger showing food, crafts and clothes she made and then CHARGING for the pattern or recipe. I apologize for my ranting...again it WAS 2am...and I am totally blaming "ladies day".
PMS ranting
It's 2 am and I am wide awake. Usually I have insomnia during Aug-May, I call it "school induced insomnia". Since it is the end of June, I am blaming the fact that I am on blogger at 2 frickin am on PMS!?
I have been particularly grouchy this week...maybe I notice it more because I am not taking it out on high school students. Emily even told me I have been talking to myself an awful lot this week. Sorry, it's how I deal; I mean better yell at myself than her. I have been so bad, I am remembering that Everybody Loves Raymond episode about PMS. I am almost that bad.
I have decided my biggest problem with blogging (besides consistency) is that I lack a VISION. What exactly is my blog suppose to be about? I am not sure, and that is why I don't post a lot.
I keep up with several blogs. Many of them are foodie/recipe blogs. SEVERAL of them are various crafty blogs and many are just friends/family blogs.
Do I want this to be a foodie blog? If so, then you have to try the rib recipe I made for dinner on Tuesday! But I didn't come up with the recipe, I found it online 2 summers ago and have been using it since. So I shouldn't post it-it's not my recipe.
I have been sewing and crafting up a storm these first weeks of summer vacation. I made a new bag, Emily an outfit for church, Brinley a dress, and have been working on two quilts. I plan on finishing my menu board and making Brinley a fourth of July dress. Should I show all of this? Here's the thing...I create for ME. I don't need other people to tell me how good it looks or blah blah. I did it to create something, I feel the accomplishment and it makes me feel good. If I post pictures I feel like I am bragging and that is not what I am after. I do not want my little corner of cyberspace to be a way for me to prove to the world how many "mommy projects" I get done in a day or week. Blogs like that turn me off, I find them nauseating and a little sad. It's like they are trying to convince themselves how idylic their life is...and hey it's not...life is hard...life is great...life is funny...but a lot of the time it is hard and I am just trying to get through. When you only read about how perfect other peoples are, it seems desperate. like lindsey lohan desperate...
My favorite blogs are ones that keep it real. So maybe that is my vision. Keepin it real. So here is my REALITY based summer review:
It has taken the entire month of June to get our above ground pool up! it sank on one side last year so this year we decided to put bricks under each pole. this lead to a leak because (we think) it put to much pressure on the seams. We filled it about 2/3 and then drained the darn thing to find the leak...never did. So we refilled it only to have one of the bricks slip and poke a big hole in the bottom. brad basically had to snorkle to put the patch on...then we moved the bricks out. So far it has held...I REALLY do NOT want to see our water bill.
So the pool has been up and the kids swimming away and I develop some weird reaction to the sun and sunscreen and have this rash all over. For the next week, if I go out, I have to wear long sleeves and a hat. My Dr put me on steroids and Brad made a few jokes about "roid rage". See if i just posted pictures of kids in the pool, smiling and happy, that doesn't tell the story. The real story is that above ground pools are a pain and now we can't get the chemicals right.
I have been particularly grouchy this week...maybe I notice it more because I am not taking it out on high school students. Emily even told me I have been talking to myself an awful lot this week. Sorry, it's how I deal; I mean better yell at myself than her. I have been so bad, I am remembering that Everybody Loves Raymond episode about PMS. I am almost that bad.
I have decided my biggest problem with blogging (besides consistency) is that I lack a VISION. What exactly is my blog suppose to be about? I am not sure, and that is why I don't post a lot.
I keep up with several blogs. Many of them are foodie/recipe blogs. SEVERAL of them are various crafty blogs and many are just friends/family blogs.
Do I want this to be a foodie blog? If so, then you have to try the rib recipe I made for dinner on Tuesday! But I didn't come up with the recipe, I found it online 2 summers ago and have been using it since. So I shouldn't post it-it's not my recipe.
I have been sewing and crafting up a storm these first weeks of summer vacation. I made a new bag, Emily an outfit for church, Brinley a dress, and have been working on two quilts. I plan on finishing my menu board and making Brinley a fourth of July dress. Should I show all of this? Here's the thing...I create for ME. I don't need other people to tell me how good it looks or blah blah. I did it to create something, I feel the accomplishment and it makes me feel good. If I post pictures I feel like I am bragging and that is not what I am after. I do not want my little corner of cyberspace to be a way for me to prove to the world how many "mommy projects" I get done in a day or week. Blogs like that turn me off, I find them nauseating and a little sad. It's like they are trying to convince themselves how idylic their life is...and hey it's not...life is hard...life is great...life is funny...but a lot of the time it is hard and I am just trying to get through. When you only read about how perfect other peoples are, it seems desperate. like lindsey lohan desperate...
My favorite blogs are ones that keep it real. So maybe that is my vision. Keepin it real. So here is my REALITY based summer review:
It has taken the entire month of June to get our above ground pool up! it sank on one side last year so this year we decided to put bricks under each pole. this lead to a leak because (we think) it put to much pressure on the seams. We filled it about 2/3 and then drained the darn thing to find the leak...never did. So we refilled it only to have one of the bricks slip and poke a big hole in the bottom. brad basically had to snorkle to put the patch on...then we moved the bricks out. So far it has held...I REALLY do NOT want to see our water bill.
So the pool has been up and the kids swimming away and I develop some weird reaction to the sun and sunscreen and have this rash all over. For the next week, if I go out, I have to wear long sleeves and a hat. My Dr put me on steroids and Brad made a few jokes about "roid rage". See if i just posted pictures of kids in the pool, smiling and happy, that doesn't tell the story. The real story is that above ground pools are a pain and now we can't get the chemicals right.
Friday, June 11, 2010
On My Mind
I have all of these things that I wanted to post and share, but haven't been able to do it. I felt like it was wrong to post all of our summer plans, when I never posted about the death of my father. So like the true coward I am, I just kept putting off posting at all. But here it goes. My dad passed away May 19th. All of his immediate family was there as he left this mortal existence and returned to his Heavenly Father's presence...where I know he was welcomed with open arms.
A few nights after his death, I remembered an incident when I was a teenager. I had gone to Deseret Book for something and came home with this picture of Jesus hugging someone and the caption reads, How great shall be your joy. The expression on Jesus's face is one of pure love. I remember showing this to my dad, and he just broke down in tears. (this was not the first time I saw him break down. My dad did cry, but would try to hide it by doing a snuffling, choking, heavy breathing sound...it never fooled anyone!) For some reason, this memory brought me such peace. My father knew in life who his Savior is, just as I know the Savior knows him.
I will always remember my dad as one of the kindest men. He wanted to be friends with everyone. (As a teen, this was a constant source of embarassment) He never judged anyone and accepted people as they were. I hope someday to be more like him.
Until We Meet Again....I love you
His Legacy.
Here is his obituary:
Richard R. Thomas POCATELLO - Richard R. Thomas, 76, passed away on May 19, 2010, surrounded by his loving family.He was born on April 7, 1934, the son of W. Milton and Millee Lewis Thomas. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1952.He married Claudia Adams in 1954. They were later divorced. He married Donna Wilson in August 1972. They had five children.The U.S. military was his career. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Japan during the Korean War. Later, he joined the U.S. Army, serving in Europe and Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1977. He worked at Defense Depot in Ogden until 1995. In his later years, he enjoyed the Greater Pocatello Senior Center. He enjoyed the dances, the fellowship and singing with the Silver Chords.Due to declining health, Richard has resided at Highland Hills Assisted Living Center for the last four months.He is survived by his wife, Donna; and five children, Michelle (Brad) Smith, Jacki (Keith) Moran, Stephanie (Jef) Hayes, Amber Thomas and Matthew Thomas; and 10 grandchildren, Alex, Jaydin, Madison, Bailey, Emily, Baylee, Kali, Gage, Ashlynne and Brinley. He was their Poppy. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, Zachary and Kennedy Moran.A memorial service will be held Monday, May 24 at 11 a.m. at Downard Funeral Home, 241 North Garfield, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home.The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Highland Hills for care and friendship given to him. Also, the PMC surgical floor for the care given to Richard and the compassionate support to his family on that sad day.
Published in Idaho State Journal on May 21, 2010
A few nights after his death, I remembered an incident when I was a teenager. I had gone to Deseret Book for something and came home with this picture of Jesus hugging someone and the caption reads, How great shall be your joy. The expression on Jesus's face is one of pure love. I remember showing this to my dad, and he just broke down in tears. (this was not the first time I saw him break down. My dad did cry, but would try to hide it by doing a snuffling, choking, heavy breathing sound...it never fooled anyone!) For some reason, this memory brought me such peace. My father knew in life who his Savior is, just as I know the Savior knows him.
I will always remember my dad as one of the kindest men. He wanted to be friends with everyone. (As a teen, this was a constant source of embarassment) He never judged anyone and accepted people as they were. I hope someday to be more like him.
Until We Meet Again....I love you
His Legacy.taken one month before his death
Richard R. Thomas POCATELLO - Richard R. Thomas, 76, passed away on May 19, 2010, surrounded by his loving family.He was born on April 7, 1934, the son of W. Milton and Millee Lewis Thomas. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1952.He married Claudia Adams in 1954. They were later divorced. He married Donna Wilson in August 1972. They had five children.The U.S. military was his career. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Japan during the Korean War. Later, he joined the U.S. Army, serving in Europe and Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1977. He worked at Defense Depot in Ogden until 1995. In his later years, he enjoyed the Greater Pocatello Senior Center. He enjoyed the dances, the fellowship and singing with the Silver Chords.Due to declining health, Richard has resided at Highland Hills Assisted Living Center for the last four months.He is survived by his wife, Donna; and five children, Michelle (Brad) Smith, Jacki (Keith) Moran, Stephanie (Jef) Hayes, Amber Thomas and Matthew Thomas; and 10 grandchildren, Alex, Jaydin, Madison, Bailey, Emily, Baylee, Kali, Gage, Ashlynne and Brinley. He was their Poppy. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, Zachary and Kennedy Moran.A memorial service will be held Monday, May 24 at 11 a.m. at Downard Funeral Home, 241 North Garfield, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home.The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Highland Hills for care and friendship given to him. Also, the PMC surgical floor for the care given to Richard and the compassionate support to his family on that sad day.
Published in Idaho State Journal on May 21, 2010
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