Bargain Madness

On Monday I had to run some errands with the boys which took me to a part of town I don't usually go. After we finished up the errands, I asked Owen if he wanted to go to Saver's to see what they had. Eli had been feeling sickly and we all really needed to get out of the house.
We pulled into the parking lot and I noticed there were quite a few cars, but didn't think anything of it until we walked into the store which was pure pandemonium. I looked around and saw women with shopping carts heaped with clothing--seriously about 60+ items in each cart. I still couldn't figure out what was going on until I heard someone say, "Yeah, everything in the store is 99 cents." What? Seriously? EVERYTHING?!?!?
Then, I became a bit anxious. I don't know what it is, but when I have the kids with me, I can't really take my time to look at anything, it's more of a quick browse and rush on, so that I can keep them entertained enough for me to get errands done. This was madness though. It reminded me of an event that BYU holds annually (at least they used to anyways) called something like The Rummage Sale. What it amounts to is that anything that has been turned in to the Lost and Found during the course of the school year and not claimed gets piled on tables to be sold. The one time I went we stood in line for two hours to get into the sale. Once they open the sale you have to calmly enter the ballroom (that's where they hold it, so you can imagine how much stuff is there), but then it's every woman for herself.
Because I didn't know about the sale and didn't arrive at the crack of dawn, a lot of stuff was gone, but I did manage to get two sweaters and a little jacket for myself--none of which I tried on with the mentality, "So what if it doesn't fit. It was only a dollar!" The best find were the two pairs of Banana Republic slacks in perfect condition for my husband--for the grand price of $2!
I kept thinking to myself, "Boy, my mother in law should be here. She'd come home with a complete set of china or some painting that would end up being a front for a Picasso."
You have to know my mother in law to appreciate her bargain savvyness. I usually go into Goodwill or Savers or such stores to get used books, but she goes in to find anything and everything. I like to go with her because, though I'm not a superstitious person, I think she's good luck. Really. You know how we all have different gifts? You know, some people have faith and other people have a good voice? Well, among the talents that lie within my mother in law is thrift store shopping.
I guess because I was still feeling pretty high on my Saver's find, I went to Goodwill to get some glass for a frame that had broken. We walked in and there were oodles of people. I almost started to get nervous again wondering what was going on, but it turns out it was nothing. However, I did manage to snag the complete hard back boxed set of the Eragon book series in perfect condition. I've never read them, but I've heard they are great. Besides the box sells for $67 and I paid $19.99. Maybe if I keep working, I can develop my thrift store gift too!

Valentine Traditions

Before I was ever married I remember hearing several stories about how Valentine's Day was a miserable holiday. In particular what caught my attention was how married women felt abused because their husbands didn't remember to get them anything or because the wife had given her husband a wonderful Valentine's Day the year before only to feel completely ignored the next year. I didn't want any of this to describe my Valentine experience.


So, the first year Derek and I were married I took care of Valentine's. Derek bought me some cinnamon lip candies (which I have discovered since we moved from Utah are not easy to find and yes, there is something different about them vs. the cinnamon bear candy) and I made him a yummy homemade dinner and bought him a favorite CD and we celebrated in our little, basement apartment--just the two of us. I still remember that Valentine's Day because it set the tone for the rest of them. They didn't have to be grandiose to be special. Just remembering each other was what mattered.

We decided that year that I would be in charge of Valentine's Day celebrations every year while Derek would be in charge of anniversary celebrations every year. That way each of us had an entire year to plan for the other person and there would never be any hurt feelings. It has worked beautifully. I look forward with great anticipation each year to planning a fun date for my Valentine.

This year I was able to surprise Derek. Last year, for one reason or another, he discovered every single thing I had planned as a surprise. But not this year! I reserved a racquetball court for us to play for an hour before we headed to dinner at Trader Vic's in Scottsdale. The food was super yummy and I had a sweet coupon through one of my new favorite discoveries: Groupon! If you don't know about it--you should. It's wonderful. Though, I do think you need to live in a large city to access the benefits.We finished off the night by watching the Olympics--my FAVORITE thing to watch every two years.

I love you Derek!!! Thanks for being a wonderful Valentine.

Oh, and earlier that day we took the kids to Goldfield, AZ, for a fun family outing (Thanks for the idea Alacey & Melissa). It's an old mining town that you can go and tour. Here are some recent photos.







We made shish kabobs at home (Owen was getting oil all over his clothes hence the lack of a shirt). These turned out super yummy--you should get the marinade recipe from me.

Since we had the coals all ready we toasted marshmallows for our Family Home Evening Treat.

Squeezing our HOME GROWN lemons for lemonade.

Goldfield, Arizona

The Superstition Mountains

Do the deed--do the time.

Owen the Soccer Mobster

In a rare and never before published interview, this reporter gets inside the head of the star player for the Gilbert Thunder Soccer Team.


Reporter: Owen how has being on this team changed your perception of the game of soccer?


Owen: You know, it used to be so innocent. Me and my dad would kick the ball around in our backyard. It was good times. Life was so uncomplicated, but the field, that's different. Those kids are trying to take the ball away from me!


Reporter: So, when everyone comes to the center of the field to kick the ball, how do you get in the zone?


Owen: Well, I enjoy kicking the ball and then standing there frozen in my kicking stance. Why would I chase after the ball? I'm a star not a rookie. I've proven myself at my "home" field.


Reporter: And what about your critics who say you play a dirty game finding kids who are shorter than you (there are actually kids shorter than him), and pushing them or shaking your fist in their faces? (All of this did occur.)


Owen: I guess those kids should know that I came to kick the ball and if they are going to attempt to kick the ball too, they are going to have to pay.


So, the verdict is left to the people. Is Owen merely the shortest bully you've ever seen on a soccer field or is he pure, uncontrolled talent? His shorts may touch his ankles and his x-small shirt may be large enough to fit his older sister, but he is a threat nonetheless. With no yellow or red cards to be handed out, will this star continue his reign of terror or will his coach finally have to bench his ego for the sake of the whole team?

Owen conferencing with his coach about their strategy.

***This interviewer reserves the right to interpret all actions on the field as actual dialogue.

Friday's Lessons

I learned the following things this Friday. None of which I wanted to learn.

1. Our house is apparently built on a bit of a slope. At least I gathered that from the water running out from under the bathroom door, into the hallway and on its way to the laundry room. But, wait, I forgot my first lesson.

.5 A scream coming from a three year old located in your bathroom is probably not going to end well. Now we're back on track.

2. Though I thought that my three year old would know not to use half a roll of toilet paper in one bathroom session, this information is not intuitive as I supposed.

3. There is a valve located to the left of your toilet that you should immediately turn off when you see water spilling out of the toilet bowl.

4. You may be grateful for several things in your life and these items may change hourly. But, at least once in your life, you're going to be grateful for a plunger.

5. You may also be grateful to own a Hoover WetVac mop.

6. It's not easy to move your washing machine all by yourself (even if it is empty).

7. In your attempt to not immediately harm your child, should you send him upstairs, you will probably learn that the child was traumatized enough to not do as instructed which is to say put on underwear and pants.

8. This naked child will crawl on his bed for comfort.

9. That naked bum will probably not be clean even though half a roll was used in that very cleaning procedure.

10. You will now be washing a comforter from your child's bed.

Lessons learned. Really. All learned. Glad my New Year's resolution wasn't patience!

My Least Favorite Holiday

I've never looked forward to the actual New Year's Holiday. I think it's because of the let down I've always felt. A little bit like a graduation experience. Somehow, by dressing up in a goofy robe, walking across a stage and being handed a diploma, I should feel different.

It may also have something to do with the idea that I'm staying up really late in anticipation of some change happening. The only thing that seems to happen is with less sleep, I'm a bit grouchier the next day.

Well, hopefully, this year will be a bit different in my recognition of my anticipation issues. I've scaled down my expectations in a big way--nothing is going to be changing with the year advancing. At least nothing is going to change with the striking of the clock. I've also added one resolution to my list this year.

That's right just one.

Perhaps it sounds weak--only one resolution?

Of course I have many more qualities and issues I need to change, but with years past I've found the more changes I attempted to make at one time, the less I actually accomplished. So, just one goal this year and I'm going to try my hardest to make it happen.

This New Year I'm realistic and I'm happy.

Little Sayings to Record

These are all courtesy of Owen--the resident 3 year old.

Two weeks ago driving in the car, from the back seat I hear:

Owen: "That makes Jesus really mad."

Me: "What makes Jesus mad?"

Owen: "When you cut down his plants it makes him really mad."

A little too much exposure to Al Gore or too many "green" commericals on Disney? Who's to know?

Last week while he and Eli are bathing in the tub, Eli starts crying:

Me: Why is Eli crying? (I can tell you that it's because Owen dumped a bucket of water on his head, but it's good to allow a child to confess right?)

Owen: I don't know. I think it's because he wants those things.

Me: What things?

Owen: Your things mom. Pointing to his chest, "Those big things you have here."

Me: Why do you think he wants those?

Owen: Because that's what you do, you give him those and he's happy.

Me: Well, Eli's too old to do that now. He just gets food now.

I could sense Owen's disappointment for Eli's loss. What a caring brother.

I Used to Be...

Fun.
I think I was anyway.
I sure hope I was.
I like to envision myself as fun, but now I am boring.
I must be because I can't think of anything to blog about.
Well, actually, I've thought of a few things to blog about, but before my fingers could hit the keyboard, I lost steam. Yeah, not even partial drafts of blog posts, but absolutely no blog posts.
Maybe that means I'm still fun, but lazy. Yeah, maybe I'm lazy, but I don't feel lazy. I mean sometimes I feel lazy when I find myself getting excited about putting the kids to bed, so that I can break out the foods I hide from them, so I don't have to share. (lazy and selfish a bit too)
I feel stressed sometimes during the holidays. I've been debating back and forth, back and forth. Do I do treats for friends? I've done them every single year since I started the tradition. Even when Owen was only three weeks old. Even when Eli was only a month and a half old. I did those treat plates and I really like taking a little bit of love to my friends, but I'm debating doing it at all this year.
I've been cold. Yeah, it's been cold for us. Down in the 50s or some other frigid temperature I don't want to feel. I want to have temperate weather. I endure those 100+ degree days to have winters where I wear my sandals everywhere. I've had to wear socks all week! Socks.
Phew, I sound really whiney. I'm not meaning to. The cold does this to me. Well, I'm also a bit hungry too. It's my first time fasting in about two years. Not that anyone is counting, but I've only got 53 minutes left to go.
I shouldn't even post this because it's really lame, but my mom requested I update my blog. Boy, she's going to be impressed huh? 52 minutes and counting...