Our Snowiest Christmas So Far...

The "Arctic Blast" ( I scoff at how the news loves to sensationalize) of 2008 hit us pretty hard. We got a LOT of snow, which was really pretty, but dangit, I haven't been able to drive my car in a week! We ended up with so much snow, about 18 inches, that we've been house bound, only getting out after our neighbor towed the van out of the driveway for us. Then we have to park across the street, headed downhill so we can "ski" the car out of our neighborhood. Then we take the main streets back up the hill when we return, only to "ski" down again until we bring the van to rest in it's spot across the street. Boy am I glad I found my snow boots from a few years back, they have saved me from becoming a permanent part of the landscape a few times.




Our Christmas was really lovely. We had my parents over for dinner on Christmas eve and we enjoyed watching the MOTAB on a PBS special.




After dinner we opened our jammies and modeled for a picture.



Christmas morning we had big fat snow falling but we weren't worried, no, there were presents to open and cinnamon rolls and egg casserole to enjoy for breakfast...a tradition in our house.


That afternoon we headed out to Salem for dinner and presents at Norm and Marcia's house.




In spite of the weather and transportation issues it's been so fun to have everyone home and safe and sound. There are puzzles to work on, new toys to play with, lots of yummy food and treats to eat, friends who pop in and say hello, and just warmth and coziness which makes the holidays what they are supposed to be, special and memorable. Now on to the New Year!

Senior pictures for Maddie

It's that time again, the deadline for the yearbook senior picture looms and we must get them taken. We had our good friend do them for us, she did such a nice job on Kate's. Maddie was a real natural and we ended up with many nice shots. Here's a few of my favorites.

For When You REALLY Have to Go

For those of you who aren't familiar, we are big Portland Trailblazer fans. This is a fairly new development since we drafted Greg Oden and Thom got excited enough to buy season tickets. Now we are deep into the whole Rip City fever again. There were many years, especially the "Jailblazer" years where we were totally disillusioned with the team but now they seem to be on an upswing. So, once in awhile if I can't go Dallin gets to go in my place. This is fun for him, he loves it, and has even made it on the big screen a few times because he's so stinkin' cute. Some time during each game a big inflatable blimp flies around the arena dropping envelopes onto the clamoring crowd. The contents of the envelopes have always been a mystery to us because we have never, hardly ever, even come close to getting one to flutter down to us. Gee, could it be a gift certificate for $50 for a nice restaurant, or some cool Blazer gear from the merch store? How about gift cards for Fred Meyer or a coupons for free car washes? We didn't know, but we were hoping that one day we would be the lucky recipients of these wonderfully anonymous gifts. Finally our time arrived, well, Dallin's time arrived I should say. The envelope fluttered right down to our seats and since most of our seatmates were out getting chicken fingers and beer the competition for the coveted prizes was at an all time low. That beautiful envelope made a beeline for our seats, and Thom dove for it like it was the game winning ball. I get all of this information secondhand because of course I wasn't there, but while I'm taking in the story I'm so excited that our dream had been realized and we had netted a cool prize. I wait, patiently, to hear what fabulous booty is now ours when Thom pulls out the envelope to show me. On the front of the crumpled paper is the cheerful logo for Honey Pot. The famous portapotty company. My eyebrows raise in question. "Huh? We get free use of a portapotty? I don't get it." Then Thom proudly pulls out the shirt. Granted, it's a really nice quality t-shirt, but who the bleep is gonna want to wear it???? There, bright, bold, and clear as day is that lovely logo. All that anticipation, hope, and effort, all to end up advertising a place no one wants to go...unless they REALLY have to. Yay.

Kicking and Screaming

I can't believe I heard it come out of my Dr.'s mouth. It was my periodic eye exam. I went in expecting the usual treatment...but not this. The "B" word. Said directly to my face, in a calm and collected manner, like he says it to all his female patients on a daily basis. I was shocked, dismayed, disappointed, saddened, and depressed it had come to this. Why should I have to put up with this kind of talk? Who does he think he is? If I were young and pretty he wouldn't have had the NERVE to say that word to me. I guess when you get to a certain age it's inevitable that the "B" word be thrown around like no big deal. But it IS a big deal. It changes the way I think of myself. I begin to wonder if life will ever be the same again, carefree with promise on the horizon. Will I even be able to SEE the horizon??? I suppose I'm going to have to accept that things are changing. Every time I go back to my Dr. he will say that dirty word and there's nothing I can do about it. I can only hope to find the cutest frames for my new glasses that I can. Frames that won't reveal my secret, the secret of the "B" word.....bifocal.

Thankful

I wish I was a morning person. It seems morning people get so much more done and are happier, more fit, more likely to find good deals, etc. I'm sure it's not true but it seems that way to me. Today is Thanksgiving, and for some reason I'm up before everyone else, which almost never happens. It's a good feeling. I try to find something quiet to do so I don't wake anyone so I decide to put the laundry I folded last night away. Now that it's done I feel a little lighter for having one less task to complete before the family comes over. Maybe there really is something to this early bird thing.

I love Thanksgiving. It's such a family oriented holiday. Kate is home from college, my family who is able is coming over for dinner, and basically we all get to just enjoy being together. I love the feeling of just hanging out together, visiting, playing games, making plans, eating good food, and basically strengthening bonds that the holidays bring. I'm really thankful for this opportunity.

So now that I'm up and the laundry is put away it's time to generate those heavenly smells from the kitchen. Pie, stuffing, turkey, rolls, cranberry sauce. The elements are sitting in my kitchen waiting for the magic to happen so I better get to it. I think I'll need a nap later.

Who needs a new sandwich anyway???

I'm mortified. Just mortified. Can you say child abuse? Ack! I was just emailing Dallin's teacher, confirming that I got her note asking me to send juice for their party tomorrow. I have been very busy lately and hadn't taken the time to write her a note in the take home notebook. Well, this morning I wasn't home to get Dallin off to school...I had to take my mom to a Dr. appointment and left before he was even up. This left Thom to get my boy ready for school and safely on the bus. Dallin takes lunch to school every day...no exceptions...every single day. He's a picky eater to put it mildly and he just wouldn't eat anything the school was offering. So, this isn't Thom's first rodeo, he knows that Dallin needs help getting up, dressed, teeth brushed, breakfast fed, LUNCH PACKED, the whole 9 yards. Well, I get an email back from Dallin's teacher about the juice and, oh, by the way, the lunch in Dallin's pail was from LAST WEEK, so he had hot lunch today. My facade has been crushed. I can no longer pass myself off as supermom. My child was sent a PPB&J for lunch...a petrified peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The good, and surprising news is that he actually ate that hot lunch. Hmmm, maybe this is the beginning of supermom getting a few mornings off from packing lunch. I just hope I don't have men in suits waiting at my door to take me away when I get home.

She is like a star shining brightly...

I'm having to come to terms with the fact that my kids are getting older and leaving the nest. Last night I was able to attend Maddie's last YW in Excellence. She is a senior this year so my years of attending YW activities with my girls are rapidly coming to a close. This tugs at my heart a little bit and last night I felt sad that I wouldn't be able to see my girls participate in these wonderful programs. Anyway, our ward put on a program called "Like the Stars" and Maddie was asked to sing a solo called "Someone Needs Your Star." A fun thing was that I was asked to accompany her on the piano. I haven't played anything but primary songs or hymns in front of an audience for a long time so I was a little intimidated, but the thought of being able to play for Maddie helped me overcome my fears and feelings of inadequacy. Well, she sang like an angel, and I only wish I could have a recording of it to listen to over and over. She will be on to college soon and I will miss hearing her sing. Each of my children have gifts, just like all children, and it's such a neat thing to be able to bask in the glow of a child sharing her gift in such a beautiful way. Thank you Madeleine. You are my star.

Where to Start???

This is it, the beginning of my blog. Honestly, I never thought I'd do this but I so enjoy reading my friend's and family's blogs that I thought I'd try it out for myself. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't live an overly exciting life, just a normal one, but one that I love. I will probably just add my random thoughts here and there about what's going on in my life, therefore, the title of my blog...sticky notes. Don't you have sticky notes all over your house reminding you to pay the bills, call this person or that person, pick up the kids from school??? I've found that the longer I'm on this planet the foggier my memory gets....so....sticky notes have saved my bacon many, many times. Now if only it would work for the kids and Thom. Those darn notes fall off their foreheads so fast. Next time, I'm bringing out the stapler.