Friday, December 31, 2010

2010

Saying goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011 tonight.

I have to say that 2010 was not too shabby to the Vincent Family.

Jeff's layoff threatened to depress us all,

But we came through pretty well!

We have been very blessed,

Makes me a little nervous that the Lord will try us in 2011. 

Guess we'll handle whatever comes up!

Looking forward to 2011 I'll be attempting the following:

1.  Taking a photo a day and posting them at http://www.photoblog.com/viewfromthegrove/
2.  Running a marathon!
3.  Finishing my Israel scrapbook
4.  Finding 25 names to do temple work for
5.  Appreciating my family more!

Good luck to me, and to you, with all you've got planned for the new year!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Babies

I have been enjoying a weekend of babies!

Spent a bit of time holding Jacquie's new baby girl on Sunday,

It was magical!

Sometimes having to wait for so long and agonize over something,

makes the reward just amazing!

Also spent time holding my nephew, Liam.

Ah . . . it's so sweet to snuggle a little bundle!

Here's an awesome baby clip for you to watch -- this mom is AMAZING!

I think she's publishing a book in 2012 and she has a blog at:  http://www.milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 24, 2010

Time to Celebrate

I finally had a chance to Celebrate Christmas with the kids last night:










It's Finished!

Two quick posts this morning and then I'm on to fixing a holiday meal and Santa cookies.

First Post -- the house is FINISHED! 

And by "finished" I mean that there's still a few little things to do,

But I can use my kitchen now!

Take a look:

 (New Cabinets, tile splash and slide-in range!)

 (My amazing rock fireplace with new mantle!)

(New railing that is so beautiful!)


 (New sink and my granite - Love it!)

(New fridge with its first two residents -- Diet Coke and antibiotics)

This experience took a little longer than anticipated, but the results are so Great!

I have been really blessed to have some talented craftsmen in my home, whom I just adore!

If you ever need a contractor, builder or remodeler -- you need to call Scott Dent.  We are LUCKY to call him our friend!  He has been amazing to give me his much valued opinion on everything from my wall color to my granite choice. 

If you ever need a tile guy who is the nicest, most honest, and most talented guy around, you MUST call Miguel.  We are planning future tiling jobs just so we see him again!

Need granite?  Need a laugh?  Call Justin -- don't worry about where he works, just make sure he's handling the granite and there's no problem.  But send out every good thought on the planet to him that he becomes a published children's author this year.  He's super talented!

And should you need carpet, access to the awesome tile guy, or wood floors -- go to Westco and talk to Joy.  Or just go to Westco and buy nothing and talk to Joy -- because really, you'd just be lucky to talk to her and have her as a friend! 

We've got names galore on other varied projects too, electrician, HVAC, plumbing -- okay, not plumbing, Jeff did that himself.  But I'm just saying we've been very blessed with the people we have met!

Come by and see me -- I'll actually invite you in now!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Check this Out!

You have got to see this, it's so funny to me!



By the way, I implemented a star system for earning presents this year.

The kids can open a present for every 5 stars they earn.

Happiness, chores and gratitude is over flowing here!

Thoughts on Sunday

Not many thoughts about Sunday,

Since I spent it at InstaCare with Emma.

She's doing great and her ear is feeling better.

But since I missed anything 'churchy'

I'm including a link to a really great Christmas Story -- Click HERE

Oh, and since I missed church,

Does anyone want to give me their rendition of Jeff's goof while conducting?

Go Figure that I missed it!

Friday, December 17, 2010

I Love Seminary

Seminary is a great thing.

Josh loves it!

And I love moments when he brings me stuff like this, from seminary:

The Lanyard, by Billy Colllins

The other day as I was ricocheting slowly
off the pale blue walls of this room,
bouncing from typewriter to piano,
from bookshelf to an envelope lying on the floor,
I found myself in the "L" section of the dictionary
where my eyes fell upon the word lanyard.

No cookie nibbled by a French novelist
could send one more suddenly into the past --
a past where I sat at a workbench at a camp
by a deep Adirondack lake
learning how to braid thin plastic strips
into a lanyard, a gift for my mother.

I had never seen anyone use a lanyard
or wear one, if that's what you did with them,
but that did not keep my from crossing
strand over strand again and again
until I had made a boxy
red and white lanyard for my mother.

She gave me life and milk from her breasts,
and I gave her a lanyard.
She nursed me in many a sickroom,
lifted teaspoons of medicine to my lips,
set cold face-cloths on my forehead,
and then led me out into the airy light

and taught me to talk and swim,
and I, in turn, presented her with a lanyard.
Here are thousands of meals, she said,
and here is clothing and a good education.
And here is your lanyard, I replied,
which I made with a little help from a counselor.

Here is a breathing body and a beating heart,
strong legs, bones and teeth,
and two clear eyes to read the world, she whispered,
and here, I said, is the lanyard I made at camp.
And here, I wish to say to her now,
is a smaller gift -- not the archaic truth

that you can never repay your mother,
but the rueful admission that when she took
the two-toned lanyard from my hands,
I was as sure as a boy could be
that this useless, worthless thing I wove
out of boredom would be enough to make us even.

(P.S.  What does a mom do with a lanyard?  She loses it.  Then her son, who gave it to her, with a lovely poem, finds it.  Under the couch.  Where the mom 'lovingly' placed it.  So she makes up for it by taking his photo and posting on her blog how much she loves him.  Because, frankly, a lanyard IS worth it!)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Questions

What's the point of having an excused absence?

Just curious.

Emma has some UN-excused absences.

 I need to make up an excuse for why she was absent within 5 days of the offense.

Can I just make up any ole' excuse?

And what happens if she has UN-excused absences?

Do the police come?

(Note: the police do not come -- they send home a note.  I asked the office about it -- they send home a SCARY note)

These are things I've thought about today after getting a note about excusing absences for my kindergartner.  Along with a list of her absences for the year.

(Note:  Emma misses school on Wednesdays mostly)

I'm not sure which ones are UN-excused.  There's no legend as to what an  "X- ",  " E-", " G- " and "T-" mean.  Any thoughts?

Also, if your child is sick more than 10 days due to an illness, you need a doctor's note. 

What happens if you don't get that doctor's note?

Do you get a scary letter?

Can you just change your excuse for why your student is absent?

Regardless, I now need to Pre-Approve Emma's extended absences. 

From the look of things, I need to pre-approve every Wednesday . . . .

Monday, December 13, 2010

Thoughts on Sunday

Time for another installment about what I thought on Sunday!

1.  I thought I would kill my kids for getting ready for church 10 minutes before we needed to leave.  I think they need a moratorium from the computer / tv.

2.  I think it's okay to email during sacrament meeting, as long it's high council Sunday and I have to work out my future marathon plans with Jaime.

3.  I think I should not share any of my comments from Relief Society ---- you're welcome!

4.  I think Amazing Race is GREAT!  And I'm thrilled that Nat and Kat won, except I love Brooke and Claire too.  Can't wait for the next season.

5.  I think Visiting Teachers are great when they bring me awesome sugar cookies and truffles!  They are pretty okay when they just bring a message too . .   .

6.  I think you should all go vote for CSYP so they can get a grant from Pepsi to go to New York.  I mostly think this because I am not going with them unless they get the grant.  Somehow I think that they'll take me for free if they get it.  So Vote!   Every day!

That's it . . . check back later for a great post if I could only find my boondoggle -- yeah, boondoggle . . .

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Glimpses

Nothing is really finished around here,

But I'll give you a glimpse into what is going on.


New entry -- Note the tile inset, new carpet, taller mopboards and the red wall. 


Granite Guy redid all our bathrooms!




Wood floors in the hall -- awesome!


Lots and lots of tile, with tile mop boards -- my favorite!

Maybe next week I'll give you more than random glimpses.  It's going to be good!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Hiding

No, I'm not hiding from life.

I'm hiding from all of the workers around the house.

Don't assume that my children are the workers!

That would be very, very incorrect.

It's all the carpet installers, cabinet installers, countertop measurers, countertop installers, etc.

I just don't know if I should stare at them while they work --

Or look like I'm busy in the same room they are in, in case they need something --

Or leave the house so they can steal my Christmas presents --

Or hide in my room where it's awkward for them to ask me questions --

I just hate it and can't find a decent hiding spot.

How about some photos tomorrow?

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Moccasin Walk Challenge - an Interview with Josh

Hey Josh, thanks for visting me today.  Can you tell me about this Moccasin Walk Challenge that you did?

It was a challenge where you had to give up your normal living conditions. 
Like what?

I couldn't use a cell phone, no T.V. or Video Games.  I had to sleep on the floor.  And I only had one set of clothes for the week.  I couldn't take a shower, but if I did, I had to use cold water and a bucket.  Oh, and no fast food, no snacks and only two meals a day.
Who gave you the Challenge?

My Seminary teacher, Brother Taggart.
Why do you think he gave you this challenge?

So we could be more thankful for the things we have. 
Did it work?

Yes!  I never appreciated a bed more in my life.
You definitely look more refreshed this morning than I've seen in previous days, son!  What was the hardest thing to go without?

Probably food.
Was it missing your mom's warm, home-cooked breakfast's that you missed?

I have no idea what you're talking about . . . . .
Okay, then!  What food did you miss?

Well, I did miss breakfast, the ones that I make by myself

How many people in your seminary class did the challenge?

Brother Taggart said that there was an average of 1.5 per class who did the challenge.
Did you feel a little lonely with the challenge?

Yes, kind of.
One day when you were missing all of the stuff you couldn't do, you were lamenting about how there wasn't going to be a reward at the end.  How do you feel about that now?

I feel that I have attained a great reward from this challenge. 
Way to use big words son . . .  

You made me lose it . . . I have the knowledge of all the rich blessings I have gotten from the Lord.
 
Any blessings from me?

Um. . . .
Fine, fine -- the Lord is definitely the source of blessings.  Good stuff son!  You can now go play Starcraft. 

Thanks!  Wahhoooooo!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Faith

Stumbled on this last week during church,

Yes, I was on the internet at church last Sunday.

And this Sunday I'm home with a semi-sick Emma.

Regardless, I've been following this story fairly intently this week.

It's emotional, it's real and it's a beautiful thing to see someone else's faith.

Grab Tissue

 


There's a blog you can follow along with at www.cometoofar.com

I really like this post and this one

** Quick note: There's background music. So if you read this at church, during Relief Society, TURN DOWN THE SOUND first! **

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Food

When Jeff and I travel, we like to enjoy the local food.

This is NOT a natural trait for Jeff, as he did not like trying new food when we first married.  His first taste of Prime Rib didn't come until he went to dinner with me and my parents when he was 23.

Trying new food, particularly local favorites, is part of my heritage.   I recall stopping at EVERY bakery in China Town to find the best almond cookie.  And if it looks like a local food DIVE, we will stop and partake. . . .

Anyway, Hawaii was just a great big opportunity to try local food -- and for the most part, I got photos:

Featured above is Garlic Shrimp from Macky's Shrimp Truck.  This was our first meal in Hawaii.  Jeff ate more shrimp than I think is humanly possible.  He managed to put down 34+ shrimp in one day -- I can't even think what his overall trip total would be.


Above is a delicious Pineapple Burger from Kua'Aina in Haleiwa.  There's a tasty grilled pineapple with grilled onion on this huge burger.  We did manage to eat twice at this place!  Shockingly, Jeff only had fries and cole slaw the last time -- may have had something to do with all the shrimp he ate the day before)


Not a great photo, but you'll get the point.  This was my breakfast from the Hukilau Cafe.  It's called a Loco Moco.  There's a bed of white rice, a piece of mahi mahi, two eggs over easy and brown gravy.  It's quite delicious and fairly unusual for this Haole. 


While in Waikiki we did manage to eat at Hank's Haute Dogs and Duke's.    We enjoyed a Hula Pie from Duke's and the Lava Flow drink pictured above (minus rum).    Waikiki was a little too touristy for us, but it was still pretty sweet to sit in a restaurant dining on yummy food right next to the beach.  Life is Good!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Stuff

I spent my day yesterday watering all my plants.

Apparently I've neglected them with all the STUFF going on lately.

I logged onto this blog thinking maybe it had tried to curl up and die like the plants.

Appears not.

But it does look pretty neglected.

Unlike these little specimens of plants I saw in Hawaii two days ago -- (Where it was 80+ degrees and I was sweating like a pig dressed in flip flops and capris . . . )






Good times at the botanical gardens in Hawaii!

Look for more good stuff in the days to come, and I don't just mean about our trip,  We've got plenty happening around the house too.  Plus I find myself more opinionated then ever -- so I'm sure you're gonna want to hear that too!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

36 Legs 36 Experiences

Oops I did it again!

I guess it wasn't so much an accident as an adventure.  But count that as my third Ragnar. 

I'm currently snuggled up in bed suffering from a head cold, but figured someone's gotta update this blog and record this Ragnar.

So to keep my foggy head from thinking too much, I'll just give you 36 experiences from the Las Vegas 2010 Ragnar.  36 is representative of the total number of times someone had to get out of the van and put the shoes on the road.

Here we go!

1.  Just call me"U-Turn" Wendy.  I liked to get us close to the place we should be at and then complicate the situation with a series of U-Turns that just got us back to where we should've been.  Kudos to Cheiko for holding it together while driving.

2.  Have you ever seen the Valley of Fire?  It's where we started the race.  Here's what it looks like at 6am:


Yup, it's impressive.  If you add in some nerves and reflective gear, it's even more cool.

3.  Actually, here's a pretty good photo of what the area looks like:


(This is Lisa H running down hill after cresting a freakin' hard hill)

4 & 5.  Yes, I'm only at 4 and I'm wondering how long this blog could possible be.  But since I saw two of the following, I think that it will count.  Of course I saw one alive and one dead.  Either way, it was kinda creepy/cool and gave me a reason to stop running for a little air break.  The live version was photographed and emailed to me by the Scouts.



6.  Speaking of Scouts.  This was one of my favorite teams!  Apparently a Boy Scout group had provided service to Ragnar for two days previous to the race and then ran the race.  I can't tell you how cool it was to see them out running.  They all ran IN their Boy Scout Uniform shirts and with a hodge podge of shoes.  One boy had skater shoes on.  They were extremely polite as they passed me . . . .  I do remember one scout who took off out of the 2nd exchange.  He was young and amazingly fast!  Very inspirational, actually.

7.  Another note about my first run, it just happened to be the EXACT same first run as last year.  I was STOKED to see that I ran it nearly 1 min 20 seconds faster PER MILE than last year.  And it was 7.2 miles long!  I was thrilled to see improvement.  Now, do I credit the performance to a year's worth of running or the bag of Circus Peanuts I ate before I ran??  (You know it was the Circus Peanuts!)

8.  When you are the 'inactive' van you get to go to the next major exchange and wait for your next turn.  It's really tough depending on where you get to wait.  How rough do you think this was?:

(We're hanging out poolside at a swanky casino on reclining chairs)

9.  Another look at this exchange:

(I will say that from here on out the exchanges just got worse.  Poor van 2 had a horrible sleeping situation at exchange 30.  Unless you enjoy a rocky surface to roll your bag onto.  Ugh!)

10.  Red Shoes!  That's a great memory for me ~ These are NOT my shoes, but they belong to a rockin' awesome runner who really did a bang up job at the race.  Not saying that it was easy for these Red Shoes, but you have to respect them, and I do!  Go ahead and guess whose shoes they are.  She is RAGNAR!


11.  I was again fortunate and HUGELY surprised to find that my second run was the same one as last year.  Last year I was runner 11, this year I was runner 5.  So having two of the same courses is quite odd.  But, I was really grateful for this.  My second run was the one where the man was killed last year.  I took a detour last year to avoid the accident scene and was very emotional about it.  There was no detour this year, and it was still pretty emotional.  Cool though!

12.  On that same second run of mine the man in front of me reported that he was struck by pellets from an air soft gun.  A car driving by had shot at him.  Freakin' people!!!

13.  I didn't realize something had happened in front of me, I think it was because I was getting passed by one of the 1/2 naked runners in a speedo.  That's an incredibly distracting event  to have butt cheeks like that passing you, Just sayin'

14 & 15.  Did I mention I have a cold?  Let's call #14 my sister-in-law Tif who gave me 1/2 of the cold and #15 is the cold night I spent sleeping outside with a sweaty, wet head which caused the other 1/2 of the cold.

16 - 20. Ragnar Bling.  I'm counting each of the toes . . . .except I'm pretty sure that one of these is going to fall off now.  I'm thinking about surgically removing them ~


 
21.  Have you ever been the scape goat?  Well I have!  And here's what happens when Chieko thinks you're the one to blame:

(Cheiko's evil eye -- P.S.  Don't trust a word Lisa says in the van!)

22.  After being the recipient of Cheiko's evil eye, I let it go after this happened;

(sleep affects people differently)

25.  Suppose I should make some mention of my last run.  Let's just say it was bad . . . .   We could also say that it was a lot like running on the canal.  Except it was rockier.  And it was uphill.  It looked like this whenever I looked around;



And of course the rest of the trip wouldn't have been complete without the following:
 
26.  Libby -- I think this may be the last time I talk Libby into something like this.  Libby bailed early on our trip.  I think it had to do with a hot car and a man. 

27.  Lisa -- I blame Lisa for EVERYTHING!  It's completely her fault that I find myself sitting on a curb in the dead of night wondering why I'm there.  It's her fault that I love crossing the finish line too . .  .

28.  Dena -- I love Dena AND Kim.  I think the best part of my whole thing was riding around with Kim and Tifany at the end of the race.  Kim was howling at the burros and dropping drawers . . .  .Ha!  So funny even now, good times! 

29.  Cheiko -- the previous photos say it all!

30. Brenda -- Nickname "red shoes"

31.  Cyndi -- I so wish I was in the same van as Cyndi.  There's something really cool about watching someone do something hard and trying something new.  I love hearing about how this was for her.

32. Jen -- 41 hours with no sleep.  Thank goodness she finally fell asleep.  I was worried she'd  be up all night.  Jen was putting out crazy miles/min and was still going strong with no sleep.  AMAZING!

33. Kellie -- How's this for my fabulous friend who has followed me through all of these Ragnars?  Beautiful!



34.  Jaime -- Queen of decorations.  Sorry you got stuck doing this twice out of the three times we've gone.  But you are great at it!!  Looking forward to that marathon next year . . . .

35. Tifany -- Crazy Tif!  You fly out from Iowa each time we do these.  I can't tell you how much I rely on you running in with me for the last bit of my legs!  Thanks sis!

36.  Melanie -- Thanks for everything you did to help things flow smoothly between the vans!  You are great at helping out and seeing the needs of the people around you.  Thanks for letting me run in with you on that last leg.  You did great!

Ah!  I made it to 36. 

My head is still stuffed like a  Thanksgiving turkey!

Not sure what my next BIG thing will be . . . but it's looking like a marathon next year.  YIKES!

Guess it's good I'm headed to HAWAII soon!  YIPPEE




Monday, October 18, 2010

Reflections of Sunday

Here's my thoughts about this past Sunday:

1.  Sacrament meeting goes A LOT better when I don't sit by the boys.  Apparently I am the cause of the irreverence -- who knew?

2.  People will finally do the BSA Youth Protection Training if it gets them out of Sunday School. 

3.  I really do LOVE my new calling!  I'm the Advancement Committee Member for the scouting program -- it's a SWEET gig!

4.  It sucks when you haven't cut your coupons for 4 weeks. . . . .

5.  I really love Amazing Race!  I think Brooke and Claire are my favorite ones to watch.  I'm not saying they're going to win, but their hysterical.

6.  I also really love The Next Iron Chef.  No idea why I like this show -- I just do.

7.  After watching 60 minutes and reading The Lemon Tree I have some strong opinions about Israelis and Palestinians.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll tell you what those opinions are.  Meanwhile, you can have a thought about today, Monday.  It's the day I took Ethan to get his braces:

Friday, October 8, 2010

"G" Mountain


Hiked up to the "G" last week.

It was kinda tough,

But it was also pretty cool!

I do love living at the base of these mountains.

Watch tonight, I hear they are lighting up the "G"

After the football game.

It's gonna be freakin' amazing!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

No "Umph" Left

Dropped by Parent Teacher Conferences tonight.

I just happened to have some free time.

Let's face it, if I was even remotely busy, or in my PJ's, I wouldn't have gone.

That's just the way I roll now with Emma.

I've become the lame mom.

Emma has four weeks of missing homework.

I know just where they all are,

But I don't feel like doing it with her.

It's kindergarten, for heaven sakes.

And by the time I'm done with Pre-Cal, Spanish 3, 7th Grade History, CTE, etc . . . .

Kindergarten homework is just not going to get done. 

Poor Emma has a mom with just not enough "umph" to go around.

Except maybe now I better find a way.

They made me sign a form saying it'll get it done.

(Hope they caught that I added the word 'maybe' to the commitment paper before I signed it)

Monday, October 4, 2010

Serenity

I know the definition of serenity.

It's NOT the feeling that I have now!

Especially after investing the last few days of my TV life watching Firefly.

Thanks for letting me know that I was watching a series that has been cancelled!



I'm on to watching Drop Dead Diva now.  Anyone want to tell me this is cancelled too?

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Feeling Peevish

A few things have been on my mind and making me feel a bit peevish.

Here they are, in no particular order:

1.  The other day I drove Jr. High Carpool.  18 feet from the crosswalk a young girl stepped in front of my car to cross the street.  I nearly hit her -- right in front of her mom who had not taught her to cross in the crosswalk. 

** Note, the same girl crossed again in front of another car to get to the correct side of the street.  That's TWO jay walking instances in less than 3 minutes for this gal! **

2.  I HATE picking paint for my house.  If you come during daylight hours you'll love my brown paint and the cool purple accent wall.  If you come at night you'll hate the red paint and the dumb black accent wall.  Why does the light have to make my paint choices so crazy!?

3.  I'm still stewing over the feeling I had when we refinanced the house and I was asked if I had a job, that generated income.  I feel undervalued and like a leech when finance stuff like this comes up.   * Yes, I just sit at home doing jobs that aren't valued enough to be paid for and I ride on my husband's coat tails. *  Bite me!

4.   All this peevish-ness is probably directly related to the fact that my sweet husband brought home 4 liters of Diet Coke the other day -- CAFFEINE FREE Diet Coke.  Someone get me to Harts!

(Instead I'm now headed to the dentist -- talk about peeved!)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Favorite Form of Torture

Josh came home from school yesterday and DID NOT do what he was suppose to.

He went and played StarCraft 2 instead of homework.

I imposed one of my favorite punishments. . . .

Essay Writing!

Here's what he came up with in the 20 minutes I gave him

(He only had 20 minutes because he had to do homework, chores and moan that he was grounded from the computer).
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Mom


I am so very sorry for making the poor decision of playing Starcraft Two instead of doing my jobs like making my bed, doing laundry or cleaning my bathroom. I also could have been doing my Pre-Calculus Homework for Math class or reading a Chapter for Computer Programming. I could have even been studying my Spanish notes so that I would do better in class or started to sell those amazingly delicious, overprice, creamy ice-cream filled cakes from Cold Stone ® and using that wonderful form that you spent much time working on that nobody noticed how much time you actually spent doing. I would like to take this time to tell you how much I appreciate the work that you do for the Swim Team and I. I am sorry for not doing all these crucial things in my life and now know that I made a really bad decision In playing my computer game instead.

Mom, I love you so much and would like to tell you that I love you and appreciate that you remind me to do my homework and jobs before playing my freaking awesome computer games. I know that sometimes I do not like it but in the long run it can help me a ton to know to do the more important things first in life.

Mom, you have taught me many great lessons in life and I would like to thank you at this time. I am kind of grateful for the lectures and lessons which you have brought into this home and learn from these things which you teach me and the rest of this family. I have learned not to hop in to a jeep with some other guys to do donuts. I am sorry for getting in Brayden’s car and getting donuts at Macey’s. There are too many other lessons that have learned so much from that I cannot name another plus I am almost to the bottom of the page.

Mom, I love you. I would like to mow the lawn, do all of my homework, sell some cakes, and let you pop some of my zits. From, Josh.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Reflections on Sunday

I think it'd be good to Reflect upon my Sunday each Monday morning.

It'll be my personal challenge to try and remember what I learned (ha ha).

Here's my thoughts from yesterday:

#1  WHY?  WHY! Did it have to be my daughter's underwear that showed during the Primary Program?  You know at least one kid will lift their dress over their head and show their underwear . . . but why Emma?  (Okay, it wasn't over her head, but apparently I need to teach her about crossing her legs)

#2  Who Knew!!  There's treats in Relief Society.  I've gone several times now, and I keep getting something to eat in there.  It's freakin' magical!  I've had chocolate twice and yesterday I had cookies.  The church is definitely true!

#3  I'm not having more children.  Okay, this is not really news, but I sat next to a mom in Relief Society who had to entertain her baby the whole time.  I was exhausted just watching her!  I watched her get spit up crackers in her hand, I watched her get pushed by a sleepy little baby, I watched her picking up toys, diapers, treats.  For the love!  I'm so over that.

(I'm so over it that I held the baby, made faces at her, and kissed her hand - repeatedly)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Fall into TV

My calendar is usually chock-full of MUST Watch TV at this time of year.

But I've cut back to only 3 this time around.

And they are:

Biggest Loser

Glee!

Amazing Race

Sadly, out of all the available time slots, they had to put Biggest Loser and Glee on at the same time!  Why, Why does no one consult me anymore?  Did someone miss the memo that I am the center of the universe?

Regardless, I'm looking forward to Melanie making THIS delicious cake for dessert while I watch Amazing Race tonight.

And you can see why I love Glee! so much by watching this great Sue Sylvester commercial.  Heaven help me!  I think Sue is hysterical.  And I am NOT endorsing this particular tv show to everyone --

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Appraisal

So, after letting the appraiser come and wander around my home yesterday I thought I better take a closer look at what he was seeing.

Here's my appraisal of what's going on around here:

1.  Scratch the WELCOME mat and just put out the POISON.


Nothing says "Welcome to the Vincent's" like a little Roundup.  Yes, it's still sitting on my front porch now.  I think it sends a nice bold statement.  I figure this added more of a 'feeling' to the appraisal than an actual dollar amount.  Although, Roundup is freakin' expensive.


2.  Loads of Love? or Pile of Pain?



The value of a master bedroom is in the size, don't ya think?  I really wanted the appraiser to see how large this room is.  The master bedroom is large enough to contain the fundamental bedroom pieces as well as an ironing board with a fat ton of laundry.  I think it also adds and element of 'warmth' to see the clothes piled like that.  Certainly should add to the value of this home!

3.  Lunch Chic



The appraiser came at lunch -- he was able to witness the orderliness of our home and how we like to label our food.  Either that or he thinks we own a cow named Josh.  Or that we have a sick sense of humor.  Bet he didn't guess that we were trying to chug that milk down for lunch so Josh could have a water bottle at swim team.  I DO own real water bottles!  Josh is just going through a weird phase. Regardless, the individualized milk jugs must add to the value of this home!

4.  Personal Pool



Just had to point out to the appraiser that we have our own personal pool.  Figured if he just saw all that swim gear he'd know that we have a pool here.  And you know that a pool is worth a MINT. 

*mental note: check the boys tub more often*


Well, that's about all I could bare for running around and checking up on what the appraiser saw.  I've kindly left out the photo of my artistic deck.  You know, the one with the funky, fun angles. . . Makes you think that it's tipping over, but really it's an expensive work of art that's "attached" to the house.  That's gotta make this house with something!