“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind,
of what then is an empty desk?”
— Albert Einstein
of what then is an empty desk?”
— Albert Einstein
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This little girl will never mentally or expressively develop past a 3 month old baby.
What are your thoughts about the situation? What would YOU do if it was your child?
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Last night I was the guest teacher of fourteen 8-11 year old girls from church. We had the meeting at my house since it’s easier to SHOW organization than explain it (to me anyway).
As they entered my home I asked them to kindly remove their shoes (if you’re an adult I don’t ask you to) then have a seat in the living room. A few ran right downstairs another few over to my kitchen counter and a handful listened and sat on the couch. We rounded them up and I explained what was expected of them while at my house: we have original artwork so be careful and do not touch or lick (you never know).
We started in the kitchen where I showed them our candy buckets (there are 2.5 large containers of pretty-much every candy known to man) and said,
“If y’all behave, then you get to have a treat out of the bucket and the best behaved gets first pick.”
Throughout the lesson, as we toured my house and I explained ways to organize, there were some down-right unruly girls that thought they had to entertain everyone. They talked over each other and me, opened drawers to see what was in them, touched stuff, ran around and jumped into a bed – under the covers (there were 3 of them that did that).
By the time we got to the basement, I about had enough of little girls.
To be fair, not ALL of them were horrendous, but the ones were so much so that it was difficult to notice the girls who were behaving. Time was not up yet but I was. As they gathered onto the couch and quieted down a titch I went into my spiel about how shocked and amazed at how disrespectful, rude and obnoxious most of them had been. Silence. A few squealed that they were being good (of course they weren’t the ones REALLY being good because the ones REALLY being good wouldn’t say that). A couple gave excuses why they were naughty (she started it, I’m never like this at home or at school, we always act like this). The good girls sat doe-eyed staring right at me. Then I told them that there will NOT be any treats from me tonight because they didn’t deserve it. Squawk. Squeal.
“But you TOLD us we’d get to have treats.”
Yes, I did but I also said you have to behave in order to get some.
“You already went through the trouble to make them so we should get to at least take one home.”
Um, no. You’re not getting rewarded for acting so rude.
“What if we behave right now, then can we have some.”
No. You are NOT getting any treats tonight. So stop asking.
“Well, you should at least give treats to the girls who didn’t misbehave.”
Nobody is getting treats; you ruined it for everyone.
I seriously was beside myself with their behavior. Seriously.
I tried to finish what I had to say, asking them questions about their rooms and what to do with all their stuff and THEN they tried to behave acting all sweet. At the very end I told them that even though I was flabbergasted at their behavior I still loved them and because I was upset with how the evening turned out I still think they’re great people but that they have some behavior issues to work on. I told them that hopefully they’ll remember that it was a bummer they didn’t get treats and next time they’ll be better behaved.
So tonight I went to the 7 girls’ houses that WERE well-behaved and told their parents in front of them that I was thankful they were so nice to have over and it wasn’t fair the naughty girls spoiled it and I gave them a treat as a thank you for their good behavior. One of the parents that came to pick up her 2 girls got a report of how her girls behaved and she was thankful to know that. I don’t think every mother would’ve agreed with my solution.
What would you have done?
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I’m having trouble lately.
I’ve been so busy (a busy-body really) that I haven’t been going to bed until tomorrow when I’m really sleepy 3 hours beforehand.
I know it’s just a habit, and a bad one at that. I suppose it could be worse. I could chew my toenails (I don’t, if you must know).
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1. I have blue eyes but they change from blue to hazel to gray depending on my mood.
2. Forbidden to shave my legs until I was 13, I used my dad’s electric razor to shave my arms.
3. At 6wks old I was in a body cast for 2wks with a broken femur then at 4yrs old I was run over by a taxi while laying on a speedbump.
4. I get motion sick easily; especially watching swirly video games or flying in movies.
5. My shoe size was 9 in HS, 10 during my 20’s then 11 after having kids.
6. Never had to read a book for school because we moved around so much.
7. My first “official” date at 16 was with an older guy (18) named Alfie; we were detained by a flood but was home by curfew at 10pm.
8. Right this very moment it’s 11:11 – my favorite time of day.
9. First boyfriend, Brian Eastman, was black (probably still is).
10. If I don’t know how to do something I figure out how – and do it well.
11. I have a goddaughter even though I’m not Catholic.
12. Am good with remembering people’s names.
13. Have an uncontrollable urge to take charge of planning get togethers.
14. I take over projects and do them myself because it’s difficult for me to give up control.
15. I have been working on, and getting better at, admitting when I’m wrong.
16. My tattoe (it’s a tatoo on my toe) is a tiny sun.
17. When pregnant with my first, my OBGYN had to “surgically” remove (she used pliers) the belly button ring I got 2wks before I got pregnant.
18. When living with my grandpa, visitors mistook me for his nurse because he looked like a black man (very dark Hawaiian) and I’m the whitest white girl.
19. I never wanted to have a daughter but wouldn’t have it any other way now.
20. Don’t really need to tweeze my eyebrows (just a few each month).
21. Stopped wearing makeup on a regular basis about 22yrs old.
22. Had wished I were a boy when I was young because I was jealous they could potty standing up.
23. Taunted an albino bull to the point where he charged at me and got stuck by the barbed wire fence (he got stuck, not me).
24. Almost burnt down a barn while playing with a boy in Germany.
25. The only thing I ever stole was 5 francs (maybe marcs but not pfennig) from my parents to buy ice cream but I felt so guilty that I ate it too fast to enjoy and gave myself the worst brain freeze.
26. I’ll almost try anything once (unless it’s potentially dangerous or against my beliefs).
27. When I see someone being kind to a child I tear up and almost cry.
28. Popped about 4 antacids while on a fieldtrip on the Rhine river in Germany thinking they were candy (I didn’t read German very well).
29. Met my biological dad when I was 25yrs old in a non-Sally Jesse Raphael way.
30. Was jealous of my brother as a teenager because he was the biological child of the man I called “daddy” and I wasn’t.
31. Been drunk twice, both on accident.
32. Voluntary medically necessary bilateral reduction mammoplasty on 11 Oct 94.
33. Attended non-denominational churches without my family starting in high school.
34. Had a pet rat named Thaddeus Winston Reginald Poindexter.
35. My CB handle (when I had one) was “Sweet Lady” (long & high sweeeeeeet).
36. Feel germ phobic at county fairs but not at rodeos.
37. Have a soft spot in my heart for true cowboys (especially ones my dad’s age).
38. Am a regular at Carrabba’s in Orem; been there 4 times in 1 week before.
39. Can’t wear high heels long enough to get used to the pain.
40. Am proud of my obnoxious bumper stickers on my car; one says “It’s better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you aren’t.”
41. Won’t ever bungee jump or sky dive for fear I’ll shart myself.
42. Knew more about computers than my hubby our first few years of marriage.
43. Earned Employee of the Month awards at 2 different companies.
44. Prefer to assist than to lead (although I don’t act like it).
45. Talk to strangers and give suggestions when at the store (especially bargains).
46. Lived in Germany at 7-9yrs old and treasure the memories.
47. Have 2 kids; a boy who makes me laugh and a girl who makes me worry ;o)
48. I don’t iron unless it’s fabric for quilting (all our clothes straighten out in the dryer).
49. Know more about celebrities than scripture stories and heros (working to change that).
50. Never wanted to smoke & despise the smell of cigarettes (but I like pipe tobacco).
51. Spent every Thursday for 10yrs on the couch watching Friends (except summer).
52. Used techniques to further my chances of conceiving a boy (it worked).
53. Competitive by nature, I don’t like to lose but I try to do it honorably.
54. Love playing Mexican Trains (dominos) and would like to more often.
55. When I get around to cleaning I usually do a good job.
56. Am über organized yet still a pack-rat (have 2 piles of where-should-this-go).
57. Used to jump on the roof when babysitting my little brother to scare him.
58. Am a fiend at Sudoku (have it on my PSP and a handheld pocket one too).
59. I rarely read books but when I do I can’t put it down and finish in record speed.
60. Have a habit of starting projects but not finishing them (Christmas stockings).
61. Usually don’t need a coat because my body is always warmer than normal.
62. Had an obsession with The Pirate Movie as a teen (those were the days).
63. A friend looked me up 15yrs after HS to tell me he named his daughter after me.
64. My first apartment used to be a brothel back in the day (I loved that place).
65. Played all types of clarinets for 6yrs and was in flag corp in HS marching band.
66. Was naïve to a sexual prank caller while working at the hotel (he was found out and caught but no charges were pressed because it wasn’t a crime).
67. Envy those who can whistle with their fingers.
68. Don’t care for birds to touch me but I love looking at them.
69. Have perpetual back pain due to a parking lot accident 4 years ago.
70. I like making people smile.
71. Jumped out of a car at a stoplight when the driver cracked open a beer.
72. Was 18yrs old when I asked my daddy to finally adopt me.
73. I prefer to be barefoot and don’t like wearing socks.
74. My daddy’s peanut butter cookies are my favorite dessert (brownies close 2nd).
75. Like watching live births of mammals (including humans). So fascinating.
76. Hats look stupid on me.
77. I weigh more than people think (or so they say LOL).
78. The only food aversion I have is green peppers; favorite is Tom Kah Gai soup.
79. I like who I am when I’m with my Lisa.
80. I get along better with guys than girls (maybe because of my brutal honesty).
81. My feelings get hurt easily and I have a tender heart that few people see.
82. Talking kind about my children brings me to tears.
83. Like my house, view, neighborhood and friends but ache to move to the NW.
84. Even though the dentist encourages it, I don’t floss unless something’s stuck.
85. I love to spend hours sifting through magazines and avoid reading books.
86. I love photography. But I love you more you see. But I still love photography. Always and forever. Always and forever.
87. Would rather go to bed earlier than I do and wake up earlier & get stuff done.
88. Currently, I have a clean driving record and try my best to keep it that way.
89. Passing a soldier in uniform on the street swells my heart with gratitude.
90. Even though my religion is criticized by many, I find peace, comfort and strength in learning more about Christ at church and serving my fellow man.
91. Like watching home improvement and cooking shows.
92. Blogging is a passion for me lately; more reading others than writing my own though.
93. Love animals but became allergic to cats at about 22yrs old.
94. Have a knack with babies that aren’t my own (until about 6mos old).
95. Am harder on my kids than I should be and I’m working on that.
96. Really good at folding laundry… when I get around to it.
97. Passed my motorcycle training course & written test with flying colors.
98. Love to entertain and have new neighbors over for dinner.
99. Can’t understand racism, no matter how hard I try.
100. Have an awesome husband, my Nordic prince, who’s 5yrs younger than me.
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My 6yr old son, Jack, was talking to grandma on the phone about his Christmas vacation…
Jack: I woke up in the middle of the night and SAW SANTA!!!
Gma: You did?
Jack: Yeah!
Gma: What did he look like?
Jack: He was 10 feet fat!
We’re creating our Wii characters just a minute ago and I was making “mommy” (that’s me). You can change eye shape & color, hair style & color, face shape & color, etc. When we got to the height & weight portion and I made me the tallest (compared to the kids, I am) then I adjusted the weight up a smidge from the middle and Piper says…
Piper: No, mom! Move it all the way over!
Me: No, I’m not THAT big!
Piper: Yes you ARE!
Jack: No, Piper, she’s not THAT big.
Piper: Yes she IS! She IS that big! She’s WAY bigger!
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‘Splain me La Dolce Vita because I’ve been there twice and can’t understand WHY in the world people go there (and like it). Has nobody that’s been there been to Carrabba’s (my favorite) or even Ottavio’s (not my favorite but certainly better than LDV). Ben and I went when we first moved to Utah because SEVERAL friends recommended it to us. We both ordered 2 different “tour” plates so that we’d get to try 6 different items from the menu, just in smaller portions. So I’ve tried 7 entree’s and NONE of them are worth PAYING hard-earned money for.
Toasted, buttered, sliced WHITE BREAD (like out of the Wonderbread bag) in a foil-encased basket (Carrabba’s served freshly made, hot peasant-style bread with an herb mixture in olive oil for dipping wrapped tenderly in a white cloth napkin… I like mine with a little balsamic vinegar added to the oil).
Bone-IN (what restaurants serve fish with the BONE still in it? — LOTS of it, not like a little piece that snuck it’s way in either) and skin-ON halibut that’s breaded & char-broiled beyond recognition (Carrabba’s marinates & grills their fish with the lines criss-crossed so you can easily tell what you’re eating and serves it with fresh handmade toppings).
Frozen mid-quality vegetables boiled to luke-warm, swimming in water (Carrabba’s uses only the FRESHEST veggies then seasons them with garlic, butter and a dash of seasoning — try the spinach… the broccoli is my other favorite; Ben likes the squash medley).
Entrees that taste like the Costco samples on Fridays (which doesn’t mean they’re BAD, per se, just that I don’t want to PAY for Costco samples at a restaurant).
There was something else there that bugged me but I’ve blocked it from memory (and by this point I am salivating at the thought of eating at Carrabba’s sometime soon even though in the last 2 weeks I had the pleasure of eating at 2 of the top steak houses in the NW, The Metropolitan Grill (ask for the server Craig Summers and Joe the Sommalier) and JaK’s Grill in Issaquah).
P.S. The picture was taken last month with my Harley-riding girlfriends at LDV (I’m the 2nd from the right). We had a lovely time, the company was great, we had a lot of fun but I just don’t understand the appeal food. Seriously.
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Left on a Sunday morning fighting the snow-ridden roads to the airport (but, luckily, had a nice neighbor to drop us off and save $80 in airport parking fees).
Charged the old man and woman sitting next to me on the plane for various things amounting to $25 by the end of the flight. Explained to him that the stewardess announced over the intercom to give the person on his left $20, ending at the aisle (I was sitting on the aisle). Getting up to let them in/out for the bathroom cost $1 each time and both of them went once. The last charge was getting his bag down from the overhead compartment. He found me at baggage claim and handed me 1% of his bill; a quarter. Said he’d have to owe me the rest.
Arrive in Seattle to the smell of cigarette‘s. Forgot how much people smoke until we landed – 2nd hand smoke is EVERYWHERE there.
Survive 3 days without power at the in-laws (severe windstorms knocked out their power for a week; other areas did without it for longer than that). Realized how boring life can be without electronics ;O) Whenever I would see the exhausted utility crews around town I would feel a little teary-eyed like I do when I see a soldier in uniform in person. Those crews were (and still are) working so hard to get the electricity flowing. 3 cheers for hard workers!
Lisa and I went galavanting around Seattle for the day to get some pics of Seattle so I could show you why we really love it there.
Went shopping at Bellevue Square for last minute gifts and found a little somethin-somethin for yours truly and a 20% discount because the cute sales clerk tangled it and couldn’t figure out how to undo it (I had it undone before we left the store). In case there are any single guys in the Seattle area that are looking for a fun redhead chiquita… stop by and see Amanda at Banana Republic – tell her I sent you from my blog. Here’s a picture of her I took on the fly…
See, cute, isn’t she?
The rest of the week until Christmas was fun hanging with the in-laws and all the family that were around. In the parents house alone there were about 13 people staying; mom, dad, the 2 brothers that live there, the 1 brother and his baby, us 4 then the sister/hubby/baby that are in between houses/states moving from Oregon to California with his job. There’s another sister/hubby/3yr old in the area too, but they didn’t sleep at the house.
Christmas eve we went to church in the morning (then again in the afternoon for a devotional). When the kids got out of the car they asked, “What’s that sound?” I had to stop and pay attention to figure it out because there wasn’t anything obvious like dog barking, construction or people. Oh. They heard the swish-swishing of the trees blowing in the wind; kinda sounded like a river. Don’t hear that sound in Utah – no matter where you are… it’s different in the NW.
We attended The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Pacific Science Center with the whole family. It was too packed for me to enjoy it thoroughly, having to manhandle the bored kids and maneuver around a bunch of people who didn’t know how to keep the flow flowing. Saw some authentic writings from a bazilion years ago and learned some about how they survived so long, were sold a couple times (once for $250,000) and lastly transcribing them from ancient language to english. No pictures allowed, so there aren’t any to share (but take another look at Amanda above).
There’s more to write about but maybe this should be it for now. Phew. I have more pictures too ;o)
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