THEY'RE COMING...

The devil's candy...and the 10 pounds I always gain around Easter time. Why are they in the stores already? It's not even Valentine's day for Pete's sakes! I'll tell you why...it's a CONSPIRACY...and "they" know we will not be able to resist them. I am telling myself I will only buy one bag and ration it out over the months-everything in moderation, right? Do I have to count the bags I buy and eat when no one is around? If no one sees me eating them, they can't possibly hurt me, right? And how about the little mini bags? They only have like ten little eggs in each one. I don't think eating one (several times a day) can do much harm. What do you think of my brilliant plan? Am I just incredibly weak or are they really as ridiculously delicious and addictive as I think they are?

100 Things

I got this checklist from INfertile Myrtle. Fun idea-you just BOLD the things on the list that you have done. Play along if you want! I was surprised by how many things I actually HAD done in my sheltered little life-I'd better get busy-there are so many that I WANT to do! A lot of them I'll be able to accomplish on my dream vacay to Europe! Who's coming with me?

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen and Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. (Um.. ewww.)
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

What's New? Pussycat!

Introducing Boo Marchant, our Humane Society rescue kitty! This is the kitten meant to help heal my broken heart. I hadn't cried for a week until last night when I broke down because I couldn't remember how Bobby sounded. Picture a grown woman wailing, " I can't remember the sound of his meow!" Silly, I know, but true!
Little Boo is helping but also hindering the process since he does not like to be TOUCHED let alone petted and/or snuggled. I can't help but think the poor little guy was abused somehow although he was listed as a stray at the HS. One of the reasons I chose him instead of one of his siblings was because of how fragile and terrified he looked. I just knew I could "save" him-kind of like I did with Bobby. Anyway, he is coming around, slowly but surely, thanks to the love of a good owner (that would be me). We named him Boo for three reasons:
1) He is white like a ghost and ghosts say, "BOO!"

2) He is jittery and scared of everything-we may as well be sneaking up behind him yelling, "BOO!" for as much as he is always running, hiding and cowering.

3) He plays "peek-a-boo" with us-always sneaking little looks out from behind wherever he is hiding-scoping us out.

These pictures were taken around two weeks after we got Boo-just as soon as he came out of hiding. He is already around six months old but still a kitten at heart. He loves to run and play, scratch furniture and break stuff. (Why did I want a kitten, again?) He has fallen head-over-heels for Rocky. In fact, Rocky was the only thing that brought him out of hiding for the first few days he was with us. I hope good old Rock (13 years old) can handle rambunctios little Boo. I know we got him very soon after Bobby's death, and I felt guilty about that for awhile-like maybe I was betraying Bobby's memory or not grieving the appropriate amount of time. But I think everyone deals with the loss of a beloved pet differently, and having Boo around has helped both me and Rocky cope with the loss of our good buddy Bob. Now I just have to work on letting him pet him more often! I have tricked him into letting me a few times and he always seems to enjoy it-based on the loud purring-but he's still very antsy and nervous about being approached. I always have enjoyed a good challenge-bring it on, Boo!

If Walls Could Talk...

I got the idea for this post from the One Minute Writer since I have not been feeling very inspired to write lately but wanted to post SOMETHING nevertheless, so:
IF MY WALLS COULD TALK THEY MIGHT BE SAYING:

1. Why is she still moping around? That cat's been gone over a week! Showering might do her some good...and the dust is really getting thick in here!
2. Man, that kid is a ball of energy! I think he's passed me twice in the last 30 seconds. Good think we have little Andrew for comic relief.
3. Casserole for dinner-AGAIN??? Where is she hiding the cook books?
4. When do you think we might get a touch-up? These holes aren't going to fill themselves. And we are all so jealous of RED WALL-he's the only whose been painted since they moved in over a year ago. Not fair!
5. I am almost disappearing behind this pile of laundry!

Rest in Peace Bobby Marchant 1999-2009

Today I lost my best friend. Bobby, my little orange cat, had to be put to sleep. He has been diabetic for the past two years or so, and recently had been experiencing constant bladder infections and other complications from the disease, that we couldn't see to get regulated with changes of diet and medication. I have to tell myself that he was suffering, and that what I had to do was the best thing for him, but my heart is breaking over this decision. I loved that cat, more than I can say. He and I had a very special relationship. I was his only human friend-he was very timid and scared of other people. He trusted me and me alone. I was the only one who got to see his funny side, when he would do his little squirrel impression, roll around on his back when he wanted to be petted, and hear all the cute little sounds he made-I think he thought he was talking to me. I almost feel like I have betrayed him by having him put to sleep, but I believe it was the best thing for him. The best thing for me would have been to delay this day with more medicines, more doctors, and on and on..I wanted to preserve his dignity and remember Bobby as I knew him-not as a sickly and miserable animal. I can't stop crying and my head feels like it is going to explode. I will miss my dear friend, Bobby and hope and pray he will be happier and at peace where he is now. I love you Bobby! I couldn't have asked for a better cat.

One More Thing We've Been Doing

Introducing...Frosty Junior! I wanted to go with something more original like Elvis or Stanley, but the boy wasn't having it. He insisted on Frosty and I added the Junior for a little distinctive touch. I promised we'd build a snowman today, and poor packing snow and blazing sun be darned , a snowman we (mostly I) built! I didn't promise it would be a large, grand snowman, and granted, ours looks more like a snow dwarf, but some quality time outside with my son was the man objective, and we definitely accomplished that. (Notice how thrilled Andrew looks to be holding Frosty Junior's hand-I think maybe he's catching on that some of my picture poses are a little cheesy!) Now let's just hope good old FJ melts before the obnoxious teenagers steal his nose or knock his head off!*
*The aforementioned teenagers have already popped our Santa snow globe and created naughty poses with our lighted lawn reindeer, so excuse me for expecting the worst! Unfortunately, I have no proof that it's these teenagers doing the dirty deeds aside from several sets of snowy footprints leading to their house across the street, so I must insert the discaimer that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty!*

The BUSIEST Time of the Year!

I have been MIA from the blogging world for the past little while because, well..because it's Christmas of course! There are family traditions that must be observed, school service projects to finish, gifts to wrap and deliver, etc. you know, all the same things you've been doing yourself I'm sure. Here's a little glimpse into what we've been up to for the past couple of weeks:

Zoo Lights-You may have heard the radio ads for this one-200 animated displays-over a million lights total! Not very many animals can bear the cold this time of year, but it is fun to walk through and see the lighted displays. The giant tiger and hippopotamus heads are among Bubba's favorites.

Sub for Santa-My 5th grade class combined with a 4th grade class in our school sponsored two needy families in the area for Christmas. I have done this activity with my classes for the last four years and to be quite honest, didn't expect much this year with the state of the economy and all. The kids surprised me to say the least! I had students taking back their own Christmas presents to buy for the children of these families. I don't cry much, but shed a few tears to watch my students touched by the true spirit of giving and the Christmas spirit demonstrated by the students and their parents. It feels good to be able to help give a family a Christmas where it wouldn't have been possible otherwise. I will ALWAYS do this service project.

Marchant Christmas Party-Ah the yearly talent show, nativity scene and gift exchange! Andrew did his fantastic rendition of Rudolph for the second year in a row. Why mess with perfection?The Marchants are good people and I am lucky to be counted among them.

Santa Claus-The boy got right down to business-hopped right on Santa's lap and made sure the old man knew exactly what he was wishing for this year. Then, hopped right back off and went back to playing. No lingering around, no shy smiling and watching Old Saint Nick like so many other little kids do. This is what I want, thank you and goodbye. Just enough time for mom to snap a picture.
Willard Bay Lights (plus cocoa and scones!)-It was our second year to head north and check out the light displays at the Willard Bay campground. A little cheesy, but worth the $9 per car to see the glowing pioneers and handcarts, nativity scene, Cinderella's carriage, Jazz bear, etc. The display is very Utah-centric and fun. Cocoa and scones were a bargain at only $1 each! If you dress for the weather the wagon rides are free!

Tomorrow we head home to Idaho for the holidays. I am excited to see my whole extended family and spend time with my sister and niece.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!