I am so smart...SMRT!!!

I was rereading my last few entries and realized that I started the last two with the word "so". And I obviously love the word "totally". I didn't grow up in the 80's or anything did I? Man! I am dying to start my next sentence with the word "so"!!! Fine, I'll give into the madness and just do it. SO, I wanted to do some wash, but being a multi-tasker (i.e. - crazy, busy mom) I was right in the middle of five projects when I turned on the washer. I remember thinking, "I'll just let the washer fill up a bit while I finish such and such, and then I'll be back to put the whites in." HA! I TOTALLY forgot (there's that word again) and the washer went through an entire cycle with nothing to swish around but water. As Charlie Brown would say, "Oh, brother!"

P.S. - The drain is working now, thanks to Chad and his manly muscles. It's so nice to not take a shower and a bath at the same time (unless that's what I was TRYING to do).

Who's looking for baby names?

So, I want to take the opportunity to totally plug indexing. All you have to do is go to www.familysearchindexing.org and sign up. You take the tutorial and will then know how to do the work. Indexing allows you to view a scanned copy of an original census record, birth, marriage or death certificate (along with many other types of records) and enter in the information so that others can access a readable copy when they are researching their family lines. It is so much fun, a great use of one's down time, an easy way to be involved in family history work, and is also an endless treasure trove of fun and unusual names. Last night I was working on Birth Records from New Hampshire and entered in the following names: Romance Richards (a guy!), Easter Agnes Richards and Eliphalet Richards (his wife's name was Etta). You should try it, I promise you'll get hooked on something good.

The Thing That Came Up The Drain

So, we've had a slow drain in our downstairs bath lately and it is driving me nuts. (The only thing I miss about the apartments is being able to call Doug in for stuff like this!) After a failed attempt to unclog it with a makeshift snake fashioned from a hanger (I learned my mad "make-do" skills from my Dad...does anyone remember the match taped to the end of a straw?) I decided that a drain snake would be a good investment, but I really am cheap and while I was standing in the plumbing aisle at Wal-Mart, I saw a plastic Zip-It for $2.69. I read the back of the package and considered all the pictures, it seemed a simple yet effective device, so I bought it. Fast forward to home: I'm shoving the Zip-It down the drain, trying to be mindful of the sharp edges it boasts. (I scratched myself multiple times of course.) After a couple of tries, I pulled up a hair clog the size of a mouse and way nasty smelling. (I briefly considered posting a picture of it and then decided that no one would ever come back to this blog again if I did.) Anyhoo, I was so pleased with myself for unclogging the drain that I could scarcely restrain myself from patting my own back. I ran some hot water and then stared, dumbfounded, as it still swirled lazily down the drain. What the freak?!? What exactly is down this drain? Do I want to know? (Of course I do...just for sheer gross-out gratification.) There goes my sense of self-satisfaction. Stupid drain.

Holiday Lights - FAIL!

I first saw this beauty of a misspelling on my way home from dropping off Merritt at school. Sorry for the fuzziness, it's hard to take a picture of lights, but in case you can't tell it says, "Tiss The Season!" I think it's awesome! Presumably someone has told the homeowners by now that they have a major holiday mishap on their fence, but I imagine that they worked so hard to put up the lights in the first place that now they don't care. I shall enjoy a good chuckle all season long.

Dad Sandwich

The oft repeated refrain, "Tickle Me!" was the beginning of this half hour giggle fest. I stayed clear, as I am still recovering from my fall down the stairs. You heard me! Yes, I fell on my bum and I have the most spectacular bruise to prove it. I would publish a picture so that you could see and feel bad for me, but I've found that there is just no way to snap a classy picture of one's butt-cheek.

Spoiled...Who Me?

Back in 2001, Chad and I, along with my mom and dad, went back east to see church history sites and visit Jaime and her new baby Nathan. We spent a few days in Washington D.C. and one of the highlights of our time there was attending the D.C. Temple. The grounds are beautiful and we enjoyed the visitor's center tour presented by friendly sister missionaries. My favorite part of the visitor's center, though, was the collection of nativities on display from around the world. I thought they were all so unique and beautiful and I told Chad that I would love to have a nativity collection one day. Chad, who is wonderful in all ways (except that he doesn't like berries), took me at my word and has been presenting me with nativities ever since. They are so beautiful and it gives me great pleasure to take them from their boxes at the beginning of the Christmas season and put them out for display. Seeing all the different representations of Christ's miraculous birth helps me to focus on who Christmas is really about.

When It's All Quiet InThe House...

What's a mom to think when it's all quiet in the house? I don't know about you but I think that someone is doing something naughty (unrolling toilet paper, punching computer buttons, pulling books off of shelves, etc.) somewhere in the house. I hunted around and found Merritt (recovering from stomach flu) reading aloud from his Stegosaurus book and drawing on his ever-present doodle board. I was so happy that he chose to read and draw with his down time that I had to record the moment for posterity. After snapping a quick picture I went in search of Grace. Low and behold, she also was reading (the Friend is her book of choice here), comfortably ensconced between the side tables I hauled onto the couch so that I could mop the floor. I had to shed a tear...