Friday, August 24, 2007

a to do list

place to live (aka,house)...check.

place to live (aka, van)...check.

5th year check-up and immunizations (not mine, I am older than five, though I don't always act like it)...check.

registration and insurance for van...check.

unpack...um, it is a lot of boxes...

spend a ton of money at Costco in order to fill pantry and then upgrade to the Executive Membership because what the heck, probably spend as much there next week, too...check.

make bed...ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

load dishwasher...check.

email people in New York I'd like to keep in touch with...I've thought about it guys, you know who you are...so, someday! (Just know I'm thinking about you).

pay bills, balance the checkbook...it never ends, does it.

get an ISP...working on it.

visit my mom's computer, I mean, my mom...check.

blog...check.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

as if giving birth to them wasn't enough

There are some things that just emphasize that, yes indeedy, you are, in fact, a parent. Taking your child to Back-To-School Night for the first time is one of them. And to let you know that you are the parent of four....? How about strapping and buckling all of them in to a minivan. No turning back, Allysha. You're a mom for sure.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

a dash of mortification with your motherhood

Aren't kids sweet? No, really, just the sweetest things ever? No pretense, no facades, just themselves.

One of these sweet little girls showed up at my parent's door on Sunday with her dad, stuffed Nemo doll in hand, asking for my daughter. She then handed over Nemo to my daughter who said thank you breathlessly. Our sweet visitor went on to explain that she had two Nemos and so she was giving one away. She didn't need two. I thought this was cute, and a nice gesture towards a new friend. I smiled at her and her dad. My daughter hugged the plush fish tightly.

The little girl went on. She actually didn't play with Nemo anymore. So giving one away wasn't a great loss. And besides, my daughter had asked for it. Yes, there it was. My daughter had asked for her Nemo.

My cheeks may have turned a little pink. But it was a very sweet gesture, one I would like my kids to make if they ever have twin Nemos they have tired of, and I wanted the little girl to be able to continue with her nice gesture...I was abashed, however. We politely accepted the gift; me with verbal thank you's, my daughter with those silent thank you's that children are known for (some people call it staring straight ahead).

We shut the door. I turned to my daughter. "Sweetheart, we don't ask people for their toys, it's not very polite." It was my daughter's turn to be a little abashed, but for different reasons. But (which lesson to reinforce?) "That was very nice of your friend to share with you like that."

So there you have it. Kids being kids. I'd really like to know what the conversation was like that ended with my daughter getting a stuffed fish that all my kids are now fighting over. I realize one of the charms of children is that they tell it like it is, tell you how they want it. And we could use more of that in this world with some of the adults I know. I just wish this candidness wasn't at the expense of my cheek color, a light blush.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

on average, it's not so bad

I think I'm hitting a post about once a week. And while that will in no way allow me to catch up to Barry Bonds, whether I use steroids or not, I'm reasonably happy about my record, all things considered.

Because the housing market in Utah is just starting a downward slide, there are a lot of overpriced houses we'd like to live in, but can't afford. Hmmm. Turns out when you have some student loans in your back pocket, the Utah Valley and NY cost of living doesn't seem so different after all! So we've decided to rent for a year while the market calms it's self down a little bit. It is, happily, a buyer's market, and all signs point to it being even more of a buyer's market in a year and so we shall wait to get our little abode a little bit longer. That way it will be a little bit bigger than if we were to plunk down the money now.

So we are in the hunt for a decent place to rent. Honestly. This is one of my least favorite things to do. But we need to settle down quick for the sake of my sanity and because my oldest starts school in a few weeks, and that might be a nice thing to do, you know- have an idea of where we'll be living so we can actually sign her up for the much anticipated kindergarten!!!!!!!!

If you know of any great houses for rent at a fabulous price (fabulous = low) drop me a line. I'll check it out! Otherwise, we're glad you could join us for the weekly event of posting here at Bells on their toes. Thanks!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

inquiring minds want to know

I have now entered what I am calling "the Voldemort stage" of my illness. And not just because of my random urges to kill whoever crosses my path and annoys me. (Just kidding.) My cold/whatever else it wants to be, has moved up through my head slowly and is now at my eyes. They are red. Red, red, red. Yes, it's a little frightening. It's probably viral, but since my two-month old avoided the rest of my cold but got the eye infection we went to the instacare last night and got twinner prescriptions for antibiotic eye drops. Better safe than sorry. And lots of fun.

But enough about me. More about Harry. ***mild, mild, mild, and vague, spoiler alert on a brief tidbit at the beginning of the book for those of you who haven't yet read book #7. And by the way, what is the matter with you????***

There were obviously justified debates about the nature of Snape and his loyalties. But what I want to know is this: Stanley Shunpike, Death-Eater or Imperiused?

Was he rightfully put into Azkaban and therefore freed by the bad guys? Would it really be worth the effort to get him in on the plot to capture Harry if he were good? I'm just saying, Harry may have his doubts, but I have mine and they are on the other side...I think Mr. Stan isn't the sweet awkward guy we all thought he was...But I don't care enough to write some fan-fic about it or anything. But what do you think? Naughty or nice?