Pyles of Clutter

Wishes

Here we go....

So today I was watching a Monk episode where an old prospector hides gold by melting it down and turning it into ink.  Then he proceeds to write and write and write and write and write somemore.  997 journals later, he has used all the gold, 6 million dollars worth, all by writing nonsense. 

I wish all my journals would make that much money for me.  I mean, I write a lot of nonsense. 

;)

If wishes were fishes, we'd all have food. 

Monday Memories--Anniversary edition

Today is our 24 year anniversary.  At this time, 24 years ago, I was walking down the aisle with my dad, to meet my beloved, which I didn't realize was going to become my life, my best friend, my soul mate.  Maybe that's a little sappy, but truly, that's how I feel. 

Yesterday, he says to me, thanks for staying with me for 24 years, and I think, and maybe I said it out loud, where else would I be?  If I left you, I would be leaving me, because we are one and the same.  You are part of me, and I am part of you. 

About a year ago, our next door neighbors got a divorce.  It was the saddest thing ever, and you could see both sides scrambling, trying to put some meaning back into their lives.  Why would you do that to yourself?

Terry and I have been talking alot about courtship, marriage, newlyweds, and the dreaded "the honeymoon's over" phase.  Personally, the honeymoon phase for us was terrible!  Our first year of marriage was so hard.  We already had a child, Tyson.  I got pregnant right away (totally by accident).  I had a job as a nanny to 3 children.  Then, I worked at a movie theater and we had opposite schedules.  He worked during the day, I worked nights.  On the days I had off, Terry went to night school to get his master's degree.  We literally never saw each other.  On our second anniversary, we moved to Moses Lake, into the tiniest house I had ever seen.  It was a mess, and had several issues.  I remember that I kept thinking, this is a joke, right?  We aren't living here, right?  But we did.  For 7 years, and it was really good.  I'm so grateful for the time in that house.  But before that, whoa.  Everyday was a new discovery about how to deal with each other. 

Then, I was grateful Terry was gone most of the day.  I felt like I had to be "on" when he was home, and that gets exhausting.  Now, I miss him terribly during the day, and look forward to his calls from work. 

Then, I felt like I couldn't live up to this image I had of what a wife should be.  Now, I know that whatever I do is appreciated, and I don't have to earn love.

Then, I felt like Terry should just know what I wanted, or how I felt.  Now, I just tell him and we are all happier.  No one is able to read minds.  Don't expect your husband to.

Then, I thought I should always be first on his list.  Now, I realize that he needs his hobbies too, and I'm more than happy to give him the time.  And he is very generous about what I need also.

When we first got married, Tyson called Terry by his name, and so it was established that I was the parent, and Terry was somewhat of a babysitter.  That lasted until we had AJ, and then he became dad, and I had to relinquish some of my parenting duties.  I know that sounds weird, like of course I would want someone else to help, but I was super overprotective of Tyson in those days.  It was hard to let Terry step in and take some of the load, because that would mean that he would also get some of the accolades too.  It all comes together.  Giving up control has never been my strong suit. 

And now here we are, 24 years later.  Older and wiser.  Stronger and committed.  We've had our highs and our lows, but we've been able to go through them together, in our life boat we call "marriage".

Doing the same thing

Today, I got up at 5:30 with Zoey and made her lunch, then Tessa's lunch.  I got her breakfast, then started on the dishes.  I said morning prayers with her, then went to her room and picked up, and made her bed.  I snuck a minute back in my bed, then went to clear off the table, and pick up the living room.  I got Tessa up, got her dressed, brushed her hair, made her breakfast, told her to brush her teeth, siad morning prayers, got her coat on her and sent her out the door.  Then, I went to make her bed, and mine, and back to the dishes.  I took out the garbage, and started the washer. 

Just like I do every day.

Honestly, I'm glad I've always stayed home with my kids.  I think I had an advantage because I was always there, no matter what time they left, or what time they got home.  I can read my kids body language like an expert, because I've been around to see the highs and the lows.  Sometimes, the kids have hated that, because when they're upset, I know.  And sometimes, they don't want to talk about it.  Too bad.  I want to know what's going on. 

Some kids got a little short changed.  Tyson, for instance, didn't really get much attention when he was a senior, because I had a baby that year.  Having a baby before was not that big of a deal, but I was out of practice.  And old.  So this baby was a little more of a handful, and my attention was divided just a little too thin.  I'm not convinced though that it would have changed anything.  I just have a tad bit of guilt over it.

Anyway, as I was putting away dishes from the dishwasher, dishes that I wash everyday and put away every day, sometimes several times a day, I was thinking about the fact that I live a pretty mundane life.  I stack the same glasses, and the same plates.  I wash and fold the same clothes.  I sweep and mop the same floor.  But still I know, that this is where I'm suppose to be, and my family, and me, have been blessed for my desire to stay home, and take care of my children. 

So I'll be doing the same thing tomorrow, and the next day, and the next... you get the drift.

Today, I'm doing it with snowing falling, and hot chocolate. 

So.....

It may or may not be true that I bought myself some snazzy new reading glasses that I have to wear when I'm looking at my phone.

Getting old.

A Mormon message

The gospel really can make you happy.

Keep the fire burning....

A little bit of happy.

Well, after the Debbie-Downer post yesterday, let's get a little happy around here!!

1:  Today, I was back out running!!  The weather was beautiful and there were so many people out and about.  People in the morning are just a happy bunch.  Almost all of them smile and say good morning.  It's a nice beginning to the day!

2:  It was institute again today!  I love institute and have even put off grocery shopping because it meant that I would have to miss institute.  I love how Bishop Stones teaches, and I love that we can just jump all over the place and still learn a large part of the lesson.  Love it.

3:  I'm not a big Green Bay fan, but I was so happy that they won the Super Bowl!  I love it when a team of well behaved people are rewarded for their hard work.  Someday, it'll be me. (Not winning the super bowl, but being rewarded for hard work.)

4:  And I rather liked the half time show.  I don't care what any of you say, I thought it was fun.  And I thought the people dancing in the light costumes were hiliarious.  Just saying.

5:  The countdown begins!!  Megan will be 18 on Saturday!  I can not believe that the time is here already, when we are starting the senior countdown again.  First on the agenda is announcements.  They're going to be super cute people!

6:  We have turned our applications for Zoey's summer jobs!  Let's hope she gets hired!

7:  It was light all the way until about 4:45.  It's coming around!  Oh yes it is!

8:  I do believe that I will be making sugar cookies tomorrow.  I'm not sure I can be super happy about this because sugar cookies are actually a lot of work, but I do love to eat them, so I guess that will be the super happy part!

9:  Megan is on the last leg of her senior project, except the presentation!  Yea!  I'm not a huge fan of senior projects, but it just so happens that this was a good idea for Megan.  She was waffling about being a nurse or not, but when she went to job shadow a nurse, she got to see a C-section.  Instead of being really grossed out by it, she was fascinated and it has made her decide to really give this a try.  Exciting!

10: I went to a bridal shower on Saturday and it reminded me again of how much I love weddings and young love.  Every time I go to a wedding, I love to see the happiness on the face of the bride and groom, off on a new adventure.  I hope I still have that look on my face when I look at my darling.  He really is my light.  I love to be by him.  It was Stake conference this week, and so Terry got to come to church with me, and sit by me, and hold my hand.  It was the BEST ever. 

And that is the happy in my world. 

Flip flop

JULY 28

I have a new sound that I love.

After my marathon, I had blisters on the end of all my toes on my left foot.  Only one blister on my right foot, but both feet were sooo swollen.  In fact, so swollen that I couldn't wear any shoes for a couple of days.  My cousin, whose house we stayed at in Provo, was so kind as to give me these flip flops (an early birthday present, she said) in order to save me from having to go barefoot on the ride home.  I really didn't think that it would be so bad, but as it happens, it saved me from some very gross pavement walking when I HAD to go to the bathroom on the way home. 

I'm not much of a flip flop wear-er.  I have ugly toes.  It's just a fact of my life!  I've accepted it.  But since having these flip flops, I'm addicted to them.  I find the noise they make as they hit my heels when I walk, just so happy!  I even try to make them hit my feet harder so the noise is louder!  I love that noise, FLIP, FLOP, FLIP, FLOP.  So happy.

And now you may be noticing that my toes are nicely decorated!  Yep, I got a pedicure.  A Very Good Friend of mine, gave me a nail gift certificate a while ago.  I didn't really know what I was going to do with it, but I'm sure glad I saved it, because my toes are looking pretty happy right now.  And the foot massage was to die for!  My poor feetsies love a good foot massage.  SO thank you, My Very Good Friend!  I enjoyed every minute of my pedicure!  Pure Bliss.
 

Guess What.

Guess what time it is.

It's lunch time.

Guess what I hear.

Nothing.

You know why?  Because lunch is done!  Oh my.  The conflicting emotions.  I've finished with lunch for Zoey.  I made it through the year. Good for me.

Guess what Saturday was.

It was recital.

Guess what I did all day.

Recital.

I'm still feeling the effects of the longest day ever.  We have three shows every year, and our shows are long!  It's not our fault.  We have a LOT of dances.  Consequently, there is no leaving the venue.  After the show ends, we move into getting ready for the next one.  It's a continuous round.  I'm tired.

Guess what yesterday was.

It was seminary graduation.

Guess who went even though I don't have someone graduating.

Me.

Terry is in charge of seminary graduation and so I went.  I was way more emotional then I thought I would be.  But these are the girls (and boys) who have really been Lilly's friends through the years.  And one boy in particular talked about his grandfather's advice, and his grandfather was my bishop and also my best friend's father.  I miss that guy.  He was a truly great man, who died way too early.  Such is the case a lot. 

Guess what else is going on.

Lilly finally went to work today.

Guess what's going on in my house.

Nothing.

For the first time in 6 weeks, I have the house to myself all day.  I'm enjoying it.  I'm trying to catch up on stuff that has been put to the back burner for way too long.  Here's hoping to get it caught up!

Guess what is this weekend.

My marathon.

Guess who's going to be in Utah.

Me.

And guess what else I found out.

My cousin is ALSO going to be running this marathon!

Scott!  We are running the same marathon!  Of course, I probably won't be seeing you.  I'm sure I'm much slower.  Maybe at the end.  I'm just hoping to finish.  If I can keep my pace, I won't be swept off the course.  That is my hope.  Sheesh. 

And that's all for me.  Here's to peace and quiet.

Ice Cream, I gotta have Ice Cream!

I went grocery shopping today.

Oh yes, I did! 

I found 1/2 gallon ice cream for 1.98.  That is a pretty good price, so I bought a bunch.

Did I tell you that I'm training for a marathon?  I did?  Well, it kind of consumes my life, and because of this, I have given myself permission to lay off the calorie counting while I'm training.  I still try to eat pretty healthy, and I still watch the amount of treats that I have, but I don't worry about the rest.  So far, it hasn't affected me TOO MUCH. 

So right now, while I let myself have treats, my favorite is vanilla ice cream, with a cut up banana, with my homemade hot fudge sauce.  Mmmmm, my mouth is watering!  And now, I have a whole freezer full of cheap ice cream, just calling my name.

I also found a really good recipe for brownies.  Are you a cake brownie person, or a fudgy brownie person?    I like fudgy brownies.  And this recipe is pretty fudgy.  Yum again.  I was THRILLED to finally find a brownie recipe that I liked!  It has taken a long time, because I wanted a fudgy brownie (which we have established) and also one that was just brownie.  No frills or anything.  We now make them every Sunday to have with our plain vanilla ice cream, and homemade hot fudge sauce. 

A while ago, I found a huge bag of cut up frozen fruit at Costco for 4.99.  You read that correctly.  Another awesome price.  I thought, oh, I'll buy a couple of these and we'll just make a bunch of smoothies and it will be so yummy.  I didn't make one smoothie.  I felt like I needed to have frozen yogurt, and I'm so cheap, that I don't want to buy it.  It's not 1.98 for a 1/2 gallon.  So, I've given up my frozen yogurt smoothies, and I now make them with cheap vanilla ice cream.  They are delicious.  (I should say that Megan is the one that makes them.  I have not yet touched my smoothie maker, that I have had for about 3 years.  More power to you, Meg!)

And so, being thrilled to death to find cheap vanilla ice cream, I'm off to have a treat. 

Don't judge me.

Another run done!

Well, I ran my big run for the week and I did it this time!!  It is such a thrill when you see the (make believe) finish line coming up and you know that you can run just that far.  Ahhh.  I ran the whole way, staying at just about 12 minutes a mile.  Which is pretty good for me, and for the distance I'm going.  Awesome!

Of course, I do have some issues.  This is my shoe:

 

Yea, that's blood all over the side.  (The first time I downloaded that, I forgot to change the size and it was LARGE.  Thank your lucky stars I didn't keep that.)

Something happened to my toe, in my shoe and it was bleeding like no other.  Yuck!

I won't show you my actual bare foot, because it is not pretty.  No sandals for me this year! 

The weird thing is that my foot didn't really hurt.  I could just see the blood spreading on my shoe. 

Gross.