Here are a top ten of some of my favorite things right now:
10. Eating chocolate chips right out of the bag. We usually buy the really stinkin' huge bags at Sam's Club, let the bag sit in the fridge or freezer, and grab handfuls (and sometimes a cup-full) right out of the bag. The most recent bag I bought is actually "baking chips". They are bigger, and darker. Mmmmmmm. I'm in Heaven. Actually, I'm going to go get a handful, then come back and finish my list.
9. Friends who help out in a crunch. Last week, Ches had a Wind Ensemble concert and I forgot about it (he didn't write it on the calendar!!), so I forgot to get a sitter for the boys. I spent a little time on the phone, just about 3 hours before I needed a sitter, and while the first few people said no ("I'd love to, but I can't! I'm so sorry!" I appreciated their regret, too. So nice), I did find someone. And they said to stay out as late as we wanted, so Ches and I went out to eat together afterward. Just the two of us. That is so rare!
8. Talking on the phone. Yes, I'm a gabber. I love to talk on the phone. I feel lonely otherwise. I'm always calling my sisters or my mom. I'm always calling my sisters-in-law (that would be you, Alyson and Tanya!). I'm always calling my long-distance friends. I love to hear every detail of everything and tell them about my day, my kids, my frustrations, etc. I love it when everyone calls me (which happens a lot, so thank you, guys!!). It makes me feel loved and popular (yes, I'm still in high school brain mode a lot).
7. Post a Secret. I first saw this on Karen's blog links, and now I have to check it out every week. Some make me sad, some make me laugh, some make me think, and a lot make me relate. I want to send one in. I have a couple of ideas, so I will send in my own, but I will never tell anyone I did it. Not even Ches. Well, maybe not Ches. I can't hide things from him very well. I talk too much. I also want the new book that recently came out. The proceeds go to such a good cause, and I just want to be able to look over all these secrets and realize that I'm not alone in my thoughts of so many things!
6. My Crock Pot. I love that I can just put in some food before I eat my lunch, and when Ches walks in the door for dinner, I say, "hey! Dinner's ready! Good timing!" The Crock Pot was a genius of an invention. The best is when you have something like a roast or chili cooking in it, you are gone for most of the day (church or marching band rehearsals are when I use it the most), and you come home and can smell all the yummy smells. Aaahhh, more Heaven for me.
5. Christmas lights. They are just plain beautiful. Some people tend to overdo their yards, so in the day it looks garish,but I still love the lights at night. I love the colors, the twinking, everything! Good thing I live in Reno. I get to see the casinos and have the lovely colors year round! It's great! (And I'm not being sarcastic)
4. Being a sub in a kindergarten class. This is one of the hardest jobs ever (ohmygosh! The energy!!), but being a sub is great. When we lived in Arizona and Ches was doing his student teaching, I was a sub in Mesa. I was having a tough few months as at first I was pregnant (and it was NOT an easy pregnancy), then I had a miscarriage. I felt so horrible and yucky all the time, but when I got to sub with kindergarteners, I felt great. Those are the sweetest kids! They would say things like, "Mrs. Sharp, you are wearing a very pretty dress today." "Mrs. Sharp, I love your hair." "You're my favorite teacher ever, Mrs. Sharp!" and my all-time favorite: "You're the prettiest teacher, Mrs. Sharp." followed by a hug. What little darlings!
3. Kisses. My husband kisses me goodnight every single night, and he kisses me before he leaves every single morning. If he doesn't, then I think our marriage has fallen completely apart and he's leaving me. He knows that (I have mentioned before about how I tend to blow things way out of proportion, right??). I love the kisses because it's just that little thing that reminds me yes, he loves me, even though I'm still asleep in bed and he's off to work or even though we had a huge fight because I didn't do the laundry like I said I would so he has no clean dress pants. He still loves me. Oh, and kisses from my kids... those slobbery, dirty, sticky kisses are the best (when they are from your own kids, anyway).
2. Books! I LOVE to read! A lot! Apparantly, I taught myself to read when I was 3. I don't remember what it was like to not know how to read. It is such an important thing for me. The other night I stayed up until 1:30 am reading because I was so engrossed in my book. That was a big mistake, by the way, since I still had to get up early with the kids and take care of them all day!! Anyrate, tomorrow is library day, and I can't wait to browse for some new books. I just finished reading "Single Wife" by Nina Solomon (I really liked it a lot, so yes, I recommend it), and am currently reading "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" to Aiden. What should I get at the library tomorrow? I can't wait!
1. Watching Aiden play when he doesn't know I'm looking. He gets so engrossed in what he is doing, and it's just plain fun to watch. We could probably throw out all of his toys except his Star Wars toys from Burger King and he would never get bored a day in his life. He still plays with his other toys, but not like he does with these. I love all the voices he gives the characters, the conversations they have, and the "action-adventure" scenarios. He gets so into it! What a great imagination he has. When he is pretending to be Spiderman, he moves his body in certain ways that just cracks me up. I can't describe it. He can play by himself so well, and it is truely a fun thing to watch.
I have more favorite things, but I shall save them for another day. I could go on for hours, but my baby just woke up and I should go hold him (that is something for my next favorite things list).
Monday, December 12, 2005
Friday, December 09, 2005
You Oughtta Know
There is a local band here that is just awesome! They are on tour right now (I think they will be in Pocatello this week, actually), so if they ever come near you, check them out. Their name is Sol Jibe. Seriously, they are awesome. It's kind of like if you mix the Dave Matthews Band with Latin music. They are really into the World music sound. So fun to listen to. They will be back in Reno soon, and one of the guys' girlfriend told me they will be having a show on the 23rd. Heck yeah! I know what I want to do for my birthday now! You can check out their website here, and you can even download some of their music.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Things That Make You Go "Hmmmm"...
I got this in my email today, and while I'm sure I've gotten it before and you have all gotten it, I got a good giggle out of it. Enjoy.
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?
Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?
Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"
Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?
And my FAVORITE...... The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?
Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?
Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?
If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"
Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?
And my FAVORITE...... The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Hawaii Update II
Yesterday there were a couple of the local TV news stations and some radio stations that did stories on the band not going to Hawaii. I still think this is wrong, but here are some of the realities.
UNR is receiving $750,000 to go to this bowl game. $350,000 of that goes to the WAC. The rest of the money is being used to send the 90 members of the football team, the coaches/staff and their families, a "handful" of cheerleaders (again, I don't think it's right that they should have to pick and choose who gets to go and who has to stay), and "some" of the athletics admistration. To take the band, you would have to charter a plane, and there just isn't the money for that, not to mention hotel stay and food. To get regular airline tickets at this point would cost approximately $1400 per student, so that's obviously out of the question. Essentially, they would be looking at spending a quarter of a million dollars to send the band. Where is that money supposed to come from?
I still think if the school wanted to do it, they could, but maybe that's just me.
The football team will be in Hawaii for a week, and they get to do all sorts of cool tours, sightseeing, etc. (including a visit to the Pearl Harbour Memorial and some sort of feast on the beach). I think that if you are going to Hawaii, you should totally do that stuff, but why do they need to do so much? And why do the coaches, staff, and administration get to take their families (or lesbian lovers, for that matter)?? I'm all for the families going, but make them pay their own way. First of all, coaches get paid insane amounts of money, so they could probably afford it anyway. Second of all, why not spend that money on some of the cheerleaders who will not be going?
Central Florida is not bringing their band for the same reasons as Nevada. In fact, no mainland school has ever brought their band to the Hawaii Bowl, according to the news last night. Too bad.
One of the best compliments I ever received was from a friend of mine at the University of Idaho. She and her husband were also transfer students from Ricks College. She was a member of the basketball team at Ricks. She said that as the players, they loved the band. The band brought so much support and spirit, and the athletes hated any games without the band. She said they never played as well without us. Then she thanked Ches and me for being in the band. Your welcome, Camille!! It's nice being appreciated.
UNR is receiving $750,000 to go to this bowl game. $350,000 of that goes to the WAC. The rest of the money is being used to send the 90 members of the football team, the coaches/staff and their families, a "handful" of cheerleaders (again, I don't think it's right that they should have to pick and choose who gets to go and who has to stay), and "some" of the athletics admistration. To take the band, you would have to charter a plane, and there just isn't the money for that, not to mention hotel stay and food. To get regular airline tickets at this point would cost approximately $1400 per student, so that's obviously out of the question. Essentially, they would be looking at spending a quarter of a million dollars to send the band. Where is that money supposed to come from?
I still think if the school wanted to do it, they could, but maybe that's just me.
The football team will be in Hawaii for a week, and they get to do all sorts of cool tours, sightseeing, etc. (including a visit to the Pearl Harbour Memorial and some sort of feast on the beach). I think that if you are going to Hawaii, you should totally do that stuff, but why do they need to do so much? And why do the coaches, staff, and administration get to take their families (or lesbian lovers, for that matter)?? I'm all for the families going, but make them pay their own way. First of all, coaches get paid insane amounts of money, so they could probably afford it anyway. Second of all, why not spend that money on some of the cheerleaders who will not be going?
Central Florida is not bringing their band for the same reasons as Nevada. In fact, no mainland school has ever brought their band to the Hawaii Bowl, according to the news last night. Too bad.
One of the best compliments I ever received was from a friend of mine at the University of Idaho. She and her husband were also transfer students from Ricks College. She was a member of the basketball team at Ricks. She said that as the players, they loved the band. The band brought so much support and spirit, and the athletes hated any games without the band. She said they never played as well without us. Then she thanked Ches and me for being in the band. Your welcome, Camille!! It's nice being appreciated.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Hawaii Update
The good news (for me, anyrate) is Ches is no longer going to Hawaii. The athletic department said they can't afford to send the band. It sucks for the band, though. I also think it's a big mistake on their part. Ches is upset mostly because two weeks ago athletics promised the band that the entire band would get to go whereever the bowl game was. Two weeks ago, they knew it was a strong possibility that they'd be going to Hawaii. At first, the band was told that only part of the band would be allowed to go. The directors didn't like that, so they told athletics "It's all of us or none of us."
Here's my beef with the situation: Is the football team going to leave home all those players that will sit on the bench? No. Are they going to leave home those players who don't even dress? No. Why should the band have to choose who to bring when they actually use every single person? Well, even that option was taken away from the band.
Here's another problem I have: (and good luck following this bit. Trust me, it's reliable, just a little hard to follow so you may have to read it a couple of times.) My good friend, Tiffany, was just telling me of her friend who's sister is a lesbian. The lesbian's partner works for athletics (I don't know what she does, however). The partner gets to go to Hawaii for the game, and she gets to bring her partner. SO... my friend's friend's sister gets to go to Hawaii with her partner, but the band doesn't. I don't understand why the band can't go!
In 1998 I was attending the University of Idaho (Go Vandals!) and was a member of the marching band (The Pride of Idaho). Our football team was actually pretty good that year, and we were able to attend a bowl game (granted, it was only the Humanitarian Bowl down in Boise, but it was something!). The school paid for the band to attend. Because it was during Christmas break, the school paid for transportation... we had people flying in from Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Alaska, and Ches and I from Calgary (yes, that was an expensive ticket because it is an international flight). The school (NOT the band) paid for our hotel stay, gave us per diem money for food, and even bought us special coats to wear over our uniforms in case it was really cold (which it wasn't. It ended up being 50 degrees that day, and us color guard girls didn't need the shirts we bought to wear under our sleaveless uniforms!). The Idaho marching band is not a small band. It's not as big as some of those big-time schools, like Notre Dame or something, but it is a large band nonetheless. I figure if the University of Idaho can come up with the money, why can't Nevada? We did more than just play a halftime show and the fight song throughout the game, too. We were involved in a lot of PR stuff, pep rallies, alumni gatherings, and a "half-time extravaganza" that included the other university's band and some hot-shot singer and floats. We won the game, so we had to play at some celebration thing afterward before we were sent home. The other university only brought part of their band, and they didn't even march their half-time show. They did a park-n-bark. Trust me, it did not make their school look good.
If Nevada wants some school spirit in Hawaii, if Nevada wants to look really good in Hawaii, they will send the band. I really think it's a HUGE mistake of them to not find a way to send them. I'm sure they could get the money together if they really wanted to. This is an athletic department we're talking about. They have donors coming out the yin-yang! It's not like a little music department that has to scrimp and save for every little thing and then still get permission from half the world to do anything! I hate politics between the arts and athletics.
On another not-really-related subject... Ohio State will be playing Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. We are very excited, as we are Ohio State fans (Ches served his mission in Columbus, Ohio), we love Notre Dame and our good friend from U of I, Emmett, is one of the band directors there, and one of the local marching bands here in Nevada that both Ches and I worked with this year is going to the Fiesta Bowl. That will be so fun! Wish we were going to Tempe for New Year's now!
Here's my beef with the situation: Is the football team going to leave home all those players that will sit on the bench? No. Are they going to leave home those players who don't even dress? No. Why should the band have to choose who to bring when they actually use every single person? Well, even that option was taken away from the band.
Here's another problem I have: (and good luck following this bit. Trust me, it's reliable, just a little hard to follow so you may have to read it a couple of times.) My good friend, Tiffany, was just telling me of her friend who's sister is a lesbian. The lesbian's partner works for athletics (I don't know what she does, however). The partner gets to go to Hawaii for the game, and she gets to bring her partner. SO... my friend's friend's sister gets to go to Hawaii with her partner, but the band doesn't. I don't understand why the band can't go!
In 1998 I was attending the University of Idaho (Go Vandals!) and was a member of the marching band (The Pride of Idaho). Our football team was actually pretty good that year, and we were able to attend a bowl game (granted, it was only the Humanitarian Bowl down in Boise, but it was something!). The school paid for the band to attend. Because it was during Christmas break, the school paid for transportation... we had people flying in from Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Alaska, and Ches and I from Calgary (yes, that was an expensive ticket because it is an international flight). The school (NOT the band) paid for our hotel stay, gave us per diem money for food, and even bought us special coats to wear over our uniforms in case it was really cold (which it wasn't. It ended up being 50 degrees that day, and us color guard girls didn't need the shirts we bought to wear under our sleaveless uniforms!). The Idaho marching band is not a small band. It's not as big as some of those big-time schools, like Notre Dame or something, but it is a large band nonetheless. I figure if the University of Idaho can come up with the money, why can't Nevada? We did more than just play a halftime show and the fight song throughout the game, too. We were involved in a lot of PR stuff, pep rallies, alumni gatherings, and a "half-time extravaganza" that included the other university's band and some hot-shot singer and floats. We won the game, so we had to play at some celebration thing afterward before we were sent home. The other university only brought part of their band, and they didn't even march their half-time show. They did a park-n-bark. Trust me, it did not make their school look good.
If Nevada wants some school spirit in Hawaii, if Nevada wants to look really good in Hawaii, they will send the band. I really think it's a HUGE mistake of them to not find a way to send them. I'm sure they could get the money together if they really wanted to. This is an athletic department we're talking about. They have donors coming out the yin-yang! It's not like a little music department that has to scrimp and save for every little thing and then still get permission from half the world to do anything! I hate politics between the arts and athletics.
On another not-really-related subject... Ohio State will be playing Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. We are very excited, as we are Ohio State fans (Ches served his mission in Columbus, Ohio), we love Notre Dame and our good friend from U of I, Emmett, is one of the band directors there, and one of the local marching bands here in Nevada that both Ches and I worked with this year is going to the Fiesta Bowl. That will be so fun! Wish we were going to Tempe for New Year's now!
Monday, December 05, 2005
My Weekend
It was a busy weekend here. Sometimes I really feel like the weekend needs an extra day or two just so we can recover from the weekend. Is it just me?
Saturday was State Football Playoffs. HHS lost. It was very sad. I mean, everyone is SO excited that the made it all the way and that means they are #2 for large schools, but the team had a really off day. They didn't even score!! It was also very cold at the game. Only about 40 degrees (F), and our side of the stadium was in the shade the entire day. The band did okay. We didn't perform the halftime show (we quit marching a long time ago!), but we did have our feeder school with us: TMS. We were supposed to march in a Hometowne Christmas Parade, but since our team made it to State, we changed our plans. Since the middle school kids had been practicing the parade music, at half time we had the kids (middle and high schoolers) march on to the track, then arc it up to play for the stands. I got to teach a bunch of the middle school kids how to spin a flag and they learned a little routine. They were so nervous! They actually did quite well, for never having done it before, and learning everything in the space of an hour.
****
At church yesterday, Aiden was in nursery and someone from Primary went in to take a picture of him. I happened to be walking the halls with a very tired Dallin when she came out of the nursery, just laughing. She saw me and said, "He is so funny!"
"What did he do now?" I groaned.
"I was taking his picture, so he kept posing, saying 'I'm a Power Ranger!'"
"He's never even seen Power Rangers! Where in the world does he learn this stuff??"
"Oh, honey," replied the experienced mom, "they learn this stuff in Heaven before they get here. There is nothing you can do."
I think she is totally right.
*****
It was announced yesterday that Nevada is going to Hawaii for their bowl game. That means the band is going to Hawaii. That means Ches is going to Hawaii. Oh, and the game is on Christmas Eve. Yup. My birthday. I'm quite depressed. I want to go! And I don't want my husband gone to some exotic island on MY birthday! I know I'm whining big time, but I just don't think it's fair. All I can say is, he'd better get me something really cool.
****
Fourth Fret, the alligator does not have a name. Aiden hasn't started actually naming his stuffed animals yet. I asked him once what his favorite dog was called, and he thought for a minute and replied, "Ummm, Dog!" He thought it was pretty brilliant. So the alligator is just Alligator. Although sometimes he is Crocodile. Actually he is Crocodile more often than Alligator. And when Aiden is really excited about something, it is Crocodiyiyiyiyiyiyal. So anyway, please don't take your ball and leave! You have the coolest ball, and the coolest game ideas ever! We'd be heartbroken without you.
Saturday was State Football Playoffs. HHS lost. It was very sad. I mean, everyone is SO excited that the made it all the way and that means they are #2 for large schools, but the team had a really off day. They didn't even score!! It was also very cold at the game. Only about 40 degrees (F), and our side of the stadium was in the shade the entire day. The band did okay. We didn't perform the halftime show (we quit marching a long time ago!), but we did have our feeder school with us: TMS. We were supposed to march in a Hometowne Christmas Parade, but since our team made it to State, we changed our plans. Since the middle school kids had been practicing the parade music, at half time we had the kids (middle and high schoolers) march on to the track, then arc it up to play for the stands. I got to teach a bunch of the middle school kids how to spin a flag and they learned a little routine. They were so nervous! They actually did quite well, for never having done it before, and learning everything in the space of an hour.
****
At church yesterday, Aiden was in nursery and someone from Primary went in to take a picture of him. I happened to be walking the halls with a very tired Dallin when she came out of the nursery, just laughing. She saw me and said, "He is so funny!"
"What did he do now?" I groaned.
"I was taking his picture, so he kept posing, saying 'I'm a Power Ranger!'"
"He's never even seen Power Rangers! Where in the world does he learn this stuff??"
"Oh, honey," replied the experienced mom, "they learn this stuff in Heaven before they get here. There is nothing you can do."
I think she is totally right.
*****
It was announced yesterday that Nevada is going to Hawaii for their bowl game. That means the band is going to Hawaii. That means Ches is going to Hawaii. Oh, and the game is on Christmas Eve. Yup. My birthday. I'm quite depressed. I want to go! And I don't want my husband gone to some exotic island on MY birthday! I know I'm whining big time, but I just don't think it's fair. All I can say is, he'd better get me something really cool.
****
Fourth Fret, the alligator does not have a name. Aiden hasn't started actually naming his stuffed animals yet. I asked him once what his favorite dog was called, and he thought for a minute and replied, "Ummm, Dog!" He thought it was pretty brilliant. So the alligator is just Alligator. Although sometimes he is Crocodile. Actually he is Crocodile more often than Alligator. And when Aiden is really excited about something, it is Crocodiyiyiyiyiyiyal. So anyway, please don't take your ball and leave! You have the coolest ball, and the coolest game ideas ever! We'd be heartbroken without you.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
The Case of the Missing Three Year Old
Two nights ago, Aiden was in bed (after successfully going through his Bedtime checklist, of course), and Ches and I were in our room getting ready for bed. We noticed it had gotten really quiet, so we were complimenting ourselves on being able to get Aiden to bed on his own and to sleep so quickly. Ches decided to go check on him and make sure he wasn't half falling out of bed (which is a common occurance for Aiden).
Ches called me into the room and said, "You gotta see this!" I entered the room. Aiden wasn't in his bed! Where was he? I thought perhaps he joined Dallin in the crib and fell asleep, but no. Only Dallin was in the crib. Where could he be? I didn't hear the front door open. There was no one in the living room or kitchen. I almost started to panic, when I turned and saw this little face, peering out from the big bin of stuffed animals in between Aiden's bed and the crib.
Aiden had climbed in with the stuffed animals, covered himself with his giant alligator, and fallen asleep. Too bad our camera is broken. I really wanted to show you guys what a goof my child is!
Ches called me into the room and said, "You gotta see this!" I entered the room. Aiden wasn't in his bed! Where was he? I thought perhaps he joined Dallin in the crib and fell asleep, but no. Only Dallin was in the crib. Where could he be? I didn't hear the front door open. There was no one in the living room or kitchen. I almost started to panic, when I turned and saw this little face, peering out from the big bin of stuffed animals in between Aiden's bed and the crib.
Aiden had climbed in with the stuffed animals, covered himself with his giant alligator, and fallen asleep. Too bad our camera is broken. I really wanted to show you guys what a goof my child is!
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