Life's Little Ironies

This morning as I was taking DJ to school (actually I was just along for the ride, he was driving - I just needed the car for later) the roads were still quite slick. I found myself getting onto him for taking curves to fast, spinning the tires for fun as he started off, following too closely, not allowing himself enough time to stop and turning in front of cars too fast, etc. You know all the things moms get after their teenage, still getting their feet wet, driving sons for. He countered by rolling his eyes and saying, “Relax Mom.”

I found myself counting the miles until I could pitch him out of the car and get my hands on the steering wheel again. Once we made it to the school I took over the controls and returned home to get Dee and repeat the process, but this time I was the driver.

Things were going along fine until we got to the school. The traffic was backed up due partially to the fact that some of the drivers were being a little overly cautious – imagine, me saying that LOL.

The little road that you turn into that goes to the “driveway” of the school gets really congested. I needed to turn left. Usually when there are cars turning right I’ll stay back just a bit so the cars trying to get out of the school by turning left can go while I’m waiting for the oncoming traffic that is turning right to clear (ok, are you totally confused?).

At any rate, the cars that were waiting to turn back onto the main road were very tall vehicles, like suburbans vans, trucks, etc and were obscuring what the traffic going into the school was doing – in other words I couldn’t see that the lane I was about to turn into was backed up. I also couldn’t see that the road at the particular place I would be pulling into was packed into a nice little sheet of ice.

The oncoming car, a little red convertible mustang (with its top up, of course) turned in and I had just enough time to turn in behind it – if I hurried a bit - before the next several oncoming cars got there and I wouldn’t have to wait.

The mustang pulled in with me hot on its tail and hit its breaks. I hit mine and hit ice and started sliding. Fortunately I wasn’t going very fast, but when you hit ice that doesn’t matter.

My antilock breaks started bouncing, the crossing guard sitting on the right hand corner was watching with some interest as was the guy in the suburban on my left. I pushed as hard as I could on the brakes, not daring to let up as I prayed that we’d stop before hitting the nice shiny bumper of that little car that was getting closer by the second.

As we skidded to a stop maybe an inch or two away from the little red car I realized that I wasn’t breathing and my lungs were hurting. I took a breath, felt my heart start beating again and then calmly looked over at Dee and said, “Ok I think my heart is beating again.” Kayryn looking totally unruffled said, “Oh good.” Then we drove calmly into the school driveway as though nothing had happened.

All I can say is that if I’d slid into a car after fussing at my son that same morning, I don’t think he would have ever let me live it down. Huh, life’s little ironies.

Can I see your liscense and registration Mom?

Catching Up

It snowed a little again last night. We got about 3 or 4 more inches. This morning was our ward’s Christmas Breakfast. They had a short program too. DJ and a friend played Carol of the Bells on their electric Guitars and I was announcing the program and ended up singing a couple of songs at the last minute. They had some people cancel and needed to fill a little time so I sang Silver Bells and dedicated it to the memory of my grandpa and then Silent Night – both with a bit of a southern twist on them. I did them solo, A Cappella, and while not feeling very well – had a migraine variant. (Don’t get those very often, but don’t like them when I do.)

Dave and Dee went out this afternoon for a brief snowball fight and to build a mini-snowman. The closest I got was the snowball Dee chucked at me when I opened the door to tell them lunch was ready. Thank goodness for fairly quick reflexes. The snowball hit the door as I slammed it shut. Below is a picture of that little snowman. Keep in mind that “tree” in the background is maybe two feet tall.

When I got behind in my blogging in November I’d made a list of things to write about so I’d remember when I caught up. Then I gave that list the kiss of death by “putting it somewhere I could find it.” I don’t know how many of you have that problem but if I put something where I can find it, it may never be seen again.

Last night, a month later, I came across the list. So here are some of the highlights. DJ was in the play, The Seven Brides of Dracula. He played “the nerdy” boyfriend of the girl Dracula was after. He did a very good job too. He was quite convincing.

He also had a chance to be involved with a Young Americans workshop. They are a singing group of young people from all over the country (and from a couple of other countries as well) who travel all over the world performing.

It was quite a rare treat – “once in a lifetime” – to have them come to a local school and put on workshops with a show at the end of it involving all the students. They did a fantastic job! I was very impressed. But I have to tell you my favorite part was when DJ sang a solo dressed as Tom Sawyer (overalls, straw hat, fishing pole and all) with a southern drawl. It did my southern heart good to hear him sing like that. I wanted to stand up and cheer when he finished but restrained myself and only clapped, shouted and whistled. * smile *

Dave’s been playing in an indoor soccer league. Wow, it’s just a bit different than outdoor soccer. Dave’s a keeper – ok in more ways than one, but in this case I mean a goal keeper.

The “field” is not as long with walls and nets all around it. You can play the ball off the walls and the goal is a large shallow square in the concrete wall with a net behind it. Man those balls are moving!! Forget trying to stop them, I’d be ducking! They come at an incredible speed with a ridiculous amount of force.

None the less my husband throws himself in front of them and even dives for them – did I mention this indoor soccer “field” is on the concrete floor of an old warehouse that’s covered with some type of padding and artificial turf that feels like they included a few glass shards for good measure? Many a night Dave’s come home with bloody knees.

All I can say is he is a dedicated goalie. Of course I discovered that a few years ago when a guy slid into him on purpose and broke his nose. Though he was on the ground bleeding, disoriented and barely conscious, his teammates had to pry the ball loose so they could get him up and to someone’s car. He got his nose broke, but he saved the goal!

Dee spent November working on the story she’s writing and practicing basketball in spite of freezing temperatures. Unfortunately she didn’t make the high school team this year but she’s planning on playing on a city league team and trying out again next year. She also had one of the coaches at school ask her if she was going to try out for softball when the time comes. She played once several years ago, but hey she’s game. So it looks like she’ll be trying that next.

She’s also discovered several books that have perked her interest and has been pretty engrossed in those as well. I was pretty excited since this is a child who has always said she hated reading.

DJ just finished performing with the school’s fine arts department in their program, The Spirit of Christmas. He danced a waltz, the Jive, sang in another song, played lead guitar with the rock band, and was one of the wise men in the Nativity. The program consisted of groups from about 5th -12th grade. They did a fantastic job. We really enjoyed it. Now he’s working on the play, The Sound of Music.

Dave has some time off built up that he can’t carry over into next year so he’s been able to be home a lot during the past couple of weeks or so and we’ve really enjoyed having him home. He’s been a lot of help and I don’t think I’ve driven him crazy – at least not yet * smile *.

Well I think that should pretty much bring us up to speed. Now I just need to go wrap some presents, finish making some presents I’m working on, order one or two more things, make the neighbor gifts and get those ready, take pictures for Christmas cards and get those made and mailed and then we should be about ready for Christmas.

How many more days do I have left???

Snow Much Fun

Today was definitely a snow day. We started off the day with several inches and have at least a foot and a half on the ground at our house (hopefully that’s not an exaggeration, but it looks to be pretty accurate to me. It might even be two feet.)

The morning was filled with a few adventures. DJ needed to get to work by 8:00 on one side of a neighboring town and Dee needed to get to school on the other side by 8:45. That meant I’d need to take him while she was getting ready and then come back and get her and take her.

My husband is such a sweetheart. He knows how much I hate to drive in the snow and how nervous it makes me, so even though he has a long commute (40 minutes in good weather) he let me take the all wheel drive car that he usually drives; he toughed it out in our van. I love him!

The snow plows seemed to be running a little behind (but we were on back roads to get to DJ’s work) so the roads were snow packed and slick. Half way there we ended up “playing” chicken” with a large snow plow that was trying to turn onto the little country road that we were trying to turn off of. DJ was driving and he went over as far as he could – he even pulled half off the road so the snowplow could make the turn without squishing us. Thank goodness for all wheel drive.

After I got back and got Dee, we headed down a different road towards her school. On the way we saw two cars slid off in different places – one went through a barbed wire fence – ouch.

My visiting teachers were supposed to come at 9:30 and I got home with five minutes to spare. So I threw on the first two snow boots I could find (which I later looked down and discovered were two different colors), grabbed a shovel and went out to try and shovel the walk so my visiting teachers could get to the door. We have an old small snow blower that I’ve never used before but I figured by the time I figured out how to get it going they’d be there.

I was right. I got the walk done but not the driveway. They pulled in, as I cringed but there was no way they could park on the road, and got just to where the sidewalk crosses the driveway and couldn’t go any farther. I thought, “Oh that can’t be good.”

Turns out I was right. After visiting for a half hour or so, they got in their car and I got in my snow boots – just in case they needed a push. Sure enough, they were stuck! Now keep in mind these are older sisters.

I tried to push them out. I tried to dig them out. Then I tried pushing again as I wondered who might be home that we could call to help us because they were not budging.

About that time a pickup truck slowed down and a burly gentleman got out and asked if he could help me push. I was very grateful because I noticed that one of the sisters was about to put on her rain hat and get out there and try to help me – dress and all.

So we started pushing. Actually he started pushing; with as little good as I felt I was doing I’m not sure it’s fair to say I was helping. However, the car started to budge, then there was another “heave, ho” and the next thing I knew I was laying face down in the snow feeling like a broken hood ornament.

I’m sure I must have looked hilarious. The man reached down to help me up as I scrambled to my feet, a bit embarrassed. I noticed that one of my poor visiting teachers looked mortified and like she was about to come through the windshield to get to me to make sure I was ok. I also noticed that I had snow stuck to my face and in my hair.

I tried not to laugh as I told them all that I was fine – which I was. The only thing hurt was my pride.

So with my visiting teachers free and on their way, the gentleman thanked and my ego dusted off, I set to getting the snow blower started. Dave had told me how to do it and sure enough it started right up.

I got to work on the drive way and got most of it done before I discovered how temperamental that old snow blower is. It’ll work to a certain point and then it’ll decide it needs a rest and no matter what you do, it will not start again until its good and ready.

So I shoveled the rest of the drive as I pushed strands of ice, which use to be hair out of my face. I began working on the sidewalk in front of the house and after a bit I stopped to catch my breath and survey the remaining work, which looked a little overwhelming. As I leaned on my shovel and wondered if I’d ever finish, I looked up and saw this view

And I thought, “Yeah, it’s a good day.”

Halloween 2009

Halloween was a little different this year. DJ is too old to go trick-or-treating and he didn’t really care to dress up. (Can you imagine opening up your door on Halloween night to a 6’2 goblin or ghoul??? YIKES!)

He actually had his own thing going this year. He helped out with a Halloween Haunted House at his school. He may not have dressed up this year but he was pretty scary with his hooded black cloak and screamin electric guitar.

Between the set-up, the haunted house itself and the take-down, that took up most of his day. Afterwards he went with a bunch of friends over to one of their houses and watched a movie.

The rest of the family went to Corn Belly’s Corn Maze. Dee invited a friend and we all spent a lovely afternoon (the weather was gorgeous!!) getting lost in and finding our way out of a giant corn maze that was in the shape of Larry H. Miller. (He was the former owner of the Utah Jazz who passed away this year.) Afterwards we played on some of the slides and did some of the activities they had there.

After getting our fill of the Corn Maze we headed over to Dave’s parents where the girls got into their Halloween costumes. They both looked so cute!

Once they were ready we headed over to Dave’s sister’s where the adults enjoyed a variety of soups and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies while all the cousins went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It’s so fun to get together and see all the kid’s costumes.

Excuses, Excuses...

Okay, how far behind am I? Do I even want to know?

How many of you thought I’d fallen off the face of the earth, never to return? Close, I’ve been working on organizing, de-cluttering and cleaning my house.

Okay, that hasn’t really taken me that long. I actually found a book that simplified the process and made the whole experience a lot less overwhelming. I finished the main floor in about a week.

I was about to start the basement but decided I’d better postpone it at least until I get Christmas ready to go or my family might see to it that I fall off the face of the earth – LOL. They get pretty particular about the whole holiday thing.

So add to the whole de-cluttering project, being sick for a couple of weeks, plus the family birthdays (my entire side of the family plus Dave and I all have our birthdays within a week of each other – okay almost all of them are right in a row –bam, bam, bam); then throw in thanksgiving and boy that makes for just a little excitement in one month.

Top all that off with being so far behind on the blog that you don’t know where to start and really can’t remember what happened in the last forty days and there you go.

So there you have it – my excuse(s) for being so far behind on our blog. My goal this weekend is to try and catch up, however I refuse to be held to that (Just between us, I tend to do much better with something if I don’t HAVE to do it – I think it has something to do with that little, or maybe not so little, stubborn, ornery streak in me * smile *)

Week in Review October 19-25, 2009

Dave worked his company’s convention this week up in Salt Lake. He drove back and forth one day and decided it wasn’t worth it so he just stayed up there the next two nights. That’s two weeks in a row he’s been gone the better part of the week. Hopefully he won’t decide he likes that and make it a habit – smile. We miss him when he’s not here.

DJ has been staying after school everyday for either Rock Band or Drama to practice the play they will be putting on this week. He is one busy kid. They had a Masquerade Ball at his school on Saturday. He got to set up for it and then went to it as well. He even made brownies to take – they asked the kids in the drama class to help bring refreshments.

He really enjoyed the Ball. “Intense” was the word he used. That apparently is the new slang word for when something is awesome, cool, groovy or whatever the passing catch phrase may be. I didn’t get his picture yet because he had to stop at the store on the way there and thought they might not appreciate him walking in wearing a mask, hat and poncho, but he’s promised to dress back up and let me take it. When he does I’ll post it here.

Dee now has a free period at the end of the day since soccer season has ended – and “it is not fun!” according to her. That will hopefully change here in a couple of weeks when they have basketball tryouts. She’s excited to try out for basketball. She hasn’t had a lot of experience playing it but she has a lot of heart – plus she comes from a line of fiery basketball players - on both sides. This is totally random, but Dee makes the best brownies, even when she forgets to grease the pan and you have to chisel them out- they’re still worth it. The other night she made some and had on my apron and she looked so cute I just had to take her picture.

I am still working on trying to get the house organized – I told you it was no small task. I’m also still trying to get my business going – maybe eventually it will actually be going. I’m also working on some digital books that I need to finish in the next couple of days, so I’m staying pretty busy too.

We had spaghetti for dinner tonight. After filling his plate Dave headed to the table to find DJ sitting in his seat, so he headed around the table to a different spot. When he turned the corner at his seat, he stopped, but his spaghetti didn’t. It slid right across the plate - sauce, cheese and all and went flying! Out kitchen went from a no fly zone to a flying free for all. There was spaghetti everywhere – table, chair & floor – everywhere, that is, except his plate. The picture shows the kitchen after a reconnaissance clean-up mission had begun.

WeekS in Review Sept 28 - Oct 18

I’m so far behind I decided I should title this entry Weeks in Review instead of Week in Review. Things have gotten really busy and a little crazy around here – oh sorry, that’s the way it’s always been. * smile *

Maybe I should try to just hit the highlights and add a little detail when necessary – who am I kidding, we all know I’m too long winded to keep this short and sweet.

Since I last blogged:

Dave has played more basketball and soccer; cleaned out the garden; went to Las Vegas for a work seminar- ate REALLY well (but still didn’t gain a pound – how fair is that?!!!! * smile *); visited his sister and her family he was while there; and took us on a Sunday drive to see the beautiful fall leaves - love those!!!!; and is trying to help his company get ready for the convention they have coming up this weekend -no rest for the weary, and deserves a medal for putting up with my moodiness. * smile *

DJ is officially licensed and is able to drive himself on his own errands now- YEA!! He also performed in his school’s Shakespeare Showcase – who knew he could act? (He did really well.) He played the guitar in the Fall Sing at his school – in the Jazz Band and Show Band, and even soloed. He threw his pick into the audience as he finished up and there was a frenzy of kids trying to grab it – it was great.

He went with his drama class down to Cedar City for three days to the Shakespeare Festival and competed in a high school competition down there. They didn’t win but he said one of the judges was in tears after one of the really sad scenes they did. Thirty-four kids went and only eight were boys, the rest were “hot babes” – he loved those odds!! I don’t think he really wanted to come home when it was over. That’s ok, he still has Anaheim to look forward to in the spring.

He decided he wasn’t taking enough performing classes so he added a ballroom dance class and was considering an art class. He decided against the art class since he’s running out of spare time to practice and do his assignments.

Dee read the fourth book in the Fablehaven series in less than two weeks – that says a lot considering this is a child who doesn’t like to read. She sewed the cutest pillowcase and a drawstring duffle bag in one of her classes. She really likes to sew and wants to sign up for a sewing class next semester.

She finished up her soccer season. They went to state down in St George. They didn’t win but they had a good time. She’s planning on going out for the basketball team next month. There’s no keeping up with her. * smile *

She was planning on being an I-Pod for Halloween but when we went shopping for the costume or materials to make it we came across another costume that we had to get! She looked so dang cute in it. It’s a surprise so you’ll have to wait for the pictures to see what she was.

I’ve been a little busy too. I picked 80 lbs of peaches off of the little tree in our yard, and either canned them or turned them into peach butter- love, love, love that stuff.

I burned my thumb, ran out of gas and forgot to put the spices in the spiced peaches I was canning. This is the second time I’ve run out of gas in the last couple of months. My gas gauge is not working right. This time I was still in the neighborhood when the car started to sputter so I flipped a U-turn and headed back to the house, praying all the way up the hill that the car would make it. I got to the top and came to a brief stop at the stop sign turned the corner and then into the driveway and coasted into the garage as the car died. The Lord was looking out for me.

I gave myself and the kitchen a granola shower as I pulled out a bowl of homemade granola and gave it a good shake to break it apart, not realizing that the lid wasn’t on tight.

I realized that maybe life had gotten just a little too busy when my husband told me that maybe he should start reading my facebook wall so he’d know what was going on in my life.

I burned a batch of homemade bread because I forgot to turn the timer on and went in the back room to work on the computer. After a while I kept thinking that bread sure smelled good and kept wondering when it was going to be done. Finally a while later I decided to go check on it only to discover the timer hadn’t been set and that the bread that smelled so good could now be used as a lethal weapon. * smile *

I got released from the Relief Society Presidency, and have since been called to serve in the Primary and on the ward activities committee.I signed up as a Creative Memories Consultant (love it!) and am currently looking for people to host a couple of Get Togethers for me, and am trying to get my business up and going.

I finally broke down and signed up for a facebook account. Rearranged the family room and living room and cleaned out the basement family room. I’ve been working on getting the house organized and dejunked – no small task, let me just tell you!

I gave the outside of the house and myself a bath. Dave said it looked more like I’d just turned the hose on myself after taking one look at me as I went around back to get another hosepipe. The sprayer attachment I was using leaked and when I held up the hose to spray the house the water ran down my arm and all the way down my body – brrrrrr. Dave, when he stopped laughing, went and found an attachment that didn’t leak and fixed that for me.

Well I think that brings you pretty much up to speed. I’ll see if I can’t do a little better about keeping our blog updated. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!