It's official! We are going to Germany!
We bought our nonrefundable tickets. There is no backing out now. Wiley will miss the last month of Kindergarten, but Ben and I will just team teach the letters x and y. He he.
I've also discovered that it is challenging to get a two year old to pose for passport pictures.
Which Austen Heroine are you?
Six Non-important Quirks/habits about little ole me.
I was tagged forever ago and I'm just now getting around to it. Sorry Cheryl.
#1. Clean Sheets. I love clean sheets. I love climbing into bed after a fresh wash and just enjoying the moment. The bigger part of this moment is due to the way the sheets have been put on the bed. I can't sleep well unless that sheets have been tucked in just right. I've been known to turn on the lights and re tucked the sheets just right in the middle of the night in case the covers have shifted in the night. Which they normally do because Ben hates them tucked on his side of the bed.
#2. Cleanliness can be an issue for me. I'm extreme but unfortunately, I represent both ends of the spectrum. There are some weeks when every nook and cranny are clean including the toothbrush drawer, windowsill's, and under beds. And there are weeks when I don't mop the floor once (sometimes two weeks) and you can't see the carpet in my own bedroom. I know gross, but there it is, I've now laid it all out in the open. I have clean highs and dirty lows. I wish there was a hormone pill to take to fix this problem. It is also unpredictable when either end of the spectrum will rear it's ugly head. And I'm being serious here. Both ends are not a happy place. I wish I could be in the middle more often:)
#3. Oldies Music. I am a fan. A serious one actually. I rarely know the current music. My radio in the car is always tuned to 94.1.
Some of my favorites include:
1950's Earth Angel by the Penguins
1960's Happy Together by the Turtles
Please Mr. Postman by the Marvelettes
1970's Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
1980's I love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbit
How did this music preference begin you ask, well truthfully it began with my first cassette tape that my dad gave me for my birthday in the 80's. It was the Beach Boys greatest hits. Over time I have come to own such music by artists like Kenny Rogers, Elvis, and ABBA. I have also seen Mama Mia 4 times as well as Buddy Holly the Musical and lets not forget Hairspray on Broadway, as well as the cute movie version. You get it. I like oldies.
#4. Dinner Tardiness/dinner etiquette. I have very strong feelings when it come to guests attending a meal. Please, if I ever invite you to my house, don't show up to dinner late. It is absolutely the rudest thing one can do to the hostess. If something unexpected comes up last minute, call immediately so the hostess can make changes in her cooking/baking times. If you are ever invited to a party and you know that you have obligations elsewhere and the times overlap, don't try to do it both. Commit to one and fully attend one. For those of you who have been to my house for dinner and haven't received a dinner invite lately. You know why. . . . HE HE. If you'd like to review some dinner skills, check out this awesome book. Ben and I laughed so hard. We love the Sedaris family in general.
#5. Cheese. I am a HUGE fan of cheese. Particularly sharp cheeses. I LOVE Aged or antiqued white cheddar cheese, I think it is the most universal, it can go on or in anything. I also enjoy, smoked Gouda, goat Feta, and Blue Cheese from Wisconsin. Deep down I know that if I would simply give up cheese that I would altogether be and look like a different person. But I'm unwilling to make such a sacrifice, so until then I will visit the gym and wish for thinner thighs instead.
# 6. I hate the feeling of obligation, particularly when it is held over my head, or it adds to my lists of things to do. I never get around to answering the "tag" questions from blogs and e-mails. That is not to say that I don't love reading my friends personal answers. That is an indulgence. I love that part. But doing this "tag" is a first for me. Because I don't want to pass on that feeling of obligation, I will not tag anyone in particular. If you want to do this feel free. I will love reading what your 6 non-important quirks/habits are about you.
Happy 29th Birthday Mom!
If you ask me, you haven't change a bit.
When I reach the age age you are mom I hope I will have accomplished as much, lived as well, and loved as hard. I have a quote in my kitchen that reminds me of you daily that reads
"I can do hard things" By Susan W. Tanner. But what I love about this quote is that you take this quote and change it with your attitude and say, "I can do hard things, and love every minute of it."
The short list of what I love about you:
1) you have a great musical voice but you don't flaunt it, most don't even know it.
2) you gravitate to all things beautiful, beautiful furniture, beautiful yards, beautiful ideas, beautiful people.
4) you have always led by example.
5) you would never ask us kids to do something that you wouldn't do.
6) you always worked right along side us.
7) you have passed on to us a wonderful family heritage by teaching us about our ancestors.
8) you are a serious fashionista.
9) you never let your family down, dropping everything, catching a flight, just to babysit your various grandkids for a week.
10) you always knew when it was time for tough love or a hug and tears. One of my favorite quotes from you is "It will stop hurting when the pain goes away."
11) you fulfill any assignment, whether it be a church calling or neighborhood party, and you do it with more thought and consideration for those involved than any person I know.
12) you run for Northern Nevada's Republican delegate and you win.
13) you will still do a series of acrobatic moves and the splits whenever called upon.
14) you found the time to keep a journal for each of your 5 kids until we were old enough to write ourselves.
15) you managed to document our family member lives in various forms, scrapbooking, movies, letters, sewing, books, and pictures. We each have 8-ish or more scrapbooks that are just about ourselves. (And we all know that we love to read and talk about ourselves, you made/make it possible;) And even though we are out of the house, you continue to document our lives.
16) you throw a mean tacky party.
17) heck, you are great with any themed party.
18) with the exception of my wedding dress, you have made all my important dresses for me.
19) you are an accomplished seamstress.
20) you are willing to try out awesome new recipes and make them better then share them.
21) you always have great marriage advice, lessons, and stories.
22) you make every child feel like we are your favorite.
23) family always comes first, but when you don't have family you have found friends to adopt into the family which you are fiercely loyal and loving to.
24) you raised 5 kids who love each other, their family, and the gospel, (can you ask for more in life?)
25) you have loved the same man and remained his best friend for over 37 years (no small task)
The Ultimate Shopper
Everyone who knows me well, also knows that I'm not a shopper. I have no endurance and can only stand it for short periods of time especially if shopping in a group. I'm selfish. I like to only shop for me and my own (the kids or the husband). Get in, get out, move on. I have little patience for group shopping.
By contrast, my older brother Jeromy is the ultimate shopper. He has the ability to be interested in whatever the item is being shopped for. In fact, he enjoys researching a type of item, finding out who makes the best item, best quality, for the best price. Many-a-call has been placed to this brother in asking him to check out an item and find it for us. Whether it be cars, GPS systems, or shoes. You get my point: he is a resourceful shopper. I hope you noticed he is cute too. (Sorry singles, he is married to a serious hottie and they have 3 1/2 kids).
Over the break, Jeromy escorted me to a near-by store in an effort to help me find soccer shoes and shin guards. His oldest son also joined us. This experience was sensational. He became my own personal shopper. His only objective was to discover the greatest shin guard for my current needs as well as find a shoe to do the same. This was not a short trip. I tried on many of the various products, and we verbally reviewed all the spikes lengths and flexibility of the shoe. No stone was left unturned. What's funny is that two different sales people kept looking at Jeromy confused and delighted that he was so knowledgeable. He knew loads more information than they did. One worker even alluded to the idea of Jeromy working there. Jeromy sheepishly declined the offer.
I left the store with complete satisfaction. I knew I had left the store with the right shin guards and shoes for me. Euphoria is really the right word. He is that good. What's really great, though, is that his son helped us find the shoes. He is the ultimate shopper in training.
I think when my ship comes in I will really require the use of a personal shopper. Remember Rachael from Friends? At one point she was a personal shopper. I wish she were around to help me when I venture out to Nordstroms.
Wiley's First Ski Trip
Thanks for Grandma Shell, Wiley and cousin Kimball, had a private ski lesson up at Sundance together. Their instructor was perfect for the two boys.
The moms, Lisa, me and Grandma Shell enjoyed a few runs while they were in class, had a yummy lunch, skied a few more leisurely runs and then picked up our 5 year old boys anxious to see what they had learned in our 2 1/2 hour absence.
After a few tears (tired I think) Wiley agreed to take one more run with me.
At this point, our getting on the lift became a comedy act. I was trying to help Wiley get to the waiting line by pulling him with my ski pole, (Five year olds don't ski with poles) but for some reason Wiley couldn't control his skis, our skis crossed several times. He fell several times just getting to the waiting line, then right before we were to get on the lift Wiley's ski fell off, I'm not sure how. I quick put his boot back in, (they had slowed the lift), and we managed this manic collapse on to the chair lift. In the hustle Kimball lost his ski goggles. A worker came running, grabbed the goggles and ran to catch up with our lifting chair. The hand off was made and phew we made it. It was funny to see I'm sure and I think I heard applause from the crowds below. In fact, Grandma Shell caught it all on camera. Anyway, we were settled until it was time to get off the lift and that, my folks, is another story.
To sum it up, Wiley was like limp spaghetti every time he fell, and it was like trying to straighten out spaghetti with using two forks and two knives. Just too much equipment.
And the best part is I plan to do it all over again next week.
Flashback Friday
Fan of Martha
I have always been of fan of Martha's work. There is a part of me that wants to create beautiful things just like she does all the time. (I'm not delusional, I know she has an incredible staff.) I think I've also had a little bitter taste in my mouth for her criminal actions and I have not always been able to support her new show, more because of time constraints than taking a stand though.
Now that she is off my cable, (she might be on rare Satalite or On Demand) I really miss her inspiring me. This cartoon was one that I cut out of a newspaper 8 1/2 years ago. I've kept it for that long because it still makes me laugh. Oh Martha. 
For now I will just have to allow my Sister-in-Laws to inspire me. Check out Minna's Blog. She is fabulous.
Back in the Saddle again.
So I took a forced break from the Internet, Our internet and phones were down for 7 days. I know. How could anyone stand it that long? It was difficult not to check my e-mail twice a day but in reality, my house was cleaner, I got more things done and I'm a little surprised I even dusted of my sewing machine during the break. Ahh.
I hated the loss and I loved the loss.
I'm a wanna be Gardner
This last year I spent more time on the cultivation of plants than I have in past years and I had only a fair turn out. I took a month long class on vegetable gardening last February and grew all sorts of plants in a green house until April. I brought the plants home where they lived in my kitchen for a month until it was warm enough to plant in May. Sadly, I lots plenty of plants, mostly because I still don't know enough about gardening. But here are this years efforts put to good use.
Add plants from my gardening class, plus some shutters and awesome window boxes that Ben built for me and the look of the mini back yard changes.
Before
We enjoyed our 7 varieties of herbs, along with various flowers, tomatoes, jalapeños, two kinds of squash, onions, red, yellow, green, and purple bell peppers, and cucumbers. I'm looking out my frosty windows wishing I still had it all. Ahh, it was a great summer.
After
Halloween Party
Tuesday and Wednesday Ben and I actually wore our Charlie Chaplin and Flapper Costumes. We like them the most because they are so comfortable.
For Monday nights party Ben and I ventured on a new frontier. We decided to be the Chin Family. Which we took 2nd place for. I really think the only reason we received such high accolades was for my killer rendition of "Purple People Eater".
I'm such a dork.
Chinese Princess
Rosie was our beautiful Chinese Princess. She is not good at keeping makeup on so she actually looks a little scary in these pictures. She took first prize at the Ward Halloween party! Yeah for her. Wiley, where is Wiley? Silly mommy for got to even take a picture of the Chinese Ninja. Whooppps. (I had him pose for pictures, but unfortunately, none of those pictures were taken with my camera. This is the story that I'm sticking with so that later when he wonders what happened, he won't realize that a plain old ninja costume is nothing compared to the beautiful Chinese Princess costume. he he)
Here are some of the fun people that came to the Welch Family Halloween Party. Click on the picture to see it enlarged.
