MERRY CHRISTMAS

Friends and Family-Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Note to Self

I just updated the quote of the day (see right). I'm thinking my life would be so much better and easier if I were taking heed to the things in that quote! Why, oh why, is it so hard for me to read my scriptures on a consistant basis? Or, at all some months. I really could use those promises in my life right now. I think I'll dust off my B of M tonight and do some readin'! If you have any suggestions on how you make scripture reading work in your life, I could use some.

Try These! Sweet and Spicy, Cool and Crunchy

Been awhile, huh? We celebrated my birthday on Oct. 28th (whoopee!!) and Ethan's on Nov. 8th. In between, both he and I have been sick--him with the lovely H1N1 for a stinkin' week! We're both feeling better thank goodness! I wanted to post Halloween pics but can't seem to find where Todd downloaded them so I'll save that for another time. It's been a crazy couple of weeks!

Last night I made these! De-lish! They are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy & cool and crunchy. I'm addicted to any lettuce wraps so when I found this recipe, I wanted to try them. Even my picky Ethan ate two and said they were really good! (Which he rarely does and says.) I highly recommend these, even though they're not really "Fall fare". They would be awesome in the summertime, though.

If you try these, I'd love to have your review on a scale of 1-10 and any other comments you'd like to share.

P.F. C's Lettuce Wraps

1-2 heads bibb/butter lettuce (depends on the size of your family and the size of lettuce head)
Rinsed, spun dry in salad spinner and refrigerated to get really cold

Chicken Mixture:
1 1/3 lbs. ground chicken (I bought @Maceys)
1 sm. can water chestnuts, drained & chopped
2/3 c. fresh mushrooms, chopped
3 green onions, chopped white & green parts
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Bring 1 TBL. canola oil to high heat in lg frying pan or wok. Saute the chicken til done. Add rest of ingred. Cook until mushrooms are done sweating. Drain any juice/oil. Add stir fry sauce and simmer 4-5 min. more on low heat.

Stir Fry Sauce:
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. rice vinegar

Special Sauce:
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
2 Tbl. soy sauce
2 Tbl. rice vinegar
2 Tbl. catsup
1 Tbl. lemon
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
1/2-1 tsp. siracha chili sauce

Assemble lettuce wraps by spooning filling into bibb lettuce cup. Top with special sauce and white rice. ( You could also add matchstick carrots and red bell peppers sliced thin.)Fold up like a taco and devour!

Just the Best Breadsticks

I've decided to add a recipe of the week to my blog. Last night I made homemade Lentil Soup and these delectable breadsticks. They are quick and easy and just the best. They would be great with your family's favorite soup or pasta dish-like spaghetti. YUM! I had some leftover Alfredo sauce and the breadsticks from last night were pretty darn good dipped in that today, for a snack-or lunch;) Give them a try. You won't be disappointed.

Just the Best Breadsticks

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 TBL. instant yeast ( I used the quick kind)
2 TBL. sugar
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingred. together in a lg. bowl or electric mixer with dough hook. (I used my Kitchen Aid stand mixer.) Let knead for three minutes. Turn off machine and let the dough rest for ten minutes. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Flour your working surface. With a rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut 1 inch strips. Twist each strip and place on baking sheet about 1/4 inch apart. Sprinkle with garlic powder and grated parmesan cheese. (Or, use whatever herbs your family likes: Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, poppy seed, sesame seed, Mrs. Dash.) Cover with a towel or plastic wrap sprayed with non-stick spray. Set in a warm place and let rise for 30 min. Bake 15-20 min. until golden brown. Remove from oven. While hot, using a basting brush, coat each breadstick with melted butter. Sprinkle more parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Sweet is the Work

Last week Todd and I had the great pleasure of taking Cole to the Draper Temple. It was our first time. With Cole. Just our little family. I wished Ethan could've been there too. We weren't complete, it was bitter sweet. But, it's the sweet part I wanted to blog about. What a cool experience!

Let's back up. Over two years ago, I started working on some family genealogy on Todd's side of the family. His dad is a non-member and his mom a convert to the church-Todd too, he was eight or nine when he joined the church. So, needless to say, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Lots of family that still need to be found and that are waiting for their work to be completed. I love, love doing family history work! I couldn't find enough hours in my day. I didn't want to stop or put it down. I delved in and got a good start. But then, I had the distinct impression that this was just not my season to do this work. I ended up putting it aside, reluctantly.

Fast forward. My mom, who is serving a part time mission at the Family History Library for the church, called me up one morning. She had a name come to her in the middle of the night. She wasn't familiar with who it was. It ended up being Todd's great grandfather, Frank Kiss, the line I had been previously working on two years earlier. She felt pretty strongly that he was waiting. My mom, who has so much more free time than I do took it upon herself to start researching. Through her research, we were able to get a good start on 10 family names that included Todd's great and great, great grandparents on his grandmother's side.

It was these 10 names that we took to the temple. My mom came along to watch. I did baptisms for four female names. It was really cool because Todd was the one that actually got to baptize both Cole and I for his family. His family! Todd was baptised for his great, great grandfather, Daniel Szekretar, who Todd's dad was named after. How cool is that? I've never done temple work for a relative(s) before. It was such an amazing experience, not to mention that it was Cole's very first time doing baptisms! I don't have the words in my vocab to describe what I was feeling. I was definitely on a spiritual high. We all can't wait to do more family names.

Off the subject, a pretty cool thing happened while at the temple. I ran smack into Christian Nielson-you know Nienie's husband. I am an avid follower of her blog. Earlier that same day they were on Oprah, although I had not watched Oprah yet. I made Todd go talk to him in the men's dressing room at the temple. I wanted "Mr. Nielson" to know just how incredible I think he and Nienie are. They inspire me, daily. She, especially. That's a whole other post.

Anyway, I'm so very glad that I have three temples within 15 min. of my home. I am incredibly blessed to live in this time and in this place. I hope to be able to meet the family members that I did work for when I get to the other side. I anxiously, sweetly, look forward to that.

Need Advice, Got Ideas?

I woke up in the middle of the night with one sentence on my mind, "Ask Debbie if she has any filters on her computer." Weird. Debbie is my new next door neighbor. Her son Ryan (13) and Cole (12) are great friends. If they're not here on the computer, they're over there. I mean they do other things when they hang out, but one of their favorites is gaming on the computer. So, at 2:30 a.m., my mind is trying to figure out why I woke up out of a deep sleep with that going on in my brain. Is it a warning? An omen? A wake-up call so to speak? A still small voice? Should I be concerned? Should I ask Debbie? What will she think? Or am I just nuts?

I don't worry about the computer at our house-we do have a great filter. I can always walk past my office and see what's on the screen. We've talked a few times to Cole about the dangers of porn. I don't have any reason not to trust him. And, I can certainly be in control of him not being exposed to, or having the chance to view porn at home. But, away from home? That's a different story. To be honest, I've never really given the situation much thought. (Dang it, he is at the age where I have to start thinking and worrying about this kinda stuff.)

So my questions is, how do I protect my child from the evils of porn (accidental or otherwise) when he's away from home?
Any thoughts?

Constant Struggle

Disclaimer: This post is deeply personal and kindof a downer. Pop a Prozac before going further!

I think I'm suffering from post-move depression. Maybe it's just the plain old kind? I have always struggled with depression, probably since I was 21 years old. I went through some really traumatic things that year, which I'm sure brought my predisposition to depression out. Since then its been a roller coaster ride. I have had it on and off since then. I know I had post-partum with my first pregnancy. Not so much with my second. But this past year, my depression has become more challenging. Last August, 2008, I thought I would take a break from my depression medication. I told myself I wasn't depressed anymore (I was feeling good) so why did I need to keep taking it? "I don't need that anymore. I'm fine." Bad idea. During the course of that month things progressively went downhill. I knew I needed to get back on my meds. It's pretty common from what I know, for people that are depressed to talk themselves out of needing to take medication. I don't know why. It's not rational thinking. So, I started taking them again. Because I definitely didn't like the way I was feeling off of them.

When I am depressed, I feel like I have a heavy, wet blanket weighing me down. I have no energy. No pep in my step. I feel tired and run down all the time. I'm cranky. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. Nothing sounds fun. I really don't want to talk on the phone to my family and friends. Todd and the kids just sometimes bug. I just want to be left alone, No demands. So I don't have to fake feeling normal. That takes an enormous amount of energy. Energy, I just don't have some days. (Don't worry, my depression has never come with any thoughts of suicide-I'm not severe, just a little moderate, right now.) It's easier for me to just get thorough it alone, with no pressure or expectations. I know when I'm like this I can only disappoint those around me.

I do have to say, that I'm very grateful for my husband. He is supportive and loving. He listens and reassures. He validates. He tells me It's o.k.-to be right where I am, o.k. to feel the way I feel at a particular time. He is patient with me (and it takes alot of patience) and gives me space when I need it. He picks up the slack for me on my suckiest days. Most of all he loves me despite my depressive episodes and ugly imperfections. I don't know how or why. But I am eternally grateful to him.

My mom called a few weeks ago. I really didn't feel like talking-she calls me all the time. Sometimes daily. It's just too much. She proceeded to ask me if everything was O.K. I debated the answer in my head. I decided to just be honest with her. "No, Mom, I'm not alright." (Like she didn't already know that.) Her response, " Well, what's going on in your life?" Like something has to be terribly wrong to make me feel the way I do. Or like, for hell sake Cami, what do you possibly have to be depressed about...you just moved into a beautiful home, your kids are blissfully happy, they're both in school full time, you have all of this free time to do whatever you want...blah blah blah. I know, it sounds like I should be the picture of happiness. I'm just not. She doesn't get it. Or me. Or depression. Depression isn't a situational disease. It's a chemical imbalance in the brain. Not enough neurotransmitters connecting with the right amount of chemicals in the right way. Next, "Are you taking your medication?" Followed by, "Well do you think it's the right dose?" REALLY?!!? My depression shouldn't be new to her. I've suffered with it on and off for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, for me, she just doesn't get it. I was annoyed with her and came away not feeling the least bit validated. Why did I answer the phone??

Every day is different. I have good days, o.k. days, sucky days. Sometimes it's easy for me to get down on myself and sit on the pity pot asking, WHY? Why me? Why does this have to be my challenge in life. I just want to be normal. I don't want this struggle. (I'm not sure what I'd want in its place, but I know this is not the way life is meant to be lived.) I like to imagine what my life, my relationship with my husband, kids, friends, self would be like if I wasn't depressed. I like to think of all I could accomplish, things that other people take for granted, like my mom. Just getting through a normal day feeling...well...normal, even downright happy. I look forward to feeling that again on a more consistent basis.

I know I'm taking a risk sharing all of this. I don't care. It's part of me. The very ugly part. The part that takes up too much of my energy. I just need to let it go. Talk about it. Admit that I have a constant struggle in my life. That, unfortunately, is normal. We all have things that are ugly and things that challenge us. The test I guess, is how we deal with and become victorious over our struggles and challenges. It's about the journey. The good, the bad and the ugly.

New House...New Baby!

Meet the newest member of our family...OLIVER!

The boys wanted a puppy last summer. We had just decided to put our house up for sale so, getting a new puppy was not in the cards-with potty training and keeping the house immaculate. SO, we promised them last September that as soon as we got into our new house we could get a puppy. We had them earning "puppy bucks" for everytime we asked them to clean their rooms for a house showing. Little did we, or they, know it would take so dang long for us to sell our house. They really "earned" little Oliver.

It is such a joy having a puppy! I am an animal lover-especially dogs. (I even worked a couple of years at an animal hospital before I met Todd. I loved that job.) We've really taken a step up from the hampsters we've had over the years. Oliver is a Shih Tzu. He is 8 weeks old and sooo darn cute! I think he looks a lot like the ewoks in Star Wars. His little face melts my heart. I'm excited to wake up every morning and play with him and smell his puppy breath when he licks me. The boys love him, too. There is nothing like having a new puppy!

Settling In

Whew !!!!!

We're finally out of the old house and into the new one! We had to be out of our house in West Jordan on Sat. Aug. 1st by 5:00 p.m. We just barely made that deadline-thanks to our very dear friends-the Browns. Seriously, at noon that day, I was in a panic wondering how we were going to get it all done-packing and cleaning. No sooner had I said a little prayer did the phone ring. Todd answered. It was Tera. She told Todd that their whole family was on their way to help us and that they were coming with Slurpees, too! When Todd came into the bathroom where I was cleaning and told me, I nearly cried. I think I was at the end of a very long and emotional rope. I was very humbled and grateful for the help. The Brown's helped to give us the additional energy we needed (both physically and mentally)to get all of the many tasks remaining-finished! A BIG thanks to our wonderful friends! Unbelieveably, the new homeowner showed up, ready to move in a half an hour early! CRAP! Needless to say we were not all the way ready. I hadn't even had the chance to go look through my house one last time and say goodbye. Maybe it was better that way. So many memories-nine years worth. How do you say goodbye for the last time??

I have never felt so totally and completely exhausted-except after having babies. It has been a long time since I have slept so soundly. (Unlike after you've had a new baby;)

From West Jordan, we went with suitcases and boxes packed with our day-to-day necessities, to my brother's house. We stayed with his family for 5 days and then packed it all up again to stay at my dad's for 4 days. Finally, yes, finally, we moved in to our new home in Riverton on Monday, Aug. 10th. YEA!!! Let me just say moving is one heck of alot of work-and stress. My hair is falling out, kinda like it does after you have a baby. In fact, there are alot of similarities between being preggers, giving birth and the adjustment to looking for a house, moving and the adjustment of relocating. Can you say ANXIETY?? But it comes with the thrill of having something new and different.

Our new house has a 3 car garage. The third car garage is double deep-so I guess technically, it is a 4 car garage. You would not believe that the whole side is completely full of all of our years of stuff. Boxes and boxes and boxes of stuff. I made the decision that once I got it all here (from 5 different places) I was going to be really careful about what came into the house. Because, surely, truly, we just don't need all of this "stuff"! And, I never want to move it all again-EVER!
One box at a time, things are finding their new homes. We are adjusting to a new area, neighborhood, friends and a lovely home. (Not to mention new schools for both of the kids-both get to take a bus-I am jumping for JOY I tell you. No more commuting to South Jordan!!)We are glad to finally be at our "destination". I will post pictures sometime soon-when I find the camera and the stuff to download it to the computer. For now, I just wanted to get you up to speed on our move. And to re-assure you all that I survived and that I am alive.

HELLO???

Hi friends and family! What has happened to all of you? Nobody is blogging anymore. Damn that Facebook! :(

Oh, Happy Day!

Our beloved house, sold this week! Yeah!!!! We are so excited to "move" on to the next chapter in our lives. We are also sad to be leaving the house that "we" built 9 years ago, with all of our upgrades and special touches. It has been a fabulous house & yard for us and we will miss it :(

We aren't even talking about saying goodbye to all of our dear friends and neighbors because we know we'll still be in touch and hangin' out a bunch-probably forever. We have made lifelong friends. The kind you want to have til you die. We love the friends we have made over the years. (You know who you are.) Thanks for all of the good times and great memories that we'll be taking with us. We look forward to plenty more! We'd love to have you all over for a little house warming once we're all settled in.

Unfortunately, we have no idea where we will be going. Our plan was to sell, then find a place. SO, I guess that's what we'll be doing in the next couple weeks. Wish us luck. I'm very particular as my friends can attest! Might take a while-or not!? Who knows. It'll be fun to look though!

My First Babe Turned 12 Today!

Happy Birthday Coco! I can't believe its been twelve short years since I had you. I remember all the details just like it was yesterday. I am the luckiest mom in the whole world to have a son like you!

The Sky is Falling

Doesn't it seem like some some days (or weeks or months) the sky is falling? Let me explain what I mean. Lately, (it been one of those months) I feel like everything is falling in on me at once-I feel overwhelmed. I have been a hampster running in a wheel. It doesn't help that I am a self-admitted and incurable perfectionist! So, I take on too much, over commit and feel like I have to be everything to everyone and that it all must be flawlessly executed. Super mom, wife, daughter, friend, master gardener, chef, laundress, cruise director, housekeeper, Y.W. leader, party planner, taxi driver, alarm clock, day timer...you name it...I do it...ALL! The list could go on and on. How do I get it all done? And, with a cheerful attitude? Sometimes I feel like if one more person asks me to do one more thing for them, I'm gonna either flip-out or bite their head off or have a nervous breakdown. O.K., B R E A T H E. Overwhelmed, I tell you.

So I ask myself, "How do you simplify? So, that you can enjoy the moments?" Cause, I'm definitely missing a lot of them. I'm simply too busy.

I think I might need a vacation. In fact, Todd and I are most overdue for one without the kiddos. Ahhh...where to go? Tahiti sounds heavenly! Seriously, the beach, the sand, the sun, a daiquiri....instead, REALITY CHECK: I have Stake Youth Conference and Stake Girls Camp to look forward to in June a week apart...not quite the vacation I had in mind. Reality. Stinks sometimes? Don't it? I know, it sounds like I bit into a lemon before I posted this. But really, I just need a quiet place to vent and quite possibly a little validation for all that we are and all that we accomplish as women living in this day and age. It's a lot some months...and some months, the sky is definitely falling! I think I'll run away....FAST!!!

What Would You Rather...

So, if you had a choice would your preference be to have a great marriage with little money or would you rather have alot of money and be in a not so great marriage? (I know, we'd all probably like both, great marriage with money) but if those were your choices what would you rather? Just curious.

WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL MOTHER NATURE THAT I DECLARED SPRING'S ARRIVAL OVER A MONTH AGO IN MARCH!!!! ENOUGH SNOW ALREADY!

O.K., So you might think my declaration of spring was a little premature in March, but honestly, my yard is telling me it's spring. The weather just hasn't clued in yet. Maybe Mother Nature is on sabbatical somewhere. She needs to get with the program and usher in the springtime weather! I would appreciate a sunny day with temps in the seventies!

I Declare SPRING Officially Here!!!!

Oh, How I've Missed the Color Yellow!

Daffs are some of my all-time favorite flowers. But, who doesn't love any springtime flower? This little beauty is the only one in my yard. What a nice suprise! I have two weeks to enjoy her. Tulips won't be up for another 3-4 weeks. More color is on its way! Yea!!! It's been a LONG winter this year.

Cabin Fever!

I have cabin fever. BAD! I cannot wait for spring to come. I am so tired of feeling cooped-up. I am tired of doing the laundry and cooking meals and doing dishes, only to wake-up the next day and do it all again-Groundhog Day is my life! I am so tired of my house-and cleaning it-all the time. It doesn't help that it has been for sale now for 6 months and it hasn't sold yet. Damn the economy! Meanwhile, I have to keep making trips to our storage shed to retrieve items I thought I wouldn't need or wouldn't need to unpack until we moved into our new house. I was hoping not to have to go get the Christmas tree and decorations. But had to. When I took them back to the shed, I moved the box that had the kids Easter baskets in it. I distinctly remember cussing in December, that I better not have to come back to the shed to retrieve them, surely, we would have the house sold. Granted, I still have a month before Easter comes, but, I'm ready for a change. Maybe, I'm just ready for the weather to change, or to see color again, or eat a big piece of watermelon or wear my Capri's. Whatever. I just need something to change. I'm ready to trade cabin fever for spring fever.
How 'bout you?

How "Mr. Chuckles" Got Himself Out of the Doghouse

On Valentines Day, Mr. Chuckles got himself out of the doghouse. (See Ha, ha, Very Funny post below.) Friday night he came home with a dozen of the most exquisite pink roses, a tiny hot pink bag from Victoria's Secret with some "un-mentionables" that I won't mention, and a dozen chocolate dipped strawberries. The bases were covered! I am a very lucky (not stupid) woman. How could I not forgive him? I wish that I could say it was due to my short memory that he had been forgiven, but, I'm not inclined to forget that last little practical joke, quite yet. Granted, I didn't get these things to make up for what he did, but the chocolate does go a long way to help me forgive and in time, forget. Chocolate can cure anything in my book!!

Todd, I love you! You make life so much fun. Exasperating at times, but fun! XOXOXO

Ha, ha, Very Funny!!

After a long day of driving home from West Yellowstone, we arrived home to find that the fridge and cupboards were bare (Well, almost. Nobody wanted to eat the leftovers from before we left-gross!) So, once I unpacked everybody and got the laundry started, I headed off to grocery shop. (While Todd, took a nap. Why is it that a woman's work is never done?!!) I went to Macey's to pick up a few things then to Wal-Mart. I purposely parked my car at the very end of the isle, so I could get some walking in from being in a cramped car all day. Besides, have you ever been stupid enough to go shopping at Wal-Mart on a Saturday evening? The parking lot was pretty full. My point is, I distinctly remember parking far, far out in the lot.

I did my shopping with the crowds. Did the self checkout, and headed out to the parking lot. I checked my phone to see if I had missed any calls, yep, two from home. Who's been playing with the volume on my phone, anyway? So, on my way out to my car, I called Todd to check-in and see what he wanted earlier. I got to the end of the isle, where I thought I had parked (still on the phone with Todd) NO CAR! I said to Todd, " Damit, I can find my car! I'm sure this is where I parked!" He says, "What do you mean you can't find the car?" I say, " Well, you know how I sometimes forget where I park!" Sometimes I'm just not paying attention or something. Lately, I've been wondering if it's a lack of estrogen that makes my memory fuzzy? This has only happened a few times before. It's rather frusterating, not to mention highly embarrasing. I decide to start hitting my remote so I can find my car. Meanwhile, Todd says to me, "You don't think someone came and moved your car do you?" "Like who, I said." "Maybe your husband and kids." Lots of hiarious laughing from Todd this whole conversation. I say, "He better not have moved my car, this IS NOT FUNNY!" Still laughing from the other end of the phone. Quickly, I'm getting a little panicked thinking that maybe this wasn't where I had parked the car. After thinking it through, I was positive this was where I had parked! Then where in the heck was my car?? Todd's still laughing til he can't breathe. I'm so irritated, I hang up on him. So, I go back to looking for my dang car. I feel like the whole parking lot is watching me push my loaded cart all over the stinkin' place, laughing at me. Not to mention, Todd and the kids, laughing at home about the wonderful prank they just pulled on dear old Mom! Long story short, I found my car parked on an adjacent isle. I left Wal-Mart fumming mad. All I remember telling Todd when I got home was that when he gets to be my age, pay backs were gonna be a B!!

So, how 'bout Valentines? I'm not so sure I'm feeling it this year for Mr. Chuckles!

Our Snowmobiling Trip to West Yellowstone

Winter can be BEAUTIFUL! It was 4 below this morning. Burrrr!
Should've seen it-it was snowing glitter! Really spectacular! I didn't want to leave.

Cam & Cole

All of us at Firehole Falls, last time we were here in the winter, Cole was 3 yrs. old!

Going to see...

It's much better to see Yellowstone Park in the winter, including Old Faithful. We got to see alot of wildlife. Bald Eagles, Coyote, a herd of Elk, Trumpeter Swans and of course, my favorite, the Bison. INCREDIBLE!

Aw, aren't they cute in their little snowmobile suits?

Excuse Me...

Have you ever had one of those moments when your in a quandry about how to handle a situation...tactfully? I happened to stop by my Dr.'s office today. Before taking the elevator downstairs, I realized I really needed to pee-bad! So, I headed into the ladies room, chose the first stall, occupied. Chose the next stall, also occupied. Chose the middle stall got in just in time to barely get my jeans down in time and do my thing. (Does anyone else have bladder control issues??) I reached over to grab some T.P.-NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, EMPTY not a scrap to be found anywhere!

So there I am contemplating my options. First, I think maybe I could just pull up my pants and forget wiping-which would be totally gross and disgusting. Nope, couldn't live with that choice. Next, Maybe I could pull up my pants and ditch into the other stall when it is no longer occupied and grab me some T.P. PDQ and hope my undies don't get wet. Nope, also not do-able without someone walking into the ladies room and wondering what in the_ _ _ _ I'm doing, running stall to stall frantically searching for some T.P. while trying to keep my pants on and my undies from getting wet. That would be just my luck! Panic sets in. Crap, I'm running out of options!! Somedays, don't you think that wearing a depends would be so much easier? So, as a last ditch effort, I decide to suck up my pride and disturb my "neighbor" to the right. I say, "Excuse me," "Hello?" I lean over and wave my fingers under the stall to get her attention and let her know from where the voice she hears is coming from. Voice from "neighbor" lady, " Are you talking to me?" I hesitantly reply, (hoping she doesn't think this is going to turn into one of those infamous "airport" restroom rendezvous or that I need conversational company while I do my thing.) "Could you kindly give me some toilet paper? I have none in here." She laughs and passes me a nicely folded mound of wonderful, white, fluffy toilet paper. I have never been so grateful as I was at that very moment to see T.P.! We exchange some laughs and some other pleasantries, I flush, wash my hands, and hope I don't have to run into my "neighbor" in person before I dry my hands. Gratefully not. I once again thank her profusly for saving my hiney, (no pun intended) and leave the ladies room pride intact.

Good, Mom's Gone!

Last night, after telling Todd to make grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner, I headed out the door to a Y.W. activity. Ethan asked where I was going and I told him we were going rollerblading. He seemed pretty happy with my reply and promptly said good-bye.

Well, come to find out later, just as Todd came to give me a good-night kiss before heading off to bed, he told me the funniest thing Ethan had said earlier that night after I had left to go to Y.W. Apparently, after the door slammed behind me, Ethan announced to Todd and Cole, " Good, mom's gone! Now we can burp and fart!" Let me translate: That was code for let's get this party started-it's male bonding time! OH MY GOSH!!!! Is this what happens when I leave home?? I refuse to believe Todd is responsible for that kind of comment coming out of Ethan's mouth-or should I wise up?! What the crap??