practically perfect in every way

on saturday

2010-04-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

I will have all my wears to peddle in Tempe at the Boutique in the Barn!
Please stop by and say HI!

Mary Poppins Presents sponsored contest, prize is item of your choosing

2010-03-22T15:14:00.001-07:00

tell me what your favorite item in my shops are here to enter! contest ends this week!

good luck!

our Irish kids

2010-03-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patricks day!

I know I never post.... I will strive to do better!

2010 New Year of Blessings

2010-01-03T11:57:00.001-07:00

what we've been up to

you can see here or here for a little more info, but my adorable 5 year old nephew Matthew was diagnosed with a brain tumor on New Years Eve, he had emergency surgery at Phx Childrens Hospital yesterday. He is sleeping beautifully this morning. They will keep him sedated until after his MRI today. He has mobility in his fingers and toes, and although he was supposed to lie flat he did sit up in the night. (secretly his mom was happy to know he has the ability!)
Thank you all for your prayers and love. We have felt them and are grateful for such a merciful Father in Heaven who knows us and our needs, and for amazingly talented Doctors here.
xoxoxo

*******************8
UPDATE: Matt is home and getting better everyday for the story of how the brain tumor was found click here

giving is awesome! DEADLINE EXTENDED till 6pm MST 12/31/09

2009-12-19T09:09:00.002-07:00

there are only a few days left to submit an AZ family to the Giving is Awesome contest! Please enter a family you think could really use a HUGE photo package and photo shoot as a gift, then RED FEATHER PHOTO will choose a winner. It's an amazing opportunity! See details here

now send in an email for a family that could use something special!

handmade black friday (well, everyday)

2009-11-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

marypoppinspresents.etsy.com

feel free to shop my etsy store. well really anyone's etsy store, we love support for all things handmade with love!

Happy thanksgiving!

I know I should be counting my blessings but all I can hear in the background is a four year old girl, with amazing vocals screaming into her wet tear stained pillow "I WANT TO PLAY I WANT TO PLAY..." etc, you get the idea.

grounded for another holiday.... at this point I won't even need to Christmas shopping for her. Heaven help me.

xoxoxo,

Halloween was scary!

2009-11-01T10:49:00.002-07:00

I may be biased, but holy moly my kids are ADORABLE! now if only they acted as adorable as they looked, we'd be made in the shade!

Jocie has been melting down at every step of the way lately and there have been some "hard lessons" to go along with it. Long long story short, she chose to not go trick or treating the night before Halloween with a different choice. She knew it was her decision, so although we handed out candy and visited friends, she was not aloud to take any candy (I am now known as the mean mom by our neighborhood and several others), but surprisingly she was ok with it. She made up a song and dance while shaking boxes of nerd candy, so I don't think she's as scarred as others may have thought!

I don't know how it happened but about 2 months ago Harrison woke up as a boy. A full fledged cup throwing, car rolling, book killing, mess making BOY! Don't get me wrong, it's everything I hoped for, it's just that he is cutting about 5 teeth right now and he is a little irritated and moody on top of the whole boy thing! He is such a joy (when he's on motrin or tylenol) and we love his little guts!

We hope you all had a great halloween!

*pics by Kate at Red Feather.... at her front door, in the dark, with a bird on her head... she's got talent!

updated:
how did I almost forget Jojo's preschool party pics and video?

October is Family Portrait month

2009-09-17T23:27:00.001-07:00

This October when you get your Family Pictures taken

(for your Christmas cards.... remember that's coming up)

at RedFeather Photography, you take part in Operation Smile, a 45 minute surgery that will CHANGE a childs life, forever!

read what Kate has to say about Operation Smile and how you can help, while she helps you! CLICK HERE

United We Stand

2009-09-09T22:52:00.004-07:00

I received an email from a friend yesterday, it was a FW: which I usually give little attention to, but it caught my attention it was titled 9/11/09 Day of Fasting and Prayer

it said:

During the Revolutionary War, Congress appointed a Day of Fasting & Prayer to call upon God, and plead for His Providential aid. The fasting and prayers of three million Americans were answered as the power of God enabled them to win battles they otherwise shouldn’t have won and gave them strength to defeat their enemy.

Today, we too are in need of miracles for this great nation. We invite you to join us as we call upon God again through Fasting & Prayer on September 11, 2009,

to help us secure and preserve our

Faith * Family * Freedom

and for guidance to know what WE can do to protect our Nation and its inspired Constitution.

Please join us.

***************************************

I don't know who started this idea circulating, but I do believe we as Americans need to plead with the Lord to help guide us and be with us. Will you please join me in fasting and prayer on Friday?

God Bless America, our home sweet home.

in my spare time

2009-09-07T12:01:00.003-07:00

I've come up with a new little something to keep me busy... because why wouldn't I? I'm pulling my hair out at work and home with more to do than I can or want to. ALL I want to do is create! day and night! In fact I've come up with SO many creations people are getting sick of receiving my "gifts" (sorry makayla, I know you hate your new dress... better luck next time!)
so what to do with all my projects?? open an etsy shop.... duh?! I learned from the one thing I've managed to put in the shop that creating is sooooo much funner than listing stuff online! Back to the sewing machine! Check out my Mary Poppins Presents blog here!

cake smash for Harrison (gone horribly wrong) HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!

2009-08-10T22:11:00.005-07:00

It started out as it should....

and ended, when he realized "frosting is sticky, and party hats are uncomfortable", mean mean mommy! So to console myself, I ate it. Not the part his feet were in, cause that would be gross.

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy, who decided this morning that he doesn't like applesauce... I guess we will be seeing more changes everyday in our little angel!

coming soon

2009-08-10T22:07:00.003-07:00

Prince Harry's 1st birthday!

we can hardly wait, and we have the pictures to prove it.... but you'll have to wait till Saturday!!

I think she's onto something...

2009-08-05T15:53:00.004-07:00

my sister is a genius. i'm sure i should have something to blog about but.. instead i blog about her. why, because she's cute and smart and fun and i live just to see what she will come up with next! so she has started alphabet blogging this week, and today is letter C (i suggested some C words like Clancy, but she took a pass.... oh well) so what did she come up with??
a Cooking Contest! but not just any cooking contest, like the best one ever - her rules, her taste, her judging, and NO FRUIT (as it should be!). at first she was worried that people would think that she was just in it for the food, then i reminded her she was, and then she was ok with that. i'm not saying the prize, to be announced on W day (for "w"inner), is a Car... but, it's not a car. i don't think.
check out her contest here.

I should blog about something while i'm here.... huh.... Harry runs, Dave's truck is in the emergency room, my brain tumor is stable therefore I have life insurance thanks to LarryKerby at Beneficial ( I love Larry! if you need any insurance call him! 480-316-8383 - I made him promise if I die he is to go over all our outstanding debt with Dave and put him on a budget/allowance - he promised! did I mention I love Larry??), we got a new babysitter yesterday and Jocie puked on her 3 times... poor Whitney!, we went to Legoland for vacay... i should blog about that with pictures, i have a 3 month old TO-DO list - but I lost it, Harry is going to be one next week... what the heck, how did that happen, would like to quit nursing - but my body and Harry have other plans (I wonder if he will kill me for that sentence later in life), it is so stinking hot here that i've made the kids eat cold cereal for dinner for months now, GMAC Mortgage people s u c k - been working on a loan modification since DECEMBER and they still can't give us an answer, work is going pretty good - ash has been sick but should be back soon, thank goodness!, and facebook taunts me.

there.

there is a whole lot of, who gives a rats rear end of information.

this post was brought to you by the letter C, as in cooking, clancy, and crap!

xoxo

Our Pixie turned 4... and blogger won't let you see it!

2009-07-14T22:26:00.004-07:00

the party was great and all the girls got to have their own special photo shoot! click here to see

I was blessed with lots and lots of pictures to show you, that you would have loved!

Craft making, candle blowing, 4 year old melt down, cake eating, present opening, and dance party-under the canopy of tulle and a crystal chandelier...... HOWEVER, blogger (aaaarrrggg) won't let me upload anything accept this. LAME

There were 11 pixies in attendance, but they were never all in the same place for any amount of time, so this is my idea of a group picture! They made the frames and Kate took their portraits, waaa laaa. Hopefully blogger will find it in it's heart to let me show you the real pictures at some point soon!

all portraits were taken by the lovely and amazing Kate Lane at www.Red-FeatherPhoto.com

And the winner is......

2009-06-15T13:51:00.007-07:00

My sister Megan!!

She has always been creative, but I've noticed since her latest condition (of pregnancy) she has been in one big creative spurt! This manifests itself in picture mail of adorable things (I feel bad that all i send her is pictures of me on the toilet with bills at my feet and kids crawling up my legs... probably i won't post that one!)

so i let her know that in honor of her many accomplishments, I have made her the winner of the Mother of the Year Award! Congrats Meg, you deserve it! (below are qualifying submissions)

If you would like to nominate someone for this prestigious honor, send me their portfolio and I too can photoshop an original award to been seen by all their passers by!

wrong side of the tracks with kate at Red Feather photo

2009-06-08T01:07:00.000-07:00

pixie preparations......

2009-05-22T18:30:00.003-07:00

We are planning the pixie party of lifetime (at least a 4 yr olds lifetime), invitations are on their way, the box of tutus, wings, wands, and halos from here arrived today.

only one problem.....

Party isn't till the 4th of July.... i guess we will just have to practice and prepare until then.

red feather rocks!

2009-05-21T08:37:00.003-07:00

Kate (my cousin) at red feather photography came over last night, and my kid made this face for her.....
and I think she's a genius! (click here for her blog)
Thanks Kate for such a fun time..... oh and the cupcakes!
xoxoxoxo,
j

compassionate service leaders

2009-05-11T18:07:00.002-07:00

so today I learned about sugardoodle! it's a plethora of information for embellishing an LDS calling or lesson AKA: nourish and strengthen it!

So being the helpy helpful gal that I am, I forwarded my postcards that I use to remind ladies when it's their turn to be on call for compassionate service..... whaaaa laaaa, just like that - I'm a featured Sugardoodler!

check out their website here for tons of great ideas!

InHonorOfHarry

2009-05-01T19:32:00.007-07:00

check out the full auction listing at http://www.inhonorofharry.blogspot.com/
(oh and it is NOT TOO LATE, leave me a comment if you want to add something to an auction )

Auction for Harry Randall Benefit

2009-04-26T13:49:00.004-07:00

Those of you that know the Randall family are asking what you can do to help! ? And those of you that don't know them are asking, what's going on?

Our friend Shannan and her husband Monti gave birth to a beautiful 8 pound boy last Sunday after emergency c-section. The cord came first which is the baby's lifeline to not only food but oxygen and blood. The doctors and Phoenix Childrens Hospital did all that they could, and after many tears, prayers and medical life saving measures the machines were turned off on Friday, and he was returned safely to heaven on Friday afternoon.

This was supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation for the family, but that was not meant to be. They are reeling, emotions are raw, and the funeral expenses were not expected.

This is were you come in. "WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?"

This Thursday through Saturday (hopefully many) blogs will be hosting online auctions to raise money to cover the funeral expenses, and time off work for the family.

If you will be hosting an auction or would like to donate an item email me at shannanrandall@gmail.com

I will have a list here of all the places you can shop!

AUCTION RULES AND INFORMATION
If you would like to bid on an item:*Please place your bid by leaving your Name, Email, and Bid Amount in the comments section of the item you are bidding on. The auction will go on from Thursday till Saturday, keep checking the comments to see if you need to bid higher!

IF YOU WIN THE AUCTION:*Please pay your high bid amount directly to the Baby Harry Fund at PayPal by clicking on the link on the sidebar.

*Please forward the receipt they email you to the person running the auction with your shipping address. The person running the auction will then ship your won item.

Easy??? clear as mud???

Pray for the Randalls

2009-04-26T10:40:00.001-07:00

online auctions to come this week! leave a comment if you are interested in helping!
xoxoxoxo

long time no blog

2009-04-14T21:27:00.005-07:00

(nie nie 2008 inspired Easter hat)
Prince Harry may be a week younger than Princess Charley, but I think he can hold his own!

This was our Saturday big girl date night, we had a blast coloring eggs and eating snacks!

Jocie told us this week that she wanted to be a baby. I think she is feeling a little neglected. We had a great date night and she was the star!!!

we are alive, and well. just busy.... the kids have done so many cute things and heaven knows I haven't stopped to document much. In the last month Prince Harry has sat up by himself, started scooting, pulling himself up on everything (the more unsteady the better), and now crawling-everywhere!

that will be my excuse for being a lousy blogger.

ps. Jocie just found out that she is enrolled for preschool next year. Now ALL SHE CAN TALK about is turning 4!

jojo teaches prince harry the facts of life (about being a baby)

2009-01-24T22:36:00.005-07:00

what a fun week... lets use a photo montage to prove it

this picture was taken by dad today (because I was at work and missed it - but I'm not bitter... ok maybe a little)

Harrison's first baby food (yep it's been all milk till today!)

he's our little sweet potato

he loves food!

have a great weekend, xoxo, j

what is your laugh of the day?

2009-01-20T23:03:00.004-07:00

this pic definitely made me laugh, aren't we cute - this is the original yaya girls (ya that's me in the back sitting on the chair with the awesome perm!)
________________________________________

the other day i walked into the room while dave was having a convo with jocie. his end of the convo.

"you pooped AGAIN?"

"Stop POOPING"

I love that man!

_____________________________________

last week one of my employees at work put his arm around me while we were looking at the schedule (which is very empty) and says

"I hope you don't go out of business"

dumbfounded I said "I wasn't planning on it"

talk about employee support!

___________________________________

tonight when talking about lame music Megan said

"like Josh Gro-boring" when referring to this man

I'm still laughing.

so ya'll reading this, share your laughs of the day. because right now, I would rather laugh than cry.

Be my shaggy Valentine!

2009-01-19T12:14:00.002-07:00

you can get coupons here, or here, seriously bring in your dog or cat - stimulate my economy so that I don't have to move in with you!

also, if you were wondering what else you could do for me (so glad you asked!!!) I am trying to get lots of good reviews on both of the sites listed above (www.kudzu.com & www.merchantcircle.com) so feel free to tell everyone out there how great I am!

If you don't think I'm great, then keep your opinions to your self (I can't handle rejection!)

all is well, all is well

2009-01-16T09:09:00.004-07:00

nie nie is back!

I cried when I read the post and looked at this picture. Her hands are so delicate but they are strong together.

I hope all of you reading this and nie's post have a wonderful weekend, and know that miracles do happen, we just have to pray and believe!

It's Wednesday, conditions are perfect...

2009-01-14T14:14:00.004-07:00

i can not seem to watch this enough, and then sing it around the house for days.

sure i could have chosen to blog about something more important, like me, after sitting dormant for a month.
but i don't want to be predictable.

ps. this post is dedicated to my sister who not only thinks that tuesday night is acceptable for business time, but answers the phone during business hours.

you better not pout, you better not scream@thebigman's arrival, fa la la la la, la la kA CHING

2008-12-22T23:10:00.003-07:00

busy day today, armed with my shopping lists, coupons, news paper ads and wallet I slowly made my way to work stopping at 6 count them SIX Walgreens stores.
I worked, slowly, is it Christmas yet?
Stopped at Fry's, CVS, CVS, came home, visited with Mr. and Mrs. Clause - (more below)
After taking home my patron saint of babysitters, Courtenay, we stopped at one more CVS. Not because it's fun - heavens no! but because they were all out of their one day advertised specials. but I still think we did pretty good.
below is my loot: street value of $330.37 I spent $68 cash - minus my Walgreens reward money of $20 and my CvS Bucks of $19 = (which means all of this cost me)..... $29.45!!! Yes it did suck up a good portion of my ride to and from work, not to mention planning at home, but today it all feels worth it.
************************************************

as for our Nightmare before Christmas/It's a wonderful LifeThe Clause's were wonderful! Santa was at least 6'3 if not taller, as for Jessica (that's the Missis's name) she was maybe 5'5, with a beautiful dress - she was PERFECT! (Santa obviously was tired of the flash in his eyes I guess)

Any whoo, when Jocie saw them at the door she ran off screaming "NO" at the top of her lungs, while Harry settled in for a good cuddle with the most beautiful Mrs. Clause ever!

Thank you to them for the reindeer food and company, you made our night. It's true Jojo might need therapy in the future, but you can't blame yourself. blame her mother, she will.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

go google yourself!

2008-12-15T22:51:00.008-07:00

so I totally am stealing this game from MM, it's pretty fun for those of you that are a little narcissistic.... you know who you are.

go to google and type in: your name needs (for example, I typed Jennifer needs). so here are my top 7, leave me a comment as to YOUR NEEDS!

1. a smack daddy (I guess this is Dave's new nick name?)

2. to play by the rules

3. a smack daddy (seriously it said it AGAIN)

4. to give birth in the next week

5. help (heckyes i do)

6. a mortician (EWWW, you can't even make this stuff up! turns out I can get hooked up with one through Costco.... good to know)

7. a cold shower

coupon me this, coupon me that

2008-12-11T21:54:00.006-07:00

thanks to Ashley, Megan and her mentor Jaime

my latest $$ saving obsession is coupons... i heart saving money!!

the high that others seek when doing drugs is the high i get when the cashier hands me the receipt and says "you saved $75 today" (she is not enthused, but i'm beaming like i just won the third grad spilling bee)

which brings me to the reason of this post. I have recently found through some other blogs like bargain mom, that there is more out there than waiting for a coupon to fall from the sky.

#1) load up your grocery store club card here, here, or here with virtual coupons - no clippy just save-y

#2) sign up to receive the red plum mailer at your home if you don't already click here

#3) fry's will take competitors coupons which is awesome so you can use this and get $6 of free stuff

#4) speaking of free stuff she just listed more stuff on her site like free holiday music downloads, deodorant, hot dogs and toilet paper! there you go.... that takes care of your sounds, smell and hunger and pooper for FREE!

how will you possibly repay me for this insight into the underground world of couponing???

i'm confident you will think of something.

homework: leave a comment about what you are doing to save money in this beautifully tragic economy. the winner will be picked randomly and sent all my expired coupons.... LUCKY!

you know you were wondering

2008-12-07T16:36:00.000-07:00

57 seconds

Created by Bunk Beds.net

I am thankful for miracles!

2008-11-26T14:19:00.001-07:00

a little public service announcement

2008-11-19T22:38:00.004-07:00

a couple things.

first is fun and easy:

this year when addressing your Christmas cards send an extra one to this address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes PO Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

the cards will be sent to soldiers, veterans and military families. to read more about the program click the picture above. (also a fun service project for a group of kids or adults)____________________________________________

#2 Housing market and Foreclosures

I hope that none of you reading this will even need this information but it looks as if there are some advocate programs out there that will try and help you restructure your mortgage if you are having difficulty making payments. I have not personally used this group (yet) but it looks as if they are moving in the right direction.

off their website http://www.hopenow.com/ "HOPE NOW is an alliance between HUD approved counseling agents, servicers, investors and other mortgage market participants that provides free foreclosure prevention assistance."

____________________________________

stay safe out there ya'll, it's getting scary. There is no time like now to remember what this holiday season is about ... I'll give you a hint, it's Jesus, NOT shopping.

ok so that wasn't really a hint.

halloween

2008-11-17T14:00:00.003-07:00

be careful, she could love you to death!

don't you love picture posts that you don't have to read?

the difference a month makes

2008-11-12T23:18:00.003-07:00

ok, maybe I'm the only one that can see the difference, but this is our little guy on 10/2 and this is him on 10/28

either way, he's stinkin cute!!! Thanks Nathalie and Bill for the awesome halloween costume!

BOO!

i can't even stand the beauty!

2008-11-04T08:30:00.003-07:00

Kate you are amazing!!!!!!

Kate wrote a beautiful post about our family picture session called Generations in the Groves. It was so heartfelt, and I'm glad her experience was as beautiful of a memory as ours was!

Thank you Kirk and Kate!!!

sneak peek

2008-11-02T22:48:00.005-07:00

my fabulous cousin-in-law that did our family pics today sent me ONE little peek!
I'm in love!!!

they are FINISHED!!!!

2008-11-02T22:14:00.004-07:00

(the 2 on the left are my DNA!)

Rainforest before - can you see the trees in there? How are they getting any sunlight??

Left side before, right side TREES!!! (HAPPY TREES!)

OH now I see why they are SO SORE and physically exhausted!

RAINFOREST AFTER! Can you believe the difference? This is only ONE of the several buildings (see here).

(scary! standing over the rainforest)

I don't know who should be prouder, the crew that did this, or the biosphere itself!!!

congrats guys!

Hey AZ east valley locals..... you know you need your windows cleaned - now that they are back they need to stay busy or their muscles will atrophy! click here an make an appointment (or when your family visits for the holidays they will see your ugly windows, sorry - the truth hurts!)

I hate to brag on my bros..... but

2008-10-29T21:38:00.003-07:00

(they are working their way down - can you tell the before from the after? AMAZING)

they are almost done. I'm not going to jinx anything else by mentioning safety (end of post and Austin's comment about FALLING OFF the Biosphere, thank the Lord he only fell 6 feet when he caught himself... we don't talk about what it could have been) or weather conditions, but they are almost done.

oh ya and other people notice too like UA News and this gentleman.

there was a story on the news about it last night, but alas the internets will not show it to me. stupid internets, why did al gore bother inventing you if you don't give me what i want??

sneak peek...

2008-10-25T07:28:00.002-07:00

Trim Time will be offering this at the concert tonight, see you there!

join me!

2008-10-24T10:52:00.002-07:00

This Saturday I will be here, come join me and spend some money honey!!!

It's that time again!

2008-10-12T08:28:00.006-07:00

Fall break, mountains, borrowed cabin.... if you don't know what I'm talking about you can refer to here, or here.

any whooo, there has been a glitch in the "no kids or husbands" portion of GIRLS WEEKEND (in fact there has been a glitch in the weekend portion also)

so there will in fact be kids, husbands and there will be weekdays.

My sister Megan told me I needed to get a better attitude about kids at the cabin. so after much thought and consideration, I have realized "it would be better if I wore them out before they wear ME out!"

following is the email I sent my siblings:

I am announcing "KID CLUB" (not like LA fitness kids club, where they lock your kid in the bathroom or let them walk out the front door but), a club (in the cabin laundry room) were the kids can make lots of projects, and were they can play fun activities that Aunt Rachel is already on top of!

each child will need to bring with them:

a smock/work shirt that can get really messy. I just got one of Dave' old shirts for Jojo.
each child needs a good sized shoe box to store their projects, I have 4 but we need 3 more. Does each mom have 1?

a sock (or as many as they want to make) for sock puppets

if they have some of their favorite craft supplies they want to bring, please make sure they are marked (like scissors) so they don't loose them.

that should be it. I have lots of projects planned and ready to go. If it's OK with you, Rachel and I will divide up the activities and each of us will be in charge of the kids for a couple hours a day. This way you MAY get to work on your own projects, and or take naps! Of course this schedule is not set in stone, but it makes me feel better.

Tues, Wed and Thursday schedules:
Breakfast - Mom and Dad
9:00 Jennifer
11:00 (ish): Rachel
Lunch - Jennifer
naps for napping children
non napping after lunch kids: Grandma
2:00 Megan
4:00 Rhonda
5:30 ish Dinner: (If you are in charge of dinner, feel free to exchange times so that it will be more convenient for you)
6:30 Story time with Papa, and Puppet Show Productions
7 or 7:30 ready for BED!!!!

8:00 wooo hoo! kids in bed!

__________________________________
on another note:

to my beloved brothers who will not be with us because they will be washing all the windows on the Biosphere2 for the next month with Curt's awesome business 5 Star Window Care:

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!! I LOVE YOU!

(can you see Curt's ladders scaling up the different sections? I'm scared just looking at them. He said last week was so windy they had to quit early one day because it was too dangerous! )

a gift for me and you!

2008-10-07T20:55:00.002-07:00

I'm so excited! I just booked an appt for a photo shoot on location at Grandma's farm with

i'm going anorexic now to be ready in a month!
guess what you are getting for Christmas???

all my readers in AZ need to call Kate at Red Feather immediately - if you don't, your Christmas cards won't look as good as ours, and that would be sad!

we are alive and well

2008-10-06T22:06:00.004-07:00

you can't make this stuff up: on Friday I saw "my sylvia" accross the street. I asked her if she could babysit tonight for Jojo, so we (dave, me, and harrison) could go see the movie we didn't get to last week. (what movie is that you askk? the one playing when we get there - don't care just want to see something). anywho (as meg says) we get dressed, get in the car (yes this car) and it will not start.

after a little, pushing, grunting, jumping and hair pulling (the car, what were you thinking?) the guy at Auto Zone told us the alternator needs to be replaced, and NO they don't do that for free.

silver lining..... wait for it...... i was ASLEEP by 10:30 for 5 hours straight! that's called getting lucky at the end of a bad date!

(totally stole this from Janie)

2nd anywho: i'm just too tired to find the camera AND the cord that makes the pictures magically appear on my computer. so you will just have to trust we that the kids are cute, the house is a mess, and that people who insist that "breastfeeding makes you skinny" because you put out so many calories a day - are liars, who are not addicted (and I MEAN AMY WHINEHOUSE ADDICTED) to SUGAR! - like it's not hard enough already without DELICIOUS CANDY CORNS at every turn!

in the words of SJP in SATC "hello lov-ahhhh"

He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that is actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or somethg

2008-09-30T15:00:00.010-07:00

my father has analogies for EVERYTHING, so today I have decided to share with you my feelings on the presidential candidates we have to choose from.

I am ambidextrous. I write with my left hand, but I throw, cut and put on mascara with my right hand. Got it, I really need both. I prefer having both.

Picking a candidate this election is like choosing which arm I prefer to have cut off.

God bless this country, we are in big trouble.

note: this is my idea of election coverage (click here)
don't get it? click here

pps. also a must read for choosing a candidate (click here)

HOT date!

2008-09-29T15:42:00.008-07:00

we kid swapped with the neighbors this weekend so everyone could get a date night, we got to go out Friday.

It was Macaroni Grill and then off to a movie... so we thought. after dinner we got in the car and when you should have heard a "vroom vroom" sound, there was silence....

after establishing, yes I did have jumper cables in the car - but no other car to hook them to we decided that since the battery had to be changed anyway we would hoof it over to Walmart. (thank goodness I brought the sling for the baby.... oh ya - and the baby)

the following is my documentary photos from my cell phone:

When I noticed that the battery he was holding was heavy I asked him if he wanted me to put it in the sling, he got a good laugh out of that. Thank goodness because after a long day of work my feet and back were killing me. Not killing me as much as our big night out ending at Walmart though!

self checkout - that's hot!

self installation - even hotter

(did I mention it's stinking hot here still at night? and I HATE bugs!)
note: baby wipes were helpful in cleaning off the "corrosion" and Dave's hands, see I was helpful besides taking pictures of him working.

between quoting movie lines, and coming up with ridiculous situations (we love to play the "what if" game - we are weirder than you think) we really had a good time. Besides at a movie we wouldn't have gotten any exercise, or been able to crack each other up the whole time!

My dearest Husband, thank you for a funky time (see I can quote stuff all day), till next weekend, lets try this again!

the end.

walk like an egyptian (in payless shoes)

2008-09-25T23:08:00.002-07:00

thank you to my friend David for yet another fabulous Halloween hand-me-down! this beaded hat has been a hit here now that she found matching shoes!

finally: the reason for the "practically" in practically perfect

2008-09-24T22:50:00.003-07:00

lets all agree that you've seen these little gems at the grocery store. they actually make your 3 year old princess DEMAND that they be sitting for the grocery experience, yeah big bulky weird car thing - right?! (you can't SEE the germs in the picture, but they are there!)

so cart loaded with bags of groceries (paid for of course - no, not by food stamps yet, we are holding out on registering for those till the recession gets really good! fingers crossed {sarcastically})

anyways, I have my sleeping bundle in his carrier and we are making our way into the parking lot, realizing I just took two kids to the grocery store, I'm really a Kick-A mom.... when out of my peripheral hearing (yes when you are nursing and sleep deprived you get "peripheral hearing") i hear in a very familiar voice coming from way behind me "mommy mommy mommy!" - hu, that's weird, it sounds an awful lot like the princess who is sitting in the big germ infested car on the front of this cart. I turn around anyway to see, if this princess found her mommy. Yep, she did - ME.

I don't know at what point during the check out process she ditched the germ machine, but there she was, not with me - with the bagger from my checkout line. now before you call CPS the RSVcoach does not have airbags or a rear window for me to see the passengers.

let this be a lesson to all, if you can't hear crying, whining, screaming, pouting, breaking, snoring, scratching or puking - something is wrong- check the kids!

and in the book of Mary Poppins: if you loose even one little child at the grocery store, you are not yet perfect, but you may keep trying.
and trying.

and try a little more.

do your Christmas shopping Tuesday and Wednesday: THATS AN ORDER!

2008-09-22T20:55:00.008-07:00

click here or pictures for the link to the sale
I think this nie nie doll is amazing, I can only imagine the price tag! It is worth every penny! click here to see the ongoing auction price

Sorry to my Jewish followers (you know who you are) this post can also be called "do your Hanukkah shopping Tuesday and Wednesday....."

ps. am i the only one who got on less than two hours after the start and everything was gone? wow that is amazing, good luck to all tomorrow!

give-o-give away

2008-09-17T22:28:00.002-07:00

my friend Sarah is celebrating her brand new Etsy store with a giveaway on her blog! Scroll down to her Tuesday post and leave a comment to enter! For double entry just link to her blog like I did here.

I hope I win, Prince Harry really wants his mom to have that bag! (sorry Donna, it's too late, the name has stuck.)

good night

2008-09-11T20:27:00.006-07:00

*If you would like to donate your stuff to a cancer fundraising yard sale or silent auction see next post of click here.

*If you want a SERIOUSLY FUNNY blog that my wonderful sister megan told me about (don't take it tooo seriously) click here

*most importantly - if you want some amazing jewelery, IMMORTALITY, and t0 donate to a good cause click HERE! and if you need some encouragement you can click here, here, and here (Wendy should be a full time philanthropist!)

princess jojo says "bid on the necklace already!"

looking for local stuff to help woman with cancer:

2008-09-09T08:49:00.003-07:00

PLEASE HELP:

I received this email from my cousin yesterday, I would ask anyone local to see what they can donate. You can drop anything by the shop, or someone would be happy to pick up your stuff!

you can email me at: daveclancyfamily(at)yahoo{dot}com

_______________________________
Hi everyone!

As the holidays approach - I have to think that I am not alone in needing to get rid of "stuff" around the house to make some room and de-clutter. I would like to make a personal plea that if you have anything you would like to get rid of, I have a cause that is more than worth while to donate to.

I work with a friend who is, and has been for some time, struggling with liver cancer. She is a single mother of two and someone that any of us could easily relate to. She is nearing the point of being able to receive a donated liver and her brother has stepped up to help in an incredible way, but will be struggling to pay for travel expenses and time off of work for his surgery and tests. There are several fund-raisers in the works.

If you have anything to donate to the yard sales, being held the first two weekends in October, to raise money for this family, please let me know and I would love to come pick up whatever you have.

Also, if you have any goods or services to donate to a planned silent auction being held in November, please let me know.

I know that I can help this family and appreciate you considering doing the same.

Betsy

one of these things just doesn't belong

2008-09-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

(does this remind anyone else of ET?)

(Prince Harry in the Princess's bed)

I think it's going to be hard to have a controlling older sister.... (just ask these people 1, 2, 3, 4 )

feeling wicked

2008-09-07T13:00:00.001-07:00

in my excitement to order enough tickets for Wicked, and the lady at ASU (who was obviously equally excited) we ended up with 8 extra tickets to the play next July (yes July 2, 2009). I'm sure it won't be a problem finding homes for these little gems, but in the mean time I thought I would offer them to any of you who were dying to be wickedly popular by hanging out with my family next year.

click here for my favorite song

buy a Diana 4 Nie Nie

2008-09-07T11:39:00.005-07:00

my beautiful friend and jewelery designer extraordinaire, WendyB, is doing an auction for the Nie Nie recovery fund! She is offering many extras the higher the bid goes, INCLUDING IMMORTALITY!!!

I was so excited to see how it was going this morning when I got up after another rough night with my "Prince Harry" that I wrote her an email to thank her! Here is her response:

"I had a moment of shock when I saw "Prince Harry" and I was like "OMG! THE QUEEN IS EMAILING ME!":-D

Well, I think you're much more fun than the queen. She seems tightlywound. Please pass around my link as much as possible. I am hoping to get past the retail price....I want to give a treat to anyone who double that :-) "

so come on people, click anywhere in this post to get to Wendy's post and donate - generously - it's for a good cause, and this necklace if AMAZING!

now donate!!!

update: as of Sunday night it is already up to $290! wooo hooo! i feel someone is going to be "immortal" by the end of the week!!!

New York Times Article

2008-09-05T22:34:00.002-07:00

about the nielsons -

click here

in the fashion section - OF COURSE!

Happy Birthday little sis!

2008-09-05T09:32:00.003-07:00

My little sister Megan turns 20'something today!

I love you, have a wonderful day!!!

kisses, me

Christian update:

2008-09-05T09:22:00.001-07:00

finally some good news, our prayers have been felt!

click here

my dogs are not normal!

2008-09-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

remember this?

well now guess what she did....

how in the world do dogs just decided... "I think I will chew out of my cage today, mmmm I love the taste of chicken wire in the morning!"

i've heard we look alike....

2008-09-04T14:57:00.004-07:00

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad

2008-09-04T09:57:00.003-07:00

This is the letter in my email inbox when I got up this morning....
______________________________
Dear Children,
Our eternal family started 37 years ago today. Thank you for coming to us. Our family wouldn't be complete without YOU. We love you oh, so very much! We can't imagine heaven being heaven without one of you, including your sweetheart and darling children. Our family means the world to us.

Eternal love to all of you and ones to still come.
Mom and Dad
I love you too Mom and Dad, thank you for the sweet letter, and putting up with your crazy children and still loving us despite it!
xoxoxoxoxo

dance party - whose moves did she get?

2008-09-03T19:00:00.002-07:00

You could imagine my excitement when the princess was flipping through the music channels and stopped on Joan Jett's I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL and rocked her pants off (literally she had to go get her ballet skirt for the occasion)! you go girl - shake your booty like your mommy taught you!!! I knew she had great taste in all things old and new!

So I was not ready for the shock of her enthusiasm for the next song by Journey, maybe she did get her daddy's taste in music. look on the bright side, if she ever gets on 80's or 90's Rock and Roll Jeopardy she will be taking home some nice cash and prizes!

then we danced to jam on it, by Newcleus - ok so far it's a draw.....
don't forget to take time to take care of others!

but I realized as I was about to take credit for her next song Parliement's Flashlight (sweet jam), as she danced on top of the laundry basket, that probably she was just too lazy to change the station.

Yep, mommy girl!

i heart this kid

2008-09-02T23:05:00.010-07:00

It's been a difficult week, or two.

I went back to work a week after Harrison was born. I didn't post it because I didn't need anyone's advise. The bills keep coming, whether you are working or not. I feel guilty when I'm gone. We worked out our schedules so that one of us is always home with the kids, GREAT concept - hard reality. Dave is great with them but even he is showing a few cracks in his warm, calm shell.

Not much hand holding for mom and dad, but lots for the children.

Not much sleep, can't be blamed on just one of the children.

Not much nutrition, can be blamed on me.

But there is definitely MUCH LOVE between all of us!

I just wanted this opportunity to tell Dave and Jocie how much I love them, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me take care of our little Prince. We are all lacking sleep, but I don't care how cranky we all get because of it - I wouldn't rather be anywhere else but with you!!!! Sweet Dreams to each of you,

love, me

One of the most obvious results of having a baby around the house is to turn two good people into complete idiots who probably wouldn't have been much worse than mere imbeciles without it. ~Georges Courteline, La Philosophie de Georges Courteline

bad electronic karma

2008-09-02T22:13:00.006-07:00

do you remember this post from last Christmas, or how about this recent mention ?

I've known for a while, that somehow i have offended the powers that be of the electronic world. Meaning: if it is powered by batteries or a cord - the sheer touch of my fingers can make it short circuit and render itself useless. FOREVER.

I have decided to document the "electronic state of our union":

you know about our camera. well I've had to go back to "stupid camera". I'm trying to not show my pure hate for it since it's the best I got.

our 2005 side by side stainless refrigerator: ice machine stopped working a few months ago. no reason, just stopped.

our DirecTV DVR: we finally got sick of begging them to fix it, canceled our service. not sure about the new guys yet.

DVD/VHS player (in our bedroom): the DVD player just stopped working, don't worry the VHS is fine - common phrases you hear at our house "HOLD ON, we have to wait for it to rewind" or "no honey we can't watch the round movies, only the big movies"

Lets move on to the family room where Dave's 500 inch LCD (i think) HD TV sits (a 2006 purchase, which I refused to pay the multiy hundred dollar waranty for... ) it was wonderful to watch football (yuck), or tennis (better), or perhaps watch him play endless hours of Xbox (also broken - yeah! oh wait, I didn't mean that... yes I did) on. Well good news the TV only stopped working on the 2 HD outlets. Bad news, those are the ONLY useful outlets. NO TV, check. don't worry the DVD player that goes to it works, but alas it is HD and is useless where it sits.

Now lets go to the kitchen/playroom. Jojo's tv works fine! but the DVD player is broken. damn.

computer in the hallway, been broken most of the year, Dave fixed it! YEAH! one week later when we changed internet/cable companys, it didn't get hooked up. lame.

my laptop, (2007 purchase) will only turn on when it feels like it. useful, hu?

sprinkler system, yes you wouldn't think that is "electronic" but the timer is. Which can only be understood by a professional. Problem is, professionals say they will "stop by to look at it"..... you get the idea.

washing machine (2005 purchase) sounds like a turbine engine when it is in the spin cycle. at least it only has to spin, EVERY LOAD!

did I forget anything.... oh both of our cars. In the last year we have had a new AC motor, transmission something or other, new clutch, and a bunch of other piddly crap that all amounts to thousands of $$$. Don't worry, if my AC won't turn on in my car, my mechanic showed me "where to hit it with a hammer" till I'm ready to pay for a new doo-hickie to fix it! Thanks Howard, you know I love you from the bottom of my brake pads (which have a lifetime warranty thanks to YOU!)!

I know I'm forgetting something.... oh my brain, nope that runs on these , or these, possibly these too- whew, not electric!

AT LEAST WE HAVE THIS! Something ELECTRIC that will NEVER DIE!!

Nie Nie Day silent auction

2008-08-27T23:59:00.007-07:00

I'm auctioning a board that I made. I found these cool vintage looking knobs last year, but was never sure what to use them on.
The board is white, has 5 knobs to hang things on, and it says HERO in cream vinyl, and in red vinyl it says: hero: a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. it measures 19.5 inches x 7 inches.

now before anyone calls me sexist, let me explain my thoughts and feelings as I was making this piece. When thinking about the Firefighter knobs, hero is what kept coming up in my mind. Another hero I've had on my mind was Doug Kinneard, Christian's flight instructor. I've read a lot about Doug in the last week, and although I don't think he ever had anything to do with firefighting, I do know that he served our military and was a pilot in the Gulf War to name a few accomplishments. His family is missing their hero, and I believe he is a hero also. So when I looked up the definition of HERO at Websters.com and it stated clearly "a man", my inner feminist wanted to change it. However, I made this board with Doug in my thoughts on on my heart, and he truly was a man who deserves the title of hero!

I will start the bidding at $1, please leave comments to make bids in full dollar increments. I will pay for first class shipping to the winner. The auction starts at midnight tonight and will end on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. PST. The winner can pay via paypal or check. If you are bidding anonymously, please leave some way I can contact you if you win - like email address.

Thank you for stopping by!

my camera flash washed it out really bad-sorry
vintage looking knobs say "FIRE DEPARTMENT USA"
no flash on this pic

*****************************************************
click pictures below to see other auctions

Design Mom has a FULL LIST of all the auctions! come and spend some money!

thought of the minute...

2008-08-27T22:33:00.009-07:00

does blogger's inconsistent behavior piss off anyone else so bad that they want to throw their computer against the wall???? stop with the damn error warnings already!!!

just askin.....

while I'm wondering, when is this little vampire going to quit screaming bloody murder and fall asleep. I'm outa milk, what more do you want??????

(not actual vampire, or actually biting my neck.... but you get the idea!)

silent auction for nie

2008-08-27T00:00:00.010-07:00

along with several others in the blogosphere, i will be having a silent auction on Thursday and going through the weekend. Thursday is nie nie day, and i would like to help raise money for their tremendous hospital bills.

design mom came up with the idea for the auction, check out her site to see others that are participating. who knows, maybe you can get your Christmas shopping DONE!!!

what will I be auctioning you ask.... well I've got 24 hours to figure it out don't I!?

kisses,

click here for lots more info

camera dependent

2008-08-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

remember when i mentioned that my 3 year old "dropped my camera"? well it is dead, dead, dead. so i'm a little dependent upon others photography skills, and their willingness to email me what they took. so thank you to my Mom for not only taking all the hospital pictures, but the one that I used for his birth announcement, and for sending me the first pictures of the "twins" (although they have different mothers and birthdays, they are close enough for me.)

he looks suspicious

Harrison and cousin Charley's first photoshoot. As you can tell..... it didn't go that well.

no words

2008-08-24T22:04:00.005-07:00

After reading my beautiful sister Megan's blog, I realized I had no words. So please click here for the story.

i wore pink eyeshadow for nie nie -hey she "dared" me!

(the necklace is by WendyB - you can get one here)

what a week

2008-08-21T21:43:00.004-07:00

this week can be summed up with the following group of words:

exhausted, phone calls, visitors, painful uterus and boobs, upset phone calls from those that didn't get their phone call or text, more texting, emails, lots of tears for the Neilsons, tears for the Kinneard family, pictures, nursing, back pain, more phone and visitors, more tears, a couple naps, overprotective big sister, breastpump, crying, baby poop, jaundice, no jaundice, less sleep, very loud crying, and nursing.

tomorrow little Harrison will be one week old, wow that already went fast. His sister won't let anyone near him unless they come bearing gifts FOR HER, I kid you not. She is trying so hard to be his little mama, but she reminds me more of the character Lennie from Of Mice and Men. She loves very deeply, sometimes too deeply.

This week has been bittersweet. It has been wonderful to enjoy this beautiful innocent baby in our home, but all the while it lays on my heart that Stephanie and Christian are so critically injured. I have been praying like crazy and I know so many are. We are going to do a balloon launch on Saturday for them in Queen Creek, if you would like to join us for BALLOONS OF HOPE - email me and I will give you directions. daveclancyfamily@yahoo.com (bring your own balloons)

Lastly (but not leastly) I would like to wish my wonderful husband HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I know this has been an extremely lame birthday filled with poopy diapers on both kids, and a wife who just had to "run some errands" and was gone for 3 hours. I just want him to know how much I love and adore him. Never in a million years did I imagine I would be blessed enough to receive such a man as Dave. He is a husband and father that can not be matched. Between myself and my daughter I often wonder if someday he will just not come home from work for fear of us, but alas he always does.

I love you sweetie and hope that you have your best year yet! ALL MY LOVE AND MY HEART, Jennifer x0x0x0x0

pray for NieNie

2008-08-17T22:03:00.003-07:00

i met Stephanie after blog stalking her for months, she is just as wonderful as i had imagined. Stephanie and Christian Nielson were in a private plane crash last night. Please send your thoughts and prayers to them, their family needs them right now.
NieNie's blog NieNie's sister C Jane's blog

We fell in love on Friday- Harrison arrives

2008-08-17T20:58:00.011-07:00

I was supposed to be induced at the hospital at 9 am on Friday, they let me know "don't call us, we'll call you". I was anxious and hadn't slept the night before, so that wasn't really working for me. Dave and I just happen to show up at the hospital at 2 pm, you know just to check in... I don't think they were happy about it but they took us in.

3:00 pm put in a room

4:00 start the pitocin (aka: liquid HELL)

5:00 dr. breaks my water with the longest stick ever and thinking death would have been a better option, my wonderful doula tells me it won't be necessary and she would breathe me through it.

5:15 begggg for epidural, nurse said dr. would like me to wait a little longer

5:30 please let me die

5:40 beg the nurse to have get the anaesthesiologist to get set up

6:00 anaesthesiologist starts setting up and kicks out my mom and my sister Megan my doula, in tears and fearful the 6-10 tries that he has poked me in the spine are not only making matters worse but that I could end up paralyzed. One look at Dave tells me, he'd trade places with me and he is as freaked as I am!

6:30 another dr. comes in to do the epidural and gets it right. first anaesthesiologist i think feels so bad for what happened that he over did it a tad and now my lower half is so heavy i can't move. it's ok, i think i will stay alive now.

7:00 i'm exhausted, and so thankful for the epidural. Find out that dr's wife's car broke down and he has to go help her and change the battery. (side note: when Jocie was born he had to bring his wife to the hospital with him since she had accidentally cut her hand open with a knife and she needed stitches. he is a good husband)

8:00 realize if I have this kid in 15 min he will be born on 8/15 @ 8:15pm

8:01 nurse checks me and tells me to hold my knees together or this kid is going to be born without a doctor.

8:15 comes and goes.....

8:30 we have a doctor (i made him wash his hands, nobody wants battery grease on their new baby) he says push, push

8:36 pm he hands me a beautiful baby boy, Dave cuts the cord, doc says i did so good i don't even need one stitch!

Harrison came out with his eyes open, and no crying. Dave and I were a little freaked, since our last time doing this was a very loud experience. He has only cried a few times, but other than that makes the cutest noises and whimpers. He didn't cry for shots, his bath, or even his circumcision. The nurses agree we got a good kid, my response was always..."you don't know how long I waited for him, he's my angel!"

We already had a little me running around, I feel so complete now that I have a little Dave to love on!

We are home, Jocie's sleep schedule is so messed up and she is completely OBSESSED with her little brother. Very few people are even allowed to hold him, and then she sits next to them and makes them hand him over. She kisses, hugs, and talks about him day and night. I think she likes him.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and love! We are home, well and hoping for some rest now. Well, we can hope.

do i look tired????

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he is here!

2008-08-16T22:57:00.002-07:00

I'm too exhausted to say more right now:

he is here, he is beautiful, he's a great eater, he doesn't cry - but he does poop... a lot. He got here Friday night at 8:30, he was 7 lbs 5oz, and 20 inches long.

last but not least, when his big sister the 3 year old was snapping photos like a mad woman....
she dropped the camera.

you will see him, just not tonight.

thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers!
love,
jen, proud mommy of "really is perfect in every way"

WARNING: not for the faint of heart

2008-08-14T14:12:00.005-07:00

as you may know by now I'm pregnant.

It seems to be terminal, but we should be changing that tomorrow. My doctor has agreed (with much whining and tantrum throwing- on my part) that he will induce me.

below are pictures to help you visualize my FUN FRIDAY, You can thank me in your comments for not using REAL PHOTOGRAPHS with blood and such.

ps. you know you are dying for some cake now!

i've been reprimanded

2008-08-08T09:28:00.005-07:00

wonderful Janie has demanded an update WITH a pregnancy picture. Sorry but this is the best I got.

I have to tell ya, it's been a long week. Without boring the crap out of you: I knew we were going to be slow at work this week with school starting and that my staff was more than capable of managing without me. Being that we, the nation, seem to be having a little economic sputter (we are all broke) I figured what a good chance to be out of work so that I can get right back in there and start paying some late bills here in a few weeks.

so last week I started on the path to "how to induce labor naturally" - this last week+ has included everything off the standard lists and things that have been recommended by friends, family and the nice lady at the photo counter at Costco. (*note- I did not try castor oil, I'm too afraid)

I am exhausted, my feet (which are not happy about the amount of weight gained in the last 9 months) hurt so bad from speed walking and stairs, my back and hips are sick to death of the enormous exercise ball that I live on now,

bounce, bounce, rock, roll, bounce (you get the idea)

my husband is exhausted since I just expect him to be more than a piece of meat... I think the word I used was "machine", did I mention an enema... ya tried that too (not my fav!)

anyway, here I sit pregnant and frustrated. actually I think I'm going over to the depressed side. I know I know, it's not even my due date, but:

I have no patience whatsoever!
I'm dying to meet this child who I love and I hope will love me as much.
I've had contractions for 3 months and they are much harder and often now... but they aren't even real ones.
Jocie also thinks she has a baby Harrison in her tummy, and it would be nice to show the child what we have been working so hard for (she always shows me that "Harrison is kicking")
there is definitely money motivation, I've got to get back to work ASAP!
did I mention my lack of patience???

Anyway, you could imagine (or maybe you can't) the competitive chill that literally went through my veins and took over my body when my Doula (my sister Megan) called to say that she and my sister Rhonda (who's due date is one day before mine) are on the way to the hospital in hard labor.

WAIT, WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO THIS TOGETHER!

Yesterday afternoon, Rhonda had a beautiful baby girl Charley (named after my dad). We visited them at the hospital. I was so happy to welcome this gorgeous child into the world, and so let down that I had been left behind.

I came home and took a nap and worked several more hours on Breaking Dawn (3/4 way through) and decided that I've got to let some of this angst go.

Although I haven't gone to work in a few days (hey they didn't need me, so I bounced-literally) I am on my way there this morning. I will carry on as normal and try with all my might to pretend I don't care.

I don't care (yes I do), no I don't (yes I do). damn.

I'll keep trying to relax....

however God in case it matters... today 8-8-08 would be a REALLY COOL birthday. Just saying, I'm not telling you what to do!

scale of 1-10

2008-07-22T21:40:00.004-07:00

on a scale of 1-10

I'm at 1 1/2....

any ideas on how to make this thing happen faster???? (and Dave already told me he's not "just a piece of meat")

through her eyes part 2

2008-06-26T19:00:00.001-07:00

through her eyes part 1

2008-06-25T19:00:00.001-07:00

when it came time to download the pictures from my camera, i realized there were about 200 pictures that i didn't take. while working on Harrison's room, the camera was a good distraction for her from the paint brushes I was using.

disclaimer: I am a believer in freedom of speech as well as art, but I have edited out the 50 shots of me either going to the bathroom while being forced to say cheese, or the ones with me on my hands and knees painting with my booty in the air.self portrait

potty chart

when birthday presents go big (perhaps toooo big)

2008-06-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

on Sunday morning Jocie got up at the crack of dawn, so i finally took my turn to get up with her. what to do?

Marian (Aunt Meme) had just given me her birthday present to bring home. In a plain white box, and the label on the side said "7 piece tent and tunnel set". That doesn't sound like "7 pieces that will take over your life, living room and probably your house" does it? there goes our ONE ADULT space in the house.

She loves it and that's all that matters! Happy early birthday baby!

we went to see another band

2008-06-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

she sure loves being a groupie, she wouldn't care what BAND it was. the kids weren't allowed stage access this time, but managed to run and run and run!

after the show she went up to the members to tell them "good job!" isn't she considerate?

Ok, he can get here as soon as he likes now!

2008-06-23T19:32:00.006-07:00

in the beginning:

after weeks of "working/fighting" with a 2 year old who "wants to help" and bones that are held together with pregnancy jello, I am proud to announce that Harrison's room is ready!

bedding compliments of my sister Rhonda, theme compliments of Sprout's "good night show"

party like a (cheap) rockstar

2008-06-15T14:27:00.004-07:00

First off I would like to say HAPPY FATHERS DAY to my wonderful father and to my amazing husband and to all the fathers reading this! I hope you all have a relaxing day and feel as appreciated as you are!

I love you Dad and Dave!!!

this has been a pretty horrible week. it started at the OBGYN office taking the 3 hour diabetes test which involves drinking this stuff that is straight syrup on an empty stomach and then over the next 3 hours you get your blood drawn 4 times if you aren't rushed to the bathroom or the emergency room. ICK! lets just say i'm here to write about it, so i survived.

i am also now fessing up to the fact that i've been in and out of a pretty foul depression for several months now which has taken a lot out of my normal abilities. talking on the phone or having personal conversations takes more out of me than i can put into words. i am sorry to those of you i've been a lousy friend to, i hope that soon i can go back to the person that is useful and not a drain.

did i mention the contractions? i'm not the only one, my sister who is pregnant too is suffering from these "false" (Braxton Hicks) contractions and they are sure miserable! and boy is this kid active, he kicks like crazy all the time.

anyway enough whining, you've probably quit reading by now anyway.

so when i got home from work last night we decided to use our Cheesecake Factory gift cards we got for Christmas from Carolyne and Charlotte. i was so tired i couldn't deal with our princess "in" the actual restaurant so i opted for the patio. she was horrible, the food was good, and there was live music to drown everything out.

the band was sixty degrees north, and they were great! we walked over to the amphitheater where they were playing, and sat in the front in the grass. the band played everything from the Bee-Gees to Santana and Jocie was drawn like a fly to the stage.

There were already kids from the audience on stage playing tambourines and a handful of toddlers who just danced and worked them selves up and down the stairs. the princess was in HEAVEN!

(in the green dress, "I'm with the band")

my proudest moment was my almost 3 year old rocking out on stage and throwing me and Dave and I LOVE YOU sign!
it was so much fun, and i just enjoyed watching her be as loud and crazy as she wanted and not having to correct her or quiet her, just watching her be her. I love you crazy princess!

cell phone etiquette

2008-06-02T17:57:00.009-07:00

would you agree that the younger generation has much better manners when it comes to cell phone usage? every teenager does have a cell phone, but when was the last time you actually saw them yelling into it in a restaurant or holding you up in line because they were busy yapping. probably never, thats when.

i think it's because they have grasped the beauty of texting that we don't hear them, and good for them. if only our eyes and fingers could work like theirs!

today in my trip to the doctors office (everything is fine with the baby, same ol pee in cup routine) and at the post office i contemplated taking peoples cell phones and smashing them upside the people's heads.

in a quiet waiting room i have miss millie-must-call-everyone-in-my-directory and leave LOUD voice mails for them all. really? at the gynecologist is were you do your "call backs"? she was probably my age, and i wondered if she had such a need for everyone to give a rats ass about her pointless calls, or if she had absolutely no manners.

then at the post office i had the choice, stand behind the older gentleman who was using the automated post machine on his cell phone, or stand behind the guy at the counter who was ignoring the counter agent to continue his loud phone conversation. i went with automated. this old dude was talking to his Realtor and literally just pressing buttons at his leisure. when he FINALLY got off the phone, he had to do it all over again because he had no concept of multi tasking. i should have kicked him in the back of the knees before i smashed his cell phone, but you know me always respecting the elderly.

my point is, lets quit acting like there is no outside world if we are on a cell phone. some how us old people (30 and up) managed until 10 years ago without the devises, now they seem to rule our self centered worlds.

lets take some manners from the younger generation and learn to live with technology, not think we are special because we pay a cell phone bill- so you damn well are going to overhear my mind numbing thoughts.

hope you enjoyed my rant, it was brought to you by:

sprint

verizon

t-mobile

at&t

the 30+ crowd without manners everywhere

***********************************************

added: Dave just called and i told him about this post. he said he was just at work and there was a woman with her two kids on the casino floor who would NOT get off her cell phone. she saw him waiting to talk to her but just ignored him. what class, kids at the casino while you talk to no one about nothing, NICE!

AMAZING... i haven't put him in a gopher trap yet

2008-05-21T19:45:00.003-07:00

once upon a time when i remodeled the grooming shop there was this terribly big and heavy home made bank of cages that i couldn't bear to throw away. i begged Dave to bring it home for me so that i could refinish it and make it an entertainment center for the playroom and use it as cages as well for our dogs.
each door is see through thanks to some strong mesh wire. see does it look like the stuffed (literally) animals are complaining?
so this would be called the "before" picture......

and here we have AFTER.

this is what i came home to last week. the assailant had been violently tormenting it for weeks, and yes i have found pieces of sharp wire all over the house..... but he couldn't possibly bust out! right?

4.5 pounds of pure unrelenting anger.

waiting excitedly at the door to meet me when i got home and so proud of his "leap" of freedom.

(i'm sad about my one of a kind furniture piece that now can be used as a testing ground for tetanus)

anyone want a highly destructive toy poodle???

what in the world have we been up to?

2008-05-19T19:53:00.007-07:00

landscaping with cousin Tal (and anyone that will help for that matter)
cool down after hard day of landscaping, by skinning dipping with cousins
walking the runway (not table dancing)

getting grass
mother's day roses from my wonderful husband
my gorgeous niece Brittany graduated from ASU!!!
spending time with family

impersonations of princess Leah if she had a blue baby in an aerobics class
hunting gophers (wait you already knew that)
looking cool (what you can see, new house tat on her elbow, what you can't see, bare bottom for potty training)
more landscaping (it is finally done... post to come)

things still in the works:

my daughter is still calling me jennifer
getting fatter - i mean the pregnancy is going along just fine. feeling good but it's freakin hot in AZ!!!
potty training.... there aren't a lot of pants being worn, and she won't actually GO ON THE POTTY unless there is something worse looming... like nap or bedtime- then she has all night to try.
i'm going to hunt down and strangle whoever is responsible for gas prices! $3.75 today
injuries at work are at an all time high (cat bites, dog bites, infection... )

new lows

2008-05-05T12:35:00.004-07:00

this morning at the doctors office i had to leave a urine sample in the bathroom. Feeling a little insecure about the dark yellow, i went out of my way to look at another specimen left by the patient before me, to compare. mine was lighter, whew.

last night my two year old started calling me "ennifer", i guess she got the reaction she wanted because now she likes use it whenever she gets the chance. that's weird, it was funnier when it was me calling MY MOM by her first name.

yesterday we went to church to see my nephew be blessed. it was a lovely meeting, i think - it was wall to wall fussy kids. mine included. the only way to get her to sit still was for papa Chuck to pass back "papa candy" (life savers) and make her promise to sit still. this morning she woke up stoked to go to church so we could "sing and eat candy".

time of death

2008-04-14T19:23:00.002-07:00

I don't actually know the time, but I know that I set the trap Saturday morning and Dave had the dead bugger Sunday morning for disposal!!!

to each his own

2008-04-11T22:04:00.004-07:00

I saw this picture on WendyB's blog, and as I looked closer I realized - hey those guys look familiar

I'll bet he's a hit at the Elder's Quarem spaghetti dinner!

ps. Mom I know you are totally freaking out right now.

awareness all around

2008-04-09T21:53:00.004-07:00

on the radio, the tv, signs around town - everywhere I look Autism Awareness Month is being honor and acknowledged!

THINK AUTISM- THINK CURE

in the dark

2008-04-08T20:39:00.002-07:00

i'm not concerned about my daughter's future in the dating world. she refuses to use the potty, and for that i'm pretty sure won't be popular at school. (that's fine with me)

so this evening while she was on her potty chair doing NOTHING, i once again sat knee to knee with her while i again demonstrated the finer points of the toilet.

in 2 seconds she was up with her panties up and at the door. before she turned off the light and shut me in the completely dark room the last thing i saw was a empty brown toilet paper tube on the roller.

darkness.

after asking nicely, and then not so nicely to open the door and turn on the light she opened the door and said "UM. no."

darkness.

like Helen Keller i felt around under the cabinet for the last roll of toilet paper. whew.

then enters child with a key chain light to help the situation by blinding me over and over. I believe her next quote goes something as "Oh, fun."

things i wish dead...

2008-04-08T19:24:00.004-07:00

there is no way for me to wish enough death on my following two picks, and no way possible to prioritize one over the other:

LA FITNESS aka. asshats! after my last post and speaking with them about their continual billing of my checking account for a membership that was already canceled: their response was "we just received your 30 day notice to cancel your kids club membership so the April billing will not be refunded."

so the moral to the story, these asshats make it impossible to cancel any membership. and although you they don't tell you that you have to cancel your kids babysitting membership, and you can't use it because you aren't a member they will continue to bill you.

their new slogan should be: once we have your billing information, we will rob you blind-JOIN TODAY!

(not actual rodent) this thing known as a gopher has taken on a full assault of my garden. he is eating through my lettuce and is making his way all over with enormous holes and mounds to show for his work. It is making me crazy. at first i thought well i will try and get him out without killing him. OH NO, not now, it's on. i've tried suffocating a hole with dry ice, Dave tried drowning the hole to get him out, nope.

now don't get all PETA on me, i'm sorry but it's my garden and if it is being overtaken with a terrorist, it is my right to protect my land and lettuce. tonight Jojo and i went to home depot and purchase some gopher traps (which sound nicer than they actually are). Since this problem has turned a little too blood and guts for my taste it has been left for Dave.

Good luck honey! kill the little bastard for us!! love, me and jojo

Harrison Edward Clancy

2008-04-06T18:27:00.001-07:00

we have a name!

2008-04-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

boy or girl???

2008-04-03T19:52:00.001-07:00

tomorrow morning is our ultrasound!

i hate LA Fitness

2008-04-02T21:40:00.004-07:00

last year they opened a new LA fitness near our house. so in an impulsive gesture to be like my hot sisters i got a membership for myself, my husband and child care for our child. the sales lady said, there is no contract cancel whenever you want. EASY RIGHT?

bawwhaaaaaa! easy if you don't mind jumping through burning hoops! i went down to the gym last October, "i want to cancel my membership".
overpaid gym card swiper "Oh, we can't do that here, do you have a computer?"
me breathing evenly "yes, but i signed up here, you took my money here?"
blonde swiping robot "yes but that all has to be done through corporate. haha sorry"

ok, go home cancel our memberships after a painful online experience. hu? this isn't immediate?

call down to the gym (since corporate has NO WAY IN HELL TO GET AHOLD OF THEM) "hi, i just went online and canceled my membership and it says my account is still active till the end of the year."
another fitness robot "oh well yes, you already been billed for November and when you signed up you paid for your last months dues, so you actually still have access till the end of December."
pulling my hair "i don't want access till the end of december, i haven't been there in over three months already."
stupid phone girl "i'm sorry, that's just how it works".

so it is now obvious this corporation make things as difficult as possible.

noticed still being billed for "kid care" in Jan, Feb, March.... ok these people are freakin leaches. I call down to the gym.

sales guy with no control because corporate has his balls "oh, sorry, you should be able to cancel that online."
me "are you kidding me, i have NO ACCOUNT with you and you are billing me for child care?"
ball-less wonder "well can you just try to go online, I can't do anything here."
me "of course, i would love to spend more time on this".

i try. being that i am no longer a member the online services are useless to me, can't login.

call back the gym guy "i didn't work"
idiot "oh i was afraid of that, you will have to come down here and get a form to fill out"
me, very frustrated "are you kidding, you guys create hassel at every step, now i need to come down there and get a form because you are charging me every month?"
corporate idiot "ya, sorry".

go down and get the form. Start to fill it out and ask "i can just give this back to you and you will send it in right?"
new swiper robot girl "no, sorry you have to MAIL it into corporate"
me "with a stamp and envelope?"
swiper "ya"
me "is this company's goal to suck you in like a cult and assume you will die or give up trying?"
robot "um"
door closes behind me as i walk out.

(it's now march) go home, fill out their stupid form, mail it with a stamp.

today: check my bank account. i just paid a bunch of bills and knew it was going to be close, but to my surprise LA freakin Fitness billed my account for kids care it overdrew my account and now i have a $34 overdraft fee.

OH IT'S ON!!! i hate this company. i want to write it on my car and park in their parking lot.
LA FITNESS SUCKS! tell a friend!!!!!

LA FITNESS=CULT (but hey, "there is no contract, hee hee")

ps. Rhonda, you still think i sounded angry and bitter about the princesses?

pps. last mother's day i just wanted to get out of the house and do something for myself by myself so Dave said he would watch jojo and i could go to the gym. when i get there i see there is a nice wet sweat sheen on every machine i go to use.... ewwwww!

i go tell one of the sales guys. he tells me that there are paper towels if i would like to wipe them down. MY FACE MUST HAVE BEEN PRICELESS, "if i wanted to clean up after others on mother's day i would have stayed home!".

on my way out i saw him and his handy squirt bottle and papertowels hard at work.

birthday present...

2008-04-01T22:25:00.005-07:00

remember what i wanted for my birthday?

well I've been holding off sharing my news with you till i could get a picture of me wearing it. so let me update: my jewelry designer wendyB was sneaking text messages to by husband (which would get her a beatdown had it not been for their birthday planning) to get me this ring in time for my birthday. well the ring had to be made and there wasn't enough time so they got me the matching Diana heart necklace instead. i was totally surprised, but confessed i had to have the ring as well.

waa laa, it was on my doorstep a week later! my husband is the best, and wendy is not only an amazing designer but she gets you what you want and in a hurry! thank you Dave and Wendy for making this last (no really i'm not aging anymore... no more) birthday one i will always cherish.

so there is the story. where are the pictures?

pick up story here.

autism awareness

2008-04-01T21:58:00.004-07:00

momologue has a wonderful article up:

I can has Asperger's? By Jeff Sparkman
i really enjoyed it, check it out.

april fools

2008-04-01T19:28:00.004-07:00

did any of you play any good jokes today? i tried all day to think of something to post that would be funny.... well turns out the joke was on me.

we are TRYING to get this child interested in potty training, but she just doesn't care. this evening i put on her big girl panties and tried to explain, "we don't want to pee pee in the chair or in your panties, we only pee pee in the potty" (what she heard "blah blah blah blah pee pee in the chair blah").

so while i work on a refi application online this is what i get "oh no, pooped in the chair!" i run over, nope everything is clean and dry - jojo is snickering. 5 minutes later "oh no, more poops." nope another false alarm... now we do this every two minutes for the next half hour because it's just funny to her.

i realize my lending application was erased and never went through and spent 15 minutes on hold waiting for customer service, at THE EXACT SAME TIME as the agent says "hello this is..." Jocie says, "oh no i got poop". she is standing right next to me with her legs at a wide stance peeing all over the floor. OH COME ON!!!

i pick up the dripping kid, give my name, strip off the wet panties, give my address and social security number, stand her in the sink to clean up feet and legs, answer the impossible debt related questions he, go mop up the pee, give dave's ssn, get back to the kid and finish the ap. whew! being a mom rocks!

so i start typing this thinking, "in retrospect that actually was kinda funny", i get the first line typed and standing next to me is the squatting "oh no i have poop" as she pees all over the floor again.

three things about my daughter:

she might need to lay off the sippy cup.

she has not quite mastered the difference between pee and poop.

her timing is IMPECCABLE!

one egg and lots of friends, what more could we ask for?

2008-03-31T22:59:00.006-07:00

since easter was early, i'm getting my post out late. i figure together they will average out. (my math skills, and justification skills ROCK!)