It's a Hard Knock Life

Life has been so crazy the last month or so! I have missed posting several things that I want to be remembered, so we're jumping back a couple of weeks.

A few days before school got out for the summer, Highland Elementary put on a "Broadway" show. Each grade performed a couple of songs and it was so cute. {They opted to do this instead of the dance festival, which we were all so grateful for because the weather was so crappy}.

The first graders did awesome. In fact {and by fact I mean my professional opinion}, they were the best. They were so enthusiastic and had practiced so hard. They did songs from "Annie" and were supposed to dress up like orphans. Ashlyn was very excited and we tried our best to make her look like "Little Orphan Ashlyn".

I, of course, was the beaming proud mommy. The minute they walked in, before the program even started, I was crying. Crying because my oldest baby, the one that seems like she came to me just yesterday, is so big. So independant. She goes to school everyday and does her thing. And I'm not really a part of it. But that's a good thing. And, really, that's how I want it to be. But even though I realize that I wouldn't want it any other way, I will probably get teary-eyed every year when school ends. Because it's another year gone. And another year closer to the day when she leaves. And it's all just going a little too fast...

Daddy-O

Here's to a very happy Father's Day for all the dad's I know and love.

Especially, this one.

The perfect daddy to my own little girls. {And sometimes Sugar Daddy to me}.

And this one.

One of my bestest buddies. For 29 years I've been lucky enough to call him Dad{dy}.

Today's Memo

Note to self: Figure out what you've done to p*** off karma, because it's kicking your butt.

Note to self: Call Jeff and Di and tell them that while it's super exciting that they have signed papers to build a home, you actually are really sad for them because being a homeowner isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Note to self: Never think that things can't get worse. They can. And they will. And at this particular house, it comes in the form of water.

Note to self: Husbands {especially yours} don't like getting their picture taken for "the blog". Actually, they hate "the blog". And they hate that you spend so much time on "the blog". And all of these things are escalated when they are already p***ed off about yet another flood in the basement that is taking the entire evening to clean up.

Note to self: Don't bore all your BFF {blogging friends forever} with all the details of the flood. Or the 10 previous floods over the last several months. Just post pictures that will never truly depict how much water the basement can hold. Or how mad a husband can be. Or how much stuff had to be moved out of watered down closets and storage areas. Or...

Success

After my last post, I recieved a record number of comments. Mission accomplished. Also, I successfully brought 2 lurkers out of their hiding places. I consider it quite a feat to have comments from Trish and Tiffany. Keep them coming, friends. {And for those of you too lame to comment, shame on you}.

To motivate you, I have added to my sidebar a top 10 list for all of my commenters. This will show who really shares the love. It's a race right now. I have designed the above tramp stamp just for the winner. Leave me the most comments and I will sign over all copyrights and it will be yours for the taking. I know, I know, it's the ultimate thank you. {And just a little tidbit of insider info for you all, Shane has zero}.

Say Something

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Okay, people, we need to have a talk. My reader base has grown, according to my stat counter. There are many of you from far away places, and I'm not sure I know you. And that's great. But leave me a comment, already. Tell me who you are. Let's be friends. If you blog, let me peek {you know, I've shown you mine, now you show me yours}.

Those of you who I do know, leave me a comment. Right now. You have become a blog stalker. And I still love you. But let your presence be known every once in a while. Tell me you think I'm an idiot, or a bad blogger/writer, or that my favorite movies are lame, or that you hate the color pink, whatever. Or, more preferably, tell me how great I am, what an awesome mama/wife I am, how cute my girlies are, how much you hate BYU, anything.

The truth is, as I've learned from the professional bloggers, you should technically leave a comment every time you view a blog. Even if it's just a hello. Now, because I have not been so great in this area myself, I'm going to give you all a break. I will do better. And, therefore, I expect better. So, if anything, at least leave a comment today. Seriously, don't be rude--it's not very becoming {and by the way, if I know you are looking, and I do know, and you don't comment, that is very bad for you}. I fully expect to bring at least one lurker out of hiding. And I will love you for it, I promise.

Let's Talk About Me

My cutest, most favorite cousin, Natalie, tagged me. And because I'm so glad that she has finally joined the bloggin ranks, and because we have begged her for like eternity to update the thing, and because she finally did, I'm going to do as requested.

{Okay, before we have a war, I don't actually have a FAVORITE cousin, I love them all. We are lucky to have each other and are lucky to have been brought up so close. But, I have always had a soft spot for Nat. I remember when she was born, and how adorable she was with the best head of dark hair you've ever seen on a tot. I have probably always been the "too-old-to-be-fun-or-cool" cousin to her, but she has at least humored me from time to time. Oh, and for tagging me, you get the privelege of having your picture posted. Hope that's okay. Now, go write something, already.}
And now for more info than you ever wanted to know about me, especially after this...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, but I'm sure there will be many future girlies named AFTER me...
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last night, while watching a chick flick.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It's a love/hate relationship. I won't write in my scrapbooks.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey. Does pepperoni count...?
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2 perfect little girly girls.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? For sure. I've grown out of the brat stage--now I'm loads o' fun.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Too much--I almost lost an uncle to it.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? That's a positive.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? 10 years ago, yes. Now, probably not. Age has weakened me.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs. But I only have one box at Christmas time.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Never thought about it but no.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? The strongest Partridge girl, but no, not really.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Not a big ice cream fan. Vanilla, I guess.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? If they look nice or snotty.
15. RED OR PINK? Both.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My love of food.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Rachael.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I don't even know what that means.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Grey running shorts and blue running shoes.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Special K bar--yummy!
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The lawnmower outside.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Gasoline {truly}, and cologne mixed with cigarette smell {and apparantly I worked with dirty old lumber men way too long}, spray starch
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Shane
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU? Yes, very much so
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? College football, hands down.
27. HAIR COLOR? Dark Brown
28. EYE COLOR? green
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Not anymore, thank you LASIK
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Chinese food, really anything but Mexican
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I love anything lovey, romantic and chick flickish, happy ending or not
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Holiday {I know, I'm about 2 years behind}
33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither, really
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Depends on the giver
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate, anything with lots o' calories. And fruit doesn't count as dessert.
37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Thirteenth Tale
38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? The mouse
39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Dancing With the Stars, The Bachelor
40. FAVORITE MUSIC? I'm a Country Chick
41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Stones. The Beatles cause me to have convulsions
42. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? England and France
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can annoy my husband like nobody's business.

Are You a Chick?

Yesterday, as I read through my google reader, there were so many of you that were excited to talk about the new Twilight movie trailer that just came out. So many of you had it posted on your blogs, saying that you had watched it over and over, and that you were literally jumping for joy. So I watched. And if you haven't seen it yet, you can watch it here.

Now, some of you know that I was skeptical of reading this series. In fact, I first read Twilight a couple of years after all of you. {If you missed my very professional book review, check it out here}. I also read New Moon {review here}. Then I got a little bored/disappointed. I have yet to read Eclipse, but I'm sure that I'll get the itch back when everybody starts getting excited about the next of the series coming out in August {?}.

So, anyway, back to the movie trailer. Oh. My. Goodness. Am I the only one that thinks this looks totally dumb? I can't get over the characters--what I had envisioned in my head as the oh so beautiful Cullen family has been totally screwed up. These actors are so not what I expected. This guy is not cute, and I can't stand his voice already. Shockingly, I'm almost wondering if this will be a "wait until dvd" kind of flick for me. Unless, of course, it's part of a girls night out that also includes something like dinner, then I'm totally there!

Sweet, Sweet Dancing Feet

People's 100 Most Beautiful issue is out. My Dancing with the Stars main man Jason Taylor {he plays football for the Miami Dolphins} has made the cut. Can't say I disagree. I just may have to rethink my controversial "top 5 list" {see here}.

I love his sense of humor--when interviewed about the mag he said "I would never really classify myself as beautiful. I mean, I know I'm not as ugly as the guys I see in the locker room..." I'm guessing he was talking about John Beck. {kidding, Cougars, kidding--okay, maybe not}.

I Need a Baby Mama

My cute next door neighbor just had a darling little baby girl last week. I took some dinner over, and got to hold her and cuddle her and smell her. I'll admit, it made me baby jealous. She was so tiny--and I couldn't even remember the last time I got to hold a baby that tiny. I didn't want to leave. But, eventually, I did. And as I walked home I had a fabulous idea.

Here's how it will work. You, {any of you}, have a baby. You do the throwing up pregnancy part, and the staying up at night part. In return, I will bring you dinner, hold your little bundle of joy, do the mommy bounce with them, cuddle with them and smell them, babysit them, even feed and burp them. Then, when they get to be about 8 months old, I'll leave you alone to enjoy one another, and I'll find a new baby mama. It's genius. And I can't wait. Who's first?

Friends in Low Places

Today, as I was enduring time on the treadmill and watching CMT, my girl Sara Evans reminded me of my last post {you know, the one about the P word}. Obviously, she totally agrees with me. To see why, click here.