Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday

Today is a special day, not only is it Thanksgiving, but it is also my oldest brother Itchy's Birthday. I feel bad for him having his birthday fall on or around (depending on the year) a major holiday.

For quite awhile Itchy got a pumpkin pie for his birthday cake, which would have been just fine for me, but has now turned him completely off to pumpkin pie.

I guess he could have just told himself all these years that everyone was getting together to celebrate his birthday because he is just that special to us. I tend to do that, make every thing fit nice and neat inside my head.

No worries, we have it all under control this year, Lowell is in charge of making a cake so we have all our bases covered on the birthday front, now for the Thanksgiving part.

I love the holidays! Every holiday brings something special to the festivities. Halloween is more get out and have fun, Christmas is more spiritual and holy, and then there is Thanksgiving which is totally about family and giving thanks for what we've been blessed with.

We have a tradition in our home, that I'm sure many people have, we go around the table as we are eating and say one thing we are grateful for that year. By no means am I a cryer so every year I say something goofy or rehearsed, but in my head I've already gone through this big rendition that would not leave a dry eye in the house if it came out of my mouth.

When I'm eating at my in-laws I would want to say something to the effect off:

My hole life I was subjected to horror stories about in-laws whether it was from family members or on TV. I just thought in-laws were something that were tolerable once a year in small doses. However, then I got married and I've been in ah every since.

I've been so impressed with the awesome job my in-laws have done on raising such a wonderful son who has turned into the best husband and father a woman could want. My in-laws opened their home to us not only every Sunday for dinner but for an entire year as we were transitioning from college to reality.

Everyone kept telling me the best way to ruin a relationship with your in-laws was to move in with them. I was so afraid of that coming to fruition and I'm not saying every thing was peachy all the time but I love and respect my in-laws even more because of that experience.

Then we lost our son and in the midst of trying to see something good come out of his death I realized that we, as a family, were closer. Our relationship had grown into something even more beautiful and I had my precious Sweeton to thank for that.

I have the best in-laws in the world. They are a great example to me of how sweet a marriage can be. Marriage doesn't have to end just because times get tough; if you endure, it only gets sweeter. I am very blessed to be a part of this family.

Now for a Thanksgiving with my family:

We have all been through a rough time at one point or another but only one rough time did we all go through together: our parent's divorce. It's hard to take something as horrible as not being a complete family any more and moving on, but that is just what we all did and we are all stronger and closer for it.

I hear of people who haven't talked to their siblings for years and I am dumb founded on how that could be. I can't go a week without know if all my siblings are okay or if they need help.

Granted some of us are closer than others but I learned an important thing this weekend down visiting Ann and Marie. I was a bit jealous of how close they've grown in the past year living together. I felt like I was being left out. Then Ann said something that stuck with me. She told me that for awhile her and I were really close and then her and Lowell were. It seems that we migrate from person to person because we all offer different things and we gravitate toward the one whom we need something from. Right now Ann and Marie need each other more than I need them and that's true. She wasn't saying that I'm not a part of them anymore but that I am in a good place and I don't need their love and support as much as they need it together.

I am so grateful to be a part of a family that recognizes each others strengths and weaknesses. We have held many family fasts and prayers in hopes that Brook would find his way back to the church and now, Wow, he's come such a long way. This past year was so hard on him to have his family dissolve everything he's worked so hard for now gone. But instead of feeling sorry for himself he's decided to make his life better. He's given up all his bad habits: smoking, drinking, chewing, coffee, and his wife all in one year. For normal human beings that would be impossible but he's not normal, he's Superman.

Itchy has had a tough year with going back to school and having to work nights. He's had to sacrifice a lot of time with his family in order to try and better their lives. His poor wife, Hotty, struggling with her own parent's divorce on top of her health problems just doesn't sound like fun. I often wonder how they are making things work but that is not important, the important part is that they are making it work and hopefully when they get through this struggle they will be even closer.

I could go on and name how in ah I am of each and everyone of my brothers and sisters I am. I love my family they are my most prized possession. I love them far above rubies or diamonds. My mom has worked very hard to keep us close and I feel she has done a phenomenal job. She is my hero and I am truly blessed to have been born into such a phenomenal family.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and Happy Birthday Itchy I hope you know how much we all love you!!!

Movie Review: Twilight

Where do I start? I feel bad for Stephanie Meyers, all that hard work she did on the book and that was the best the film makers could do. I was so looking forward to the passion that was suppose to come across. It peaked it's head a couple times but then it disappeared.

The most disturbing part was the graceful fluid movement that vampires are supposedly known for. In the movie they moved like giant clumsy cats and it just looked awkward. It looked like the characters were running in place and they just pushed fast forward. I don't know if the cinematographer just graduated from high school, but they definitely needed someone with a bit more experience.

I felt Kristen Stewart did okay as Bella's character and they didn't develop Edward's character at all.

I know it's hard to take a book that is loved by many and try to create an outcome that will appease the masses, but they seem to be getting something right with the Harry Potter movies.

Watching Carlisle turn Edward into a vampire was probably the most intimate and unsettling part of the entire show.

If Robert Pattinson would have kept his accent it would have added to his character and made him more eloquent.

I do have so good things to say about the movie, I liked Edward's driving after rescuing Bella from the hoodlums. I thought Edward was good looking. Ummm that's pretty much it.

Maybe I set myself up for the disappointment because I was looking forward to this movie too much. Maybe it's Stephanie Meyer's fault for writing a book that was just so good the film makers couldn't transpire everyone's expectations on to the big screen.

I think they could have solved a lot of problems if they would have just made the movie a bit longer to give themselves more room to develop the story and characters. Trust me the devoted fans would not have minded sitting in their seats for a bit longer.

Smallville

Lowell has my family hooked on Smallville. I don't know what my problem is but I never used to like Sci-Fi and now it's all I've been reading or watching.

I think it helps when I have the entire series to watch at my convienence. I have a hard time getting attached to a show if I have to wait a week or so to watch another episode.

I am a huge Tom Welling fan. Not only is he hot but I also think he's a good actor. Watching him from the first season to the seventh he's really come into his own. At first he was just kind of goofy on screen but he's developed into a talented actor.

And his smile Ooh la la he has the most beautiful smile. That is one thing I miss, he used to smile a lot in the first couple seasons and now he doesn't anymore, unless it's a fake half hearted one. I understand the story is getting a little darker and more serious but I think they should bring back his smile.

I've been very impressed with how private Welling is in real life. He doesn't do many interviews and he never talks about his personal life. I think that's great, hopefully it gives him and his wife a fighting chance as a couple in Hollywood. They already have a long marriage by Hollywood standards.

I heard that when you reach the level of fame that Welling's reached, he likes to surround himself with straight guys or lesbians because they don't "want" him, I can see that. It would get old everyone around you have a vision of what you're really like in and really only seeing what they want to see. I don't know how people handle having their lives under a microscope like that. I guess that's why we hear of so many celebs going off the deep end. I think I'm fine tucked into my little corner of the world and no one knowing my name.

I do hope they keep Smallville on TV. I've really enjoyed the escape from reality it allots me.

I'm Gone

I know this really isn't that exciting for anyone but me, but I'm not home. YEAH! I am visiting my sisters for the weekend. We have so much planned that I doubt we will do any of it.

We were supposed to go to a Celine Dion concert but she postponed the concert until February. I'm okay with that it just means more time to spend with my sisters.

We are going to go to the movie "Twilight" tomorrow. I am so totally stocked for that (you can tell I grew up in the 80's).

We are suppose to go to a writing class, because November is Write a Novel month. Ann doesn't seem too excited about the class so I doubt we'll go. Writing is more Marie and I thing. We actually have a contest going right now to see who can write the most in a novel. I think Marie is winning that one, Ann and I are both in school and we use that as our excuse.

Ann wants to take me to Barnes and Noble but that place is evil for my check book.

I am just so excited to be out of town and away from kids I don't care what we do. I think Big D was more excited for me to leave than I was. He practically pushed me out the door. He got all the kids lined up so I could leave town as early as possible. I'm pretty sure that me almost biting everyone's head off last night had nothing to do with it. He just knew I needed to get the heck out of Dodge.

I sure love him.

There are so many things I want to do; I want to visit C, I want to visit D and heck while I'm at it XY and Z.

Too much to do so little time to cram it all in. I guess I will just sit back and enjoy as much as I can.

Don't Shoulda All Over Yourself

The other day I was talking to my stepmother, Honey. I was going on about stuff I should have done when she told me, "Don't shoulda all over yourself."

There is a lot of wisdom in that comment. How many times do we beat ourselves up for things we wish we would've done?

I am the queen of that.

I wish I would've had the courage to write for the school newspaper in high school or even join the yearbook staff. No I was too worried about what other people thought of those activities.

I am notorious for walking away from a situation and kicking myself for not saying something witty or asking an important question.

My girlfriend, C, came up for a wedding a couple months ago. She forgot her temple recommend and was feeling a bit foolish for doing so. It was the third time she's forgotten her recommend. Her husband was ribbing her after she'd been cleared to enter the temple when one of the Priesthood workers pulled them both aside and gave them a very wise piece of advice:

"Don't ever think about this moment again. The minute you look back with doubt, you let the Devil in. It's over, and you can't go back to change what's already happened. Look forward and Do Not let Satan tempt you to look back. That's what keeps us from progressing and listening to the Spirit."

I loved that coucil and I know I can use that in my own life. It's funny how both forms of coucil say the same thing, just with different flavors.

Thank you Honey and C for your wonderful advice.

Doctor's Mix-up

We took Bug to the doctor yesterday to see if we could do something for her chronic outbreak of cold sores. The doctor was talking to us about the cause for her outbreaks then excused himself to research some treatment options.

After he left Bug jumped down from the exam table and came across the room to talk to me. Beaner seeing an open seat jumped up on the table. Wearing their uniforms, which consist of navy blue or white shirts with khaki pants, Bug asked me if I thought the doctor would get her and Beaner mixed up if they'd both worn the same color shirt that day. I smiled and said, "No, he's smarter than that."

The doctor came walking in the room just then and walked over to Beaner and asked her to take off her jacket so he could listen to her heart. We all busted up laughing and Beaner said, "That's Bug, I'm Beaner."

So not only was Bug wearing a white shirt and Beaner a blue one, Beaner was also wearing her black jacket (the opposite of white). Beaner also has short hair compared to Bugs long hair. I so thought the doctor would never mistaken them and I was so wrong.

We laughed all the way home and then had to tell Big D why we were all laughing.

The Count Down Begins

If you ask my what day of the week it is, I have no idea. If you ask me what time of the day it is, I have no idea. However, if you ask me how many more classes I have to attend this semester, I can probably answer you down to the precise minute.

I am so excited to be done with this semester. Not like it is a hard or daunting class, I'm just ready for a change. I tend to get bored easily. So even though I am doing good in this class and it's been the best class I've ever taken, I'm just about to my done point.

I've written more papers in this one semester than I have in my entire college career. I need to quit whining since journalism is the major I chose for myself and that in and of it's self is a lot of writing.

Next semester I am taking a History class to fulfill one of my generals. I'm hoping I will only have to write three, maybe four, papers the entire semester.

Counting next semester I have only five more classes and I will be completely done with generals and be able to focus just on my major. I've been putting off starting my math. I haven't taken math since high school. Which we'll just leave at, it's been a long time. I'd better tackle it soon or I'll be a senior, almost ready to graduate, and be taking the entry level math class.

The sad thing is, it is getting harder to fit my classes with the kid's schedules. I figured out next semester but I had to switch preschools for Bear make it work. I don't know how well he's going to take the change. Let's just say I think Bear is allergic to change, especially big change.

Revitalize

Bug invited Bear and I along for her field trip. Her class went to an old run down city park, that the city is working on revitalizing, and planted flowers. The park still isn't anything beautiful yet, but in the next couple years we will really be able to see it come to life.



They had to plan and plot their area with a GPS so they can come back in the spring and find their flowers to track how they're doing.



They all had to take turns writing and using the GPS. It was very educational for me as well, seeing as I've never used a GPS before. Bear got a little bored and started terrorizing the other students. He even got them all in trouble for throwing rocks in the water. He is a trend setter I tell you what. Leave it to the three-year-old to be the bad example for the eight and nine-year-olds.

The Dr. Phil Test

Big D sent me this test. He scored a 42 and I scored a 35. I felt it was very accurate on both our parts.

Get out a piece of paper and pen. Write down your answers and see if it pegs your personality.

I guess Dr. Phil took this test on the Oprah show. He got a 55 and Oprah got a 38, at least according to the email I received.

Even if that's not true it's still fun.


1. When do you feel your best...

A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night


2. You usually walk...

A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly


3. When talking to people you...

A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) ;play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair


4. When relaxing, you sit with...

A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you


5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile


6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...

A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed


7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...

A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes


8. Which of the following colors do you like most...

A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray


9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...

A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers


10. You often dream that you are...

A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant


POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1
10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINT:& amp; nbsp; Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care'. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively
or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.


Give me a comment and let me know what's your score.

Donde Esta El Bano?

I stayed up watching some TV the other night. Enjoying my peace and quiet and a little Me time. Bear came out of his bedroom whimpering a bit. I asked him if he needed to go to the restroom and he said yes. So I told him I'd hold his stuffed dog while he went.

Sitting there I could here him relieving himself but it sounded odd. It didn't sound like it was hitting water. I turned around and saw that Bear had gone back into his bedroom and was peeing on the recliner.

I don't think he was quite awake.

After getting him back to bed and soaking up all the pee I could, I sprinkled some baking soda over it and left it at that for the night. The next morning Bear got out of bed and started playing in the baking soda and asking, "I wonder what this is for?" Bud came and asked me and I told him, but when he shared the information with his little brother Bear got very adamant that he did not pee on the chair. He had no memory of the night before.

I would've just vacuumed up the mess but I couldn't, my vacuum blew up that morning and I hadn't had time to get a new one yet.

I got a good laugh out of that one.