Memories

Memory Directions...

1. On my blog post a comment on a memory we share together. Even if we don't know each other very well just think of something fun.

2. Post this on your blog so others will leave comments and you can share the memories with others!

It's going to be really fun to see what we remember about each other.

Now, remember, we all know each other pretty well; be kind!

Who's Turn Is It?

We've all had ups and downs. I'm just glad my kids take turns having a tough time so I can take care of them properly. Does it feel to anyone else that the hardest things you go through may be for your children? I'll admit I've been through some tough stuff but I hate the helplessness of watching your child hurt.

It's been Allison's trial period. She came home the other day sobbing. She'd gotten her first D on a test, it was in pre calculus. Math hasn't ever given her trouble and now her faith in herself is shaken. She took the opportunity to go in this morning and meet with her teacher to see what she needs to focus on. She's also been facing other things that have shown me that she's strong in spirit, character and the gospel. It's been a hard week for Allison and those who love her. Emily and Michael have been a big support. I'd always told them about the "mother tiger" that can ignite in me and now I see it in them. It's quite heart warming.

On a positive note I'll add my Tuesday Two:

1. I'm grateful that my children have a good opportunity for a good education. Alli and Em both got another "letter" for academics last night. Michael just keeps going from strength to strength and is doing extrememly well.

2. I have finally procurred dental insurance and we will all be going under the x-rays soon. It's been a while. Earlier in my life I HATED going to the dentist but the wise woman in me enjoys keeping my teeth.

I love you all!

Does Anyone Have Days Like These?

Dear loved ones, I'd love to know if anyone else has obnoxiousness in their lives. I know I don't want to use my blog just to vent but I also don't want it to read like an Ensign article. My life is not an Ensign article! Now, none of you have Ensign article blogs, I'm just trying to keep mine real without too much reality.

I've had things pop up for weeks like the computer maitenance. Today I was all dressed in grubby clothes ready to get a bucket and do some cleaning when I smelled burning rubber from the vacuum. Sidenote, Michael was vacuuming for me. I love him! I took the Hoover and tried to check the belt. It wasn't the belt but a huge length of elastic that had bound itself up. Where did it come from? As I looked beyond the elastic I could tell I was in for it. Did I mention I have two sixteen year old girls with long hair? Aargh! I cleaned the brush rollers with scissors, screwdriver and my poor stubby fingernails for fifteen minutes. Then I realized that there were wooly mammoth sized dust bunnies clogging the works. Aargh! Luckily I had some pipe cleaners and was able to fashion my own vacuum snake. Did anyone know I'm allegic to dust? Sidenote, as I'm trying to open my airways and get other things done Michael has braved the High School traffic to pick up the girls for me. I love him!

On a happy note I will be subbing for the first time this year for the next two days. Second grade. I love second graders. And Michael, Emily and Allison just came through the front door alive and well. I love them!

I Deserve a Different Award This Time

You all know we've had many trials and tribulations with the computers over the last month. What isn't as widely known is that Gena, that's me, has been the system administrator and has gotten everything up and running. That's right, me who learned computers the hard way (anyone else remember ms-dos? bleh!). If you need me to I can set your IP addresses, even on an in home network. I've learned the ins and outs of hardware connection (not that hard) and then coordinating software. And I was even smart enough to know my Windows XP from Windows Vista and reorder compatible software for the peripherals. I feel smart.

So my Saturday Six (which makes sense because it's the sixth day):

1. I'm grateful to have a mind that can expand and learn even at 45.
2. I have happy, cute, good kids that still listen to me periodically.
3. I have a husband who really seems to like me in spite of myself.
4. That I'm able to enjoy Primary Music (after all the years I've done it).
5. I love my extended family!
and
6. I know my Heavenly Father loves me.

And "The Lame Mother Award" Goes To...

I feel so horrible today. It was my sweet Christopher's P-day and I forgot to e-mail him! I thought about it yesterday as I sat in my after-Primary-music-leader haze but both computers were occupied. I thought I'd just do it this morning. Sob! He's awfully sweet about things like this but I just couldn't bear him not hearing from me. So I got onto DearElder.com immediately and got a letter off to him. He may get it by Thursday. Chris will have been out a full year on September 5th and DearElder has a variety of care packages you can send. They just happen to have a "Hump Day" goodie package so Chris gets a yummy "my Mom feels guilty" present this week.

Saturday I spent the entire day with Allison and Emily at the CU Boulder campus. They are participating in a genetic research project involving twins and learning disabilities. We weren't sure they'd get to do it but a "control" group is still being formed. The highlight of my day, other than getting to go to lunch with the girls, was filling a small cup with my saliva for DNA testing. The upside of that was that we got to bring a cup home for Steve to fill, too. Bleh! The girls will each be paid $100 so they're more than willing to spend six hours as lab rats. I kept thinking about all the things I could do if I felt more creative but I was happy reading. Having already finished "Breaking Dawn" and "The Host" weeks ago I settled for reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" for the third time.

I enjoyed reading the "Sunday Six" lists on some of your blogs. As I saw the pictures of Brent wrestling with his son I stopped and cracked my back and my neck. My sweet nephew Tom tackled me a few weeks ago. It was a surprise attack and I'm proud to say I think I held my own pretty well. I believe I won because when I bit him on the leg he gave up. Now I don't think biting in a wrestling match should be condoned but if you know Tom you understand I ended up with bruises in some pretty strange places. I may be old but I haven't learned to go quietly into that good night yet. When will I act my age?

I'm being paged. In lieu of watching the Democratic Nat'l. Convention we're watching our DVD's of "The Office."

We're Still Here

We have always been here but, alas, the computers haven't. I must be the only person in the galaxy who ignored the "renew your subscription now" messages from my computer security. The infection was terrible! We were without for about three weeks and we went through major withdrawal. Thankfully we're up and running because with a college student and two high school juniors we really needed to be able to access the Internet.

Allison and Emily are back in school as juniors. Gasp and cool at the same time. I don't remember enough physics, I never took calculus, I don't speak Spanish but I do feel qualified to help them with music, history and English. Michael is knee deep in upper biology and other stuff I can't remember right now. They are all adjusting to their new schedules. With the Democratic Nat'l. convention here next week Michael won't have classes for a week. His campus is across the street from the convention center, the Pepsi Center, and across a large parking lot from Mile High. Too much for the city to handle with 24,000+ students trying to get in there too.

Christopher is happy and bossy. He's not really but he has to remind me often of things I told him I'd send or take care of. He sounds terrific in his e-mails and letters. I love his little quirk of writing with a Bic 4 ink color pen. When he addresses different members of the family he changes ink color. Kind of weird like his Mom. He tells us he had a terrific 20th birthday and was well taken care of. We had fun looking for things to send in his package that were in 8's or could be construed as multiples or factors of 8 (he being born on 8-8-88 and having his 8-8-08). Miss him!

Well I have to go curl "the old woman's" hair (it is an endearment, really, ask me sometime). Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of blogging.

This defines me!

Allison gave me the best laugh ever! She was reading jokes from a magazine and said, "Hey, Mom, this is you!" The joke? "I have CDO; it's like OCD but with the letters in alphabetical order like they're supposed to be." Your daughter understanding you? Priceless.

Post ye diligently

We think our lives are mundane but I believe life is made of our perceived little nothings. Every day we rise and ponder the lists of 'needs to be done' or 'what I really want to do.' If you have children sometimes it's about what they want to be done. The I'm-trying-not-to-push-you-too-hard-Mom-but... I see in their eyes today is the task of hemming the edge of the shower curtain. Excepting this last step they would be cleansing with ease and efficiency in their basement bathroom, being rid of the arduous task of carrying their clean clothing to the upstairs showers. I'm going to oblige them as soon as I'm finished here.

On a personal note I'm getting a lot of organizing done which is a very relaxing thing for me. I love to clean closets, drawers and cupboards! I'm selfishly reappointing my own work space in the basement, it having been in disarray since last summer when I had to repair the drywall, plumbing and flooring. I guess you can tell how often I've done any sewing, scrapbook page making or anything else creative in that space lately. It's cathartic and allows me to be in close proximity to the video gaming or occasional gentleman-caller-over-watching-a-movie-with-me action.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to be more patient and creative while I'm trying to grow my hair out for the first time in oh so many years? %(