You Will Find a Little Nest...

Sorry. I've been away. More on that to come.

On my front door I have this wreathe. It's this awesome wreathe from THE RANCH that John and Eli made for us.

It never comes off my front door.

Most of you know how much I love change. I like changing my hair color/length. I like moving. I like redecorating rooms. So the fact that this wreathe hasn't lost its spot means something. Sure, occasionally I throw stuff on top of it, or use wire to tie seasonal things onto it. But it hasn't come off my door since we've received it - I love it that much.

Anyway, while I was away (again, more on that later), Ste's parents were here watching the monkeys. They must have stuck to the garage entrance rather than the front entrance because when we went through the front door last night, we saw something unusual.

Sure, everything looks normal at this angle.

Do you see it? At the corner of the flag?
It's the sweetest little bird's nest you'll ever see.

And, YES, those are two little eggs.

Gramma L*

...technically it's Gramma R* (she remarried), but it started out as Gramma L* and I think - for me - it will always be that way.

My dear, maternal grandmother passed away early this morning. We all knew it was coming soon, and we were excited for her reunion with all her loved ones who left this earth before her. Mostly her husband, Elroy, who passed on in 1978, her 11 year old sister who died when Virginia was only 10 and her son Stephen, who only lived until he was 16 months old.

I've spoken of Virg before; like here and here. Above is her engagement picture. There were some unique traits about Gramma (I'm from Utah and we don't pronounce non-essential consonants) that are worth mentioning.

• Your lawn should be mowed in a diagonal pattern.
• She was obsessed with the OJ trial and still believes that the verdict was right.
• People should try their hardest to fall in love with someone who is rich.
• And getting said person to fall in love with you is based 98% on how you present yourself: grooming, style, etc.
• Only use ice cold water on your flower beds.
• The gospel is important.
  
• Teal green and turquoise (and all shades in between) was most certainly her favorite color.
  
• The best way to wash windows is with a raw potato and crumpled newspaper.
• Fashion and interior design is an essential part of life.
• A glass of orange juice and an oatmeal raisin cookie will make anyone feel welcome.
• Plant a garden.
• She'd always say, "Let me look at ya," and then she'd make you slowly spin in front of her. Even if you were 27 years old.
  
• Polish your silver regularly. Why in the world have silver if it's not polished?
  
• It is okay to decorate you house for Christmas in October (and having multiple trees with different themes and color combinations is crucial)
  
• Do you family history (her personal history has been published in a hard bound book and is 900 pages long - it too is turquoise).
• Eating dandelion greens is [somehow] good for you.
• and so many more things...
  

She took me to New York City when I was 15 years old. It was so exciting. We were there during Christmas and New Years and we did all the touristy things; we saw a Broadway show, Radio City Music Hall, Time Square, Rockefeller Plaza and we were kicked out of a St. John store for taking pictures of their decoration ideas - you know, the usual stuff everyone does in New York.

I wish we could have gone to lunch one more time. Or better yet, I would love to hear her laugh again. She had this high-pitched chuckle and if you were the one to make her laugh, her nose would crinkle up and she'd wave her hand at you as if to shew you away.

She had beautiful hands.

She had exquisite taste.

She couldn't hold a grudge against anyone for anything.

She gave me my mama.

I love you, Gramma and I'll do my best to make you proud.
Give Grampa a hug from me. We never had the chance.

Primary Rocks

....but with the spirit, of course.

I'm the chorister in my church for 3-11 year olds. That's quite a range of ages their, folks. So, I do my best to accomadate all ages without planning two separate teaching strategies.

This past week I brought my super-duper-awesomest sombrero. I decked it out pimp-style. Then I went to Party City and bought a crazy boa and some really terrible glasses. Sunday morning I found out that the boa I had purchased had a string of lights on it and actually lit up. I mean, does it get any better than that?

I explained to the kids that whichever class sang the best, their teacher would be chosen to come up and where the "outfit".

It worked.

Like a charm.

Did you know that 11-year old boys will sing with the right motivation?

Sorry to do this to you Crystal, but I think Truman was the only one who had his phone with him. So really it's his fault and you should torture him (not Emmy who happens to be in your class).

Happy Mother's &/or Wife's Day

Someone told me yesterday that their husband didn't do anything for them for Mother's Day because she wasn't his mother.

What the?

I told Steven this and he said, "What the?"

Steven went on to say that I take care of him. I feed him, clothe him, cut his hair, take care of his finances, clean up after him, make sure the oil gets changed, and still let him put his candy wrappers in my purse (why do they think your the garbage can?). The list goes on and on.

So I ask you your opinion:

Do husbands need to get their
WIFE something for Mother's Day?

New Aunt

My sister had her baby yesterday.

Congratulations, Kristen!

I bet he's all perfect and warm and little and smells yummy and...


I'm homesick.

No Worries

To all our family and friends that are worried:

We haven't caught the swine, yet.

Here's how we're avoiding it.

• First of all I found the remote (PHEW!). So we're more likely to stay at home anyway. I have all those shows to catch up on.
• Secondly, I've given up on sucking on cart handles while I grocery shop. It was simply nervous habit.
• Thirdly, we've taught our children to chew on their own nails and not their friends'.

Which leads me to the most important: We've begun to bathe in Purel. I know, I know, it's expensive. But you can't put a price on your health. Though it seems Purel has. Did you know it's not nearly as pricey when you buy it by the truckload? But the delivery guy still looks at you weird. And you get used to smelling ..... odd ... after the first week.