The Charm

Jay graduated law school in May of '06 and has consistently been searching and applying for jobs. Last fall we were offered a position in Phoenix, which we now think, in hindsight, we maybe should have accepted, maybe. But it's sooo far away...

In late July, Jay flew to MCG for an on-campus interview. Out of 200+ applicants, 10+ phone interviews, he was one of 3 in-person interviews. He thought it looked good, we were excited and tentatively looking online at Augusta. The VP for Legal Services (head attorney for the school, he would've been Jay's boss) said it all looked good but he'd let us know for sure in late July. MCG had a new president and he was doing an evaluation of all senior staff and the VP wanted to wait until the dust settled before hiring someone. So we wait for the last week of July, then the first week of August, then the second week... After waiting six weeks, I nagged Jay into sending an e-mail: we're looking at other opportunities, need to make plans, etc. So the VP calls Jay and says basically that during the evaluative process, they decided to eliminate the position Jay interviewed for, all due to budget cuts. What? It took 6 weeks to let us know? So disappointed.

Now what?

In the meantime, Jay applied for a job in August, had a phone interview in mid-September and they flew him out the next week (September 16-17) for an on-campus interview. During the phone interview, someone said, "Wow, you sound perfect for this job." But Tampa, what? Do we really want to be in Tampa? So he went down for the interview, they quickly started to referring to the job as Jay's and saying, "Well, we can have Jay do this or that, etc." And before he even left town, the senior attorney told him to keep the first week of November open for some big conference in DC. Holy Mole! Tampa!

And it's all happened so fast since then. Six days after he got home, we got the offer and accepted it the next day. I broke the news to my mom (seriously bawling over the phone; I never want to do that again.) and Jay broke it to his parents. We've been looking around online and ramped up our efforts to finish the work we've planned on this house. (Anyone want to buy a nice 4 bedroom, 2 bath cap cod in northern Kentucky? We've renovated both bathroom and it's got a new roof and paint throughout! No? Okay.)

So the plan, for right now, is for Jay to head down to start work November 8th, come back for Turkey Day. I'll keep the home fires burning, supervise the movers sometime during the week of Turkey Day and then we head back down with Jay the 29th, ready to sink our toes in the sand and avoid the snow and cold.

We got few visitors here in Northern KY; I expect we'll get a lot more visits from friends and family in Tampa. :)

Stuff

Further evidence for Jay that digging in someone's trash, shopping at thrift stores and yard sales are good for the environment and my wallet. And I recycle, though Jay resents the fact that we have to pay $5 a month to recycle.

The Story of Stuff (long video but useful info)

M26: The Story of Stuff (like her review of above video)

The Stuff of Stuff

I Like Stuff

And what if all my STUFF was gone in an instant? Would I feel lighter or mourn for all the useless and untouched bits and pieces?

Used is hip now, isn't it? Lots of blogs now for reusing and redoing what you've already got, or found on the curb. When I need some "retail therapy," I head to my favorite thrift store, honest. I like stuff, too, but I'm cheap and I love giving something a new life. Here are some of my favorite blogs for inspiration of updating and improving previously loved treasures.

Remodelaholic

Better After

So Jessica, when can you come up and help me purge? I need some honest and harsh new eyes to evaluate the necessity of my stuff. And some empty boxes; anybody got empty moving boxes to haul my stuff away?

Tribute to Jay

This is too cool, even if it's just for the UK visor. Love you, Dad.

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Another One Down

1 neglected, ignored pitiful blog
2 homes we've shared together
3 monkeys we've created and unleashed on the world
4 degrees Jay's earned (#4 finishing up soon!)
5 cars we've gone through
6 traveling excursions shared together
7+ years of loony parenthood
8 I can't think of eight anything--darn summer colds/sinus infections!!
9 years of hugs, tears, kisses and struggles.

I love you, Jay. Happy Anniversary! Here's to 90 more! (Years, not children. I'm already ready for the "Mommy's Little Vacation" asylum.)

Pride in My Ride

Actually, I aspire to a true Swagger Wagon. My piece o' crap Ford works for now; but someday, I'll rock the SE, too.

Family Reunion

Parker's spring break was a few weeks ago--yipee. One of the empty, long days of mayhem, I took my monkeys to visit their relatives (which side, I wonder?) at the zoo. Good times, good times. Actual friends accompanied us, so it really was a bit of fun--three moms and 10 kids, with 4 restrained in strollers, of course. We have a zoo membership, which is awesome 'cause we can see a few animals, whine that we're thirsty and complain that we're tired of walking and then leave, saving the other creatures for another visit. I'm taking an online photography class and this outing was a perfect opportunity to practice and see what all I don't know. Here's the documented evidence, in case you're interested.

This one's too dark--I thought I lightened it? (Parker, Dallin, Ava, Merritt and Miller)

She's on the right animal--sweet princess appearance with the bite of a croc.

Spencer's intent on chaos--must restrain him quickly! And why is Parker showing off his water? Yes, I do hydrate them occasionally.

And this guy was posing, so I had to oblige with a shot. Wonder where his horn is?

And the boring artistic shots--I need to learn how to prettify them in Photoshop or something.

Ooh, bokeh.

I love this statue in the Garden of Peace--sure could use that spot of green in my yard. I think I'd have to camp out in it though. (The garden, not the statue.)

Pretty flowers!

Bunny Magic

Since Easter this year was the same Sunday as General Conference and we stay home to listen to/watch/snooze through it online, there really wasn't a Sunday for the monkeys to wear their Easter garb. I dressed the boys in their shirts the Sunday before Easter but was too lazy to iron Merritt's dress that day so she wore her dress the Sunday after Easter. (Thanks, Mom, for ironing that horrible beast!) I was determined to take pictures since I don't know if Merritt will ever wear the dress again--it's the wrinkle monster from heck. The boys aren't in their official Easter shirts, but it's really all about the pretty dresses anyway, right? And this is as good as it got of Boy #2--he's definitely two.

Now I'm not a horrible mom--I do document some of the events in my monkeys' lives.

What IS He Eating?

I' ve been watching this tonight and now I don't think I want Parker eating any more school lunches. Processed junk and I know he doesn't eat the veggies and fruit that comes with his meal--just the entree, chocolate milk and dessert. Dang it! Now I gotta start packing healthy lunches. Bummer.

And I know I'm lazy and the kids have nuggets or frozen pizza 1-2 nights a week. They always have a fruit with lunch and a veggie at dinner and I never fry (too messy!) but we'll have to have more salads. We already eat only whole-wheat bread but I'll definitely have to switch to brown rice and whole-wheat pasta. Good thing I'm too cheap to buy chips and cookies--won't have to cut that out, as long as they don't find my stash under the bed. :)

Still Breathing

If you perchance read my scattered posts through Google Reader or some such other blog feed thingie, I've updated our picture on the home page so you can see our cute kids and how old we look.

I love, love this soup. I make it often, which I don't think everyone else appreciates, but I'm the queen and I'm in charge. It's easy, quick and cheap. If I'm out of ham, I use a handful or two of bacon bits from the mega bag I get at Sam's club. Everything's better with bacon.

Read here. Great advice to spark your thrifty spirit. Go cheapies!

Tried this for dinner tonight. Really easy (Hello! 3 ingredients!) and tasted good. (I won't say yummy since it bugs me when adults use the word yummy in their blogs. I am 29ish, for Pete's sake!) Next time I might add just a smidge of sugar to cut the acidity of the tomatoes. The kids had Mac n Cheese since I don't think they'd appreciate the depth and complexity of the sauce.

The End.

Snowballs in Heck?

Next on Martha: Pole dancing.

Huh? What was that? Sexy Stripper Martha?



Excuse me while I go barf.

See, I Did Get Something Done Today

I totally stole this poem from a blog I stalk (one of the many.) It makes me feel validated for having a crumb-filled, smudge-smeared, dusty home. It all works out in the end, right?

What Did I Do Today?

Today I left some dishes dirty
The bed got made around 3:30
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall
will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those windowpanes
will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I held a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone
with dark brown eyes and soft brown hair.
If that is true... I've done my share.

Bah Humbug

I hate snow days. We tried to have "quiet time"--no TV or wii, just books and crayons, etc. It lasted 15 minutes before they were fighting. TV may dull their minds and create zombies, but at least they become quiet, stationary zombies. Let their teachers worry about their minds.

I'm Odd, Yes I Am

I've seen this lists of 50 random things on other people's blog, so I thought I'd try it to remove all doubt of my bizarreness. But my list will have 51 thingies since this is my 51st post. Woo Hoo!

1. I like Chinese food, Thai food, Indian food, Greek food, Lebanese food and Mexican food, but Italian not so much.
2. I can't sleep facing the middle of the bed if Jay's facing the middle at the same time--I can't stand his hot breath in my face.
3. I brush my teeth with warm water--the cold water hurts my teeth.
4. I brush so vigorously that toothpaste gets all over my hand and it looks like I'm foaming at the mouth.
5. I'm addicted to the local news, especially at noon and 11 PM. When I'm caved in at home with my leeches/little blessings from heaven, the news anchor and weather man are my friends and reassure me that I'm still part of the world.
6. I can't stand nail polish on my fingernails--they fill smothered like they can't breathe. But my toes are always painted; I guess they don't have lungs.
7. I don't mind doing laundry but hate to fold it. I have to make myself fold a load or two before I can put another pile in the washer.
8. I'm a dabbler--I try a new hobby, learn all about it, become proficient at it and then move on. I've dabbled at scrapbooking, rubber stamps, water colors, stained glass, crochet, making and jewelry. Now I'm working on sewing with photography coming in on the horizon.
9. I never did my own laundry or cooked my own food until I went to college--my mom wouldn't let us. She thought we'd make a mess in her kitchen or ruin our clothes.
10. We never had chores growing up, which is why I blame my mom that my house is messy and dirty. She never taught me the love of and joy in cleaning. (Is there joy in cleaning and can I love it?)
11. I loooove to sleep. It's one of my favorite hobbies, past-times, addictions, needs... I'm a grump if I don't get a nap every day and letting me sleep in is one of the best gifts Jay can give me.
12. Three movies I hate and refuse to watch: Gone With the Wind (Scarlett is a spoiled, selfish brat!), It's a Wonderful Life (too cheesy!) and Forrest Gump (just plain stupid-great soundtrack, though).
13. I'm a sucker for dark, brooding Brits. Two favorite movies: Pride and Prejudice (the only version worth watching with Colin Firth) and North and South (not a US Civil War flick). I've read P&P many times and N&S is soon on my list.
14. Jane Austen is a favorite (see #13) and I love watching the film adaptations of her novels. But I hate Wuthering Heights and Dickens is just too dark and depressing.
15. I can sing BYU's fight song on demand and often use it to wake up Jay. He thinks I'm the only one who bothered to learn the song, but I'm sure there are other loyal fans out there. GoooOOO Cougars!
16. Without proper maintenance and pruning, my eyebrows look like small furry worms perched on my face. And yes, they join in the middle; I wasn't call Unibrow in 7th grade for nothing.
17. While pregnant with Uno, I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every morning for breakfast. I was still working and always running late, no big surprise, and had Jay make me a sammich to eat while roaming the stacks. Now all the kids have my love of and addiction to peanut butter sandwiches.
18. I picked my graduate program because nothing else looked interesting. I knew I didn't want to teach and grad school was the obvious option for finding a different line of work. And now I change poopy diapers and match socks for a living.
19. I hate raisins, bologna and soggy bread. Ick!
20. I always wanted to be a cheerleader: the allure of popularity and easy attraction for boys.
21. I'm clumsy and uncoordinated, which is why I'll never be a ballerina nor cheerleader. I get lost in aerobics classes--can't seem to get my arms and legs to do two different things and then you throw some dance with steps I've got to keep up with? Not going to happen.
22. I HATE water deeper than my head, especially when I can't see the bottom. Added to #21, it's no surprise I was advised to repeat my "swimming for non-swimmers" class at BYU.
23. I would love to be pregnant for just one day again--to experience the kicks and rolling around one last time, and to have a little newborn to snuggle, rock and nurse again. But for just one day! They grow too fast, especially when I'm distracted with peanut butter sandwiches and smelly socks.
24. My favorite CDs are movie soundtracks--the eclectic mix of new artists to meet.
25. A Streetcar Named Desire is a favorite movie and I really couldn't say why. Maybe it's the black and white, reality vs. illusion and Marlon Brando looks steamy in his white t-shirts. "I have often depended on the kindness of strangers."
26. I HATE pictures of myself; I'd much rather be behind the camera. I analyze myself, my face especially until it begins to look deformed and distorted--am I really that ugly? Is my face really that fat? Are my facial features really that unbalanced and uneven? Yep, really.
27. I'm not a big fan of children, but I guess I like mine most of all.
28. I started this months ago and can't remember what I'd thought to put on it.
29. Despite #27, I'm a lot nicer to and more tolerant of other people's children.
30. I hate having company come over, even though I like to visit and show off my decorating. I get paranoid at all of the dust and cobwebs they'll see and never relax the whole time they're here.
31, On the other hand, I never seem to look too close or notice dirt or dust at other people's homes.
32. I'm 21 months older than Jay--robbing the cradle!
33. I hate crowds-probably because I'm so short and feel claustrophobic. Jay dreams of someday being in Time's Square for New Year's Eve while that sounds like my own personal hell on earth.
34. I lied--there's not 51 things on this list and this isn't my 51 post. I kept forgetting to finish it and now I just want it posted. I'm a starter, never a finisher--as evidenced with my piles o' craft UFOs: UnFinished Objects.

On Second Oink

No, I did not subject the entire world to my ill children this weekend. We missed the Primary Program anyway and just hung out at home. Parker is at school today, though; it was his field trip to the pumpkin farm. And HRH Merr WILL be going to school tomorrow. I don't know what I'm going to do with her...

Watch this:

Oinked Too Soon

Parker and Spence had the cough but no fever, Merr had the fever but no cough. Took Spence and Merr to the doc today--we had to restrain HRH to obtain a nose swab--and we're all partakers of the pork plague! Merr's fever was mostly Monday and Tuesday so it's too late now for Tamiflu. Park and Jay went to school/work Tues and today. They should really stay home tomorrow but hey, they've already exposed everyone and Parker's got a field trip to see Beauty and the Beast (He gags every time he hears the name: "Gross, Mom!") that I paid $10 for, so just Merr's missing school. The Primary program (church program where the kids sing the songs they've learned all year and say something they've learned in class) is on Sunday so maybe we'll just go to that, infect everyone, and then skip out on the rest of church for the day. Jay's had a bit of a cough and sore throat and I've just had the sore throat. I looked at all of our noses closely and none have become porcine and no one's oinking. Yet.

Oink Oink Says the Pig

I don't know about your house, but I'm just waiting for the Porcine Plague to come calling. I think it's inevitable this season. We've already had multiple colds and snotty noses; soon it'll all coalesce into snorting when we laugh, loss of our ability to sweat and even paler pink skin. (All accompanied by fever, chills, cough, achiness, etc.)

Round 'Em Up, Rawhide!

Herder of cats,
Wrangler of wrecks,
Spinner of plates,
Cowboy of chaos.

I've come to the realization (Ta Da!) that my little world has a determination to fall into chaos as it spins around. My central mission is to rein in the chaos and those little beings that aid in the bedlam, and create a state of order. If I stop herding, wrangling, spinning and roping, this tendency toward chaos will take over and I'll never catch up with the mess.

Ever notice how, as you're walking through the house to do something entirely different, you stop along the way to pick up bits and bobs dribbled around, straighten pillows and blankets, toss clothes in the bin, and sweep up crumbs, and it's all unconscious? You don't even realize you're doing it. Most days when Jay comes home, the house looks just like it did when he left and I swear to myself that I actually did something that day: I fought the chaos.

I'm No Award Winner

Disclaimer #1: The elementary school secretary is a crabby witch. She's grumpy and acts inconvenienced every time I call/visit for something. And it's not just my winning personality, I promise. She's mean to everyone.

Disclaimer #2: Even before children I was a nappin' queen. Can you imagine my utter need for a daily nap when I've got three wild and crazy monkeys?

Disclaimer #3: I can't think of one right now.

So yesterday I pick up HRH Merr from preschool at 11:30, we come home and have lunch. Then Nap Time! I lock her in her room (with a bungee cord--there's no other way to keep her contained.) And yes, that makes me cruel and unusual. Spence is in his cage and I snuggle down for a long fall nap. The phone rings at 1:30 but I don't recognize the caller id: "Sch & Parochial" so I ignore it. Two minutes later a friend from church calls, I ignore it--she'll leave a message, OK? Then immediately her husband's cell rings in. OK, ok, I'll answer this one.

"Uh, Misty, Parker's school called. There's been an accident on the playground and he's on his way to the hospital." What?! (FYI, Our friends are listed as emergency contacts for the school.) So I call the school and the crabby @#$%$ secretary acts all put out, like she tried and tried to call me (NOT. And since when does the school caller ID say Parochial and not the name of the school or the school district?) and Parker fell on the playground. He cut his head up in his hair, will need stitches and since she couldn't get a hold of me, they sent him to the hospital in the ambulance. I call Jay and he's out of breath from running to his car and panicked (He's a bit dramatic in a medical emergency.) Evidently the @#$$ crab only told him that Parker is hurt and bleeding from the head and is on his way to the hospital. Poor Jay! He doesn't know if Park's broke something or cracked his skull or if he's unconscious. It's just a cut and will need stitches.

I stay home with the other two and call Jay's work and our friends to explain things and calm everyone down, Jay hangs out in the ER with Parker and three stapes later, they come home. Jay's calves ached all night from running (We need more exercise, Dear.) and Parker's no worse for the wear.

So I'm a bad mother for napping and ignoring the phone call from the school. And here's pictures of Park to prove it:

Isn't my boy handsome, despite the bloody shirt and staples in his scalp? I love the closeup of his face--won't he catch all the girls in about 10 years?

And here's pictures Jay took from his iPhone in the ER.

We're Not the Jeffersons

Well, we moved! (Almost, but not really.) And to Phoenix, no less. Crazy, eh?

Jay told me a month or so ago about a job he was applying for--he's always applying and looking and scheming, so I thought nuthin' 'bout it. A week or so later, a phone interview. Whatever, I'm busy with diapers and dishes and important stuff like that. Then he tells me that he was flying to Phoenix the next week for an interview. What?! Phoenix, as in that dry desert out west, far from here, that has no water, trees or green grass? He flew out early on a Monday morning, got back late on a Tuesday night and said it went well. Holy snot, Batman! Phoenix? Then they tell him he's a finalist and they want to call references. Then they do a background check. In the meantime, I'm scoping out towns in the area, doing research online for the schools that are "Excelling" and start making calls to moving companies to get quotes. Serious, folks, serious. Can't make definite plans, or tell anyone important like his parents or my mom, until we know how soon they want us out there, what to do with this house, etc. Just waiting on an official offer...

So I'm excited, worried but mostly excited to make the move. What an adventure! And we can get a bigger house with maybe storage space and a garage we can put a car in and a wider driveway that we don't have to play leapfrog on. Bonus--lots more Mormons in Phoenix. Woo hoo! And how exciting would Phoenix be? What a big change. Then the offer finally comes in. What?! Seriously? We're supposed to move our entire lives--which we would totally do for the money, don't get me wrong--for that? With the cost-of-living difference, we'd be living poorer there than we are here! Our skinny driveway, one-car-garage/storage Cape Cod here would be $100 K more there, much less movin' on up in the world.

Very, very disappointed. Jay was excited at the job, the possibilities for advancing, I was excited for the adventure, maybe a newer minivan (I'm still dreaming of ya, Sienna!) and no snow. Bummer. No Dee-luxe apartment in the Sky-hi-hi.

More posts to come later. Maybe I'll even toss in a few pics of my posse for your viewing pleasure, including the further proof why you're a better mom than me.

Equality

Jay and I have been holding our breath, crossing our fingers over which vehicle would die first. My fabulous Ford van (2002) chugs along, leaving a trail of fumes and parts in its wake. Jay's '98 Camry, the one we bought a month before we married, sniff, since I totalled my little '92 Sentra named Sophie on the day my nephew Drew was born, sniff sniff, was making it but not by much. It needed a new timing belt and some water thing or air thing or something. Well, Jay won that bet!

His car, full of kids, limped home and sat. He promptly went searching for a replacement, deciding on another Camry (good cars). He got the parts for the crippled car and along with help from a car-fanatic neighbor, fixed it! Saved us over $1200 in labor costs. (You're such a stud, babe. That's why I married you!) Sold it and it's gone, but now we've got car payments and a snazzy, shiny newer car in the drive. Right next to my Fantastic Ford!

Now I was feeling a bit miffed since we lost a hubcap somewhere in western KY during the Christmas travelin' season and Jay hadn't replaced it yet. My helpful home teachers informed me that WAL-MART carries hubcaps. Who knew? What does Wally-World not carry? So I promptly purchased shiny new hubcaps for my FF, Jay reluctantly installed them and then shined up the tires. And I look gooood, driving my herd around in the FF. Sorry Jay, I know you're wishing you had the FF now, but you can't have it. You'll have to be content with your new '07 silver Camry that includes sunroof, Bluetooth, gazillion disc CD-player, charcoal leather interior, heated seats, radio buttons in the stearing wheel, fin on the back, sporty thingies at the bottom on the sides, and voice activated cell phone calling. Yessiree, I look good in my FF!



BTW, Jay, the cruise control stopped working last month, I never use my blinkers anymore (I like to live on the edge, baby.) and Spencer's door doesn't lock/unlock with my super-powers power lock. But I love my new $22 hubcaps and I look goooood.