I got this in an email yesterday. I thought this was pretty remarkable. I've never seen this particular talent showcased before.
We love blogging
Soooo, today was the big day! Utah Blog-fest 2007!
I have been anticipating this event for some time and I am elated it held up to my hopes and daydreams! Thank you, Tori and Suzanne for the successful, relaxing, yummy, entertaining get-to-gether! The food was scrumptious and plentiful and the company was high quality!I LOVED chatting with everyone and getting to know a few bloggers that I wasn't already super familiar with. Each one of you are so wonderful and unique. I look forward to following Mel's, Lisa's and Amanda's lives much closer.
I got to meet my great friend, Robin's sister, Emily, for the first time! I was so excited when I found out she moved to Utah. Golly, they have a great set up in a cabin out in the mountains. It was the perfect setting for a group of women to chat and breathe in some fresh clean air! Thank you for hosting, Emily!
The time flew so fast while we were together... I literally lost track of time. That is a sure sign one is having fun! I hope we can pull something like this off again soon, because I felt robbed when I had to say good-bye. You all ROCK!
P.S. Thanks for the awards! You can go to Tori's blog for more details on the awards. I thought Mel & Lisa should have gotten the most thought-provoking blog. They are both strong and amazing women. I look forward to reading more!
More Neighborhood stuff
You are probably going to think I must live in a pretty cruddy neighborhood... one, with the neighbor kids mouthing off and now I'm going to report on our neighborhood park.
A few weeks ago I took Liam to the park on a Sunday evening when he was wired to the max before bedtime. We hadn't been over there in a while because of the heat the past couple months, so I was surprised to find a much different play place for my child when we arrived. Actually, it wasn't worthy of my child playing on any of the equipment. I will spare you the additional photos I took of all the grafitti and filth scribed into every nook and cranny of the steps, slides, tunnels and platforms... nevertheless I sent these photos to the city and I have yet to go see if anything has been done about it.
I was doubting much COULD be done since the "gang" that did the damage literally whittled into the plastic slides and wooden benches... how do you sand down plastic so the F word doesn't show? And is it even worth doing if the city isn't surveillancing the area at night when the immature and bored go out and do this stuff? It just blows my mind that kids have no respect for even an area that toddlers should be playing by day. I think the only solution to the problem would be to illuminate this park with many street lamps so the shady folks can't hang out there at night after they have snuck out of their parents homes to meet up with their delinquent "friends."
I'll update later on any progress.
A few weeks ago I took Liam to the park on a Sunday evening when he was wired to the max before bedtime. We hadn't been over there in a while because of the heat the past couple months, so I was surprised to find a much different play place for my child when we arrived. Actually, it wasn't worthy of my child playing on any of the equipment. I will spare you the additional photos I took of all the grafitti and filth scribed into every nook and cranny of the steps, slides, tunnels and platforms... nevertheless I sent these photos to the city and I have yet to go see if anything has been done about it.
I was doubting much COULD be done since the "gang" that did the damage literally whittled into the plastic slides and wooden benches... how do you sand down plastic so the F word doesn't show? And is it even worth doing if the city isn't surveillancing the area at night when the immature and bored go out and do this stuff? It just blows my mind that kids have no respect for even an area that toddlers should be playing by day. I think the only solution to the problem would be to illuminate this park with many street lamps so the shady folks can't hang out there at night after they have snuck out of their parents homes to meet up with their delinquent "friends."
I'll update later on any progress.
More Good Mail
Stepherz sent me a fun package of goodies. I didn't get a photo, but she included Airheads, cards, a cool Piglet pen and an awesome CD. THANK YOU! I love getting mail, especially when coming home from a long weekend out of town with family.
Sorry
My parents are in town and I've been a bit occupied. I'll post soon, I promise. I have had no contact with the neighbors since my last posting... therefore, no confrontation nor problems to speak of YET.
Neighbors
So some new neighbors moved in not too long ago. They seemed nice enough... They speak English, so that is a plus. They mow their yard and take their trash cans back up to the house on the same day the trash man comes, etc. I could do without the basketball goal peering over our fence and the basketball noise that comes with it, but all was well.
Then about a week ago I was outside with Liam. I noticed a couple young boys jump into their teenage size pool as I walked by our mailboxes and headed to our private back yard with Liam. I hear them splashing around and having a good time... THEN, I hear the F-bomb multiple times... The 4th or 5th time I heard it, I heard myself scream at the top of my lungs, "WATCH YOUR MOUTHS!"
What?
I am suddenly the next door babysitter?
What just happened?
If I hear it again, am I going to run to their front door and report their behavior to their parents?
I really didn't know. I was jut appalled because my very impressionable child was in hearing range of their foul mouths. It got me all anxious and fidgety the rest of the day.
Then today... I am outside again and hear not only the F word but a few other colorful ones. Mind you, these kids are like 10 and under, they think they are pretty hot stuff... Or so it seems. I yelled the same phrase through the fence again and their silence didn't last as long. I wondered if a parent was actually right there and maybe that parent shrugged and motioned for them to go back to what they were doing. It was too hot to stay outside and find out what else may come out of their mouths.
So there's the story. What would you do? Or does this bother only me?
Then about a week ago I was outside with Liam. I noticed a couple young boys jump into their teenage size pool as I walked by our mailboxes and headed to our private back yard with Liam. I hear them splashing around and having a good time... THEN, I hear the F-bomb multiple times... The 4th or 5th time I heard it, I heard myself scream at the top of my lungs, "WATCH YOUR MOUTHS!"
What?
I am suddenly the next door babysitter?
What just happened?
If I hear it again, am I going to run to their front door and report their behavior to their parents?
I really didn't know. I was jut appalled because my very impressionable child was in hearing range of their foul mouths. It got me all anxious and fidgety the rest of the day.
Then today... I am outside again and hear not only the F word but a few other colorful ones. Mind you, these kids are like 10 and under, they think they are pretty hot stuff... Or so it seems. I yelled the same phrase through the fence again and their silence didn't last as long. I wondered if a parent was actually right there and maybe that parent shrugged and motioned for them to go back to what they were doing. It was too hot to stay outside and find out what else may come out of their mouths.
So there's the story. What would you do? Or does this bother only me?
My latest work...
I got a few more shirts done last night. We had a birthday party (for a two year old) to go to this morning so I called the mom and asked what this little boy would say if he could talk. She said that he loves hugging EVERYONE. So here is what he got for his birthday:
And while I was at it, I had a shirt request from Wendy for her 13 year old daughter. Hope she likes it. I need to do one more shirt for her, I think, cuz I am trading her for THIS!
And lastly, I wanted to do a shirt for Robin's new baby boy and this is all the lettering I had left so I came up with this. I think she'll like it, cuz we all know that babies fart, like, all the time! Am I right? I could have done something better IF I only knew his name. I am still voting Henry.
And while I was at it, I had a shirt request from Wendy for her 13 year old daughter. Hope she likes it. I need to do one more shirt for her, I think, cuz I am trading her for THIS!
And lastly, I wanted to do a shirt for Robin's new baby boy and this is all the lettering I had left so I came up with this. I think she'll like it, cuz we all know that babies fart, like, all the time! Am I right? I could have done something better IF I only knew his name. I am still voting Henry.
Blooms from the Hubby
It was mid-afternoon on a Monday... the work day was going rather slowly.
I get a call from the front desk receptionist.
She says I have flowers waiting for me in the lobby.
I hurried down, baffled.
Apparently my hubby loves me very much and also thinks I'm "a great Mom!"
Hey, I'll take 'em!
GORGEOUS arrangement! I love that I don't get the blah-every-day-roses from my loverboy. He's just got great taste that way.
Thanks, Honey, that was very thoughtful of you and so unexpected on a mundane Monday afternoon.
I get a call from the front desk receptionist.
She says I have flowers waiting for me in the lobby.
I hurried down, baffled.
Apparently my hubby loves me very much and also thinks I'm "a great Mom!"
Hey, I'll take 'em!
GORGEOUS arrangement! I love that I don't get the blah-every-day-roses from my loverboy. He's just got great taste that way.
Thanks, Honey, that was very thoughtful of you and so unexpected on a mundane Monday afternoon.
They Like Me!
At the time, my wonderful mother in law was in town and I just didn't get the quality blogging time I needed to acknowledge the award and pass on the goodness to my favorite bloggers.
I know, lame.
I must not care enough.
What is wrong with me?
Well nothing was wrong with me. I had a few good blogs in mind, but I couldn't compose the greatest post in my head and retain it long enough to put into writing, so it never got published. The weeks flew by, the award expired and my dear friends probably thought I was a party pooper, thinking "why did I even nominate her?"... "she isn't GETTING the fact that you are supposed to pass on the bloggy love."
Then today, I was flattered once again with an award from "Tarrie." (Sorry I can't get the Awesome Blogger graphic to work for me.)
Thanks to all three of you, my bloggy mamas, for the extremely nice words you wrote about me. I was so humbled and grateful to you. It's good to know that a portion of my heart comes through my posts. I really have enjoyed getting to know all the new friends in the blogosphere and also my old friends that started blogging like crazy because of my great example (errrr, um, peer pressure from me in most cases).
Here are my Awesome Thinking Award picks:
KATIE! I have known Katie for 4 years. She was my first real neighbor. We had just closed on our house, taking photos in the front yard with the "sold" sign, and she scurried over with little Alli and a plate of the most delicious homemade brownies. I had no idea that she'd end up being a daily dose of wit, smarts and the best example of a devoted mother in my life. 3 years later she started blogging and I've loved reading her writing ever since.
EMMA! I found Emma while surfing other mom blogs when I first started out. Once I found her, I never let go. She is one funny writer! Sometimes I am not sure what she's made up and what's true. The bonus with Emma is that her darling Ella is the same age as Liam... so we email advice and tips back and forth to each other. She has been on a blog drought lately, but please add her to your bloglines or google reader and be ready for her next post. Even reading her archives will get you laughing.
STEPHANIE! I found her blog right when I started blogging too. There is something insightful and wonderful about her. Her blog has always made me feel like an old friend, just comfy. I like how clean she is and how organized and creative she is. I just like her, okay? I wish she wasn't feeling so lousy right now so I could hear more of what's in her cute little head! Get well soon, Stephanie! You are admired very much!
JESSICA! This woman has no shame! And for someone like me who likes to read about humor in every day things, (you know... smart thoughts, farts, $ex, toddlers and bodily functions) House of Joy always delivers! Always. I wish I could meet her and hire her as my personal entertainer. Like a jester of sorts. I think I would be snorting and choking on food most of the day if she was my employee. She is JUST that funny!
DAVID! Because he delivers what everyone wants in a blog. Humor in: Politics, current events, proud parenting, bird murders, etc. He's got it all. Plus, he has a really cute wife that I miss very much. (David you better get that job in Idaho, or I am gonna go out there and drag you back to be my next door neighbors again!) Go put David on your feed readers now... ready... set... GO!
There you have it. Note that this list needs to be 10 times longer. I have so many blogs that I visit almost daily. I love to read each of your blogs and learn more about you. This community has meant a lot to me as a new mom. I thank each of you for your encouragement, advice and good humor.
How cool is it that all my friends live in my computer?
Downer Alert - Open for discussion
Do you ever think to yourself, "what would happen to my child if I died tomorrow?"
Today I thought this to myself more than once. A few times in fact. What a painful thing to pop into one's head!
What does this say about me? I must think I am a pretty great caretaker, because my main concern is who would raise Liam and how well they would do it. It hurts my heart to think that if something happened to me, even if it were not death, that I could possibly not be able to care for my son in the way I want him cared for.
My heart went out to paralyzed parents who can't quite reach out and cuddle their kids like they crave to.
My heart hurt for parents who passed on way too early and (maybe from above) watched their children suffer because of their absence.
I am not saying that Liam doesn't have a great dad to take care of him, he does. But men aren't moms for a reason. Moms do a lot of extras. Extras I sorely missed when I finally moved out of my parent's home. Extras that I already serve up to Liam.
I am too tired to expound on this tonight. Tell me your thoughts on the matter. Life insurance money not being mentioned. Money has little to do with the tender loving care of your children when you are not around.
Today I thought this to myself more than once. A few times in fact. What a painful thing to pop into one's head!
What does this say about me? I must think I am a pretty great caretaker, because my main concern is who would raise Liam and how well they would do it. It hurts my heart to think that if something happened to me, even if it were not death, that I could possibly not be able to care for my son in the way I want him cared for.
My heart went out to paralyzed parents who can't quite reach out and cuddle their kids like they crave to.
My heart hurt for parents who passed on way too early and (maybe from above) watched their children suffer because of their absence.
I am not saying that Liam doesn't have a great dad to take care of him, he does. But men aren't moms for a reason. Moms do a lot of extras. Extras I sorely missed when I finally moved out of my parent's home. Extras that I already serve up to Liam.
I am too tired to expound on this tonight. Tell me your thoughts on the matter. Life insurance money not being mentioned. Money has little to do with the tender loving care of your children when you are not around.
Good Mail
I got some good mail from Suzanne on Friday right before we left for Idaho Falls for the weekend. It was such a treat! Literally! Check this out!
And to top it off, the Dove Promises aren't as hokey as that dark chocolate batch I got before. They must have two different marketing groups, one for Milk Chocolate and one for Dark. Who knows. Thanks Suzanne for the awesome surprise in the mail!
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