Serenity Now

Yesterday I was going through some pictures and papers and bust out laughing when I found some notes from high school. I believe I have confessed in a prior post that I am a pack rat much to my husband's frustration. I do try to D.I. a few things every couple of months but unfortunately I'm accumulating quicker than I'm getting rid of things.

Anywhoo, I thought I had a crystal clear memory of high school which was one of depression, long hours of staying up late trying to figure out math only to go to bed crying, 3 years pining after a guy in high school who was also a good friend etc. etc. What I had forgotten was writing notes back and forth to one very smart classmate Shaun Sayers. I specifically remember Shaun in English class having all the answers and he was funny and always smiling. Apparently we exchanged a lot of notes because yesterday I was laughing as I read them. Here is one example of a note he wrote to me:

CAUTION: The following events, characters, and statements are fictional and are definitely not to be taken seriously. Any similarities between this crap and real life events are coincidental. Really.
WARNING: This is only a joke.
NOTE: Not to be taken personally.
IMPORTANT: I strongly urge you not to read this if your name is Robin, Dweebo Jones, or any combination or similarity thereof wherein, hitherto.

Let's begin now....
This is a survey conducted to discover the views and opinions of the world on the subject of Robin:

Question - What do you think of Robin?

And the response:

"Oh, she's really nice. And interesting, yeh. Um considerate, really considerate. Uh interesting, did I say she was interesting?"
-Shaun Sayer-

"She's ... interesting. Oh - uh - different. And nice, too. Really, really, really nice. " - Vicky Woods - "Really."

Question #2: Yes, but what do you really think? Keep in mind you may remain anonymous.

And the response:

"I really can't say. She'd break both my legs" Vicki Woods -I mean.. anonymous

"She wouldn't be so bad if she had a chin" - anonymous -

"Well, she's gross, but don't tell her I said that." - anonymous -

"She's boring and redundant but don't tell her I said that, she'll break my legs." - anonymous-

"a sweet and wonderful human being" -Robin Crouch-

"She's a rascal, that one is. I'm telling you, the first slip up she makes, the first chance I get and she'll be out on her.. uh, behind." "A real trouble maker" - Mr. Robb- (high school principal)

"Who's Robin?" - Andrew M.- (my high school crush)

"Talk about wimpy" Medwin Meyers III - head of the chess club and computer club, president of the library club (I was also a member of the library club)

"I think she's beautiful" - Woody Allen -

"I just want her out of the country. That's all OUT!" - Brian Mulroney- (Canada's Prime Minister at the time)

"Ah yes, Robin, she enlightens the room with her glittering charm and rare charisma. Such an intelligent person.. did I get it right, Bonzo?" - Ronald Reagan-

"No you idiot you got it backwards." - Bonzo

"She's too religious." - God-


Shaun and I bantered back and forth in our notes with sarcasm, teasing, high praise, low jibes, and flourishing words. After a long summer he sent me a note in English class entitled ESSAY: Why Robin is a goddess, and how we can cope with being her slave.

I always was more comfortable with guys as a teenager and they saw me as their "buddy" who helped them with their girlfriend problems. Shaun was no exception apparently because I have a note from him thanking me for helping him with a girl.

Sometimes I think I'm crazy for keeping things but I'm so glad that I kept these notes and other notes that I found from friends to remind me that there were some good moments and some things and some people that did make me smile. Sometimes we let the moment overshadow all of our moments. I let my whole teenage years be painted with the same dark brush of depression and loneliness that lasted a significant amount of time but not the whole time. There were moments of happiness and there were things that I enjoyed... theatre arts, dance classes, church dances, youth leadership, hanging out with Jen, Rick and Andrew in the cafeteria eating fries and gravy and writing notes to Shaun instead of listening to my English teacher who hated me.

I wouldn't go back to being a teenager. But perhaps it wasn't so bad after all. Maybe as I go through more of my notes and things it will change my perspective on my teenage years even more.

I'm so grateful for the life I have now and the perspective I have now. It too needs work on some days but I have a great husband with an incredible attitude that sets me straight when I'm going off-track.

Just wanted to highlight my latest blogging buddy to be added to my list in case you hadn't notice that someone was added.

Rebecca is my latest blogging buddy and has a blog as well as website with cute scrapbooking items for those who love to scrapbook. Her blog is called onthedotpaper.blogspot.com and her scrapbooking website is called onthedotpaper.com

Click on her link below in my blogging buddies list and check her blog out!!! For her website just type in the web address above

You'll be glad you did!

Last night we were invited out with our friends Alicia and T.J. (its actually just TJ - I put the periods in to bug him... hey what does T.J. stand for anyways????) We went to the Jazz vs New Orleans Hornets game. GO JAZZ!!!

I guess I haven't watched the Jazz for a long time (not that I'm a sports fan or anything) but the only player I recognized was Kirolenko (did I spell that right???).

We started out with a great dinner and I must admit I ate WAY too much (but then who doesn't at a buffet? ) Our seats were fantastic and it felt like you were right there on the court.



Although initially I was a little distracted by the glare in front of me.




The game did get close in the third quarter. I asked T.J. what the point spread was and he held up two fingers. (its a good thing it wasn't a one point difference.) hahaha!!!



Alicia was making some weird gestures with her hands at first to distract the opposing team.



I was trying to figure out what she was doing when I looked around and realized that she was using her fists as "clappers".




The Jazz pulled ahead in the end though and even for someone who does not follow basketball it was a great game and a fun time. Thanks Alicia and T.J. for letting us tag along for a great night!

No I'm not referring to funky music or funky feet ( although with 4 boys and a husband there are plenty of funky feet and other funky smells to go around).

My blog post has not changed for a few days because I, myself, have been in a funk. Blame it on the weather, blame it on the fact that every night I go to bed depressed that another day has passed without having sewn an inch on a pile of quilts calling out to me to be completed. Why won't you finish us????? And if I DO find a few precious minutes I'm so dang tired from all the running around or other daily mom things that I don't have the energy to sew. Or you can blame my funk on my dread of my hubby going out of town AGAIN. -sigh-.

So I was in need of some photo therapy today and took Smiley into our backyard for a few brief minutes because I loved the way the fence looked so dark while it is damp. I couldn't take too long because our gourmet dinner was cooking on the stove (Chef Borardee).

Smiley was obliging with some serious poses ...





and of course he comes by his blog namesake honestly for when I asked him to smile...

Because yesterday was such a crazy busy day, Sheriff and Wannabe didn't have a chance to go through their school Valentine's boxes until this morning. They excitedly took out each Valentine one by one and gave a shout of excitement or an occasional groan (over a Barbie Valentine or a Valentine that said something like "you're Hot Valentine!"). It was hard to even get them to let me take these pictures of their Valentines because they wanted to take them downstairs and examine them all over again...





Another Valentine's tradition that began many many years ago when Brett was just a tike was the delivery of a treat by the Valentine Bunny. The Valentine Bunny would leave Brett and his brothers a treat on his veranda (porch for you Americans) and then of all things.... doorbell ditch their house!!!



As Brett got older and wiser he began to try and guess the identity of the Valentine Bunny. He became convinced that it was his parents. But then one year the doorbell rang when his parents were in the room WITH him and the treats were on the veranda. Who could the Valentine Bunny be???

The Valentine Bunny continues to doorbell ditch Brett and his brothers which means our sons now get treats from the Valentine Bunny as well.

Brett and I actually took some quiet time last night thanks to Grandma and Grandpa G. and went to dinner and I received a beautiful rose arrangement.




Not to be outdone by the VB... Grandma G. and Grandpa G. also get in on the Valentine's Day excuse to give kids lots and lots of treats and prizes. They also left each boy a bag of goodies at the door today.

Now I must take a moment before my boys get home and all heck breaks loose trying to get everyone into jammies and brushing teeth and scriptures, prayers, drinks of water, turns peeing etc. etc. etc.

I don't want anyone to forget that today is also Alicia's BIRTHDAY!!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICIA!!!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!!

I love going to Grandma C's for dinner.  The food is always great and from the moment I met Grandma and Grandpa C. I was immediately welcomed into the family and wrapped in arms of love.  It was no surprise to me when we adopted the boys that those arms of love were extended to Wannabe, Giggles and Smiley.  So when I tell them that we have a dinner invitation to Grandma C's they are jumping up and down with excitement.

The love of a good beat sometimes forces our body to move. You just can't stay still.

Last summer on one of our Lake Powell trips the little boys were driving us insane on the drive home (what's so unusual about that???) so we told them that they had to close their eyes and take a "nap". Brett turned on an ABBA cd for us to listen to. I just happened to turn around and almost busted out laughing when I saw that instead of napping, Smiley was moving to the music. He did, however, keep his eyes closed in compliance for the napping rule (at least until the second song came on at which point I caught him opening his eyes .... busted!!!). This video clip was during the first song.

Still, he had his dad in tears he was laughing so hard. I'm so glad my camcorder was at hand to catch this moment.

Today's edition of Carin's love challenge is dedicated to Sheriff and his love of basketball.  He is currently playing with some friends on a local team and having lots of fun playing games on Saturdays. 

For today's highlight in Carin's February challenge I couldn't pass up the opportunity to focus on my sister April because it is her birthday today.  Today she turns ....... just kidding!!!  I'll let her tell you if she so chooses.  But let's just say she is OLDER  than me and I'm 38 turning 39 this May.  

For today's installment of Carin's February challenge I turn your attention to the language of love.  Brett has had to go out of town a LOT lately and this trend will continue indefinitely during this economic recession.  Unfortunately the company has had to bid a lot of out-of-town jobs.  At least we have a job right? :)