La la la laaaahhhh!

I've been tagged... I think? Lees - if you were thinking of some other girl, whoopsa!

The ABC tag:

Attached or single: Attached at the hip!
Best friend: Hero by choice, Kays by necessity
Cake or pie: That's mean, make me choose? NEVER!
Day of choice: Saturday! It's a special day! It's a day we get ready for Sunday!
Essential Item: Happy socks.
Favorite color: Sky blue, cornflower blue
Gummy bears or worms: Ew! These are grody!
Hometown: Where my heart & family are!
Indulgence: Milky Way Truffle cake from Central Market.
January or July: JULY definitely! January is just depressing due to weather.
Kids: Boo & Little Man
Life isn't complete without: belly laughs with my family
Marriage date: May 1995
Number of brothers and sisters: 5 sisters & 5 brothers
Oranges or apples: I can't answer this because of how it relates to alfalfa. (Heidi - can you?)
Place: Beach
Quote: The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. (Helen Keller)
Reason to smile: that I'm a "fun mom" according to Boo's Kindergarten class.
Season of choice: Spring & Fall
Tag two people: You & You.
Unknown fact about me: I taught myself how to play the guitar.
Vegetable: Asparagus - LOVE it!
Worst habit: defeating myself.
X-ray or ultrasound: Just had x-rays of my spine. Ultrasound was years ago.
Your favorite food: made with love... and a few good spices.
Zodiac sign: Pisces

I have a one-track mind....










Now, having said that - what were your first thoughts? C'mon, be honest....





:)




In all ACTUALITY - I was admiring people tonight (OKAY - the peeps on American Idol) who can sing & play an instrument at the same time. I can't do that. It is IMPOSSIBLE for me to sing & play the piano at the same time. I don't even think I could manage if all I had was a triangle or a tambourine! Hence... my one-track mind.

Just some thoughts...

When I discipline Little Man, I do so by saying in a stern voice, "Sit down! Fold your arms!" Surprisingly, he does it. Then after about a minute, I'll have him get up and say "sorry" or give loves to whomever he happened to be hitting (usually the cats.) Anyway... my Hero just can't seem to discipline him. He says the same things I do, has the same mad look on his face but our son just totally disregards him. Which frustrates Hero and so, in an effort to MAKE Little Man sit, he'll start raising his voice.

Now, I used to just pipe in and tell Little Man to sit down just to get this done, you know? Then, I started thinking about it and realized that I'm undermining Hero's parenting. So - I leave the room, and listen in to, "SIT DOWN! FOLD YOUR ARMS!" (No - Hero is not screaming at the top of his voice, it's just loud.) Over and over and over.... it's all I can do to just run downstairs and be the strict parent.

I know I need to be patient. It's just frustrating because Little Man doesn't quite understand why his dad is grouching at him. He only sees him for 2-3 hours a day.

Hm.

I'm still on a bit of a hiatus from blogging so forgive me if it seems like I'm taking the easy way out by having you read somebody else's blog. Read this. I read it and it made me stop and think. Perhaps it'll do the same for you.

Friday, February 22nd
7am - Took a shower.
8am - Had my hair colored... brown. Halle added "chestnut" for warmth. I'm quite pleased with it.
8:15am - Worried that Hero might be stressing out about then on getting Boo to school.
8:45am - Had my hair cut by a man named, "Omar."
8:47am - I think he was nervous as he's never cut my hair before.
8:50am - I start cracking jokes to get him to smile and lighten up.
8:59am - He FINALLY starts to smile and interact.
9:15am - Final result of cut? 6 inches whacked off! Love it!
10:30am - Dropped off Little Man at a friend's house for a couple of hours.
10:35am - Walked hand-in-hand with Hero, browsing through the shops in downtown Edmonds.
11:30am - Went to Hollywood Video as the store is closing. Got a killer deal on a bunch of movies!
12:30pm - Picked up Little Man and then went to Ivar's for lunch.
1:30pm - Took a glorious nap until 5PM!!!!
Evening - Had a wonderful dinner of steak & mushrooms, Lybbert salad (I could eat this all the live-long day), bread and for dessert, had a 2-layer chocolate cake made courtesy of Hero & Boo.
Opened lovely presents, played with the family, and all in all... had the most wonderful day!

Thank you all for your well-wishes, calls & emails yesterday!

Love,
me.

As a Birthday Present to ME tomorrow, Friday, I am taking the day off from blogging. I know that sounds odd because... y'all know how much I love blogging! lol! But seriously folks, I am going to spend my special day doing happy things. By myself, with my Hero and with my kids. It has been so beautiful lately and I feel happier than I have for awhile. I'm ready to CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY!

So, without further ado, I hope you all enjoy your Friday! I know I will! :)

I was minding my own beeswax, just reading blogs this afternoon when I needed to stretch my back out. I twisted my upper back just a little bit as my spine has felt out-of-whack lately. Just as I did - OWWW! I somehow pinched a nerve or something. OWOWOWOW! My friend Rozemary happened to call me and I told her what happened. Then - I don't know why, I started to get the giggles. Which made my back hurt worse! I couldn't help it, everything she said was hilarious whereas in reality, she wasn't trying to be funny and the things she said weren't funny. They were questions out of concern. I just couldn't help myself.

"Okay - is your front door locked?"
"Yes. hehehe I don't know if I can go down the stairs! hehehe"
"Okayyy - is your window open?"
"No. hahahhhehehah"
"What about your back door? Is it locked?"
"Yes - and besides, hahahehhaheah, you'd have to climb over a couple of fences!"

Roze? I'm sorry I was such a doofus. Thank you SOOO MUCH for coming to get me and take me to the chiropractor. Thank you for the chocolate doughnut. Thank you for taking Little Man and Boo for a couple of hours so I can get some rest. Thanks for not putting up with me saying, "I don't want to put you out." Thank you. I love you. :)

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

What's funny is... I was just asking Hero for some ideas to write about on my blog.

Watch the TODAY show on NBC on Wednesday, February 20th. They will be doing a segment on my sister-in-law's family that includes conjoined twins.

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100th post! Kinda sad that it's taken so long to get here, but whatever! Here are 100 random thoughts, facts, tidbits, whatever about me.

1. I love to read.
2. If I didn't have things to do & kids to take care of, I'd read all day long.
3. I love seeing old, abandoned houses.
4. There's something sad and mysterious about them.
5. I've always wanted to just go in and explore.
6. But my mom said that sometimes vagabonds lived there so -
7. I just don't want something bad to happen to me, you know?
8. I cry when I see these old houses razed to the ground
9. and is replaced by mega-houses on a single lot.
10. When I get really low blood sugar, I get weepy.
11. All the hurts come dredging up to the surface and overwhelm me at times.
12. If I don't take care of it right away (i.e. eat) then it can last a couple of days
despite finally eating later.
13. I'm scared that I'll turn diabetic.
14. Both my parents had Type II Diabetes in their older years.
15. My OB/GYN said that's most definitely what contributed to my PCOS
16. and inability to have children.
17. Stupid Diabetes.
18. I can recite the whole "I'm a Baby!" deal from Marlo Thomas' "Free To Be" video.
19. So can my baby sis, Kays.
20. Kays and I like to sing together in a goofy way.
21. I would say she's one of my best friends.
22. I'm not so much afraid of heights.
23. As I am of being tempted to jump.
24. Just to get it over with.
25. Didn't use to be like that.
26. That bothers me.
27. Especially considering I've once jumped off a 50' bridge into Lake Washington.
28. I had no fear of jumping off then.
29. Until I realized how stupid it was.
30. Then made the mistake of curling up into a fetal position.
31. Just before landing in the water.
32. I thought I was going to die.
33. I didn't.
34. I ended up being bruised from the middle of my back to the back of my knees.
35. Hips too.
36. I think I broke my tailbone.
37. It hurts if I have to sit for a long time.
38. I climbed up the side of Snoqualmie Falls once.
39. Without any safety gear.
40. I was bored.
41. I have a fascination with the sea.
42. It has so many moods to match my own.
43. I can just sit on the beach for hours.
44. Just staring out, thinking, relaxing.
45. I've never been on a sailboat.
46. I have been on a speedboat, ferry and jet-skis.
47. I love to jet-ski.
48. Refuse to swim in bodies of water where I can't see the bottom.
49. I don't want anything slimy or creepy grabbing my ankles.
50. I love pools.
51. I've never been out of the country.
52. Canada doesn't count.
53. Me & some of my sisters & mom would go there.
54. To buy Purdy's snowballs.
55. Hero went to Canada to buy those snowballs.
56. As a surprise for my siblings.
57. For my Mom's "Chocolate Fest" that she requested for when she died.
58. Snowballs were one of my mom's favorites.
59. I love my Hero.
60. I now can't eat snowballs.
61. For that matter, I'm not much into chocolate anymore.
62. I'd rather be eating Jonagold apples all the live long day.
63. I would....
64. If I knew my stomach could handle that.
65. You'd think with the little pooch I have, it would.
67. I learned to walk when I was two-ish.
68. I had been temporarily set back
69. Due to meningitis as a 9month old baby.
70. Before I got sick I was already walking around furniture.
71. Had physical therapy to learn how to walk.
72. I have no sense of balance.
73. Don't get dizzy either.
74. That's all due to meningitis .
75. The lack of dizzy makes it easy for me to go spinning on a merry-go-round.
76. I love those.
77. The ones they used to have on the playgrounds.
78. I would love to be a kid again.
79. About 6 or 7 years old.
80. Loved my school then.
81. I'm an optimistic person.
82. I don't typically let things keep me down for too long.
83. Which is good.
84. Otherwise, I would've never kept on baking.
85. Yes, I had a baking mishap when I was younger.
86. I got my hair caught in the beaters.
87. My friend just laughed.
88. I can laugh too.... now.
89. I love to go horseback riding.
90. Want to go now.
91. It's too cold for me though.
92. I used to sell make-overs.
93. When I was 10.
94. Make-up was from my older sister.
95. I sat outside all day.
96. Didn't get a single customer.
97. The lipsticks melted.
98. Can't call me a quitter.
99. I wonder about the mentality of the person who came up with this "100th Post/100 facts."
100. WOOHOOOOOO - I'm DONE AND HAPPY ABOUT IT!

I've been a little quiet on this blog because I didn't want to bury my Birthday/Giveaway post. I know, how considerate of me! ;-) I'll be hosting the random drawing tomorrow... or tonight as I'll probably will still be up after midnight.

As my regular readers know - I have this tendancy to embark on a journey of dipping into various pools of thought before tying it all together. (At least, I hope it all ties together!)

Here goes.

SO - what have I been up to?

Been busy with kids, volunteering at Boo's school, babysitting, resisting the urge to go out and buy plants just because it was blue skies today - - - even though it was only in the low 40's. Dejunking and going through papers. Ugh - why do I keep everything? Anyway...

I went to my friend's Valentine's Party for the kids a couple of days ago. I was looking forward to it as there were some moms there that I don't really know. Thought since it was a small group, I would be able to interact and get to know them better. Didn't quite work out. Let me just tell you that PMS+missing my Mom+insecure = a girl that cried on the way home. Soo not good.

Later that same afternoon, I arrived home after picking up Boo from school only to find that I had been made the victim of a "Heart Attack." That was enough to pick up my mood! (Um, my camera's downstairs and I'm too tired to fiddle with getting a picture downloaded. But just picture a green door covered with happy construction-paper hearts.)

Today, fired off an email to a blog-friend of mine. I wasn't expecting an answer because good grief, it's VALENTINE'S DAY! Anyway, a short while later, I received an email back from her. The first thing she said? "BREATHE." Then went on to give me some advice on a situation that I'm loathe to be in, but nevertheless, am looking forward to working through with her cheering me along on the sidelines.

Tonight - we got a mysterious ring on the doorbell. My family had been decorating cookies. So when the doorbell rang, Boo & I raced to the door, covered in frosting & sprinkles. We opened the door and there were 4 heart-shaped boxes of candy. How cool was that? Boo was anxious to know who could've left it there so Hero & I said that it wasn't important. The important thing is - to remember that somebody or someBODIES out there love us & care about us. We should remember to do something in turn for those that we love & care about as well.

I must sound like I'm this crazy, wacko, off-kilter, silly woman. That's okay. I'm loved. SO loved and that's all I need. My prayers are being answered through these marvelous people that have touched me this week.

Did you forget? Or did you even know?

YES - TOMORROW, February 14th is the LAST day for submitting your names (& birthday posts) for a chance in the random drawing for "Sariqd's Favorite Things" Giveaway! Click HERE for rules and stuff.

Here's to hoping that YOU WILL WIN! :)

My friend Lisa & I share a rather unique bond. We each had a parent die within 10 days of each other. She was already my friend from before when we worked in the Primary presidency together. Yet, this somehow added another element to our friendship. Lisa's Dad passed away on Feb. 2nd of 2006. Two years ago today, my mom passed away.

In remembrance, she wrote a beautiful post on her blog. (It may not be available for reading, sorry!) I hope that she doesn't mind that I borrow it for my Mom's.






Things I Remember About Mom:
*She loved a good corny joke
*She loved to read
*Hidden stash of mini Tootsie Rolls for the grandkids
*She loved the color yellow
*Loved drives and nature
*Quick wit
*Writing family histories

Things I Learned From Her:
*Read good books that inspire & uplift
*Love people inspite of their personal challenges
*Be patient, good things will come
*Typing - on one of those old mechanical typewriters
*Ryhming to your kids may get them initially crabby but eventually they'll start to giggle

Things I Want to Teach My Children About Her:
*Be prayerful - her prayers has surely saved my life a multitude of times.
*Study the Gospel - it brings answers and peace.
*Be true to yourself
*Education - so you can keep your brain "young"
*Write in your journal - it's priceless

"Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can't see anything wrong with each other."

My Hero & I had made the rule at the beginning of our marriage to always give each other a "10-second kiss" before we parted. I'm happy to say that we've stuck to that rule for the most part. We think everyone should have that rule.

Now, go and kiss your partner.

I was a little stumped for ideas to blog on. So, courtesy of my Hero - here are 10 Songs on my Zen that would quite possibly surprise some folks.

1) Somebody to Love by Queen
2) I'm the Only One by Melissa Etheridge
3) Ain't That a Kick in the Head - Dean Martin
4) Magic Man - Heart
5) Pretty Vegas - INXS
6) Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
7) Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
8) I'm Going To Go Back There Someday - The Muppets
9) Sailing - Christopher Cross
10) Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix


Don't forget the Birthday Giveaway, if you haven't already joined!

I'd like to tell you about my sister-in-law. She is a fabulous woman. She is one of my dearest friends. We get a little crazy when we're together but we also share some quiet, reflective moments as well. She's eager to help those around her and especially her family. Whenever she's tired and at the breaking point, she somehow manages to find that little extra bit of energy to keep on keeping on. I love her and admire the tenacity she has in fighting for her family.

Today, there is a news article (click here) about her sweet family. Her conjoined twins, Emma & Taylor, in particular. She and her husband are exploring the option of having these girls separated. The challenge is, they would have to uproot their family to have the girls tested in depth. So, not only the pain and worry about what that means for their whole family, it's also the worry about how to survive. Living expenses can mount up quickly. Fortunately, their insurance will pay for the medical portion. Unfortunately, they still have to figure out housing, food, travel expenses and the like. Please take a moment and check out their blog to see how you can help.

These girls weren't supposed to live outside the womb. They weren't supposed to live outside the hospital. And yet? They're living and thriving. They're beautiful, they each have their own sense of humor and are very much individuals inspite of sharing a heart.

Here are some pics of when we visited their family last year.

HAPPY FEBRUARY 1st!
Did you know that my birthday is coming up? YES! February 22nd. George Washington's birthday! And I am going to be... let's see.... 24*? 25?

A lot of you probably don't know this but as of 2 years ago, February became my most hated month of the year. My mom passed away 10 days before my birthday. Ya, not cool... to say the least. This year, I'm determined to change the fact that I dread February. I NEED to. For my sake and also that of my family. So - I've been thinking about this and decided, what makes somebody happy? What makes me happy? For me, it's getting mail. Getting mail that is a PACKAGE. Getting a package that has FUN STUFF! And before you jump (or have you already jumped?) to the conclusion that I want all of my blog readers to send me happy packages, that is NOT the case. (*whispers* Although I'm not totally adverse to it!*) For the FIRST TIME in La La La Laaaahhhh!!!!-land, as a part of my Birthday Celebration - - - I am going to be giving away a package of "Sariqd's Favorite Things!"