I LOVE BOOKS

I have been reading the best books lately! I've been loving them so much I thought I'd share with you. If you aren't on Goodreads yet, you should be. It's such a fun way to keep track of what you've read, what you want to read and what your sisters/Mom/friends are suggesting. As a kid, I loved to collect stickers, sometimes I find myself flipping through books on Goodreads like they are my sticker collection. I know I'm weird. But here are some goodies that I have really enjoyed over the last month or so.Seriously, if you are in need of a good one, any of those would keep you entertained. Currently I'm listening to 1776, a book that I have wanted to read for a while, but haven't had a chance. Now I'm listening to it and it is good. But the book I'm reading right now, is In Defense of Food.

I wish everyone in our country would read this book. It reminds me of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, but I think I like In Defense of Food is even better. If you are in the least big interested in the food you eat, it's a must read! Here is what Goodreads had to say about it:

What to eat, what not to eat, and how to think about health: a manifesto for our times "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." These simple words go to the heart of Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, the well-considered answers he provides to the questions posed in the bestselling The Omnivore's Dilemma. Humans used to know how to eat well, Pollan argues. But the balanced dietary lessons that were once passed down through generations have been confused, complicated, and distorted by food industry marketers, nutritional scientists, and journalists-all of whom have much to gain from our dietary confusion. As a result, we face today a complex culinary landscape dense with bad advice and foods that are not "real." These "edible foodlike substances" are often packaged with labels bearing health claims that are typically false or misleading. Indeed, real food is fast disappearing from the marketplace, to be replaced by "nutrients," and plain old eating by an obsession with nutrition that is, paradoxically, ruining our health, not to mention our meals. Michael Pollan's sensible and decidedly counterintuitive advice is: "Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food." Writing In Defense of Food, and affirming the joy of eating, Pollan suggests that if we would pay more for better, well-grown food, but buy less of it, we'll benefit ourselves, our communities, and the environment at large. Taking a clear-eyed look at what science does and does not know about the links between diet and health, he proposes a new way to think about the question of what to eat that is informed by ecology and tradition rather than by the prevailing nutrient-by-nutrient approach. In Defense of Food reminds us that, despite the daunting dietary landscape Americans confront in the modern supermarket, the solutions to the current omnivore's dilemma can be found all around us. In looking toward traditional diets the world over, as well as the foods our families-and regions-historically enjoyed, we can recover a more balanced, reasonable, and pleasurable approach to food. Michael Pollan's bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we might start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives and enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy.

Read it then let's discuss!

Hot Dog

Heather Kindergarten 1977

When I was in kindergarten I walked home, not surprising because we were walkers and we lived close to the school. It wasn't ever a problem except for a few weeks when I was in kindergarten. There was this little boy that would call me "hot dog". It started taking me a looong time to walk home from school because I was trying to hide and or avoid the little boy. I was a shy little kid and it about made me sick everyday worrying about the walk home. My Mother quickly had enough of the teasing...and marched on down to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School with me to confront the little offender. I remember the confrontation as clear as day. "Why do you call my little girl "hot dog", said Mom. "Because I like her," was the sheepish response from the little boy. "Hot dog" was never a problem after that, in fact we became good little friends on our walks home.

But nobody likes to be called names or be made to feel weird or different. Hunter's 7th grade has been discussing pioneers and moving out to the West in social studies. As you can imagine the subject of Mormons has been coming up. Well, there are 2 boys in his class, one at lunch and then one on his basketball team that have been giving him a hard"ish" time. So, Hunter won't talk about it, and then something will happen and he will flood me with all these feelings. Last night was one of those floods. Yesterday, in class, they were discussing polygamy. The way it was presented to the class, I'm not sure if it was the teachers fault or the text book...it sounded like polygamy was still practiced today. Hunter raised his hand and told his teacher and his class that "you know Mormons don't practice polygamy any more, right?" The teacher promptly told him that, "yes some of the fundamentalist Mormons still practice polygamy and it's illegal". Case closed? I wanted to know if he set her straight. He hadn't, he just didn't say anything after that. So, today he is going to go in and clarify- yet again, that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints are not the same as those other fundamentalist groups-they aren't Mormons. Grrrrr!!!

As far as the kids that say stuff to him well...there is the kid at lunch that told Hunter yesterday he couldn't sit there because he was Mormon. There have been questions in the past like are those Mormon chips? Is that what a Mormon sandwich looks like? The kid on the basketball team wanted to know how many Moms Hunter had among other things. Usually pretty harmless, although yesterday Hunter said he was particularly annoying. So annoying Hunter said he felt like punching him. I think yesterday was a bad day. The kids in class likes to debate Mormonism. Not a bad thing. I don't think there is anything wrong with questions, granted we are different.

But it's the thing with the teacher and then the thing that happened at lunch (saying he couldn't sit there because he was Mormon) that really have me ticked off. I appointed myself pray giver at breakfast this morning...five minutes later I think I had everything covered. I do realize 5 minutes can be a longish breakfast prayer, but there were things that needed to be said. There may have been a sigh or two and a possible nudge. Just saying. Hunter is a popular kid, I'm not worried he doesn't have friends, he isn't even the only Mormon in his circle of friends. There are a lot of LDS kids around. Although, Hunter feels like he is the only one singled out-typical feelings for a pre-teen I'm sure. The reason I'm tell you all of this, and my hot dog story is, I want to be like my Mom, I want to march in there and talk to the teacher (I still might if things don't get resolved) and to those dumb kids and tell them to leave my kid alone. I realize with the gay marriage debate as of late, LDS people haven't been seen in the best of light. It's so hard to see your kids go through hard stuff. You want to make it go away, but you can't. It's part of life, it makes them stronger people, it makes them figure out what THEY truly believe. They begin to realize what they believe and stand for aren't always popular. But still it's hard.

To end on a somewhat happy note, I was giving him advice on things to say, particularly to the kid at lunch. I told him to say, "wow (insert kids name) it sounds like you are really interested in my Church, if you aren't careful I will stick the missionaries on you". Hunter just laughed, I don't think he will be using my advice.

an Aqua Globe report

I have seen these Aqua Globes at Bed Bath and Beyond (well, also infomericals, but I would not lower myself to buy them there ;) even though I may have wanted to ha). Anyway, it was before Hayley's wedding, I went in there to get a neck pillow for the drive-I didn't care what I looked like or that only old people buy neck pillows-I was going to be comfortable on the drive. The neck pillow was a huge success-I bought two, one for me and one for the kids to share. So, I saw those aqua globes, just sitting there, AND I had many 20% coupons in my purse... I figured why not? I have several ferns that need watering ALL of the TIME-so I bought them. I must say they have worked like a charm for me. I've had to fill some of the globes up since I've been home, but those are the plants that require a lot of water anyway. Very handy. I don't think they even look all that bad-I kind of like them. Hmmm.

Hope and I played playdough yesterday. I like playdough, I do. I like to play with it, and I like that it keeps my kids (around her age) busy for so darn long.

It is snowing this morning, I love the snow. I was away from snow for too long. It snows the perfect amount here. I've heard it has snowed more this year than in the past, but who knows I'll be the judge. I don't think the rain is as bad as I had heard either. The snow is stopping now, but it snowed for about 2 1/2 hours straight. Enough to keep me home this morning, in fact when I'm done here I'll go do a P90X video. I love having a back-up!

Oh the joys of a 2 year old. She loves to get into my shoes and clomp around-all around upstairs. She'd ruin the hardwoods, so I'm glad she is content to stay upstairs. This morning, in this picture she was singing ABC's at the top of her lungs.

Hayden has lost 2 more teeth. This is one sweet boy, he is making a turn for the nice. He played at a friend's house yesterday and the Mom remarked about his good manners! Hayden's good manners!! I was happy :) He is so into football these days. He has just discovered football cards and carries them all over.

Happy Birthday to my sister!

It's Holly's birthday today. Hunter took this picture of her at Hayley's wedding. This is one smart and talented woman! I love you Holly, Happy Birthday!!

Wheat flour does not belong in corn bread

So, it seems perfectly logical that the kids have the day off of school today, right? NOT. On the calendar it's "winter break". I think that it's a teacher in service day, but still. It's days like this they should be making up those days we have to make up...not days tacked on to the end of the year-when the weather is nice and warm. Oh well, we will have a fun day no doubt. AND it was nice sleeping in this morning, eating blueberry muffins and watching a little Redesign on HGTV. I'm not sure how my muffins went over this morning. They were whole wheat AND they had flax seed...Hannah's comment "do you have to put wheat flour in EVERYTHING?" Well, I did try wheat flour in corn bread once...it was not good and I won't be trying that again. But baked goods, yeah pretty much get used to it :) Cookies for instance, you put wheat flour and you throw some oats in there, it's practically a health food. No guilt.

It's now 8:43 and Hope is telling me she is "hongee" (hungry) again. She "needs" two breakfasts in the morning. She is telling me it's "lunchee" (lunch-you could figure that one out though, right?) I'll go give that girl another muffin, just what she needs...more fiber. Goodness.

Whaaaat???

Just for the record, I didn't watch American Idol last night. I watched the news and Grey's instead. I hadn't gotten enough of the Obama fest, so I tuned in.

So there is this kid (he is Asian) in Hunter's class, and whenever he doesn't understand something in class (which seems to be quite frequently) he yells out really loud "Whaaaaat!?!" It's gotten to the point that even the teachers giggle when he does it, I think they have tried talking to the kid (according to Hunter) about other ways to ask questions but it's not helping. Hunter is a funny kid. He will throw that "Whaaaat!?!" out there at exactly the right moment. He does another impression of some kid, I won't' name names...just in case...but every time he does the impression I get to laughing so hard I almost cry.

But the real reason for Whaaaat is I found myself saying it this morning as I turned on the news. They were reporting about Timothy Geithner, the dude that has been nominated as the Treasury Secretary. Have you heard of him perhaps? The dude that a few years ago...didn't pay some $34,000 in taxes...the Treasury Secretary...doesn't that have something to do with the IRS? Isn't that a big Whaaaat! to you too? Either this guy is dumb, he said he used Turbo Tax and it was an honest mistake...(although Scott and I use Turbo Tax too and seem to do just fine) or he is dishonest. Which is it? Now, I only spent about 10 minutes watching the news this morning, I haven't studied the issue out, but it just seems to me there should/would/could be a better pick. I'm sure the guy is smart, but still, come on. There's gotta be somebody out there that can do just as good of a job as the Treasury Secretary that wasn't behind/didn't pay taxes from 2001-2004. I'm just saying.

The Happy Report

Hayley and Garrett coming out of the Temple! It was such a nice ceremony, they were so cute! Quite possibly the most "in love" couple EVER.


The ONLY picture of Hunter, and NOT a good one at that (you see his head ;). Unfortunate too, because it WAS a good picture of Hayley and Garrett. Can you tell how happy they are? I love seeing my sister so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hannah had a job! She was so excited to be the official dress helper, it made her weekend.


My Dad, Mom, Hayley and Garrett, duh...right? It was pretty cold, but Hayley wasn't cold at all, she was a stud. She looked so pretty, I loved her dress and the brown sash was lovely, too.
My Uncle Ron (Dad's youngest brother) Hope took a liking to him. He has two Golden Retriever dogs, one of them has an 8 week liter of puppies. He offered me one, he even said he'd bring it to me. OHHHH, it's torturing me. I think I could be talked into another puppy, but Scott...there is no budging him. Dang. I think... oh I don't know. Just keep reminding me I have a new house and new carpet.Hope at the reception. She had about a 45 minute window to nap, and she didn't take it, so about 1/2 hour into pictures before the reception, she was doing this. (major 2 year old fit) She isn't even in any pictures (I don't think anyway) Oh well.

Then, about 15 minutes later, she was doing this.

Thanks heavens because then after that, she was sweet again. She loves her "Gimmy".

This weekend was great. Our drive up went pretty well, until we stopped for the night in Meridian, Idaho...right as Scott pulled into the hotel parking lot, Hayden barfed. Keep in mind he had been eating Cheezit's like there was no tomorrow, and any other cheese cracker they make. It was some of the most disgusting vomit ever. Needless to say, the windows were left open that night and I had a load of emergency laundry to run (washed it 2xs) He continued barfing all through the night. So, I wasn't really sleeping. That's why, when Hope (who was right in between Scott and I) started barfing, I flew up and started yelling "She's barfing she's barfing! Get up Scott!!" Good times. With my quick as lightening reflexes, we were kept barf free I am happy to report. The second 1/2 of the drive the next day was equally as exciting. I made friends in a convenience store when Hope threw up all over the entry, I was proud standing there in the pile of barf. I wasn't barf free this time.

Enough of that though, who cares, right? Fast forward to the wedding day, Hannah and Hope got there hair done early in the day. It looked cute, for a little while anyway. Hannah's stayed pretty curly, Hope's not so much. They sure looked cute in their dresses though. The wedding was so nice. Hayley and Garrett had a good mix of friends and family in the temple. Garrett has some nice siblings, Hope took a liking to one in particular. By the middle of the wedding luncheon she was giving him kisses on the cheek. She knows how to work it that one.

The reception was great! I took no good pictures of the event, I'm so sorry to say. I was busy talking to so many fun people. Their guests rocked! Blogging friends, family, old friends from way back when. It was a great night. My Mom hired a decorator that did a great job, and the caterer served up one rocking potato bar + a bunch of other delicious goodies. I was in some high heels that about killed me. My feet are still sore, I'm not even joking. Hmmm, what else what else??

We stayed at my sister Heidi's house, the kids had a blast with all the cousins, aunts, uncles, Grandparents. Scott, Hunter, Hannah, Kevin, David, and Emma all went skiing. They went up to Alta. Hunter and Hannah took 1/2 day lessons, then spent the rest of the day skiing. The kids are a big fan of skiing. We must get up to Mt Hood soon to let them ski again this season. I must go now, American Idol is on in a few.

Have a good weekend-I know I will!!!!

The vet wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought. It looks like Scout has some arthritis and low thyroid levels. We have started him on meds and he should be feeling better soon.

We are packing up today so we can head out to my sister Hayley's wedding. I got some books on CD, and spent about $100 on junk food, so we should be good to go ;) I also purchased some Dramamine...if all else fails we can sleep a little extra. Scott made it home from Italy last night late (really this morning) he is trying to sleep in a little so he is fresh for our travels. Have a good weekend!

Poor Scout

I was up a lot last night. Hannah got the dreaded flu bug. Actually, I don't know if I blogged about this, Hunter had the stomach flu over the weekend. As Monday came and went...I crossed my fingers and thought maybe just maybe we had escaped without further casualties. Not so lucky. Little skinny Hannah that doesn't have an ounce of fat to spare is now the sick one. Actually, she seems much better. After a long nap this morning and a DVD player in her bed-miracles are happening here. I made the mistake of telling her school that she threw up, but she was already looking better so she'd probably be in tomorrow...oh no. They have to be throw-up free for 48 hours? 48 hours?? What? I've never heard that rule before, I think it's excessive. I even called the kids doctor and they agreed with me, 24 hours sounds about right. I even called the school and questioned them, but she directed me to the school web-site. Oh bother. I just don't want her missing so much school. With all those snow days, and then she is missing Friday to drive to Utah for Hayley's wedding. We will have to load her up with work to do in the car.

In other sad news, my dog Scout is not doing well at all! He is going down hill. This morning he was going pee, and mid-pee he collapsed, then he couldn't get up for 10 minutes. Hunter and I had to pick him up and help him. All the while he was looking at me with those eyes. I'm convinced getting old sucks. I have a vet appointment for him later this afternoon. I don't want to go, I don't want to hear what they tell me. Plus, how do I leave him hanging on like this while we go away for the weekend? I don't know what to do, and feel just terrible. Scout has been a huge part of our lives. How do you know when it's time to say when? Just for the record, I HATED that Marley and Me movie-hated it. On that sad note, I will go, I must take a shower and prepare for the dreaded vet appointment.

Do you think?

Remember that ponytail I was just barely able to put up? Well, it's pretty much gone now. I tried another new hairdresser, and the "slight trim" turned into...something else. The haircut itself is okay, although it was slightly puffy this morning when I styled it. But is was way shorter than I thought. I had explained that I was growing my hair out...even showed her a picture. I think she was cutting some of the old haircut out or something. Darn it all! Oh well, hair grows.

Here is a picture for your viewing pleasure of Hunter's frog. It was Family Frog Night at his school last Thursday. They had dissected frogs earlier in the week, and we got to go and check them out. Lovely. Hunter was the surgeon for his group, and here he is demonstrating some of his skillz. I hope you can click on it and get a real up close and personnel view of Hunter and his frog.

I never dissected frogs...I did fetal pig 2x's though, and I did a cow's eye, too. I can't think of what else I dissected right now, I'll check back with you if I remember anything else. Good times.

I finally found a dress for Hayley's wedding. For a while I tried to find a brown dress, but those are just too hard to find. So, I gave up and went out again today and found one that I like. Yippee!! I had ordered 3 from Nordstrom, and thought that one of those would work, but no. They were either too short, too low, or made me look extra flat chested and rather bloated. NOT a good combo. Why would I want to spend that kind of money for the extra flat chested/bloated look? No thanks.

In case you hadn't heard, my sister Hayley is getting married this weekend, and we are driving. The first part of that sentence I'm super excited about, the other part not so much. I am a very bad road trip girl. It's all my parents fault. As a kid we flew everywhere. Now, the thought of driving for 12+ hours in the car with my family doesn't sound so fun to me. I'm trying to be positive. **I'll get some good naps in, I'm hoping that once we get out on the open road...**I'll be able to read. Probably not, I suffer from the wicked car sickness disease. So, does Hannah. **I'll get to eat lots of junk food. Corn Nuts are a must have for any and all road trips. **We have two portable DVD players and I plan on hijacking one, at least for some of the time, and watching some Planet Earth. Maybe I'll hit the Hollywood Video and catch up on some trashy DVD's. Maybe not so trashy...but something entertaining anyway. Hmmmm, what else is a positive about driving 12+ hours with a 2 year, 3 other kids, and a husband? I am plum out of ideas. I'll have to think on that one.

Well, it's time to go make some dinner for this group. Scott is in Venice Italy, and I am super jealous. He is there on "business". He was having some authentic Italian pizza and pasta. Although, he did say he enjoys American pizza better and he likes my spaghetti more, too. My little gourmet. Although, I have a very sneaky feeling he was just trying to make me feel better. Do you think?

This really sucks!

No really. My vacuum broke down earlier this week. We thought about getting the old Oreck fixed until we learned it would cost $168 to do so. No thank you. So, I started looking. Of course the Miele brand started popping up when you google "best vacuum".We went to the vacuum store last night, and I tested one...it was pure heaven. I never thought I would fall in love with a vacuum like that. BUT it's almost $1000. So, of course the MINUTE Scott sees the price tag, his eyes glaze over. The man says "this is the Cadillac of vacuums" . Scott says "well we need to see the Buick then". It's not that we couldn't afford it...Scott just would NOT be able to spend that kind of money on a vacuum. He wouldn't even push it "I'm sure it's fabulous" was his response. And boy was it. So, I said, "well if I can't have that one, then what's the best sucker?" We brought home (just to try it out) this Sanitaire one last night made by Electralux, boy does that thing suck. It had the very same horse power as the $$ Miele one. I was yelling at the kids as I was vacuuming the whole house at 8 pm last night (because I'm crazy that way) , "you better watch out and pick up all your stuff because this guy will suck it up if it's in his path!!" My carpet is all nice and fluffy again. I don't think my vacuum has been working right for a while. Man, you gotta love a good vacuum! Now, I just need to decide if I want one that sucks nearly as well as this one, but has some attachments...or if I just want to go for the pure sucking power. OR, maybe we could spend another $500 and get the Miele that has everything...even this fancy swivel head. It was pure vacuum heaven. Even Hayden thought so, he vacuumed the whole store while we were there. That should be proof enough I need the Miele, Scott are you listening?

Cause for celebration

I'm growing my hair out a little bit, and this morning I tried to put it up...and it went back into a ponytail. Yay!! I know, I know, you may not think it is that exciting, but for workouts, it's heaven.

And in other random news...I took down Christmas, and my house looked so bare! I didn't like it. While my local Target hasn't gone to 90% off on Christmas and 50%+ on toys, they have had some killer deals on stuff that I really did want/need. Well, need might be stretching it, but definitely wanted. You know the cluttery knick knacky stuff. I had gotten rid of a lot of stuff with the move, you know styles change and all. Plus, I got maryjane shoes for Hope...$1.98! Her's were a little tight on Sunday, so I got a pair for now, and a pair to grow into.

Yesterday, after playgroup, Hope and I hit some stores. Apparently, Scott came home for lunch. We weren't there, but shortly after arriving home, I got a call...from Scott. He said, "Oh you are home, let me guess where you have been...Target, Pier One, Lowes..." I was quietly thinking, Damn that man is good! How did you know?? He laughed and said he was looking at the bank statement online. When we were not home (way passed Hope's nap time :), he knew we were out having a little fun.

Benjamin Button

I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button last night and loved it. I went with a group of girlfriends...quite possibly the only ones on the earth that haven't seen Twilight yet, but it was sold out. Benjamin Button started in like 15 minutes....I was so excited I almost peed on myself. I have wanted to see it so bad. I didn't realize until last night that the movie was based on a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Of course I thought Brad Pitt did a great job, but above and beyond being cute...he did a good job acting. The makeup was very cool and the special effects. He looked like he was 20 again in some parts. Cool. That Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actress. I think she is beautiful! Have you seen it, did you like it as much as me?

More Christmas pictures

Hope had fun with Hayley every single day with "makes". At first, she would just let Hayley put a little makeup on her, then that wasn't enough and Hayley LET her put some of her make-up on herself. Here's the finished product, lovely I say!

Hunter's coolest gift by far was the iTouch. I want one, at first I thought I wanted the phone, and now think that will do just fine. Hayden's favorite??? More Wii games, and a cool Lego constructor set.

Santa can't resist the Bitty Babies and the American Girl dolls. Good thing the girls like dolls, otherwise Mommy would have to get them for herself.

Hope's best present. She LOVES this toy. She had been playing on a friend's and Santa thought she needed one too. She loves to jump on this guy and she likes the interaction...meaning if you aren't clapping and having as much fun as she is, she comes over to you and tells you to "CLAP Momma!!" I only wish she got it last year.