Today is Halloween. Well, I guess I like Halloween. Although, I find fear not an emotion I particularly like to experience, I try to find the fun in Halloween. It's easier to do that when you have kids, I guess. I remember liking it as a kid and I just like to watch my kids enjoying themselves.
So here are some memorable Halloween stories to scare you!
1. My first memory of Halloween is when I was probably 3 years old. We went to a good friend of the family's home. They had turned their garage into a haunted house and thus began my long dislike of haunted houses. I remember very little about the tour through the "house" but I do remember a giant gorilla, an alien and someone being electrocuted (always nice for a 3-year+old to experience). I still remember being terrified out of my mind!
2. I remember when I was young, in elementary, coming home from school after a great day of parties and tons of sugar. My sisters and I would walk home from the bus stop and we could barely contain our excitement for trick or treating. We would get home and try and perfect our costumes and wait impatiently for my mom and dad to get home and take us trick or treating.
3. One time my dad dressed up like a fat woman. It was embarrassing.
4. My mom had the best scary stories I have ever heard. She would tell them to us sometimes when we begged and they still frighten me when I think about them. They were so great because she claimed they were all true and they were things that happened to her or people she knew and they seemed all too feasible. My mom is the best story-teller.
5. The year I met Martin, my best friend Jen and friend Steph took me (or rather, dragged me) to a haunted house. In Utah in the 80's and 90's haunted houses were the rage. I remember the March of Dimes haunted house and many more. There was one at Rocky Point near my house. Anyway, Jen talked me into going. I was scared so bad I nearly had a heart attack. From the minute I walked in, to the long awaited minute I walked out, I HATED it. There was one part that a guy with a chain saw came after me and I wanted drop to the floor, huddle in the corner and cry in the fetal position--no really, literally. Jen was so brave...not scared at all. I think maybe we went with a guy but I don't think he was hot so I literally had nobody to hang onto except Jen and she left me at some point. Some friend!
6. Also, the year I met Martin we went to a Howard Jones concert on Halloween or the day before, I can't remember which. It was great because we had just met a couple of weeks earlier, but had already kissed and there was lots of snuggling and such. That was a good Halloween. Nothing like HoJo.
Happy Halloween! Make some great memories this year!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thoughtful Thursday
A friend of my came up with doing "Thoughtful Thursdays," and I liked the idea and decided to be a copy-cat (thanks, Shellee). In these posts I will be telling about a thoughtful act someone did for me and then I will do something thoughtful for someone else (the last thing I won't post about, because I might try to do something anonymously and I also don't want to seem like I'm bragging that I helped someone!). It think this will help me be more grateful for my blessings and it will help me be more proactive about doing thoughtful things for other people. I'm excited to do this!
A year ago I was going through a difficult time. I had just had foot and calf surgery on one leg and was preparing to do the same to the next leg. I had to use crutches and a little knee scooter (that I loved) to get around in my own house for 6 weeks on each leg. All the time this was going on my sister was very sick in the hospital and drawing her final breaths. It was overwhelming and I was tired and sick of sitting around the house all day doing literally nothing and worrying about my sister. I wondered if anyone knew or cared.
One evening some friends (who will remain anonymous) showed up on my doorstep with several (I think 5) casseroles for me to freeze and use at my discretion. They had gotten together and decided on their own accord to help my family out by providing us with some meals. It touched me that they did this without provocation. I think they knew about my surgeries, yes, but they didn't know about the inner struggle I was having and their kindness made my day--actually my week! I will always remain thankful for their caring about me and knowing I was in need of a jump start.
A year ago I was going through a difficult time. I had just had foot and calf surgery on one leg and was preparing to do the same to the next leg. I had to use crutches and a little knee scooter (that I loved) to get around in my own house for 6 weeks on each leg. All the time this was going on my sister was very sick in the hospital and drawing her final breaths. It was overwhelming and I was tired and sick of sitting around the house all day doing literally nothing and worrying about my sister. I wondered if anyone knew or cared.
One evening some friends (who will remain anonymous) showed up on my doorstep with several (I think 5) casseroles for me to freeze and use at my discretion. They had gotten together and decided on their own accord to help my family out by providing us with some meals. It touched me that they did this without provocation. I think they knew about my surgeries, yes, but they didn't know about the inner struggle I was having and their kindness made my day--actually my week! I will always remain thankful for their caring about me and knowing I was in need of a jump start.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Beautiful Day
Yesterday was such a nice, autumn day. We were able to be out in the sun at Alex's final football game of the season and it was great. They played at East Lake High; they have a really nice football field--wow. I even got to take my coat off most of the game. There were dragon flies flying around everywhere and it was just fun to talk with Martin. Dragon flies equal magical in my book. Did they win their game? Ummm....not exactly, but it was fun anyway.
And here's The Cuteness again hitting another childhood milestone. Do you see it? Look closely...yep, he lost his first tooth. Major BFD (big freaking deal). He came in Friday night while I was almost asleep with this huge grin on his face, toothbrush in one hand, tooth in the other and blood dripping down his lips!!! Oh, what an adorable scene. Adorable and then-(gag, cough, dry heave)- a little tiny bit disgusting. He was so excited to welcome the Tooth Fairy for the first time. He woke up to a $3 reward (wow, I usually only got 50 cents). He was very pleased. 
Here's what he did at the football game. We forgot to bring a block (Isaac's favorite toy) and he was not sure how he could survive. Martin saved the day with one of his business cards from his wallet. I kid you not, the child played with this card for two hours. How do you play with a block or business card? Well, if you're Isaac, you turn the said card into anything you can imagine. It can be a spaceship, a guy, a car, or, my personal favorite, Indiana Jones. Explosions usually accompany the play and can be very annoying to his sibilings. But, at the football game, nobody cared or bothered him! Score one for The Cuteness.
Does this look like a face that is happy to be done with football? I would have to say, emphatically, yes. I know he will miss getting hit in the head and ribs on a daily basis, but I personally, will not miss driving him to practice every day! Happy days are here again!!! Does it matter their record was 1 and 9? Nah.
Funny side note: he still plays football daily with his friends outside. Weird. A month ago he told me he hated football (I think that was because he didn't feel like going to practice that day). I guess he doesn't really hate it so much.
Olivia enjoyed her day also. She did her favorite thing: reading. She is so much like her dad. These days she nearly always has book in hand. I would get upset, but what can you really find wrong with that? And, bonus: the book she was reading, "Ten Ways to Make My Sister Disappear," gave her several good ideas to vanish her own big brother.
She is such a good sport to go to all these games. If I counted up the hours she's spent at baseball and football games it would probably be astronomical. She just goes along and usually plays with other friends, socializes and never complains. She also looks after her little brother too.
Second funny side note: Alex complains about going to an hour and a half dance recital Olivia has once a year. Okay, that's just sad.
And here's The Cuteness again hitting another childhood milestone. Do you see it? Look closely...yep, he lost his first tooth. Major BFD (big freaking deal). He came in Friday night while I was almost asleep with this huge grin on his face, toothbrush in one hand, tooth in the other and blood dripping down his lips!!! Oh, what an adorable scene. Adorable and then-(gag, cough, dry heave)- a little tiny bit disgusting. He was so excited to welcome the Tooth Fairy for the first time. He woke up to a $3 reward (wow, I usually only got 50 cents). He was very pleased. 
Here's what he did at the football game. We forgot to bring a block (Isaac's favorite toy) and he was not sure how he could survive. Martin saved the day with one of his business cards from his wallet. I kid you not, the child played with this card for two hours. How do you play with a block or business card? Well, if you're Isaac, you turn the said card into anything you can imagine. It can be a spaceship, a guy, a car, or, my personal favorite, Indiana Jones. Explosions usually accompany the play and can be very annoying to his sibilings. But, at the football game, nobody cared or bothered him! Score one for The Cuteness.
Monday, October 20, 2008
It's Party Time!!
I went to the costume/party store to look for some costume ideas for the kids. It was a mistake as the store I went to had mostly adult costumes and 2/3 of them had to be covered in areas with "post it" notes because of the partial nudity. Wait a second...did I say nudity?
Truly, I was thinking Halloween was more for kids, like it was when I was younger. Ah, those were the days. Now, I know there have always been the "french maid" costumes and such that were skimpy, but apparently, the rules have changed to include everything from busty pirates to half-naked angels. I mean do people dress up for their jobs and wear these costumes? Is there a market for this? I don't know.
Martin tells me there are these costume parties for adults that basically the idea is to go in the raunchiest, skimpiest costume you can find. I don't know what takes place at these parties but I can only imagine in my wildest dreams.
Also, what happens when you are not the model type portrayed on the front of these costume packages? I guarantee I would not look as good as the model in that lei and flower pasties "hula" outfit that I saw. I KNOW I'm not the only one.
So what does a person do who is invited to a party like this, and is not a size 2, 4 or even 10? I guess that's what the Spongebob adult costumes are for. Fun. All these beautiful people walking around and you're the only one not showing considerable skin making your date drool.
Yep, I had my eyes opened at the party store today. I shall never be the same.
Truly, I was thinking Halloween was more for kids, like it was when I was younger. Ah, those were the days. Now, I know there have always been the "french maid" costumes and such that were skimpy, but apparently, the rules have changed to include everything from busty pirates to half-naked angels. I mean do people dress up for their jobs and wear these costumes? Is there a market for this? I don't know.
Martin tells me there are these costume parties for adults that basically the idea is to go in the raunchiest, skimpiest costume you can find. I don't know what takes place at these parties but I can only imagine in my wildest dreams.
Also, what happens when you are not the model type portrayed on the front of these costume packages? I guarantee I would not look as good as the model in that lei and flower pasties "hula" outfit that I saw. I KNOW I'm not the only one.
So what does a person do who is invited to a party like this, and is not a size 2, 4 or even 10? I guess that's what the Spongebob adult costumes are for. Fun. All these beautiful people walking around and you're the only one not showing considerable skin making your date drool.
Yep, I had my eyes opened at the party store today. I shall never be the same.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Meme's the word
I was tagged by my friend Deb W., whom I miss terribly, with a meme. I'm supposed to post the 4th photo from my 4th folder. I've never heard of a meme before. But according to my friend, Stacey, a meme can be a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from one person to another. Thanks, Stac. Cool!!! So here's mine:.jpg)
This is my crazy dad, nephew, Dallon, niece, Marie and niece Savannah holding my other niece Phoenix. They are, of course, making funny faces. It's New Year's Eve of '06 and we were at my sister Mindy's home. It's funny, but with all the people in this picture my eye directly goes to my sister, Jenny who is behind my dad (you can't see her face). Boy, I wish I had taken more pictures of her while she was here. It's good to know she was there. She loved a good party. We always play this funny game called "Loaded Question" with my mom and sisters and older nieces on New Year's. It's become a tradition. That game is so hilarious! Every year I laugh harder and harder. Last year I nearly passed out from laughterand I am ashamed to admit I nearly wet my pants. Unfortunatley, Jenny was in the hospital last year and we played without her and I guess will from now on.
I recommend that game to anyone, especially a group of women who are friends and very comfortable with each other. It's kind of a "get to know you" game and be prepared to laugh--hard.
I tag Brenda, Jen V. and Dayna
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This is my crazy dad, nephew, Dallon, niece, Marie and niece Savannah holding my other niece Phoenix. They are, of course, making funny faces. It's New Year's Eve of '06 and we were at my sister Mindy's home. It's funny, but with all the people in this picture my eye directly goes to my sister, Jenny who is behind my dad (you can't see her face). Boy, I wish I had taken more pictures of her while she was here. It's good to know she was there. She loved a good party. We always play this funny game called "Loaded Question" with my mom and sisters and older nieces on New Year's. It's become a tradition. That game is so hilarious! Every year I laugh harder and harder. Last year I nearly passed out from laughterand I am ashamed to admit I nearly wet my pants. Unfortunatley, Jenny was in the hospital last year and we played without her and I guess will from now on.
I recommend that game to anyone, especially a group of women who are friends and very comfortable with each other. It's kind of a "get to know you" game and be prepared to laugh--hard.
I tag Brenda, Jen V. and Dayna
Friday, October 17, 2008
New 2008 Survey
Here's another survey.
1. What is your best physical feature? I’m told it’s my winning smile
2. Where were you born? Ogden, Utah
3. How many siblings do you have? 4 sisters 1 brother
4. What is your favorite pastime? Reading or working out. Actually, reading AND working out at the same time.
5. If you had to have a tattoo what would it be and where? “Martin,” you don’t need to know where.
6. How old were you when you had your first kiss? Pushing 16
7. What is your favorite time of day? Bedtime
8. Dogs or cats? I love dogs because they are so loving but cats are easier to take care of and they have funny “I don’t care about you” attitudes.
9. What song best describes you? "She's a maniac"
10. How many books, on average, do your read per year? 10-20, maybe more, maybe less.
11. Are you most often a rescuer or rescuee? Usually rescuer, but have been rescued many times.
12. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you? When Martin and I were first married we lived in a little duplex in Farmington and there was this gang of dogs. They traveled the neighborhood causing all kinds of havoc. It was funny because they were like people with a leader and everything. There was probably like 20 of them or more and they were all owned by people. It was so funny to see their atttitudes . That’s all I can think of right now.
13. What is your favorite kind of soup? Tomato, with fishy crackers
14. How many broken bones have you had? Zip
15. What was the best part of High School? Graduating and never going back to that hell on Earth
16. What is your favorite school subject? Literature and writing
17. If you got to choose a celebrity to date, who would it be? Chris Martin, for sure. But, seriously, how can I compete with Gwyneth Paltrow? Speaking of, my sister, Mindy looks just like her!
18. If you were deserted on a desert island who would you want with you? Martin
19. Have you ever been abroad? Yah, I’m a broad. Ha-ha. J/k. Not unless you count Canada
20. Can you drive a stick? Absolutely
21. What is your favorite meat? Chicken most of the time—free range
22. Ever been in a fist fight? Yes, my younger sisters both punched me, and one time my big brother bloodied my nose at Knott’s Berry Farm because my sister, Jenny was lost and I made the comment that I hoped we never found her.
23. Do you like ketchup? Yuck. Fry sauce, on the other hand, is mmmmm.
24. Dancer or singer? singer
25. Do you like horror movies? Hate them. I cried silently to myself when my brother dragged me to “The Sixth Sense.” I was so scared. ("I see dead people")
I'd love it if you wanted to post your answers!
Happy Halloween!
1. What is your best physical feature? I’m told it’s my winning smile
2. Where were you born? Ogden, Utah
3. How many siblings do you have? 4 sisters 1 brother
4. What is your favorite pastime? Reading or working out. Actually, reading AND working out at the same time.
5. If you had to have a tattoo what would it be and where? “Martin,” you don’t need to know where.
6. How old were you when you had your first kiss? Pushing 16
7. What is your favorite time of day? Bedtime
8. Dogs or cats? I love dogs because they are so loving but cats are easier to take care of and they have funny “I don’t care about you” attitudes.
9. What song best describes you? "She's a maniac"
10. How many books, on average, do your read per year? 10-20, maybe more, maybe less.
11. Are you most often a rescuer or rescuee? Usually rescuer, but have been rescued many times.
12. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you? When Martin and I were first married we lived in a little duplex in Farmington and there was this gang of dogs. They traveled the neighborhood causing all kinds of havoc. It was funny because they were like people with a leader and everything. There was probably like 20 of them or more and they were all owned by people. It was so funny to see their atttitudes . That’s all I can think of right now.
13. What is your favorite kind of soup? Tomato, with fishy crackers
14. How many broken bones have you had? Zip
15. What was the best part of High School? Graduating and never going back to that hell on Earth
16. What is your favorite school subject? Literature and writing
17. If you got to choose a celebrity to date, who would it be? Chris Martin, for sure. But, seriously, how can I compete with Gwyneth Paltrow? Speaking of, my sister, Mindy looks just like her!
18. If you were deserted on a desert island who would you want with you? Martin
19. Have you ever been abroad? Yah, I’m a broad. Ha-ha. J/k. Not unless you count Canada
20. Can you drive a stick? Absolutely
21. What is your favorite meat? Chicken most of the time—free range
22. Ever been in a fist fight? Yes, my younger sisters both punched me, and one time my big brother bloodied my nose at Knott’s Berry Farm because my sister, Jenny was lost and I made the comment that I hoped we never found her.
23. Do you like ketchup? Yuck. Fry sauce, on the other hand, is mmmmm.
24. Dancer or singer? singer
25. Do you like horror movies? Hate them. I cried silently to myself when my brother dragged me to “The Sixth Sense.” I was so scared. ("I see dead people")
I'd love it if you wanted to post your answers!
Happy Halloween!
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