Six for Sunday ... or whatever

So guess what? Five for Friday doesn't really work for me. I was trying to get it mostly done on Thursday night and then finish and post after running Friday morning. A couple things have caused conflicts. First, Thursday night is when I watch TV. So until they start showing reruns, that won't work. Second, I stopped running in the mornings. It's too flipping cold and too flipping dark and I'm too flipping lazy. So until my kids start sleeping in (hahaha! hohoho!) I don't have any alone time to finish my post until later. By that time, I don't want to do it. Make sense? So I'll be trying Six for Sunday ... or something like that.

1. I voted today. For me, it's over! I refuse to read anything political, listen to anything political or talk about anything political. I was pleased to find that they asked for my ID but was disappointed to find out they only do that for early voting. What's the deal?

2. Ella came home from preschool this morning with some new words. She is adding "blah blah" after her sentences. For example here are some things that have come out of her mouth today-

"I can do whatever I want blah blah."

"Sam always thinks he's a Jedi blah blah."

"Dang it! Blah blah." (actually sounds like "Dane it blah blah.")

"Jackie's breath stinks blah blah!"

"Daddy said it, not me blah blah."

It's driving me crazy and I don't think she realizes she's doing it. Let's hope she forgets about it by morning!

3. Finders keepers? This bike has been sitting on my front porch for the last few days. It's a lovely pink and purple Schwinn, great condition, that I'm sure Ella would love to have. How long do I have to display it in my front yard before it becomes mine (or Ella's in this case)?

4. Poor Jack. Because we had a girl first, he gets the short stick on a few things. The cold nights hit and I wasn't prepared. Jack doesn't have any warm jammies so I have pulled out Ella's until I buy boy ones. That was at least a month ago and he is still stuck in pink . Sadly this is the case for snow hats and gloves and snow pants. Hopefully people will assume Ella has a friend over when they see the tiny pink marshmallow playing in the snow!

5. Crush the grapes! Remember that movie Walk in the Clouds? I had this crush on Keanu (who might actually be the worst actor ever playing in possibly the worst movie ever) and couldn't wait to see it. Too bad my experience was disasterous as I ended being in the same theater with my boyfriend (who wasn't my boyfriend yet but who I desperately wanted) with his girlfriend (who I later took the place of) fighting back tears because I had to watch the most romantic movie ever while watching my future love-man cuddle up next to some wench (who I later became good friends with. Confusing, I know). Anyway, over the weekend Gator and I got to have our own Keanu/butterfly wings moments when we visited the Gatherum family vineyard to make grape juice. It was an experience although not nearly as romantic.Here is some of the family picking grapes. There on the right is Mr. Gatherum himself, owner and President of the Gatherum Vineyard.

Jack ate at least 5 lbs. of grapes. He's had slight gastrointestinal issue the last day and a half but I think it will be better by tomorrow.

6. Last week a little boy in our neighborhood died unexpectedly. He was around Ella's age and I have had a really hard time dealing with it. This weekend was exhausting with the viewing and funeral but I couldn't help but love my kids even more. I have a lot to be thankful for.

*Pay It Forward winner ..... Jessica Rawson! As soon as I get my act together I'll get a you a little surprise!! Bet you can't wait!

Five for Friday ...

... or Six for Sunday, or whatever, is coming soon. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. I don't know. I haven't slept for a couple of nights, I'm tired and I discovered an hour ago that I have a cold. I refuse to think of anything clever until my headache goes away! I know, I know - -boo hoo, too bad for me, no one wants to hear it, but you know what? Stick it! In the meantime, please keep your own blogs updated so I have something fun to read.

p.s. Trippy picture, huh? This is what my headache is doing to me!

Six for Sunday

A few days after Friday but who really cares, right?

1. I love the first snowfall! Luckily it was on Sunday and we could loaf around and enjoy it.. Ella was thrilled and couldn't wait to get outside and play! I am definitely not looking forward to snow on a more permanent basis, but sporadic snow days are always fun!

2. Something about voter registration makes me nervous. Every time I have gone to vote I have always wondered why they don't ask for identification. I'm all for getting people (real people) registered to vote but I really think the process should be a little more specific and a little more safe. Voters in Iraq have to mark their fingers to keep them from double dipping - what guidelines do we have? The Honor Code? That only works at BYU ... sometimes. Don't you think both Presidential candidates should be concerned? Are you concerned?

3. I have previously mentioned that I love to watch the Lawrence Welk show. Especially when Bobby and Cissy make an appearance. This is one of my personal favorites called Music To Watch Girls By. Call me crazy, but I don't think Bobby is into watching girls. Not that there's anything wrong with it ...

4. Jack has taken to wearing one mitten. Maybe his hand is cold or maybe we have a MJ in the making. I'm not really sure.

5. I'm ready to talk about my "domestic" issue. I have hated being called domestic. When people have said "Wow, aren't you domestic?" what I felt like they were saying was "Wow, aren't you some frumpy mormon who sits around all day in your sweats and bakes cookies and cans salsa!" While this is mostly true in my case, I've realized something - Most people are paying me a compliment! There are a few underminers but they've been blocked!

There was a time in my life where I had a good job that I focused all my time and energy on. On top of that, I got paid well to do it. I was good at that job and people benefited from me doing my job. Well, four years ago I got a new job. I spend all of my time and all of my energy on my new job. It may not be glamorous, there's not a lot of positive feedback, the pay sucks and it's mostly pull your hair out boring, but it's my job. I chose this job. Why not try and be good at it?

So go ahead. Say I'm domestic. My name is Lacey and I'm domestic. There. Something about hanging out in sweats, baking cookies while eating salsa doesn't sound so bad. The extra bonus? Two darling kids ... who happen to whine a lot.

6. While I'm trying to be domestic I need to do it wearing this.

Or this one! Isn't it amazing?

Wait ... I can't wear this because it costs 75 DOLLARS!!! Who in their right mind spends $75 on an apron? Oh, I forgot. Lots of people because they keep SELLING OUT!! Seriously? Ok, crafty readers who can sew. Please figure out how to sew something like this! I can't live up to my Domestic Goddess potential without it!

Pay It Forward

Here it is, folks! It's taken me forever to take my turn (sorry, Joanna!) but I'm excited to get this moving again. So, leave me a comment by Sunday, October 19th and I will put your name in the drawing and send a treat, or prize, or something to the winner. Don't comment if you're not willing to play the game since that is the whole point of this.

Remember, deadline is Sunday, October 19th!

* The game is that if you're the winner, you do the same for someone else. Got it?

Five for Friday

* Saturday, 12:30 - Gator just told me that I can always take a week off if I don't have anything to say. Hmm. I guess that means my Five for Friday this time is pretty lame? I admit, it was a big stretch this week ... I'll try harder next Friday!

Can I just say how thankful I am it's Friday? My days don't vary much - most of the time I don't know if it's Monday or Thursday, but there's something about Friday that makes me feel a whole lot better! Also, could the weather be any more fabulous?

1. This week I went to dinner with a friend I haven't seen or spoken to for something like 18 years! We were born a couple weeks apart and were best friends until I moved at the end of 4th grade. It was fun to catch-up and remember old times!

2. Have you guys seen this? It's an exhibit that's going on in Salt Lake and it completely freaks me out! I'm sure it's interesting but who in their right might wants to see a human body playing soccer with their skin peeled off? Give me the creepy crawlys!

3. Please make THIS! Smother your burritos, dip your chips, pour over your cereal .... just make it! Absolutely addicting!

4. For one week I would like to be a Barnes & Noble hobo. I would like to curl myself up in one of their comfy chairs, sniff coffee and read millions of books .... for 7 days. Once a year is all I ask.

5. I love this sweater. Once again I was only able to gaze at it through the Anthropologie window but I know eventually they will get sick of my face mark on the door and let me pick out what I want. I think I might go back tomorrow and speed up the process.

*PAY IT FORWARD -- Sometime this week! Stay tuned!

Five for Friday

*If you are sick of hearing about my garden, skip #1!

1. Welcome to the Jungle -- Holy smokes, I have tomatoes coming out of my ears! I went to pick some tomatoes last Sunday and this is what I came up with. Since then, I have doubled the amount and there are more that haven't been picked. So what do I do with all these? I have already canned 3 batches of salsa and frozen 4 batches of spaghetti sauce. I'll be canning 2 more batches of salsa tonight -- what's left? Suggestions anyone? Sh na na na na na na na, please, please?

While I'm taking suggestions, anyone have a good green pepper recipe? Here's one of my pepper plants. There are 22 peppers on this one plant. I have 4 other plants. Yikes! That's a heck of a lot of peppers!

We've planted pumpkins for a couple of years and usually get a decent turnout. However, this year takes the cake. I planted 1 plant this year in what was supposed to be my flower garden and only because Ella saw the pumpkin picture at Home Depot. Turns out my flower garden has perfect growing conditions for watermelons and pumpkins. These are the pumpkins we picked yesterday ... there are 19 more on the vine. Looks like there's going to be a sale at the Gatherum Family Pumpkin Patch!

2. PETA. These people are crazy! There was a small incident here in Kaysville a couple of weeks ago .... and by small I mean something like 4 gazillion mink running loose over freeways and backyards (including mine!), scurrying through blazing buildings and gnawing toes off of small children (I heard they are carnivores. Is this true?). I'm all for treating animals nicely, feeding them yummy animal food and giving them lots of exercise (I once had an overweight dog. Sad situation.). People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals? Yes, let's burn down helpless animals' homes, turn them loose and let them get run over, starve to death or cornered by large, furry beasts (Thanks Wally! You're the best!). PETA! Seriously?

3. This week has been too blasted hot! For Pete's sake, it's October already! I am sweating and I am hot .... 85 doesn't work for me! Mr. Eubank promised cooler temps tomorrow. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

4. I've had a relapse. I'm weak ... and selfish ... and desperate! I'm absolutely not ready to give up my Crack.

5. Running. I've always loved running. There was a point not too long ago where I craved it. Since having Jack I've struggled. At first, I thought I just needed loose the baby weight and get back into the swing of things. Looks like that's not the case. I force myself out of bed and run ... and hate every minute of it! Wait, wait. That's a little strong. I don't hate it, I am just not enjoying it like I used to. I'm not sure what the problem is. Good news - cold weather is coming and when it's too cold, I don't run. Bad news - although I don't like it right now, running is my only source of exercise. So unless it's an extremely warm winter, I'm tweaked. I've got to come up with some cash so I can join the neighbors at the gym. How much can I charge for a pumpkin?

6. Bonus! Conference is this weekend! If I could have church at home every week, I'd be there more often!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!
So cute!

Five for Friday

*If you are reading this on Google Reader, not sure why, but it is screwed up!
1. Tuesday night I went to the So You Think You Can Dance tour show! Amazing! We had great seats and could see sweat, teeth and bum cheeks! They better make it to Salt Lake every year!

2. A couple of years ago I learned to knit. I stopped because I wasn't any good at it. Recently, I picked my needles back up and started another scarf. I still am not any good at it. My biggest problem with knitting is that I don't know how to fix mistakes. I rented a video and checked out a book and still, I can't figure it out. See these three loops on the needle? They aren't supposed to be there. I'm not sure how they got there and I'm not sure how to get them off. People actually say knitting is relaxing!

3. Since the day he was born, I have struggled with Jack. He's the cutest darn kid and is actually very funny, but his funny and happy moments are pretty rare. He wants to be held or be outside. Otherwise, he whines ... a constant, non-stop whine. I haven't been handling his grumpiness very well. I'm not really sure how to deal with it. I'm actually thinking about getting some earplugs...This is what follows me around ALL DAY.

I know I shouldn't complain, I know other's have harder kids but really, Jack's noise sends me over the edge!


4. Jack in one of his rare cute moments. We went on Ella's field trip to the park and the kids got to feed the ducks. Jack loved it!
5. Please, PLEASE, tell me these aren't coming back in style!!!

6. People have said I'm domestic. Hmm. I'm not sure if that's good or bad thing. I've been thinking a lot about this and have a few thoughts. Maybe for another time. ...

7. COMING SOON! A few weeks ago I was the lucky recipient of a PAY IT FORWARD. As soon as I find something fun and cute, I'm giving it away!

Five for Friday

1. Speaking of 5 ... For the last week, this is the time Jack thinks he needs to get up in the morning (well, 5:30, anyway). His usually wake-up time is 6:30 which is too early for anyone. 5:30? Absolutely killing me! Why, why, WHY can't I have kids that sleep???

2. Cruisin'- Approximately two years ago we had this fun Barbie Jeep dropped off in our driveway. I'm actually not a big fan of these things but it was free, in good condition and I knew Ella would love it. We wiped it down, charged up the battery and buckled Ella in. Too bad the battery didn't work. Instead, we parked it in the garage for Ella to sit in and pretend that she is cruisin' down the sidewalk. Last week, Gator finally bit the bullet and dropped $60 bucks on a new battery. Ella has had fun driving this pink machine (that honestly goes no faster than 1 mile an hour) up and down the street. Jack could sit in it all day. I'm wonding if I can hire some 6 year old to drive Jack around for a couple of hours every day.

3. Melons - Watermelons, that is. This monster is one of many growing in my backyard. I really didn't think they would grow but it turns our that neglecting certain plants makes them flourish. Who knew?! The best part - they actually taste good!

4. Have you seen me? Meet Shirelka, a.k.a. Puppy. Puppy went missing earlier this week and the Gatherum household almost completely shut down. I usually make Ella learn the hard lesson when she doesn't take care of her toys, but this situation was a little different.

Ella honestly thinks this dog is real. She has a special leash for Puppy. Puppy follows her wherever she goes. She has trained Puppy not to poop or pee. She talks to Puppy. Puppy understands her. Puppy talks to her. She understands Puppy. They have a relationship like nothing I've ever seen. When Puppy disappeared, Ella was devastated. She screamed, threw fits and then sobbed. "Puppy is going to be scared !" boo, hoo, hoo, "She doesn't know how to be by herself." boo, hoo, hoo, "She's going to be cold!" boo, hoo, hoo. We took apart the house, searched outside, and drove around the neighborhood. I called the moms on our street and asked them to search their basements, bedrooms and backyards. Gator tried three different stores to try and find a look-alike that would magically appear on our doorstep. Sadly, no luck.

Yesterday Ella was watching TV when she whips Puppy out from under a couch cushion (which I know I searched at least 16 times!). We had quite a celebration! I'm a little embarassed to say I got a little teary. I think Gator even got a little weepy! We are excited that Puppy made her way home! I don't think we will be getting a real dog any time soon. Thanks to everyone who had to rip apart their toybox!

5. It's been a long, rough week. We've had sickness, teething, early mornings and a lost dog. I think I'm ready for a new week! I'm off to peel tomatoes and peppers -- another big canning day today!

p.s. This is a lot harder than I thought! I'm thinking of switching to Three for Thursday!

Happy Friday!

Five for Friday

I've been fiddling around with a few ideas on how to make me a better blogger. Obviously, consistency isn't one of my strong areas. A friend of mine does a Ten for Tuesday post regularly (well, mostly) and I love the anticipation. I've decided to head in the same direction ...only I'm not saying mine will be anything worth anticipating. That would be a little big-headed of me. Oh, and Ten for Tuesday is way too much pressure. I'm settling on Five for Friday. I'm pretty sure I can think of five things to say (ha! ha! ho! ho! I can picture those who know me clutching their middles, heaving with laughter at the absurdity of that statement!). I haven't written anything substantial or inspirational so far and I probably won't start now. Humorous? Depends on my mood ...

1. I'm a pepper, you're a pepper .... What do I do with all these peppers? I've stuffed some in my freezer, given some away, had a pepper themed meal for two weeks. Still, there are more peppers in the garden. My garden is overflowing and I'm loving it!

2. Speaking of peppers, I haven't had one these bad boys in 4 days ... except for that teensy slip yesterday, but baby steps, baby steps ... Even crack addicts can't stop cold turkey, can they? My shakes are setting in, I have had a constant headache and I honestly don't know why I'm doing this to myself. Really, Diet Dr. Pepper? I like it, I look forward to it, it's not hurting me, it makes me feel better .... Oh geez, hand me the crack!

3. I just finished The Book Thief and absolutely loved it! I also just finished The Last Lecture and didn't love it. Liked, but didn't love (I think that might be blasphemous to say!).

4. I'm an opinionated person. Gasp! I usually don't have a problem letting people know where I stand on things. However, when it comes to politics, I usually keep my mouth shut. The argument usually isn't worth the effort. But, I'm going to leak something -- Palin. I like her. WHAT?! Booo! Hisss! I can hear feel all your nerve endings starting to sizzle! So, before you get your unders all wadded up, relax. I didn't say I would vote for her party ... didn't say I wouldn't ... but I like her. And I like her shoes. While I'm on the subject (probably the last time I'll ever be on this subject), a few fellas that I'm not so sure about ...

Him. Really, I don't care what side you lean toward, I'm pretty sure this guy's a Weenie.

And Him. Another topic for another day.

I'm tired of Obama crap. I'm tired of McCain crap. I'm tired of fanatics. I'm tired of biased arguments. I know people just love this stuff ... not me. Word to the wise -- don't talk to me about politics! I know my beliefs, I know my opinions, I know the issues that are important to me. Save your arguments for someone else! I believe in free speech (even when it's annoying), I am thankful for my right to vote, and yes, I understand the importance of this election. I will do my research. I will ask for clarification. I'm an intelligent person -- trust me to make a good judgement call. Whew! Didn't plan on that one! Are you ever going to read Five for Friday again? p.s. 2012 - Vote For Lacey! Baked goods and Twirly Skirts for all!


5. On a lighter note, Fall is in the air. I can smell it, I can feel it. My absolute favorite time of year! My kids are darling in their jeans and sweatshirts!

Happy Friday, everybody!

26.2 miles of blogging

This really would be easier if I could keep my blog updated instead of playing catch-up every month! What have we been up to? Let's see ...

1. Sleep Training. For the last month and a half I have been trying to get Jack on some sort of napping schedule. To say the least, it has been absolute hell! Poor Jack can hardly keep himself awake!

2. Camp Out! A friend of mine had a crazy idea to hold a camp out in her backyard with neighborhood moms and kids. Ella had a great time (despite all her breakdowns!) and loved sleeping ... I mean giggling ... in a tent with her friends.

3. Parenting 101 - Always buckle your kids in the stroller. Even when they are only going to sit in it for 3 seconds. This is what happens when you don't.


4. The Fair. I love going to the fair! Ella was a little put-off by the smell of the animals but we still managed to have a fun time.



5. Gardening. I am not the only one in our family who likes to relax in the garden. I keep finding Jack rummaging through the plants looking for something to snack on. Vegetable of choice - green tomatoes.

6. Dancing Queen. Ella's dance class started up for the year and she is thrilled! I honestly don't think I'm being biased when I say she is pretty darn good!


7. First day of school! Is it lame to "raise the roof" or something like that? Oh, I love school! We both need this so bad! This is Ella's second year of preschool and she was so excited to start. Ella would go every day if she could .... I would send her every day if I could ...


8. Soccer. Ella had her first soccer game on Saturday and she was pretty awesome! She even scored a goal .... in the other team's net, but that doesn't really count, right?


9. We've been able to spend some time up at The Property with friends and family this summer. We love it up there and are so thankful that we have such a fun place to go and hang out!
10. I am making a new goal to blog on a regular basis. I am not exactly sure what that means or how I'm going to accomplish this, but I'll figure something out.