Kim tagged me, which is good cuz I had been searching for something to write about. Here goes.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the size and awkwardness of the item to be wrapped.
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial, I'm allergic to real.
3. When do you put up your tree? When the mood strikes me, this year it was pretty early (December 2) but never never in November!
4. When do you take your tree down? Again, when the mood strikes me. The year Bella was born, it stayed up until February.
5. Do you like eggnog? Eggnog no, the rum you put in it YES! Just kidding, I don't like eggnog but I do love eggnog french toast.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My barbie dream house totally! and my barbie camper, Jamey and I had so much fun with that thing!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My oldest sister Andrea, she is super picky and she already has everything.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself? Bella and Kim are pretty easy too.
9. Do you have a nativity? Yes 4 of them.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I don't do either.
11. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Can't think of one I truely hated. I had to start giving Shane lists if I wanted to get stuff I liked, but it is the thought that counts. I really mean that too!
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Hard one! A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, and The Nightmare before Christmas (Yes, it is a Christmas movie FYI!)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually about the middle of December.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so. If I don't like a gift I throw it away I don't give it away.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? All of it! I am a total slave to stuffing, though!
16. Lights on the tree? White.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night. It reminds me of my mom and I ALWAYS cry when I hear it. Shane loves to change the words to songs and make them silly or dirty or whatever, but I told him if he ever does that to O holy Night I was filing for divorce.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home for sure! For 4th of July, Valentines Day, Arbor Day, oh hell, EVERYDAY!
19. Can you name all of santa's Reindeer? Duh! Who can't?
20. Angel or star on top of the tree? Star.
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas day? Both! I prefer to open presents everyday of the year but that almost never happens!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I hate how it starts the day after Halloween. Come on People give us a chance to properly mourn the passing of All Hallow's Eve!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Just my ornaments from when I was a kid and the new ones I add for my kids every year.
24. Favorite Christmas dinner menu? Prime Rib, funeral potatoes, stuffing, corn and Mom's world class Pumpkin Chiffon Pie!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Books and I know I'm getting them cuz I ordered them!
26. Who is tagged? No one I guess this wore me out!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Did I Happen To Mention...
I think I mentioned before, that, just recently, we moved back to Ephraim from Manti (living in Manti is a dark spot in my life and an entire post all it's own). But did I happen to mention how much I love my house? I LOVE MY HOUSE!!!!
I love my house. I mean, duh, we bought it. That's a pretty big commitment to make about something you only have lukewarm feelings for. Shane (and sometimes Alese) spent 10 weeks painting, sanding, varnishing and other assorted "ing's". It's not done, I suspect it never will be, but as big a project as it has turned out to and continues to be, I can't begin to tell you how crazy I am about this pile of bricks! I mean it's just a house, right? It shouldn't evoke such stong emotions the way it does. It's a roof and walls. It's over 150 years old, none of the rooms are perfectly square and it makes funny noises at night. But I have to say, I am in love!
Our original plan was to build a house. Sounds pretty simple, right? We even went as far as buying the land (it's for sale now, anyone interested in buying a chunk of the
American dream?). Then at the begining of this year construction prices began to soar and banks started getting jittery about giving money away. Since we pay so much in child support and alimony, and since I was honest with the bank about all of that (thanks a lot Honesty!), we soon realized that building would be next to impossible for several years (until child support and alimony are done basically). I HAD to get out of Manti. So, completely demoralized and devestated, we began to assemble Plan B. Buying a house. Turns out it's a lot easier to get a home loan than it is to get a construction loan. I started scanning the internet for houses in Ephraim within our price range. Some interesting prospects, but nothing that really felt right. Then our house came up for sale. I know this house. My mom used to live next door, which means so did I. It's my old neighborhood. We called that night. Walked through it the next day and 15 days later we owned it! 2 and a half years of planning to build resulted in nothing! 2 and a half weeks of planning to buy resulted in finally bringing me home.
I could never get a good feeling about building. It sounded fun and I wanted it bad, but it always felt so out of reach. The second we set foot in this house it felt like home. Fate is funny like that sometimes.
It's a great feeling. One that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Now if you will excuse me I have to go clean my house! Until next time...
P.S. I LOVE MY HOUSE!
I love my house. I mean, duh, we bought it. That's a pretty big commitment to make about something you only have lukewarm feelings for. Shane (and sometimes Alese) spent 10 weeks painting, sanding, varnishing and other assorted "ing's". It's not done, I suspect it never will be, but as big a project as it has turned out to and continues to be, I can't begin to tell you how crazy I am about this pile of bricks! I mean it's just a house, right? It shouldn't evoke such stong emotions the way it does. It's a roof and walls. It's over 150 years old, none of the rooms are perfectly square and it makes funny noises at night. But I have to say, I am in love!
Our original plan was to build a house. Sounds pretty simple, right? We even went as far as buying the land (it's for sale now, anyone interested in buying a chunk of the
American dream?). Then at the begining of this year construction prices began to soar and banks started getting jittery about giving money away. Since we pay so much in child support and alimony, and since I was honest with the bank about all of that (thanks a lot Honesty!), we soon realized that building would be next to impossible for several years (until child support and alimony are done basically). I HAD to get out of Manti. So, completely demoralized and devestated, we began to assemble Plan B. Buying a house. Turns out it's a lot easier to get a home loan than it is to get a construction loan. I started scanning the internet for houses in Ephraim within our price range. Some interesting prospects, but nothing that really felt right. Then our house came up for sale. I know this house. My mom used to live next door, which means so did I. It's my old neighborhood. We called that night. Walked through it the next day and 15 days later we owned it! 2 and a half years of planning to build resulted in nothing! 2 and a half weeks of planning to buy resulted in finally bringing me home.
I could never get a good feeling about building. It sounded fun and I wanted it bad, but it always felt so out of reach. The second we set foot in this house it felt like home. Fate is funny like that sometimes.
It's a great feeling. One that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Now if you will excuse me I have to go clean my house! Until next time...
P.S. I LOVE MY HOUSE!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I Hate Christmas?
I am a bona fide Christmas hater! That's what I always tell my friends anyway, but dammit if something doesn't happen that puts me in the holiday spirit anyway. Without fail.
I used to really love Christmas, no grinchiness at all, but then my sisters and brothers started getting married and having families of their own. Every youngest of every family knows what I'm talking about! Your sibs start having in-laws that want some time too, so every other year they go there, then they start having kids and want to recreate some of the magic for them...so they stop coming completely. After a while I was left with just my mom, which was great, but not the same. I came to dread Christmas. There was no more breathless anticipation, no more magic.
I didn't understand that when you have children of your own you get your childhood back in many ways. I was 28 when my Bella was born and I finally learned that lesson. Like I said it still takes some coaxing, though.
This year Kim put some Christmas songs on her playlist. REALLY GOOD Christmas songs. Songs that reminded me of my mom and songs that reminded me of a really sad Christmas right after my dad died. I cried, of course (I usually cry while reading Kim's blog, in fact, it's my go to if I need inspiration to cry). And suddenly found myself in the Christmas spirit, funny how that happens.
I still hate Christmas! It takes away all of my edge!
I used to really love Christmas, no grinchiness at all, but then my sisters and brothers started getting married and having families of their own. Every youngest of every family knows what I'm talking about! Your sibs start having in-laws that want some time too, so every other year they go there, then they start having kids and want to recreate some of the magic for them...so they stop coming completely. After a while I was left with just my mom, which was great, but not the same. I came to dread Christmas. There was no more breathless anticipation, no more magic.
I didn't understand that when you have children of your own you get your childhood back in many ways. I was 28 when my Bella was born and I finally learned that lesson. Like I said it still takes some coaxing, though.
This year Kim put some Christmas songs on her playlist. REALLY GOOD Christmas songs. Songs that reminded me of my mom and songs that reminded me of a really sad Christmas right after my dad died. I cried, of course (I usually cry while reading Kim's blog, in fact, it's my go to if I need inspiration to cry). And suddenly found myself in the Christmas spirit, funny how that happens.
I still hate Christmas! It takes away all of my edge!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
I Got Nothin'
Kim photo tagged me. What the french, toast? I don't have folders. I don't have photos. If someone were to look at Bella's baby book, they would be convinced that she died the day after her first birthday. I got nothin'! Sorry, kimbo, I know I'm a major disappointment, but I am adopted after all. It's no wonder people are so shocked when they find out we are sisters. But why the shock people, weren't Jesus and Satan related too?
Hope everyone is gearing up for Thanksgiving! I know I am (not really). I don't even really consider it a holiday, unless one thinks it's a good thing to invade native American's lands and then proceed to cheat them out of it. I don't. But I have the day off and it's a great excuse to make awesome food and eat without remorse for a change, so I'll celebrate that instead. I am thankful for Thanksgiving (not really). My brothers and sisters are going to Wyoming, I, however, am not. Ever the rebel! I am not used to traveling for the holidays, we didn't often when I was a kid, and I don't like it. Neither does Shane (I swear we were MFEO) so we are always telling his family no for every holiday. To keep things fair we have to tell my family no a lot too. But that's ok with me cuz my mom really pounded into my head the importance of creating your own traditions and memories. But just for the record, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my brothers and sisters!
Shane's parents get the last laugh this year though, because the Monday after Thanksgiving they are leaving for their mission in Tucson, Arizona (that's awesome btw, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Tucson) which means they have their little farewell in church on Sunday. So they are dragging me from my home on a holiday weekend AND I have to go to church. Double whammy! And it's family picture day! Triple whammy!! That's gonna be a dark day in the Petersen household, I might need therapy later. One good thing does come from this though, we will get to visit them in Tucson at some point so I guess they can be forgiven.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! Hope everyone who is traveling does so safely, and I hope I don't injure myself while belly flopping into the Pumpkin Chiffon pie!
Hope everyone is gearing up for Thanksgiving! I know I am (not really). I don't even really consider it a holiday, unless one thinks it's a good thing to invade native American's lands and then proceed to cheat them out of it. I don't. But I have the day off and it's a great excuse to make awesome food and eat without remorse for a change, so I'll celebrate that instead. I am thankful for Thanksgiving (not really). My brothers and sisters are going to Wyoming, I, however, am not. Ever the rebel! I am not used to traveling for the holidays, we didn't often when I was a kid, and I don't like it. Neither does Shane (I swear we were MFEO) so we are always telling his family no for every holiday. To keep things fair we have to tell my family no a lot too. But that's ok with me cuz my mom really pounded into my head the importance of creating your own traditions and memories. But just for the record, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my brothers and sisters!
Shane's parents get the last laugh this year though, because the Monday after Thanksgiving they are leaving for their mission in Tucson, Arizona (that's awesome btw, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Tucson) which means they have their little farewell in church on Sunday. So they are dragging me from my home on a holiday weekend AND I have to go to church. Double whammy! And it's family picture day! Triple whammy!! That's gonna be a dark day in the Petersen household, I might need therapy later. One good thing does come from this though, we will get to visit them in Tucson at some point so I guess they can be forgiven.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! Hope everyone who is traveling does so safely, and I hope I don't injure myself while belly flopping into the Pumpkin Chiffon pie!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
MP3 Mania
My sister just sent me a scathing e-mail. "Why aren't you blogging?" I have slacked off a lot, but for good reason. I got a new MP3 player for my birthday (a totally adorable pink Zune a long with tons of other great presents, it was a bountiful birthday) and I have been busy filling it with songs. I had to start from scratch cuz for some reason my itunes account wouldn't just let me transfer it. I'm not really computer savvy, I don't know why it wouldn't, maybe it's not even supposed to. Needless to say I have spent days ripping and syncing ripping and syncing ripping and syncing. It's been sort of a drag but it will all be worth it when it's done. And since I can only really focus on one thing at a time, my blog has suffered. All of that and I have a hard time finding stuff to say. My life is pretty boring, in the best possible way, but I just can't imagine that it would be interesting to someone other than myself. I work, I clean my house, I yell at my kids, pretty standard stuff. But I'll be better I promise.
I am completely bummed that Halloween is over btw, now there isn't anything to look forward to until next Halloween. Somehow I must find a way to go on.
Until next time!
I am completely bummed that Halloween is over btw, now there isn't anything to look forward to until next Halloween. Somehow I must find a way to go on.
Until next time!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Dolly Does Depeche?
I'm sure it's been noted that I've added a Dolly Parton song to my playlist. Don't worry I haven't been converted to country! It's a song I remember very fondly from my childhood. I'm sure my sisters and brothers don't remember it quite so fondly, I must have listened to it at least 800 times a day. I have never gotten sick of it, never will. It gives me a particular thrill when I hear my 5 year old belting it out at the top of her lungs! The legacy lives on! On that note, Andrea, Kim, Jamey and Reuel this one's for you! I think Depeche Mode would understand!
PS HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!
PS HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
My sister sort of bullied me into starting this blog (ha ha just kidding Kim)! But what the heck, I'm sort of entering what I consider to be a new phase in my life, might as well document it. I am the world's worst journal keeper/correspondant, I have been known to completely disappear from my family's radar for weeks, even months at a time, so I hope I can keep this updated. We'll see how it goes.
During the course of a few short months my life has made a ninty turn, not quite 180 cuz much of it's the same. We just moved into a Old/New To Us house, my baby started Kindergarten and I quit one of my two jobs. So now I stay home 2 days a week. I like it, which shocks me. A month ago if I had been asked if I wanted to be a stay at home mom the answer would have been a resounding NO! But I can handle 2 days especially when Bella is in school for 2 and a half hours of it. I still work at Pollies about 30 hours a week but I find it more relaxing than being at home. Don't get me wrong, I like being home and I get a lot done but it is hard work, and there's always something I feel like I should do. A far cry from my former life as a professional couch potato, wouldn't you say Kimbo? Needless to say, I don't know how full timers do it! My hats off to ya, ladies!
I'm excited and happy about the changes in my life. I feel like I'm living a dream, now that the bitter, cold exile in Manti is over. I really am a lucky girl!
During the course of a few short months my life has made a ninty turn, not quite 180 cuz much of it's the same. We just moved into a Old/New To Us house, my baby started Kindergarten and I quit one of my two jobs. So now I stay home 2 days a week. I like it, which shocks me. A month ago if I had been asked if I wanted to be a stay at home mom the answer would have been a resounding NO! But I can handle 2 days especially when Bella is in school for 2 and a half hours of it. I still work at Pollies about 30 hours a week but I find it more relaxing than being at home. Don't get me wrong, I like being home and I get a lot done but it is hard work, and there's always something I feel like I should do. A far cry from my former life as a professional couch potato, wouldn't you say Kimbo? Needless to say, I don't know how full timers do it! My hats off to ya, ladies!
I'm excited and happy about the changes in my life. I feel like I'm living a dream, now that the bitter, cold exile in Manti is over. I really am a lucky girl!
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