Whistle While You Work

Sadly, my 300th post is about too much playing and not enough working. As a result, I had the pleasure of staying up late with children who put off correcting their papers due tomorrow. Let's just say, I wasn't whistling cheerfully. Did I mention my laptop will not charge? I can't figure out if it is the power cord or the connection in the laptop. Bummer! It is my fault though, I admit. Instead of constantly checking to assure all work was completed early in the day, I traveled up the road, purchased 5 1/4 bushels of apples to make into yummy applesauce, renewed my zoo membership for another year with a half-off certificate, watched a child at a make-up gymnastics class, attended an extremely crowded Spook-tacular at the zoo, and consumed two ice cream cones at Braums Ice Cream Shop. I suppose letting the children eat all their candy before we went to eat ice cream was not such an intelligent idea. Actually, maybe it was taking them to ice cream after they had gorged themselves on candy was the silly thing to do. I loved my Sicillian Orange cone,

but was unable to savor Hank's Rocky Road cone

because by then, by belly was feeling quite stuffed. Kate's Birthday Cake cone and Walter's chocolate cone went in the trash after only a few licks. I deemed it a lesson learned. What was I supposed to do, start yelling at them to eat their ice cream or no breakfast tomorrow? I felt so wasteful. Thankfully, B and Papa, who purchased the ice cream, were understanding and still gave lots of hugs, cuddles, and loves to the full and sleepy children.

Baby Girl is kicking like crazy these days. Who am I kidding? She's always been doing flips in there (you should have seen the ultrasound), but this week I can feel her fluttering those tiny feet whenever I'm sitting still. I love it! Did you know I bought more baby clothes this week? I couldn't help myself. It was not bad on the budget though, because technically they were free. See, I had a credit at the local consignment store and was able to take home $42.00 worth of clothes with only 20 cents out of my purse. You caught me. They were not completely free. I did pay two dimes for them. So worth it!

My belly is expanding nicely with my bum rounding out too, not to mention other areas. Wow! I decided I was in need of fashionable maternity wear because my plain old t-shirts with stains were not cutting it any longer. I found myself a few tops, a swimsuit for Thanksgiving with the fam in Colorado, a nice pair of jeans I can even wear postpartum, and a lovely skirt which I wore to church on Sunday and loved, loved, loved! Did I mention, this sack of clothes only cost me $40? It's true. I get such a high shopping second hand, yet I still have buyers remorse after I arrive home wondering if I spent too much from the budget? Does this make sense? Truly, how much would a pair of awesome maternity jeans cost in the mall? I don't even know. Does this ever happen to you?

Tomorrow is a big day with CC from 9-3 and Nanny McPhee Returns at 4:20.


I love Timewarp Tuesdays at the Palace Theatre with every movie costing only a buck! I'm hoping for a relaxing evening with calm kiddos, a clean house and yummy food, which means I'll be doing some cooking and baking. Maybe it won't be so relaxing after all.

I have attended three Halloween events already and have two more planned. Is this the norm? How many Halloween events do you typically schedule each year? Oh, and does anyone have a killer chili recipe


for our ward trunk-or-treat party? Is it horrible to have an extreme desire to win just one year? Help me out here. Pretty please?

Lots of Good News, and a tiny bit of Bad News.

Good News: My son Hank is super sweet. "Didn't we already know that?" you ask. Yes, you did, but today he outdid himself. He accompanied his father on a trip to the hanger for "work" related duties. On the way home they stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few miscellaneous items. As they were passing the floral department Hank says, "How about some flowers for Mommy?". Of course, sweet husband agrees and I end up with two beautiful bargain bouquets (that combined make one sweet bunch) to grace my table with. (Disclaimer...Kate is not feeling well was already asleep by the time we took this adorable photo, I promise.)I love my boys.....aren't I so lucky to be having another one? Which leads me to....

More Good News: After steadily gaining two pounds a week for the past two months, I have finally broke the viscous cycle. Don't ask me how I did it, because I certainly do not believe it was the late night binges of a bowl of ice cream topped with Grape Nut Flakes (if you haven't tried it, don't knock it) or the afternoon snacks of a bowl of ice cream topped with Grape Nut Flakes (yes I'm addicted). It must be a true miracle, because today I stepped on that lovely scale in my lovely Doctor's office and discovered I hadn't gained a pound! Not a single one! CRAZY!

Some More Good News: The doctor has confirmed that my baby's head is definitely pointing down....and that it's not going to be pointing in any other direction until he makes his way out. I have been having serious doubts about this fact recently seeing how I feel like I have limbs poking me in all the wrong places. My only explanation for this is that the baby must be turned sideways and is trying to stretch my uterus like one would stretch a balloon before attempting to inflate it the first time. I guess I'm really going to have this baby because he said I'm 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I'm still hoping baby will hold off until after the Meet The Candidates Meeting for school board on March 11th. I really would like to be there...nine months pregnant or not.

Even More Good News: I got my visiting teaching done, I found a Doula!!!! yeah yeah yeah, and I remembered to shut the garage door after leaving it wide open in the rain storm because I was unloading the groceries (that wiped out my budget) and had to help with dinner and blah blah blah.
Just a Little Bit More of Good News: During those Ice Storm Days, the kids actually played outside AND I got my kitchen cleaned, which doesn't really mean anything because it got dirty again. BUT, it was clean for a little it!

Bad News: I hate to talk about bad news, but there always is a bit to share... but for some reason I can't remember what it was that I was going to share. Let's see....I spent most of the grocery budget for the next two weeks already? No, that wasn't it. I forgot the "What to expect when running for school board meeting" last week? No, that wasn't it either. My toenails need to be clipped and I can't reach them? No, I think I'll schedule a pedicure though....with my fun money...since all the grocery money is already gone. And....I guess pedicures doesn't really fall under the grocery category anyway. Hmmmmm, think think think think....let me meditate for a moment here.....or walk around and look at things....maybe I'll remember what my bad news was going to be today.

Oh, I just remembered the Bad News: I'm a little worried to commit this to paper, I mean screen, or blog, or whatever. This is the bad news. I have decided that I do not have my priorities straight. When I set goals this year, reading my scriptures for 15 minutes everyday was on the list, blogging for 2 hours was not. SOOOO, in order to accomplish my goal and stay on track I have realized that I must lay down the law, set some rules and stick to them! I'm hoping this post will help to keep me honest. HERE GOES NOTHIN'....Each day, before I check my email or my blog or your blog or the blog that I'm currently stalking, I WILL READ MY SCRIPTURES FOR 15 MINUTES. There, I said it, or typed it really and now I will stick to it. I'll start tomorrow, because I already blew it today. course I lose my willpower or forget my goal or throw it out the window. But no, I want you to hold me accountable, help me on my journey and support me through this life changing habit. Will you do that for me? Am I making any sense. Sometimes, I just love to ramble on and on and on. (These are not my scriptures, just a stock photo I found online)

What is your Good News/Bad News for the day, or the week, or your life?