A whirlwind...let me tell you!

Thursday - Thanksgiving
Friday - Shopping with the girls
Saturday - Going to Sacramento for Grandma's birthday and sitting in traffic for 3 hours on the way home, to the Temple lights

And I thought these 4 days were going to be a "vacation".

The Wise One

I got to spend the day with my sweetie pie niece. We saw "Madagascar 2" (it was okay) and then headed to the mall just for the heck of it.

We stopped at a shoe store (Claire's request...a girl after my own heart) to see what they had. She wanted to try on a pair of hi-top converse but didn't know that she had to lace the shoe all the way up, rather than half way. I knelt down to help her and her arm swung up and *gasp* messed up my bangs.

She's known for years that my bangs are off limits. Although it was a total accident, my instant reaction was to assess the situation and look in a mirror. Sure enough, they were out of place! Oh no! :o)

She looks at me and says, "Oh Popie, just be a woman!" Meaning...get over it? Not quite sure but it was dang funny.

We then stopped at a kiosk and played several rounds of Super Mario Brothers. I think I'm adding something to my Christmas list.

You're Being Rough

Obviously this isn't me but this is how I look when I sleep.

I also do other silly things in my sleep, like talk.

Growing up, my sister Amy and I shared a room. I would often be the first one to go to sleep and she took advantage of that. One night in particular, she asked me who won the Revolutionary War? My reply was, "Daniel Boone". Clearly not the correct answer but she still laughs about it today.

Another incident took place a few years later. I had fallen asleep on the couch in my parents family room. My brother, Kenny, was on the computer about 8 feet away from me. I was having a dream about Amy doing something and blaming it on me. I started to defend myself, trying to explain that it wasn't me who did it, Amy did. Although I was asleep, I could sense someone standing over me. It was Kenny. He looked at me and said, "What in the heck are you doing?!". Apparently I was defending myself...outloud.

The latest episode took place Friday night. I'm always a zombie on Friday nights so I went to bed before LaVor. When he came to bed, I began talking. I started out with, "You're being rough!" and he replied with, "Uh, what are you talking about?". I then said, "You're being rough with the kitchen table!" and again, he's confused by my reply. He then said, "I'm being rough with the kitchen table?" "Yes! In the morning, on my way to work!". I don't remember saying any of that...I only remember him laughing hysterically. Apparently it went on for several minutes. I do believe I was dreaming and he just happened to get involved.

I'm sorta anxious to see what I do next.

They gave us every day that we live in freedom.-President George W. Bush

I've decided to use each Veteran's Day to honor a Veteran in my life.

My Opa passed away when my oldest sister was a baby. I often wonder what he was like, what he sounded like, acted like, even smelled like.

I have this picture hanging on the wall in our living room and it's possibly one of my favorites. Not just because he's my Opa but because he looks darn good in that uniform! And seems to be proud to be serving his country.

How grateful I am for his sacrifice as well as the men and women who have served and who are currently serving. This land is a better place because of them.

To them I say "Thank you".

I Love To See The Temple

I remember when I was 12 and I had the opportunity to visit the Oakland Temple for the first time. I've since then, had the wonderful opportunity to be sealed to my sweet husband for all time and eternity in that special building. The peace that I feel inside those doors is remarkable. The reverence is sweet. The privilege to get away from "The World" for some time is a blessing.

I am truly saddened to see the grounds of the Temple become a place of hostility, violence and anger during these last few days.

I do not condone the violence that took place in LA. I think there are other ways to handle situations like this. I am all for freedom of speech but for an incident like this to take place at such a holy building, makes me sick. Vandalizing the Temple, posting hateful signs and screaming. All at the House of the Lord. Sad.

Let Us Give Thanks

While I was getting ready for church on Sunday, I couldn't help but think of things that I'm thankful for.

1. My family (including my husband)
2. Heavenly Father
3. Jesus Christ
4. Living in the Bay Area
5. Good health
6. Perfect bangs
7. Shoes
8. Nail polish
9. My job
10. Hairspray
11. Electricity
12. Freeways
13. Safeway gasoline
14. Fondant
15. Black and white film
16. Flowers
17. Straight teeth
18. the Atonement
19. Music
20. Scarves
21. A positive attitude
22. Smiling
23. Airplanes
24. Student loans
25. The sound of Will singing
26. The tickles from Claire
27. Photos
28. Hugs
29. Having dinner ready everyday when I come home
30. The YW in my ward
31. Playing the piano
32. Rain
33. My testimony
34. Retainers
35. My hairdresser
36. Toilets
37. Hot water
38. Vacuum
39. Health benefits
40. Potatoes
41. The Prophet
42. Hair clips
43. Tap water
44. Milk
45. Curling iron
46. Wienerschnitzel (not the fast food chain)
47. Hand written letters
48. America
49. My wedding ring
50. Christmas
51. The Temple
52. Toilet paper
53. Dogs
54. Mypublisher.com
55. Knowledge
56. Breast cancer walks
57. Laughter
58. Fires in a fireplace
59. S'mores with PB cups
60. A dishwasher
61. Concealer
62. Inhalers
63. Seat belts
64. Green hills
65. Disneyland
66. Our couch
67. Jeans
68. Stationary
69. The Scriptures
70. Dental floss
71. Clorox wipes
72. My dads mustang
73. Backrubs
74. Mexican train
75. White hot chocolate
76. Jokes
77. Patience
78. Baseball
79. Serrated knife
80. Fresh mozzarella
81. A clean house
82. Good quotes
83. Veterans
84. Ranch dressing
85. The sun
86. Love
87. Metlife's fax back option
88. Washing machine
89. Holding hands
90. The Gospel
91. Heaters in cars
92. Safety
93. Good listeners
94. History
95. Singing alone in my car
96. My pink ribbon pin
97. Memories
98. Sunsets
99. Chapstick
100. Lotion

And it's over...like that

How is it that it's already November? It's now time to take down all of my Halloween decorations. Boo hoo.

But we did have a fun time @ Amy & Keith's last night! We had a yummy baked potato bar and tons of candy to munch on.

When we were kids, my dad would always take a picture of us with our candy. One year, he had us through it in the air and snapped a picture as it fell. I attempted that shot with Claire...

We had a Queen Bee as a guest, a train conductor, a 50's girl, Kate from "Jon & Kate plus 8" and Rosie the Riveter.(And that's my man hand wrapped around Claire)