FYI

For your information, I slept beautifully Wednesday night. I slept so well that I slept right thru the 5:15 am alarm for Seminary. SO sorry, Alex. For those who need to know, I did get EVERTHING on my list done...I know it was crazy long, but it had to be done so I could leave, stress free. I just have that kind of personality. Have I mentioned that I have a hard time being spontaneous? Let's just say I am working on it.

On another note, my weekend away was heavenly! The phone went off, the hotel was magnificent and the icing on the cake... it was all free! I have been extremely busy since returning Sunday evening, so I promise to post our photos from the trip over Thanksgiving. Can you believe it will be December in a few days? I better stop there or I won't be sleeping tonight!!

Insomnia "GOOD MORNING STARSHINE, THE EARTHS SAYS HELLO!"

I can't sleep. I read my book, I fell asleep, but I woke up at 2:30 and have laid in bed now for over 2 hours trying to fall back asleep. What does that mean? Does it mean that I don't need the sleep? (I don't know how that is possible, I am/was tired) Does it mean my circadian rhythm is off? Perhaps its the running list of EVERYTHING I need to take care of before Thursday that is keeping me up.

Let's see....maybe if I commit it to paper (or this blog) I won't forget what I need to do and thus allow me to sleep tonight, a deep and restful coma-like sleep. Ahhhh...Wait! Do you think that if I talk about sleep and have expectations about sleep I won't be able to sleep? I don't know...I really hope not.

My List: (so I can sleep tonight!)

Work:

• Download and work Fast Remits
• Verify Insurance
• Demographics
• Follow up with KHS
• Facesheets
• Post
• Close the Day
• Send Bills
• Follow up claims

Home:

• Clean all bathrooms
• Vacuum and dust entire house
• Change Sheets
• Finish Laundry (OK that is just Wednesday and Thursday's laundry...who are we kidding here. Laundry is NEVER finished)
• Unload/Load DW
• Sweep and Mop Hardwood
• Sort Coupons ( take with me)
• Alex Eagle Workbook - upload pics, merge files, put in binder, get signatures, get ride to see JJ
• Put away quilting stuff
• Check Diablo's foot today after mishap with quilting needle
• Get dinner started (do this over lunch)
• See if Ethan brought home his BR worksheet, get him going on that
• Put away groceries in storage room, vacuum and dust basement, change cat litter, put a smelly thingy down there....
• Make Calendar for Parents for the next 4 days
• Make Packing List
• Pack
• Email Anna about contract/training
• Send Anna's info by email to Shari, my BFF
• Ask Patrick if he got a massage booked or not

Church:

• Meeting with Connie tonight to go over VT changes (take info with me)
• Call Connie to see if she got the email with the changes to be made (break)
• Ethan to scouts
• Check with E-dog to see if he had any homework for scouts
• Find E-dogs slide for his bandanna
• Phone calls (see planner, do over lunch while making dinner)
• Notes written (see sticky note in planner-do on breaks at work...TAKE STAMPS to work)
• Alex to YM

Funny thing, I feel better already. List making is cathartic to some degree, however, it can also be depressing. No elaboration needed here. Is it bad if I have a DC before 6 am?

Oh what is that saying from the movie, Willy Wonka? Something about starshine and greeting the world.. I can't recall it so I will have to remember to ask Landon when he wakes up for Seminary. At least I'm awake and Yikes! Where does the time go when you're having fun? I best get on with my day, there's no turning back now....

P.S. Per Landon, the exact quote from Willy Wonka is "Good morning Starshine, the earth says hello!" Which is what the subtitle of this post has now become. FYI I had my diet Dr Pepper at 6:45 am and on the way way into work an "Energy Vitamin Water. I hope that helps. My eyes are POPPING out of my head already...

Rapunzel, what have you done to your hair?

For months now, Madison has wanted to cut her long tresses. After much deliberation on just "how to cut it, the deed is done. Wtih a total of 6 inches gone, long layers and most importantly "bangs" she looks marvelous. It withstood a soccer game and thus passed the test. Gone is the long straight pony. Say hello to the cute, and stylish zang-bang!

Sunrise, Sunset

It used to be before the time change that I was fortunate enough to see the sunrise each morning as I drove east on I-435 toward my place of employment. Since daylight savings, the sunrises before I leave for work (and it is SO much easier to wake up) and I miss that. I am now so lucky at 5:05 pm each day to see the most gorgeous sunsets as I head west toward home each night. I am amazed at the variety of the scenes played before my eyes each night and I wonder, "is anyone else seeing this amazing picture?" I often call home and tell the family to run outside to see the beautiful sky.

I especially wonder if that lady who gave ME the finger the other day because SHE was texting on her cell phone while driving down the freeway and just about hit ME even noticed? She flipped ME the bird because I happened to honk MY horn before she clipped me.. anyhow. Yes, I know that I am #1! So are you!!! (I just rocked the world for some of you, didn't I) That is beside the point.

I have been lucky enough to sit on a beach in Hawaii and watch the sun slip beneath the waves of the pacific ocean. I have sat on sugar sand beaches in Florida and Mexico and witnessed the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico. I have seen it set behind the Rocky Mountains of Colorado & Alberta. I have stood on mountain tops in Utah and watched it settle into the evening sky. I have seen it descend into the wheat fields over the plains of Kansas and over the deep, rich soil of Iowa. Each time as I view the gift I am reminded of my blessings.... I woke up today, I am married to a wonderful man, I am a mother.....and the list goes on. Next time you see a sunset, maybe it will fill you with gratitude for your blessings great and small.

Money Saving Tips

I just came across this great webpage that has invaluable tools for helping to stretch your budget. BeCentsable has great ideas as well as links to printable coupons etc. Check it out!
http://www.becentsable.net/search/label/Shopping%20Tips%20and%20Articles

Things I love...and longing for.

I am looking out my office window at the beautiful fall folliage. From where I sit, I overlook a park and the fall colors are absolutely breathtaking. I love the vivid orange and red leaves mixed with the green of those leaves yet to change and the dull brown branches of the leafless trees. (Now if only Planned Parenthood weren't also in my view it would be better!) The crisp fall air reminds me to pull out my favorite sweaters and flannel pjs. It makes me long for hot cocoa loaded with marshmallows, a fuzzy blanket and a great book to curl up with on the couch and read. Did I mention that I love to read? I love this time of year.

When I close my eyes and take in a deep breath, I am brought to a simpler time in my life. I smell home. I don't absolutely get it, but it gets me everytime I do it. In some small way I am comforted by the smell of the changing seasons. I have some weird habits and one of them is smelling things. ( I get you, Gale, because I am the same way.) I have this thing about smells and what they conjure for me. I love the smell of a baby fresh from the bath, I love the smell of pine as I hike in the mountains, and I love the smell of fresh baked bread. Most of all, I love the smell of my husband's neck just before I bite it...

P.S. I got my hot cocoa and it was fabulous!!

MAN CHILD

I have been putting off writing this post for about a month now. I just don't want to think about the fact that "ma baby es a ma-an" (said with a strong southern accent for effect) I think it is because one part of me looks at the future and thinks, "have I taught him well enough" to go out into the world and do what is right? Judging by some of our political discussions which have become heated at times, I think not. However, he often-times, suprises me with his caring and compassion for others which then makes me think I've done ok. There are other times when I think "I can't wait for him to be gone" which usually happens after one of our heated political discussions.

I will miss him regardless of our political views. Just last night I wrapped my arms around him and had to go up on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek. The thought came to me how often as a toddler he would reach up and say "Hold you, Mama?" I am growing verklempt just thinking at how quickly those moments in time pass, and how often because we are selfish, we let them slip by without savoring them. It makes me feel old thinking that he is 18 as I can clearly remember what 18 felt like.

For me it seems like yesterday when he was my little buddy, now he is a man. Go forth and Serve, Landon. Make me proud. I love you!!!

HALLOWEEN FUN

We had a great Halloween this year. I know it helped that it was a Friday....Also, I think in part because the weather was soooo beautiful! It made for great trick or treating.

We started off the festivities at our ward Trunk or Treat on Thursday evening....everyone got a bit freaked out by Patrick. No one knew who he was....which is exactly what he was going for.

For the "real" thing on Friday evening, we started off at Chipotle to get our "free" burritos for dinner ( i just love FREE). It was fun to see what people came dressed like for that. Landon had to work both nights and it was a bummer not to have him with us. We got there "just in time" as the line was forming for the giveaway...Yummers!!

Then it was off to our evening chock full o'fun....Madi went out dressed as Alice Cullen (a vampire) from Twilight, Ethan was a Soldier Zombie, I was a punker/goth girl and Patrick was his ol' redneck self. Madi and Alex both went off to parties and fun, while Ethan and Patrick went with friends gathering candy from the willing neighbors. I passed out the candy at our house which was oh so much fun! I just love to see what everyone comes dressed as. Around 8:30 we put the candy on the porch and headed over to a friends party for more food and fun. It was a blast! Oh boy, did my feet hurt the next day from those high-heeled boots!!