I got to be in the last segment talking about the music and he asked me about how I liked the series. This morning I found the clip on the stations website. Here’s my 2 minutes of fame. I’ll post my review of the proms and the Twilight movie as soon as I’ve gotten a little more sleep.

I will say this. I really liked the movie but my recommendation for any Twilight book fan is SEE THE MOVIE TWICE! You’ll spend the first time mentally checking off what they used and what they didn’t. The second time you’ll just enjoy the movie for what it is.

Sara and I get along great and it was a shock to see mom after her stomach surgery. The last time I saw my mom she was pushing 300lbs. Now, almost two years later she is down to her goal weight of 140 and it was a shock. I was not used to seeing my mom little. I’d go to look at her and have to readjust my thinking that she was mom. She really looks like her mom now though. I had always wondered which parent mom looked like and never could tell, well, now I know. (hehe)

They did a video slide show of my brother and his wife and it was cute to see them both as kids and then together as adults. He loves her so much and you can tell every time he looks at her. It was evident in every picture they were together in. It was so sweet.

Long time, no post. Not because I don’t have things to say, or don’t have things to write about, but because Ive been keeping a lot of things close to the chest lately.

A and E are doing great with school. Both like their new schedules. A is sophomore and taking Calculus. Can you believe that? To say the least, there’s no way I could help him with his homework. Mind you, he hasn’t needed me to help him in years. I’m incredibly proud of him. He’s busy with school and was just set apart to a calling in the ward. Overseeing his age group. Its not much since he’s the only one his age, but if other kids move in or come visit, he has responsibilities to them. He also has responsibilities to the ward in regards to some priesthood responsibilities in this new role.

E is facing her 8th grade year with new hope. She had a miserable 7th year and so is determined to make this year better. All we can do is try to help her. She also likes her school schedule and because she’s not walking around with a chip on her shoulder now, seems to be making more friends. She had two boys follow her home the first week of school. This makes me laugh. She treats them the same as anyone else, but you can tell they really wished she’d like them just a tad bit more then that. Heaven help me when both of my kids start being really interested in having dates.

Tadpole is busy discovering new abilities. He can jump off things now, so he climbs, then jumps.. I consider the possibility of broken bones inevitable in this scenario. He’s finally starting to talk. He calls me MaMa now and we get “Yes” instead of nodding. Today in nursery class at church I was told he said, “It goes there” in reference to a puzzle piece placement. I”m encouraged that this means he’s finally relaxing enough to talk. He’s been doing Hi/Bye for a couple weeks now. So, this is good. BG got me a digital camera and I’m under the injunction of providing lots and lots of pictures. (I think I can do that).

As for me, not much has changed. I’m still working graveyard and I’m trying to find some routine for doing chores and getting sleep. I find that I’m still awake and active after work, so I wake kids up and try to get working on chores. I usually have a couple hours of energy I can cash in on. Some days work better then others.

Tadpole goes in Tuesday morning to have dental surgery. He needs crowns, fillings and a general cleaning and given his age, to limit the trauma, they are going to put him under to do the work. We head into the hospital at 8:30 in the morning. Thanks to the surgery we had to do with A when he was 6, I’m at least prepared for the procedures. What I’m not going to like is when they make him drink that stuff that makes you sleepy. It disorients the heck out of you and small children and babies usually cry for awhile. Alex put in ten minutes of crying and he was 6. Fortunately, you don’t remember a thing after you drink it. Tadpole also can’t drink anything after midnight. He wakes up thirsty so that will be interesting getting him up and to the hospital without letting him eat or drink anything.

Well, I better get ready for work. I couldn’t get my nap in and I’m feeling groggy. Thank goodness for no doze.

This made me sad. I reflected at my sense of loss in losing my own father back in 2004, just 7 months after my husband and I agreed to divorce. I considered how lonely it is to die alone at a bus stop. Cars rushing past, people hurrying to whatever destination. Nobody to give a moments thought to the man who would no longer be part of their lives. Oh , I realize that his family would be told and then their mourning would begin, but it was that moment of passing that went by without anyone watching but the angels to take this man home. This was the second time I had seen someone dead in a bus stop. The first time the man was clearly murdered, gruesome details I won’t gore you with, but it also was quick and stayed with me awhile. Again, I was touched that this person died and cars kept going by and people rushing past, trying to gawk at the spectacle.

When my dad died the whole family was around him. I was the last one to touch him before he past. Due to the lateness of the hour and how long it took for his spirit to leave, most the family had fallen asleep, leaving my sister and I to watch over him. At the moment that both my sister and I closed our eyes due to exhaustion and grief, my dad quietly went home… it was only a moment. So quick… I sometimes wonder if dad waited till the family fell asleep at that moment so it wouldn’t be so much of a burden.

I miss my scripture study buddy. I miss that I could take any thought or idea and run it past him to see if it held up logically. I miss watching him love my mom. I miss singing karaoke with him.

I miss my dad.

Well, here’s what the little stinker is up to. He’s walking. Loves to walk, and really likes to take his little balls and practice his soccor moves. He picks up the ball and then tosses it in front of him and then kicks it with his feet and walks after it. It’s really good on his coordination and balance. He jabbers all the time, not really saying words though. We know he can say mama and dada but rarely does he do so. He seems to save them for “only when absolutely necessary” usage. He shakes his head no, he loves to give kisses and then climb all over your head. He loves to be upside down. Grab him by the legs or waist and pull him upside down and you’ll have him laughing and having a good old time. He climbs and sticks out his tongue and is generally the cutest thing.

His face is changing and while he’s never really had a baby face, it’s even less like a baby face. His features are just too well defined, I think.

A and E are so happy about being siblings that it’s really a warm wonderful home now. We rarely have black moods from E anymore and so things are good here. And they both are capable of babysitting for a few hours….scary. heh!! Actually they do fantastic with Tadpole and confidence with him will come in time.

On a kid note. Both kids made honor roll at school and A’s science team finished second in the district science bowl. YAY A!!!

E was up and happy this morning and while brushing her hair after her shower I noticed that her dandruff was looking really bad. Upon closer inspection what looked like dandruff was really lice. And boy howdy, did she have a lot of them. We checked everyone and A who was home sick today with a bad cold came clean, but I and the baby had it. Although Tadpole only had one egg and no bugs. His light blond hair made searching pretty easy. So I started this morning spending the required fortune to get enough shampoo and such to do a thorough job on everyone who has it, sans baby…E has waist length gorgeous thick blond hair, took us 3 hours to comb all the bugs and nits out. I know I didn’t get them all, so we’ll be doing this fun routine again in about four days to catch those that hatch. I also have an electric lice comb. These are a god-send. They catch the live bugs without all the shampoos and tedius work. They are perfect for checking the hair everyday for the next two weeks. The only hard part of all this, besides laundry is doing myself. But that is where the comb comes in handy. Whatever I”ve missed WILL be caught by that comb.

On a happier note, I recieved my college packet in the mail today. It outlines all the courses I need for my degree and lots of information about student services. I called my acedemic advisor CK, and she will meet up with me in August to help me plan my first year. She also invited me to a Practicum class to observe and get a feel for what i’m getting into. CK was very excited to hear from me. She’s been holding my spot, basically, for two years, which is really nice. The packet also had a notice in there about health insurance and even a payment plan option for tuition so you pay over a period of time instead of lump sums and going into huge debt for school. While I will need loans and grants to pay for the huge amount this degree with cost me. If I can also make payments over time, then perhaps I can manage paying for the degree in a healthier manner and not be so burdened by debt when I’m done.

Tadpole isn’t really talking yet, though he says a few words, but only under certain conditions, like he’s really upset and we get mama. I’m trying to get all the stuff together I need for school. The scholarship stuff is taking more of my time, I just need my admissions fee to finish all that. Had to get a copy of my GED sent to the school. I couldn’t bring my copy, they have to have an unopened copy sent from the state. ooookay.

Funny thing has happened since removing dating from my activities. I’m talking to more people. Now that I don’t look like I’m looking for any loser to “be the man”…the guys will actually talk to me. Mostly I’m unimpressed, but there has been one who I’ve made friends with that is proving to be a great addition to my circle of friends. We have waaay too much in common, up to and including being the oldest of seven kids and liking the same music and liking to sing. Our birthday’s are even in the same month. When I was a little girl I wanted desperately to be a twin. I teased my mom that I found one…hehe. It’s good having a guy friend to joke with. I’m more convinced now then ever that removing romantic issues from my life was definately the right thing to do. When I’m back on my own feet, then I can let someone in.

I”m now considering getting a job to hold us over till I start school this fall. I’m unsure of whether I should go back to being a Dj or go find something else. Daycare is still an issue and most jobs I have skills for will require lots of hours for little pay. The whole point of going to school is to be able to get a better paying job.

Erica is having a good time at outdoor school this week. I know this because I’m not getting any phone calls about homesickness.

And here’s something to make you laugh. This was given to me by a friend of mine in Canada.

Heat to Cold

60 degrees Fahrenheit – Californians put on sweaters (if they can find one in their wardrobes).

50 degrees – Miami residents turn on the heat.

40 degrees – You can see your breath. Californians shiver uncontrollably. Minnesotans go swimming.

35 degrees – Italian cars won’t start.

32 degrees – Water freezes.

30 degrees – You plan your vacation to Australia. Minnesotans put on T-shirts. Politicians begin to worry about the homeless. British cars don’t start.

25 degrees – Boston water freezes. Californians weep uncontrollably. Minnesotans eat ice cream. Canadians go swimming.

20 degrees – You can hear your breath. Politicians begin to talk about the homeless. New York City water freezes. Miami residents plan a vacation further south.

15 degrees – French cars don’t start. You plan a vacation in Mexico. The cat insists on sleeping in your bed with you.

10 degrees – Too cold to ski. You need jumper cables to get the car going.

5 degrees – You plan your vacation in Houston. American cars don’t start.

0 degrees – Alaskans put on T shirts. It’s too cold to skate.

-10 degrees – German cars don’t start. Eyes freeze shut when you blink.

-15 degrees – You can cut your breath and use it to build an igloo. Arkansans stick tongues on metal objects. Miami residents cease to exist.

-20 degrees – Cat insists on sleeping in your pajamas with you. Politicians actually do something about the homeless. Minnesotans shovel snow off roof. Japanese cars don’t start.

-25 degrees – Too cold to think. You need jumper cables to get the driver going.

-30 degrees – You plan a two-week hot bath. Swedish cars don’t start.

-40 – Californians disappear. Minnesotans button up their top buttons. Canadians put on sweaters. Your car helps you plan your trip south.