Rick and Nikki

A Wonderful World?

2009-06-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Today, I am somewhat on a soapbox. I am thinking about a line from a song, "What a wonderful world..." I'm not sure who sings it. What a bunch of B.S.

Last night, I opened an e-mail from the director of the Children's Justice Center with a forwarded attachment of photos. One of the centers in Salt Lake had forwarded photos of a boy taken over a 4-5 year period, beginning when the boy was about 8 years old. The boy is a victim of sexual abuse via child pornography by, they believe, his dad. An internet task force officer has been monitoring the situation and it is getting worse and worse. So awful, in fact, that they refused to send the photos because of the horrific nature. They are trying desperately to find this child to save him from this but have been unable to do so.

I looked at the photos of this boy with a smile on his face, and I broke down in tears. I have two boys close to the same age as the boy in the photos. I am so heartbroken for this child, because I can't even imagine my boys dealing with that kind of life. Especially at the hands of a parent.

There is horrible, awful evil in this world. It is not wonderful, it is unspeakable. What is worse is that this type of abuse occurs with people we know and trust. It is not stranger danger, it is family and friend danger. It kills me to think that I need to find a way to teach my children to question and be safe not only by strangers, but by people they love and trust. How can I teach my kids to trust, but only so far? How can I teach them that people they love can hurt them in ways they cannot possibly imagine?

I hope that there is a special place in hell for people who hurt children. People who rob their innocence and kill their spirit. People who murder their childhood and violate their soul. I hope they suffer unspeakable atrocities for eternity.

So it Wasn't Exactly Wednesday Night...

2009-06-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

So I have said this lots of times...what I missed the most when Rick moved from Avis to Thrifty is that family feeling that surrounded Avis. People spent time with each other outside of work, everyone knew everyone else, we knew kids' names and likes/dislikes, we knew each other's likes and dislikes. Whenever you move from someplace "known" into an "unknown" situation, you seem to start over, and this starting over was hard for me, because I missed my comfortable spot so much.

We started having big Wednesday night parties to have that feeling again. But, there was that unfortunate incident with the "fluid" from an unknown source and Wednesday nights were over.

Well, it wasn't exactly Wednesday night because we held the party on a Saturday night, but I finally felt that family feeling with Thrifty. We had everyone over last weekend--employees, spouses, kids--it was great!!! I love to entertain, and it was a great night. Rick cooked on the BBQ, we talked, we laughed, there was a fire and a little rain. But it was everything that I missed about Avis. It is so great to have that family feeling again!

Here are a few photos and video of our fun night!

2009-06-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Today, I am stealing a line from Scarlette O'Hara in Gone With the Wind, because I didn't do captions and I'm too tired to write about my trip. "I won't worry about it today. I will worry about it tomorrow."

2009-06-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

This is my New Zealand bed--my "trophy" from our trip. I bought new bedding: a comforter, Euro shams, throw pillows, and shams that match the comforter from a specialty shop in Arrowtown just outside Queenstown. I bought new sheets to match when I came home.

The pictures don't really do it justice, plus, I wish I had "smell-a-vision." I have a recipe for my own lavender laundry detergent and lavender linen spray that I use on my sheets. And, of course, I iron them so they look gorgeous on my bed. JJ can testify to the smell--he wants a New Zealand bed of his own. :)

2009-06-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

Rick and I experienced two very different trips in New Zealand. We each carried a camera and photographed where we went, what we saw, what we did. Here is a slide show from Rick's photos. I will have to have him make some comments about his trip. Until then, the pictures are pretty cool, although not as cool as mine. Frankly, I think his trip sucked compared to mine. But, then again, I'm not a hunter. He did shoot some fantastic trophies--all should have been classified as gold medal trophies. Everyone will have to come by our house once we get the taxidermy finished. They really are incredible trophies!

Helicopter Ride above Mount Cook

2009-06-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

While we were in New Zealand, Nikki and I went on a helicopter ride above Mount Cook. One of the other hunters at the lodge had brought his wife on the trip, so she also came along. The funniest part of our ride was Kieron, our guide. He works for the professional hunter the Ricks were out with and it was his job to entertain us during the day. In order to take a ride in the helicopter, we had to have 4 passengers, so we coerced Kieron to come along if we paid his way. What we didn't learn until after our tour was over is that he suffers from an intense fear of heights. What a trooper!

Here are some interesting facts about Mount Cook:

It is the highest of New Zealand's 27 mountains at 3764 meters.
It is higher by more than 1500 meters to Australia's highest peak: Mt. Kosciuszko.
It was named after a British explorer, Captain James Cook, by a captain of a survey ship.
The Maori people, New Zealand's native people, named the peak Aoraki or Aorangi: ao meanin land and rangi meaning sky or heavens.
It is almost equal distance from Christchurch and Queenstown.
It was climbed by Sir Edmund Hilary who scaled Mount Everest.

Sleeping on the Bathroom Floor

2009-05-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

WARNING...IF YOU DO NOT LIKE READING ABOUT THE MANY RESULTS OF FOOD POISONING, THIS POST IS NOT FOR YOU!
I stopped by Leslie's work to talk about New Zealand and drop off her presents that I brought home for early in the middle of the week last week. She told about this great spa trip she is taking and asked if I would check in on my niece, her daughter, who was broken-hearted over the break-up with her boyfriend. I agreed and arranged to take Sarah out for the afternoon on Saturday to boy-bash, eat lunch, and have a pedicure.
My niece IS NOT broken-hearted. In fact, she's great. She and her "ex" are still very good friends and see each other even more now than before. They were not really serious with one another and were actually dating other people while they were dating each other. Leave it to a mom to become melodramatic over all of life's interesting situations, right?
We ate lunch at Costa Vida--I had a fish taco and she had a chicken taco--then went to Tammy's to get pedicures. It was a fantastic afternoon! We then went over to Rick's mom's house and talked for a while longer. I went home to wait for Rick to come home so we could eat together.
Well...he ate, so I ate then fell asleep on the couch. At 11:00 when he came home, I told him that I didn't feel really well. We went to bed. No sooner had I gotten comfortable that I felt really sick. I ran for the bathroom. From this point on, I was sick. Not just any sick...the want to put a gun to your temple sick. I don't normally discuss "bathroom" problems, but I was so sick that I had to find a way to puke and poop at the same time. But at the same time, figure out how I could do both without making a big mess, because I was doing this about every 30 seconds. So I couldn't clean up any messes, if you know what I mean.
It was miserable. At one point I filled the bath tub and climbed in. I awoke to freezing cold water, a kinked neck and almost didn't make it to the toilet in time to throw up. I fell asleep on the bathroom floor. This is a really awful thought in my mind considering my germaphobia. At one point, Rick stopped snoring and realized I wasn't in bed and came looking for me. Apparently, I was shivering on the floor with one arm around a garbage can and the other reaching for the toilet. He said I had wedged myself in front of the door, that he couldn't open it to take me to bed.
I finally climbed into bed around 6 a.m. and slept until 11. When I woke up, I wanted to die. My body hurt, my head ached, and my mouth felt yucky despite the 6 times I had brushed my teeth.
Two great things that came out of this:
I will not be eating fish tacos for a very long time.
I lost 5 pounds and threw up the double cheeseburger combo meal large-sized from Wendy's that I was feeling very guilty about eating.
Who says there's no silver lining?

Post Graduation Dinner

2009-05-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

I had to take a break from New Zealand to post about my mom's incredible dinner. Last night, my mom hosted a dinner for my graduation. The table was decorated in Weber State's colors--Purple and White. I wish I had taken a picture of it. We had a delicious dinner followed by an incredible dessert of fresh berries, angel food cake, reduced red wine sauce and whipped cream. It was delectible!

The best thing about the night, aside from the incredible bottle of wine my parents gave me and the gorgeous bracelet Rick's sister gave me, was that I was able to celebrate with my entire family--my side and Rick's side. It was such an incredible feeling to look around the table and see all the people who have loved and supported me through my more-than-a-decade-long school experience. It was so meaningful that each person there had taken the time to celebrate my accomplishment with me. I am also thrilled that both sides of my family were able to spend some time together and become better acquainted. I look forward to more dinners--especially if I don't have to cook. :)

Retail Shopping at the Farm

2009-05-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may not know this, I love farms. I always wished that I had grown up on a farm. I have begged Rick for baby animals--a pig, a cow, and a lamb, just to start. In New Zealand, we went to a shop called The Tin Shed. It is a shop that hosts fashion shows for women who want the latest in Merino wool sweaters, dresses, leggings, etc. I did buy a cute dress, but that really isn't pertinent to the story. The Tin Shed sits on a farm. And what, or who, did I find there? The ugliest cute pig I have ever seen. If he wasn't so anti-social, I would have taken him home. Here's a little video for you. I hope he charms you as much as he charmed me.

New Zealand-Rick's Big Game Hunt

2009-05-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

The slide show offers photos from just one part of our trip. Rick hunted with Lochinvar Safaris just outside Geraldine in New Zealand. He shot two Red Stags and a Tahr. His dad hunted Fallow Buck and Chamois. The first hunting area, Morevale, boasts more than 2,500 acres of beautiful river gorges, rolling hills and river flats, covered with native bush and grasses. Dry Creek is 33,000 acres of beautiful mountain/valley terrain, with Bull Tahr and Chamois in abundance. Dry Creek is known as the best fair chase foot hunting for Bull Tahr in the World.

Groundhog's Day

2009-05-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

You know in that movie with Bill Murray (thanks for the help on that one Angie!) where he gets to re-live Groundhog's Day over and over and over...? Well today (if it is still Tuesday) was mine and Rick's own Groundhog's Day but rather than hearing a band and eating at a ridiculous restaurant, we were engulfed in airport stress, underwear unchanged for about 36 hours, people packed on a plane like sardines with some of the smells attached and an inability to get far enough away from your partner who is snoring so loudly next to you that the noise envades your earphones in such a way you contemplate the durability of free airplane pillows and whether they could truly work at suffocating a person in his sleep.

Seriously though, we left Riverside Lodge on Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 pm. We traveled to the airport where we had a 3 hour wait for our plane. In New Zealand, we did not pass through security like we do here. On a domestic flight, they don't even check your ID. We flew to the North Island of New Zealand where we changed terminals and waited for another 3 hours for our flight (are you seeing a pattern yet?). We then boarded our plane, which flew for about 12 hours, and we arrived in Los Angeles around 1:30 pm, also on Tuesday. We didn't have a flight until 7:15 pm and actually arrived at our house bags in hand at 11:15 pm on Tuesday night.

Really, other than the whole wearing the same underwear for the entire time, it wasn't really that bad. I am ready to board a 24 hour flight to Africa!

New Zealand

2009-05-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

I only have 4 minutes and 18 seconds left on my internet usage card, which is not enough time to upload all the photos I have of this beautiful country. So for my readership, here is my own short list of those things that are yet to come:

Rick shot a Red Stag, and (I'm hoping) a Tar
I have bought a lot of stuff
I went on a helicopter ride around Mount Cook, a famous mountain peak here in New Zealand
I am going on a wine tour today
I am going to an old Chinese mining town tomorrow
Friday, I am going to bungy jump off a world famous bridge
Saturday I am going to shop
Sunday I am going to a spa to get a massage and read in the sunshine while Rick freezes his ass off hunting ducks

I'm getting the 30 second warning. So....

Graduation

2009-05-01T13:43:00.001-07:00

I am so thrilled that I am finally, after 12 years (yep...12 WHOLE years) to be a college graduate. Sad that I could wait tables and earn more than I will having a Bachelor's Degree, but I will be shaping the minds of our future generation. What that shape might be, I'm not sure, but it's going to be great! Here's a picture of my big fat face.

The Never Ending Story

2009-04-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

If you ever saw the movie, there won't be any giant sized flying dog-like creatures in this particular post. Nope. Just photos of our "Project." I think it is a life-long goal to complete.

Disco ball. The picture doesn't do it justice. As much as I made fun of Rick for buying it, it looked way cool when it was twisting around with the spotlights on it. Just like junior prom.

Here is the beginning of the sheetrock installation.

These last two pictures show the sheetrock taped and ready for mud. I placed ALL the yellow tape. I did a fine job of it too. Thus the 2 proud pictures on display for my readership to admire.

Sick People...Well, I'm not a Nurse

2009-04-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

I do not have the "nurse" gene. I don't like sick people. When I'm sick, I want to be left alone. Don't talk to me, don't touch me, don't even look at me...just go away. What can I do about your sickness? Turn on the humidifier, give you medicine, bring a cold washcloth? That's about it. I feel like when I've done those things, I've done just about all that I can. Now, deal with it.

Well, for the past week I have had sick people in my home. I know that one of them is my child and the other is my husband (of sorts), but, frankly, I just don't like sick people. All the whining, crying, moaning, sighing, wiggling, complaining...it's never ending (especially with men). Don't get me wrong, I love my family, just not when they're sick. Rick is the worst! He whines and cries, whimpers in his sleep, gets up all night long, yells about me throwing away his antibiotics (you're not supposed to keep them and who knows if he has an infection and not a virus, but what do I know, right?), he is in such a bad mood. The list could go on, but I'm already in trouble for that pill thing.

Like I said, I just don't have that nurse gene. If you're sick, I'm definitely not your girl. Deanna, you are a saint for dealing with a sick man for so long. I would have killed him by now. Seriously.

2009-04-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

How sad that I haven't posted anything for over a month. Hmmm....

Great Weekend

2009-03-26T17:32:00.000-07:00

I had the best weekend and I just had to share it with my ENTIRE readership (you lucky 4 people).

On Friday, I was offered my dream job in education...I will be teaching 4th grade advanced students starting in the fall!!! I am so excited about this. I have really enjoyed the school and the faculty, especially the principal, and am pleased that I will remain there.
Rick and I are going on vacation in May. Because of our flight times, I thought that I would not be able to "walk" on my graduation day. I found out that I was wrong. YES! I am now going to be able to attend my commencement ceremony followed by a fantastic trip to New Zealand. How great is that?
There is actually visible progress in my basement. If you have ever lived in a "Disaster Clean-Up Zone" you will understand how important it is to see progress. A light at the end of the tunnel. A message that says, "You don't have to kill your husband or your dad for sawing wood inside the house. They'll be done soon."

Anyway...thanks for letting me share. :)

I am Officially Old

2009-03-11T21:42:00.001-07:00

Well...it's official. I'm old. That's right, OLD. On Sunday night, I climbed into bed with a sore back. When I woke up Monday morning, I could barely move. When I tried to bend over, I couldn't. I could barely walk. Every couple of steps, my back seemed to give out and I started to fall to the ground. What did I do, you ask? Nothing. I never fell, slipped, twisted, etc.

Tuesday was worse, so I went to the doctor. What did they find? Yep, that's right, NOTHING! After 2 and a half hours and multiple x-rays, I was sent home with a pain med regimen and suggestions of ice and heat. Totally a prescription designed for the aged.

Wednesday, I couldn't get out of bed, so I didn't go to school. I had another doctor's appointment. At this office, I was so lucky to be able to get myself weighed. And what did I find, you ask? I'm not only old, a victim of severe lower back pain from doing absolutely nothing, I'm also fat. When I looked in the mirror, I could not believe my gross "old lady" body.

So, I began going to the gym--a feat in and of itself considering the back problem. Don't worry, I stick to the low impact areas where the other old and decrepid seem to gravitate to.

Last Picture Tag

2009-03-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

I can't handle not completing a task when it's on my list, so no more picture tagging from me or to me. Here is my photo. I didn't have 5 folders, so I took the only photo in my last folder on my work computer. This is a picture of Jaxon with his cousins, Quintin and Raegan, and Grammy. Grammy, the coolest person in the world, took the three to the park to see Animal Planet's reptiles. The funny thing about this photo is that this snake was not part of Animal Planet's exhibition. In fact, they didn't display anything like this. My mom, who is slightly crazy, saw a man in the park with this snake and asked him if her grandchildren could take a picture with it. He kindly obliged--how nice of him. I asked my mom if she ever heard the advice, "Never talk to strangers, let alone play with their snakes." Ha ha ha...play with their snakes. Don't worry, she didn't get it at all.

Picture Tag

2009-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by a friend and wish that I had just as interesting as a photo as she posted, but, alas, my 6th picture in my 6th picture folder is one of Rick's pictures. So, here is a picture of one of Rick's best customers and one of his vehicle purchases.

The sad thing is that all the people I would tag are all the same people she tagged. So congratulations all you lucky people. It's great to have similar readers! I tag Sarah, Deanna, Morgan, Cody Jo, Kim, and Angie. How long can the madness continue? Can't wait to see if my prediction works out.

If you are like me and are not sure what to do with a picture tag, here are the directions. However, I altered them since most of the people on the list have already posted a picture. So I am tagging the 3rd picture in the 3rd folder.

Our Weekend Project

2009-03-04T20:43:00.000-08:00

For those of you who didn't know that Rick really is part of this blog...here he is. Some of you may have remembered the steel beam? Over the past several weeks, much work has been done. The second beam was set in place, as you can see.The shelves that, up until this past weekend, have remained at a standstill, are now set in place. I am refusing to place any of the decorations on the shelves for a handful of reasons: 1) I was irritated that Rick was doing it "wrong" in my OCD eyes; 2) I was finishing a homework project that was 2 weeks late; and 3) I really wanted to watch Zack and Miri Make a Porno. So, the decorations are still not on the shelves, but they are put together.

This is the truly exciting part!!! The beams are in place, the walls are torn out, and all of the stuff has been taken out of the back room. That means that we will be starting on the bar this weekend. I am so excited!!! The rooms look so big and I'm anxious to see how the space is used. The one thing that I know for certain...I am not going to have a winch raise up a bar table top in order for a couple of drunk guys to play shuffle-board. Babe...you know exactly what I'm talking about here. BAD IDEA!!!

My Birthday

2009-03-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

I have to admit a great flaw that I have. I say that birthdays are no big deal. Who cares if no one does anything? It's just a day. Well, that's a great big fat lie. I say it, but I really don't mean it.

My birthday has come and gone. My daughter wrote me a sweet card that is hanging on my fridge. My boyfriend, the practical gift giver, gave me some gym clothes and new running shoes. But...after a big fight and lots of crying (that was me, if you couldn't guess), ironed my new (really we bought it in December) bedspread, dust ruffle and pillow shams. He changed all the bedding on my bed, cleaned our room and lit candles everywhere in our bedroom to surprise me when I got home. It was very sweet and I loved it!!!

But my friends, well, they take the cake. They got me a very thoughtful gift that I have in my office. I look at it often and read the card when I've had a bad day. In case you didn't see the "Thoughts on Student Teaching So Far..." entry, that's pretty often. Maybe eight out of seven days in the week. :) So, here's a huge thank-you to my girls---you know who you are---

ThAnK yOu!!!!

Free Stuff...

2009-03-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

As many people already know, I LOVE free stuff. I think it is a beautiful thing to get something for nothing, or, even better, get paid to "buy" it. Who cares that I may never need Bald Guyz Moisturizing Wipes or Tucks To-Go Soothing Pads (the jury is still out on the actual use of this product)? You never know when necessity may meet my good fortune. In fact, all you Avis and Thrifty guys who took home a wonderful grooming item are reaping the rewards of my good fortune.

Unfortunately for me, however, because I am student teaching (please see my thoughts on this on a previous post), I have had less time to benefit from RiteAid and Walgreen's sales policies and procedures. Well...last weekend, I felt the compulsion to buy, buy, buy! Well, really, get paid, get paid, get paid. So, here's my pic. I'm pretty proud that after everything-coupons, register rewards, and sales prices-I was paid to "buy" all the items in the picture. Aren't obsessive compulsive orders great?

My Student Teaching Experience Thus Far...

2009-02-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

The Joys of Student Teaching...

Can you put it in an IV drip for constant flow to my body?

One of THOSE Kind...

2009-02-19T15:41:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of THOSE kind of friends? You know the one...the friend who never calls unless they want something. They are never willing to involve themselves in your life, but wish for you to jump into the deep end of their drama at a seconds notice. The friend with whom you are always in trouble with but they can do no wrong.

Well, I have, or maybe used to have, a friend like that. I have tried and tried to be a good friend and have finally given up. I have worked at keeping in contact, and it works only when she wants it to.

One of Rick's guy friends told me that a friend is someone you can count on when you're in a pinch; everyone else is just an acquaintance. That statement rang true to me. How often are we bombarded with needs, wants and desires from someone who is really not a friend? Someone who wants all the help in the world for the smallest of things, but is never really there for you when catastrophe strikes let alone a bad hair day?

I do have wonderfully giving, supportive, accepting, loyal and loving friends that I know that I can count on in a pinch. Women who are willing to listen to my long and drawn-out story about a student who threw a fit at school becuase he lost his pencil. Women for whom I would be willing to drop everything and run if they needed it.

I haven't lost a friend, just an acquaintance.

"What Do You Do All Day?"

2009-02-12T15:26:00.003-08:00

I loved this story and wanted to share it. I stole it from a friend's blog.

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.

The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess.

A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door.

As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?"

"Yes," was his incredulous reply.

She answered, "Well, today, I didn't do it."

The BIG Room

2009-02-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

So...the Thrifty and Avis crews stopped by to help drop the 600 pound steal beam into the basement via a window. Thank God Tom was there to help and Curtis was able to supervise.

On Sunday, Tom and Rick were able to hoist the beam into place and knock the wall out from between the two rooms. It is unbelievable how big the room looks without the wall. I am so excited to see how the room progresses now that the wall is gone!

I LOVE Free Stuff

2009-02-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

My RiteAid Deal:

Here is a photo of my deal today. I went to RiteAid for my Single Check Rebate items and noticed a deal on Gillete Fusion razors. If you bought a razor (sale price $8.99), you received a shave gel free. Well, in Sunday's paper, there were coupons for $4 off a razor, and $1 off the shave gel, so I decided to take advantage of the offer. So here's what I bought:

Finesse 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner
Garnier Fructis styling spray
Nivea lip balm
Gillette Fusion razor
Gillette Fusion shaving cream

After coupons and rebate money, I was paid $2.15 to shop. How cool!

Holes, Holes and More Holes

2009-02-01T17:10:00.000-08:00

The pictures don't really give an accurate "picture" of what was accomplished today. Rick installed a dimmer switch for my lights, and the area I want designated for "kids TV" was wired. If you notice, there are a great many holes that have been patched. This is where Rick and my dad tried to wire the TV. There was a lot of complaining about the work, but I am very excited!!!

My Shopping Day Today

2009-02-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

I had a great shopping day today. There were awesome deals at all my favorite places-Walgreen's, Albertsons and Smiths. I'm sharing my deals from Walgreens and Albertsons; I bought beer to restock my fridge from Smiths, so it is harder for me to explain the deal. However, if you like Kraft's pre-shredded cheese, it is on sale for a fantastic deal at Smiths!!!

Walgreen's:

I bought all of the items above in several transactions so I could use my Register Rewards to purchase the Easy Saver Rebate items. I also used a $15 gift card. At the end of the purchases, using coupons, gift cards, and taking into account my rebate money, I was paid about $16 to buy the items. I bought:

2 bottles of Theraflu
2 clinical strength deodorants
6 boxes of Keebler cookies
Garnier Fructis shampoo
Zucol cold remedy and Halls Breezers
Gillette Spa razor with a box of refill cartridges
Revlon foundation and lip gloss
ThermaCare Trial Heat Packs

Albertson's:

We are Coke fans, and Albertsons was a great place for Coke (at least, in my opinion). Here's what I bought:

12 fridge packs of assorted Coke products
4 Digiorno pizzas
1 box of Top Ramen
9 boxes of Velveeta Shells and Cheese
1 box of gallon size storage bags
5 packages of chicken (each package has at least 5 chicken breasts in it)

I paid $78 dollars for all of my items. I saved $95 dollars!!!

Cleanup on Aisle 7...Anyone???

2009-01-31T08:11:00.000-08:00

We have been working on our basement on Sundays for about three weeks. It is messy, appears to be unorganized, and messy, and unorganized. Okay, so you can see my point.

I am one of those people (freaks) that NEEDS things to be clean (not messy) and organized, to the point of it being a problem, to function on a day to day basis. If not, there are varying levels of "freak out" that occur.

So what? I'm a little OCD. It really isn't a problem for me, except when my basement is torn apart, or my kids make a mess, or my pseudo-husband has left umpteen pairs of shoes everywhere, or the laundry isn't washed, dried, folded or ironed, and put away, or there are dishes in the sink, or...

I'm an Alice; Rick's an Emmett

2009-01-30T15:48:00.000-08:00

I had to steal the Twilight gadget on my blog from Cody Jo. I love the Twilight books!!! I was addicted when they first came out. When I saw the gadget, well...I had to steal it.

I'm an Alice and Rick's an Emmett. According to the web-site, that means...

You are intelligent, outgoing & stylish. A true girly girl, you love shopping & makeovers. Although you are a generous friend, you can be coy, tricky & very persuasive in order to get your way. You are known to zone out occasionally during conversations, but your friends forgive you because you are understanding, supportive & know how to throw one heck of a party!
You are strong and playful, with a good sense of humor. If there’s a problem, you’d rather be actively doing something than sitting around coming up with solutions. Despite you’re aggressive and competitive nature though, you’re always there to backup those closest to you.

IcE sKaTiNg

2009-01-24T08:29:00.000-08:00

I took my 3 crazy children ice skating last night. There were only two rules:

No whining.

We ARE NOT going home because you fall.

We had such a great time. Jen and Jax skated for the entire two hours and Gage came a little later, skating for the last hour. They were awesome! The first several times around the ice, they clung to the wall. After about a half an hour on the ice, and many falls, they pushed themselves away from the wall and skated. I was so proud of them!

They liked it so much that we are thinking of signing up for ice skating lessons. Jaxon explains that is has to be figure skating, because hockey skates are just too hard. (He started skating on hockey skates and switched to figure skates.)

Sundays in the Basement with Tom

2009-01-19T21:50:00.001-08:00

Here are a few pics from Day 2 of the remodel.

Thanks Mom!!!

2009-01-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

My mom always sends me a story right when I need it most. That tear-jerker story that helps put your life into perspective. She never knows that I really need it becuase I ask, but, maybe, because she's my mom. Moms just know. Let me share it with you, but grab a Kleenex.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class. He was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.'

He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.

He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!'

He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..

When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.

' Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends....

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

Attack of the Mom-Armed Monster

2009-01-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

So...my friend Morgan told me that a blog is basically an on-line journal. I am sending this entry out to cyberspace for anyone or no one to read it. But it is a journal entry full of whining complaints about my lot in life. Basically because I'm having a bad day and I really just want to complain about being the mom-armed monster.

What is it about being a mom? Seriously?

Why does it mean that you have no needs, the number of hours in your day equal 67 in order to get everything done for everyone else and then you (if you have a few extra hours), you have the answer for everything, and a sewing machine that can fix anything? Why do people think you can simultaneously do 8 loads of laundry, cook dinner, read a book, braid hair, answer questions on homework, kiss and hug and scratch your husband, entertain friends, family and whoever else comes to your door, clean every nook and cranny of your house, and look good doing it? Oh, and moms do all this with a beautiful smile on their faces and no complaints?

Moms are always the "bad guy." Moms make kids do chores and homework and apologize to each other when feelings are hurt. They tell their husbands "no." They tell their kids "no."

When moms are sick, no one worries--they are supposed to be super-humans with immune systems made of steel. When others are sick, they need beds on the couch with the best pillows, the softest blankets and a bell to ring when they need the remote (which is about 2.4 centimeters out of reach), juice, crackers, a puke-bowl, or just to complain about their sickness.

They never get a reward or, generally, a "Thank you." Nope. Instead, moms get, "What is your problem?" "I think you're a big meanie!" "You don't know!" Then, right after the insult or question of your intelligence is hurled, a mom is supposed to be right there to help fix the problem, answer the question, etc.

AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

Moms have a tough job. I call my mom a lot to tell her how much I appreciate everything she does or has done for me. If you are reading this, call your mom. She might be having a day/week/month/year like mine. She might REALLY NEED a "Thank you. I love you mom." right about now.

A Borrowed (okay...STOLEN) Quote from a Friend

2009-01-14T15:40:00.001-08:00

BaSeMeNt

2009-01-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

Rick and I used to have the "party house" but not recently. Rick says the reason we don't is because we really don't have any friends. Some days I think he has a point, but mostly I say it's because our house just isn't "party cool." So, today we started the fantastic demolition project of building a bar. I am so excited. Here are pictures of the first step.

We moved the door of the toy room around the corner. It looks great!

For All the Women in My Life...

2008-12-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

A good friend sent this to me

and I forwarded it to my friends and family.

I think it is a beautiful message.

Dear God:
The lady reading this is beautiful,
classy and strong
and I love her.
Help her live her life to the fullest.
Please promote her and cause her to excel
above her expectations.
Help her shine in the darkest places
where it is impossible to love.
Protect her at all times,
lift her up when she needs you the most,
and let her know when she walks with you;
She will always be safe.

Spa Day for Two

2008-12-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

Photo added ONLY AFTER Rick showed his feet to his Thrifty guys.

I figured that he opened the door for me to share.

Yes...that really is elf green glitter polish.

Yesterday, Rick and I spent the afternoon at the spa. It was incredible!!! After our crazy week last week full of work stress, children's activities, life's little dramas, hurt feelings, Christmas Home Tour, cancelled concerts, etc., it was very nice to relax.

We had a couple's massage where I giggled quietly to the sound of Rick's loud snoring. We drank tea and water in front of a fireplace with subdued lighting, funky couches, and statues of Buddha everywhere--Rick said it looked like an Asian whorehouse. We ate frozen grapes. (Well...Iate frozen grapes while Rick kept saying "This is weird.") After that, we had manicures and pedicures before we went home to have lunch together.

It was such an enjoyable afternoon.

Can You Believe It?

2008-12-13T06:06:00.000-08:00

So...Rick doesn't feel like he is "a part of this blog." Seriously? I included his name in the title. His name can also be found in a few stories and in "Our Profile." In fact, there are a few things listed under "Our Favorite Things" that he likes...for example...ummmm...well...let me think...

Okay, Rick, to validate your comment, there are more items listed that are mine. However, in my defense, we have had our blog for a while and the first time he looked at it was last night.

So, for anyone who is confused, Rick IS "a part of this blog."

Happy babe?

Oh, and Rick likes kissing (especially if it leads to sex) and karaoke.

I'm Done! I'm Done! I'm Done!

2008-12-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

Okay...as an update on my previous post about my complete lack of Christmas (Holiday/Seasonal) spirit:

I Found It!!!

That is...after Christmas shopping with Rick (I'm going ALONE next year), wrapping Christmas gifts with Rick (I will figure out how to tie a bow without his finger next year), and decorating my house for Christmas, then cleaning with a toothbrush every nook and cranny so women with white gloves don't find dust somewhere while they meander through my house tomorrow...
I Found It!!! It is really here...my Christmas Spirit!

ChRiStMaS hOmE tOuR

2008-12-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

PoLe DaNcInG

2008-12-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

For those of you who may not know...I love pole dancing. I take a pole fitness class (and teach a pole fitness class) and I absolutely love it. I have never been the girl who could stay focused at the gym or at home on the treadmill. But, I am entertained with learning pole dancing. I enjoy learning and then teaching new tricks. It is truly a fantastic work-out!

For you non-believers, please check out the YouTube video. Look at the beautiful muscles (and dancing, of course) of the woman. Then, sign up for a pole class. :)

The Main Thing...

2008-12-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

I once sat through a training meeting with the owner of Young Automotive Group. I remember him giving each person a small slip of paper and asking each of us to write what we thought the "main thing" was. Well, the paper was fairly small, maybe an inch wide and 2 inches long. I thought to myself, "How can I ever write the 'main thing' on such a small piece of paper?" After each person had labeled their microscopic "main thing," he bestowed this piece of wisdom on the group.

The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.

"What?!?" I asked myself. I truly thought that he had lost his mind. I was nineteen, maybe twenty-years-old, and I lacked any true life experience. You know those experiences. The ones that knock you down and humble you. Those that teach you pride, responsibility, courage, humility, compassion...and so many other valuable life lessons. The periods of time when, as a mom, dad, sister, brother, friend, etc., that you work so hard to keep EVERYTHING the main thing.

Now, as a thirty-year-old mom, partner, sister, friend, student, employee, and all the other many labels I put on each day, I realize the value in his statement. The main thing is what is in front of you, what you value, and the main thing is to keep that main thing the main thing.

Sometimes when I am overwhelmed, discouraged, have been a poor mom, partner, sister, ... , I think about the "main thing" and ask myself, "Are you keeping the main thing the main thing? Or are you too worried about the minor things?"

So, the point (this is what makes the ranting so much better for the reader)-especially during this holiday season, but keep in mind always...

Are you keeping the main thing the main thing?

Ahhh...the Joy of Christmas

2008-12-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

When I was young, I used to spend Christmas Eve at my grandma's house in Orem. Each year, my family would make the looong trek to her house. On the way, both to and from her house, we listened to my parent's favorite radio station...KISN 97.1. I always laughed each time one certain song came on...maybe you've heard it...it's a spin off on "The Twelve Days of Christmas." You know the one--the child who wants a Transformer for Christmas at the beginning of the song and is crying loudly by the end of it. (If you have children, you have been embarrassed by your own child doing this at the store.)

Well, this year this song speaks to me, but not just any part of the song. You know the man who kindly sings that he is "putting up the lights" at the beginning and cursing that same string of lights by the end? Yep...that's me. I have had a MESS at my house for weeks in an effort to decorate every room of my house for Christmas Home Tour. I have had enough lights, snowmen, santas, reindeer, bows, wire for bows, ornaments, broken ornaments, tree limbs that won't light up, and so on. I am "HO-HO-HO'd" right out.

BUT...my house does look very nice. So, stop by and check it out. And, don't worry, it took me so much effort to put it up that if you can't stop by until March or April, it might still be up.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2008-10-29T14:13:00.001-07:00

For my fellow "Wild Women..."

THANKS!