Office View

Sometimes I miss the view of the mountains

and the city...

from my office in downtown Salt Lake.

Sometimes I miss the hustle of the city 

and walking around feeling important because I had somewhere I needed to be.

Sometimes I miss waiting for the bus or the train 

or eating lunch in a manicured garden or city park….

Today, however, I’m really enjoying the fingerprint-smudged windows 

that provide the view from my current office. 

I’m especially grateful that although it is a beautiful spring day, 
I get to enjoy the view without the pollen. 
Really though I think it’s time to invest in some Windex. 

Backyard Beach....Oregon Coast Style

We stayed home during spring break this year. 

There is no shame in that. 

None.

We did venture out to the zoo on one HOT day only to find the zoo to be incredibly crowded. When we were done standing in all the lines to look at the animals the kids wanted to play at the splash park. Did I tell you it was HOT. Rather than sit in the heat watching our kids run in and out of all the water features, my sister and I (the one featured in this photo here) decided to head home and set up a backyard beach.

A pool we have not, but a full size sand volleyball court to stand in as the “beach” we do!

We set up multiple watering stations with the handy use of hoses and sprinkers to copensate for the missing ocean. The kids had a blast. Too bad I didn’t pull out my camera until everyone left. When I asked Roo to smile for his picture in the “hot tub” he looked at me like I was a crazy person. (It’s an expression I am quite familiar with.) He then asked, “What are you talking about?”

“That water you are sitting in.” I clarified. “It’s a hot tub.”

He looked around, quite bewildered, and then with his fingers pointing to the water he was playing in he exclaimed, “This isn’t a hot tub! This water if FREEZING!”

Big Plans - Nixed

Today was our first day back to homeschool after about 
a 2 ½-week spring break.

The break was nice…real nice!

I had big plans for getting back to our schedule and routine but….

…the sun is shining….

…the kids are playing...

I have some things on my mind…

and so….

school has been a slow work in progress today.

It’s fair to allow a light day on your first day back from break right?

Worm on a Hook

Last night, Boy told me not to post any more comments on goodreads directed to Pablo but darn it I must really like the taste of worms because I posted anyway.

I am giving Pablo the opportunity to hook me once again. I keep telling myself it's because I want to be understood but why would I value being understood by someone who has no interest in understanding me?   It reminds me of a horror film. You are all screaming, "Don't open the door" and like a dolt I do it every time. Oh well, here's what I told Pablo.

Pablo,

I’m sorry, did you have something else to disagree with me on? 

While you think up of some new way to twist my words so that you can cram me into the pigeonhole you think I belong in, I’d like to share this poem by Shel Silverstein with you, Titled, The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt. It reminds me our dialogue and our inability to communicative effectively with one another.  

The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt

by Shel Silverstein

Knock knock!

Who's there?

Me!

Me who?

That's right!

What's right?

Meehoo!

That's what I want to know!

What's what you want to know?

Me, WHO?

Yes, exactly!

Exactly what?

Yes, I have an Exactlywatt on a chain!

Exactly what on a chain?

Yes!

Yes what?

No, Exactlywatt!

That's what I want to know!

I told you - Exactlywatt!

Exactly WHAT?

Yes!

Yes what?

Yes, it's with me!

What's with you?

Exactlywatt - that's what's with me.

Me who?

Yes!

GO AWAY!

Knock knock...

Pet Peeve #2

This is a special pet peeve because it falls under the category of things I dislike about myself. Let’s begin….

Discuss \di-ˈskəs\ - verb

·      Talk about (something) with another person or group of people

·      Talk or write about a topic in detail, taking into account different ideas and opinions

Argue \ˈär-(ˌ)gyü\ - verb

·      to persuade, drive, etc., by reasoning:

·      to show; prove; imply; indicate

In most cases, I would prefer to engage in a discussion over an argument any day. When I do break out the argument boxing gloves, I like to do it when I know my opposition and I know that they know, I love them.

So what is pet peeve #2?

I really don’t like it when I’m swimming in a discussion and suddenly realize that my opponent is wading in an argument.  I hate it because, well… 1)- I’ve lost the upper hand and security of stable ground and 2) where I thought we were working together to solve an issue my opponent is only trying to drown me.

I fall for it hook, line and sinker almost every time!

And hey, if your curiosity will not be stayed…you can read the details of my latest folly, here. The discussion turns to an argument when one "Pablo" enters the scene. 

My Easter Weekend

I hope you enjoyed your Easter Weekend. Although I didn’t especially enjoy mine or the breakdown that accompanied it, I did enjoy the freeing effect of dropping off some unnecessary baggage I’ve been carrying around with me.  Now if only I can get rid of the rest of it…and refrain from running back to take a peek at what I left behind...I should be good.

Oh and don’t forget to take a look at the Unfinished Projects List. If I can laugh at the fact that The Easter Dresses made it onto the list then so should you. 

Mind Clearing

Remember this post from way long ago last week? Apparently, I left something out, does that make me a liar, maybe a hypocrite….can you be a hypocrite if you didn’t know you were being one? Anyway…

I don’t always read to learn,

sometimes I read

to clear my head.

I’m in need of some good mind clearing at the moment. I need a book that I can read quickly and not think about so much…maybe it’s time to read the second book in the Twilight Series. Which one is that, Eclipse? New Moon? Does anyone have a copy that I can borrow or a suggestion of some other book that will provide the results I’m looking for? 

Another April Fools Post

April Fools day lost its luster sometime around the 4^th grade when just about every kid in class came to school with their arm in a sling. I mean really…

Where is the originality?

Where is the creativity?

How many blog and facebook posts will you read today that state…

I’m pregnant

Or

I’m engaged

Again….Creativity? Originality? Anyone…anyone?

Lets face it, the best April Fools jokes are really just pranks played at random times throughout the year when the element of surprise can really be harnessed.

I know you know what I’m talking about….at least I know my sister Nicole does. She has a bag of tricks I’d love to share here but since, this isn’t her blog, I haven’t asked permission and most were illegal, I’ll refrain.

But for the rest of you, come on, fess up….What prank were you most pleased to be apart of? If you need help remembering your best work, think back to college. I’m confident that some of the best pranks were pulled there and why not? Creative juices are at their peak flow and a sense of responsibility and mortality are at their lowest….

it’s a dangerous combination.