Monday, December 11, 2006

Hidy - Ho

I love our Christmas tree, I love presents, I can't wait to start my Christmas cards... I keep forgeting. I am making gifts that I enjoy making but the receiver will probably wonder what I was thinking! I love Christmas music, Nat King Cole, Celtic Christmas, Loreena McKinnett, John Denver... even good ol' Garth Brooks (a gift from my rez teaching days). Love it. I can't wait to start my neighbor goodie plates... they are going to be extravagant I tell you! Might I just add that I am so glad not to be working. Sorry... Even the humiliation I suffer at the WIC office can't make me wish I was teaching.

Last night we had to go back to the church for a practice for the Christmas program. I feel it sheer craziness to go back to the church after one has been able to leave once on Sunday. We had to wake the babies, find shoes and socks AGAIN, it is the day of rest for Pete's sake. ( You know, I think of Pete Black every time I type that.) So, at the church I am exhausted and the Branch Pres's wife acts like I am over the top. So, I start processing... Why am I tired? Well, I am getting sick (although I am still holding it off pretty well with "Airborn")... but that dind't phase her. She told me I was just like her sister that was always complaining, tired, she is super fat, hates children and had three kids, teaches school and complains about it. I was feeling pretty uncomfortable by then and had to beg my leave. I do sound like her... But I am still tired.

Here is a shout out to all family members. I need pictures for the calendar! Email or mail a CD would be genial. I like to throw in Spanish words for a little spice. Also, you might not catch my spelling issues because you may think it is probably a Spanish word. : )

Apparently Pinochet is dead. Maybe Mom can teach him the gospel. Wouldn't it be just his luck to repent and not have to suffer endless torment for all of the disgusting things he did.

Speaking of disgusting, I am still lamenting Mel Gibson making "Apocalypto." I wish he had made it PG because I think I would have loved it. Especially in lengua... in a Mayan language. Too bad ...

Happy anniversary Jan! Too bad she never reads my blog to see the good wishes.

Love to all! Merry Christmas!

Julie

Friday, December 08, 2006

Howdy!

A few highlights of my life since Thanksgiving:

... I went visiting teaching on the last day of November (shocking). All of my cats were playing with her kids and we were chatting. I could hear a muffled, "Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom," coming from somewhere behind a closed door. My subconcious listened for awhile before I realised it was B and he was probably calling from the bathroom for a "wipe." To my horor I found that he had already gone "number two" in his pants. I'll let you imagine how great the clean up was etc.

... Same visit, the lady gave Sarah a dress up Cinderella outfit. S was tired so she screamed and cried about the velcro scratching her, the waist line not laying quite right, the skirt poofing out too much and many other disasters. We had to drag her out of there kicking and screaming. That, my friends, is how you invite the Spirit as you do your VT.

.... S had some problems with constipation. She sat on the toilet for about 20 minutes-ish and then starting calling to me. "Mo-om! Sarah can't stinky!" I went in to find her in pain and crying. I am so glad Susan taught me about the exsistance of baby suppositories... I stuck one right in. S clung to me crying. "What happening? What happening Sarah?" It was so sad! She was in pain and so confused. "What happening Sarah stinky?" When she finally went she exlaimed, "I did it!!" Lets all drink a little more water and eat more fruit and veggies. Talk about mothering guilt... if only.

... Great times were had at the Treehouse. One night we went and learned about Hannakah (sp? Guess I didn't learn quite enough) They gave us all Dredels and B memorized what all of the Hebrew symbols meant for the game. Brilliant, brilliant child. We also went another day for cookies and milk with Santa. !Que vive el Treehouse! Love it...

... I had a WIC appointment at 9 AM and I actually got there in time... only to find that I had brought papers from October instead of December. I started crying. They made me reschedule. I told them that I was really greatful for the services they were providing but it was so hard for me to get there! They have complained about me having such a big family and they won't certify all four kids at the same visit. So, they have me going in almost every month... OK, every other month... It is hard being poor white trash sometimes, especially when I get treated like poor white trash while recognising that I am. Any who, the good news is because of the scandal, I now get to certify all of my cats at the same time and will have to go in only twice in six months instead of three times in six months. Actually, I have always had to do a follow up one month later because L is too small and they want to make sure I am feeding her. So, sometimes I do go in every month!

....Let me just state once again that I am so greatful to be home with my crazy cats.

... R and L have discovered that canned goods on my Lazy Susan (no offense). Bad news. Yes, I have had a can of tomatoes dropped on my toes. (Yet another argument for wearing steel toe boots in the kitchen).

... The lady I "released" from VT came to me to ask if she can do visits. She told me that her VT should be "released" because they haven't visited her for over a year. I kept my mouth shut even though I know she makes appointments and then will leave home. I even went to one when she wasn't there. So... I tell her that we would love to have her do visits and that I had been thinking about putting her with fulana. She immediately starts telling me that she doesn't have time to visit so do not give her more than two sisters. Are you kidding me? "Get out of my face!" I yell, shoving her to the ground right in the foyer of the church. Her dress flies up, covering her face. A gasp runs through the crowd of members gossiping after meetings.... The natural man is an enemy to God... I actually just smiled and nodded.

.... A guy who completely depends on the church (disclaimer: as far as I know... rent, food, furniture) has accused the recent converts he is renting a room from of taking advantage of the Welfare system. They have had a couple of food orders since her open heart surgery. He also pointed out that he hasn't seem them pray or study the scriptures. Is that what I sound like when I judge? I am afraid so...

... We are making felt stocking for enrichment. It hurts me, I actually burned my fingers when I reached out to touch the felt with sequin embroidery. The good news is that an inactive sister is teaching us. : ) I will be stiching one for all of you!

... My husband is excited because now he knows I can make money typing on the computer, because I love it so much.... Secretly he means, "Get off the computer, wench!"

Love ya tons!