Back to the drawing board...

Jason called me this morning and I was so excited to tell him what I had done.

Me: Guess what I did this morning.
Jason:  I don't know, what?
Me:  It's the one thing that I really really really hate to do.
Jason:  Dishes.
Me:  Nope. (okay, the 2nd thing)
Jason:   Laundry
Me:  Nope. (okay, the 3rd thing)
Jason:  Cleaned the bathroom. 
Me:  Nope. (okay, the 4th thing)
Jason:  Emptied a mouse trap.
Me:  Nope (okay, the 5th thing)
Jason:  Oh, I know!!!  You cooked!
Me:  Nope. (okay, the 6th thing)
Jason:  I give up.
Me:  Apparently so did I.

exercise  noun, 1) an activity used to train the body, verb, 2) to train the body by using one's muscles

Monday Memories... "Old Yeller"

 
Somewhere along the way I became a yeller.  I am not proud of it.  My kids remind me constantly "Mom, we can hear you.  You don't have to yell".
Shortly after we moved into our home we began to put in our yard.  I remember the day that we were leveling the back yard to get it ready for sod.  Jason was in the bobcat, moving dirt from the front yard to the backyard.  Our two oldest boys were running around the front yard, getting in the way helping, and I was in the house with the babies.  I stepped out onto the deck and I could hear what sounded like a man yelling at what I assumed were his kids.  It sounded like it was coming from the cul-de-sac behind us.  I could barely hear him over the noise of the bobcat and so I walked farther onto the deck and listened again...  Yep, there was definitely yelling going on and I was pretty sure it was coming from the corner house across the street behind us.  I was elated...a fellow yeller!!  I listened some more and could barely make out what he was saying...but it definitely was some serious yelling.  I ran to the front yard and excitedly signaled for Jason to stop the bobcat so he could hear me.

Jason:  What?
Me:  **excitedly**  There is a guy in the cul-de-sac behind us yelling at his kids. 
Jason: Really, what is he saying?
Me:  I repeated a few of the choice phrases I was able to understand.
Jason:  That was ME, yelling at your son, he threw a dirt clod at my head and ran off laughing.

echo  noun, 1) a series of reflected sound waves that repeat as they bounce back from an object, repeating the sound  verb, 2) to reverberate, to reflect a sound back

Monday Memories...

Before I was married and had kids I had a job. I miss that job. It was after finishing the days work that I would discover, too frequently, that I had locked my keys in my car. I would call Orem PD and they would send an officer to the rescue. I just so happened to get the same officer every single time. The first few times the officer gave me a clipboard with a form to sign, and explained that by signing I gave him permission to enter my vehicle and that he would not be responsible for any damages caused. By the fourth or fifth time, the entire process was handled without a word spoken.

Fast forward 1 year...February 1, 1997, our wedding day!! Our reception was absolutely beautiful!! As we were greeting our family and friends I heard a man say "It's you!!" I looked over and there was the officer who had retrieved my keys countless times. He looked at Jason and said "If I had known you were marrying her I would have gotten you a slim jim for your gift, good luck, she'll keep you busy."

A few years after we were married I did it again. That time I called dispatch and said..."will you tell Captain 3 that his stupid wife locked her stupid keys in her stupid car, AGAIN." She asked if I minded if she dispatched it that way...nope, go ahead. Fifteen minutes later my husband pulled up, got out of the fire truck, handed me a clip board...

ehn oh...spells NO!!

I have always had a hard time telling people no. My life is insanely busy based on my inability to utter a word formed by two simple letters. When Jason and I were first married I really had a hard time when it came to saying the above mentioned word. I was always taking on crazy projects, helping wherever needed, and donating Jason when someone needed him. With Jason's crazy schedule and me working full time and having 2 small children our time together was rather limited. Jason found what he thought was a way to help me...he wrote NO on a piece of paper and taped it on the inside of the cupboard door by the phone. When the phone would ring, Jason would open the cupboard and point at the sign. I would always end up saying "yes" and Jason would walk away shaking his head, muttering something about hooked on phonics... I just really enjoy helping others and being needed is always a great boost to the ego and a I forget my own problems when I am busy. I am not neglecting my "stuff" when I tell others yes, I am just adding on to my list of things that need to be done. I do decline my assistance if I really really really can't do what you need but oh it aches to my very core to do so and I try to avoid using the actual "word". So I ask you, at what point can/do you just say no...besides the whole drugs, alcohol, and smoking scene? And does it ever get easier??

Until the day comes that I can say "no" with ease, this is what you will hear from me...

"My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds"
--Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Much better/easier...don't you think??!!

no adjective 1) not any, adverb, 2) a word we use to answer a question, or indicate disagreement

All in a day's work...

Jen's day...

Jason's day...

work noun, 1) a job, a form of labor, a duty 2) a deed, an accomplishment, verb, 3) to do a job, to labor, to perform a duty

Monday Memories...on Saturday!!

This memory was brought back when I saw Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" on one of my friends blog playlists...I wasn't going to mention names but the memory is so joyful (said with much sarcasm) I must thank her. So to Talya, I send muchas gracias'!!
You are all aware of the non-cooperative body I received to dwell in while on this mortal journey. Six weeks after having Brian I had to have surgery. I have been incredibly blessed with the support of fantastic doctors over my lifetime and I really believe that has made a lot of what I have gone through much more bearable. Well on this particular occasion the head of anesthesia at a major hospital in our area, who is also a family friend of ours, happened to be my anesthesiologist. I was pretty nervous about this procedure, especially now that I had a child to worry about and bless everyone that day who tried to calm my nerves....everyone except this particular anesthesiologist. As they were taking me into the OR he met us out in the hall and said "don't you worry Jen, this is going to be more of a party than anything...we have music, awesome hats (he had on a crazy psychedelic scrub hat), and lots of people to party with". Then as they wheeled my bed through the OR doors I was greeted with Johnny Cash singing Ring of Fire rather loudly. As my friend began the process of knocking me out he too was singing along. The last thing I remember before I went unconscious is Dave's face 12 inches above mine belting out "oh oh oh Ring of Fire". Years later he was again my anesthesiologist for another surgery and I told him if he played Ring of Fire I was leaving...he grinned, knocked me out, and I am positive I heard Johnny Cash crooning away while I slumbered through surgery.

To boldly go where no man has gone before...

Last Friday (Dec 5th) I had a ton of errands to run and lucky me, Jason was off for the day to help. We dropped Hannah and Joshie off at grammy's house and began the insanity. Our first stop was at the Orem Employee Credit Union which happens to be downstairs in the Court Building. Jason had to run to his office and so as we parted ways Jason kissed me on the cheek and said enjoy your strip search. As you enter into the court building you are met by security guards and police officers. It's like airport security only usually much faster. On any other visit I have been asked are you going to court, to which I reply that I am going down to the credit union. After knowing that the guards have always sent my purse through the x-ray scanner, me through the metal detector and then send me on my way. Well on this particular day I walked in and said hi to the guard. He said hi and didn't ask where I was going. He took my purse and sent it through the x-ray, sent me through the metal detector and instead of giving my purse right back he proceeded to empty it out one item at a time until all that was left was the popcorn in the bottom, left over from the movie we went to over Thanksgiving break. I figured that they had changed their security procedures and that Jason knew that and that is why he had made the strip search comment. After the purse was emptied and filled back up the guard proceeded to use his metal wand to scan my person. Up to this point we had both been awkwardly quiet and out of sheer discomfort I began rambling on about absolutely nothing. After "wanding" most of me he asked "so, what brings you to court today?" I said that I was actually just going down to the credit union. He looked like he was going to throw up and handed me back my purse and said "I am so sorry, none of this was even necessary". I laughed and told him that I was getting worried that he was going to break out the latex gloves and he turned a very bright shade of red. I commented on his bravery in searching through my purse and that by doing it he had gone where no man had gone before...the poor guy was so embarrassed!! My purse is a complete disaster 99.9% of the time...Jason refuses to search in it for anything...I could tell him there is a $100 in it and he still wouldn't go near it!! You don't believe me....

The popcorn at the bottom of my purse...

The contents of my purse...

Needless to say I will make it VERY clear that I am NOT going to court next time!!

search noun, 1) a careful investigation, a hunt, verb, 2) to look for someone or something

Ahoy Matie!!!

Your Pirate Name Is...

Captain Fanny La Bouche

What's Your Pirate Name?

name noun, a word given to someone or something for identification

Jen needs...

A friend was telling me that you can google your name with "needs" (i.e. Jen needs) and it will in fact tell you just what you need.
Here are a few of my needs (I must admit, google knows me pretty well)...

Jen needs a road bike.
Jen needs a job.
Jen needs space (ain't that the truth!!).
Jen needs some sleep.
Jen needs help.
Jen needs some sunshine, golf, boating, travel, the ocean, and kickboxing.
Jen needs a break.
Jen needs to have a session or two with a therapist.
Jen needs to be a parent and get off message boards.

and finally...
Jen's doing fine.

I tag Lisa, Kristen, Kate and Devon. What is it you ladies need???

need noun, 1) a lack, verb, 2) to lack something that is necessary or essential 3) must

While the cat's away...

Jason left yesterday for what seems like may be an eternity. Those of you who know me well are all asking "What will your project be while Jason is gone?" I can't decide!!!! I have never in my life had this problem. Jason goes away...Jen does something crazy...dig up the front yard, paint the entire interior of the house, etc...
This time I can't decide what to do. I'm taking suggestions!!!
At first I thought a new dining table would be so great. I went to RC Willey where a friend of ours works. We have pretty much from the beginning of our marriage gotten all of our furniture, carpet, and appliances with his help. When I saw him today I told him I wanted a new dining table...and without missing a beat he says "Jason's out of town again?" Hah hah funny funny!!

So here are my options...please ponder and submit your suggestion. And remember I have a reputation to uphold, I can't have Jason come home to find nothing was done.

1) clean the basement
2) create raised garden beds in back yard
3) clean garage and have floor painted (I'm thinking pink!!)
4) conquer the laundry pile (this one might shock Jason to death)
5) other_______

reputation noun, what people generally think about a person or thing