M3 Strategy

Do NOT work with this company!  They stole our money and didn't help us one bit.  When we paid them, they were such a new company there wasn't a single bad review to be found...now...there are hundreds of complaints!  It's a long story and I don't want to write it all out.  But trust me, don't pay them a cent!

M3 Strategy

Too Much Junk

I wish I could get rid of all the soliciting phone calls I get every week.  Since our home phone doesn't have caller ID, I can't screen calls.  And, it also doesn't have a machine so if I don't answer, I'll never know who called.  I've added our phone number to the national Do Not Call List, but it doesn't seem to do anything.  I probably get 1 call a day, a lot of days 2 calls, that are just solicitors!

And, then there are solicitors who come to the door.  I need to put a sign out so stop that.

Also, all the junk mail that just takes up my time to sort through.  I don't know if there is anything you can do to stop getting junk mail, but it's such a waste of paper and my time!

All of this is extra stuff to deal with.  Like I don't have enough essential stuff to deal with already!

How to Cope with Anxiety

I subscribe to Real Simple magazine.  It's the only magazine I've ever subscribed to and I really like it.  So, anyway, I saw this article called "10 Ways to Cope with Anxiety."  I tend to be a worrier, so I was interested to read it.  There were a few I thought were pretty good.  Here they are:

Repeat your worry until you're bored silly.
If you had a fear of elevators, you'd get rid of it if you rode in one a thousand times in a row.  At first, you would be very anxious, then less so, and eventually it would have no effect (except to make you sick of riding in an elevator).  So take the troublesome thought that's nagging at you and say it over and over, silently, slowly, for 20 minutes.  It's hard to keep your mind on a worry if you repeat it that many times.  I call this the "boredom cure" for obvious reasons, but it sure beats feeling overwhelmed by anxiety.

Set aside worry time.
All too often we take a "Crackberry" approach to our worries:  They show up unannounced, like constantly dinging e-mails, and we stop everything to address them-even if we should be doing something else.  But what if you don't respond right away?  Try setting aside 20 minutes every day-let's say at 4:30 pm-just for your worries.  If you are fretting at 10 am, jot down the reason and resolve to think it through later.  By the time 4:30 comes around, many of your troubles won't even matter anymore.  And you will have spent almost an entire day anxiety-free.

Take your hand off the horn.
You constantly check the weather before a big outdoor event.  You replay that clumsy comment you made, wishing you could take it back.  And, yes, you honk your horn in traffic.  When you desperately try to take command of things that can't be controlled, you're like the swimmer who panics and slaps at the water, screaming.  It gets you nowhere.  Instead, imagine that you are floating along on the water with your arms spread out, looking up to the sky.  It's a paradox, but when you surrender to the moment, you actually feel far more in control.

Make peace with time.
When you're a worrier, everything can feel like an emergency.  But notice this about all your anxious arousal:  It's temporary.  Every feeling of panic comes to an end, every concern eventually wears itself out, every so-called emergency seems to evaporate.  Ask yourself, "How will I feel about this in a week or a month?"  This one, too, really will pass.

Guessing Game

Guess what that is...

Devin called it "mustard jerky."  Yuck!  We found it in his glove box while looking for catchup for our Chik-Fil-A burgers.  I wonder how old it is and what other surprises he's got in there!  I was too scared to look.  His car is always a mess!

Driver Test

I got my first driving ticket of my life on Halloween 2009 when I ran a red light and was flashed with the intersection cameras.  I have been stopped a few times, but the officer never wrote me a ticket.  I hate the cameras because there is no chance of getting out of it!!!

So, I took the drivers test online.  I got a good laugh out of some of the lines in the test.  Here are some of my favorites...

Great sign...

"When the Three Stooges chase a car that's rolling backwards into the lake, that's funny.  Nobody's laughing though, when a real mom with real children slips down a boat ramp and drowns, because the parking brake gave out."

--What?  Did they really just say that?!  When I read the first line about the Three Stooges I had happy thoughts.  Then, the next line made me sick to think about!


"Dogs grabbed out of cars and thrown into traffic.  Fist fights in the turn lanes.  Gunfire from the cab of a pickup.  These are extreme cases of angry drivers going over the edge.  Your chances of encountering this level of hostility are probably slim.  But angry people are out there, and they are behind the wheels of dangerous machines."
--Seriously?  Dogs?  That's terrible and SO sad for the dogs!  Do you think that really happens?


"IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR LIFE, KEEP YOUR PERSPECTIVE!  So what if someone thinks you’re a slow driver?  Who cares if the other guy gets the parking space unfairly?  What may seem to you to be wimpy, may in fact be a sign of strength.  It takes a strong person to overcome the urge to get even, to stop himself from showing who’s right.  Smart is not always easy; dumb is always dangerous."
--I agree with the first sentence, but I think the rest is kinda funny.  I guess because I don't get angry when I drive.


"What's the weather like?  If it's sunny and dry where you are, good for you!  But, will it be blue skies where you're going?  Check the forecast for your destination, and plan for delays.  In rain, fog, or snow, you will be (should be) driving much slower.  If you try to stick to an unreasonable timeline, you are running the risk of skidding, hydroplaning, and crashing.  You can't meet a deadline if you're dead."
--Best part:  "You can't meet a deadline if you're dead."  As I type this, I realize that it seems like I didn't take this test very seriously.  I know driving is serious and I don't mess around when I drive, but these statements just seem silly to me.


"Keep yourself back from a bunched-up pack of cars.  Sooner or later, someone will apply the brakes, and then you're looking at a multi-car pile-up.  You don't want to be invited to that party!"
--Again, it's just silly.


"If you have a tire blowout, keep the car moving straight ahead, and take your foot off the gas. Don't apply the brakes.  Let the car come to a stop off the road.  DO NOT CHANGE THE TIRE IF IT MEANS WORKING IN A TRAFFIC LANE!!  You can replace a rim; you can't replace a limb."
--And more silliness.


Anyway, maybe you feel like you wasted your time by reading this...  Hopefully, you thought it was funny like me!

Hangers

So, I don't like colored hangers.  I only like white.  We have a few colored ones and I want to switch them out with white.  Having some colored ones takes away from the uniformity I prefer.  Maybe it's weird.  When I told Devin he said, "That's wacky."  I said, "I bet I'm not the only one."  Do you have something against colored hangers?

There's Still a Little More

I'm talking about the toothpaste here!  This is what a tube looks like before we throw it away.  Devin kept insisting he could get a little more out, and he would.  I wanted to get a new tube already because my thumbs would hurt every time I wanted to brush my teeth because I would have to squeeze it so hard.  

Is that what it's like at your house?

Little Things

Sometimes I notice the little things--like how this one section was like twice the size of the rest.

Yep, that is totally random and doesn't matter.  But, some little things aren't random at all and do matter.  

Like when I'm reading Henry his bedtime stories and he turns his head toward me, puts his hand on my cheek, and turns my head towards him because he wants me to kiss his forehead.

Like when Jaxon says, "Mommy, hold me" and climbs up on my lap for a hug and kiss.

Like when Devin looks into my eyes and says, "I love you, Sweets."

I am thankful for those things.

Hand Delivered Christmas Gift?

Nope.  Today I was hand delivered my photo red light ticket--ugg!

It's my first ticket and I knew it flashed me when it happened.  It was taken on Halloween and I was SO mad!  I hate those things!  At least when you get pulled over you can plead with the officer to NOT give you the ticket.  These machines have no mercy!  Hate them!

Merry Christmas to me!

Oh, and that little bride and groom glass ornament I posted about a few days ago... Henry dropped it on the tile and it broke.  I saw that he had it, but went to the washroom to drop a dirty towel in the basket and when ran back to him and it was too late.  :(  At least he had this cute little smile on his face though!

AND... Tomorrow is my last long run before the marathon!  Yea!  It's 18 miles for the second time.  Actually, last week I thought about only having one long run left and was kind of sad.  I really enjoy being out in the beautiful weather for a good three to three and a half hours once a week.  I feel so free while I'm out there running all over the place.

Today when I ran I was having a killer pain behind my right knee.  I mean, it was bad.  I had to stop a few times and usually I'm able to run through any pains I'm having.  It started about mile 16 last week, but today it was there right when I started running.  That's pretty much terrible news because I have come this far without an injury and it would be SO sad if this keeps me from being able to race.  I'll be taking pain killers tomorrow for sure!

I better get to bed!

MBP Free to Fart America

I read this  here and was amused so I thought I'd share...


Anyway, I was going to talk about how inconvenient it actually is that farting is such a taboo thing to do. I had the opportunity to hear the Apostle, Elder Quentin Cook speak at a lunch thingy today. After having just had a jalapeno burger from Carl's Junior I had some mad gas. Well, there were like 200 people in the room and I had to fart. I was concentrating so much on holding it in and not sqeaking a peeper that I could focus on nothing else.

Why is farting so bad? Really? I mean coughing is gross, so is sneezing, and people do that in public without major embarrassment all the time. If I could have just let a couple go today, I would have been fine. Instead I spent the meeting repeatedly clenching and relaxing just enough to make sure nothing slipped out, and I didn't hear a word the man said. The Apostle was trumped by my gas. It just isn't right. I can't help that food gives me gas. What if Cook's dissertation on "morality in business" would have changed my life. It may have been the greatest news I would have ever heard. Yet I missed out because farting is such a "bad" thing. Can you imagine if I was at the sermon on the mount and I had to fart.

I think we, the human race, should eliminate this problem. Join me in my quest for a Free to Fart America. It will only work if you can fart confidently in front of others and if when people fart you can refrain from causing a big scene whether it's laughter or disgust. You can actually catch something from a cough or a sneeze. Nobody gets sick from a fart. Yet farts are received with laughter and mockery, and coughs score a "bless you" from anyone within ear shot. Next time I hear a "fffrrrrtttt-ftt-fffffrrr woosh ffrrt-t - ttt", I am going to say, "bless you." Seriously people, is holding your farts worth missing out on enlightenment and possibly eternal salvation?

-Jake


Oh, and though it's gross and think it would take some getting used to, I do agree.  What do you think?

10 Miles!

Yep, this week the long run was 10 miles. I ran it yesterday and I absolutely loved every second of it. Call me crazy, I know, right? But I felt so good through the whole run. My hips got a little tired at about the 8th mile, but my muscles and lungs stayed strong. I ran it with my mom (she's doing the marathon too). We averaged less than 10 minute miles. It was pretty cold outside, but I felt so good. I was able to really speed up the last half mile and finish strong. I think running on the treadmill for part of my training makes me really appreciate the chances I have to run outside. Today, I still feel good, but I can tell my knees are a little tired.

After I got home and took my shoes off this is what I found...Future star runner!

I guess he likes to point at the camera now.

When he gets tired he stands like this...I have no idea why he does it, but it's so funny!

This is totally random, but the other day I was making dinner--yep, I'm not kidding--and I was looking for something in the spice cupboard and just couldn't find it. Then I realized I was sifting through about 50 cans of spray oil, so I pulled them all out. This was what we had in there...

I snapped a pic and left them there for Devin to pick out what he wanted to keep. He did and put them away. But...I haven't cooked since, so I'm not sure how many are in there now!

What does this look like to you?

I saw this at Lowe's and wanted to take a pic to see what others thought, but decided not to. Then, it was in a restroom and couldn't pass it up a second time...

What do you think? Maybe I'm inappropriate, but I bet you're thinking what I'm thinking.

Catch 22's

As I was thinking the other day, I realized there are some situations that you can't really win...

1. Going to school & getting student loans

Okay, you go to college to get a good job and make good money. BUT going to college requires getting student loans and then you have that bill to pay when you graduate.

So, my question is, would it be cheaper to skip college and get a regular job without the greatest pay so you don't have student loan payments? Probably not, but I wonder...

2. Teaching & getting a second job

One reason we decided Devin would be a teacher, besides the fact that he loves it, is the great schedule teachers have. You know, Monday-Friday, 7:00-3:30, with all holidays and summer off. But, because the pay is so little, Devin has started working a second job after school. So now he doesn't get home until 7:30 two nights during the week and he works a few hours on Saturdays. That's not exactly how we planned it...

Sometimes I Wonder about this stuff too...

Kids lifting weights?

I absolutely love lifting weights. Not like I want to be huge or super strong. I just want to be toned. There is nothing like looking in the mirror and loving the way your body looks (especially as a woman) and lifting wights, along with running, help me be able to do that...

...But when I go to the gym and see young kids lifting weights I get worried. There is this one kid who goes with his dad and he (the kid) never looks like he is enjoying himself. I'm pretty sure his dad is making him go to turn him into a man or something stupid like that. I wanna go up to the dad and tell him, "Don't you know you can actually stunt your kid's growth by making him do this kind of exercise when he is so young? Do him a favor and let him go outside and play tag like the other kids his age. When he gets into high school, that's the time for him to lift weights."

I like change.

Not big changes like moving, but little changes like new furniture or rearranging a room or putting different pictures up. I guess I spend everyday at home and enjoy mixing it up a little. When I like the way a room is decorated, every time I walk into it it makes me happy:) I recently redid our kitchen and want to post pics, but there is one little thing I have left to do first.

Does anyone else have guilt if they litter?

I remember this one statement one of my leaders said in Young Women when I was younger. She said, "We can show our gratitude to Heavenly Father for our beautiful planet by not littering." From that moment on, I have never littered. Not only that, but if I accidently drop something and almost don't pick it up, I feel so guilty! Wow, that sounds prude...

Stinky Garbage=Stinky Car

This equation is a disgusting phenomenon. It's true though. I can say goodbye to the nice new car smell in my van when it sits in the garage along with stinky van. Ew.

More to Love Mom

Yes, I watch this show. Not religiously like the Bachelor(ette) but is was created by the same people. I actually have a lot to say about this show, but I'll stick to the subject here...

This is what one of the girls said when asked if she saw herself as a career mom or a stay at home mom: "I definitely see myself as a career mom. I have to keep myself busy, you know?"

Wow. I was making Devin watch it with me and he laughed out loud when she said that. He said, "What is she thinking? Moms aren't busy?" I was pretty proud he's the one who said that because it's pretty much what I was thinking. It's so funny that women actually think being a mom won't keep them busy.

More to Love Luke

K, so the guy actually said one of the best things a guy could say, "I think the biggest mistake a man can make in a relationship is not appreciating his lady enough and showing her and making her feel appreciated." How sweet is that? I was really impressed!

That's all for now.

Sometimes I Wonder...

Why am I so bad at washing my face?

I get soap in my eyes like every single night. It burns and I hate it, but for some reason, it always happens!

Why did the fanny pack go out of style?

The other night I was cleaning out my closet to see what I could give to DI and I came across 2 fanny packs I used when I was a kid. I put them on and didn't even have to adjust the strap. Had no hips back then and still have no hips. It's a pretty functional bag. Maybe they'll be "in" again someday...

Why can't there be more yield signs in the world?

In Kanab there were lots of yield signs. It was fabulous. I understand we need stop signs in high traffic areas, but I live in a subdivision and there are stop signs galore! It drives me crazy! We need more yield signs!

Why do so many people complain about our country?

I'm not very involved in politics, so maybe I don't know what's really going on, but as an average citizen of the United States, I pretty much do what ever the heck I want. As long as I pay my bills, taxes, and follow the laws, what's to complain about? Life is good. No government is perfect. Of all the countries in the world, I think the USA is a pretty good one to live in.

Why do "they" recommend we water down our juice?

Supposedly, when serving juice to kids it's best to mix 1 part water to 1 part juice. I recently heard that's what adults are supposed to do too. Why don't they just add more water so we can drink the juice straight? And...what does this mean for the frozen juice concentrate? So is that supposed to be watered down twice what it says on the package to meet "their" standards? It's so complicated. Oh, what if I make my own juice...do I need to add water? Maybe we'll just stop drinking juice...maybe I should just say, who cares? and just drink the dang juice.

Can DVD's get worn out?

I mean, I know they can get scratched and skip and not work, but can they be viewed so many times they no longer play the movie? If so, thanks to Jaxon, I think this is going to happen to a few Disney/Pixar movies in our home.

Hahaha, wow, sorry for wasting your time!

That's about all for now.

I think I need to get out more.

Homeschooling

I know this can be a sensitive subject, and I'm not super opinionated about it. I think everyone needs to do what is best for their family and if you think homeschooling is the way, that's fine. I have friends who were homeschooled and have friends who currently homeschool their kids. But, I saw this online today. I thought, "Wow, that's harsh."

Props for the creative analogy, but it's harsh. Hahahaha, then I actually had to laugh because directly above this picture, was the title "Myth's of Homeschooling" and I did get my education from a public school, but I'm pretty sure that is supposed to by "Myths of Homeschooling." Yes, actually I'm positive and if I'm wrong, then I'll homeschool my kids.

I think plenty of successful people receive their education from a public school. Also, plenty of successful people are homeschooled.

I loved my public school experiences. I had teachers who cared about me and really made a difference in my life. I know it's not a perfect system, but it's not a bad one either.

Especially being the wife of a teacher, I know Devin really cares if his students succeed. In fact, last Friday, we had to cancel dinner plans because he was at the school until 7:30 working. May I also add that he did/does NOT get paid extra for those hours. Oh, and it's not like his regular salary is anything to brag about either. But he chose to do it because he loves to teach and see children grow, learn, and understand. I know all teachers don't care that much, but it's not fair to say that none of them do.

I don't believe it's a accurate claim to say that a child's only chance at survival in the real world is if they receive their education from home. Like I said, for some people, homeschooling works really well and their kids are smart and grow up to do fabulous things. I just think that pic is a little radical. What do you think?

Razor Blades

Yesterday I needed to pick up some blades for Devin's razor. So as I looked over all the options (and realized they were all so expensive!) I thought to myself,

"Are 4 blades really better than 2?"

The razor I use has 2 blades and my legs are always really smooth (when I get around to shaving them...)

Anyway, after getting Devin's refills (with 4 blades) I decided to treat myself to a new razor, also with 4 blades. It's a Schick Quattro. The package says, "Long-lasting smoothness so you could skip a day or two." Wait, who doesn't skip a day or two? Who really shaves everyday anyway? I'm looking for a razor that allows me to skip 6 or 7 days...anyone know of one like that?

So, I was wondering, how many blades does your razor have and do you really think more is better?

Love/Hate Relationships

So I realized recently that I have a few love/hate relationships in my life...

1.  Costco

Definitely LOVE this place.  I enjoy getting mass quantities of products that I only have to buy once a year because they'll last that long.  I always see things I don't NEED there, but I totally WANT.  I wish I could have like a million dollar gift card to that place so I could get some fun thing along with the stuff we need.  

I hate how much money I spend there!  It's ridiculous!  I go in that place for two items and come out with about 100.  I don't know how they do it, but I think it's the most successful up-selling store I know of.  Maybe it's the samples...

2.  Long Days

I LOVE when the sun gets up early and goes down late.  It's so nice to have a long day and get lots accomplished.

BUT, it's so hard to get the kiddos to sleep when the sun is still up!  Henry usually goes down about 7:00 and Jaxon 7:30, but since the sun is still up then, they think they need to be awake still!  Then, it happens in the morning too...they're up at the crack of dawn!  When is a mom supposed to have her own time if the kids aren't sleeping long enough!?  Jaxon has blackout curtains in his room, so those help, but they're not in Henry's room.  I need to put ups some super classy foil or something!  But the thing about that is, then it's dark in the daytime and I don't like that either.  

I thought of another while at WalMart today...

3.  Spiderman

I guess I don't really love Spiderman, but I think it's super cute when Jaxon gets excited about pretty much anything with Spidey on it.  I think Jaxon would love it if we found Spiderman toilet paper!  

I hate that Spiderman is everywhere!  Every time a turn a corner at the store, pretty much any store, there he is in some form.  Just from my venture to the store yesterday, here are a few of the things a saw:  beach towels, pool toys, goggles, whole bathroom set:  trash can, cup, toothbrush holder, ice packs, tons of clothes, sheets, blankets, curtains, lamps, pillows, and there was so much more!  You name it, they slap Spidey's face on it and the kids will go crazy!  There is no escaping him!  This leads to multiple fits (or at least sadness) from Jaxon when I don't purchase everything in the store related to Spiderman.  What it is about him anyway?  I think all little boys I know love him!

If You Live in Copper Basin...Read This

Yes, folks, that's a rusty razor blade.  I found it in the sand at the park in phase 4.  

How did I find it, you ask?  (Someone really did ask, so I'll let you know.)  I was walking around the play equipment to the other side where Jaxon was going to be emerging from the slide.  When I looked down at the sand where he would be landing when he came out, I saw it sticking up about half way out of the sand.  I thought it looked like something sharp, so I picked it up and then realized what it was.  He coulda stepped on it right there if I hadn't seen it.  He was wearing his shoes, but yikes!

(Kinda funny how it's like the exact color as our tile.  Now when I'm describing the color of our flooring, I can say, "Oh, it's rusty razor blade brown."  Perfect description.)

I remember when I was a kid and my mom always made me wear shoes at the park and I hated it.  I always knew there could be something in the sand, but finding this...scary.  

Disclaimer

Though scooping ice cream made me sore, I am able to hold Henry while I vacuum the whole house.  That's mommy muscle!