Goodbye 2008!

At the risk of sounding sappy let me just say ... I am so blessed! My life, marriage, and kids aren't perfect but I am extremely happy. I am enjoying the best stage of my life. I feel like it's a blessing to even recognize that I feel this way! A few things I have to be grateful for:

Family - Of course those boneheads top my list ... what would I do without their humor, their sarcasm, their support and love, and the way they knock me off my soap box when I get carried away?

Friends - You girls know who you are - my life has been changed forever because of you (I'm not kidding). If we hadn't gone away for that first scrapping trip all those years ago, I'd be an inmate at a jail or loony bin by now. (I know that last statement isn't politically correct, but I'm just keepin' it real here.)

My Testimony - I love that it's grown this past year and I love that I recognize how much I value it.

Quiet Music - Love that soft music ... it soothes my soul.

Books - Books are my retreat, my way to ground and calm myself. I'd die without books. I pray I never go blind! (I'm serious.)

Snacks - I love snacks! When I say I'd die without snacks, I'm not talking starvation - I love treats!

Humor/Laughter - What would I do without great big loud explosive belly laughs? My family and friends seem to keep me supplied with reasons to laugh.

The Internet - I love that I can keep "in touch" with my friends without ever talking to them or actually writing them a letter. I know that sounds extremely lazy, but I'm being honest here. I also love that I can look up pretty much anything and find out about it on the Internet. Most of you probably don't remember going to the library, finding the encyclopedia, and looking up your subject. You were out of luck if someone was already looking at the volume of encyclopedia you needed. The Internet is amazing. And don't even get me started on Internet shopping ...

As 2008 ends and 2009 begins I am grateful for the little cocoon of peace, stability, and love that my family and I share. I hope (and pray) that we can sustain that cocoon for another year and that at the end of 2009 I will be able to say again that I have been blessed.

The Whirlwind of December

It's been such a long while since I posted ... here's December in a nutshell: went to work, made Christmas gifts for Relief Society ladies, Relief Society Christmas party, dinner with friends, Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert (you know how I love the Choir), mad dash to finish Christmas cards (same story, different year), realization that just because you have THOUGHT of what to give someone doesn't mean you have actually bought and wrapped it (seriously), cooked for MOMD and his work party, family parties, shoveled snow, mailed missionary packages, shed many tears for a dear friend who just received a horrible diagnosis, finally took around my neighbor gifts, shopped and wrapped for Sub for Santa (no wrapped presents yet under MY tree, but Sub for Santa family is taken care of), went to the high school concert to see my cute nephew play the drums, enjoyed the annual viewing of White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, started making presents for RS ladies in the ward to give them on their birthday (for those born in January), read a darling book I recommend to everyone for next Christmas called "The Autobiography of Santa Claus" (it makes perfect sense and since Santa wrote it, I know it's true!), ate more than my share, and am constantly amazed at how much people love each other and show it at this time of year. And it's only December 23rd! Merry Christmas everybody!

Halloween at the Happiest Place On Earth

MOMD, my brother-in-law (Trace), sister-in-law (Juanita), and I were lucky enough (blessed) to go to Disneyland over Halloween. Oh my heck! You know how much I love anything Disney! You should see it at Halloween time. Amazing! We had an incredible time. MOMD and I flew in on Thursday a.m. and spent the entire day in the parks. Juanita and Trace had their original flight canceled (they found out on the way to the airport), so they didn't get to California until Thursday evening. We spent Friday and Saturday together in the parks riding the rides, shopping, and watching the people. We returned to real life and home on Sunday afternoon. It was a great weekend! I don't have words for how much fun it was.

We were lucky enough to stay at the Grand Californian Hotel (beautiful, incredible; they made ghosts out of our wash cloths on Halloween - how's that for fun?), so we were close enough to walk to the parks everyday. The balcony of our room overlooked Downtown Disney. It was like living "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". Trace and Juanita had a room right next to us. Here is the view from our balcony.

We ate incredible food at every meal - MOMD and I are kind of food slackers - give us a drive through window any day, but Trace and Juanita know where to go for the good stuff. (We need to hang out with them more often.)

Check out the pictures below ... We were hanging out one day in Disneyland waiting for a parade when some Disney "Cast Members" (that's what the employees are called) were standing near us. I started talking to them. I asked if I could get a picture of them since they were my "peeps". (That's what us cool people call our friends.) They were good sports because they agreed to the picture (but I know in their heart of hearts they yearn to be included in my group of peeps).

After the picture taking love-fest, they told me that since we were all peeps, they wanted to give me this:

I know you can't read it, but it says that I'm an HONORARY CITIZEN OF DISNEYLAND! Can you believe it? How did they know that in my wildest dreams I could not have asked for anything more? (With the possible exception of winning the showcase showdown on the Price Is Right ...) Life is good!

One of the funnest parts of the entire trip was watching the people. I know, I know - I could stay home and do that BUT have you ever watched people in Downtown Disney on Halloween while listening to live music with the love of your life? Life doesn't get much better than that.

Let me explain just a bit about the people we were watching. Since it was Halloween, we had a lot of folks dressed up (in costume). I think they were going the House of Blues or some place fancy because none of my friends look like that on Halloween. Anyway, we had two different types of women in costume. We had the young, curvaceous gals thinking that this would be a good opportunity to show some skin and be sexy in their little witch/nurse/school girl costume and we also had the above 50 crowd that thought they were the part of the young and curvaceous crowd. (Picture me in a slinky gold Cleopatra outfit - I'm not kidding.) It was a hoot. My favorite costumes though were the families dressed as the "Incredibles". Can you picture your husband or boyfriend wearing the red Incredible tights outfit with the fake muscles? I especially liked the drawn on masks. It was a crack-up!

Here's a few pictures to show more of the fun.

Make a Smilebox scrap pages

Tradition!

My family is big on tradition. We eat the same thing every 24th of July (Fishing Fiestas). We say the same words every Memorial Day ("Now who does this baby belong to?"). We all sing "Happy Birthday" at different tempos and in our worst voices. (We can make babies cry!) One of our big traditions is the Deer Hunt. The tradition of the deer hunt began when my Grandpa Noble was a young man. He and his friend (Mr Fisher) went to an area called Willow Creek (pronounced "Crik") down near Gunnison and Salina. As they continued hunting this area they named the landmarks (The Dry Lake, the Gammon Rock, Jack's Flat, etc.). After a while Grandpa and Mr Fisher both got married, had families, and continued to go to Willow Creek to hunt.

Grandpa Noble and Grandma Julie have been gone since 1995, but the Deer Hunt lives on. No one hunts anymore, but none of us would ever dream of missing the Deer Hunt. We have to do the EXACT things that Grandpa Noble did, such as:

* Arrange all the trailers and motor homes in a circle (picture circling the wagon train),

* Rake all the stickers from the ground from inside the camp circle,

* Lay down canvas tarps (who still has canvas tarps - aren't they all that blue plastic stuff?) inside the camp circle so the dust doesn't get kicked up,

* Dig a hole for the outhouse. (Everyone has bathrooms in their trailers but remember, it's TRADITION!),

* Talk about those old landmarks and how they appear this year,

* Try to remember where we hid the fire grate from the previous year.

Those are just a FEW of the things that we need to do to complete the deer hunt experience. (Does it sound like the entire family is a little obsessive-compulsive? We are.) We have added things over the years such as 4-wheelers, paint ball guns and occasionally a craft or two (for a few of us). We have always had snacks but now we have reached the ridiculous stage. We had 24 people in our group and we had one ENTIRE church banquet table plus the half-size banquet table FILLED with candy, popcorn balls, candy, cheese and crackers, candy, cookies, and anything else you can think of. It was as if I had died and gone to heaven!

Each night we all sit around the fire and talk about farting. This year I shared with some of my younger boy cousins (ages 10 & 12) how cool my scrapping friends were because we've been involved with "blue darts". That really moved me up on the coolness ladder!

Here's some pictures of the traditional deer hunt (if you want to use it as a pattern for planning your own outing):

The king and queen of the camp - my Mom and Dad


Here I am with FOS (why does he always make the stupid face when we are getting our pictures taken?)


The picture below is me sitting on the toilet in the outhouse tent ... You didn't believe me, did you?

Since I don't have a trailer, this was my campsite. Every evening after the fire we would drive a few minutes to Salina and our "camp". Imagine having a hot shower whenever I wanted on! Hee hee hee ...

The Deer Hunt - It's the same every year. Life doesn't get much better than this!

A Picture Really Is Worth A Thousand Words ...

I wish you could feel my heart when I look at this picture. It makes me immeasurably happy. How did I get so lucky to find this group of friends? It all started almost ten years ago when Ashley suggested a scrap booking weekend. Didn't Ashley know that I was insecure, that I didn't go anywhere without MOMD, and that I didn't hang out with friends? I guess she didn't know those things because she pursued it. I am so glad.

I am the mother of boys, the aunt of boys, and the sister of a boy. There are no girls in my life. I didn't hang out with friends. My family members were my friends. My life was full and I didn't think I needed anyone else.

I didn't realize I had an empty spot in my heart until I went on that scrapping weekend all those years ago. Beginning then and growing over time we have developed into sisters. We listen to each other, we counsel each other, we ask questions that we are too embarrassed to ask anyone else (even our doctors), but most of all, we are loved by each other. I did need more in my life and I'm so thankful that I found it with these friends.

It doesn't matter how much time has passed since our last visit or weekend getaway. We jump in as if we see each other daily. By this point we are pretty comfortable with each other (if seeing each other in pajamas, without a shower, and passing gas means you feel comfortable).
I think our differences are what make our group work. We have different religious views, political views, and we are in different stages of our life. I am older than this group (oh, so much older! - I could be these girls' mother) and hearing the stories about raising kiddos makes me wish I had appreciated my time more when my boys were little. Maybe that's one of our strengths - we all have different perspectives and feel comfortable sharing our ideas with each other. We don't need to impress each other and we don't try. How incredibly freeing!

The bottom line is this - I love these girls! Do you understand now why this picture makes me so happy?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

* Good friends - what would I do without them?
* Having summer-like weather even though it is October 2.
* Feeling more in control of my life. I hate it when I'm out of control!

Stepping Outside The Box

This past week I've been trying to step "outside the box" of myself. I'm trying not to be so self-absorbed. I've decided to try and be more friendly with my fellow Trax riders. There is one man that I ride the train with and we each sit in the same seats everyday, directly across the aisle from each other. I started saying good morning to him and he gives me the head nod. That's good, isn't it? I'm stepping out of my comfort zone.

Last Friday morning as I was stepping "outside the box" at the Trax station I said good morning to a lady who was waiting for a train. Her response to me was, "See that flare up there in the sky?" I looked up and in an otherwise cloudless sky, saw a tiny wisp of a cloud barely about the mountain top that was illuminated with pre-sunrise light. I said to her, "You mean that cloud?" She said, "That's not a cloud. That's a UFO." She started fumbling in her purse as I tried to wipe the skepticism off my face. Then she said, "Shoot! It landed on the mountain and I didn't get my camera out in time!" She then pointed out that even though the UFO had landed on the mountain, the mountain wasn't on fire. Amazing! She started telling me that this was not her first experience with a UFO. She told me that one morning she was up at about 5:00 a.m. and looked outside and saw three UFO's "flying equidistant from each other". Evidently she didn't have a camera then either. I just kept listening to her; all the while slowly moving away from her to my own area of the platform. It was a very interesting experience.

When I told my family about it they all gave me the Stranger Danger talk and said not to talk to anyone anymore. They even told me not to say good morning to the man that I see everyday because he will think I am hitting on him. I think I will be staying "inside my box" from now on.

You Can't Fly Under The Radar

I thought I had church all figured out. I sat on the back row in the corner every week at Sacrament Meeting (so as not to be in the Bishop's line of sight. I attended Relief Society just enough so that my name wouldn't go on the inactive list (just kidding - I don't think there is an inactive list, is there?) I have NEVER attended an Enrichment Night or a Super Saturday so as not to draw attention to myself (in spite of being on the Enrichment Night Committee). I NEVER attended an Enrichment Committee meeting, but rather just let them assign me the invitations. I was willing to make meals and do all those other Mormon girl things, but I didn't want to get involved. My calling of Visiting Teaching Coordinator was enough for me and the perfect amount of commitment. (I'm so bad at commitment.) Once a month all my Visiting Teaching Supervisors would call me with their lists and then I would go to the church and fill out my report, all the while congratulating myself for flying under the ward radar. Evidently that ward radar is a lot stronger than I thought because I got the dreaded call from the Executive Secretary this past week. I've obviously been called to repentance regarding my church activity (my thoughts anyway) because I am the new Relief Society secretary. That wasn't supposed to happen - no one was supposed to notice me! I want to be stage crew rather than the actor! I don't want to teach a lesson, I don't want to visit, I don't want to plan anything. I hate finding out that it's not always all about ME. That totally bums me out.

Seriously though, this is not my first calling as RS secretary so I know what I'm up against. The other ladies in the presidency are awesome, funny, clever, and pretty spiritual too. I'm definitely the odd man out here. I wonder what would happen if I didn't attend any presidency meetings ... do you think anyone would notice?

Are you kidding me?

What's wrong with this picture of our family calendar? ... Can you figure it out? Notice the time period this is for - MARCH 2007 to AUGUST 2008. Who's the mental giant who thought that was an appropriate time frame for a calendar? By the time I got around to buying a 2007 calendar a few months had passed so I thought I was getting a great deal on this little gem. What an idiot I was! Guess what happened when August 2008 came and went? I HAD NO CALENDAR! Just try to find a calendar at this time of year for the four remaining months of the year. I toyed with the idea of just printing something off from the computer, but that seemed like giving up. I trudged on looking for a 2008 calendar wherever I went, traveling far and wide. My persistence finally paid off! I was at Seagull Book and as I was heading toward the cashier I thought to myself, "Go look at the clearance items". Of course I obey everything I say to myself, so I did. Lo and behold, I found a new calendar AND it was 70% off the original price of $15.95. Woo hoo! I love a deal! I snatched that calendar up without caring what the pictures or theme was. I ran to the cashier clutching it close to my body in case some other shopper tried to steal it from me. When I got to the cashier, I was thrilled to hear that the price had dropped even lower; it was on sale for $1.99! WOW! I'm going to buy all my calendars in September (oh wait - no, I'm not ...). Anyway, here is the new calendar. I'm sure my family will be blessed for having it in our house (and not just because we'll know what day it is).

Thankful Thursday

* I'm thankful it's only two weeks until my scrapping getaway with my best friends!
* I'm thankful that we interviewed someone yesterday for the open position at my work. Someone will eventually be hired! There is a light at the end of the tunnel! (You'd think that I was working 7 days a week/12 hours a day. I am only working 4 days a week, but it's killing me!)

Tagged ...

Thank goodness for Adrian. She's the one who tagged me and FORCED me to blog again. I have been so lazy lately. Here goes:

4 Random Things I Like About My Husband
* He takes such good care of me.
* He makes me laugh (even when I don't want to).
* His flat top/crew cut haircut.
* He is my soul mate. (I know some of you may not believe in that stuff, BUT I DO!)

4 Movies I Can Watch More Than Once
* Grease
* The African Queen (Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn for all you youngsters)
* Any Doris Day/Rock Hudson movie but especially Pillow Talk
* The Parent Trap (I love the original but will watch L. Lohan because she was nice then)

4 TV Shows That I Watch
* The Amazing Race
* The Office
* House Hunters
* Survivor

4 Places I've Been
* Germany
* Switzerland
* Belgium
* New York
(I don't remember ANY of these places as I was a baby when I visited them all. My grandma told me that I was the star of the Belgium World's Fair and since my grandma never lied, I tend to believe her.) :)

4 People Who Email Me Regularly
* Scrapper best friends
* Taylor
* Daily Wow, Rev Run's Words of Wisdom, RealAge - I subscribe to a bunch of daily thoughts ...
* Work people (not as fun as the above emailers)

4 Favorite Foods
* Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
* Mashed potatoes and gravy
* Roast beef
* Enchiladas
(Now you know how I keep my girlish figure)

4 Places I'd Like To Visit
* Switzerland
* Hawaii
* New Zealand
* Prince Edward Island (because of Anne of Green Gables)

4 Things I'm Looking Forward To Next Year
* Spring (winter is hard for me)
* A new backyard
* Walking in Tooele's 5K (maybe) - I told my cousin's daughter that I would do it with her but I haven't started training yet ...
* Working around the house and trying to get it into shape - we've lived here since 1979 and one of our rooms (my bedroom) has NEVER been repainted! Can you imagine the squalor? I can't believe I just admitted that in print.

4 People I Tag
* Cathy Zielske
* Oprah Winfrey
* Lisa Bearnson
* Sarah Palin
(Just kidding - I don't even know those people!)

Thankful Thursday

Things I'm thankful for today:

1. That today is THURSDAY. I have had a crummy week ... the kind you need a hug for when you get home from work (and not from just your family but from complete strangers in the grocery store). I'm off work tomorrow and Monday too, so I'll have time to heal. :)
2. My family - We're all off for the long weekend.
3. Diggers/backhoes/tractors - I'm not sure what they're called but we are renting one for our backyard tomorrow and Saturday. Hopefully we'll get some dirty work done!

Shh! Here's a Book Recommendation

Okay - I never recommend books. I am a much more simple minded soul that most of the people I associate with. If I were to recommend something like Dick and Jane (my typical type of reading material) my friends and associates would laugh me into the fetal position. A couple of months ago I read an interesting article about a couple who had sex for 101 days IN A ROW (not in their lifetime). The article was so funny that I decided to read the book. It was a hoot! It's not a book about sex (well I guess it is ...) but about a relationship and what this couple does to try to jazz their relationship up. (The intimate parts are not described in detail although we do have occasional position descriptions.) All throughout their quest they fight children, the daily grind (ha ha - I said "grind"), illness, etc. I thought it was a great book. It made me laugh out loud in some parts and think in other parts. I will not recommend it to the Ward book club but if you are a little curious and dare check it out from the library (I did), give it a try. I hope no one will be offended by this suggestion. It's a fun read. It's called Just Do It; How One Couple Turned Off The TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives For 101 Days (No Excuses!)

Thankful Thursday

I'm a total copy cat.  Sweet Adrian has come up with an inspired idea.  It's called "Thankful Thursdays".   I am going to copy her and list things I am thankful for on Thursdays.  Isn't she smart?

Since I have been attending Education Week at BYU this week my list will reflect that.  I am thankful for:

1.  Teachers - Some people can make an idea come to life and make it so clear.  What an amazing talent!  How do they do it?

2.  The ability to learn - I may not learn quickly or retain much information, but it sparks a flame in me that encourages further study.

3.  Sleep - I love to sleep!  Is that wrong?

I Was A Frigid Wife or How My Husband Saved Our Relationship

Okay, I'll admit it. I was beyond cold. Some might even call it frigid. (I know I would.) My husband saved our marriage and my sanity with a $3.00 purchase. What kind of device could possibly do so much to improve my life? Well, I'll tell you. He surprised me with an air deflector! What a sweetheart! I've never loved him more...

Early this summer we had central air installed. Great - our family has finally come into the new millennium. It was awesome for about the first 15 minutes until I started growing an icicle mustache (I might have a few stray hairs growing under my nose). Anyway, my family thinks that the ideal temperature in the house is a brisk 72 degrees. I know 72 doesn't sound low, but think of this. The vents are in our ceiling. I usually spend my time on the loveseat in my bedroom (directly under the vent) or actually in bed (again, directly under the vent). Central air that has been chilled to 72 degrees is freezing when it is blowing right on you! I could cut glass with my nipples. I had to be careful doing my hair in the morning because I actually scratched the mirror a couple of times (with my rock hard nips)! I have been freezing since that fateful day. I have been wearing house slippers constantly, no more bare feet for me. Once those footsies got cold, they never got warm. I wore socks to bed with one sheet, two quilts, one bedspread, and a throw on top of me. (I am not kidding.) The boys kept telling me I needed to go to the doctor because something was obviously wrong with me.

The other day MOMD came home and told me he has a surprise for me! I love surprises. When he showed me what it was (an air deflector), I didn't understand the magnitude of the purchase. My sweet husband climbed up on a chair, put the air deflector over the vent and now the freezing air is directed into the room and not onto me. My life and our relationship have improved significantly. I can now read in my loveseat and not even have a blanket OR slippers on. I think the best part though is that I no longer feel like a bear in hibernation under all my covers. Last night I think I even was a little hot ...

Too Many Emotions - (Sappy Post Warning)

I don't know what's been going on this past week but it has been one of emotional extremes for me. I learned a sweet friend has pancreatic cancer, I went to another friend's funeral (who was only 14 years older than I am), and I'm overly worried about the state of the world.

In spite of these tragic events and concerns, my life is full of joy. I am thankful that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I feel as if my testimony is stronger now than ever and I guard it close to my heart. I hope I won't do anything to jeopardize it.

At the funeral of my friend (a woman from the ward I grew up in who had been my neighbor and my teacher throughout the years) I was impressed when her son said he was proud to consider himself a "mama's boy". As a mother of sons that touched me. I was also deeply touched at the feeling of homecoming ... not because I was in my old ward (because the funeral was in a building I had never been in), but because there were so many familiar, smiling faces. Even though we were gathered for a sad occasion, we were pleased to be together. These were not friends my age for the most part, but older members of the neighborhood and ward who had watched me grow up through the years. These were my friends' parents. It was so satisfying to meet up with these friends and catch up on old times. Many of them had been my leaders throughout the years. They'll never know the impact they had on me and the fact that they remembered me (sometimes with a little prompting) pleased me to no end.

This week I also heard the story of a "prodigal son" returning. This "son" is a friend of FOS and a great kid from a great family. He lost his footing along the way and made many unwise choices (like so many of us). His mom talked to me about how she was so grateful that he had found his way; he is graduating from college next week with plans to go on to graduate school and he has married a sweet girl who loves him for who he is. He has realized what is important to him and what is not. My heart was full for their family.

Overall I guess it just boils down to me being thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. No matter what situation I find myself in I'm finding everything is centered around my Father in Heaven. What a great comfort that is!

I'm A Star!

Today the ladies in my ward went to GOOD THINGS UTAH, so I tagged along. I took my Aunt Lou with me because she is fun and is agreeable to doing things with me (MOMD probably pays her to take some of the pressure off of him). It was really fun and I got to be on TV! (More on that later ...)

The studio is much smaller than it looks on TV and the ladies on the show are very thin. Even all the little helper girls are very thin and cute too, wearing stylish clothes (high, high heels with shorts - you know, the shorts that are to the knees but shorter than capris?) and everyone had full MAKEUP on (I'm not talking mascara, I'm talking the whole kit and kaboodle). What's up with that? I felt like Betty the Cavewoman.

Anyway, the host ladies were very nice, the announcer was very nice (I sat right in front of where he stood to announce) and the guests were fun. Our main guests were Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical (playing at the Capitol Theater). I don't know their real names and I'm not even sure if that's their HSM names ... I have never seen HSM! They were both cute. While we were waiting outside the studio (notice how I've already picked up on the TV lingo by saying "studio") we saw Joy from Joy in the Morning get out of her car and walk in (she said "hi" to us - and I think she noticed that I have great "stage presence" - I hope she also noticed how good I looked on camera) and we also saw the chef from Grand America get out of his car, but he didn't say anything to us (he drove a Hummer).

We got some free stuff too. We got two tickets to the Parade of Homes (also good for free admittance to Hogle Zoo and This is the Place State Park), a recipe for Peach Pot Pie (looked yummy when they made it), and also a Breast Cancer Awareness Key Chain. We made out like fat rats! See my stash in the picture below.

And now, here's what you've all been waiting for ... drum roll please ... Can you see me in the top corner (I'm the one that looks like a seal). That's Aunt Lou next to me. Look how much fun we're having! Excuse the quality of the pictures because I left my camera in the car, so this picture was taken off the TV (yes, I recorded it just in case I was on). Even with the poor quality, I think I look stunning!(?)

Here is a better close up of me below. That's my shoulder! I've never looked better - oh wait - is that a roll of fat? (The cute lady below my shoulder was being shown because it was her birthday. I go visiting teaching to her. She is a doll, as you can see.)

It was fun and I'd do it again (especially with the free stuff - doesn't Oprah give out cars?)!

As a side note - would someone please buy me a thesaurus ... look how many times I said the words cute and fun in this post. I guess you can't have brains and beauty ...

50 Going on 12 ...

My mother-in-law (Carol) got four tickets to the Pioneer Day Celebration at the Conference Center with the Tabernacle Choir and ... the OSMONDS. MOMD, my Aunt Lou, Carol, and I went last night. I'm not sure if anyone recognizes the significance having the OSMONDS and me in the same location. Let me give you a little history ...

When I was in sixth grade/seventh grade (early, early 70's for all you young punks out there) I fell in love. I didn't know and hadn't met MOMD yet (and wouldn't for two more years), so it was okay. The person I fell in love with was Donny Osmond. I'm not talking infatuation. I'm not talking a crush. I am talking almost-TRUE LOVE. I surrendered myself to intense study, learning everything I could about my almost-TRUE LOVE. I learned all the important facts regarding him (favorite color: purple; always wore purple socks ... isn't that adorable?), collected all the photos I could, and made a shrine in my bedroom dedicated solely to Donny.

Here is an example of one of my encyclopedias of love.


One time the Osmonds were in concert at the Salt Palace (a different Salt Palace than the one we have now - this was a long time ago) and fans were lined up forever to get tickets. My brother had a hockey game scheduled that morning at the Salt Palace so we got to walk right through the doors. I started BEGGING my mom to let me buy tickets but, of course, she wouldn't let me. She was SO mean. (My 50-year-old self realizes now that it wouldn't have been very fair to jump into line ahead of all those other so-called fans but who cared about them?)

We always water skiied at Pineview Reservoir in those days and the Osmonds had a home right on the water. My constant daydream was that I would be water skiing by their home and have a nasty fall. Our boat would have to take me to the Osmond's home for medical attention. Of course then I would meet Donny and he would fall in love with me and we'd live happily ever after. I am not even kidding about this daydream. What kind of demented person was/am I?

Did I mention that sometimes I cried when Donny sang "Puppy Love" on the radio because I was so in love with him? True story.

Fast forward my life to last night. I did not realize that I was still in love with Donny. The crazy part was that I (my 50-year-old self) was not in love with the 50-year-old Donny (who is a grandpa). Somehow last night I was transported back to my early years (possible Conference Center time machine?). As soon as the brothers started singing "Down By the Lazy River" I started bouncing up and down in my seat. I got happy feet and my hands starting clapping. I think I may even have squealed! The Donny highlight of the night was when he sang "Puppy Love" to me. I almost started crying. I am not kidding! (Donny and I were finally together!) I heard other women around me swoon and squeal, but they were love amateurs compared to the deep feelings I had/have.

The concert ended, and the time machine transported me back to being 50. MOMD was still the man of my dreams. Weird - it wasn't really Donny after all (who may dye his hair). All in all, the entire night was wonderful. I love the MoTabs! I love the Osmonds! I love Pioneer Day! What a great night!

One Project A YEAR

Okay - since I want to follow exactly in my good friend Gail's footsteps, and since she is starting "One Project A Year", I decided I needed to do it too. I guess the idea came from some over-achieving scrapbook guru who challenged herself to one project A MONTH that needed to be accomplished. As Gail (and I) found out, one project A YEAR is plenty.

So here was my plan. My big boys needed window screens on their bedroom windows. I called the window store and asked how much it would cost. They said if they came out to my house and measured it would be $50 for the measurement alone plus the cost of making the screen. I looked on the Internet and read how EASY it was to make your own screen, so, of course, that's what I decided to do.

I convinced FOS that it would be a really fun activity and something we could do together. We needed to take a measurement first. The first obstacle was the window well filled with spiders and all kinds of creepy crawlies. FOS was more of a girl than I was. We also had to fight through the mounds of stuff in his room in front of his window. We finally got the measurements for the window and I headed off to Home Depot. Look what I found! EASY TO BUILD WINDOW SCREEN! It has to be easy - it says so on the packaging! I'm in luck. (Of course I wanted to do this without MOMD so he would be proud of me when he came home from work ...)FOS wielded the hacksaw (as needed per instructions) and we (he) sawed our window frame to the exact size. We put the frame together (it fit like a charm) and set it into the window to check for fit. It was a titch too big. Okay, no problem. We pulled it apart, measured the amount we needed to take off and sawed again. Good job FOS! We again put the frame together and checked for fit. It was still a little big. By this time (about two hours after our start time) FOS had had about as much fun as he could take and he suggested waiting for MOMD to get home from work.

When MOMD got home, he rolled his eyes (I can't imagine why he would do that) and said we'd work on it another day. (I'm not sure he understood the concept of having the project done THIS year - as per scrapbooking guru.)

A couple of days later I suggested (nagged) about the screen and everybody jumped on the task. MOMD took new measurements, found that we were just a slight bit off and the frame would just need to be sawed again.

Here is the progress as it unfolded. This is MOMD AFTER he took the measurements and sawed a bit of the frame off. He is putting the frame together before fitting it to the window.

Whoops! It was just a bit too big (for the fourth time) so here's MOMD sawing some off. Note the concentration ...

Guess what? The frame fit the window. Now it's time to put in the screen. Here's MOMD putting in the spline (window word meaning ... oh, who cares?). FOS is standing nearby helping but he didn't want his picture taken.

And now, the finished product! Look at the satisfaction (or is that a grimace) on MOMD's face! He is amazing!

I'm thinking of posting these informative pictures/instructions on YouTube so everyone else can make their own new window screens. The only problem with YouTube is that I wouldn't be able to edit the swearing and dirty looks I received as I helped with this project. By the time it was finished, we were all so tired that we couldn't do any more so FYS won't get a new screen for his window at this time. Maybe that's a project for ANOTHER YEAR!

4th of July!

I love the 4th of July! It's so goofy in our neck of the woods. (Just the way I love it!) We have a family in our area (I don't even know them) that put together a neighborhood parade every year. Kids decorate their bikes, mom and dad's pull their kids in wagons, and dogs walk with red, white, and blue bandannas around their neck. It's awesome! I love every minute of it. For some reason (and I kick myself in the butt for this) my kids never participated in the neighborhood parade. I guess we thought it would be stupid. We only found out about 7-8 years ago that it was the place to be at 10:00 on the morning of the 4th of July. It's one of the things that make our neighborhood special.

My mom and dad came over to watch, the neighbors sat on their curb on a blanket, and we sat on our front porch. My sweet boys are such good sports. They know it's a big deal to me, so FOS worked all night at his job, got home at 7:00 AM but stayed up until the 10:00 parade. FYS had just gotten home at 6:30 AM. (he was NOT working) but set his alarm so he could get up in time to come out and watch it.

I'm telling you - it's a real parade! Isn't this the sweetest thing you've ever seen?

This year was a little different as MOMD and my sister-in-law, Juanita, decided to be IN the parade. (Juanita is a good sport and supports MOMD with his weird ideas.) My grandpa and grandma had a pedal car that has been stored in my Aunt's garage for the last 14 years. This poor pedal car is about 40 years old (I'm not kidding) since I rode it when I was a kid. MOMD went and got the pedal car, took it to his brother's house (Juanita's husband) for a pedal car tune-up, and then we all decorated it for the parade. Juanita got candy to throw at the spectators along the parade route. What could be better? It was awesome! Here they are, and please notice how hot and trend-setting MOMD looks in his farmer outfit and old man hat. I've never loved him more.

This was one of my favorite entries as they return home from being in the parade - a riding lawn mower! Don't you love the 4th of July!

Latest Guilty Pleasure

On June 5th, my nephew graduated from Hunter High School (good job Justin!). After the graduation ceremony, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law took the whole family to dinner. The took us to a restaurant called the Mikado. I'm sure many of my more worldly readers have experienced the Mikado (in the Cottonwood area, not downtown) but this was our first time. It has become an addiction for our family. The boys love sushi and that's what they order, and MOMD and I just love food, so we order everything else. The thing about Mikado is that it's all about the presentation. All three of the dishes below are appetizers, and look how beautiful they look. It makes you feel like royalty to eat creations like this. And everything is yummers! Tonight was our third night going to Mikado since June 5. (See what I mean about an addiction?) If you have the chance, try it!

This was my cheesecake "to go". Look how pretty they made even that! Notice the fanned strawberries and the mint leaves along with fresh blueberries ...

By the way - Who takes pictures of food at restaurants?

Opportunity(?)

A few weeks ago in Relief Society we had a sign up sheet to work at the Welfare Square Cannery. "What the heck?," I thought. "I can do that." (I think I must have been under the influence of crack cocaine at the time.) Anyway ... last night a sweet 87 year old lady in my ward calls me and asks if I want to ride with her to the Cannery. "What? Is that tomorrow?," I think. CRAP! What did I get myself into? Since I couldn't come up with an excuse fast enough, I told her that I would LOVE to go with her and that I would drive. Let's pause here for a couple of interesting points. First - I DO NOT do things with people that are not my family or my scrapbook friends. Second - I cannot find my way out of a paper bag when I am driving or walking for that matter. Third - CRAP - it's the Cannery and I don't want to go!

I sucked it up and picked up my riders (which had grown to TWO now). The ladies gave me directions and we found the Cannery. The experience was AWESOME. I was so happy that I could be part of such a worthwhile operation (after it was over). It made me feel proud of my church AND myself. I know, I know - I need to read the lesson on pride. We did spaghetti sauce today and only four people (me and my two riders and one man in my ward) showed up. We handled it! We put lids on the hot bottles and then we boxed the bottles after they were sealed and labeled. I personally made about 10,000 boxes myself. (That may be an exaggeration ...) We then went back in and did the lid thing again before returning to the boxing again. We rocked the Cannery! There were so many cute little older missionaries working and helping us. It was a great experience. I would definitely do it again. I'm not saying it wasn't tiring, but it wasn't bad. Please remind me of this the next time I'm high and sign up for the Cannery ...

House Guests

Many of you (okay everyone who knows me) are familiar with my stress of having visitors in my home. I love my house, I love my stuff, and I'm not embarrassed or worried about people not liking my home, but to have someone come over totally stresses me out. I don't know why. I know it's irrational and if I were a good friend, daughter, daughter-in-law, family member, etc. I would have parties night and day at my home BUT I CAN'T. Too much stress.

Anyway - last week I had not one, but two, house guests. Minnie and Aurora (Princess Aurora to be precise) came and stayed with my family. It was quite pleasant. I wasn't worried about what to feed them or how to entertain them. Princess Aurora did not even ask for special royal treatment. They were the perfect guests! They are welcome back anytime. The only problem was that they really enjoyed my bed, which didn't bother me in the least, but MOMD had nowhere to sleep! Aurora enjoyed sleeping with her head on MOMD's pillow and Minnie preferred the bottom of the bed UNDER all the covers. (Aurora is the white and black guest and Minnie is the smaller black guest.) Did I also mention that they brought their OWN beds and at their houses they sleep in THEIR beds?

This is how Minnie even takes her naps. She covered herself up with my sweater.

Hooray for house guests!

Is This Really My "Good" Side?

FOS bought a new truck a month or so ago. Of course, we can't just have a nice new truck - we have to LIFT it. He has been asking me why I don't take it for a test drive. Okay, I think. What the heck? Why not?

Oooohhhhhh! This is why! Seriously ...

But I'm The Mom ...

Just because FOS and FYS are grown up men does that mean they don't have to listen to a thing I say anymore?  NO - it does not mean that!  It means that they should listen to all my advice and directions and follow everything to the letter.  I AM THE MOM!  Evidently they don't see things my way because in the last month both of those hot dogs have brought home motorcycles.  As if I don't have enough to worry about.  How many times have I said NO over the years to motorcycles?  How many times have they listened before?  What went wrong this time?  (Does the fact that they are 26 and 24 have anything to do with it?)   What's a mother to do?  

 

A Few Days in My Paradise

Okay - so MOMD and I are back from Colorado where he was taking a carving class from the world famous(?) Phil and Vickie Bishop from Oklahoma. He was in hog heaven ... and SO WAS I!!! Just look at the perfect set-up that was waiting for me when I arrived at the Hampton Inn -- a perfect desk to scrap at and a comfy chair to sit in and read (note books on bedside table).




I had the best time ever! Everyday MOMD would come home from carving and say to me, "I feel so sorry for you -- you must be so bored." I would say, "I would sacrifice anything to make you happy" ... oh wait, that's not what I would say. I would say, "ARE YOU NUTS? I'm having the best time of my life. Can you go back and carve for a little longer?" (I wouldn't really say that last part.) Let me just say this - it was awesome! The first day (Friday) I did not turn on the radio, did not turn on the TV, or listen to my iPod. I was basking in complete silence. At that moment, my life was perfect. The second day I watched TV (Evan Almighty) while I ate my lunch (Sun Chips) and then the TV went off again. I completed my entire All About Me album (with the exception of a couple of pictures that I need to add). I was so relaxed. The last day (Sunday) we had to check out of our room before the class had ended so I packed up my Cathy Zielske Clean & Simple book (that I've NEVER read because it was loaned out) and read that while I waited for MOMD to finish his masterpiece. AGAIN - I was as happy as a pig in mud.

Speaking of Cathy Zielske - I think she is my new Oprah! I am not kidding. I thought Oprah was the neatest thing since toilet paper on the roll but now I am leaning toward Cathy. I haven't been so inspired to scrap my own way (without embellishments, torn paper, chalk, colored pens, etc.) EVER. She is a goddess! I haven't read her blog yet, but you can bet I will be adding it to my blog favorites soon. I want to be just like her. In fact, I just had one of my boys take my picture looking up at the camera with a big smile on my face (just like Cathy). The result was not quite the same. (Maybe if I cut my hair really short ...)

The Last Days (Scrapbooking-Wise)

Tomorrow MOMD and I are going to Ft Collins, Colorado for a wood carving class (for him). I am happily taking my scrapbooking stuff for a few days of uninterrupted fun. I can hardly wait. The only thing I'm worried about is no one passing gas around me (as is usually the case when I go away to scrap). I will be taking my "CKU in a Box" (still in the original box), my "All About Me" Album (also in the original box), and a bunch of Disney pictures (Disney World AND Disneyland - two separate trips!). I think I should have plenty to scrap. That's why I'm thinking it may be the last days ... if I get this stuff done then I know the end is near. You better start preparing now! If the sun doesn't come up on Monday morning, you'll know I finished!

Hurray for Me!

Okay folks - right after President Hinckley passed away I got an email suggesting that everyone wanting to honor President Hinckley and his life should read the Book of Mormon in 97 days (because he was 97 years old). The organizers were calling it Warriors for Hinckley or something like that.  You may have noticed my graph on my blog tracking my progress.  Well ... the 97th day will be on May 10th and I finished reading on May 7th!  (I'm very proud of myself.) Is there a prize involved and what is it?  Does it mean I am the queen warrior?  Does it mean that I get to persecute the "lesser" (32,000+) warriors?  Does it mean that I get more blessings?  I think it does.  (I don't want to hear any crap about being prideful either!)  Yippee for me!

This is What 50 Looks Like

So MOMD turned 50 last Monday. Who would believe it? Who would believe we would live this long? Who would believe we would someday be this OLD? This is OLD like Grandma and Grandpa OLD ... like half a century OLD ... like dirt OLD. (Note: I have NOT turned 50 yet so I am not included in all this OLD talk.)

This is what 50 looks like if you live at our house ...

MOMD with his mom.

"Now hold still - I just want to 'whisper' something in your ear."

My long-suffering sister-in-law, Juanita. She's a good sport, isn't she?

This is either the Three Stooges, the Three Caballeros, or America's Most Wanted. Whoops - my mistake! This is MOMD with his two brothers, Mike and Tracy.

"What? This is a napkin? I thought it was a bra, or at least a hat!"

A RED LETTER DAY(?)

It's been a few days (okay weeks) since I posted last (with the exception of the 20 Things I Love list last night), so here's what's been keeping me busy ...

On Thursday, April 24, I was at work (minding my own business I might add) when I get a call from FOS. He had just been to the ophthalmologist to get his eyes checked. As the exam was ending, FOS mentioned to the doctor that he had a black "spot" in one of his eyes. The doctor looked and found a retinal tear. He immediately called another ophthalmologist and had FOS drive to that location. The second doctor found an additional retinal tear! FOS had his eye lasered in two spots to "weld" the tears. The doc said one of the areas was right on a nerve and FOS said it was the most pain he had been in (including brain surgery - I'm not kidding). HELLO! I'm a mom! and I'm at work! I can't take that information over the phone. I was supposed to be there, holding his hand and saying loving words to get him through the trauma! How could he handle it without me?

Okay, it's still April 24th and I was still at work. FYS then called me to tell me that the hand specialist he had just visited said he needed surgery on his broken hand! WHAT? How much can I take in one day? Let me just say that FYS got the broken hand the weekend before in a little "altercation" (of course he was defending someone's honor!). Holy crap! I was on overload. The surgery would require FYS to have an external fixator (pin sticking out of his hand). Hooray! The news just keeps getting better and better! Crap, crap, crap.

Moving ahead to April 28th (the day of the surgery and also MOMD's birthday) -- the surgery went well and FYS did well. He is his own comedy routine everyday but especially when coming out of the anesthesia. He asked the nurse out to lunch (which he also did when he had his wisdom teeth removed AND his nose surgery), told her that she was the cutest thing he had ever seen (she had a 23 year old daughter and 17 year old son), and kept asking me if I wanted to take his picture. I did take his picture just to satisfy him. Salt Lake Regional did an awesome job of taking care of both of us (although they did not give me drugs). I did an awesome job of being a mom and supporting FYS.

I've Been Tagged! 20 THINGS I LOVE RIGHT NOW ...

I've been tagged before but wasn't really sure what to do - I hope I'm not going to be thrown in blog jail (blail?) for messing this up.  Okay, here goes (in no particular order) ...

  1.  MOMD - What would I ever do without him?  He really is the man of my dreams.

  2.  My rotten (hee hee) kids.

  3.  The ability to read.

  4.  Chocolate.

  5.  Singing along with the radio when you know all the words to the song.

  6.  Reality (?) T.V. (Survivor, American Idol)

  7.  The Office.

  8.  My sweet, sweet friends.  (You know who you are.)  I never realized how much was missing in my life before I found them.  Now I can't believe I lasted as long as I did on my own (well, on my own with a lot of testosterone thrown it from my family).

  9. Mashed potatoes and gravy.

10.  Sunny days with blue, blue skies.

11.  Being alone (sometimes it feels good, doesn't it?)

12.  The comic section in the newspaper (but not the serious ones - they're not "comics").

13.  Soaking in the bathtub for so long that you have to keep adding hot water.

14.  Disneyland

15.  Chocolate chip cookies

16.  Blogging - it's addicting!

17.  When all the wash is done and the hamper is empty.

18.  Hanging out on days off with my boys.

19.  Sleep.

20.  Most of all ... another day with people I love.

Temple Trip - Mormon-speak alert

I had an interesting experience today that hit me smack dab in the heart.  My dad had invited MOMD and me to go to the temple with him, my mom, their ward, and my aunt.  (We were doing a session and having dinner in the temple cafeteria afterward.)  Our little family group arrived at the temple and walked up to the recommend desk.  No big deal ... same routine as always.  We all showed our recommends and walked into the foyer/lobby area (or whatever it's called).  My dad started talking to someone he knew and we were just standing around. All of a sudden I heard MOMD call my name.  I turned around and he was still at the recommend desk.  His recommend expired TWO WEEKS AGO!  What??  MOMD couldn't come in!?!  All of a sudden I was torn.  Since we drove everyone to the temple, MOMD would need to come BACK to pick everyone up.  WHAT DO I DO?   Do I leave with him and then come back later OR do I stay with the rest of my family and do the dinner (which is already paid for) and the session.  I ended up staying at the temple (probably because food was involved). Holy cow -- Talk about an object lesson!  I know that this entire experience sounds trivial (but it wasn't to me) and I was obviously in an emotional frame of mind -- but the whole thing stunk.  Each time I moved to a new area in the temple (chapel, room for the session, Celestial room, even the cafeteria) the first thing I did was to scan the crowd for MOMD.   Of course in a split second I would remember/realize that he wasn't there and wouldn't be there. Even though I was surrounded by my family, it wasn't the same.   If I ever forgot how important MOMD was to me, this situation reminded me how much he means to me and how thankful I am for that goofy guy.  I never want to be without him.   

Last year I went by myself (MOMD was busy and it was the last day) to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. It was spectacular! Tons of tulips of every color and size as well as hyacinths, daffodils, and tons of other stuff I don't know the name of. Of course, I wanted to share the wealth of my discovery with those I love (being that I have that kind of generous nature).

Our experience started out with me calling Thanksgiving Point and asking to reserve a golf cart so my mom and dad wouldn't have to walk. They don't take reservations but rent out the carts on a first-come, first-serve basis. Okay, no biggie. We'll just get there early. Next MOMD and I wanted to stop at the ATM for some cash. The first ATM we went to kept our card and froze up. I'm not kidding. Our card was in there so long that I got out of the car, told the car behind us to go somewhere else, and walked over to the drive-through teller line so I could ask them what to do. Of course, after I had done all that WALKING the machine spits out our card. Okay, we can handle this ... we'll just go to another ATM. We stop and pick up Mom and Dad and go to ATM #2. This is a new machine for MOMD to use. He likes the machines that have big numbers (so I suggested this new one that I had previously used - bad idea!). I think the first machine freaked him out because machine #2 was a disaster. Somehow he pushed the Spanish button and I was "helping" from the passenger seat. Finally in a fit of rage (not really) he said, "I'm just going to my regular machine!". Okay sweetie pie - whatever makes you happy. We peeled out with gravel spitting out behind us (not really) and drove to his regular machine (machine #3 if you are counting). We pull up and I start to "help". He gives me the look of death and I decide that he probably doesn't need my "help". We get our money (with no problem - we really did have money in our account for those of you questioning that) and we are finally off. Now I'm stressed because we are leaving later than expected and what if we don't get a golf cart? I am freaking out (in my mind) even though my mom (who has two bad legs) and my dad (who brought his portable oxygen) are telling me that it's not a big deal if we don't get a cart. Do they think I can walk and carry them too?

When we arrive at TP (Thanksgiving Point), MOMD lets us out near the door so my mom and dad don't have the WALK so far while he parks the car. I run (really I just waddled) up to the desk and yell while butting in front of all other customers, "Do you have any golf carts left today?". The cashier says, "We haven't rented any out yet". I start clapping/crying hysterically (maybe that's an overstatement about the crying) and rent the cart. I am so happy.

We get on our cart and start heading down the path. To my (and my family's) surprise THERE ARE NO TULIPS BLOOMING --- ANYWHERE!!!! What the heck??? Evidently the weather has been a little cold this year and the tulips are delayed. I kept saying to everybody, "I am so sorry - this area was really beautiful LAST YEAR".

Seriously though, we had a really good time and it was my mom and dad's first time to Thanksgiving Point. They said they wanted to go back (when things were blooming). We took pictures of the sticks we liked (since they didn't have leaves, flowers, or any green of any kind on them) for our new backyard that (hopefully) we will put in this spring. Afterward we went to Cabela's for lunch, and as you all know, Cabela's is always a winner.

I've attached some pictures so you could enjoy our day along with us ...



Check out the tulips - they are the sparse green sprouts with no blooms ...




MOMD, dad, and mom.


Me and MOMD.

LOOK - I FOUND SOME TULIPS!!!! (These were the ONLY ONES in bloom.)

The moral of the story is it doesn't matter if things don't live up to your expectations, as long as you're having fun with those you love!

The Big Picture

Okay, so it really is 2 in the AM! Why am I up before the crack of butt? Mostly because I'm (turning into) an old woman and am going through a period of insomnia. What's up with that? It's so frustrating to someone who LOVES sleep.

Anyway, while I was lying in bed (day) dreaming about sleep my mind was in a whirl. You know that feeling -- your mind can't settle down and you are reviewing the previous days events and all those who have done you wrong? (And yesterday I had been done wrong - let me tell you ... from the minute I stepped out of my car and FELL DOWN ("stupid Security Officers - why don't they have salt on the slick spots in the parking lot?") to when I got HONKED AT when I was driving home ("stupid driver - I can't freaking believe they can't slow down for 5 seconds to let me in - they have to stop at the upcoming light anyway") to all the crud in between. All of a sudden the little light bulb turned on above my head (you know how it does in cartoons?) and I realized/remembered that everybody is just doing their best. Nobody wakes up in the morning and thinks, "I think I'll drive like an idiot today," or "I'll see how many people I can rile up at work". EVERYBODY IS JUST DOING THEIR BEST. True, sometimes they don't have a lot to work with (hee hee) but they are just doing their best. The person that honked at me is probably blogging right now (okay - maybe not) about how I pulled in front of them and really ticked them off. I hope they remember that I was just doing my best.

I read this article in the Sunday paper and it touched my heart. Thought I needed a visual reminder of what is really important.

The Lessons I'm Leaving Behind By Randy Pausch Published: April 6, 2008

At many colleges, professors are asked to give a “last lecture.” In this talk, they ruminate on what matters most to them. As they speak, audiences mull the same question: What wisdom would you impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance? Last year, I agreed to give a last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University, where I’m a professor in the computer science department. A few weeks later, I learned that I had only months to live—I was dying of pancreatic cancer. I knew I could cancel. I have three young children, I’m married to Jai, the woman of my dreams, and there were so many things to be done. But by speaking, I knew I could put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe. Here’s what I want to share.

Always Have Fun
Before I spoke, Carnegie Mellon’s president, Jared Cohon, said to me, “Please tell them about having fun, because that’s what I’ll remember you for.”I came to an early realization. Each of us must make a decision, best captured in A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh characters. Am I a fun-loving Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore? It’s clear where I stand.For my last Halloween, Jai, our kids and I dressed up as the Incredibles. I put a photo of us on my website and explained that chemo had not affected my superpowers. I got smiling e-mails in response.I won’t let go of the Tigger in me. Someone asked what I want on my tombstone. I said: “Randy Pausch: He Lived 30 Years After a Terminal Diagnosis.” I could pack a lot of fun into 30 years. If that’s not to be, I’ll pack fun into the time I have.

Dream Big
I was 8 in the summer of 1969, when men first walked on the moon. I was at camp, and we campers were brought to the main house to watch the moment on TV. But the astronauts were taking a while, and it was late. The counselors sent us to our tents to sleep, and we missed the first walk.I was peeved. I thought: “My species has gotten off our planet and is in a new world for the first time, and you people think bedtime matters?”When I got home, my dad gave me a photo that he’d taken of our TV set the second Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. We still have that photo. Give yourself permission to dream. Fuel your kids’ dreams too. Once in a while, that might even mean letting them stay up past their bedtimes.

Ask for What You Want
On a trip to Disney World, my dad and I were at the monorail with my son Dylan, then 4. Dylan wanted to sit in the nose-cone with the driver, and my father thought it would be a kick too.“Too bad they don’t let regular people sit there,” Dad said. “Actually, I’ve learned there’s a trick to getting to sit up front,” I said. “Do you want to see it?” I walked over to the attendant and said: “Excuse me. Could we please sit in the front car?”“Certainly,” the attendant said. He led us to the nose-cone. It was one of the only times I ever saw my dad flabbergasted. “I said there was a trick,” I told him. “I didn’t say it was a hard trick.”Now I’ve gotten even better at “just asking.” As we all know, it can take days to get medical results. Waiting is not how I want to spend my time, so I ask: “What’s the fastest I can get these results?”“Oh,” they often respond, “we might be able to have them for you within an hour.”Ask. More often than you’d suspect, the answer you’ll get is, “Sure.”

Dare To Take a Risk
In a virtual-reality course I taught, I encouraged students to attempt hard things and not worry about failing. At the end of the semester, I presented a stuffed penguin—“The First Penguin Award”—to the team that took the biggest gamble while not meeting its goals. The award came from the idea that when penguins jump in water that might have predators, well, one of them’s got to be the first penguin. In essence, it was a prize for “glorious failure.”Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted. And it can be the most valuable thing you have to offer.
Look for the Best In EverybodyI got this advice from Jon Snoddy, my hero at Disney Imagineering. “If you wait long enough,” he said, “people will surprise and impress you.” When you’re frustrated with people, when you’re angry, it may be because you haven’t given them enough time. Jon warned that this took great patience, even years. “In the end,” he said, “people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting. It will come out.”

Make Time for What Matters
When Jai and I went on our honeymoon, we wanted to be left alone. Since my boss demanded a way for people to reach me, I recorded this greeting: “Hi, this is Randy. I waited until I was 39 to get married, so my wife and I are going away for a month. I hope you don’t have a problem with that, but my boss does. Apparently, I have to be reachable.” I then gave the names of Jai’s parents and the city where they lived. “If you call directory assistance, you can get their phone number. And then, if you can convince my in-laws that your emergency merits interrupting their only daughter’s honeymoon, they have our number.” We didn’t get any calls.Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.

Let Kids Be Themselves
Because I’ve been so vocal about my childhood dreams, people have asked me about the dreams I have for my own kids. As a professor, I’ve seen how disruptive it can be for parents to have specific dreams for their children. My job is to help my kids foster a joy for life and develop the tools to fulfill their own wishes. My wishes for them are very exact and, given that I won’t be there, I want to be clear: Kids, don’t try to figure out what I wanted you to become. I want you to become what you want to become. And I want you to feel as if I am there with you, whatever path you choose.

Adapted from the book The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeffrey Zaslow. Copyright © 2008 Randy Pausch. To be published by Hyperion. All rights reserved.

AFTER THE LECTURE
After I gave my lecture in September, I expected to go home and quietly spend time with my family. I never imagined that my talk would be viewed online by millions worldwide. The response has overwhelmed and moved me. Thousands of people have written to me about their life lessons. I’ve also been buoyed by former students who’ve told me how my teaching made a difference to them. There’s no greater gift for a teacher. I’ve used my unexpected fame to advocate for pancreatic cancer research. Last month, I testified before Congress to seek funding for my disease, which is considered the deadliest of cancers. I’ve had great fun too. In my lecture, I told of two childhood dreams: playing in the NFL and being Captain Kirk on Star Trek. Strangers fulfilled those wishes. I was invited to scrimmage with the Pittsburgh Steelers and got to say a line in a new Star Trek film. Both experiences were thrilling.I’m lucky to be living longer than I expected, allowing me more time with my kids. I’ve tried to do unforgettable things with them—such as swimming with dolphins—so they’ll have concrete memories of us and of my love for them. I am honored that my lecture will live on and that people have found it beneficial. Honestly, though, the talk was for my kids, and it gives me comfort to know that they will one day watch it.