Crossroads

I have been thinking quite a bit lately, about crossroads. Every day when I go to town, I have 2 possible ways to go. Both ways are about the same distance, both juncture at the same place, but it is still a choice I have to make at least once, if not several times a day. There once was a time when we first moved here, that I didn't realize I had options, so I was quite content to just continue going straight before I made my turn. Now I can make that turn about 1/2 mile earlier. The road is a little bit more winding, with beautiful scenery all the way down. The problem really comes when I make the decision to take the earlier turn, and then I run into road construction or school zones. If I chose to go straight, I might run into a couple of lights that would slow me down.

Why am I rambling about crossroads? Because our lives are a continual coming to a crossroads. Had I not decided to skip out on my company party to go dancing instead, I wouldn't have met Handsome. Had we not moved to Las Vegas when we did, I probably wouldn't have had Quinn. Had Handsome not decided to quit his job when he did, we probably wouldn't have found our way out of Utah. Sometimes, the decisions are small little things, should I stop and get that Jamba Juice that I am craving, or should I save my money and go back home and eat something a little bit healthier?

I guess the best part is we are all on a journey, it is how we handle those crossroads, the attitudes we have when we are travelling on the 1st road or the 2nd road that determines who we will become. We have to learn to accept the consequences of our actions, with humor and thankfulness for the lessons we have learned.

I Have Been Tagged- 7 Random Things

First and foremost, I would love to thank Rachel, who didn't see fit to just pass me by with her tag. So here goes, 7 random things about me...... I would love to say that everything is pretty well random, so being specific is quite a chore!

1. I can't stand to have the bed sheets untucked. Ok, take this a little further, not only untucked, but I have to have the bed made before I will even climb into it. This, in and of itself, really wouldn't be an issue, except that I am married to a man, that can't stand having the bed made, let alone all tucked in. It has caused some quite major disturbances in our almost 18 years of marriage! I have been known to climb out of bed in the middle of the night to make the bed again!

2. I have an incredibly hard time eating leftovers. It doesn't matter if the meal was the greatest that I have ever had, leftovers kind of make me a little sick inside.

3. I loved to have my knuckles rubbed. When I was younger, I used to sit in church and rub my Mother's knuckles, now I know why. It feels so good! So I will sit next to my children, and put my hand in theirs and let them rub away! Makes those Sunday meetings go by so quickly!

4. I only like to workout alone. I don't get motivated with a workout buddy, but have a great time by myself. My kids know to leave me alone for the 1 1/2 hours that it takes, don't talk to me, don't call me, just let me do my thing.

5. I'm a techno-geek. I love all of things technical. I am the one that sets up the computers, the Internet, figures out how to work computer programs, programs ipods, etc. If it is new, I feel like I need to own it.

6. I hate to be told I can't do something. It doesn't matter if it means hanging cabinets, running 5 miles, or jumping off something, I will find a way to do it. (I wonder where my kids get their stubbornness).

And finally, last but not least, number 7. I hate to be touched. I have my zone, and unless you have been invited in, it makes me crazy to have people randomly touch me. I have been to therapy over this, and nothing seems to work, just stay out of my zone!

And now you know a few more things that I am certain you really didn't care to learn about. So I am going to pass this on to a few people, and let them in on this adventure....here goes, how about Amparo, Allison, Daniel, Marnie and Dani.

Lost Sleep

Last night I was having trouble sleeping. I had had a late meeting, and didn't get home until 11:30, so I decided to catch up on some of my shows. Now apparently, I don't stay up terribly late anymore watching television, because if I did, I am certain that I would have paid attention to the enormous amount of commercials for the Hover-Round, You know, the power wheelchair/Mobile chair. I was so convinced that I needed one after watching them over and over, because, I can get one virtually free! How excited I was! Then, they had another brand advertised, same spiel, Medicare was going to pick up the cost! Hallelujah! It occurred to me, that if they were advertising so many of these late at night, that this was probably the audience they were gearing them to. The insomniac, drunken (who would probably love one!) or the aged. Well since I didn't fit in any of these categories, I decided instead to go to sleep.
Today as I was thinking about these magical creations, I got an email from a great friend of mine, who attached the following video. I now know that THIS is what I need to have instead. Enjoy!

Beach

Saturday we went and explored.

My kids, are always complaining, "why do we have to go?" or "Can't I stay home?"

This time I put my foot down, with a promise of going out to eat at Dad's restaurant after our hike.

I discovered this little patch of beach quite by accident. I couldn't wait to share it with my kids. As you can see, they had a great time, and were quite sad when we had to leave! Another perk of living in Washington!

A view from the trail Maddy is king of the mountain (or log)

Alexa and Quinn Sharing their favorite shells

What a Week

I have been harassed because I haven't posted too much lately. I have a good excuse! This week has been so busy, so I decided to share some of my week with you, in pictures. Enjoy!

First was Homecoming Michael and her date Brandon

Quinn and his friend decided to watch a movie, I walked in, and this is how they looked!

Then onto YW's Volleyball, where they did the Erkle Dance!

FINALLY, the Pumpkin Patch

They seriously don't like having their picture taken

Come on Michael, you can lift that!

Lazy Quinn

I can't decide if they are Children of the Corn, or Chandler's Angels!

I wouldn't trade this week for anything, busy, yes, but never a dull moment. It makes you grateful for all that you have! Enjoy your weekend.

Random

I have just discovered the next greatest thing in multi-tasking! Ok, I lie, I didn't discover it, the librarian told me about it, but I have to admit, it makes my life just that bit easier. It is called a PlayAway. It is about the size of an ipod, and has a full length book on it. You just plug in your headphones, and away you go! I was able to clean my whole house yesterday, completely plugged in! Just think of the possibilities!

I also need to answer some questions that have been posed to me.

What kind of Animal did I become?

Well I confess, the recruiter had given me a heads up and told me this question was going to be asked, so I asked my family and Michael piped up! "I have thought about this a lot!", Now we know what our 16 year olds are thinking about.....

"A Sea Turtle!"

Sounds good to me?!

I went with it, Sea Turtles are adaptable, they can live on land or in the water, they have been around for a long time, so they are survivors, they also have wisdom to be able to survive for so long, It was better than anything I could come up with! Actually, I can honestly say, I was the only one that didn't have the pat answer of, Dog or Cat.

The interview went well, for a group interview. There were about 20 people there. I got called back, and went in for another interview on Monday, I am waiting to hear about that. I know there is a plan, so I am sticking it out!

I have decided that we need to start playing the Bigger and Better Game.

It goes something like this....

I have a stapler, now I need to trade this for something bigger and better, any takers?

Have a great day!

Creativity

I love my children. I love that they are so creative. I love that they love to make things, that they love to sing and laugh.
NOW
If only I could teach them to pick up after themselves!
I have spent the better part of the day cleaning kids rooms, so that I can once again,
THINK!
I have given it my all. I have tried to stand back, let them have their spaces, let them CLEAN on their terms.
I have found for the last few weeks, I haven't been motivated to do anything, then it hit me, my house is a disaster, and not caused by me! I'm sorry, I thought I could reform, but I don't think it will be possible. I have to live in a clean house!

They look innocent, don't they?

Madison swears it is not hers!

Michael knows who it belongs to!